A/N: Please see prologue for the usual stuff. This first bit is total fluff. I hope you enjoy. And like I said, please R&R. I love hearing from you.

Annabel's cell phone rang. Annabel groaned and curled closer to Horatio. It kept insistently ringing. Horatio kissed Annabel's head and squeezed her shoulder.

"You should probably answer that."

"It's Rochelle. Let it go to voice mail." The phone stopped ringing. "See voice mail," she mumbled. It started ringing again. Annabel growled.

"Maybe it's work."

"No, it isn't. I have a separate ring tone for Ro. But it doesn't look like she's going away." Annabel sighed heavily, reached over Horatio and picked up her phone. She sat up and flipped the phone open. Horatio traced his fingers up and down her bare thigh. Annabel shot him an exasperated look and stilled his hand with her free one. Horatio gave her a lazy smile, his eyes half closed. "What do you want, Rochelle?"

"You sound annoyed. But I knew you were ignoring me."

"That's because, as usual, your timing is perfect."

"Mmm. Sorry. Tell Horatio I say hi."

Annabel rolled her eyes. She covered the phone. "Ro says hi."

"Hello, Rochelle," Horatio replied.

Annabel uncovered the phone. "Horatio says hello. Now, why are you calling me at eleven at night?"

"I'm sorry. I forgot about the time change."

"Yea, right."

"Anyway, I just got off the phone with Rachel. She said you haven't RSVP'd for Tracey's wedding yet."

Annabel sighed. "No, I haven't." She crossed her legs under the covers, hunched over and rubbed at her temple.

"You are coming."

"Yes. Most likely."

"And you are bringing Horatio, right?"

Annabel looked over at Horatio. "I haven't talked about it yet." Horatio tucked his arm under his head, looked up at Annabel and raised his eyebrows. Annabel closed her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair.

"Annabel, you have to bring Horatio. Everyone wants to meet him."

"I'll bet," said Annabel with a slightly acid tone.

"Annie, come on. You've been dating him for what, four months?"

"So?"

"It's a little more serious than just dating too. Am I right?"

"I am not going into this conversation right now with you."

"Why? Because you are in bed, buck naked,with Horatioright there?"

Annabel blushed scarlet. She shot a quick glance at Horatio and he chuckled. Annabel untucked her foot and kicked him lightly. He trapped her leg. A brief struggle ensued until Annabel gave up and left her leg tucked over Horatio's. She leaned back on her free arm to keep her balance. "Rochelle..." she said warningly.

"It was just a guess. You need to come to the wedding. You need to bring Horatio."

"You need to quit pushing, Ro."

"It's my job as your best friend. And as designated pushy cousin."

"I'll see."

"I'll tell Rachel to expect both of you. Night, Annie. Tell Horatio bye too." Rochelle clicked off before Annabel could lodge any more protests. Annabel flipped her phone shut and fell back on the bed with a deep, frustrated sigh. Horatio took the phone from her hand and set on the nightstand. He turned on his side and looked down at Annabel.

"So, what haven't you told me about?"

Annabel closed her eyes and covered them with her arm. "Rachel, Rochelle's oldest sister, has a daughter getting married. Rachel sicced Ro on me to get an RSVP. For both of us."

"Do you want me to go?"

Annabel uncovered her eyes and looked over at Horatio. She searched his face for a bit. "You do understand what going to a family wedding means, right?"

Horatio smiled at her, his blue eyes twinkling. "I have a pretty good idea."

"Are you comfortable with making that kind of statement?"

Horatio smiled again and ran his fingertips across Annabel's cheek. "Are you?" Annabel looked away. Horatio withdrew his hand and rolled on his back. Annabel took several deep breaths then propped herself up. She silently trailed her fingers down his chest and watched their path. Horatio captured her hand and brought it rest over his heart. Annabel watched their hands rise and fall steadily with Horatio's breathing and felt the strong beat of his heart. Horatio just lay there watching her, waiting for her to gather her thoughts.

"My family is huge, Horatio. I mean Ro and Rachel are just two of five sisters. My dad was one of eight, seven boys, one girl. And except for Dad who only had me, everyone else kept up Catholic tradition and had big families. Well, not Uncle Jack. He's a priest."

"One of eight, two of five. You make them sound like the Borg."

Annabel frowned in confusion, then realization dawned on her and she smiled broadly. She rolled her eyes and nodded. "Yea, pretty much. You will be assimilated, resistance is futile."

Horatio looked at her seriously. He squeezed her hand. "I'm not resisting, Annabel. Why are you?"

Annabel searched his eyes, trying to read his clear blue gaze. "Oh."

He reached up and cupped her chin in his hand. "I understand very well what bringing someone to a family wedding means. I'm comfortable with that. I want to make that statement to your family. I love you, Annabel McGinty."

Annabel took a deep breath and blinked twice. "Wow."

"That's not the usual reply."

"I know," she said quietly.

Horatio raised his eyebrows at Annabel. "You can't really be that surprised."

Annabel chewed on her lip. "Well, no I shouldn't be. I guess I'm surprised you hadn't said it before. I don't know."

Horatio caressed her cheek. "Thought I wasn't ever going to tell you I loved you?" Horatio smiled softly at her. "A good detective like you hadn't already figured it out?"

Annabel smiled and drummed her fingers on his chest. "Well, a confession does make for a stronger case then just physical evidence." Annabel slid down and curled herself against Horatio. He wrapped his arm around her and rubbed her back. "I love you too, Horatio. So much sometimes I think I might just explode."

Horatio chuckled and kissed her hair. "I hope not. I really prefer you in one piece."

"Well, you're stuck with me now. Whole or in pieces."

"Good." Horatio rolled them on their sides and started nibbling on Annabel's neck. "Can't think of anyone else I'd rather be stuck with," he whispered into her ear before flicking his tongue at the spot where her ear met her head. Annabel gasped.

"Keep that up and I won't be thinking at all."

"That would be the idea, Bella."

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