The next few weeks went by quickly. Tim gave up his apartment and moved into Calleigh's place. They went for their first ultrasound and were in awe of the sight of their child so tiny on the screen. It was an amazing thought that this little bean-shaped embryo would soon grow into a baby that they would meet in a few short months. Calleigh's morning sickness passed and she started to get her energy back. They still hadn't told anyone at work yet but had decided that once Calleigh made it into her third trimester they would tell everyone. Then they were going to take that much-needed vacation Horatio had promised them. They were only getting a week for now so they had decided not to go too far from home. Some friends had told Tim about a resort out on the coast that was pretty nice. Tim wanted Calleigh to be pampered but he also wanted to go somewhere where they could be entertained too. There was also scuba diving and rock-climbing if Tim wanted something to do while Calleigh relaxed. This place sounded great and Calleigh was excited when she read the brochure Tim brought home. Watching her reaction as she looked at the brochure, Tim couldn't wait to get her there and have her all to himself.

The last few days before their vacation seemed like the longest ones in Tim's life. Before they left on their trip Tim had a surprise for Calleigh that he'd been planning for awhile and it just made time pass by even more slowly. A never-ending case and a few co-workers who seemed bent on pissing him off had Tim in a foul mood by the afternoon of their last day of work. Calleigh tracked him down in the trace lab and could tell by the look on his face that he was a ball of tension. She knew that the case he was working on wasn't going well and he was close to losing it.

"Hey Tim." She said, giving him a brilliant smile. He looked up at her and smiled back but it was far from genuine.

"Hey." He grunted at her, turning back to his work.

"Baby, you look like you could use a break. This may not be the right time but Eric, Horatio and Alex are all in the staff lounge right now and I was thinking we should tell them our news. I asked them to stick around in there for a few minutes."

"Sorry, Cal. This just isn't a good time. Can't it wait until later?" Calleigh didn't try to hide the disappointment on her face when Tim said this. She had been aching to tell everyone for weeks and she thought he felt the same way.

"Well, Eric and Horatio are about to head out again so basically it's now or never. I mean, we're leaving tomorrow. I just think we should tell them before they figure it out for themselves, don't you?" She rubbed her growing belly as she said this. Her pregnancy was already starting to show and she was having more and more trouble hiding it with the wardrobe she had now. It wouldn't be much longer and she'd be in maternity clothes.

"You're right, I'm sorry." Tim said, seeing the look on her face. "I'm just having a hell of a time with this case and I don't feel like I'm getting everyone's cooperation around here."

"Who's not cooperating?"

"You don't even want to know Calleigh. Look, I'll just put this stuff away and we'll go right now. I've pretty much had it." Before they left the room he suddenly pulled her into his arms and gave her a kiss. She kissed him back eagerly and when they pulled apart Tim had a smile on his face again. "Now that is exactly what I needed. I can't wait to get out of here today Calleigh." She smiled back at him and nodded in agreement.

"I know what you mean. In less than 24 hours I plan to be basking in the sunshine without a care in the world. It's going to be amazing." Calleigh grabbed hold of his hand and gave him an excited smile. "Let's go do this."



As they walked into the staff lounge, Alex, Horatio and Eric all turned to greet them. Tim gave Calleigh's shoulders a gentle squeeze as she started speaking.

"If y'all have a minute we've got some good news we'd like to share." Calleigh was practically grinning from ear to ear as she said this. Everyone looked at her and Tim, wondering what this news was, different thoughts flashing through each person's mind. "We've been waiting a little while but we've decided now's the time to tell our secret. Tim and I are expecting a baby, I'm 14 weeks pregnant!" She said happily. Hugs and handshakes were exchanged, as everyone congratulated them both. Calleigh felt herself getting misty-eyed as she saw how happy everyone was for them. They were like a family to her and she valued their opinions. She knew that Tim felt the same way so this was exactly the reaction they had been hoping for. Everyone had been happy when they had started dating so it didn't surprise her that they were happy now. It was strange because most people had reacted like it was inevitable that Tim and Calleigh would get together. Alex had told her once that she was amazed they had waited as long as they had. Calleigh was smiling at the memory when Alex gave her another big hug and then held her at arm's length.

