Author's notes: Thank you again for your kind reviews and follows. I'm still numb, so have nothing more to add….except I don't own Castle.
This is a belated Mother's Day fic, and is dedicated to my beta 41319always413419. This chapter hasn't been beta'd, as she's been very ill in hospital the last couple of weeks, so all mistakes are mine.
Chapter 16 - Eighteen Mother's Days
It didn't sound like a long time when you said it like that. Eighteen Mother's Days, eighteen individual days, not even three weeks. But when you equate it to years; it had been eighteen years since Kate had last celebrated Mother's Day with her mom. Eighteen years since Kate watched her mom smile lovingly over some silly trinket she'd probably bought her. Eighteen years, and it still didn't get any easier.
Even though Kate was staring out the passenger window of the town car, she was oblivious to the fact she'd just entered the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel; but was brought out of her thoughts when she felt Alexis press a tissue into her hand. Kate watched in fascination, when a tear she didn't realise was rolling down her cheek, dripped off her chin, and landed on her daughter's hand currently wrapped around her own. 'Sorry,' she apologised, her voice quivering, but Alexis just shook her head, silently assuring her mom there was no need to apologise.
Alexis allowed her head to fall back against the head rest, and went back to staring out the window, mesmerised by the tunnel lights flashing by. She felt Kate remove the tissue from where their hands were still joined, and listened to her mom's quiet sniffles from the other side of the car.
'We don't have to do this,' Alexis said, looking back towards Kate with concern.
Kate shook her head in dismissal, and winced as the car exited the tunnel heading towards Brooklyn. Even though the early Sunday morning was overcast, it still took a moment to readjust from darkness to daylight. The dull headache she'd been fighting since waking this morning, had now escalated to a constant thumping, and Kate cursed not taking the paracetamol Rick had offered her before she and Alexis left the loft that morning.
Alexis let go of Kate's hand, and bent down to rummage through her bag. 'Mom, here, take these.'
Turning towards her daughter, Kate looked at the small bottle of water, packet of saltines and box of Tylenol Alexis was holding out to her. 'How'd….'
'Dad gave them to me as we left this morning. He said you weren't feeling very well,' Alexis passed her mom the bottle of water, before opening the packet of saltines. 'You shouldn't take them on an empty stomach,' Alexis warned, holding out the now open packet of crackers towards Kate.
Grabbing a handful of crackers, Kate slowly ate the salty treats, trying desperately not to gag as the dry consistency clogged her mouth. She took a mouthful of water to help wash the crackers down, and swallowed two tablets with the next mouthful of water. Handing the packet of Tylenol and bottle of water back to her daughter, Kate sighed as she allowed her head to fall back against the headrest, and closed her eyes.
It hadn't gone unnoticed to Kate that Alexis had started calling her mom, more than Kate over the past few weeks. What had started out as moniker reserved for when the young woman was stressed or anxious, was now the new normal.
'Maybe we should go home,' Alexis suggested again, becoming increasingly worried about her mom.
Kate turned towards her daughter and smiled sadly. 'Baby, I'm fine,' she assured. 'I want to introduce you to my mom,' Alexis handed Kate another tissue, when she saw another tear rolling down her mom's cheek. 'More importantly, I want to introduce my mom to her grandchildren.'
Alexis looked towards the front of the car when she felt it slowing, and could see the large iron gates of the Green-Wood cemetery loom up ahead. 'Mrs Castle, did you want me to drive you to Mrs Beckett, or would you prefer to walk?' the driver asked.
'Mom?' Alexis asked when Kate gave no answer. 'Tony, I think it's best if you drive us,' Alexis advised.
'Sure thing, Ms Castle,'
Alexis kept a close eye Kate as the car crawled through the immaculately kept grounds of Green-Wood, watching as her mom continually caressed her growing belly. At just on sixteen weeks, Kate was no longer able to hide the fact she was pregnant, regardless of what clothes she wore.
'What's so funny?' Kate asked, when she heard her daughter's soft giggle.
'I was thinking back to your….ah wardrobe malfunction, the other week,' Alexis smiled. 'You know, when your closet mysteriously shrunk overnight.'
Kate looked down to where her hand was resting over her baby bump. 'I'm not going to be able to fit into anything soon,' she sighed forlornly.
