Author's notes: In true Murphy's Law style, I'd almost finished this chapter, when our Castle world as we know it imploded. I'm shell shocked and heartbroken over the loss of Stana if there is a Castle Season Nine. But I'm also grateful for the eight wonderful years we were able to watch this beautiful woman develop and grow, and the role model she became to so many women and girls around the world.

Thank you again to everyone who's read, followed, favorited and reviewed since my journey started twelve months ago.

To my Beta 41319always413419, who encouraged me to post this chapter when I was two minds about posting this chapter, let alone continuing with the universe I've created, thank you. Your words, encouragement and guidance mean everything to me.

In the name of research I did read through the online tutorials and download and tried to complete NYPD Test Exam. It's it a good thing Alexis is smarter than I am.

And on one final note, I desperately needed some Kate/Alexis bonding sap, so this chapter is pure, unadulterated sap and I make no apologies for that.

This chapter is set about a month after 'The New Normal'

And one final note: I don't own Castle…

Chapter 15: You've Got Ten Minutes

'Hey dad,' Alexis kept a careful eye on the stairs while trying to fasten her bracelet at the same time.

'Morning, Pumpkin.'

Coming to a stop at the base of the stairs, Alexis smiled as her father moved around the foyer like an absent minded professor. 'You okay? You seem a little distracted.' Alexis watched her dad pat down his jacket before moving to do the same to his pants' pockets with a growing look of frustration.

'Yeah….yeah….just ah,' Rick snapped his fingers before turning and striding towards the dining room.

Alexis looked on in confusion while her father dropped to the floor and crawled around on his hands and knees under the table. She barely supressed a gasp when Rick let out an 'ah ha!' followed by a string of expletives when he banged his head on a chair. 'Dad, are you alright?' Alexis couldn't hide her concern and raced over to her father, who was now standing and rubbing the back of his head.

'Found it!' Rick exclaimed while holding his wallet up in triumph.

'Dad, your head, are you sure you're okay?'

'Sweetheart, I'm fine,' Rick assured when he took in his daughter's look of worry. 'I've survived worse than a bump to the old noggin.' He stated proudly, placing his wallet in his jacket pocket.

'What was your wallet doing under….never mind,' Alexis blushed when she took in her father's look of discomfort. 'Forget I asked.'

'Asked what?' Rick joked and squeezed his daughter's shoulder as he moved past her and walked back towards the front door. 'How're you doing? All ready for this morning?' Rick removed his overcoat from the foyer closet and pulled on the heavy winter garment before turning back to his daughter. 'Wow, look at you.' He commented with wonder.

'It's not too much?' Alexis asked with concern. 'I don't want to look like a stuffy lawyer.' She'd been worried her navy trousers and light blue button down would look too corporate, but her mom had assured Alexis the night before, her outfit was perfect.

'No.' Rick assured. 'You just look.. so grown up.' He said forlornly, wishing he could stop time and keep his little girl for just a little while longer.

'That's because I am grown up, dad,' she teased. 'And I'm as ready as I'll ever be,' Alexis assured despite the fact her nerves were telling her otherwise. 'I aced my final practice test exam with Kate last night. One hundred percent,' she stated proudly.

'Even the memory component?'

'Even the memory component,' she confirmed triumphantly. 'Although if one more person walks up to me with a piece of paper containing a list of questions and says 'you have ten minutes', I can't be held responsible for my actions.' Alexis smiled cheekily. 'But in all seriousness, I can't thank Kate or Kevin and Javier enough for all their help. And I know this is just the first step,' Alexis continued when her dad went to interject. 'But I haven't felt this…content about a decision I've made in a long time.' Alexis shrugged.

Rick smiled and walked back to his daughter, straightening his overcoat as he went. 'I'm glad you've decided to go back to school if this doesn't work out,' Rick said seriously, resting his hands gently on her shoulders when he came to stand in front of her. 'I know you've got your heart set on getting into the Academy, but I'm also glad you have contingency plans in place.' Rick pulled his daughter into his arms and marvelled at the mature, young woman she'd grown into.

