Title: Biggest Heart in the World
Summary: Rick and Kate swear they are still just friends and nothing more, no one believes them. Will something happen to make them realize what they feel? Will it be too late? How will Kate react when Meredith shows up wanting to stay at the loft?
Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with the show Castle but I'm pretty excited about November 10th.
A/N: Reviewers, favorites and followers… you guys ROCK. I can't say anymore than thank you so very much! Well except for the one 'guest' that only said "you lost me with demming." No capital letters at all. My father is in the hospital not doing well at all, he called to tell me he loved me even though he knows I'm coming to see him tomorrow. He went in on the 4th, his 78th birthday. Sorry I'm not crying over one person that can't leave their name and got mad over a mention of Demming for a dramatic moment in the chapter… done with my rant now. Thank you to everyone who continues to read, this is my therapy to keep from losing my mind.
Warning: If you can't handle a visit from Meredith… back out now! Just keep in mind; I won't fill any story with angst because I don't like to read it. This chapter is long and will run into a two-part thing so don't despair I will get part two up soon.
Chapter Four: Happy Anniversary Part One
Three months later:
Captain Montgomery walked through the bull pen on the way to his office; he saw two of his detectives but not the third. He stopped at the shared area and looked over at the two doing paperwork. "So where is Detective Beckett?"
Ryan held up his latest Storm book he had purchased. "Here's one guess, do you need more?"
The captain laughed. "Have they confessed to dating yet?"
Esposito shook his head. "No but we do know that not even his mother or daughter are buying their just friends speech."
Ryan laughed. "Last week we went over for video games and while her dad was out of the room, Alexis told us she came home and Beckett had him handcuffed to the bed. They were fully dressed and he swore it was for research but she said Beckett's face was bright red."
The captain shook his head. "None of his poker buddies believe it either, Patterson told me at a signing that one night they took his phone and banned him from saying her name. He folded early in the evening and was on his phone before they left."
Esposito closed his folder and stood. "Well tonight should be entertaining, we're going over there for pizza and movie night."
The captain started to walk away. "Let me know if anything important happens."
Castle's loft
Alexis heard a female scream and quickly unlocked the loft door with her friends Emily and Paige behind her; they walked in and closed the door looking for someone needing help. What they see is Martha on the steps shaking her head and laughing. Castle was chasing Kate around the room with what looked like chocolate sauce on his finger, she was squealing and running. The girls started laughing when Emily looked at Alexis. "That's Detective Beckett, your dad's friend?"
Alexis smiled and nodded. "Yes it is."
Paige shook her head. "They are so not just friends."
Alexis nodded again. "Everyone knows that except for them."
Suddenly Kate stopped and without really noticing who was watching she pointed her finger at Castle who was advancing on her. "If you do that Richard Castle your hands or lips will never touch me again."
He laughed. "I know you're bluffing detective, you like me too much." He kept walking toward her so she lunged for him then took off in the direction of his bedroom.
Alexis and the girls met Martha in the middle of the room. "So Gram how long has this been going on today?"
She shook her head. "I heard the squealing long before I came downstairs about 30 minutes ago, those two should just have sex and get it over with."
Alexis looked at her grandmother and frowned. "Ewww Gram that's not something I want to hear."
They looked up when Kate came out from Castle's office laughing, Alexis and her friends met her in the kitchen. "Kate, where's dad?"
She laughed. "Changing shirts, he should know better than to chase me because I'm faster."
Alexis laughed. "Kate these are my friends Emily and Paige, this is dad's friend Detective Beckett."
Emily smiled. "Nice to meet you Detective Beckett, Alexis talks about you all the time."
Kate smiled. "Nice to meet both of you, Alexis has talked about her two best friends as well. Please call me Kate."
Castle came out buttoning his shirt and smiled. "I'll get you next time Kate." He looked at Alexis and her friends. "Hey pumpkin, hi girls are you ready for movie night with the gang?"
Paige nodded. "We're really looking forward to it; thanks for letting Alexis invite us over Mr. Castle."
He smiled. "Well I figure Alexis would need friends her own age here while we're having fun, glad you girls could come. So are you both spending the night?"
Alexis nodded. "Yes dad they are. Are you staying over Kate? I mean I'm having a sleepover so why shouldn't dad?"
Kate cleared her throat and laughed. "On that note we should finish getting appetizers and desserts ready, why don't you girls put your things upstairs and join us?" The girls walked off laughing.
