The downpour from the night downgraded itself to a light sprinkle by morning.

Alexis noticed this when she woke up.

Her second observation? Lilibet was curled up beside her. Asleep. Alexandra was on the far end. Also slumbering. They were all together in the blanket fort Alexis had promised Lilibet.

Peace was the word that came to Alexis' mind as she processed things.

Her musings were disrupted when Alexandra's phone rang. The woman herself remained asleep. But her mobile device kept ringing. Whoever was on the other end was persistent.

Moving quickly, Alexis escaped the fort to check the phone. It was on her bed.

She answered it when she recognized the number, chirping, "Good morning!"

Detective Kevin H. Ryan was immediately very flustered. "I—Alexis? Why do you have my baby sister's phone? How do you know her?!"

Alexis laughed. "You've really been in La La Land lately."

"Do I get points for at least remembering that my sister's had a crush on you for the last two years? But…" pieces began falling into place. "Are you and my sister finally going out?"

"Gold star for you. Lilibet knows. My family knows. Most of yours does, too."

Ryan arched an eyebrow. "Let me guess: you haven't encountered the twins yet, have you?"

"Correct. But I've been told that they're going to like me when we do meet."

"I can back that claim. I'm seeing Emilie later, but I won't blab… Still…"

Alexis felt amused. "Jenny is next to you, isn't she?"

"Mhm." the detective confirmed. "My wife has heard my end of the conversation. But she can also keep secrets, good and well."

"Excellent." Alexis paused a beat. "Now, what was the reason you were calling your sister this morning?"

"Just to remind her that she had volunteered to bring Jenny to Lamaze class at four: I will be busy. All damn day." Ryan sighed. "Will you please relay the message for me?"

"Alright. Catch you around."

Alexis ended the call. And headed back into the blanket fort. She even gave Alexandra a few steamy wake-up kisses.

"Wow." Alexandra murmured as she came to from slumber. "Good morning to you, too."

Alexis gave her one more kiss and helped her sit up.

"Kevin called." Alexis informed Alexandra while she stretched and yawned. "You were asleep. I answered him."

Alexandra laughed as she rubbed her eyes. "Kevin didn't spontaneously combust, did he?"

"No. But he made the leap about you and I being together. So did Jenny."

"What?" Alexandra focused on her, but spoke in actual confusion. "How does she factor in?"

"Jenny was near Kevin during the call. She heard his end of the conversation. Both of them have promised that mum's the word." said Alexis. "Your brother told me remind you that you're taking Jenny to Lamaze class."

"Right. I put it in my appointment diary when he asked me the other day." Alexandra patted Alexis' hands. "You should come check Lamaze class out."

"That'll have to be another time." Alexis lamented. "I have to go tie loose ends up at Columbia. And look into online classes."

"Okay. But—"

What more Alexandra could have said was cut off. Lilibet was waking up. She would be needing their attention.

"Hello, my sweet pea." Alexis pulled her into her arms and rocked her gently. "I love you. Good morning."

When Lilibet woke to see whose arms she was in, she grinned bashfully. And leaned closer. She loved Alexis. Very much.

But even as Alexis helped the little one get acquainted with her morning, she found herself loving her more. For all the little things. And even the absurd questions (she had already asked her how airplanes stayed up). Still… It thrilled her that she could love someone else's child like this at all.

And this moment also made her wonder what it would be like when Lilibet's little sister or brother would be in her arms for the first time.

Unfortunately… The family parted ways after breakfast. Reality called.

Not until Alexis returned from seeing them off did she realize Alexandra had left something behind: the hoodie she was wearing.

A new voice cut through her thoughts. "I know that look."

Alexis jumped. Kate was parked at the kitchen island. Watching her. She was almost… coy.

Now Alexis bleated as she drew closer, "Look? What look?"

"Please." Kate scoffed. "I'm talking about the one that's giving you the appearance of a smitten kitten. Did you just realize you've got on Alexandra's hoodie?"

"Mhm. She put it on me without hesitation when she saw me shiver. My girlfriend is very thoughtful."

"She is. But—don't forget about your school meeting, and that you also have to go to the bank."

