Slowly, I wake up, but keep my eyes closed. I almost instantly feel like I'm being watched. My first instinct is that Castle has gone beyond his usual creepiness. Realizing that I'm probably just being paranoid, I remember that I have a beautiful little five year old girl with the brightest blue eyes and the cutest smile in the room down the hall from mine. Riley often attempted waking me up by quietly staring at me until I finally open my eyes. Nothing's different about today. "Hello beautiful," I open my eyes to see my daughter staring back at me with a huge smile spread across her face. "It's too early. Why are you so happy?" Riley giggled as she climbed in bed beside me.
"Mommy, you know why." I actually had forgotten for a short moment, but I would never let her know that.
"I know, being five is a big deal. However," I paused for a minute, "I'd rather not be reminded that my baby girl is growing up." Her cheeky grin never once left her face. I my arms tightly around my daughter as if she needed protection.
"I'm still little mommy, don't worry." She assured me and I couldn't help, but laugh just a little.
"What do you want to do for your birthday? Uncle Javi, Uncle Kevin and Aunt Lanie aren't coming until tonight so we have," I paused to look at the clock on my bedside table. "About ten and a half hours. Now why'd you have to go and wake me up at 8:00? I don't get to sleep in everyday you know."
"I wanna go to work with you. You should know this by now mommy."
"Yes, I know Riley. But I don't have work today. I took off just for you. Isn't there anything you could possibly want to do?" She thought about it for a long time and I began to think she would never actually answer my question.
"Then I wanna meet Richard Castle. You always tell me stories about him, but I want to meet the real him."
"Riley..." I trailed off in an attempt to give myself time to think. "How about we eat breakfast first and then we can discuss this?" I suggested, but she had her mind set and I knew it would be difficult to change it.
"Fine, but only because I'm hungry," she pouted and wiggled out of my embrace and ran to the other side of my bed to pull me out.
"You wanna go out for breakfast? Or I can make you something extra special..." I recommended, but she didn't seem very interested.
"Cinnamon toast crunch is fine." Her smile slightly fell as she took a seat at the table.
"C'mon Riles, don't be like that. I know your upset and you'll probably feel much better later, but it's your birthday. Cheer up now, don't wait for later." I walked around the table after pouring her cereal and getting a bowl for myself and hugged her from behind. She attempted a small smile as I kissed her head. "How about we spend the entire day in our..." I was cut off by a knock at the door. "To be continued."
"Why don't you ever answer your phone? I've been texting you all morning and I started getting worried. By the way, nice place." Castle was now standing in my doorway and probably would have entered my apartment if I wasn't in the way.
"Castle? Wha... what are you doing..." This time, Riley cut me off.
"Wait! Castle? Like Richard Castle? Like famous author and crime-fighting partner?" She seemed to have cheered up immensely in a matter of a minute.
"Yes, and who might this cutie be?"
He wondered past me and I whispered, "Please, come in," as I rolled my eyes.
"Hi I'm Riley." She basically skipped happily to Castle and shook his hand. He gladly took it and smiled down at her.
"So, Beckett, who is this cutie? You have a niece I don't know about? Or do you babysit on your days off?" The last thing either of them need is an ego boost.
"Nope." Riley's smile never left her face, even as she told her favorite writer that she is my daughter. Castle's smile faded as he realized that she wasn't lying. For once in his life, Richard Castle was speechless. He looked to me for confirmation and I only changed the subject.
"So what are you doing here?" He seemed to forget why he was there. His mouth moved as he tried to form words, but just couldn't.
"Um... Uh... Oh right!" He started heading to the door as if he was suddenly embarrassed. "There was a kidnapping. You didn't answer your phone. I'm sorry for disrupting your day off. Obviously you're busy and I should just..."
"Just let me get dressed and we can carpool," I cut him off. I told Riley to get dressed as I ran to my room to change. I called my dad and he didn't answer so I had no choice, but to bring Riley with me. "Sweetie? You ready to go?" She paused dramatically before strutting down the hallway and striking a pose.
"How do I look for my first day?" She smiled and I couldn't help but laugh while Castle applauded.
"Beckett," he gasped, "your daughter is talented. Of course she would take after you."
"Aren't you a little overdressed? You will be staying in the..."
"You can't make me stay in the..."
"Riley," I said a little more sternly and she quieted down.
"Well trained too! You guys could be twins," he smiled, holding open the door for us.
"Thank you," Riley politely thanked him and sashayed out the door. I rolled my eyes and thanked Castle.