'Dad, I made a promise to you and Kate. Sure I'll be devastated if I'm not successful, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that,' Alexis squeezed her dad tightly before shifting back to look up at him. 'But you've always taught me that where there's failure, there's also opportunity.'

'And who knew that everything you needed to know about parenthood could be learnt from fortune cookies.' Rick teased, giving his daughter one more squeeze and kiss on her forehead before stepping back.

'Well then, my little brother will have nothing to worry about, will he?' Alexis smiled cheekily. 'Speaking of my little brother, how is Kate this morning? I heard her yelling up a storm earlier.'

Rick sighed and looked towards his study. 'Apparently I did something to piss her offthis morning.'

'Dad, you're always doing something to piss her off,' Alexis joked and moved to the kitchen sink to fill a glass with water. 'What exactly did you do this morning?' she asked before taking a sip.

'I got her pregnant.' Rick winced as he watched water spew from his daughter's nose and mouth, and rushed to hand Alexis the wash cloth from the sink so she wouldn't soil her shirt.

'Seriously, dad?' she rasped, trying to clear the water from her nose and throat. 'A little warning next time,' Alexis groused, grabbing the cloth from her dad's hand. 'What is it with my parents trying to choke me to death with beverages?'

Rick watched his daughter pat her face down before she rushed to the front foyer to check her hair and makeup in the mirror. 'Sorry,' Rick apologised sheepishly when Alexis walked back to the kitchen. 'But you asked.' He shrugged. 'Welcome to living with a pregnant woman and her hormones.'

'But Kate's okay though, isn't she?'

'Baby, she's fine. She's just a little….out of sorts this morning,' Rick grumbled. 'Look, I've got to head out for an early meeting with a new client,' Rick looked at his watch and then back to the open door to his study. 'I know you want to talk to Kate before you leave, but can you….'

'Keep it low key?' Alexis finished.

'Yeah,' Rick smiled with relief, turning back to his daughter.

'I promise, dad.' Alexis assured.

'Thank you,' Rick moved to his daughter and pulled her in for a hug. 'Good luck today, sweetheart,' he whispered into her hair before placing a gentle kiss on her crown and stepping back. 'I should be free for lunch if you want to catch up afterwards.' Rick asked before turning and walking towards the front door.

'Actually, it's Henry's day off, and we've planned to spend the afternoon together,' Alexis replied shyly.

Rick stopped midstride and turned back to his daughter. 'Right, so I've been stood up for lunch,. What about dinner?' he asked.

Alexis quickly glanced at the dining room table and back to her dad. 'How about Remy's when Kate gets off shift,' she blushed.

'Remy's sounds great sweetheart,' he smiled and continued towards the front door. 'Give me a call when you know what time you and your mom will be there, okay?'

'Okay. And dad?' Rick stopped as he was about to exit the loft and looked back at his daughter. 'I love you.'

He smiled warmly at his little girl, his little girl who was now a full, grown woman, to respond 'Love you too, Pumpkin,' and quietly shut the loft door behind him. It didn't matter how old his daughter got, she'd always be his pumpkin.

Alexis took a calming breath and headed towards her dad's study. 'Kate?' she called when she neared her parents' bedroom. 'Kate, are you decent?' Alexis asked from just outside the open doorway.

'It depends on your definition of decent,' Kate huffed in frustration.

'Well I know dad's not in there with you, so are you at least dressed?' Alexis teased.

'Alexis, I can see your eyes rolling from in here,' her mom warned. 'Can you just get in here,' Kate demanded.

'Wow, mom, nice get-up.' Alexis teased, when she found Kate sitting on the bed in just her bra and unbuttoned grey dress trousers. 'However, I don't think your choice of outfit would satisfy the department's dress code,' Alexis sassed while crossing her arms and leaning against the door frame.

Kate raised a brow of indignation, but didn't miss the pink tinge of embarrassment on her daughter's face. 'Seriously kid, you can't tell me that in all your years at school, college, and living with your boyfriend, you didn't run around half naked?' Kate complained at Alexis' reaction to her current state of undress.

