A/N: I know. It's been ages, right? hangs head Sorry, guys. I could give you a bunch of excuses, but really there's none. I just have to sit down and finish this fic. Thanks to all who are still with me.
Nath
Chapter 12: Journey into the past
Ray and Madison spotted castles and all sorts of big statues on the road leading to Disney World.
"Look Darian," Madison took the baby's hand and pointed with it, "a giant ice cream cone!"
The baby kicked in his seat and, drooling, moved his lips in reply.
Horatio pulled off the main road to head to the resort area. He drove to the very end and parked the Hummer in front of their resort. All Star Movies, like the other resorts, had its theme and all the furnishings to go with it. Calleigh stood in line with Horatio in the lobby while Ray and Madison had a look around. She was lightly bouncing Darian in her arms, noticing the television set in the foyer and a few child-size chairs where children could sit and watch the endless stream of cartoons. She was immersed in watching the kids who were all sitting quietly, staring at the animations when Horatio touched her, prompting her to move forward with him in line.
Madison came running, Ray walking quickly behind, and they both slipped under the velvet-like rope to join their aunt and uncle. Madison took Horatio's hand, sneaking in between Calleigh and him then looked up at them with a bright smile. Horatio smiled back, knowing that any form of waiting for a child was twice as long as it was for an adult.
"How are you guys holding up?" Horatio asked. He turned and glanced at his nephew behind him who emitted an okay, and Madison simply latched onto him tighter in response, resting her head against him.
Horatio's eyes slowly traveled to his wife. Calleigh had made them a wonderful lunch and had easily adjusted to being a mother of three – even if it was for just a few days. She locked eyes with him and they exchanged a private smile.
Soon enough, it was their turn to walk up to the reception desk. Horatio signed in and was given two small envelopes, one of which he handed to Ray after having taken the card with Madison's name out of it first.
"You're responsible for your room with Madison, okay Ray?"
"Cool." Ray smiled, taking the card on which his name was written in black bold letters.
The man in costume behind the counter explained that each card for each family member gave them access to any of the parks and that only the two adult cards were valid for charging. Madison stood on her toes between Horatio and the front desk, her small hands clinging to the side of the desk, eyes barely able to see over it. She received a card as well, but hers was without the feature able to open the door to their room.
Room numbers in hand, Horatio leaded the way as they walked along the path, glancing at the different themes to each building.
"The Mighty Ducks," Ray said aloud. "I remember that movie."
They continued on their way, turning to walk along a wall.
"You know where we're going, Handsome?" Calleigh inquired, walking a few feet behind him with Ray.
"Mmhmm," he replied and, a few minutes later, they were standing in front of one of their rooms.
Ray came forward, wanting to open the door with his card and Horatio let him.
"Dalmatians!" Madison exclaimed as she walked through the door, after Ray. The spotted dogs were everywhere, Calleigh noticed, coming in after her – on the comforters, on the lamp shades, on the walls…
With a hand at the small of her back, Horatio ushered Calleigh through the connecting door leading to 'their' room.
Calleigh grinned, gently pushing Horatio with her hip, "Well, what do you know – we've got two double beds in here."
Horatio playfully gave her a side-glance, "I call the left one."
At that moment, they overheard the kids deciding on who would have which bed and they both started laughing.
"Hey," Ray said, peaking through the connecting door, "we've got our own TV in our room and there are cartoons on every channel!"
"Alright, guys, I'll bring the Hummer around closer and we'll bring in our stuff," Horatio said. "I'll be right back," he kissed Calleigh and walked out.
Calleigh breathed in and let out a breath, watching the man she adored leave their hotel room. He was trying hard to be jovial and worriless, she knew. Yet, there was something different about him, even through his fun-loving mood. It kept her thinking about how things would turn out in the end, when they got back home in Miami, when she'd be going back to her job at CSI. Calleigh loved working with Horatio, feeding on his passion and supplying him with her own, and, as opposed to him, she was looking forward to it happening again soon. It was the best feeling in the world… being respected and treasured for the intelligent woman that she is.
Darian pulled on the brim of her shirt, which he held tightly in his small fist.
A pang of fear overwhelmed her and she got anxious at the thought of how being a mother would change her at work.
Hearing the kids calling her, she was taken out of her thoughts and exited the room, holding Darian tightly against her.
They settled in quickly, the kids excited about today's plan, which were to go visit the Magic Kingdom Park. Backpack on, Calleigh helped Horatio put Darian's carrier on Horatio's back.
Baby carrier in place, she checked if Darian was okay.
"Is he good to go?" Horatio asked with a fleeting look in Calleigh's direction.
"Mmhmm," she smiled at him. They really looked like tourists in their own State. Horatio had opted for nice-looking beige Bermuda shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, topping it off with a baseball cap. Calleigh, herself, had changed into shorts and a short-sleeved top because, although they were used to wearing long pants in the heat – especially to counter the lab's air conditioning, it was considerably warmer in Orlando.
