Okay, since some people requested more firsts, I decided to write a few more of their firsts. This one is the story of their first date. Remember this is AU and in no way canon... If you would like to see a 'first' just drop me a line...
As he stood looking at himself in the mirror in his bedroom, Richard Castle realized one thing. He was nervous about calling Kate Beckett and asking her out on a date. Sure, they had been on a date before, but Lanie and Espo had been there with them. They had helped to fill in the gaps when the conversation had stopped. Was he brave enough to call her and ask her out on a date that would only be the two of them? What would they talk about? Would she decide that he was too boring and not want to see him again?
So many questions filled his brain. He was interrupted when he felt Alexis climb into the bed with him. She snuggled close to him and he kissed the top of her tiny head and breathed in the scent of her baby shampoo. He didn't want her to grow up without a mother figure and he wasn't interested in bringing home a string of ladies to fill up the empty places in his heart. He wasn't sure how Kate would react to the fact that he had a little girl at home. Would she understand his desire to give her a normal family life? Or would Kate Beckett be like the other women that he had dated. Would she use Alexis to get close to him? Pretending to care about the little girl so that she could get closer to him. Then there were the women that heard about his little girl and ran in the other direction. They most definitely didn't want a ready made family. In his experience, most women only wanted the fame and fortune that dating Richard Castle brought to them. They didn't want to get to know the man behind the name. That was why his marriage with Meredith had fallen apart. After the initial honeymoon period, there wasn't much else left of the farce that had been his first marriage.
Looking down at his daughter, he made a split second decision. He would call Kate and ask her out on a date. He kissed his daughter one final time and then pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number that he had programmed into his phone. Smiling when she picked up saying, "Beckett..."
He still felt like a million butterflies had taken up roost in his stomach, but he pushed ahead and told her, "Hi Kate... It's Richard Castle."
On the other side of the phone, Kate smiled brightly and said softly, "Hi Rick.. I was hoping you would call me."
He seemed surprised and he smiled at her words, "You were?"
She laughed softly, "Yes..."
Rick smiled and let out a huge sigh of relief. Maybe this would go better than he had thought. So, he finally asked her, "Are you busy Saturday night? I can understand it if you are. It's short notice and I should have called or asked you before and..."
Kate laughed softly, "Rick...Slow down..."
"Right, right. I'm sorry. I'm just so nervous."
Crap. Did he actually come out and admit that to her? He hadn't meant to. But when he heard her reply he was immediately put at ease, "It's okay Rick. If it makes you feel better, I'm nervous also."
"You are?"
"I am."
"So are you?"
"Am I what?"
Rick laughed, "Are you busy Saturday? Because I would really love to see you again if you aren't. And if you are, we can do it another night."
Kate laughed softly, "Rick..."
"Okay. Sorry...I..."
"What time Saturday? It's my weekend off and..."
"How about I pick you up at six. Then we can go out to eat."
"I'd love to go out to eat with you. Just do me a favor."
"Anything."
"No place fancy. I'd much rather have a burger, fries and a milkshake."
"You would?"
"You sound surprised."
Rick didn't want to tell her that most of the women he dated preferred fancy restaurants over simple burgers and fries. Most of them thought that because he was a wealthy author he preferred fancy meals. When the truth was just the opposite. He would much rather eat simple meals at home with his daughter.
He finally told her, "I am. Surprised, but happy."
They talked for a few more minutes and then they hung up the phone. Rick felt happier than he had in years. Ever since he and Meredith had divorced, he had felt an empty place in his heart. For the first time ever, Rick thought that he might have a chance at a happy ending.
Kate was feeling the same thing on her end. She hadn't had a decent date in years. At least not until the other night. Meeting Rick almost felt like a dream. He was the first decent man that she'd met in years. When Lanie had called to tell her about a man she wanted her to meet, Kate's first thought had been to say no. Absolutely not. There was no way she was letting Lanie fix her up with anyone. She had done that once and it had nearly ended their friendship.
So, Kate told her friend, "I don't think she Lanie. Don't you remember what happened last time?"
Lanie had laughed at her friend, "I do. But Rick is different. He's Javi's best friend."
It was then that Kate thought about hanging up on her friend. She definitely didn't want anything to do with any friends of Espo's. She had met his friends and most of them had the IQ of a snail. Kate laughed and told Lanie, "I don't think so Lanie."
"Come on Kate. I promise that if you don't like him then I won't ever set you up with anyone again."
Kate tapped the nails of her right hand on her desk. She knew that this date would end in disaster, but she decided that she would do it. It was better than spending another night at home alone with only her tv to keep her company.
So, she sighed and told Lanie, "Fine, but this is the last time I'm letting you fix me up with someone. I don't care how good looking he might be..."
Little did she know it then, but that would come true. But not in a way she would have ever suspected.
Meeting Rick that first night was like something out of a fairytale. She hadn't been expecting to fall in love with him at first sight, but that was exactly what had happened. The moment he took her hand she had felt something magical between them. It was crazy, but true. In that moment, she knew that there would never be another man for her.
