AN: Sorry this chapter took so long, I hope those who are still reading are still enjoying it.
Chapter 19: Making a decision
As Horatio stood there, still in shock on what he asked, she nodded while biting her lip, then after another moment of shocked silence, she started to have tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry Horatio, I know the last four days have already been mind blowing as it is, and now…"
Seeing her look sad that she was putting a pregnancy on his 'plate' that has been piling up unexpectedly, took Horatio out of his shocked state and placed him in his comfort state as he cuts her off while cupping her cheek with a smile. "No sweetheart, you have nothing to be sorry about. This is honestly good news."
She asked with tears going down her cheeks. "Yeah?"
He nodded with another smile and love in his eyes as he wiped her tears away with both thumbs. "Yeah, it is. Shocking, sure, but I'm not upset. I could never be upset about something like this, especially when you are involved." As he continued to wipe her tears away, she smiled shyly, before he continued after taking a breath. "And if you remember, this isn't exactly unplanned because we agreed to try again once our little one turned one."
She nodded before she took a breath and spoke softly. "The timing though…"
He cuts her off with on more smile. "But isn't that life, life has its own timing."
She nodded again, a smile slowly showing up on her face. "Yeah, it does."
He then asked how she was feeling about the pregnancy. "And are you ok with this?"
She moved closer to him so they could share a hug while she spoke with emotion. "I am, I was just worried how you felt because of the timing."
He smiled as he kissed the top of her head then replied after a sigh of content. "Well, I feel very great about this."
They took a moment to soak in all the information they received today before she asked while they were pulling back from one another.
"How did the rest of your visit go with Kyle?"
He took her hand and walked them to the couch as he replied. "All things considering, not that bad. I just think we both are still a little stunned that this is even happening."
Calleigh chuckled with a nod. "You two aren't the only ones."
He shook his head with a chuckle of his own. "No, I guess I wouldn't imagine so." He then took a breath before continuing. "And I told him what we already talked about, that while our house is open to him and he can come live with us, I won't take him out of the home he is in now." He then sighed before finishing. "He said he would think about it, which I told him I understood."
She gave him a sympathy look as she squeezed his hand lightly. "And I know you do, but this has to be killing you."
"You know I can't lie, it is, but right now, this is about what he wants and feels comfortable. I don't want to disrupt his life more than I have, I just want to get to know my son."
Calleigh moved her free hand to cup his cheek with a loving smile. "I know you do, handsome. And I was thinking that maybe you can get to know him a little more in a few days."
His thinking seemed to be right in line with his wife's as he looked at her with a smile. "You mean invite him to our annual 4th of July party?"
"Yeah, and how about his foster siblings and mother."
There wasn't much thinking on that, but he did reply. "That means we'll have to tell the team on who he really is."
She shrugged like it was no big deal. "We weren't going to wait too much longer to tell them anyways, right?"
He nodded with a smile as he squeezed her hand again. "No, I guess not." He paused to reflect on what's been happening and what's the plan moving forward before asking with another smile. "So, all of this is really happening."
Calleigh nodded with a smile. "It really is, and while this dream isn't how we pictured it, I feel it's even…."
He cuts her off. "Better." After Calleigh nodded, he continued with passion after clearing his throat. "I also want to thank you. I mean after you found out about Kyle…." Calleigh was going to cut him off, but he continued before she could. "No please, let me say this." She nodded before he did actually finish. "After finding out about Kyle, your reaction could have been a lot worst, but it wasn't. In fact, I don't think I ever felt more support from you than I do now, and really that's saying a lot, considering how much you have supported me through the years."
She moved her hand to his cheek again as she whispered. "And you want to know why? It's because I love you, and while Kyle isn't biologically mine, he is yours and anyone who comes from you, I'm still going to love."
He shakes his head with a big smile. "See, you are amazing." He cups her cheek and brings her closer to him so they could share a passionate kiss. After pulling back slowly, he whispered. "How about we try to have an early evening, we have a celebration to do."
She nodded with a smile. "That sounds good handsome."
They do more light kissing before they turned their attention to their daughter for a little bit before they started on dinner.
Once dinner and the dishes were taken care of, they did have a little family time before they tucked their little one into bed, then they headed for their master bedroom.
After the door was closed, they looked at one another with a smile as they walked towards one another, where they started kissing almost instantly.
When things started to take a passionate turn, their top layer of clothing came off before they headed to the bed, where she was under him. They kissed passionately for a few more minutes before he went down her body with his lips. He paused for a moment at her stomach, smiled then kissed a few times, thankful to be sharing another precious gift with the woman he loves, before moving back up her body until he reached her lips again, their fingers slipping through one another's as the romantic night progressed.
When the 4 of July rolled around, they took their day off to clean house, then before the team showed up, Laura and the kids showed up first.
After they let them all in, they gave them a tour and they, particularly the younger kids, were excited because the backyard was pretty much the beach. They were told however that they weren't allowed to go past a certain point without someone older than them with them.
Towards the end of the tour, Laura looked at the couple with a smile. "Thank you for inviting us all."