"Well, look at you, Sugar. I can't believe I didn't realize you were pregnant. I can see now that you're showing and everything." Calleigh smiled, shaking her head.

"That was the idea Alex! I've been trying to cover it up because we didn't want anyone to know quite yet. I'm so glad you know now though because I've been dying to tell you." Tim came up behind her, putting his arms around her.

"I've gotta go back to the lab, Cal. Or else I'm never going to get out of here tonight." He said, regretfully.

"Well, I'm done for the day so why don't I help you finish up? Then we can go home together." Calleigh offered.

"No, you go ahead without me and relax. I'll bring home dinner."

"Girl, you've got yourself a good one. I'd hold onto him if I were you. I'm actually heading out now so I can give you a ride if you like." Alex piped up. Calleigh accepted, knowing she wouldn't win an argument with Tim right now. Tim was a little embarrassed by Alex's comment to Calleigh and since Eric and Horatio were leaving he decided now was the time to make his exit. He would leave Alex and Calleigh to their girl talk.

"I'll see you in a couple of hours, okay?" Calleigh nodded and they kissed goodbye. Eric and Horatio congratulated her again on their way out and told her to have a great vacation.

"Oh, I will. I intend to get lots of R&R while I can." Calleigh assured them, hugging them both again. Eric, Tim and Horatio left the two women alone and as soon as they were out the door Eric turned to Speed.

"I knew something was up with you two. You've been acting strange for awhile now, I just had no idea why."

"Yeah, I've been a little preoccupied." Tim admitted.

"Now we know the reason." Horatio said, although he hadn't really been surprised to hear that Calleigh was pregnant. He worked closely enough with her that he had noticed the changes in both her appearance and her attitude. Speed being overly concerned about her had also tipped him off. He had chosen to say nothing though, figuring they were keeping a lid on it for now and he respected that.

"Yeah, Calleigh keeps telling me to take it easy and not be so overprotective but it's been hard, you know? I'm starting to get used to this pregnancy thing now." Both men nodded, but neither really knew how Speed was feeling, having never been in his position before. Speed really wasn't in the mood for small talk so he said his good-byes to Eric and Horatio and got back to work. He wanted to get things done as quickly as possible so that he could focus on his future with Calleigh. He had an important errand to run before he went home to her.

Calleigh flopped down on the couch, feeling exhausted. Instead of relaxing like Tim had suggested she had finished all of the packing for their trip the next day. Now at least she and Tim could spend a quiet evening together and they wouldn't have much to do in the morning before they left. Calleigh looked at the clock, surprised at how late it was. She had expected Tim home earlier and wondered what was keeping him. Realizing she could barely keep her eyes open she decided she might as well take a little nap while she was waiting. She was still sleeping when Tim arrived home a short while later, with dinner and a surprise that he carefully and quietly hid in the walk-in closet of their bedroom. He had been hoping he could sneak it in without her seeing so he was happy to discover her sleeping on the couch. He stood there for a moment, taking in the sight of her. She'd changed into an outfit that showed off all the curves of her pregnancy. He thought she was more beautiful now than ever and he loved watching her body change as their child grew inside her. Calleigh started to stir and he went over to embrace her as she woke up.

"Hey, you. I'm glad you're home, what took you so long?" Calleigh asked him, stifling a yawn.

"Well, once I finished the case I had an errand to run. Oh, and I grabbed some food too."

"Well aren't you the sweetest! I'm actually pretty hungry." Calleigh said, rubbing her belly. She took Tim's proffered hand and let him pull her off the couch. They ate together in a companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. After dinner, Tim eagerly led Calleigh into the bedroom. She looked at him curiously, wondering what he had up his sleeve.

"I've got a surprise for you. Close your eyes, okay?"

