AN: Thank you for reading and reviewing. It means a lot. I wasn't sure about this story, but it's insane how many people read it. Thank you very, very much. There is only one more chapter, and I'll post it in two days. As I said before, this story will be finished by Christmas.

Enjoy chapter 12! :D

Chapter 12

Rick was shocked. He was more than shocked, but couldn't find the word to describe what he felt. All this time he was looking after his baby and she was right in front of him? He was so angry now. How could Kate hide this from him?

"You knew about this?"

"What? Are you serious?" She looked at him, but he didn't say anything. He couldn't.

"Of course I didn't know about it. Do you think I could keep this for myself? That's how much you trust me? I just found out. The test results came and Doctor Miller told me. She wanted to call you too, but she said it was better if I told you, and now I'm thinking she was wrong. Maybe it was better if she would have told you first and then me." Kate said with tears in her eyes.

"Kate, I'm so-"

"Don't. Just don't! I can't talk about this. Right now I need some air." And she runs out of the waiting room.

Lanie was watching them, and knew something was wrong, and when Rick tried to go after Kate, she stopped him.

"Let me talk to her. She won't tell you much, but maybe she'll tell me." Lanie was out of the waiting room before Rick could say anything.

It took her a few minutes, but she spotted Kate on a bench, near the hospital entrance.

"What's wrong, sweetie? You left the waiting room in such a hurry. So, what happened?"

"They found a match."

"That's great! But something tells me you're not upset because of this, so what is it?"

"It's Rick. He's the match. They are 94.9% compatible."

"I'm sorry, but still don't understand."

"Lanie, Rick is Alexis's father."

Okay, she shocked another person in less than 20 minutes. But she was shocked too. What would happen now? Is Rick going to take Alexis from her? Would he let her visit Alexis at least?

"Kate, stop it!"

"What?"

"You're overthinking. I'm sure you two are gonna solve this. Girl, he won't take Alexis from you."

"And you know that how? He thinks that I knew that Alexis is his daughter this whole time. Even if I knew, I would have told him, Lanie. He doesn't trust me. Now tell me, how can I start a relationship with someone who doesn't trust me?"

"Oh, girl. I don't think it's about trust. He was shocked. Kate, you two are a couple for what, two weeks?"

"We didn't have the first date yet."

"Not the point. Even after such a short time, this guy loves both you and Alexis. I can tell you by just looking at him when he's talking about you. And everyone saw it. Kate, he's as scared as you. You should have seen the look on his face after you left the room. You both need each other. So, will you please talk to him?"

"And say what? That I'm an idiot and I am the one that didn't trust myself? Lanie, he somehow managed to get past the wall around my heart, and he doesn't have any idea about it. And I'm scared. I don't want to lose Alexis."

"What if you told him what you told me? He'll understand it, I'm sure, but only if you let him in. He's good for you, and you and that heart of your know that, so why are you afraid of?"

"I'm scared that after he sees everything he'll leave me, and I'll be alone again. I know we are together for only two weeks, but it's more than I had with Will in six months. And I don't want to lose that."

"You have to dive into it together, but from what I can see, it seems you don't want to. If you don't risk it you will never know."

In the meantime, Rick was talking to his mother.

"And you're sure that sweet girl is your daughter?"

"Kate said we are 94.9% compatible, and after she left the room, Doctor Miller came to me and confirmed it. I'm Alexis's dad."

"And then why are you upset?"

"I made Kate think I didn't trust her. But that's not true. I'm afraid of what would come next. I don't want to take Alexis from Kate, and I want Kate to be a part of my life."

"Did you tell her that? I think she's scared too, that's why she left in such a hurry. And she needs to hear that you'll be there for her. If that's what you want."

"It is. I want to be there for the rest of our lives. I know it's too early to tell, but-"

"You love her." The expression on Rick's face told Martha everything she had to know.

"It's not hard to tell. The way you look at her, and the way you look when you're talking about her... Son, even someone with half a brain knows. Now, go get your girl, and tell her you're scared too, tell her you love her, tell her everything."

"Thank you, Mother!" And he all but run after Kate, even if Lanie told him not to.

He was too far from them, but Rick thought he heard Kate tell Lanie that they have more than she had with. He wasn't sure if he heard her correctly, but he planned to ask her. After Lanie would leave them alone, of course.

"I want to dive into it with him, but what if he doesn't want to? And I'm scared he'll move away from me if I ask him." And then she heard footsteps. His footsteps. When she turned around, he was there. And oh, he looked so sad. There was something else about the way he looked at her, but Kate wasn't sure what was it.

"I'll leave you two alone. And girl, please tell him what you told me." Lanie whispered to Kate.

"Kate, I'm very sorry. It wasn't my intention to upset you, but somehow I did it, and I am truly sorry for this. I'm scared. I'm scared about what this means for us, if there is going to be an 'us' after this, and mostly I'm scared for our little girl."

"I'm sorry too. And I'm scared too. I don't want to lose any of you."

"You won't. I love you, Kate and I want to be a part of your life, of Alexis's life. I want to be there with you and witness everything Alexis does, but only if you're going to let me."

Kate didn't talk for a few seconds, and Rick was afraid that she's going to tell him to leave.

"I want you to be there too. I want you to be a part of our lives as much as I want to be a part of yours. I didn't believe in love at first sight until I met you. I love you, Richard Castle, and I want to raise our daughter together." Rick closed the gap between them and started kissing her as if tomorrow doesn't exist. Then he hugged her so tight scared that if he lets her go, she will disappear.

"So, are we going to do this?" asked Kate after a few minutes.

"We will. No, what about going back there to see if Doctor Miller has any updates for us?"

"Let's do it!" and they left to see how can they help their baby.