Happiness for H: A Christmas to Remember

January 4

Emily couldn't sleep. It was 2:00 AM and she was wide awake. Horatio would be leaving to go back to Miami later today. She thought she would be relieved – with him in Florida, she couldn't hurt him by doing something dumb. 'What,' her mind said, 'are you going to do when you marry him? Or are you going to chicken out on that too? That would only hurt him more.'

She sighed. She was so confused. Love wasn't supposed to be this difficult, was it? You love someone, they loved you, you ride off into the sunset and get married and have a wonderful life. But what about all those whispers in the back of your head and shadows from old memories you couldn't make out?

Ghost heard his mistress tossing around and decided it might be a good time to put in a request to go outside. He hadn't been sleeping on the bed, since he couldn't jump up there with his bad leg. So he went over and laid his head on the bed, near Emily's ear and whined softly. She turned over and looked at him. His brown eyes glowed gold in the nightlight that she kept on beside the bed. Seeing he had her attention, he bounced his chin on the bed and gave a very soft "woof". Emily scratched him between the ears.

"Okay, I'm not sleeping anyway. Let's go." She slipped on her fuzzy robe and slippers and followed him down the dim hall.

"Don't leave the yard and no barking! We have guests," she told him sternly, then slid the door open and watched him bound out into the yard, his breath freezing in little puffs in the cold night air. She had just shut the heavy glass door, when she heard Horatio's voice behind her,

"I thought I heard someone get up." Emily turned quickly, bumping into him. He put his hands out to steady her and she felt that familiar little zap run up her arms at his touch. Horatio felt it too, she could tell by his swift intake of breath.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." She didn't know what to say. It seemed all she could do was stand there and drink in the sight of him.

"No worries. I wasn't sleeping anyway." Emily was aware of his hands rubbing her arms. His red hair was tousled, not from sleep, but from his hands running through it.

"Would you like some tea, hot cocoa, something stronger?" Emily couldn't seem to make her feet move away from him.

"Are you having something?"

"I usually make hot cocoa if Grandma gets up. She usually puts Bailey's in hers."

"I'll have hot cocoa, if you're going to have some. Make mine non-alcoholic."

"Yes, sir." Emily grinned and made an effort to step away from him. He stayed by the door, arms crossed and watched her as she got out pan, milk, syrup and whip cream. While the milk was heating she asked,

"Can you see Ghost? I'm surprised he's stayed out there this long."

"Yes, I see him." He paused. "You really missed him when you were in Miami, didn't you?"

"Yes," Emily searched around for two mugs. "Until I started running with you, he had been my sole running companion here. I was thinking about him that day we ran into each other on the beach." She looked up at him and was caught by the look in his eyes. 'What is it?" she asked.

He smiled self-consciously.

"I was … a little … jealous when you said you had a running companion."

"Here you go." Emily handed him a mug and perched on a stool at the kitchen island. "I didn't think you would really be there the next week," she admitted. "But I was delighted that you were." She knew she was blushing and took a sip of her cocoa, leaving a line of whipped cream on her upper lip. Before she knew what was happening, he leaned over and kissed her. Lifting his head and looking into her wide eyes, he said,

"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist."

"You don't look sorry, Lieutenant." She murmured, taking another sip. They finished their cocoa in a comfortable silence and she was just putting the mugs in the sink when Ghost woofed at the door to come inside.

"I've got him," Horatio let the big dog inside, giving him a fond pat on the head. Ghost tossed his head happily and went over to his spot by the fridge, where he waited for his treat. After tossing Ghost a doggie cookie bone, Emily turned to find Horatio had come up behind her once more.

His eyes were serious as they searched her face. He seemed to want to say something to her.

"We had fun yesterday didn't we, Emily?"

"Yes," she nodded and murmured, "like when we were in Miami. But without the snow."

"Mmmhmmm. Would you do something for me," he asked her, hesitating again. "Would you think about coming back to Miami with me today? Just for a week or so?"

"Horatio, I …" she didn't get a chance to finish as he put a finger to her lips.

"Just think about it," he repeated. "We can talk about it more in the morning, or, I guess it is morning, later." Before she could say anything further, he put his arm around her and gave Ghost a low whistle.

Horatio walked Emily to her bedroom door and opened it. Before she went inside, he reached over and gently tucked the stray strands of her hair behind her ear, murmuring again,

"Please, just think about it, Emily." He leaned over and kissed her gently, then gave her a gentle nudge into her room and waited until she shut the door.

TBC