Thank you, Robert Nielsen, who tirelessly wades through the mire for me.

Thank you for reading.

Sometimes the questions

are complicated

and the answers are simple

Dr. Seuss

"Hold that thought, tiger" Kate removed Rick's capable hands from her slender body, "we are having brunch with your daughter and mother."

"But, Kate" he' whined.'

Kate held her finger up to his lips to silence his pleas. "I'm not having sex with you while your family is out there preparing a meal for us."

"Alexis is aware of the bird and the bees, in fact she informed me of a few facts I'd gotten wrong during our "talk". . ." Rick looked at Kate hopefully to see if his latest argument, she wasn't budging. "My mother could write a book, she is a pro….wait that didn't come out right." He thought a moment and added, "Well-I got nothing. Please?" He waggled his eyebrows using his best puppy dog face.

Kate held his face in her hand, "you are so darn cute, but the answer is still no." She kissed the top of his nose, and touched her forehead to his.

They both looked up when they heard a knock on the bedroom door.

"Come in" he didn't even bother to hide his disappointment in his voice.

Alexis entered, "Is everything alright?"

"Fine, hi Pumpkin" Rick smiled at his daughter. He conceded, for now. He glanced at Kate, her face held the see I told you look.

"Breakfast will be ready in five, casual attire, just bring your appetite." Alexis smiled and headed back to the kitchen.

"Casual attire?" Kate asked.

"Sometimes we dress- up for meals." Castle answered nonchalant. "Today is come in your P.J.'s."

Kate raised her eyebrow.

"One time we dressed as our favorite Disney character, one time it was cowboys, oh and once it was D.C. comic character." Rick saw Kate was stunned. "Alexis may be a practical person, but she does take after her old man in some areas. Oh! And the dressing up is not limited to breakfast." Rick patted her arm. "Don't worry, we have plenty of costumes."

Kate got out of bed, and pulled her hair back into a ponytail, she found a robe in Rick's closet, she felt the need to be a little more covered than her sleep-shirt. She didn't think Martha and Alexis would mind, but she did. Kate wasn't a prude, but she was a guest. Kate knew she would feel more comfortable wearing his robe.

Rick was amused to see Kate's reaction, he knew she wasn't a prude. Seeing her nervous, wanting to make a good impression, reminded him she wanted to fit-in... He made a mental note, show her this was her home.

He got out of bed, before they went into the kitchen he took Kate into his arms. "Thank you for being here. It means the world to me." He kissed her tenderly. "Let's go and eat."

Kate felt the love in Rick's kiss, he knew she was nervous. They untangled and then he grabbed her hand. That action told her he was with her, you've got this. They walked into the dining room.

"This looks amazing" Kate was in awe. The bar was covered with an assortment of breads, fruit, and breakfast dishes. Truth-be-told, the thing that Kate appreciated most, they were a family. She'd missed being a part of a family. She and her mother would cook side by side. The sudden urge hit her, she wanted to prepare her mom's recipe of lasagna for her new family, and invite her dad.

Alexis handed her a plate, "dig in fill your plate and we will eat in the dining room."

Rick watched her, which in itself wasn't anything new. He always watched her. This time he was glad he did, he saw the moment she felt she belonged. To him that moment was priceless. He saw her face change in an instant. She was happy, here in the loft with him and his mother and daughter. His heart was full.

Kate laughed along with the family, they all had 'Castle' stories to share, Rick didn't mind. He was the one thing that bound them all together.

Kate insisted she help with the clean-up. Alexis did however kick her dad and gram out of the kitchen. They held up their hands and surrendered, and then retired to the living room. Kate and Alexis high fived and worked side by side and restored the kitchen and dining area back to pre-brunch status.

It was Kate's turn to mentor someone like her mother did for her. A happy tear fell into the dish water. Kate looked up quickly, to see if anyone saw. Kate smiled and relaxed no one was watching. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer for her mom. The moments she shared with her in the kitchen were dear to her, the significance brought home by sharing the time now with Alexis. She'd read somewhere that someone once thanked the heavens for a sink full of dirty dishes. She didn't understand it, not until this moment. It meant you had a life, someone who needed and loved you. She was indeed grateful for a sink of dirty dishes.

