A/N: I am republishing this story. There have been edits made. Text that has been italicized is a flashback, and text that has been bolded is from the show. I am merely borrowing characters besides though that are not recognized.
"Are you ready for this?" Luke asks as they stand in their room getting ready.
"As ready as I can be," Kathleen says as looks at herself in the mirror. She is wearing a red long sleeve pleated midi dress. The tie around her waist showed off her slight bump. She was currently trying to decide on a pair of shoes. "What about you?"
"Dinner with your family is usually a piece of cake," he says. He was wearing a pair of brown corduroy pants with a deep red button-down shirt. "This includes four of my co-workers, a Pitbull of a cousin and an honorary grandfather. Telling them you're pregnant and we haven't completed about the wedding is a whole new ball game. "
"It'll be fine," she says as she pulls out a pair of ankle booties. "Plus, it's only a family dinner. It's not the work Christmas party or major event."
"Can you walk in those?" he asks as he notices the four-inch heels. "Is it safe for you to walk in those?"
"They are a wide heel and it's not like I'll be on my feet for a long period," she says as she sits on the bed and zips them up. "I am done wearing heels after this week. I want to wear them while I still can."
"Are you sure?" he says as he places a kiss on her lips. "I don't want nothing to happen to the two of you."
"We will be safe," she says as she walks out of their bedroom and to the hall closet. "The quicker we get this evening started, the quicker we can get home and relax."
"True," he says as he follows her and grabs their black wool coats from the closet. He helps her into hers before placing his own on. "Though they may know something is up."
"They know nothing," she says as they exit the apartment.
There is a twenty-minute drive from their place in Yorkville to her aunt and uncle. It wasn't an awful drive for a holiday in the city. It was quiet, though her dad's place was closer to High Park North. Steve was coming from Cabbagetown and Gail was coming in from Harbour Village. Gramps was coming in Hoggs Hollow. So it may sense they would all travel to their aunt and uncle for family holiday dinners. Never once did it occur to them. They could all carpool together at these events. Though Donovan, Steve and Luke could be called for a major case.
They pull up to a medium-sized home in a colonial style. This was a place where Kathleen spent a good amount of her teen years. Her dad spent was busy with work so Kathleen stayed with her cousins. They both got out of the car and noticed the three cars already in the driveway.
"Guess your dad is running behind again," Luke says as they walk towards the front door. "Must have something going on."
"When doesn't he have something in the works?" Kathleen says as she opens the front door and they both walk in. The first thing they hear is the voices of Gail and Steve arguing about something in the distance. "They've already started without me."
"Surprised," he asks as they hang up their coats and follow the voices into the living room. They notice Bill and Elaine sitting on one couch and Gramps sitting in a usual chair back to the entrance. Steve and Gail arguing in the chairs across from their grandfather.
Kathleen shakes her head as she leads Luke into the room. She stops by Gramps's chair and kisses his cheek. "How are you doing?" she says as he notices her.
"Better now that you are here," he says, smiling, before turning to greet Luke. "Nice to see you again."
"You as well, sir," Luke says as they walk towards the couch across from her aunt and uncle. "What are you two discussing now?"
"Finally, someone on my side," Steve says as he notices the two. "She is trying to make an argument that we should always have our badges at the ready for an off-duty arrest."
"Why?" Luke asks as he looks at them. "You call it in before pursuing. During that call, you are going to explain to dispatch that you are an off-duty officer. Then give them your badge number and description."
"You're saying that would work for any cop?" Gail asks as she looks at him. "Even a rookie who's barely been on the job."
"If it's a crime that you witness, yeah," Luke replies. He takes the drink that Bill has handed him. "Your witness testimony will hold up the arrest."
"What if you don't witness the crime?" Gail questions.
"It becomes a bit more grey, but if you hear a cry for help, you respond," Luke explains as he takes a sip of his drink. "You are bound to your oath, on and off duty."
"Agreed," Gramps says as he takes a sip of his drink.
"Though you said there was a grey area," Gail points out as Steve groans.
"There is always going to be a grey area," Luke says. "We may find it a sound arrest doesn't mean internal affairs are going to agree with us. Though more witnesses, evidence and the perps' history all have to be taken into effect. There is no right or wrong answer to this kind of question. It is all a judgment call by the officer."
"I agree with Luke," Elaine says as Bill nods next to her. "Each situation is going to be different, as is each officer."
"That is true," Gramps adds before looking at his watch. "Any idea where Donny is? He's missing pre-dinner drinks."
"He had texted me before we arrived," Kathleen says as she pulls out her phone. "He said he should be here in about ten minutes, working out some kinks in a new op."
"Yes, he has been working quite hard on this one," Bill mentions as he looks at the group. "He is aiming quite high with his target. If he is successful, we can get a big player off the streets."
"The genuine question becomes, how well can he play with others?" Elaine asks as she sips on her wine. "We all know how he gets with sharing."
"He's likely found a loophole," Kathleen says as the front door opens. "You know how he likes to find those."
