Some of Jim and Alexis in this chapter. Can her father talk some sense into her? Will Alexis reach out to her?

Kate was taking a nap when the call came through to Castle's cell phone. He saw that number and took a deep breath before he answered, "Hello Jim."

"Tell me she's okay?"

Things had been so hectic that Castle hadn't had time to call either of their families. And he wasn't sure that it was his place to tell Kate's father about the baby. So, he simply told him, "She's fine. We have a lot to work out, but she's doing fine."

He heard Jim release a sigh and then he asked, "What aren't you telling me Rick?"

"It's really not my place to tell you Jim. She…"

"Is something wrong with her?"

Looking towards the door, Rick knew that he wasn't going to get away with putting her father off any longer. They had talked numerous times over the past four months and Jim and Rick had kept each others spirits up. He felt as if Jim was more than just his father-in-law. He felt that the man was more like a father. They had bonded over their mutual concern for Kate.

Of everyone, Jim had been the most worried about his daughter. So, Rick made a split second decision and decided that Jim deserved to know. So, he told him, "She's fine Jim. She was released from the hospital. She and the baby are doing fine now."

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone line. Rick knew that he had shocked the man. He heard him clear his throat and ask, "Baby?"

"Yeah. I didn't know until two days ago."

"What was wrong with her?"

"Her blood pressure was high and.."

"What aren't you telling me Rick?"

Closing his eyes, Rick finally told someone else about their sons condition, "He has Downs syndrome."

"Are they sure?"

"They are ninety nine percent sure. I guess there's always the smallest chance that he won't, but Kate and I are preparing for it."

"When are you two coming home?"

Sighing, Castle told him, "I'm not quite sure. We are still working out the details and…"

"She doesn't want to come home. Does she?"

"It's complicated. She's afraid Jim."

"Of what? This is her home. Her life is here. Her family is here. Let me talk to her."

"She's sleeping right now Jim. I promise you I will have her call you when she wakes up."

"Get her to come home Rick. We need her here. Our family isn't complete without her. I don't want my daughter and grandchild living so far away from me."

"I agree Jim, but she's stubborn."

Jim laughed and they talked for a few more minutes before he hung up the phone. He walked into the bedroom and sat beside Kate. He looked at her and then, he reached over and put his hand on her stomach. Feeling his son kick underneath his hand made him smile. Kate's eyes opened and she smiled up at him. He leaned down and kissed her softly. Then he whispered, "I have something to tell you. Just, promise you won't get mad at me."

Smiling up at him, she promised, "I won't."

"I kind of spilled the beans to your dad. We've been talking since you were gone. He was worried about you. I hope you don't mind."

Kate looked away from him and asked softly, "Was he mad?"

Shaking his head, "Not mad. He just wants you to come home. Wants you and the baby closer to him. Wants the other part of his family there."

Kate sighed and she knew that she was threatening to disappoint her dad. She was the only family he had left. Shit. How could she leave him in New York. Alone.

She rubbed her temple and sighed, "Castle…."

"I know. Not pressuring you. Just telling you what he said."

"I realize that."

Then, his phone started ringing once again. He looked at the caller id and saw that it was Alexis. He wondered if everyone in their family was going to call tonight. He laughed and answered the phone, "Hello Pumpkin."

"Dad. Let me talk to her."

Castle held the phone out to Kate and whispered, "You don't have to talk to her. I can…"

"I'll talk to her Rick."

Nodding, he handed the phone to her and walked out of the room. Whatever his daughter had to tell her was something private. So, he decided to make them something to eat.

Kate took a deep breath and said, "Hi Alexis."

"Kate. Are you okay? Are you coming home soon? We missed you. Dad was lost without you. He didn't stop looking for you and…"

Kate laughed despite her nerves. She had expected her stepdaughter to be mad at her. Maybe she was just good at hiding it, but it sounded more like Alexis just wanted her home. So, she finally told Alexis, "Well, we have a few things to work out. I'm not sure…"

"Is this about the baby?"

"Your dad told you?"

"Yeah. Yesterday. He was excited Kate. I've always wanted a baby brother or sister and…"

"I don't know if it's safe to come home."

Alexis sighed and told her, "Nothing has happened here since you left Kate. We can protect you. You belong here with us. I need the rest of my family here. I…"

"Alexis...It's complicated and…"

"It's not, not really. We can protect you. Espo and Ryan both have guns and they wouldn't be afraid to use them. We love you Kate. We need you home."

Kate could feel herself wavering. She closed her eyes and whispered, "I know Alexis…."

"Just promise me that you will think about it."

Sighing, she told her, "I promise."

When she hung up the phone, she saw Rick standing in the doorway. He was staring at her with an unreadable expression on his face. She felt a tear run down her cheek and she looked over at him and that was when she knew. She was being unfair to him. Unfair to the baby. Unfair to the rest of her family. She finally whispered, "Lets go home Rick….."

"Are you sure?"

Nodding, she whispered, "I can't do this anymore…. Staying away from you was hard enough, but he deserves to know Alexis, Martha and my dad…. I'm not strong enough to fight all of you…"

Castle leaned down and kissed her softly. He would do whatever she wanted, but she had to want it for her, not because anyone forced her to. Looking down at her, he realized that she was close to wanting to leave. He sat beside her while she cried and waited for her to talk to him once again….