Sorry, I'm taking so long to update but I've been super busy with school.

Here's the update, hope you enjoy :)

'Oh, my gosh, What if I can't pull this off a solo and lead of the group dance? I barely had time to practice and my mom took time off from work and Rick and Alexis are here I can't embarrass myself.' This was some of the thoughts that flashed through Mackenzie's mind, but she was the picture of calm. It was a look she had mastered over the years. "Come on Kenzie you've been dancing since 2." She pep talked. She was a little more nervous because of her extra guest as well as excited.

"Kenzie," It's costume time, the dance teacher yelled.

"Did I miss anything?" Kate asked coming back to her seat.

Rick shook his head? "Nope just talking,"

"I wish that I could be with her, but the dance teacher said parents are the main cause of nervousness in dance competitions so only the stylists and dance teachers are allowed." Kate sat back in her chair biting her lip before adding. "It's probably a good thing or else her grand parents would slip in and they already put so much pressure on her for this competition."

"Why?" Castle asked.

Kate sighed and rolled her eyes. "Because they make major donations for this competition and they expect her to win. Last year she came second and they stopped her from dance for a month."

Castle scoffed. "I'm sorry, but they sound like awful people."

Kate shrugged. "Why apologize, it's the truth."

Alexis who was playing a game on her ipad put it down into her backpack. "Look it's starting." She yelled excitedly.

They were an hour into the competition when they announced. "Black Swan,"

"Oh my gosh this is it." Kate exclaimed, she was almost out of her seat and Castle grabbed her hand for support, when the 8 year old walked onto the stage in a glamorous black fluffy tutu costume with sequins and sparkles, she looked over to them and gave a grin before the music started and she began to dance. Several flips, turns and acrobatic moves later in 3: 45 minutes the first dance was over.

"She was phenomenal, Castle complimented.

"Yea she was awesome can't wait to see her afterwards." Alexis cheered.

Kate still held Castles hand. "She was always better at dark parts."

The group dance was done just as well and it was time for the awards all of the other places were standing with their plaque and trophies but first for soloist and Castle was beginning to regret giving Kate his hand because she was all but breaking it.

"The winner is… Mackenzie Maxwell." The girl cringed at the use of her second last name but smiled and stood to receive her prize. Alexis, Kate and Castle Cheering extremely loudly.

After winning the group dance too, Mackenzie was eager to see them.

"Mom," she yelled running to her mother hands outstretched clad in only her group dance costume and jacket.

"How did I do?" She asked looking to the hopefully.

"Amazing, awesome, I've never been prouder." Were the answers she received.

Suddenly a man walked up to them holding a helmet in his hand and a bouquet of flowers and candies in the next. "Delivery to Makenzie Beckett."

The now surprised girl grabbed the treats.

"We wanted them to be fresh as possible." Alexis told her beaming.

"Oh thank you." Mackenzie yelled hugging them and pushing her crown onto her head properly.

Kate smiled, "You guys ready to go to the ice cream shop?" She asked.

But before they could go.

"Mackenzie."

She almost groaned as she turned around.

"Grandma, Grandpa,"

The two mature adults walked over to them. "Good job, you won." The woman said looking at Castle up and down. Her voice held no emotion.

"Here," she said handing the girl 150 dollars.

"Is that all you're giving her" A man with black hair dressed in an expensive suit walked up to them and Kate immediately tensed and so did Mackenzie.

"Dad?"

He looked at Kate then to Castle causing her to step in front of him, shielding him from the alligators.

"I'm here to take Mackenzie for a celebratory dinner at Springers, a few friends are meeting me there, Kate you come too." He ordered.

"Evan, you….."

But before Kate could say anything and the situation get worse. Mackenzie stepped up. "Daddy we already had plans with Mr Castle and Alexis….."

"I bet you do." Evan scoffed looking at Kate.

"We can hang out tomorrow, daddy."

Evan looked Castle and picked up Kenzie kissing her forehead. Daddy will call you to hang out. You came first, we got to celebrate."

Kate just turned around signaling the end of the awkward conversation.

Mackenzie had relaxed and gone back to her bubbly personality but Kate was still tense and when they sat down to eat their ice cream in the park and the girls had gone their way she spoke

"We met in college, pre law."

Castle didn't push he just waited for her to continue.

"He was just perfect, he was the total package, then my mother died, she was murdered and they weren't getting any leads."

He couldn't help it he had to ask now that she was sharing. "Did they find her killer?"

She shook her head. "No and it made me so lost and my dad started drinking so I slept with him one night without protection and the next thing I know I'm pregnant. Then he changed, I saw the real him. He got angry when I wanted to be a detective then when I told him I was pregnant. He wanted nothing to do with Kenzie, said it would ruin his image and his Parents image and he left. That is until his parents found out. They forced him to be a part of her life and now I have to live with this crap. They own their five successful law firms and they think they're above everybody else."

Castle was silent all he did was rub her back, it was all he could do. The vein on her head appearing more and more.

"I'm sorry you had to experience that." She added.

Castle shrugged "I've been through worst, Alexis' mother isn't a picnic either."

I bet she isn't. Kate added.

He put out his hand for her to hold to show her that he would be there for her.

Hope you enjoyed.

Please review or leave a suggestion.

Until next time.

Kaityshowgirl.