Separate one-shot! What if Horatio and Aimee's third baby decided to be born on Valentine's Day? (Altered pregnancy timeline). I suggest reading A Different Road, Delicate, Life's Important Things (story still in the works) and A Caine Family Christmas for background.

Happy Valentine's Day, Baby

Aimee knew a few things.

She knew she wanted to have had this baby two weeks ago and that hadn't happened.

She knew as she took a slow deep breath she was definitely having this baby today.

Lastly and most of all, as she looked at the clock that read 1:45am, she knew this was definitely not how she—or any woman wanted to spend Valentine's Day. No matter she loved and wanted her baby.

On the drive to the hospital Horatio couldn't stop smiling. Everyone, themselves included, had joked about their third child being born on the day known for romance.

"I guess this is better than being induced," Aimee huffed.

The doctor had told the couple if Aimee's labor didn't start naturally in two more days, that was going to have to happen.

"Yeah," Horatio said, reaching over and squeezing her hand softly. "Maybe this one will decide to be quick."

"Either way, do you have any idea how much chocolate you owe me for doing this today?"

Horatio chuckled.

"I suspect, my darling," he said, "much more than I bought for you."

At the hospital

"Aw! The Caines are here!" Dr. Bentley said as she entered the labor and delivery suite.

Aimee was enduring another strong contraction. The cheeriness of the other woman made her want to strangle her right now.

"Hey doctor," Horatio replied, rubbing his wife's brow with a cool clothe.

Studying the monitor, the woman smiled.

"I'm going to check you now. Is that okay, Aimee? I have a feeling by this, you two aren't gonna have to wait that long."

Aimee nodded.

Horatio helped his wife lay on her back again.

"Easy, love. You're doing great," He murmured.

The doctor's exam confirmed her words.

"Yep. You're about half way there already, Aimee."

Aimee groaned.

"Only half?"

Horatio suppressed a smile that he knew could get him killed. He squeezed his wife's hand. "That's okay, babe. You can do this, all right? I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

And he wasn't, even after their baby entered the world.

Four Hours Later...

"Oh my god. Fuck! This hurts," Aimee moaned, trying to pant through an intense contraction.

"Okay, Aimee. You're complete. The next contraction I want you to push. This is not gonna take long. I can see the head already," the doctor said.

"I can't. This hurts!"

"Sweetheart, look at me," Horatio interjected, taking her face into hands. "You can! You have to push. C'mon," he said, bringing his wife's body up to a sitting position.

Aimee bore down and pushed with all her might, again screaming out in pain feeling more intense burning as the baby's head emerged.

"Good job, Aimee! The head's out. Just give me a second to suction the airway and check for a cord."

The tears of joy Horatio had been holding back now brimmed his blue eyes.

"One more push, Aimee, and this baby's all yours," Aimee heard the woman say.

Horatio softly kissed her temple and whispered for her to push.

Aimee did as she was told and seconds later a wailing, squirming, wet baby was placed on her abdomen. Every sob of happiness Horatio had held in now joined in the sounds of his wife and baby.

Turning the newborn over, the nurse announced "it's a boy!"

Still sobbing, Horatio cut his new son's umbilical cord. The newborn's eyes were just as blue as his proud father's, he had a full head of auburn hair. Neither could believe what a whirlwind the past hours had been. After getting to the hospital Aimee's labor had been so quick compared to Faith's birth, the couple completely forgot the date until the nurse mentioned what an incredible Valentine's Day present their son must be for both.

The two couldn't agree more.

Hunter Levi Caine weighed eight pounds, four ounces. He had the same almond-shaped piercing blue eyes as his dad and siblings

"He looks like Kyle," Aimee said to her husband.

The three were left alone together as the sun started to rise at six a.m.. Horatio sat next to his wife on the bed, their newborn son sleeping in her arms. The family would go home later that afternoon. They both knew Aimee would need to take it easy for a few days to recover from the intense and quick delivery; but she would get more rest at home. Horatio wasn't going to let her do a thing except cuddle their baby and introduce him to his siblings, grandparents and uncle. He almost forgot to call the lab to say he would be in today and for the next three weeks and why. Having joked about it so much in the last few weeks, everyone found it hilarious that the baby was born today of all days. Both Alexx and Calleigh thought Aimee being in labor for just a few hours was probably Baby Hunter making up for the extra two weeks he was in the womb. He was born in less than ten minutes, there was barely enough time to get the room set up.

"Did H tell ya'll a name?" Calleigh asked.

Another text followed Horatio's first message, this one with the baby's picture and his name.

Hunter Levi Caine

8lbs 4 ounces.

True to form when the three arrived home, she didn't have to lift a finger or even change diapers for now. She and Horatio contained their shock at Faith's reception to the new baby; This was much better than they had expected. They had prepared themselves for an epic "I don't want him! Take him back!" meltdown. She gave Hunter kisses but didn't want to hold him yet. Her parents didn't force it Faith returned to playing with her toys and eating the chocolates that her parents, grandparents and uncle gave her after she greeted mommy with huge hugs and kisses.

Meeting his new brother was more important so Kyle stayed home from school today. He, on the other hand, couldn't get enough of holding his little brother. Between him and the rest of the family this gave the new mother a chance to eat lunch. A dozen roses accompanied by a box of chocolates, to go with the ones Horatio had already bought for her arrived when she was eating. An envelope with her name on it—in her husband's handwriting was next to it. Aimee decided to eat before opening it. She knew whetever her husband had written in the card would make her cry.

And she was right. She felt guilty about not being able to buy him anything for Valentine's what he had written on the inside of the card washed that away. Inside the blank card with a heart-shaped box on the front Horatio had written:

Sweetheart,

You have given me more happiness since the day we met than I could ever describe. You've given Kyle the mom he prayed for every night and me, the companion, friend and lover I didn't believe existed. You gave both he and I the THREE most beautiful additions to our family—Faith, Hunter and YOU. I was astounded to hear you say you were sorry you didn't get anything for today.

You gave our family the gift of another precious child. There's no greater gift than that.

I Love You.

H

xoxxx

Horatio had obviously filled out the card at the hospital. Maybe when she was in the bathroom getting dressed. She had made the gift statement before they got ready to leave the hospital with Hunter. Horatio may have been a man of few words but when he did, the words spoke volumes.

END OF PART ONE

to be continued...