Right Within Your Heart - Chapter Ten
December 2020
She's been in the loft for over an hour before she manages to say more than about fifteen words to Kate. It's not an intentional snub, of course, but as soon as she set foot in her childhood home, Lily jumped on her and tugged her away from Beckett and the door, refusing to let go. Since then, she's heard all about Lily's class at school, a crazy trip to the big tree with Gram, and Daddy's puffer fish face.
She's also played a few dozen rounds of I-Spy, voiced Barbie for a little while, and built an impressive train that both starts and ends at the Christmas tree tucked under the window in Lily's room.
After a while, though, Lily flops back, rubbing her stomach. "Wexi, I'm hungwy."
"You are? How hungry?"
"So hungwy."
Alexis gasps, leaning over and blowing a raspberry on her sister's belly. "Oh my gosh, Lily. Your tummy's so empty! I can feel how empty it is. We better make sure we fix that."
Lily cackles, rolling into Alexis. "Ya! Feed meee."
Tickling said empty belly, Alexis laughs. "Feed you? I guess that's how we'll fix that. What should we eat?"
"Cookies!" Lily insists. Alexis snorts. Of course she wants cookies; her sister has their father's sweet tooth through and through.
"Well, since it's just a little after lunch, why don't we have something with our cookies? Maybe a sandwich?"
"Um, no fank you. Just da cookies is good."
Alexis laughs again, standing and taking her sister's hands. She lifts Lily off the floor, but doesn't put her down just yet, instead letting her swing. Lily cackles again, kicking her legs.
"Wexi!"
"Okay, no sandwiches. Maybe some chicken fingers instead."
"Dey're aw gone!"
"They are?" she asks, not sure whether she should be taking the three-year-old's word when said child is hoping for a cookie lunch.
Lil nods, though. "Mommy an' me eated 'em yesserday."
"Oh, I see," she says. "Well, then we'll have to see what we have instead. And maybe we should send Daddy to the grocery store on his way home."
"Ya," Lily agrees, happy to go with it as Alexis swings her out of her room.
They traipse downstairs together, stopping when they near the bottom of the steps to peer at the couch.
"Mommy's sleeping," Lily whispers, looking up at Alexis.
Alexis smiles down at her. "That's okay, we'll be extra quiet, so we don't wake her."
Lily nods, padding over to the couch anyway. Alexis winces, hoping her sister isn't about to pounce on Kate or "trick" her into waking up, but the girl just kisses the center of Kate's forehead.
She runs back to Alexis, grabbing her hand. "We ca' make some for Mommy too."
"I think that's a great idea, Lil," Alexis praises. "And it's nice of you to think of her."
Her sister grins, pulling her into the kitchen and moving to the pantry. They study the contents together, but Lily vetoes everything she suggests.
"I guess we'll look in the fridge, then," Alexis says, giving Lily's hair a gentle tug. Her sister giggles, twisting away.
"No, I want dat!" Lily points to a familiar blue box on the far shelf. Alexis grins, leaning over to bump her head against Lily's.
"Good eye. We're definitely making that."
She'll sneak a few pieces of fruit or something onto the menu, but there's nothing like a little comfort food on a cold December day. Exactly like she and her dad used to have.
"Mmm, hey."
They both jump, turning to face the source of the greeting. Kate waves, running her hand over her hair, tugging her messy bun loose.
"Hey, Kate. Nice nap?"
She nods, reaching into the fridge for a bottle of water, taking a few slow sips before speaking, "Didn't mean to sleep so long, though. Sorry about that."
Alexis shakes her head, taking the pot Lily offers and filling it with water. "As long as you're resting, right?"
Kate nods again, moving to take a seat at the counter. Lily scoots to her, holding up her arms. Alexis sees Beckett hesitate and scoots around the counter to swing Lily up.
"Um, excuse me, Miss Castle. I seem to remember you saying you wanted to stir. Don't run away from me now, Lil."
Lily giggles. "I'm just waiting. S'nuffin' to stir now!"
Her sister is too smart for her own good.
"Well, okay then." Alexis tickles her. "But don't sit too long, because there will be something to stir soon."
Kate grins. "Whatcha making?"
Alexis shows her the box. "Lily found this in the pantry. It seems like a good day for it."
Kate nods, chuckling at her daughter's pleased wiggle. "It is. That sounds delicious."
"You can haf some too, Mommy," Lily promises, bouncing in Alexis's arms. "S'so yummy."
Kate awws, thanking her. She holds out her arms, offering Alexis a grateful smile when she hands Lily over gingerly. Alexis waves her off. Both Beckett and her father have been tight-lipped recently about Kate's pregnancy, but she knows enough to recognize when Kate shouldn't be lifting a three-year-old from three feet off the ground.
"Be gentle with Mommy," Alexis reminds her sister, tapping Lily's chin before going back to gathering the necessary items for their macaroni and cheese.
Lily leans into Kate, resting her cheek on her mother's chest.
"M'not gonna hurt my mommy, Wexi. Or my babies."
Alexis stops in the middle of pouring the milk. "Your…" She looks to Kate, finding her eyes trained on her belly, resigned amusement twisting her lips.
"That was supposed to be a secret, Little Flower," she murmurs, kissing Lily's temple. "Remember, we talked about it yesterday?"
"Uh oh. Oops!"
Kate chuckles. "Uh huh. Oops."
"Wait, wait. Go back," Alexis insists. "Babies? As in-"
"Mhmm," Kate confirms, rubbing a hand over Lily's side. "We were planning to tell everyone soon. Your Dad had a whole big thing in mind."
Alexis grins, knowing all too well that Kate most definitely had a hand in whatever it is, too. Her Dad's not the only one who can do big gestures to surprise people.
"Kate, wow. Just wow. That's amazing! Oh my gosh, that's – okay, I'm going to pretend I don't know. I won't say a word, and then whatever you're planning, you can still do. But oh, I'm so excited. I'm going to say that anyway. I was before, but now… wow. Is that why-"
Kate nods. "Bed rest. Hence why I really appreciate you coming to wrangle this monster today while your Dad's shopping."
She shakes her head. "Anytime you need me. I'll come every day if you want."
Lily lifts her head, her face bright at the thought. "Ya, Wexi!"
Kate chuckles. "We'll find out tomorrow if the restrictions can be lifted, but if they're not… you might regret making that offer by the time Christmas break ends."
"Christmas break hasn't even started yet."
Beckett lifts an eyebrow. "Exactly. Imagine how crazy she'll be once she's not in school for a few hours a day."
Alexis grins, adding their pasta to the boiling water. "Not crazy, just… Lily."
Affection washes over Kate's face, gentle and soft. "Just Lily," she agrees, giving her daughter a light squeeze.
A/N: My apologies for posting this chapter so late! My day was insane. I hope you enjoy it! (We'll still count this chapter for December 10th, cool? Cool.)