A/N: Thanks SO much for all the feedback. You guys are awesome and are really keeping me going on this. I just want to make you all happy :-)

Chapter 7


The saying is true. Beckett's face actually hurts. She's never laughed so hard in her life. She had such a good time with Martha and Alexis, more fun than she expected to have. She wanted to make the day special for Alexis. But it ended up being more special for her.

As much as she loves Castle, there was always something keeping her from fully committing to him. She knew she was holding back, but she wasn't entirely sure why or how to get past it. She realized today that Alexis and Martha were holding her back. Not purposely, of course. But Kate realized she had barriers up with both of them. She was afraid to let Martha into her heart, fearing the relationship with the woman would push aside what she used to have with her own mother. But she was wrong. Being with Martha made her see that she can consider the woman a mother figure without replacing Johanna Beckett's place in her heart. Johanna started the job and Martha is more than willing to take up the reins and continue. For the first time in years, Beckett is allowing herself to enjoy a mother's love.

She's also allowing herself to be a mother. Alexis is simply ... amazing. It's the only word Beckett can use to describe her. She has fallen utterly and completely in love with her. After her mistake last night leaving the girl, she swore to herself to just let go of all her fears and just love her. Opening up herself to give love, and receive it in return, makes her see that Castle was right. They really have become a family. And she is a part of it. The only person keeping her on the outside was herself. But no more. She has to let Castle know that she's ready for it all. She smiles to herself, wondering how he'd take to the idea of eloping.

"What's so funny?" Alexis asks, using her key to let them inside their home.

"Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course," Alexis whispers gleefully. "What is it?"

"You know that autumn wedding you talked about? I think it's gonna happen a lot sooner than that," Beckett smiles. "Today was the best day ever. You and Martha ... you two made me feel like a part of this family. Like you really love me."

"We do," Alexis says, hugging her. "So much. I'm just glad you finally see that."

"I'm so happy," Beckett sighs. "I mean, I'm finally completely happy and I have you all to thank. Being with you all feels right. Being with your father … completes me. I know that sounds corny, but I don't know how else to explain it."

"It's so sweet and so romantic."

The two giggle and don't hear Castle coming out of his office to join them.

"What's sweet and romantic?" he asks, curious.

"Just you two lovebirds." Alexis rises to give her father a kiss on the cheek. "I'm going to leave you to talk."

She tosses a wink over her shoulder at Beckett and goes up to her room.

"She's in a good mood," Castle notes. "I take it you had a good day?"

"The best," Beckett smiles, leaning over to kiss Castle, but stopping in her tracks when he turns his face away.

"Was it worth it?"

Now she's confused.

"Was what worth it?" She takes a good look at Castle and is shocked to see him looking ... annoyed, she supposes is the best word to describe it. "Castle, what's going on?"

"Meredith came by today, after you and Alexis left."

"Okay," Beckett says when Castle just pauses and stares at her. "And I guess you told her I had taken Alexis out. Is she coming by later for dinner or should we see if Alexis is up for going over to her hotel?"

"You know why she came by. She came by to have breakfast with Alexis, just like she planned."

"I didn't realize," Beckett shrugs. "So I guess we should try to take Alexis to her tonight so that Meredith won't have to bother with coming over here twice in one day."

Castle just continues to stare at her.

"Castle, what? Just tell me what's going on. You're starting to scare me."

"Meredith says she told you she was coming to have breakfast with Alexis. And that you took Alexis out on purpose to keep her from Meredith."

Beckett's mouth drops open in shock. Actually, it's not even shock. Meredith warned her she'd lie if she had to. And it looks like Castle bought into it hook, line, and sinker. So no, the lie is not the surprise. The fact that Castle is sitting here interrogating her, accusing her, is the surprise.

"You believe her!" Beckett gasps incredulously. "You think I'm trying to, what? Sabotage their relationship? Why would I do that?"

"I don't know, Kate. I'm just trying to get to the bottom of this," he says.

"Maybe what you should get to the bottom of is why you'd believe I'd do what she's accusing me of!"

"You haven't denied it!" he yells back at her.

"I didn't think I'd need to! You talk this big game about making me a part of this family, but it's all talk, Castle. When it comes down to someone mattering to YOUR daughter, the game changes. I love her, okay? And she loves me. Deal with it. You can't make me want this family, and then box me out when I get too close."

"Kate, that's not ..."

"You can't give me this daughter to love and to treasure, and then tell me she can't be mine! If I'm going to be in this, I'm in all the way. Think of that before you talk marriage and family to me again. You thought I wasn't ready? No, Castle. It's you who needs to be willing to give all or nothing."

Beckett storms towards the door and opens it, intent on leaving. But she remembers the child she just claimed as her own upstairs expecting her to be there. She mutters a curse as she stops in her tracks.

"I can't leave her again," Beckett says, more to herself than anyone else. "Not like this."

Scowling at Castle, she digs out her cell phone and calls the precinct.

"Esposito."

"Hey, Espo. Do me a favor and tell me you guys need me," she begs, barely holding back her rage at Castle.

"You're in luck. We actually could use your help. We had a body drop this morning. You can meet us at the morgue. Lanie's got him on the table now."

"Great, I'll see you there."

