They all ate in silence for the rest of their first course. Rick and Kate exchanging worried looks as he took their plates out, ready to bring in their ice cream.
"You're my daddy then, right?" Nevaeh's voice floated across the room, a quite defiance in the words that spoke of an incoming storm. Jim just nodded, knowing he had to take this on the chin.
"Yes Nevaeh, I am." The child nodded slowly.
"My Mama's dead, you know that?" Kate gasped, she couldn't help it. Rick squeezed her shoulder comfortingly before he sat down.
"Katie told me. I'm sorry." Nevaeh shrugged.
"If she hadn't, I would never have met you, would I? You only found out about me 'cause I found Kate. You wouldn't have come found me otherwise." Nevaeh assessed defiantly, her tiny chin lifting insolently. Jim sighed.
"I didn't know your mother was pregnant. I would have found you if I had known." Nevaeh regarded him closely.
"You don't want me, do you?" She slumped and Kate couldn't stop her arm from wrapping around her.
"Nevaeh..." Jim tried but the girl shook her head.
"You're happy just being Kate's daddy." Jim sighed heavily.
"I can't raise you. I should be baby sitting my grandkids, not going through parenthood again." Nevaeh didn't move. "I care about you, of course I do, you're my blood. But I can't be your 'daddy'."
"Dad." Kate interjected pointedly.
"Even if he doesn't want me," Nevaeh started softly, her head inclined to the table even as she watched Kate's reaction, "I can still stay with you, right?" Her voice trembled dangerously and it broke her sister's heart. "I don't wanna go away, Kate. Please, don't make me go away." Kate pulled the girl into her lap and held her into her chest.
"I will never send you away, Baby. Never, you hear me? Rick and I will always be here for you." She murmured, pressing periodic kisses to her head. "Oh Sweetheart, please don't cry." She begged as soft whimpers found her hearing. She flicked her eyes to Rick and he nodded.
"Maybe it's time for you to get home, Jim." Rick suggested, not unkind but making it clear it wasn't a suggestion. Jim nodded and rose slowly. He rounded the table, feeling it like a shot to the chest when the girl in his daughter's arms cowered from him. He kissed Kate's crown and whispered his apologies before letting Rick see him out.
Rick returned to the table, his heart breaking in his chest as he watched his girlfriend and her baby sister rock. He gently laid his hand on Kate's shoulder, waiting for her to meet his eye before he scooped Navi into his arms and held her close.
"Come on, Little One." He murmured softly. "Let's get out of here, yeah? I know someone who can't wait to meet you." The seven year old nodded against him, while he adjusted his hold on her so he could wrap his hand around Kate's bicep to help her to stand. "How about we go for a road trip, you up for that?" Kate smiled and kissed him softly, gratefully, before slowly making her way over to the hall closet to gather jackets for them all, knowing exactly where they were going.