'And what better excuse do we need to go shopping,' Alexis suggested, and laughed when her mom scrunched up her nose with distain.
'No, I refuse to give in yet,' Kate argued, and Alexis just rolled her eyes at her mom's stubbornness.
However the playful atmosphere in the car vanished as quickly as it started, when the car slowed to a stop on the side of the road. The opening and closing of the driver's side door broke the silence, and both women readied themselves to exit the vehicle.
'Thank you, Tony,' Kate smiled weakly, when the driver held the passenger door open. Standing on the grassy verge of the road, Kate wrapped her overcoat around herself to ward off the cold morning chill, and watched her daughter slide across the back seat. Alexis shivered when she exited the car, and moved to burrow herself into her mom, and waited while Tony retrieved two bouquets of flowers from the front passenger seat of the car, before handing one each to Kate and Alexis.
'Thank you, Tony,' Alexis smiled, and the driver tipped his head towards his young charge, before climbing back into the driver's seat to wait for their return.
Kate took her daughter's hand, and gently led her in the direction of her mother's grave. Had it not been such a sombre journey, Kate would've appreciated the crisp clean freshness of the morning air, combined with the fragrances of spring flowers and freshly cut grass.
'Do you want to have a moment alone first?' Alexis asked, but Kate shook her head, and squeezed Alexis' hand tightly.
Both women walked in silence with their hands entwined. The damp grass from the early morning dew squelching beneath their feet, the only sound breaking the silence. Alexis felt her mom's grip tighten, the young woman sensing they were close to their destination; and suddenly, she was standing in front of Joanna Beckett, the woman who'd been a constant in her life for the past eight years.
'Hi mom,' Kate murmured. 'Happy mother's day,' Kate released Alexis' hand and kneelt down on the damp grass in front of her mom's headstone. 'These are from Rick,' she smiled indulgently, and placed the large bouquet of roses and lilies in the vase at the base of her mom's headstone. 'I know you're rolling your eyes at me, but trust me, the man doesn't know what subtle is,' Kate sighed, tracing the outline of her mom's name in the stone. 'Dad sends his love, he'll be by later this afternoon to visit you.' Kate bent her head, until her chin was resting on her chest, no longer able to hold her emotions. 'I miss you so much, momma,' she sobbed, and wrapped her arms around the tiny life growing inside her.
Alexis could no longer watch on in silence and kneeled down next her mom. 'Hi, Mrs. Beckett,' Alexis whispered, her voice thick with tears. She placed her bouquet of lilies in the vase next to the flowers from her dad, and wrapped an arm around her mom. 'It's finally good to meet you; I've heard a lot about you,' Alexis felt Kate slump into her embrace, and wrapped her arms tightly around her mom. 'All good, of course.' she assured.
'See mom, I told I'd bring Alexis to meet you,' Kate lifted her head from Alexis's shoulder, and turned to look her daughter. 'Alexis, this is my mom, Joanna Beckett. And mom….this is my daughter, Alexis.'
'You've told her about me?' Alexis asked in wonder.
'Of course I have,' Kate voice quivered. 'You'd love Alexis, mom, she's just like you; strong, stubborn, a stickler for the rules and a heart of gold,' Alexis blushed under the loving smile from her mom, and once again wondered how a woman could still look so stunning, even with bloodshot eyes and ruined mascara.
'You make me sound like a control freak,' Alexis grumbled.
'And, she has to argue the point on everything,'
'So I'm just like you too, then?'
'See, mom,' Kate whispered. 'I told you, you'd love her,' Kate wiped her cheeks with back of her hand, and smiled in gratitude as Alexis passed her another tissue.
'I have a whole box in here, if you're wondering,' Alexis explained, before going silent again; still in awe, that Kate had wanted to share such a private and painful part of her life with her.
'I'm going to visit my mom on Sunday, and I'd like you come with me'
'Are you sure? I mean, dad's always told me this is very private to you'
'It is; your father's the only person I've ever taken to meet her. But it's been eighteen years since I've been able to present her with a mother's day gift'
Alexis was brought out of her thoughts when her mom shifted to sit on the damp grass. 'Kate, you're going to get soaked through,' Alexis couldn't hide the worry from her voice, but Kate just waved a hand in dismissal, while she made herself comfortable.
