A/N I am so grateful for your reviews & follows - an amazing response. I have to admit I was rather worried that introducing both Sully and Pi in the first chapter would put off many readers. The fans really didn't like those characters, don't worry they won't be back in person. Several more chapters to go, please stay with me. Any/all constructive criticism welcomed.
Finding a Date. Ch. 4.
(Alexis pushed her chair back "Excuse me," she said, "I must go and tell Pi the good news. "
She made to pass behind Kate's chair, then, pausing threw her arms around Kate's neck and leant her chin on Kate's hair. "Thanks Mom," she whispered. "Love you!")
Alexis skipped upstairs, chanting as she went "I'm going to be a bridesmaid "over and over, unaware of the silence that fallen around the table.
Kate sat, her mouth hanging open, her glass of water held suspended in mid air. Frozen, speechless. "Did she ..." Kate tried again. "Did I hear ... she called me..." she choked up, shaking her head.
Martha regarded her, smiling across the table. The older woman reached across, gently catching and stroking Kate's fingers. "That was a really nice thing you did, Katherine," she commented, "she's been so worried you wouldn't want her at the wedding."
"Of course I want her at the wedding," gasped Kate. "I wouldn't dream of getting married without her there. What was she even thinking of?"
"Well, she hasn't behaved very nicely towards you since she got back from Costa Rica," Martha pointed out, "and she thought you might hold it against her."
Kate shook her head. "She's just feeling left out. I know that she's had her father to herself and suddenly I'm around." Kate winced as she said it, hoping Rick wouldn't think she was criticising his beloved daughter. Martha considered that statement. "It's not that, "she told Kate, "you've been around awhile, maybe not living here at the loft," she amended. " I just think there have been too many changes in her life recently. She's growing up but she's still not quite sure how she fits into the new scenario. It's all hitting her at once, being away at College, the Paris thing, your engagement and then being with Pi. It's a lot of adjustment in a short space of time." As usual Martha's comment was insightful.
"We'll have to invite Pi to the wedding, perhaps he could be an usher?" Kate queried"
Rick shrugged. Kate looked around the table, "I want you all there, all my family" she affirmed.
"Me too?" asked Rick, hopefully. They all chuckled. "Yeah." She couldn't stop the wide smile.
"Yeah, I'd like you to be there, too".
"So if you've decided on your bridesmaids, who do I choose for best man?" Rick look concerned.
"I mean, Ryan or Esposito? One of them is going to be mad at me!"
"Why choose? They're a team, ask them both," suggested Kate.
"You don't mind? " Rick questioned.
"No," she assured him, "though I might ask Evelyn's girls to boost the numbers on my side. I'm just not sure if they'd want to do it. It might drag up bad memories."
Rick knew she was referring to the fact that the last time she'd seen the girls had been at their father, Roy Montgomery's funeral. And the last time they'd seen her she'd been bleeding out on the cemetery grass. He swallowed hard, tamping down the memory which still wrenched at him despite the fact she now lived in his loft and slept in his arms.
"Give Evelyn a call," he suggested, "see what she thinks."
He knew Kate, Lanie and a few others kept in touch through an occasional girls' night at the Old Haunt. Kate nodded "I'll do that."
"Er... going back to the money," Jim spoke hesitantly. "Jo and I put money away for when Katie got married and it's still there, been gathering interest rather too long now," he added lugubriously, as the others smiled, acknowledging that Kate wasn't a youthful bride. "I hope you'll let me pay at least some of the costs?" he stated. "I'm quite traditional at heart and I'd like to help."
Kate quickly reached across squeezing his arm lightly.
"Thank you, Dad," she said, "of course you can contribute. I want you to be involved in all of it. Would it be all right if you paid for the venue and the transport? That way I'll know Rick hasn't ordered a rocket to get married in space! "
"Nooo!" cried Rick, "I want to, it'd be so cool."
"Cool?" Kate rolled her eyes at him. "I think you mean absolute zero!" He shook his head at her clever retort as she went on. "Anyway, no arguments, I'm paying for my own dress -but you can lend Alexis your credit card for her outfit"
"And mine!" piped up the irrepressible Martha. Rick groaned pretending he minded about the expenses his mother and daughter would charge to him.
"Coffee anyone?" he asked, getting up from the table.
"Not for me, thanks." Jim replied. "I've got an early start tomorrow, I should be getting back."
"I'll call the car service" Rick promised.
"Oh no, that's not necessary. I can take the subway," protested Jim.
"It's no trouble, it's all arranged." Rick used the house phone to call Eduardo who replied the car was already downstairs as it his nephew Sammy driving that evening and he dropped in to chat.
Martha also stood. "Can I hitch a lift Jim?" she asked "I'm going on to a party."
"Of course, my pleasure!"
"Alexi's sweetie!" Rick called upstairs. "Jim's leaving, come down and say goodbye".
The group moved towards the door. Rick shook Jim s hand "Thanks for coming," he said sincerely. "It s been great having you here."
"Thanks for asking." Jim responded "I've had a great time." "Really great!" he added reflectively.
He kissed Kate farewell, accepting a capacious bag from her "Presents for you and Aunt Theresa" she told him.
Alexis ran down the stairs. "Pi says thanks for the invite to talk about the class action case. Can we come when he's back?" Jim nodded. "Sure, you'll have to come to the office to read the case files." He reached for his business card. "Give me call after the New Year. Perhaps you can help with some of the research?"
She looked expectantly at him, eyes sparkling "Really? You'd let me?"
"Yes, Katie told me how you saved that guy on your Innocence Project; she was very impressed by your persistence."
Alexis glanced sideways at Kate" Th... Thanks" she stammered, suddenly shy.
Martha swept down the stairs, now wearing a floor length faux animal skin coat.
"You going hunting?" Jim quipped.
"Oh it's a jungle out there," she assured him, linking her arm in his as they made their way to the elevator. The others waved and a chorus of "Happy Christmas!" and "Thanks" drowned the ping as the elevator arrived.
As the door to the loft closed, Alexis hesitated. Kate put her arm around the girl's shoulder. "What you said earlier, calling me Mom? I was touched and honoured but I'm not going to try and be a Mom to you. You're an intelligent young woman and you're growing up. But if you need a friend, or a big sister, someone to talk to about anything, I'll be here for you." She indicated over her shoulder at Rick who was standing watching their interactions. "It'll just be us, girl talk, unless it's about your health or safety in which case I will have to involve him."
Rick acquiesced with a nod. He trusted Kate implicitly with the welfare of his daughter and had long ago made legal provision to that effect, but now, as he moved past them towards the dining table, he pouted "But I like girl talk too!"
"Thanks Kate. I'd like that," the redhead spoke quietly. "Dad" she kissed him goodnight, "I'm going up to talk with Pi again."
Rick entwined his fingers with Kate's. "Seems we got stuck with the clearing up again."
She smiled "Come on," she pulled him towards the kitchen area, "if your luck holds you might get a reward later!"