A/N: Thank you all for your reviews. I'm happy that you enjoyed the last chapter and the gifts that were presented to Horatio. So let's have a look at the "morning after".

Chapter 7

Horatio had no idea what time it was, but something or someone was determined to wake him up. He just wasn't sure what it was. Mumbling he tried to roll onto his left side, but was hindered by a heavy weight on his chest.

Interesting.

Come to think of it, it was definitely colder than it normally was in his bedroom, or at least it felt like it.

Really interesting.

Slowly he opened his eyes and tried to find out what exactly this heavy weight was. After a moment or two his eyes finally started to focus and the first thing he noticed was the sun shining. So it was definitely pass sunrise and judging on the intensity, it probably had been some hours ago. It surely was a good thing that he had the day off.

Now he just needed to find out what was hindering him to get up and what this chirping tone was that had woken him up in the first place. Looking down, the first was easily answered – his son. Sometime during the night, the boy must have fought with himself and the blanket, because now he was lying across the bed, with his head and arm resting on Horatio, while the blanket was shoved somewhere far away. No wonder that Horatio was freezing.

"I hope any girlfriend of yours is taught in escapology," Horatio whispered to the sleeping boy. "With that death grip of yours." Shaking his head, he couldn't help but be amused. And they were talking about him snoring. Ha! "At least I'm not using my bed partners as a pillow and let them freeze to death." But then again, this truly was a sight to behold. Kyle looked so young while sleeping and Horatio couldn't stop himself from running a hand through the unruly hair. The thought that Kyle trusted him so much was overwhelming actually; he knew only too well that his son had trust issues and his time in prison had surely not lessened them at all. And now the young man was lying here, using his father as a pillow and slept like a stone. Kyle truly was a blessing.

Another chirping brought him out of his musing and since he was pretty sure that he hadn't set the alarm clock, it had to be his cell. With a groan, he freed himself from his son as gently as he could and sat up. Blindly he reached for his cell and did his best to read the display but failed miserably.

Maybe Alexx was right when she told him about seeing the eye doctor.

Anyway, now wasn't the time to think about how old he was, someone was trying to speak to him and since he didn't know who it was, he had no idea if it was important either.

"Horatio?" he picked up the phone at last and got up from the bed. There was no need to wake up the boy.

"Happy Birthday, Horatio," a cheerful sounding Mac greeted him on the other line. "My, you certainly take your time till you pick up the phone."

"Thank you, Mac," Horatio chuckled and slipped into his blue bathrobe. "You know what they say about old people, they need some time to reach the phone."

Mac just laughed. "As I know you, you sleep with your cell on the nightstand, so no long way at all."

"Ever the CSI, my friend," Horatio replied easily and threw the blanket back over his son, before he left his room.

"Of course, so this means I woke you up, huh? Had a good night?" Mac asked cheekily.

"Most definitely," Horatio replied without giving too much information, which he knew would drive Mac insane.

"Come on, Horatio...a few more information please," was the quick reply, which made Horatio chuckle.

"We celebrated into my birthday," he said, "and I think it was past two when we finally went to bed, so I was inclined to sleep a bit longer today."

"Perks of being the birthday boy."

"And the ones who slept under my roof this night. Though I don't know if Stella is still asleep, I just know that my son definitely is."

"Knowing Stella, she's probably awake already," Mac thought out loud.

"Maybe but it's still quiet in the house," Horatio said and stopped in front of the window of his living room, letting himself warmed up but the sunlight that was streaming into the room.

"That doesn't have to mean anything," Mac laughed, but grew a bit more serious then. "So how are you two getting along anyway?"

"Me and Stella? Why are you asking?"

"Just being curious."

"Interesting, since you were the one who pushed her into my guest-friendly arms after all," Horatio snorted.

"Me?" Mac asked scandalized.

"Innocence doesn't suit you, Mac," Horatio chided his friend. "And so doesn't playing matchmaker."

