A/N...I published this story earlier today but had to remove because of either a glitch, or someone deliberately trying to spoil. My sincere apologies to anyone who did actually catch this chapter first time around.

SAYING GOODBYE

Chapter 1

Ivan and Suzie had been intending to set a wedding date for the end of January 2015, but had decided it was too close following on from Christmas and New Year and decided to delay it and after applying for and obtaining their Marriage Licence the wedding was now scheduled for Saturday, 28th February 2015, at the Biscayne Court House, in a special private room reserved for marriages. They had of course informed Horatio of the change in their thinking as he had agreed to be Ivan's best man and a witness to the signing of the registrar.

It turned out to be a good decision because Suzie had been unwell over the New Year. She had recovered from her physical injuries and her body was well clean of drugs now, and with Ivan by her side she was stronger than she had ever been, which she knew was because he truly loved her and Madison, and she was experiencing what true love was really like for the first time in her life; she would be forty in November, and she was very happy. But over New Year, she had gone down with a flu virus and had been finding it difficult to raise the energy to prepare for a wedding. They never had what you call a proper winter in Miami, but that didn't mean all viruses gave them a miss. In fact warmer climate viruses were often worse.

In the meantime, Ivan found the delay beneficial as he had something on his mind that he had decided he needed to do before they got married, he was more than in love with Suzie now, he was deeply in love with her and he wanted a clean start with no regrets about anything in past life before they set out on a new journey together. So he had made his mind up that he had to go back to New York for just one final visit, he had no love left in his soul for New York, but the more he had been thinking about it over the Christmas period he knew he wanted to go and say a proper good bye to his late brother, as the last time he said goodbye he had not only been angry at what had happened, and with the lack of support from the police back then, but had also deep down been angry with his brother for getting into something that got him and his family killed. But so much more at peace now, it had been dawning on him he needed to say goodbye as a loving brother, not an angry one, and he wanted to tell him his death had been avenged. He had not done that as he had not been able to make that trip yet...too many raw emotions. However, he was in a good place with Suzie now, they had helped each other try to put the horrors of what had happened behind them, and while he still had time before they were married, and with Suzie agreeing he should go he was going to book a flight and a hotel the following week, but before he did that he wanted to see Horatio, so on Saturday, afternoon 24th January, he phoned him.

Horatio had just returned home following his usual Saturday morning trip to basket ball practice with Tommy at the Recreation Center. Aileen's father Daniel who regularly watched Tommy now, had been with them but had gone straight home afterwards, and as he was sitting at the kitchen table casting his eyes over a magazine he had picked up at the book store he and Tommy always visited as routine after basketball, and while sipping a coffee his cell phone sitting on the table vibrated.

He picked it up to see the caller Id was Ivan, so accepted the call immediately.

"Good afternoon Ivan, are Suzie and Madison okay?"

"All is good Horatio, but if possible, I would like us to meet up as I need to chat with you about a few things personally, rather than over the phone. Any chance you are coming our way this weekend, to see Kyle for instance?"

"Is it about the wedding?"

"Not directly...but, I want to go to New York next week and would like to talk to you before I go."

"Well we were going to take the kids to Jungle Island tomorrow. So maybe you could get to us this afternoon? We're just lazing around been out all morning."

"That would suit me fine; Suzie and Madison have just gone shopping for the afternoon. They went by cab, but I'm going to pick them up when they call me to tell me they are finished. And Horatio if you happen to watch for me arriving I have a new car, got rid of my old run around."

Closing the call Horatio strolled out on to the patio to let Aileen know they were going to have a visitor, and smiled at what he saw. They had recently purchased a padded single chair seat swing for Hannah, which she loved and was chuckling away every time Aileen gently pushed her forwards. Moving across to them he leaned on the metal framework and said, " Ivan is coming over for a chat this afternoon, on his own...this will put you out will it Sweetheart?"

"Of course not Horatio, he is welcome here any time, as are Suzie and Madison."

Thirty minutes later as he was drawing close to Horatio's apartment, Ivan was thinking it was such a nice rural residential area, off the beaten track, and gave you a feeling of peace as you drove along. The roads were quiet and picturesque with trees and shrubs of all types in the verges of the sidewalks. While he had these thoughts though he knew he was extremely happy with his own place, and from which they had clear views of the ocean. He was only a few apartments away from where Kyle lived. It was a very nice area, and he was contented there.

Arriving at his destination a few minutes later, Ivan carefully pulled into Horatio's drive and as he stepped out of his car, Horatio who had seen him arrive from the lounge window, stepped outside and wandered over to him, and looking at the car said, "Very nice, you can't go much wrong with a Volkswagen Golf as a family car. I like it Ivan, good choice, and looks very smart in that limestone grey metallic finish."

"I thought it was time I got a new one now I have Suzie and Madison in my life; they need to be driven around in something better than my old run around." Then Ivan laughed and added, "Mind you they never complained but a new car now and again makes a man feel good don't you think Horatio? And I haven't had one for a very long time; I just made Suzie and Madison the excuse."

"Certainly, it's about time I got a new one, but will hold on a little longer. I'm rather attached to the car I have, it was a wonderful buy, and is a pleasure to drive."

"I'm not surprised Horatio, that Prestige Audi A6 you have is one hell of a nice car."

"Well Tommy likes it don't you son?"

Tommy, who had come running out and joined them a few seconds earlier, nodded his head and said, "I love your car Dad, and you don't need a new one."

Horatio laughed, "And there goes the voice of common sense. I don't really. And why change a car you are happy with the boy is right."

"Luckily it has a big trunk though with all the carrying about of stuff we have to take with us on the odd occasion. But it is three years old now; I bought it a short while before Aileen and Tommy and consequently Hannah came into my life. To be honest we should probably go for a four by four now, but we get by, and I do love the pleasure of driving a sedan. I actually saw the new 2015 model this morning when we were out and drooled just a bit."

Then looking at Tommy who was staring at him, he chuckled and said, "Don't tell your Mom."

Tommy giggled, and Ivan smiled, as he thought Horatio and Tommy had such a good relationship. If you didn't know different you would never guess they were not biologically related.

"Anyway come inside Ivan and you can tell me what you want to talk to me about."

As they walked into the hallway, Aileen timing it well emerged from the kitchen with coffees on a tray, she already knew Ivan liked his black; she welcomed Ivan first and then asked Horatio, "Where do you want these in the lounge or your study?"

"The study please, Sweetheart, but here let me take the tray." Then looking at Ivan he said, "Follow me, it will be easier to talk in the study without distraction, but Horatio didn't shut the door, he was just in the study for preference, he knew Aileen would keep Tommy and Hannah away for now.

Once they were both seated Horatio asked, "So what do you want to discuss Ivan?"

TBC