A/N: I know it's been years. I found my outline for this while searching for something in the end table's drawer. Since other writers have updated some old stories recently, and I found the outline, I decided to work on it again. I know how much it saddens me when stories are left unfinished.
After a breakfast discussion about dinner and kisses for her family, Kate drove to the 12th. She needed to wait to hear from the Chief of Detectives, before she told the rest of the precinct about her retirement. Shortly after 9 am, the phone call she'd been waiting for happened. It was not the Chief. It was his secretary relaying an order for Kate to be at 1PP at 10 am. Kate checked in with the personnel who would need to know where she'd be. Before she started the engine of her car, she took a moment to call Rick.
"Hello, Honey."
"Hi, Babe. The Chief of D's has summoned me to his office. Just wanted to ask you not to send me the usual text messages and videos until after the meeting. I'll need to keep the phone on for any emergencies from the 12th, but I don't want my phone pinging with anything else. Please."
"Of course. I'll save all the texts until you give me the all clear, and then I shall barrage you with Lily moments."
Kate laughed. "Thanks. I'll call you after the meeting."
"It will be fine. He just wants to talk you out of it. Tell him if he can match the lap of luxury I can provide, you'll reconsider."
Rick's joke was exactly what she needed to release the tension she was feeling. She laughed, "Thanks. I'll keep that as an option. Love you."
"Love you, too."
The Chief didn't keep her waiting. After offering her a cup of coffee, which Kate declined, he opened the discussion about her resignation.
"Captain Beckett, I was surprised by your letter of resignation. I wasn't aware of any problems that might have precipitated this so soon after your return from maternity leave. Why have you decided to resign?"
"I wasn't expecting you to jump straight to the point, Sir." Kate took a deep breath and continued, "There are no issues at the 12th that caused this decision, other than my lack of joy with the mountains of paperwork." The Chief smiled at that statement. "I am in the fortunate position that I don't need a paycheck or a pension. As you are aware, I've almost died from gunshots twice. Being a captain decreases the possibility of being in danger, but I'm no longer willing to take that chance. I have a sweet little girl, and I want to be there to enjoy her."
The Chief responded with a smile, "I am certain your husband has more than enough money to support your family. The NYPD needs people with your abilities and integrity. Are you sure you will be content being a wife and mother? It's a big change to your life."
"I've discussed this with my husband and at his insistence with my therapist. I've explained my decision to a few friends and to Asst. Chief Gates. My heart is at home with my daughter and my husband. I also want to have another child. There are good people in the NYPD awaiting an opportunity to assume Captain positions. I'm ready to step aside."
"Would you be interested in alternate uses for your experience and talent? Victoria and I discussed the idea of you doing seminars or classes at the Academy."
"No, Sir. I want to be there for Lily and my husband. Who knows, I might succeed in convincing my husband to give me a writer's credit on his next book." Kate used a playful tone on her last sentence in hopes that the Chief would understand the decision is final.
The Chief was silent for a moment, and then he nodded. "It's apparent your mind is made up. I'm disappointed to lose you. If you change your mind about a position at the Academy, give me a call." He stood and extended his hand. "The NYPD will miss you. When a decision has been made about your replacement, you'll be contacted."
Kate shook his hand, asked a few questions about the transition, and departed for the 12th. When she was seated in her car, she called Rick.
"What did he offer you to stay? Better hours…a raise…a new desk?"
Kate laughed. "Have you been mulling over that sentence the whole time I was with the Chief?"
"Nah. Best-selling author, Kate. It only took half that time." They both laughed. "Seriously, Kate. How did it go?"
"He thought something at work caused me to resign. I didn't use your line about luxury, but I did make it clear I don't need the NYPD's paycheck. He offered me a position at the Academy. I turned it down. He said he had talked with Gates. She must have shared our discussion."
"Tonight we'll tell the family." Kate heard a cry accompany Rick's statement. "Hold on. Gotta grab the munchkin. Her ball is stuck under the sofa."
"Rick, take care of Lily. I need to get back to the 12th. Love you."
