CSI:Miami

Season 11

Episode 20

Once Calleigh was settled on the sofa, Horatio went to the kitchen and poured them each a large glass of lemonade. "I'm so glad your mother finally gave you the right recipe for this, Sweetheart. Leaving out that one ingredient really made a difference."

"Yeah, Mama's good about leaving out one little thing so hers is the best. Who knew that adding one lime and one orange to the pitcher could make so much difference?"

"It's wonderful. So, what would you like to eat? Salad? A sandwich?"

"I think I'd like a little of both, if it's not too much trouble. After all the sweets I ate this morning, I really need to feed these babies something a little healthier. So how did your notification go this morning?"

"The boys' mother was devastated. She worked so hard to keep them from becoming like their father. She said she thought that once he was locked away they were safe."

"So now the Noche is back? I really thought you'd driven them out of Miami."

"I don't know how back they are, Calleigh. Memmo gave me lots of good information, so we should be able to draw them out. Someone had to be just sitting back waiting. No one knows where the guns came from, especially Memmo's rifle."

"Are you sure his brother was telling you the truth?"

"It sure seemed like it. He didn't look like anyone from the gang. Well dressed, no gang tats." He moved into the kitchen to start lunch.

"None that you could see. He may have them in places you can't see when he's in business attire."

He looked up from chopping vegetables. "I never thought of that. I suppose I should have let you in the interrogation room after all. I think I'll pay him a visit after lunch."

"Just be careful, Handsome. If he is Noche, he's bound to have bodyguards working with him."

"Try not to worry. I'll take Eric, Ryan and Frank with me." He sat the salads on the table and went back for the sandwiches. "Relax and eat. Everything will be fine."

"I don't know how fine it will be if the Noche are coming back." She sighed deeply. "At least Memmo is cooperating. Hopefully all the information he gave you was good."

"He seemed pretty upset about his boys' deaths. Maybe I need to go back and ask him about his brother."

"If he was as forthcoming as you say he was, he would have told you about his brother. If his brother's involved, he's protecting him, Horatio. I'd go right to Ricardo Fiero and see what he's up to. It would be nice if you could get a warrant to check out his bare chest, see if there are any Noche tats there." She pushed away from the table. "I don't think I can eat another bite."

"That's because you filled up on rich rolls this morning. How does a nap sound?"

"It sounds wonderful. You can really take the rest of the day off?"

"The team knows where to find me."

"Can you get the guys to go question Ricardo without you? I know you, and you'll drive yourself crazy until you know for sure."

"Tell you what, let me make a call to Eric, have him take Frank and Ryan, and have a uniform stationed at the entrance to his building." He made a quick call to the lab, and then snapped his phone shut. "No worries, Sweetheart, it's handled. Now how about that nap?"

"Set the alarm so I don't oversleep. I want to be awake when the kids get home."

"Good idea." He set the alarm, and then set the clock back on the nightstand. He helped Calleigh into bed, and then shed his clothes and joined her, rubbing her back until she fell into a deep and much needed sleep.

It felt like she'd just gone to sleep when she felt Horatio rubbing her arm and telling her it was time to wake up.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Sweetheart, I just thought you'd want to be awake when the kids get home from school."

"What? What time is it?"

"A quarter to five. What sounds good for dinner?"

"Why don't we let the kids decide. Maybe they'll want to go out to dinner in our new car."

"Do you feel up to that?"

"I feel more up to going out than cooking dinner."

Horatio's phone rang and he looked at the caller ID. "Yes, Eric?" He listened intently while Eric gave him the rundown on the second interview with Ricardo Fiero. "Thanks, Brother, I'll let Calleigh know she was right."

"Right about what?"

"Ricardo Fiero. Frank goaded him into removing his shirt, and his chest had more tattoos than clean skin. All Noche tats. They brought him in, along with his two bodyguards that tried to protect him."

"Do you think he may be the one calling the shot now?"

"Natalia is running his prints and DNA. If he's the one that sent his nephews to that drug house, we can charge him with the murders."

"Have you heard about the boys in the hospital?"

"Still in the ICU. Their grandparents had no clue about what they were up to. They said they had a lot of company, but they thought they just had a lot of friends."

"How sad." She looked up as a horn sounded in the driveway. "Sounds like our angels are home."

Horatio unlocked the front door and was met with smiles and hugs. "Daddy, you're home early!"

"Who's here, Dad?"

"No one, Son, that's our new car. Well, Mom's new car. She thought we might all go out to dinner in it tonight, so get changed and think about where you'd like to go."

"We get to choose?"

"You do. Just no fighting."

"Yes, Sir. Come on, Patty, let's go." They hurried down the hall to their rooms and slammed their doors in their excitement.

"What do you think they'll choose?"

"I don't care, just as long as I'm not cooking."

A few minutes later Austin appeared in the living room. "Will Mexican food upset the babies?"

"No, Sugar, I think that's just what they are hungry for!"

"Cool! Let me go get Patty, she's dressed, but she's playing with her dolls."

