People have a saying… When life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. But what if you get a basket full of sour lemons? Life never told you what would happen then if the start of her day was any indication…..
Kate had set her alarm clock with the intention of rising earlier than usual. Tomorrow was going to be big! She had Richard Castle coming to her shop and she would use his appearance to invite more customers into the store. Advertising was minimal to the area surrounding the shop due to time constraints, but people were quickly asking when the event would take place. Word of mouth was getting the word out there better than she could have hoped for.
But that's when her day had started to take a turn for the worse. The moment 6:15 rolled around and the alarm that should have woken her up with its irritating blaring buzzing had kept silent. It's only when her body's internal clock told her that it was time to get up did she groggily eye the clock on the night stand. It was flashing the default time of 12:00 in dark red numbers laughing at her. She just laid there not really awake staring at the flashing display. Then it hit her. She had overslept. Reaching for her watch on the nightstand, turned it to her face and blearily widened her eyes to see that it was now 7:14. She had slept an hour later than she wanted to. The comforter was thrown off in a hurry and she got out of bed. She had selected a dress the night before for the signing this morning and takes it off the from the back of the chair with her as she runs for the bathroom. Taking a breath, she tries to calm down. She starts the shower water running to make sure that the hot water starts to get hot. Before she undresses for the shower she places her make-up, deodorant and her really great smelling perfume on the counter top. She strips her sleepwear off and takes a shower. Returning to her bedroom wrapped in a towel she selects a pair of panties that tended to be on the racier side. She wants to feel more like a woman when Mr. Castle arrives at the store. She picks out a matching bra and heads back in to apply her make-up and perfume.
She received a call from Jimmy when she never showed up to open up with him. She told him that she was running late because ConEd was right out in front of her apartment trying to repair a power cable that had arced and knocked out power to the whole block and that he could open up for her. He had a backup door key and knew the code for the alarm so she told him to start getting ready for the signing. He knew what to do.
Taking one last look at herself in the mirror she picked a small piece of string that found its way to the bottom of her dress. Taking it off she smoothed down the dress and she was liking what she saw in the mirror. Leaving the bedroom and heading for the front door, she picked up her keys, messenger bag, and her phone. It was then when she noticed the note from her dad.
"Katie, I wish you the best of luck with the signing today with your favorite author. I am so happy that you were able to get him to come to the store. I have a bereavement meeting right after work and I should be home between 6:00 or 6:30 tonight. Take out maybe? I Love You, dad."
She is always wondering how her dad is doing, so today after work she'll truly take the time to sit down with him and talk about the meetings. She walks out of the apartment making sure to lock up behind her. Heading towards the subway that she knows will be filled to capacity due to her oversleeping she dreads the ride to work. As it turns out the car she picked was only three quarters full. And on top of that, a man just about her dad's age had been kind enough to give up his seat for her. He rode standing for the next two stops before he got off at his stop. When her stop was called, she got up and left. Heading towards the stairs she climbed up, reached the top and relished the sunlight as it made her feel just a little warmer and carefree. Nothing else could dampen her mood.
Xx
Of all the times Alexis could be so inquisitive it had to be right now. She was like a tornado of sorts. She woke up and the first thing on her mind was going to the book shop. She was relentless with her questions. Once Rick had conquered those questions, she started with her wardrobe. There were times that he'd just wish he stayed in bed and this had to be at the top of the list.
"Daddy, I need your help! I need to show Kate how pretty I am!"
Rick heard her calling out to him to come and see her current fashion selection. When he walked into her bedroom there were no words that even came close to describing the utter disarray around him. Dresses that she wanted to wear were laid out neatly on her bed. After his eyes roamed past the bed, well that's where all the uniformity ended. Dresses, tights in a wide array of colors, all types of accessories and various hair ties, bows and ribbons were strewn all over the floor and her dresser.
"Alexis, what seems to be the problem here? To me, everything that you have laid out on your bed looks fine. Just decide on which one you want to wear."
Alexis just stood there staring at him with a defiant look, arms folded with her eyes narrowing thinking he has lost any kind of fashion sense he had left.
