Chapter 38
Tuesday morning everyone was back at the rectory by 10:00 am for one more treat, a day's tour around Manhattan. The boys had known this was going to happen, as Walter had mentioned it to them the previous day.
Patrick using his 18-seater coach was going to drive them around to see some of the well-known sights. Being a coach driver he knew all the short cuts and after the boys, Horatio, Walter and John who was going with them, clambered on the coach, he drove away from the rectory on the start of their journey. John sitting at the front next to him picked up the coach microphone and said, "Hey kids, as you know we have a trip planned for you, but we cannot fit in everything you could see in one day. So we are leaving out all museum visits as they take up too much time, and I am sure you would all prefer to see more general sights than being stuck in a couple of museums wouldn't you?"
The boys all smiled and nodded their heads up and down.
"Okay that's good."
"Now this is what we have planned - Patrick is driving us to Battery Park first, which is the longest part of the trip. We will stay there for a while, and then on the way back we will take you to see some of our famous buildings, and then we will finish the day at Central Park where we will stay for a while and visit the Zoo if we have time."
"I have a box of drinks up the front with me so if any of you want a drink at any time just let me know."
Horatio and Walter, sitting right at the back of the coach with Tommy, Jack, and Christopher between them looked across and smiled at each other. John was doing a good job, and they were happy to sit back and relax.
An hour later on arriving at Battery Park, the southern tip of Manhattan, Patrick was lucky and found a good place to park. Getting off the coach, the first thing everyone did was to have a toilet break. Then as they wandered along the waterfront, the boys were excited as they had a clear view of "The Statue of Liberty" and "Ellis Island." They stopped several times, watching the boats in New York Harbour and watched a ferryboat full of passengers leave for Ellis Island. They were chatting and constantly asking questions, which John and Horatio answered between them. Walter had to leave them to it, he was on a learning trip with the boys, but he was taking plenty of photographs of them having a great time.
Then walking to the north end of the park, they had a view of the artillery batteries and Castle Clinton. John explained the batteries were there in the city's early years, to protect the settlement behind them, and that Castle Clinton, was an American fort built immediately prior to the war of 1812, and named after DeWitt Clinton the mayor at that time. He told them there was a lot of history here, and then he purchased some history booklets from a kiosk for each of them to take home.
Horatio was pleased to note that although Aileen and he had been here with Tommy once he was just as keen and eager as the other boys were. John was doing a brilliant job at keeping them interested.
Just south of the Castle, they came across the Table Green Cafe, with tables and chairs spread around under some trees. The cafe sold a variety of sandwiches, pastries and drinks, and thinking this was a good time to have a break, John asked them all if they would now like to stop for something to eat and a drink, and he got a resounding yes. Horatio laughed, and decided it was his turn to treat the boys to something, so paid the bill when everyone had made up their minds as to what they wanted. He just had a coffee, as did John, Walter and Patrick. The boys had all offered to pay for themselves as they all had some pocket money their parents had given them to bring to New York. Horatio just smiled and told them to take it back home with them.
Soon after they made their way back to the coach, and Patrick then took them to see The Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and The Empire State Building, John giving them some facts on the coach microphone about the places, as they reached them, and the boys agog with interest asked him many questions. They had some tall buildings in Miami, but nothing as famous as they were seeing in New York.
Then they moved on to Central Park, where they spent three hours. There was a lot to see, and they began by walking along the path at the edge of the main lake for a while, looking at the rowing boats and the bird life and some of the boys asked if they could go on the boats. They were happy enough though when John explained that only four to a boat, inclusive of an adult was the maximum allowed, so they didn't have enough adults to take them for a row on the lake, and it would take too long to take them on in stages. Then Walter made them all laugh when he said, "Yeah and me and boats don't go well together, we would likely end up in the lake."
As they were walking, Walter talking to Horatio said, "It is beautiful here, everyone has of course heard of Central Park, but I didn't realise there was so much to see, it is like an oasis in the middle of all these high rise buildings."
Horatio smiled. He had never heard the park referred to as an oasis before, but thought Walter was spot on. Responding he said, "Yes it is beautiful. I have always loved a visit to the park; it is especially beautiful at this time of the year with the autumn colors. This is my favorite time of the year here except in the winter, if it has snowed. This place looks spectacular then."
"Do you miss New York Horatio?"
"Yes, and No - I have good and bad memories of this place," said Horatio his face looking grave for a moment, but then smiling he added, "But some wonderful memories as well. I met Aileen and Tommy here as you know."
Soon after they moved on to see Belvedere Castle. Then they had a wander around the Zoo, and finally before having a drink, they all had a ride on the Carousel, the boys insisting that John, Walter, Horatio and Patrick joined them with much hilarity.
