Thanks to Robert Nielson, who is a wonderful Beta.

Thanks for reading

Kate let herself into the loft, Castle had given her a shiny new key. She wanted to ask when he had it made, but wisely decided it really didn't matter. Eduardo helped her carry the bags up. She made three trips hauling everything to the kitchen. She wanted tonight's dinner to be perfect.

She'd stopped by her apartment earlier for more clothes. She expected to feel a tug on her heart to stay, wanting the familiar solace she'd felt in her own home, instead it felt cold. Everything was the same, but she wasn't.

Rick wanted to go with her when he found out she was going to stop by her place. He worried that she might want to stay. Kate assured him he needed to rest. She pinky promised she would come back. It broke her heart to see the doubt in his eyes. His past relationships left him plagued with self-doubt, inwardly she cursed Meredith and Gina. Then, she acknowledged her own role, not letting him know sooner, that she was hopelessly in love with him, and that her running days were over.

Rick made love to her last night tenderly and sweetly. She'd never felt more loved. It was just what they both needed to strengthen the bond between them. The down side was, he was exhausted, but he swore to her, it didn't set him back. When he held her face in his large hands and told her he needed her, he pleaded with his eyes. She realized then it was an important step for him. He needed to make love to her in his bed, in his home. It made them real.

Later in their post coital bliss, Rick shared some of his fantasy's involving her and his bed. Kate confessed her secrets with him involving her tub. They both ended up giggling, meshing their naked bodies together, falling asleep in each others embrace, finally sharing with each other their deepest darkest secrets. Purging the past, letting go of the hurt, and allowing the healing power of love to fortify their bond. Together they were unbreakable.

Kate unpacked the bags from the market, and decided to check on Rick before she began to prepare the lasagna. Rick let her know Alexis loved tiramisu, so she had gotten mascarpone cheese at the market. , guiltily she unpacked the ladyfingers, usually she made her own. Kate quickly unpacked the remaining items, she stored the whipping cream in the fridge along with the other items that needed refrigeration.

She opened the door quietly to the bedroom. Rick was sitting up in bed with his laptop open. "Hey," she said crossing the room.

"Hey," Rick stopped typing and looked up.

Kate swore she saw his smile widened when he saw she'd brought two bags of clothes. "You're writing?"

"Yea, I felt inspired." Rick's eyes were sparkling. "Come here love," he patted the bed.

Kate dropped her bags and headed into his arms. Rick tucked back her hair and kissed her.

"Wow," Kate tilted her head back to look at him. "Are you okay?" She hoped last night wasn't too much.

Rick smiled, "I am now."

Kate smiled back at him, and looked at her dad's watch. "I've got to get started on dinner, my Dad will be here at seven and your Mom needs to leave by eight-thirty to make it her night class on time."

The couple shared another kiss, then Kate got up, she knew if she continued she wouldn't stop. She really needed to get a move on. She stopped, just as she reached the doorway. "Rick," when his eyes met hers she told him. "I love you." Kate didn't wait for a response, she didn't need one, she felt compelled to share her heart with him at that moment.

Kate started the sauce simmering, she didn't need to look at the recipe. She knew it by heart. She stood beside her mother as she passed it down from her mother, smiling she turned her attention to the tiramisu. Kate loved to cook, she didn't get the chance with the odd hours of her job. On the rare occasion she cooked for her dad, she always had leftovers. She would eat them for a couple of days, and that was after sending her dad home loaded with containers of food, and taking the boys food too.

She opened his refrigerator, it was filled with fresh food, she knew her fridge held a temple of take out cartons with food dried beyond recognition.

Kate closed the door with her hip, her hands were full of items she needed for their dinner. She was grating the cheese when the loft door opened. Alexis came in from school.

"Something smells good." Alexis unloaded her backpack into one of the empty bar stools. She picked up a mound of cheese, "umm fresh mozzarella, so good." Alexis watched Kate as she grated the cheese. "Do you need any help?" she asked timidly.

