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Chapter 20

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Months later, the ceremony that had been long awaited was held outside at the Matherson Hammock Park on a sunny Sunday.

It was pretty warm even at ten in the morning, but that wasn't why Horatio was starting to sweat; the shade and the soft breeze didn't do much to his nerves. Horatio stood up front, waiting, with his best man Frank, Calleigh's youngest brother, Matthew, and the priest.

Calleigh was starting to panic herself because she was running late.
Her mother got up from her chair in the second row, looked over at the groom who seemed to have unlimited patience, and inconspicuously made her way to the rented limousine parked some hundred feet away.
She searched for her daughter in the small gathering beside the limo. The bridesmaids were busy fixing her up and Calleigh was getting upset about having the ceremony outside; she wanted to be perfect and the humid weather was doing wonders to her hair.

"Sweetie," Elizabeth Duquesne said, "they're all waiting."

Calleigh who had been sitting in a beach chair, beside the limo, got up and turned to face her.

"Oh my goodness, Calleigh - ", her mother hadn't seen her in her gown, "you look beautiful." Seeing the remaining unnerved look on Calleigh's face, she took her daughter's hand and said, "Don't you worry, there's no such thing as a perfect wedding."

Calleigh breathed deeply. If she could calm down, she'd stop sweating and her makeup wouldn't smudge.

"You don't think it's too soon, right?" Calleigh asked her mom.

Elizabeth replied, "What do you mean too soon? Everyone's waiting - "

"No, I mean, am I rushing into this?" She looked down at her bridal gown.

Alexx stepped in, "You've been in love with him since you laid eyes on him and so has he. Even if you've only been dating for a little while, when it's love, it's love."

"You're right, Alexx. I love him and I want him as my husband - I've dreamed of this for so long, I don't know what got into me."

Alexx and Elizabeth exchanged a look. Cold feet. Any married woman knew every bride and groom went through it at one time or the other before the big event.

"Go get him," Valera encouraged Calleigh.

Susie gave Madison a small basket filled with rose petals, "Now, remember what mommy said - "

Madison protested taking the basket, "I want Ray to walk down the aisle with me."

Susie looked at the young Ray and told her daughter, "If he wants to - I guess it's okay."

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Horatio watched Madison walk down the aisle with Ray, smiling and throwing flower petals. She looked beautiful in her full-length satin bateau neckline gown. She made Horatio chuckle as she reached the end of the aisle and tipped the basket of petals over to empty it. Ray shook his head, leaving her arm and coming to stand in front of his uncle. Horatio gave Ray a pat on the shoulder as they waited for the bridesmaids who followed closely in mint colored satin and chiffon, V-shaped halter neckline gowns. First came Alexx, then Valera and finally Susie. Horatio smiled, hearing Alexx in his head like she had told him earlier, "Never thought I'd be a bridesmaid again."
Susie looked down at her dress and still couldn't believe she was wearing something this nice. She had told Horatio, "I never thought I would wear something so beautiful." Even at her own wedding to Bob, she hadn't had anything like this to wear and it was all thanks to Calleigh who had picked out the gowns for her friends.
Susie made eye contact with Horatio and winked at him. He looked so handsome in his black tuxedo and tie. If he weren't completely over the top in love with Calleigh, she'd give her best shot to have a chance to be truly loved by such a man. He reminded her of Raymond... minus that bad boy feel she loved, but plus that stable, faithful part, she had dreamed of since the age of fourteen.

Horatio looked at the guests sitting before him - friends and family about to witness his marriage. Second and final marriage, he added mentally. He couldn't predict everything would work out, but he planned on doing his very best. He promised himself, if anything happened, God forbid, he would never re-marry because he'd never break his promise to Calleigh. And, he never did break a promise; his marriage to his ex-wife, Gabrielle, hadn't lasted through the loss of their child. Gabrielle had avoided him to punish herself, just like Calleigh had done. Horatio tried his hardest to make things right, but since he could never imagine being responsible for having hurt someone he loved, he slowly kept some distance to give her time to heal. She couldn't bring herself to let him love her and they grew apart, their relationship finally ending in separation. He had made sure to be there for Calleigh and to not repeat the same mistake.

Horatio scanned the seating arrangements and caught Yelina watching him. She smiled lovingly, wondering how she'd feel if she was the one he was waiting for, if she was the one he was going to marry. She imagined it so many times, with her son as the ring bearer. Ring bearer, he was, but not at her wedding.

