You know what they say:

He sighed and held her closer, held her tighter, pushing those thoughts aside and choosing to just focus on how amazing all of this felt in this moment. Just holding her in his arms after falling apart together. How amazing it felt just being with her. Not just during these moments, but in general.

Then she laughed and Horatio arched a brow, but didn't make a move to pull his face away from her neck. "What?" He asked with soft laughter of his own, wondering what had her laughing, a sound he’s grown to love so much. He let out another hum of contentment and nuzzled further into her neck when her fingers returned to his hair. God, that always felt so good. It never failed to relax him and there were even a couple of times where she lulled him to sleep doing that. If they weren't careful, he might fall asleep right here, right now, just like this. He could even feel himself starting to doze off and he started kissing at her neck again to keep himself away and eventually, he pulled his head away, instantly missing the warmth of her skin and her scent filling his nose.

"Horatio!" Maria giggled when he leaned in to kiss her and then licked her face. "Gross." She chided him but she was still smiling, still laughing so he knew she wasn't entirely mad at him. She did like him using his tongue but not always, and not when it wasn't in her mouth or other places. He was leaning in then to kiss her properly and Maria couldn't help but melt into him, kiss him back, bringing her hand up to his face and just letting it happen for a minute or two.

When he pulled back, she watched him eat; she had no idea how he and Harvey did it at such speed. Horatio could have eaten his whole meal before she was even halfway through hers. Still she continued.Her attention being taken by the screen as she ate. She'd finished her hotdog but there were still a lot of fries left. When Horatio opened his arms though she moved the fry container to the side so she could scooch closer and then popped it back on her knee so they could share.

"Hmmm I think it depends how many chilli cheese fries you'd eaten." Maria teased him as she bit into another fry, laughing a little at the idea of Horatio having to do some Indiana Jones-style assault course just to be a police officer. "I did read there's an obstacle course, a few. I think there's a driving one too, or maybe I'm getting that from Police Academy."

Thankfully focusing on his food helped to slow the blood flowing south. If they kept up for even a few minutes longer, then he would've had a big problem, but at least they had the blanket to cover themselves with.

He didn't even notice that she'd been watching him eat, scarfing down the hot dog and then munching on his fries and even the popcorn with M&Ms now and then, but her comment about the chili cheese fries had him laughing. "Okay, that's fair, but even then, I bet I could do it." Then he paused to really think about it. Not only would it probably be uncomfortable, but he imagined it could cause said stomach to become upset. Just the thought of doing an obstacle course or some exercises right now with how full he was starting to feel made him feel a little unwell. On one hand, eating did provide more energy, but of course it depended on what was consumed. A hot dog and chili cheese fries? Definitely not. "There is. It, um, it focuses on emergency response and pursuit diving." He'd also read up on all of these things. He wanted to be as prepared, and as knowledgeable, as possible and honestly, it meant a lot to Horatio hearing how Maria has looked into it, as well. God, he really did have the most incredible and most supportive girlfriend, didn't he?

She couldn't see the stitches coming out and the painkillers were starting to do their job. Starting to make things fuzzy around the edges, starting to ease the pain. She hadn't actually thought about the fact Horatio would be putting his arm over her, but she wanted him too, even if she was a little uncomfortable. Horatio would never hurt her and right now she just wanted to be in his arms, so she moved back and waited for him to wrap his arm around her.

"I think I'll be okay, as long as I don't move." Maria joked, moving his hand as she said it onto her stomach because she knew he'd like to have it there.

As she lay there she was trying not to think about Maddie at home. She knew she was with her grandpa, she knew her dad would look after her but she just felt guilty. Guilty that Maddie had even had to be part of all this, that she'd had to go through this. It wasn't even that long since she'd been kidnapped. Her mind, despite the drugs, was running. They were going to have to get her some sort of therapy. God, she was an awful mother, wasn't she? She'd let her daughter be kidnapped and then left her in a house, in a closet. Protecting her, yes, but still she'd left her. The thought lodged in her throat.

She tried to think about something else, tried to change the subject of her own thoughts.

"How do you feel about being a daddy again?" Maria asked him, because she wanted to hear his voice, hear him talking about it. The question was quickly followed by a yawn.

He wrapped his arms around her and smiled when she moved his hand to her stomach which he'd been about to do anyway, but it warmed his heart that she moved it there. His hand was warm and large against her belly and his fingers splayed out, his thumb stroking her skin in hopes to soothe and comfort her and their baby, as well. He knew their baby wasn't exactly big enough to hear or feel him, but it didn't stop him from trying. It didn't stop him from, somehow, wanting to reach their baby so he or she knew how loved they were and how he was right here. He wasn't going anywhere.

His smile faded just a little when he felt her get tense and he pressed his lips against her ear, and very gently, and carefully, squeezed her in his arms to silently remind her that everything was okay. That she was okay.

Then she asked if he was excited to be a daddy again and Horatio smiled, his smile reaching his eyes which was answer enough, though she couldn't see it. She couldn't see how his eyes lit up at her question, but she'd be able to hear it in his voice. "Well..." He hummed against her ear, lovingly caressing her belly with his hand. "I, um, I don't quite think there are enough words in the English language to express just how happy I am." He answered with a chuckle. There were so many words he could use, and yet it didn't feel like enough. It didn't feel like enough to express his excitement, to express the sheer joy he felt. The elation and relief and unbridled joy. He was going to be a father... again. He was already a father to the most amazing little girl in the world and now... now he was going to be a father to a baby of their own. He'd be there for the pregnancy, for the birth... it'd have his genes and Maria's genes and... god, he could feel himself becoming emotional just thinking about it and it showed in the way he cleared his throat, like he was trying to steady his voice when he spoke again.

"When you and Maddie came into my life, sweetheart, I... I loved her from the moment I met her. I love her, and I love you, more than anything in this world. Nothing could ever change that, nothing will ever change that. She's my daughter in every way that matters. Our little girl." He smiled, his heart aching a bit because she wasn't here. He already missed her and he hated that he wouldn't be able to put her to bed tonight. He swallowed the knot in his throat. "But this.." He applied gentle pressure to her stomach. "For some time I started to believe that I wouldn't... that'd I'd never--" he paused, the emotions starting to really hit him, but nothing bad.

"I will." Maria said, reaching behind her to touch his hand with one of hers. She'd closed her eyes just for a minute, she was so tired, so relaxed.

"I know I just never thought it would be strawberries." Maria lamented and then Horatio said about Fruit loops. Maria's eyes popped open, actually turning to look at him.

"Why would you even say that, I feel like you've just spoken that into existence." Maria was looking at him a little like he was insane. "If that happens, you will be entirely to blame, you do know that don't you." She looked at him for a minute more like he was treading a very thin line before she turned away from him again and let him keep combing her hair out for her. She closed her eyes again, breathing slowly, deeply.

"Hmmm. It's nice." She said quietly. "Thank you."

Maria yawned then.

But surely the universe wouldn't be that cruel, would it? Speaking things into existence was one of many superstitions, after all, and Horatio was a man of fact. Of evidence.

He felt quite certain that fruit loops would have no part in this pregnancy.

Once he made sure her hair was tangle free, continued to run the brush through her hair just because he knew she enjoyed it, because he relaxed her, and then he set it aside and started using his fingers instead. He massaged the top of her head all the way down to the base of her neck, hoping to soothe any soreness or tension from the day, but he could feel her relaxing. He could feel her shoulders falling and her body going a little slack which is exactly what he was trying for. And with the medication on board, he felt hopeful that she might get some restful sleep tonight. And he'd be here watching over her.