Once again, thank you to everyone who reviewed I always appreciate every word of criticism and encouragement I can get. So, this is the final chapter, go on and enjoy it.

Celebration peppered the night sky with bursts of color and life as fireworks were launched and the Fourth of July parties began, all around them mansions equally as impressive as his swelled with guests and loud music but strangely, he was not throwing one of these parties, he was sitting on the beach with all of his closest friends and family, and he couldn't think of something he'd rather be doing. He was sitting with Kate; Alexis nestled between the two, as they watched the vibrant explosions in awe. As he looked around at his friends, all part of his family in some way or another, he couldn't think of a more picturesque moment. Montgomery and his family were all crowded together onto one beach towel, the reflections from the fireworks twinkling in each set of eyes. Lanie was sitting barefoot in the sand judging the sandcastle competition Ryan and Esposito were currently competing diligently in. And mother was sitting at his side, an arm wrapped around his. He was sad to see the weekend end, but even with his over indulgent imagination he couldn't think of a more perfect ending.

He caught Martha's eye and she grinned at him, offering him more silent congratulations. That same grin had been plastered on her face since she'd walked through the door of the house only to drag him outside and reprimand him for not telling her he had finally captured Kate's heart, in fact Kate said the grin had been there since she'd told mother. Apparently she had congratulated Kate in a way that would only fit the great Martha Rodgers, complete with grand toasts and high-pitched squeals. Alexis snuggled closer to his side and he felt a foreign arm draped over his daughter's shoulder. Looking over he discovered that the slender arm belonged to none other than Kate Beckett; the tough NYPD detective was nestled against his little girl while Alexis held an arm around the brunette's waist. The two most important people in the entire world to him were acting as if they'd known each other forever, as if they had a mother-daughter relationship. Feeling tears threatening to fall, exposing him for the softy that he truly is, he blinked a few times trying to hold them back.

A few escaped and slid down his cheeks right as Alexis turned to look up at him, concern immediately blooming on her angelic face.

"Dad," she reached up to wipe a tear away, "what's wrong?" He grasped her hand and laid their joined hands in between them.

"Nothing," he replied, "nothing is wrong at all. In fact, everything is perfect. I don't think even I could have written a happier ending to this weekend getaway." The girl immediately wrapped both arms around his torso and held him close, whispering that she too had had a great time. The sudden retreat of body warmth seemed to alert Kate that something had changed and she looked away from the sky and towards the pair, a warm smile immediately gracing her lips as she saw the two hugging. After a few minutes Alexis let go of him and immediately threw her arms around Kate, catching the detective by surprise. But she immediately hugged back, rubbing her hands on Alexis' back in an almost motherly way, but maybe that was just him being too hopeful.

"I'm really glad you came, Det-" upon seeing the raised brow from Kate Alexis amended, "Kate. We're both happy you're here. Maybe you can come visit again before the summer's over?" Alexis pulled back and looked up at Kate sheepishly, wrapping an arm around his waist as she settled back into her previous position.

"I'd like that Alexis," the brunette stated, "I'd like that a lot." His heart soared, as she not only looked at Alexis, but him too, an emotion he had only seen a few times reflecting in her eyes. He prided himself on being able to read her, but he realized that he'd seen that expression in those jade orbs far before this weekend; in fact it had been there for a while. Albeit he had only been allowed small glimpses at it, very infrequently too, but he'd seen it before though then he had no idea what it was, it was only now that he could identify it.

Abruptly getting up he pulled Kate up with him, walking far enough away that the others couldn't hear the conversation he wanted to have. Skepticism and surprise were evident on her face, but he disregarded that at the moment.

"You don't have to come visit if you don't go." Her eyes widened in surprise and she quickly looked behind her to make sure nobody heard.

"Rick," she half hissed half soothed, "I can't stay the entire summer, I have a job to do back in the city in case you've already forgotten about the precinct."

"Well," he quickly searched for a compromise, "can you stay the rest of the week? If you still don't want people to know we can just say Alexis invited you, but if you stay I do think we'll need to tell Alexis, she is my daughter after all. Come on; just stay a few more days. I like having you here, Alexis likes having you here even my mother likes it. And just think, if you get tired of me you'll have Alexis to be all girly with." Her eyes softened, it barely happened but he caught it. He was made to catch those things, the subtle stuff that made a giant difference in Kate. Hoped coursed through him as she allowed a small smile to come to her lips.

"Okay." She almost whispered it so he had to lean in to hear, and what he did hear he couldn't believe.

"Okay?" He was shocked; he never thought this impulsive little plan would actually work. Maybe, just maybe, she was actually letting him in. Instead of responding with words she responded with an action, plain and simple but in no way insignificant, and this time it was he who was taken by surprise. She leaned forward and planted her lips on his, cupping his face with one hand while the other strayed to his chest. He heard gasps and two very girlish squeals he presumed were his lovely daughter and a certain M.E. but didn't care, instead he ran his tongue along her bottom lip begging entrance. A plea that she granted, opening her mouth under his. All too soon she pulled away, leaving her hands where they were as her fingers stroked his jaw line.

