The events of their bonding time soon caught up with Lilibet. Nap time? Right ahead. So Alexis navigated them back to the loft. But... more specifically, her bedroom. She felt relieved when Lilibet was even able to use the facilities in her sleepiness without incident. One less item for worrying about. Thank heavens.

After nap time (and a change back into her earlier play clothes from her pajamas), Lilibet found herself completely preoccupied with consuming the creative snack her mother had made her. And Alexis was pleased. Moments after she settled herself in the chair opposite Lilibet at the breakfast nook, a new text came in for Alexis. The sender? Alexandra.

How's it going, birthday girl? the message read.

Alexis' reply was prompt. All is well. Bette just woke from a nap and his having a snack.

Excellent. I guess you're at the loft because I haven't copied my important keys for you yet. I have a few. Remind me to do that.

Alexis' heart fluttered heart fluttered at Alexandra's newest act of domesticity. Will do.

Alexandra's next message read, Meet me at my parents' place w/Bette at 6? They have a present for you.

It was only just now three o'clock on the nose. But… Alexis' curiosity was peaked.

I can make that happen. Do you have any news about Bellamy's labor progression?

We are definitely getting a niece before twelve. Now it's just a matter of when.

Alexis' heart jumped in unexpected joy. This is the best birthday of my life.

Alexandra felt her own heart leap, even though Alexis couldn't see her. I wish I could kiss you. How are Bette & Bean?

Two things then happened at once. Alexis felt the child in her womb stretch out in great content just as Lilibet accidentally let out a monster belch before excusing herself, laughing about it, and continuing on with her snack. Like nothing happened.

Alexis shook her head in wonder before sending a reply to her girlfriend. They're both happy.

Alexandra sent one last message. Outstanding. See you later. I love you xoxo

I love you, too. See you later xoxo

Six o'clock that evening found Alexis and Lilibet emerging into Horatio's and Zadie's mudroom. They put their things away. Fast. Neither liked missing a moment when under this roof. But… Alexis' first clues about something was afoot were the number of additional cars outside… as well as the inordinate amount of extra shoes, bags, and coats also in the mudroom. Seemed that just about everyone else was here.

Alexis called out, "Allie?"

She appeared almost immediately from the hallway and greeted her family before speaking. "I am so pleased to see you both. Have a fun day?"

But all she got from Lilibet was am extremely enthusiastic, "Yep!" before scuttling off to look for everyone else.

Alexis arched an eyebrow at Alexandra. "You weren't at the bakery all day, were you?"

"No." Alexandra looped her arm around Alexis' as she began steering her away. "No, I was not."

They chatted lightly together until they made it to the kitchen. Here, Alexis was greeted by a wall of sound, very delicious aromas, bright colors, and many people. Everywhere she looked was a member of the Ryan clan telling her happy birthday. They were there to celebrate her. Alexandra had planned a surprise birthday gathering. In a word? Alexis was touched.

Had she been thrown glorious birthday parties when growing up? Yes. It was a perk of growing up rich. But even the appeal of turning a year older just hadn't been the same for her after Paris. Her life had sobered up, to put it aptly. Now she had a new family. In more ways than one. Such knowledge thrilled her. Everyone was here to celebrate, but also just to have fun. This was all she wanted.

And only a smattering of Ryans were absent. Kevin was at work, and Bellamy was at the hospital, still in labor. Iris was with her. Joelle? Also gone. The stars had aligned in such a way that she would be delivering her own sister's child. But Alexis understood.

She was just happy to be in the moment.

Alexandra sidled up to Alexis as she took in the sights of the birthday decorations and even the table by the back door that was laden a mountain of treasures for her. "Surprise. What do you think?"

"I think," Alexis turned to Alexandra and kissed her. "That this is the nicest birthday I've ever had. Ever. Thank you."

What verbal response Alexandra could have made was cut off when Rexford sidled up to them. He opened his mouth to speak. But no words came out.

Alexandra gently teased, "Cat got your tongue?"

"It's okay." Alexis laughed. "Just re-center yourself. Try again."

Rexford's fumble had been out of nerves, but he tried again. "The little kids just sent me over. Some of them want to know if you'll come play Hungry Hungry Hippos with us before dinner, aintin. Pretty please?"

Hanging around the Ryans, Alexis had already been picking up on the definitions of different foreign words from The Emerald Isle. It didn't take much for her to realize that Rexford had properly referred to her as an aunt. But the utterance gave her true joy.

And… She could also see the aforementioned little kids behind Rexford. Awaiting.

"I love that game." Alexis looked back to Rexford. "Why don't you show me where it is?"

Pleased that Alexis was cool enough to actually want to play, Rexford led her to the awaiting delegation of children. They cheered. Loudly.

Over the course of the evening, Alexis fell more in love with just being in the moment. She had truly never had a better birthday before. In truth? After her breakup, one of her many momentary thoughts in the hospital was that her birthday would just be bleak. Who would want to spend time with a sad pregnant lady?

But what a turnaround she'd had.

Now she was in a relationship that was much healthier, she had a little girl who thought the world of her, and the baby in her womb was the thriving. And Alexis even had a job that made her happy.

The Ryan clan on the whole? Each in their own ways teaching her about life in a regular family. And she couldn't ask for more. Because she didn't need to.

Alexis re-examined her parcel pile after dinner. She swore it had grown. Between that and the various offerings on trinkets, drawings, and pieces candy from the little kids, her haul was huge. She wanted to pinch herself. But didn't get a chance to thoroughly examine it.

For this was when Zadie came bounding back in to the dining room from the kitchen. She had excused herself there a few minutes to take a phone in private. Had she given any allusion as to who the caller was? No. But… No one had expected her to be so… chipper upon return.

Zadie said merrily, "The baby has been born!"

