Happiness for H: Ghosts

March 22

For the fifth time in as many minutes, Horatio looked at the clock. It was after 10:00 a.m. and Emily was still asleep. Sipping his coffee, he stared out the patio doors, not really seeing Ghost chasing the butterfly across the backyard. His mind was on his wife and her strange behavior yesterday. He had felt the tension in her when Yelina greeted them at Ray's baseball game. Ghost had picked up on it as well, the big dog had been restless the last two innings whereas he'd been content to lay beside her chair for the first 7. Then there had been her reluctance to join Ray Jr. and Yelina for a bite to eat after the game. She had used Ghost as an excuse, suggesting Horatio could ride home with Ray Jr. When Yelina had offered to give Horatio a ride, Emily had found something intensely interesting in Ghosts' fur, but not before he had seen her pale beneath her tan. Emily had said her good-byes and left so abruptly, Ghost had to run to keep up with her.

Horatio had let her go, thinking maybe she needed some space. Yelina had dropped him off, but not before letting him know that she had something to tell him regarding the picture on his cell phone.

"Horatio, you don't need to worry about who sent you that picture on your cell phone." Horatio's hand on the door stopped.

"You found out something?"

"Yes," she nodded her head. Seeing that she had his attention, "It was a misunderstanding more than anything. I don't think you'll be bothered again."

"Who…" Yelina laid a hand on his arm.

"No one you know, Horatio. I ran the name against all your cases, here and in New York." She caught his raised eyebrow in the dim light. "I have a friend in New York who owes me a favor," she admitted with a smile. "Anyway, it was none of those. You can relax and forget about it."

"Yelina, I have a right to know."

"Horatio, it would be better if you didn't in this case. Besides, I gave my word that this was the end of it." Again he attempted to question her. She put a finger to his lips.

"No Horatio. Trust me?" she asked him. Their eyes locked and he slowly nodded his head. How many times over the course of their relationship had he asked her that same question? He felt he had little choice but to do as she asked. After saying goodnight, he had watched her drive off from the doorstep before putting his key in the lock and going inside.

Remembering that Grandma Estin had said to send in Ghost to wake up Emily, Horatio whistled for the big white dog. He made it up the deck stairs in one bound. Once inside, he circled Horatio, looking from him to the treat jar on top of the fridge.

"One treat for you now," he told the dog, " one when you wake her up and two if she doesn't grumble. Fair enough?" Ghost let out one happy arf then waited patiently for his treat. After pouring Emily a cup of coffee and lacing it liberally with her half'n'half, Horatio headed for the bedroom, Ghost following closely at his heels. He had no sooner gotten inside the door, when his cell beeped. Setting the coffee down, he looked and saw that it was Grandma Estin. Leaving Ghost to his task, Horatio quickly stepped out of the room.

"Good morning Horatio," she greeted him warmly. " How is my favorite grandson-in-law?" He smiled at her words.

"Just fine, Grandma Estin. It's good to hear your voice."

"I was wondering if you have a moment, Horatio?" He sensed a hesitation in her voice.

"Ghost just went in to wake Emily. She … ah, slept in this morning."

"Good, that means we've got about 15 minutes before she comes looking for you. Now, Lieutenant, I have something to ask you and I want a straight answer. Don't you worry about hurting my feelings or anything like that. I want the truth."

"Okay…" Sensing this was something Grandma Estin did not want her granddaughter to overhear, Horatio stepped out onto the deck. Standing so he could watch for Emily coming into the kitchen, he waited for the elderly woman's question, hoping that it might explain some of his wife's odd behavior.

"You know that I would like great-grandchildren," she began. "But, ultimately, having children is a decision for you and Emily." Horatio drew in his breath sharply. "When I mentioned it to my granddaughter the other day she got very flustered and practically ran from the room. So, what I would like to know is if I should stop knitting little caps and booties and blankets?" Horatio realized he had been holding his breath until he heard her ask,

"Are you still there Lieutenant?"

"I'm here, Grandma Estin," Horatio said faintly.

"So, I take it you and my granddaughter have not discussed the subject of children." He heard her cluck her tongue ever so quietly.

