The hummer pulled up to the back of a restaurant. Marisol ponder which restaurant it was, but gave up as the engine was cut off. She unbuckled her belt and reached for the door. It was opened before she even grasped the handled. Horatio stood by her door, holding his hand out for her. Marisol took Horatio's hand and eased her way out of the car.
The two walked arm in arm toward the entrance of the restaurant. Marisol glanced around at the surroundings, but she still couldn't tell where they were. They walked under the canopy of the restaurant. A metal railing cut Marisol off from the curb of the sidewalk. They walked along side the railing to a set of three steps.
Standing at the top of the steps was a doorman. He opened the door as Horatio and Marisol reached the door. They entered the dimly lit foray of the restaurant. A dark stained desk was set only ten feet form the door. Behind the desk stood a brunette. She looked up from the desk and smiled.
"This way." She gestured. The brunette led them through the hall. The hall was small and dark, but it opened up to a vineyard. Marisol looked around in amazement. Above them hung sheets and sheets of ivy and flowers, all wrapped in between the notches of the wooden trellises. The brunette led them to the end of the outdoor hall. She held her arm out, gesturing for them to continue without her. There was a square arch through the Trellises, a doorway if you will.
Horatio stepped through first, bringing Marisol along. Marisol found herself standing at the top of a spiral staircase. It wrapped around to the bottom of the enchanting restaurant. Below them were hundreds of tables, all decorated in green. A small dance floor was at the center of the table arrangements. Several couples were already taking advantage of the dance floor. All surrounding the tables, enclosing the restaurant off from the city, were tall trellises. Much like the ones they had walked beneath, only these were much taller.
"Wow." Marisol whispered.
Horatio gave a small laugh. He gently pulled her behind him, leading her down the staircase. It was made of iron, with customized engravings and shapes. Marisol's shoes clattered against the iron, embarrassing her slightly.
At the bottom of the stairs, Marisol started looking around. "Where to now?"
"I think," Horatio began. "Our tables over there."
Marisol followed Horatio's direction. Off near the back of the restaurant was a crowd of people. Horatio started off toward the back. Marisol matched him step for step. They weaved through the tables easily, avoiding the dance floor. As they reached the table, Marisol felt a familiarity coming from the crowd of people they were meeting.
A head turned as they approached. Marisol gasped at the sight of her younger brother. Eric turned quickly, pointing out their arrival. Everyone turned quickly, revealing Marisol's family and friends.
"Congratulations!" they cried.
Marisol laughed, burying her face in Horatio's arm. She looked up, knowing her face was bright red. They finished walking to the table where they were quickly engulfed in hugs.
Marisol reached Eric, "You're a dead man, little brother."
Eric laughed. "Kill me after the party."
Marisol smiled and hugged him tightly.
Everyone was quickly seated around the table. Marisol's mother, Carmen sat across from her daughter. Her father, Pavel, sat beside his wife. Marisol watched her father take in Caine's persona. It was always the first thing her father did when Marisol brought someone to meet the family, beit male or female. Eric had taken his seat beside Marisol, keeping his distance from their father. Her two other sisters. were seated along the side of their parents, accompanied by their husbands. Family friends took empty seats until the large table was filled. At the close distance to the wall, Marisol noticed that walls of glass covered the inside of the restaurant and that trellises were on the outside of the walls.
The waiter came and went with orders, setting plates of delicious foods in front of everyone. Glasses were filled with wine and conversation began throughout the table arrangement. Marisol couldn't help but notice how taken her family was with Horatio. Yes Eric had talked about his boss, but to meet the man in person was another story. She smiled brightly, enjoying the evening.
"Marisol, we are so happy for the two of you." Carmen said. She smiled brightly at her daughter.
"Thank you, mamma." Marisol replied.
"When Eric told us you got married, I couldn't help but wonder why you hadn't told us, but then Eric explained everything. And I'm glad you made your choice. I'm glad it's your turn to be happy." Carmen said.
Marisol felt Horatio slip his hand over hers. "And happy, I will keep her."
Carmen's gentle eyes moved to Horatio. "Detective Caine-"
Horatio held up his hand, "Horatio, please."
Carmen nodded, still smiling. "Horatio, Eric has told us that you are in charge of the crime Lab of Miami."
"Yes Mrs. Delektorsky, that's been my position for a good while now." Horatio answered.
