A/N: And here is the other part of the chapter. Sorry for the small delay, but I was pretty sick over the weekend and not able to come to the computer. Hope you'll still enjoy the chapter though. Let me know what you think^^

Chapter 6.2

It was probably pure coincidence, but exactly when they entered the garden again, the bell of the church clock could be heard. Seeing the group approach, Eric shot a quick glance at Frank and after receiving a subtle nod from the man, he started singing. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUU..." It was his version of singing anyway, while others might have compared it to a howling dog. But in the end, it was the thought that counted and the hope that no one would go deaf.

That's why Horatio endured the "singing" with as much calm as he could muster and shook his head when the song finally ended. "You should have become a singer, Eric," he chuckled lowly and got up from his chair.

"Don't give him any ideas, Honey," Alexx said quickly and put down the cake before she hugged the oldest of "her" children. "Happy Birthday, Horatio. May your birthday bring you as much happiness as you give to everyone who knows you," she told him lovingly and pinched his cheek.

"Thank you Alexx," Horatio replied visibly touched by her words and gave her a shy smile.

"I couldn't put it any better even if I tried," Calleigh was the next in line and gave him a small hug. "Happy Birthday, H."

"Thank you Cal," he smiled and shook his head when she gave him the presents. "Oh no, you shouldn't have..," he said in mock annoyance and quickly turned to the boys. "And don't you say that you told the girls all along that they shouldn't get me some presents," he chided them and laughed when the two just put up there hands in surrender.

"We'd never do that, H," the two laughed and congratulated him as well.

The next in the line was Stella, who gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I can just repeat what the others have already said, happy Birthday Horatio and thank you for letting me celebrate this special day with you."

"No Stella, thank you for being here," he shook his head and gently placed her present next to the others.

"So last but not least, it's my turn," Kyle grinned. "I'm not good at such things, so...happy Birthday Dad," he said and gave his father a big hug.

"Thank you, Son," Horatio smiled and hugged him back. It was still hard to imagine that they'd lost so many birthdays together in the past, but Horatio tried not to dwell on it. The past was gone and it shouldn't cloud the future.

"So now, blow out the candles and make a wish," Eric sat down again. "And then you're going to tell us what your wish was about," he added impishly.

"Ha, no way!" Horatio laughed and closed his eyes before he blew out the candles. "If I tell you, the wish won't come true."

"That's a known fact," Calleigh nodded and leaned against the Cuban, who had wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"So first some cake or the presents?" Horatio asked them and reached for a knife.

"The presents of course," the other men called in unison.

"Kids," Alexx rolled her eyes at them. "Please Horatio, open the presents first or they'll keep on and on."

Chuckling, Horatio nodded. "My pleasure. So let's start with this one here…," he began and reached for the one Calleigh had given him.

Five minutes and a lot of paper later, he was holding a box of cigars and an old cognac in his hands. "Oh you know me too well," he shook his head. "Thank you all, I love it."

"Well we certainly know about your little weakness when it comes to good cigars and drinks," Frank grinned.

"And just you know, we expect you to share them with us," Eric added and dismissed Calleigh's "Eric!" easily. "H knows what I mean."

"Yes he does. He'll keep it to himself alone," Horatio joked and reached for the next package. "Now let's see what we have here," he said to himself and looked at Stella.

"You have to open it to find out," she hid her grin. She hadn't had that much time to find him a presents and the fact that she didn't know his hobbies that well hadn't made it any easier; but she hoped that he would enjoy this gift.

Giving her a lopsided grin, he did as he was told and moments after he was holding a book in his hand. "Edmond Locard : „L' Enquête criminelle et les mèthodes scientifiques (forensic investigation and its scientific methods) " he read out loud and couldn't help but be a bit perplexed. He'd been searching for this book for some time but never had the time to buy it. And now, Stella had beaten him to that. "Thank you Stella, I always wanted to get this book, but never had the time and…wow…thanks."

"So I take it you like it?" she asked and was really relieved that her idea had been a good one.

"Most definitely. I can already see myself sitting in the living room, reading it and enjoying a good cigar and a small glass of cognac," Horatio replied easily.

"Well that's what I call a good day," Frank agreed.

