It took a few days but Kate after taking the vitamins and Rick's constant hovering was on the mend. She looked down at her flat stomach. Wondering what she will look like in a few weeks. She was sad her Husband was leaving for San Francisco to continue his Book Tour. Rick was fretting over what to take. Kate was sitting up in bed. Wu had left and she was finally feeling better. Her Dad's appointment was today. He was getting that cast off.

"Rick I just do not understand you leaving before the 4th!" Kate said hugging her husband as he continued to fret over what clothing he should take.

"Kate I know but there is a party at the P3. I told Paige I would attend. It is a tradition in the Hallowell Family." Rick said. "It only happens on the 4th. I have missed a few recently."

Kate did not want to be reminded she was he reason he was not able to function over those long summer months.

"I'll miss you." Kate said hoping to get her husband into bed. Unfortunately time was not on their side.

"I'll miss you too. Hey it is only 4 days I will be back on Monday." Rick said looking into his wife's golden eyes.

"Yeah I know but I start my new job on Monday." Kate complained.

"Yeah Kate I know you are sacrificing much for the safety of this family and I love you so much but I hear Paula downstairs. If I can hear it from up here she must be upset about something. Skype with me tonight…It does not matter when or where. Be my good girl and I better find out what is the yelling about since I now hear Alexis going at her." Rick said.

Kate sniffed a bit after the long kiss and Rick departed. She knew she had to get up.

Rick got down stairs and Alexis had cornered Paula with her finger in her face.

"Don't you yell about my Mom being pregnant at all! Dad is happy, Mom is Happy, The whole world will be happy but somehow you aren't!" Alexis snarled.

"ALEXIS!" Rick said coming to remove her away from scared Paula. "What is this all about?"

"I'm so sorry Daddy but that woman was having the temerity to say bad things about my Mom! I will not stand for that!" Alexis said calming a bit down.

"Paula… we will talk about this later on the Plane now get out! I will see you down stairs." Rick said.

"Alexis… Paula means well she just has that Jersey attitude which is not always understood. She must have had a reason for what ever she said. She is very good at her job. She is probably frustrated we did not inform her. That was bad on my part. She has been very good to this family. I know you are very protective in light of present circumstances. Alexis yelling will upset Kate and she is delicate right now." Rick said.

"Yeah I understand…Dad are you sure you have to go?" Alexis asked.

"Yeah it is needed. I'm sorry it is up to you to carry on the traditions of the 4th at the Hamptons. Everything is ready I have called ahead and set it up. Your job is to make sure everyone has a good time. Can I count on you?" Rick asked.

"Yeah Daddy you can count on me." Alexis said hugging and kissing her Father. "Have a good trip and come back safe."

Having the drama averted Rick left the loft and got with Paula in the car.

\\\\\

"Paula Not a word until we are airborne then you can tell your side. I know Alexis has been a bit aggressive lately but these are dangerous times." Rick said. "Gina are you prepared to meet the Hallowell Sisters?"

"Rick I meet all your strange people why would these be any different?" Gina said with a holier than thou attitude.

"Could it be that if they do not like you they could do some nasty things to you?" Rick muttered under his breath. "Too bad Kate could not make this trip too."

The trip in the limo was quick and the plane was wheel up and Rick got to work with his team.

"Ok Paula we are wheels up do you have anything to say?" Rick asked.

"Not related to Alexis' and mine discussion…When were you going to announce the pregnancy? Rick this has to be handled carefully. Your new status as an Action Hero has taken everyone by surprise. Is this going to be an on going part of the New Rick Castle? If so do you want me to place out feelers for WWE events?" Paula asked.

"Paula if the events are available I would not mind being a special ref or something." Rick said. "Now what do you have for the first stop?"

The flight to SF was uneventful. Paula pitched several ideas which would need Kate's approval. He was missing his wife sorely.

/

Back at the loft Kate had come down to see Martha and Jim at the breakfast table and Alexis taking her frustrations out on the poor iron skillet.

"Alexis I am sure that skillet is going nowhere" Kate said.

"Oh Mom you are up! How are you doing? Is the flu gone? How are my little siblings doing today?" Alexis said hugging Kate fiercely. "Here is your water as per Dad's instruction."

"Alexis thanks to answer your questions yes I am over the flu I am doing well and your siblings are hungry." Kate said looking longingly at the empty coffee pot.

"Mom I know it is going to be hard but as per Dad's instruction you have to drink only this water and organic fruit juices or you can have the hot tea." Alexis said coaxing her to drink her water.

Kate surveyed the kitchen Rick had forgotten to remove the cases of water that Frank brought.

