We got to the restaurant and were seated in a booth. I tried to sit next to Kate, but Meredith grabbed my hand and pulled me next to her. I look over at Kate and she smiles and reaches for my hand and squeezes gently telling me that it is okay and that she knows that I didn't willingly pick my seat. "So Katherine…"

"It's Kate." Both Kate and I tell Meredith.

I see Meredith turn and look at me a bit shocked and then she turns back to Kate. "Kate…" She says not hiding the dislike in her voice. "How did Ricky propose?"

"Well…" Kate has a smile on her face and her eyes looked like she was back to that day. "Rick and I were dancing in the kitchen and Alexis came in with the ring and Rick said that both him and Alexis saw me as family and that they talked about it and that they wanted me in family presently and for real so then he asked me to marry him and I said yes and Alexis made me lose my hearing after that." Kate says teasing me.

I laugh and get up, but I'm halted to a stop with Meredith's hand holding tightly to my arm. "Ow Meredith, that hurts." I tell her but she doesn't let go she pulls me roughly back into my seat and hits my cheek; not hard but it was a slap none the less.

Kate gets up and puts her hand around Meredith's wrist and I see her knuckles turn white with her hold. "Let go." She says sternly getting Meredith to look up at her. She loosens her hold and I pull away. I stand and back away from her and stand behind Kate. "Don't ever do that to her again. You may not like me and you may not like the relationship I have with Alexis, but this is what she wants and you have to except that. I'm a part of her life now and I'm not going anywhere; so touch her like that again and see where it leads you. Anything else you want to say?" Kate challenged waiting for Meredith say something. "Nothing, okay then let's finish lunch and then me and Alexis have somewhere to go. Kate sits and I sit next to her and lean into her. She kisses my head and whispers. "You okay."

I nod and lift my head as our waiter comes to take our orders. "Mom, can I have the Hawaiian smoothie?" I ask Kate.

"Sure sweetie." She says and orders one for herself as well and Meredith orders some sort of Champaign. When the waiter leaves she smiles and says; "Besides your Dad said anything we wanted and he's picking up the tap." Kate winks and laughs.

"In that case I'll have to get him something extra special for Father's Day." I smile at her and she laughs.

"Maybe another chocolate badge." We both laugh until Meredith interrupts.

"Ricky is paying? Now I see it using Alexis to get to Rick and then using him for his money." Meredith says crossing her arms.

""""****""""****""""****""""

"What?" Alexis says louder than normal and people turn to look over at us. I didn't even know where to start; I never expected a question like that. "Kate would never do that. She argued with him for an hour over him paying for today. Kate met me after she fell in love with Dad. You know what I don't want to stay anymore I'm going to get our things to go Mom and then we can go see your Mom and then we can go home eat ice cream and watch movies. I'm done." Alexis says and I'm shocked at her words. I watch as she stands next to Meredith and I see the tears building in her eyes as she glances at me and then back to Meredith. "You know what? I wish more than anything that Kate was my real Mom, because she's always been there when I needed her and she loves Dad and we're a family. Gram told me a long time ago that Kate was special to Dad, but she never told me how special she is to all of us; how much we all need her. Kate is my Mom and I love you Mom, I always will, but you're just a crazy aunt who pops in whenever she feels like it and I'm done pretending it's more than that." She finishes and walks away to tell the waiter the new plan.

I got up as well. "Good bye Meredith." I walk over to Alexis and hug her as she holds her tears in. I take the bag from the waiter and pay. "Happy Mother's Day." He says smiling and I thank him. "Have fun with your Mom." He tells Alexis. She turns to him.

"Thanks, I will." She smiles and hangs on to me tighter.

""""****""""****""""****""""

I get a cab and as soon as we are both in and on our way Alexis curled to my side her arms wrapped tightly around me and I hold her just as tight and she lets her tears fall. "Oh sweetie it's okay." I soothed her best I knew how. Once she calmed down I pulled her away from me a bit and wiped at her tears. "You sure you still want to go with me?"I ask her.

"Yeah, I really want to go. I wish I could have met her. This may sound really bad, but in a way I'm glad your mom died, because if she didn't you and Dad may never had met. I know that sounds terrible; I'm sorry Kate." I see her eyes start to tear again and she pulls completely away from me to the other side of the cab.

"No sweetie, I understand what your trying to say. I've said the same thing to your Dad and he's said it to me too. It's okay Alexis, come here." Once she was back at my side. I made sure she was looking at me. "I wish she could be here to meet you and your Dad too Lex. She would have loved you and she would just love Rick." I couldn't help but laugh a bit at imagining what that meeting would have been like. "But your right I may never have met either of you and honey that is something I can't imagine; you two have become such a big part of my life. You got me to take a day off and spend it with you tomorrow; not even Rick can do that." I smile at her and I see a small smile form on her lips as well.

"Thanks Kate, for everything. I love you." Alexis says playing with my ring again.

"I should be thanking you. I love you too. Now, why am I Kate again al of a sudden." I smile at her.

"All the serious talk I guess." She laughs. Her face turns serious again. "Kate. Mom, it's going to take some time, but umm thank you for protecting me when Meredith slapped me was holding me to tight." Her eyes go to the floor as she talks.

I bring her face up so she is looking strait into my eyes. "Like you told Meredith; you are my daughter and I would do anything to protect you." I pull her to me again. "No one hurts my baby." I tell her and kiss her head. She smiles and hugs me too.

"We are here." The cabby says.

Alexis and I separate and I pay him as we get out and thank him. "You okay Mom?" She asks me.

I give her a small smile and take her hand. "Yeah, come on." I say as we start walking past head stones, flowers, and statues and I stop and Alexis does the same.