A/N: I'm sorry it took so long to update. I was both out of internet credit and out of ideas. But now I am back on track, so thank you for your patience. Enjoy =)
Beckett was at a loss. Unable to come up with a good come back for castle, she turned to Alexis for help. She and Ashley sat with Beckett one afternoon, when the sun beamed down on them, as they sat sun-baking on the beach.
"I need to get your father back," Beckett insisted.
"Why don't you play the shark game?" Ashley suggested gesturing towards the water. "That's always a hoot. I have the fin if you want to borrow it."
Beckett shivered at the very idea. "No thanks, Ash. I don't like sharks, its why I don't swim in the beach water. He wouldn't fall for it."
The three of them pondered another idea.
Alexis sat up on the towel and grinned. "I got it!" she announced.
Beckett was listening. "Okay…"
She turned to her boyfriend. "Don't freak out on me, Ash."
The boy frowned.
"You could totally give dad a heart attack and ask him for permission to marry me," she grinned.
Ashley smiled. "Yeah, that could work."
"I want to scare your father," Beckett reminded them. "Not kill him."
"Come on, Kate. It will be awesome. Can you imagine scaring dad with that, and I've seen Ash take some drama classes, he could pull it off no worries."
Beckett thought about it. "Alright," she agreed. She was definitely getting him back for the towel incident. This round was hers for sure.
… … …
Ashley approached Castle at the tent, as he slipped into his shoes.
"Mr. Castle, can I have a word?" the kid looked nervous. Beads of sweat pouring from his face.
"Yeah," he nodded. "Go ahead…"
"I was wondering if…" he shifted on his feet and cleared his throat. "I mean I don't really know how it works. It's respectful to come to the father and ask permission, but-"
"Ashley, you aren't making any sense," he frowned. "Spit it out."
"I um… I was wondering if I could, I know we are young, but I love your daughter, Sir and I want to marry her."
"Yeah, sure, I mean- you- YOU WHAT?" he stammered realizing what he was asking.
Ashley stepped back looking nervous. "I… I'd treat her well, Sir. I'll have money. I'll make sure she goes to college."
Castle shook his head. "You're kids. You are too young to get married."
"On the contrary, Sir, many our age, are marrying."
Castle ran a hand through his hair. This was too much.
"I have to think about this…" he announced walking away from the boy.
… … …
"You put them up to this, didn't you?" Castle accused towering over Beckett.
She sat up on the towel and looked at him, seemingly oblivious to what he was asking.
"What?"
"It's your idea of a joke… Ashley and Alexis getting married."
"What?" she cried. "They're getting married?"
"LIKE HELL!" he stated.
"What- what are you talking about, Castle."
"You didn't put them up to this?" he narrowed his eyes.
"Put them up to what?" she said shaking her head.
"Getting married," he snapped. Castle looked like he was ready to explode and Beckett almost felt sorry for him. Had it been her child, she would have flipped out too.
"Good Lord, no," she denied. Technically it had been Alexis' idea. Beckett had learned how to keep a 'poker face' and the many suspects she had interviewed over the course of her career, had helped her remain in control at this moment. She gave no hint of a smile, her eyes gave away nothing. She looked at the writer-boy, as if this topic of discussion was new to her.
Castle sank to the sand, a look of horror on his face. "She can't get married… she's a baby… she's MY baby."
Beckett felt a tug at her heart. He obviously cared about his child.
"She's a woman now, Castle…" Beckett told him.
"Don't remind me," he sighed. "To me, she'll always be my little girl."
"Well, now she'll be HIS little girl."
Castle winced. He didn't like that idea.
"Hey, dad," Alexis announced appearing at his side. "Ash told me that you said you'd consider the possibility of us marrying," she smiled.
"I didn't say that!" he denied.
The smile on Alexis' face vanished. "I love him dad."
"You are SO young, Alexis."
She turned her face away, and when she turned it back, she was smiling.
"Pranks on you this time, dad!" Alexis laughed.
His heart stopped.
"You put them up to this, didn't you?" he accused Beckett turning his eyes on her.
She shrugged indifferently and gave away nothing.
This was round was a winner!
You will think this chapter LAME compared to what's in store.
What happens when a sleeping bag is given to Beckett? I promise you'll LOVE IT! This has been the chapter I've been dying to write since it started, and it's going to be a doozy! =)
