Alex rushing into the room sees Josh the interloper with her.
Josh kisses her on her head and says he would see her after his rounds.
Kate sitting in the hospital bed looks away and a passing look of disgusts crosses her face as Josh leaves.
Alex warily examine the Doctor as he passed by and exited the room.
Kate gave a big smile for Alex as he approached with another bouquet of flowers.
"I decided to add to your stock for your flower shop."
Alex sets the bouquet closer to the bed than any of the others.
Kate glanced at the bouquet they reminded her of another bouquet they once shared.
Kate noticed the burner phone concealed amongst the flowers.
Kate looked quizzically at Alex. Not saying a word started the conversation.
"I am glad you came."
"I came as soon as Jim called then told me you were awake."
"I want you to know I appreciate you."
So what do you remember about the...
"The shooting? Not much, I guess it is better that way."
"I am really tired right now."
"Of course, of course we can do this another time."
Do you mind if we don't?
"No, not at all." Alex nods at the flowers then as he exits
Kate says, "I will call you ok?"
Kate debates with herself over the conversation with her husband. I must know what happened she said to herself.
A few weeks later Kate is released from the Hospital. She is taken to the cabin of her father. There she starts to regain her strength. She keeps the burner phone on her at all times. Still debating whether to call and what would be the results. One day while walking in the woods far enough from anyone spying on her. She finally made the decision to pull the burner out of its permanent place. She scanned the numbers. There was only one number which mattered.
She pressed the call button.
Alex being in his office still working on the Murderboard for Kate's shooter was startled to hear the burner phone he kept in his pocket ringing.
Thinking it was from Max with an update he quickly brought it up to his ear.
Hello Alex or Rick or whatever you are calling yourself these days.
The voice over the phone was from the only person he thought he would not ever hear from because it was too dangerous but still he was overjoyed at her voice.
"Hello my darling wife",Alex replied.
"Hello to you my handsome husband."
"What are you doing calling me? It is too dangerous! It is against the operational protocols and last but least I missed you."
"I missed you too. I never thought this assignment would have lasted as long as it has even with the interference of Gina. We should have wrapped this up by now."
"I know! I want my wife back too! Kate you almost died! You did die in my arms! I can not let you continue! Damn the operational protocols, Damn your grandfather, and Damn all those other watching and waiting!"
"Alex, honey we have to continue to pretend. We must have been getting closer. This thing is big and it is a cancer and the Old Man would not placed us here if he did not know the risks to ourselves and the nation. It is a cancer which needs to be eradicated. The Dragon must fall!"
"I know darling I know Max has been sending me intel there is something big happening in the community over your shooting. Congressional inquires are being made. I know I have to pretend but damn honey it is so hard!"
"Keeping this away from Alexis and Mother is getting more and more difficult. Alexis found our wedding photos the other day. I had to snatch them away from her. But I think she is getting too suspicious and that will be bad."
"What? I thought you burned those or at least put them into a safe!"
"I did she found the hidden safe and cracked it! I should have never let her go to the Ranch for training!"
"Did she see anything else?"
"No, but I removed the contents of the safe to the new safe house we have been creating."
"Tell me about it."
"It is in the place where the whiskey and shotgun was found. I have been busy renovating it. I will show you once you get back to the city. It will be our own hide away. It can be accessed by many different routes so anyone following you will be sent off track and any listening device would malfunction courtesy of Max."
"Tell Max I own him one"
"I will! My darling but this call needs to end. I will see you soon."
"Yes, My one and done! See you soon."
Alex lowered the phone from his ear. Smiling to himself placed the phone back into its hiding place.
Kate lowered the phone and sighed. It has been too long since she has held her husband in her arms. The delicious way his talented hands were all over her body making her tingle with excitement. Their secret wedding in the Greek isle while he was on assignment and she was trying to learn as much as possible the extent of the conspiracy in NYPD. The honeymoon on the yacht the wonderful memories. Kate hiked herself up to the cabin and tried to get those wonderful images out of her mind. The Dragon is still out there waiting for another attempt at her. She needs to be ready. She spotted the security team out in the woods while she was hiking. Most likely her Grandfather has already heard the burner phone conversation. Well Damn him too! He is my husband whether he likes it or not!