Seated beside Yelina, were Speed and Sara Piper. On her other side, was Frank's wife, Christine. Looking around, Horatio caught sight of Alexx' husband and kids, Eric, Calleigh's other brother, Zachary, and his girlfriend Kim, Adele, her husband and Meghan. Meghan had come up to Horatio before the ceremony started and he had been pleasantly surprised to see her: "You made it," he smiled.
"I wouldn't have missed it," she smirked, "Things certainly have changed since I left."
Speed had joined Meghan and Horatio, saying, "That's one way to put it," and turned to Meghan to catch up with his old friend while Horatio received a hug from Adele. "Horatio, congratulations."
"Thank you," he said with soft eyes, "Thanks for coming."
"No problem," she squeezed his arm, "I'll see you later."
Horatio nodded then snapped back to the present.

Weak in the knees, he would never forget seeing Calleigh walk down the aisle. There she was supported by her father's arm, in a gorgeous satin and lace, strapless bodice bridal gown, accented with pearls. Her hair was up in a sleek bun, a tiara adorning her head. Her something new, he thought. Her vale was draped over her fair skin, gently blowing in the wind. She had her high-heeled sandals as something old, although they weren't that old. Something borrowed was a white satin necklace fitting snugly against her throat from Speed's girlfriend, Sara. The something blue, Horatio would soon find out, was a delicate lace garter.

Horatio felt as if the moment was frozen in time. Calleigh had said yes to becoming his wife and he couldn't be happier. He smiled with adoring eyes. Moved by the sight of her, by the life-changing event about to take place, his eyes filled with tears and Frank gave him a nudge, "Horatio, stop your cryin'." Frank's words made him smile wider because he knew Frank himself was holding back. The big guy was trying to keep the tough-looking exterior.

Calleigh looked at Valera and they exchanged a smile. The bride had made a fuss about finding the perfect dress, sifting through bridal magazines, but now, as she focused on her husband-to-be, she knew whatever she wore, whatever happens, he would always look at her the same way.

"I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep it together," Calleigh whispered to him as she stepped up alongside him at the altar, before the priest, under the arch.

"So I've heard," he tried not to smile, but thinking of the calm, well-composed Calleigh bent out of shape over their wedding had its appeal.

As they exchanged their vows, Horatio could only hear his heart beating out of control. Calleigh, shaking with joy, crying and smiling at the same time, let him slip her wedding ring on her finger and she slipped a simple platinum band on his finger.
And, when it was time to kiss his bride, Horatio gently lifted her vale over her head and pressed his lips against hers for a long soft kiss.

They walked down the aisle and Calleigh's chapel train following behind. Elizabeth, along with many of the other women present had their tissues out. Holding hands, Calleigh and Horatio were showered with confetti.

Horatio had reserved the News Café for a brunch so they talked a bit before the group of people drove to South Beach.

As Horatio was congratulated by Alexx' husband, Calleigh slipped out of his hand and joined her group of lady friends. He suddenly tensed, seeing a certain John Hagen approach him.

"Bet you're surprise to see me here, huh? To say the least," John quipped.

"No. Actually, John," Horatio said calmly, "I'm not."

"Calleigh and I are still friends and she invited me."

Horatio wouldn't expect any less of her.

"We're going for lunch at a café near South Beach, if you care to join us." Horatio was feeling excessively kind today.

"Yeah, I just might." John looked around and found Calleigh. "I think I'll go congratulate the bride," he said walking away presumably to raise Horatio's blood pressure, but Horatio didn't flinch. This was Calleigh's day and he wasn't going to do anything to ruin it. Not even if it would have been satisfying to tell John the witty remark that came a second later. It felt great to be the groom, though.

Horatio followed John with his eyes as he approached Calleigh. He couldn't make out what John was telling her because John leaned in near her ear and whispered. At the same moment, Speed stood before Horatio, partially obstructing his view. Speed was telling him something, but Horatio had blocked out all distractions. Calleigh was smiling and Hagen was moving in to hug her.

"Yo, H?" Speed called.

"Yeah," Horatio replied, eyes never faltering from his wife.

"Were you listening?" Speed didn't wait for an answer, "Alexx wanted me to tell you she's got the music ready for later - "

"Okay," Horatio watched as Calleigh laughed, but at the same time, placed a hand on John's chest, pushing him away.

Speed moved to stand alongside his boss. "Trouble?"

"Not really, I know Calleigh can handle him - I just don't want him to ruin this day for her."

Alexx stepped forward, handing Calleigh a bouquet of pink roses. Calleigh seemingly detached herself from John and told her friends to gather behind her as she was about to throw the bouquet.