The pair headed into the living room to join Rick and Martha. Kate saw Martha reach over and squeeze her son's hand. She had the feeling she witnessed a private moment between mother and son.

Kate neared the couch, and then Rick reached up and pulled her into his lap. He kissed her, not a peck either. Normally she would have been embarrassed, but in the Castle household, this was normal. This family displayed affection for each other. It was new to Kate, but it was growing on her.

"I'm glad to see you are getting your strength back." Kate began to get up, he held her close to him. She stopped and settled against him.

Alexis sat beside them and propped her bunny slippers on the coffee table.

"Number one, report" Castle said in his best Captain Kirk's voice.

"Aye, Captain everything squared away, prepare to launch." Alexis replied with military precision.

"Very good number one, Lieutenant Chloe here has joined our flight crew." Rick nodded to Kate

"Welcome aboard Lieutenant" Alexis saluted Kate.

Kate saluted her back "As you were number one" Kate felt her cheeks warm up. Partly from Rick using her favorite character from the Sci-Fi series Nebula 9, and partly for adding her to their little group.

Rick leaned over and whispered, Mother is Chewbacca.

Martha growled "I heard that"

"See what I mean, that growl is perfect." Rick was pleased with himself. "And we have liftoff." He touched the remote and the giant screen unfurled.

"Oh Captain, permission to gather supplies" Alexis stood and waited for dismissal.

"Granted, abort take-off" Rick looked at Kate

" Umm.. Take-off aborted Captain." Kate suppressed her urge to smile. His Kirk impression was terrible.

Alexis pulled blankets and pillows from the hall closet. She returned "Permission to board Captain"

"Granted, number one. Lieutenant warp speed." Castle picked up the remote.

They decided to watch "Shrek" Kate and Alexis watched Rick slept though half of it. Alexis nudged Kate, "He's already seen it."

Kate nodded, Martha excused herself when the opening credits rolled. She was going to take a nap. She had a class later and an evening out planned. Alexis had homework to finish, she excused herself when the movie ended.

Kate watch Rick as he slept, he rested better now that he was home. Kate looked around the loft, she could see her self fitting in here. Mentally she placed some of her things, scattering them among his. Then she could definitely see herself here. She wanted to ask him how attached he was to the lion picture in the bedroom, that one she didn't like. Hopefully it wasn't a favorite.

Her fingers were gently touching his hair. She'd imagined running her hands through his hair on many occasions. Today she wasn't even aware she was doing it.

"Umm, that feels good" Rick was awake.

Kate looked down at her fingers buried in his hair. She jerked her hand away like she had been scalded.

"Why did you stop? I was enjoying the massage." Rick's curious blue eyes looked up into hers, he noticed today hers looked green. It was his turn to catch her looking. He grasped her hand and guided it back to his head, then closed his eyes.

Kate held her free hand over her mouth, she'd been caught, but he didn't mind. She shook her head and resumed massaging his head.

"I'd like to invite my Dad over for dinner tomorrow," Kate continued running her hand thru his hair. "He wanted to meet you, I-um I'd like to make my Mother's lasagna recipe." She paused and sucked in her bottom lip. She waited.

Rick kept his eyes closed, "I'd like to meet him, you can get whatever you need at the corner market. They will deliver," he was trying not to yawn, but he couldn't stop it. "Sorry, I was going to say or you could pick it up. My wallet is on the dresser."

"I don't need money." Kate said quietly.

"I don't want you to pay, it's the least I can do, Please?" Rick opened his eyes. "Kate, I want you to move in with me. I know you're here now, but I want you to stay-always."

"Let me think about it, okay?"

"So-it's not-no?"

"No, not-no, but not yes" Kate's forehead wrinkled as she was trying to decipher what she'd said, it sounded like she was reciting from a Dr. Seuss book.

Rick smiled and closed his eyes. "I can live with not-no for now."

Kate continued to massage his head, she needed to call and invite her dad. Oh and she needed to make a list of things she needed from the market. She was excited to prepare her first meal in the loft.