We would like to thank ALL our loyal readers for your support while we have been away. In the next few weeks, you will see our stories being reposted here for all of you to read along with several NEW stories we've written while we've been away.

We appreciate all the kind messages we've received for our readers...we didn't realize how many of you were reading our stories, lol. It has brought HUGE smiles to us and we hope you'll continue to stick with us as we re-post some old favorites and hopefully new favorites. Thanks again!

CaineSpeedle & Speedfanatic05

Now for the good stuff!

**WARNING: STRONG SEXUAL CONTENT AND LANGUAGE! You Are Warned**

DISCLAIMER: We don't own any of the Miami characters and we're NOT making any money off of them!

SEQUEL TO: "Legacy Of Madness"

The slight rustling of the sheers woke Horatio and he peered through squinted eyes at the sun as it streamed through the window, the warm, light breeze trickling over his skin. Vaguely, he remembered that they left the window open last night after making love, the exhaustion coming quickly for her. Lying there afterwards, he watched Calleigh sleep thinking of how his life was about to change. She was closer to the due date and the signs had started pointing to Cerise's arrival, the thought of it bringing about a slew of anxieties. With those anxieties in mind, he'd drifted off to sleep, content.

Feeling her move beside him, he turned to her and moved strands of hair away from her face. She was still asleep, but he could see by the faint smile, that she was untroubled and calm. Placing a hand on her belly, he leaned in and whispered, "Love you."

Moving from her slowly, he got up and stretched, taking a glance back to make sure that she remained sleeping then crossing the room to his drawer. Pulling out a shirt and sleep pants, Horatio slipped them on and opened the door, the immediate aroma of strong coffee hitting him. Smiling, he made his way down the stairs and into the kitchen, finding Kyle preparing a cup of coffee.

Coming next to him, Horatio grabbed his mug and reached for the pot, pouring a stream of the hot, dark liquid and then putting it to his lips. The intense heat scorched his tongue slightly, but he nodded and wrinkled his brow, "Nice."

Putting some sugar and creamer into his, Kyle smirked some, "Not too strong for you is it, dad?"

"Just right," Horatio answered as he took another sip. Looking to Kyle, he smiled, "How are you doing this morning, son? Feeling okay?"

Nodding and moving his wheelchair some, Kyle shrugged, "I'm okay. My leg is itching like crazy though. Hopefully they'll take this cast off this week and put me in something else. I'm kinda tired of sitting in this chair."

"I can understand that, when is your appointment?" Horatio asked as he leaned against the counter. Relaxing more, he smiled, "Perhaps I can take you, maybe have lunch afterwards?"

"Sound's good. It's Friday at ten thirty. I haven't had to take any of the pain killers they gave me, so maybe that's a good sign," Kyle replied and then took a sip of his own coffee. Swallowing, he sighed, "Never knew getting shot in the leg could cause so much trouble."

"It changes everything," Horatio answered with a smirk, "but this was a change for the better."

Smiling some, Kyle looked at his coffee and then back up at his dad, "Yeah, I'm home now, huh?"

Feeling the slight hesitation in his voice, Horatio shook his head, "I know you don't like it, but it's what happened, son. I'd be lying if I said that you being here wasn't a good thing. There's something out there for you to do, something fulfilling."

"I know, dad." Taking in a deep breath, Kyle looked towards the kitchen door and then back to Horatio, "How's Calleigh this morning?"

Noticing the change of subject, Horatio nodded, "She's still asleep. I think she'll probably stay up there for a while, she's been getting tired more." Placing the cup down, he crossed his arms and asked, "So, what's on the agenda for today? Got any plans?"

Shaking his head, Kyle looked back down at his coffee, "No, not really. I thought maybe I'd call and check on mom, see how she's doing. Other then that, I'll probably do some more reading and maybe play around on the computer."

Horatio exhaled and came closer, feeling the tension building within the young man. He didn't want to push the issue, but he wanted him to be able to talk to him. "Kyle, whatever it is, you know you can talk to me."

