Authors Note: I hope you enjoy the next instalment of my little universe. Apparently I don't own Castle, much is the pity because then we'd have much more Kate and Alexis bonding. But then that's what Fan Fiction is for. To fill in the little gaps we'd love to see on the show.

I have incorporated spoilers and rumours from Season Eight, so if you're staying spoiler free, then you have been warned. I've also made the assumption Alexis never visited Kate's apartment.

Chapter Eight – A New Place to Call Home?

'Come on, come on, come on,' Detective Kate Beckett sighed in frustration as she leaned against the back wall of the lift and tapped her foot impatiently. Feeling the lift slow, the Detective straightened her jacket and skirt, smoothed her hair and checked her weapon in preparation of exiting the lift once it reached her designated floor.

Thankful the building had off street parking; Kate had made up the ten minutes she was running late for her rendezvous this evening.

As soon as the doors opened, the stunning brunette strode purposefully down the hallway towards her meeting point, but slowed her hurried pace to an almost tiptoe when she heard voices filter through the open door to her left.

Detective Beckett stood silently against the wall just beyond view of the occupants in the room and watched on in silence. So much planning and conspiring had gone into setting up this meeting, but Beckett needed to gage the mood of the room before entering. Judging from the frustrated voices coming from just beyond the doorway, she was hoping she could salvage the meeting she'd so carefully planned.

'Grams stop touching things!'

'Oh darling it's not like I'm riffling through the woman's lingerie draws for heaven's sake, and what's a little healthy curiosity between friends,' waving a hand with dismissal, Martha continued to inspect the room, every now and then touching something or picking it up for closer inspection before setting it down again.

'Grams we don't even know who lives' here….wait….you know why we're here don't you!' Alexis challenged her grandmother.

'Oh my darling girl…'

'No don't you my darling girl me…..I know this isn't your new apartment so why are we here?' Kate nearly gave her position away as she stifled a laugh at her daughter. Alexis folding her arms and huffing in annoyance was a site to behold.

'My my Kiddo, you really are cranky when you haven't had enough sleep'

'Don't change the subject Grams, I'm tired, I'm hungry, I've spend the afternoon filling out paperwork and being yelled at by Lanie about cutting my hair, I'm sick of everyone yelling at me about my hair I like my hair…I haven't had time to unpack my suitcase I've run out of clean clothes and I just want to go home!' Alexis stopped short and slapped her hand over her mouth when she realised what a whining brat she sounded like. 'I'm sorry Grams, I didn't mean to yell at you,' the poor girl felt terrible for becoming so upset at her grandmother.

'Oh I'm sorry sweetheart, maybe tonight wasn't such a good idea after all,' Martha said as she hugged her granddaughter tightly. 'I'm sure Katherine and you're father will be here any minute and then we can go home'

'Why are we meeting dad and Kate here?'

Kate felt a pang of uncertainty; maybe they all should have waited until Alexis had had a chance to recover properly from her vacation. But both Rick and Martha had assured Kate her plan was ingenious. However with her recent promotion to Captain, Rick deciding to return to being private investigator, Martha moving into her new apartment and Alexis starting back at the morgue next week, the family wouldn't have much free time to spend together in the coming weeks.

Kate thought it was best to make her presence known before her jetlagged and very cantankerous daughter became even more exasperated with her poor grandmother. It didn't help that Martha had just let the cat out of the bag.

Swallowing the last of her trepidation, Kate took a calming breath and entered her old apartment. 'Hi guys, sorry I'm running late, I'm sure I killed a small forest filling out paperwork today,' Kate dropped her bag just inside the doorway and walked towards Martha.

Martha pulled her daughter-in-law in for a hug, thankful Kate had finally arrived. 'Oh Katherine no apology required, I know I keep telling you, but I'm just so proud of you my darling girl….Captain Katherine Beckett,' Kate blushed at Martha's praise. 'I'm so glad you're finally here,' Martha whispered as she pulled Kate closer. 'I wasn't sure how much longer I could distract our Little Miss Grumpy,'

Since her promotion was announced two weeks ago, Kate had received nothing but congratulations and well wishes from her many friends and colleagues. Her only regret when her Captaincy was announced was that Alexis had been in Sweden with Paige, and she couldn't share the news with her daughter in person. She and Rick on the other hand had celebrated many many times that night.

'Thankyou Martha, although my official appointment doesn't happen until next month,' Kate smiled as she pulled back from Martha's hug. 'But I figured because I had to spend the afternoon at One PP I'd better dress the part,'

'Well you look stunning, but then you always do,' Martha gushed. 'So where's Richard, wasn't he was supposed to be meeting us here too?' Martha questioned.

Kate looked at her daughter with concern; so far the young redhead had remained silent. 'He rang to let me know he's on his way, he needed to make a quick stop to see Henry,'

'Oh what's that boy done now that he needs to see his lawyer,' Kate didn't have the heart to tell Martha that she was over-acting just a little. However Martha must have caught the look on Kate's face and her shoulders slumped. 'Well I guess it's no use trying to keep up the charade any longer then is it Kiddo,' Martha signed as she looked towards her granddaughter. 'Hopefully your cousin Sofia has just as good a taste in wine as you do Katherine,' Kate just rolled her eyes as she watched her mother-in-law make her way to the kitchen.

