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Chapter 13

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Madison tugged on Horatio's sleeve, "Horatio - "

"Madison," Horatio looked down at his niece, "Could you do me a favor and go back to the living room, please? I'd like to talk to her," he gestured to Yelina, "for a minute, okay?"

"But - " the little girl felt she needed to tell him the mistake the lady had made into thinking her dad was here, now.

"It's okay, Madison," Horatio gently caressed her head and she obeyed and left.

He knew Calleigh would keep the kids in the living room with her. Still, he had to be strong for Ray Jr. and make sure nothing reached his ears about Stetler, about his dad being unfaithful, about his step-sister.

"Let's step outside," Horatio escorted Yelina in the hallway.

Yelina glanced at the closed door, "You haven't told her you're her father."

That was really close. Too close for comfort, Horatio thought.

"I ah, no, I haven't. Yelina, are you okay?"

"Yeah. I will be. I thought I'd take Ray off your hands and go home with him. Thank you for taking care of him."

"You sure it's safe for you there?"

"Yeah. It's fine."

"Mm. Okay. Did you break it off with Rick?"

"I, um... I, no…"

Horatio shook his head.

"I love him, Horatio. He just gets carried away sometimes, that's all."

"You expect me to believe that?" He was starting to get angry, so she did what she always did when she didn't have control of the situation, she walked away.

Horatio caught her wrist, "I don't want you getting hurt."

"Stop trying to protect me."

"You know I can't do that. If he hurts you again, he's gonna have to deal with me."

"Is Ray ready?"

"I just told him to go put his PJ's on."

"That's alright. I'm parked up front since your visitor parking was taken."

"Ray," Horatio called from the doorway, "Your mom's waiting for you."

Ray came to the door, holding the kitten in his arms.

"Look mom, uncle Horatio has a kitten."

Yelina looked at him for an explanation. He'd told her once that he refused to get a pet, however lonely he may be, because he didn't have time to take care of any animal.

"Calleigh found her," Horatio clarified.

"Did she?" Yelina quirked an eyebrow, "Kitten's lucky she did," she said sweetly.

"Well, c'mon Ray - give her back to Horatio, we're going home. Go get your bag."

"Let me," Horatio did a walk through making sure Ray had everything. He came back and handed the bag to Ray.

"See you soon, son," Horatio lovingly ruffled the boy's hair.

Yelina took hold of Ray's shoulder, reminding him to say thank you. "Thanks uncle Horatio," Ray said then stepped out into the hallway. He didn't seem too happy to leave.

Horatio took Yelina in for a hug, whispering, "Watch out for him."

She nodded and thanked Horatio who stepped out into the hallway and watched them leave. He waved them goodbye and when the elevator doors closed, he felt helpless. Nothing had changed.

Horatio slowly sidled back to the couch where Calleigh - legs crossed with Madison in her lap - had attached her necklace around Madison's neck. He sat beside the two, giving Madison the kitten. Doing so, he looked at Calleigh and she saw the sadness in his eyes and leaned in to kiss his brow, making Madison giggled between them.

Horatio smiled looking down at his niece, "That's a pretty necklace you're wearing young lady."

"I'm going to pretend you didn't say that because you didn't comment on it when it was around my neck," Calleigh pretended to be offended and Madison smiled.

"I'm going to pay for this later," Horatio murmured to Madison.

"Horatio said you had a funny accent," Madison spilled.

Horatio's mouth fell open.

"Really?" Calleigh enquired.

Horatio chuckled, "I said I liked her funny accent... you're the one who brought it up," he tickled Madison and she couldn't stop laughing.

Calleigh took the kitten away from the action.

"Are you with me or against me?" Horatio continued to tickle the little girl and Madison squirmed in Calleigh's grasp.

"With - you," Madison succeeded in saying between laughs.

Calleigh held the tired baby cat in her hands and kissed her between her gorgeous blue eyes, "I should put her in her box," Calleigh said and tried to slide from under Madison.
"Here," Horatio took Madison on his knee.

Madison wriggled thinking he was going to tickle her again. "It's okay, Madison... I won't tickle you. You're safe."

"Pinkie swear?" Madison asked and Horatio's lips curved into a gentle smile.

