The progress on Thaddeus Ryan's cake was coming along splendidly.

Alexis proudly surveyed it. "The cakes are set, and the strawberries are in the volcano. Now the blue piping gel is ready for the lagoon. What's up next?"

"Icing!" Horatio told her. "Zadie and I will do that. But you are welcome to watch, my dear. Observation is always encouraged."

"Well, then. Don't mind if I do."

Alexis proceeded to pull up a stool to watch pulled up a stool to watch Horatio and Zadie.

They were fastidious. Alexis couldn't look away. Especially when Alexandra's parents narrated the whole process for her benefit.

Horatio and Zadie worked together to cover the cake surface (minus the volcano) in very thick green frosting. It was to serve as a grassy environment for the dinosaurs to roam on.

Decorating the volcano would come later.

Alexis continued to watch as the Ryans filled it. First came freshly-cut strawberries, for they were Thaddeus' favorite fruit. Chocolate mousse came in to pay from there.

But then it made contact with fruit. And triggered a sweet smell. One Alexis did not like. It prompted a bout of queasiness immediately.

"My dear," Zadie said to her. "Are you alright?"

The teenager had stood without thinking about what it. "I am. But I'm just going to step outside for a bit."

Zadie understood. "Go. Don't worry."

Alexis exited before she could feel any more ill.

Outside, she practiced a few calming breaths before turning her attention to the baby.

"Please don't do this to me right now. Any other time would be just fine. Mommy would really appreciate it."

Alexis caressed her middle with her knuckles.

"Come on. Easy does it."

And… As if by magic, the baby settled. Relief was the only sensation Alexis felt just then.

Her moment was broken when—

"Alexis?"

She looked around to see Zadie and Joelle joining her.

"Hey." she greeted them. "Is the cake done?"

Zadie shook her head. "Horatio is yet working on it."

But Joelle said to her in exasperation, "Ma, you are beating around the bush. I told you not to."

"Sassy McBossypants, I have no idea idea what you're on about." Zadie said with terrific innocence.

"You do so."

Joelle then turned completely to her new friend.

"Is my mother in the know of what she's pretending to know nothing about?"

"Yes." Alexis chuckled at Joelle's words. "I learned recently that I'm pregnant."

Joelle then said something unexpected. "Ha. Knew it. Has Allie told you yet that I'm a doctor? Like Jenny is?"

"Nope. Would've remembered that..."

"I am Doctor Joelle Hope Ryan, OB/GYN, at your service now. On top of that, I have two kids of my own. A third one is right here."

Joelle pointed to her lower middle, where a slight swell could be seen pressing against her work apron.

"Wow." Alexis' heart jumped for joy. "That's incredible. Many happy returns."

"Thank you, sweetheart." Joelle said kindly. "What does your family think about your stork visit?"

"My mom is not on board. We had a bad falling out." Alexis had a shuddered before perking up again. "But my dad and fiancée, and my grandmother are on board. Everyone is helping. Their support surprises me because I know drastic changes are ahead, but… I will take my blessings where I can find them."

Alexis remembered Zadie had said earlier about her family not prying. Yet, all (whom she had so far met) were so welcoming that she felt comfortable immediately. And at peace.

"I broke up with the father of my baby because he chose not to be involved." Alexis' heart then fluttered as she thought of what she would say next. "But Alexandra stepped in. So did Lilibet. Now I feel joy because of them. Every day."

"My sister loves deeply." Joelle remarked. "Bette learned the behavior from her. It's beautiful to watch."

Zadie tacked on, "Do ask her why Joelle keeps a medical binder for her."

"Will do." Alexis immediately remembered Alexandra's previous mention of it.

"But," Joelle said to her. "I am overjoyed that you are so happy. Truly, Alexis. I'm even more overjoyed that you could find happiness with us. We love you already. So will the rest of the family when they meet you at Sunday dinner."

Alexis was floored by Joelle's kindness and charisma. No wonder everyone worshipped her.

A cascade of relief washed over Alexis as she exhaled noisily. "Thank you, Joelle. Very much."

Joelle hugged her. "And you are so welcome."

Zadie reached over and fixed Alexis' appearance. "Do you feel better?"

"I do." Alexis gently released herself of Joelle's hold. "Thanks."

"You can come back inside. So long as you don't toss your cookies now." Zadie was only half-joking. "I hear that Bette is itching to hang out."

"Good. I need a hug from her, anyway…"

Lilibet beckoned to Alexis the moment she re-entered the kitchen. It amused Alexis when she saw her hailing her from atop a step-stool. But she completely understood Lilibet's aim when she held her arms open wide.

The little girl hugged Alexis around her middle and then looked up at her like she was the only person in the world.

Lilibet hugged her again. "Love you, Lexie! Lots!"

It took every ounce of self-control Alexis Harper Castle had to not burst into tears of emotion. This child's love for her was pure. Unfiltered. And innocent.

"I love you, too, angel. So very much." Alexis gently rubbed Lilibet's back. "And you know something? I'm glad we're friends."

"Same!"

Lilibet then let go of Alexis. A new thought had filled her mind.

She pointed to a new arrangement on the work station surface beside them. Joelle's miniature dinosaurs. All for Thaddeus' cake.

"Look!" Lilibet crowed with excitement. "It's dinos!"

Alexis moved to stand beside her. "I know what these ones are called."

"Really?"

"Mhm. Now say what I say." Alexis then indicated the first three dinosaurs in turn. "Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Velociraptor."

Lilibet echoed Alexis to the best of her ability. "Stag'star, Seratops, Lossaraptor!"

Alexis met her with positive affirmation. "Very good!"

Lilibet turned a slight shade of pink at the praise before proceeding to line the toys up. It was her way of helping.