Alexis stood rooted to the same spot she'd been standing in for the last five minutes. Her grand-mother could be heard muttering while she opened and closed kitchen cabinets and slamming draws before the matriarch cried 'Eureka!'

Kate could feel Alexis's stare boring into her, but continued to watch as Martha poured herself a very large glass of red wine. Detective Beckett was strategically using these few extra seconds to prepare herself for her daughter's questioning.

'Kate what the hell's going on?' straight to the point, 'that's my girl' Kate thought. 'I take it from all the subterfuge and secrecy this is your old apartment….so why are we here?' Alexis demanded. Kate sighed as she walked over to her daughter and took her hand with a gentle squeeze.

Alexis looked exhausted. The young redhead being the perfectionist and workaholic she was, had refused to take a few days to recover from her vacation, instead heading back to her cat shelter to help Mrs. Moore prepare for the final inspection from the health department and social services.

Then from the worried phone call Kate had taken from Lanie this afternoon, Alexis had spent most of the day completing her orientation and paperwork before starting back at the morgue next week, instead of spending the day at home resting as suggested by her dad.

And as everyone in the Castle household knew, an exhausted Alexis was a grumpy, irritable and somewhat irrational Alexis. Just like her father and grandmother.

The young redhead tried to pull away from Kate's grasp in frustration, but Kate refused to relinquish her hold. 'Come here,' Kate pulled Alexis into her arms and held her tightly. Her daughter initially struggled, but then relaxed and buried her face into her mom's neck as she wrapped her arms around Kate's waist.

Gently rocking side to side, Kate ran her hands up and down Alexis's back in a soothing caress. 'I love your hair.' Kate murmured.

'I love my hair too,' Alexis laughed, or sobbed, Kate couldn't work out which as Alexis clung to her. 'And you totally rock a skirt Captain Beckett,' Kate laughed and gripped her daughter tighter. Maybe tonight wouldn't be a bust after all.

Kate looked over Alexis's head to kitchen where her mother-in-law was standing behind the counter; Martha saluted Kate with her glass of red before disappearing into the living room. From the soft volume of the television coming from the rear of the apartment, it appeared Martha had made herself quite at home. 'At least someone likes the place' Kate thought to herself.

'I'm sorry I haven't had any time to spend with you since you got home,' Alexis squeezed her mom tighter, and Kate knew she'd said the right thing. 'And I'm sorry for springing this on you tonight as well….I know you're tired,' Kate felt Alexis nodding. 'Lanie called looking for you after you left the morgue, she feels so bad for the way she spoke to you this afternoon,' Alexis shrugged before settling again.

'Kate, are you in here?' Kate looked towards the still open front door as her husband poked his head around the corner.

'In here,' she replied softly.

'Hey,' he said, giving his wife a closed mouth smile. 'Everything OK?' Rick asked as he nodded towards his daughter who was still wrapped in Kate's arms.

Watching the way Kate loved his daughter made him fall in love with her all over again. He didn't think it was possible to love her any more that he already did. Rick was also kind of embarrassed that it also made him lust after his wife. He couldn't wait….'nope don't go there' Rick thought to himself as he felt the blush rise up his neck.

'Nothing a proper meal and a good night's sleep won't fix,' Kate gave her husband a knowing look; she knew exactly what her husband was thinking. Rick deposited the large envelope he was carrying on the table beside the door and walked over to his wife and daughter.

'And clean clothes….I need clean clothes,' Alexis pulled back from her mom and wiped her face on her hem of her t-shirt. 'Hey dad,' Alexis allowed her father to pull her for a quick hug. 'Hey sweetheart,' he replied as he placed a kiss on her forehead.

'Hey you,' Rick moved to his wife and pulled her in for kiss. 'Missed you today,'

'Missed you too,' Kate whispered as she pulled Rick back in for another kiss.

'So…now everyone's here, can someone tell me what's going on?...guys…..seriously?' both Kate and Rick ignored their daughter as they deepened their kiss. It had become an ongoing joke between them about how much they could embarrass Alexis with their public displays of affection. 'Ok you can stop now; you've successfully grossed me out,' Alexis rolled her eyes at the pair and headed to the back of the apartment in search of her grandmother.

'Hi,' Rick murmured as they broke from their kiss and he caressed his wife's nose with Eskimo kisses.

'Hi,' Kate whispered back before pulling her husband in for another sensuous kiss. As they broke again, Rick was spellbound by the arousal he saw in his wife's eyes. 'Baby making later writer boy,'

'Man…writer man,' Rick pouted as he squeezed his wife. 'God I want you,' he murmured.

Kate was deliciously distracted by the sensual caress of her husband's lips as he kissed his way down her neck towards the open collar of her shirt.

