A/N- More angst, but they are talking things out...

Kate went straight to bed when they got home that morning. She was still tired from the stress of the day before and from worrying about the baby. So, Castle brought her breakfast in bed and they talked. They talked about everything and nothing. They finally talked about her maternity leave. Even though she hated to admit it, Montgomery was right. She wasn't on the top of her game and if she continued being stubborn about staying in the precinct, she was going to risk not only her life, but the life of her unborn daughter and the other officers helping them. So, she made the hardest decision of her life. She was going to go on early maternity leave.

Castle smiled and asked, "Are you sure?"

"No, but it's best for everyone involved. It's not fair to Espo or Ryan. They can be expected to watch out for me."

So, she took the papers and signed them. Then she gave them to Castle and told him to take them to the precinct for her. He hugged her and promised to be back soon. He needed to pick up Alexis from school and then he was going to cook them a special meal.

Kate closed her eyes and soon fell asleep. When she opened her eyes, it was almost completely dark in the bedroom. She could hear Alexis and her father laughing in the kitchen. She put her slippers on and padded out to the kitchen. When Castle saw her, he smiled and said, "You finally decided to join us!"

Kate smiled and went to kiss Alexis on the head, but the little girl moved away quickly. Kate's eyebrows furrowed and she wondered what happened. Alexis had never done that before. Maybe she was imagining things.

She smiled and asked Alexis, "How was school sweetpea?"

Alexis shrugged and whispered, "Fine..."

Kate caught Castle's eyes and asked, "What's wrong?"

He shrugged and shook his head. Then he asked his daughter, "Did you do anything special at school today pumpkin?"

"We made stick men today. Then, when we went to recess we played kickball and I scored. Twice."

Alexis went on and on about her day. Kate could tell that Alexis was purposely evading her questions and answering her fathers. She finally sighed, picked up her glass of juice and walked back into the bedroom.

After putting her glass down, she climbed back into bed and pulled the covers up around her. She had lost her appetite. She wondered what she had done wrong. Because whether Castle knew it or not, his daughter was all but ignoring her and her attempts to talk to her.

She wasn't sure how long she had been staring at the door before she heard her husband come into the room. She felt the bed move and then he slipped his arm around her waist. Then he whispered, "What's wrong?"

She shrugged and whispered, "Nothing..."

"Kate. Talk to me."

Kate sighed and then whispered, "Alexis... She doesn't love me anymore."

Her tears fell down onto the pillow and sobs shook her body. She didn't know what she did. Castle shook his head, kissed her neck and whispered, "She loves you Kate..."

"No she doesn't. I asked her how school was and she barely answered me. Then, you asked her and she was talking like a little parrot. What did you say to her about our fight?"

Castle hadn't said a word to her about what had happened. It was necessary. However, when she had went to bed that night, Martha had come over and he had told her what happened. Crap. If Alexis had heard about their fight, she might think that she had to choose sides. Something that he would never ask her to do. He finally whispered, "I'll be back."

She barely heard him. She simply closed her eyes and sighed.

Meanwhile, Alexis was sitting at the breakfast bar coloring. She was swinging her legs and for all appearances, she looked happy. Castle looked at his daughter and asked, "Can we talk pumpkin?"

Alexis stopped coloring, "Sure daddy."

"Did you hear me talking to Grams last night?"

Alexis nodded slowly, "Yes."

"You do know that even if Kate and I are mad at each other, we still love you."

"I know you love me daddy."

"You do?"

Alexis nodded, "Yeah. You're my daddy. You have to love me."

Castle smiled, "And Kate loves you to."

Alexis shook her head, "No she doesn't. She's not my real mommy. She will have her own baby soon and she won't need me. You told Grams that she doesn't think that you will love the baby because she isn't really yours. I know you will though daddy. She's probably just going to leave us anyway. Just like my mommy did."

"No she won't pumpkin. She loves you."

Alexis shrugged, "No, she loves you and she's probably just pretending to love me. It's okay daddy. I had a mommy for a little while and it was nice, but I'm better off without one."

Neither Castle nor Alexis realized that Kate had walked out into the living room. She had heard the entire conversation and she was silently shaking her head. Nothing that Alexis was saying was true. She truly loved Alexis. And it wasn't because she loved her father. She was a bright, funny little girl and Kate had felt so lucky to have her as a daughter.

She walked into the kitchen and whispered, "I do love you Alexis."

Alexis shook her head and whispered, "No. No you don't. My mommy didn't love me. So why would you? I heard daddy tell Grams that you didn't think he could love your baby. My sister. I know he loves her because he talks about her all the. He told me that things he wants to do when she is older." Then Alexis asked her, "Are you going to leave us like my mommy did?"

Kate wiped at the tears and she whispered, "No Alexis. I love you. Your daddy and I are going to fight every now and then, but it doesn't change how I feel about you or your baby sister. I was wrong and I'm sorry. I want to be the mommy that you deserve." Then Kate leaned down and kissed Alexis' head and whispered, "I love you and nothing will ever make me leave."

Alexis looked at her and turned her head to the side. Kate could tell that she was studying her. She finally got down off of her chair and knocked it over. She ran over to Kate and wrapped her arms around her legs and hugged her tightly. Then Kate heard her whisper, "Good mommy. Because I really, really love you and don't want you to ever leave us." Alexis put her hand over her heart and said, "It makes me hurt right here and I want to cry. I don't want to lose another mommy."

Kate felt her heart swell and then she whispered to Alexis, "I'm never leaving you or your daddy. I married both of you. And you know what?"

Alexis sniffled and asked, "What?"

"You and your daddy married me and Lillian."

Alexis asked, "Lillian? Who's Lillian?"

Castle smiled and told his daughter, "That's the name that we picked out for the baby. Lillian Rose."

Alexis smiled, "That's a pretty name."

Castle nodded, "It is, but we only told you. We want to surprise everyone else."

Kate asked, "Can you keep it a secret?"

Nodding, Alexis told her, "I can keep secrets really good mommy. I promise I won't tell anyone."

Kate leaned down and hugged Alexis tightly and then whispered, "I know you can and next time you feel sad or upset, let me or your daddy know. Please?"

Alexis nodded, and then Castle came over to her hug them. Alexis would remember this years later. She would realize that it was the first time she had felt safe and secure in the love of both of her parents.

Then, Castle asked, "Who's hungry?"

Kate and Alexis both cried out, "Me!"

Castle laughed and said, "Well, then we need to set the table!"

Kate hurried to get the plates and then Alexis went to get the silverware. They set the table and laughter could be heard throughout the meal. Everything was right with the family again. And Kate had never felt happier in her life...