His gaze strayed from her face to the group behind them and he almost laughed at what he saw. Lanie's eyes were wide and her mouth hanging open, while a grumbling Ryan was passing a wad of cash to the grinning Esposito behind him, Theresa had a smile on her face as she rubbed each sleeping boy's back and Alexis was beaming. But the two expressions he loved the most were the smug smirks on both mother and Montgomery's face.

"Oh my god! How could you not tell me?" Lanie's shriek pierced the stunned silence and he couldn't hold it in anymore, he burst out laughing. Kate followed his lead with little giggles of her own upon seeing the group of friends behind her.

"Calm down," she took her hand off of his face and held it up in an attempt to comfort her best friend, "it only happened yesterday."

"You are so going to pay for this," Lanie feigned anger, "but I want details as soon as possible. You are not keeping one single thing from me from now on! Do you understand, detective?" However Kate didn't get a chance to answer before an ecstatic teenage girl bombarded her. Wrapping both he and Kate in a giant hug, her excited screeches were enough to cause each person on that beach to go deaf.

"I'm so happy for you guys!" and Kate always worried about how Alexis would react, he knew she'd love it, "Oh my god, this is going to be great!" Kate laughed and hugged all the while staring down at Alexis' smooth fiery hair, running her fingers through it. Even though his vision was slightly compromised by his daughter's arm it was still a sight that melted his heart completely.

"You know, I can't believe you guys didn't figure it out. Especially you two," the captain pointed an accusing finger at Ryan and Esposito, "you are trained detectives after all. I expected more from you guys. 'Guess there's a reason Beckett's your boss." Both of the detective's mouths hung open as they tried to find a suitable reply.

"You knew?" Esposito regained his voice first.

"Well darling, it was all too apparent. I mean come on, you were there on the beach yesterday." Mother interjected while holding up a wine glass in his direction, smiling like the Cheshire cat the whole time.

"At least I made some money off of this," Esposito shrugged her comment off, "thanks guys. I'm glad to have made two-hundred bucks off of your relationship issues." The detective was immediately pinned with stares from the couple in question, Kate's being one that could kill while his was much more light-hearted. Montgomery stood and began to pour glasses of wine, and Diet Coke for Alexis and Marina, handing a glass filled with a generous portion to each person.

"I propose a toast," he held his own glass up to the sky as fireworks continued to ring out, "to friends, and to family. May we always stick together."

"And to love. May it last forevermore." All eyes shot to Alexis as she finished her contribution to the toast, his and Kate's probably being the widest. She simply smiled, clinked her glass with each person and took a small sip of her drink. This girl never ceased to amaze him, and it appeared she had inherited his way with words, he wouldn't have been able to say it better himself. His amazing daughter sat back down patting the ground, motioning for he and Kate to join her. The two quickly settled back into their places, though now Alexis was more in front of them than in between them. Kate's head rested on his shoulder as he held her hand tightly in his, Alexis' back resting on each of their shoulders while both wrapped their free arm around her body. Looking back up at the sky the bright explosions continued, scattering various glowing hues across the black canvas to mix with the shining stars, but he couldn't concentrate. His gaze kept straying to the two women at his side, the best things that ever happened to him. He loved them both with all he had; yes it was two different kinds of love, but love all the same. Each was a tough, caring, feisty woman he could only describe as extraordinary.

"I love you both so much." He leaned down whispering it into each ear, seeing broad smiles etch themselves on each face in return. And there it was, it was all out in the open. And now that everything was out there he could see their future clear as those fireworks in the sky, or the tears threatening to fall from Kate's eyes or even the complete contentment that was obvious on Alexis' face. Not only were their feelings standing in open ground, but also so were the promises and dreams of tomorrow, from both the near and very far future. A future he couldn't wait to spend with them.

The End

Well, it's been one hell of a ride my dear readers. I will definitely miss this story, I've really enjoyed writing it. Oh god, I'm getting all teary eyed. I think you should know I never get like that, ever. So feel very special that you are evoking that reaction because it's certainly a rare one. I'm not only going to miss this story, but all of my wonderful reviewers as well. I love all of you and will definitely feel a little empty without your excitement and anticipation to read everyday.

Though this particular fic is at its end it is certainly not the end of the story. I have a sequel all planned out, not sure when it'll be up but be on the lookout. For those of you who thrive on fluff it won't be as fluffy as this by far, it is time to test their relationship. It'll be filled with angst, confusion and well, some betrayal. Keep your eyes out for it, until then my wonderful readers. Until then.

Lastly, review? Come on, it's the final chapter I think this deserves even a few words thrown together in about two seconds. What do you think?