'Babe I want you too, so bad,' Kate leaned her head to the left so her husband had better access to her neck. 'But right now we have one very cranky redhead, who I'm sure thinks we're kicking her out,'

'But mother's already moved out…ow…..APPLES!' Rick exclaimed. Kate was so fast Rick didn't see his wife raise her right hand until he felt his ear being painfully twisted. His wife had an extremely devious wicked side that still surprised him after all these years.

'Seriously Castle…time to man up don't you think,' Rick was so turned on right now, he'd just been rebuked by Captain Beckett….in a skirt….and she was hot as hell.

'Oh Katherine I've been telling him that for years, hopefully you'll have more success than I ever did,' Martha strode into the kitchen and deposited her now empty wine glass in the sink. Kate laughed as she watched her man-child husband sulk. 'Richard I'm starving, how about we go for a lovely evening stroll around the neighbourhood, we can find some dinner and bring it back,' Kate sent her mother-in-law a grateful smile.

'Why do I have to go? Can't we just order in or pick something up on the way home?' he whined. Rick wanted to check on his daughter and get his wife home. Captain Kate Beckett in a skirt was a sight to behold, and he was desperate to behold her.

'Richard, I'm trying my best to be subtle here,' Martha exclaimed as she retrieved her light weight jacket from the coat rack by the door and handed it to her son. 'Let's go get dinner so Kate can explain to Alexis what all the secrecy and plotting was about tonight….I swear darling, you're my son and I love you, but you're as thick as two bricks at times,' Kate let out an undignified snort as her husband helped his mother into her jacket.

'Et tu Mrs. Castle?' Rick clutched dramatically at his heart. 'Mother, are you sure you need your jacket, it's still fairly warm out there,' Martha just gave her son a look. 'Fine,' he sighed in surrender.

'What are you in the mood for?' Rick asked as he waggled is eyebrows suggestively at his wife. 'Indian, pizza, Thai?' he rattled off.

'Surprise me,' Kate countered

'Chinese it its then,' Rick smirked and winked. 'Come along mother, let me introduce to the best little Chinese restaurant this side of Manhattan,'

'Well hopefully darling we'll be visiting this neighbourhood on a regular basis in the future, it's very nice don't you think?'

'Yes I do mother, yes I do,' Rick sent is wife a loving smile before closing the front door as he exited the apartment.

Kate sighed as she looked around her former home; she removed her jacket and shoes and placed them by her bag near the door ensuring her weapon was secured inside her bag.

Even after permanently moving into the loft, this place still felt like home, and Kate hoped Alexis would feel the same way. Her cousin Sofia had the same eclectic taste in furniture and décor as Kate, but preferred minimalism to Kate's almost thrift shop style. She could definitely see Alexis's bohemian elegance in here.

She glanced at the envelope Rick had left on the entry hall table, but decided to leave it where it was. Kate already knew its contents, but would wait for Rick before they went through them with Alexis.

Grabbing a couple bottles of beer from the fridge, Kate wandered to the living room in search of her daughter.

'Say Yes To The Dress…seriously?' Kate sassed as she handed Alexis a beer.

'Guilty pleasure, promise me we'll never fight like this when I get married?' Alexis teased as she thanked her mom; Kate dropped a gentle kiss on Alexis's forehead before sitting next to her.

Twisting the top off the bottle with practiced precision, the young redhead took a large swig. 'So, if tonight went as you'd planned it, what was supposed to happen,' Alexis asked.

Kate reached over and grabbed the remote off the coffee table as she sat next to her daughter; Monte was just about to jack up a future bride as Kate turned off the TV. 'Well contrary to popular opinion, voiced or otherwise, you're not being kicked out of home,' Kate stated and watched as Alexis sighed in relief. 'I wanted you to fall in love with this place, so you had an option when you were ready to move out'

Alexis looked at Kate with confusion. 'But doesn't your cousin live here? '

'She does, but your dad and I had dinner with Sofia and her boyfriend Nathan last week, well he's her fiancé now,' Kate smiled. 'They're getting married next May and they've decided to move to Australia after the wedding,'

'Australia?' Alexis couldn't imagine moving so far away from her family.

'Yeah, Nathan's from Melbourne and wants to move back home, they both want to. When Sofia moved in here she'd just come home from a two year working holiday, she met Nathan when she was working in Sydney.'

'So where's Sofia tonight? I hope she won't mind that Grams was poking around the place, or that she opened a bottle of wine, or we're drinking her beer,' Alexis felt so embarrassed at her grandmother's prying.

'Sofia's up in Boston, she's taken Nathan to meet her parents,' Kate explained. 'When I mentioned to her you wanted to move out next year, Sofia suggested I bring you by this week so you could get a feel for the place, and of course your grandmother wanted to put on a production worthy of Shakespeare,' Kate sighed. 'Except tonight's turned out more like a Monty Python sketch,'

'Well don't tell Grams, but I prefer Monty Python to Shakespeare,' Alexis joked and Kate laughed. 'I didn't realise you owned your apartment, I just thought you rented it, that your cousin took over the lease when you moved into the loft,'

Kate looked around the living room; the memories made here as strong now as they were when she lived here. 'No I owned it…still own it,' she clarified. 'You're dad helped me find it when I was looking for an apartment after my first place…well you know….blew up,' Alexis laughed but tried to cover it up by pretending to choke on her beer. Kate just smirked at her daughter. 'I couldn't believe my luck….I fell in love with this place the moment I stepped through the front door,'

'Um I don't want to sound rude….'

