When Kate, Samantha and Noah got to Rick's loft the morning that they were going to drive to the cabin, Rick and Alexis were waiting for them. Kate laughed at the looks on both of their faces. Alexis and Rick both wore the same matching smiles. Father and daughter were practically bouncing up and down with excitement.

Kate got out of her SUV and Samantha followed. Kate smiled at them and asked, "Are you two ready to go?"

The two Castle's both nodded at her and exchanged twin looks of excitement with each other. Kate suspected that there was something secret going on between them, but decided not to ask. Instead, she smiled as Rick grabbed their bags and loaded it into the back of the SUV. Kate watched as they loaded bag after bag into the back.

She laughed and remarked, "That's a lot of stuff for two weeks. Did you pack everything you own?"

Alexis smiled, "We got a..."

Rick interrupted her, "Ah, careful Alexis. We don't want to spoil it."

Kate laughed at the look on his daughters face. The redhead immediately stopped talking. For a moment, Kate thought she was upset, but then she noticed the huge smile on Alexis' face. That was when she knew that the Castle's were definitely up to something. Whatever it was it was apparent that it was important to the redhead. So, she decided that she would wait until they got to the cabin to ask.

Smiling, Kate watched as Alexis climbed into the SUV with Samantha. The two were talking non-stop and for now at least, they had forgotten all about the conflict from a few nights ago.

Once Rick had all of their bags loaded, he smiled at Kate and she asked, "Ready?"

Rick nodded, "Yep. I just wanted to say thank you Kate."

Kate did a double take and then asked, "For what?"

"For agreeing to this. For letting Alexis and I come and spend this time with you, Samantha and Noah. I know that she didn't show it the other day, but she really is excited about being a big sister. She was just worried."

"About what?"

Rick looked at the SUV and then back at Kate. It wasn't really his place to tell it, but he doubted that his normally shy daughter would say anything. So, he told Kate, "She is worried about Samantha not wanting to be friends with her anymore."

Kate looked at Rick and was shocked, "What? Why on earth would she ever think that? Samantha loves Alexis."

"She was afraid after finding out about Noah being Alexis' brother..Well, she didn't know if Samantha wanted to be friends with her anymore."

Kate was saved from having to say anything when they heard the loud laughter of both the girls inside the SUV. The adults both turned and looked and what they saw warmed both of their hearts. Alexis had her camera and was taking pictures of her and Samantha. Then, she took pictures of her, Samantha and Noah. Kate could tell that they were taking some serious pictures and then some silly pictures. Because the laughter just kept on going.

Rick reached for her hand and gave it a soft squeeze, then he asked, "Are you ready?"

With a final look and a smile at their daughters, Kate nodded and then tried to hand Rick the keys. He shook his head and told her, "I think it would be better if you drove."

"Why?"

He smiled and told her, "Well, you know the way. I would get us lost."

Kate smiled and then pushed the keys into his hands and shook his head, "I think you will do just fine Rick. I'll be right here giving you directions the whole way."

Rick turned and looked at her. He managed a small smiled and then he took the keys and nodded. That simple statement said so much, but he didn't want to read too much into it. So, he smiled and asked, "Ready?"

Kate nodded and gave his hands a final squeeze. There were so many things that she wanted to say to him. Things that she needed to explain, but she knew that they would have plenty of time in the next two weeks for that. For now, she was content to enjoy the company of him and his daughter.

For the first hour or so, the girls were talking excitedly. Then, the talking died down and stopped altogether. Kate looked back and noticed that they had fallen asleep. Noah however, was wide awake and Kate could only smile as she snapped a picture of their children. Wow. Were did that thought come from? However, Kate decided that she liked the way that sound. They didn't have his and her children. They were truly both of theirs.

She felt Rick's gaze on her and he asked, "What's wrong?"

Kate could only nod as she reached for his hand. She felt, rather than saw his surprise at the simple gesture. However, when his fingers wrapped around hers, she smiled and told him softly, "The girls are asleep."

"Noah?"

Kate laughed, "He's wide awake."

Rick could only smile as he kept his eyes on the road. There were so many things going through his mind at that moment. He thought back to the conversation that he'd had with Alexis a few days ago. His ever curious daughter had asked him if he was going to marry Samantha's mom. Rick had laughed and told her that they were a long way from getting married. That they barely liked each other, much less loved on another. That was what he told Alexis. However, privately, he had wanted to tell his daughter that he would love to marry Kate. That nothing would make him happier than to marry her and make her his wife. To be there when she woke up every day would be like something out of a dream for him. He had always wanted a family, but it had seemed just out of his reach. To give Alexis a mother, a real mother and siblings was something he had always wanted, but he'd never met the right woman. At least not until he met Kate.

When they had been together all those years ago, Rick had felt lost for the longest time. He'd felt something for her that he'd never felt for another woman. He hadn't even felt like this about his ex-wife. No. What he felt for Kate was so much more. So very real. He knew that he was in love with her. Probably had been since the moment that he'd met her. When she left without a word, he had shut himself off to the possibility of ever finding someone to love him. He had buried himself in his writing and decided that he would spend the rest of his life alone.

Seeing Kate at the book signing had been a good sign. A sign that maybe he could have that with her. Finding out that they had a son together, well that was unexpected, but no unwanted. Rick had always wanted to have more children, but he'd never found the right woman before Kate and she had ruined him for anyone else.

He was lost in thought when he did something impulsive. Something that made Kate's heartbeat pick up a bit. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it so very softly. He heard her gasp softy and he smiled when he looked over at her and saw the equal smile on her face. She whispered softly to him, "Rick...I.."

Rick could only smile and nod as he kept his eyes on the road. He had a million surprises in store for her and the decorations were only one of them. What he had in mind would change everything for both of them forever. He was going to ask her for another chance at love with him. He wanted her to know that he was, had always been in love with her. Even after all of the pain and heartache of the past few days. He had thought he would hate her, but nothing could be further from the truth. He still loved her and probably always would. He knew that now. He just wanted to work on winning her heart. One beat at a time...