The slumber party is only a week away and Rick is starting to panic. He could really use Kate's help but he didn't want to admit defeat and ask her again. He was a grown man. He should be able to throw a party for his daughter and her friends. But that was the problem. He was a grown man. He didn't have the slightest clue what young girls did at a slumber party. Looking around the living room, Rick saw Alexis was playing with a few toys on the floor.
Getting up he walked out of the living room and down the hallway to the front door. It was late and the darkness engulfed the hallway. Opening his door slightly he looked across the hall for a sign that Kate was home. He was studying the edges of her door frame looking for a sliver of light when he heard a voice behind him.
"What are you doing Daddy?"
Startled he jumped and turned to see Alexis watching him. "I was uh just looking. What are you doing?"
"I came to find you," Alexis stated. "I'm getting hungry. Can we have pizza tonight?"
"Sure," Rick sighed. "I'll call and place our order. Do you want to eat there or here?"
"Here," Alexis stated very matter of fact. Rick called the nearest pizza parlor and place his order. He knew that pizza on a Friday night in New York City would be in high demand so it didn't surprise him when the employee told him the wait was over an hour. Rick just took his number and hung up the phone. As the time approached sooner, he got his and Alexis's coats.
"Ready?" He asked once they were all zipped up. Alexis nodded and they set off for the pizza parlor down the block. It was crowded but not in an obtrusive way. Rick quickly paid while Alexis waved good-bye to the employees.
"Daddy can I-"
"Push the button?" Rick finished the question for her. "Yes please. This pizza box is hot." Alexis ran ahead of him through the lobby and around the corner towards the elevators. She was just about to push the button when she heard her name being called. Turning around she spotted Kate holding an elevator door open.
"Where's your dad?" Kate asked with a smile.
Alexis's face broke out into a huge grin. "He's coming. He's carrying the pizza."
"Oh pizza?" Kate smiled. "Is that for your party?"
Alexis shook her head. "No that's next weekend. Daddy look Kate got us an elevator."
Rick's strides slowed as he entered the elevator mumbling a quick thanks. The ride up was awkward between the adults as Alexis chatted animatedly. Alexis lead them out as the doors slid open on their floor and happily skipped down the hallway until she reached their doors and turned on the adults.
"Kate do you want to have dinner with us?"
Kate smiled at her innocence. "Thank you sweetie but that's really something your dad has to decide on," Kate stole a glance at Rick. "Besides I'm sure he wasn't planning on an extra person for dinner." She wouldn't admit to the girl that she was a little mad at her father for his easy dismissal after her asked for her help.
"Daddy can Kate eat over please?" Alexis dragged the last word out for a few seconds before Rick sighed.
"Kate, would you like to join us for dinner?"
Kate looked between the father and daughter. "Thank you but I-"
"Alexis can you take this inside. It isn't so hot any more," Rick interrupted. Alexis took the pizza and went inside. Rick waited until he was certain that Alexis wouldn't be able to hear him before he turned to Kate. "I was a jerk and I am sorry. I asked for your help and then didn't listen to any of your suggestions. Now it's less then a week until the party and I'm exactly where I was before. Please considering having dinner with us Kate and if it's not too much, helping me with this party. I can't do it without you."
"Apology accepted," Kate smiled. Rick felt relief wash over him. He looked over his shoulder at his apartment.
"After you?" He questioned more nervous then he had been before.
Kate bit her lip. "Can I get changed and meet you in a few? I just got off of work."
Realization practically slapped him across the face as he realized their impromptu dinner plans were indeed just that. Waving off his surprise he told her he'd leave the door unlocked for her. Rick watched as she walked into her apartment. She just got off of work. What did she do for a living? She wasn't wearing a standard uniform of a minimum wage worker. Her outfit seemed to be on the higher priced scale which meant she had to be doing alright for herself. There was so much he didn't know about her.
"Daddy!" Rick jumped again at the sound of his daughter's voice. "I've been calling you. Is Kate going to eat with us?"
"Yes pumpkin, she is," Rick felt himself smiling in what felt like a long time.
A/N: I know I said I was going to do weekly updates but I started a new job and have been crazy swamped. I only stopped here because I thought that would be a cute place to rest for you as the reader. Me, I don't have to be at work until 4pm tomorrow so I plan on writing as much as I can tonight (btw it's only like 9:30) So I hoped you enjoyed this little chapter. I'm going to try and make the chapters longer but that probably won't be until we get over all this awkwardness.