"Turn the TV off, guys, we're ready to go." Calleigh told them.
Both Ray and Madison had hats on. Ray had a cap similar to his uncle's although red - not brown - and Madison had a small white bucket hat.
Calleigh had made sure everyone had put sun block on and that she had enough bottled water for everyone in her backpack along with the necessary things for Darian.
Having taken a bus from the main building of their resort, they were dropped off near the entrance to the park.
"Wow," Calleigh exclaimed, "there's a lot of people."
"We better stay close together," Horatio said.
Calleigh offered her hand to Madison. "Ray," she looked at her nephew, "Don't lose us, okay?"
Ray nodded, half absorbed by the surroundings.
Calleigh's bag was checked upon entering and, while doing so, the woman working for security smiled at Horatio. He smiled back then watched over Madison and Ray until his eyes, skimming back over Calleigh again, came back to the woman's. Horatio caught her stare and, this time, he didn't look away, waiting for an explanation.
The woman apologized, "I'm sorry, you're Lieutenant Caine, aren't you?"
Calleigh stopped re-zipping her bag to look at Horatio with somewhat questioning eyes.
"Um, yes, I am. Do I know you?" Horatio replied. He never forgot a face and hers didn't click in his mind.
"Oh, no, I've only seen you on TV a few times, working big cases… Miami's finest," she grinned.
Horatio smiled gently, "Thank you, but my team does most of the work – I just try to guide them whichever way I can." As head of the team, it was no wonder that he was often picked to comment on the on-going cases.
Calleigh smiled proudly and left Horatio, walking away with the kids.
Horatio glanced back, behind him, saying, "I'm holding up the line here – I should get going." He looked over at where Calleigh had been seen last and realized she had walked off.
"Could I simply, uh, shake your hand, Lieutenant?" the woman inquired.
"Sure," he offered his hand and she shook it with both hands.
"It's an honor, sir."
"Call me, Horatio – " he read her nametag, "Jennifer." He could have sworn that he heard a sigh expelled from her lips at the sound of her name in his mouth. "It was a pleasure meeting you," he said and looked at Calleigh again who had dropped down to help Madison with her shoelace.
"Yes, it has," Jennifer said softly, in a daze, then said, "That's your family over there… Happily married, I see." Horatio hid his first response so well that it had been completely unnoticeable. She had apparently taken his kindness towards her to another level.
He nodded, "Absolutely," but smiled empathetically because she was obviously taken by him. "That's my nephew, my niece, my wife and our son right here," he caught the little boy's leg, turning a bit so she could see the baby he was carrying.
"Aww, what a cutie," she smiled widely. "Well, enjoy your stay at Disney World."
"Thank you, we will," he tried to dislodge his hand from her grasp, but she held him back for one final instant to say: "You're an excellent officer, Horatio. All of Florida is safer with you around."
With that, he moved away as she let go of his hand and she went back to checking other people's bags.
Calleigh smiled at him as he sheepishly sauntered towards her. "I didn't know your fan base stretched all the way down here." She knew women were after him, no matter what he said and thought of it. Never admitting that he had admirers, he didn't reply and simply emitted a hum. But, in a split-second, his mind was back to the conflict between his work and his personal life.
Calleigh tried to alleviate the mood by saying, "you know, I'm your number one fan."
His features smoothed, eyes shining with love. "I'm the happiest man in the world because of you."
"I love you," she beamed.
"So do I, Mrs. Caine." He'd often thought that if beauty were sunlight, Calleigh would shine from a million light years away.
"Well, then, let's enjoy our day together," she put her arm around him, touching Darian in the process.
Upon entering the site, the music had gotten louder and more decipherable. Horatio stayed with the kids, the festive ambiance having sucked them into a daze, as Calleigh went to get a map and a schedule of the various shows performed throughout the day.
Walking down Main Street, U.S.A., the adults became kids again and the children couldn't believe their eyes. This sweet-looking old-fashioned town was colorful, the street full of joyous characters, most of them dressed up in 19th century costumes. Madison started to wave at each person she came across and giggled, loving that they all waved back.
"Baloo!" she shouted, and left Calleigh's hand to go hug him, not noticing the lineup of kids waiting to take a picture with him and sign their autograph books.
"Madison!" Calleigh shouted back as Horatio made his way through the crowd to her.
He kneeled, taking hold of her small shoulders, "Maddie, I don't want you running off like that, okay? That's dangerous. You don't want to get lost, do you?"
"No," she said, sadly.
"Okay. So, you tell us when you want to go see something and Calleigh or me will go with you. Understood?"
"Yes."
His tone softened, "And, you have to wait your turn, sweetheart." He showed her the array of kids waiting to meet Baloo.
"I just wanted to hug him," she pouted a bit.