'I remember when I was young girl; I'd dream of having my own family, one day. I wanted what my parents had,' Kate shifted until she sitting with her legs crossed in front of her Indian style, a small part of her wondering if she should have heeded her daughter's worry, when she felt the damp grass start to soak through her jeans. 'This was despite my….rebellious…stage.' She chuckled. 'Come here kid,' she said, while pulling Alexis to sit next her.
Alexis was pulled from where she was kneeling next to her mom, to sitting flush against Kate. She tried to wriggle around to find a comfortable position when she felt the damp grass under her, but quickly gave up, and went back to resting against Kate.
'This is why I suggested you wear an old pair of jean and rug up,' Kate murmured while clutching her daughter closer, memories of being wrapped in her mother's arms on cold days, filtering through her head.
'How often do you come out to visit your mom?' Alexis asked shyly. She'd become increasingly curious over the past couple of years as to how often Kate came out here.
Kate rested her chin on Alexi's head; the young woman had snuggled up for warmth, to the point Kate thought her daughter would craw into her lap. 'Every anniversary and Mother's day since she died, I always spend part of the day here with her,' Kate explained. 'Back before…before I met your dad…even for the few years after your dad barged his way into my life…the utter feelings of hopelessness and loneliness and anxiety would start in the weeks leading up to Christmas, and culminate in a binge drinking session the night before her anniversary; I'd completely isolate myself from everyone, I didn't want to see anyone, the more physical pain I could inflict on myself, the less emotional pain I felt, the less of a failure I felt for not catching her killer, and I never wanted anyone to see how weak I was.'
'No, mom,' Alexis interjected, and sat up to look at Kate. 'Not weakness, never weakness,' she soothed, as she watched her mom wipe the tears from her cheeks. 'Loosing someone, and desperately missing them, especially at such a vulnerable time in your life, is never a sign of weakness. It shows how much you loved your mom, and how much you miss her,' Alexis' heart broke, her stomach clenched with anxiety at the thought of how alone and desperate Kate must have been; no one to help her or support her; no one to love and protect her, like Kate come to love Alexis.
'Your dad said the same thing to me,' Kate smiled sadly. 'When my life was spiralling out of control after I first joined the force, I'd come out here and just cry. It didn't matter if it was raining or snowing….I'd stand or sit here for hours, and just wish for my mom to come back to me,' Kate swallowed the feeling of nausea that suddenly overtook her, reliving the memories of a desperate and lost young woman.
'What was she like?' Alexis asked. 'Your dad says you're so much like her,'
Kate shifted, trying to relieve the numbness in her butt and legs, and moved to stretch her legs out in front of her. Alexis settled beside her mom, mirroring Kate's position. 'She was….my hero,' Kate started. 'My mom embodied everything I wanted to be when I grew up, and she had this amazing ability to balance being a lawyer with being a mom, never once making me feel like her job was more important.' Kate looked out over the see of headstones while gathering her thoughts. 'I remember when I was a little girl; I just loved spending time with her. It didn't matter what she was doing, I was her little shadow, and mom would just indulge me. I never realised how much she taught me during that time, until later on in life.' Kate closed her eyes and breathed in the crisp air. 'So much of the advice I gave your dad, when he was worried about you, that I give you, comes from my mom.'
'Is that why you wanted to become a lawyer?' Alexis asked.
'My mom did a lot of civil rights and pro bono work, and I grew up watching her fight for what was right, fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves,' Kate straightened up and stretched her back out, trying to ease the dull ache that was forming from sitting on the one position for too long. 'I was already on my way to becoming a lawyer, when my mom was murdered….and then my life's obsession became catching her killer; and giving others the justice and closure I could never give myself,' Kate sighed. 'I miss her so much…..especially now….I always thought…..when I was young I always took it for granted that she'd be here with me, when I got married, when I had babies…..and I just don't know how to do this without her,' Kate sobbed.