'Locker rooms and living with your boyfriend is one thing Kate,' Alexis said with an exacerbated sigh. 'Walking in on your mom half naked is just…well, let's just leave this conversation right here.' Alexis suggested.

'Yeah, well the image of you running around naked with your boyfriend does nothing for my fragile mind either,' Kate groaned. 'Now get over here and stop being such a prude.'

Alexis giggled and walked over to the bed and sat to the left of her mom. 'I thought you'd have been dressed by now. Aren't you going into the precinct today?' she asked, watching on closely as her mom went back to what she must have been doing before she interrupted.

'Nothing fits!' Kate exclaimed and flopped back on the bed, throwing her arms over her head in frustration.

Alexis tried to inconspicuously look at the faded scar running nearly the length of her mom's torso. She clenched her hands to stop herself from reaching out to trace the puckered skin, the long, jagged line a testament to the medical procedure Doctor Motorcycle Boy had taken to save her mom's life. 'What was his name…Joss…Ross….Josh?' Alexis thought to herself.

'What,' Kate questioned. 'I can hear you thinking from here.'

'I'm trying to remember Doctor Motorcycle Boy's name,' Alexis squirmed, and Kate just rolled her eyes indulgently at the young woman.

'Josh….Josh Davidson….but thanks to your dad, Doctor Motorcycle Boy seems to have stuck,' she sighed and sat up again, giving her closet her best Captain Beckett death stare. 'Now, can we please get back to my dilemma; my closet shrunk overnight.'

'Mom, I don't think…..'

'You don't think what?' Kate challenged.

Right, so this is what her dad meant when he said her mom was out of sorts. Alexis looked over and once again admired the stunning collection of clothes Kate wore on a daily basis. 'You're barely showing yet, how can nothing fit?' she asked carefully.

'Barely showing?' Kate jumped off the bed and stood in front of her daughter. 'What do you call these?' Kate demanded, throwing her arms up in frustration.

'Oh my God, you've got a little baby belly,' Alexis squealed as she cupped the tiny bulge just below her mom's bellybutton. 'Hello little brother,' she cooed.

'What? No, not that. I blame your dad's pancakes for that. I meant these,' Kate groaned. Alexis managed to move backwards just in time as her mom's bra clad breasts were thrust towards her. 'They just exploded out of nowhere, and now none of my clothes fit,' Kate winced as she let her breasts go, cursing their agonising tenderness.

Alexis looked up at her mom with concern. 'Are you okay?' the worry evident in her voice.

'Oh, I'm just peachy,' Kate groused and walked into her closet. 'If I'm not throwing up, I'm exhausted, I have the most bizarre craving for butter, my boobs are killing me, your dad can't keep his hands off me, and I have nothing to wear!' Kate yelled at her closet.

'Right, like you can't keep your hands off dad either,' Alexis complained as she rose from the bed and moved to stand next to her mom.

'Can we stop talking about hands,' her mom huffed.

'You started it,' Alexis argued with a sly smile. 'And that's my little brother you're complaining about.'

Both women stood in silence surveying the dizzying array of clothing, and Alexis realised that helping her mom find an outfit for the day would be a good distraction from her nerves. 'I'm sure we can find something that didn't mysteriously shrink overnight,' Alexis reasoned. 'You have a few blouses and sweaters we can make work,' the young woman assured, and moved to start sifting through the rack containing Kate's shirts.

Kate stood in the corner of her closet with her arms crossed like a sulking child. 'Did I mention hormones are a bitch?' Alexis looked over her shoulder at her mom with confusion at the randomness of her statement.

'Ah no, you didn't,' Alexis hedged.

'Well they are.' Kate whined and started pacing the small the space inside the wardrobe. 'Imagine PMS, only worse.'

'I'll remember that,' Alexis replied and hid her smile by pulling out three shirts and a black sweater. The young woman had noticed her mom would wear looser clothing at certain times of the month, more specifically she realised this was Kate's way of hiding her bloating during her period. 'Bloating my ass' Alexis thought to herself. Her mom couldn't be any more perfect if she tried.