Then they all had a drink at the boathouse cafe after which they started their journey back to the rectory. En- route they had to drive down 321 East 5th Street, and right pass the NYPD 15th Precinct. Noting this, Tommy yelled out, "That is where John worked when he was a police detective."
Horatio wincing gave John a quick glance and mimed, "Sorry." He knew John did not talk much about his days back at the Precinct; he had left a very unhappy man.
John smiled however, and mimed, "It's okay Horatio." Then he started answering some of the boy's questions.
When they reached the rectory, just after 6:00 pm, Jerry came out to ask them if they had had a good day.
He could see they had by their smiling faces and nods of their heads. The boys knowing they were going home the next day were prolific in thanking everyone for their whole visit to New York.
Patrick then ushered his group back into the coach and left to take them to his place for the last time. He and Jenny were going to miss them. It had been nice having the house full of kids again.
John was going to run Horatio home, but Horatio called a cab to give John a break. He had worked hard with the boys all day, and he would have had to return for Sharon later on as well. It would therefore save him a trip. Tommy had of course been in a cab before, but Jack and Christopher were excited, as going for a ride in one of New York's famous yellow cabs was something else they could tell their parents about when they got home, and there was much to tell.
That evening, Maeve had prepared another meal, and stayed to eat with them. Then she cleared up after them so that Horatio and the kids could just relax and get ready to go home the next day. Later, as she was about to leave Horatio gave her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, thanked her for all her help, and told her he looked forward to seeing her again in November. Then she hugged Tommy and gave him a kiss goodbye, and gave Jack and Christopher a peck on the cheek as well.
Soon after, Horatio packed his and Tommy's luggage, except for items needed overnight and helped Jack and Christopher with theirs as well so that they were ready for the next morning. The boys were happy and thanked Horatio more than once for having let them stay with him.
After the boys and Tommy went to bed, Horatio stretched out full length on the sofa, relaxed and nodded off for a few minutes. Coming too, he was annoyed with himself. He had meant to phone Aileen earlier. Looking at his watch however, he realised it was not too late and stretching his arm over the edge of the sofa he picked his cell phone up from the floor and called her.
"Sorry, I am a bit late phoning tonight Sweetheart, I fell asleep for a while after the boys went to bed."
"Not to worry Horatio, I guessed you were busy getting ready to come home. How was your day?"
"We had an excellent day, and John was so good at explaining everything to the kids, and although Tommy knew all the places we visited, he was as attentive to him as all the boys were."
"That's good to know Horatio. Has he been a good boy?"
"Very good, and so have all the boys come to that. I would say it has been a perfect trip. I cannot fault any part of this visit; the planning that went into this trip by all involved was brilliant."
"If all goes to perfect timing tomorrow we should arrive at the recreation center in Miami at about 6:00 to 6:30 pm."
"Do you want me to pick you up Horatio?"
"No, we will get a cab. I don't want you coming out at that time of the evening with Hannah, and we may be late anyway."
"Anyway, better go - I still have a few minor things to do before going to bed. Not a lot to do though, Maeve has been wonderful."
"Love you Sweetheart, wish I could give you a kiss, but kiss Hannah for me please."
"Hang on Horatio she is resting in my arms as we speak, she has been restless all evening."
Then giving Hannah a kiss so that Horatio could hear Aileen said, "That was from your daddy, and he will be home soon, and we have really missed him haven't we?"
Horatio smiled softly, when Aileen blew him a kiss over the phone and said, "That is from me, and Hannah. We love you Horatio. Have a safe flight home."
Early Wednesday morning, everyone returned to the rectory, and after Jerry had said a few words about the success of the trip and said goodbye to them, Patrick and John collected Walter and his group of seven and made their way to JFK to catch their flight scheduled for 12:3O pm, due to arrive at MIA at 3:15 pm. Then they returned to the rectory and picked up Horatio and his group, and drove them to JFK in time to catch the later flight at 1:45 pm, due to land at MIA at 4:30pm. They could have taken everyone in one trip but Patrick and John decided that as Horatio, and his boys, had had to hang around at Miami International in between flights on the outward trip, they would save them that hassle this time. This did mean however, that this time Walter would have to wait for Horatio to catch up with him at the other end. At the airport, John gave Tommy a hug, and then hugged Horatio saying, "Have a safe trip, my friend, see you in November."
Both flights went smooth, and landed at Miami International on time. By the time the two groups passed through customs, and caught up with each other, the coach that Walter had hired was there to meet them. Although Walter's boys had had to hang around for Horatio's group this time they had been happy enough watching incoming flights landing, and all the boys were chatting away happily in the coach now on the way to the recreation center, where they were to be collected by their parents.