The night of their first solo date, Rick was standing in front of his mirror trying to decide which tie to wear. He was incredibly nervous. He had nearly ten ties laid out on the bed. Discarding each one after deciding that he didn't like it. Alexis came into the room and asked her father, "Are you nervous Daddy?"
Rick laughed and nodded, "I'm going out on a date."
Alexis smiled and looked down at the ties that her father had tried on. She put her little finger on her lips and tapped it a few times. She smiled and picked up a red tie with black marks on it. She held it up to his shirt and smiled, "This one daddy."
Rick looked at his daughter and smiled, "Are you sure?"
Nodding, Alexis told her father, "Positive daddy. Is Grams coming to watch me tonight?"
"Yep. And she told me that she has a special night planned for you. She's going to take you out to dinner to that kids place that you love. Then, she's going to do facials and beauty treatments."
Alexis clapped her tiny hands and hugged his waist. Then she ran as fast as her tiny feet could carry her to get ready for her special night with her grandmother.
Rick watched as she ran out of the bedroom with a smile on his face. Maybe, just maybe this night would be a new beginning for both of them.
Walking up to her apartment, Rick felt a thousand butterflies in his stomach. He knocked on the door and he waited for her to answer. When she opened the door, Rick felt all the nerves just disappear. He knew that he had made the right decision in asking her out for dinner that night. He had a feeling that everything was going to work out for the good. So, he offered her his arm and asked, "Are you ready?"
Kate nodded and took his offered arm. She looked up at him and smiled softly. Feeling better about this date than she had felt about any other date before. She knew that this would be the last first date she would ever go on.
For Kate, that night was like something out of a dream. Their first stop was to a small hamburger place called Remy's. She had been there before. It was a normal hangout for cops, but this was the first time she'd been there for anything romantic.
Rick kept her laughing during their entire meal. Telling stories of his different exploits with various members of law enforcement. She shook her head when he told her about riding a police horse naked, "I can't believe you didn't get some jail time for that one."
Rick laughed, "I did have to buy the officer a new saddle and I do remember an obscene amount of community service. I had to clean out the stalls of the horses for weeks."
Kate smiled at him, "Really?"
"What can I say? The mayor is a friend of mine. And a fan."
Kate laughed softly and shook her head, "Why do I think that you are trouble?"
"It was a phase. I promise I'm better now."
Kate put her hand on his and squeezed softly, "It's okay Rick. It doesn't change anything."
Looking into her eyes, he knew that she was telling the truth. When they were done eating, Rick smiled at her and asked, "Would you like to take a walk? Maybe get some ice cream? Or coffee? We can get coffee..."
Kate laughed, "That sounds like an excellent idea Rick."
Nodding, he admitted, "I just don't want this night to end."
Kate was amazed to realize that she felt the same way. It was something that she hadn't felt in such a long time. She felt happy. So, so very happy and she knew it was all because of the man sitting across from her right then.
After he paid the bill, they walked outside and Kate looked straight ahead. She felt his arm move and then, he reached over and took her hand. She looked over at him and smiled softly. She couldn't have known it then, but her life had just changed forever.
They arrived at the coffee shop and Rick ordered his favorite and listened while she ordered her own. They found a quiet table in the back. One where they could talk and not be interrupted. They talked for what seemed like hours. They only left when they heard someone clearing their throat. They looked over and saw that it was an employee of the coffee shop. Rick looked at him and then looked at Kate and whispered, "I think they want to go home."
Kate nodded and stood up to put her coat on. She was stopped when she felt Rick's hand on her shoulder. Then, he took the coat from her and held it so that she could put her arms inside. She looked back at him and smiled softly. Once outside the coffee shop, Rick hailed a taxi and they were soon on the way to her apartment. He held her hand the entire way and he didn't want to let go. He didn't want to say goodnight.
When the taxi stopped, he told the driver, "Wait here."
The driver nodded and turned on the radio. Rick walked slowly up to the apartment building and they waited for the elevator. When they reached her floor, Rick walked her to her door. He smiled and told her softly, "I had an amazing time tonight Kate."
Nodding, Kate whispered, "Me too. I'd really like to see you again."
Rick smiled, "I'd really like that."
Kate unlocked the door to her apartment and smiled. Then, she watched as Rick leaned forward and she knew that he was going to kiss her. She smiled when he kissed her on the cheek. It was so unexpected, but so very sweet. She walked inside her apartment and shut the door softly. Then, she squealed loudly. Just like a little schoolgirl. She knew then that she was in love with this dear, sweet man. She couldn't wait to see him again.
On the other side of the door, Rick heard her squeal and he felt like doing the exact same thing. He could only smile and then touched his lips. He would remember that kiss forever. He knew then that was the last first kiss he would ever give another woman. She was it for him and he couldn't wait to see her again...
Thoughts?