"Love you, too." Before Kate ended the call she heard Rick soothing Lily, "Sweetie, it's…"
The afternoon at work was routine. Rick deluged her with pictures of Lily. Kate posted a notice about a meeting at shift change in the morning to be attended by all available personnel. She advised Espo and Ryan to answer any questions with a shrug or say "It's probably nothing big." At the end of her shift, she happily headed for home.
Rick had ordered dinner from a small family-run Italian restaurant. While he set the table, Kate took Lily with her to the bedroom. Lily babbled while Kate changed into a green cowl-neck sweater and black yoga pants. Rick had laid out clothes for Lily to wear for dinner. Kate opted to use a cute ensemble that Alexis had bought for Lily recently.
When Kate returned to the kitchen, Rick told her his mother had called earlier. "Mother wanted permission to have a town car pick her up and also pick up Alexis. I told her she always has permission to call a town car on my account. Alexis had called her this morning worried that something is wrong. I told Mother it's good news, AND I refused to tell her what we have to tell them. She's hoping you're pregnant."
Kate rolled her eyes. "Did you tell her we are NOT having Irish twins?"
"Sadly, I didn't think of that response. I just told her that we are not currently ready to have another baby."
"Good answer, Writer Man."
Lily tried to echo Kate, "Rye Man. Rye Man." Her parents laughed, so Lily did too.
Rick answered the house phone and thanked Roger. Their family was on the way up. Rick, Lily and Kate opened the door and waited for the elevator to open. As soon as Alexis exited the elevator Lily squealed, "Is Is" and leaned out. Alexis smiled and took her sister from her Dad's arms.
After all the visitors had a few minutes with Lily, they moved to the dining table. It was apparent that Alexis was anxious. Rick gave her a tight hug and whispered in her ear, "It's good news. I promise." He felt Alexis relax. He relaxed his hold to just an arm around her shoulder. "It's Kate's news to tell, but I think to ease the tension she should just blurt it out before the food gets cold."
Everyone turned his or her attention to Kate. She smiled brilliantly. "I turned in my resignation effective on March 9th."
Martha's "Oh Thank God" was louder than anyone else's response. Lily looked around confused. She saw all the happy smiles and she laughed. Martha enveloped Kate and Lily in a hug.
Jim waited his turn. He whispered in Kate's ear, "I'm so proud of you, Katie. Proud and relieved." He loosened his hug and kissed Kate's cheek. "Lily will keep you busy. You'll see. Won't you little one?" He kissed Lily on the head.
Alexis waited while Kate settled Lily in her high chair. "Kate. Thank you. I'm proud of your job, but it will be such a relief to not have that constant worry." Lily interrupted the strong hug they shared.
"Is Is, Is Is," Lily demanded her sister's attention.
"Do you need a hug, little sister?" Alexis took Lily out of her high chair and twirled her around for their hug. She put Lily back in the chair and sat next to her.
Dinner was a happy, loud meal. Kate related the reasons for her decision and the steps she'd taken to make it official. She answered the few questions that were asked.
Lily interrupted with echoes of her mother's words and demands for attention. When Alexis called Martha "Gram," Lily tried to copy her. Lily's version came out as "Gam," but it was close enough to bring Martha to tears. "On, my sweet baby. That's right I'm Gram." Martha gushed.
Jim decided to speak up, "Alexis, you'll have to start calling me Granddad, or Lily will end up calling me Jim." He laughed.
Alexis reacted with surprise. "I'd love to call you Granddad. I don't have a grandfather anymore. Mom's father died years ago."
Jim answered Alexis with glistening eyes, "I'd be honored for you to call me Granddad." Alexis rose from her chair and went to Jim for a hug.
After their hug, Alexis picked up Lily and sat next to Jim. "Lily, can you say Granddad? Try to say Granddad. This is Granddad," she reiterated to Lily while pointing to Jim.
Lily looked from Alexis to Jim and then to Kate and back to Jim, "Gamda?"
Jim laughed. "That'll work for now, baby girl."
The dinner was a wonderful night for all of them.