I will be glad when all this pretending comes to an end! It has been a very long and hard assignment. Having to endure that Horrid Doctor. However, we did get much intel from him. I am sure glad That did not have to continue! Alex was having such a hard time keeping his jealousy in check. I am glad he was with Gina during some of that time. At least she would keep him busy! Alexis is going to become a problem I am going to have to talk with her. It would not do for her to discover too much more. I hate being so incapacitated.
Jim approached the cabin and gave the correct signal. The team noted his passage to the cabin.
"Hi, my princess"
"Hi Daddy", Kate came over and gave a hug to her father then placed a kiss on his cheek.
"I see you are in better spirits does is mean you have finally contacted that certain writer we all know you love?"
Kate tries to hold in a grin but fails.
"Yes, Daddy I did call him."
Jim was grateful that his stubborn daughter finally put that man out of his misery.
"So how is my Son in Law holding up?"
Kate was taken aback "H- How did you know?"
Jim laughed and said, "It was very obvious! Everyone can tell you two are in love!"
"Darn and I thought I was hiding it so well!" ,Kate said laughingly.
"Darling Daughter, I am your father and I still talk to my father in law. Though not as often as I should."
"So what do you think I made a good choice?" Kate said being thankful she no longer needed to pretend to him.
"You did your Mother and I proud. I approve completely!"
Jim stepped over to her then gave her a hug making sure not to squeeze too tightly.
"He will make some great looking grandchildren!"
"Ah Dad", Kate started to blush.
"What? Of course there will be grandkids in my future! You surely know it yourself."
"I can not be distracted by that right now. However, as soon as this ends we will think about it."
"Well do not think too long! I know Martha will be overjoyed to welcome another wee one!"
"What? Are you talking to Martha? Wait, what have you two been cooking up?"
"Me, nothing..."
Kate narrowed her eyes into slits and used her best interrogation tactics on him.
After a few minutes Jim spilled that they had already planned her wedding.
"I do not need another one. One is enough thank you."
"Come on Katie, A secret wedding not your style. Would you not want to do it in front of all your friends and at least Alex's family too?"
"Dad, the tabloids would have a field day! No I am fine as is!"
"Wait you called him Alex? So you know who he actually is?"
Jim laughed, "Your mother and I shared many secrets and some of them I will tell you and others will have to wait for another day."
I learned of Rick's double or make that triple life years ago. Your grandfather confided to your mother his deepest secrets. That is why she was killed to get to him. Of course he would send the top agent to look after you.
"What? Mother knew Alex? How deep does these revelations go? Do you know what I am doing too?"
"Yes, my daughter I did not like the situation your grandfather put you but I went along with it."
"What do you know of the Dragon? Do you know who he is? Why did you not tell me?"
"I am so sorry Katie. Johanna knew the risks and she was determined to bring him to justice. We just did not anticipate the strike. Many people died that day myself included. I handled her death terrible I just gave up and crawled inside the bottle. Thank you for bringing me out of there."
Kate sat there stunned her father knows the Dragon! He knew her mother was trying to apprehend him. What was her mother? I guess a lawyer was her cover. So was she FBI? Did she know Shaw? They could be around the same age.
"Yes, Katie I can see many questions in your head but now is not the time for those answers. I only came up here to check on you. I will be leaving tomorrow."
You need to get some rest and I will make dinner. I know I dropped much on you at one time. I know you will need time to process everything I have said. We will talk more later.
Kate stifled a yawn but headed to the shower and changed the dressing on her wound. Got into comfortable clothes and fell asleep.
Kate awoke to a great smell wafting in the air.
Kate threw a robe on to find the source of the mouthwatering aroma.
Walking into the kitchen Kate spied her father pulling out of the oven her favorite Shepherd Pie!
Jim noticing her standing in the door way said, "it is too hot you need to let it cool for awhile."
Jim walked over to the fireplace and stoked the coals it was chilly in these woods even in amidst of summer. Finally satisfied with the fire he sat down in one of the chairs next to it. He motioned for Kate to sit in the other one.
"Dad …" Kate's face is framed by the flickering fire giving her an unearthly look.
"Wait Katie, I know what you are going to ask and no I will not tell you his name. I want you to understand this man is very dangerous. Your mother underestimated him with disastrous results.