"Yes, that would be great. I'm running behind." Kate admitted

"I'll go and change out of my school uniform, be right back." Alexis grabbed her things and bounded up the stairs with the energy only the young possessed.

Alexis came back down stairs with her hair tied back in a ponytail and wearing a t-shirt with I and a big red heart the Bahamas written across the front. It was one of the souvenirs Rick bought on their trip. Kate smiled and Alexis's cheeks turned pink.

Alexis and Kate worked side-by-side, they had the same natural rhythm her and a certain writer shared. She shared the recipe with Rick's ginger haired daughter, showing her step by step the process. Kate shared the story her mother told her and her grandmother shared with her mother.

The two of them working together, filled a hole in their hearts of not having a mother. Alexis had never experienced the unselfish devotion of a mother, Kate did, but lost her at nineteen. It was hard to say which was worse not having one, or losing her so young. Kate knew she couldn't replace the lost years for Alexis, but she hoped to be her friend.

Rick was an amazing father, he'd done a great job raising Alexis on his own. She was a great Kid.

Rick stood in the doorway to his office, he watched the two of them, he couldn't look away. He felt guilty that Alexis didn't have a mother in her life. When Meredith first told him he was going to be a father he was overcome with joy. He never dreamed she would walk away from her own child. He'd never regretted having a child. He'd loved Alexis from the first moment he grasped her tiny hand in his. Holding her tiny body in his large clumsy hands for the first time. He was terrified and thrilled at the same time. The sleepless nights, dirty diapers, soured clothes from spit-up…. he would do it all over again. He loved being a father. He'd never had another human being that he was responsible for. Today he wondered if he'd failed her.

"Dad, look we are making the award winning secret Houghton family recipe." Alexi's eyes were wide open and bright.

"It smells wonderful." Rick walked over and grabbed the pair in a bear hug.

"Um-you smell good." Kate noticed he'd showered and changed into the blue shirt she loved. She nuzzled into him enjoying his embrace. Reluctantly she let go and spoke "Number one, I pass the wooden spoon to your care." Kate ceremoniously handed Alexis the spoon. "I'm going to take a shower. Um-Lieutenant Chloe out." Kate pivoted and headed for the shower.

Rick and Alexis watched as Kate left the kitchen, they were both in awe of how different she was at home with them. Alexis was used to Detective Beckett, controlled, serious, cop. It was nice to see Kate.

Rick kissed his daughter's cheek and then pulled a stool back and sat down. He watched as Alexis checked on their dinner. Satisfied things were ship-shape she joined her dad who sat at the bar.

"She's great, I'm glad she's here. It's nice seeing this side of her." Alexis looked up at her dad. "She is the one isn't she?"

"Yes pumpkin, she is. I would like to ask her to marry me, is that still okay with you? I know we talked about the possibility, but I would like to ask her Dad tonight for his blessing, but I'd like to have yours first. "Rick watched his daughter carefully for her answer.

Alexis waited a moment before she answered. "I can see she makes you happy, and I think she is the most real person you have ever brought home. She loves you Dad, not the fame or the money. I think it would be a huge mistake to let her get away." She looked at her dad his eyes were tearing. "Marry her and have babies, she needs a family."

"How did you get so smart?" Rick looked at his daughter with pride.

"Well they say genius skips a generation, so tell me were Gram's parents …" Alexis giggled as her dad grabbed her in a bear hug.

"Funny" he kissed the top of her head. "I love you, Pumpkin"

"Love you too," Alexis jumped up, "Oh, I've got to make the salad, and it's time to put the lasagna in the oven.

Martha came into the loft with her arms loaded with shopping bags. "Hello, dear"

Rick looked his mother and grinned.

"Now Richard, wipe that silly grin off your face, I'm meeting Katherine's father for the first time and I simply didn't have a thing to wear." Martha set her bags down and Rick met her half-way.

"Thank you for joining us for dinner, Mother, "Rick's smile was genuine, it meant a lot to him she was joining them. He knew her class started before nine. He kissed her cheek.