Martha walked over to the adults. "You two do get that no one believes the just friends theory especially after what Katherine said while you were chasing her Richard."
Kate looked at Martha. "What did I say?"
"His lips or hands would never touch your body again if he put chocolate sauce on you."
Kate laughed. "That is not what I meant Martha."
She patted Kate's hand. "Maybe not darling but they are 15 years old and Alexis is friends with your co-workers, they all talk about the state of your non relationship."
Castle pulled Kate close to his side. "She's my best friend mother; I mean they all get it."
Martha nodded. "Well on that note, I'll just finish laying out the chips and dip for this evening."
Alexis and her friends came back downstairs. "What can we do to help?"
Kate walked over to the table where Martha was. "You can help me with the veggies for the veggie tray if you want or help the child in the kitchen."
Castle looked over and laughed. "Hey you started it with the chocolate sauce."
"I was aiming for your nose, you moved big baby."
He walked over behind her. "Who are you calling big baby, detective?" Just then he came around with ranch dip meaning to aim for her face but instead she turned and it dropped on her shirt."
"Richard Castle, you need to behave or I'll go home instead of staying over." She looked around at the faces staring at them. "I meant in the guest room, geez people." She started walking toward his bedroom. "I'm going to clean this off so do not follow me."
A few minutes later they heard her coming out when the doorbell rang so Martha answered it and he heard a voice that he hated to hear. "Kitten, I know you missed me."
Kate got to the door of the office and saw the save us looks from Alexis and Castle, they saw her pull her shirt over her head as she turned back toward the bedroom. He looked toward Meredith. "And you show up without any notice or anything, actually tonight is not a good night for a visit."
Ignoring what he said Meredith hugged Alexis. "My baby, have you missed your mom?"
She smiled. "Sure mom, but calling is always great I mean its Friday and I might not have been here."
Meredith ignored her too and then turned to Castle. "Don't I get a kiss from you Kitten?" She put her arms around him and suddenly Kate stepped out from the direction of the bedroom, wearing his shirt.
"I don't know who you are but you might want to stop touching my boyfriend."
Meredith backed up quickly and looked at her with a scowl on her face. She saw Castle go over to the woman and put his arm around her. "Kate, this is Alexis' mother Meredith. This is Detective Kate Beckett, my girlfriend."
Meredith looked at Alexis. "Is this true baby?"
Alexis smiled and nodded. "Yes, dad and Kate have been together for months now."
Meredith smiled and shook her head. "That's fine; I'll just put my bags upstairs in the guest room."
Kate shook her head after a nudge from Castle. "No that's not fine, I'm sorry but I'm not staying in the same place overnight with my boyfriend's ex wife that is just here hoping to get lucky. Besides you didn't arrange a visit in advance, that kind of thing drives Rick crazy." She put her arms around him and pulled him close. "Doesn't it babe?"
He smiled and nodded. "Yes it does Kate, you know me so well." He kissed her on the head and then after letting go of her he headed for the office. "I'll just get you a room Meredith." Kate followed him.
Martha walked to the table. "Girls let's finish assembling the food for this evening so we can get the pizza called in, Katherine's friends will be here soon."
Meredith looked toward the teens and Martha. "What's going on tonight?"
Martha smiled and spoke loud enough that Kate and Castle could hear her. "A movie and pizza night celebration, it's their six month anniversary together."
Castle's office
He looked at Kate from his desk; she was sitting on the couch on her phone. "I'm sorry about this Kate."
She smiled. "It's okay Castle, really but I need to warn Lanie and the guys to just go along with anything we say or do. You know Meredith is going to stay to make sure we're the real deal."
He nodded in agreement. "Can you do this all evening? If I can't find her a room that she likes she'll insist upon staying here."
Kate shrugged. "Don't worry; I'm your best friend so whatever you need. You were here for me last week when I was having a hard time, it's what friends do."
He picked up his phone and she sent a text to Lanie. Rick's ex wife showed up and is insisting on being here, she wants to make sure we're a couple like we told her we are. Whatever we do I need you and the guys to just play along. Martha told her we are celebrating our 6 month anniversary together tonight. I know it's only been about 4 ½ months but anyway. Alexis' friends Emily (blonde) and Paige (brunette) are here just act like you know them.
Lanie answered: So you guys are going to paw all over each other and act like you're hopelessly in love like you always do? We'll follow your lead.