"Absolutely. So...what do we have here?" Horatio reached for the last present. "Hmm…" he murmured and tried to find out just by the weight and size what it might be, but he had no idea. Looking at his son, he realized that the boy was quite nervous and this in return made Horatio feel nervous as well. It was his first real birthday present from his son and he had no idea what to expect. Not that he expected anything from his son, the fact that the boy was in his life now was more than good enough for him.

"Open it, Dad," the boy almost whispered when he noticed that his father was looking at him. The moment of truth had come and there was no return.

With a deep breath, Horatio started to peel off the paper and furrowed his brows in wonder when the last layer of paper had disappeared. If he didn't know it any better, it looked like some kind photo album. Looking in Kyle's direction again, the boy just gestured him to open it and that's what Horatio did.

The next thing the others heard was a loud gasp coming from Horatio's direction.

"That's…that's you.." It was half a question, half a statement. "Isn't it?"

"Yes, Dad..," Kyle nodded and gave him a shy smile. "That's me…though many, many years ago."

"I can't believe it," Horatio mumbled to himself, his eyes locked onto the picture in front of him. How many nights had he wished for that? How many unfulfilling dreams had haunted him every night? And now… "How…how did you get it?" he asked.

"Well," the boy started slowly and got up from his chair. "It wasn't easy." With a few steps he was standing behind his father's chair. "But I had some help from a certain group of people," he smiled gently and rested his hands on his father's shoulders.

The addressed 'group of people' was certainly enjoying the scene in front of them. None had ever seen Horatio this speechless and that alone was worth all the effort they'd had in the last weeks. When Kyle had approached them one week with his plan of a very special birthday gift for his father, no one had expected it to be that difficult, but bureaucracy had, once again, disabused them. In the end, they had succeeded, also thanks to Alexx' help and now they knew that it had been for the best.

Seeing the others faces, Stella knew exactly who Kyle was talking about and being curious herself now, she leaned towards Horatio. "Is this the famous first picture made in the hospital?" she asked when she saw the tiny bundle lying on a baby-scale.

"Yes, I think so," Kyle nodded at Stella and squeezed Horatio's shoulder. "You can turn the page over, you know Dad?" he joked lightly.

"Of course," Horatio nodded quickly and did just that.

"There're big age gaps between the pictures sometimes," Kyle explained, when he saw a few months old version of himself.

"You had reddish hair!" Horatio exclaimed in shock and delight.

"That was my first reaction as well when I saw the picture," the boy chuckled.

"And not only his," Eric chimed in, which made the others laugh.

Shaking his head in utter disbelief, Horatio turned over a few more pages and grinned when his eyes fell on a self-painted picture. "Where did you get all those pictures?" he looked up. "I thought you lost most of them?" The only few self-painted pictures he had ever seen, had been the ones Yelina had given to him after he had asked her to investigate the boy.

"I did. But it's definitely an advantage to have a group of CSI's and a sergeant behind your back, which can help you with foster care and the one or other foster family. Not to forget a resolute doctor who harasses hospital staffs like no other," he laughed.

"I bet," Horatio smiled to himself.

"So I hope you like this present?" Kyle asked somewhat hopefully and wrapped his arms around Horatio's neck.

"This is the second best present I ever got, right after finding you," Horatio replied honestly and took a deep breath. "Thank you Kyle, you have no idea how much this means to me," he whispered and ran a hand over Kyle's arms. "I mean it…thank you so much."

"You're welcome, Dad," the boy averted his eyes. He had hoped that his dad would enjoy this gift, but this reaction was in fact overwhelming.

"And thank you to you as well," Horatio shot a grateful glance at his team.

"It's the least we could do, Horatio," Calleigh smiled. This man had done so much for them over the last 10 years, so there hadn't been a moment of doubt when Kyle had approached them.

"I think we should drink to that," Frank raised his glass. When the others followed his example, he cleared his throat dramatically and grinned at the group. "To bureaucracy, slow clerks and one particular hospital employee who probably still has nightmares of a group of people who had stormed her office."

"Listen to this!" the others laughed and took a sip of their drinks.

