CSI:MIAMI SEASON 11

Episode 4

"Austin, Patty, we're here, kids." Calleigh had turned in her seat to wake their children. It had been a long drive from Miami, and with their parents sharing the driving, they just couldn't stay awake.

"Are we at the farm, Mommie?" Patty tried to rub the sleep out of her eyes, and watched a woman exit the house and wave from the porch. "Who's that?"

"That's my mama, Sweetie. She's your grandmother."

Horatio pulled the car to a stop in front of the house, and the kids were flying out of the car and up the steps. "Grandma!" They started flying questions at Marie Duquesne so fast she couldn't keep up.

She leaned down and pulled them into her arms. "Well, hello my darlings!" She stroked their hair and looked at her daughter. "You made good time."

"We didn't stop much, and took turns driving."

Marie eyed Horatio. "It's good to see you again, Son. Glad to see that the two of you have finally come to your senses."

"Mama!" Calleigh glanced down at her children. "After bedtime, all right?"

"All right, but we WILL talk."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Patty looked up her grandmother. "Is Mommie in trouble?"

"No, Angel, not in trouble. Sometimes mommies just have a hard time accepting that their children have grown up." She looked up at Calleigh again. "I have some gumbo on the stove, come on in and eat."

Calleigh grinned and pulled Horatio by the hand. "You don't have to tell ME twice!"

"What's gumbo?"

"It's like a big stew, and you serve it over rice, and my mama makes the best in the entire state of Louisiana!" As the stepped into the house, the heavenly smell from the kitchen tickled her nose. "Oh, YES, I'm definitely home!"

"I thought Miami was our home." Austin looked worried.

"It is, Son. This is the house your mother grew up in, so she always feels like it's home when she gets here. Don't worry, we'll be going back to Miami."

"But not before we see all the aminals, right, Daddy?"

Horatio chuckled. "Animals, Patty. Yes, and if I know this family, everyone will be up before daybreak working."

Marie started bringing the bowls filled with warm gumbo to the table. "That's right. Patty is old enough to collect eggs, and we'll show Austin how to milk the cows and feed the horses."

Austin sniffed his dinner and pushed it around a bit. "What's in this?"

Calleigh looked into her bowl and grinned. "My favorite, thanks, Mama. It's shrimp, crawfish and crabmeat."

"Why do you always make it with chicken and sausage at home, then?" Horatio took a huge bite and closed his eyes, savoring the flavors.

"Because it takes longer to make the roux for the seafood than the chicken, and my little girl knows not to buy the store bought kind."

"Nope, my mama would call my daddy, who lives in Miami, and he'd be right over to, um..." She looked at her children thoughtfully. "Put me in a time out." Her mother grinned. Her little girl had all the signs of a good mother already. She hadn't learned that from her.

Austin looked up from his empty bowl. "Is there more?"

"There is, but I made a special dessert for you, one of your mother's favorites."

"Peach cobbler with the fruit from the yard?"

"And home made ice cream."

Calleigh eyes filled with tears. She couldn't get over the change in her mother, she just hoped it wasn't a show for Horatio. "Thanks, Mama."

"We've never had peach cobbler."

"Well, you will, your mama loves it, and loves to make it. I'm sure you'll be having some once you get home."

"Absolutely. I make it for the lab a couple times a month, but Horatio usually gobbles most of it up. I've started making two...one for the lab, and one for him."

Austin took a bite and his eyes lit up. "Take a bite, Patty, this is really, really good!" Patty took a small bite, and then proceeded to wolf down the entire bowl.

Calleigh shook her head. "Ok, you two. Story time and then bed."

"When do we meet everybody?"

"Tomorrow. Early in the morning, which is why y'all are going to bed right after story time."

"No movie?"

"No movie, now stop stalling or there will be no story time either."

"Yes, Sir."

Forty five minutes later the children were sound asleep. "Horatio, I know I promised you the barn, but could we do that tomorrow? I'm exhausted."

"Actually, I was hoping you'd say that, I'm definitely ready for sleep. Which room is ours?"

She stopped outside a pink door and turned the knob, allowing him to enter ahead of her. The room was exactly as she left it when she'd graduated from high school and headed off to college. "Pink? Calleigh, this looks like you painted it with Pepto Bismol!"

She closed the door and chewed on her bottom lip. "Sorry, I was the only girl, and the youngest. I had to be a tomboy to keep up with my brothers. Mama tried to make me girly."

"You're not planning on doing that with Patty are you?"

"Absolutely not. She can wear whatever she wants, well, within reason, and as long as it's situation appropriate. I hated wearing frilly dresses to school. I used to stuff jeans and t shirts in my school bag and change at school."

"I've married a rebel."

"You've known that for a long, long time. Now can we get some rest?"

"How about a massage, Mrs. Caine? It might help you sleep."

"What about you?"

"Your breathing will relax me." He closed and locked the door, and then led his wife over to the bed, slowly undressing her, applying light kisses to every new piece of skin he uncovered. Once he was done he laid her on the bed on her stomach and worked his hands over the knots that had formed, kissing each one as it relaxed. He heard her sigh, and her breathing deepen. "Feel better, Sweetheart?"

"Mmm, I don't think I can move."

"Just lie still, I'll get your nightshirt." He turned her over and lifted her gently, slipping the shirt over her head. Once he had her comfortable he pulled the covers over her and removed his own clothes and put on his pajamas. When he slipped into bed next to her, she turned and moved closer to him. He gathered her in his arms and rubbed her back until he was sure she was sleeping, and then let an exhausted sleep overtake him.