"Won't that give you heartburn?"

"Probably, but I have some baby friendly antacids for before and after I eat. Let me go take one now, and I should be fine."

"We're ready, Dad. Come on, Patty, last one to the Hummer is a rotten egg!" The kids raced out the door and found the Hummer locked. They looked up as the new SUV chirped. "Is that our new car?"

"It is, and there's something special for the both of you in the back seat." He opened the back door and pulled Patty's booster down. "Built in booster seats, and...he started the car and turned on the entertainment system. "Your own DVD players for long trips."

"Like to Grandma's?"

"Exactly."

"Are the seats in back for the twins?"

"No, you two will sit back there when the twins are born. There are DVD players there, as well. We'll need to put the twins in where we can get them in and out easier."

"Cool! I can't wait until they're born!"

"That makes two of us, Austin." She rubbed the swell of her belly. "So, who's hungry?"

"ME!" The kids cried out in unison, then laughed.

After securing the children in the back seat, Horatio helped Calleigh into the passenger seat. "You aren't going to let me drive my new car?"

"Not with the day you had, let's save that for the weekend, shall we?"

"Good idea. I'll just let my handsome driver do all the work." She laid her head on the back rest and closed her eyes. "I just love the new car smell, and this leather is wonderful."

"I thought of the kids, and things they spill. I figured the leather would pay for itself when we factored in cleaning of cloth seats." He backed the car out of the driveway and headed to their favorite Mexican food restaurant on the beach.

"We're not going to the taco stand are we, Dad?"

"No, Son, we're eating inside tonight. I thought it might be more relaxing for your mom."

"Mom, you need to take it easy. There's a teacher at our school who's gonna have a baby, and she sits while she teaches. You need to rest more at work."

"There are a lot of things I can't do sitting down, I rest when I can."

"Then you need to make your boss give you rest time."

"Honey, you do know Daddy is my boss, right?"

"Uh-huh. I was making a joke."

"I brought her home early today, Patty. She took a long nap."

"Good girl, Mommie."

Calleigh just shook her head. When had she become the child?

"Wow the place is packed tonight. Do you two want to try somewhere else?"

"Can we just see how long the wait is?"

He saw the pleading looks on his children's faces. "All right, I'll be right back."

"I hope it's not long, we really want to eat here."

"I don't know, kids, Daddy's comin' back already."

"Ready to eat?"

"Are you kidding? The line is out the door."

"I helped the manager out when he was younger, he recognized me and said our table was ready."

"Ok, kids, let's go eat. Do I know this guy?"

"You might remember him. He had just started running with a tougher crowd and his mother brought him in for a drug test and for us to scare him a bit."

"I think I do remember him. And he's the manager here?"

"Looks like he turned his life around." As they got to the door, it opened, revealing the smiling face of the manager.

"Ms. Duquesne! I always had a feeling there was something between the two of you. Wait, I guess you're Mrs. Caine now."

"Yes, I am. Let's see, Bobby, right, or is it Bob now?"

"It's still Bobby to my friends and family. Let me show you to your table."

"You really didn't have to take us ahead of all those people."

"After what you did for me? I should comp your meals for life. No telling where I'd be if the two of you hadn't cared enough to help me. I couldn't see it at the time, but looking back, you probably saved my life. Thank you." He shook Horatio's hand and placed the menus on the table. "Enjoy your meals."

"Was he a bad guy, Daddy?"

"No, not really. He made some bad decisions when he was a teenager and started running with some bad friends. Your mom and I helped him to see how his choices were hurting his mother."

"Where was his daddy?"

Calleigh and Horatio exchanged glances. "He's in jail, Sweetie."

"Did he hurt people?"

"Yes he did, why don't we change the subject to something more pleasant, shall we?"

"Ok, Mom. Can I use the bathroom?"

"I'll go with you, Son."

"Dad, I'll be fine."

Austin got up and took the long way to the restroom, and then Horatio lost track of him. He started to get up, and saw Bobby coming back with his arm slung over Austin's shoulder. "Great young man you both have here. He told me about his biological father, and told me that if I ever needed to talk, to just call."

Calleigh was beaming with pride. "Yes, he's a special young man. We're lucky to have both of them. Austin's right. If you ever feel the need to talk, please call one of us."

"I'll do that, thank you both so much."

As he walked away, Calleigh turned to the kids. "You two know what you want to order?"

"Do I have to order a kids meal?"

"No, Austin, not if you think you can eat most of an adult meal."

"I'm usually hungry after a kids meal."

"Well, we can't have that, now, can we. What about you, Patty?"

"Can I get a small adult meal, too?"

"Absolutely. Are you ready? Our server is coming."

"Ready!"

The children were true to their word, eating every bite of their adult meal, including flan for dessert. By the time they got home they had just enough time to complete their homework and get ready for bed.

"Do we have time for a movie?"

"What does the clock say?"

"It says it's our bedtime. It was worth a try."

"How about a story instead?"

