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The Elements and Workings of Mother Nature	By : sissouthernink1994 Category: 1 through F > Criminal Minds Views: 1365 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Work of fiction. I don't own: Criminal Minds, CSI: NY, CSI: Miami, NCIS, NCIS: LA, CSI. Everything written is for fun; no profit gained.

Chapter List
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A/N: In my fanfiction world Detective Eric Delko (CSI: Miami) and Detective Donald Flack (CSI: New York) will eventually be a couple. I don’t have an official story on them yet (it’s coming but it’s gonna be a while) but you can get another snapshot of them in my fic entitled “Dreams”. Oh, Spanish words in italics, translation in parenthesis. I used Google Translate.
Summary: Trips are not always about the destination. Sometimes it’s about the lessons learned on the journey.
Chapter 2: Welcome to Miami

Detective Donald Flack was ready to head out of New York City and to the wonderful warm beaches of Miami. And the wonderful warm arms of his boyfriend Eric. It had been a rough couple of weeks at work and a rough couple of months for them as a couple. Work and family kept derailing their plans for a weekend reunion. Don hardly ever missed work so he had tons of vacation days on his record that his boss said he was going to lose if he didn’t use them. So he decided to take a week off and head to Miami to see Eric with Eric working two of those days. A whole seven days alone with Eric. Oh the things we can get into, he thought. And Donnie was just in time to escape a fast approaching snowstorm to the tri-state area. Or so he thought.
Walking through JFK to his gate, Don just happened to notice the statuses on flight boards had a lot of red words on them. Red words that said: cancellation. He hurried to his gate to make sure his flight wasn’t one of those in red. No such luck. Just as he approached his gate, the gate clerks were announcing that his flight was cancelled until further notice.
“Cancelled? The storm is still four hours out. Why are they cancelling flights now?” He asked the clerk.
“It’s just a precaution at the moment sir however we do have reports that some of the planes’ wings are icing over.” He looked towards the nearest window and saw nothing but gray clouds in the sky.
“But there’s no snow. Just great.” He groaned. “I’m supposed to be in sunny warm Miami in a few hours. How long until we know something?”
“I’m not sure sir. Please have a seat here and we’ll give you updates as soon as we get them.” Don sighed.
“Thanks.” He walked over the waiting area and looked for a comfortable empty seat. He took a closer look outside the window, not one single snowflake. Not even a raindrop. There some empty seats left, but after about an hour, none of them were going to be comfortable. He spotted an older gentleman sitting alone, walked over to him and asked, “Are any of these seats taken?”
“Oh no, please make yourself comfortable. Or as comfortable as you can be.”
“Thanks.” Don placed his carryon bag under the chair, draped his coat over it and plopped down into the seat. He decided to call Eric and let him know what was going on with the weather.
“Hello?” Eric answered.
“Hey hermoso (beautiful).”
“You ready to leave the city?”
“Me yes, I’m ready. The plane not so much.”
“Why? What’s going on? I thought the snowstorm wasn’t coming ‘til later tonight?”
“So did I, but right now the planes are starting to ice up, from some miraculous water that I just can’t seem to see and they are canceling flights until further notice.”
“Really?” Eric complained. “So you don’t know how long you’ll be there do you?”
“Nope.”
“Damn! That might put a damper on dinner plans for this evening.”
“Lo sé, pero ¿qué puedo hacer bebé? Estoy a merced de la Madre Naturaleza (I know but what can I do baby? I’m at the mercy of Mother Nature).”
“I was hoping you’d be able to miss the snow.”
“I know, me too. And you know I’d much rather be in Miami with you than stuck in the city with all the snow.”
“Well be together soon enough. Keep me posted ok?”
“Ok. I can’t wait to see you lindo (cutie).” The thought made them both smile, even though neither of them could see, they could definitely hear it in the other’s voice.
“Me too. Anxiously waiting for that plane to get here.”
“Y yo para siempre (I love you sweetheart)” Don said.
“Te amo demasiado (I love you too)”, Eric replied. When his conversation with Eric was finished, Don sighed a weary sigh.
“I hope they get these planes up and running soon.”
“I couldn’t help but hear that you’re on your way to Miami?” The older man next to him asked.
“Yeah going to spend some time with the love of my life.”
“That’s wonderful. Anytime you get to spend time with those you love should be cherished greatly.”
“Oh and believe me we do. Because of work we only get to see each other every other month or so. This time it’s been three months.”
“My goodness! What kind of work are you in that doesn’t allow you time to travel?”
“Detective with NYPD and Crime Scene Investigator with Miami-Dade Police Department.” Don reached into his wallet, pulled out a card and gave it to the man. “Donald Flack, Jr. I work in the homicide division, but if you ever need anything, you can give me a call. If I can’t help, I’ll find someone who can.”
“Good to know, thank you. I’m Theodore Marquez. Nice to meet you.” They shook hands.
“Same here. So where are you headed?”
“Out west to Tombstone, Arizona for our granddaughter’s wedding.”
“I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it’s beautiful.”