They nodded with a smile before Calleigh was the one to speak. "You're welcome, we were happy to."
As Laura nodded, Kyle headed for the glass back door and stood there watching the ocean.
Horatio followed him and stopped next to him before asking. "Everything ok?"
Kyle nodded with a sigh. "I guess I'm just nervous on meeting everyone."
Horatio shook his head with a comforting smile. "You have nothing to be nervous about, I have no doubt they'll like you." He signed before finishing. "Besides, if anyone should be nervous about this, it should be me. I can only imagine what they'll think of me once they know you are..."
Kyle cuts his father off in a comforting tone himself. "But you didn't know about me, so how could you have been there for me? They shouldn't fault you or judge you, I don't. The important thing is that you are here for me now."
He nodded with a smile as he placed his hand on his son's shoulder. "You got that right."
A moment later the first knock from the team was heard, so Horatio took a breath and looked at his son. "You ready for this?"
Kyle nodded with a smile. "I guess as ready as I'll ever be."
Horatio nodded in return before they headed back to the living room while Calleigh headed towards the front door so she could open it.
About 20 minutes after everyone who was supposed to be there had shown up, and while there were curious looks when the team saw the extra guests, they waited patiently for Calleigh and Horatio to say what was going on, which is exactly what happened the moment the front door closed after Eric, who was the last one to arrive, came into the house.
Calleigh, who was holding Beverly, and Horatio stood in front of the team while Kyle, Laura and the kids were standing to the side of them, then Horatio took a breath before speaking. "I know you all have your questions on what's going on."
Eric then mentioned with a smile. "Not just for the day, something has been going on the last few days."
Horatio nodded. "You're right, and today will answer that." Horatio and Calleigh looked at each other, and she gives him an encouraging smile before he continued after taking another breath. "Most of you know I had been a detective in New York before I came to Miami, but what you all don't know was that I got assigned to do an undercover job in 1990. So, while doing my undercover job, even though there was a lot of risk involved, professionally and personally, I fell for someone, but before we could start something real after the case was closed, she left, but what I didn't know was that she was pregnant."
He paused, while the group did a few gasps before Eric, who had already been close to figuring it out the day he met him, looked at Kyle and nodded with a smile. "I knew it, Kyle is your son."
The team looked extra surprised while Horatio waved Kyle closer to him, then placed his hand on his son's shoulder before nodding with a smile. "Yes Eric, he is my son."
They all took a moment to process this information before Ryan smirked. "What a heck of a way of finding out you have a son."
Horatio nodded with a sigh. "Yes, and very thankful everything worked out."
After they all nodded in agreement with smiles, they all personally wanted to meet him, so they walked up to him, officially welcoming him into the family.
A few hours later, everybody wanted to leave, and when Cynthia hadn't come back from using the restroom after 10 minutes, Kyle went to go get her, but actually finding her in a bedroom that was offered to Kyle for when he stayed over.
He walked into the room with a smile as he asked. "Hey, what are you doing?"
While looking out the window, seeing the view of the ocean, she sighed as she spoke. "You are going to live here, aren't you?" Kyle took a breath and was about to speak, but Cynthia continued while she turned to look at him with tears in her eyes. "I wouldn't blame you or be mad about it, but just promise me you won't ever forget me now that you have a real sister."
Kyle gasped before shaking his head while walking towards her, kneeling down and cupping her cheek when he reached her. "Ok, first of all I will never forget about you, and as for the 'real' sister comment, no matter who comes into my life sibling wise, I will never not think of you as my sister, you are my family, just like Laura and the other kids, nothing is going to change that just because I found out I have a biological father and he has a family, ok?"
Cynthia nodded with tears going down her cheek and they both wipe them away before she continued. "I get that, but you still didn't answer my first question, are you going to live here?"
Kyle took a breath before replying. "I'm going to be completely honest with you, I have been thinking about it, a lot actually, before today, but not because I want to get away from you all, it's because I want to get to know my father more."
Cynthia could really understand that feeling, she lost both of her parents before she could even get to know them, so if she had been in his shoes, she would have jumped at the chance.
In fact, she's a little surprised he didn't act sooner.
So, she nodded. "Thank you for being honest with me."
Kyle nodded with a smile as she hugged Cynthia. "Always, little one, and remember I will also always be there for you, nothing has changed that either."
She sighed in content as she whispered. "I love you, Kyle."
"I love you too, Cynthia."
Not long after Kyle's talk with Cynthia, and after the kids got to enjoy the sand a little more it was time for Laura, Kyle and the kids to go home, so once they all said goodbye, except Kyle since he wanted a moment with his father, they loaded into the vehicle.
They watch the doors closed before Kyle and Horatio look at one another with smiles before Horatio spoke. "Thank you for coming today, I hope you had fun."
Kyle nodded with a wider smile. "Of course. I did have fun, and thanks for inviting me." As Horatio nodded, Kyle took a breath before continuing. "You know that offer of living with you, is it still on the table?"