'What are your movements today? Back at the academy or in the office?' Alexis asked, managing to suppress her irrational feelings of jealousy. Alexis understood that part of Kate's role as Captain now was mentoring Academy recruits, and logically, Alexis knew this would have no bearing on her relationship with Kate. But it still didn't stop unfounded feelings of insecurity, not to mention the added worry now that her mom was pregnant.

'Office this morning and a meeting with the DA this afternoon. I'm not back at the Academy until next week.' Kate informed her daughter with a knowing smile.

'Okay, so we need something professional and a little intimidating, but won't accentuate your ah, growing….assets.' Kate rolled her eyes, but had to admire Alexis' practical thinking.

'Would you get on with it,' Alexis giggled at Kate's impatience, having too much fun keeping herself distracted.

'Right, option one would be dad's pick, the incredibly intelligent, but slightly slutty, school teacher,' Alexis waggled her eyebrows while holding up a semi sheer, fawn button down shirt.

'No.' her mom stated with finality.

'Okay, option two, the Martha Stewart look.'

Kate just rolled her eyes and shook her head at the bluey grey shirt her daughter was waving around. 'Martha Stewart? Seriously?' Kate groused and crossed her arms, daring her daughter to oppose her.

'You want my help or not?' Alexis teased.

'What's option three?'

'Well, this is my personal favourite, we can go with kick ass, but fair, Captain Beckett,' Alexis suggested, holding up a high collared white shirt and black, light weight sweater.

'Well, considering I have to hand down my first disciplinary action this morning...' Kate sighed, took the offered shirt and sweater from her daughter, and exited her closet to the master bedroom.

'Good choice,' Alexis yelled. 'And you won't need to change your trousers. You can still fit into your trousers, can't you?' Alexis asked as she returned the two discarded pieces of clothing back to their hangers, and yelped when one of her mom's slippers went sailing past her head, hitting the closet wall with a resounding thump. 'Is that the best you've got?' Alexis complained and ducked just in time for the other slipper to come flying towards her as she re-entered the bedroom. 'Better, but your aim was still off,' Alexis laughed and watched as her mom straightened her sweater in the mirror. 'Good thing you shoot with better accuracy than you toss shoes.' Alexis crossed the room and flopped down on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

'Baby, if I was actually aiming for you, you wouldn't be so easily mocking my lack of accuracy,' Kate stated. 'So, how do I look?' Kate asked, turning to face Alexis.

Alexis rose up on her elbows and looked her mom up and down. 'Like Captain Beckett's ready to kick some serious butt,' she commented.

Kate rolled her eyes, and turned side on to look at herself in the full length mirror. 'You know, it's really creepy when you talk about me in the third person,' Kate groused. 'I meant, do I look normal?' she asked.

'Mom, you look stunning, like you do every morning okay?' Alexis assured, rolling her eyes and flopping back down on the bed again. 'I don't know why you guys are still hiding it. Wouldn't it be easier just to tell everyone you're pregnant?' Alexis questioned. 'Don't get me wrong, I've loved having you all to myself the past month, but people are going to start noticing soon. And I don't know how much longer Grams can keep quiet,' Alexis warned her mom.

'I know,' Kate sighed, and sat back down to the right of Alexis, placing a loving hand on her daughter's knee, where the young woman's legs were hanging over the side of the bed. 'I just...'

Alexis rolled over to face her mom, resting her head in her hand. 'You just what?' she asked Kate softly.

'I'm not ready to share yet.' Kate placed her hand on her small baby bulge, gently soothing the tiny life growing inside her. 'I know soon enough I'm not going to have a choice, but for now, I love that your little brother is just between us.' Kate confessed, staring down her hand resting over her abdomen.

Kate felt Alexis sit up and move to sit next to her. 'I can't believe my little brother's in there,' she heard Alexis whisper in wonder. 'And he's about the size of a cute little field mouse,' she said gently resting her head on her mom's shoulder.

'A mouse, really?' Kate replied in disgust.

