So this is it. 106 pages have reached their end. I hope that you all had as much fun as me and Melanie did with writing and plotting it. You have no idea how much it means to me (to us) that you liked this story so much, with all its up and downs and that even though you could have slapped some characters, you still sticked around.
I want to say thank you to all of you have read it and especially to the ones who took their time to write a review no matter how short or long it was. It's always nice and important to know if one (the writer) is doing a fine job or not.
As I already told you, there is no Sequel planned yet, but you never know. What I do hope though is, that you like this epilogue as the end for this story. If you want to re-read the story without the comments, you can find it on ff.net. (Though it's not finished there yet. You ladies have the privilege to be the first ones being able to read the epilogue.)
Well what more can I say? I had a very good time reading your comments and sometimes they made me more than just smile, I promise you.
Thanks again (also from Melanie) for your wonderful and kind words.
Please enjoy the last chapter of the story.
Jess
P.S. For all the ladies who've been wondering about the pockets...the keys were in his pants.
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EpilogueOver the moon and after many hours of pains, screams and tears, Horatio stared at his wife, who was lying in bed sleeping the sleep of the just. The past hours had left their marks on her and Horatio could understand that only too well. He wasn’t feeling any different, though he hadn’t gone through the things Calleigh had to. All the more he was relieved now, that she was doing fine and there hadn’t been any complications. Carefully he took her hand and stroked the back with his thumb, anxious of neither waking her nor the little one in his arms. “I love you..,” he whispered and stood up, because he knew that someone was waiting for him eagerly outside. With one last glance he made sure that Cal was still asleep he opened the door and stepped out onto the birth house’s hallway. Immediately he heard the voice of his 19 year old son, who seemed to be talking to someone on the phone. “Hey Eli..,“ he called quietly and waited with a big smile for his son running towards him.
He had barely heard his father’s voice when he ended the conversation with his girlfriend, even though it wasn’t polite. “Uhm, Amber I need hang up…Dad and…it..,” he grinned since he didn’t know if he would get a little brother or sister, “are here. I’ll call you later. Bye.” Quickly he stuffed his cell into his pockets and walked instantly to his dad. “I already thought there had been complications,” he sighed relieved when he faced them. “Is Cal alright?” Curiously he looked at his father’s arms, where the little being was wrapped up in a blanket and didn’t make a sound. “Are you sure there’s something inside?” he joked and could wait to hold the new addition to the family in his arms.
“Positive, Son,” grinned lightly. “Cal is asleep, I guess it was more exhausting than we’ve thought…and the same goes for this little sunshine here,” he smiled proudly like only a father could. “Do you want to hold her?”
“Her? Wow, I have a little sister!” he rejoiced and found this striking. The age gap was huge after all. “I hope I’m doing it right,” he furrowed his brows when his dad handed him the small bundle.
“Certainly, you just have to watch out for her head,” H nodded and helped him to find the best position. “May I introduce you? Elijah Caine…meet Elaine Caine,” he smiled and stroked his little princess’ cheek.
It wasn’t just a coincidence that her name started with an E, but this time it was Calleigh’s fault so to say. She had wanted a French name because of her own roots and since Elaine was the French version of Helen, she had liked it a lot. Plus she and her brothers had always loved the King Arthur myths and Elaine had been one of the characters, who fell in love with Lancelot.
Amazed Eli looked at his sister and to have an even better look, he adjusted the blanket. “Hi Elaine…aren’t you pretty? I’m your big brother, in the true sense of word,” he grinned since he was now taller than his dad. Carefully he cradled the infant in his arms. “Congratulations, Dad.”
“Thank you, Junior.” No matter how old Eli would be, he would be forever his Junior. “But I can also congratulate you too, you have a great responsibility now,” he smiled and squeezed his shoulder. “Can you hold her while I’ll call Alexx? I guess that’s the best way, she will round up the others..”
“As long as she doesn’t start crying,” Eli nodded and sat down on one of the chairs, “I’m in for anything.”
“I assume that she won’t cry as long as she doesn’t get hungry,” Horatio shook his head and behold his two children. “She hopefully won’t cry as much as you did,” he joked and was extremely satisfied with himself and the world. Now he just had to tell the team and everything would be perfect.
