Hey, another happy chapter, this one sort of follows on from the last but can stand alone in its own right.
Enjoy!
The loft is quiet when nineteen year old Gwen creeps inside, careful not to make a noise. On alert and using every one of the stalking techniques that she knows, she manages to make it to the staircase before she notices the figure in the darkened kitchen.
Changing course she goes to investigate, keeping her breathing quiet she approaches the silhouette but just as she reaches out to take their shoulder, the person jumps forward into a shaft of light and Gwen relaxes when she identifies them as her father.
Sighing she is about to speak when she notices his lack of response. Walking forward she waves her hand before his eyes and receives nothing. With a smile she realises what's happening; after years of hearing the stories she is finally witnessing her dad sleepwalking.
Knowing that he'll find his way back to bed eventually she walks off, still silent but now not really worried of being caught. She just doesn't want to wake all her siblings. As she turns at the top of the stairs she looks back at her dad, feeling guilty at abandoning him instead of guiding him to bed but unwilling to meet his scolding at her timing. It is after all Three in the morning.
Carefully avoiding the creaky floorboards, Gwen picks her way across the hall to her older sister's room. It's the summer and she's been staying with them, unwilling to be far from her family and desperate to be with her baby siblings. As she pushes open the door Alexis bolts upright, her instinct telling her it's not her dad.
She almost shrieks with joy as she sees her little sister enter, but muffles it at the last minute. Glad to see one another they hug as soon as Gwen reaches the bed. In whispers the girls converse as Gwen was still thought to be in Scotland.
"What are you doing here? When did you get back from Scotland?"
"Just there, I had to come see you straight away, but promise no squealing. Dad's sleepwalking downstairs."
"No squealing, I promise. Now spill, it's got to be big for you to do this."
Gwen extends her left hand, her right ready to gag Alexis should the need arise. It does.
When the pair manage to calm down Gwen removes her hand as her sister nods in thanks.
"Oh my god, Gwen you have to tell me everything, right down to the last detail."
"Ok first, will you be my maid of honour?"
She nearly squeals with excitement but manages to hold it in as she nods, unable to trust her voice not to shout.
"Well we were in the garden, on the swings under the oak tree I've told you about. We were just sitting there and he began talking while he pushed me. He then walked in front of me as the swing stopped and he got onto one knee and do you know what he said."
Alexis' eyes light up but still she doesn't trust her voice.
"My wild angel, will you make me eternally happy and become my wife. I was so happy it rained the entire time, a thunderstorm. I've never felt so free and happy. It was all so perfect."
The two girls talk well into the morning, until they are found when Kate wanders in at ten and finds them asleep on the bed. Calling softly to her shattered husband she lets him know that their daughter is home. The two smile happily at the scene before Gwen wakes.
Beaming at her parents she holds out her hand, letting the light sparkle off the simple diamond, Rick stands covering his ears as his wife squeals and his other daughter joins in. Turning from the hugging trio with a bemused grin, he goes downstairs to feed his sons. Unaware that his wife is sharing some of her own squeal worthy news.
I can imagine them all going supersonic with the girly happiness. I can also imagine Castle sleepwalking, very easily in fact.