'What's wrong with a mouse?' Alexis giggled. 'We could name him Mickey, or Stuart…oh I know, we can call him Itchy,' Alexis squealed as Kate used one of her trademark Beckett moves on her. The young woman found herself flat on her back, on the bed, trying to control her laughter.

'Not Itchy.' Kate laughed and flopped on her back beside her daughter. 'Besides, your dad's got his heart set on calling him Cosmo,' Kate smiled. 'And who am I to deny him that?'

Alexis rolled onto her side, and moved so she could rest against Kate, laying her head on her mom's shoulder. 'Thank you for loving dad the way he deserves to be loved,' Alexis murmured and closed her eyes when she felt Kate gently caress a hand through her hair.

Kate placed a loving kiss on her daughter's crown. 'I'm the one who should be thankful,' Kate replied, burying her nose in the young woman's hair, taking in the fresh citrus fragrance of her daughter's short locks.

And not for the first time since Kate found out she was pregnant, did she wonder if Meredith had felt the same overwhelming feeling of unconditional love for a person she'd never met. Had she been filled with wonder and awe when pregnant with Alexis? Could she not wait to watch her body change as a new life grew inside her? And how was it, Kate was able to feel the same unconditional love for the young woman currently resting against her, as she did for the tiny life growing inside her.

But Kate's happy thoughts were replaced by dark images that occasionally invaded her head. Where perhaps, in an alternate universe, she'd never met Rick, never married the love of her life. Or worse, Kate did marry her one and done, only for her marriage to fail because of her relentless pursuit for justice. Where she not only pushed her husband away, but watched as her daughter grew to hate her.

Kate pulled Alexis in tighter and clung to the young woman as she tried to banish nightmare images from her mind. 'Damn hormones' Kate thought to herself, and felt the now annoyingly familiar sting of tears.

'You're not putting snot in my hair are you?' Alexis grumbled. 'I don't have time to wash it again before I have to leave.'

Kate let out a watery laugh. 'No, that'd be your dad.' the older woman teased with a smile, and squeezed her daughter tighter.

Alexis moved back and looked at her mom. 'You're gonna play the hormone card for all it's worth, aren't you?' Alexis stated proudly, and her mom just nodded in agreement. 'I would too.' Alexis smiled. 'Are you feeling better now?'

'Yeah,' Kate sniffed and brushed a stray tear from her cheek. 'Thank you.'

Alexis blushed under the scrutiny of her mom. 'You're welcome,' Alexis mumbled self-consciously. 'It helped take my mind off my nerves,' she admitted.

Kate clasped her daughter's hand, giving it a loving squeeze. 'Baby, you couldn't be more prepared for this morning,' Kate assured. 'And remember, this is just one step of many to come.'

'I know,' Alexis sighed. 'It's just….the result of today's exam will determine the direction my life takes. It makes my tantrum over initially being rejected by Stanford seem so….childish,' Alexis blushed.

'But honey, at the time, it was the most important thing in the world to you,' Kate stated. 'I remember your dad was so scared you'd be accepted because he wasn't ready to let you go yet. And he knew you were doing it for all the wrong reasons,' Kate smiled as she thought back to a distraught Rick, terrified of his little girl moving to the other side of the country. 'And then,' she laughed. 'He was angry when you didn't get in. But you picked yourself up, dusted yourself off, and moved on,' Kate stated proudly. 'And right now, getting into the academy is the most important thing in the world to you.'

Alexis smiled warmly at her mom, and gently lowered her head to Kate's shoulder again. 'Besides my little brother,' she clarified, gently placing her hand over the small swell of her mom's stomach.

'And Henry,'

'And Henry,' Alexis blushed and buried her head in her mom's neck. 'You were right by the way.'

'I'm always right,' Kate giggled. 'But you'll have to narrow it down to what I was right about.'

'Dcomphing.'

'What?' Kate laughed at the muffled reply. 'What's decomping?'

'Decompressing,' Alexis giggled before burying her head back in her mom's neck. But not before Kate saw her daughter's face was the same colour as her bright red hair.