"I see" Kate said taking her vitamins and drinking down her special water.

There was Organic everything in the refrigerator. Kate took out a yogurt and started to sit down.

"So Dad, today is the day. Are you excited?" Kate asked as she ate the cup of yogurt with granola in it.

"Yeah very… Thank you Martha for taking very good care of me over these last 8 weeks I am so sorry I had curtailed your busy season." Jim said.

"James do not exaggerate it has only been 7 weeks." Martha said. "And the first week you were still in the hospital."

"Yeah but I could not have had such a pleasant time if it was not for you." Jim said.

"Well if it was not for you I would have never had the courage to stop drinking." Martha said. "It was your encouragement which made the difference."

"Martha you are an exceptional woman and I could not let you destroy yourself like I did. Katie here can attest to my wanton destruction." Jim said.

Kate looked at the clock.

"Well I would hate to break up the mutual admiration society the Loft chapter. Dad we have an appointment with a surgeon. That cast is coming off today! So let's go." Kate said.

"Well everyone I will see you cast free soon." Jim said hugging Alexis and Martha then following Kate out the door.

"Bye Gramps" Alexis said.

Martha was a bit choked up and just waved.

\\\\\

Kate and her Father had gotten to the appointment. There was a surprise waiting for them when they got there.

"Florence? What are you doing here?" Jim asked annoyed.

"Well hello to you too Jim! I was tested why did you not reach out? Jim I am your sister! I should have known what was happening between you and that bottle!" Flo said crossly.

"Aunt…? Florence? Dad how come you never mentioned her?" Kate asked.

"Kate can I call you Kate? I'm the black sheep of the family…I left home early and I am a world class Photographer. I even shot you once along time ago…For that Clothes Catalog?" Flo said.

"What my Aunt is Muriel Winston?" Kate said. "Why did you not tell me?"

"You know why Flo!" Jim said crossly.

"It is about Eleanor Is it not?" Flo asked. "We were kids! You remember the first spring break from college we went to Ft. Lauderdale…It was the 70's"

"Dad, who is Eleanor?" Kate asked.

"Should I tell her or should you?" Flo asked.

"What is going on? I learn about an Aunt I knew nothing about now you are talking about a person you both seem to know but I am in the dark about. One of you come clean!" Kate stated.

"Kate Eleanor is my lover. I am gay. Your father has always had a problem with it. I am not surprised I was not involved in your life." Flo said.

"Well that is well known that Muriel Winston was gay. So why the big deal?" Kate asked.

"Because Eleanor is not just another woman! She is your Aunt too." Jim said. "She is Johanna's twin sister!"

Kate was taken back at the family reveal when Jim was called. They all rose and entered the doctor's exam room.

Kate needed more but the medical procedures took precedent.

"So Mr. Beckett we have found a donor for your liver transplant she is a perfect match there will be no chance of rejection." The Doctor said. "We can schedule the surgery at any time. You ribs have healed well the bones in the legs at well healed. So Let's get that cast off."

Jim was placed in position.

"Ok this will take a bit just look at your Sister or Daughter." He said as the electric saw did its work.

The cast was cracked and the skin looked all mottled.

"Doctor is it supposed to look like that?" Kate asked concerned.

"Oh that is a bit of surface mold but with a bit of alcohol it is easily removed." The Doctor said. "Ok Jim this is going to hurt a lot but I need you to bend your knee.

Kate grabbed his hand for support then Jim slowly bent his knee his limb felt as if it was on fire. Jim began to sweat the pain was so much.

"AGGGGGHHHH" Jim said.

"Well your muscles have not atrophied that is a good sign. Jim in a few weeks you do not realize it yet you will be out of that chair in no time. Here is a pair of crutches. I want you to use them as much as you can around the house. Keep using your chair but limit your use to when you are totally exhausted. The doctor warned. "I'll write you a prescription and schedule you for PT starting Monday."

Jim beginning to recover just nodded.

"I see… Well I want to see you again for a consult on the surgery." The Doctor said. How about the 23rd? Is that good for you?

"Yeah Doctor the 23rd is just great." Kate said.

"Good well you can leave when the pain subsides. Nice meeting you all." The Doctor said exiting the room. The Nurse came in and cleaned up Jim's leg. It looked and smelled better too after the nurse left.

"Muriel? Would you like to come to the loft with us? Kate asked. "There are people which would love to meet you. I am only sad my Husband will not meet you now."

"Who Rick? Kate? Who do you think tracked me down? Rick and I were friends for the longest time!" Flo said.

"Of course you were!" Kate said. "He seems to know everyone!"

"I believe I do know the way Kate. I will see you there." Muriel said.