So sorry you guys. I know I owe you like a thousand updates, but I was really busy.
Sorry again!
Enjoy!
Happy Birthday to you!
The crowd sung the final line of the song and everyone cheered as the birthday girl, with the help of her parents obviously, blew out her candles. It was an extremely eventful day and many of the parents were ready to leave, but every kept smiles plastered on their faces. They all genuinely laughed, however, when the small redhead dug her hand in the cake and mashed it on her face. Thankfully, Rick had predicted this and had a separate cake made for anyone else who wanted. Kate cleaned Alexis up as Rick helped his guests to cake. He looked at all the tired faces of the adults and smiled at them sympathetically. He was also exhausted. Their loft had been filled to the brim with screaming kids since 10 am and it was now going on 6 pm. He was ready to call it a night, send the kids home with goody bags, and snuggle up with his favorite two girls.
Kate, on the other hand, was thoroughly energized. For some reason, the screams and squeals of twenty little toddlers did something to her. On one hand it was a glimpse into what they had to look forward to with Alexis. Only two of the children were Alexis' age, the others ranging from 2-4, and she couldn't help but imagine Alexis at that age. On the other hand it was refreshing to see such innocence in one room. She knew that one day, these very same kids would lose the innocence they hold now, but she was glad to know the world wasn't all cruelty. She looked down at a very bubbly Alexis and smiled. Some parts of the world, specifically her world, were close to perfection.
Rick finished handing out cake and noticed that some of the parents started to get antsy. He quickly gave them an out by announcing candy bags. Once the children had received their bags, many of the parents rushed to the door. Some didn't even properly place their jackets. He laughed at their anticipation. It had been a long day. Between costumes and games, aquarium visits and parent makeovers, both adult and child alike was exhausted. Rick looked over to where Kate and Alexis were playing with bubbles. Alexis giggled as Kate popped a bubble with her nose. Alexis then tried the same thing, effectively hitting a giant bubble with her tiny nose. Kate high-fived her in excitement and they both laughed. He smiled at them.
When Meredith died, despite their hatred for each other, he was devastated. Mostly for his little girl, knowing she'd never grow up with a mother. He didn't grow up with a father, and his mother supplied him with more than enough love, but he had always wondered, always dreamed and speculated and wished. No matter how much love he got, he always felt as though part of him was missing. He's glad his little girl never has to experience that. Sure, one do she'll find about her mother, but by then, she will already be Kate's daughter so fully and completely, she'll never have to worry about missing out.
Once all the children were shuffled out of the loft and most of the mess was clear, Rick joined Kate and Alexis on the couch. The little girl was dozing off and, even though she tried to hide it, so was Kate. He laughed as he plopped down next to his girlfriend as he her eyes popped open in surprise. She tried to look awake, but he knew she was drained just as much as he was. He wrapped his arm around her and nudged her, silently telling her to lay her head on his shoulder. She complied and laid Alexis across both their laps. They sat in silence and Rick began to doze off once he thought Kate was asleep.
"I want another one." He is not quite sure if he's more shocked that she is awake or at the sentence that just came out of her mouth, but either way he can't be sure it's something his imagination hasn't made up.
"Uh, what?"
She snuggles herself more firmly into his chest, uses his warmth to give her courage. "I want another one." And there it is again. "Not now, obviously, I mean Alexis is still young, but someday... yeah." He slowly shifts to look into her eyes, careful not to wake Alexis.
"Seriously? I mean, yeah sure, I would love to have kids with you, but is that really what you want?" He's asking for his own sanity. He's pretty sure she wouldn't have said it if it wasn't what she wanted.
"Cas, I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it." He laughs at how well they know each other. "Besides, it's not anything soon, just whenever you decide to man up and propose to me," she hits him playfully in the shoulder "and after we're officially married then... yeah."
He smiles, he's been doing that a lot lately, and kisses her like he's known her forever. "I love you."
Even though she's heard him say it before, each times is like the first time and she finds herself flustered. "I love you too."
After that, they pick their daughter up and move their snuggle party to the bedroom. Kate grabs pajamas for Alexis and for herself. Once everyone is fully clothed in their nightwear, the lights are turned off and they snuggle up in bed. Alexis lies between her two parents as they protectively wrap arms around her. Each of them snuggle closer to her and in result they snuggle closer to each other. The realization is fast and hits them like a whirlwind, but they are a family, a real family. All three of them at one time has had a broken, incomplete family, but now they are whole, together, and it's the best thing any of them could wish for.
Despite the fact that all of them were tired the night before, they all managed to wake up before nine. No one had eaten dinner last night so they woke up with an appetite. Naturally, Rick couldn't let his girls go hungry, so he whipped up the famous Castle breakfast: chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, and eggs with fresh squeezed orange juice.
They sat down and ate together, passing stories and telling jokes. All of Alexis' stories were about her party and you could just barely make out what she was trying to say, but the way her eyes lit up as she told a new tale, or the same one with more enthusiasm, warmed both their hearts and they were all ears. He left Kate and Alexis giggling at the breakfast bar so he could get the morning paper. He smiled to himself as the giggles faded behind him. He opened the door expecting the paper.
What he found both excited and nauseated him.
Because I refuse to just give you some random filler chapter
Ha ha. I know the reviews will be harsh but oh well
Love Always, XOXOX
