'Speed? You up?' Eric whispered Why am I whispering if I want to wake him up! 'SPEED!'
'Alright already!'
'Morning dear' he mocked. He was sat on the edge of his bed, fixing the laces to his sneakers. 'I'm gonna go wake H up'
'Find coffee as well' Tim groaned out, turning back into the pillow. They'd agreed to share a twin room in the hotel to keep the costs down, but early morning wake-up calls were not part of the plan, especially when the clock read 8am.
Delko smiled, shaking his head. He was set for his early morning run, so it was quite comical to see his friend in such slumber.
He turned out of the room, and headed next door to Horatio's room. Lifting his hand to knock, the door swung open as Horatio nearly barrelled into Eric.
'Whoa…you're up?'
''Have been for hours'
'You're dressed as well' he said, noting his wedding suit was already on, sans his tie.
'Yeah, I've got some errands to run first, I'll be back in a about an hour'
'Oh, okay, I was just going to go for a run anyway. Let Speed catch some more Z's.'
'See you in the lobby in an hour?'
'An hour' Eric confirmed.
-
Horatio pulled the Hummer to a stop, and stepped out onto the grassy verge. Alone in his thoughts, he took the few steps to his destination.
'Raymond C Caine'
He brought his hands to rest on his hips, spreading his jacket slightly.
'Well…I'm finally doing Raymond. I'm finally marrying 'the one'' He said aloud, 'Today is my wedding day, and you're not going to be there.' He scanned the horizon.
'I wish you were going to be my best man. I wish it was you that was going to the speech, telling stories of how we broke into Mrs. Barlow's down the street and ate her cherry pie' Horatio chuckled at the memory. 'Ray Jr will do a great job as my best man…but he's not you. He's not my little brother who married 'the one' 14 years before I did, or will do.'
'And yet you always knew I would date Calleigh, or 'the new blonde' as you called her. You said I hired her because I had a crush on her…that was only half of it. She's an unmistakable force when it comes to her work, and her field, but she's an unmistakable force when it comes to her heart. She loves me, Raymond. Me. And in roughly 5 hours, she'll be a Caine.'
'Mom would love her, don't you think? I have Mom to thank when it comes to this marriage. All those cooking and dancing lessons she subjected us to as kids, finally paid off. I finally have the woman of my dreams, just as you had yours, as much as you may have messed up. I'm not going to do that. I know I never could. You could, and I don't know how.'
'Yelina is doing an amazing job with Ray Jr…and with Suzie and Madison. It was hard at first, and you can tell is still hard to this day, but she's a fighter, and she's determined to fight.'
Horatio checked his watch, 8.30am. The cemetery was still barren of living souls, leaving only Horatio and his spoken thoughts to his little brother. 'I'd better get going. Ray Jr will be arriving soon, and I need to go and get married' A chill ran up his spine, causing goose-bumps on his arms. Was that the thought of the wedding in a few hours, or was it Raymond, sending his luck in the only way he could?
As the sun rose in the distance, Horatio fixed his sunglasses around his eyes, and bid farewell to Raymond.
-
'I'm going to see if the cars have arrived yet'
'Okay, Eric'
The lobby to the Continental hotel bustled with holiday makers. Horatio and the Caine wedding party were stood in the foyer waiting for the cars to transport them back to the condo for the wedding.
Eric held the door open for Yelina and Ray Jr, before closing it behind him on the other side.
'Yelina, Ray' Horatio acknowledged
'Horatio, you look very handsome' Yelina offered, straightening his tie
'You look stunning, yourself' he smiled. Yelina wore a pastel coloured pant suit, the light shade accentuating her Columbian colouring.
'Thank you'
'You're welcome' he smiled, turning to Ray, wearing his own little black wedding suit with matching crimson red tie, 'Nervous?'
'No'
'You sure?'
'Are-Are you?' Ray asked, shifting a little in his step.
'Hmm. No, I'm not nervous'
'Then neither am I' He tried for a confident smile.
'Do you have the rings?'
Ray patted his jacket, pulling the black velvet box from his inside pocket, 'Yes'
'Then you half of your job is over already. Just give them back to me when we're at the alter, and you've nothing to be nervous about' he smiled
Ray nodded, looking less worried with each movement.
'I'm going to leave you boys to it' Yelina announced, kissing Horatio on the cheek, and Ray in his hair. 'Ill see you at the house'
-
Kenny, Charlie, Eric and Tim walked into the condo, cautiously looking around.
'What're you doing?' Lynette asked, giving them a confused look
'Is Calleigh around?' Tim whispered
'No, she's getting ready. Where's Horatio?'
'He's in the car, we didn't want him to walk in and see Calleigh…' Eric informed, still scanning the room and balcony
'Well he can come in' She prompted.
As Charlie went back to the car, Amelia had run into Kenny's arms and was now on his hip explaining the intricates of her 'pretty dress'.
It felt good to be home. Even if his home was currently a war-zone of people, food, and white flowers. Saying his greetings to the people already present, he awaited the few guests to arrive. They'd decided to keep it an intimate affair, only inviting special people in their lives. Yelina and Suzie were already on the beach in their seats.
Horatio was talking to Madison and hadn't noticed someone step into the room.
'MIAMI DADE POLICE!'
Snapping his head up to the doorway, his confused and slightly worried face creased in laughter, 'Adell, glad you could make it'
'Couldn't resist that opportunity then'
'I noticed' he kissed her on the cheek, and shook the hand of her husband. 'There's some people already on the beach, if you'd like to make your way…'
Smiling as he watched Det. Adell Sevilla walk through the sliding doors to the balcony and beach access, a slap on the back broke him from his reverie
'Horatio'
'Frank, good to see you'
'Wasn't going to miss this for anything' Tripp replied with a smile, before following Adell to the beach.
The next and final guests to arrive were Kenwall and Caroline Duquesne, Calleigh's parents.
'Horatio'
'Kenwall, Caroline' Horatio reciprocated the warm smiles
'Are you ready for your big day?'
'That I am, sir'
'Where's Calleigh?' Caroline asked, scanning the room
'She's in our room as far as I know. I haven't seen her'
'Good, its bad luck y'know' her southern accent ever-present as she excused herself and made off down the hall
Taking the opportunity of some alone time with his future-son-law, Kenwall pulled him to one side, saying 'I trust my sons have given you the talk'
'Yes they have sir, and I assure you as I did them, you have nothing to worry about'
'Oh, I don't think for one moment you will harm my lambchop in anyway, but she's my daughter, my only daughter, so I have to be sure'
'I fully understand'
'Well, okay then! Let's get this show on the road!' Kenwall cheered, slapping Horatio on his shoulder.
A/N - I promise the wedding is next chapter :p x