Looking away, Kyle took in a deep breath, releasing it slowly and then shrugged, "I got an e-mail last night that I wasn't really expecting. It was nothing really…just not what I thought it would be."

Uncrossing his arms, Horatio focused more on Kyle and narrowed his brow, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Crinkling his brow as he continued to stare at his coffee, Kyle sighed, "It was from this girl I liked back in our outfit. We were getting to know each other better and all…but she hooked up with Yarian now and thinks we don't need to be talking anymore."

Placing a hand on his shoulder, Horatio nodded, "I know it hurts now, Kyle, but believe me, it will get better." A brief thought of Calleigh passed through his mind and he smirked slightly, "Take it from someone who knows, this won't be your only chance at something good."

Nodding slightly and then looking up at him, Kyle sighed, "I know. Still, I wish things could have worked out." Hearing Calleigh call out for Horatio, Kyle's brow crinkled as he looked back towards the stairs, "Dad, is she okay?"

His attention was torn to the stairwell and he began to move without thinking about it, "I don't know, but I'll be right back." Turning to him, he asked, "Are you going to be okay for a few minutes?"

"Yeah…go dad…" Kyle said as Calleigh called out again, her voice sounding strained.

Horatio's heart began to beat faster as he took to the stairs, the sound of the strain in her voice pulling at his nerves. Coming to the door of their room, he placed his hand on the door and then pushed, entering, "Calleigh…"

Sitting on the edge of the bed and holding her belly, Calleigh breathed heavily through a contraction. Looking towards him, she groaned out, "I…I think it's time…my water broke…"

Rendered speechless and unable to move, Horatio's body felt like jelly as he stared at her, the pain etched upon her face. An unearthly scream pulled him out of his stupor and he moved to her almost involuntarily, reaching for her, "Calleigh…okay…we…we need to move you. We need to get you to th-the hospital."

Holding tight to her stomach, Calleigh tried to do her breathing, feeling as the contraction seemed to tear through her. Closing her eyes tight, she felt as he rubbed her lower back, the action seemingly relaxing her muscles there. Taking in a deep breath as it began to ease up, she opened her eyes and looked to him, "I'm scared…"

The fear in her voice tore at his heart, but he steadied himself, holding tightly to her hand, "I'm right here, Calleigh. I won't leave your side, sweetheart." Hesitant to move her, he felt her hand tighten as she screamed again propelling him into action, "Calleigh, we have to get up…"

"It hurts…" she replied as she squeezed his hand hard. Once the contraction began to subside again, she stood up with his help while keeping her other arm around her belly, "Let's just go…"

Horatio moved gingerly toward the door, taking all of her weight on to him. Quickly, he passed through the door and then down the stairs, calling out "KYLE!"

Coming out of the kitchen, Kyle rolled himself towards the stairs seeing them coming down, "Dad…what's going on?"

Giving him a brief glance, Horatio continued moving, "Calleigh's in labor. I'm taking her to the hospital, can you give Speed a call?" Grabbing the keys, he went for the door, "Will you be okay for a while?"

"Y-Yeah…I'll call Mrs. Alexx too." Following behind them to the door, he smiled some, "Good luck…I'll catch a ride down there and bring Calleigh's bag with me."

"Okay…" Opening the door swiftly, he felt Calleigh falter and caught her as she began to tense for another contraction. Moving as fast as he could, he disengaged the lock on the car and called behind him, "Thanks, Kyle. I'll see you later."

"Okay!" Kyle called out from the door and then let the storm door close. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his cell phone and looked up Tim's number. Dialing it, he placed it to his ear and watched through the window and his dad backed the car out, "Speed, it's Kyle. Are you busy?"

Staring at Emma as she picked the cherries out of her fruit cocktail, Tim snickered and shook his head, hearing the somewhat tensed voice of Kyle on the other end, "Not really, just watching Emma making costly decisions. Why, what's up?"

"Calleigh went into labor. Dad's on his way to the hospital with her right now. Is there any way you can come get me and her bag and get us down there?" Kyle asked as he perched the phone between his ear and shoulder.

