Monday Morning Card awoke and stretched. She really needed that extra sleep. She got up and saw the note. Her Mom had Baby Jackson. It was already 10 when she showered and felt almost human again. She wondered how Alexis' and Eric's meeting with the miracle worker Dr. Burke went. She could remember her first time meeting the kindly older man. He exuded so much peace and understanding.

Card pushed those thoughts aside. She needed to get to her office at Columbia. Everyone was on Spring break so she would not be disturbed. It would be a great time to write down the thoughts she had in her head. Her small office in a very non used section of the Physics building was just the place. It was her sanctuary from everyone. She loved her family but trying to get writing done at the loft was never a good idea.

She came downstairs and met Martha. Card grabbed a cup of coffee and sat with the older woman.

"Hey Grams…" Card said kissing the cheek of the older woman.

"Well hello to you this good morning Card." Martha said sipping on one of her healthy drinks which looked to Card as baby puke.

She had enough of wearing it not to have to drink it.

"Have you heard from Jackson or Sophie?" Card asked.

"No not that I expect it. He has his ways and I just wait." Martha said with resignation. "I have a surprise guest for my class. Gina Lollobrigida is coming. I can not wait to see her."

"That sounds so interesting. I wish you luck in your class Grams. I'm off to the University. Mom has Baby Jackson so it is the perfect time I can get some writing in…" Card said.

"Your Father is now mostly writing at the Old Haunt these days too. It seems like that office over there is empty most times now." Martha said waxing nostalgic.

Card rose and kissed her Grams' cheek then exited the loft after disposing of her coffee cup. She would get another one on her way to Columbia. She left a text with her plans and location where to find her to both her Mom and Alexis.

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Card got into her office and soon the creative juices were flowing. She was really in the zone when a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Getting up she opened the door.

"Mom…Why are you here? Oh Jackson How are you my Son?" Card said while reaching down to pick him up.

"Well I think they are both hungry and I figured a bit of lunch for us as well would be a good idea." Kate said.

"Come on in Mom it is a bit cramped but it is mine." Card bade her Mom and the kids to come into her cramped but cozy office.

Kate stood looking around at the stacks of publications and papers. She had to laugh on how old fashion Card was. There was none of the sleek and sterile look which most University professors preferred. Since everything is computerized. There was no need for papers and publications anymore as Books too were fast becoming rare. Kate sat in the student's chair across from Card's messy desk. Kate sat and nursed Baby Emily as Card did the same with Baby Jackson.

"You know this might be the first time I've been to your office Card." Kate said.

"Mom I think you are right only Kevin, Alexis, Eric and Dad have dropped by. Well it is not much but it is mine." Card said sadly thinking of her almost husband.

"You need to place your PhD diploma on the wall." Kate observed.

"Yeah I suppose I do but with the graduation and other things I have not gotten around in doing that." Card said as she got the burping rag out of the stroller and started to gently burp Jackson.

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Once the kids were finished Kate and Card left and soon they were at Remy's. The waitress smiled at seeing the Lt. and her famous Daughter. One of the things they liked about Remy's was they did not treat the Castle's any different than anyone else.

Lanie was in a Booth when Kate and Card came up.

"Hi you two fancy seeing you out and about. Oh there is my Niece and Grand Nephew. Can you pass her to me?" Lanie said.

"Yeah Aunt Lanie how are you today?" Card asked.

"I'm doing well Card. Thank you for asking." Lanie replied while cuddling Emily who seemed to not mind being picked up by the woman.

The waitress came over and they ordered their usual. The waitress left and soon they were in a discussion on how Card was going to be having a meeting tomorrow with Black Pawn.

"Oh Card I have to agree with Kate your novel is very superb. I thought it was one from Rick. But there was a hidden flavor which though like his writing was certainly not his." Lanie praised then continued. "I really like your heroine Betsy. You have the ME jargon down too. I suppose Alexis helped you with that?"

"Actually Aunt Lanie Alexis is the Co Author." Card said as she sipped her strawberry milkshake.

"You don't say well I'm proud of you…both of you." Lanie said. "Look I have to run there has been another murder."

"Ok Lanie thanks for the company." Kate wistfully said.

At this point the door opened and Rick strode into the establishment. Card saw him first but soon Kate did too. Rick crossed over to their booth and sat down after giving his wife a kiss. Then hugging Card. Card just loved the hugs her Father gave her.

"Well am I late?" Rick asked.

"No Dad you are not but you just missed Lanie." Card said.

"Oh I am so sorry I missed her." Rick said picking up the menu.

"I ordered for you Dad. You don't need to worry about ordering." Card said.

"Thank you Card that was very thoughtful" Rick said. "So what were you ladies discussing?"

Card explained the discussion as Rick nodded. At this point Card got a text from Alexis. It seemed like they too were heading to Remy's after picking up Eric Jr. They would arrive in a few minutes. Card smiled on reading the text.

"So do not leave us in suspense Card. Who was it?" Rick asked.