Alexis wrapped her arms around Kate, and held her close, and felt her mom slump against her. Knowing there was nothing she could say to ease Kate's pain, Alexis wanted Mrs Beckett to know what an inspirational and loving woman her daughter had grown into. 'I wish I could have met you, Mrs. Beckett,' Alexis began. 'But I want to you know what a wonderful mom Kate is to me. My own mother….Meredith never wanted to be a mother,' Alexis choked out. 'But Kate, she.….I thought I was too old to want or need a mom. I thought because I was an adult….I was supposed to….I don't know what I was supposed to….,' Alexis relaxed the hold on her mom, when Kate moved to sit up again. 'It's been twelve months since you flew halfway around the world, after dad and me,' Kate gently caressed her daughter's cheek, smoothing away the tears. 'Twelve months, since you became someone I didn't realise I needed,' Alexis sniffled, and reached into her bag for another tissue before blowing her nose. 'This is stupid; you're the hormonal one, not me,' Alexis said, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Kate did her best to hide her smile, as Alexis attempted to discreetly blow her nose, but the less noise Alexis tried to make, the louder she became. And Kate couldn't help it, she started to giggle, and her giggling turned to laughter at the indignant look her daughter was giving her. 'Thank you,' Kate said breathlessly, while trying to regain her composure. 'Thank you,' Kate said again, as she cupped her daughter's face. 'For reminding me, that even on the worse days, there's a possibility of joy.'
Alexis blushed, and moved into her mom's embrace. 'You're welcome…..even if it wasn't intentional,' she teased, and felt her mom turn back to Joanna's headstone.
'Mom, I wanted to wish you happy Mother's day, by introducing you to your grandchildren,' Kate sat back, and Alexis moved to the side while her mom unbuttoned her jacket. 'Alexis is your eldest, and this little one,' she said while lovingly caressed her small baby bulge. 'This is your youngest; we're not sure if you're getting a grandson or another granddaughter yet, but we should hopefully find out in the next week or so,'
'Mom's already convinced it's a boy,' Alexis rested against Kate and placed her hand over her mom's. 'I know dad's hoping for a boy so he stops feeling so outnumbered….and he wants to name him Cosmo.' She said, rolling her eyes.
Kate giggled and nodded her head, and looked back towards her mother's headstone. 'Your son-in-law has this obsession with naming his child Cosmo. Alexis was just lucky she was born a girl,' Kate yawned, while rolling her neck, and sighed with relief when she felt and audible pop. 'Cosmo's a cute pet name for your little brother while he's in here,' Kate blushed as she thought back to the night she let her husband christen their child Cosmo.
'Mouse is cuter,' Alexis complained, completely missing her mom's flushed look.
'Seriously Alexis, there was no way in hell I was going to let you name your brother after a rodent,' Kate groused. 'Honestly mom, I know you're up there laughing at me, reminding me that you couldn't wait for me to have kids, couldn't wait to say 'I told you so, Katie'.' Kate felt Alexis giggle, and pulled the young woman closer.
'But you were right, mom,' Kate whispered. 'You were right when you told me that falling in love and having babies….having a family was the most rewarding thing you'd ever done. And I'm grateful every single day that Richard Castle pushed his way into my life, for giving me the opportunity to experience what you and dad had, for supporting me and loving me, for putting up with all the heartache I caused him, when I was at my most manic, and for never giving up on me,' Kate scrubbed her face with the hand not clutching her daughter, and swept her hair away from where it'd fallen across her face. Turning back to her daughter, Kate smiled loving at Alexis. 'Because regardless of what else I achieve in my life, nothing will compare to being his wife and mother of his children.' Kate gently wiped the tears from her daughter's cheeks, and smoothed and errant lock of red hair off Alexis' face.
Both women sat in companionable silence, composing themselves after such a cathartic morning; the weariness of tears and emotions taking their toll. 'Thank you, mom,' Alexis whispered.
Kate rested her forehead against her daughter's, while gently cupping the back of Alexis' head. 'You're welcome, baby girl,' she murmured, before sitting back and turning back towards her mother's headstone. 'I'm finally happy, mom,' Kate smiled, and turned back in time to see her daughter looking at her watch. 'And I'm being reminded by Alexis, there's some place we need to be.'
Alexis blushed with embarrassment. 'Sorry,' she apologised, before turning back Mrs Beckett. 'I've been planning mom's present for the last couple of weeks, but don't have to leave yet,' Alexis stressed, turning back to her mom.
