A/N: *Shyly steps back in* Hiiiii. I am sooooo sorry for the long update between these chapters. My goal has always been to finish this story but I lost my passion for writing over the last few years. However, it's always been a personal goal to finish this story so this is my attempt. With all of the creative energy I could muster, I got to work and started working on the final chapters of this fanfiction. I hope you all truly enjoy.
(Reminder: Timeline and events are different in my story than they are on the show. The situation mentioned in this chapter is taken from CSI: Miami Episode entitled "Internal Affairs (5x12)")
Chapter Nine: Beautiful Disaster
Natalia inhaled deeply as she subconsciously drew her hands across her very pregnant stomach. Life was moving fast and slow at the same time. She was caught between periods of joy and sadness – relief and grief as she reflected on the state of her life recently.
Nick was gone.
Not just gone away, but he was dead.
Suspicion immediately fell on her. Nothing or no one could ever prepare her for what she'd been through. She'd been arrested, hands cuffed behind her back and perp-walked inside the station in front of all of her peers. She was placed in a holding cell and was processed like a common criminal.
It was all too much.
Jake, who was the lead detective on the investigation, stated that she had motive to kill Nick. After all, it was because of Nick that her husband had been placed on desk duty due to their altercation. To further back up his theory, he mentioned how her colleagues did little to absolve her of suspicion; Eric mentioned how she'd shoved Nick at a crime scene which resulted in Nick filing a restraining order against her. Calleigh stated that Natalia had once mentioned she wanted to kill Nick, which Natalia was quick to point out that it was girl talk and she didn't mean anything by it.
Despite her trying to prove her innocence, Jake knocked her down, laying out a damning narrative stating that she and her husband had conspired to kill Nick. He made the argument that if Nick was as abusive and a stalker as Natalia stated that he was, she could only benefit with him being dead. Her husband's role in Nick's death was to rid himself of the battery charge he was sure to pick up had Nick gotten the chance to press charges.
It wasn't until Horatio stepped in and the evidence pointed in another direction that she and her husband were finally removed as suspects in Nick's death.
Of course she was relieved she was no longer a suspect but outside of that fact, very little gave Natalia comfort. She would never in her wildest imagination ever wish death on someone. Nick was dead and she grappled with her emotions that resulted from that. She was sad for the loss of his life, yet selfishly relieved. She didn't have to continue to look over her shoulder but she didn't want it that way. Natalia just wanted Nick to leave her along which is why she'd moved to Miami in the first place.
Natalia sighed heavily, hoping the deep exhale would empty her mind except it had the opposite effect. The empty space seemed to be filled with sadness and at that moment, she felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen. She adjusted her position as she tried to relieve some of the tension when she felt a popping sensation followed by a rush of water between her legs...
…
In the span of twelve hours, Natalia had given birth to a healthy baby girl. She exhaled quietly as she cradled the tiny newborn in her arms, lightly brushing her hair with her index finger. A new baby should be an exciting time for a new mother, but Natalia felt she was in the middle of an emotional smoothie. Her feelings were all over the place and despite the fact that she was staring down at her beautiful baby, giving birth had somewhat left a hole in her, effectively severing the bond that she felt was just for her and her baby. Natalia didn't know how to feel about that.
She's here," Mike whispered softly as he stroked the baby's cheek. He looked at Natalia in her eyes. "I can't believe it. You did great, Natalia."
Natalia smiled appreciatively. Her husband's words had given her emotions a little boost. She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I can't believe she's here," her voice cracking as she spoke. "A little light in this darkness."
Mike took in Natalia's words as he understood exactly what Natalia meant. Jake's accusation and suspicion of them had done its damage. Despite being cleared, Mike felt eyes were still on him, especially given his altercation with Nick. He was still on desk duty and would eventually have to work his way back up the ranks. Breaking his own thoughts, he starting talking. "That's why I think her name is so fitting."
"Elliana Alina Paciello." Natalia said, looking down at the small baby. "It's so perfect for her."
"I agree," Mike said.
They both fell in a comfortable silence, sure the other was reflecting over their life through the last few months. Natalia was first to break the silence. "She's so beautiful. I can't believe she's ours."
"She looks like her mom," Mike added. He looked at Natalia. "You're beautiful, Baby. Inside and out." As if he could read her inner thoughts, he continued. "The way you handled these last few months, dealing with Nick and his death, especially while pregnant is something to be admired. Our daughter will have an amazing mother raising her."
And there the tears flowed freely from Natalia's eyes. She looked at him again. "I love you, Mike. Really, I truly do." She grabbed his hand. "Hey, our daughter has an awesome, amazing and involved father that will raise her too. She's one lucky girl."
Mike smiled appreciatively. "She'll likely be very spoiled too," he said, breaking their sentiments with a little humor.
"Oh, spoiled rotten," Natalia said, agreeing. "But I love that for her."
"Me too," Mike said.
A/N 2: I've been holding on to this chapter for a while, hoping to finish up the next chapter before posting it but I realize that I was procrastinating. I have about 80% of the next chapter finished. Just need to finish up the last bit of it, flush it out and edit. Thanks for reading.