"Daddy, I need your advice! I need to show Kate how much of a grown-up I am!"
"Pumpkin, we are only going to a signing. Well, I am, you are going to be tucked safely away reading in the children's section."
"But dad! I want to show Kate my dress!"
"Alexis, you will be able to. But I need you to behave for a while when we are there. I promise we will be in and out and after we're done we can get some lunch and ice cream. Alright?"
"I guess. But can I at least talk to Kate for a little bit before you start the signing?" She asked.
"I'm sure she'll be happy to see you. I'll tell you what, I will call the car service that Kate is sending and ask them to get here a little earlier so you can talk to Kate before we start. Does that work for you?"
"Okay, daddy. And thanks." Alexis said happily.
Rick turned to her bed where the dresses were laid out on display. He drew his hand to his chin rubbing it briskly. She had two dresses that were almost white and one that looked to be forest green. But he made up his mind when he noticed the lavender dress that was adorned with a gold colored lace on the hem and collar. It would give her the look of a royal so he told her that this was the dress she should wear.
She beamed up at him approving his choice. He turned to walk out but as he reached the entry way he stopped and said,
"Pumpkin, I'm sure by the time you are ready to leave here this room will be a lot neater."
"It will be dad." She replied solemnly.
He leaves Alexis and heads to his room to get dressed. He decides to go with a conservative look and picks out a pair of navy blue pants and a light blue button-down shirt. Skipping the tie, he pulls a blazer off the hanger and slips into it. Checking himself in the mirror as he slips into a pair of black loafers, he is happy with the look. Back into the bathroom, he spritzes a dash of some Calvin Klein cologne that Alexis gave him for his birthday. It has a decent aroma. He grabs his wallet, keys, and some spending cash and goes to the kitchen for a couple of bottles of water for him and Alexis.
He cracks open the top and chugs a large sip. He thinks back to what she said before he went into her room.
She wants to look pretty for Kate and she wants to look more like a grown up.
He thinks he sees what's going on but really can't be sure. So, he'll just sit back and see what changes in her when they get there. There's a knock on the door and Rick goes to answer it.
"Mr. Castle?"
"I am. Can I help you?"
"It's more sir about how I can help you. I'm the driver assigned to bring you to Book Worms and More."
"Oh great! Just let me get my daughter. Would you step inside and wait for a minute?"
"No problem sir."
The driver steps in and Rick closes the door. He is up the staircase heading to Alexis' room and as he enters he sees her placing the last of her stuffed animals in the center of the bed by the pillow, the room is spotless.
"Good job pumpkin!"
"Thanks, daddy. What's the matter?"
"The driver is here to take us to Book Worms and More."
"They sent us a driver!"
"They did. So, let's get going. Do you have your backpack ready?"
"Yup, just let me go get it."
Two minutes later they are back with the driver heading to the elevator. Once back at the car the driver opens the rear door for them and they get in. Seat belts on, the driver inserts the key into the ignition. He starts the car puts in in drive and steps on the gas. When they should be moving forward the car just sits there. The driver places the car back in park and gets out looking puzzled. He walks around the to the right front of the car and then Rick sees the look on his face. Then to confirm his thoughts the driver throws his hands over his head and lets loose about three or four choice profanities, but quietly. He collects himself back to being the professional he is and returns to the driver's seat.
"Mr. Castle, I'm afraid that we won't be going anywhere anytime soon. It seems that this is my fault. I was triple parked when I arrived since there were no spots available and the city has placed a parking boot on the front tire. I do apologize for the delay."
Rick takes a look at his watch and realizes that they don't leave now Alexis will not be able to talk to Kate when they get to the store.
"That's fine. I'll just catch a cab."
Rick and Alexis get out while the driver is on the phone with the parking violations bureau. He throws up his hand to hail a taxi. After about five minutes there is not a cab in sight. He turns back to the driver and asks if he will be able to pick him up from the signing and he tells him that he'll be there even if they need to send another car. Rick and Alexis walk to the subway stop not that far away and down the stairs to catch the next train. The wait is short and soon they are heading to the book store.
