Authors Note: So here's the next chapter. (: Thank you SO much for all the feedback. The more I get the faster I write. You all seem to be really enjoying this and I hope you continue to. So I've made a promotional picture for this story. You can find it on my profile. I have yet to make a video. I'm still thinking I need help on it so let me know if you can do that. (: Otherwise I hope you continue to enjoy this!
Disclaimer: -yawns-
Chapter Seven
You Wanted Me To Be
With his phone plugged to his ear, Castle nodded as he listened to the caller on the other end. "Yes sir. I understand, sir...Okay." Sighing, Castle hung up the phone and shoved it back into his pocket. He had been in the middle keeping his twins entertained while his wife took a shower. Alexis was in her room, getting the rest of her books ready for school.
Rick heaved another sigh as he glanced down at the two beautiful children on the floor as they colored. He was looking forward to spending time with his wife and the twins today, but apparently the Assistant director of the FBI had other plans for him. He knew the daycare was closed today and with Alexis not here to help Kate with the twins he didn't want to leave her here by herself. It was hard not to notice Kate's expanding form and he knew that she tired easily now. He just didn't want her to have to take on the twin tornados alone in her condition.
As if on cue, Kate descended the stairs, all the while towel drying her hair. As she reached the bottom step, she removed the towel and let her long dark locks drop messily passed her shoulders. Noticing the distressed look on Castle's features, she titled her head slightly and furrowed her brows. "Everything okay, Rick?" His first name felt foreign on her tongue, but figured the Kate in this world used it often.
Shaking his head, Rick opened and closed his mouth like a fish. He had completely forgotten about work when Kate had let her hair down and absentmindedly shook it out and ran her fingers through it, so when she spoke he hadn't heard a word of what she said. His amazing reply because of that was, "Uh-huh what?" Kate smirked lightly at him and rolled her eyes.
"I asked if you were okay." She repeated, pushing a strand of wet hair behind her ear.
Rick nodded and offered her a reassuring smile. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. It's just...I have to go into work. I got a call. Will you be okay, I mean can you handle the twins alone?" He looked down to eye the seemingly little angels who were still busy coloring.
Kate gave him a look that told him she wasn't incapable. "Of course. I can handle my own kids, Castle." She snapped, placing her hands on her hips. Rick winced at her clipped tone and nodded, holding his hands up as if surrendering.
"Okay, okay. I was just making sure." He said, his voice an octave higher than it normally was. Kate's facial expression and voice softened and she offered him a small smile as she approached him.
"Sorry." She apologized, a sheepish smile creasing her lips.
"That's alright." Rick replied, smiling back at her as he snaked his arms around her waist and pressed his lips to hers. Kate's heart thudded against her chest at the close proximity, their closeness causing a flush of hormones to coarse through her body. Her cheeks reddened as they pulled back and she tried desperately to hide it as he grinned impishly at her.
After saying his goodbyes and giving Kate one last kiss, he was out of the door. Kate was left feeling a little dizzy from the kisses, still not used to any of this. Sighing, she turned to see Alexis coming down the stairs, phone in hand. "Lex, just the girl I needed to see." she mused, stepping away from the door where she had kissed Castle goodbye.
Alexis looked up from her phone and shoved it into her purse. "What's up, mom?" She asked, giving the woman her full attention. Kate had yet not to be rendered speechless every time those words came out of the teen's mouth.
Shaking her head to gather her thoughts, Kate opened her mouth to speak. "I'm going to ask you a serious question, and...," She paused, her lower lip getting caught between her teeth. Alexis nodded very slowly, urging her to continue. "I want you to be honest with me..." She finally finished. Alexis gave her a strange look.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be honest?"
Kate took a breath before speaking. "I-Is...Is my mom alive?" She felt like her heart was in her throat as she searched Alexis' face for any hint of what the answer might be.
The teen's face was neutral. It seemed like forever before Alexis finally answered her. "...Yeah...Of course she is." She drew out the words, confusion evident on her face. Kate let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.
"S-she is?" she breathed out, eyes stinging with tears. Alexis automatically wrapped an arm around Kate and led her to one of the kitchen chairs.
"Mom?" Alexis gave her a questioning look as Kate tried to hold back tears. "What's wrong?" She asked, voice laced with worry.
Kate shook her head in a feeble attempt to regain her composure. Visibly swallowing, Kate began to explain. "I-I've come to the conclusion that...That this is a dream, because in the real world, in MY world...My mother is dead." She swiped away a stray tear. "I don't think I want to leave this place." Kate whispered, taking a deep breath.
