Chapter Two

He had been in court all day waiting to be testify at Carson Dane's capital murder trial. He hadn't been called to the stand today. In a rare event he could say his day was rather dull until he got home. Rachel had decided she wanted to live in a blanket fort in the living room because her sister was bugging her. Cheyenna was fine with this because she would get her own room. Hunter insisted it was a 'clothing optional' day. Chinese take-out for dinner it was. Kyle came home to this circus before the food arrived.

This is so much better than coming home to a boring dorm, Kyle laughed to himself. When he asked if he could help, Aimee said he could change his brother's diaper or get his sisters to call a truce. For once the diaper was an easy choice.

I'll leave the negotiating to someone with more experience, he teased his father. Come on, future Chip and Dale dancer, he said picking up Hunter.

Traitor, Horatio muttered with a smile.

To hear his son had some happy memories of his previous life he spoke little about, that some of people who looked after him really had cared about him was a comfort to Horatio. It would be nice to meet Parker Grimes. If Parker's parents were ever in Miami, Horatio wanted to thank them personally. The Grimes had retired from fostering last year, Their son Parker who was Kyle's age was an only child, Kyle told him and Aimee that night.

"Parker's not sure when his parents are going to visit him but he's sure they'll definitely want to see me and meet all of you. I updated him on my life during lunch today." That 'everything' included that his new last name and that his juvenile criminal record had been expunged.

"That would be wonderful, honey," Aimee said and Horatio agreed. "When your friend is sick of eating ramen and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you can invite him over for dinner."

Horatio laughed. But he was never a student. Aimee knew what it was like to practically survive on such food.

"That might be soon," Kyle said.

Across town Frank Tripp was visiting the Delko twins. Eric has sent his wife to the spa so she could get a few hours of quiet. Eric was getting the hang of looking after Ethan and Evan solo when required. Both were calm babies, Evan enjoyed movement whether it was in his swing, stroller or being walked around the room. Ethan was happy just to watch everything around him. Right now this trait came in handy when one parent was alone. Still daddy or mommy didn't leave Ethan in his baby seat or swing all day. Most of their friends, including Rachel Caine could tell the babies apart by now.

Except Frank. The babies were dressed differently all the time, as a back-up plan to tell them apart if mommy or daddy were in zombie mode. Today Ethan wore a t-shirt with a lion on it and Evan wore one with a giraffe. This was the only way Frank knew who was who today. Frank's relationship with his three children had been difficult since his divorce ten years ago. He made every attempt to maintain his relationship with them but they weren't receptive to more than an occasional phone call. Sadly his ex-wife won the kids in more ways than one. Being around his friends' children helped the void. Frank was due to testify first thing Monday at Carson Dane's murder trial. Calleigh had testified yesterday. Despite being on maternity leave she wasn't going to miss a chance to nail this guy. Not that she didn't have vivid memories of the case but she had spent the week going over her evidence at the lab. Everyone understood her will. Horatio was expected to be put on the stand on Monday too.

Eric guessed that chatting with babies was also Frank's way to relax before what could be an intense day tomorrow.

"Calleigh said he's not putting up much of a fight for innocence," Eric said. "Seems like he's saving everything for the penalty phase."

"Ironic he would rather rot in prison than get the needle considering his career and all," Frank replied.

Eric looked at his phone. "Calleigh is going out for dinner with Alexx. I'm ordering in. Since you are helping with the boys and all, you want burgers or pizza?"

Kyle got an e-mail from Parker Grimes' mother, Deanna just before going to bed. It was filled with photos of the eighteen months he spent with them and scanned copies of the few photos Kyle had of himself as a baby and much younger self. Deanna added how happy and relieved she was that he found his dad and family. Parker had told her everything. She assured she and her husband were very proud of him despite his "bump in the road." At least he had learned from it. Deanna hadn't planned to go Miami so soon having Parker settled in. However, now they were coming in three weeks. They already had an airbrb booked. Deanna told him the address of their airbnb and wanted to know where his family lived.

About a block from where you're staying, he wrote to her. I'm sure you will be able to hear my sisters fighting from down the street.

Kyle couldn't wait for his families to meet.