'No honey, it's okay,' Kate assured. 'Besides, I can't feel my butt anymore.'
Alexis struggled to stand, after sitting in the same position for so long, and once on her feet, she stretched her back out. Holding her hand out, Alexis helped her mom to her feet, and they both proceeded to brush the grass off each other's jeans. 'My underwear's all squishy,' Alexis grumbled, as she wriggled her butt around.
'Wait until you have a baby bump you have to adjust your clothes around,' Kate countered, and both women stopped what they were doing and looked at each other, before they burst out laughing.
'Don't worry mom, I have no intention of making you a grandmother any time soon,' Alexis giggled.
Kate turned back to her mom, and bent down to straighten up two bouquets of flowers. 'Happy mother's day mom,' she whispered, pressing her fingers to her lips, and allowing them to linger, before placing a 'kiss' on her mom's headstone. 'I love you.'
Straightening up, Kate felt Alexis come to stand next to her. 'Happy mother's day, Joanna; you don't have to worry about Kate, she's loved and cherished by so many people.' Alexis assured, and linked her arm through her mom's.
'Bye mom.' Both women stood in silence, Alexis waiting for Kate to take the lead in moving back to the car.
As they neared the road, Alexis could see that Tony had the car running, and was standing by the car waiting for them to return. 'Ms Castle, Mrs Castle,' Tony greeted as the two women approached the car.
The older man held the door open, as Alexis and Kate slid into the back seat, both revelling in the warmth of car. 'Thank you for keep the car warm, Tony,' Alexis' teeth were still chattering, and she huddled next to her mom for warmth.
'You're welcome, Ms Castle. We should be about twenty minutes to your next destination,' he informed.
'We're not going home?' Kate asked, as the car started the slow exit out of the cemetery.
'No, next stop is your mother's day present,' Alexis replied cryptically. 'I can wake you when we get there if you want to rest.'
Kate smiled, and allowed her head to fall back against the headrest. 'How are you going to wake me, if you fall asleep too?' she giggled, when she felt Alexis slump against her. Kate looked down when she didn't get an answer from her daughter, to find the young woman furiously texting. 'Say hi to Henry for me.'
'It wasn't Henry,' was all Alexis mumbled, trying not to give her mom any indication of where they were going. 'And I'm not telling,' she giggled, when Kate went to ask who she was talking to.
'Fine,' Kate grumbled. 'So, your dad keeps asking me why I think you won't bring Henry home to meet him.' Rick had asked her on a number of occasions, hoping his wife had a better understanding as to why their daughter wouldn't introduce them to her boyfriend. 'He's worried you're scared to bring him home to meet us, and he's driving me nuts, so kid, what gives.'
'Trust me mom, it's not dad he's afraid of,' Alexis assured.
'So is it me?' Kate asked with worry. She was sure she hadn't been too intimidating towards the young man, the day he'd brought Alexis to the precinct.
'Oh God, this is so embarrassing,' Alexis sighed dramatically. 'He's not afraid of you, he afraid of his mom.'
'I'm sorry, what?' Kate laughed.
'Well, remember how he called Black Pawn looking for me?' Kate nodded at Alexis, not even trying to hide her look of confusion. 'Henry honestly had no idea who dad was, didn't have a clue who Derek Storm was,' Alexis explained. 'It turns out however; his mom is a massive Richard Castle fan, like she's got all his books and has been to all his New York book signings and everything.'
'I'm sorry, I'm still not following,' Kate said with confusion.
'When she found out Henry was dating her favourite authors daughter, I'm pretty sure she put the fear of God into him. So now he's too scared to meet dad, in case he messes up, and he has to explain to his mother how he upset her favourite author.'
'That is…seriously? He's scared of his mom?'
'Dad's still scared of Grams,' Alexis defended.
'Are you scared of me?' Kate asked, trying to hold in her laughter.
'Of course not,' Alexis giggled. 'Captain Beckett, on the other hand…..' Alexis squirmed to get away from her mom, as Kate dug her fingers into her daughter's side. 'Okay, I give…' she giggled breathlessly. 'And I can see it now; my little brother's going to be such a momma's boy.'
'Just like his big sister's turned in a momma's girl,' Kate countered.