Austin knew he was getting too old for story time, but he knew how much his sister and mother loved it. "A story sounds great, Mom. I'll let Patty pick." He rushed to his sister's room and knocked softly. "Mom's going to read a story to us, I thought I'd let you pick the book."

"Thanks, Austin." She went to her bookshelf and pulled out one of her favorite books. Austin just smiled and shook his head. She probably had that book memorized.

"Do you want to read in Patty's room, in case she falls asleep?"

"Yeah, she always falls asleep." He laughed, looking at his sister.

"Mama's voice makes me sleepy."

"Just messin' with you, Sis. It relaxes me, too." He took her by the hand and led her to her room, and then turned the covers down for her. "Ok, hop in."

Calleigh and Horatio watched from the hall as Austin helped his little sister into bed and pulled up her covers. "He's going to be such a big help when the babies get here."

"He sure is. We hit the jackpot with these two angels. Ok, ready for your story?"

As Calleigh headed into the bedroom, Horatio whispered in her ear, "I'll run your bath."

She smiled and nodded, and then blew him a kiss.

"You love Daddy a lot, don't you Mommie?"

"Yes, Patty, I love him very much, and we both love the two of you very much."

"Will things change when the twins get here?"

"Well, it will certainly get more hectic, but it won't change how much we love you."

"Patty's afraid that you'll love the twins more since their your real kids."

"What? I want you both to listen to me carefully. Your daddy and I picked you. We could have adopted any children, but we chose you. That's special. You are our real kids, too. Your birth certificates say that you are our children, just like if I carried you in my tummy. We'll need extra help from you with your new brother and sister, since I've never had a baby."

"We get to help?"

"Of course you do. Austin, you've always been a big brother, but now Patty gets to be a big sister."

"Are we getting any more babies?"

"I'm not sure. If we do, it'll probably be after the twins are in school. Now, are we going to talk or read?"

"I think you can read now, Mom. Patty was just worried, that's all."

"Baby girl, you can come to me or your daddy any time anything bothers you, all right?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Come here, my silly girl." She pulled her daughter into a hug just as Horatio entered the room.

"Story time over already?"

"Never started. Patty was worried that we'd love the twins more."

"I hope your mama set you straight, Sweetheart. We love the two of you so much."

"I know, Daddy. It was just some kids at school. I'll ignore them from now on."

"That's my girl." He looked at his watch. "You do know it's past their bedtime, now."

"No, we lost track of time talking. Sorry, my loves, no story tonight."

"Ok, Mom. Goodnight." Austin hugged and kissed his mother and headed for his room. "Good night, Dad." He stopped at his bedroom door. "Love you."

"We love you two, Son." He turned back to see his wife tucking their youngest into bed, and then kissing her head. "Good night, my little angel. We'll see you in the morning."

"Will you make us blueberry pancakes?"

"We're out of blueberries, how about chocolate?"

"Awesome! Thanks, Dad!" He ran into his room and jumped into bed.

Calleigh closed Patty's door, and headed for her son's. "Chocolate pancakes on a school day? Do you know how hyper they'll be?"

"No more hyper than when I make them on the weekends, they'll be fine."

"I'm sure they will. They're awesome kids."

"That they are. Now, your bath is getting cold, let me go check it and add some hot water to it."

"Thanks, Handsome." Calleigh plodded up the stairs, wondering how her life could get any better.

Once she was settled in the tub, Horatio went downstairs to make her a cup of herbal tea. When he returned, he found her sleeping. "Well, I guess she doesn't need this."

"Hmm?"

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you just yet. I made you some herbal tea so you could relax, and came back and you were already sleeping."

"The tea actually sounds wonderful. Let me get out of this bath and into my robe and I'll sip on it in bed."

He helped her out of the tub and dried her gently, following the towel with gentle kisses.

"I may make you my official body dryer."

"I'll take you up on that." He sat the cup on her nightstand and pulled back the covers. "All right, into bed."

She sighed softly. "You don't have to tell me twice. I can't believe I'm so drained after only half a day's work."

"I may have to pull you from the field sooner that we expected, Calleigh."

"If I have many more days like today, I'll let you."

"I think going out for dinner pushed you over the edge. From now on, I'll grab something on my way home."

"You say that like I'm not going to be at work with you."

"Eventually, you're not. Then there's days like today that you'll only be able to work a half day. Let's play it by ear for now, how's that?"

"Sounds good to me." She drained the last of her tea and set the cup on her nightstand. "Right now, sleep sounds good. Are you coming to bed with me?"

"I was going to stay up and work a little, but since I have to be up cooking pancakes for all five of my babies, I'd better get to bed, too."

"Five babies?"

"Austin, Patty, Horatio Jr., Mari, and you."

"Oh, you're a funny man, aren't you?"

He climbed into bed next to her and turned out the light, and she snuggled into his arms. "I love you, Horatio."

"I love you, too. Sweet dreams." She didn't answer. He chuckled softly. She was probably already dreaming of chocolate pancakes with whipped cream.