Let me tell you a bit about the Dragon. If he was character in a Sherlock Holmes novel he would be Moriarty. He has fingers into everything which is good and wonderful about our country. He is corrupt as can be. He was a contemporary of your Grandfather. He is into drugs, prostitution, Human trafficking, murder for hire. He gives the orders for the worst of the worst."
"He also is a man on the outside no one would suspect him. That is what gave your mother so much trouble. He seems honest and truthful. He has corrupted parts of law enforcement, Military and even your own grandfather's organizations. No one is immune to his corrupting influence. He has vast wealth to buy politicians and judges. This corruption is deep and too many prominent people would be affected by his capture. So they will all protect him. The only solution is to not arrest him. I know Alex will do the right thing when the time comes."
Kate sat there in total silence contemplating what her father has said.
"So Dad if he is so insulated why are we trying to bring him down? Other than the people he had killed demands justice."
"Is that not enough? I know I failed in keeping your mother safe. My hope is that you will succeed where I have failed. You were lucky Alex saw the sniper and was able to get you turned so the bullet was off trajectory. I hope you will always be so lucky!"
"I know I can not dissuade you. It was Johanna but I will give you a clue something I know and no one else does even your grandfather. It was something Katie your mother discovered just hours before she was killed. It is in her journals. You will need to find her agency contact William Shaw. He can give you the key to those journals. If not him his daughter should be able to give you what you need."
"Is Jordan Shaw his daughter?"
"Yes, one of them but I doubt the youngest would have the clues you need. No, You need to contact the older one Nicole. Your mother's journals were given to William for safe keeping. Be careful my daughter! I know you have trained well but these people will put your training to the test and then some. I know you have already tangled with 2 of them Lockwood and Coonan. I hear Alex saved you in both of those cases?"
The mention of her husband Kate blushed, "Yeah Dad he did! I so love that man!"
Jim was warmed to hear his daughter to speak so warmly of his Son in Law.
"His father would have been proud."
"What? You knew Alex's father?" Another revelation in the night of bombshells.
"Yes, I know him. He will reveal himself one day to you too. Ours is a very close knit community. Sort of like a small town where everybody knows everybody else if not in person but by reputation. Alex's father is unlike anyone I have ever met. Alex may have even met him himself but if it was not necessary for him to know then that the way it is. Secrets have to be kept!"
Kate sitting there stunned swore to herself she would do two things one track down the Dragon and two find Alex's dad and have him reveal himself to Alex. It would be the least she could do for the man who does so much for her.
Kate sat in silence Jim got up and said, "The Shepherd Pie should be cooled by now let us eat!"
Kate slowly followed her father into the kitchen to eat the wonderfully prepared meal. Her mind still trying to comprehend what her father was saying.
After eating and saying good night to her father Kate crawled into bed with visions of her husband vivid in her mind. His dark bluer than blue eyes. His caressing hands holding her making her feel so safe and warm. She swore to herself they will be together and soon.
Alex in the meanwhile still basking in hearing his wife's voice. Did not hear Alexis creep in I guess she was practicing those ninja skills. Lucky for Alex the muderboard was showing plotlines for Heat Rises so nothing was outwardly showing.
"Ok Dad spill what is with the second safe? I just found it one day. There were so many interesting things in there but the wedding album? Dad, whose wedding was that? You are keeping secrets so spill!"
Alex contemplated for a second and then decided to tell the truth. "The wedding album is mine if you must know."
"Dad, you have a third wife? Why did you not tell me. When can I meet her? What is she like. When did this take place?"
So many questions my darling daughter. Yes, I have my final wife. Her Name I will not reveal there is too much danger involved. What is she like well I think the stars above and sea below can not compare to her beauty and grace. This took place about 6 years ago while I was on an Eastern European tour. We got married in a small secret ceremony on a Greek isle. She is on assignment right now and you have already met her. That is all I am going to say on the matter.
Alexis narrowed her eyes at Alex which reminds him so much of his darling wife. Then left the office to go to her room. Getting out her laptop she started to scan for different images.
I already have met her? On assignment? Wait I did see dark hair so that leaves out Gina and Paula. Beckett? No way but it is undeniable he did jump in front of a bullet for her. He sounded so in love with that description. He has been very much infatuated with his muse but she was with that Doctor, The one who slammed him against the wall. Something is not right here.
