Castle and The Originals

Chapter 20

"It feels good in here."

Kate nodded in agreement as Alexis quickly closed the door to their SUV. She was enjoying the warmth inside the idling vehicle. In fact, she was pretty sure she had been about ten seconds away from falling asleep when the teenager arrived. The light flurries of the afternoon had given way to a full blown snowstorm in the last few hours or so.

Realizing Alexis was alone, Kate asked. "Where's Shelby?"

She was pretty sure she had seen the two girls together in the receiving line a few minutes earlier.

"She and Liam are riding to the reception with Gram and Grandpa Jim."

Kate's brow furrowed.

"Liam?" She was mentally running names and faces in her mind. "Is Liam Jenny's brother or Ryan's cousin?"

Alexis laughed. "Both actually, but this particular Liam is Ryan's cousin."

"There are two Liam's? I thought there were two Patrick's." Kate's head hurt from trying to figure it out.

"You're right, there are two of them as well, but they're both on Jenny's side. Don't ask me how that happens."

It was Kate's turn to laugh. "So, Shelby and one of the Liam's huh? Are you okay with that?"

Kate flipped the visor down so she could see Alexis's reflection. Normally she would just twist in her seat to converse with someone in the back, but in her current condition nothing worked like normal anymore.

"Oh yeah, it's fine. She was so hesitant about coming to New York, I'm just glad she's figured out that it isn't all bad here." Alexis paused. "Besides..."

Kate could feel it coming; the talk her husband had hinted at. She closed her eyes and waited for what the youngster had to say. A part of her hoped she was wrong, she wasn't really in the mood for a heart-in-heart. In fact, if she had to name the hardest part of this 'family' thing it would be the talk. Kate had never been a talker; had always bottled things up. Yes, she knew it wasn't healthy, but it was her way; had always been her way. When Rick came along with his ever-constant jabbering she considered the ramifications of shooting him more than a few times just to get him to shut up; on a couple of occasions prison seemed a favorable alternative. Over time however, the bulk of their communication relied less on words and more on looks, gestures, glances and touches.

With Alexis it was different, conversation was her constant. Rick discussed everything with his daughter and so did her grandmother. Alexis needed words; needed to say words; needed to hear words to know all was right in her world. Loving Alexis meant understanding this about her, but understanding and liking are often two very different things. As far as Kate was concerned love didn't conquer all; love just puts you in the ring; whether or not you stayed for the fight was up to you. But in the mood or not, Kate would always be willing to stay for the fight if it meant easing Alexis's mind. 'Okay, in a way maybe love does conquer all.'

"I kind of wanted to talk to you alone for a sec."

"Sure sweetie, what's up?"

Alexis hesitated; she glanced around the backseat as if she had lost something. "What are we waiting for anyway, where's Dad?"

"He went to get Lanie and Esposito; they're riding over with us, I'm starving and they seem to be lollygagging." She really was starving and a starving Kate made for a cranky Kate.

"Oh, I didn't realize they were riding with you guys, I should've stayed with..."

"Alexis, there's plenty of room back there for the three of you!" Kate interrupted with a little more bite than intended.