'How did I afford it?' Kate interjected as Alexis nodded. 'My family wasn't poor, my parents were both lawyers and I had a very comfortable upbringing, and mom and dad invested wisely. After my mom died, there was a substantial insurance payout that dad invested for me, I considered it blood money at the time and wanted nothing to do with it,' Kate looked at Alexis and smiled when she felt her daughter squeeze her hand.

'When I graduated from the Academy, my dad in one of his rare sober moments at the time sat me down and said 'Katie, your mom would want you to use this money to secure you're future.' Alexis giggled at Kate's impersonation of Jim. 'So I bought my first apartment….that you know….blew up….stop laughing or I'll take your beer away from you,' Kate groused as she swatted her daughters arm.

'I'm sorry Kate, but you gotta admit it's kinda funny when you say it that way,' Alexis teased. 'And I'm legally allowed to drink now, so no you can't take my beer away from me,' she challenged and laughed even harder at the 'you wanna bet' look Kate was giving her.

Alexis tried to control her giggling, between her jetlag, sleep deprivation and alcohol her head was feeling very fuzzy. 'So why didn't you sell when you moved into the loft? You would've made a fortune from this place; I mean it's….perfect,' Alexis wasn't getting her hopes up, the young redhead had no idea what her mom was up too, but there was no way she could afford this place.

Kate felt relief at knowing Alexis's first impression was good. 'I was going to sell, but your dad, my dad, even your dad's lawyer Henry convinced me to keep it as an investment and then Sofia needed somewhere to live,' Kate stopped to gather her thoughts before she continued, she was now moving into unchartered territory.

Being married to Alexis's dad was one thing; even giving him advice on the workings of a teenage girls mind over the years didn't cross the line. While Rick had given her his blessing, Kate still felt trepidation at giving Alexis advice, particularly about something as serious as moving out and property investment; especially after the fiasco with Pi.

'But if I'm going to be honest with you, I was hoping you'd love it as much I as do, so when you were ready to move out, it would save you the time and hassle of finding somewhere to live,' Kate held her breath and waited for Alexis's reaction.

Alexis had sat silently as she listened to her mom. 'Wait so you're offering it to me to rent?' the redhead asked in confusion.

'No I want you to buy it,' Kate clarified.

Alexis nearly spat her beer out at her mom's statement. 'Kate I'm a third year college graduate on a part time intern's wage….how am I supposed to buy this? I couldn't even afford the rent!' Alexis laughed.

'Your dad has set you up a sizeable trust fund….'

'No that's dad's money,' Alexis objected quickly, when would Kate understand that to Alexis, where her father's money was concerned it always felt like she was taking charity from him?

'No it's yours…..'

'Kate….'

'Honey, please just hear me out,' Kate reached for Alexis's hand as her daughter huffed out a frustrated breath. 'I know you see your trust fund as some sort of charity at best, sponging off your dad at worst,' Kate knew she'd hit the nail on the head when her daughter blushed and look away.

'But your father has worked so hard his whole life to achieve what he has, to make sure he could give you the best life he could. And he's raised you to be exactly the same,' Kate looked at her daughter with pride. 'And yes he's amassed a great deal of wealth…..OK he's loaded, but he's also been very generous in sharing that wealth with charities, setting up scholarships and I believe a particular cat shelter?' Alexis looked down at their joined hands with embarrassment. 'Hey, you don't have that mane of hair to hide behind anymore kiddo,' Kate teased.

Alexis took another swig of her beer. 'I just…..I've grown up with money, I know what it's like to have the best of everything, to go to the best schools, to have opportunities most people only dream about…and there are times I feel so guilty about it, God knows other people love to make me feel guilty about it,'

'Baby, you can't live your life based on what others think of you, we've had this conversation already,' it broke Kate's heart that Alexis was still insecure about what people thought of her, that she still to a degree, let those fears rule her life.

'And yes you've had a lot of opportunities others will never have,' Kate continued. 'But you've earned every single one of them, particularly when it came to your schooling. And your dad didn't just buy you things because he could,' Kate tried to keep her frustration in check. 'He taught you that if you wanted something, you had to work to earn it,'

The damage the whole cyberbullying incident did to Alexis was still causing her daughter to doubt herself. 'Honey you're not some narcissistic trust fund celebutant posting every second of your self-obsessed existence on social media!' Kate exclaimed, Lord knows she'd met way too many shallow egotistical rich kids in her time. Alexis was like a breath of fresh air in a sea of selfishness and self-importance.

'Bad day at the office?' Alexis asked with a smirk.