Alexis turned to Kate. 'Yeah, I have,' she smiled shyly, and rested back against her mom. 'Thank you, for asking me to come with you today,' Alexis said, breaking the companionable silence between the two women. 'And for telling me more about your mom,'
Kate smiled and wrapped her around arm her daughter, and resting her chin on the young woman's forehead. 'You're calling me mom now,' was all the reply Alexis received, and Kate looked towards her daughter when she felt the young woman tense, and move out of her arms.
'You don't mind?' Alexis asked, suddenly worried she'd overstepped the boundaries of their relationship. 'You know, Mouse can hear everything and everybody around him, and I don't want to confuse him by calling you Kate,' the young woman justified, while trying to hide her look of embarrassment.
'Baby, of course I don't mind that you're calling me mom; but you don't need to don't use your brother as an excuse,' Kate sighed. 'I just don't want you to feel like you're obligated to,'
Alexis looked at Kate like she'd just spoken Klingon, and shook her head. 'Just as you were never obligated to become the woman I look to as my mom,' Alexis replied. 'I love you Kate, I love you more than I thought possible,' she shrugged. 'And I can't imagine my life without you in it, now,'
'Hey,' Kate soothed, when she heard the quiver in her daughter's voice. 'Sweetheart, I'm not going anywhere,' she assured, while grabbing the young woman's hand, and pulling her into her arms again. Alexis snuggled into her mom, and rested her hand on Kate's growing baby bulge. 'I'm not going to convince to stop calling you brother Mouse either, am I?' and she felt her daughter shake her head.
'What if we find out it's a girl? Mouse is unisex,' Alexis shrugged.
'Seriously,' Kate giggled and felt Alexis move to look out the window, as the car slowed.
'We're here.'
Kate looked towards the building they'd pulled up in front of. 'This is…'
'Where you talked me into coming home,' Alexis finished.
Kate was startled by the car door opening, and turned to find her husband standing on the sidewalk. Taking Rick's hand, Kate exited the car, and moved to wrap her arms around him, melting into her husband's embrace.
'Morning beautiful,' Rick murmured, before capturing his wife's lips in a searing kiss, and gently caressing their unborn child. Releasing his slightly breathless wife, he turned to help their daughter out of the car.
'Is everything ready?' Alexis asked when she exited the car.
'Morning to you too, Pumpkin,' he grumbled, before pulling his daughter into a hug. 'Don't worry, everything's ready,' he assured, releasing his daughter. 'Thank you Tony, we'll be a couple of hours here, so I'll text you when we're ready to leave.' Rick informed, shaking the older man's hand.
'Sure thing, Mr Castle,'
Rick looked back to his wife and daughter, and felt a lump at the base of his throat. He watched Alexis thread her arm through Kate's, leading the older woman into the restaurant; and remembered back to a time when Alexis couldn't stand the thought of him being with Kate. And it only made his wife and daughter's relationship all the more extraordinary.
'Happy mother's day,' he heard Alexis say, when Rick came to stand behind the two women.
Kate stood and looked on in stunned silence. 'How'd you…'
Jim walked up to his daughter, and Kate melted into her dad's embrace. 'Happy mother's day, Katie,' Jim whispered. 'Your mom would be so proud of you.'
Kate clung to her dad, breathing in his familiar scent. 'Thank you, daddy,' Kate shifted back so she could look up at her dad, and closed her eyes briefly when he placed a loving kiss on her forehead.
'How's my grandbaby?' he asked, looking down at the growing swell of his daughter's belly.
'He's good, this morning,' Kate answered, smoothing a hand over baby bump. 'No morning sickness…yet,' she smiled.
'Still convinced you're having a boy then,' Jim asked, and Kate just nodded. 'Your mom was lucky; she didn't have much in the way of morning sickness,' Jim explained. 'But boy, did she have some bizarre cravings,' he laughed.
'The morning sickness is getting better, but I have I this constant craving for butter,' Kate grumbled. 'Like I'm talking I could eat a stick of butter….wrapped in bacon…I'm turning into Homer Simpson,' she sighed.
'Your mom's was cashews and ketchup, had to have cashews and ketchup with everything,' Kate giggled as her dad scrunched up his nose.
