for those who asked, my twitter is stillhopefulfr. It's on my profile but I don't know if guests can access it ;-)

Anyway, here is chapter 28, enjoy !

Kate was awakened by the feel of something on her stomach. When she opened her eyes, she was not surprised to find her fiancé pushing her night shirt up.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice hoarse with sleep.

"I can't keep my eyes off it. It's magic!" he said excitedly, caressing the small bump they had discovered a couple of days before.

"It's not magic Rick, it's biology." she said, smiling as she put her hand on his. "I can't believe it just appeared one day, I had thought it would come progressively. Well, I guess it did, we just reached the 'official bump stage' now. I really need to go dress shopping for the wedding in the next few weeks if I want to fit in my normal size." Kate said, her smile growing as she imagined herself trying on princess dresses. "Do you think my mom would like to come with me and the girls?"

"I'm sure she'd love to. Now, we better get up and ready if we want to be on time at the airport." Rick said, kissing her before getting out of bed and moving to the bathroom.

He was happy she was taking the news of her mother being alive so well, but he couldn't help but worry. What will happen when it really sinks in? Will she have a breakdown? Will she take it out on her mother? On him? On herself? He was taken out of his thoughts when he felt her arms circle his waist, her chest press against his back.

"I'm not stupid you know." Kate said, looking at him in the reflect of the mirror above the bathroom counter.

"I know, why would you say that?" he asked, really confused.

"I know you think I'm taking it too well, I can see it in your eyes. I'm not. It's just … it's that or spending days crying or wondering or brooding. So I chose the positive alternative. I know it's not going to be idyllic but after having read her letter about a hundred times, I decided to give it a chance. She didn't have a choice so I have to try to make the transition back here as easy as possible for her. Even if I know it's not going to last forever, I'd like for us to have a few days or weeks of normality." she explained.

"I know." Rick sighed. "And I understand. It's just … I don't want you to be disappointed that's all." he said, gathering her in his arms.

They stayed in that position for a few minutes, looking at each other in the mirror.

"I'll see my mother this afternoon." Kate finally said, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I can't believe she'll actually be here."

"She will be here." Rick reassured her, drying her tears. "Now, we don't want to be late picking up your grandmother. We should really get ready.

Kate nodded and kissed him for a while before undressing and walking in the shower. Everything had been planned after they decided to stay at the cabin once they had been told about Johanna. Jim had drove to join them for a few days before driving back to the city the day before to make sure everything was ready for Johanna's return. During his stay at the cabin, he didn't go and visit his mother, even if it was clear that he wanted to. When Kate had told him that Lizzie would go with them to the airport, he had smiled lovingly but didn't say anything. Rick and Kate would go and pick her up and drive to the city so as to have lunch at the loft before going to the airport.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

During lunch, Lizzie couldn't stop admiring her granddaughter and Rick's home. Since she didn't move a lot, it was certainly the most modern apartment she had ever seen. While Rick was clearing the table, Kate led her grandmother to the couch.

"Are you ok? Do you need anything?" Kate asked, planning on going to the kitchen to help Rick with the dishes.

"Yes, I need to talk to you."

"Ok." Kate said, sitting down beside her grandmother. "What is it? Is it because Dad will be there?"

"What? No, of course not. I want to know how you are felling about this whole situation?"

Kate sighed and lend back on the couch.

"I'm excited and terrified. I mean, I have lost count of all the times I dreamt about her coming back but now that it's actually happening, I don't know what to do." she confessed.

"Just follow your heart Katherine, you can never go wrong if you follow your heart." Lizzie said softly, smiling at Kate.

The two of them continued talking for a few minutes before Rick came to find them.

"Are you ready to go? We should leave now if we want to avoid traffic and be early at the airport." he said.

Both women nodded. Lizzie got up and went to get her coat. As Kate was following her, Rick stopped her, taking her hand.

"Are you sure you're ok?" he asked.

"No, I'm not. But I want to go and meet her. I don't know how I will react but I need to be there. I need to see her Rick."

"I know. I'm just … I don't like to see you sad or hurt that's all."

"I know. That's part of what I love you." she said before kissing him rather passionately. "Just promise me that you'll stay with me?"

"Of course. I'll never leave you Kate, and certainly not in a situation like that. Now come on, your grandmother's waiting."

"Can you … uh … can you hold me for a while before we go?" Kate asked, almost shyly.

"As if you had to ask." Rick said, pulling her into his arms. He could see throughout lunch that Kate was tensed and he felt better when he felt her melt against his chest and breathe him in.

From the coat closet, Lizzie Beckett was watching the two of them. She had been a bit mad when she found out that her granddaughter had not told her about Rick but seeing them like that, all the anger flew away. Kate was happy and that was all that mattered.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

As soon as they arrived at the airport, they were taken in charge by FBI agents. Kate certainly knew some of them but she didn't pay attention. She was too focused on moving towards where her mother will arrive, where they will finally be reunited. They were led in a special part of the airport, a secluded and protected one. Once they arrived there, they saw that Jim was already waiting, pacing in the hall. He stopped when he saw Kate, Rick and Lizzie. Nobody moved, paralyzed by the tension that could be felt. Finally Lizzie walked up to her son and hugged him tight. This was the trigger for him. It seemed as if everything was finally sinking in for him. For the second time of her life Kate saw her father cry, the first being at her mother's death. She turned into Rick's arms and could not stop the tears that had gathered in her eyes. Several minutes later, they were all startled by the opening of a door and a group of people walking out towards them.