A Tough Nine Days
It was a crime-filled week in Miami and even Chloe Delko was feeling the effect. A trio were pulling off two bank robberies a day. So far no one had been killed but three people had seriously injured. Trying to solve this crime spree kept Calleigh and Eric at work very late. Because they missed Chloe and knew she had to miss them when they arrived at about 11 every night, long after Chloe was asleep, they would move her into their bed so she could spend some time with them, even if she were asleep. Right now, they barely saw her. Eric's mother picked her up from daycare, gave her dinner and bath and put her to bed. It didn't surprise either of them that the normally happy toddler was now often whiny and clingy and uncooperative getting ready in the morning. The two even had to work on Saturday and Sunday, the two days of the week that marked with smiley faces on the calendar to show Chloe that her parents would be home, the child found it even worse than not seeing on the weekdays.
The teachers at Chloe's daycare knew why the child's behavior was different. She wasn't the same smiling, animated little girl. She was withdrawn, seldom smiled and she cried when Calleigh dropped her off at the center, something she never did before. Eric left a note in his daughter's backpack explaining Chloe's sudden change in demeanor. Even without the note the employees knew of the crime spree. It was all over the news. Chloe's parents being CSIs the staff knew they had to be working a lot of hours. Her parents dropped her off in the morning but so far her grandmother had taken her home everyday.
"Poor little thing must miss daddy and mommy a lot," one teacher said to the other.
The lab were able to solve the case after almost 10 days, arresting three college students. Taking into account the very long hours that the team had worked for nine days when they closed the case on that Thursday Horatio sent everyone home early and told them all to take Friday and Monday off and come in on Tuesday. Everyone had done more than their share of over-time.
"We're going out for a drink," Frank told Eric. "I don't suppose you two are coming."
Eric smiled. "Naw. We going to get Chloe early. I'm sure it will make her day."
"You two had to miss the little Munchkin. You didn't see her much the last few days."
"You have no idea, Frank."
Chloe squealed with excitement when an employee came to her and told her that her parents were coming to take her home early. She eagerly packed up her small Winnie the Pooh backpack. She was waiting for them when the couple arrived, she ran towards Eric, wrapping herself around his legs, looking up at him with a big grin.
Eric scooped her up.
"Hello, princesa," he said, kissing her cheek.
Chloe climbed from her father's arms and to Calleigh's.
"We go home, mama, pease?" Chloe asked.
"Yes, baby. We're going home. We missed you!"
Eric told the worker that Chloe would not be in the next day which was Friday or on Monday. They had time off. The two really had missed Chloe and knew she had missed them, especially on Saturday and Sunday, days the three got to spend together without being bothered by their work.
They let Chloe sleep in their bed the whole weekend. It was a special few days for them and they let also let their stay up a little later. They all slept in together the next morning. Eric even let Chloe have brownies shortly before bed, something he normally said an absolute "no" to no matter Chloe did.
Remember Chloe is only two years old, some words, like "please" don't come out right!