Tim's smile dwindled and he stood up slowly, looking to Emma who continued about her work obliviously. Momentarily stunned, he pulled himself back and stammered, "I-Is she okay? How is she? How's Horatio?"

Rolling himself the best he could while holding the phone his brow crinkled, "She's in a lot of pain from the screams I heard upstairs and dad…dad is a bundle of nerves. I told him I'd call you and Mrs. Alexx and find a ride down there with her bag."

Nodding as he began to move, he ran a hand through his hair and furrowed his brow, "Uh…yeah, sure. I can come by. I'll give Alexx a call, okay? Just be ready to go."

"I will. Thanks, Speed," Kyle replied and then closed his phone and began to head towards his room to get his self ready to go. Excitement ran through him at the thought of being able to see his baby sister soon and then thought of her seemed to brighten his day.

Returning back to Emma, Tim sat down and smiled, "Alright kiddo, I think that your duties as sorter have come to an end. We're going to go pick up Kyle. Let's get ready, okay?"

Looking over at him, Emma blinked, "Why can't Kyle's daddy bring him here?"

"Because, Ms. Calleigh is having a baby. Kyle's dad is taking her to the hospital." Standing, he pulled her chair out and bent closer, "Remember we talked about Cerise? Well, it's time for her to come."

Looking up at him, she nodded her head and asked, "Can we take her the bag of presents we got too?"

"We sure can. But we won't be able to see Cerise or Ms. Calleigh until it's all over. We're just going to be there for them right now." Standing back up, he offered his hand, "We need to get ready really quickly, can you do it?"

"Yep!" she smiled as she took his hand and they headed out the kitchen. Letting go of his hand, Emma took off running towards her room and called out, "Can I wear my new clothes, daddy?"

"Sure, just make sure the colors match, sweetie. I'll be in there to do your hair," Tim answered as he started for his room. He turned back briefly and smiled, "Quick, kiddo, we've got to go and pick up Kyle, okay?"

"Okay," Emma called out as she went to her dresser and pulled out a drawer. Looking inside it, she found a new pair of jean Capri's that Tim had gotten for her and pulled them out. Closing the drawer back, she then pulled out another drawer and began looking through her shirts. Finding a Kiss tee shirt, she smiled and got it. Taking her clothes to the bed, she took off her nightgown and began to dress herself.

In his room, Tim pulled a pair of jeans and a t-shirt out and changed quickly. His mind was flushed with anxiety and excitement all in one and as he finished getting ready, he couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the impending event. Calleigh was going to become a mother, something he knew she wanted more than anything in the world- just about.

Coming out, he crossed the hall and knocked on Emma's door and called out, "Ready, kiddo?"

Grabbing her shoes and hair brush, Emma ran over to her door and opened it with a big smile, "Ready, daddy! You like my clothes?"

Perusing her choices, Tim nodded and smirked, "A woman after my own heart. Nice pick on the t-shirt. Now," he said reaching for the brush, "One or two today?"

Thinking about it she then smiled, "One. It will be faster for you." Getting a hair tie, she turned around as he knelt down behind her, "Don't got my butte, daddy."

"Don't worry, we'll get your butte, sweetie." Making quick work of her hair, he then stood and nodded to the bathroom, "Two minutes, Emma and out, okay? We need to get over to Kyle."

Taking off down the hall to the bathroom, Emma went in, closing the door behind her. Using the bathroom and then washing her hands, she then reached for her toothbrush and toothpaste. Brushing her teeth, she then rinsed and wiped her mouth before heading back out and finding Tim out in the living room. "Okay, I'm ready now. Teeth clean and I used the bathroom too."

"Sounds like you're ready then. I'll just grab the bag, and we can get going." Reaching out his hand, he smiled as she took it and then headed for the door. Just before opening it, he grabbed the bag and then opened the door. Going to the car, Tim placed the bag in the back with Emma as she settled in her car seat, pulling the seat belt over her. Giving her a kiss, he noticed her expression and her inability to sit still, smirking as he shook his head, "Excited, sweetie?"