If it was her but she was on assignment. Only she could be attached to an agency like what Dad's friend does? Like what Uncle Max does? Like my father does! I guess those classes Uncle Max teaches come in handy. I guess I paid attention at the Ranch. I know it was simple opening that second safe! Of course the laser tag battles and the fencing were all great preparation.
My Dad is a spy! What I guess CIA since he was gone on book tours out the country. I wonder how long has he been a spy? Before I was born? What was my mother a spy too? How about Gina? Yes, Gina definitely! Paula? No Paula is not involved. What about Grandmother? She too? Perhaps, she is a great actress! Alexis wondered would she be approached too? Keeping up the family tradition? She has always wondered why her father was always in great physical shape. He could outlast her in laser tag or fencing without breaking a sweat. Plus those acrobatic moves he does. Yes, That does explain much! Now should I confront him or wait? I guess I will confront Beckett she is my step mother! Wait think back that safe did I see a gun in there too? Yes, there was one in there! Plus lots of foreign money. That must have been Dad's work safe. There was a burner phone in there too! Then he also said it was too dangerous. So someone is spying on him? On Us? On her? Wait Oh No we are all in danger! Ok calm down Dad will keep us safe. Wait a minute I saw a badge in there. So not CIA they do not have shields. FBI? Dad? No, it looks different than that I saw that shield on the net. Ah there it is Homeland Security! Homeland Security? Dad is an Special Agent?
Alexis finished looking at the shield on the screen with the one in her head Closing her laptop she was reeling from all those realizations! Ok got to act natural. I know I will get Dad to take me to Uncle Max's place I know my cell phone does not work there so no conversation could be overheard. I will confront him there! Having a plan of action She felt better ever since she found that safe. Running down the stairs she found her father in the kitchen making dinner.
"Hello Father,"
"Hello Daughter dinner will be ready in a short while would you like to make the salad."
Alex pointed at all the salad making ingredients on the counter.
Alexis slipped off the stool and stood next to her father proceeding to chop up raw vegetables for the salad.
"Dad, I was wondering if we could visit Uncle Max? I have not seen him in awhile. He did say for me to come over after spending time at the Ranch with him."
Alex figured out Alexis understood she was being watched. She obviously had something to say.
"Yes, darling daughter of mine a visit to your Uncle Max would be perfect. How about tonight after you eat?"
"That sounds wonderful Dad! I am sure Uncle Max would approve let me go call him!"
"I will make the arrangements. So are you ready to feast on spinach caron?"
"Dad, spinach and beef? Come on you do not need to fancy words beside it is not real beef!"
"Yes daughter it is just for your strictly vegan diet! However, you are not much of a Vegan if you eat hotdogs from a vendor!"
"Ok you got me there! I love street hotdogs those are my weakness! Plus Ice cream with real cream then there is cheeses, milk and eggs! Ok, I am not a total Vegan so sue me!"
Alex chuckled as he plated the dinner. At that point Martha enter the room.
"Hello my darlings",she kissed Alexis on the cheek and waved at Alex.
"I say am I disturbing your meal?"
"Mother, you are disturbing something but the meal is not one of them."
"Daddy is taking us to visit Uncle Max do you want to come?"
Martha looked at Alex and saw he was nodding ok to her. Something is up,
"Ok, I would love to go visit your Uncle Maxwell!"
"Grams, you know he hates you using that name!"
"What? I have always called him Maxwell. It is his name right Richard?"
"Yes, Mother" as Alex grimaced at hearing the long form of his name.
Alex looked at his daughter showing her that to change the subject.
Alexis continued, "Grams why are you here I thought you were working at your acting studio."
"Yes, Mother what did bring you to our humble abode?"
"What do I need a engraved invitation to visit with my Son and Granddaughter?"
"I felt I was needed here I was right too!"
"Ok, Mother enough with the disturbance of the force! You just missed us. That is Ok too!"
Martha gave a wane smile and sat down next to her granddaughter.
Alex excused himself while Martha and Alexis chatted. Alex crossed into his office then pulled out the burner phone.
Max answered on second ring.
"Hi Alex I was expecting your call. It is that time huh? We all knew it was coming are you ready for the talk?"
"Yeah, Max I guess it is time see you in about 20?"
"Ok you know the drill! See you then old buddy!"
Alex hung up and placed the burner into its location. Exiting the office he gathered the rest of the family together and headed out the door.
20 minutes later they were standing across from the UN building at the door of a watch repair shop.
