A/N: Thank you so much to all have reviewed! You guys are awesome!
When Horatio returned an hour later, Calleigh was still sitting by Ryan's bed and they were talking quietly.
"Feeling any better?" Horatio asked, moving over to the side of the bed.
"Yeah, actually," Ryan said, "the nurse says my fever's finally down and the infection's all but gone. We just talked to the doctor and he said that in three more days they can set my leg and stitch me up."
"That's wonderful!" Horatio said, "Have they given you a release date yet?"
"A week from today, for both of us," Calleigh said, wrinkling her nose at the thought of being in the hospital that long, "I told them I feel fine, but they want to keep me under observation just in case."
"Calleigh," Ryan said shaking his head at his wife's stubbornness, "You barely escaped from a hurricane; you are anything but 'fine'."
Calleigh hit him playfully on the shoulder and then smiled back at Horatio. "So what have you been up too?" she asked.
"Well, I found a hotel where I can stay until you guys can go home, I talked to Ron about the trip home, and I picked up some dinner." Horatio said, sitting down.
"Have you called the kids yet?"Calleigh asked, hoping for an update on her children.
"Actually I was just about to. I'll call them and be right back," he said starting to stand.
"Wait," Calleigh said, putting a hand on Horatio's arm, "You can call them right here. That way I won't feel so isolated from them."
"Alright," Horatio said, sitting down, pulling out his cell phone, and dialing the number.
The phone rang twice before a woman pick up on the other end, "Hello?"
"Hey, Belle," Horatio said with a smile, "How are things going?"
"Everything's great here; Alexx took the kids for the evening, so I'm here watching a movie with Gavin." Belle said, smiling up at her husband.
"I'm glad things are going alright," he said, reading Calleigh's lips as she mouthed 'Let me talk to her!'
"Hey, Belle, I'm going to put you on speaker phone; there's somebody who wants to say hello," he said, pushing the speaker phone button.
"Hi Belle!" Calleigh said.
"Aunt Calleigh?!" Belle asked with excitement, "How are you? Where's Uncle Ryan?"
"I'm right here," Ryan said, "We're fine; I'm just a little less mobile than I used to be." He explained about his leg and Belle laughed at his comment.
"When are you guys coming home?" Belle asked.
"We have to stay here for one more week and then we get to come home," Calleigh answered.
"That's great!" Belle said with a smile, "I know of at least three people who will be thrilled to see you."
Calleigh grinned at the mention of her children. "How are they Belle?" she asked.
"They're doing really well. Like I was telling my dad, Alexx took them out to a movie and then to get ice cream. They should be home in an hour or two." Belle said, standing to look out the window.
"You haven't told them about Calleigh and Ryan have you?" Horatio asked.
"Nope, and I won't until you guys get here," Belle said, imagining what this homecoming was going to be like.
"Thanks Belle," Horatio said, "Well, I'd better let you get back to you movie. Say hi to Gavin for me. I'll be home in about a week. I'll call you when I know exactly when. I love you, and I'll see you soon."
"I love you too, Daddy. Bye."
"Bye," Horatio said, ending the call and flipping the phone shut.
"Now I really can't wait to get home," Calleigh said, smiling.
"Well, it's up to you two now," Horatio said, looking at both of them, "The sooner you get better, the sooner we can go home."
"I'll do my best," Ryan said with mock sincerity, earning a laugh from his wife and boss.
The week passed by slowly for the trio. About three days after they were reunited, Ryan went into surgery and his leg was repaired, stitched up and encased in a large plaster cast that extended from just above his knee to his ankle. Calleigh was healing nicely as well; the swelling in her wrist had gone down substantially and the cuts and bruises were fading.
Horatio spent most of his days at the hospital, only leaving when visiting hours were long over and returning early each morning. He checked up on Belle and the kids about twice a day, making sure he always said goodnight to the kids before they went to bed.
By the time a week had elapsed, Horatio, Calleigh and Ryan were more than ready to go home. That morning, Dr. Valdes gave the Wolfes a clean bill of health and they were released from the hospital with instructions to visit their primary doctor in Miami in a month about removing their casts.
Horatio called a cab and within fifteen minutes a car pulled up outside the hospital. Horatio pushed Ryan in a wheelchair as Calleigh walked along side them carrying all of their pain killers and antibiotics. After helping Ryan into the car, Horatio climbed in after Calleigh and told the driver to take them to the airport.
Ron was waiting with Journey all fueled up and ready to go when they arrived. He had been over to the hospital twice to see them and greeted them now with smiles.
"So our adventurers are ready to go home now, huh?" he said, helping Calleigh out of the car.
"More than ready," Calleigh said, smiling, before turning back to get her small bag out of the car.
Horatio helped Ryan into the plane and then when all were seated comfortably, the small aircraft took off, bringing the weary travelers back home.
Horatio watched out the window as they flew, remembering how he felt a week ago. He smiled as he looked over at his two friends. Calleigh was asleep with her head on Ryan's shoulder and Ryan was sleeping soundly with his head leaned up against hers.
This trip seemed shorter somehow, and it felt like they had only been in the air a short time when Florida's coastline came into view. Just as they were about to reach Miami, Ryan and Calleigh both woke up.
They both looked out the window and saw Miami's skyline laid out before them.
"Welcome home," Horatio said as the plane began its descent.
A/N: Only one more chapter left, so please review!