Xx
Kate is beyond nervous. She's heard stories about some musical talent, actors, and actresses requesting really strange items when they are in their backstage dressing rooms. Some only want a specific color M&M's®, a distinct brand of bottled water, and an arrangement of hard to find flowers none of which she has here on hand. She hopes Mr. Castle is not that demanding. She checks her watch and notices what all the staff has done with the banners and signs distracting her that it's after 9 am.
He should have been here by now. She automatically thinks the worst that he has rethought his decision about helping her. She looks behind her and sees the banners hanging from the rafters displaying his name and his most recent book hanging over the table that he'll sit at. And if that's not enough, the line of customers that wrapped around the corner from the entrance of the store was just one more thing that she needed to address. Checking her watch again she wonders if all the preparation and planning that the staff and herself had done have only been a waste of time and money. Gloria is standing faithfully at the front door keeping an eye out for the car that was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago. Gloria eyes Kate with a sad face not seeing a limo pull up. So, she returns to her watchful search. Jimmy walks up to Kate and makes a statement that just about makes her start to believe what he says is the truth.
"Kate, this guy want's nothing to do with saving our store! He was only yessing you to death so you left his home."
"But Jimmy, he sounded so sincere. I mean he really listened to me and what we needed from him."
"Kate, I hate to burst your bubble, but do see him anywhere in the store?"
She reluctantly replied "No."
Jimmy just walked away disheartened and straightened up some books in the romance section while muttering his displeasure with Richard Castle as he worked.
Mr. Stuart was standing right behind Kate when Jimmy made his comments and decided to throw his two cents in as well.
"You have no business running this store. I tolerated your mother because she knew what she was doing. You, on the other hand, have brought us false hope." He just turned away from her and walked away.
Kate's shoulders sagged and she dropped her head down wondering where she went wrong. Feeling the weight of all the work that was put into the event finally hitting her hard with no result she retreats back to her office and closes the door. Sitting at her desk she drops her head into the palms of her hands and begins to cry.
Xx
He's so wrong. She was going to kill him. He had jumped onto the wrong subway car and ended up going uptown instead of downtown. He made it as far as 96th street before he made the connection that the streets were ascending instead of descending. She was definitely going to kill him. It was not until Alexis had mentioned that this was not the way that they should be going and then he realized his mistake. They got off at the next stop and immediately climbed the stairs with his daughter in tow. The second he hit the street his hand went vertical to catch a cab. Five seconds later a yellow cab pulled up and they got in.
"327 West 14th street, and step on it I'll pay any tickets or fines that you get!"
"You got it pal"
The cabbie replied with a grin, and then they were both pinned into the rear seat cushion trying to sit up straight when the cabbie floored it. He defied gravity long enough to check his watch it was 9:41. If she wasn't mad at him when he arrived then he'd be amazed. The cabbie drove like a madman on fire. The cab zig-zagged in and around slower traffic on 95th street. Then he turned left onto the Henry Hudson Parkway and then really took off. He watched as they passed the Intrepid Air, Sea, and Space museum, the Passenger Ship Terminal, The Lincoln Tunnel and then Chelsea Piers. They had the green arrow to turn left onto 14th street and he could have sworn the cab rode up on two tires during the maneuver. But that wasn't the only aerobatics that they would be experiencing on this ride. The light at 11th ave. had just turned green and the cabbie dodged a car that was turning left by swerving to the right and he floored it again. As they made it through the intersection, the car became airborne in the dip at the space between 11th and 14th and landed on 14th about 10 feet past the intersection. Rick instinctively placed his arm across Alexis' body even though she was wearing a seatbelt knowing what was going to happen next. As they came to a screeching halt right in front of a Catholic church Rick quickly looked to his left and saw the sign for the book store. Getting out of the cab he stepped up to the driver's side window which was still going down. He pulled out the cash from his pocket and peeled off two one hundred dollar bills.
"The fare is $21.75 sir, and you're lucky the cops never stopped us for driving recklessly."
"And I do appreciate that. Here you are." Rick said as he handed the cabbie the cash.
"Nothing beats an ex-police car, police interceptor motor and all! The cabbie just extended his arm and took the cash not realizing what he had been given.