"Oh Dad Mom it was from Alexis both Erics and she are coming." Card replied.

"Oh that is wonderful most of our family will be here." Kate said since both David and Johanna were at school. There was no spring break for the private school they both attended.

Soon Alexis and brood came through the door and greeted her Sister.

"Hello Eric how was the session?" Rick asked the younger man as Eric Jr. was distracted by some crayons and a placemat.

"It was productive Dad thanks for arranging it for us." Alexis said.

"Anytime Pumpkin I am glad you got something worthwhile out of it." Rick said.

Card looked at her Sister with a questioning look and Alexis responded with a look that meant not yet. The family quickly delved into the huge amount for food which was brought to the table. Kate helped her Grand Son color in the mat. Soon Rick took Kate, Eric Jr. and the baby's back to the loft after going to pick up the twins.

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Card, Alexis and Eric Sr. were taken back to Card's office.

Eric looked around.

"So where is the diploma?" Eric asked.

"I have not got around in getting it placed on the wall." Card said nervously.

She had to tell her Brother in Law what they had learned.

"Eric are you comfortable I can get a different chair from the lounge." Card said.

"No it is fine Card so what is important that you and my beloved wife need me to be here?" Eric asked.

Eric was no slouch in the brains dept that is why he was a whiz with computers.

"Ok Eric this has to deal with your Mother." Card said seriously.

"My Mother…? What about my Mother?" Eric asked suspiciously. "My Mother is as WASP as they come."

Card looked at Alexis and Alexis looked back as urging Card to continue.

"Eric that is not exactly true. We both learned a few things then Sophie and Jackson had left for Italy." Card said.

"Italy I do not understand. I thought they were working on my Mother's case. Why are they in Italy?" Eric asked.

Alexis squeezed his hand.

"Eric I do not know what you have been told about your Mother's family but whatever it was it may have not been the truth." Card said.

"What are you talking about Card?" Eric asked.

"There is no easy way to tell you this. Your Mother is of Italian descent." Card said.

"What you are talking about Grace Brown the most white bread person ever. She is Italian?" Eric said.

"Eric it is true. I heard it from a source too." Alexis said.

"Ok let's suppose My Mother is Italian. It does not explain why she was shot." Eric said.

"Yes actually it does. The man who shot your mother was once a rival of your Father. While your Father was a peaceful man. This man was cruel and became a professional hitter. He was doing a job when he saw your Mother and Father. He was going to shoot your Father Eric." Card said.

"My Mother recognized him and got in front of my Dad to protect him? Where is this Man I want to kill him myself." Eric said suddenly understanding what happened.

"You can't Eric" Alexis said.

"Why can't I?" Eric asked.

"The killer was killed himself in Italy. That is why Sophie and Jackson left for there." Card said.

"Wait you said he was doing a job? What job and why has not NYPD done something about this?" Eric said.

"As for the second I don't know. On the first I know he was hired to assassinate Davido Spolano. He was…" Card said.

"He was the head of the Spolano crime family. I have heard of him. I was once asked to help them with a bit of computer knowledge." Eric said.

"Honey you never told me that." Alexis said facing her husband.

"I didn't want to worry you. Alexis besides I turned them down." Eric said.

"I see well he was assassinated when the limo he was riding was smashed into by a Sand truck with a snow plow. It pushed the limo into the river from the bridge. I saw the crime scene." Alexis said. "I was there to declare the persons in the limo dead. They had just craned it out of the water as I arrived. There was the big man himself and driver both had drowned."

"I see so why was I not informed?" Eric said getting a bit agitated.

"At the time we were under the wrong impression that the killer was just knocking off witnesses. That Grace saw the hit and was being eliminated so that the hitter could not be identified." Alexis said.

"We never knew Grace and your Father knew the hitter. We learned that later from our source." Card said.

"Your source you both sound like a pair of reporters…What are you like Rook?" Eric said.

"No more like Eric Shower." Card said.

"Eric Shower? Oh Alexis did you name this reporter after me?" Eric asked.

"Yeah come to think of it Eric was named by Alexis" Card said talking about the reporter in Card's and Alexis' upcoming book.

"Ok I admit it there is some resemblance to my husband and the character in the book." Alexis said.

"I'm going to have to get a copy to read." Eric said "It sounds intriguing."

"Well you will really like this." Card said. "Alexis and I have a meeting at Black Pawn tomorrow. They want to give us a book deal."

"Wow I have been out of the loop." Eric said. "Congrats Lex and Card…!"

Eric kissed his wife.

"Are you not mad that I did not inform you?" Alexis asked shyly.

"No Alexis. I think it is great. You will be able to stay at home and do what your Dad did." Eric said.

"Yeah now we need to go… I want to go see Baby Jackson. Are we all good here?" Card asked.

"Yeah thanks for taking the time to tell me Card. And Alexis it must have been hard learning about this wrinkle." Eric said.

"Eric you have no idea." Alexis said.

They all left as Card locked up and they all went back to the loft.