Disclaimer: I do not own Castle
Chapter 2
Dinner was rather silent. Her parents, supposedly having had an argument earlier, were not talking to each other at all now. The only conversation made on the table was about passing the food around, and she was the only one spoken to.
Avril had grown used to this now. It had been quite a few years now that her parents had been fighting. Things had gotten worse and she had now learned to live with it.
She had learned the hard way that interfering in their fights would only lead to her dad yelling more at her, and her mom would just yell back to defend her. And it would go on and on.
And like almost every second night, tonight too, her Dad left after dinner, saying he had somewhere to be.
After they were changed into their PJs, Avril sat on the living room couch along with her mom, and heard about the case she had today.
Her mom, Kate Beckett, was a smart, sassy, great homicide detective. She was amazing at her job and Always managed to bring justice to the victim's family. Avril had always been proud of the work her mom did, and every night they'd sit together after dinner and she'd tell her all about the day's events.
"What was the fight about today?" Avril finally asked.
Kate sighed and looked down.
"Mom, come on tell me…"
"He asked me where you were and I didn't know, so he just began yelling, and I yelled too and it turned nasty."
"I'm sorry…"
"No honey… don't apologize."
"You know mom, it's not like he cares anyway, I mean you saw it yourself."
Kate pulled Avril in closer to her for a hug and said… "I know. But he's your father. Somewhere deep down he does care…"
"Whatever…" She replied and then stood up and said… "I'm going to bed. Got a long day ahead tomorrow."
"Don't you want to tell me about your day honey?"
Avril thought about it, she did want to tell her mom about her day. She really wanted too, but she knew her mom had had a really rough day, she looked tired and defeated and she needed sleep. So she just leaned in and kissed her and said,
"I'll tell you tomorrow… Why don't you go get some sleep too."
Kate smiled and nodded her head.
After Avril ran up to her room to retire for the night, Kate wiped her face with her hands. She was tired and frustrated and angry and hurt all at once.
Will Sorenson used to be the only man on this earth to make her feel so loved. And now he was the man she hated the most.
He had changed over the years.
When Kate informed him of her pregnancy back when they were in college, he wanted nothing to do with the baby. Kate raised Avril on her own for the first five years of her life.
Then one day Will came knocking on her door to apologize for not being there and that he now wanted to be a part of their life. he wanted to be here for his daughter, for Kate. and so they had decided to tie the knot. Kate wanted to give her child the experience of being in a proper family. and that worked. For the next three years that is.
Right from the third year of their marriage she had noticed something different about him. And because she didn't approach it then, it had now, five years later, swelled into this.
Their fights never end. He picks on her every move. It's as if he's waiting for her to give up. Like he wants an out and he's too cowardly to make the first move. Kate would have never gone so far in a defunct marriage had it not been for her daughter.
What would Avril go through if they decided to separate? They were a family. And you can't just make decisions about a ruined relationship that would lead to another relation being damaged. She didn't want Avril to have to live as a child with a single parent. No, that's not how a young girl should grow up. She needs a father figure in her life.
But then again, Kate thought, it's not like Will was being a good father to her now anyway. And Avril herself can see very clearly that her father has changed. Kate felt bad for her daughter. She didn't deserve this. No child deserves to come home to their parents fighting each and every day. And Kate felt horrible that she was that kind of a parent now.
But she was helpless; she loved her daughter, more than she's ever loved anyone else. And she wants what's best for her. Even though the thought of filing a divorce has come up umpteen times, Kate always pushed it away, wondering how it would affect Avril.
To add to the fights that they've been having, Kate was also beginning to suspect now that her husband was having an affair. Why else would he leave almost every night and return only in the mornings to change and go to work. And then they'd see him only again for dinner.
Even on the nights he decided to stay, he wasn't actually here. His mind always seemed pre occupied or he'd always be on the phone. And if she ever tried to ask him who it was that he was talking to, all he'd say was that it was work related. And he wouldn't give her any more details.
Clearly, their marriage was not what it was years ago. And she knew that it was just the formalities of a divorce that was left to be done… because in reality, the marriage they were living didn't seem like a marriage at all.
With all of these thoughts running through her head, Kate's mind was utterly exhausted and her body craved rest. She fell asleep on the couch itself.
When Rick Castle was done making breakfast for his daughter and mother, he checked his phone and was notified of a new text message.
The time stamp said it was received last night. It was from Avril. He smiled to himself as he read. "Thank you , for all your help today. Can't wait to work with you tomorrow too. You are a kind man."
He replied back immediately. "Good morning Avril, just saw your text. How about I meet you for coffee today before you go off to school. And if you're lucky, you might be able to submit your assignment today."
"Awesome, will meet you at 8 at the coffee shop near the library." came her quick reply.
Castle went ahead and changed and wished his daughter a good day at school. Just before he rushed out, she asked, "Where are you going dad?"
"There's this student I met yesterday at the library, she needed a little help with her assignment, so I just thought I'd help her out."
"That's sweet of you dad."
"Thanks, I'll be back soon. I'll pick you up from school today okay. Bye pumpkin"
saying this he left the loft and walked to the café, excited to meet Avril again.
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