It took a moment for Kate to understand what Alexis meant, but then she remembered the conversation she and Alexis had in her office on that terrible day her daughter had lost one of her best friends. 'Baby, so long as you're safe, it's consensual, and you're having fun, there's absolutely nothing wrong with decompressing.'

'It's definitely fun,' Alexis giggled before sobering again. 'I've never had anyone to really talk to about this before. Your sex life and boyfriends are not something you can talk to your father about, regardless of how perfect he is,' Alexis admitted. 'And every time Meredith's asked me about my boyfriends, the conversation invariably ends up with her lecturing me on how not to ruin my life,' Alexis sighed.

Kate didn't miss that Alexis was back to calling her mother by her first name, and wondered what the woman had done now to upset her daughter this time. 'She just worries,' Kate justified, but deep down, she was struggling to contain her anger at Meredith's approach to her daughter's love life.

'Yeah, right. All she worries about is becoming a grandmother,' Alexis huffed. 'It was even worse when I stayed with her in January because I'm now the same age she was when she had me.'

Kate pulled Alexis tighter to her side, and resumed carding her hand through her daughter's hair. 'I'm sorry,' she whispered into her daughter's hair. 'I promise I'll always be here for you, no matter what.'

'I love you.' Alexis murmured.

'Love you too.' Kate replied sleepily. The conversation and warmth were slowly lulling Kate, and she wanted nothing more than to curl up under the covers and go back to sleep. Maybe she could convince Alexis to have a Netflix marathon with her one day this week where they could snuggle under the covers all day and watch trash TV while being waited on hand and foot by Rick.

'What's the time?' Alexis asked around a yawn, feeling her mom shift to lift her left arm up so that she could see her watch over her daughter's head.

'Seven forty.' Kate groaned before letting her arm flop down on the bed. 'Don't wanna get up,' she whined.

'Yeah, well you gotta.' Alexis sat up and waited for her eyes to readjust to sitting up again. She was just about to turn to her mom when she felt Kate bolt upright and race for the bathroom. Alexis grimaced at the sound of Kate retching, but stood and walked towards the bathroom. 'Oh mom,' she whispered when she found Kate sitting beside the toilet with her knees up to her chest.

Alexis quickly moved to the sink, filled a glass with water, and ran a washcloth under the cool water before wringing it out. She kneeled in front of her mom, passing her the glass of water, and waited for Kate to rinse her mouth and spit before flushing the toilet. 'You shouldn't be doing this,' Kate said with embarrassment as she sat patiently for Alexis to finish cleaning up her face with the damp washcloth.

'Yeah, well someone told me a little while ago, she was just pregnant, not dying, so deal with it,' Alexis soothed. 'And if I remember correctly, you did the same for me the night you brought me home drunk from the Old Haunt.'

'Yeah, but I'm supposed to,' Kate rasped and gently took the washcloth from Alexis. Leaning back against the bathroom wall, Kate looked towards the ceiling and took a deep breath. 'I'll be okay in moment. I just need my stomach to settle.'

'Is there anything I can get you?'

Kate shook her head in the negative, and immediately regretted it when she felt another wave of nausea roll over her. Breathing through her nose, Kate waited for the nausea to pass before looking at her watch. 'Alexis, you need to get going if you're going to make your appointment.'

'But I don't want to leave you alone like this,' Alexis argued. 'At least let me call dad.'

'Baby, it's just morning sickness, it'll pass in a minute,' Kate assured. 'Besides, I'm pregnant, not dying right? And Doctor Harper's assured me your brother and me are perfectly healthy.' She smiled softly. 'And please think about coming to my next appointment okay? If your brother co-operates, we'll be able to find out for sure if you're actually getting a little brother.'

'I will,' Alexis murmured. 'Your first OBGYN appointment should have only been between you and dad.' Alexis shrugged, took the glass from her mom's hand, and placed it back on the sink.

'Oh, Katherine, darling,' both Alexis and Kate startled when Martha entered the bathroom as only Martha Rodgers could. Neither woman had heard the older woman enter the loft, but Alexis was secretly glad of her Gram's arrival, despite the woman's over exuberant entrance.