"Ready?" she looked back at the women, giggling like schoolgirls. Eric and Speed cheered on their girlfriends who pretended to get ready to fight for the bouquet. The boys made fun of them at the same time and the girls enjoyed having a laugh. Calleigh turned back and tossed the bouquet. She turned around wondering who had caught it because everyone was silent. Meghan had caught it and no one knew what to say.
She just started laughing, "If I hadn't caught it, it would've hit me in the face." Calleigh sighed. At least it wasn't an already married woman, or worse, her mother.

Horatio drew immediate attention with his commanding voice, "Alright, does everybody know where we're meeting?"

Calleigh's brothers nodded, having the directions in hand.

"Good. Calleigh and I will see you all in a little while, then."

Horatio helped Calleigh into their limo and they happily accepted to the privacy.

The driver was told where to take them and then Horatio turned to Calleigh, "You look absolutely divine." His eyes moved from her hair, all the way down to her feet and up again.

"Thank you. You look pretty fine yourself, Handsome," she took hold of his tie and pulled him towards her on the seat. "I know how much it annoys you to wear a tie, but it has a good use," she kissed him zealously.

"Calleigh, we still have to take pictures and you're smearing your lipstick."

"I don't care," she groaned. She didn't mind not being perfect because, in his eyes, she knew she was. She smiled at him and took his handkerchief to wipe away the rouge on his lips. She folded the kerchief so the smudges of lipstick were hid and tucked it back in his front suit pocket.

"Everything's going well," Calleigh asked for confirmation, placing a hand on his knee.

Horatio covered her hand with his, "Always."

Everyone got there safely and while he and Calleigh walked across the street to take pictures in Lummus Park and on the beach, their family and friends enjoyed themselves, mingling around on the terrace. Drinking and talking, everything seemed to go smoothly and when the bride and groom came back, Eric tapped his glass with a spoon, "I'd like to get everyone's attention, please." Horatio had just been handed a drink and gave it to Calleigh, taking another one for himself while Eric continued, "I'd like to make a toast to the two co-workers and good friends of mine who have decided to share their lives together. Horatio, I'm glad you found someone to show you some good time," Eric chuckled and Horatio smiled, arm surrounding Calleigh, rubbing her shoulder. Eric continued, "Calleigh, you're like a sister to me and it warms my heart to see you this happy." He lifted his glass, "Here's to both of you!" Everyone raised their glasses and shouted in approval.

"Horatio," Matthew called and made him turn to face him. Calleigh's brother shook his hand. "Welcome to the family."

Calleigh's mother followed and welcomed Horatio with a handshake and half a hug saying, "I'm please to finally meet you, Horatio."

He felt slightly uncomfortable about the age difference between him and Calleigh, but no one ever said a word about it.

"The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Dusquesne."

She had already looked him over and had sized him up in three seconds flat: not so young, but charming, well mannered and obviously in love with Calleigh.

"Call me Elizabeth." Horatio suddenly saw more of the resemblance to Calleigh then the physical. "So, I hear you're taking my daughter to Florence - "

Horatio nodded.

"You know, it's been a dream of hers to see Italy."

"I do."

"Really?" she lifted an eyebrow just like Calleigh did sometimes and Horatio had to hold back a grin.

He explained, "Her father mentioned it to me when I asked him for Calleigh's hand."

Moments later, the small group of family and friends gathered and sat around to eat. Calleigh's brothers got along just fine with Eric and Speed and told funny stories about Calleigh as a child.

Calleigh and Horatio cut the delicious looking chocolate cake and everybody had dessert. Calleigh opened a few gifts. Among other things, she received pearl earrings from her father, lovely frames to put their wedding photos from her mother and a gift certificate to Artie's adult playground from Eric.

"Maybe for the honeymoon - " Eric chuckled.

Everybody had a laugh while Horatio and especially Calleigh blushed.

She whispered something in Horatio's ear and he got up saying, "Which reminds me - " he took Calleigh's hand to help her out of her seat and she lifted her dress high enough to reveal the baby blue garter around her thigh. Horatio thought of using his mouth, but he didn't want to do something that bold in front of Calleigh's family and embarrass his bride any further. He slipped it down her leg and, as asked by Calleigh, threw it at Eric.

Eric, not quite sure how to react, slingshot it to Speed who grumbled, "I don't want it."

"Well, I don't either," Eric laughed.

John waved to throw it to him, "I'll take it off your hands, guys. Thanks for the souvenir, Calleigh."

Calleigh's face paled. He was still here and he was making her look like she had been with him, which she hadn't. The sexy blonde hair and devilishly pretty eyes made it easy for her to pass as one of those girls, but really she was quite shy about a lot of things. The farthest she had gone with John was making out in his friend's car and just the thought of it made her stomach turn.

TBC...