The Nanny

by Cassie Bones

Kate Beckett is the new nanny for Richard Castle's young daughter, trying to pay back loans and attending Community College as a way to build up credits for her entrance into the Police Academy. She takes the job as delightful Alexis's nanny thinking that it would just be that; a job. But she finds herself falling for her charge's father and finds his affections returned. AU

4. Chapter 4

Since you were all such good reviewers, here's your special treat! Let's hope this gets to you before 2013! Enjoy!

Chapter Four

"NOVEMBER SEVENTEENTH!" Castle shouted.

Alexis frowned at him. "Daddy," she chastised, "indoor voices."

Castle grimaced. "Sorry, Pumpkin," he apologized, before turning to Kate. "November seventeenth?" he stage-whispered. "Kate, that was yesterday!"

Kate shrugged. "It's no big deal, Castle," she said, nonchalantly.

"It is so a big deal!" Castle retaliated. "It's your first birthday with us and we missed it! That is unacceptable!"

"Yeah!" Alexis agreed.

Kate smiled softly down at her. "Well, accept it," she said, "because my birthday is over already. And I won't have another one for….364 days. Maybe you'll catch it next year." She stood with her plate and went to place it in the dishwasher. Castle followed her with Alexis on his heels.

"We are not waiting that long to celebrate your birthday," he said, standing next to her and crossing his arms. Alexis mirrored his position with the same stubborn look on her face. Kate had the overwhelming urge to take a picture; they just looked so cute together. "We're going to celebrate this Saturday," Castle said, startling Kate from her thoughts. "You, me, Alexis; we're going to spend the whole day walking around the city, sightseeing, shopping, wherever you wanna go, we'll go. I've got more than enough money. If you want to see a Broadway play, that's where we'll go. No ifs, ands, or buts about it." Alexis giggled and Castle looked down at her quizzically.

"What?" she asked. "You said butts."

Kate shook her head. "She is your child," she said. Castle beamed proudly and stroked her hair.

"My precious," he said in a menacing tone. Alexis shivered and shied away from him, coming to stand next to Kate, who slung and arm around her shoulder.

"Hey, Gollum, you're scaring you 'precious'," she teased. Castle frowned and Alexis giggled, turning her bright blue eyes up at her nanny.

"So are you gonna come out with us on Saturday or do we have to kidnap you?" she asked.

Kate sighed, readying herself to say no, but then Alexis hit her with those big baby blues and the tiny pout thing she does when she wants something really bad, and damn if that doesn't make her melt every time.

She groaned. "Fine," she said, "but no cake, no balloons, and no noisemakers! I just want a day on the town with my favorite little girl….and her father." She grinned teasingly at Castle, who returned with a playful glare.

Very short, I know, but this is only filler and I have one hell of a pounding headache to get rid of before the New Year! I swear I'll write a new chapter first thing tomorrow. Happy New Year, everybody! REVIEW!