"Carmen, if you please." Carmen said. She took a sip of her wine. "That must be a very stressful job. I've seen Eric look completely exhausted on more than one occasion after working."
Horatio nodded. "That is can be, Carmen. But that's only because Eric and the team work until someone is brought to justice."
"A dangerous job it is too." Pavel said. Marisol felt an uneasiness settle over the conversation.
"It is dangerous, however each team member have proven how capable they are of defending themselves." Horatio explained.
"And Marisol? What of her protection?" Pavel asked.
"Pavel-" Carmen started.
"No, I wish to know how Detective Caine plans to protect my oldest daughter." Pavel stated.
"Papa, please." Marisol pleaded.
Pavel turned to his daughter. "Is this how we raised you, Marisol? To marry a man whom you barely know, after your fight with cancer? You go get married without even consulting your family?"
Marisol couldn't meet her fathers' eyes. She stared at the table, trying to keep herself calm. Horatio gently ran his fingers over the back of her hand, giving her some comfort.
Suddenly Marisol was pulled from the table. Eric was leading her from the table out to the dance floor. He walked to the center of the floor and faced his sister. The two started dancing to the music. Marisol noticed the emotion behind Eric's eyes.
"Sorry for not pulling you out sooner." Eric said.
Marisol smiled. "I should thank you just for pulling me out."
Eric glanced back at the table. "I'm sorry about dad. I should've warned you he was still fumed over the wedding."
"Don't apologize for him. I knew what I was getting into when I decided not to tell them. I just wasn't expecting him do this in public." Marisol replied.
Eric spun Marisol out briefly and pulled her back in. Marisol noticed how well her brother danced. She smiled, thinking of how it would've felt at her wedding, if things had been done more formally.
"What are you thinking?" Eric asked.
Marisol laughed lightly. She glanced over her shoulder, back to the table. "I'm wondering if we should bail out Horatio."
Eric laughed. "I don't think so Mari. H can handle himself."
Marisol giggled and danced with her brother. "So who's idea was this, anyways?"
"Mom's. She was heartbroken that you didn't tell them. I guess she just wanted a way to be part of the celebration." Eric explained.
Marisol nodded. "It's what she deserves at least. Who's idea was it not to include me?"
Eric nodded his head toward the table. "That would be your husband."
"Why does that not surprise me?" Marisol smiled.
"Because you are a hard woman to surprise." Marisol turned. Horatio stood behind them. "May I cut in?"
Eric smiled and released Marisol's hand. Marisol smiled as she and Horatio started dancing together. They stepped together, making small circles around the dance floor. Marisol's skirt fluttered around her feet as she moved.
"So, I'm a hard woman to surprise?" Marisol asked.
"You knew about tonight." Horatio stated.
Marisol's brow shot up. "Your detective skills give me away?"
Horatio shook his head. "Call it a husband's intuition."
Marisol smiled and nodded. "I found out today."
"May I ask how?" Horatio inquired.
"In case of future surprise plans, you might not want to keep them under the paper." Marisol explained.
Horatio laughed. "I'll keep that in mind." He spun her out slowly and brought her back into her arms.
"I'm sorry about my father. He doesn't quite appreciate the law enforcement." Marisol said.
Horatio shook his head. "Eric warned me ahead of time of this. Though I understand his motives completely."
"Wait, Eric gave you a warning?" Marisol asked. "It sounds to me, like you were nervous Horatio."
"Well it isn't every day you meet your in-laws." Horatio explained.
Marisol smiled. "Horatio Caine can stare down the barrel of a gun without sweating, but a dinner with his in-laws has him nervous for his life."
Horatio chuckled. "Everyone's afraid of their in-laws, sweetheart."
Marisol laughed but let the conversation go. She could make fun of Horatio later, but now, she was going to enjoy the dance with her husband. Marisol leaned her head against Horatio's shoulder. He pulled her closer into his arms, not missing a step.
"Are you happy tonight, Mrs. Caine?" Horatio asked.
Marisol smiled. She rose from Horatio's shoulder. "Happy doesn't begin to explain, Mr. Caine."
Horatio smiled. He leaned his forehead against Marisol's.
Above the music, an outside noise broke through the restaurant. Everyone looked up from their table, looking around the room. Horatio and Marisol stopped dancing, looking for where the noise was coming from. The noise sounded like screeching, and it was getting louder.
