Alexis waited until after Alexandra and Lilibet departed her building's elevator before heading into her home. On top of that... It was quiet. A rare commodity.

Grateful to just be home, Alexis moved to the window-seat at the far end of the living room. She even stretched out. This had always been one of her favorite spots.

An approaching voice broke her thoughts. "Hey, you."

Alexis looked up to see Kate approaching from the office. "Hey!"

"Would you like some company?" Kate asked as she drew level.

"Sure." Alexis made a beckoning motion. "I like when we hang out."

"Same here." Kate sat with her friend and propped Alexis' feet in her lap. "How are you?"

"Glad to be in my own home, heartbroken because I'm going to be a single mom, and... getting use to this now." Alexis pointed to her middle. "My universe is expanding."

Kate laughed. "That is very clever phrasing. Would you ever become a writer, like your dad?"

Alexis shook her head. "Nah. I would rather do something hands-on. Like baking."

"My mom would have loved you so much. She was always cooking or baking. Learned everything I know about both from her." Kate reflected. "You know that tin box over by the toaster in the kitchen?"

Alexis nodded. "Yep. It's decorated with vintage Peanuts characters."

Kate recalled an old memory. "I bought it for her with my allowance when I was nine. Gave it to her as a thank-you present."

"Oh?"

"I'd had my tonsils taken out, and she took care of me with no complaints. Total saint. Me? I was a brat. We met in the middle by happily watching Temptation Lane together. Every day."

Kate's eyes flickered towards the kitchen.

"Mom kept her recipes in the tin. After she died, dad gave me her some of her treasures."

"Including the tin." deduced Alexis.

"Yep. But on one condition." Kate added. "Mom told him once that she wanted me to have it, so long as I gave it my eldest on their wedding day."

"Wow. That's so cool."

Kate gave Alexis' ankle a gentle squeeze. "You are my eldest."

Alexis' heart skipped a beat. "But…"

Kate read her mind. "Our age gap is a curious one, but in the official line-up of things, you are my eldest. Always will be."

"Wow, Kate. That's incredibly sweet."

"And true." Kate straightened out a run in Alexis' tights. "Hey—maybe I can teach you something to bake for Alexandra and Lilibet soon."

Alexis blushed spectacularly. And thought of the first distraction she could. In an attempt to change the subject, Alexis pulled the sonogram images from her purse.

"Kate—would you like to see my baby?"

Kate humored her. But she was also honest.

"Yes, Alexis. Thank you."

She accepted the sonograms.

Alexis watched her look at them. Ever-observant, she noticed the look of longing in Kate's eyes.

"Are you good?" Alexis asked her.

"Yeah, sweetheart." Kate handed the pictures back. "I was just thinking… Would it be weird if you were ever upgraded to 'big sister'?"

"Not at all. I would actually really love it." Alexis moved herself into a higher sitting position. "What are you saying? Am I getting that promotion?"

Kate shook her head. "Not yet. But we have been thinking about it."

Alexis heard her words, but just made a happy sigh about something else.

"And what was that for?" Kate chuckled.

"I can't wait to show these," Alexis held up her sonograms. "To Alexandra. She didn't get a chance to see."

Kate arched an eyebrow in a mischievous matter. "First she takes care of you. Stays with you. And then she brings you home?"

Alexis began to sputter. "How did you know…?"

"I heard you both giggling by the front door for a good five minutes."

"Oh. Sorry about that."

"Don't be." Kate waved a hand of dismissal. "I'm glad you have her. She seems really great. Do you like her?"

Alexis opened her mouth to speak but didn't get a chance to say anything.

Almost at once, the main door to the loft opened. Martha all but waltzed in. Her arms were laden down with several bags of grocery bags. It seemed she had been on a mission.

Alexis immediately joined her grandmother. She wanted to answer Kate's question. Really. But… She was also interested in what Martha was doing.

So Alexis asked, "What's all this about? I thought you and Kate were going to keep dad occupied."

"Oh, we did. Same for your ex. He is gone. Your father? He went for some fresh air."

Martha waved a hand over all she had extracted from the bags: a variety of light soups, fresh vegetables, and even Alexis' favorite yogurt.

"All of this is for you." she chirped to Alexis. "One of the nurses gave me a pamphlet of what kinds of items will work best as you ease your way into regular food."

"Wow." Alexis hugged her. "Thanks!"

"You are very welcome, darling." Martha returned the affection. "Hungry?"

Alexis shook her head. "Not yet. But thank you."

Kate chose now to stroll over. "You didn't say where you were going once Rick left, Martha. Grocery shopping is not your favorite thing to do. Is it?"

"How very true, Katherine. But everyone's priorities have changed today. I am doing my part to help."

The older woman shifted her attention to Alexis.

"Why didn't you invite Alexandra and Lilibet over for food?"

Now Alexis returned to flustering. "What? Because!"

"That is not a proper answer, young lady." Martha deadpanned.