"How many hospitals and children's homes banned you from their houses?" Horatio asked, but he wasn't sure if this was such a good idea. So when Frank opened his mouth, he quickly added, "No wait, don't tell me."

"Well I can't tell you anyway, H. Mr. Wolfe made this particular list, but I can tell you that it wasn't a short one," Frank joked and laughed when Horatio just groaned.

"Don't forget to give me your pita and tzaziki receipt," Alexx told Stella and hugged her goodbye.

"I won't; I'll write it down and Horatio can spread it around," she laughed. "Calleigh asked me too."

"Oh he will spread it around," Alexx replied and gave her eldest a stern glare.

"Hey, since when do I have 'messenger' written on my forehead?" Horatio teased and quickly took a step back to avoid Alexx' nudge.

"Don't get cheeky," she rebuked him. "And now give me a hug."

"Of course, ma'am," he grinned and did as he was told. "Thanks for being here; too bad Henry couldn't be here tonight."

"Yes, but someone had to look out for the kids," Alexx smiled at the thought of her husband. "Not to forget he ails a bit, so it was better this way." Looking at her watch, she shook her head. "And now I really need to get home, it's past two already. He'll think I painted the town red."

"I'll vouch for you in case he asks me," Horatio replied easily and waited at the door until Alexx got into her car.

"You really have a precious group of people around you," Stella said when he closed the door behind him.

"Oh yes, there's no doubt about that," Horatio grinned and rested his hand on the small of her back when they walked back to the living room again.

Stella threw him a curious glance at that, but he looked deep in thought, so she didn't say anything. Not that there was any need to say something; she enjoyed the feeling too much for that.

"And now look who we have here," Horatio said lowly and pointed towards the couch.

Smiling, Stella followed his gaze and lifted her hand in front of her mouth when she had to laugh. "And here I thought today's youth was tough."

"I thought so too," Horatio grinned and walked over to his son who was dozing on the couch. "Kyle," he shook the boy's shoulder. "Wake up, everyone's gone."

"Wha…what?" the boy woke up with a start and looked at two amused faces.

"I said everyone's gone and I think it's time for you to go to bed as well," Horatio repeated.

"Oh..I…just sat down for a minute and then…," the boy mumbled clearly embarrassed

"It's fine; it's already late. Why don't you get upstairs and get ready for bed?" Horatio smiled.

"Huh? But Dad, I have my own apartment," Kyle quickly replied and got up from the couch.

"Kyle, you're dead tired; do you really think that I let you drive in this state?"

"I'm not that ti-," the boy started to protest, but a huge yawn interrupted him.

"Yeah, you could have fooled me, Son. Now stop arguing with me."

"Well then I sleep here on the couch," the boy gave in, because if he was honest to himself, he knew he shouldn't be driving.

"Why should you do that?" Horatio asked confused.

"Oh well because..," Kyle looked into Stella's direction.

"Because I'm dwelling in the only guestroom right now?" Stella put Horatio in the right way. "So actually I should sleep on the couch, because it's Kyle's room."

"Oh no, you're Dad's guest, there's no way that you sleep on the couch," Kyle dismissed her proposal easily.

"But it's your room," Stella protested back.

"But-"

"Time out! Stop being stubborn, both of you. It's my house, my guestroom, my couch and most of all I'm the birthday boy, so you'll do as I say," he said sternly, but the twinkle in his eyes, told them that he was rather amused than angry. "You," he pointed at Stella, "are not going to sleep on the couch. You'll sleep in the guest room. And you," he then pointed at his son, "won't sleep on the couch as well, because you'll sleep in my room."

"So you'll sleep here on the couch?"

"I didn't say that Kyle."

"But if you don't sleep on the couch then..," it was easy to see the wheels turning inside his head. "Oh no way, Dad," the boy exclaimed when he realized Horatio's plan.

"Oh stop whining Kyle," the older man rolled his eyes and pointed towards the stairs. "Get upstairs and get ready for bed."

"Great and I won't be able to sleep because you snore," the boy grumbled and slowly stumbled towards the stairs.

Stella should have known better but without thinking she replied, "Only a bit." When both men looked at her, she knew she'd said too much. "Uh…I guess…?"

