They lay cuddled together for a while before Kate really needed to use the bathroom, she excused herself and walked towards the bathroom. It had been so nice lying with Martha and Alexus but she wished someone else had been behind her with his hands on her belly.

"Grams, you didn't seem surprised when Kate announced she was pregnant." Alexis inquired of her grandmother.

"I had spotted changes in Katherine's frame when she entered and more so when she sat on the bar stool. I had suspicions but knew I had to let her come to us." Martha stated. "Alexis, I know you and I miss your father but can you imagine what Katherine has been going through?"

"I guess, but if she's know for all this time why didn't she tell us. Why didn't she let us in?" Alexis inquired, she felt bad for accusing Kate of anything but she was also a bit sad that Kate hadn't felt she could come to them. They all missed him.

"I couldn't". Kate's voice came from the bathroom door. She walked back towards the side of the bed Alexis occupied. Alexis moved allowing Kate to climb back in between them, "I was dealing with too much information and I couldn't process it. I was trying hard to be strong for you guys but when it came to the crunch I just didn't have the words to explain it to you both." Martha took Kate's hand giving it a pat. "I hope you can understand and forgive me for disappearing and not telling you I just couldn't. But after today I knew I had". Kate's hand drifted to her bump, caressing it.

"Did Doctor Cohen give you any indication of a due date?" Martha inquired.

"No but she said looking at the ultrasound she guessed I was about 16 weeks." Kate reached for the picture, running a finger over the outline of her child.

"Almost half way then?" Alexis asked.

"I guess, my only hope is that your dad makes it home before much longer. I am not sure how much more I go through". That statement made everyone stop and have their own thoughts.

Feeling tears start to build I her eyes, Martha decided it was time to do something that sit and wallow all day. "Right ladies, I think it's time for some shopping."

"What are we shopping for Grams?" Alexis wondered, wiping the tears from her own face.

"MY new grandchild of course, as well as my current one and their mom." Alexis smile at her grandmother, knowing she was right. Kate may not have given birth to Alexis but in all senses of the word Kate was Alexis' mom.

They got up and headed to the living room, Alexis progressing further to the stairs to her room. Martha was always ready to go somewhere, something Kate learned very early on in her and Rick's partnership.

Kate let her mind wander to the early days of her and Rick's partnership and getting to know the Castle family. Walking into their apartment while Rick and Alexis were in a laser quest battle, the dinners she had been invited too, breakfasts when cases had ran long. She always felt included, never an outsider, part of the family and it made her happy. She never thought she would feel that happiness again after her mothers passing. Thinking of her mothers hand, her hand again drifted towards her abdomen. HOw she wished her mother was here to help her through, give her pregnancy advice, hope for baby items and just be gran. She knew Martha would step in and while she was grateful, she couldn't but just miss her mom.

"Katherine, darling, are you okay?" Martha's asked her voice full of concern. "You seemed a million miles away."

"Just thinking about my mom and how she is missing this. She would have loved to be a grandmother. I know you and she would have gotten along so well. "Kate rested her hadn't on Martha's shoulder.

"I would have loved to have met her, she sounds like such an amazing woman." Martha said sincerely. "After all she raised you." She said with a smile.

Kate smiled back, willing the tears to stay bay and hoping that Alexis would appear soon. As if by magic she did. She had pulled a light jacket on and her bag slung over she shoulder. "So where we headed first?"

The shopping expedition went well. Martha insisted on buying for Alexis, the new baby and Kate, though Kate was too stubborn to allow it. Martha was keeping an eye on what she was looking at so she could get something for her.

Alexis was looking for a new handbag but couldn't decide which one. She had picked the style but couldn't decide between black, blue or green. "Blue." Kate said. "I've always thought you looked great in blue." She smiled at the young woman in front of her.

"Thanks Kate." Alexis couldn't help but smile, Kate always knew the right thing to say. "Are you looking for anything?"

"I've got some clothes to try on but nothing else." She said sadly, Alexis looked at her questioning. "I feel like I should leave baby things for now, you never know what could happen." Alexis knew she was hoping that Rick would come home soon so they could shop together.

"Are you sure Kate, I saw you looking." Martha inquired.

"I'd like to was it just a bit longer Martha, please." Kate's eyes pleaded before she walked away too try on the clothes she had over her arm. Willing Martha not to ask any more questions when she came out. She just couldn't picture setting up a nursery without him. Surely Martha could understand.