Chapter 1

When Rick and Kate cleared customs, they scanned the arrivals terminal and readily recognized the two redheads frantically waving for them. They moved forward through the crowd as quickly as their jet lagged bodies would allow. Before they knew it they were enveloped in matching enthusiastic hugs. The greetings overlapped.

"Dad!"

"Welcome back, Darling"

Alexis reluctantly released her grip on her father only to jump on Kate.

"Hi, we're so happy you're back!"

"Richard"

"Mother"

They made their way to the car and the driver loaded all of their luggage in the back. While his mother and daughter were plying him with questions, Kate took the opportunity to let go of Rick's hand and pull out her phone to text Lanie.

Back on terra firma but tired as hell. Breakfast tomorrow?

The response took but a minute. You know it, girl, welcome back.

Back at the loft, Rick dug into his suitcase and produced the silver jewelry they'd acquired. Both women were appreciative, particularly when they noted the matching piece Kate wore.

They had a simple dinner and then Martha took her leave. Alexis kept the newlyweds up for a while asking questions about their various stops. They recounted as much as they could, leaving out the details that might scar her for life. Eventually they made their excuses and headed up to bed.

Kate had changed into a lightweight cotton teddy and was brushing her hair in front of the mirror. She smiled as she saw Rick approach and wrap his arms around her waist. Pressing a kiss to her neck he murmured, "Welcome home, Mrs. Castle."

Sitting at an outdoor table she waved as she saw Lanie approaching. The petite ME leaned in for a hug as she took her seat. After placing their order, details were shared about every destination. As she prepared to dish about the beach in Nice, Kate warned her friend.

"Now listen, no shrieking when I tell you this part." She then relayed her adventures on the topless beach, especially her little 'Gotcha' to Rick. Poor Lanie's eyes were almost popping out when the tale was over.

"I've said it for years, that man is good for you. He makes you have fun."

She told all about foiling the cheaters in Monte Carlo, their lovely stops in Italy and Greece, and of course more complete details about their crime solving in Moscow.

When all was said, Lanie was grinning from ear to ear. "Well you look fantastic, the tan agrees with you. I'm so happy for you, Beckett. Or is it going to be Castle now?"

"Well we talked about it, and for work stuff I am going to stick to Beckett. That's the name I've built my career with, and besides, how confusing is it gonna be at a scene or at the station house if someone hollers 'Yo, Castle' and we both turn around?"

Summer drew to a close and the family had one last Labor Day hurrah at the house in the Hamptons, playing on the beach, barbecuing, sailing, before it was time to help Alexis move into her dorm room at Rutgers. She'd decided that with the agile mind she'd gotten from her father and the passion she'd learned from her stepmother that pursuing a Criminal Justice degree was only natural.

Wanting to keep things low key, they rented an SUV to hall her belongings in. Using the map they'd been given at orientation, they drove along College Avenue and coasted to a stop in front of Tinsley Hall. Rick helped her carry the first load into the brick fronted four storey building. She'd been assigned a room on the second floor, and from the look of things, her roommate hadn't yet arrived. "Early bird gets the window, I guess," she said, gesturing to one of the beds. Rick put the carton he was carrying down on it, then turned to her.

"Tell you what, Honey. You stay here and start unpacking, Kate and I can take turns carrying your stuff in."

"Ok, Dad, thanks."

And so it went for the next hour or so, Rick and Kate using the tag team approach and carrying Alexis' belongings into the building. A few times she took a turn herself. Before leaving her father alone in her room she pinned him with a glare. "Now Dad. Don't go trying to intimidate any boys that come around her while I'm gone, ok?"

"Ok Pumpkin. Wait, boys, what boys?" he called to her retreating back.

Despite his screaming fatherly instincts, he stayed inside her room, scheming about how he might arrange things so that she had more space.

When everything had been moved in, they went to a farewell dinner hosted at Brower Commons Dining Hall next door. Castle made as many juvenile comments as he could, disparaging the food, until he actually tasted it.

"Wow, not bad."

"I know, right? With this food I'll put on my freshman 15 in no time. Good thing the gym is so close by."

Kate could tell by the way his brow furrowed that he was thinking about girls with body image issues. She squeezed his knee under the table. "Just remember moderation, Lex. I bet walking to classes will do plenty to keep your metabolism up."

After they'd had dessert, including seconds for Rick, Kate could see it was time to move things along. Willing to be the 'bad guy', she declared "Well, this has been great, but we really need to get back to the city, I have court in the morning and I need to prep."

She hugged Alexis and then went to the car, allowing father and daughter their private moment.

"You sure you're gonna be ok here?"

"Dad," she replied, shielding the tears behind a layer of exasperation, "I'm going to be fine. And you will, too. Kate will take good care of you. Now I've got to go meet my new roommate, and if you don't move it, Kate's going to be mad."

They shared one last hug before she jogged off into the building.

Kate was already behind the wheel. "C'mon, let's go home. I'll even let you play with the radio."

"Kate, thanks, for everything."

She nodded, grateful for the falling darkness that would hide the slight redness in her eyes. She'd gotten misty herself, watching their farewell and thinking how she, too, would miss the spunky teen that she'd bonded with.