Rick stood on the edge of the playground and watched with a soft smile as Kate supported the bottoms of Alexis' feet while she pulled herself along the monkey bars. They both looked so happy.

After the night they'd had, Rick couldn't help but again be proud of his little girl, for putting that smile on Kate's face. He also couldn't help but be glad he'd stumbled across Kate.

He hadn't seen his little girl giggle so often in her mother's presence, in the entirety of her tiny life. Kate was something special. He just had to work out if she was destined to be his best friend or so much more.

Kate took hold of Alexis' waist and put her back on the ground once they reached the last bar. Alexis took off like a shot towards the unoccupied swing set.

"Come on Kate, come swing with me." Kate laughed at the child's antics before taking off after her.

For the first time in a while now, she didn't care if she looked ridiculous as she chased after the girl and scooped her up, holding her high above her head as she spun around on the spot, keeping the girl safely aloft as she stretched as far as she could. Alexis laughed long and loudly as Kate spun her.

"I'm flying." Alexis giggled before Kate brought her down to her chest and held her close, quickly catching her breath. "To the swings!" Alexis cheered, pushing out her little fist in front of her, making Kate laugh. She set Alexis down properly and watched with an almost parental smile as the four year old rushed to the swing set.

"Your daughter's beautiful." A voice drew Kate's attention.

Stood beside her, watching as Alexis got herself on the swing and started to pump her tiny legs, was a brunette woman who looked to be in her early thirties. She was clutching a little boy, no older than two, to her hip while she smiled between Kate and Alexis. Kate chuckled nervously, not sure how to handle it for a second. But when she thought about it, she kind of liked that she was being mistaken for the mother of such an angelic little girl. Kate smiled at the woman proudly.

"Thank you, I certainly think so." The woman smiled and moved over to the jungle gym while Kate watched Alexis for a moment longer. She shook her head at herself before striding over to the swing set to help Alexis.

They played for a little while longer before Alexis suddenly charged off towards the gate, leaving Kate momentarily stunned before chasing after her.

"Alexis, where are you...?" The question trailed off as she spotted Rick crouched on the ground, eyes closed, Alexis holding herself into his chest, while Rick held her gently with his biceps, his hands full with three ice cream cones.

Kate smiled gently at the scene before gently laying her hand on his wrist to attract his attention and taking two of the cones, allowing him to wrap his right arm around Alexis and hold her tighter as he stood up and carried her to a bench, before sitting her in his lap.

"Daddy." Alexis sighed against his chest, making Kate's heart melt just a little. "You're up." She assessed quietly. Rick smiled and kissed her crown before resting his cheek against it.

"Yeah Pumpkin, and I brought ice cream." Kate shook her head. "What?" He asked quietly, tilting his head to look at her without removing it from its cushion of red hair.

"Only you would bring ice cream cones in the middle of January." Rick chuckled.

"Alexis likes ice cream. And I missed our morning cuddle. I needed to make it up to her." Kate's eyes slipped closed softly. He was such a wonderful father.

Something twisted hard in Kate's gut and she felt sick when she realised it was jealousy.

She was jealous of a four year old.

She shook her head, opening her eyes to find Rick staring at her concernedly. She flashed him a smile before passing Alexis one of the cones in her hand and hiding her face behind her own. She really hoped she wasn't going to tear up in the middle of a playground.

"Did you have fun baby girl?" Rick asked Alexis as she ate her ice cream, apparently happy enough to drop the subject for now. The girl nodded enthusiastically.

"Kate helped me on the bars, and then she aeroplane-ed me and pushed me on the swings." Kate smiled softly at her. "A lady told Kate that her daughter was beautiful, too, but I didn't know you had a daughter?" She turned her bright blue curious eyes on the nineteen year old. Kate blushed and dropped her gaze.

"I think the lady meant you Pumpkin." Rick told her gently, trying not to embarrass Kate any further.

"But she didn't correct her?" Rick looked up at Kate, something playing in his gaze she couldn't decipher.

"I'm sorry. It was just easier. I didn't mean to upset you, or make you angry, or offend you I promise. I won't do it again." Kate rambled nervously. Rick was about to chuckle when he saw just how worried about this she really was.

"Hey, hey no. It's alright." Rick assured her quickly. "I'm not upset or angry and I'm certainly not offended Kate. It just, surprised me, that's all. It's okay." Kate nodded quickly before studying her ice cream.

Interesting, Rick thought as he watched her. He knew Kate was getting attached to his daughter, but hadn't expected her to be quite so alright with people thinking she was hers.

And she was worried he'd be offended? It was almost laughable really. Why on earth would he be offended that sweet, caring, beautiful, vulnerable Kate was happy to be so closely associated with his marvellous little girl?

He had a feeling she'd avoid this steadfastly if he brought it up, but he wanted to have a conversation about this. He needed to know what was going on in that gorgeous head of hers.