Everybody fell quiet at once. Alexis even resumed her seat. Swiftly. Like everyone else, she rewarded the matriarch with her undivided listening. No one wanted to miss a thing.

And so Zadie went on. "The baby's name is Freya Lux. She came seven pounds, four ounces. Who won the pool on that?"

Down the table, Jenny said with a start, "I did!"

Alexis watched with terrific amusement as the rest of the adults passed money to her. Jenny quickly tucked the money away. And yielded the floor back to her mother-in-law.

One eyebrow lifted in amusement, Zadie said, "But there is a new baby. You all know what comes next. Wallets out, but someone clue in Alexis."

The birthday girl watched as her family watched as the newest round of cash was produced... and… passed to Rexford.

"What is happening now?" Alexis asked Alexandra in actual confusion as she passed a fifty dollar bill along for her.

"It happens that whenever a new baby is born into the family," Alexandra told her. "The adults give money to the older siblings, allowing them to get a new toy. Or something. But since Rex is the only older sibling, he's really raking it in. Lucky him. The family has had this tradition for as long as I can remember."

"Wow. That's pretty cool. Give me a moment."

Alexis turned to where Rexford was now sitting beside her. The boy sat up straighter when Alexis made eye contact. They were genuinely friends, but the Ryan clan was also of the old school Irish Catholic variety that they would instill in the children to respect their elders. Never mind that Alexis was only six years older than Rexford.

She still spoke in a friendly way to him. "Just what are you looking to get?"

"A new DSi console," he told her. "And two new Pokémon games."

"Here." she slipped him two hundred dollar bills an emergency stash in her wallet. "Use this to get accessories for it. But promise me one thing."

Rexford said blankly, "Okay."

"Make sure you also get a proper carrying case for everything." Alexis informed him. "That kind of thing is important."

"I'll remember. Thanks. And," the boy hugged his aunt. "I'm glad we're friends."

"As am I." Alexis patted him on the back. "Why don't you go find a safe place to put your treasures?"

He took her at her word and hurried off.

Zadie called out to her from the head of the table. "Alexis! Do you have enough space in your car trunk to fit everything?"

Alexis nodded. "I do."

"Outstanding. You, Rexford, Alexandra, Lilibet, Horatio, and I are off to the hospital after we get everything loaded up." there was no room for arguing in Zadie's tone. "We are being asked for."

"Okay…"

Amused, Zadie said, "Are you alright?"

Alexandra quickly put her arms around Alexis' shoulders when all the younger woman could do was nod. It seemed the events of the day were happily crashing in on her. At last.

"Don't worry!" Alexandra called back. "I have her!"

Jenny caught up with Alexis during the 'shift change.' She stood off to the side of the mudroom. Looking lost in thought.

Jenny held Alexis' face in her hands. "Are you okay? I was the last person to marry into the family. And I had a very quiet childhood. Getting used to things here is a major learning process."

"You aren't wrong. And I am okay. Thank you. But," Alexis then furrowed her brow. "You said 'marry into the family.' I haven't…"

"Please. I learned things about you over the years from Kevin and the rest rest of the precinct family. Here? In this one? We've been hearing Allie talk about you for two solid years, on top of that. But now that I've seen you with her and Lilibet in settings both serious and fun, it all makes complete sense." Jenny fixed Alexis' jacket collar when she saw that it was turned in. "Do you want to marry my sister-in-law?"

"I do." Alexis told Jenny quietly. "The two of us only just talked about it. Kate is vaguely aware. But not the others. Yet."

Jenny's heart leapt at Alexis' backhanded confirmation. "Then. I'm happy for you, and I won't say a word until you say I can. That's a promise."

"Wow." Alexis felt dazed again. "Thank you."

Jenny bobbed her head in acknowledgment. "Alexis, you can count on me for help with anything, even in the 'w' word area. I've since toned way down since I planned my own event. Did you ever hear any stories about how I was?"

"Uh-huh. I actually did."

"Now that we've done some more growing up," Jenny made indication of her own baby bump. "I could actually help without going overboard. Should you and Allie want the help. I'll be around for that, or anything more. I mean it."

"Thank you for your offer. It's really sweet." Alexis told her. "And... Jenny?"

The blonde looked at her curiously. "What's up?"

"Allie told me that you and Bette have the same birthday." Alexis' words were now almost shy. "But she also told me about how you looked after them in Kentucky. For a month."

"Mhm. And I would do it again." Jenny said seriously. "What do you think?"

Alexis' bottom lip wobbled. "Thank you for taking care of my family. Even if I hadn't met them yet."

Jenny hugged Alexis again. More than anything, she was old enough to be Alexis' older sister. But… If Alexis was willing to open the door for some level of unique friendship, she would reciprocate. And not just because here was a person rebuilding their sense of trust in women.

"You are most certainly welcome. Family is everything. I learned that the hard way before I met Kevin."

Curious, Alexis began, "What do you m…"

"It's not a story for today." Jenny then transferred something from her pocket to Alexis' hands. "Keep this. I want you to have it."

Alexis looked to see Jenny had given her the bet winnings from earlier. The other mother's kindness made her heart skip a beat.

"Jenny," Alexis looked back at her. "Are you sure?"

"Mhm. The bet was already set in stone for a long time, but I knew from the moment you first came around for dinner that I wanted to you have the loot. If I won. By the way," Jenny winked as she tacked on those last three words. "My family from Florida will be definitely be up here for Christmas. And you know? They're excited to meet you."

Now Alexis' face reddened. "You told them about me?"

"Uh-huh. And they're ecstatic." Jenny hugged Alexis one more time before physically turning her towards the front door. "Now go. Your family is waiting."

Pleased, but also feeling a new affinity for Jenny, Alexis hurried way. Now? She was off to meet her new niece. Best birthday ever.