Alexis only stared at her, dumbfounded. "Mom, I don't understand...You're freaking me out. This is the real world." Her voice cracked slightly as panic began to set in. Something was obviously wrong with her stepmother.
"No, no, Lex. Don't try to confuse me. This, this is all a dream." She waved her hand in the air to emphasize her point, before rubbing her temples softly in an attempt to soothe the growing headache she was getting. Before Alexis could protest, Kate held up her hand. "I know you're worried, but I'm fine. Go on to school, or you'll be late. Okay?" She decided to leave Alexis out of this now, it would only cause her to worry and stress and Kate didn't want to be the cause of that.
Alexis stared at her a moment, silently debating what to do. "Are you sure you're okay? You seem-" She was cut off as Kate spoke once more.
"I'm fine. Just tired." Kate offered Alexis a genuine smile and stood up to pull the teen into a hug. Alexis hugged back and kissed Kate's cheek.
Sighing, Alexis pulled back and nodded. "Alright, but if you need me...Just text me, okay? Love you." She smiled and they hugged again before Alexis turned her attention to her siblings on the floor. "Hey guys, come give me a hug, I gotta go to class." She said as she knelt down to be eye level with them.
"Bye Lexieeee!" Olivia drew out the word and wrapped her arms around her sister tightly.
"Bye, I loves you." Mathew grinned and kissed her cheek and they both pulled back.
"I loves you too, Lexie!" Olivia stated, as if trying to out-do her brother. Alexis giggled and stood up.
"I love you both and I'll see you in a little while. Bye, guys!" Smiling, Alexis waved to the twins and her mom before opening the door and leaving for class.
-C-B-
Hearing that her mother was still alive was a serious shock for Kate and when Alexis left, she sat down and cried. She cried until the twins noticed their mother's quiet sobs and quickly came to her aid, hugging her tightly. Kate quickly recovered and assured her children she was fine, asking them if they wanted to go for a ride.
She needed to get out, drive somewhere. Kate had been driving for an hour now, not really paying attention to where she was going, just driving. She needed to clear her head, but as she drove through familiar streets and weaved through the little bit of traffic until she pulled into a driveway, two excited children in the back seat screamed, "Grammy's house!"
Their excited squeals brought her thoughts back to reality and she realized that she had driven to her parents house. Kate's hands immediately began to sweat as she eyed the house warily. Her heart thudded beneath her chest and she took a shaky hand and ran it through her hair. Taking a deep breath and letting it out, she plastered a fake smile on before turning to look at the two beaming kids in the back. "You guys wanna see grandma?" she surprised herself with how steady her voice was.
Receiving two excited nods, Kate smiled and killed the engine to the car. As she exited the car, she had to lean against it, feeling her head start to spin. With another deep breath, Kate shut her door and then opened the back door to the small SUV and helped unbuckle Olivia and Mathew.
Once Kate had helped them both out, she watched as they bolted for the door. "C'mon, mommy!" Mathew turned to look at her as he made a small fist to knock on the door.
Kate's eyes widened as she realized that once he knocked there was no going back. "Matty, wait!" She walked as fast as she could, but Mathew had already began to knock. As she came up behind them, the door opened swiftly, revealing the slightly older, but still beautiful Johanna Beckett. Kate's breath caught in her throat and her heart constricted.
"Katie, sweetie. What are you doing here?" Johanna looked puzzled, but a smile split her face as she noted the two children who were wrapping their arms around her legs. "Oh and look who it is! My two munchkins!" The woman bowed down slightly so she could hug her grandchildren.
The smile left Johanna's face as she looked up to see the tortured expression on her daughter's face. "Kids, go on inside. Grammy just made cookies. They're on the table." She looked down and forced a smile at them as they let go and ran passed her excitedly.
Kate could feel tears burning her eyes and a large lump in her throat. She hadn't seen her mother in years, she was supposed to be dead, yet here she was standing alive and well right in front of her. "M-Mom...?" Her voice was barely audible, as she choked out the word.
Johanna's heart tightened at the sight of her daughter's contorted expression. "Katie, darling, what's wrong?" She came forward and pulled the younger woman into her arms, hugging her tight. Kate stumbled, barely able to keep herself up as she melted into her mother's embrace. She inhaled deeply, immediately letting out a broken sob as her mother's familiar scent filled her nose.
"I...I-ve m...issed you s...o...m-much." Kate sobbed into her mother's shoulder, her grip tightened around the older woman as if she would float away if Kate let go. Johanna rubbed her daughter's back soothingly as she held her close and whispered words of comfort.