"About time, Donny," Gramps says as Donovan walks into the room and sits down next to Gramps.
"Sorry, these fine details are killing me," Donovan says as he accepts a drink from Bill. "Thanks. I never realized how much work it took to make a cover story believable."
"When are you hoping to add the player?" Bill asks as he watches the room.
"Halloween night," Donovan says. "He'll blend in effortlessly with the others, and you know how we have an increase of dealers during that period."
"In that case, we excuse you," Gramps says as he looks around the room. "Now, what is new with everyone else?"
"I have midterms starting the week after Halloween, so don't count on seeing me," Gail mentions as she sips her wine.
"Bibby and I are working on a string of robberies out of the Davencourt," Steve begins as he sips his drink. "They are targeting mom-and-pop shops owned by elderly couples."
"Sounds like a gang initiation," Bill mentions. "Jarvis and I are getting ready for a security briefing for the PM's visit."
"I have a meeting with RCMP," Elaine adds. "We are going over a few fresh problems that seem to migrate to bigger cities. We are also going over any smuggling operations that have come up since our last discussion."
"Things have been quiet at 15," Luke starts. "I expect a bit more of a rush coming into the holiday season. We know how that always brings up the fun, plus we have an 'Open City, Open House' event. Boyko is quite excited about it, hoping for some new community members."
"Yes, I remember that now," Elaine says as she looks at him. "I believe superintendent Quincy will be attending."
"Fun," Kathleen says as the group looks at her. "We should have the peds area up and running by the new year. I am thinking about applying for that, but we will see what happens."
"What about the wedding?" Gramps asks as he looks at the two. "Any recent developments on that?"
"A small family wedding around the beginning of December," Luke mentions. He looks at Kathleen. "Nothing too fancy."
"Okay, what is going on?" Donovan says as he looks at the two of them. "Not that I am against small, intimate weddings, but why so quickly?"
"Well because," Kathleen starts as she looks around the room. "We're having a baby."
"What?" the six voices all say as they look at the couple. They all then talked at the same time. Gramps, Bill, and Donovan were upset. While Elaine and Gail were shocked and Steve was still attempting to grasp what they said.
"Told you," Luke says as he holds her hand. "How long do you think this will go on for?"
"About ten minutes," she says as she rests her head on his shoulder. "We are an emotional bunch who were taught never to keep things in."
"True," Luke says as he places a kiss on her forehead.
Steve just sits there watching everything. He is watching his male family members argue about the situation. His mother is shocked and looked visibly sad, and his sister looks hurt to be left out. His attention turned to Kathleen and Luke are there together through it all. They whispered and shared a tender moment. He gets up and walks into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of prosecco, six flutes and a bottle of sparkling water. After filling the flutes and placing them on a tray, he returns to the living room with a whistle.
"I get that we all have different opinions on this," he starts. "We are forgetting something important here. We are adding a new family member, someone we can all teach and support. Yes, it is unconventional, but let's not forget that is a big part of Kit Kat and Luke's relationship. When have they ever done anything conventional?" He pauses as he hands out flutes to each member of the group. "To the newest adventure for Luke and Kit Kat," he toasts.
"To Luke and Kit Kat," Gail chimes in.
"To Luke and Kat," Bill, Elaine and Gramps chime in.
"To Luke and Kitty," Donovan chimes in at the end.
"Thank you," Kathleen says to Steve as they all sip their beverages. She immediately feels the atmosphere of the room change after his speech.
"Now tell us everything," Elaine starts as she looks at the two. "When are we expecting our newest bundle of joy, or is it twins?"
"Single baby," Luke says as he feels her relax. "According to the doctor at the end of April."
"A spring baby," Gail cheers. "Think of all the cute little outfits."
"How far along will you be at the time of the proposed wedding?" Gramps asks as he watches them.
"About the halfway mark," Kathleen says as she looks at him. "From what I've been reading, I'll have more energy and won't tire out as quickly if we did it later."
"Are we thinking of a small ceremony followed by," Bill asks as he notices his wife listening.
"Exactly, a simple ceremony at St. Patrick's followed by dinner," Luke says as he looks around the room. "We haven't gotten that far yet."
"We've talked to Father O'Rourke. He should get back to us with some dates," Kathleen mentions. "We haven't gotten to the reception part."
"We could do a catered dinner here," Elaine suggests as she looks at her husband. "Since it will be around fifteen people."
"True, it would also give Kathleen a chance to rest if she needed it," Bill says as he looks at his wife. "That would work. If you two want?"
"That would be perfect," Kathleen says as Luke nods.
"I know how close you and Sam are, but he presumably not be available," Donovan mentions. "Sam is going to be unavailable."
"Your undercover position," Kathleen asks as she looks at him.
"Possibly," he replies. "We may pull him for the day, but no guarantees."
"That works for me," she says as she looks at him. "We can always do lunch before you put him under."
"Always flexible," Donovan says as he smiles at her.