'No smarty pants, but if I remember correctly,' she continued. 'There have been times you've tried to hide the fact your father is rich,' Alexis smiled and rolled her eyes at her mom, because she always knew the right thing to say. 'The time he set the trap in the refrigerator to find out whom was stealing food because you didn't want to ask for more allowance,' Kate laughed.

'Do you have any idea how long it took to get that blue dye out? Not to mention having to go back to the dorm looking like Sassette Smurf,' Alexis laughed; her dad was such an immature child at times.

'Trust me; I had words with your father after that particular incident,' Kate smiled as she reached out and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her daughter's ear.

'I also remember meeting this gangly fresh faced fifteen year old nearly eight years ago at a swanky book signing. And this teenager, well she was more worried about doing her homework than me arresting her father on suspicion of murder,' Alexis giggled as Kate smiled at the memory.

'And I've had the privilege of watching that teenager grow into the beautiful, intelligent and companionate young woman that I'm so proud she allows me to call her my daughter,' Kate was struggling to see through her tears, but she needed Alexis to know that the only person's opinion she needed to value was her own.

'The woman you've grown into? That can't be bought, it doesn't matter how rich or poor a person is….it all comes down to love and nurturing, the events and experiences in your life that help shape you and the people who help guide you, but ultimately…it comes down to who you are as person in here,' Kate tugged their joined hands until they rested over her heart. 'OK?'

'OK,' Alexis whispered, her voice wavering with unshed tears.

Kate noted that Alexis was fixated on where their hands were resting just above her left breast. 'You can ask,' Kate whispered.

'Does it still hurt…the scars I mean,' Alexis had never seen the scars from Kate's shooting, but just knowing they were there was enough of a reminder of how close they'd all come to losing the family they've become. It was the one topic they'd never spoken about.

'Sometimes, particularly during winter if I haven't warmed up properly, it can hurt like a son of a bitch,' Kate said as she let their joined hands drop back to her lap.

'I thought it was dad…I thought dad had been shot...you both went down together and I tried to get to him, but Detective Ryan had pushed me and Grams to the ground, it wasn't until they were loading you into the ambulance that I knew dad was ok,' Alexis looked down at their joined hands; the now warm bottle of beer still clutched in her other hand.

'But somehow we all made it out the other side, and here we are…..a family….so enough of the morbid stuff, are you gonna show me around?' Kate shook her head at her daughter's sudden change in direction. Talk about a segway.

'In a minute, I just want to spend some time and catch up with you; we haven't spoken properly in over a month,' Kate watched as Alexis leaned over and placed her beer bottle on the coffee table, letting go of her hand in the process. 'We'll save the European Vacation stuff for when you're dad and Grams get back, how's everything else going? Did you get all your permits for the cat shelter?'

Alexis sat back with her legs tucked under, her knees resting against her mom's thigh as she settled and leaned against the back of the couch. Even after the hard work both women had put into their relationship, the young redhead was still getting used to having Kate care about her, love her. And Alexis made no secret that she thought of Kate as not only her mom, but her best friend. This is what Alexis had wanted since she was a little girl, since Meredith had abandoned her. And she was thankful once again the day Kate entered all their lives.

'Yeah final inspection was yesterday, we've satisfied all the requirements of Health and Human Services and Juvenile Services,' Alexis said with pride. 'Thank you again so much for helping me with all the paperwork for the DOJ, I'm sure we'd still be wading our way through the volunteer screening process if it weren't for you and your dad,'

'You're welcome,' Kate smiled softly as she squeezed her daughter's knee, allowing her hand to rest on Alexis's thigh. 'I can't tell you how excited my dad was when I told him you were going to ask him for help,'

It was just another relationship Alexis had gained over the past few months, first a mom and now a grandpa. 'There's no way I would have even known where to start if it weren't for your dad, and I have to find a way to thank Captain Gates and all the guys from the Twelfth for their help, their letters of recommendation helped so much.'

'So when do you think you'll get the final OK?'

'Hopefully early next week, so by the end of next month we should have our Book Buddies program up and running,' Kate was so proud of Alexis; her daughter had worked relentlessly to make she'd completed all the required paperwork, submissions and supporting documentation before she left for Europe. Alexis, with Jim's help, had manoeuvred her way through the minefield of bureaucratic paperwork and red tape like a General on a battlefield.

'That's wonderful news, and let me know if there's anything your dad and I can do,'

'I have an idea or two,' Alexis just had to work up the courage to ask her parents to read Driving Heat at a charity night she was planning for the opening of the Book Buddies program. Maybe even turn it into the book launch.

Mother and daughter sat in companionable silence for a moment before Alexis spoke. 'And thanks for coming with dad to meet Paige and I in Paris, I wish you'd told me you didn't have any vacation days left, because I wouldn't have asked if I'd known,' Alexis's soft voice was full of guilt at the thought of her mom giving up paid work days. 'You didn't have to come just because I wanted to visit the Eiffel Tower,'

'Hey, if it made you feel safe and gain control of what happened to you when you were kidnapped, I would do it again in heartbeat,' Kate blushed, Alexis was looking at her with such adoration it almost made her feel uncomfortable.

