So most of you guys really liked the two week arc.

But there were a number of you who brought up the point of letting Alexis grow up.

This story is specifically about Kate, Rick, and Baby Alexis. So that is what it will be.

Now if you'd like an epilogue or sequel, I'd be happy to make you one, thought I'm not sure what kind of plot you'd get out of it...

Anyway, Enjoy

Kate stood in the full length mirror combing through her hair, over and over,

Today was the day.

She was going to meet up with her dad. It'd been two weeks since she first called him. He'd gotten back to her immediately and after some awkward conversation, they had decided to meet for coffee at Castle's loft. Alexis was at daycare, so Kate could focus on what to say to her father. Just as she was thinking of changing her top again, Mo came trotting into the room.

"Hey boy." She sat on the floor and the pup ran to her. He snuggled under her arm, almost as if he knew she was stressed. The feel of his soft fur relaxed Kate and she giggled and petted his head. "Thanks for the snuggle, Golds." Kate basked in the comfort until she heard a knock at the door. She breathed deeply a couple times and then made her way to the door. Once she got there, she steadied her nerves again and opened the door. What she saw knocked the wind out of her.

There, in front of her, she saw a very neat and clean Jim Beckett. He didn't resemble the wreck that she had left at home that night. He almost reminded her of the man he was before her mother was gone. She let a tear slip out of her eye and watched as Jim restrained himself from wiping it away. He wanted so bad to be there for her again so she caved. She stepped into his embrace and clung to him like wet clothing. They stood in the doorway hugging for a few minutes and then Kate invited him inside. They had coffee and exchanged pleasantries until Jim sat his cup down and took a breath. Kate prepared for the reason they were both here.

"If I'm going to get this out, I need you to allow me to speak without interruptions." Kate nodded and Jim continued. "When your mother died, that was like a part of me died. I didn't know how to cope, didn't know how to handle it. I used alcohol and it times, it filled the part in me that she left. I was absorbed in it. But then you left, and another part of me died. I couldn't even pick up a bottle. Everything that I had in life was gone. The thing that truly cleared my mind though was that your mother was taken from me, from us. I drove you away. I went to look for you a day or two after and then realized I had no idea where you had gone. I walked around in the rain for hours until I stumbled upon a bus ad that was for a rehabilitation center a bit outside the city. I called the number right away, they came and picked me up and I've been sober ever since." Kate sat, stunned at what she'd just been told. She used her timeline skills to surmise he'd been sober for a year.

"Kate, I know that I can never make up for what I put you through," he reached and grabbed her hand "but I can be here for you now. If you want me."

Kate stared into his eyes for awhile, considering. She wanted to believe him, but how could she? He had promised this same thing over and over and never followed through. Yet, he'd never been to rehab or been a week without a drink. She thought about how broken she was before Rick and Alexis and how much they'd helped her heal. Jim needed someone to help him heal too. And she should be that someone. She slowly let herself smile and that conveyed all it needed to for Jim. They father daughter moment was abruptly ended by the front door flying open.

"Momma!" A very energetic Alexis ran to Kate as fast as her little legs could carry her. A very flustered Rick followed behind her, bogged down with grocery bags. Kate looked at her father who's face showed how stunned he was, which is what made her flush. Last time they had talked his daughter was still the young girl in the academy. Now, she apparently had a daughter.

"You... have a daughter?" Her father choked out. Kate immediately panicked and the signal from her brain to her mouth shut off.

"NO! I mean... I... she's not my real daughter. I.. her mother she... dead... I just help take care of her." She stuttered out, not catching the hurt look on Rick's face or Alexis' when Kate didn't pick her up, like she normally does.

Jim nodded then looked to Castle. "And you are?" Rick shook his anger off and put out his hand.

"Rick Castle sir."

"Oh! Your that author right? My wife and daughter love you." Kate blushed as her father blabbed on about how much they had adored him. She looked to Rick, expecting the playful, teasing smile, but his face was surprising blank and cold. "Well, thank you for taking such good care of my daughter. Her boyfriend I'm guessing?" Again, she looked to Rick, expecting the wide smile and loving gaze. He just gave a tight lipped smile and nod.

"Well I have to be off. But we should meet properly some time?" Rick nodded and walked her father to the door where they hugged goodbye.

Once her father was gone, Kate went to the kitchen to see if she could help with anything. All the food was already put away and Rick was feeding Alexis. She watched her family with a smile as Rick made faces to get Alexis to open her mouth. She went over t give Rick her greeting kiss, but he turned his head and her lips met with the rough stubble of his cheek. She was slightly shaken by his action but decided to brush it off. He finished feeding Alexis and went to clean her up when she reached out.

"It's okay, I got her." But again he brushed her off.

"No, I wouldn't want you to strain yourself."

"Okay, seriously? When have I ever strained myself Rick." She reached out again and Rick hauled Alexis into his chest and gave Kate a deathly glare. Her went wide at his action. "What the hell, Rick?"

"You don't have to help. It's not like your her real mother or anything." Kate was confused for only seconds until her earlier words hit her like a ton of bricks. she's not my real daughter

"Rick-"

"No, you know what? I appreciate everything you've done Kate, but you don't have to pretend anymore okay? Not with her and certainly not with me." Kate had no other response except her natural one: fight and push.

"It was a slip up. What's the big deal?"

"The big deal?! The big deal is that for a year you've been Alexis' mother and now suddenly your dad comes around and your not?"

"I couldn't tell him about her! About all this!" Kate yelled back waving her arms around. "We just patched things up!"

Rick's eyes held unshed tears and Alexis began whimpering. "Well, I'm sorry that we are such an embarrassment to you Kate." He stormed out of the kitchen and up the stairs before she could say anything else.

First off, I am super sorry for the delay. My laptop is wrecked so I had to do some major work to buy a new one.

Second, HI EVERYONE!

Third, just to mix things up, I want you guys to review as usual, but I also want to know your true thoughts. Who do you think is right in this fight? If you think Rick, review and put #TeamRick. If you think it's Kate, review and put #TeamKate. If you think their both wrong or both right, put #TeamWrong or #TeamRight.

Love Always, XOXOX