Already Figured Out

Aimee's family and friends still couldn't believe she was dating a man who had a child. She always said she would never want to deal with the child's mom if that woman thought Aimee were getting too close to her child.

This was true. But there was something about Horatio that Aimee thought might have changed that. Nevertheless, the relationship was different. There was no mother to compete with in Kyle Caine's life.

Mother's Day.

The Holiday were next week. This holiday caused sadness for Horatio since his own mother's death but he always felt sad for son on this holiday. No matter what Horatio did, to make Kyle felt special and loved on this day, even if he didn't have a mother, to Horatio it were never enough. Since two years ago when he had enrolled the boy in preschool he would find some way to keep the boy out of school on the day when the children had their moms there for a Mother's Day party and the children made them gifts, not wanting the boy to feel the loneliness of being the only child there without a mother. The year before, prior to the occasion the boy had said he couldn't take his dad to the party because he had taken him to the Father's Day party. Kyle said he couldn't take his father to both. Horatio was dad but not mom.

The look in Kyle's eyes when he said "I don't have a mom to take to the party" broke Horatio's heart. Before he could even ask, being he thought of it, Kyle's long-time babysitter said she wouldn't bew comfortable attending the occasion with the boy. And furthermore, she couldn't watch the boy on that day. There was no way that Horatio could keep Kyle home that day.

Little did Horatio realize that his son had a possible solution.

Ask Aimee. And do it himself, not have daddy do it.

The following Friday evening Aimee had come over to play with Kyle, just as she promised. The two having a good time watching Cars. Horatio were able to get off work earlier than expected that day. He was putting homemade pizza in the oven. He didn't hear their exchange.

Kyle told Aimee about the party and why he couldn't take his dad.

"I don't know where she is, and I know you're not my mom but would you come with me anyways? It's really fun. My friend Carson told me," Kyle said.

There was so much hope in the boy's eyes Aimee found it hard to hold back her emotions.

"I'd love to, Kyle. Thank you for asking me," she said, hugging the boy.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Kyle said excitedly a few moments later when Horatio entered the room. "I asked Aimee to come to da mommy's party with me and she said yes!"

Horatio glanced at Aimee, looking a bit shocked.

"That's great, buddy. Why don't you go wash your hands? Dinner will be ready soon."

"Okay!" The boy said, running off.

When the boy was out of sight, Horatio turned to his girlfriend.

"Aimee," he said softly.

Horatio didn't want Aimee to feel she was obligated to go with his son and he didn't want her to be uncomfortable going.

Aimee stepped over and touched his cheek.

"Horatio," she said, "I didn't say yes 'cause I felt I had to. I want to. If I were either bit uneasy about it I'd be able to think of an excuse to get out of it that could fool a five-year-old."

"Okay," Horatio smiled. "Thank you, sweetheart."

Seeing how happy his son was with the news made Horatio's day.