Fictober #15: The Light In His Eyes
“Hey Alexis,” Kate called out, standing in the doorway of her stepdaughter's room. “You got a second?”
“Sure Kate, come in,” Alexis made room on the bed for Kate to sit, offering a hand to help the pregnant woman maintain her balance as she did so.
“Thanks,” Kate smiled at her, feeling self-conscious about needing the help but Alexis didn’t make a big deal out of it.
“What’s up?” Alexis asked.
“I need your help,” Kate told her.
Alexis smiled. “Sure, everything okay?”
“I messed up,” Kate admitted. “Your Dad wasn’t really excited for Halloween this year… and I get that. The first Halloween after my... “ She still couldn’t say shooting to Castle or Alexis, saw what that word could do to them. “But it’s your Dad’s favourite time of the year. Well, except for Christmas.”
Alexis nodded. She knew they’d been arguing over something but she kept out of it. As long as they mended it themselves, no separations or anyone leaving then she was staying out of it.
“He asked me to go to Pattersons party with him,” Kate told her. “And I… I feel like a whale.” She admitted, pointing at her very pregnant stomach.
Alexis sympathised with her. “And you don’t want to dress up.”
Kate winced. “See, I wish I’d put it that way.” She sighed. “I know I’ve been… a lot to deal with lately. I’m sorry you and your Dad are putting up with these hormones. But can you please help me plan something to make it up to him?”
Alexis smiled. Kate was trying so hard to recover, deal with pregnancy and they were all getting their bearings around this and she could see the woman felt guilty.
“Kate, Dad loves you,” Alexis reminded her. “But you know what he’s like when he gets an idea. I have a hard time talking him out of things half the time too.”
Kate smiled. “That’s sweet. But I think I need to fix this one.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“Can you help me find something to wear?” Kate asked. “I’d normally ask Lanie but I was kind of hoping you might agree to a family thing. I think that would help him get past this nervousness.”
Alexis smiled. “Okay, I’m in.”
“I owe you,” Kate smiled.
“Give me a sister and we’ll call it even,” Alexis teased. “Maybe we could do movie night. Still dress up, eat candy but you’ll be more comfortable that way if you don’t want to go to this party.”
“Working on that first part,” Kate smirked. “Thanks Alexis. I don’t even know why your Dad wants to go. I practically had to drag him away from Patterson last time when they devolved into a heated debate over quality versus quantity.”
Alexis laughed. “Have I ever mentioned how glad I am you took over bailing him out at those parties?”
Kate grinned. She really adored Alexis and the last few months they’d finally had a chance to grow closer, the red head excited for the baby in a way Kate hadn't really expected. She had been a rock for Kate and for Castle through everything lately.
“I might have to tag you back in next time,” Kate teased.
Alexis grabbed her laptop and the two got comfortable, searching websites for something that would bring a smile to Castle’s face.
Alexis started laughing. “I know he would enjoy this,” Alexis pointed at a pumpkin dress for herself. “He already fills my room with pumpkins this time of year. I guess I could dress up for him.”
Kate smiled. She could picture the light in his eyes if Alexis did that for him.
“Oh, look, maternity,” Alexis gasped. “Pumpkin for the new pumpkin.”
Kate cringed. “I have always hate the color orange. Besides, you will always be his one and only pumpkin. Your sister will never change that.”
“I know,” Alexis nodded. It was something she’d talked to him about. A lot. Both of them never wanted Alexis to feel like she wasn’t part of this family. She was important to Kate and would always be Castle’s baby. “Consider it my first matching costume with my sister. Look they do it in black.”
Kate looked and smiled. “I actually kind of like that. It looks…”
“You can say sexy, Kate,” Alexis laughed.Â
“Order them,” Kate told her. “Let me get my card.”
She was actually looking forward to Halloween herself now.
Prompt: “I always hated the colour orange”