A/N: again, sorry for the delay; life has been a bit busy but I will try and get another chapter in before the day is over, at least for me:D thanks for your patience and kind reviews.

Chapter 37

According to Florida law, because Sandra and Horatio had not attended a state-sponsored marriage preparation course, there was a three-day waiting period for the marriage licence. Due to Sandra's head injury and their respective work schedules, it was about a week before they could get the licence.

During that time Sandra spoke to the Del Walshes about her condo and her upcoming nuptials and they agreed that because it was Sandra's name on the lease she could invite her husband to move in with her. The family also extended their congratulations and best wishes, something Sandra passed on to Horatio.

As for the wedding itself, both agreed they wanted a simple one; pay a visit to the justice of peace and then maybe dinner or lunch with their friends. Their honeymoon would have to wait for a bit, until they could both afford to take time off.

Horatio didn't announce the engagement and neither did Sandra; that didn't stop people from noticing or commenting. Sandra's girls were quick to spot the ring on Sandra's hand and they admired it, especially when Sandra told them who she was engaged to.

Calleigh pounced on Horatio the day after he'd proposed to Sandra, with a very demanding, "Well?"

He just grinned and nodded.

"About time!" she said, grinning. "When?"

"As soon as possible."

"We let you get away with Marisol," she said, "but we won't with Sandra; you know that, right?"

"Somehow," he said ruefully, "that does not surprise me."

The only major issue they ran into with regards to their marriage was Kyle.

Kyle knew of Sandra, as Horatio had mentioned her a few times, but he had not actually met her. Sandra offered to remedy that problem by inviting him to dinner. Kyle accepted the invitation and, on the night of the dinner, Horatio picked him up from his mom's place, pointedly ignoring Ron, who glared at him.

"How long have you known Sandra?" Kyle asked, curious, as Horatio drove back to his condo building.

"About seven years, give or take," Horatio said.

"That's a long time."

"Hmm. We've mostly been friends but it was recent that we decided to take things a bit further."

"What does she do?"

"She's a manager for a top-of-the-line clothing store."

"Something Mom might like?" Julia tended to like the finer things in life, Kyle had noticed.

"She might, as Sandra's store caters to young adult women but they are starting to branch out a bit."

"Cool. Where does she live?"

Horatio smiled. "Two doors down from my place."

"You two are neighbours? Is that how you've known each other for so long?" Kyle asked, eyes going wide.

"Yes. One question; are you allergic to cats?"

"Nope. I love dogs but cats are okay."

"Okay. Sandra has two and they can be a pair of hell-raisers. Watch your ankles when you come in the door."

Kyle's eyes went wide again as he wondered what he was getting himself into.

In the building, Horatio was about to open the door to the condo that was rapidly becoming his home when both he and Kyle heard someone shriek.

Kyle's eyes went wide as he watched his father calmly continue opening the door, as if someone yelling from inside the condo was an everyday occurrence.

"Sandra! Are you okay, sweetheart?" Horatio called as he removed his shoes and put his sunglasses on a nearby hall table.

"Oh, just dandy, if you don't mind the fact that we're having kitty shish-kabob as a side for dinner tonight!" Sandra yelled back from down the hallway.

Horatio grinned as he went down the hallway, Kyle right behind him, having taken his shoes and jacket off. "Which one?"

"Bear!"

"What did he do?" Horatio asked, entering what Kyle assumed was the bedroom, and leaning against the doorframe, hands tucked in his pockets.

In the bedroom a pretty lady with brown hair, dressed in embroidered jeans and a black t-shirt with what looked like a neon-coloured Pooh on it, was leaning against the bed frame, one sock-covered ankle slightly up, and glaring at something under the bed.

"Guess," she said sourly, causing Horatio to grin even wider and Kyle to wonder just what he was getting himself into tonight.