Sorry for the delay guys. I got a bit sidetracked with some editing, but don't fret.
I'm Here! LOL note there is a 5 month time jump people. If you don't, you'll be confused and... wait for it... LOST! hahahaha...
I'm so lame. Anyway
Enjoy!
Kate walked out from the bed room and into the kitchen, stretching out her sore muscles. She checked the watch on her wrist.
6:00
Time to get up and start Alexis' routine. Kate ascended the steps and followed her route to the the nursery. She passed the guest bed room on the way. She looked in and smiled, suddenly feeling nostalgic. This room hasn't had use in months and the dust and extra boxes are just proof of that. She continued on her trek of the familiar hall until she reached the nursery. The warm green welcomed her and the lilac flowers painted on the wall captured her attention. She'd convinced Rick to dump the hideous powder puff pink it once was and go with a more soothing color. She walked over to the crib where she found the rambunctious red head already happily gurgling and making baby sounds. Those blue eyes always captivated her. No matter what she was doing, if she saw those eyes, she couldn't look away.
"Hey there sweet girl." Kate drawled happily as she picked Alexis up. The child squealed excitedly just as she always did when Kate was around. "You ready for some breakfast?" The girl blew a spit bubble and kicked her feet which Kate took as a yes and went to the kitchen. Once there, she placed the girl in her high bright purple high chair and went to the fridge to receive their breakfast. Kate grabbed some waffles from the freezer and threw them into the toaster, then she grabbed some mashed strawberry and banana and brought it to Alexis.
"Look what I brought. It's your favorite!" Alexis laughed and ate heartily as Kate fed her. The woman was always surprised at how neat Alexis could be. Whenever she ate, she never made a mess like most children. Kate wiped the little that did spill of of the girl's face then went to get fruit to add to her waffles. While bent over in the fridge trying to decide for strawberries or blackberries, Kate felt two arms slip around her. The familiar warmth and strength that she's become accustom to now envelopes her and it brings her an amazing sense of security.
"You started our morning routine without me?" The childish pout in his voice counter acts the wonderful things he's doing to her neck and she finds herself at a loss for thing, this glorious thing that they started to weeks into her stay here has now blossomed into something she never thought she could have after her mother.
"Well, I wanted to let you sleep. I mean, I felt kinda bad for tiring you out last night like that." And she wasn't lying. Yesterday made 6 months since Alexis was born, 5 months for Kate, and after celebrating with Alexis, they thoroughly celebrated with each other. "Just figured you could use the extra hour."
"Nah, I'd much rather spend the morning with my favorite girls." He kisses her and goes to his daughter, picking her up and kissing her too. "And you had strawberry banana?"
"How did you even know that?" She asks incredulously. She really shouldn't be surprised though. The man is quite observant.
"You missed a spot on her lip. I could taste." He says as though it's nothing and she should have known. Tsk tsk. Rookie mistake. Speaking of...
"I also started early because today's my last day as a uniform. Tomorrow I start as a detective!" She let's out a squeal and Alexis squeals also just to be apart of whatever is happening around her. Kate grabs her from Rick and spins her around. "That's right little one! Can you say detective?"
"Nuh uh, no pressuring her. She'll speak in her own time." Rick says around a mouthful of waffles. She sits Alexis back in her chair and places some strawberries on the tray in front of her.
"Oh please, your just banking on her saying 'Daddy' first." He tries to protest, but she cuts him off. "Don't even say your not. I heard you coaxing her the other night when you just had to give her a bath." He blushes slightly and knows he's caught. The little girl smiles at her father and then peers at Kate who's standing beside her.
Neither of them know exactly when it happens. To this day, if asked, they'll swear it was all a blur. It was like one getting their training wheels off, only to find themselves going down a hill fast with no brakes. Like a person about to get into a car crash and there's nothing to do except watch on and hope to God when the smoke clear and the dust settles, you'll be okay and your life won't change or be altered horribly. At that exact moment is when the little girl that they are both madly love with says something that has the possibility to ruin everything.
"Momma?" Both Kate and Rick bring wide eyes to the little girl as she offers a strawberry to the older woman. There's a catalyst of feelings coursing through them and neither one of them know which one to focus on. Alexis, seeing as no one answers her, goes pick to her strawberries, delightfully unaware that the two people she depends on most in the world are currently in an emotional limbo of sorts. Their eyes meet each other and their conversation is conveyed through their now dilated pupils.
"Kate..." He trails off because he wants to comfort her, wants to say something that will stop her from packing her up and exiting their life just as quick as she entered, but truth be told be told, he has no idea what to say. And judging by her next sentence, neither does she.
"I have work." She dashes off and he wants to run after her, but his little girl is still right there. He runs upstairs with his baby and gets her dressed for their day, trying to beat Kate so they can talk, but by the time they make it back downstairs, she's closing the door without so much as a 'goodbye'.
The entire day their minds are both elsewhere. Alexis' blue eyes can only do so much as far as saving Rick from sulking in his office all day. No meetings were attended, no chapters were written. Alexis spent most of the day with her babysitter because his pouty demeanor is not what she needs around her right now.
There are no body drops and Kate finds herself feeling guilty for wishing for death. Instead, she throws herself into paperwork. She completes her two stacks and even some for one of the other detectives. By the time she leaves (or rather was pleaded with, threatened, and almost forcibly removed) it's 9:00 and she's sure Alexis is asleep now. Perfect time for her to talk to Castle alone.
He's sitting on the couch, dozing with his little girl in his arms, when he hears the sound of keys in the door.
She's home.
He waits until she's rid herself of bag, shoes, & coat before he greets her. "Hey." She brings her face to meet his eyes and there are those blue eyes again, sending her into a free fall and she momentarily forgets about the bombshell that dropped this morning, but looking into his arms brings it all back.
"She asleep?"
"Yeah, just went." He says and wraps an arm around her as she plops next to him and pats the girl's hair down. "You know, it's gonna happen again." He says and of course that's clear. Se's been trying to deny it all day, but she's not stupid. She came to her decision somewhere around 7 pm and if he'll stop talking, she can tell him, but months of experience tells her that once you get a Castle talking, you won't get them to stop. "Her mom's gone and your all she knows. It's a natural reflex." Every time she tries to interrupt he adds something else in and she loves his mouth, but if he could just shut it for a bit.
"Rick!" She finally gets him to stop and takes the small victory as it comes. "I know. I thought about this a lot at work and," she breathes deeply for the decision she's about to make and hopes it's the right one "I'm okay with it. I love Alexis with everything in me and I do consider her a daughter. I know what it's it's like not having a mother. I would never want anyone to go through that." Her eyes glaze over at the mention of her mother and he strokes her hand in comfort, remembering all the stories, good and bad, that she's told him about her mom. "So... yeah." She finishes lamely and looks down at the little girl.
Her little girl.
"I love you." He blurts and it's not how he wanted it to be. It's not at an expensive restaurant with thousand dollar wine. It's not a beach set at sunset. It's not after a night of passionate love making while cuddling in bed. Yet, it's the perfect moment for them. The unorthodox lifestyle their leading is probably going to end them all up in therapy at some point, but it doesn't matter anymore because they have each other and nothing else matters.
"I love you too." She beams at him and she's leaning in to kiss him when Alexis stirs.
"Momma." She calls while reaching for Kate and she happily receives the sleepy girl.
"That's right, sweet girl. Momma's here."
And then she ducked under the table and waited for reviews!
Lol seriously though I hope you guys enjoy!
Remember the time jump!
Love Always, XOXOX