A/N: We're almost there! Keep the reviews coming, I truly cherish each and every feedback from you guys.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Day 4: Safe and Sound.
Castle and Beckett get to the library in no time at all. Castle visits the library all the time with Arriana, so it doesn't take him long to get straight to the librarian's reception desk.
He introduces himself to the librarian immediately. "Hi, my name is Richard Castle, I received a call from Melinda Jones, one of the librarians here, she says she has my son? He's a baby boy, came here with his sister-"
The librarian cuts him off right there, eager to placate the worrying father. "Yes, Ms Jones has him. They're in the staff room, I'll bring you and your wife there now. Unfortunately we're still unable to locate your daughter."
Kate squeezes his fingers tightly and Rick gives her a soft tug in return. "Hey, one kid at a time, okay? Let's get Nate and then focus on Arri."
The anxious parents follow closely behind the librarian and when they reach the staff room, Kate all but hurtles herself through the doorway, arms stretching out to reach for her son. "Nate, Nate, oh my god Nate-" she chokes on his name, overcome with relief as she hugs him tightly. Rick is only half a step behind her, enveloping both his wife and son in a bear hug.
"Arriana? She's not- you guys couldn't find her?"
Ms Jones shakes her head regretfully. "Sorry for the bad news Mrs. Castle, but we announced over the PA for her to approach any of the staff but no one came forward. Another one of our staff members, Mrs. Frank, thinks your daughter bumped into her as she ran outside."
Kate nods tersely. She knew to prepare for bad news, but hearing the librarian's confirmation that Arriana isn't around still hurts. A cold noose tightens around her heart. Rick presses a kiss into her temple, trying to keep her hopes alive. "We'll find her, Kate. The boys are looking for her as well, and she's smart. We'll get Arri back."
Kate begins to give Nate a look over, checking to see if he really is okay. The baby seems happy enough, gurgling content noises now that he is reunited with his parents. In a soft voice, Kate asks Rick, "Is it possible… Do you think Arri brought him here to… to leave him?"
"On purpose? No, never. Arri would never do that, not in a million years, Kate."
Ms Jones lingered awkwardly in their periphery, hesitant to intrude on their hushed conversation. She clears her throat gently, holding out the baby bag for the parents. "We found your son playing with an empty bottle, so I assume he was recently fed. I've… stuffed your daughter's hat and scarf inside the bag as well."
Kate has never been more relieved that her husband had the forethought to keep his business card in the baby bag. Rick thanks Ms Jones for all she's done and takes the bag from her, opening the bag to withdraw Arriana's scarf. He presses it to his face, inhaling. It smells of the watermelon lotion Arriana uses and a tinge of sour, sweaty odour. It smells of his kid. His poor little girl who is lost somewhere in this city, probably cold and terrified.
Kate's phone suddenly starts ringing, the shrill ringtone sounding very out of place in the library, causing everyone to jump. She hands Nate over to Rick and apologises as she pulls out her phone and quickly answers it.
Both Rick and Kate had purposely set their ringtone to the medium-loud range so that they wouldn't miss any incoming calls.
"Ryan?" she answers, hoping the boys have some good news for her or at the very least a trail of her daughter's activity after leaving the library.
"What? Oh thank goodness- Rick, Rick they have her. They have Arri and they're bringing her to the 12th now. Thank you so much Ryan, yeah, we have Nate. He was here in the library. Okay, sure. Is she alright? How- okay, yes, we'll see you soon. Thanks Kevin."
Kate hangs up, kissing Rick on the lips. "They have her. Well, Javi found her. The boys caught a case this morning and Javi was following a lead so he went out with LT to do some canvassing, and this girl brings Arri over to get help, well, long story short, Javi is bringing her back to the 12th right now."
Rick sags in relief. "That is just wonderful news. She's okay? She's not hurt or anything?"
"Kevin hasn't seen her but he said Javi just mentioned her being cold and shaken up."
Rick grabs her in an impulsive hug. "Both our kids are safe, Kate. Let's- let's go pick Arriana up."
