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Chapter 12

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Horatio arrived at his condo carrying Madison in his arms. He put her down and she immediately went in search of the kitten, "Where's the kitten?"

Calleigh came to the door and knelt before her, "Hey Madison, Ray's got the kitten on the couch with him. Why don't you go meet him while Horatio and I set dinner on the table." She had no argument there.

Calleigh rose and watched Madison take the bag Horatio was holding for her and run off.

"Hey there, Handsome," Calleigh stepped forward and hugged him.

"What's this?" she took the big folded sheet of paper from him.

"A painting she did. I'll put it up on the fridge," he took her hand as he walked towards the kitchen.

"I'll do it," Calleigh slowed his pace.

Horatio noticed the table and looked at her.

"Ray helped. I wasn't sure how you wanted it," she said with some hesitance, looking over the table she had set up.

"The way you did it," he walked into the kitchen, taking plates out to serve dinner, noticing the salad bowl on the counter. Calleigh had put Madison's art up on the fridge. He sensed her at his side, "You made salad," he said lifting an eyebrow.

"Mmhmm," her lips curved into a smile.

He stroked her side and pulled her in for a soft kiss.
"You didn't have to do all that."

"I know. I wanted to," she said suavely.

"I owe you."

"Just remember what you promised me," she smiled mischievously, tracing down the buttons of his shirt.

He growled, drawing her near, whispering, "C'mere, sexy."

Calleigh gently placed a hand on his chest to hold him back, "Horatio-" she tipped her head towards the living room where the children were.

"Oh right. I forgot," he smiled playfully, eyes glistening.

"Yeah," she giggled, "Right," not believing him.

Calleigh picked up the salad bowl.

"Hey, Calleigh," he said gravelly and she spun around. "Are you stayin' tonight?"

She beamed him a smile then took a serious countenance, "If you want me to."

"I do," he muttered.

"Then, you've got my answer," she walked off.

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The four enjoyed a family dinner while the kitten took a nap in her box.

Madison reached for some sauce and accidentally knocked over her glass of juice.

"Oh," Ray exclaimed and Calleigh left Horatio's eyes, hearing Ray and the sound of glass breaking. She took a napkin to dry Madison off whose bottom lip was trembling. It was clear that she was going to start crying at any moment.

Horatio had left and came back with paper towels to wipe the floor and pick up the broken glass.

Big tears streamed down Madison's face as she sat back in her chair, guilt stricken, looking down at her clumsy hands.

"Sweetie, it's okay," Calleigh soothed.

Madison shook her head, thus Horatio knelt beside her on the other side of her chair, "Madison - " he tried to get her to look at him, "Madison, look at me - "

She very slowly and hesitantly brought her eyes to his level, "I'm sorry," she cried, "I don't want you to be mad."

"I'm not mad, sweetheart," he kissed her head.

"Horatio," Calleigh gestured for him to follow her in the kitchen.

He nodded. "I'll get you another glass of apple juice, okay?" Madison nodded and picked up her taco with a shaky hand, looking at Ray.

"Ray," Horatio gave him a look, asking him to not make a big deal out of this.

"I'll be right back," Horatio said, having picked up all the glass, leaving the room to meet Calleigh in the kitchen.

"I have a feeling she was reprimanded by her father, well, Bob, I mean," Calleigh murmured.

Horatio threw away the glass. "Just a feeling?" Horatio muttered, turning to her, lifting both eyebrows and Calleigh knew they were on the same wavelength.

"Damage will slowly be undone," Calleigh told him, opening the fridge and handing him the apple juice. She knew it would take other male role models to get Madison to understand that not all men are brusque.

"Why do you say that?" he poured a glass.

"I'm speaking from experience."

Horatio set the juice down and slowly took her hands in his, bringing her towards him as he leaned against the counter.

"I'm glad little girls don't carry that with them for the rest of their lives."

"You were a big help, you know." Calleigh reassured him.

"I'm just glad you know you can trust me."

"Always," she smiled, "Let's go finish our lovely dinner."

They walked back to the dinner table and saw that Ray had taken Calleigh's place beside Madison and was making her laugh. Horatio pat the boy's shoulder and helped Calleigh sit back down by him.