"Pinkie swear," glee in his eyes, he shook her tiny little finger with his own.

"Horatio?"

"Yes, Madison? "

"Is she okay?"

"Is who okay?" he wondered.

"The lady at the door... she wanted to talk to my daddy."
Horatio couldn't lie to anyone, and if this child, he loved as his own, was asking to know the truth, he would tell her.

Having put the kitten down, Calleigh came back and sat next to Horatio.

"Can you keep a secret, Madison?" He didn't like doing this, but he needed to protect Yelina even if he wasn't going to tell Madison the whole story.

"Just between you and I - " Horatio added.

"And Calleigh," Madison specified.

"And Calleigh," Horatio searched for the right thing to say.

Calleigh took the lead, "Yelina thinks Horatio is your dad, Madison."

The little girl furrowed her brow, "Why didn't you tell her she's wrong?"

Calleigh looked at Horatio.

"Madison," Horatio said softly, "Sometimes it's better to not tell someone they're wrong in order to not hurt their feelings."

"Why?"

Kids, Horatio thought, always so inquisitive.

He thought to tell her she'd know when she'd get older or to tell her the usual 'it's complicated.'

"It just is," Calleigh shrugged, replying for him.

"I don't want you worrying about that." Horatio explained. "I'll take care of it. I just need you to pretend like I didn't tell you anything, okay, Madison?"

"Can I tell mommy?"

"Of course, you can," Calleigh chimed in.

"Calleigh's right," Horatio nodded, approving her assertiveness. "You shouldn't keep any secrets from your mom."

"But, no one else needs to know," Calleigh touched the little girl's nose with her finger.

"I won't tell," Madison pretended to lock her mouth and throw away the key, which made the two adults smile.

"Good girl," Horatio layed back and relaxed, holding Madison in his arms. Her head resting comfortably under his chin, Madison yawned and Calleigh covered her with her blanket. Calleigh leaned against Horatio as well and he opened an eye watching her snuggle up to him. He overlooked the heat emanating from the two bodies against him and immersed himself in the tenderness.
Just when sleep was about to win him over, there was a knock at the door and he got up with infinite care, holding Madison in his arms, he went to answer the door.

"Horatio, I'm sorry it's so late," Susie apologized, holding out her arms to take her daughter.

"No need to apologize," Horatio carefully gave her Madison.

"Thank you so much for babysitting," Susie said and Madison whimpered in her sleep.

"You're welcome. It was a pleasure having her over."

"Oh, whose is this?" Susie asked looking at the necklace around Madison's neck.

"Oh, it's Calleigh's. Hang on," Horatio delicately unlatched it.

Calleigh heard the voices and padded towards the entrance, taking her place alongside Horatio.

"She can come see the kitten anytime."

"Calleigh - hi," Susie smiled, "You have a kitten?"

"Mmhmm," Horatio nodded, looking down at Calleigh, giving her a toothy grin.

"Well, she's going to love that," Susie replied, looking at her snoozing daughter.

"I'll go get her stuff," Horatio left the women alone.

"It shows that you make him happy," Susie didn't wait to verbalize, "I haven't seen him smile like that to anyone."

"Thank you." Calleigh smiled, "You know, Madison is a lovely girl and it was really great having her with us,"

"I'm not sure Horatio wants children." Calleigh abruptly confessed.

"Well, I'm pretty sure he'd give you everything and anything you want."

Horatio came back and the ladies fell silent. He looked around wondering what was up, but knew better than to ask. He handed the bag to Susie, putting his arm around Calleigh.

"Thanks. Bye," Susie left.

Calleigh closed the door and turned around to hug him. After a moment, she asked, looking up at him, "You okay?"

"Yeah."

"I'm gonna go get my bag from my car."

"Okay," he loosened his hold on her.

She placed a hand behind his neck and drew him near for a lingering kiss. He took her invitation and pulled her in a heartfelt yet ardent kiss.

"I'll be quick," she drew a breath, walking out, inadvertently leaving him high and dry.

He took Calleigh's necklace from the coffee table where he had left it, to gather Madison's things, and carried it into the bedroom. Placing it on his dresser, he touched the stone pendant with his fingers, looking forward to some alone time he'll likely be spending with her tonight.

TBC...