Horatio will admit he was a little surprised about Kyle's comment, but he hid it the best he could before he gives him one of the biggest smiles of his life. "Yes, of course it's still on the table, it will always be on the table. But are you sure?"
Kyle nodded with a smile. "Yes, I want to get to know my father, my family more." Kyle took a breath before he finished. "But there is one thing, I want to spend my birthday with them first before I come. I hope that's ok."
Horatio nodded with a smile. "That's fine. In fact, call me when you are ready."
Kyle gave him one more smile. "You got it. Thanks, and not just for what you said, but for inviting us."
Horatio held out his hand with another smile. "You're welcome."
Kyle took his father's hand before they shook them.
Once they pulled back they said goodbye, then Kyle said goodbye to Calleigh and Beverly, who had walked outside to say goodbye to him a few seconds earlier.
When Kyle had gotten in the vehicle, Calleigh and Horatio watched them leave, then once they were out of sight, Horatio looked at his wife with a very happy look, so Calleigh asked with a raised eyebrow and smile. "What's with the look, what's going on?"
He took a breath before replying, his eyes sparkling. "Kyle has made a decision, he wants to move in with us."
"That is very good news. I'm so happy for you, you'll get to know your son more."
He nodded as he cupped her cheek. "I know, and I can't wait."
They kiss softly before they head back inside the house.
Two days later
July 6, 2007
When Kyle woke up on his 16th birthday, Laura made him his favorite breakfast, then he opened the presents he had received from them.
A little time later he had packed his things before spending time with the kids, who outside of Cynthia, didn't know exactly what was happening until today, so they were a little distraught, but Kyle reassured them that he'll still spend time with them when he could.
Then a few hours later Kyle had contacted Horatio, telling him it was time, so he showed up at the house not long after and knocks on the door.
Kyle opens the door with a smile, although there was a mixture of excitement and sadness, which Horatio understood that. They said hi to one another while Kyle moved to the side to let his father inside the house.
After he greeted everyone, he offered to take Kyle's bags to the vehicle while Kyle said his goodbyes, the first ones being the younger kids.
When he was done with his goodbye to them, he looked at Cynthia, who was trying really hard not to cry, before Kyle brings her into his arms for a hug, giving her words of comfort and encouragement, also telling her she's the oldest now, so there might be a little more responsibility on her 'plate', which Cynthia said she was ready for it.
Once they pull back, Kyle cups her cheek with a smile and tears in his eyes. "I love you, Cynth, and I'm so glad I met you and happy you are my sister for life."
Cynthai nodded with a smile and tears in her eyes as well. "I love you too Kyle, and you're my brother for life as well."
"I would hope so."
They chuckled before sharing another hug, and after they pulled back from one another, Cynthia took Danny from Laura's arms before Laura and Kyle headed outside so she could walk him to Horatio's vehicle.
They stopped at the sidewalk, look at one another with tears in their eyes while Laura cupped Kyle's cheek. "I'm so happy and grateful that you came into my life Kyle, you've been a huge help since you came into this home, especially after Aaron died, and while a part of me is very sad seeing you leave here, I'm so happy you found your biological father and have decided to live with him so you can get to know your family. Unfortunately, not a lot of kids who are placed with me gets that chance."
Kyle nodded with tears still in his eyes. "I know how fortunate I am on finding out I have a biological father, and while a part of me is excited for this new turn of events, I am sad I'm leaving. And know that this doesn't change how I feel about you and the kids, you guys are still my family."
Laura nodded, tears now going down her cheeks as she brings him into her arms to give him a hug. "I love you Kyle, you continue to be that generous, caring, loving young man I know that you are, and if you ever need me all you have to do is call."
Kyle hugged her a little tighter as he whispered. "I will, and I love you too, Laura, thank you for everything you have done for me the last five years, I don't know where my life would have been without you in it."
"I'm glad we won't ever find out."
"Me too."
They held onto one another a few more minutes before pulling back, and after one more smile at one another, Kyle turns to get into the vehicle while Horatio walks up to Laura and held out his hand, speaking with more emotion than he's ever spoken towards anyone else not named Calleigh. "I also want to thank you for everything that you have done for my son, there are no words that I could say that would be strong enough to accurately convey how much you being there for him means to me, and you both are right, you are all family now, so whatever you need, all you have to do is call."
Laura wiped the tears off her cheeks with one hand while shaking Horatio's hand with the other as she responded with emotion. "Thank you, Horatio, and I know while the circumstances of finding out he's your son wasn't ideal, I'm glad you found him, I'm glad you'll have an opportunity to get to know your son. I wish you and your family the best."
Horatio nodded and gave her one more smile as they release hands, then after they said goodbye to one another, Horatio turned and headed to the vehicle so he could get in, and once he was, he turned it on while Kyle waved at Laura, then when father and son turned to look at one another, Horatio asked. "You ready to go home?"
Kyle just nodded with a smile before Horatio started driving home, both happy they'll get this fortunate opportunity.
AN: Thanks for reading and please review. Three more chapters left.