000

Chapter 5

000

Horatio arrived at Calleigh's condominium and she took him in with open arms, humming approvingly as she buried her face in his neck.

"Did someone miss me?" he teased and she silenced him with a kiss.

"Mmm. I missed that," he said grinning. "I thought we could go out for dinner. How would that be?"

"Perfection," she smiled, "You read my mind."

Passing his fingers through her hair, he told her, "I'm going to head home to dress up, so I'll pick you up in about an hour. Does that leave you with enough time to get ready?"

"It should," she rested her head on his chest. "If not, you'll just have to wait, now, won't you?" she looked up at him.

"Patience is a virtue."

"Yeah, well," she pushed him towards the door, opening it, to get him to step out, saying, "anticipation is sometimes everything, but you better be back here in an hour."

He chuckled as she closed the door and backed up against it. She had to think fast to quickly find something that would make his jaw drop or, at least, knock his socks off.

Searching her closet, scanning her apparel, her eyes landed on the perfect article of clothing.

Getting out of her comfy, relaxed clothing, she slipped on red lingerie under her long dress and when the doorbell rang, she was ready for him.

She smiled as he looked from her feet all the way up to her hair then back down again.

"Pleased?" she asked.

"I am," he said lifting both eyebrows, stepping in and taking her hand to spin her around. The wavy hair covering her bare shoulders flew around her, the slit up the back of her dress revealed her gorgeous calves, her stilettos - not only gave her the perfect height for him to kiss her, but also accentuated her beautiful legs and the color of the dress she wore? Black.

Jaw-dropping was not the word, he was mesmerized.

"This I like," she gently slipped a hand down his silk black tie. Formal, he did look it with a suit jacket over a white buttoned down shirt and classy black pants. She looked at him desirously. If she wasn't so hungry, she'd rip those clothes right off his back.

"Is it my turn to spin?" he asked making her laugh.

"Maybe later, if you take me dancing."

"Anything you want."

"I'm curious, Handsome... You don't like wearing ties so why wear one?"

"Sometimes a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do to look nice for a lady."

"It worked." She beamed him a smile.

"Shall we?" he opened the door for her.

"We shall," she walked passed him, happy that he leaded her with his hand at the small of her back.

000

They arrived at a chic restaurant Horatio had selected. The headwaiter seemed to know Horatio and ushered them to an indoor terrace.

The light was dim over their table, but the lights coming from the ceiling in the middle of the restaurant made it seem like they were outside. Before taking a seat, Horatio introduced Calleigh to the young waiter named Tony.

"Pleased to meet you," Calleigh shook his hand.

"Pleasure's all mine," the waiter replied. "Please," he directed them, "have a seat."

Comfortably seated, they were offered drinks.

Calleigh glanced at her date telling him she wanted him to decide.

"Ah, Tony, bring us your finest white wine, please."

The waiter nodded, "Will do. Shall I leave you a moment with the menus?"

Calleigh smiled, "Yes, please."

Tony handed them each a menu and left.

Horatio left the menu aside, captivated by how beautiful she looked under the soft lighting. Not only did she glow, but her complexion had also taken on a faint pink hue.

"What would you like, sweetheart?"

Her eyes shot up from the menu, "What are you having?"

"You first."

"I think I'll have some fried chicken and vegetables on rice. You?"

"Fettuccine Alfredo."

"Sounds delicious."

"I'll give you a taste. The kind they make here is my favorite. You'll never want to eat it anywhere else after that."

As if on cue, Tony reappeared and took their menus, placing a basket of bread on the table at the same time.

"Can I get you an appetizer before the meal? Or maybe an entrée?"

Horatio looked at Calleigh, "It is for the lady to decide."

Calleigh blushed and replied, "Um, I don't think appetizers are necessary," looking back at Horatio, "Horatio, would you mind me getting a salad to share as an entrée?"

"Not at all," he turned his eyes to Tony. "You heard the lady."

Tony smiled.

"Ma'am, what kind of salad? We have Caesar, homemade or - "

She stopped him, "Homemade, please."

"Coming right up," the waiter prepared his notepad and pen, "Are you ready to order the main course?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, Tony, we are," Horatio told him.

Tony chuckled, "Always ready, Lieutenant."

"I'm off the clock, Tony."

"I know. I just like serving the authorities."

Horatio chuckled, "Detective Duquesne, here, would like fried chicken and vegetables on rice."

Calleigh laughed at the waiter's stunned expression. He obviously underestimated the gorgeous woman. Tony smiled understanding that, even though they were both in law enforcement, this definitely wasn't a business dinner.

