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Chapter 11

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On his way home with Ray, Horatio took his cell from his suit pocket and dialed Calleigh who answered on the second ring.

"Hello?"

She sounded tired.

"Hey, it's me," he said in his husky voice that made her melt.

"Where are you? Is everything okay?" She wasn't sure what to ask, but ended up sounding like a panicked wife.

Horatio smiled at the thought, "Everything's fine. I'm driving home with Ray. I just, ah, forgot to tell you something extremely important..." he trailed off, letting the announcement sink in.

He was scaring her. "What is it?"

"I love you."

She breathed in the phone, "For God's sake Horatio, don't scare me like that!"

"Hmm," he thought she'd be surprised and delighted. That she was, after having been alarmed.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked, still a little apprehensive.

"Yes, I have to be," he glanced in the rearview mirror at Ray in the backseat.

"Right," she understood the meaning in his tone, "We can get through this. Say hi to Ray for me."

Horatio moved the receiver from his mouth to his throat and she could hear rumbling, "Calleigh says hi, Ray."

"Ray says hi back," Horatio spoke back in the phone. "He wants me to ask if you could bring the kitten by tomorrow. He'd really like to see her and, ah, I'd really love to see you."

"Sure thing."

"Thank you. So, what are you up to?" He was curious.

She smiled, "Finishing off back at the lab."

"I don't want you staying late."

"Yes, sir." She held back a giggle.

"I mean it, Calleigh."

"Oh, alright." The workaholic gave in, "Besides, I have to check on our kitten."

"How is she?" Horatio asked interested.

"Well, yesterday she seemed to be doing well."

"That's good news. So, I'll see you tomorrow, then," he told her, disappointment in his tone.

"Bright and early. G'night Horatio."

"Good night, sweetheart," he said tenderly.

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As Horatio put Ray's favorite - tacos - in the oven, his phone rang.

He pressed the talk button, "Yeah-"

"Hey Horatio, I'm sorry - I really hate doing this," there was a pause.

"Susie, what's wrong?"

She seemed agitated and Horatio was worried.

"Can I," she choked up, "ask you a huge favor?"

"Anything."

"I'm stuck at work and I was supposed to go get Madison from kindergarden," Horatio glanced at his wristwatch; it was four thirty.

"You want me to pick her up?" Horatio peered in the living room at Ray watching television.

"I know, it's last minute, but I can't get away. They've given me extra hours and you know how the job is... I couldn't refuse - "

She was rambling, subsequently Horatio interrupted, "Susie, listen to me - listen to me, it's okay. I'll go pick her up."

"Oh my God, Horatio, you're a lifesaver! Thank you so much. You know where it is, right?"

"Yeah. I'll be out the door in a minute. It's not a problem." He hung up.

He thought for a moment. Normally, he wouldn't do such a thing, but he dialed Calleigh anyway, "Calleigh, honey, are you busy?"

"Mmm," she was eating something, "No, I'm not... I'm just doing what every girl does when she misses her man..."

"Interesting." Horatio smiled, "What's that?"

She giggled, "Eating ice cream while watching a sad movie."

"I'm going to be a father of two in a few minutes."

Calleigh wasn't sure how to respond. If he was anxious about having Raymond's kids under one roof, she'd tell him not to worry about it. If he was asking for help, she'd be there in the blink of an eye.
Thankfully, he spoke and made it unambiguous.

"I don't want to impose anything on you, because I know you're tired, but - "

She smiled, was he going to invite her? "But what?"

"Would you have supper with us?"

"Yeah, I'd love to." He sensed her smile.

"Okay. Good. And, you know, I have to talk to you. I mean, really talk... I've been meaning to tell you what's going on."

She smiled, relieved that it hadn't taken him long for him to decide to share his fears with her.

"I gotta go pick up Madison from school... give me twenty minutes and I'll be back here. Go in and make yourself at home." She remembered he'd given her a spare key.

"Horatio, I've got a better idea. I'll be there in about fifteen minutes and I'll stay with Ray while you go get Madison. That way I can fix us some dinner."

"Sounds like a plan."

He was happy, she could tell.