“Oh, it is. You and your sweetheart must go sometime. Some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets I’ve ever seen in my life. I worried at first when our daughter said she wanted to go, you know because it was so far from New York, but I’m glad she did. It fits her so well.”
“As much time as we spend apart, I’m sure I wouldn’t miss the city from October to March. I could definitely see myself living in Miami. I’m burnt out on snow.”
“Oh it’s not that bad.”
“After about two days, I’m ready for it to go. My sweetie loves it though; would play all day in it like a kid if possible.”
“Sarah, our daughter usually visits for Thanksgiving and Easter; that’s usually enough cold for her.” Theo said.
“I’m definitely digging the idea of a warmer client. Not to mention that we’d be in the same city for more than a week. I don’t know how people survived long distance relationships without technology. If we weren’t able to Skype, text or talk on the phone anytime, I don’t know what we’d do.”
“You two should explore the art of lover letters. It’s an excellent way to communicate and it makes for great stories for your children and grandchildren. My Lu and I wrote to each other for nearly three years.”
“Three years? Wow! I can’t imagine it.”
“You see we really didn’t have a choice at the time. In those days, sometimes you had to leave the town you lived in to find work and send money home. I was teaching here in the city and Lu was in Detroit for a while, and our feelings for each other were entangled in our letters; it’s what kept us going. We couldn’t call everyday. I can’t begin to tell you the joy that overcame me when I received a letter from Lu.”
“We’ve done that. Not consistently though. I found a note of encouragement in my laptop bag two weeks after I had come back once. I was having a horrible week so I guess I found it when I was supposed to.”
“I think so. Mine always seemed that way.”
“So how long have you and Lu been together, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Oh no I don’t mind. We’ve been together fifty-two years this coming June.”
“Wow! My parents will make forty this year. I want this relationship to last like that.”
“And just how long have you and your pretendiente (beau/suitor) been together?” Don looked at Theo with confusion and disbelief.
“How did you know I’m in love with a man? Did I give myself away? Did I mention his name?”
“You didn’t have to. I’m a Spanish professor and I recognized that you used lindo for cutie instead of chica.”
“Ah, I see. Since we’re both in law enforcement, we have to be careful. We may be out and proud but not all our brothers and sisters in blue accept it.”
“That’s such a shame. As dangerous as your jobs are they should just be grateful that you want to serve.”
“And we both serve proudly.”
“What’s his name?”
“Eric and we’ve been together almost a year and a half. Here’s his picture.” Don held his phone up so Theo could see his screensaver. Don had taken a picture of them the last time they were together. It was a small dinner party at Sheldon’s apartment and they were standing in the kitchen.
“That’s a good start for a life together. Oh, he’s very handsome. I see why you’re in love. And he’s tall too.”
“Yes. We’re the same height. I like that.”
“Did you meet here in the city?”
“Actually no. It’s kind of strange how we met. We met at a club in Miami. I was vacationing with some friends. Neither one of us started out gay. I guess we both had male-female relationships that just weren’t working. We each had a friend suggest we try something different, meaning dating someone of the same sex. I had dated a few guys with no fireworks but the first time I saw him in the club something happened. I don’t really know how to describe it. There was this… instant attraction.”
“La belleza del amor joven (The beauty of young love). I can tell how much you love him by the way your eyes light up.”
“Yeah, we didn’t talk for six months after we met though because I lost his number and the MDPD wouldn’t give it to me. I don’t think they delivered my messages either probably thought I was a stalker or something. But we had another chance meeting when our cases crossed and his team came to the city. It’s been good ever since.” Theo smiled.
“He sounds like a great guy. Have you thought about getting married?”
“I’ve thought about it. We haven’t talked about it yet. The thought of raising kids kind of scares me though. I know he wants a family because it’s just him and his mom now.”
“Oh, you’ll surprise yourself at how parenting will change you. And don’t be scared of what people say. If straight parents can raise gay kids, then gay parents can raise straight kids.” Just then, another gentleman came over to them, carrying a cup holder with what looked like two cups of coffee and a brown bag for pastries.
“Theo mi amore (my love) I couldn’t find any doughnuts but I did find a bakery with these huge galletas de mantequilla de maní (peanut butter cookies) that smelled so good and,” he said setting the cup holder on the table in front of them “they had a blend of coffee that tastes like the one we had in Mexico at my cousin’s restaurant.”
“Oh it smells wonderful.” Don wasn’t sure what to say. He just knew Lu was a woman. He watched Theo take a sip of this coffee and smile in approval. “Lu let me introduce you to one of New York’s finest, Detective Don Flack this is my husband Lu Marquez.” Lu put forth his hand to shake and Don did.
“Buenos dias (Good day) to you sir. I see you’ve been keeping my husband company while we wait?”
“Nice to meet you too. Actually, I think it’s the other way around. You know, when you mentioned the name Lu I just assumed you meant Lucille or Lucy.” The couple chuckled.
“Ah, Lu is short for Luka.” Theo replied.