"THANK YOU, SIR!"
The cabbie yelled as he drove away. Rick stood there on the sidewalk hoping that Kate would not be that mad when he finally did come into the store. He dropped his hand to take Alexis' and started to walk to the front door. He took a look at his watch and reasoned that from the time the cab picked them up until they entered the store thirteen minutes had passed. They made it and a trip by a taxi that should have taken 35 minutes was basically cut in half. He'll never doubt an NYC cabbie's skills again.
Xx
Gloria had seen the cab land on four wheels just past the intersection and was grateful that the car had not lost control when it recovered. She watched as the car came to a sudden screeching halt right in front of the church. Seconds later when the passengers got out, she abandoned her post at the front door and took off running towards Kate's office screaming that he's here.
Kate heard Gloria yelling something unrecognizable and the sound of her screaming was getting closer to the office. She lifted her head having cried herself out at being a failure stood and dried her eyes. The door burst open without a knock and, an out of breath Gloria stood there taking in Kate's appearance.
"Kate, he's here! He made it after all!"
Kate still a little numbed by her statement because her star attraction was a no show could only guess who she was talking about.
"Gloria, the FedEx and UPS drivers come here on a daily basis right about this time. You're going to need to be a little more specific than that."
Gloria grabbed Kate by her shoulders from behind and shoved her out of the office. Kate wanting to be left alone in her misery went along, well she had no choice really with Gloria pushing her forward.
About 5 feet out onto the sales floor Gloria told her to look up.
What she saw took her breath away… literally! She started to gasp for air when she ascertained who was standing in the store. It was Richard Castle and his daughter. Gloria had patted Kate on the back and she recovered from her initial shock. She turned and looked at Gloria and she could only see the gleam in her eyes. Right then she knew that things would work out.
Xx
She walked right up to him and said,
"Mr. Castle, I'm glad that you could make it here this morning. I hope the car I sent to pick you up was to your satisfaction?"
"Well Kate, about that….."
Rick had explained the situation with the car and then getting on the wrong subway train and then the cab ride to the store. When he was finished she looked at him wondering if anything else could go wrong.
"Kate I hope that you're not upset with the way this morning started off."
"No Mr. Castle I'm not. The main fact is that you are here now. Do you think that we can let some of these people in?"
"Kate, it's Rick remember? Please, Mr. Castle makes me sound old and stuffy."
Kate smiled at his comment and then said,
"Okay Rick, we have a table set up right here. There are a couple of stacks of your recent release next to you and a comfortable chair for you to sit in."
"Kate, that's great. Is there someone who can take care of Alexis while we do this meet and greet?"
"Yes, Gloria will take Alexis over to the children's section and then to the young adult's section and read to her."
"Kate, that's great, but I think Gloria should skip over the children's section and head straight for the young adult section, Alexis is pretty well advanced in her reading."
"Oh okay, Rick."
Kate walked Alexis over to Gloria and asked her if this was alright with her if she had Gloria taking care of her while her dad was busy.
"Kate, it's great! Were already friends from the other day."
Kate looked at her with an uncomprehending look.
"The other day? sweetie, can you tell me what you're talking about?"
"Sure, we came here on Thursday and my dad bought me some books that Gloria said that were a good start for someone like me. They were so good that that night I almost read the whole book. I want to get the next book in the series."
Kate just looked to Gloria who was nodding at her and then she put it together. Rick was the man who bought the Dickens book from the store.
"Okay, Alexis, so you will be okay for now?"
"Sure. Thanks, Kate."
"If you need anything just ask Gloria and she'll get it for you."
Alexis reached over and took Gloria's hand and they were off. Kate turned and set her eyes on Rick starting to become a little misty. He had saved them by buying that book and he was going to help them again. She stopped right next to him and asked,
"So Rick, are you ready?"
"I think so. Let's let them in. Oh, and Kate I'm going to need a couple of more sharpies one won't be enough." He said as he walked towards the table. At first, Kate thought he was silly. A sharpie lasted a really long time. It wasn't until later on in the signing that she noticed three sharpies discarded in the bottom of the wastebasket and believed him.
