Rick and Kate plus Alex were back at the compound grounds chatting about the excitement and accomplishment that their team did that day. Team Castle as Rick so aptly named it.
"Alex we make a hell of a Team."
Rick has his arm around his brother.
"I know I could have used you in the hunt for the Minions but Father for some reason did not want you included. I think he did not even want you to know he existed. I do not know his mind Brother. But I am here for you, Always!"
Rick spies Alice running toward them. Rick removes his arm. Alex notices Rick's movement but not the reason until. Alice came running into his arms and hugged and kissed him.
"I saw the video, Alex you were amazing! I love you so much!"
Rick wondered.
"Who linked in the video of the capture? Is it in the Press?"
Kate and Rick slightly embarrassed left the two lovebirds alone.
The answer was quite evident when the same looping video that was at the station was on the great room Big Screen.
Alexis, Jim Beckett, Meredith plus Lanie, Javi and Ryan were watching the video over and over again.
Rick had not noticed Alexis yet who was standing next to her mother.
Rick quipped to Kate.
"I think I like this last part the best where you deftly placed the amphib and swamped the Airboat with the rooster tail."
"That was mighty fine piloting Kate!" Javi said.
"Girl you are sure full of tricks!" Lanie hugs Kate.
"Ryan, are you going to add anything?"
Lanie stares at him menacingly.
"Nah You said it all! Just congrats Kate!"
"I like the part where you shot the torpedoes and stopped the steamer." Meredith said.
"That was Alex doing the shooting. Wait how did this video get on here?'
"Ask your resident tech." Jim Beckett said.
"Resident Tech?" Rick questioned?
"He means Me Dad!" Alexis said.
"Alexis! What are you doing home?"
Rick hugs his daughter.
"I thought you were in class until Friday!"
"They ended the class early this week. So I thought I would come home and surprise you! Besides I am the wedding planner!"
"Well Pumpkin this is a great surprise! So my darling oldest Daughter as resident Tech what did you do?"
"Oh nothing much this screen is linked in to the Interweb. This video is being played over the Interweb which Daniel had set up for the weddings. This is a test to see if everything is good. So far everyone reports liking the video."
"I see and how many different sites have reported in?"
"All of them!"
Rick looks annoyed at his daughter and Kate rolls her eyes. Rick tries again.
You mean the capture of the MS-13 gang members was sent to how many sites?
Possibly 400 LEO precincts and stations across the country!
Kate is flabbergasted over the number.
"What are we having a Royal Wedding? I do not think even William marrying Catherine had this much exposure."
Rick worried about the Press getting a hold of the video. Rick knew how much Kate did not like the press since the over exposure during the Dragon's trial.
"Alexis have you gotten with Paula? There needs to be at least a statement given."
"Yes Dad I have gotten with Paula there will be one released after you are on your honeymoon."
"Wait can this video be copied and soon hit the Press?"
Alexis laughed at the absurdity of that happening.
"No that is beauty of the Interweb as opposed to the Internet. The Interweb adds signals not being able to be seen by people but is picked up by electronics and the video and audio is unable to be seen or heard correctly if copied. So there is very little chance the event will make the press. It will be strictly on our system. Sure word of mouth could leak out but no video or audio will be shown so I doubt it would interest more than newspaper readers."
"Hey I am that sort of Newspaper reader!" Jim Beckett objects.
"So sorry Papa Jim but lets face facts most people do not read newspapers."
"The country would be much better off if they did."
"Dad she doesn't want to start a war over types of press coverage, only to relieve my fears ok?"
Jim Beckett grumbled and bit then hugged his daughter and Soon to be Granddaughter.
"I see everyone here except for Holly. Dad Where is she?"
"Oh I guess I lost track once I saw the video. She was here a few minutes ago."
"Well I am sure she is safe Kate", Rick assured.
"I am going to find my daughter."
"She sometimes goes in the kitchen and talks to Ellie." Lanie adds.
"Ok Lanie I will try there first. Good thinking."
Kate left the great room where the discussion of the take down was continuing. Entering the hallway she smelled something very good.
Kate stood in the doorway and there was Holly on a step standing next to Ellie stirring a pot.
Ellie noticed Kate first.
"Good Evening Ms. Longworth. Dinner will be ready in a few."
"Thanks Ellie I see you have a helper today?"
Holly hearing her mother's voice dropped the spoon into the pot jumped off the step and ran into her mother's arms.
"Mommy! You are Home!"
"Yes Little One I am. So tell me about your day."
Kate sat down at the kitchen table and talked with Holly about her day.
Jim Longworth enters the kitchen.
"Great capture today Kate. Say Ellie what smells so good?"
"Hello Mr. Longworth, I was told to keep the food menu a secret. It's a surprise."
"Well whatever it is I am sure it will be delicious." as Jim's mouth watered.
"Mr. Alex told me to make it special for Miss Alice."
"You are a good person Ellie."
"Jim did you know the video of our capture was being broadcasted today?"
"What?"
"Go in the great room and ask Alexis she knows what is up."
"What? Is she back?"
"Yeah it surprised us too."
Jim kissed Holly on the head and left the room.
Holly asks, "What video?"
"Mommy's crew took down some very bad men today and there is a video of it on the big screen but I am so sorry Holly you are too young to see it. But I can tell you it was exciting."
Holly thought about wanting to see the video but decided to mind her mother instead.
"Ok Mommy I will not see it. You know best! If I can not see it can you tell me the best parts?"
So Kate held Holly in her arms and told her the PG version of the events.
"Wow mommy you are sure brave."
"No Holly I was not. I just had good luck and a great crew and of course the love of your Daddy and Uncle Alex."
Holly thought about it.
"I am glad you have Daddy and Uncle Alex with you!"
"Yes Holly I do too, I do too!"
Soon it was time to eat the broadcast of the video was removed and everyone went to the dining room table.
Uncle Alex picked up a glass and spoke.
"Here is a toast to my Fiancé on her Birthday! I know we agreed to not announce it. But I had Ellie prepare your favorite Meal. To you Alice my one and done!"
"To Alice" everyone chanted as the toast was ended.
Alice blushed and raised a hand to her face not wanting to draw attention to herself.
Later during the meal she had to explain that she does not like gifts and if she told everyone about her birthday they would made a big fuss. She like it sedate for her birthday.
Soon the dinner was done the events of the day had caught up with Kate as she lean against her soon to be husband. Everything was on plan due to the efforts of the main wedding planner Alexis. She was a miracle worker.
"Rick take me to bed I do not think I can stay awake much longer."
Rick picked up his exhausted wife said good night to the assembled people then carried his wife to their bed. He got her undressed and placed her in bed,
He went to Holly's room and tucked her into bed.
"Where is Mommy?"
"She tried to get here Little One but she just too tired."
"That is ok Daddy are you going to read to me?"
"Yes I am so where was I?"
"Daddy you finished the book. We need a new one."
Rick looked over the stack of reading material. He smiled to see most of them were his books. Rick thought they were a bit too mature for such a young one. He selected the first book of Harry Potter. Soon he began to read. Holly was unable to stay awake. Rick ended with chapter one barely being finished before Holly dropped off completely. He sat up tucked her in since her blanket got askew. He kissed her on the head, turned off the light and in the darkness said.
"Holly, I love you. Sweet dreams my little princess."
Opening the door and left Holly to slumber peacefully.
Soon he returned to their bedroom and moved Kate over.
Since when did she become a bed hog?
Rick eased himself into bed and soon Kate instinctively wrapped her legs around his and laid her head on his chest. She arose slightly and slurred
"G'night Love."
Rick kissed her head and repeated.
"Good night my Love."