Okay. So this actually goes before 'Telling the family'. It's where they actually tell the family. A reviewer said they would have much rather read the reactions of Jim, Martha, and Alexis. And I had been rolling it around in my head before that so here it is. Because I agree with them and would love to read about their reactions more.
She's nervous. He can see it all over face. He is too. Unsure of how her father will react. Their first appointment had been this morning and they didn't want to wait to tell their family. She had called her dad and asked him over for a family dinner tonight. He did the same with his mother and daughter. Now he's moving around the kitchen finishing up the last touches on dinner, it's one of his famous pasta dishes, he doesn't want her to help, so she set the table instead. Finishing that she sat on a tall chair behind the island watching the writer bustle about. She checks the time, their family should be here any minute, before the thought can even finish running through her mind there's a knock on the door. She answers it, leaving him to finish the pasta.
Swinging the door open she smiles at her father. On time, as always. He has a bottle of wine in his hand. Despite the fact he doesn't drink anymore he always brings them one when he comes over. She doesn't tell him that she can't drink it for a while as she takes it from his grasp and pulls him in for needed hug. She wishes her mother could be here for this, but she knows Johanna is watching from above.
"Smells great Rick." Jim exclaims walking toward the kitchen to investigate the dinner. As she puts the wine on the counter she hears the door open to reveal the two redheads in her life. Martha moved out of the loft when Kate had practically moved in, saying now that Rick wasn't alone she didn't have to worry about her son. Alexis is moving on to her second year in college, still in Columbia.
She's pulled into a bone crushing hug by his mother, whom she saw just yesterday. But the older redhead hugs like it's been years. They swap stories over dinner. Interesting cases, college classes, the acting school, baseball scores. It goes on. Just as Kate is putting down the last plate with the chocolate sack on it in font of the writer is when Rick stands up beside, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"We have something to share." He smiles at her. She shares the sparkle in his eye. He silently asks her if she wants to present the news or he. She nods. He thanks her silently.
"We're pregnant." The detective turns to their awaiting family. The smile on her face is radiant.
"Congratulations!" Martha stands to hug the couple. Alexis smiles and hugs them softly before sitting down again. Jim is last. Before he hugs his daughter he turns narrowed eyes on Rick. She sees the writer gulp with fear.
In an even voice, calm, almost scary Jim whispers, "You better have your priorities straight." The detective knows her father is only messing with her partner, but she holds in her laughter, allowing her father his moment in glory.
Rick stutters. "I do sir. Don't worry. I'll take good care of her. And the baby."
"I'm only messing with you Rick." Jim laughs deeply. Shaking the younger man's hand. "But if I get wind of anything, I will kill you." Jim is serious this time.
"I could never hurt your daughter sir. I love her with all my heart." He smiles at her.
Their dessert goes through baby topics, names, what they each think the gender is. He says boy. She says girl. Martha excuses her self after dessert, saying it's getting late. Congratulating them once more on her way out. Jim is next to leave. Giving the writer one last look and a hug to his daughter before leaving the loft to head home. Alexis was the last to leave. She had become quiet after their announcement and that worried Kate, does the girl want siblings? Does she feel replaced now that she's in college and starting a life of her own?
"Alexis you were quiet this evening, everything okay?" It was her father who asked.
"Yeah. Great. Just speechless. I'm getting a sibling, finally." She was happy, that allowed Kate to breathe easily again. "I'm so happy for you two really." She hugged them good-bye and departed for the night.
He saw her standing behind the couch, in the same spot she has been rooted to since her dad left. He walked over to her, she looks lost. Her eyes distant, as if she's thinking about everything that happened today. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close to him. He can feel her wrap her arms around his middle.
"I was so scared." She whispers. So faintly he almost missed it.
"About what Kate?"
"Telling Alexis. I didn't know how she'd take it. I was worried she'd think we were replacing her since she's moving on now."
"Alexis could never think that. She loves you Kate. And she always begged me for a sibling, I told her I couldn't give her one yet." He feels her smile against his chest.
"I know. I was just scared." They fall into a comfortable silence. He moves away to finish the dishes. She stands there, smiling, watching him work around the kitchen. Remembering how her father scared him. She couldn't wait for Esposito and Ryan to threaten him endlessly on it. But they are going to have to wait to learn about the baby. She doesn't want everyone to know just yet. She wants it to be just her family. Sure. she counts them as her brother, their own small makeshift family. She loves them like family, but she's not ready... yet.
