Chapter 9
The next 3 days passed by and quicker than they imagined there was Christmas Eve.
The whole forenoon the 4 CSIs' and their favourite pathologist celebrated Christmas and allotted their presents.
At seven o'clock, Calleigh arrived at Horatios' house. He opened the door and once again he was amazed. She just wore a black trouser and a white top, but she looked fabulous.
"Come in, honey." She stepped into the house and was surprised. There was a huge Christmas tree in the middle of the living room.
"Horatio, I had no idea."
"What do you mean?"
"That you love Christmas."
He was nonplussed. "Yep, I do like it."
"It looks so cute." The tree was decorated with golden and red scoops, tinsel and fairy lights.
"What about dinner?" he interrupted her thoughts.
"Dinner? You prepared a meal?"
"Of course, I did."
"You're surprising me once again, handsome."
"I hope so, this makes a relationship exciting."
He vanished into the kitchen. Once again Calleigh looked at the Christmas tree, then to the kitchen, shook her head and followed him.
"Can't expect what you prepared" she said and tried to have a look into the oven.
"Don't be so curious" he said and pulled her away tenderly.
"I'm not curious" she replied obstinate, he just smiled, "Ok, ok. I'll take a seat" she said.
A few minutes later, the whole table was full of food. Calleigh was surprised about her boyfriend "I know him for so many years, but I had no idea that he is such a talented cook. When it tastes so good like it smells, it has to be delicious."
And it was delicious. Horatio was nervous about her opinion. He knew he wasn't a bad cook, but this was the first time, he has cooked for a friend, for his girlfriend to be exactly.
"Do you like it?" he asked unsure.
"It's delicious, handsome. The turkey tastes really good and so do the other dishes. I had no idea of this secret talent."
"Thank you, honey. I tried to do my best." "She likes it" he was relieved.
After they ate the dessert, they went to the living room. Meanwhile it was dark outside and only the Christmas tree was lightning the room.
"Who taught you to cook like this?" she asked, when she sat down on the sofa. Horatio got a bottle of wine and two glasses.
"My mum." He poured the wine.
"She did a really good job."
"Yep. My mum taught me many things, for example how to cook and how to create an atmosphere, in which women feel comfortable." He sat down.
"Well, then you have been a real good disciple." She gave him an alluring smile.
"Possible" he smiled.
The whole house was quiet, just the romantic music playing in the background interrupted the silence.
"And what shall we do now?" This time he had the irresistible smile on his face.
"There are several things that occur in my mind, but what do you think about starting with your present?" He looked like a little boy, who was curious about what presents he will get.
"Present? Yes, that's a brilliant idea. Wait a minute." He kissed her forehead and disappeared.
"What is he doing now? On the other hand, I can get his present."
Short time after she sat down again, Horatio returned.
"Please let me start" he asked her.
"Ok."
"Here, this is my Christmas present for you, hope you like it." He gave her a casket. Her hands quivered. He was even more curious than she was. She opened the casket and her eyes went wide open.
"Horatio, it's beautiful." She looked in his eyes. Was there a tiny tear in her eyes?
"You like it?"
"More than that" she kissed him. "Do you help me, to put it on?"
"Of course, darling."
She turned her back on him. She could feel his warm breath on her neck and the cold silver on her chest.
"And does it look good on me?"
"More than that. Have a look in the mirror."
She stood up and went to the corridor. She looked at herself in the mirror. The chain looked beautiful. It was made of silver and it had a pendant in form of a H. She took the pendant in her hand and played with it lost in thought. She didn't notice that Horatio had followed her. He embraced her and looked over her shoulder right into the mirror.
"You look so beautiful, honey. I'm so glad that I've found you." He kissed her neck and smiled.
"I have to correct you, handsome. I've found you." She turned around and kissed him. "But now, it's my time to give you my present."
"Can't wait so see it." There was again this mischievously smile.
They went back to the living room. They sat down and she gave him his present. It was wrapped in gift wrapping paper. He opened the paper.
"What's that?"
"Open it."
He opened it and was surprised. It was a self-made calendar with photos of him and Calleigh.
"Do you like it?"
"It's so cute. Where did you get these photos?" In it, there were photos from several celebrations of the last years.
"Eric. He gave me the pictures. He said, that we were meant to be a couple."
Horatio looked at the pictures and he understood what Eric meant. They behaved like a couple. On some photos they were embracing each other, on others they just stood side by side, but you recognized there was something between them. Something, that you couldn't see, but it was there.
"It's the best gift I've ever got Cal. I like it so much. But I have something else for you."
"Something else? What do you mean?" she asked confused.
"I mean another present."
"Another present?"
"Yep." He gave her a small casket. "Before you open it, I have to tell you something."
"Tell me something?"
"I'm so glad that I.. ehm we found each other. I can't explain how happy I am when you are here. And I want you to be here more often. Calleigh, you have the key to my heart and", he opened the casket, "here is the key to my house." There was a huge smile in his face. First Calleigh was totally confused, but then she realised that he hadn't ask her to become his wife and she smiled.
"You crazy fool" she laughed. "Thank you handsome."
They kissed each other for a long time. He stood up and stretched out his hand for her, which she took. He let her to the bedroom and soon enough, the chain was all she was wearing.
tbc
A/N Hope you enjoy this chapter, even though Christmas is over.