'Hey Grams,' Alexis rose and greeted her grandmother with a hug and a kiss. 'What are you doing here?'

'Well I came by to wish my oldest grandchild good luck, but it seems I'm just in time to look after my youngest one.'

Kate smiled fondly at the older woman in front of her. 'Martha, honestly, I'm fine,' Kate assured. 'It's just morning sickness.'

'Well darling, you don't need to suffer in silence. Lord knows Meredith loved to let everyone know how miserable she was,' Martha stated. 'Come along, I know Richard's stocked the kitchen with everything needed to sooth the nausea.' And with that, the matriarch swept out of the bathroom as quickly as she'd entered.

Alexis held out her hand and helped her mom to her feet. 'It's okay Kate,' Alexis shrugged when she saw the look of sympathy on her mom's face. 'Grams didn't mean anything by it, and it's not like Meredith's ever kept her dislike of being pregnant a secret.'

'But it shouldn't be that way.'

'Kate, you've more than made up for my mother's failings, and if I have to remind you every day for the rest of your life, then I will,' Alexis pulled her mom in for a hug and clung to her. 'The only reason I'm jealous of my brother is because he gets to grow inside you, and I see the way you love him so unconditionally.'

'But I love you the same way,' Kate whispered.

'I know,' Alexis moved back, grabbed the washcloth from the vanity, and gently wiped away her mom's tears.

'Come along darling.' They heard Martha yell from the kitchen. 'You still want to stay?' Kate teased.

'Definitely not,'

'Scaredy cat,'

'Damn straight. I've seen Grams when she's on a mission of mercy,' Alexis stated as she threw the washcloth in the clothes hamper. 'Where do you think dad gets it from?'

Kate took a final look in the mirror and grimaced at her ruined makeup. 'Oh well, I'm running late anyway, may as well take the time to look good.' She thought to herself before making her way to the kitchen.

'Ah, there you are Katherine,' Martha moved around the kitchen bench, where she'd gathered ginger ale, saltines, and something that suspiciously looked like tomato juice, to greet her daughter-in-law. 'You know darling, it really is true. You truly are glowing,' the older woman gushed, and pulled Kate into her arms.

'Thanks Martha, but I don't know if I'm glowing or if it's just the glean of sweat from throwing up,' Kate laughed, and melted into her mother-in-law's arms.

'I know I'm not your mother,' Martha whispered. 'And I don't aim to try to fill a void that can't be filled, but I'm here for you whenever you need me.'

Kate squeezed the older woman tightly, and leaned back to look down the woman who'd become a surrogate mother to her. 'Thank you, Martha,' Kate cursed her hormones as a tear formed in her eyes again. 'I just feel like I'm a blubbering mess this morning.'

'Hormones darling, and it's only going to get worse before it gets better I'm afraid,' Martha consoled. 'Take my advice and use them to your advantage where ever possible,' she smiled slyly. 'But Katherine, in the end, it's worth it when you finally get to hold the tiny person who's taken up residence inside you for nine months.'

Both women looked towards the stairs when they heard Alexis reappear with her blazer and bag in hand. 'It was something Meredith never understood,' Martha whispered with sadness. 'That woman still doesn't understand what she's lost.'

'Actually Martha, I'm pretty sure she does.' Kate replied cryptically, and moved to greet her daughter as she moved from the foyer to the kitchen. 'Hey bud, you all ready?' Kate asked when Alexis stopped in front of her.

'As ready as I'll ever be,' Alexis admitted, barely controlling the nervous tremor in her voice.

'Okay kiddo, go out there and break a leg,' Martha encouraged, moving over to her granddaughter to sweep the young woman into a hug. 'You'll do great darling, and you're going to look mighty fine in a uniform.' Martha stood back and cupped her hands over her mouth. 'I remember the day you were born.. was there when they placed you in your dad's arms for the first time,' Martha reminisced, her voice quivering with tears. 'And look at the remarkable young woman you've grown into.'

Kate watched on as Martha wished her granddaughter luck, not wanting to intrude on the moment.