Alex typed in the code which was changed every day.
Alex held the door as they all entered the store. Max lived on the second floor. Alex reached under the counter and hit the switch which allowed the part of the wall to open up to a stairwell. They all climbed the stairwell to the large well furnish room. Max was standing in the middle.
"Welcome visitors to my inner sanctum I will answer most of your questions or Rick here will".
"So what is on your mind?"
"Dad, are we in danger?"
Uncle Max fielded that question.
"Short answer Alexis is yes but with qualifications. My team and I are sworn to protect you so you might not notice the team but rest assured they are there."
How long have you been associated with the CIA Dad?
Alex internally winced he knew that question was coming but it sounded so foreign coming from her mouth.
"Before you were born I was recruited right out of college both Gina and I."
Max interrupted, "I have known your father for over 20 years and I have not lost him yet. No questions can be answered about past or present missions but let me assure you he is covered many."
Ok Alexis thought I knew Gina was involved.
"Ok I want to know about my step mom!"
"Fair enough I think you have already figured out who she is but I can not comment on her present activities to an on going investigation. However, You may talk to her about it later. I will make arrangements for the meeting."
"Dad, are you no longer with the CIA? I saw the badge in the safe."
"Your Father works for the same person as he always did Me!" ,Max proclaimed.
"Now Max you know that is not true I out rank you but in operational considerations he is right he oversees the day to day dealing."
"Yes, your father is correct I do not control him or his team. I am the interface between them and the rest of the agencies. And while I have you here you have a number of forms that needs your signature!"
Alex winced again boy does he hate paperwork!
"Ok so he works independently?"
"Yes, he works with several different agencies and has ranking in all of them."
"So he has ranking inside the NYPD too?"
"Yes, he does but that is only on a need to know basically his work with NYPD is very important. No one need to know anything about it."
"So Dad is there anything about you which is real?"
"Not Really, My daughter I changed my name from Alexander Richard Rodgers before you were born. You have always known me as Richard Edgar Castle and to the world that is my name. Only a select few know my real name. Now you do too."
"So does my step mom know all about you too?"
"Yes, she does!"
"Ok that explains you trying to take a bullet for her. I am not sure I feel jealous or thankful."
"Look She and I are deep cover and we watch out for each other. The team converged as soon as the sniper appeared. But I am not going to discuss that with you."
"So you love her dearly? Does she feel the same toward you?
"Yes daughter I do and I am grateful we were able to save her. Yes she does however she was prevented from showing it. As I said before she extraordinary."
"Ok so are we being watched? If so how can I not let on I know more than I should if they are scrutinizing us so much?"
"Oh darling I will give you lessons!" Martha spoke up for the first time.
"Yes, that would be helpful. Martha you know the place to take her to provide her with those skills", Max said.
Alexis looked at her grandmother as she nodded to Max's suggestion.
So are you part of this too?
Martha looked pained and said "Yes, I know about everything."
Alex looked stunned, "Mother you knew?"
"Richard, of course I knew! I know your father!"
Max interrupted, "Martha here is one of our best counter intelligence officers."
"She trains many agents in the art of deception!"
"So your acting school is a front?" ,Alex asked.
"No silly it is just an acting school. However, I still assist in other things. I know I have a date with one Syrian diplomat you know Richard."
"TMI Mother! I certainly do not want to know that!"
"What Richard he is good company and he attends the opera!"
"Actually Alex Martha wines and dines diplomats constantly. She is able to speak and read 14 different languages and figure out a dozen more variants."
"Yes, Richard, your father and I would have lots of conversations in different languages over the years. Did you think you were the only skilled linguist in the household? I tell you I was a translator in the building across the street for many years before my acting career blossomed!"
Alexis stood there spellbound. She had learned much about her family that she had never knew before. She learned she lived in a family of spies. They all did important work. Her grandmother and her grandfather whoever he is are spies. Her father is a super spy working for many different agencies. Their lives are in danger. She is being watched by both sides. Help is close by. She has a stepmother and she is a spy too. I wonder is Jim a spy too?
"Ok so what about Grandpa Jim he too is with you people?"
"Well that is what he told me to call him at the hospital."
"Yes he is with us people but not the same as Martha or your father. He is retired and out of the game."
"Max, should we tell them about the OM since he is family too."
