Disclaimer: The only thing I own is the Christmas spirit.
Alexis Castle flips the phone around and around in her hands, working up the courage to make the call. She has this all planned out. She has rehearsed this conversation in her head a million times. She has everything prepared all she needs is for her plan to come together.
"Beckett" her voice comes through the phone, focused, professional and a little distracted. As if she didn't even look at the screen of her phone before she answered.
"Hi Detective Beckett, its Alexis, do you have a minute to talk?" her voice shaking a little with nerves. Silently she curses herself, hoping it isn't obvious. She is getting to know Kate and she really likes her, but this is asking a lot, especially with their limited one on one time.
"Oh hey, of course and I've told you to call me Kate," her tone patient and understanding. She has been insistent that Alexis calls her by her first name. After the past few months she has been around more and more, at their home. Alexis is sure they are together and has been teasing her father relentlessly about it, trying to goad him to admit it. But his constant denial of it suggests they haven't had the conversation yet.
"I need to ask a favour, Kate." She pauses, lets the implication hang, a little heavy. "You can say no, of course. There is absolutely no pressure, but I just thought that you would like to be in on my plan," there is a hint of wickedness in her voice, teasing the surprise she has in store for her father. To not include Kate would be blindsiding her, Alexis knows that would backfire – for both her and her father.
She hears Kate chuckle a little, she relaxes a little. "What are you going to do to your dad?" She has guessed it involves her Dad, but of course Alexis knew she would work most of it out.
Alexis hesitates, "It kind of involves you too." She winces a little, mentally crossing all her fingers and toes.
"Okay," the surprise and caution evident in her voice, "what is it?" Although Alexis knows she is intrigued.
"Every Christmas it's so hard to buy for Dad. He won't ever tell me what he'd like and it isn't like he needs anything specific." Her words are a rush, she takes a breath. She is aware this isn't making any sense but Kate is giving her some time to explain herself. "Generally I order away for something obscure but this year that didn't feel right. Then I worked it out." She swallows before she continues. "It would kind of be a gift to you too," she confesses.
"Alexis," Kate's voice is soft, but insistent, "you don't have to get me a gift."
"It isn't…" she struggles for the right phrase, "materialistic. Well it kind of is, but not really. You'll understand when I tell you the plan. If you're busy that's fine, I can reschedule everything."
Kate is silent a moment, as if considering. "No Alexis," Alexis holds her breath as the woman fumbles. She had been prepared for her to say no, expected it actually. "This is too much. Whatever this is I can't accept it."
At this Alexis laughs, she is not a materialistic person either. Not really. It is true she likes to spend her Dad's money, but she doesn't waste it like most teenage girls in her position would. "I promise it is meaningful, not expensive. My Dad will love it. It is probably the best Christmas gift idea I've ever had!" she says candidly.
"Alright Alexis. What do you need me to do?" she concedes, it is evident in her voice.
"Yes!" she exclaims, jumping up from her position on the lounge. "Can you be here in an hour?" It is only lunch time, Kate is at work, but she needs her help if she is going to get this done.