"Something smells simply divine," Martha rubbed her hand together," now dear how's about popping the cork off the good stuff?" She winked at her son.

"Oh, Alexis are you wearing that?" Martha pointed to Alexis's t-shirt.

"No, I'm waiting until Kate finishes her shower and then I'm going to shower and change." Alexis grabbed water from the fridge and twisted the top off.

"Well, I could watch …" Martha was about to offer to help.

"No!" both Rick and Alexis said at the same time.

"That won't be necessary mother." Rick said smoothing over his and Alexis outburst. He finished uncorking the wine, he poured his mother's glass half full. He looked up just as she was motioning for him to add a little more, he watched her face as he filled her glass. When it was about three-quarters full she motioned him to stop. He handed her the glass.

"Thank you, dear" Martha retrieved her bags and headed upstairs without spilling a drop.

Rick and Alexis looked at one another like they'd dodged a bullet.

Just as Alexis finished setting the table, Kate came into the room. Her hair was up, and she was dressed in a butter colored pullover and skinny jeans. She looked amazing. Rick slid off his stool and went and kissed her. "You look beautiful, as always" he stood admiring her

"Dad, are you going to offer her a glass of wine?" Alexis was smiling, only Kate could render him speechless.

"Oh-right, would you care for a glass?" Rick pointed to the bar

Kate nodded "I'd love a glass." She stepped around to the kitchen.

Rick poured and handed the wine-glass to her. Kate noticed his eyes were sparkling, he was happy. That was a good sign.

Alexis came from the dining room. "Number one reporting, table set, salad prepared, lasagna in the oven, desert chilling, oh and breadsticks rising."

"Relieved number one, Kate started to salute and decided to hug her instead.

Alexis was surprised at first and then she hugged her back. "Dad's right, you do smell like cherries." Then she was gone. Disappearing up the stairs in a flash, Alexis didn't want them to see the tears in her eyes.

Rick felt blessed. He was truly happy.

They sat and talked enjoying the moment.

Kate sipped her wine, the timer dinged she opened the oven to remove the lasagna. Rick came around and insisted he be allowed to do it for her. He sat the heavy dish on the counter to rest. Kate handed him the breadsticks, he placed the baking sheet in the oven. They were about to sit when the door bell rang.

Kate took a deep breath, she knew her Dad would love them as much as she did, but she was still a little nervous.

Rick held Kate's hand as they walked to the front door. That was the first thing Jim noticed when the couple opened the door and welcomed him in. The second thing he noticed, the happiness that radiated around his daughter. It was about time he thought.

"Pleased to finally meet you, Kate has told me so much about you. They clasp hands and shook. (A time honored tradition, which some believe started to show the other person you were not holding a weapon, others believe as a way of showing respect.) Today Rick was grateful for both.

"Hi, Dad" Kate leaned in and kissed her dad's cheek.

"Mr. Beckett welcome, please come in." Kate and Rick stepped aside

"Only if you call me Jim, excuse me I don't know whether to use Rick or Castle? Katie uses both.

"Rick is fine." he ushered Jim into the living room.

He was about to offer her dad a glass of wine, and then bit his tongue-he didn't drink anymore. Kate excused her self to finish preparing the meal.

Alexis came down stairs first, Kate let her know before hand she was wearing jeans, no need to be dressed up. Alexis wore jeans and a simple button down shirt.

Rick motioned for Alexis to come over. "Jim, this is my daughter Alexis" he said proudly

"Pleasure to me you Mr. Beckett" Alexis extended her hand

"Please call me Jim, and the pleasure is all mine." Jim shook Alexis extended hand.

Martha came down the stairs as Kate walked in to announce dinner was ready.

"Hello, Jim darling it is so nice to meet you." Martha held out both hands

Jim took them and Martha kissed his cheek. "It's high time these two got together." She whispered in his ear.

Kate rescued her dad by announcing dinner was served.