Kyle just grinned at the mortified looking pair. "I see." Now this was surely interesting. "I'll see you upstairs Dad," he waved suddenly jovial and left the room.

"Ooops," Stella said sheepishly and looked at Horatio, who was still fighting to get his pale colour back. "Probably a bit too much information, huh?"

"Probably, but it's alright," Horatio just shrugged. No need to cry over spilled milk. "It's not like it's not allowed what we have done," he smiled at her reassuringly. "And he's old enough for such topics anyway, though I suspect that there'll be an investigation waiting for me upstairs."

"Well if he comes after his father you should already think about some answers," Stella giggled. "Sorry for putting you into that situation."

"I'm not; it was a nice night and I guess I can still call myself lucky that you didn't kick me out of the bed, even though I snored," he teased her lightly

"Mhm, very lucky indeed," Stella flirted back and followed him upstairs. "But I'm not sure if your boy is as lenient as I am," she said once they reached her room.

"Well, be sure that I know where to find another cozy bedside," he arched his brows.

"Horatio!" she slapped his shoulder in mock shock. "You had too much alcohol tonight." When he just chuckled, she lowered her voice, and took a step towards him. "Knock three times so I know it's you, or I'll greet you with a gun."

"Dangerous…I like that," he murmured back and kissed her cheek. "Three times?" he asked and started to play with a lose flick of her hair.

"Three times," she nodded and winked at him.

"I'll remember that," he sighed and let go of her. Maybe she was right and he'd had drunk too much tonight; and before he could do something stupid (and he was definitely tempted in doing so) he gave her one last peck and slowly walked to his bedroom. "Good night, Stella."

"Good night, Horatio," she waved at him and then quickly entered her room before either of them would change their minds. Maybe Horatio wasn't the only one who had drunk too much tonight.

Inside his bedroom, Horatio was greeted by his son who'd already made himself home in the bed. "Better than the couch, now isn't it?" he asked and vanished into the bathroom.

"Uh-huh, you bet Dad," the boy grinned and just waited until his father was back again. "Sooooo you only snore a bit, huh?" he couldn't help but ask when Horatio slid under the covers. He didn't know if the groan he got in return was because of his father's hurting old bones, or because he was embarrassed by the subject; no matter the case, Kyle didn't care much. "Yes?"

"That's actually none of your business, Junior," Horatio replied and switched off the lights in vain hope that Kyle would fall asleep immediately.

"Oh come on Dad…there's no way that I won't ask about this."

"Ever heard of curiosity kills the cat?" Horatio replied and made himself comfortable.

"Actually yes," the boy replied nonchalantly.

"And what does this tell you?"

"That I always stumble over highly interesting secrets?" the boy shot back.

"Mhm, apparently so," Horatio mumbled and did his very best to fall asleep as soon as possible.

"Come on Dad, what's going between you...and Stella?" He knew that he was in no position to ask his Dad something this intimate, but he couldn't stop himself.

"We're just friends, Kyle."

He didn't doubt that they were friends, but he just knew that there was more. "And that's why she knows that you snore?"

"If you really need to know," the older man grunted and turned around to face his son, "we did sleep in one bed back in Boston, but that's it, okay?"

Noticing the slight edge in his father's voice, Kyle quickly back-pedalled. "I'm sorry Dad; you're right, it's none of my business. I just thought.."

"It's okay, Kyle," Horatio interrupted him, softer this time. "Stella and I…we're friends." "Friends who almost did something more than just sleeping in one bed together," he added silently. "But that's just between the two of us." "And sometimes it's easier to fall asleep when another is around and this happened back in Boston. Do you understand what I mean?"

Stunned by Horatio's openness, the boy needed a moment to reply. "I..I think so Dad."

"Good. And now it's time for us to close our eyes and get at least some sleep before sunrise, don't you agree?"

"There's actually a law against going to bed before sunrise on the weekend, Dad," the boy joked and accepted the subject change easily.

"Says the one who's fallen asleep on the couch," Horatio replied amused. "Good night, Kyle."

"This will follow me forever," the boy grunted in pretence. "Good night, Dad."

"You can bet on that, Son," was the last thing spoken in the room and soon after two different kinds of snoring could be heard.

tbc