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Calleigh shut her car door and sat back into the seat. She looked at herself in the rearview mirror, dabbing lip-gloss on her lips and putting her hair up in a ponytail. It was hot and she was going to leave the Jeep's top off. She glanced at the kitten in the box beside her and smiled, "We're going to Horatio's." She was all jittery and laughed at her excitement while starting up the car.

Backing up in the parking garage, she saw her overnight bag in the back seat... She'd be ready for anything.

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"Hi," Horatio said as Calleigh walked down the hallway outside his condo, carrying the box with the kitten inside on her hip.

"I knew you'd be waiting," she came up to him and he took her in his arms. Finally, he could hold her like he desired.

He whispered in her ear, "I'll be right back," kissed her and walked off. Ray came right away and took the box from her, wanting to see the kitten.

As Horatio got on the elevator, he looked back at her, in the dim hallway, standing in front of the opened door to his home, light shining on her. He was really looking forward to spending the evening with her.

She blew him a kiss and barely had enough time to see him smile as the elevator door closed.

Calleigh walked inside and breathed deeply, relishing the scent of Horatio's home. She went to the kitchen and found the note on the fridge,
Tacos are in the oven. Thank you for everything.
I love you,
Horatio xxx

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Horatio parked the Hummer in front of the kindergarten. He walked in and found the colorful playroom.

There were names over the hooks to hang the kids' coats and bags, he noticed on the wall beside the door. Upon entering, the caregiver came up to him, "Mr. Caine?" She was a young woman with shoulder-length brown hair and hazel eyes. Pretty. Wearing a long skirt and a blouse.

"Yes."

"Mrs. Barnham said you were picking up Madison today."

"Yes, that's right," Horatio glanced around at the small tables and chairs, then at the playhouse.

"She's right over there," the woman pointed to the canvases in the back of the room.

"Thank you." Horatio slowly made his way towards the little artist at work. Scanning the drawings; different artworks and projects the children had made, old childhood memories were revived as he stepped over a yellow construction truck.

"What are you working on?" Horatio asked, kneeling beside Madison and she smiled gleefully then wrapped an arm around his neck. He kissed her forehead, "Your mom asked me to pick you up. Who's this?" He pointed to the painting Madison had been working on.

"That's mommy on the beach, see the sand and the sun and the water. And that's you and me swimming."

"It's beautiful."

She smiled, full of pride and carefully ripped the big sheet of paper from the canvas and said, "You can have it."

"May I?"

She nodded and he smiled.

"We'll put it in the back seat to let it dry and you can ride up front with me. Now, let's get you cleaned up."

He leaded her to the long narrow sink and squirted some soap in his hands, lathering it. He took her small hands between his and scrubbed the dried paint off.

"There you go. Hang on a second," he took some brown paper and handed it to her, "Here."

Having wiped her hands dry, seen her hook, her drawings, where she played with Play-Doh, where she placed her shoes and everything else, they left and put Madison's things in the Hummer.

Horatio picked Madison up by the waist to ease her into the front passenger seat, "Whoops-a-daisy."

Madison giggled.

He went over to the driver's side and got in, turning the key and driving off.

At one point, Horatio turned the radio down, "Madison, there are other people that are going to have dinner with us tonight - There's Calleigh, you remember Calleigh, right?"

Madison wrinkled her forehead in thought.

"She's the lady with long blond hair and - " Horatio was interrupted.

"She talks funny." Madison said frankly.

"I suppose you could say that," Horatio chuckled, "Don't tell her I agreed with you, though, because I like her funny accent."

"Are you going to marry her?"

"I, um, I hadn't thought of that," Horatio lied. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, mommy says that when two people love each other, they get married."

"She's absolutely right."

"Who else is eating with us?"

Horatio was stunned that she had listened so intently.
"There's my nephew Ray, he'll want to play a game with you and there's also something I'm sure you'll like..."

"What?" She apparently loved surprises, fumbling with the strap of her seatbelt as if trying to lean in closer.

"A kitten."

Her smile spread to her ears, "What's his name?"

"She hasn't got one yet. I'll let Calleigh decide since she's the one that found her." He stayed silent for a moment then said, "I thought we'd stop to get a movie, just in case we get bored... have you seen 'Finding Nemo'?"

"No," she looked at him.

"You'll see, you'll like it. It's funny. I saw it the first time with Ray."

TBC...