'Can I let you in on a little secret?' Alexis nodded at Kate's sly remark. 'Well apparently in the eyes of the NYPD employment award, I'm now a mom, and that means I get parental leave,'

'Yeah but I thought that was only if you have a baby or your kid is sick,'

'You know I thought that too, it was Captain Gates who pointed out to me that parental leave could be used any way I wanted to use it so long as I was looking after my child,'

'But I'm not your kid and last time I checked I was legally an adult,' Alexis argued.

Kate just gave Alexis a knowing smile. 'Sorry but I beg to differ…about the 'not being my kid' bit, because you've kinda been my kid since you were sixteen,'

'Kate, having legal power of attorney is one thing…but,'

'But what?' Kate challenged. 'I do have power of attorney with regards to your trust fund and your dad's estate, but your dad also made me you're legal guardian if anything were to happen to him…you didn't know that?' Kate asked at Alexis's confused look.

'I thought it was just power of attorney, dad never mentioned guardianship….I thought Meredith would have had to have signed off on that,' Alexis questioned.

'Oh shit' Kate thought to herself. 'Um maybe we should wait until your dad gets back,'

'No Kate, please I'm not mad. I know dad had sole custody of me, I just assumed that if anything happened to him, guardianship would automatically go to mom unless….she didn't want it,'

Kate gave her daughter a sad smile and took her hand again. 'When your dad first approached me…it wasn't long after we wrapped up the curse of the mummy case, as he loves to call it, I asked him the same thing,' Kate sighed softly knowing she was about to break her daughter's heart again where Meredith was concerned. 'He told me he'd informed your mom, as a matter of courtesy…,'

'Don't tell me…so long as she still got her alimony she didn't care,' Alexis interjected.

'I wouldn't put it that way….'

'Potato potahto Kate…where Meredith is concerned money talks the loudest….look Kate I know Meredith loves me, and in her own weird way she loves being my mom….she just doesn't want to be a mom, if that makes any sense,' the maturity with which Alexis spoke just made Kate all that prouder of her. 'Besides, knowing that I've kinda belonged to you for the last six years, even when things were bad between you and dad….that's all that matters to me,' the young redhead said shyly as distractively picked at a loose thread on her jeans.

'Oh wow' was all Kate could think as she stilled Alexis's hand. 'Any way,' Kate said, trying to get the conversation back on track again. 'I get parental leave because I have a kid, and it just so happened that my kid needed me OK?' Alexis leaned forward until her head rested on her mom's shoulder.

'Fine,'

'What's with the tone, you don't believe me?' Kate rested her head atop her daughter's and waited.

'Yeah I do, it's just that….I'll be moving out and you and dad will have kids and I'll get married one day….' Oh not for the first time did Kate wish her mom were alive, because right now she'd be calling her to apologise. Kate remembered having exactly the same conversation with her mom before she moved across the country to go to Stanford.

'And what?' Kate sat upright again, she cupped Alexis's chin to encourage her daughter to look at her. 'You think we'll forget about you? You think because you move out your dad and I stop being your parents, that you stop being our daughter,' Alexis blushed and tried to avert her eyes. 'Hey, regardless of how old you get, or when you get married and make us grandparents, you will always be our daughter and we will love you and worry about until the day we die, just like my dad worries about me, your Grams worries about your dad,' Kate pulled Alexis into a hug and squeezed her tight.

'Yeah but dad gives Grams reason to worry,' Alexis laughed as she sat back again. 'Speaking of dad and Grams, they been gone for a while,'

'You know your Grams gives as good as she gets,' Kate teased. 'And Martha wanted to give us some time alone, give us a chance to talk…and for me to explain what tonight was about, so I estimate they'd be on their sixth lap of the block by now giving the neighbours something to gossip about,' Kate could just picture Rick and Martha bickering on the sidewalk as Rick was dragged along behind his mother.

'So…..Captain hu?' Alexis said proudly, so glad Kate decided to stay with the NYPD.

'Yeah, Captain…..you're not disappointed I didn't pursue politics?' Kate asked. Alexis's opinion was important to her because it affected her life as well.

'I've already told you that I'd support you whatever you decided to do,' Alexis smiled shyly, wishing she still had her curtain of hair to hide behind. 'Thank you for calling me when you found out…and if I'm being completely honest, I'm glad you chose to apply for Captaincy…I'm not ready to share you with the world yet, I like having you all to myself,' wow, that was not what Kate expected. 'So when are you officially Captain Beckett?' Alexis asked excitedly.

'September twenty first, I'll be spending the next couple of weeks transitioning with Captain Gates before she starts down at One PP,' Kate reached out again to smooth Alexis's now short hair off her face again.

'September's going to be a big month in the Castle household,' Alexis smiled tiredly at her mom as Kate nodded her head. 'You don't mind that dad's reopening his PI Agency?'

'Ask me that question in a couple of weeks and I'll let you know,' Kate teased. 'So have you got your shifts for next week?'