"Uh huh. Daddy, did you grab butte?" she asked as she reached for one of her books that they kept in the car.

Groaning, Tim stood straight, "I'll run and go get it. Sit tight." Taking the keys in hand, he raced back to the door and then entered the home, going straight for the albuterol. Shaking it to make sure he had enough, Tim then left again, conscious to pull the door shut close tightly. Closing her door, Tim slid in the driver's side and reached his hand back to show her the pump, "Got it. Now, we're ready to go."

Giggling some, Emma opened her book, turning it to the last page she'd been at and looked back at him as he began to back out the car, "Daddy, when are you gonna have another baby?"

The question took him by surprise, and he gave her a second look before he turned the car toward the city, "You're ready to have a brother or a sister?"

"Well, I'd have someone to play with then. And if I have a little brother I can teach him how to be nice to girls," she replied as she looked at the picture on the page in her book. "Can Ms. Calleigh give me a brother?"

Tim gripped the wheel and cringed, shaking his head, "No, sweetie, Ms. Calleigh can't give you a brother. Ms. Calleigh and I are just friends." Even as he said this, his heart sunk slightly at the thought of what could have been, but he then shook it off and looked to her again, "I can't promise you anything, but maybe in the near future, we can talk about it again."

"Okay." Reading a few sentences, Emma looked up again and asked, "Daddy, when is Ms. Chastity gonna come over again? I liked her."

At the mention of Chastity, Tim smiled widely and exhaled, "She was supposed to come over tonight, but I'll have to call her and let her know what's going on. She wanted to cook dinner for you again."

Looking out the window, Emma then looked back at him, "Can we ask her to come tomorrow night? Maybe we can cook for her instead. We could make spaghetti like papa does."

"I'm sure she would love that. I'll make sure to call her before it gets late." Tim then focused more on driving and getting to Horatio's and then to the hospital, anxious for both of his friends.

Getting as comfortable as she could in the hospital bed, Calleigh breathed through another contraction as the doctor watched the monitor and the nurses finished up in the room. Since arriving, her contractions seemed to come almost two minutes apart now, and had grown some in intensity. When the contraction began to level off, she took in a deep breath and looked to Horatio as he held onto her hand.

Licking her lips, she shook her head, "Next time…I want drugs for this part, okay?"

Horatio smiled and nodded, leaning forward to move her hair out of her eyes, "I'm surprised you're not swearing off having kids ever again. You've been through a lot already."

Shaking her head some, she closed her eyes and breathed out, "I want children with you, Horatio…just next time, an epidural will be used. Natural child birth is for the birds."

"For the birds, huh? I think you're handling it pretty well." Hearing her groan, he laughed lightly and then stroked her hand minutely, "I love you, Calleigh."

"Love…you…" Calleigh groaned as another contraction began. Doing her breathing, she held tight to his hand as he coached her through the contraction. The pain grew with intensity before starting to subside just as fast at it had grown. Letting out a cleansing breath, she slowly opened her eyes, "I'm tired, but there's no way I can sleep."

"I know, sweetheart, but it will be over soon," Horatio coaxed lightly. He could hear the pain tinged in her voice and he wished he could take it away from her, gripping her hand more. Hoping to keep her comfortable, Horatio moved her hair back more and continued to talk, "You're doing a good job, Calleigh. Cerise will be here soon and then you can rest."

Listening to his soft and encouraging voice, Calleigh tried to let herself relax more. When her stomach began to tighten once again, Calleigh's grip increased on his hand and she began her breathing, already knowing it was going to hurt.

Preparing for the onslaught, Horatio steeled his will against the fear that he held for her, the beginnings of her cries tearing at his heart. When she gripped his hand, he continued to coax her through the contraction, "That's right, Cal. Breathe…you're doing wonderful."

