Author's Note: Really Quick I'm going to be writing from third person instead of first for the rest of this story. Little bit of conflict over the next two or so chapters because I felt like there was one more plot line that needed to happen before moving forward.

Chapter 12: What's Holding Us Back

Rick has a plan, and a good one too he thinks. He knows Kate and him need some alone time that doesn't involve them yelling at one another. The plan was simple, time-tested, and, hopefully, would be successful. Date Night. A night on the town, dinner and dancing or maybe dinner and a movie, something to take their minds off of what had happened since they wanted to get past everything. The only thing he was still trying to figure out was who could watch Ellie so they could have alone time. Usually his mother or Alexis was on vacation with them so they would be his normal go to.

Maybe they still could be his go to. Rick knew Martha had a workshop this weekend for her acting school but Alexis should be done with her exams by this weekend so maybe she would be able to come down for the weekend. Rick felt like Alexis was avoiding them lately so he would love the chance to catch up with her too. Rick dialed Alexis' number and waited in hopes of hearing his eldest daughter's voice.

"Hi Dad." He smiles at the sound of her voice.

"Hi Pumpkin."

"How's the Hamptons?"

"It's good. How are your classes going? Ace those exams yet?"

"I wish. Classes are going well, but my last exams aren't until Friday. I can't wait for summer to be here already." The happiness in her voice very apparent to Rick at the thought of having some time off from school.

"Well how about you start your summer in the Hamptons? I feel like I haven't seen you in the longest time."

"Well, that sounds like a decent plan. How about I come down after my last exam? Maybe Ellie and I could have a sister night on Saturday and then you and Kate could have some time alone." Even though there was an almost 15 year gap between Alexis and Ellie, the two girls were as close as sisters could be.

"That sounds great Alexis."

"Dad, are things between you and Kate better?" Alexis had been there the night Kate didn't come home and the weeks after as well but Rick was blindsided by the question.

"We're getting there honey. But don't worry about it ok? Everything is fine."

"Just checking." There was a pause on Alexis' end that almost made Rick think the call dropped. "Dad, my friends are here for a study session. I'll call you later ok?"

"Sounds good. I love you."

"Love you too Dad! See you Friday."

"See you then!" Rick says with a smile before he hangs up his phone.

"Alexis or Martha?" Kate asks as she hands Rick a mug of coffee.

"Alexis. She's going to come up on Friday after her exams finish. She also offered to watch Ellie so we can have some alone time. Sound good to you?"Kate nods with a smile. "I can't believe she's already taking her finals for Freshman year. It feels like she was Ellie's age just the other day."

"The time seems to fly by with Ellie too. She'll enter Pre-K instead of daycare in the fall." Kate states as she watches their almost four year old eat her breakfast in the dining nook. "Let's join her?" Kate asks Rick, who nods.

" Morning Daddy!" Ellie says with a mouthful of scrambled eggs as Rick and Kate sit down.

"Good morning pumpkin! How are we doing this morning?"

"Great!" Ellie says with a huge smile.

"Guess who's coming up here this weekend Ellie?"

"Gram? Gramps? Lexi?!" Ellie's excitement grows with each name she calls out.

"It's Alexis, and she's very excited to see you too Ellie!"

"Yay! I love Lexi! We'll play dolls and dress up and watch Frozen! Mommy and Daddy can watch too!" Kate and Rick look at each other trying to decide how to handle the situation as they hadn't gone out without Ellie since Kate has been back.

"How about Alexis, you, Daddy and I watch Frozen after Alexis gets in?" Kate suggests deciding to try and leave Saturday until they got there.

"Ok Mommy!" Ellie says before going back to eating her breakfast. But Rick's eyes seem to mirror the look that Kate had on her face- How would Ellie react come Saturday?

The days seemed to fly by and before they knew it, it was Friday afternoon. Alexiss had sent him a text as she was getting ready to leave the city so Rick was betting she would be here soon. Ellie was beyond excited that Alexis was almost there. She had spent all morning telling Rick and Kate all the plans she had for "Lexi, Mommy, Daddy, and me". Ellie was in the middle of another list when the three Castles heard the front door open and a "Hello?" rang out from the front hallway.

"LEXI!" Ellie went sprinting down the hallway to find her big sister. Kate and Rick followed after their curly haired daughter who, by the time they reached the front hallway, had already been scooped up into a big hug. "Lexi! I missed you sooooooo much!"

"Did you little munchkin? Well I missed you too!" Alexis finally caught his eye. "Hi Dad. Kate." Rick didn't miss the coldness added to his wife's name. It was the same way Alexis greeted his ex-wives even though one of them was her own mother. He decides this isn't the time though to bring it up, and adds it to a list of things to discuss with her after Ellie is asleep. But the way Rick felt Kate stiffen slightly told him that the detective noticed it too.

"I'm going to go start on dinner. You're probably hungry after your traveling." Kate says quickly.

"I'll come help you." Rick suggests.

"No, no, it's fine. I've got it." Kate smiles at him. "Give you some time with Alexis and Ellie before the movie." Rick knew Kate was trying to alleviate the situation in the only way she could think of, but he didn't really want to be away from any of his favorite people, especially since he just got them all back under one roof. But he also didn't want to fight with any of them, especially in front of Ellie, so he let Kate go and make dinner while Ellie rambled on and on about everything that she felt that Alexis needed to know. Part way through the conversation, it became very clear to Alexis that Kate nor Rick had told Ellie about the date. So when Ellie got onto her list of plans for the next day alexis decided to let her father deal with the situation.

"Yeah Dad, doesn't that sound like a great plan for tomorrow?" Rick's eyes got really wide with her response.

"Um, Ellie, why don't you go see if Mommy is done with dinner?"

"Ok Daddy!" He knew he would only have a few more years where distractions like that would work. Alexis waited until Ellie rounded the corner before turning to demand some answers.

"Are you not telling her?" Alexis demands in a hushed whisper.

"We were waiting until tomorrow."

"Oh, so I'll have a crying Ellie to deal with them? You know she'll be fine with it but she needs time to adjust to the idea."

"Lately she hasn't been taking either of us leaving very well."

"Really?" Alexis says sarcastically, "Let me guess, is she afraid you won't be coming back? Can't imagine where she got that idea from."

"Alexis, stop." Rick says sternly. Alexis still doesn't know the full story and he wasn't going to let her attack Kate. "Don't start this."

"Dad you can't be serious! Of course it's affecting her like that. Her mother left her for weeks." Alexis hissed.

"Alexis don't make me say it twice. We're not starting this right now." And it was in that moment that Rick noticed Kate standing in the doorway.

"Um, Dinner's ready, but I'm going to serve Ellie if you two need to finish your discussion."

"Nope. We're finished." Rick says before walking over to his wife.

"For now." He, and he was betting Kate also, heard Alexis say under her breathe.