The couple, comfortably seated once again, enjoyed their dinner. Although, the ruffle in Horatio's shirt, just below the second button - leaving enough room to slip in a finger - teased Calleigh all through the meal.

As Horatio guessed, Calleigh had brought ice cream for dessert. While the kids ate dessert, Horatio made tea for Calleigh and him.

Taking a sip from her cup, Calleigh observed him. He looked hassle-free and content watching over his brother's children.

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Calleigh was sitting on the floor with the kids, playing with the kitten; sliding a piece of string on the floor.

Dishcloth hung over his shoulder, Horatio came in the living room and asked, "Why don't we all play a board game?"

Ray looked at his uncle, "Didn't you get a movie?"

"Wouldn't a game be more fun?"

Madison looked at Ray who said, "I want to watch the movie."

Madison took example and said, "Me too."

Calleigh smiled, picking up the kitten and sitting beside Horatio who had settled on the couch, "Kids these days don't think board games are entertaining."
She touched his knee sympathetically at his attempt.

"Apparently not," Horatio said putting the game idea aside. "Alright, get over here you two, I'll slip the movie in." He looked at Ray, "You wanna make some popcorn?"

"Yeah," Ray left to put a package of popcorn in the microwave.

Madison went to reach for something in her bag as Horatio got up and inserted the thin disk in his DVD player.

He took the remote back to the couch, sitting down between Calleigh and Madison who was sucking her thumb, holding her blanket.

"It's starting," little Madison, took her thumb out and warned Ray who was waiting for the popcorn in the kitchen.

"There's still time," Horatio told her, "He'll be fine."
He looked at Calleigh, who was just as endeared by the little girl.

Calleigh slid a hand down Horatio's back, wordlessly asking him to sit back, which he did.

Ray came running and Horatio asked him to hit the lights.

Lights off, Ray sat beside Calleigh, taking a handful of popcorn and passing the large bowl.

About an hour into the movie, Madison's eyes were closing on their own, even if she struggled hard to stay awake.

Horatio silently arranged the cushion at her side so she could rest her head. She willingly layed out on the couch and Horatio took her legs, letting them rest in his lap.

She woke up a half hour later to see the ending.

"Nemo," Madison said aloud.

"Well, look who's back," Horatio smiled.

When the movie had ended, Horatio excused himself to go use the bathroom and asked his nephew, "Ray, go put your pajamas on, it's getting late."

Ray grumbled, but listened to his uncle.

Calleigh found herself alone with Madison. She stroked the sleeping kitten in her lap and felt a stare on her so, she looked at the little girl.

"Do you have a badge like Horatio?" Madison asked.

"As a matter of fact, I do, but I don't have it with me right now."

"Oh." The little girl's eyes zeroed on Calleigh again. "I like your necklace."

"Thank you."

"Did Horatio give it to you?"

"Ah, no. It was a present I got from - " she was going to say her dad, but thought otherwise, "someone I know."
She didn't appreciate being bought off by her father for his mistakes, but couldn't help but feel loved when he bought her gifts and she felt a little sad that Madison didn't have her dad to spoil her.

There was a knock at the door and Madison ran off to answer saying, "It must be mommy."

It was entirely possible because Horatio had given her a key for the front door of his building. That way, she could come up whenever without having to be buzzed up.

Madison pulled the door open and revealed Yelina.

The brunette was shocked at first to see the little girl, but her features smoothed. Horatio had probably taken responsibility for his actions and, since Madison's 'father' was in jail, Yelina thought it was completely plausible that Horatio would want to be the father figure in the girl's life. Yelina crouched before Madison, "Hey, pretty girl, can I talk to your dad?"

Madison shook her head, "My daddy's not here."

Yelina frowned.

Having heard the knock, Horatio went to the door wondering if Susie had left with Madison without saying goodbye. Susie was always worried about disturbing him, no matter how hard he tried to make her think otherwise.

"Ah, there you are," Yelina told Horatio, "I was beginning to worry, but I didn't think her father would leave her alone."

"Yelina," Horatio's throat went dry.

TBC...