Everyone looked up from the table when they walked out of the office holding hands, he spoke up. "I found you a room at the Plaza Meredith."
She shook her head. "I would rather stay here and spend time with my baby girl."
He looked at Kate and she smiled after rising up to peck him on the lips. "Its fine babe, I trust you and I'll be here all weekend anyway."
The Loft, 15 minutes later
Preparations for the evening were done and suddenly Kate tensed up at the doorbell ringing. Alexis left them to go answer it. Castle noticed Kate tensing and put his hand up to rub her neck. "Is your neck sore Kate?"
She smiled and winked. "I think sleeping on your arm made my neck a bit sore."
He leaned over and kissed her neck. "Sorry sweetheart." She smiled and pecked him the lips again then walked over to join Alexis at the door.
The first one in was Lanie. "Sorry we're a bit late but we had to pick up a surprise, Alexis you kept the secret didn't you girl?"
Alexis smiled. "Yes Lanie I did."
Lanie hugged Kate. "Congrats Kate, you guys are so perfect together."
Castle joined them at the door and put his arm around Kate as Lanie hugged him as well. "Rick Castle, you better keep on taking care of my girl now."
They backed up and let Esposito and Ryan in both guys hugging Kate and shaking hands with Castle. Ryan smiled. "Congrats boss and you too Castle, we're thrilled for you guys." Kate smiled, her friends were great actors if not even an actress could see through this.
Kate nudged Ryan. "Stop the boss stuff tonight; we're just Kate and Rick tonight."
They joined the others in the living area and Kate motioned to her friends. "These are my friends and co-workers Dr. Lanie Parish and Detectives Javier Esposito and Kevin Ryan. This is Alexis' mother Meredith."
Meredith smiled and nodded but didn't shake hands with any of them. "So how does she work with a doctor and why do you guys call her boss?"
Lanie smiled. "I'm the medical examiner that works with her team." The she squealed. "Oh my girls are all here tonight, Paige and Emily it's been too long girls." When she hugged the teens she said in their ears. "Play along, we all are." The girls nodded when she stepped back.
Esposito answered Meredith's other question. "Beckett is the lead homicide detective on our team, she's the best. So basically she could kill someone, make it look like an accident and our best CSU team couldn't find any evidence to prove otherwise. She's just that good at her job." He held up the box in his hands. "I need to put the cake down, excuse me." He then walked off in the direction of Lanie and the girls.
Kevin took a different route. "Ms. R great to see you again, so how is life with the two of them?"
She smiled. "Well if they would stop chasing each other with chocolate sauce and ranch dressing it would be great, I mean get some body paints and lock the bedroom door." She nudged Kevin's arm. "More fun that way and you're not messing up the clothes."
Castle turned around. "Mother, teens in the room so please mother stop with the graphics."
Kate smiled as she walked toward the kitchen. "Body paints are too messy Martha; we much prefer my handcuffs over that." Then she winked at Castle. "Don't we babe?"
Castle smiled. "Yes we do and that is just too much information for the room sweetheart." Meredith stayed rooted in her place and yes she was uncomfortable.
Meredith noticed that they all worked so well together and when the doorbell rang again Castle and Kate both went running for it, when they got to the door she touched the door knob first. "I won, you owe me a kiss." He leaned down and kissed her then opened the door.
Fortunately the guy delivering the pizzas was one they knew well, Martha had asked for him and warned him what was going on. He smiled at them. "Do you guys do everything together?" When they laughed he held up the boxes. "Here are your pizzas that are prepaid along with my tip so thank you very much, have a great evening folks and congrats."
Meredith sighed. "Does everyone in the city know about the two of you?"
Castle shrugged. "I do play cards with her boss, the commissioner, a judge that she works with and the Mayor so basically most people do."
Alexis was at the television. "I'm getting the movie ready so fill your plates and get your drinks then have a seat; movie number one is coming up." Then she pointed her finger at her dad and Kate. "And if we turn the lights down after we eat, no funny business under the blanket. I'm a teen and not a bit stupid."
Kate smiled at Alexis. "I have no clue what you're talking about Alexis."
Meredith joined them in the kitchen and kept trying to get between Kate and Rick but they seemed to be fused together and always touching each other, she would have to put a stop to this and work to get him back.
TBC
So will Meredith's antics drive them closer together or apart, can they keep on denying what everyone else knows? I guess you'll find out in the next chapter.
