AN: I see there is some interest, I hope there is more along the way. Thanks for the reviews, here is another short chapter.
Chapter 2: 4 years later
Nov 7th, 1989
After arriving in Miami Florida, Horatio drove to the restaurant where he was to meet Raymond so he could not only celebrate his younger brother's 24th birthday but because Raymond had also mentioned that he wanted him to meet someone special to him. Then once he arrived at the destination, he gets out of his rented vehicle and walks to and in the building, stopping at the Maître d's podium.
The early 20's man with short black hair and brown eyes, smiled at Horatio before asking. "Welcome sir, you have a reservation?"
Horatio nodded with a smile. "It should be under Caine, although I am slightly early."
The young man nodded before he looked through the reservation book, then after looking into the older man's eyes once he found what he was looking for, he replied. "Yes, and your table should be ready shortly, so you are welcome to wait here or there is a bar."
Horatio nodded again before tilting his head to the side a little. "Thank you."
The younger man nodded one more time before Horatio headed for the bar after getting the location from the Maître d.
When he made it, he walked towards the counter to order a drink, and after it was placed in front of him, Horatio thanked the bartender before picking up his glass, then just as he was about to take a sip, a young, slim build, 5'7, early 20's woman with curly black hair stopped next to him so she could order a drink with a smile before looking his way, seeing she also had brown eyes, and making him feel something he's never felt before.
He's never really believed in love at first sight, and while he wasn't fully convinced it was this time either, he did have a stronger reaction to her than any other woman he's ever met before.
He wanted to open his mouth to speak, but couldn't, and she had looked in the bartender's direction once her drink was in front of her before she thanked him as she picked up the glass, then while looking at Horatio again, who was still looking at her, she smiled at him while saying. "I know what you're probably thinking, but believe me, I am of age."
Feeling the ice has broken, Horatio couldn't help but chuckle a little, and he was about to speak while she was about to introduce herself when they both heard Raymond's voice. "Good, you two have met."
The woman looked over at Raymond with a smile. "Not quite Raymond, I was just about to."
He smiled in return with his eyes bright. "Well than by all means, continue."
The woman nodded before looking at Horatio again, holding out her hand. "Hi, I'm Yelina Salas."
After recovering from what can only be described as getting punched in the gut, he cleared his throat and took the woman's hand in a handshake and gave her a smile. "Horatio."
Yelina nodded with a smile as she removed her hand from his. "I know, you are all Raymond will ever talk about. He really looks up to his older brother."
Shyly, Ray ran his hand across the back of his neck as he started to reply. "Babe, I..."
But she cuts him off as she wrapped her arm around his waist, while Horatio was trying to shake off these uneasy feelings while watching the scene. "What, it's the truth, and it's always nice to hear."
Horatio nodded as he replied. "She is right Ray, and I appreciate hearing it."
As Ray started to smile, a waitress got their attention so they could go sit at their reserved table now, and after a nod, the couple started walking with Horatio following behind them after doing a small sigh.
While they enjoyed their meal, Horatio got to really catch up with what's been going on with his brother, who was now a cop, finding out how him and Yelina met, which was through his cop partner who was dating her best friend, and more about her.
As dinner was coming to a close, Yelina excused herself, which both men had stood up when she did, and she gave them a smile before walking towards the restroom.
While they sat back down, Ray asked with his eyes sparkling again. "So, what do you think about Yelina?"
Horatio reached for his drink and cleared his throat before speaking. "She seems great."
He took a sip as Ray nodded with the smile still on his face. "She's more than great, she's amazing, and I think the one." Horatio just about chocked on his drink while Ray chuckled with another nod. "I know, crazy for me to say that right? Considering my track record with women." He then sighed before finishing. "And I'm not saying we are picking out wedding invitations any time soon, but she's the first woman I can actually see that happening with. I really want to see what happens with her. I want to really try with her."
Seeing how serious he was and happy his brother looked, a look he hasn't seen in a long time, or if ever, especially towards a woman, Horatio knew he needed to bury any thoughts or growing feelings he had towards Yelina, so he shook everything away and gave his brother a genuine smile. "Then I'm happy for you, and if my approval was what you needed, then you have it."
Ray's eyes lit up even more. "Thank you, I really appreciate it."
As Horatio nodded, he sees Yelina coming back their way, so he stood up, and after Ray looked back and saw his girlfriend coming, he also stood up, then when she was near, he placed his arm around her shoulders and asked. "You ready?" She nodded before Ray looked at his brother. "We are meeting some of our friends, you want to come?"
Horatio shook his head. "It's ok, go enjoy your night."
"Alright, I'll see you later then."
"Ok."
Yelina moved from Ray's arms and gave Horatio a hug. "It was nice to finally meet you, Horatio."
He hugged her back, and as they were pulling back, he nodded with a smile. "It was nice to meet you too, Yelina."
She smiled in return and walked back towards her boyfriend, who was reaching for the bill, but Horatio took it before he could get a handle on it. "I got it, call it a birthday present."
Ray chuckled as he held out his hand. "Thank you, Bro."
They shook hands as Horatio nodded. "No problem."
After releasing hands, the group said one more goodbye before the couple turned and started walking away.
Horatio watched them for a few seconds before looking down at the bill, and after placing the money and a more than generous tip on the table, he walked out of the restaurant and headed for his rented vehicle, and instead of going to his brother's place first since he had a key, he headed to one of his favorite spots in Miami, and once he was there, he got out of his vehicle, walked towards and on the beach until he was a few feet from the ocean, then he stopped, placed his hands on his hips and just looked out in the horizon with a deep sigh.
AN: Thanks for reading, and please review. More to come soon.