CSI:MIAMI SEASON ELEVEN

Episode Nine

A/N: I know I said these episodes would be "aired" each Sunday, but for some reason my muse got a jump start and started cranking them out. Instead of waiting, I thought I'd treat y'all to a little more. That being said, Episode Ten might be a bit delayed for this Sunday. We are having a huge fireworks blowout and block party for July 4th, and I need to get some shopping done for supplies early. Thanks for all your kind reviews and for your follows. It means the world to me!

Cal

Calleigh woke the next morning to sun streaming through her windows, her ankle throbbing, and her husband nowhere to be found. She scanned her room for her crutches, and then remembered that they'd left them on the porch after their emotional discussion about Marisol. She sighed heavily and pulled herself up to a sitting position when Horatio came through the bedroom door with a tray of breakfast. "Good morning, Love. I'd hoped to back up here before you woke up. I was downstairs getting your breakfast and medication. That shot must have worn off by now."

"Actually, I just woke up, and yes, the shot is no longer working, my ankle is throbbing."

Horatio set the tray on the nightstand and pulled a pill bottle from his pocket. "Ruthie went to the pharmacy earlier so you could have these when you woke." He handed her a pill and her juice glass. "She also said that the boot might help even while you're in bed, would you like to try that? She said some support would be good."

"Can we put it on after I eat?

"Absolutely. I hope you're hungry, I brought everything that your mama made."

"All my favorite things. I guess she's not too mad that we broke her barn and kept her up half the night."

"She didn't seem to be. She kept asking me if you slept all right and to make sure I kept an eye on you today because you tend to like to defy doctors' orders."

"Oh, for cryin' out loud. It was ONE time and I was twelve!"

"She told me all about it. I guess you won't try any barrel racing today, right?"

"Heavens, no!"

"That's my girl. Now, you start eating before it gets cold. Then we'll get you dressed and I'll go get two young people that are dying to see you."

"Thank you, Handsome."

"You're welcome, Cher." She rewarded him with a huge smile. She'd make him a Louisiana boy if it killed her.

Just as she finished her breakfast, her bedroom door burst open and the two joys in her life came running in, "Mommie!"

"Don't bounce on the bed, kids, watch your mother's foot." He moved the tray from her lap so Patty could crawl into bed with her.

"What happened Mommie?" Patty snuggled as close as she could.

"I turned my foot the wrong way and I fell and broke a tiny little bone in my ankle."

"Which one?"

Horatio stepped forward and grabbed his daughter's left ankle and tickled it. "This bone right here. It's called a Malleolus."

"That's a funny name." Austin was frowning. "If you broke it, why didn't they give you a cast?"

"They did, Son, she just doesn't have to wear it in bed." He picked it up and began to strap her leg into the boot.

"It looks like your black Ugg boots, Mommie."

"It sure does, sweetie." Calleigh kissed her daughter's forehead.

"Dad and Uncle John said that if it was OK with you, I could help with the boil. Can I please? J.J is helping and we're the same age."

She looked at her husband, who nodded gently. "I suppose so, I used to help when I was your age. You be very careful, those pots are very, very hot. You listen to your dad and uncle all the time and do exactly what you're told. I know you're the same age as your cousin, but he's done this before. I promise we'll have some boils when we get back home, and you and Daddy can practice, all right?"

He hugged his mother. "Thanks, Mom. I knew you wouldn't think I was a baby."

She hugged him tighter. "No, my sweet boy, I would never think that you are a baby."

He smiled at both his parents. "I love you, Mom and Dad. Thanks so much for adopting us, and for loving us so much."

"No, Son, we should be thanking you for allowing us to adopt you both. You've made your mother and me very happy."

Patty looked up at her mother. "Are you and Daddy gonna make a baby so I don't have to be the youngest?"

"Well, sweetie, we have been discussing it, so...we'll see."

"I think it would be great. I'm old enough to help out, and Patty is young enough to be able to play with him."

"Him?"

"All right, him or her, but I'd kind of like a little brother. I'd make a good big brother."

"He's right, he's the best big brother in the world. He always takes care of me."

"Let's talk about it when we get home. It's time to go downstairs and boil some crawfish."

"So we can see how Grandma gets the meat for her gumbo and etfay."

"Etoufee, sweetie."

"Etoufee. There sure are a lot of funny words here."

"Yeah, why does Grandma call you Cher? Do you like her or something?"

"No." She giggled. "Cher means 'love' in french. At one time this whole state was part of France."

"Until the Louisiana Purchase."

"That's right. Almost the whole state was included, except for a little piece down by New Orleans that was part of Florida. To this day they call those parishes the Florida Parishes."

"Cool."

"All right, let's save the history lesson for later, let's get your mom downstairs."

"Did you bring my crutches in?"

"Still on the porch. I suppose I'll have to carry you again." He kissed the top of her head.

"Do you like to carry Mommie?"

"Why do you ask that, Patty?"

"Because you do it a lot."

"Yes, I do love to carry your mom." Calleigh smiled and laid her head against his chest. As they descended the stairs, she could hear all the noise of her huge family in the yard. All four of her brothers were here with their wives and kids. She'd felt out of place before, but now with her husband and children, she finally felt like she belonged at these gatherings.

Horatio placed her gently on the swing and put a pillow behind her back, and then lifted her leg to elevate her ankle. Calleigh looked around the yard and saw more than just family. There were old friends and neighbors that she hadn't seen since before her academy days. Her parents had gone all out for this reception. She wasn't sure if it was because it was Horatio she'd married, or the two new grandchildren she'd brought into the fold. Either way, it made her happy to be home for the first time in a long time. She smiled as she found her parents, side by side, her father's arm around his wife's waist. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.