Disclaimer in Chapter 1.
Another short, but hopefully sweet, chapter, which came back from my beta in time to post today.
Kate was lost in her own little world. Sophie had drifted to sleep a few minutes ago and lay contentedly tucked in her arms as Kate had settled then both on the couch.
Now only humming the lullaby she had initially sang to send Sophie to sleep; Kate stared in fascination at the child in her arms. She'd made a decision a long time ago and it was one she had never thought to regret, never even thought to compromise on until she had met Jordan Shaw. Castle had told her not everybody made that choice, but Kate's life had taught her that leaving someone behind led to so much pain and heartache that it wasn't worth it.
Smiling at the little girl in her arms, and thinking about the man in the shower, Kate realised that selflessness was all well and good when there was only you to consider, that protecting yourself kept your safe, but it didn't keep your soul fed and your heart nourished. And when Rick – how easily she'd taken to calling him that! - finally emerged from his shower, she'd let him know that she finally understood that there were people in the world, in her life, that made the risk she'd avoided for so long totally worth taking.
"Dad, I'm home!"
Kate started, causing Sophie to snuffle in her sleep. Quickly, instinctively, stroking the baby's nose she rocked her until she settled again. By this time, Alexis had made her way over, a confused look on her face.
"Detective Beckett, hi… I… didn't expect you…."
Smiling at how the teenager kept her voice low for the sake of the sleeping infant, Kate spoke in the same hushed tones.
"Hey, Alexis, I stopped by to speak to your dad about… something…" Kate paused, unsure how much to reveal to the teenager. "…but a spit up emergency means he's currently showering…"
"…and you are on Sophie-duty… well at least he didn't take her into the shower with him this time…" Alexis smiled again and moved closer, careful to make as little noise as possible. "I'll take her if you like, I'm sure my dad didn't mean to keep you… or to foist Sophie on you…"
Kate almost laughed. "Oh, I think that's exactly what he meant to do, but that's okay. If you don't mind, I'd like to hold her a while longer…?"
Kate watched Alexis. She'd taken a small gamble there, knowing Alexis was a smart kid and would figure out what Kate being here, holding Sophie, meant in the grand scheme of things. And Kate needed to gain her acceptance of the situation, because as much as Sophie had been a deal-breaker before; Alexis could still be that now.
Alexis smiled at her, a real, genuinely happy grin that made Kate answer in kind. Alexis's face showed the same ridiculously accurate perception that she witnessed so often on her father's. And this time, Kate left herself open to the appraisal. This was too important to fall into old habits mask her emotions. Alexis was too important for Kate to treat her with anything less than complete – if unspoken – honesty. In that moment, neither looked away, as silent but thoroughly honest conversation took place. Both of them smiling brightly as understanding and acceptance occurred.
It was Alexis who broke the silence.
"Hold her as long as you like, Detective Beckett, she's a hard thing to let go of once you've held her close."
Kate grinned. She truly was her father's daughter.
"Thank you, Alexis."
"You're welcome, Kate."
TBC…
AN: Next up, the final chapter. I know you've been waiting for it, so I thank you for your patience – and mostly for making me bounce around like a loon when I get your reviews.
Final chapter tomorrow, with the epilogue to follow the day after.
Callie.