AN: Sorry guys… mid next week turned out to be next month…. Uhh… Warning! There is some fluff in this chapter and fluff is not something I'm comfortable with so if I mess it up really badly please forgive me…

BECAUSE OF YOU
Chapter 20
(final chapter)

"So how was your fist day back?" Eric and Calleigh were headed home after a long day. Thankfully for them they hadn't had a case. It was mostly report writing.

She groaned. "What was I thinking taking so much time off? You know the mess I had to clean up after the new ballistics guy they had replace me? I didn't realize how much I missed my job." She finished with a tired smile. She was exhausted he could see that but this had been a big step for her.

"Dinner?"

"I just want to go home. Dine in?"

"Movie night?"

"Perfect." Little did she know, Eric had already planned their evening. After she'd been released from the hospital Calleigh moved in with Eric.

He unlocked the door and allowed her to go in first. He smiled when she gasped. "oh my God Eric when did you have a chance to do all this?"

"While you were letting your replacement have it for not working fast enough and not caring about the victims and their families." She gave him a questioning look.

"and our neighbor Mrs. Williams came in and lit the candles about two minutes ago."

"Oh…wait that's who you were on the phone with? I can't believe you went through all of this."

"I love you Calleigh and you deserve nothing less." He kissed her and shut the door behind him. He ushered her to the kitchen where dinner waited. She moved to help him get the food on the plates but quickly sat down when he gave her the 'don't you dare' look.

After dinner Eric cleared the dishes and again gave strict orders for her to sit, this night was for her.

"Eric I don't know what to say, you didn't have to do this."

Eric pushed his chair back and moved to her side. He knelt down before her and took a hold of both her hands. "Calleigh there is only one word I want to hear you say right now, and that word is yes. Sweetheart I love you more then life itself. I wake up every morning thinking what a lucky man I am to have such a strong, beautiful and smart woman as my partner and best friend. I never thought I'd find what I have found with you and there is no one out there that can compare to you and how you make me feel. Thinking of you puts a smile on my face. Almost losing you scared me. It scared me because if I'd lost you I would never have known what it felt to have you as my wife, for you to have my children. I was scared because I would lose my soul mate. Calleigh Duquesne, will you marry me?" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. He looked at her and immediately began doubting himself. She was crying. "Calleigh baby please don't cry I didn't mean to upset you." Maybe he'd rushed it.

"Yes." She whispered.

He wasn't sure he heard her right. "What was that?"

"I said yes. Yes Eric Delko it would be my honor to be your wife." Eric was beyond ecstatic. He was on cloud nine. He took the ring from the box and placed it on her finger.

"I don't feel like watching a movie anymore." She told him seductively. "Oh yeah? Hmmm am I gonna enjoy what you have in mind?"

"I think you might." She stood up and left for their bedroom. Eric only a step behind her.

***************BBQ***************

"Calleigh we're gonna be late." Eric yelled down the hall. They'd slept in. Well in reality there was little sleep involved in their morning.

"Well if someone hadn't decided to go for rounds three, four, and five I would have had enough time to shower and do my hair." She had him and he knew it so he sat on the couch and waited.

The newly engaged couple finally arrived at Horatio's house only 20 minutes late. "Where is everyone?" She asked Eric. The house was quiet. "H said they'd all be out back."

Going onto the back patio Calleigh was again surprised. "CONGRATULATIONS!" The team exclaimed.

"Thanks guys." Everyone one hugged Calleigh and shook Eric's hand.

"So when will I be an aunt?" Natalia asked causing both Eric and Calleigh to choke on their drink.

"One step at a time Natalia."

"Fine but don't wait to long." She pouted.

"Calleigh its great to have you back. We've all missed you. It's good to have the team together once again."

The team all shook their heads in agreement. Solving cases wasn't the same when they had members from other teams helping them. It only slowed their progress. Ryan teased that the day prior hadn't been only Calleigh's first day back but also Eric's. He was now 100% focused knowing his Calleigh was just down the hall. The team filled Calleigh in on some funny and bizarre cases and situations they'd had while she'd been out. The team of CSI's spent the next several hours just relaxing. They'd dealt with some hard months but they overcame it as a family and came out with a stronger bond then before.

Horatio looked at his team and smiled. He truly was blessed with an amazing team.

AN: That's all folks… this story was only going to be 8 chapters long…12 chapters later it is finished… I appreciate all that reviewed, and those that added this story to their alerts list and favorites list. I have really enjoyed writing this story and all you had to say about it. Happy Fourth of July… hope you all enjoyed your time with the family…..