AN: Thanks for the support, and very sorry about the long delay. Here is the last chapter.

Chapter 22: Epilogue

11 years later

October 12, 2030

It's been exactly 45 years from when he was first standing in this spot, very unsure of his future.

But now, while it took him awhile and there were a few things he wish could change, his life turned out better than he ever thought it could.

He made a best friend for life, he became a husband, which him and Calleigh are on their 27th year of marriage, he became a father to three beautiful children, whom are all living their best life, and his latest title, a grandpa to four beautiful grandchildren (Three from Kyle and Aisha and one from Beverly).

Horatio sighed, thinking about all the moments that led him to this one as he kneeled down and placed the roses at his mother's tombstone.

"Well mom, I made a life I think you would be proud of."

Before he could continue, he heard a voice he hadn't heard in person for years. "You bet she would be, bro."

Horatio turned around and his eyes grew wide as he slowly stood up. "Raymond? What are you doing here? Is everything ok with Yelena..."

Ray cuts him off with a smile. "Everyone's ok. I just knew you would be here today, and I had to see you, I've missed you."

Whether Ray's life was still in danger they didn't know, but they didn't want to risk it, so him and his family stayed away to be safe and it's been years, too long really, since they've seen one another.

Horatio took a few steps to his younger brother with a smile. "I've missed you too, you look good."

Raymond smirked as they embraced. "And you look old."

Horatio just chuckled as the brother's hugged.

As they were pulling back, they heard Horatio's oldest granddaughter, who was six years old. "Grandpa!"

Raymond smirked as the little girl ran to Horatio. "See old."

Horatio smirked in return. "And how are your grandchildren?"

Ray Jr. had a few kids of his own.

Raymond chuckled with a nod as he held up his hands. "Ok, you got me."

Horatio just nodded with a smile, a bright smile at that as he took a few steps towards his granddaughter and held out his arms for her.

A few moments later, she was in his arms with a big hug. "I've missed you grandpa."

Horatio chuckled as he held her. "Honey, you've only been gone two days."

With Derek retiring, which was another reason they were in New York, Aisha wanted to be there for her dad so her and Kyle, took the kids up here.

She chuckled. "I still missed you."

He kneeled down so blue eyes met blue eyes, and he smiled while cupping her cheek. "Well, I've missed you too."

The little girl smiled as she gave Horatio a hug, and he hugged her back.

As they were pulling back, the little girl finally noticed another man standing there, so she asked politely. "Excuse me but who are you?"

Before Raymond could speak, they hear Calleigh's voice after a gasp. "This couldn't be."

Raymond turned around so he was now facing the rest of Horatio's family, which was his grown-up children, Kyle, Beverly and Amy, Kyle's youngest daughter and son, who was four and two respectively, Beverly's 1 year old son, and Beverly's husband of two years.

Raymond then smiled as he looked at Calleigh. "Calleigh, it is so nice to finally meet you."

Calleigh nodded with tears in her eyes, knowing how much this reunion with her husband must have felt as she gave her brother in-law a long overdue hug. "Yes, it is."

After they shared a hug, they pulled back before turning to look at her children. "Guys, I would like you to all meet..."

Kyle spoke with a smile, recognizing him from the few pictures his father had, as he held out his hand. "Uncle Ray, it's so nice to meet you."

Ray smiled wider as he shook his nephew's hand, which felt nice. "It really is, Kyle, and congratulations by the way."

"Thank you."

After they release hands, Raymond looks at Beverly and almost did an intake of breath before looking at his brother. "She looks a lot like..."

Horatio nodded with a smile and a few tears in his eyes. "Mom, I know."

The now 24-year-old spoke softly. "Well, I was named after her."

Raymond looked at his niece again with a nod and a smile. "Right you are, it's nice to meet you, Beverly."

"You too Uncle Ray."

Ray then looks at the last Caine 'child', 23-year-old Amy. "And that must make you Amy, which I see were you got your pretty looks."

While Beverly had a mixture of both of her parents and grandma, Amy, was purely a 'Calleigh' daughter, right down to her height. But don't let that fool you, she is just as fierce as her mother.

Amy nodded with a smile.

After meeting the rest of them, they turned to the tombstone, where the Caine men talked about their mother, then once they were done, Horatio spoke with a sigh as he wrapped his arm around his wife. "Mom would have really loved this."

Raymond nodded with a smile as he pats his brother on the back. "Yes, she would have."

They spent a few more minutes in front of her tombstone, then Calleigh turned to Ray and asked. "You want to come join us for a party?"

Ray shook his head. "I don't to intrude."

Horatio replied. "You won't be. I think it's time you meet Derek."

"You sure?"

"Yes, unless you really can't stay?"

"I think I can stay a little bit longer."

"Good, then let's go."

After Ray, and the rest of the Caine family said their goodbyes to their grandma/great grandma, they headed towards the parking lot, leaving Calleigh and Horatio behind so they could have a few minutes alone.

She cups his cheek and said. "Well, that was a nice surprise."

Horatio nodded, finally letting a few tears go down his cheek. "Yes it is. This is what I always wanted, for the kids to meet my brother and to see him again."

"I know and I'm so happy for you, even it's only for a few hours."

"I'll take it."

Calleigh nodded then they shared a hug, and after she pulled back, she cupped his cheek again with a bright smile. "I'll give you another moment alone."

He nodded as she slipped her hand off his cheek, but before she could walk away, he took her hand softly and whispered. "Before you do go, I just want to thank you."

While Calleigh still had the smile on her face, she did look a little confused. "Thank me for what?"

"For joining me on this journey I call life. When I was first standing here, I felt like my life was in shambles and I didn't know where it would lead me to next, and while it did take some time, it led me to this amazing, sweet, beautiful woman, whom I love with all of my heart and couldn't imagine being here, having this family with anyone else."

Calleigh wiped a few tears off her cheeks as she replied with emotion. "Which that's a two-way street handsome. I love you more than when we first met, and there is no one else I would spend my life's journey with, it still feels we are just getting started."

He nodded with a smile, feeling the same way, then they kiss softly before he let go of her hand so she could join the family while he turned back to his mother's tombstone.

He said a few words, ended it with I love you and he'll 'see' her again before turning around while placing his sunglasses on and walking away.

AN: Thanks for reading, and please review. I want to thank all of the Ducaine fans who has supported my stories throughout the years, I couldn't do it without it. You all stay safe, and until next time, always remember Ducaine4ever.