TGIF

I'm sorry if this chapter has been a while coming and a bit short but I'm experiencing writer's block while I write my CSI: New York story!

Kyle's parents laughed as they watched him drive his Power Wheels Hummer H2 around the backyard, Kyle especially enjoying going over bumps and ruts in the grass. Being the dotting grandparents they were, when Aimee's parents bought the toy for the child, they even had it customized, meaning they had the yellow battery-operated toy, professionally painted gray because Kyle was enthralled with the hummers Horatio and the team drove.

They even had the words "Crime Scene Investigation"in black capital letters on the hood of the vehicle (because the toy car didn't have doors). Even baby Faith seemed to be having a laugh at her big brother as she watched from the patio. Horatio hadn't ever thought much of the phrase "T.G.I.F.." He did today though. After the stress of the first day of Julia and Rick's trial, two days to decompress, hang out and be a family was what they all needed.

"Not quite road-ready, huh?" Horatio said.

"He'd definitely own it, though," Aimee laughed. "People would get out of the way."

The kind of traumas Aimee and Horatio had been through were often enough to drive most couples to divorce.

And often did.

Most likely that what Rick and Julia wanted, since both survived their murder attempts. From the day this mess had all started. Aimee had never once held anything against her husband. He hadn't done anything but love her and treat her like a queen. He had done everything humanly possible to protect her and their children from any enemies he had who might want to harm them. But contrary to Kyle's opinion his dad were a super-hero, Horatio was only human and sometimes no matter how hard one tried, things happened and Aimee knew that. She'd be damned if she was going to give the demented duo the satisfaction of leaving Horatio and breaking up her family.

Kyle was unaware that the trial for the "bad people" had started.

Much less the fact that one of those people was the woman who gave birth to him and he wouldn't know for years.

"Did you guys have a hard time waiting to see whether you were having a boy or girl?" Eric asked.

"Sometimes," Horatio admitted. "Not like we had a preference and I know you guys don't. But it's difficult sometimes. Kyle wanted a sister and he got one. That's the main thing," Horatio chuckled.

The two tried not to talk of the trial. Both hoping the prosecutor wouldn't offer and the duo couldn't cop a plea. Eric did ask how Aimee was doing though. He knew she was under a ton of stress. He hoped it wasn't affecting her health. Horatio confided in his "brother" the state he found his wife in after court days before.

Eric wasn't surprised, he could only imagine what the situation was doing to her. It angered him and Calleigh. He only imagine how mad Horatio was at Rick and Julia for putting his family through this.

Horatio only wanted to be happy. Since when was that a crime?

The two men were looking after Faith and Kyle. Aimee had gone to the doctor to talk to her about what she was going through. Must likely she was going to some medication to help her cope with the stress and anxiety.

And maybe something to help her sleep at night. Calleigh had gone along with her for support. Not asking, Telling her friend she was going.

"I see this one and Kyle are doing good, though," Eric said, blowing a raspberry on Faith's cheek, causing her to break into giggles.

"Daddy?" Kyle said, entering the living room.

"What, partner?" Horatio asked.

"Do you want to build something with my legos with me?"

Horatio looked Eric.

He really wanted to spend some alone time with Kyle. He probably enjoyed playing with legos with Kyle more than the little boy did.

"Go on. Have fun with 'em," Eric said. "I got this pretty girl."

Over the past few weeks Eric had become quite comfortable with baby Faith. He had even changed several bad diapers without flinching. At first when he was told "you just get used to it then it doesn't bother you," Eric had rolled his eyes. Now he hated to admit it but Horatio was right. The two played on the floor, Eric singing silly songs to Faith and before they knew it, Calleigh and Aimee walked through the door.

They left Horatio and Kyle to their playing. The two were definitely having fun. Faith was about to go down for her nap and Eric asked Aimee if she minded if he put her down to sleep.

"Sure," Aimee said.

Faith already looked quite cozy in Eric's arms. She was asleep within minutes after Eric placed her in her crib. Aimee's doctor had listened sympathetically to her as she cried about her situation. Along with recommending a therapist, she prescribed an anti-anxiety medication to ease her nerves and a sedative to help her sleep better at night.

"You okay for us to go?" Calleigh asked gently. "We can stay."

"I'm okay. I'm just going to go lay down."

"You should eat something first, Aimee," Eric encouraged, he knew she shouldn't start a medication on an empty stomach. "Mom sent over salad and sandwiches."

Chlorinda Delko wanted to help Hotatio anyway she could. If that meant the small thing of sending over food then so be it.

After a few ham sandwiches and macaroni salad Aimee took one of the sedatives and laid down. She was asleep quicker than her baby daughter.

"Poor thing looks drained," Eric said as the couple drove home. The two had stayed till Aimee had finished eating and hugged her before they left, making her promise to call if she needed them.

"Yeah. It was hard on her. But she's a fighter. She's determined to be more than "okay" even if that takes help."

Calleigh was right.

New chapters of my CSI New York story are up! Is anyone reading it? Or is it that bad I'm not getting reviews to be nice?