Title: One Night
Disclaimer: I do not own CSI, Anthony Zuiker and CBS do. Nor do I own Castle, Andrew W. Marlowe and ABC do.
Author's Note:
Beta'd by: Simply Laura
Genre: Romance/General
Rating: T
Chapter 4: Figuring it Out, part 2
Getting hired right there on the spot helped Rick breathe easier. He could now see Catherine in action at her job.
Subsequent to working for two weeks straight and getting hired permanently, Rick knew it was time to go back to New York to tie up some loose ends and move his stuff here. For the time being he had been staying with Cory even though he was supposed to stay with Catherine. Eventually he and Catherine had found an apartment and moved in with stuff they already have.
Once they got an okay from Ted for a five day leave of absence they were at the airport and waiting for their flight to La Guardia. Rick looked over at Catherine and could tell she was a little nervous.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Catherine looked into Rick's eyes. Of course she would never admit she was nervous; this was the first time she has left Las Vegas to go to New York and she was about to meet her mother-in-law and there could be a chance the meeting would not go well.
"Don't be nervous, my mom is going to love you, I know it."
For the first time since getting married he placed a well meaning kiss one her lips, making her tingle inside.
As they waited for their flight to be called for boarding they continued to talk with each and getting to know each other better.
-x-
Following a six hour flight, they had arrived in New York and went straight to where his mother was living. The instant Martha opened the door they were greeted enthusiastically.
"Oh darling welcome home how was your trip to Vegas? Was it enjoyable?"
"Yeah it was," said Rick as they walked in leading Catherine.
When she saw Catherine, Martha's face lit up, "Who is the beautiful young woman with you?"
Rick made the introductions, "Mother, this is Catherine and Catherine, this is my mother Martha Rodgers," pausing briefly he added, "Mother I have something I need tell you."
Before diverting her gaze to Catherine, Martha looked at her son wondering what the secret could be about, "Well, ok go ahead."
"During my visit in Vegas I had an adventure involving a double date with Cory and his girlfriend. The end result was me getting married in a chapel in Vegas. Mother, Catherine is my wife and your daughter-in-law."
"Married?" inquired Martha as Rick and Catherine nodded, "Well this interesting, where you guys going to live? Here in the city?"
"Actually Mother, Catherine is already established in Vegas so I am going to move to Vegas and we already have an apartment rented and we will be moving in together."
"Well, this is a cause for celebration. Wine anyone?" Martha went to the kitchen to get wine glass and a bottle of her best wine.
Rick took the opportunity to whisper to Catherine, "My mother loves her wine."
Catherine smiled; the nerves she had been experiencing were starting to lessen.
The trio had a glass of wine as Rick told Martha how it all went down and as they talked Rick mentioned, I need to make a call to Paula and Gina. I will be right back."
As Rick made the calls, Catherine and Martha talk and got to know each other, "Catherine, this quite a surprise but I welcome you with open arms."
"Thank you Mrs. Rodgers."
"Mrs. Rodgers is my mother, please call me Martha. So what do you do for a living?"
"I am a dancer."
"So you are a part of the arts, that is wonderful. Are you a part of so is it ballroom dancing or Latin dancing?"
"I am an exotic dancer."
Martha nearly choked on her wine when she heard Catherine's answer, "Exotic dancer?"
"I know what you're thinking. I am not going to do this for the rest of my life. I am earning money so I am able go back to school."
Martha cleared her throat,"That's great to hear. And I sympathize with you on working and having hopes of going back to school."
The two talked freely especially about her Broadway career and how Rick was as a child and didn't hear him walk back, "I hope you two not conspiring against me already."
"Nonsense Richard, I was getting to know my daughter-in-law better."
Catherine smiled, "Of course not Rick, your mom is quite a character."
-x-
After having dinner with Martha, Rick took Catherine to his apartment. Over the next few days Catherine helped Rick sorting through his items, separating into what he needed to be shipped and what he didn't need anymore.
In between packing, Rick showed Catherine around NYC including all the major spots as well as the tourist attractions and gave her the inside scoop about New York. Catherine made sure she picked up a few souvenirs.
The seven days had flown by quickly. The day before they were to fly back, they were packing the items of importance such as his NYU diploma when they heard a knock on the door, "That's probably my agent and publisher. I will be right back."
As Rick went to answer the door Catherine looked up from the box she was helping to pack,"Okay."
Rick opened the door and saw the two people he had asked to stop by, "Paula, Gina I am glad you can make it. Can I get you anything to drink?"
Gina was the first one to break the silence, "No thank you. What is it you need to tell us Richard?"
"This may come as a shock. During my Vegas visit something happened and now I have to move to Vegas.
"Okay is there a reason why you have to move all of a sudden?"
"I am married."
"This is not something to joke about Rick," Paula spoke in her usual bossy voice.
Rick raised his eyebrow, "Why do you think I am joking?"
Gina answered in her usual cynical voice, "Because you're a practical joker."
Rick showed them the ring on his finger, "I can also prove it to you another way."
Rick went to get Catherine, "Catherine, sweetheart come I have two people I would like you to meet."
Rick took hold of Catherine's hand and led her to the living room, "Paula, Gina, meet my wife Catherine Flynn-Castle."
Gina and Paula both looked and were speechless. Paula put out her hand and spoke first preventing Gina from saying something mean, "It is nice to meet you Catherine. I am Rick's agent, Paula Haas and this is Rick's publisher, Gina Griffin."
Catherine shook Paula's hand, "It is nice to meet you Paula and Gina."
Gina, who was still fuming over the news, left the apartment, but Paula stayed behind, wanting to get to know Rick's new wife. Paula stayed and chatted with the two before heading out herself, "Okay I will you two love birds to your packing and I will deal with Gina's hissy fit later. Rick, please send me your updated contact once you are settled in Vegas."
"Thanks Paula, will do."
Once they were by themselves once again, Rick pulled Catherine into an embrace and spoke to her softly, "I know Gina seems to be mad at you. She has been trying to get me for herself for awhile now. But you don't have to worry about Gina because you are far prettier than she is."
They stayed that way for a little while longer and when they came apart, Rick reassured her once again with his words, "Well shall we finish packing, meet with my mother and then hit the sack before our flight home to Vegas?"
Catherine smiled her beautiful smile agreed and went back to what they had been doing before, getting ready for their new lives together.
A/N 2: Thanks for reading Chapter 4 of "One Night". Reviews are appreciated!