FB, FW Chapter 2

Anna nervously stood up with the broken glass in a bag having just cleaned and mopped up.

"And what the hell happened in here? And where are the girls?"

Natalia looked at Calleigh, "sorry but we have a slight problem here."

Duke unsteadily stood up, "they've been moved into the front room because of me to watch some explorer bird, Doris I think her name is."

Calleigh's eyes started to well up, "daddy, it's Dora! You've been drinking, haven't you?"

Duke stumbled across the room towards Calleigh, "Lamb-chop, don't be like that. It was all in yours and Horatio's honour. My mates bought me a little drink to celebrate last night and then had a few more."

At this point tears were rolling down Calleigh's cheeks, "don't 'Lamb-chop' me. I needed you to be sober and you chose today of all days to 'fall off the wagon'," by this point Calleigh was screaming at Duke, "get out of my sight. I don't want to see you right now. Maybe when you have got back on the wagon again then maybe you'll see me, Horatio and the girls again. I don't want you round the girls whilst you are like this."

Duke went to hug Calleigh, "sorry Lamb-chop, I didn't mean to keep drinking all night, it just…happened."

Calleigh stepped back away from Duke, which caused him to fall on the floor.

"Natalia, please can you call a cab to take daddy home please? He can drink himself to oblivion in his own time, not mine."

Alexx came into the kitchen to see what was going on. She saw Natalia and Anna by the breakfast bar and Duke slumped on the floor by Calleigh's feet. She knew that this didn't look good.

"Cal, honey," Alexx gently put her hand on Calleigh's arm.

"Sorry Alexx, we need to redo my make-up."

"Baby, don't worry about that, we can fix that. Come on."

Alexx led Calleigh upstairs as Natalia went to call a cab.

Anna helped Duke to his feet and sat him at the dining table, "I've really messed things up haven't I?"

"I'd be lying if I said no."

"Maybe I should go up there and try to apologize."

"That's not such a good idea, Duke. You'll just make things worse. It might be better if you go home and stay at home. Sort things out another time. This is her special day and this isn't a good start."

Duke lowered his head, "I know, it's all my fault. She was really proud of me. It's been nearly three years since my last drink. That was just after the twins were born. I thought that I would be able to handle it last night. I've screwed up big time with Calleigh and I may not get to see my grand-daughters again."

"If you work on it and stay sober, maybe you'll have a chance. Calleigh's a little bit nervous and anxious today."

Duke shook his head, "I think I've blown it big time."

There was a car horn sounding outside the house, Natalia looked out of the window, "Duke, your cab is here."

"Well ladies, thanks for putting up with me and I apologize for any inconvenience I have caused," Duke stumbled out of the door and into the cab. The cab drove off as Natalia and Anna stood at the door watching.

At Eric's house, it was a lot calmer. Except Horatio was a bit agitated and pacing around looking at his watch constantly.

"Dad, if you carry on looking at that watch, I'm going to rip it off your arm. You're not going to be late, we have plenty of time. Anyway, isn't it tradition for the bride to be late?"

Horatio smiled and tilted his head slightly, "Yes, Kyle, you are correct but I'm not worried about that. I'm waiting for my cousin to arrive. He's supposed to be best man."

"Oh, are you talking about Damien?"

Horatio nodded, "that is correct. You haven't met him yet but you'll never be able to forget him if you tried."

Kyle looked a bit confused, "why? What is he like?"

Horatio smiled, "the total opposite to me. Put it this way, he always leaves a trail of destruction behind him. Other people usually have to clear up after him and this time, it's my turn."

Kyle looked slightly worried, "makes me want to run away from him."

Horatio laughed at his son, "don't worry, it's usually the women that he causes trouble with. He's a bit of a ladies man."

As the younger Caine breathed a sigh of relief, Eric came rushing into the room.
"I've just been on the phone to Natalia, there's a problem."

Horatio started to panic, "what's going on? Is Calleigh okay?"

"Don't worry H," Eric reassured him, "she's not standing you up. Duke has turned up drunk. Calleigh is upset and has asked me to give her away instead."

Horatio couldn't believe what he was hearing, Duke had been sober for a few years now and all of a sudden, this happens. He really wanted to talk to Calleigh.

"Dad, you can't talk to her, its bad luck!"

"It's only bad luck if I see her, its okay to talk to her," Horatio protested.

"She'll be okay. She's got Natalia and Anna there and Alexx will definitely keep her calm and focused, you know what Alexx is like," Eric tried to reassure Horatio.

"Mmm, that's true. I'm just very worried now, that's all."

"I'll tell you what, when I get over there, I'll see what's going on and ring you to let you know, okay?"

Feeling rather defeated, Horatio finally agreed. Eric grabbed his jacket, cravat and car keys, "I'll get over now. Just make sure you lock up after yourselves when you leave for the church," he handed Kyle his house keys and left the house.

"Don't worry dad, Calleigh will be fine. Alexx and Eric will make sure of that."

"I know son, I know."

There was the sound of a car pulling up outside. Kyle ran to the window to see who it was. He saw Hugh climbing into his wheelchair and another red-head taking a big hold all out of the trunk.

"You can tell he's related to you," Kyle chuckled.

Horatio smiled, "it's the hair that's the big give away, right?"