"I'm no matchmaker, Horatio. I just thought that Stella needed some time off and since you two get along so well, I thought that Miami would be a good idea. What you two are making out of it…," he trailed off.

"I see," Horatio arched his brows and knew exactly what Mac was hinting at.

"But be assured that I'll have your head if you hurt her in any way," Mac threatened.

"And now you sound like a mother hen, Mac," Horatio teased.

"More like a concerned big brother, who's not afraid to hurt the man who hurts his sister."

"I'll remember that, Mac" Horatio chuckled and jumped slightly when two arms were wrapped around his torso.

"Is Mac checking up on you?" Stella asked loud enough so Mac could hear her.

"Yep, your big brother is giving me some speech about treating you right," Horatio couldn't help but reply.

"My big brother?" Stella asked confused and a moment later she had the cell in her hand.

"Ask him, not me..," Horatio just shrugged and was looking forward to an interesting conversation between brother and sister. Too bad that he wasn't able to see Mac's face.

"Good morning Mac, now what was that about being my big brother….?"

"I've never seen Mac so agitated, "Stella laughed, after she'd ended the call. "Now this was fun."

"Teaches him right to intervene into your life again," Horatio nodded and was quite pleased that Mac had been put in his place. Though he highly doubted that Mac had told her what exactly this big brother speech had been about.

"Yep and now I need some breakfast," she rubbed her hands together. "Putting him in place always makes me hungry."

"And still you're able to keep this physique," Horatio laughed and let his eyes roam over her attire. Apparently, Mac had been right with stating that Stella might be up already, because in contrast to him, she was wearing real clothes and seemed freshly showered.

"I'll take that as a compliment and run with it."

"Good, because it was meant as one," he smiled at her and together they made their way to the kitchen.

Stella in turn just flashed him a smile of her own. "So I take it that Kyle is still asleep?"

"It seems like it, but who knows how long it will take him to wake up after his dad-pillow has left the bed," Horatio chuckled and winked at Stella when a half-asleep figure stumbled down the stairs. "Speaking of the devil," he whispered conspiratorially.

"Don't be mean," Stella whispered back and then greeted the boy cheerfully. "Good morning, Kyle."

"Morning," the boy mumbled in return and rubbed his eyes. It seemed like his hair was living on its own and was standing out in different directions and the rest of his attire didn't seem any better. His t-shirt was crumpled and the boxers didn't upgrade his image in particular.

"Morning, Son," Horatio smirked and motioned him to follow them into the kitchen. "You woke up at the best moment, it's time for breakfast."

"Oh great, I'm starving," Kyle sighed and rubbed his stomach.

"When are you not?" Horatio arched a brow.

"Well he's a young man and needs all the nourishment he can get, right Kyle?" Stella chimed in and started to rummage in the cupboards.

"Yeah, listen to Stella, Dad. She understands my needs," Kyle replied and ignored his dad's snort.

"And that's why I decided that I'll make breakfast this morning. I just happen to know the perfect way to start into the day."

"You do?" Horatio asked curiously and nudged his boy into his side for the earlier comment.

"Uh-huh, it's called Loukoumádes," Stella nodded and smiled when she saw two blank faces. "It's Greek."

"You just blew my mind," Kyle couldn't help but say, but sent an apologetic smile afterwards.

"Kyle..," Horatio said warningly, but Stella just waved him off.

"I know that you wanted to say the same, Horatio," Stella put him off and then started to shoo them out of the room. "Why don't you two get showered and..," she made a pointing glance at their attire, "get dressed?"

Realizing that he was only in his underwear, Kyle's face turned into a tomato. "Uh...this sounds like a good idea."

"Are you sure that you don't need any help?" Horatio asked anyway though he already knew the answer.

"Nope, it'll be easier without you two."

"How kind of you," came the sarcastic reply. "I think it's time for us to leave Kyle, or she'll throw us out."