Horatio continued, "I'll have the usual."

"Of course. It won't be long, I'll bring your entrée."

"Thank you, Tony." Horatio's eyes went back to his date.

"Thanks," Calleigh resounded and Tony left again.

"So," Calleigh enquired, "What do you wanna talk about?" She went ahead and gave him a proposition, "Care to tell me how you know Tony and what he meant by serving authorities?"

Horatio smiled. "I'll tell you that story some other time. I'd rather talk about us."

"Okay," she was nervous now, "What's on your mind?"

"Well, there's something I tried telling you, but you, well, you fell asleep before I could..."

"Oh my God, Horatio," Realization hit hard. "I'm so sorry. I didn't even know..."

"I know." He shook his head, "It's fine."

She continued feeling awful. "I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't remember a thing that had happened. Well, except little bits and pieces, but I'm sure you were a gentleman."

"I respected you - if that's what you mean - "

"Yeah," she nervously tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Calleigh," he said softly taking her hands. "Thinking back, I think it turned out for the best. I don't think what I said made sense, but I want to try again, if you'll let me."

She got up from the wide brown leather bench where she had been facing Horatio and made him scoot over to sit beside him.

"I'm all ears," she said taking his arm.

He turned to face her and held her hands in his, "I don't know where to start... the other night, I wanted to thank you for being there for me. Tonight, I'm going to say what I've wanted to tell you all this time, since I've known you... I, ah, I have strong feelings for you."

Calleigh smiled and squeezed his hand.

No, it was more than that; he loved her.

Tony arrived with the salad and plates, surprised that Calleigh had taken the seat next to Horatio.

Horatio unable to continue talking, looked up at Tony, which made Calleigh look back and see that the waiter was standing there.

"I'm sorry if I interrupted something..." he said embarrassed. "Should I move your utensils on this side of the table, ma'am?"

"No, that won't be necessary," Horatio took the initiative.

Calleigh looked at him with a look that said 'why is he pushing me away?'

"Very well, then." Tony went ahead and set the salad down with the plates on either side of the table and left, excusing himself again.

Horatio held Calleigh's hand and made her stand. He politely accompanied her to her seat whispering in her ear, "I want to be able to see you."

Calleigh took hold of his very useful tie to keep him near her and kissed him softly.

Horatio broke the kiss to return to his seat. He gazed at her while she placed her napkin across her lap.
Picking up the salad bowl, she asked, "Salad?"

"Yes, please."

Having served him and putting some in her plate, Calleigh processed what Horatio had said and looked at him, as he ate, almost expectantly.

He looked at her and, at the same moment, her gaze fell to her plate as she forked some lettuce.

"Calleigh, what I meant to say was: I love you."

She almost dropped her fork. He had said it.

Setting his own fork down, he said, "You must be wondering why I waited all this time to tell you and I can assure you, I didn't mean to wait so long. It hit me last night."

Before, he couldn't put his finger on how he felt and couldn't make sense of it all. And, last night, she had taken him out of the darkness and, from that moment on, he never looked at her the same way.
She had reached within him and found the strength there that he didn't know he possessed. He had been through a lot in his life and the last few days had been tough, but he knew, in his heart, he would always be happy because of her and it gave him everything he needed to continue. He wouldn't walk away from Susie or Madison, not from Ray Jr. nor Yelina. They were his family and they needed him. He wouldn't walk alone because when he needed someone, Calleigh would be there, walking with him.
He had lost his way after a long day and she had found him. His heart had been sinking from all the events of the day because he had realized that Yelina would no longer be a source of hope, showing him that life was beautiful and worth living, encouraging him to move on. Through all the sorrow and pain in the world, Yelina and little Ray were his reason to keep going. He took care of them, forgetting about himself.

"When all hope left," the image of Yelina with another man ran through his mind, "I didn't know which way to go, where to set foot." He had lost his reason for being and was losing hold, losing balance... "And then you came offering to share the heavy load... just like that, like you always have, but it just didn't have the same meaning than before - "

Calleigh's eyes filled with tears.

"I want you to know exactly how much you mean to me. I'm not sure where this is going, but you mean the world to me."
No longer would he need to drown his sorrow or dread tomorrow. She'd hold onto him and steady him.

"Horatio, nothing makes me happier than being with you."

She reached over, caressing his cheek and he placed his hand over hers.

Her heart as wide as the universe, her devotion sincere and true, she would give him shelter in the worse storm.

TBC...