Kate and Rick were sitting on the couch on a Sunday morning watching cartoons. Alexis was still sleeping it was only 9:30 she and Kate had plans to go shopping after breakfast while Rick finished his chapters. Rick was leaning against the couch with Kate in front of him he had his arms wrapped around her with his hands on her belly. Kate had her hands on top of Ricks they were watching the bugs bunny and tweety show. A knock at the door startled them both Rick got up to answer the door, he looked through the peephole to see Meredith standing on the other side.
" Meredith what are you doing here?" Rick asked.
" I came to see Alexis and you Ricky." Meredith said pushing her way into the apartment.
Kate sat up on the couch suddenly nervous that Meredith was here and a little jealous. Meredith dropped her stuff by the door and walked to the living room to see Kate sitting on the couch.
" Who are you?" Meredith asked harshly.
" Meredith! Leave her alone." Castle said coming up behind her.
" What is she doing here Ricky?" Meredith asked.
" That's none of your business." Castle said.
" Dad? Did I hear...Mom? What are you doing here?" Alexis asked coming down stairs.
" I came to see you, I thought we could go out and have lunch and do some shopping." Meredith said.
" I can't mom I'm going shopping with Kate today." Alexis said going to sit by Kate.
" Who is Kate?" Meredith asked.
" That would be me." Kate said.
" Why are you here?" Meredith asked.
" She is here because it want her to be." Rick said.
" Is she your latest conquest?" Meredith asked.
" No Meredith, she is my girlfriend." Rick said.
" Ok well come on Alexis let's get going." Meredith said grabbing Alexis by the arm dragging her toward the door.
" Mom I said I can't I'm going with Kate today." Alexis said getting her arm out of Meredith's hold.
" No you are coming with me I'm your mother." Meredith said.
" Mom I promised Kate we would go today and I'm going!" Alexis said.
" Don't speak to me like that." Meredith said as she slapped Alexis across the face.
Alexis ran upstairs to her bedroom in tears. Rick stood there in shock while Kate went upstairs after Alexis.
" Meredith get out of my house now and don't ever come back!" Rick screamed.
" Ricky you don't mean that we have fun together." Meredith said.
" Meredith get out of my house before I call the cops." Rick said.
Meredith picked up her bags and left. Rick debated going upstairs he figured Kate was probably the one Alexis needed right now. He decided to wait on the couch for them.
Kate knocked on Alexis' door and slowly peeked in she was on her bed crying in the fetal position. Kate walked over to the bed and gently rubbed Alexis' back.
" Lex are you ok?" Kate asked.
" Why did she do that?" Alexis cried.
" I don't know sweetie." Kate said.
She gently made Alexis sit up and she sat down beside her and Alexis put her head in Kate's lap.
" I just wanted to spend the day with you." Alexis cried.
" I know sweetie." Kate said. She was running her fingers through Alexis' hair.
" I can't believe she did that. Who would do that to their child?" Alexis said.
" I don't know Lex." Kate said not knowing what to say.
" Is it bad I never want to see her again?" Alexis asked.
" No Lex, after what she did to you I don't blame you for not wanting to see her." Kate said.
" Is it bad I wish she wasn't my mom?" Alexis asked.
" I can't answer that one Lex." Kate said.
" I just wish you were my mom. You actually care about me and want to spend time with me. I haven't seen my mother in over a year and she just shows up out of the blue acting like nothing wrong. I wish that I had a mom who would be there when I needed her and not just show up when she wanted." Alexis cried.
" Alexis I'm sorry you had to go through that. I promise you from now on you can come to me whenever you want. I love you and I will be there for you always." Kate said kissing her temple.
" I love you too Kate." Alexis said sitting up. " Can we go shopping now?"
" You still want to go? Kate asked.
" Of course I want to, we are going to get things for the baby." Alexis said.
" Ok I'm glad you're happy, but can we put some Ice on your face first it's swelling." Kate said.
" Ok come on." Alexis stood up and turned and helped Kate up before heading down stairs.
Kate went to the freezer for a ice pack while Alexis went to sit by her Dad.
" Pumpkin! Are you ok?" Castle asked hugging her.
" I'm fine dad, Kate's getting me an icepack for my face and then we're going shopping." Alexis said.
" Here Lex." Kate said handing her the icepack.
" Thanks Kate." Alexis said.
" What are you guys shopping for today?" Castle asked.
" We are getting stuff for the baby." Alexis said.
" I'm going to get my shoes and coat then we can go Lex." Kate said heading to the bedroom.
" Alexis." Castle said quietly.
" Yeah dad?" Alexis asked.
" I want you to take my credit card and pay for anything she wants." Castle said handing her his card.
" Ok dad, anything else?" Alexis asked.
" Ask the store to hold everything there. I want to ask Kate something tonight when you're over at Paige's." Castle said.
"What are you going to ask her?" Alexis asked.
" I'm going to ask her to move in." Castle said smiling at her.
" That's great dad!" Alexis said.
" Lex are you ready?" Kate asked walking over to them.
" Yep! Let's go." Alexis said.
Castle got up and walked them to the door he pulled Kate to him and kissed her.
" Bye I love you." Castle said.
" I love you too." Kate said.
Alexis and Kate had been shopping for hours they had two carts full. They were in line to pay when Alexis spoke up.
" Kate, Dad gave me his credit card to pay for today."
" What? I can't let him do that." Kate said.
" He told me to pay and to ask the store to hold all the things we buy." Alexis said.
" Why does he want the store to keep the stuff?" Kate asked.
"He has something to ask you tonight. "Alexis said.
" Ok. Are you going to be home tonight?" Kate asked.
" No actually can you drop me off at Paige's on our way back?" Alexis asked.
" Sure." Kate said.
When they were done at the store Kate dropped Alexis off at Paige's and headed over to the loft. She wondered what Castle wanted to ask her. She opened the door to the loft she gasped at the sight the table was covered with candles and roses. She felt castle wrap his arms around her and kissed her head.
" Hey beautiful." Castle said.
" Hey." Kate said.
" You hungry?" Castle asked.
" I'm starving." Kate said.
" Good come on." Castle said leading her to the table.
They ate in a comfortable silence, but Kate could tell Castle was nervous. She reached out and grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze.
" Are you okay?" Kate asked.
" I'm great I have something I wanted to ask you." Castle said.
" What is it?" Kate asked.
" I want you to move in with me." Castle asked.