So Alexis took another look at the delectable dessert.

It had a better appearance of a volcanic landscape. Now it was complete with frosting shrubbery and fondant palm trees. But red, orange, and yellow frosting iced creatively on the volcanic structure aided in the appearance of an eruption. This was topped with crumpled Oreos to simulate lava rocks. It was all coming together well.

"So? What do you think?"

Alexis had a small start when she realized that Alexandra had joined them.

"It looks amazing. Now all that's missing is a message of some kind." Alexis noted. "And of course, the creatures… If we can pry them away from Bette…"

"Let's let her have some fun. We will focus now on writing Thadd's birthday message."

"What?" Alexis looked at her in surprise. "Did you just say, 'we'?"

"I did." Alexandra said calmly. "Don't tell me you never drafted anything on your baking adventures with your dad. Surely you iced words on that glorious owl cake you told us about?"

"It said, 'Happy Birthday, Melody,' but that was almost a year ago…"

"Don't fret. I will help you." Alexandra passed Alexis a piping bag filled with black frosting. "Here you go. Get a feel for it. This kitchen is all about learning. You're good."

Alexis took the pipe, feeling its weight in her hands.

But she was distracted the very next second.

Why?

Alexandra had come to stand behind her and hold her flesh against her own body. It did not take much for Alexis' pulse to go faster. Or for her to realize that Alexandra was aware of it.

But Alexis was amused, so she murmured, "What are you up to?"

"I am keeping you steady." Alexandra murmured back. "Is this okay?"

Alexis nodded. "Yes. I actually like this a lot."

"Excellent." Alexandra caressed Alexis' thumbs gently to relax her. "Easy does it. I've got your back. Almost literally. We will do great."

Alexis nodded and let Alexandra take over. She trusted her. In many ways.

Under Alexandra's direction, they proceeded to spell out a message on the cake.

Happy Birthday, Thaddeus James!

With Alexandra's very steady hand and Alexis' faith, it had all been pulled off quite well.

"Not bad." Alexandra pulled away from Alexis but happily gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Well done."

"Right back at you." Alexis' eyes flickered towards Lilibet. "Good luck getting the dinosaurs away from her."

But Lilibet gave the dinosaurs up. After only a smidgen of negotiation. Plus a small distraction from her grandparents.

But Alexis and Alexandra then found themselves in charge of arranging the miniatures. Horatio and Zadie wanted to see what they would create.

In the end, the miniatures were arranged so that several were climbing the volcano while the reminders were gathered at the base. Watching.

The entire cake layout would be very appealing to a dinosaur-crazed eight-year-old boy.

Joelle broke their bubble by giving them a gentle nudge. "Well done. I am extremely pleased. Thadd will be, too. But… I do have to move the cake away so it can keep in the fridge…"

Alexis and Alexandra heeded her message. Clean-up would be had. Before they moved on to a new project. Everything about today was very fun.

Alexis moved off to the side of the kitchen again after about another hour.

It didn't take Alexandra too long to check on her.

"Uh... I don't mean to sound like a hovery girlfriend or something, and you're probably sick of hearing this, but... Are you okay?" she asked.

"I am." Alexis told her truthfully. "Moving around in this kitchen has just made me realize how tight my clothes are getting. The baby's growing like a weed…"

Very briefly, Alexandra touched Alexis' middle. "Red… You are sporting a small bump. We need to get you to the shops before ma and Joelle kick our asses for not starting sooner."

"I would love to go shopping with you." Alexis then let out a small snicker. "By the way… That phrasing about 'not getting to it sooner' could be applied to a lot."

Joelle spoke merrily as she passed them by. "For example, kissing!"

Alexandra lobbed the nearest dishtowel at Joelle. She also issued words in Gaelic. To Alexis, they sounded like a hex.

"What the hell did you just say to her?" she laughed.

The blonde softened up. "Nothing. I just told Joelle Hope to mind her own business. Every now and again, she really does act like a twelve-year-old."

"But your big sister mentioned kissing…"

"I promise that we will have that talk. Soon." Alexandra then held the younger woman's face in both of her hands. "Were you serious about shopping?"

Alexis put her own hands on top of her companion's. "I am."

"Then we'll go. In a few minutes." Alexandra decided. "But how are you not tired of me?"

Alexis happily stroked Alexandra's hands. "You have always been a good friend. Right now, I would be lost without your help."

Alexandra suddenly found herself exercising a terrific amount of restraint in not kissing Alexis just then. It was tempting. And she wanted to. But surrounded by her family in a busy kitchen did not seem like the best time to start.

"I'm just glad you haven't started plotting my demise. Or any pranks." Alexandra joked. "And that you still want me around."

But I'll always want that, thought Alexis.

"You know… I'll save pranks and the like for when I can see where Bette's dexterity and creativity are." winked Alexis. "But some of it is to be saved for when we're old and grey. Maybe the kids can both help out then."

Alexandra grinned mischievously. "But I bet that whatever happens, we will have total fun along the way."

And… Just like that, Alexis Harper and Alexandra Joy knew they were it for each other. For life.

Alexandra very nearly proposed on the spot.

But she also refrained from this. It would happen. But not for awhile. Yet.

"Would it be alright if I held you?" Alexandra asked Alexis very softly. "Just for a few minutes before we go?"

"Yes, please. I would love it." Alexis responded.

She could tell that Alexandra wanted more. But Alexis could also read a room. Hugging would do. For now.

Alexis leaned into Alexandra's hold, resting her head against her abdomen. Wrapped her arms gently around her waist. But she smiled when Alexandra caressed her hair. It was very calming.

They were both in their own bubble again.

The rest of the family noticed. But did not comment.

However… It didn't stop Zadie from wondering who would propose to whom. And when.