Author's Note-I finished this story this morning so it's now the home straight. Only three more chapters after this. Enjoy NYLF xx
Rick followed Kate down the stairs and tried to stay calm.
This was important, perhaps the most important meeting of his life so far.
What if he hated him? If Kate's son hated him that would be terrible.
He was brought out of his musings by excited giggling.
"Hey baby boy." Kate cooed, scooping the little boy out of Esposito's arms and hugging him tightly. "Oh Mommy has missed you." Rick smiled at the scene before him. He'd seen Kate in so many different scenarios but 'Mommy Kate' was his favourite so far.
The toddler watched Rick curiously over his mother's shoulder and he watched him right back.
He was tall for his age, but given his parentage that wasn't a shock, and had Kate's chestnut hair. His cheekbones, nose, mouth and the overall shape of his face were identical to Kate. The only bit that gave away Will's involvement, were his eyes. Rick smiled at the toddler but only got a curious look back.
He heard Kate sigh softly before pulling back from her hug and moving her son to her hip.
"Charlie, there's someone I'd like you to meet." She started softly, leaning her head against the toddler's crown as she faced Castle. With the hand not wrapped around her son, she pointed to Rick. "That's Rick. He works with Mommy. Can you say 'hi' for me?" Charlie looked so terribly shy for a moment as he looked to Kate for encouragement. She gave him a soft smile and stroked his cheek with the backs of her fingers. "It's okay baby, he's not scary, I promise." Charlie looked back at Castle slowly.
"Hi." He whispered. Rick smiled.
"Hey Charlie. How are you doing? Bet it's nice to have Mommy home huh?" Charlie nodded. "Yeah, Mommy's pretty cool." Kate gave him a soft smile. Rick returned it before turning to the other people in the room. "Thanks for the help guys. I owe you." Both boys shook their heads.
"You don't owe us Castle." Ryan assured him.
"We were just helping out our girl and her little man, no owing needed." Kate turned to them with a smile.
"Thank you, both of you." They both smiled at her and ruffled Charlie's hair before patting Rick's shoulders and taking their leave. Martha and Alexis both made themselves scarce, both having other plans, while Rick sat on the sofa and motioned for Kate to do the same.
"So, this is Charlie huh?" Rick asked, watching as the little boy snuggled into his mother's chest. Kate chuckled, wrapping both her arms around him and holding him close.
"Yeah, this is Charlie. So..." she started a little unsurely. "Is he what you expected?" Rick chuckled.
"Kate, I found out about him yesterday and haven't left your side since, I haven't really had a chance to speculate." He left out the part where he was worried sick she was seriously harmed for Charlie's sake. Kate nodded, dropping a lingering kiss to the top of Charlie's head.
"I'm sorry it took that for me to tell you about him." Castle shook his head immediately.
"Don't apologise, Kate. I told you, it was your decision." He watched the toddler breathe for a moment before turning back to Kate. "You seem to be doing a really good job with him." Kate smiled.
"I'm just doing what any parent does. I'm trying my best to keep him safe and happy, to make sure he always knows he's loved and cared for." Rick smiled.
"You're doing it Kate." She nodded shyly and dropped her head back onto Charlie's. "Are you tired?" He asked carefully. Kate shook her head without lifting it.
"I, I honestly thought for a minute there I would never see him again." She explained. Rick nodded understandingly.
"Tell you what. How about you stay here, enjoy some mother/son bonding time, and I'll go make you a coffee and some lunch. That sound okay?" Kate nodded gratefully.
"Rick?" She called after him before he got very far.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for getting me home to my son." Castle smiled warmly, choosing to not draw attention to the slight waver in her voice.
"Always Kate. Always."