"This sounds about right, Dad," the boy agreed when Stella walked up to them. "But...uh...just one other thing," he started and averted his eyes sheepishly. "Is it okay for me to go into your room, Stella? I have my things there and…"

This young man was utterly adorable when he was embarrassed; just like his father. "Of course it's okay for me, just get what you need Kyle," she reassured him. "And now, get out."

"As you command, mistress," Horatio bowed playfully and grabbed his son by the arm and pulled him away. "Go get your things and be quick, I'm not sure if we'll get anything to eat if we take too long," he told him loud enough for everyone to hear.

"I heard that. Another such remark and your fears might come true," Stella called and laughed when she heard Horatio's rushed "Hurry!". Sometimes men needed to be reminded who was calling the shots.

About twenty minutes later, two freshly showered and fully dressed Caine men entered the kitchen and took a deep breath.

"This smells delicious, Stella. What is this again?" Horatio asked and watched Stella rotating back and forth easily.

"Loukoumádes," came the helpful reply.

Shooting an amused glance at his father, Kyle just shrugged and walked to the fridge to get some OJ.

"Erm..yes," Horatio nodded, because now he knew as much (or rather little) as before. "And…what exactly is this…ah..Loukumu.."

"Loukoumádes," Stella helped him out when he stumbled over the word. "It's a pasty baked in oil," she continued and reached for a plate full of those like crullers looking things.

"Hmm, so something like a doughnut?" Horatio asked curiously and sat down at the table.

"In a way…but much sweeter," Stella nodded and smiled at the two.

"Much sweeter?" Horatio asked and eyed the pasty.

"Well Dad, it's your birthday, so the honour is all yours to have the first try." It wasn't as if those things didn't look tasty; on the contrary, they definitely did, but Kyle was always a bit careful when it came to new things. Many things in prison had looked fine, but in the end they had tasted like…not so nice things.

"Thank you, son of my heart," Horatio sighed deeply and willed himself not to roll his eyes.

"Oh please don't tell me that you're afraid of my cooking?" Stella asked in mock shock and glared at them, when both gave her their best innocent Caine smiles. "This doesn't work with me boys," she chided them.

"Please forgive us our caution," Horatio said and bit into one of the crullers. Knowing that two pairs of eyes were directed on him, he chewed extra slowly and closed his eyes.

After some moments, Kyle lost his patience. "So?"

"Hmm, how can I say that?" Horatio mused and opened his eyes again. "I think…I think…"

"Yes?" both Stella and Kyle asked.

"Let me finish."

"Dad that could take like forever."

"Thanks. Now where was I?"

"You wanted to compliment me on my cooking style," Stella helped him out cheekily.

"Ah yes," Horatio nodded and pursed his lips. "I think this is really, really…," he started seriously, but then couldn't hide his smile any longer, "…good. I mean it, I like it a lot, Stella."

She didn't show it visibly, but she was relieved. She knew that such things weren't for everyone and she also knew that the Greek kitchen tended to be rather sweet when it came to pasty, so she really appreciated his honest answer. "Thank you."

Encouraged by his dad's reaction, Kyle reached for one as well. "Let's see," he said and bit into it. It was indeed sweet, but it was a good thing that he had a sweet tooth anyway. "Now that's neat."

"I think that's his way of saying that he likes it," Horatio winked at Stella.

"I thought so too, thank you Kyle," she smiled at the boy, who didn't let himself be disturbed by the others. Being happy that the boys liked her cooking, Stella started to eat as well, because both men seemed to have quite a hunger and she wanted to have one Loukoumádes for herself at least.

After a while, Horatio refilled Stella's and his own cup and looked at his son, who was still happily chewing on his breakfast. "So do you have any plans for today?" he asked curiously. It wasn't that he wanted to check on Kyle and control him, but he enjoyed talking about such normal things with his son.