“Everyone needs a nickname, yes?” Lu asked.
“I guess so.” Don replied. “You guys mind if I pick your brains about something?”
“No, go ahead.” Lu replied.
“How can we help?”
“Do you mind if I record this, to share with Eric?”
“Not at all.” Theo replied then turned to Lu. “Eric is his boyfriend who lives in Miami.” Don set up his phone to video record the couple.
“How did you manage to be together back in the day? I mean people are more tolerant now but it’s still a struggle for acceptance for us. How did you manage to escape the harshness and hatred?”
“It wasn’t easy. I know it’s not easy for you now but you have it so much easier than we did. Back then homosexuality was considered a mental disease and people could have you committed.” Theo said.
“Yeah, you were considered crazy, a menace to society.” Lu added. “We had to hide our love for a long time. It was a little easier when I was in Detroit because we were rarely seen together. But I missed him like crazy.” Lu took hold of Theo’s hand and smiled at him. “I had to keep it from my family because we were Catholics and I didn’t want my family to be excommunicated because of me. It would have been so easy for the church leaders to do that. So I left the church I grew up in and we lived together in silence so to speak to protect our families.”
“Years later we were able to include our families but for a long time it was just us. When our children came into our lives we felt that our love was given a bigger purpose.”
“It’s the same with us. We’re both Catholic and Eric’s mom had a really hard time with him coming out. She raised him and his sister by herself mostly; Marisol was murdered so Eric is all she had left. She feels like she did something wrong in raising him. And my parents are the same; they respect my decision but can’t accept it yet. My dad is the one thinking he didn’t raise me the right way, especially since I followed in his footsteps and became a cop.”
“But that’s what I was telling you about the children. We raised five. Two are gay, Sarah and Peter. Sierra, our granddaughter bride, says she feels fortunate to have been raised by two moms. We taught them how to love and respect people. Even if all of them had been straight, we would still be proud of all of them because they are our children. They have each figured out what they want to do with their lives and are living it. Couldn’t have asked for better confirmation of how we raised them than that.”
“Neither could I.” Lu said. “I’m proud to say I have gay and straight children and gay and straight grandchildren. My life wouldn’t be the same if they weren’t who they are.”
“That’s so cool. Makes me rethink the possibility of having kids. You asked if Eric and I were going to get married. How did you get married when the states are just now starting to recognize gay marriages?”
“We had a nice quiet ceremony back in 1959 at a friend’s house. Our reception was an elaborate dinner in her elaborate dining room. A few days later I went and legally changed my last name.” Theo replied.
“No one thought that strange? That you were applying to change your name?”
“If they did, they didn’t say anything. I was born Theodore Browne but I’ve been Theodore Marquez for fifty-two years.”
“So you guys had commitment ceremony when they weren’t popular.”
“Yes. And in honor of our forty-fifth wedding anniversary, we went to Boston to get our piece of paper.” said Lu.
“I bet you were all smiles that day.”
“Oh yes. And all of our children and grandchildren were with us. It was an absolutely beautiful day. It was special just like our first ceremony.”
Before Don could ask his next question, they heard the announcement that his flight would be ready to board in twenty minutes.
“Hey, the way they were talking earlier, I didn’t think I was going to get out of here until tonight.” Don said.
“I’m glad you’ll be on your way to see Eric.” Theo said.
“Me too.” Lu replied as he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a card of his own to pass to Don. “We would love to show you both sets of our wedding photos. The next time Eric is here you two should come over for dinner.”
“What’s this?” Don asked as he received the card.
“Oh, it’s our information. If either of you have questions, please feel free to call, e-mail and ask.” Theo said.
“That’s so sweet of you. Thank you so much. I’m sure after seeing this Eric would love to meet you too.” Don looked at the card and his mouth dropped in surprise.
Dr. Rev. Luka Márquez, D.D., Ph.D
LGBTQ Counselor and Educator
Ordained Minister
“You’re an ordained minister? A gay ordained minister?” Lu nodded.
“What can I say? God calls whom He calls. I perform weddings and funerals. I counsel couples in the LGBTQ community and aid those who need help coming out or have just come out.”
“So this is your church?”
“Yes. I’m not the pastor though, just a minister there. Our congregation is majority LGBTQ but we accept all those who want to worship or need prayer. You are welcome to come any Sunday that you aren’t working, if you don’t feel comfortable going to a Catholic church.”
“Cool. I just might do that.”
“Go on, we don’t want you to miss your flight.” Theo said. “It was really nice meeting you Don. I enjoyed the conversation.”
“So did I. I’m looking forward to having dinner with both of you the next time Eric is here.” He stood to gather his bag and coat. The Marquez couple stood to shake his hand. “Enjoy Arizona and your granddaughter’s wedding.”
“We will. You enjoy your time in Miami.”
“I most certainly will.” The trio shook hands and Don headed to the door so he could board. Once on the place he sent Eric a text saying that he was boarding the plane and that the next time he was in the city they had dinner plans with a gay ordained minister and his husband.
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The Elements and Workings of Mother Nature