A/N: I updated! What miracle, right? Sorry it's been so long, I've been out of school and unfortunately that means I don't have access to a computer quite as often. I can't update on my tablet because typing on that thing is pretty much impossible. The mistakes would be ridiculous. Anyway, I've written through chapter eleven of this story, so I haven't stopped writing! Hopefully updates will come a bit more frequently now. :) Thanks for sticking with me! Xo, Cassie

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing affiliated with Blue Bloods or Castle, or either CBS or ABC.

It was nearing five o' clock when Jamie and Alexis approached the loft.

"Can I walk you up?" he asked.

"Sure," Alexis agreed. Jamie pressed the elevator button and gestured Alexis inside before him. If he was surprised when she pressed the button for the top floor, he didn't show it. When they got to the loft floor, they both stopped outside the thick red door.

"I had a good time today, Jamie," Alexis said softly. The warm hall lights were shining on her red hair, making her pale skin glow. A strand of hair was curling around her jawline and her blue eyes were sparkling. Jamie thought she was beautiful.

"Me too," he replied. "I'd love to see you again."

"Good," Alexis laughed. "Same here. We'll talk this week?" Jamie nodded.

"Absolutely," he agreed. Alexis smiled.

"Okay, good. Thank you for today."

"Anytime." Jamie leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Alexis' cheek. "Goodnight, Alexis," he whispered.

"Goodnight, Jamie."

When Alexis went inside, she found Kate and Martha sitting together at the island. Martha was speaking animatedly, all wild hand gestures and loud exclamations. Kate, on the other hand, looked as if she were being dragged to a place she would really rather avoid. They both looked up as Alexis entered.

"Hey, guys," she said.

"Hello, hello," Martha replied, waving her granddaughter over. Alexis shrugged out of her shoulder bag and slipped off her shoes before joining them. A glance at the countertop confirmed what Alexis had already suspected: wedding plans.

"Alexis, darling, what do you think of this ribbon?" Martha asked, holding up a swatch of fabric, a horribly bright and busy pattern that hurt Alexis' eyes.

"It's nice, Gram, but I think I like this one best," the young woman replied, reaching for the silvery-lavender ribbon that was resting on the island in front of Kate. The detective shot Alexis a grateful look while Martha frowned.

"Yes, that's what Katherine said as well, but...eh, it's just so bland." Castle entered the kitchen just then, pressing a kiss to Kate's head and gently massaging her shoulders as he leaned forward to look at the ribbons.

"Who's the bride, Mother?" he asked. Martha sighed, taking the silver ribbon from Alexis and placing it back in front of Kate.

"Katherine is the bride," she replied reluctantly.

"Indeed she is," Rick agreed. He sat next to Kate and smiled at his daughter.

"How was your day, Alexis?" he asked. Alexis couldn't help but smile as she thought about her afternoon with Jamie.

"I had a lovely day," she replied simply.

Jamie went back to his apartment feeling very light. His mind didn't seem able to focus on anything but Alexis. He'd just settled at his kitchen table to eat an apple when his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, hoping for a certain redhead, but groaned when he saw the name.

Erin.

Despite what she'd said about Danny being in his business on Sunday, Erin was beyond curious about where he'd been pre-family dinner. Somehow, she'd also found out that he had plans for today, and he knew exactly why she was calling now. Even so, he knew ignoring her would only serve to make it worse, so he slid the answer button to the right, putting the phone to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Jamie."

"Hey, Erin. What's up?" Jamie asked.

"Oh, just checking in, saying hi," Erin replied casually. Jamie rolled his eyes.

"I just talked to you yesterday," he reminded her.

"A lot can happen in a day." Erin was an incredible lawyer, and she could pick apart any story-as long as it didn't belong to one of her brothers. Having grown up with Erin's clever ways and cunning tricks, Danny and Jamie had long-since learned how to dodge Erin's inquiries.

"Or, nothing could happen," Jamie countered.

"But something did happen today, didn't it?" Erin said.

"I do things every day, Erin."

"But the fact that you're being so secretive about it only makes me more curious," she said. Jamie laughed.

"You're incorrigible, you know that?"

"Your point?"

"I have no private life."

"Again, your point?" Erin repeated.

"I'm not being secretive, Erin. I went to the park, rode the carousel, had lunch at Bella's, fed the ducks, took a walk," Jamie listed. "Happy now?"

"Who were you with?" Erin asked.

"I love you, Erin," Jamie said, continuing to speak over Erin. "Have a good night, Sis. See you Sunday." Then, Jamie hung up, the click of the line going dead overlapping his sister's insistent voice.