"Maybe you should go check on Kate," Rick whispered to Alexis as she tied his bowtie.
"She's not going anywhere, Dad. Lanie's with her."
"I'm not scared of her running, I just…" he trailed off, unable to think of another reason to send his daughter to check on his soon-to-be bride. "Just… go. Please? Make sure they're both staying calm."
Alexis smiled, fixing her father's hair where some had fallen into his eyes, putting it back into place. "And who's gonna keep you calm, hmm?" She had started off in the bridal room with Kate, who had sent her to make sure Rick was doing alright.
"I'm calm as a cucumber, kid."
"Sure you are, that's why you had your pants on backwards. Remember, Dad, third time's the charm."
He nodded, turning to look into the full-length mirror, adjusting his tie and jacket.
"Dad?" Alexis said worriedly, stepping to her father's side. She knew his nervous tells, fidgeting was definitely one of them. "What's wrong?"
"What if it isn't? What if I'm just not the kind of guy who can make a relationship last forever?"
"This is different. Kate is different."
"She is. She's different from any woman I've ever been with. What am I doing?"
"Don't do this. That's why it's gonna work, she is different, she's your soulmate. You guys have spent the last 6 years together, every day. If you haven't killed each other yet, you won't."
"What if she falls out of love with me?"
Alexis sighed very softly. "She won't, Daddy. That's not who Kate is. She won't just wake up and decide she's sick of you. She loves you, she'll always love you. You know marriage is a one time only thing for her."
"That's why I'm so scared. I don't want to let her down."
She hugged her father around his side, tucking herself under his arm. "You won't. You never have."
When there was a knock on the door, they both turned, Alexis' arms still around her father's waist. Esposito's head poked into the room. "Yo, we gotta get moving."
Rick nodded, looking down at Alexis. "I'll see you soon," she whispered, kissing his cheek. "It's gonna be ok." She gave him one more quick squeeze before leaving the room.
To be continued...