"Why, what are you planning?" Calleigh asked, eyeing him with a suspicious smile.

"You'll find out in a minute if you just close your eyes." Tim assured her. With an exasperated sigh Calleigh gave in, closing her eyes tightly. "No peeking!" he warned her. A moment later, Tim's hands found hers and he told her she could open her eyes. Sitting in the middle of their bedroom was a beautifully carved wooden cradle. Calleigh turned to Tim with tear-filled eyes and went over to get a closer look, pulling him right along with her.

"Oh my gosh, it's so pretty. I can't believe you did this, Tim." Calleigh ran her hands over the wood, taking in every detail. "How did manage to sneak this in here?"

"Well, luckily you were sleeping otherwise the surprise would have been when I walked through the door with it." Tim replied, putting his arms around her so his hands rested on her belly. "I had it specially made for our baby, Cal. I know it's a little early but I couldn't wait to get it."

"I just love it, Tim. It's perfect. You know how I've been wanting to start decorating the baby's room and now I've got the perfect piece of furniture to start with." Calleigh's voice trailed off as something caught her eye all of a sudden. There was something small and shiny in the corner of the cradle. Reaching down to pick it up, Calleigh realized it was a ring. Her mouth opened in surprise as she looked from the diamond ring in her hand to Tim's hopeful smile. "Is this what I think it is?" Tim took the hand that held the ring and held it in his own. Trying hard to control his emotions, Tim locked eyes with Calleigh.

"I love you so much, Calleigh. Our lives have been perfect since we've been together and all I want is to be with you for the rest of mine. Will you be my wife, Cal?" Calleigh couldn't stop the tears from overflowing as she threw her arms around Tim. She had anticipated that they would talk marriage at some point during her pregnancy but she hadn't expected him to propose like this. It was so romantic that she was too overwhelmed to speak for a moment. Tim was afraid of the silence, not knowing what was going through her mind. Calleigh pulled away, leaving her hands on his shoulders.

"Of course I'll marry you, Tim. I want that more than anything and not just because we're having a baby." Calleigh admitted, smiling through her tears. Tim gently wiped the tears from her face and kissed her. Calleigh kissed him back passionately. Breaking the kiss, Tim took the ring from her and slid it on her finger. Calleigh gazed at it for a moment, still not believing that this was real.

"This just feels right, Calleigh. I never really figured I'd get married and have kids until I met you, then the possibilities seemed endless. You just make me happy." Tim pulled her to him for a hug and Calleigh melted against him, realizing what a blessing she had in this man. She'd never really thought she could fall in love with someone so completely until Tim came into her life. Now together they would have a marriage and a family. She couldn't wait to bring this child into the world and just hoped with all her heart that he or she would someday find this kind of happiness. There was never a guarantee of course but hopefully they'd be able to raise a well-rounded child who would go after what they wanted in life. That's all she could hope for. They pulled apart from each other and Tim noticed she was still crying.

"You okay?" He asked her, bringing a smile to her lips.

"I'm wonderful. I'm just really emotional, that's all. It's good, really." She reassured him, leaning in to kiss him. Letting himself relax, knowing that she was okay, Tim gave himself over to the kiss. Lifting her up off the floor with ease, he carried her over to their bed. Calleigh moved so that she was sitting on top of him and smiled down at him. Tim reached up, wiping away the last of her tears.

"I'm glad you're happy about this, Calleigh. I wasn't sure if it was the right decision but I finally decided to just go after what I really want."

"Well, I'm really happy that you did, Tim. Right now though, I don't want to talk." Calleigh said, giving him a seductive smile. "I just want you." She said, leaning toward him. It kept surprising Tim how amorous she was these days, he hadn't expected pregnancy to have this effect on Calleigh but he certainly wasn't about to complain. Suddenly all thoughts of work, vacations, weddings and babies were put aside and only the two of them existed. There were no more worries or inhibitions as they focussed on just being together. Right now that was all that mattered.

The End