"What is that?" Marisol asked. She looked to one of the walls.
"I don't know." Horatio said.
Marisol looked to each wall. Then she saw, as did Horatio. Marisol gasped as a pair of bright headlights peeked through the glass wall closest to them. The headlights came barreling towards the restaurant. The next few minutes happened at a painfully slow pace. The people sitting at the closest to the wall ran for cover.
The car sped through the wall, shattering the glass. It plowed through the table, sending it into splinters. Horatio grabbed Marisol's arms and pulled her with him. They moved sideways from the barreling car, rolling over a nearby table. They hit the floor together, Horatio held his arms over Marisol. Marisol felt her right arm sting upon impact with the floor. She looked up and watched the car skid to a stop in the center of the restaurant. Guests were still screaming from the crash.
The doors of the car opened. Four men dressed in black emerged from the car, brandishing guns.
"Nobody move!" one ordered.
"Stay down." Horatio whispered. He pulled him arm from around Marisol.
"Be careful." Marisol warned.
Horatio retrieved his pistol from his ankle holster. He looked across the room, catching Eric's eye. He nodded before standing. "Police, don't move!"
The black men turned on Eric and Horatio, opening fire. Eric ducked quickly. More screams filled the room. Two men fell instantly as Horatio opened fire. He dove behind a turned table, waiting out the gunfire.
Eric emerged from behind another table and took out a third gunmen. Horatio jumped out, shoot the fourth gunman in the shoulder, disabling his shooting ability. The gunmen dropped his gun and fell to the floor.
Horatio calming returned his gun to his holster. "Eric, you alright?"
"I'm good. How's Mari?" Eric asked.
Horatio turned to Marisol. She saw the cut above his left eyes. It must've happened when they hit the floor. Marisol was breathing deeply as she sat up. He walked to her side. "You alright, sweetheart?"
Marisol nodded slowly. Yeah, I think so."
"H, I've got EMS and units on their way." Eric called.
"Check the gunmen." Horatio ordered. He looked back to Marisol. "Can you stand?"
Marisol nodded. With Horatio's help, she stood on her unsteady feet. Her right arm stung in pain, causing Marisol to hiss in pain. She touched her arm, finding it wet and sticky.
Horatio noticed her movements. He gently took her arm. "Oh my god."
The right sleeve of Marisol's shirt had been cut up but the broken pieces of glass and china. Her sleeve was slowly turned dark red. Marisol held her arm close to her body, to keep it form moving.
"That's going to need stitches." Horatio said. He led her toward her family across the room.
Carmen emerged from behind the table. She saw Marisol's injured arm and rushed to her daughters' side. "Mari!"
"Is everyone alright?" Horatio asked.
Marisol looked around her family. There were a few cuts, but everyone seemed fine. They all seemed just as shaken up as herself.
Outside the restaurant, Marisol could hear the sirens of police cruisers and an ambulance. She could hear the tires screech to a stop. Several uniformed men entered through the hole in the trellises. They moved toward the gunman, cuffing the surviving one. Paramedics entered behind the police, moving for the injured.
Carmen led Marisol from Horatio's side to a seat, for the paramedics to inspect her arm. Marisol paid little attention to the paramedic. She looked through the growing crowd of workers, searching for Horatio. But Horatio was lost in the crowd.
"This cuts deep. You'll have to go to the hospital for stitches." The paramedic said. He applied a sterile bandage and wrapped her arm.
Marisol nodded slowly. She stood with the paramedic. He led her from the restaurant out into the cool air. He helped Marisol into the back of the bus. Marisol watched uniformed officers pass in and out of the damaged restaurant. Several paramedics emerged with other injured, leading them to more buses.
The paramedic reached for one door and closed it shut. As he reached for the second door, Horatio held it open. Marisol's eyes widen in relief.
"I'm going to need to stay behind, sweetheart. You going to be alright?" Horatio asked.
Marisol nodded. "Yeah."
"Your family said they'll meet you at the hospital. I'll be home as soon as I can." Horatio explained.
"Alright. I love you." Marisol said.
"I love you too, sweetheart." Horatio said. He shut the door and tapped the back of the bus. The bus started to pull away from the restaurant. Marisol leaned against the gurney and sighed. It had been a wonderful night, and it ended so quickly. But at least no one had been seriously injured.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
told you it was longer.
i own nothing