So Alexis tried again. "I didn't know what kind of environment I would be walking into by the time we got here. Especially if dad was still here. On top of that, Bette could barely keep her eyes open. She is probably in Snoozeville by now."

Martha grew very intrigued. "Pardon? 'By the time we got here'? Just how close are you two?"

"Allie also asked to see me to the front door." Alexis informed them. "For her own peace of mind."

"If that isn't adorable, I don't know what is."

Now Martha was arranging the fresh produce on the counter. She already found the juicer. It was clear what she was up to.

But she also added, "Invite them for dinner next time."

Alexis perched on a barstool at the counter. "N-next time?"

Martha chuckled. "Oh, don't be so surprised. I saw the looks you two were stealing from each other."

Kate sat beside Alexis. "I saw those looks, too. Looked like flirting."

"We were not!" Alexis cried.

"If you insist. But... You still haven't answered my question from before."

Martha paused in her juicing endeavors and looked from her future daughter-in-law to her granddaughter in turn. Life here was never dull.

"And just what, Miss Alexis Harper, was Katherine's question?"

The younger redhead immediately rolled her eyes. "Do you have to middle name me in front of Kate?"

Martha put her hands on her hips. "I have officially helped raise you since you were Bette's age, so I will middle name you in front of whomever I want. Any time want."

"Okay, fine. But only because it's you two." Alexis told her company. "Kate asked me if I like Alexandra. As in… really like her."

Martha went back to cutting up celery for the juicer. "Well? Do you?"

Alexis protested, "Like I can answer that question today—I did just end a relationship!"

"Touché. I'll give you that one, kiddo. But... If you like Alexandra, you'll get no argument from me."

This threw Alexis for a loop. "Woah. Really, gram?"

"Yes. Really, darling."

Alexis felt very humbled. And grateful to her.

Kate spoke up. "I'm also totally cool with it if you do like Alexandra Ryan."

But Alexis blurted, "Why? I'm not even your stepdaughter. Technically. And I didn't grow in your body. Why are you being so kind?"

"First, you will be my stepdaughter by law after the wedding. But I already love you did grow in my body. Second, my parents raised me to be open-minded. Johanna wanted me to have a broad worldview. My dad is the same."

Kate realized she had a captivated audience. And she liked it. This was her family.

"Alexis, when I was your age, I had a fling with a girl in my year. Just to see what it was like."

Alexis felt more surprised than ever. "What happened?"

"The semester was over. She moved back to London, and I came back here. Bygones became bygones." Kate said. "It was 1998. I have been in Manhattan ever since. Never saw Jessel Turner again."

Alexis mulled over Kate's words. "Well, I wouldn't be lying if I said I felt something for my friend since the day I met her. But all this time… I wasn't even sure how to feel."

Kate said, "Okay. That's reasonable."

"Allie is very kind, and she's been sending out all kinds of signals, but…"

"You still need to have that conversation with her." Kate finished.

"Mhm. And preferably when Bette is occupied." Alexis was beginning to feel relaxed. "But this whole thing about me liking Allie stays between us, alright?"

"Of course." Martha promised.

"You have my honor and my word." Kate said seriously.

"Thank you both. I also don't know what dad is going to say about everything. I'm amazed he didn't freak out on me." Alexis admitted. "What I can't believe is that dad hasn't disowned me yet."

Kate reached over and rubbed Alexis' back.

But Martha said, "Your father has loved you for your entire existence. He's learned by now that you are your own person. But you are also his baby, Alexis. Richard will always love you because turning you away for anything would break his heart."

Alexis could only mouth her thanks.

Kate spoke. "I can't totally back Martha up, but trust me: one of the first things I learned from him ever is just how much Rick loves you. And I saw it firsthand. Before today's events."

"By that, you mean what happened in Europe." Alexis murmured.

"Indeed. Rick loves you." Kate patted Alexis' hand. "No matter what."

Alexis could feel her emotions leveling out now.

And she opened her mouth to respond… but she was once more interrupted by the front door opened.

Castle entered the loft. Looking diffident.

"Pumpkin," he said to Alexis. "How much stock do you put in coincidence?"

Alexis felt wary. "Less than I put into my belief in fate. Dad, what did you do?"

Alexis focused solely on Castle. As did Martha. And Kate.

Castle did not fold. "Long story short, I was minding my own business at the Old Haunt, and… your mother entered. Sat down at the bar."

Alexis was rightfully incredulous. "What?"

"Yeah, I also didn't know she was in town. But then she started asking me about you. I may or may not have accidentally mentioned the baby?"

"DAD! WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU DO THAT?"

Before Castle could scold his offspring for cursing at him, the sound of a classic Star Trek red alert klaxon filled the air. It came from Alexis' phone. She groaned.

"Well, this is just the best day of my life." Alexis groused. "Mom is calling me."

Castle surveyed his company. "That, ladies, is called a coincidence."

Kate punched him in the arm.