Castle was about finished making his pancakes as a sleepy Alexis came into the kitchen. "Morning, Dad! Hi, Emma. Oh, hi Detective…..sorry, Kate! The smell of Dad's pancakes wakes me up every Saturday morning." She reached for a plate and Castle served the pancakes he made for himself to a happy Alexis. Kate smiled affectionately as she watched Rick serve his daughter and then start to make more pancakes.
"Syrup or whipped cream today, pumpkin?" I have some fresh fruit slices in the fridge for you." Alexis got the fruit, dumped it all on the pancakes, shook the whipped cream and decorated her breakfast.
The baby was trying to reach for the plate. "Alexis, don't give Emma anything more to eat or she will get sick."
"Why don't I take her in there, so you can both eat it peace." Kate rose with Emma and walked to the living room couch.
"I put on the cartoon network but I left the volume on low. Emma's lamb is on the floor by the TV." Castle stuck his head into the room to tell her after he checked on his breakfast but the pancakes weren't ready to flip.
Kate was about to sit down with the baby when her phone rang. "Beckett!" She smiled as the tiny hands tried to grab the phone and then her hair. She avoided the grab then caught and kissed the tiny fingers as she listened. Rick stuck his head in again to find out what the call was about.
"That was Esposito and Ryan, no luck canvassing the area and they found no match for our victim looking through the missing person's files. She was very young, so they put her description into the national runaway database. Maybe we'll get a hit, if we are lucky." Nodding Rick went back to his breakfast as Kate tuned up the volume on the TV. "Look Emma, this was my favorite when I was little, Fractured Fairytales."
Alexis had finished eating and began to collect all the dirty dishes and put them in the dishwasher. "I'll bring Gram up her breakfast and get dressed. When is someone coming for Emma?"
"Not sure, Kate said around eight but it's nearly nine o'clock now. What are your plans for the day?"
"Paige and I were going shopping but if you need help with Emma, I can call her to cancel."
"No sweetie, go have fun. Besides, since you look so much like her mom, it will be easier on Emma."
Rick finished his breakfast and started the dishwasher. He walked into the living room just as Kate's phone rang again. "Beckett!" Rick watched her face as it went from a frown to very angry. "It has been twelve hours since I called you. I understand cut backs and vacations, I work for the city too!" Kate hung up and turned to Castle. "I am sorry, they are short people. No one can come until after noon."
"Kate, it's fine! I had nothing special planned for today. We can pick up a few more things for Emma and take a walk in the park…unless you have other plans. Hey little one, how about a ride on the carousel or a buggy ride around the park? Would you like that, munchkin?" He lifted the baby from Kate's lap high above his head and Emma squealed in excitement. "How can you possibly say no to such an adorable face?" Kate arched an eyebrow at Castle not sure if he meant Emma's face or his.
Beckett looked at Castle and Emma. "OK, a walk sounds good, especially after that breakfast. I have my cell phone if the guys need to reach me or if by some miracle Social Services come early."
Several minutes later Castle stepped out the front door of his building and spoke for a minute to the day doorman pointing towards Central Park. He held Emma with one arm and put his hand on Kate's back as she stepped through the door. The paparazzi in a car across the street smiled broadly and captured the image, zooming closer with each frame. He had been waiting for weeks outside Castle's loft and his patience just paid off. He knew that not only the tabloids but also the regular wire services would pay top dollar for shot of Richard Castle and his "secret family".
He had photographed Rick for many years, had taken shots of him drunk and sober, during and after parties with other celebrities, with his ex-wives, girlfriends or playmate of the moment. All his partying seemed to stop about eighteen months ago and now he knew why. Castle said that Kate Beckett was his "Muse" and inspiration for creating Nikki Heat. Apparently they created more than just another best seller together. He drove in the opposite direction as Castle, Kate and Emma walked to FAO Schwartz.
The elaborate children's store had always been Rick's favorite place to shop for Alexis when she was younger. Kate had heard of the famous kids store but never had a reason to go into it before now. She smiled as the doorman held the door open for them, he was dressed like a toy soldier. Toys and games were everywhere, even the decorations and staff invited young and old to stop and play. Kate smiled again as they arrived on the second floor. She remembered the scene from the movie "Big" where Tom Hanks had walked on and later played Chopsticks on a floor sized piano. A few kids were playing on it now or at least trying. Looking around she saw Castle in the toddler clothing area. She hurried over as she saw him buying almost everything in site. "Castle no, Emma needs a few tops and pants to wear now, she doesn't need all that." Kate put back everything he selected and walked over to the clearance rack. She quickly found three pants, matching tops and a zipped hoodie.
Castle was sad. "That's all! But she would look so cute in this?" He held up an adorable plaid sun dress. "Oh yeah, she needs sneakers and socks. How can she go walking with nothing on her feet? We also need something to put her new clothes in." He held up a "Hello Kitty" backpack. Kate nearly had a heart attack when she saw the price tag. She just shook her head and reluctantly he put it back. Once he paid for the few purchases that Kate allowed, he asked the saleswoman where they could change Emma into some of her new clothes. She pointed to the ladies room.
Kate took Emma from his arms as Rick pulled a diaper from his jacket pocket. "She is probably wet...you do know how to change a diaper, right?" Kate snatched the diaper from him and walked away. "Oh Kate, I think you forgot something." He walked over with the shopping bag that held the new clothes. "Good Luck! If you're not out in twenty minutes, I'll send someone to check on you."
Kate walked into the ladies room but her haughty expression vanished once the door closed. She looked around for someplace flat to lay the baby down. Thankfully there was an attendant who showed her to the changing station. Kate removed the faded and worn top and pants that Emma had on, both were stained and getting a bit too small. Without hesitation, she threw them in the trash. Turning back to Emma , Kate bit her bottom lip. She dealt with criminal and killers all the time, why was she so nervous about a very wet toddler? Taking a deep breath, she smiled at the baby. "OK Emma, let's do this!"