Alexis thanked her graciously before also saying, "I have not forgotten. And I have other errands to run. Don't worry. I actually plan to be on the road very soon."

"Excellent. I will tell your father where you've gone when he comes up for air."

Struck with a random bit of inspiration at the crack of dawn, Castle had already been glued to his computer for hours, typing away.

"And," Kate tacked on. "I will make sure he eats. No need to have a repeat of last time."

Alexis laughed. "That is for sure. Be back in a few."

Alexis' meeting at school was about tying up loose ends at Columbia. Explaining why she was electing to switch to online courses. To Alexis' pleasure, the dean of students was very helpful. She left the meeting with a secure plan for her educational future.

Next stop... the bank. Alexis' was in the heart of the metropolis. It was not her favorite place to go, so she always but it off until the last minute. Today was that day.

Why?

She had a stack of money from recent baby-sitting jobs or tutoring session that needed taking care of.

But Alexis' main goal was to start a completely separate savings account for her child. For the time being, it would be a supply fund. It would be a college savings fund, down the road.

Eventually.

Alexis was very grateful to the universe today. Her bank teller was very patient. And understanding of her. It did not take long for everything to be arranged.

Yet... Her teller felt familiar. Somehow.

Alexis' heart jumped into her throat at the end of the transaction when she caught sight of the teller's name on her nameplate.

Bellamy.

"Forgive me for asking," Alexis all but blurted. "But are you one of Alexandra Ryan's older sisters?"

Quite startled, Bellamy looked up from her work monitor. Personal questions in the middle of her shift were uncommon.

"Yes—I am." Bellamy regarded her client with renewed interest. "So you're Alexandra's Alexis."

The redhead laughed at her phrasing. "Mhm. That's me!"

With each passing moment, Alexis began to see Bellamy's connection to the Ryan clan. She definitely took after Horatio with what seemed like a tall height (Alexis was only a little unsure because Bellamy was perched on a tall stool), as well as a slenderly fit build. But… Bellamy had Zadie's eyes. No doubt.

Bellamy asked her, "Just how much of the family have you met now?"

"I've known Kevin and Jenny for awhile. But Bette... she has already stolen my heart." Alexis answered her. "But out of your parents and the rest of their children? Emilie is last."

"Why does that not surprise me? My twin is comically elusive. And I'm a whole ten minutes younger than her."

Bellamy plucked one of her business cards out of a small tray near her nameplate. She jotted information down on the back before handing it over.

"Here you go."

Alexis examined the back to find an address in Queens.

"Who lives here?" she put the card away.

"It's my folks' place. After I get off work, I'm going to tell them to expect you for dinner on Sunday: someone has to take serious initiative. The whole kin will be there." Bellamy informed her. "Even Emilie and her brood."

"Wow…" Alexis murmured.

"It's about time that you see us all in one go, as it is." Bellamy was emphatic. "Allie-kins hasn't stopped talking about you for two years. And none of us are blind. She's had a crush on you for just as long."

"Funny. Kevin and Joelle have said the same thing."

"That sounds about right." Bellamy turned wry. "Good ol' Hurricane Sassy didn't scare you too much, did she?"

"Not in the least." Alexis promised. "Your sister is delightful."

Bellamy beamed. "I will tell her you said that of her. And—you don't have to bring any contributions to dinner. Seriously. Just be yourself."

Alexis was privately relieved. But she would still stop for flowers. Or something. Politeness mattered.

"I am so glad to have met you today." Alexis told Bellamy. "Time for me to get going. Errand day, and all that."

"I more than understand." Bellamy laughed. "I'm glad to have met you, too. See you on Sunday."

Alexis left the bank in a daze.

Yet one more member of the Ryan family had welcomed her with open arms. Accepted her for who she was. And where she was in life. Bellamy had even extended friendship and a real invitation to dinner.

This was her family. Her new life. The only life her child would know. Digesting all of this information brought Alexis complete peace.

She didn't know all that lay ahead.

But… At the very least least… She was had a family. Old, new. All to be unified. In the future. At some point.

Her future was now not as bleak as she had pictured it, that day in the café. Providence occurred. Continued to.

And she wouldn't change a thing.