'Thanks Grams,' Alexis smiled. 'Good thing dad's not here because he'd reduce us all to giant blubbering messes,' she teased, trying to lighten the mood. 'Kate?' Alexis looked over to where her mom was standing behind the kitchen bench.

'I'm here, baby,' Kate responded,moving towards Alexis.

Alexis took both of her mom's hands when the older woman stood in front of her. 'Thank you is just a word, it can't convey how much I appreciate everything you've done for me.' Alexis looked down at their joined hands as she gathered her thoughts. 'And all I can promise you is to do my best.'

Kate squeezed her daughter's hands before pulling the young woman into her arms. 'And your best will still be brilliant, baby girl.'

'It'd better be. I plan on breaking all your records and kicking your arse,' Alexis teased and laughed as her mom squeezed her tightly before stepping back.

'You'd better bring your A game then cause nobody's broken any of my records yet,' Kate challenged.

'Consider it brought,' Alexis sassed and laughed when Kate just rolled her eyes.

Martha watched the loving banter between her granddaughter and daughter-in-law with affection. She was one of the few people privy to the loving relationship the two women had built up over the past twelve months. Thinking back to when Meredith had abandoned her family for the dazzling lights of Hollywood, and the heart broken little girl she'd left in her wake, the matriarch honestly thought her granddaughter would never again know the love of a mother.

'Bye Grams.' Martha was brought out of her thoughts, and watched Katherine walk Alexis to the front door. 'Thanks for coming bye to wish me luck.'

'You're welcome, kiddo,' she replied and went back to sorting through the items she had on the bench to help with her daughter-in-law's morning sickness.

'Okay, so you know where you're going?' Kate asked when they stopped at the front door. Alexis nodded in affirmation as she straightened her shirt. 'And you know who you need to ask for?'

'I need to ask for Sargent Miller,' Alexis confirmed before looking at her mom.

'And you know Deputy Commission Gates wants to catch up with you afterwards.' Alexis nodded and adjusted the bag strap on her shoulder. 'Right, so…good luck, and call me when you finish.'

'I will.'

'What are you doing afterwards?'

'Spending the afternoon with Henry, it's his day off,' Alexis blushed. 'But dad wants to catch up for dinner,' she remembered.

'Great, we can grab some takeout on the way home,' Kate suggested.

Alexis looked towards the dining room table and then back to her mom. 'I was thinking we haven't been to Remy's in a while.'

'Remy's sounds good,' but Kate couldn't shake the feeling her daughter was hiding something. 'Give me a call around five to see where I am and we'll grab your dad.'

'Okay…well, I'd better go,' Alexis pulled her mom into a hug and clung to her briefly before moving to open the front door.

'Oh Alexis, did your dad find his wallet before he left this morning?' Kate asked. 'He'd been looking for it everywhere.'

'Ah, yeah he did,' she blushed.

'Good, he was worried he'd lost it.'

'Nope, it was right where he left it….under the dining room table.'

Both women looked everywhere but each other until Alexis could no longer hold in her laughter. 'Go,' Kate giggled and pushed her daughter out the front door. 'Call me,' was the last thing Alexis heard before the front door to the loft closed behind her.

Standing by the lift, Alexis reached into her pocket, and pulled out her cell. **Morning beautiful. Wanted to wish you luck. Call me when you're finished**. Alexis smiled at the message from Henry, and sent him a quick reply before stepping into the lift.

Alexis was just about to pocket her cell when it buzzed to life again.

**Good luck Little Castle R & E**

**Girl you got this. Call me L xoxo**

**love you sweetheart. Don't forget to tell your mom about dinner**

**everyone at the Twelfth is looking forward to your appointment as Commissioner**

**Alexis, I know I've never been the mother you wanted me to be, but I love you and wish you the best of luck for today**

Alexis looked at her watch, and wondered why Meredith was up at five am, but sent a quick reply of thanks before pocketing her cell.

Taking a deep breath, Alexis mentally prepared herself for the next phase of her life. Knowing that regardless of today's outcome, she had the love and support of so many people. And she couldn't wait to see where it took her.