"Not in so many words." Horatio paused. "I … Emily and I both … just don't seem to be on the same page when the subject comes up."

"Mmmm… Lieutenant, just what would you consider a good time to be?" Grandma didn't wait for him to answer. "Are you reluctant to discuss the subject with her because your own childhood was less than perfect? Or are you afraid of something else? Perhaps the sins of the father transferring to his son?"

"No!" She heard the anguish in the harsh whisper. Horatio dragged his hand through his hair, all the old feelings of anger and helplessness rising inside him once more as his mother's bruised and battered face rose up in front of him. From out of the mists of the past, he heard Grandma Estin's voice.

"Horatio, Horatio! Listen, to me!"

"Yes…"

"You will be a wonderful father. You are a gentle, caring, generous, compassionate man. I absolutely believe that you would never hurt Emily or any children you might have. Don't ever let yourself forget that."

"Yes ma'am," he answered her softly.

"Good, now that we have that settled," Grandma Estin's voice was all business, " you need to find out what's eating Emily about this."

"And just how should I go about that?" he asked her, but Grandma heard the smile in his voice.

"Ah, you don't need my help, young man." Grandma's voice lowered conspiratorily, "my advice would be to make sure you're somewhere she can't run very far. Now," she went on in a normal tone, "did Emily tell you about the cat nappers out here?"

Emily swallowed the last drop of her coffee and looked at Ghost.

"I don't suppose you can get me another?" Her pet laid his head on the bed, liquid brown eyes looking up at her adoringly.

"Okay, you win." She set the empty cup down and rubbed her pets muzzle in her hands. He whined in pleasure. "Do you like that face scritchie?" she asked him, rubbing the top of his muzzle with her knuckle.

"I wonder where Horatio's gotten too?" she asked her pet as she stretched and reluctantly got out of bed. Together they pattered down the hallway. On her way to the kitchen, Emily saw him outside on the deck and waved as he looked up at her. She continued on to pour herself another cup of coffee. Leaning against the counter and sipping the hot brew, Emily wondered what she was going to say to her husband. She had heard the car pull up last evening when Yelina dropped him off. Peaking out the window, she had witnessed the two silhouettes lean close in the dim light of the car's interior, then Horatio had slowly gotten out. When Emily had heard his key in the lock, she had fled to her office and feigned sleep on the bed. She heard the door open softly, his voice calling her name, then just as quietly the door swung shut. Emily breathed a sigh of relief and stayed there until she actually did fall asleep. Sometime much later, Horatio had come in and picked her up. He carried her into their bedroom, and helped her get ready for bed. When she moved to roll away from him, he had only gathered her closer, his voice a soft whisper in her ear.

"Penny for you thoughts sweetheart." Emily looked up to see him standing in front of her.

"Thank you for sending Ghost in with my coffee," she said. "And for helping me into bed last night. You could have left me in there." He reached over and moved some wisps of hair off her face.

" I could have, but I didn't want to," he told her softly, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Who was that on the phone?" she asked breathlessly, almost afraid to know the answer.

"Your grandmother."

"Oh, did she want to tell you about the cat nappers?"

"Among other things," he said easily.

"I'm sorry, Horatio. I told her you were far too busy to look at blue cat fur. I'm afraid she gets carried away. I think she reads too many crime & mystery novels."

"That's ok, Em. I told her to come down to the Crime lab this week and I'd take a look. I'm happy to do it. Now," he tilted his head as he looked at her. "what would you like to do today?"

Emily shrugged her shoulders, afraid to look at him.

"I think we need to get away somewhere. Can you get yourself together in an hour?" Emily nodded, wide-eyed. 'What was he up to?' she wondered to herself. Out loud she asked him,

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," he said, his eyes never leaving her face. "We'll be outdoors, bring your beach things, ok?" Emily nodded once again. When she didn't move, he reached out and took her coffee cup, topped it off and handed it to her. Gently he turned her in the direction of their bedroom.

"Off you go, one hour or I carry you to the car and you go as you are."

"Yes sir," she answered him, before hurrying off to get her things together.

TBC