Ryan jumped. The arms that wrapped around his waist quickly retreated. "Sorry, jumpy." Anna kissed his cheek. Ryan turned around and hugged her.
He smiled at her. "I'm sorry. I was a million miles away." Ryan bent down to kiss her, but she caught his nose.
"Eww." Ryan looked down at his young son who was dressed in soccer gear.
Anna winced. "He has practice."
He picked up Jonathan. "Let's go." He kissed Anna quickly and left the room.
Horatio smiled as the group approached him. He eagerly embraced Eric when she reached him. "Calleigh."
Calleigh smiled up at him. "How've ya been?"
"I've been well."
"Yelina and the kids?"
"Everyone's great."
"Horatio!" Rick greeted.
"Rick. You taking care of everyone?"
"Yeah." The two men shook hands.
Eric said, "Natalia's here too. She's gone to see Anna. And Tripp, Jen and Speed are at the hotel," as the three men and Calleigh took a seat by the window.
"Mr. Wolfe won't be happy. He doesn't want his family involved in any of this."
"None of us want to be involved in this."
Seeing where this was going, Rick intervened. "What exactly are we involved in?"
"I don't know," Horatio answered, "but I don't think we'll get the answer here."
Natalia hesitated before knocking on the door, thinking it would be better if they all just went back to their own lives. Ignored the problem. But as soon as she knocked, she knew it was too late. She heard a baby giggle and light footsteps approach.
Anna opened the door and grinned. "Oh my god! Natalia!" Anna wrapped an arm around her old friend as Natalia laughed and returned the embrace.
"How've you been, Anna?"
"I've been great. What about you? What are you doing here?"
"I thought I'd stop by for a visit. And this," she said taking Ellie from her mother, "must be the spoilt little princess of the family."
"Yep. This little one has her big brother and Daddy wrapped around her tiny fingers."
"What? You're immune?"
"I've lost too much sleep. Come in, sit down. You want a coffee?"
"Please." Natalia sat on the sofa and bounced the little girl on her knee, completely taken with her. "Is it weird that she looks like Ryan?"
"No… Apparently, Ryan's genes are the stronger ones," Anna said as she passed Natalia a cup and sat next to her. "…cause as soon as you see Jonathan, you will swear Ryan shrunk."
Natalia laughed. "How are the boys?"
"Good. Jonathan's started questioning… everything! And Ryan's good. He's busy."
"I can't believe Ryan isn't a cop anymore."
"Yeah… He misses it but whenever I bring up moving he changes like when—"
"When what?"
"When you called, e-mailed… he just got so frustrated and angry." Anna Shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe it's work."
"Well, that man loves you more than anything. And HAS loved you since he saw you. No one can dispute that."
"Unfortunately."
Natalia frowned. "What… what does that mean?"
Before Anna could answer, they heard the keys in the door and Jonathan running into the room. He stopped and stared at Natalia.
"There's my little man," Natalia greeted, as she handed Ellie back to Anna. "You got a hug for your favourite aunt?"
Jonathan ran up to Natalia and jumped onto her lap. "Did you bring presents?"
Anna frowned. Natalia laughed. "Yes, I did. I—"
"Nat!" Natalia turned and smiled at Ryan.
She stood up. "Hey, stranger." She went over to him and hugged him. To her surprise, and Anna's, he hugged her back with a genuine happiness on his face.
"Good, now that the bomb's been defused, you're staying for dinner," Anna said as she walked with her children to the kitchen.
Natalia turned to follow, but was pulled back by Ryan. "I haven't told her Horatio's in town… I don't want her to know hat something's wrong just yet."
Natalia nodded. "Fine… But it's not just me and Horatio."
"Ryan," Anna popped her head around the corner, "can you run to the store and get some wine?"
Ryan smiled. "Yeah."
"Wow, wine for me," Natalia said, grabbing her bag and walking into the kitchen, "You guys are pulling out all the stops."