New year, new family
"AUNTY RIA AUNTY RIA!"
The second Maria was out of the car, before Maddie was even out twins about Maddie's age came running up to Maria absolutely bursting with questions. Had Santa left presents at her house for them like he had for Maddie at theirs and gramps? Did she know Santa personally because that's what their dad had told them? Had she brought biscuits with her for them?
Maria loved it.
They'd decided that whilst Christmas had been a small affair at Horatio's home with just her, him and Maddie, New years would be at her dad's.
"GRAMPAAAAA" The second Maddie's feet touched the ground she was running to Nick and being scooped up into his arms, the dragon Horatio had gotten her grasped tightly in her hand still. "Grampa, look, look what H got me!" She giggled waving it in his face.
The Bloomsco estate was huge, a large plot of land with a house in the middle, Harvey's farm was directly next to it, also a large plot of land, but partially taken up with the house, the barn, the equipment for processing. Maria's dad's house, and her childhood home was a big old farmhouse style home with 5 bedrooms.
In front of the porch was Maria's Dad, Nick a man pushing mid-sixties, Harvey her brother, Alicia his wife and their kids Erin (14), Thomas (12), twins Arlo and Jimmy (6) and 6 month old baby Maeve.
"Aunty Ria who's THIS?" Jimmy asked as he spotted Horatio.
"Jimmy! Arlo! Give em some room!" Harvey shouted the boys back and they eyed Horatio for a minute before giggling and running back to their Dad.
"Hello darling!" Nick said coming over with Maddie still in his arms and giving her a hug. "And this must be Horatio Caine, the man I've heard so much about. I don't know if you're a hugger or a shaker so-" Nick laughed and held out a hand.
"He LOVES a cuddle gramps he's ALWAYS cuddling momma!" Maddie giggled.
"Hey Cher" Harvey and his brood had wandered over led by Alicia with the baby.
"Harvey, Alicia, this is Horatio." Maria said but the introduction was almost forgotten as she caught baby Maeve's eyes. "And this cannot be my beautiful niece, look how big you've gotten! Look at you, oh I'm going to steal you."
"She's all yours- she's getting heavier by the day and wriggling more." Alicia teased as she handed Maeve over to Maria.
And this is what it was always like, well, at Christmas and occasions especially they were all there, or mostly, all running up to her, greeting her wanting to talk to her to steal her away and now Horatio could be part of it too and he was, instantly swallowed up by the rest of her family.
@ltcainemdpd












