Chapter Six

When hopes and dreams are far away and you feel like you can't face the day,

Let me be the one you call

If you jump I'll land your fall

Lift you up and fly away with you into the night.

If you need to fall apart

I can mend a broken heart

Crash and Burn

You're not alone.

Crash and Burn – Savage Garden

Speedle

The crime scene was a hot one, we were in the second month of Eva's pregnancy and this morning I had been subject to the first of what I assumed to be many mood swings to come. Unfortunately I couldn't even escape her at work, as the first case of the day happened to be a Mala Noche gun fight with patrol in a residential district. It was all hands on deck. So far I'd managed to keep out of her way, but I knew I couldn't spend all day avoiding her. It wasn't logical. Instead I decided to give her some space.

Focusing on my work for the moment I bent over placing a small marker indicating I'd found another bullet for Calleigh to analyse.

A shrill wolf whistle cut through the air as I straightened, I twisted to see a young woman with shoulder length blond hair in the crowd behind the yellow crime scene tape. She beckoned me over with a finger.

Like hell was I going to fall for that, I felt myself sneer. Shaking my head I picked up the camera in order to photograph the position of the bullet.

"You look really hot with a gun." I heard her voice go through me, causing me to cringe. I sighed and moved to face her; she was snapping gum for Christ's Sake.

"Really?" I said, distracted by the camera.

"Yea really." I glanced up to see her wink. I took a step towards her, her face lit up and she leant forward showing so much cleavage I was curious to why she was actually bothering to wear a shirt.

"You see that woman over there?" I asked her pointing at Eva as she crouched on the floor with a swab, examining something. The girl followed the direction of my hand.

"Yea." More gum snapping followed.

"That's my pregnant fiancée." I told her changing the film in the camera.

"I'd do my best not to piss her off at the minute considering she has a gun and last time I checked." I gave her a once over.

"You aren't wearing any body armour, so I think maybe its best you take a walk and let me get on with my job." I told her snapping the back of the camera back into place. I took three steps back into the crime scene without looking back. Man I really loved working off that tension.

Eva

Everyone in the room's gaze was on me as I stood up next to Tim, a champagne glass of orange juice in my hand. This was our engagement party, it had been organised by Alexx a few weeks ago after she discovered that I was indeed pregnant. Yet the only problem was that everyone in the room didn't actually know that I was pregnant, or engaged, they thought it was a celebration of the fact that Blake Marriott was finally behind bars. Alexx was the only one that didn't look surprised by the fact we were both standing, well her and Horatio. Tim's arm was around my waist now. I could tell he was nervous.

"Erm, we have some good news we want to share with you all." I began. All eyes were on me, and I was feeling a little freaked out by the attention. Especially the silence.

"We're getting married." I confessed, there was an abrupt cheer from seats around the table before Tim cleared his throat also adding the next bit of good news.

"And we're pregnant." I found myself engulfed in Eric's arms as he swept me up in a brotherly gesture.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked a massive playful grin on his face as he tousled my hair. His eyes were shining. I was glad to see someone so happy for me.

"We wanted to keep it a surprise." I told him. He grabbed Tim's hand and shook it enthusiastically.

"You're in for a world of getting up at all hours of the night and nappies man. Good Luck!" he said wistfully to Tim, who rolled his eyes in response.

"It's easier than living with you man." He retorted.

Horatio's whole face had curved into a smile.

"That's great news." Horatio said softly as he reached forward hugging me.

"Although I was expecting one but not the other." He said humorously as we pulled away.

"You know me; never go into anything half hearted." I laughed with him, Horatio moved with me reaching for Tim.

"Well done Speed. I'm proud of you." Horatio said shaking Tim's hand firmly. I knew how much it meant to Tim hearing that from Horatio, he was kind of a father figure in Tim's life.

"I'm so happy for y'all!" Calleigh said throwing her arms around me.

"You're going to be a great mother Eva." Ryan was on the other side of Calleigh shaking Speed's hand.

"That's great news." I heard him saying. I thought this might be a good time to tell Calleigh something I'd been meaning to ask her.

"Cal, I was wondering if you'd be my maid of honour. The wedding won't be until after the baby's born, but I was wondering if you' do it, I'd really appreciate it." I told her fiddling with my hands. Calleigh's beaming face was my answer.

"I'd be honoured to… I mean are you sure?" she asked, as if she couldn't believe I was asking her. I nodded.

"As sure as anything." I confirmed. Calleigh smiled contently.

"Wow I'm completely shocked." She said moving to Tim and kissing his cheek, she went back to the table in a small daze. Alexx took my hands with a mother's warmth, kissing my cheek.

"How you doing honey?" she asked me. She looked at me pointedly; I knew this meant she wanted me to be honest.

"Still some morning sickness, some mood swings, relatively uneventful." I answered genuinely. She nodded in response.

"You ever need me you know where I am right?" she said openly. I felt myself react to her genuine openness,

"I know." I said simply. I watched as she moved onto Tim, the light in his eyes as she told him how happy she was, and how he was going to make a great dad, made me realise how strong the bond between the two was. I was glad to be accepted by her. I looked around the room at the people rallied around us and realised how glad I was to be part of this family.