'Yep, can you believe it's Doctor Purlmutter who wants to ease me back in? I know people think he's a jerk, but when you get to know him, he's actually a really good mentor and teacher,' Kate didn't want to say anything to Alexis, but she was worried her daughter would be taken advantage of, particularly with the shortage of staff at the Medical Examiner's office.

'And what about your shelter; how will that work?'

'I'll be doing around ten hours a week, most of them on a Saturday or Sunday, depending on my roster at the morgue,' Alexis explained. 'There's been a lot of interest in the program; one of the volunteers Mrs Hamilton is a retired teacher and has taken on being the Education Co-ordinator….so many people and organisations have offered help, everything from donating books to cat food and furniture for the reading room,' Alexis looked at her mom with tears in her eyes.

'And it all started because of a picture on Facebook, and I can't thank you and dad enough for supporting me in doing this…because I'm pretty sure this is what I want to do with my life,' Kate wiped the tears from her daughter's cheeks.

'And what's that?' Kate held her breath, hoping Alexis was going in the direction Kate knew her daughter's heart truly laid.

'I want work in the community and help people, I just need to work out in what capacity,' Alexis looked around the living room as she gathered her thoughts. But the young redhead knew this is where her heart and passion laid.

'The one thing I've learnt from my time listing to you, working with Lanie and now the shelter, there are so many people out there who have no-one to speak up for them, or help them….and I hate that and I want to do something to change that,' Alexis shrugged as she gave Kate a sad smile.

Kate couldn't help it; she burst into tears, her sweet, beautiful, companionate daughter. 'Oh Baby I am so proud of you,' Alexis was relieved and a little confused at Kate's reaction as she hugged her mom back.

'So you're OK with this? I don't even know what to do next'

'Honey it wouldn't matter if I'm ok with it or not, so long as you're happy with your decision,' Kate sat back and wiped the tears from her face. She'd felt emotional and of kilter for the past week, but just put it down to the excitement of her promotion and approaching that time of the month. 'But I've known you long enough to know that this…what you're doing helping the community? This is where your passion and your heart has always been…and give it time, you'll find what you want to do,' Kate said confidently.

'I couldn't have done any of it without you or dad,' Alexis shook her head as she tried to find the right words. 'The support, the late night talks….the love,' she said shyly. 'I would never have achieved any of this without you, your guidance and advice and in particular your patience with me…and not just since you and dad got married….and I just want to thank you for becoming my mom, because you didn't have too and I would have been happy with you just being my friend and I would have even been happy with you being just another Gina so long as dad was happy….and I think I should stop now,' both Alexis and Kate laughed through their tears at the redheads rambling, because for Alexis, this was the conversation the last few months had been building up to.

'You've spent way too much time with Paige,' Kate laughed as the two women sat wiping their tears, the last shred of doubt between the two gone and what was left was a relationship built on hard work, forgiveness and love.

'I would've been happy if you tolerated me, because I never wanted to become between you and your dad,' Kate felt it was only fair to be as honest as Alexis. 'But that day at lunch, when you introduced me to your friends as your mom….I'll admit my heart did little flip flops,' Alexis giggled at her mom.

'After that, I followed your lead because I was happy to be whatever you needed me to be….but after 3XK I didn't want to just follow your lead anymore, because I realised how much I'd come to love you, how important you'd become to me and then after London….for the first time since I met your dad, I was standing in his shoes, I finally understood the worry and concern he constantly had for you,' it had come as almost an epiphany to Kate.

For so many years she'd been the voice of reason where Alexis was concerned on the workings of the young female mind. But then one day, Kate was standing in Rick's shoes, and finally understood his worry and concern every time he asked her advice.

'Just think of it as practice for the next one,' Alexis teased.

'Doesn't matter how many come along, you'll always been my daughter and I'll always be your mom ok?' Alexis nodded her head because her voice was clogged with tears, and allowed herself to relax in her mother's arms.

'Kate?'

'Hmm,'

'What's in the envelope dad brought with him?' Alexis sat back as Kate rose from the couch and moved to the front of the apartment. She retrieved the large package and came to sit next to her daughter again.

'As you've probably guessed from tonight's comedy of errors,' Kate felt giggle from where her daughters head rested on her shoulder. 'We were all hoping that you'd fall in love with this place and it would eventually become yours, but I need you to know there's no pressure, you need to think about this carefully and take you time in making a decision,' Kate advised.

Kate looked down at the envelope that essentially contained Alexis's future. 'These are the legal documents your dad and I need to sign in order transfer money from your trust into the family trust for the sale of the apartment if you decide you want to buy this place,' Kate explained. 'Or you may find something else you love, but either way, this is the investment in your future,'

'But it's your money, why would it be going into the family trust?' Alexis asked in confusion.

'It was the way I wanted your dad to set it up before we got married because he refused to set up any type of pre-nup,' Kate smiled are the arguments she, Rick and his lawyers had had in the months leading up to the wedding. 'I'm your dad's last wife and he's my one and done, so we just rolled everything into the family trust,'

Alexis relaxed against her mom again and sighed. 'Together forever,' Alexis whispered as she felt Kate drop a gentle kiss on her forehead.