The longer he sat there, the braver he became to touch this little wonder in his arms. At first he was frightened of hurting her in any way so he just held her. Carefully he took her tiny fingers between his thumb and forefinger. “Wow,“ he whispered, “that’s amazing.” He was holding a little person. Today his family had grown and it felt wonderful.
Full of pride Horatio watched his son while he informed Alexx about the most important news. The last three years hadn’t been always easy and today he wasn’t sure how they actually made it, but they did and that was the most important fact. Eli’s little patchwork family had grown today by one new member and it looked like the boy was happy about it, which was very important to Horatio. His children would always be the most important things in his life and seeing them happy, or at least one of the moment made himself incredible happy.
“Will the others come here too?” Eli asked, while he continued holding the tiny hand, when his father sat down next to him. He guessed that they both grinned like a Cheshire Cat.
“Yes, but they want to give us some time alone, that’s at least what Alexx told me,” Horatio replied. “It seems like they all gathered at Alexx’ and just waited for the call.” Yeah that sounded like his team. “Should we go inside and see if Calleigh is awake? I think it’s better that Elaine and I are there when she wakes up, or at least one of us anyway…”
“Eric and Tim will definitely drink to this cute little thing here,” Eli smiled. He had a pretty good friendship with these two and now and then they also spend the weekend together. When he shifted Elaine a bit, he saw a reaction from her for the first time – an unhappy face. “Uh oh..I think the siren will start in a moment,” he feared the worst. “I guess it’s better if you take her.” It gave him creeps.
“She hasn’t eaten so we should really bring her to Calleigh,” H nodded and took his daughter. “Do you want to come in for a minute? Saying hi to Calleigh?” He was glad that they got along so well.
“Yes, for a minute and then I have to call Amber,” he nodded and stood up so he could open them the door. Carefully he looked into the room and then back to his father. “Seems to be still asleep,” he whispered but entered the room anyway. The way Elaine looked it wouldn’t take long until the whole house knew that she was hungry.
“Bu not much longer I’m afraid..,” Horatio smirked and nodded to the small sports bag. “Hey, would you take a picture of us?” he asked his son and sat down next to his wife who was starting to wake up by that.
“Mhm Handsome…did I fall asleep?” she murmured quietly.
“A little, yes and so did Elaine,” he told her and heard the typical click. “Oh yes, Eli is here too.”
“That he is,” thy boy joined in. “Congratulations, mommy. Just a moment please.” Quickly he took some more shots before he put the camera onto a shelf. He pressed a few buttons to activate the selftimer and quickly ran to the others and stood right to his dad. “Say cheese,” he laughed.
“You’re crazy, Junior,” Horatio groaned but nevertheless gave his best smile. And exactly with the click, Elaine’s cry sounded.
Calleigh sat up slowly and eyed her stepson. “You made your sister cry Eli…you’re not allowed to come back again,” she laughed and took her crying precious into her arms.
“Oh that’s okay, I’m going out with Amber anyway,” he replied cheekily. “But now…officially..,“ he started and leaned down to Calleigh to give her a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations. I’m happy for all three of you.“ He ignored the crying for a moment. “She’s wonderful when she doesn’t make a fuss. And since dad told me that she hasn’t eaten yet, I don’t want to disturb any longer. We’ll see us alter, right? By mommy.”
“Thanks Sweetie,” Cal smiled and stroked his cheek. “Say Hi to Amber..”
Horatio stood up and accompanied his son out of the room, so his wife would have some private time when a midwife appeared to show her the best way of breast feeding Elaine. “Thank you for being here Eli..”
“You’re welcome, Dad. I wouldn’t have missed that for anything. I’m just happy that they’re both alright, that’s the most important thing. Though I hoped for a younger brother, so we could outvote Calleigh, but so..,” he grinned broadly, “I need to turn on my charm on Elaine, so she’s on my side.” He hugged his dad and patted his shoulder. “Oh hey, what about the cigars?”
“We can smoke them when you’re 21, Junior,” Horatio grinned mischievously. “And now get lost to your girlfriend, rascal…” This boy would never change and Horatio was glad about it. For a moment he watched him leave, waved and then entered the room of his two favorite ladies. A new chapter of life had begun and he was looking forward to fill the pages.
The End