Trying to focus only on his voice as he continued to speak, Calleigh breathed in and out heavily. Sweat had begun to form on her brow and even her hair was starting to get dampness to it. Never had she experienced this type of pain, but deep down, she knew the reward would be great. As the contraction began to subside once more, she looked to him, her voice sounding small to her, "Can…can I have some ice?"

Reluctant to let her hand go, Horatio straightened up and turned to the tray, noticing there was no ice. Knowing that they were alone, he sighed heavily, "I'll have to call for some."

Nodding her head and letting go of his hand so he could, she placed her hands onto her stomach rubbing small circle where the monitor wasn't in the way. Waiting as he called for a nurse, Calleigh closed her eyes and began a slow countdown to herself. Even though they'd been there for a few hours, to her it felt like eternity.

Keeping his eyes on her, Horatio depressed the button and waited for them to answer. When a voice came back to him, he turned his attention to the direction it came from, "Yes, we're in room 215, we need some ice."

"Yes, sir. I'll bring some in a few minutes," the voice on the other end said.

Her contraction seemed to start once again and Calleigh's eyes closed tight. The feel of his hand taking her caused Calleigh to clamp down on him hard as a small cry of pain fell from her lips. Breathing, she opened her eyes, looking to him, "Next time…you do this…okay?"

Giving her a light smile, Horatio bent and smoothed her hair back away from her face, "If I could, sweetheart, I would. You're doing good, baby." The door opened and he looked up to see a nurse coming with the ice. Releasing her hand, he smiled and reached for the cup as the nurse came over and poured some into the cup.

"Thank you, ma'am." Turning his attention back to Calleigh, he brought the cup to her and helped her to grasped it, "Here you go, Calleigh."

Picking out a few pieces, she placed them into her mouth and closed her eyes. The coolness didn't seem to last long enough for her and Calleigh took more. Shaking her head, she breathed out, "Our daughter needs to hurry up. She's lollygagging."

"Maybe she knows its not the right time yet, Calleigh." Horatio nodded and sighed, wanting to see her out of this pain, "Cerise will be here as soon as you know it."

Handing him the cup as another contraction began, Calleigh breathed through the contraction, moaning as it went. When the need to push started, she shook her head, "I…I gotta push…now…"

Horatio looked to her in horror, "Calleigh…wait…you can't push now. There's no one in here."

The need grew and Calleigh's hands held her stomach on both sides as she bite out, "I…need…to…push…"

Standing, Horatio moved to press the call button, waiting anxiously as he looked to Calleigh, "Don't worry, Calleigh…things will be okay." When the nurse answered, Horatio spoke quickly, "She feels like she has to push!"

Crying out as the contractions began to come almost back to back, tears began to streak down the side of her face. When the doctor and nurse came into the room, she looked up at Horatio as he pushed her hair back from her eyes, "It…it hurts…"

A sting of frustration hit Horatio and he glared at the nurse and doctor as they moved about the room, "Do something! She's in pain…she says she has to push."

Slipping on a pair of gloves, Dr. Nathan Pieter raised a brow and spoke softly, "Calm down, Mr. Caine. It's not good for Ms. Duquesne for you to be getting upset. We know what's going on…and I'll gonna check to see if she's ready to start pushing."

Horatio couldn't help but feel at odds at the easy demeanor of the doctor and cringed, "She says she's ready to push. Don't you think she would know?"

"Some do, while others, it's the baby just moving into the birth canal." Moving to the end of the bed, Dr. Pieter moved the sheet and looked to Calleigh, "Okay, Calleigh, I need you to bend up your legs and so I can examine you again. Now, I'll have to do this during a contraction, so you might feel a little pressure, okay?"

Nodding her head, Calleigh reached for Horatio's hand as she drew her legs up as instructed. When her next contraction started, she gripped his hand and breathed while the doctor checked her. Closing her eyes as Horatio whispered words of encouragement to her, her tears continued to roll from the sides of her eyes.

Smiling and drawing back his hand, Dr. Pieter looked to Calleigh, "Okay, you can relax. Look's like your daughter is in position and ready to be delivered, Calleigh." Looking over to the nurse, he lifted his brow, "Get a light table and see if Kelly can come in and assist also."

