The weekend came faster as they thought. Alexis excitement grew with everyday. And before everyone realised it was Friday evening and the three Casteles stood in front of their building waiting for Paige and her parents. Kate and Rick wished Alexis a nice weekend and waved her goodbye. When they entered the loft again they took in the silence. They silently agreed to relax on the sofa, reading a book. After a while Rick stood up and took the photo album from the shelf.

"Remember our wedding?", he asks with a glance in his eyes. "Do you ever wonder what would have had happened if you hadn't got pregnant? I mean we were young and had so many options. Would you still just be a homicide instead of captain? Do you think everything had played out like it did?

She already got used to this side of him. Sometimes he was insecure and absolutely overwhelmed that he could be with her, while he was a self centered, easygoing man on the other side, the public side. Kate hugged him from behind and whispered in his ear :"You know, there are things in my past I would love to change. But never would I dare to change this. Look at us. Our daughter is amazing and we love us like the first day. It´s almost cheesy but it´s us. I love you ." She gave him a kiss to make her point. They sat there for another hour going through the albums and reminisced.

"Remember? It was the first day we took Alexis to the park. She was so amazed. Her eyes and her laugh. God, she is perfect." Kate pointed at a picture that showed Alexis in a stroller obviously enjoying herself. "Oh yes. I do remember her chasing that pigeon and ending up involuntary taking a bath the fountain." He laughed about this memory. "Oh, and you were so worried when you recognized she was away. You should have seen your face when you saw Alexis giggling in this fountain", Kate added.

"I just saw the fountain and was scared that she hurt herself or worse. She could have drowned. Come on, don´t pretend that you weren´t at least a little worried. I'm absolutely sure that a cops imagination runs as wild as a writer's about little children in a park fountain."

"True. However we try to be not too overprotective."

"Speaking of being overprotective. Are you and Alexis fine? She seemed pretty upset this week."

"Yes, I guess so. She called me at work and you know that this isn't a good time to ask important private things. She has been so stubborn the last weeks and I was tierd and had no time to discuss this. Plus Karpowski just had caught a case close to home."

"Want to share?"

"No, not really. It was a triplehomiced and the victims were all about Alexis age. Seems like a family dispute gone wrong."

"Oh." , was the only thing he could say and pulled her back in his strong arms.

"You know, sometimes it's so hard to leave my personal feelings aside and I am so afraid that someday Alexis is effected by my work. When she called I was so afraid that anybody could hear it. I don't want anything to happen to her. During the years I made quite some big and dangerous enemies."

He sighed . "Kate, you do an amazing job. And I mean your profession and you being an amazing mother. "

"Alexis told me that she doesn't understand why you two have to be a secret. Is it wrong to keep you my secret? Is it wrong not to tell my friends? We live in this bubble since years." She poured out what had been on her mind all week. Rick felt that it was bothering her alot. This was part of her being a good mother, she cared and listened. Alexis had trouble with the situation so she reflected herself. But they talked alot about this agreement. Neither of them talked about their family. Rick to provide Alexis a good childhood without the press writing about her and Kate to keep her away from harm and the hard reality of mankind.

"You do what you have to do. Of course Alexis wonders why she can´t meet your friends. But we had talked it out. It is about the difference between keeping us a secret and keeping us safe. She will understand one day." His voice was calm and full of love. "Hope so", with that she sank into his side and rested her head in his neck. Silence filled the room. Both of them enjoyed each others company.

"Darling! Anybody here?" a sharp voice broke the silence in the loft.

"We are here Mom."

It was typically for his mother. She had a talent in dropping by unannounced and interrupting intimate moments.

"Hi kiddos. How are you doing?"

"We are fine" he answered.

"Great. Where is my baby girl?"

"On tour" Kates tried to sound as normal as she could.

She knew Martha Rogders could respond to this in two ways and neither she needed now.

"Oh look. You two took a trip back into your past."

The actress picked up one of the albums and waved it trough the air. When she saw which album she just picked she started to talk.

"You two always were meant to be together. It was fate. I still remember this special expression you had when you came home with Kathrine.

And though you were only 18 back then, everybody knew it will last forever. With this tragic happening to Katherine you two grew even closer. But then you got pregnant and for a short time I really thought you wouldn't get your act together. And here you are, proving that there is indeed such a thing as true love. You are a walking fairytale, an amazing love story. Nothing is too earl of it's the right thing to do."

"Mom, you know when you tell it like that it sounds like we only exist in some old fairytale. Almost as it's too good to be true." His serious voice became softer and half amused. "But what do you expect, my mother is a is a crazy actress."

"Watch out, son" she warned in a playful tone.