Chapter 27

3 years later...

"Heading home for the night, H?"

Horatio turned to face Eric, his hand poised over the elevator button. "Yeah." Horatio checked his watch. "It's late... you should be heading home yourself."

Eric nodded. "I've got to make a quick drop off at trace and then I'm heading out."

The elevator chimed and Horatio stepped on board. "Sounds good... goodnight, Eric."

"Night, H." Smiling to himself, Delco picked up his cell phone. "Yeah, it's me. He's on his way."

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Fifty. Horatio Caine was turning fifty. Horatio could scarcely believe it. He certainly didn't feel fifty. You would this that a fifty year old man with a thirty-five year old wife, three 5 year-olds, and a two year old would feel every one of his fifty years. Horatio seemed to feel just the opposite. He felt young. He felt alive. Smiling with his thoughts, Horatio turned the key to his front door and stepped inside.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Consumed by his own thoughts, Horatio was taken by surprise by the throngs of guests that stood smiling with party hats and streamers in his living room. He was relieved that he'd managed not to drop his keys... it was a bit embarrassing. Smiling wide at his room full of guests, Horatio set down his keys on the door side table. Samantha emerged from the center of the room with her arms open wide. Horatio smiled and hugged his beautiful wife, bending down to place a quick kiss on her lips.

She smiled up at him. "Surprised?"

"Uh...very!" Horatio chuckled. "Thank you."

Samantha smiled and squeezed her husband's hand firmly. "You're worth it."

"Daddy!" Bustling from the right side of the room two year old Sary launched herself into her father's arms.

Horatio pretended to stagger from the weight. "Hey pumpkin... what has mommy been feeding you?"

Sary giggled with delight. "Cake!" Looking quickly at her mother, Sary leaned over and whispered in her father's ear. "Mommy doesn't know I snuck a second piece."

Horatio laughed. "She doesn't, huh?" He winked at his little girl. "Well... that will just be our little secret. But... no more cake ok?"

Sary nodded, her entire body shaking with the force of it. "Ok!"

Samantha raised an eyebrow in question, a knowing smirk spreading across her face. Luckily for both Sary and Horatio, the phone interrupted whatever Samantha had been about to say.

Samantha answered the phone. "Hello? Yes he is... may I tell him who's calling?" She paused a moment, frowning slightly at the phone. She turned her expression to Horatio who arched a questioning eyebrow in response. "OK... just a moment please." She held the phone out towards Horatio.

"Who is it?" He asked, setting Sary down who quickly ran off to play with her brothers.

Samantha shrugged, whispering with her hand over the mouthpiece. "Umm... I don't know. It's a woman and she said 'Just tell him it's someone from his past.'" She paused. "Take the call... see who it is."

Horatio nodded, unsure why such a feeling of unease had suddenly spread through his body. Clearing his throat, Horatio took the phone from Samantha's outstretched hand. While Samantha wanted to know what woman would be calling her husband, she trusted Horatio to tell her later and stepped away to give him some privacy.

"Hello?"

"It's good to hear your voice, Horatio."

Horatio's heart froze in his chest. "Y---Yelina?" Horatio foolishly looked around as if secret agents were hiding behind the blinds listening in on his conversation. Horatio lowered his voice. "It's... it's been a long time."

He could hear the smile in her voice. "Yes it has, Horatio. I hear you've made a few changes in your life."

Horatio smiled. "A few, yes. I have a beautiful wife and four perfect children. I... I wish you could see them." He paused a moment. "How's Raymond... and Ray, Jr.?"

"They're both fine, Horatio. It took us some time to rebuild our lives together... but we're happy. And we're safe."

"Is it safe for you to be calling? As good as it is to hear from you, I don't want to put you and your family in danger."

Yelina smiled. "It's all right... I called in a favor. It's safe. I don't know when... or if I'll be able to call again. But I thought... I thought I would say Happy Birthday." Her voice caught a moment, choking with emotion. "I'm so happy that you've found someone, Horatio. I wish I could meet her." She smiled again. "I wish I could meet your children."

Horatio smiled, fighting down his own tears. "I wish that too, Yelina. Uhh... tell Raymond and Ray Jr. that I love them. And that I miss them." He sighed. "And I love you too..."

Yelina sniffed and wiped away her own tears. "I love you too, Horatio. You... you take care ok?"

"Yeah... you too. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Horatio."

Still in a daze, Horatio hung up the phone. He hadn't heard a thing from Yelina or Raymond in almost six years. He still prayed for them. Hoped they were safe and happy. And it certainly felt wonderful to know that in fact they were. He sighed, running his hand nervously through his hair. Of course he loved Yelina. She was family. Yes, he had for many years wished there could be something more between them. But something had always held him back from taking that leap. Perhaps even then he had known in his heart that there was someone out there only for him.

"Horatio?" Samantha's soft voice snapped Horatio out of his thoughts. Samantha could tell the phone call had upset her husband. She put her hand gently on Horatio's shoulder. "Can we talk about it?"

Clearing his throat, Horatio nodded. "Yeah... let's umm... let's step outside."

Nodding, Samantha followed her husband out the front door. She set down on the front step and waited for Horatio to do the same.

Smiling softly, Horatio took Samantha's hand's between his. "Do you remember what I told you about Raymond?"

"Your brother who died. Of course I remember."

Horatio sighed, breaking eye contact for a moment before turning back. "No. He didn't die."

Samantha frowned, shaking her head in confusion. "I don't understand."

Following another deep breath, Horatio explained to his wife the sorted tale that was Raymond Caine. He told her everything. From the cloud of "dirty cop" suspicion to the murder cover up and everything in between. He told her about Yelina and how he'd sent her away on a plane with is brother nearly six years ago. Quite frankly, it felt good to finally tell someone. It had always nagged him keeping secrets from someone so dear in his life. Raymond had been a secret Horatio told himself he would have to bear alone. Now, as Samantha took him in her arms and held him, he knew he didn't have to bear it alone anymore.

After a moment, Horatio gently pulled away. "I'm sorry I lied to you."

Samantha smiled softly and tilted her head. "It's ok... I understand why you did."

Horatio smiled, leaning forward to gently kiss his wife. "I really don't deserve you."

Samantha smiled. "You deserve the sun and the moon. You deserve my love, you deserve our beautiful children, you deserve your lab, you deserve your friends... you deserve everything and so much more. Someday I hope you'll realize how much you deserve it all."

Horatio felt a tear slide down his cheek. "I love you, Samantha."

"I love you, Horatio."

And so gentle readers, this is where our story ends. I do plan to write follow up stories for Horatio, Samantha, and the Caine children. I hope you will be patient as I brainstorm both follow up stories to this one, and continue to work on my other Horatio/OFC stories. Thank you all SO much for your kind feedback. Thank you to my beta reader, Nic. Without you I couldn't have posted this story and I owe you a great deal! Thank you everybody... please come back often and search my pen name for new fics. For there will certainly be more! Thank you! CSI Salyards