'Yep, you're stuck with me for ever,'

'Good….I wonder if she said yes to the dress.' Kate burst out laughing as she hugged Alexis closer.

They both startled when they heard a commotion coming all the way from the hallway. The front door burst open and a frazzled looking Rick followed by an equally weary Martha entered the apartment.

'Seriously Richard, it's not like we were casing the neighbourhood,' Rick stalked into the kitchen and dumped the bags of food on the bench with a loud thump.

'Casing the neighbourhood mother? You could have had us arrested for loitering or stalking,' Rick yelled in frustration.

'Oh don't be so dramatic darling…at least you'd have had your clothes on this time kiddo,' Martha laughed as she walked into the living room.

Kate and Alexis were trying desperately not to laugh at the exchange between mother and son when Martha entered the living room. 'Ah there you are two are, I hope for your sake Kate you sorted out what you needed to because your husband is being an unbearable grump at the moment,' Martha exclaimed as she fell into the recliner in the corner of the room and kicked her shoes off.

'I'll go help dad,' Alexis rose from the couch and quickly walked into the kitchen where she could hear her dad slamming cabinet doors closed.

'Alexis….so help me….your grandmother at times…..' Alexis couldn't help the laugher that erupted as she watched her father fumble around the kitchen. 'Why couldn't Sofia keep everything where Kate kept it?!'

'Maybe Sofia had no idea how Kate arranged her kitchen dad,'

'Stop saying things that make sense daughter of mine,' her dad grumbled.

'We could always just eat out of the containers,' Alexis offered.

Rick stopped and looked at his daughter. 'Picture this oh child of mine….your grandmother and chopsticks,'

'Point taken,' Alexis jumped slightly at her dads 'Aha!' when he found the dinner plates. She leaned back against the centre island and watched her dad serve up their dinner.

'So you and Kate get everything squared away?' Rick asked as wiped his hands on a napkin.

Alexis looked at her dad incredulously. 'If by squared away you mean this night of frivolity you guys conjured up, that could have just as easily been handled by coming to me and saying 'hey Kate's apartment will be free in eight months do you want it' then not quite, but Kate and I had a much needed catch up,'

Rick walked over to his daughter and pulled her in for a hug. 'Good, you have no idea how happy I am to see you and Kate together,' Rick said, his voice hoarse.

'I love her dad,' Alexis squeezed her dad. 'I think I love her more than you now,' she teased.

'Well I was going to apologise for your grandmother going a little overboard, but now,' Rick huffed.

'A little over board Dad?' Alexis mumbled in her dad's chest. 'Gram's manned the lifeboats and abandoned ship….but it's nice to know you guys love me that much to go to this extreme…either that or you're just trying to get rid of me,' Alexis teased as she looked up at her dad.

'Pumpkin I'd be happy if you never left home, but I know you want to move out and it's a big decision,' Rick stepped back so he could look down at Alexis. 'Kate and I just want what's best for you, and this apartment is in a safe neighbourhood in a secure building…and it's just one less thing we have to worry about,'

'Thanks dad, but I just need some time to process it….and my trust fund….just promise me you'll let me sort everything out in my head first ok?' Alexis asked. 'I know I've apologised for my behaviour with Pi, but I promise I won't just pack up and leave again ok?'

'Ok,' Rick gave Alexis a final squeeze and went back to platting up dinner. Alexis once again leaned back against the centre island in the kitchen and looked around the room. She could hear the soft conversation between her mom and her grandmother and the mumbling of her dad as he portioned their meals out.

The young redhead could feel the love and warm radiating throughout the apartment, and it felt like home. It was still a huge decision, and one she didn't want to make yet, but as Doctor Burke had taught her, it was just another stepping stone to the next phase of her life. And instead of feeling scared and anxious, Alexis felt contentment.

'Pumpkin can you grab some forks and napkins?' Rick jolted Alexis out of her thoughts, and she set about gathering the utensils and following her dad back into the living room.

Alexis watched on as her dad handed her grandmother a fresh glass of wine. 'Thank you my darling boy,' her grams smiled at her dad with such love and affection.

Rick then moved to Kate where he placed a gentle kiss on her lips and sat beside her as she handed him his plate of food. 'Well come along kiddo, I can't very well eat with my fingers,' her Grams laughed as Alexis handed her a fork and napkin.

'Sorry Grams,' Alexis said before she moved to her parents.

Kate smiled softly at her as she took the offered cutlery and her dad gave her a sly wink. Sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table, Alexis was again overwhelmed with the sense of family as she listened to her dad and grandmother bicker backwards and forwards about their walk around the neighbourhood.

The young redhead then looked over to Kate who was giving her a loving smile. Kate was right, she and her dad would always be her parents and she would always be their daughter. And just because Alexis was on the cusp of adulthood and all the responsibilities that with being a grownup, she would always be their little girl.

'Eat up before your dinner gets cold Pumpkin,'