Chapter Seven: Eyes on The Road

"Okay, everyone ready?" Castle asked. It was early November and they were getting ready to spend a week at the Hamptons. Kate and Alexis had been there before, but it was Quinn's first time, and saying that she was excited was an understatement. She was bouncing around, picking up her backpack and putting it back on the floor. Her teddy bear, Javi, was being held by his police cap.

"Yes, daddy! Let's go to the Lamptons!" Quinn said, walking towards the door.

"Okay, Quinn. Let me zip up your coat." Kate said, gesturing to the little girl to come close.

"No cold." Quinn pouted.

"But you're gonna be. It's cold outside. Come on, let me zip it." Quinn let Kate zip up her jacket and picked up her backpack.

"We can go now?" Quinn asked, looking at Kate, then Rick, then back at Kate.

"Yes, sweetie. We're going now. But we're picking up Alexis first, remember?" Rick said. He unlocked the door and proceeded to retract their luggage.

"Less coming?" Quinn asked. She was now being carried by Kate, who was also carrying three shoulder bags and a pillow.

"Yes. Alexis is coming with us." Kate answered while locking the door behind her. Rick was already pushing the elevator button.

"Yay!" The little girl shouted. She and Alexis had grown quite close, with the young woman coming back to NY to visit the little girl whenever she could.

"Hey dad. Hey Kate." Alexis said, giving her father and his girlfriend a hug. "Where's Quinn?" Alexis asked, pretending not to see the little girl hiding behind her dad.

"Here!" Quinn shouted, leaving from behind Rick's legs. "Hey, Less!"

"Hi, Quinn!" Alexis picked up the little girl. "Whoa, you're getting big! You excited!"

"Yes. Mommy said we can play on the sand. " Quinn said.

"That sounds fun!"

"Okay, girls. Let's go. I want to get there before lunch." Rick said. He hung Alexis' carry-ons on his shoulders and grabbed Kate's hand.

"How much longer, dad?" Alexis asked. She was sitting on the backseat, squeezed between bags and Quinn's car seat, and was rather uncomfortable.

"I'd expect Quinn to ask that question, Lex, not you." Rick said.
"Well, it's a bit tight in here." Alexis said, annoyed.

"Wanna switch seats?" Kate asked.

"No, it's fine."

"You sure? I don't mind."

"It's cool. I'm just a bit nauseous."

"Sorry, pumpkin. We're almost there. Another half hour, tops." Rick answered.

"Mommy?"
"What's wrong, Quinn?"

"I want juice."

"Did you bring the sippy cup?" Kate asked Rick.

"No. Sorry. Didn't even cross my mind."

"It's fine. But maybe we should stop somewhere. A bathroom break and a cool drink we do us all good."

"Please!" Alexis said, opening the window to let the cool fall wind hit her face.

"I think there's a diner about five miles from here. We'll stop there." Rick said.

...

"You got her?" Kate asked Rick, who was holding Quinn in his arms. The little girl was antsy, and the road trip seemed to be too much for her. It was supposed to last three hours, but with the occasional breaks to stretch the legs, they'd been on the road for two hours, and there was about two more until they reached the house.

"Yeah." Rick answered. He closed the car door and followed Kate inside the small diner.

"Hello." A middle aged woman, with a name tag that read "Petunia" said. "Table for four?" She asked, her wide smile not leaving her face.

"Yes, please." Rick told her.
"Right this way." Petunia led them to a small table next to a big glass window. It had a nice view of the road, which was sure to entertain Quinn. She loved watching the cars. "I'll be right back to take your order."

"Thank you." Kate gave Petunia a smile and started reading the menu.

"Do you think they have anything that as less than a thousand calories here?" Alexis asked. Quinn was sitting on her lap, swinging her legs back and forth while watching the cars.

"I doubt." Kate answered, closing the menu. "I think I'll just have a glass of orange juice."
"Uh-uh. Not allowed." Rick said, shaking his head. "Road trips without fattening food are not real road trips. You two are eating something crazy unhealthy too, and you're gonna like it."

"Really, Castle?" Kate asked, shooting him a doubtful look. "Alright. I'll follow the rule. But only because I'm hungry."

"How about you, pumpkin?" Rick asked, turning to face Alexis "Oppa Castle Style?"

Alexis laughed. "You're way too old for this, dad." She picked up the menu. "Okay, whatever. I'll gain a pound or two, who cares?"

"That's my girl. Shall we order?"

"Sure thing. What will we get Quinn? Nothing too greasy."

"Apple juice and chicken fingers?" Rick asked. Petunia had just arrived at the table, and was writing down Alexis' order.

"Not on my watch. Perhaps they have some kind of pasta?"

"We do." Petunia said, interrupting them. "We have our kid's special. It's called Shaun's Red and White Spaghetti."

"Which consists in…"

"Spaghetti with white sauce, tomato pieces and a side of mashed potatoes."

"Okay, we'll take that. Also an apple juice, an orange juice, a hamburger and a small plate of fries. Castle?"

"I'll have a BaconBurger and two large curly fries. Oh, and a coke."

"I'll be back soon."

"Wanna kill yourself, dad?" Alexis asked.

"Or become a village?" Kate asked. "Pun intended."

"Ha-ha. I love curly fries and 'BaconBurger'? Sounds amazing."

"Mhm. What an example. I think Quinn would love to see you supersize." Kate said, mocking him.

The little girl turned around at the sound of her name. "What do you think, sweets? Want a supersized daddy?" Rick asked, pulling her onto his lap.

"I like mini. Like me." She answered.

"See?"

"You two are crazy." Alexis said.

"Not fair."

Author's Note: Chance of having this chapter re-written: 98%. I'm so not happy with it. I don't know how you feel about it, though, so please leave a review to state your thoughts. You know how much I love them!