"I know you did," Horatio rose and came face to face with the big bear. All had been paused for pictures and such as Horatio spoke to Madison. He apologized to the guy in the costume and "Baloo" silently offered to shake his hand. Laughing, Horatio placed his hand in the bear's furry one and Calleigh couldn't help but smile from afar.
"Come on, Madison," Horatio asked for her hand. Baloo softly patted her red head of hair and she smiled as he waved goodbye.
Reunited, the group continued on their way.
Spotting a horse and carriage, Ray commented, "It's like we've gone back in time."
After taking Madison for a Mad Tea Party ride, Ray pulled his uncle towards Frontier Land, pointing to the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
"C'mon, uncle Horatio, we've got to try that!"
Madison, who had been scared through the Mad Tea Party, clung to Horatio's side while Horatio took the backpack from Calleigh.
"You go, son."
"Aw man, it's no fun alone," Ray whined. "Please?" he asked miserably.
"I think Madison and I will stay back with Darian and watch you boys zoom by," Calleigh told them.
Horatio looked at Calleigh, "Next one we get on will be for all of us."
Calleigh nodded and Madison looked up at her uncle.
"Are you gonna watch me and Ray?" he questioned. "I might get scared in this one," he joked.
Madison giggled and, as Horatio walked off to do the line with Ray, she skipped over to Calleigh's open hand.
They watched for a bit as the ride started up again for a new group of people. It wasn't that it was very high, but it caught you off guard with its fast drops and out-of-the-blue turns.
Madison squeezed her aunt's hand. "I have to go to the bathroom."
"Horatio," Calleigh walked up to the line, making her way to him. "I'll meet you at the end, I think Darian needs a break from the sun and we're gonna stop at the little girl's room."
"Okay, ladies. See you soon."
Every park, as indicated, had a baby service centre with comfortable rocking chairs, changing tables and everything a mother and baby could essentially need.
Calleigh and Madison walked by the Carousel Of Progress on their way to the bathrooms and Calleigh noted that it would be a perfect family ride.
"That was wicked!" Ray exclaimed as he came out of the ride with his uncle. Calleigh was waiting for them with Madison at her side and Darian in her arms.
Horatio put his arms out to take his son as Calleigh told him about the ride she wanted to go on next.
"It's right around here," she told him as they weaved a way through the crowd.
Kid squeals nearby coming from Splash Mountain melded with the music, but Horatio was ever so calm with his son in his arms. He kissed the top of his little head and was vaguely aware of his nephew and niece asking Calleigh and him to stop for a moment so the kids could cool off.
As the children stood under a huge coke bottle that let out a refreshing mist every minute or so and got their skin sprinkled with water, Calleigh took a moment to look around. That's when she spotted something that got her attention and made her lips curve up into a smile.
Horatio motioned for the kids to come when Calleigh briefly touched his arm and crossed over to the game stand. Madison closed her mouth and brought her head down from under the mist and followed Ray back to the adults.
"Authentic Hawkins bison rifles… 54 caliber," Calleigh muttered as she stepped up to the Shootin' Arcade. "Spare me a quarter, Handsome?"
"Uh," he reached into his pocket and retrieved one, "yeah."
25 cents was the cost of five shots.
Calleigh put the backpack down and used Horatio's quarter. Picking up the gun, she leaned in and zeroed in on the various targets.
Ray and Madison, thoroughly fascinated, stood by and watched. Horatio simply took in Calleigh's nice form and smiled when, looking over her, he saw her hit the ghost rider galloping through the sky. A split-second later, instead of following the bunny, Calleigh aimed for the skeleton's hand as more bells went off.
"Coyotes," Ray said, pointing to them, hearing their howling.
Madison slowly read the epitaph on a grave marker, "A carpenter trapped, when in his coffin he napped."
Ray laughed, all the while listening to the creaking of bridges.
The game ended, all Calleigh's shots expelled, so she set the rifle down in front of her, then spun around, smiling, "That was fun."
Horatio chuckled, "Nice shot."
"Why, thank you," she grinned.
Horatio kept Darian in his arms, waiting for the kids and Calleigh to get settled into their seats before taking one himself.
The Carousel Of Progress was an Audio-Animatronic show with a revolving floor, seating a good amount of people, which came to a stop on each of the scenes depicting a certain period in time. The lights came on to an automated man sitting in his kitchen with his dog lying down at his feet. The setting on the central stage had an old stove along with all sorts of other appliances from the 1880s and when the seating area started rotating to the music and voice of the singing man, another setting was revealed with the same man and dog only older with considerably more modern appliances in his kitchen.
Calleigh sneaked a peek at the children who were engrossed in the story of this man with his family and the improvements of their lives due to progress. The final scene was set in the future where the son and the grandmother are playing a virtual reality game and the man is trying to cook a dinner with a voice-controlled oven. The crowd laughed as they watched the man struggle not to burn dinner and Calleigh wondered if life was actually getting easier with time.
She knew one thing for sure; Horatio looked happy, and that's really all that mattered.
TBC…