She hangs up and puts the phone back into her pocket. She gives Castle a scathing look before stomping upstairs to see Alexis. She pauses at the door and takes a moment to put on a blank face so the girl won't know anything is wrong.

"Bad news, Alexis. I have to go to work," she says to the girl, moving into the room to sit next to her on the bed. "I just talked to one of my partners and they can use my help."

"You're leaving?"

"For a little bit," Beckett nods. "Don't wait up, though. I'll see you for breakfast in the morning."

"Oh," Alexis sighs, sensing there's more to the story than Beckett is saying. "Is it me? Did I bore you again? I tried to be fun and interesting. I thought we had a good time today."

"Bore me? Of course not. I had the best time with you today. I meant it when I said that."

"Then is it my mom? You always seem to go missing when she comes around," Alexis guesses. "Come to think of it, she's the one who told us you got bored and left last night. That wasn't true, was it?"

Beckett bites back the truth she wants to tell Alexis and tries to come up with the diplomatic answer.

"Alexis, your mother is ... afraid," she finally says after a moment to deliberate. "She's just trying to do whatever it takes to get her little girl back. You really should try harder with that. Believe me. When you get your memory back, you're going to feel bad for not giving her a chance. You really do love her."

"How can you say that? I feel nothing for her, but you say I loved her. I love you more than anything right now, but you say we didn't really connect."

"Come here." Beckett pulls Alexis into a hug. "Nothing is going to take away how I feel about you. But it would kill me if when you got your memory back, you regretted the time we spent together. Especially if it comes at the expense of time you could be spending with your own mother. Imagine the situations were reversed and I was Meredith. Would you want me feeling like you didn't care?"

"Are you always right?" Alexis asks her, realizing she has a point.

"Usually," Beckett smiles. "But especially in this case."

"Fine, dinner with my mom. And I'll try to enjoy it."

"That's all I ask."

Beckett leaves her and goes back downstairs. She walks past Castle on the couch without a word.

"Beckett, wait."

She turns and stares at him, her disappointment clear on her face.

"I have to go, Castle."

She leaves him there stunned, wondering how in the world things got so bad between them.


" ... and even after all that, I got the part. But I turned it down because by then, I was over it, you know?"

Meredith lets out a hearty laugh, not realizing she's laughing alone. Her plan to keep Kate Beckett away obviously worked because the woman was not there. And no one mentioned her absence. Meredith doesn't care where the woman is, though. So long as she has Richard and Alexis to herself, that's all that matters. She figures now is as good a time as any to further press her agenda.

"Alexis, Baby. How would you like coming out to California with me this summer?"

That particular bombshell doesn't land very easily. Castle and Alexis both look up sharply at her and stare in shock.

"Where is this coming from?" Castle asks. "She's never spent the entire summer with you before."

"Well, she's older now and can make her own choices. I just figured now might be a good time for her to spend some time with me. Maybe this amnesia is a sign for her to make a big change in her life. She can come with me and hit all the Hollywood parties with me. Maybe try her hand at some acting. It'll be so much fun, don't you think Alexis?"

Alexis, still in shock, just looks to Castle for help.

"She's already signed up for the summer semester at school. She had to withdraw this semester and is using the summer to stay on track," Castle explains.

Most of it's true. He and Alexis discussed that option on the way back from Paris after the kidnapping, but haven't officially taken those steps. But Meredith doesn't need to know that.

"Oh, pooh. You and school," Meredith frowns. "Aren't you tired of all those books and tests and teachers and ..."

"Learning?" Alexis adds sarcastically.

"Exactly!" Meredith practically squeals, thinking Alexis understands her. "It's time you let loose and have some fun."

"She's insane," Alexis says, turning to Castle.

"Alexis! What a horrible thing for a daughter to say to her own mother!" Meredith gasps, before jumping up and running off crying. They hear the bathroom door slam shut and Meredith's sobs echoing over the sound of running water.

"I just can't with her. I know I promised Kate, but ..."

"Wait a second. What did you promise Kate?" Castle asks.

"Ever since I woke up, she's been trying to convince me to give my mom a chance," Alexis says. "She swears Meredith loves me and that we had an unconventional relationship. But I can't see that. All I see is that she's selfish and fake and I can't stand being around her!"

"That sounds about right," Castle nods.

"Wait, what?"

"That's about how you've always felt about her," Castle confirms. "Beckett was right. Your mother loves you. But lets face it, she would breeze into town for a few crazy days, we'd pretend to have fun with her, and she'd leave just when we were about to go nuts. You said to me once that you loved her, but didn't want to be around her."

"And that was okay?" Alexis asks incredulously.

"It worked for us," Castle shrugs. "I thought you were okay with the situation, but maybe deep inside, you weren't. Maybe all these years, you were looking for a mother. And maybe now, you've found one in Kate."

"She is pretty terrific," Alexis says, smiling for the first time that evening. "She loves us, Dad."

"Yeah, Baby," he hugs her. "She does."

Or she did, he thinks to himself. But he messed up big time with her. He has to figure out a way to make it right.

Right then, Meredith lets out a loud noise that can only be described as a caterwaul.

No, first, he needs to gets rid of the shrieking woman in his bathroom. Then he can find Beckett and crawl on broken glass if needed to make up with her.