Continuation of last chapter

I think it's pretty great!

Enjoy!

"Ricky!" Kate's cousin Marissa yelled. Marissa was one of the children at the reunion and she fell in love with Rick.

"Hey there Rissa. I missed you. Oh, and wow! You got your two front teeth out!"

"Uh huh, both at the same time! The tooth fairy gave me ten dollars just for that skill."

Kate chuckled at Rick's interaction with her family. Her thoughts from last night were confirmed, he would make an amazing Dad. She felt a strange tugging on her leg and when she looked down, she saw the face of her cousin Aria.

"What's up sweetie?"

The ever confident 8 year old looked at her shyly and said "Who's that?" Then Kate remembered she and her mother weren't at the reunion and didn't know Rick. She had to introduce him, so she pulled him from where he knelt on the floor, still talking animatedly with Marissa. She entwined their hands then turned to her Aunt & cousin.

"Aunt Theresa, Aria, this is Rick Rodgers. He's my boyfriend."

"Ah, so your the famous Rick. God, my husband has blabbed about you for months! Apparently your quite the shot." The mention of that day in the woods caused Rick to stiffen, but having Kate by his side allowed him to continue on.

"I'm okay, but your husband is Jerry right? His precision is amazing!"

"Yes he is and I'll tell him what you said. I'm sure he'll appreciate that." Rick nodded then looked down at Aria.

"Well hello beautiful, I'm Rick." The girl giggled and blushed.

"Hi," she whispered shyly then added "your cute. Kate is really lucky."

"Yes I am." He heard Kate add on. He looked at her and saw last night's activities play through them. They stood stuck in a passionate eye conversation before her mother called her.

"Kate, can you help me bring something from the back?"

"SURE!" Kate breathed loudly and followed her mother to the backyard porch. "What did you need help with?"

"You two had sex." Her mother blurts and is it possible for blood to rush from your face to your butt, because Kate is sure that's what hers did.

"Wh-what?" She stutters out. She can't know. Yeah, she's her mom, but she isn't that good.

"Katherine Houghton Beckett, don't you what me. I know. I see the body change. The way you two keep looking at each other like there's some intense battle going on inside you. It's the same way I was with your father. Now, I want the truth."

Kate sighed in defeat. "Yeah, we did." She held her head to the ground.

Her mother let out a deep sigh. "When?"

"Last night."

"Where?"

"In the tent."

"Protection?"

"Yes."

"And it was...?"

"Amazing, definitely amazing." As Johanna questioned her, Kate's head sunk, but at the last question, her eyes sparkled and she lit up.

"Well, as far as you are okay and you guys are safe, I see no need to punish you, but-" she held up a hand before Kate could celebrate "I will not be the one to tell your father." Kate's eyes flicked fearfully for a second, but enveloped her mother in a hug regardless.

She squeezed Kate and hummed positively. "You never want to think about your children giving themselves up, but I'm glad that if you had to, it was Rick who it happened with." She smiled down at her daughter with tears in her eyes. Her little girl was growing up so fast!

"Me too." Kate smiled and hugged her mother once more before turning and reentering the kitchen.

Johanna stood there and stared out into the backyard. Memories of Kate in this yard played over in her mind. The tire swing that Kate received most of her injuries from. The pool where Kate conquered her fear of swimming. The hammock where she had her first kiss. Even her first steps had been taken in this yard. She couldn't wait to share Kate's adult moments with her, getting married, having kids of her own, but she couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic at all the memories and moments that she wished she could hold onto. She wished she could hold onto her little girl.

She turned and peered into the kitchen through the door. Rick had Marissa on his shoulders as he and Kate along with Aria played airplane. The adults looked on at them and Johanna smiled as she realized something. She may not be able to hold on to her little girl, but one day, she'll hand her off to someone who can care for her and that's all a mother could ask for.

Rick ran past the back door with Kate on his tail. She looked out and noticed her mother standing mobile and looking into the house. "You okay?" She asked.

Johanna smiled a genuine smile and looked right into her daughter's eyes. "I'm better than okay. I'm perfect."

Please do not insult me.

I know it's short, but I started this with the intention of it being great!

I don't think it is...

Blame my sleep deprived brain!

Love Always, XOXOX