So it went, but the road to reunion was not easy.

Despite his own hostility to the idea of therapy, Horatio had supported Julia in her decision to seek the help of a respected psychologist. The man, a Dr. Bates, seemed committed to helping Julia through the trust issues she'd developed over the years; her lying and manipulating impulses were falling behind her, into a past that played a lesser role in her life.

As for the woman herself?

Julia stared out over the water, watching the white sails course over Miami waters. The sun was setting on another hot, glorious day of color. She glanced down to see Kyle strolling the beach with his new girlfriend, another girl from his school. She smiled slightly, happy that her son had found someone to be close with for a time.

A warm hand came over her shoulder. Julia smiled and turned to face Horatio. "Keeping an eye on him, making sure he stays out of trouble?"

She nodded. "He's our son, he's nothing but trouble."

"I wouldn't say that, he's getting better at staying on the straight and narrow." Horatio reasoned, handing her a drink.

Without rushing into anything too deep, Horatio and Julia had agreed to take things slow. He came around a few times a week, and they had all agreed to family dinner on the weekends, without fail. This had been the first time Kyle had brought his new girl over to his mother's house.

Julia cocked her head in the direction of the two teenagers. "I like her. Do you?"

The man shrugged. "I like that he likes her. Are you going to see Dr. Bates tomorrow?"

Julia took a deep breath. Horatio was curious about her therapy sessions, but the man hadn't pried for information. Unbeknownst to him, she and the doctor had reached a sort of agreement; it was time for Julia to stand on her own. "I'm not going to be seeing him anymore, Horatio. It's time to try the honest life on my own."

He raised his brows but didn't seem upset by the announcement. "You're sure?"

"Yes. I'm not saying it'll be easy...but Ron's gone now- there's no more reason to be afraid, no more reason to hold back. I can live now, and you can live with me."

Her implied invitation lingered on the air. Horatio gave her his best half-smile. He took her hand, squeezing it affectionately. "Yes, Julia, we can move on from the past. You, me and Kyle."

It was what they had all worked so hard for, what they were entitled to. Together they would rebuild from their past and take the first steps toward becoming a family again.