Kate caught Martha walking up to them, out of the corner of her eye. 'Don't worry Katherine, Alexis has made sure there's plenty of butter, bacon and pancakes.' Kate stepped back from her dad, and moved into Martha's embrace. 'Happy mother's day, darling,'
'Happy mother's day, Martha,' Kate replied, as she watched her dad wandered over to talk to Rick.
'How did you're visit with your mother go?' the matriarch asked, and Kate just nodded in response. 'Alexis came to me during week; she was so worried about going with you today,'
'Why?' Kate asked, moving back to look at her mother-in-law.
'My granddaughter was just being silly,' Martha assured. 'Alexis was worried she'd be intruding on a very private time for you.'
'But I asked her to go with me,' Kate stressed.
'We are talking about Alexis here,' was all Martha said, and both women looked over to where Alexis was ensuring their table as set up correctly. 'You know she worries, she worries about her dad, and now she worries about you too.'
'It's not her job to worry about us,' Kate whispered, and looked back at Martha when she felt the older woman squeeze her hand. 'We're supposed to worry about her.'
'Katherine, Alexis has worried about her father, her entire life….with good reason,' Martha held up her hands to forestall Kate's argument. 'And as you well know, there is no off switch, if there were, the therapy profession would go out of business overnight,' Kate blushed under her mother-in-laws knowing look. 'But darling, I've seen my granddaughter grow from strength to strength under your guidance. And while yes, there are times Alexis still clings to her father, and now to you, just look at the young woman you've helped raise,' Martha said proudly.
Kate looked over to where Alexis was putting the finishing touches on the table containing beautifully wrapped presents, before walking over to talk to one of the waiters. 'Where's everyone else?' Kate asked when she looked around the empty restaurant.
'Apparently, Alexis booked the whole place out early last month,' Martha smiled. 'You know Katherine,' Martha said, turning back to her daughter-in-law. 'There are times I wonder how on earth Richard raised such a perfect child, and then on days like to today, I realise she's just like her father,'
'She didn't have to go to all this trouble,' Kate sighed. 'We could've just had breakfast back at the loft.'
'Katherine, I couldn't agree more,' Martha stated, and looked around at the tasteful decorations Alexis had placed around their table. 'But I get the feeling this place holds a very special place in my granddaughters heart…I'm right aren't I?' Martha smiled.
Kate just nodded, and watched as Alexis walked up to Rick and her father. There was a brief exchange, and both men quickly moved towards their designated table, Rick looking back sheepishly at his wife.
'You can't tell me, my granddaughter's not a detective in the making,' Martha smiled.
'Martha, Alexis' only passed the entrance exam,' Kate warned. 'She still has a long way to go yet.'
'I know darling, but a grandmother can dream, can't she?' Martha sighed, as she watched her granddaughter walk towards them.
'Hey,' Alexis came to stand in front of her mom and grandmother, shifting nervously on the spot, while looking between the two women.
'This is perfect,' Kate smiled, and watched her daughter breathe a sigh of relief.
'Thank you.'
'Well I'm going to take my seat,' Martha announced, and walked over to their table.
'I know it's over the top,' Alexis said with self-depreciation, but Kate just shook her head. 'This place will always be special to me, because this is where you showed me how much you cared about me, where you talked me into coming home,' Alexis pulled her mom in to her arms, and clung to her. 'Where you helped save my relationship with dad, and I just wanted to do something special for you,' she whispered.
'Thank you, baby girl,' Kate stood back, and took her daughter's hand. 'Thank you, not just for this, but for accepting me, for loving me. You and your dad and your Grams, have given me the family I thought I'd never have,' Kate let go of Alexis' hand, and thread her arm through her daughter's. 'Now, I don't know about you, but I'm starving, and I see a big plate of bacon your father's eyeing off,' Kate giggled. 'So how about we go have breakfast so I can open my presents.'
Alexis giggled, and allowed her mom to lead them to the table. She rolled her eyes at Jim and her father fighting over the plate of bacon, while Martha chastised both of them. 'Happy mother's day, thank you for being my mom,' Alexis whispered.
'Always.'
Author's notes: I hunted high and low to try to find any reference to where Joanna Beckett was buried. So for the sake of my opening paragraphs, I had her buried at Green-Wood.