Explorations and Revelations

While Horatio and Calleigh were sleeping in each other's arms that Friday night, unbeknown to them Eric drove by Calleigh's house on his way home from the dance club, just to make sure things looked normal around her area. He was somewhat startled to see a silver car parked in her drive since it was in the early morning hours. Slightly alarmed, he called the tag number in to run the plates and find out whose car was parked at his friend's house in the middle of the night. When David down at MDPD came back with the info, Eric was shocked. HORATIO CAINE? Eric asked if there was a chance the young man might have heard the plate number wrong, but repeating the numbers, David assured him the car was registered to Lt. Caine.

Eric sat there staring at Horatio's silver car for few moments, wondering why he had not noticed H's new car in the lab garage, but then he broke out in a wide grin, shook his head and said, "H…you sly dog you!"

Well, since it could not be me with Calleigh, although I sure wish it was, I am glad you both found each other. I certainly believe you will take care of Calleigh and if it's stability she needs, she could not have found a better man. Eric then began driving toward home and a comfortable bed.

After Eric left, another pair of eyes kept watch on the house, eyes that had a more sinister motive eager to gain more information to send to the man he worked for as he had been doing for the past few days. He now felt like there was going to be a major twist to his boss's plans, but he knew his boss would work everything out to his personal satisfaction.

When Calleigh awoke the next morning, the first thing she saw as she squinted against the bright morning light was a head of fiery red hair, and a pair of beautiful blue eyes smiling at her.

"Good morning sleepyhead!" Calleigh heard in a silky smooth, soft rumble.

Opening her eyes further, Horatio's face sporting a huge grin became clearer as he was propped up on an elbow watching her come awake.

"Goood morning, Handsome…did you sleep as well as I did, I hope?"

"Fantastic night's sleep Sweetheart…best I've had in quite some time!"

Calleigh smiled radiantly and softly ran a hand down the side of his face, "What time is it, the sunlight coming through the windows is so bright!"

"9am Sweetheart…we were both exhausted from our long day and 'very pleasant dessert' I hope that you enjoyed last night. I know I did!"

"Umm-hmm…I sure did Handsome!"

Then, returning to the moment Calleigh suddenly exclaimed, "Oh my 9 o'clock…no wonder my tummy is grumbling! I need to get up and fix us some breakfast!"

"Already done Sweetheart, I took the liberty of exploring your kitchen and whipping up a breakfast casserole of eggs, French bread, onions, green peppers and some chopped up Jalapeños, with fresh fruit on the side, if that sounds alright to you. It is on hold in the warmer awaiting our arrival."

"You bet it does Handsome. Thank you…I didn't know you cooked!"

"I can do some things…had to learn or I would starve to death living alone!" Horatio said grinning.

Calleigh raised her hand up to pull Horatio down for a good morning kiss. Then she abruptly scooted out from under him and slid off the bed headed for the bathroom door. She turned and playfully said, "Last one in the shower has to clean the breakfast dishes!" Then she ran into the bathroom toward the shower.

With that challenge, Horatio leapt out of bed and tried to get to the shower first, given his longer legs. Calleigh was stepping into the shower when Horatio put both hands on her waist and lifted her up and back behind him.

"Oh no you don't bullet girl…can't beat the boss at this game!" Both Horatio and Calleigh burst out laughing and Horatio wrapped her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Breaking the kiss, he suddenly said, "Besides…who got up and got breakfast going?" Leaving Calleigh still in a dazed state, Horatio turned and jumped into the shower first.

"Hey…that was a dirty trick Handsome," Calleigh squealed as she went in after him.

As soon as she was in the shower, Horatio wrapped her in his arms again and softly said, "Let me see how I can make it up to you Cal." Then he began kissing her deliciously, wet neck and ventured lower until she let out a soft moan, and thought to herself that she was surely going to explode from his passionate ministrations.

Finishing their breakfast, Calleigh reached over and squeezed Horatio's arm and said, "That was wonderful Babe!"

Horatio responded grinning, "The breakfast or the shower?"

Calleigh flashed him her radiant smile and simply said, "Both!"

"Anytime Sweetheart," Horatio warmly smiled.

Moving with their coffee to the sofa, Calleigh curled up next to Horatio and laid her head on his shoulder.

"I could get use to mornings like this Handsome."

Horatio squeezed her close to his side and replied, "So could I Cal…I hope we have many more like this."

Calleigh pulled back enough to see his face and answered, "As far as I am concerned, you can count on it Handsome!"

"Umm…I like the sound of that," as he began planting warm kisses on her forehead, nose and chin before zeroing in on her lips.

A while later, Horatio was the first to say, "I better start cleaning up your kitchen Cal…then what do you say about us going over to my place so I can retrieve some more clothes. I appreciate you loaning me the sweats and t-shirt, but not quite the attire I had in mind for our Saturday."

Calleigh reluctantly sat up and said, "We will both clean up the kitchen together and yeah, jeans might be more appropriate!"

After cleaning of the kitchen was finished, Horatio turned and asked, "Want to stay at my place tonight? Since I am right on the beach we can enjoy some moonlight strolls along the water, if you would like."

"Oh…talked me into it Handsome. Let me put a few things in a bag and I will be ready."

