Chapter 1- A Change of Plans
"But it's Christmas Paula," Castle whined. He used to love the book tours. It meant women from all around throwing themselves at him, but now that his partner was his he couldn't even think of doing another book signing without cringing at the thought of having to endure meeting all of those fans.
"Look Rick it's only a couple of meetings and a luncheon with potential clients," Paula stated matter-of-factly. "You're not getting out of this one. I have cancelled many tours and meetings just so you can follow around that girlfriend of yours."
Castle rubbed a hand over the stubble on his face trying to ease him from yelling at her for that last comment. How could she call her that girlfriend? She knows how he feels about her and that without her those book tours wouldn't even exist. He calms a little because he knows she didn't mean it, well he at least hoped that she didn't mean it. "Look Paula… I'm sorry for not doing those tours, but-"
"No buts Rick you are going to this meeting whether you like it or not. You will be off Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but your short tour starts immediately after," Paula stated dryly without any room to compromise.
"Fine, but I'm not going to be a kiss up, or like it"
"As long as you're there I'm happy. See you in Dallas, Rick," Paula hung up the phone not allowing herself to her Castle's whines any longer.
"Ugh that woman is infuriating," he said to himself while stomping towards his bedroom. He and Kate got ready for a day of paperwork that morning when Paula called. He thought that she was going to give him good news about his impending book deal, so he told Kate that he would meet her at the precinct.
"Really Castle, are you sure this isn't just a way of getting out of doing paperwork again?" Kate said as she was walking out of the door giving him an annoyed look.
He knew that when she walked out he might be in the doghouse, but he really didn't want to do paperwork, especially if Paula was calling with good news.
He hated the fact that he not only got the look from his beautiful girlfriend, but also that the news he got was far from good. He knew his impending book deal was going to be a challenge this time around with Black Pawn changing executives, but he never thought it would go as far as having to travel to Texas for a chance to state his case for a new contract.
Castle decided that maybe a break from New York on Christmas would be good for him and Kate, with last year's Christmas fresh in his mind. He knew that she would want to be with her friends and family, so maybe he could talk them into going with them, his treat of course.
He started to walk out of the loft as Alexis walked in carrying her laundry and a box of books and electronics.
"Hey Dad, what are you doing here? I thought you were going to be at the precinct all day," Alexis said dropping her things on the couch and heading to give her dad a well needed hug. She might only be going to school a few miles away, but it was still weird even in her sophomore year to be living out of the loft.
"Hey Pumpkin, I was going to head out just now, but if you want me to stay and help you do your laundry I will," he said kissing her head.
"Let me guess Dad, Kate has paperwork today so you're playing hooky, and you want to use me as an excuse?" she said pushing him out of her grasp to not give into his childish ways.
"No, well yes, but no…" he said trying to figure out how to tell his daughter the bad news. "Paula called this morning and I thought it was going to be about my book. So I told Kate to go in without me and that I would meet her later. She seemed okay with it, but I know that she won't be glad to hear the news about the phone call. I hate disappointing her, but I really don't want to go in to do paperwork, and I know that there-"
"Dad you're rambling, get to the point," Alexis said while pushing him on the couch to stop him from going on for minutes.
"Oh right, well when Paula called it was about the book, but it wasn't in a good way. She said that due to the changing of executives' nonsense, I would have to go to Dallas for some meetings and a couple of book signings. So they could see for themselves that I still had the pizazz," he said with a jazz hand gesture on the last word and sounding breathless as if all his problems were lifted off his shoulders.
"Okay, so you're telling me that you have some meetings and a book signing. I don't get why Kate would be mad at that, she knows how they work, she's seen you sign girls' chests before," Alexis said quizzically while searching for a clue on her father's face as to what he is trying to say.
"My meetings are going to be before and after Christmas," he said exasperatedly.
"Okay, then we will go with you. I know that you want to keep traditions and everything, but maybe we could start some new traditions. We could find a place to stay and invite everyone down there with us, especially if this deal goes through," Alexis said as if it was the only option.
"Can you read minds, because I thought of that not but 10 minutes ago," Rick said grabbing his daughter and kissing her gratefully on the head multiple times.
"Daaaddd," Alexis whined while wriggling out of her dad's arms. "Go tell Kate and the boys. I'll start the research and finish my laundry."
"Thank you, Pumpkin," Castle said while grabbing his jacket and keys hurrying out the door.
