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"Well, for Lizzi here, it'll be formula, for me, whatever you can cook while I'm giving her a bath"
While Castle found something to cook, Kate took her daughter to her bedroom to take her pyjamas and then they headed to the bathroom. Sometimes Kate felt guilty to leave her daughter all day, either with Castle or in day care. But in the evening, Elizabeth Johanna Castle was completely hers, and nobody could ever change that. Even Castle never tried to interrupt their special time. Once she got Lizzi clean, she got back downstairs where a warm bottle of formula was waiting on the counter table. Smiling, she took it and headed for the coach where Rick was waiting for the news.
"Thanks" she said, sitting close enough to him so he could put his arm around her, like he always did. It's was a sort of tradition for them now. Since Alexis had left for college, Rick had become much more protective over Kate and Lizzi, much to his wife dismay. At least when she was still at home, Alexis bore her share of really annoying Castle. It was getting better these days. He had just started writing a new Nikki Heat novel and did not follow her as much as before, so at least she could do her job properly. She smiled at the idea.
"What are you smiling at? " he asked, still focused on the TV
"How do you do that?" she asked, putting down Lizzi's empty bottle
"Do what" he asked finally turning to her
"Know that I'm smiling without even looking at me!"
"It's just that I know you soooooo well" he teased, bending over to kiss her.
"Right, that's your answer to so many questions I'm starting to doubt your honesty . And all the clocks in that house."
"What? Why? I …"
"Well, I'm gonna put Lizzi to bed, you finish dinner, I'll be right back" she said, leaving him totally confused on the coach.
He could hear her laughing going up the stairs. "Oh God I love her" he thought as he was checking the dinner.
Fifteen minutes later, she was back downstairs, leaning on the kitchen counter while Rick was taking the plates and cutlery.
"So, what did you do today?"
"I finished paperwork on the Marshall case"
"That's all you did all day?"
"Well, that and looking in the phone book for a husband who would not forget his daughter in day care…"
"Oh Kate I'm so sorry, I didn't think it was so late. Oh … I understand now ! But you have no reason to doubt any clock anywhere in this house. But you may have some reason of doubting your husband."
"Tell me something I don't know!" she said taking her seat next to him on the counter.
"Hey !"
"I'm just saying ! Maybe you should change your "you should be writing " screen saver for "don't forget your daughter" or something"
"You'll never let me hear the end of it right?"
"Hmm, maybe one day, right now it's quite funny " she said, kissing him and taking their plates to the sink.
As she was loading the dishwasher, she could feel him getting closer, but still couldn't help but shiver when she felt his hands on her waist. Even after so long, it still surprised her that he had this effect on her.
"You know, in a way it's your fault if I ALMOST forgot her. I want to stress ALMOST because I'm sure it was fate that made you call me tonight. I'm sure it was a sign from the universe, and as you know perfectly well, I never let the universe down, contrary to you."
"You know that you're not making any sense right?" she said, turning to face him. "And how YOU forgetting our daughter is MY fault?"
"Well" he said coming closer to her "I got kind of a boost of imagination after what happened last night, and if I had waited longer, it would not have been vivid enough in my mind to do it justice".
"What do you write exactly?" she asked eyeing him suspiciously "because you know I have a right of veto when you expose our private life to everyone."
"The good thing is, it's not you and me, it's Rook and Nikki" he answered, kissing her neck softly.
"hmm I can still take a look at it tomorrow" she said, her eyes closing against her will.
In another part of town, he was there, ready to do what has to be done, what should have been done a long time ago. After having gathered all the things he could use, he went to bed. But first, he stopped in front of her pictures, tracing her face with his fingers. His plan was going to get him closer to her, he was going to free her, he was going to have her for himself, just as it was before, and just as it should be.
"Good night Detective Beckett-Castle. I never forgot you. I will never forget you".
