First Sleep Over

Calleigh was marking in an appointment date on the calendar when she noticed something. Seven more days and Nevaeh would be 11 months old. It was hard to believe that soon her baby would be a year old. She was dreading going back to work so much now; she was able to secure part-time hours. She was going back to work two weeks after the baby's first birthday. Still she knew it wasn't going to be so easy those first few days. It make things more comfortable for her daughter and ease any separation anxiety Nevaeh might have and fact that neither her in-laws and sister-in-law was child-proof, especially for a little girl to starting to learn to stand, the two women were coming to the Delko home. They had suggested that because they thought it was also more practical to have all of Nevaeh's things right there.

Nevaeh was spending her first night away from mommy and daddy tonight. She was staying over at Horatio's. There was no short of toys for the baby girl at her godfather's house. There was a crib set up in Horatio's living room. Her parents highly doubted she would spend much time there. Horatio would put her in his bed with him the first time she cried, or if she didn't want to be there when he tried to put her down.

"He's such a softie with her," Calleigh said, packing her daughter's bag with extra diapers, wipes and clothes. Horatio had already purchased bottles, baby formula and other baby food and snacks having asked what brand of things Nevaeh ate. "I don't know who's worse for that, him or you." Calleigh smiled as Eric held their smiling baby.

Eric smiled.

"Hey! I'm starting to say 'no' on a rare occasion. That word hasn't entered H's vocabulary with her, yet."

The couple didn't know who was looking forward to this night more. The baby or Horatio. They smiled when the baby squealed and reached for Horatio when she saw him.

Horatio smiled and put his hands out. "C'mon," he said.

"You should have everything she needs," Calleigh told him. "I put in extra clothes and diapers."

"Okay. Has she eaten yet?"

"No. She'll want her dinner by the time you get home."

"All right. Say goodbye to mommy and daddy. Give 'em kisses," Horatio said as the parents kissed their baby goodbye.

Sure to what her mom had said Nevaeh began to whine when they were near Horatio's house. She was hungry.

"I know, baby," Horatio said, looking at Nevaeh in the rearview mirror. "You're hungry. We'll be there in a few minutes and I'll get you your dinner."

Nevaeh quieted some then.

Nevaeh ate mashed potatoes and two spoonfuls of peas before she took a bottle of formula. The baby smiled at her godfather through the nipple in her mouth watching him remove the tray on the high chair and undo the safety strap.

"Coming up?" He asked her.

Horatio hugged the child to him and kissed her face when he picked her up. Nevaeh may not have been his child but he was happiest when he was with her.

The baby's parents had yet to take a honeymoon. Everyone was after them to do so. The couple knew he had to adore their daughter to say "I'll take a week off and look after her."

Horatio Caine's job was his life; he never voluntarily took time off.

"I take the offer if I were you," Alexx told the two repeatedly. "I know you adore the time with your baby girl but you guys really should take a few days away for yourselves. I'm sure Nevaeh wouldn't care that you were gone."

"I know," Eric had smiled. "But we're afraid she'll wouldn't want to come back afterwards."

Alexx laughed. "Well, I can't say I wouldn't worry about that, either."

"When am I going to be able get your mommy and daddy to go away for a few days, huh?" Horatio said to the smiling baby, laying her down on the sofa to change her diaper. "Then I can have you all to myself. You wouldn't mind that, would you? We'd have fun," he said, doing the 'itsy bitsy spider' up Nevaeh's belly.

She laughed.

Eric and Calleigh were chatting and seriously considering taking a few days away for a honeymoon. It would be good for them to have short break before Calleigh returned to work. Alexx had given them a few brochures from a few very nice couples' resorts in Key West.

"And I think Nevaeh would love it if Horatio were here for a few days," Calleigh said.

"Yeah. He'd love playing daddy for a few days; I think he might even pay for our trip," Eric laughed.