They drove up to Horatio's house and he let Calleigh go in first.

Calleigh looked around the beautiful living room and declared, "What a beautiful home, Horatio." Then she walked into the large kitchen and looked out at the patio and on beyond, the beach.

"Thank you Sweetheart, I will enjoy it a lot more if you are here with me."

Calleigh smiled and responded, "Don't you say the sweetest things!"

Horatio reached out and pulled her into his arms and gave her a tender kiss. "You haven't seen the entire house, let me show you 'our' bedroom."

Walking to the end of the hallway, Horatio opened the door to the master bedroom revealing a king bed, with another beautiful view of the beach from its windows. Crossing the nice sized room, he opened another door revealing the master bath.

Calleigh lay down on the bed and said, "Wow, this is comfortable!"

Horatio lay down beside her and commented, "It is now Sweetheart…it is now," before capturing her alluring lips in a deep passionate kiss. Breaking from her sweet lips, he raised his head and looked into her eyes and softly shook his head in disbelief and whispered, "Oh Cal, what you do to me Sweetheart…I love you so much."

"No more than I love you Horatio."

"I would love nothing better than to stay here all day like this, but this afternoon I plan to take you to something I think you will like and I need to shave and change clothes, Cal. Make yourself at home Sweetheart, won't take me long, then I will do a little in the kitchen preparing our dinner before we go. How does grilled Caribbean Chicken with roasted vegetables sound?"

"Wow…sounds great!"

Horatio finished everything and they headed out for their afternoon and the surprise he knew Calleigh would love.

The eyes still stationed outside of Horatio's home continued to watch the couple and were prepared to follow waiting on instructions to begin more than surveillance.

After about a 40 minute drive, Horatio turned into the entrance of a huge conference center in Hollywood, FL, located just north of Miami. The marquee announced the 5th annual gun show was currently going on.

"Oh, Handsome, I love it! You are so sweet! I can't imagine how you knew I would want to come to this!" Calleigh said and then let out a laugh.

Horatio smiled at her excitement about the show and added, "I don't call you bullet girl for nothing Sweetheart! By the way, a friend of mine got us free passes to attend so we will go through the side door to avoid the crowd."

The rest of their afternoon was spent at the show, examining and trying out a wide variety of firearms.

Arriving back at Horatio's, the couple walked into the house admiring the new pistol Calleigh purchased.

Horatio opened a bottle of un-oaked Chardonnay he had chilled in the refrigerator while they were at the gun show. He then popped a few of CDs in the player that included Rod Stewart's American classics, Billy Joel and Tony Bennett. He then beckoned Calleigh to join him out on the patio with the wine and enjoy the evening with him until the grill was hot and ready for the chicken.

After enjoying the music, wine, and dinner, they strolled down the beach holding each other close while enjoying the sound of the surf and the moonlit sand all around them.

"You are spoiling me Horatio Caine!" Calleigh said chuckling.

"It is my intention to do just that Sweetheart." Horatio whispered into her ear as he kissed her ear lobe.

Horatio and Calleigh lay spent in each other's arms later that night in his bed as the cool breeze lulled them into a sweet, deep sleep.

After Calleigh fixed breakfast the next morning, with Horatio's help, they ate out on the patio before the hot sun got too high in the sky. Sharing a chaise afterward, Horatio turned to Calleigh and asked, "What's next with the adoption process?"

"I am to meet with them tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 to answer questions from the panel that oversees adoptions. I think that is when they will begin to decide between me and a couple from Key Biscayne. I am worried Horatio, the man and his wife are professionals and are able to better meet the children's financial needs"

"Cal, don't worry, I know they will see the devotion and compassion that you possess and you will get the children. Keep thinking positive…that couple may be able to buy the children a lot of things, but what you have to offer them is more precious than any material possessions."

"Yeah, but after all, they may think a couple is better for children, Horatio and that may be the factor that wins it for them," Calleigh responded and then looked out at the ocean."

Horatio reached out and gently turned her chin to where she was facing him and said, "Cal, If you will have me, we can be a couple…will you marry me after I get work sorted out?"

Calleigh's eyes immediately filled with tears and she barely was able to whisper, "Oh Handsome, you are not asking me just because of my wanting these children, are you?"

"That's a small part of it, yes, but I have realized this weekend just how much you mean to me Calleigh. I don't want to be without you Sweetheart…not even for one day."

Tears flowed freely down Calleigh's cheeks and when she could manage to talk, she only said, "I will…I will. I love you Horatio." Horatio rubbed some of her tears off with his thumbs as he cupped her face and began kissing the rest of her tears off of her cheeks.

Horatio had taken Calleigh back to her place to pick up more clothes and her car. They had decided that for the time being, they would arrive separately at work so as not to cause suspicion on the part of the senior officers in the department, but she would stay with him again tonight at his house.

As he was driving back to his house, following Calleigh in her car, Horatio thought to himself that he had two very important appointments tomorrow morning, first, his meeting with the Chief, then a meeting with the adoption board. If the first one was a success, then he needed to talk to Eric about their plans before announcing their news to the team. Of the three items on his agenda, the talk with Eric made him the most nervous.