So… I was planning on writing the first chapter of "Shed No Tears for Me" last night, but I crashed. I usually get in bed around 11 and stay up until like 4 writing… but it didn't happen last night. Sorry! Hopefully I can write it tonight and get it posted in the morning!
Anyway… here's chapter seven! (:
Previously…
"Kate, I am done being upset about this, I am done being hurt. You left all of this to come back to me. Thank you. I love you more than anything on this planet."
She smiled brightly, cupped his cheeks, and kissed him again, long and hard.
"I love you, too. Let's pack up and get home."
Home.
It had been almost two weeks since Kate moved in, and they were happier than ever.
Martha and Alexis had both been informed that Kate had come back and moved in, and they were ecstatic.
Well, Martha was ecstatic.
Alexis... not so much. She had had to deal with her father's heartache and depression every time Kate had left or neglected to contact him. Alexis figured that this was just another one of Kate's promises that she'd never keep.
Jim was the first one to know about Kate's coming back to New York. She had called him on the phone the night before she came back, crying to him about how she knew she had screwed up and how she just wanted to come back. He listened and consoled his daughter, as knew her better than anyone.
He gave her the best advice that anyone had ever given her. "You've never been in a serious relationship before Rick, Katie. I can tell how much you love him, and it's obvious he loves you, too. I know you want to work for the FBI, but you love being a detective. You need to go back for him, Katie. Before it's too late."
As soon as she hung up with him she booked the last flight of the day to New York.
Kate and Rick were snuggled on the couch together, watching a movie. They heard a key turn in the lock and then the 19-year-old redhead stepped in the door.
"Hi, pumpkin!" Castle said, standing up from the couch to walk over and embrace his daughter. Kate followed, greeting his daughter with welcome arms. Kate could see the anger and hesitation in Alexis' eyes, but she hugged her anyway with a soft, "Hi, Kate."
"I'm going to go make dinner, okay? Why don't you girls chat," Rick said, making his way to the kitchen. He hoped that this would give his daughter and girlfriend some time to talk, for he knew that there were some things that they needed to talk about alone.
Alexis set her purse down by the door and toed her shoes off before moving into the living room and settling down on the couch. Kate followed, sitting next to her.
"So how are you, Lex?" Kate said, breaking the silence.
"I'm okay, I guess. How about you?" she replied, still a bit distant.
"I'm doing really, really well, thanks. Things are great between your dad and me. We're right back to where we were."
Alexis slightly nodded and swallowed hard before letting everything out that was on her mind. "Why did you do it, Kate? Why did you leave? You should've seen my dad after you left. He was a wreck! All he wanted was you and nothing else. He never left his room, he didn't want to do anything, and he didn't want to talk to anyone. You've left him hanging before, Kate, but this time was the worst. He didn't deserve what you put him through! I thought you loved him!" Alexis' anger grew with every sentence she uttered.
All of the horrible feelings came rushing back to Kate. The hatred and anger toward herself that she felt as soon as she knew she had hurt him. She took a deep breath before pouring her heart out to the girl.
"Look, Alexis. I know that you obviously don't want to trust me. I've hurt your father more times than I can count, I know that. But I want you to know that he is everything to me, and I love him more than anything in the world. Leaving your dad for a job was the dumbest thing I've ever done. Although you may not believe me, I promise you with my whole heart that I will not run from him again. He is my one and done, Lex. I already told him that I want to marry him and have his children. I love him with my whole heart, and I love you as well, Alexis. You have my word on all of this."
Alexis took a few seconds to digest everything that Kate had just confessed. "You've made promises in the past and broken them before, Kate. I hope you know that if you don't keep this one, you will never be allowed back into this family."
"I will never leave again. But yes, I understand completely."
Alexis could see the anguish in Kate's eyes when she talked about leaving her father. But she also saw the love in her eyes when she talked about loving him, marrying him, and having his kids. She knew how honest Kate was being.
Alexis' eyes changed from anger to compassion in seconds. Before Kate could contemplate what was happening, Alexis threw herself at her and wrapped her arms around her neck. "Welcome home, Kate. I love you, too."
Kate smiled and kissed the top of the girl's head. She was like her own daughter. "Let's go see what your dad's making for us in the kitchen," she said softly.
Alexis stood up with her and linked their arms as they went to see what the man of the house was doing.
"Oh, Kate! I almost forgot, the book launch for Deadly Heat is tomorrow! Will you be my date to the party?" he said to her, waggling his eyebrows.
"Of course I will, you big doof," she said, squeezing his arm before lifting up on her toes and kissing him.
It had been an hour since Alexis left and they were planning on finishing the movie that they were watching earlier. They sat down together on the couch, snuggling under the warm blanket. Castle hit play and they continued to watch.
Castle wasn't really paying attention to the movie. He was more so paying attention to the woman next to him, snuggled against his chest. She was so beautiful. With every blink, furrowed eyebrow, sigh, and smile, he loved her more and more.
He couldn't wait any longer; he needed to do it tomorrow. At the party.
For her. For him. For both of them.
D'awwwwh.(:
Can you guys guess what Castle's going to do? Let me know what you think in the reviews!
