Chapter 4

"Hey Pumpkin, which one do you think?" he's staring at his reflection in the dressing room mirror, holding two nearly identical red ties up to the lapel on his dark blue suit.

"The one in your left hand. Much more stylish." Rick agrees and begins tying the knot.

"Dad, stop, undo the tie, we can't use that knot." Rick looks at her with a frown, confused. He's about to make a joke concerning her age and his vast experience with ties but instantly notices Alexis has her "finals face" on. In other words, do not even dare to argue with me about this subject.

"For the record Dad, all future television appearances require a Windsor Knot, not your usual half-Windsor or four-in-the-hand knot. That means we're going to need longer ties as well. Let me make a quick note of that." Alexis pulls out her phone, sends herself and Chief of Staff Zeigler a quick message and then resumes her speech. "The Windsor knot projects confidence and competence and every little bit will help tonight - you're certainly going to need it old man." He feigns a heart attack, dramatically sighing as he drops to a knee.

"Et tu, Alexis? Et tu?"

"You'll survive." Alexis laughs loudly and heartedly, music to Rick's ears. Mission accomplished. He knows how important the election has become to Alexis – she decided to take a year away from Oxford and become his Campaign Director - a job she was born for. Still, the stress of working 18 hours a day combined with emotional turmoil in her own personal life has taken its toll. She looks exhausted.

"Back to the subject. Dad, I say this with all seriousness as your Campaign Director and all compassion and love as the prized heir to your vast fortune but..."

"Why do I get the feeling my ego is about to be knocked down a peg or two?" he smiles, knowing a punchline is coming.

"Will there be any more interruptions?" she deadpans, and he reflexively shakes his head, the banter so familiar and predictable.

Alexis continues on. "As your daughter, it is my duty to inform you that, for the first time in your adult life, you are…are…"

"Spit it out"

"Going to have to face the fact that you will not be the NOT the prettiest person on stage." She lets out a deep breath and dramatically wipes her brow. "Wow, that was harder than I thought it would be."

"Thank you for telling me Alexis, I know that was very difficult for you" he winks, sharing a smile with her. "You must know, though, that I already came to that conclusion. A long time ago. Therefore, I've decided to not even try and fight the war on that front; a smart warrior knows to pick his battles. I'm going to win the voters with my charm. What do you think of that?" He looks at her with mock seriousness.

"I thought you said a smart warrior." Alexis has a little more Martha-esque flair than she would care to admit.

"Ouch. Any more words of wisdom for your dear old Dad? Please be gentle, my vanity and well-being are at stake here." Rick know Alexis is sincerely trying to make a point so he'll let her.

"Dad, when we started this campaign, all of us agreed that attacking Kate Beckett's personal life would boomerang back on us in the worst way, she's nearly flawless professionally, and her backstory is tragic. Instead, we decided to focus on the issues. There are enough differences in your priorities for the city that we could certainly make our case to the voters using that approach."

"Right, I remember. So, dear daughter, how does that influence my behavior during this debate?"

"It doesn't change our overall tactics but I have a suggestion. Be even more gracious and supportive of her than you have been on the campaign trail. When there is an opportunity, agree with her passion for the city, her regard for the citizens and simply point out, when possible, there is a distinction between priorities. You've been clear on the need for continued funding of the arts, the park systems, the necessary vision of New York as the cultural center of the world whereas she's been much more pragmatic – emphasizing added funding for the police and fire departments, road and transportation improvements and additional financial support for teachers. Neither of you are wrong, all of those are important for our city. Don't argue with her. Ever. Smile and support. Smile and support."

Now is the time, he figures. It's as good a time as ever. She deserves to know the truth, he owes her that much.

"Alexis, I need to tell you something. Both as a Dad and candidate for Mayor, there is some information you need to know." He looks at her reflection in the mirror and realizes he made a mistake and should've disclosed this before. Well, spilled milk.

"Alexis, sit down." She does and recognizes his serious voice. He's got a confession to make and she's all ears. "Kate and I met before, ten years ago, in a non-official way. We were friends for a while, you might say. We met in the Hamptons, during summer break. You were visiting your Mom in California, Mother was well, occupied somewhere, and I was smarting from my divorce from Gina. Kate was recovering from the sniper attack at her Captain's funeral and we met at a coffee shop in town and something just clicked. We shared our personal stories and hit it off. We spent three glorious weeks together, licking our wounds together, somehow bringing both of us back to life." He exhales, aware that for the first time, he has allowed himself to remember that summer.

"Oh my god. Dad, why didn't you tell me before? I would've understood." After a brief pause, she reverts back into professional mode. "Does anyone else know this? It's important that you tell me, just in case the public somehow gets wind of this and I need to be prepared."

"I doubt it Pumpkin. It would've come out prior to this if anyone in her camp knew and, trust me, you and I are the only ones that know on our side." He thinks maybe her Dad might know and, from what he knows of him personally, discretion is Jim Beckett personified. "Anyway, she went back work, the Nikki Heat books began flying off the shelves and we haven't met or talked sense. I must confess, though, that I've been following her in the papers this whole time."

"Dad! Hold on, I'm not sure I can wrap my mind around this. Are you telling me that the inspiration for the four Nikki Heat books you wrote, which have sold nearly twenty million copies worldwide, is your opponent in the race for Mayor of New York City, State Senator Kate Beckett?" Alexis is in shock. Nothing her Dad could've said five minutes ago could compare to this bombshell – it's nearly impossible to fathom.

"Yes, Alexis, that's what I'm telling you."