Horatio watched as the nurse moved into action and then refocused, coming closer to Calleigh, "How are you doing, Calleigh? This is going to be over very soon."

Licking her lips, she looked at him through hooded eyes, "Soon isn't soon enough." Seeing his smile, she then watched as a light table was brought in for the baby and another nurse in scrubs came in. Looking to Horatio, she gave him a faint smile, "We'll be holding her shortly, huh?"

"Yes, very soon." Continuing to speak calmly despite the anxious waves that rose inside of him, Horatio sighed, "I just wished that you weren't in so much pain."

"I'll…I'll be fine, Handsome…" she moaned as another contraction started.

Moving to the end of the bed with a fresh set of gloves on, Dr. Pieter gave them a smile and moved the sheet again, "Okay, Calleigh, now, I'm gonna need for you to do everything I say. I'll tell you when to push and when to stop. Now, when I say stop, it's important that you do."

Nodding as she breathed, Calleigh brought her legs up again and looked to Horatio, seeing both excitement and fear in his eyes. Giving his hand a squeeze, she whispered to him, "I love you…"

"I love you," Horatio answered back. Leaning down, he kissed her softly and whispered, "I love you more than anything in this world, Cal." Stroking her hair back, he nodded, "Ready?"

"Yeah…" she whispered. Taking in a deep breath, she held onto him as the nurses got into place around them.

Sitting at the bottom of the bed, Dr. Pieter looked up at Calleigh, "Alright, now Kelly and Joann are going to help hold your feet up." Once they had Calleigh into position, he waited until the next contraction began, "Okay, Calleigh…push!"

Taking a deep breath, Calleigh then began to push, her face turning red as sweat coated her skin. Clenching her teeth, she groaned as the contraction seemed to grow and intensify before falling back and starting again.

Preparing himself for the next contraction, Horatio brought himself closer to bear the burden of her strain, holding on to her tightly. As she struggled to push, Horatio felt himself falter in the face of her extreme pain, but pulled himself together to whisper, "You're strong enough to do this Calleigh. You're going to give birth to our baby."

Crying out some as she pushed, Calleigh then took in another deep breath, giving it her all. Feeling a lot of pressure below, she cried out again as it seemed to grow more.

With his hands in place and working on getting the baby out, Dr. Pieter looked up at Calleigh, "You're doing great, Calleigh. Her head is starting to crown." Moving out of the way as the nurse placed a large mirror down between her legs, he smiled more, "Now you can watch your daughter being born."

Glancing down at the mirror, Horatio could see the head coming out of Calleigh and he gripped her hand tighter, stunned into silence. He was able to see his daughter coming into this world, on the strength of her mother, beautiful even in the face of unimaginable pain. Turning to her, Horatio could feel the emotion rising and smiled, a tear dropping from his eye, "Calleigh…she's coming. Our baby…."

Looking down as best as she could, Calleigh could see Cerise's head and felt a new determination arise in herself. When the doctor told her to push again, she found the strength from deep within and pushed as hard as she could.

When the baby's head immerged, Dr. Pieter reached for the bulb syringe and looked to Calleigh, "Okay, Calleigh, stop pushing for a minute." Clearing the infants nose as best as he could, he set it aside again and looked to her, "Alright, one last big push and then your baby will be here."

Nodding, Calleigh took in a few breathes and then one deep one before beginning to push again. When she began to stretch again, Calleigh cried out and then felt the pain all but disappear as Cerise came into the world.

In a flurry of action, Horatio saw the baby come out and into the arms of the nurse who took it over to a makeshift station that had been hidden behind a door that he never even acknowledged. Horatio's attention first went to Calleigh to make sure she was okay, looking down at her as her eyes slid closed, "Are you okay, Calleigh?"