They arrived at the recreation center at 6:15 pm, and stepping down from the coach first, Walter was pleased to see all the parents were there on time. Then he handed each of the boys a copy of the local newspaper published in New York, Tuesday morning, which Jerry had picked up for them to bring home with them.
Then both Walter and Horatio spent some time talking to parents, accepting their thanks, and watching them gradually driving off with their sons.
When they were all gone, Walter, who had left his car at the center, insisted on driving Horatio and Tommy home. They arrived at Horatio's apartment at 7:30 pm. Declining an invitation to go in for a coffee, Walter waved to Aileen who was standing at the front door, and drove away immediately, being sensitive to the fact that as they had been away for a few days Horatio would want time to catch up with his wife and daughter.
Stepping inside Horatio said, "It's good to be home," as he embraced Aileen, then placing his lips on hers gave her a soft lingering kiss and then added, "I missed you."
"I missed you too Horatio."
Then pulling away from him she gave Tommy a hug asking, "Did you enjoy yourself."
"I have so much to tell you Mom," said Tommy as they wandered into the lounge.
Ruffling Tommy's hair, as he passed him, Horatio with a fond smile on his face said, "I will leave you both to talk, while I go and see Hannah, selfishly hoping she is awake."
Creeping quietly into the bedroom, just in case Hannah was asleep, Horatio moved to the side of her cot, pleased to see his daughter was actually awake. Leaning over to give her a kiss, she smiled at him, and kicked her legs in excitement at seeing him as she always did now, and he just had to pick her up. "Come here princess, I have so missed you and your mommy the last few days." He took her into the study cradled in his arms, for a few quiet moments with her on his own, and sat in his swivel chair looking out of the window for a while thinking how precious this gift of life was in his arms.
Ten minutes later, he wandered back into the lounge; sat down on the sofa next to Aileen, with Hannah still snuggled in his arms, and listened to Tommy still chatting away.
When it seemed he had finished chatting, Aileen asked if they wanted something to eat, but neither Horatio nor Tommy, were hungry, although they did want a drink. Aileen went to the kitchen, made them a drink and on her return with a cold drink for Tommy, and coffees for Horatio and herself, she sat down in an armchair, and watched Tommy guzzle his drink, and smiled guessing he was thirsty after all the talking he had done. He had chatted non-stop, so excited about the trip.
"Just as Horatio took a sip of his coffee, Tommy suddenly piped up, "Mom, on the plane to New York, the air hostess was flirting with Dad."
Horatio spluttered, his mouthful of coffee spraying over Hannah's lemon color nightwear, and he immediately put his cup down as he thought, "Christ Tommy, what have you done."
Aileen inwardly enjoyed Horatio's discomfort for a moment and then with a straight face asked, "Is this true Horatio?"
Horatio blushed, and keeping his eyes down pretending to worry about Hannah, replied, "Don't know Sweetheart, she was smiling a lot, but that is her job to be friendly with the passengers, you know that."
Tommy butting in said, "You told me that on the plane Dad, but she smiled at you a LOT OF TIMES."
Horatio shrank back in the sofa.
"She was definitely flirting Mom," but then Tommy chuckled and said, "But Dad wasn't flirting with her, were you Dad? But you did smile back."
"No I wasn't young man, and you are just trying to make mischief," Horatio said to a now giggling Tommy.
Aileen moved across from her chair to sit next to Horatio and placing her right hand on his face she said, "It's alright darling; you already know I recognise women give you appraising glances, and as long as it is only glances I am okay with that."
Horatio moved her hand to his lips and kissed it softly, and said, "I love you so much Sweetheart, I will never intentionally flirt with anyone else but you.""
Then still a bit embarrassed he stood up, "I think Hannah needs changing now – sorry about the coffee stain."
Aileen took her from him, and tended to her, and then Tommy, now very tired, went to bed of his own accord, and after he had hugged Horatio and kissed him goodnight. Luckily he did not have to go to school until the start of the next week, as Thursday and Friday were scheduled teacher's preparation days, which was particularly nice for Tommy, as it was his tenth birthday on Friday.
An hour later, Aileen had also gone to bed, leaving Horatio to have a shower, and a shave. Then after he got a few things ready for going into work the next day, he crept into bed wrapped his arms around her and softly sang in her right ear, "I've got that lovin' feeling." Aileen chuckled and said, "The words are, "You've lost that Lovin' Feeling."
"Maybe in the song but not where I'm concerned," Horatio retorted, and swiftly turning her over to face him he said, "Come here - I want to make love to my beautiful wife," and feeling her responding, he proceeded to make tender love to her and both eventually went to sleep with smiles on their faces. Horatio was happy to be home, and Aileen was happy he was.
TBC