AN: I can't put into words how grateful I am for all of you. I am sad that this journey is coming to an end but at the same time, I am happy that I could share this with you. I'm working on another story now, but that would take time and I need to focus on my exams. So, until next time, enjoy chapter 13 :D

CHAPTER 13

A few months later

"Babe, did you get the cake? We have to get ready soon, and Alexis is so excited about her birthday party, but she wants 'dadda' here too. Can you please hurry?"

"I got it, but I have to take care of something before I come home. Can you get Alexis on the phone? Maybe I can stop her to call me."

A few seconds later, an eager Alexis took the phone from Kate's hand.

"Dadda?"

"Hey, pumpkin. Daddy has to talk to someone before he can come home, but I will be quick. Is that okay?"

" 'moane?"

"Yes, baby. I want to talk to the birthday fairy and tell her to visit you today and leave you a present. What do you think?"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"But Alexis, you can't tell mommy about this. It has to be our secret, okay?"

"' Kay, dadda. Love you!"

"I love you too, pumpkin. Now, give the phone back to mommy."

"What did daddy tell you?"

"It's a 'seclet'."

Rick was so proud of his little angel. Of course he didn't go to talk to a fairy, but he couldn't tell Alexis his actual plan.

"So, now you two have a secret, hmm?"

"We do, and if you're nice, maybe you'll find out about it. Sorry honey, I have to go. I will be back home soon, pinky promise." Kate laughed at her childish boyfriend.

If someone would have told her 8 months ago that she will have a boyfriend, who happens to be the father of her child she would have laughed. Yes, she believed in fate, but this was beyond everything.

Kate started to love Rick even before they were a couple because he was good to her, but especially to Alexis. They got very close when Alexis was in the hospital. No one thought that they were not a family. But maybe they can be, soon, if both their plans would work. None of them knew the other's plan.

That's what Rick was trying to do across town, in a café, waiting for Jim Beckett.

"Hello, Rick. How are you?"

"Hi, Jim. I'm good, how are you?"

"I'm good too. Excited about today's party. You sure you're okay? You look nervous."

"Actually, that's why I called you last week."

'Take a deep breath, Rick. You repeated this in your head over and over again. You can do it.'

"Son?"

"Ah, sorry. I was thinking."

"Is everything alright? Are Alexis and Katie okay?"

"Yes. Yes, they are both fine."

"So, what is it then? Just spit it out."

"Okay. You know how much I love both Kate and Alexis." Jim nodded and made a sign for Rick to continue.

"I want nothing more than to know they are safe and happy. I know it's been only a few months, but I want to-"

"You want to propose." Jim cut him off.

"Yes, and I wanted to ask if you can give me your blessing. I'm old fashioned and want to do this properly."

"Oh, son. I would have given you my blessing even before you two started to date. Everyone else saw how good you are for each other, but you two. I tried to make Katie see it, and I want to think that I succeeded. So, of course you have my blessing. Welcome to the family! When are you going to propose?"

"That's if Kate is going to accept. I thought about after everyone leaves."

"She will. I saw how she looks at you. Johanna looked at me the same way. She really loves you, Rick. And because you want to be just the two of you…She'll love you even more for this. Now, what do you say to leave this place and we go help my daughter?"

In the loft on Broome Street Kate was thinking so hard that she didn't hear Martha enter the apartment.

"Katherine? Is something wrong?" Something in Martha's tone told Kate that it wasn't the first time the older woman called her.

"Sorry, Martha. I was thinking of something."

"Do you wanna talk about it? It helps if you discuss your problems with another person. And I won't ask you for money." Martha tried to joke to make Kate feel better.

"I was about to call and ask you if you could come earlier. I need your advice."

"What's wrong, darling?"

"Nothing, I think. It's just… Did Rick tell you if he wants more kids?"

"Are you-"

"Yes. I had some suspicions, and I took a test this morning after Rick left the loft. But we didn't plan this. We didn't even talk about this. What if he doesn't want more kids?"

"Nonsense. Richard dreamed about a big family since he was a kid. And I can tell you he wants a family with you, only by looking at him. He loves you, he loves Alexis, and I am very sure he would love any other kid you two would have."

"I know. That's not the real reason I'm upset. I'm pregnant and my mom can't be here, and that's hard."

"I know exactly how you feel now. But you have your dad and be sure I will always be here, no matter what. You are like a daughter to me." With tears in her eyes, Kate embraced Martha.

Soon enough, Castle and Jim arrived and helped the two women decorate the loft and played with Alexis.

Everyone enjoyed the party, especially Alexis, who loved the attention and all the presents she got from her uncles, from her favorite aunt, and her parents. Both of them told her she would have another gift: daddy told her he's going to ask mommy to be his wife (whatever that means), and mommy told her she's going to be a big sister, and she told mommy she already loves the baby. But both mommy and daddy told her to not tell the other. She may be only 2 years old, but she knows how to keep a secret.

Now, that everyone left the party, daddy told her to go get the little box from his nightstand.

When Kate saw Alexis go to their bedroom, she wanted to go after her, but Rick stopped her.

"Wait. I want to tell you something." He took Kate's hands in his hands, looked her in the eyes, and told her:

"Since you walked into my life, everything changed. I'm a happy man because of you and our daughter. I can't imagine my life without you." Right then, Alexis got out of their bedroom and Rick got down on one knee.

"So, Katherine Houghton Beckett, will you do me the honor and marry me?"

"Of course I will marry you!"

"Me?"

"You too, baby, you're right. But I have to tell you something too."

"You're not already married, right?"

"No, babe. I'm pretty sure I'm not married. Alexis baby, can you please take your jacket off?"

Alexis did as Kate told her, and she revealed a T-shirt that said ' BIG SISTER'.

"Are you…This is- You're not kidding, right?"

"I'm not kidding. Rick, I'm pregnant!"

THE END

AN: I want to thank especially Jenny, Tharsi, Anna, and K for their support and for making me want to write more. I wasn't so confident about this story, but they helped me a lot. Thank you for being there any time I needed ideas and for promoting my story.