Beckett had called Castle and told him she would just check some things and then go home, so he could meet her there in a few hours. He then went to his loft to make an overnight bag. When he was coming down the stairs with the bag, he was stopped with the surprised looks of Alexis and Martha, sitting on the couch.

"I ordered pizza" Alexis said. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Yeah, I…" damn! He had promised Beckett they would keep it a secret. But now, what would he tell his daughter and mother. "I'm…"

"Oh, Richard, just say it. You have a date, don't you?"

"Yeah!" great! It's not exactly lying, it's withholding information. He quickly rushed to the door.

"Another stewardess?" Alexis stopped him, her voice demonstrating her disappointment. She just hated that his father was having meaningless dates again. At least while he was waiting for detective Beckett, he wasn't going around with shallow women, and even though he was always at the precinct, she could spend more quality time with him. At least he wasn't trying to make her interested in these girls' stories.

"No." Castle said, without thinking. Now she's going to ask who it is.

"Who is it, then?" She came closer to him and grabbed his hand. "It looks like it isn't a first date, right? Or are you just feeling lucky?" she was clearly manipulating him to stay home out of guilt.

"Alexis, lovely daughter of mine. I'm sure you don't want to know these kinds of details in your father's life, do you?" he kissed her forehead, and smile to her frowned face.

"Ok then. But I won't save you a slice!"

"It's okay. I won't hold any grudges. Bye Mother!"

"Oh, wait, wait, wait, little man." Now it was time for Martha to come closer, while Alexis came back to her lap top on the coffee table. "Maybe Alexis isn't interested, but I'm more than willing to be interested for the two of us." Castle exhaled, nervous. "Don't you moan on me. C'mon." and she led him to the kitchen counter.

"Mother, I have to go!" he moaned, like a young kid who's too anxious to go to soccer practice, and have to stay a little while to tell his mother how's the day been.

"You seem far too happy to be just another girl" she pointed out, going round the counter and getting the wine from the fridge. She poured two glasses, and he realized he would have to stay for at least that drink. "Tell me. It's Beckett, isn't it?"

He gasped, choking on the wine. He coughed a couple of times before being able to answer. "Where do you take these ideas, Mother?"

"Oh, I just know you too well."

"Well, I told you! Beckett doesn't want me. I'm trying to move on"

"and you were doing this in a very smart manner by going to Vegas and grabbing the first bimbo you could find!" she said, sarcastically.

"Jacinta was a fine lady" he lied, and she laughed out loud.

"Jacinta could only be called a lady because she's a woman, and that's questionable." She took a sip of her wine and gestured, artistically. "Oh, fine nectar from the Gods! C'mon, drink your wine" She gestured and he took a sip, gripping tightly to the overnight bag on his hands. He then looked nervously to the door, then his phone, and she gave up. For now.

"Alright, then. Go! Get out of here."

He didn't even questioned, and went towards the door. "You kids have a good time! And tell Beckett I'm sending regards" she waved.

"Beckett?" Alexis squeaked, from the couch.

"your grandma is going nuts." He said, twirling his finger to his ear. "we need to go searching for homes" he whispered.

"Yeah, sure. I'm the crazy one!" Martha was now going to the couch to sit with her granddaughter. "Your father, my dear, has a secret girlfriend, and he really is trying to convince us that it's not you know who."

"Ah, right!" Alexis smirked. "Alright, dad. Have a good time with… whoever it is."

He gave up, and just went to the door while the two women laughed.

While waiting for the elevator, he took his phone from his pocket and tapped a message to Beckett.

"On my way".

The phone buzzed less than a minute after.

"Already here waiting. Wanna pizza or Chinese?"

He grinned and tapped a reply, walking into the elevator and pressing the button to the parking lot.

"I want you!"