They all moved into the dining room. Rick and Jim stood until the ladies were seated. Jim please Rick motioned for Jim to sit beside Kate across from his mother. Alexis sat on the same side as his mother, Rick took his seat at the head of the table Kate to his right and his daughter to his left.

Rick held his glass and proposed a toast: To family

Everyone held up their glass, Alexis and Jim were drinking iced tea, the others drank wine. To family they clinked their glasses together.

They enjoyed their meal. Jim discreetly observed the family dynamic. He was pleased to see the way Katie interacted with Rick. He noticed they had the same ease with one another, he'd had with Joanna. Rick assured her with a gentle touch or reassuring glance. He noticed they often held hands. He didn't think they were even aware they sought out each other. He was impressed with Alexis, she was smart and well mannered. He was surprised by Martha, she was outgoing and fun-loving, knowing her profession he thought it suited her. She loved to entertain.

"Katie, the meal was outstanding." Jim sat back in his chair, he was stuffed.

"Thanks Dad, Alexis helped." Kate dabbed her mouth with her napkin.

Jim looked at Alexis and smiled, "Thank you Alexis, it was delicious."

"We made tiramisu for desert." Alexis added, but maybe we should wait awhile.

"That's a very good idea pumpkin, let's go and sit in the living room." Rick scooted his chair back and turned to help Kate.

"I hate to eat and run, but I have a class," Martha turned to Jim. "Forgive me for running out."

Jim waved his hand "It was nice to meet you, please think nothing of it."

"Dad, take Mister-Jim into the living room and we will join you as soon as we've cleared the table." Alexis knew her dad wanted to talk to him alone.

"Yes, please and we will have desert and coffee after we finish." Kate stood by Alexis until Rick and her dad headed into the living room.

Martha headed out to join her class, and the men went into the living room. Rick felt guilty for leaving them to clean-up detail. He didn't mind helping out in the kitchen. He'd learned to cook, after tiring of take-out. He wanted Alexis to eat healthy meals some of the time.

Kate and Alexis began the task of clean-up, the men headed in the living room.

"Katie told me you were recently ill." Jim sat in the chair opposite the sofa.

"Yes, I was in the middle of a book tour. I ended up with pneumonia, and was hospitalized for a few days. I'm feeling much better. Kate has helped me recover." Rick hoped that didn't sound as awkward as he felt it did.

Jim nodded, he knew Katie was a care-giver, she'd helped him when he tried drowning himself in the bottle.

"Rick, if I may be so bold. I want you to know, I think you are the best thing to happen to Katie. I know at first she wanted to shoot you." Jim looked at Rick

Rick confirmed it was true, by nodding. Kate did want to shoot him in the beginning.

She talked about you constantly, so I knew you were important to her." Jim paused and then began again, "I think I realized she was in love with you before she admitted it to herself. I was the same way with Johanna, I waited for her as you did Katie, and in the end I'm so glad I did, my only regret, that I waited so long to let her know how I felt." Jim chuckled "A family trait, so it would seem. I've never seen her look at anyone the way she does you. She puts on a tough front, but deep down she is just a little girl who wants to be loved and accepted for who she is."

"Sir-Jim, I love your daughter, she is with –out- a -doubt the most frustrating, challenging, extraordinary women I've ever met, and with your permission I would like to ask her to marry me." Rick's hands were sweating. He wiped them on his jeans.

Jim reflected on Rick's heartfelt words, "I can't speak for my daughter Rick, but I give you my blessing to marry Katie."

Rick felt like a weight was lifted, he jumped up and went over to Jim. "Thank you, sir….I promise to love and honor her until the day I die."

Jim was surprise by the hug, but not by his words. Rick proved he was committed.

Alexis suppressed a smile when she saw her dad hug Kate's father. She silently screamed yes.

Kate felt like she missed out on something big.

Soon after desert and coffee were finished, Jim said goodnight. The Castle's and Kate stood at the door showing him out. It was a great evening.