"Oh," the boy swallowed quickly and took a sip of OJ afterwards, "me and boys will play some basketball later. And then they planned on going to the movies with some of the girls."

"Some of the girls, huh?" Horatio asked intrigued and raised his brows. Now it was time for revenge for last night's interrogation. "What kind of girls?"

"Just girls, Dad," the boy sighed slightly bugged. He should have known better than to share this piece of information.

"Do you know them?" Horatio couldn't help but ask; sometimes it was hard to stop the CSI in him, but then again, he mused, every parent would be curious about their children's friends.

"Yes, Dad. I know them, we had some classes together back in school," Kyle rolled his eyes. "Do you want their names and fingerprints, so you can run them through AFIS?"

Ignoring the sarcasm, Horatio just shook his head. "No, I don't think so; maybe I'll get to know one of them sooner or later," he teased his son.

"Well, yeah…maybe...some day," the boy mumbled and hid behind his glass.

Taking pity on the boy, Horatio smiled at Stella. "And what are your plans for today, Ma'am?"

"Oh I don't know, it's your birthday, so you should decide on that," she just shrugged.

"Well I already decided on one thing, but that's for later," he replied easily.

"Oh really? And what did you plan?" she drawled.

"I think I remember promising you some self made pasta and-"

"Oh no, Horatio. It's your birthday and you shouldn't slave in the kitchen today," she quickly interrupted him.

He had expected this reaction, but it didn't alter his plan in any way. "Well as you already mentioned, it is my birthday today and this is my wish. So you better let me fulfil it."

"He got you there, Stella," Kyle commented lightly, because, like everyone else at the table, he knew that Horatio could be quite stubborn if he wanted to be.

"Hmph," Stella pulled a face because she knew she'd lost the battle. But there was still a war to win. "Okay, if this is your wish then," she shrugged, "I thought about strolling around the Ocean Drive."

"Uhhhh, the Ocean Drive on a Saturday," Kyle smirked. "Now that's only for tough guys."

"I think so as well, Son," Horatio agreed wholeheartedly. "That's quite harsh, Stella."

Had she really won the war against the great Horatio Caine? Stella couldn't believe it. "Too tough for you, my dear?" she challenged him.

She could bet on that. The Ocean Drive was always crowded, but it was worse on the weekend. Still he couldn't leave her the victory that easily. "Well I'm just thinking about you and I don't think that you'd enjoy boxing yourself through hundreds of people…"

"Ha, you've never seen me on winter sale in New York," she stopped him with a wave of her hand, which made Kyle laugh out loud.

"Oh she's good, Dad. I think you'll have to admit defeat this time." He hadn't had that much fun for quite some time. His father probably didn't realise it, but he and Stella were acting like a bantering couple. "Friends…for sure," he snorted to himself.

"I'd wave a white flag if I had one," Horatio did his best to keep his dignity. "So are you really that mean and want me to accompany you there? Today of all days?"

"Not if you promise me that we'll go there another day, before I fly back on Wednesday," she gave in because she wasn't heartless. Though playing with him was pretty funny.

"How gracious of you, Miss Bonasera. So what about visiting Little Havana? I think you might enjoy that."

"Oh I've heard a lot about that," she said enthusiastically.

"It's definitely worth a visit or two," Kyle stated.

"So it's settled then?"

"Yep, I'd like that," Stella nodded. "Why don't you two clear the table and I'll get ready?" she said and without waiting for a real reply, she was out of the room.

"Lesson #101 in avoiding unpleasant shopping tours, my son – just make the girls believe that they won the war and their good heartiness won't permit that their men will suffer," Horatio told his son, after he'd made sure that Stella was out of earshot.

"Mhm..sure, Dad," Kyle got up and sounded rather unconvinced. "Admit it to yourself," he patted his father's shoulder, "this woman has wrapped you around her little finger and you like it." He was still young and had to learn about women, but he surely wasn't blind.

tbc