Chapter 27

Agnes was asleep in her carrycot while Elizabeth and Reddington were seated at the table, two steaks sitting in front of them.

"When you said dinner, this wasn't quite what I was expecting. You said you could cook?" She smiled.

"I can but, our first dinner, that's a lot of pressure to put on me. I thought I'd play it safe and order from one of my favourite restaurants, O'Malley's…his dishes are just to die for."

"And they deliver?"

"He does for me."

"Wow, friends in high places huh?"

"He's a good man."

"Not someone who owes you anything?" Elizabeth inquired.

"No, just a good friend."

They lapsed in to silence as Reddington took a sip of the red wine in his glass before looking over at Elizabeth, who was watching him closely.

"Something on your mind Lizzie?"

No, but I can see your mind ticking over, you're still worried about Mr Kaplan."

"I thought they'd have called by now."

"I'm sure she's fine, she's a strong woman."

"She's had to be, I'm glad she and Andrea became close…knowing she has someone in her life who loves her the way Andrea does, it helps."

Elizabeth looked over at Agnes who began to cry, seeing Reddington get up to pick her up and bring her back to the table. The little girl instantly stopped and looked up at him as he took hold of her little hand in his.

"You're so good with her."

"I've always had a way with babies, I don't know why."

"Mr Kaplan's sorted then."

"I promised her I'd be there and I meant it, she's family…always."

"The body she was burying, you said it was the last one?"

"And it is, I give you my word, no more. I just wish I'd left Kate out of it, then she wouldn't have ended up in the hospital. Andrea will no doubt be having a few words with me."

"You can handle it, you've handled worse."

"There's nothing worse than an angry woman." He smiled.

Elizabeth laughed before she took a long drink of her wine and began to eat more of her steak as Reddington continued to keep Agnes occupied.

Andrea's car pulled up outside Kate's apartment, turning off the ignition before she turned to look at Kate who was smiling as her hand remained on her abdomen.

"Hey…you okay?"

"I couldn't be happier dearie."

"Let's get you both inside."

Kate undid her seatbelt as Andrea got out of the car before coming around to the passengers side and helping Kate out.

"I can manage."

"I know, just…quit arguing with me and let me help you; it's what I'm here for."

Kate stood up before looking in to Andrea's eyes and smiling.

"No dearie."

"What?"

"Helping me is not the only reason you're here Andrea, that might have been the case in the beginning but not now, with everything that's happened in the last few months, you've been my rock. I'm a tough woman and I always have been but the rape, the baby…it's all knocked me sideways and if you hadn't been here just to talk too, to cry with, I'm not sure I'd have coped. I love you so much; I need you to know that, I'm not one for saying that sort of thing very often, the work I've done, and you end up closing yourself off from friends, relationships."

"Well all of that is going to change, no more closing yourself off…from anyone. It's time for Kate Kaplan to be whomever you want. Come on, let's get you inside, it's freezing."

Kate and Andrea made their way inside, the warmth hitting Kate immediately, Andrea helped her remove her coat, before ushering her through to the front room.

"Right, you sit down and I'll see what I can make us for dinner."

Before Kate could respond, Andrea was already walking away. Kate sat looking around the room, the one thing she couldn't stand was doing nothing. She let out a long sigh before getting up and going in to the kitchen to see Andrea looking in the fridge, trying to decide what to make for dinner.

"Do you need a hand dearie."

"I told you to rest."

"Andrea, I'm fine."

Andrea stopped what she was doing, looking over at Kate who began to move forward from her place in the doorway. Kate could see the worry in Andrea's eyes as she came to stand in front of her, her hand coming to the side of the younger woman's face.

"What is it dearie?"

"Nothing."

"Andrea, no secrets…talk to me."

"I'm just being silly."

"Go on."

"I was just so bloody scared when I got the call that Dembe had brought you in, if anything ever happened to you, to either of you I…"

"I know, I know."

Kate moved closer, bringing her arms around Andrea before placing a kiss to her lips.

"I'm sorry I scared you, but I meant what I said…it was the last one. From now on, I take things easy…even if it will drive me crazy."

"Had Red mentioned anymore about Italy."

"I'm going to see him tomorrow, I'll ask him then."

"Well, until the move is definite…what would you say if I maybe moved in with you?"

"Here?"

"Or not, sorry…I'm getting ahead of myself."

"No, no you're not. I would love it if you were to move in."

"Really, I know you've lived alone for so long. You're used too your own space and having someone else living with you might be…"

"Wonderful." She smiled.

"You're really sure."

"Dearie, I would love nothing more. I think it's time…oh, and I think this one agrees."

Kate smiled when she felt the baby give a small kick to her side as her hand came over her abdomen.

"She's kicking?"

Kate took hold of Andrea's hand and placed it where Kate's had been, the younger woman's eyes lighting up when she felt the baby once again.

"Oh my god, that's amazing."

Andrea moved closer and wrapped her arms around Kate and hugged her tightly before kissing her.

"I love you so much."

"We love you too."

Dembe arrived back at Reddington's to see both Reddington and Elizabeth on the couch laughing as Agnes played on the floor with her blocks. Reddington was on his feet immediately when he spotted Dembe.

"How is she?"

"She's alright Raymond, everything is fine."

"The baby?" Elizabeth asked.

They both watched the way Dembe smiled before he finally answered them.

"They are both…perfect."

"Dembe, are you alright."

He walked over, taking a seat on the chair as Reddington sat back down beside Elizabeth.

"When Andrea and her friend gave Kate a scan…I never realised just how much she'd began to show, you know…and seeing the baby on the screen like that, Kate's face was just…I don't think I've ever seen her look so happy."

"What happened, why was she having the pain?" Reddington asked.

"Andrea said she's just tried to do too much, pulled a muscle."

"And they're definitely both alright?"

"They're both fine Raymond, Kate…and her daughter."

"It's a girl?" Elizabeth smiled.

"Yes, Kate's over the moon, they both are."

"Oh thank god everything's fine, Red was worried sick, well…we both were."

"Is she staying in?" Reddington asked.

"No they let her go home, Andrea went with her. I think she'll be staying the night with her."

"Well that's good news at least." Elizabeth added.

"Quite, and the business from earlier…it's all taken care off?"

"It's done Raymond."

"Good, a good day all round then. Dembe why don't you go home, get some rest."

"Fine, Elizabeth do you need a ride home."

"Actually, if it's alright with Red. I might just stay here tonight."

Reddington saw the way she looked at him, waiting for his answer.

"It's more than alright."

"Good, then I'll see you both tomorrow. Goodnight Raymond, Elizabeth."

"Night Dembe."

To Be Continued…