After lunch, Alexis and Kate watched Disney movies for the afternoon while Rick sat beside them, writing his next book on his laptop. He'd occasionally look up to check on the girls, but every time, they were either both engrossed in the movie, or Kate was smiling as Alexis explained something to her. It was just what Kate, and Rick if he was honest with himself, needed after their morning.

They were half way through The Lion King when Alexis crawled onto Kate's lap and snuggled in close to her chest. Rick watched Kate carefully, ready to step in at a moments notice if it was too much. Kate however, only stiffened for a second before wrapping her arms around her and kissing her crown, gently rocking her back and forth on her lap as she drifted into sleep.

He caught Kate smiling and leaning against his daughter's head and he thought she might be a little bit in love with his little girl. For course, he'd be lying if he denied the feelings were mutual. Alexis was shy and quite around everyone but him and her grandmother, even when her own mother came to stay she'd clam up, yet there she was, sitting on a relative stranger's lap, fast asleep. It made Rick's heart glad.

Once the film ended, Kate looked up to Rick for guidance. He smiled back at her, double saving his work before putting his laptop to one side.

"We need to get her to her room. Are you okay carrying her, or do you want me to take her?" Kate debated for a second.

"I think I've got her." She murmured. Carefully tightening her hold around her back, Kate slipped her arm under Alexis' legs and slowly got to her feet. Rick held out a hand behind her to aid her, but she didn't need it. Kate possessed a grace that was rare in anyone, let alone someone as young as her. Once she was stood, Rick gently guided her to the stairs with a gentle hand on the base of her back.

They reached Alexis' room without incident and Rick pointed to the bed to indicate that Kate should lay her down. Rick knelt beside the bed and slipped off the little girl's socks and slippers, he had changed her into her pyjamas earlier, and kissed her forehead before smiling at Kate. She nodded and followed him out the room.

"You're okay with the fact she sat on my lap, right? I didn't even think to ask, Rick I'm sorry." Kate rambled quietly as they walked back down the corridor. Rick chuckled.

"Kate, if I'd have had a problem with it, I'd have told you." Kate nodded, trapping her lip between her teeth. "It's okay." He assured her, gently squeezing her hand. "I was glad actually."

"Oh?" Kate asked, confusion written across her beautiful features as she turned to him at the top of the stairs. Rick smiled.

"Alexis is painfully shy around new people. It took weeks for her to be okay with Katrina, the teenager that babysits her sometimes. And yet, in two days, she's comfortable enough with you to sleep on you, twice." Rick smiled as Kate chuckled. "I think my daughter's a little bit taken with you Kate." That pretty rosy blush stained her cheeks again.

"I uhh, I have to say, I'm a little taken too. She's adorable Rick." He nodded and gave her a look that said it was clearly not news to him, making her laugh again. "I used to babysit for this little boy once." Kate started as they sat on the couch. Rick nodded encouragingly. "He was a holy terror, Rick. He would trash the house and scream and fight and refuse point blank to do anything I told him." She shook her head, a reminiscent smile on her face. "Absolute angel when his parents got home though." Rick chuckled.

"Oh, those are the worst." Kate laughed and leaned back, resting her elbow on the back of the couch and her head in that hand as she curled her leg under her to face Rick. He turned and mimicked her position. "You okay?" He asked, noticing the slight drop in her eye level, like she was trying to convince him she was looking him in the eye, but she wasn't. She nodded, biting her lip.

"I wanted to thank you, again." She added wryly. He smiled softly. "It's just, this, this fortnight has been, difficult to say the least. I..." She filtered off, suddenly nervous. Rick gently took the hand, not supporting her head, in his and interlocked their fingers, hoping to give her the strength she needed, the security she was craving. "I don't think I'd have made it without you." She whispered a little emotionally.

"Kate, I don't believe that for a moment. You are extraordinary." Kate blushed. "You could do anything you set your mind to, even if that something was something as painful as getting through this." She smiled softly, gently smoothing her thumb back and forth on the back of his hand.

"Thank you, Rick." He smiled gently at her whispered words. "Do you, would you mind terribly, if I went to bed? It's kinda been a long day." It was only early, but he knew how exhausted she had to be.

"Not at all. Second door on the left." He smiled getting up as she did. She stood on her tiptoes, being more than a head shorter than him in her stockinged feet, and pressed a feather light kiss to the corner of his mouth.

"I owe you." She smiled before traipsing up the stairs to her bed for the night. Rick smiled as he watched her go. She would be fine, he knew it. It would be hard, obviously, but she was strong. If anyone could do it, it would be her.

He picked up his laptop and retired to his room for the evening, determined to finish the chapter he'd been writing before he fell asleep.