Max scratched his head and thought for awhile it would not matter if they knew or not so go ahead!
Ok listen closely, Grandpa Jim was married to Grandmother Johanna and her Father is the OM.
We in the agencies call him OM or the Old Man. He is the head of all the clandestine services. Every alphabet soup agency is directed by him. He knows everything. One day I might introduce you however, right now he and I are not on the greatest speaking terms.
"The "Y o u T u b e" Video?"
"Yeah, that is it!"
"Wow, he sure holds a grudge!"
"Wait, what "y o u t u b e" video would that be?" ,Alexis piped up
Oh, about 3 years ago we made a funny video staring your stepmother and a guy in clown suit.
"Do not tell me Dad you were in the clown suit!"
"Yeah, I was but not what you think it was."
"I was caught by a window store video camera and I did a acrobatic maneuver and the video captured it. So what we did was digitally correct the person and masked a clown suit over it. So no one could tell it was me. On a whim we sent it to the OM. He was not amused! He has been sore with me ever since!"
"You are sure it was not because you married his granddaughter right?"
Alex looked a little sheepish and said, "Well, maybe that has something to do with it too! I still blame it on the video!"
"Well, this has been a very enlightening night but we need to depart."
"Alex, are you not forgetting something?"
"Oh yeah er Alexis and Martha I guess you can leave without me. I have officer duties to perform."
Thanks Uncle Max so you are related too?
Yes I am but not that closely but that is for another time. Max gave both Alexis and Martha hugs and sent them on their way the team was in position to follow so they had no worries.
"Ok Alex follow me! This is your desk! I expect this inbox to be cleared tonight!"
"Oh Man this is worse than watching Kate fill out her paperwork in the precinct!"
"Quit grumbling and start signing!"
About 2 hours later Alex emerged wincing and complaining of writer's cramp.
"That was worse than a marathon book signing!"
"Speaking about book signings do you not have one upcoming?"
"Yeah the launch is in 3 weeks and the tour starts the day after. I will be gone for 4 weeks this time."
"So you end up yes back in New York on the 19th of September."
"Do you want me to sign your copy now? Or later."
"Later is fine Alex you do know you should have never killed off Derek Storm!"
"Not you too!" ,Alex groaned.
"I know a man in love does strange things but seriously! Come on! Ok, I like this new series too but based on your wife? Not so cool and of course did you ever discuss it with her? No, I thought not!"
Hey, I had to do something I was going crazy with this assignment seeing her but unable to PDA at all! Then acting like total strangers! Especially getting cut off! You just do not know what that does to a feller!"
"Well big boy that is about to change! We got everything we needed out of the good doctor so he is now officially gone!"
Hallelujah Alex thought. "Finally, so we can get together?"
"Yes, the clearance is in we are ok with that!"
"Kate has been a real trooper and I know it has been killing you!"
"Darn right it been killing me! Now all we need to do is get her healed!"
"You do know you will not get together for awhile externally right?"
"Yeah, I am following the plan. I may not like it but it has to be this way!"
"So when is the contact guy going to call?"
"Should be in a couple of days I will make sure he is nice and loud."
"Good so our friends can get exactly what he says!"
"That is the plan! The Dragon prides himself with surveillance so we give him a performance. I know Kate is ready too. Remember you have to sell it!"
"With the great Martha Rodgers as my Mother It will be a piece of cake!"
"There is that Alex Rodger's bravado I know and love!" Good night my friend!
Alex took his leave and left the store. He immediately noticed his tail. I loved this Alex thought as he haled a taxi which whisked him to the loft!
Getting out of the taxi he noticed the team and his shadow. Going inside he talked briefly with the doorman. Both women got home safely.
Alex open the door to the loft to be confronted with Buster!
"What are you doing here?"
Alexis rushed down the stairs and scooped him up.
"Oh Dad I forgot I was cat sitting Buster while his owner was gone! I forgot to tell you!"
"I am glad you are doing that but seeing that maneater starring at me again was disconcerting! Please keep him in your room!"
"Ok dad good night."
"Good night my darling daughter!"
Alex left the front door and headed to his office and checked the burner phone. No messages but he was not expecting any. Alex then retired to their bedroom! Not much longer my love he thought to himself as he thought of the crystal blue waters of the Greek isles and the ceremony which changed his world! Soon Alex was fast asleep!