Breathing heavily, Calleigh slowly nodded and then barely opened her eyes, looking up at him, "Cerise…"

"She's okay," Horatio assured as he heard the distinct cries of a baby. He looked over to the nurses as they worked and held on to Calleigh's hand, stroking her hair back, "She's just fine, they're looking her over." He could feel the slack in the tension in her hand and his brow furrowed, "Calleigh? Calleigh!" All of his attention was forced upon her and as the doctor came back to his side, he asked, "What's wrong with her...is she okay?"

"She's fine, Mr. Caine…" Dr. Pieter replied as he checked the monitors. Smirking some, he whispered, "She's resting, that's all. The labor and birth wore Calleigh out. We'll continue to monitor her though."

Reticent to leave her side, Horatio kept his eyes on her and exhaled heavily, moving his hand over her hair to push it away from her face. His fingers traced her face lightly and he smiled, leaning to her ear, "Rest, Calleigh. Everything's okay."

Kissing her softly, he straightened up and looked to the area that they had taken Cerise. After long moments, a nurse finally emerged with her swaddled lightly, his heart slamming against his chest. A smile eased upon his face and he exhaled lightly as they approached more, "Is…is she okay?"

"She just fine, all six pounds, eight ounces of her." Coming to him, she smiled as she looked down at the baby and then back to him, "Would you like to hold your daughter, sir?"

"Yes…but I don't know how to." Horatio couldn't stop staring at the baby, his eyes misting over, "This is my first baby." Looking to the nurse, he smiled, "She's so beautiful."

Smiling, she nodded, "Just hold your arms like I am…" Watching as he did so, she then moved close to him and turned Cerise around. Placing her into his arms, she made a few adjustments and then smiled more, "Now you're holding your daughter."

Horatio nodded and smiled down on the baby, truly taken with her. Moving slowly, he reached to touch her cheek gently and sighed. He couldn't believe that he had a part of this, seeing their love manifested. Horatio took his spot next to Calleigh and sat, glancing to her as she rested. Still unable to speak, he retained his sights on his daughter, feeling the emotion welling deep within.

Slowly opening her eyes and blinking a few times, Calleigh turned her head to see Horatio holding a small bundle in his arms. A faint smile appeared and she whispered, "Am I dreaming?"

Horatio shook his head slightly and smiled, bringing Cerise closer. "It's not a dream, Cal. She's here and…and…she's amazingly gorgeous, like someone I know." A small chuckle came and he gazed at Calleigh as she tried to focus, "I love you."

"I love you too…" Calleigh said faintly as she looked at her daughter. Seeing her daughter for the first time, Calleigh eyes teared up and her chin trembled, "She is beautiful…more so then I imagined she'd be."

"Nothing's prepared me for how amazing she is," Horatio whispered as his eyes drifted to Calleigh. Not wanting to let go of Cerise, he gestured slightly with a nod of his head, "How are you doing?"

Taking in a breath, she shook her head, "I'm just tired, that's all. I feel like I haven't slept in a week, but I wanted to see her." Letting her eyes fall back down to her, Calleigh smiled some, "Is she okay?"

"She's fine, she's healthy." Horatio couldn't help but keep staring at her as she slept, her tiny features wrinkling. A small smile arose on his lips, and he sighed, "She's phenomenal, Calleigh."

Raising her brow some, she sighed contently, "I'm sure she'll be getting hungry soon and will voice her opinion of that if she's anything like us."

Chuckling lightly, Horatio nodded, "She's doing well so far, but she's just gotten here too." Seeing Calleigh begin to drift, Horatio reached tentatively for her and caressed her cheek, "You get some rest, Calleigh, I'll be right here."

Blinking slowly, Calleigh looked at him and nodded slightly, "I want to feed her when she's ready, okay?"

"I'll wake you when it's time. Now…rest." Horatio sat down gently and relaxed, his eyes shifting from Calleigh to Cerise, his smile growing widely.

Seeing that Cerise was in good hands with her father, Calleigh watched them for a few more minutes before her eyes slid shut. Taking in a deep breath and releasing it, she relaxed more under the thin sheet and smiled as she drifted off, happy that Cerise was finally with them.