Chapter 4

Horatio and Calleigh worked in comfortable silence that night as they prepared dinner together. They had wrapped up that afternoon's case in a couple of hours and were both pleased about it. Calleigh noticed how comfortable Horatio seemed to be in her kitchen, knowing exactly where everything was. Well, he should be, she realized, he does spend an awful lot of time here. Not that I mind, she thought with a smile.

"What are you smiling at?" Horatio asked with a grin.

"You," she replied, giving him a quick kiss, then sliding around him to check on the lasagna cooking in the oven. "I'd say it'll be done in maybe 10 or 15 minutes."

"That's when your brother and niece will probably get here, so that worked out nicely" he replied.

"Are you nervous?" she asked him.

"Why would I have any reason to be nervous?"

"Well, you've never met any of my family before, save for my father, and now, you'll be practically living with one of them."

"I can-" he started to say, but was cut off by the doorbell.

Calleigh walked to the door and opened it. William and Jen were standing there, followed by two large, white dogs. They stepped inside, and Calleigh shut the door behind them, giving both of her relatives a hug.

She walked over to Horatio, she said, "Will, I'd like you to meet my boyfriend, Horatio Caine. Horatio, I'd like you to meet my brother, William Jakes. And you've already met Jen." Jen nodded in response.

Horatio extended his hand, saying "Nice to meet you."

William shook it, saying "Yeah, nice to finally meet you, too. Calleigh talks about you all the time."

"Oh, really." Horatio said coyly, glancing at Calleigh. She smiled back at him. "And who are you two?" Calleigh asked, gesturing to the dogs.

"Oh, these are my dogs. That's Harmony," Jen said, pointing to the smaller of the two dogs, "and that's Chocolate, but we call her Cocoa" she finished pointing to the other.

Then suddenly the oven dinged, signaling that the food was ready, "Well, should we eat?"

"Yeah, I'm starved," Jen said, heading into the kitchen.

They ate, talking comfortably.

"So, Jen," Horatio asked, "What do you like to do? Do you play any sports or musical instruments?"

"Yes," Jen said, "I love figure skating. I did a lot of competition this past year. I placed first in the state championships last January."

"that's quite impressive," said Horatio. "Do you skate with a partner or solo?"

"Well, solo right now, because where I skate, you have to be in high school to skate with a partner, but I might do that in 9th grade. If I can find a suitable partner, that is"

"Jen, how long have you had your dogs?" Calleigh inquired, "Tell me a bit about them."

"Well," Jen said, "We've had them about three years, which is how old they are. They're purebred Samoyeds, which is a type of sled dog. A friend of ours breeds them, and she gave them to us as a Christmas present. They were the only two puppies in their litter."

They continued talking casually as they finished dinner. After the plates were cleared up, everyone headed into the living room. William and Jen each sat in overstuffed armchairs, Harmony at Jen's feet, and Cocoa sitting at Williams'. Horatio and Calleigh sat on the couch, his arm draped around her casually.

"So, Jen, how was school this year?" Calleigh asked, "You just got out a couple of weeks ago, correct?"

"Yep, we got out June 3rd. I loved school this year. Seventh grade was so much more fun than sixth. We went on a school trip for a week last February to Colorado to go skiing." Jen answered.

"One thing I've noticed, is that with each year, the phone bills seem to get increasingly bigger." William said laughing. Everyone else joined him in laughing.

"Dad," Jen protested, "I don't talk that much!"

"Oh, really," William said doubtfully, with a grin on his face.

"Well, Jen," Calleigh said, "I hope that next fall, you find the schools here in Miami just as good as the ones in New York. And while we might not have the best outdoor skating rinks, as you can imagine, there are plenty of indoor rinks where you could practice.

"Does that mean what I think it means?" Jen asked.

"I don't know. What do you think it means?" Calleigh asked, smiling. "If you think it means I'm saying you can live here, than yes, you're correct."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Jen said, running over to Calleigh and giving her a hug.

"You're welcome, honey. I'd be delighted to have you here. Calleigh said. "Harmony and Cocoa too," she added, with a glance at the dogs.

"So," Jen said, "when should I move in?"

"I was thinking maybe this weekend?" Calleigh said tentatively, "Today's Thursday, so you could get your stuff down here tomorrow and unpack this weekend. You said everything in New York's all packed, and waiting to be shipped."

"You mean it? This weekend?" Jen asked incredulously.

"Well, yeah, I mean, William has to be in Africa by next Tuesday, so I was thinking, the sooner, the better."

"That sounds perfect," said Jen, standing up and giving her aunt another hug.

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