Chapter 36

Horatio woke up startled. He looked at the clock, it had just gone past six o'clock. He didn't hear his alarm. He turned over to wake Calleigh up but she was already up. He smelt the air, Calleigh was cooking breakfast, he could smell the bacon and hear the eggs popping in the frying pan. He threw off the covers and grabbed a pair of shorts to put on. He noticed Calleigh's clothes from the night before in a pile in the corner and grinned to himself.

He made his way downstairs to be greeted by squeals of "DADDY!" Donna and Daisy Jo jumped on him to greet their daddy in their usual way.

"Mommy said that we're not allowed to go in to see Uncle Dammo and Aunt Natalia," Donna moaned.

"And mommy is right. You both woke them up far too early yesterday. Go and play with your toys while I go and see what mommy is up to," Horatio made his way to the kitchen whilst the twins sat playing with their new teddies from Kyle and their other toys.

Horatio entered the kitchen to see Calleigh stood by the cooker. She was wearing her satin robe which went halfway down her thighs. Calleigh looked in Horatio's direction and smiled, "good morning there my sexy Lieutenant."

Horatio returned the smile and walked behind Calleigh and wrapped his arms round her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder, "so what's all of this in aid of?"

Calleigh grinned, "well, I figured after last night, we could both do with a good breakfast. I've also told Damien and Natalia that I'm doing a cooked breakfast if they want to join us."

Horatio kissed Calleigh on her neck, "hmm I enjoyed last night."

Calleigh turned round to face her husband and wrapped one arm round the back of his neck and the other on his well toned chest, "so did I."

As they kissed, Natalia walked into the kitchen.

"Oh god, I'm sorry," then she quickly scarpered back into the dining room trying to recover from seeing her boss in just a pair of shorts.

Calleigh and Horatio looked towards the kitchen door. They looked back at each other and grinned.

"I think I'd better go get dressed. I don't think Natalia's used to seeing me like this," Horatio winked.

Calleigh smiled, "and I'd better get on with breakfast before it burns."

Horatio walked through the dining room and past a rather embarrassed Natalia.

"Good morning," Horatio nodded slightly with a grin.

"Oh, erm, good morning Horatio," she tried to hide her embarrassment but she was already blushing.

As he walked past, Natalia noticed the scratches on his upper back. Still trying to process what she had just seen, she walked back into the kitchen.

"Do you need a hand?"

Calleigh smiled, "yeah sure. Can you just grab some plates out of that cupboard?" she pointed to a cupboard near the cooker.

"Sure," Natalia opened the door to get the plates out, "I don't even think I want to know how he got those scratches on his back."

Calleigh smiled, "in that case, you don't want to process my fingernails."

Natalia looked shocked, "and you are cooking breakfast?"

"Don't worry, I have washed my hands," Calleigh started to plate up breakfast, "I take it you were a bit shocked at seeing Horatio in his shorts?"

Natalia felt herself blush, "considering I'm only used to seeing him in his suits at work or in his casual clothes when he's not working, but that was a little too casual."

Calleigh giggled to herself slightly, "I will have make sure he covers up in future then," she couldn't resist teasing her.

"You know what Cal? Since I've been here, I have seen a completely different side to both of you that I don't normally see."

Calleigh looked curiously at Natalia, "how do you mean?"

"At work, you are both so professional and are focussed on your jobs. Work stays at work and home stays at home. The only time I have ever seen you two all loved up was at your wedding. Even that was a bit strange. Horatio isn't exactly one to wear his heart on his sleeve."

"Neither is Damien. I think it must be a Caine thing."

Natalia nodded in agreement, "Damien puts on a façade to cover what he's really feeling. That's why he always jokes about everything, but I can see past his humour. I don't think many people really know the true Damien, they just see Dammo, the joker. Obviously Horatio can see right through him and other members of their family can."

"So Damien does have a serious side as well?"

Natalia grinned, "when he needs to. He's quite a normal person once you get past the façade."

"Really? I've never seen past the humourous side," Calleigh had just about finished plating everything up.

"It's just like I've never seen past the work side of you and Horatio."

"That's true. But now you have seen a different side of Horatio that you probably thought you'd never see," Calleigh couldn't resist teasing Natalia as she got all embarrassed once again.

"Yeah well, I don't think I'll be able to see him in the same light again. I think I'm scarred for life."

Calleigh laughed and handed her two plates of food, "these are for you and Damien. I'm sure he'd enjoy breakfast in bed."

Natalia smiled and took the plates and some cutlery to their room. Just as she was about to enter the room, she heard Horatio coming down the stairs. To avoid her feeling even more embarrassed, she hurried into the room. Horatio noticed and grinned to himself.