A/N: I know a lot of you had issues with Alexis' reaction to the BIG news, but bear with me. There is always a method to my madness.

Well... Usually.

Okay... sometimes.

;)

Martha Rodgers came to a stop outside her granddaughters room; pausing for a moment to run her right hand down her throat. She blinked a few times, trying to think of something to say before realizing that anything she came up with would sound too rehearsed.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked.

"Go away... please."

"Alexis." The actress placed her hand against the wood of the door. "It's me. Please let me in."

There was a long pause and then...

"Come in."

Martha pushed the door open slowly, her heart catching in her chest when she saw the young woman, tears streaming down her face, curled into a fetal position on her bed. "Oh, darling..." She sat down carefully, placing a hand on the redhead's back and rubbing in small, soft circles. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I wouldn't know where to begin."

The actress sighed. "Is this really about your father and Kate...I mean, the woman is more than young enough and your father is... well... your father. This couldn't be that much of a surprise. Unless..." She squeezed the young woman's shoulder. "...this is about something else?"

Alexis' eyes narrowed. "He told you."

"Of course he did."

The redhead looked at her; her fear plain on her face. "Gram..."

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm an actress. I have worked with more gay people than the LGBT center downtown."

Alexis paled. "I... I don't know if I'm..."

Martha waved her hand in the air. "Alexis, all I am saying is that I couldn't care less... except that... whatever this is... seems to be hurting you."

"No... It really isn't." She took a deep breath. "It's just... I'm not used to... feeling the way I do... about a... girl."

The actress titled her head to the side. "And?"

"And what?"

Martha winked at her granddaughter. "Exactly."

Alexis frowned. "The more time you and I spend together the more I understand my father."

"Don't be a wise ass." The older woman smiled affectionately. "Although it does seem to be a family trait. I will hold out hope for the newest addition." She pulled Alexis into her arms. "I know you, sweetheart. I know my granddaughter. And you know how much Kate means to your father. You know how... different... this is for him. So I also know that your problem with this... is YOUR problem with this. Not theirs. So tell me."

The young redhead sighed. "Is life always this hard?"

"Of course it is! If it wasn't interesting, what would be the point?"

"Hey."

Castle let out a definitely girly 'squeak' as he dropped the steaks he had been pulling out of the freezer onto his foot. He barely managed to bite back the long string of expletives that threatened to break free until he saw who was behind him.

"Hey! Hey... pumpkin." He picked up the meat gingerly, setting it in the sink to defrost before turning to face his daughter.

"Where's Detective Beckett?" She flushed at the look on her fathers face. "Where's Kate?"

"She's in the shower. We got a call..."

"Ahh." Alexis sighed. At this point? It was definitely time to give up trying to make him stop playing cop. "How long do I have?"

The writer sat down on one of the bar stools, pulling her down onto another. "As long as you need."

"I'm... I'm sorry, Dad. I... I'm happy for you."

"Are you sure?"

Alexis sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "It isn't about... Well, it isn't about a lot of things."

Castle took both her hands in his. "Then please tell me... what is it about?"

The young redhead sighed. "Me?" She shook her head. "And I am not used to that."

"Sometimes, everything has to be about you." Rick took both her hands in his, squeezing her fingers. "So tell me about you."

"Dad..."

"I'm serious, Alexis."

"I just... Dad... Don't you get it? This baby is what? Maybe seven or so months from coming into the world? By the time he, or she, gets here I am going to have ... MAYBE a couple of months with my little sister or brother before I'm off to college. They'll grow up... not knowing me as anything but that redhead that shows up on holidays."

"Alexis..." Castle gripped her upper arms gently. "You would always be more than that."

"Maybe..."

The writer looked at his daughter closely. "What is this really about?"

The young woman shook her head.

"Alexis..." He pulled her into him, relieved when her arms circled around his waist. "Talk to me. What's going on?"

"Everything is changing."

Her voice was so small, it reminded him of when she was a child and she had woken from a nightmare; crawling into his bed and whimpering. His arms tightened around the suddenly tiny young woman.

"That's life, sweetheart." He held her close. "Life is change. You just have to change with it."

"You make it sound easy." She accused.

"Oh... it is never easy." Castle kissed her temple. "But it's right. And I will always... ALWAYS... love you."

Alexis looked up at him. "Even if I don't pick the path well traveled?"

Rick's arms tightened. "Especially then."