I do not own Castle or its characters and all mistakes are mine.
Chapter 10 -Where Did the Time Go?
"What about Kidz Lounge?" Castle suggests.
They're propped up against the headboard, relaxing and watching Destiny as she plays in her crib across the room, "Too far," Kate answers.
Mumbling through the blurbs he's finding he reads one aloud," Bloom Entertainment is the premier entertainment for kid events. Custom parties include Clowns, Magicians and costumed characters."
Kate looks at him like he has two heads, "Are you –"
"Oh, I know! How about the Zoo? They have multiple venues where we could have the party at," Castle crows excitedly.
Kate shakes her head at her over exuberant husband, "Castle, no. No Staten Island lounges, no zoos and good god, no clowns or costumed characters. We're celebrating her, not trying to terrify her."
Rick pouts and trains his eyes on another google search.
Putting her case notes aside, Kate turns to him, "Babe, listen to me. She's turning one. A small party of friends and family at the loft is all she needs and probably all she can do. Destiny is not going to remember zoo animals or bouncy houses and although she might remember clowns, they'd be in nightmares and not in memories."
"Me. Me. Me!" Destiny shouts from across the room. Pulling herself up by the railing to stand tall at the side, she beams at her parents, waving an excited greeting at them both. "Me. Me. ME. Mama! Dada."
Kate and Castle chuckle at the little girl's outburst and Kate turns away from Castle to swing her legs over the side of the bed and walks over to her daughter, "Did you hear your name, baby love?" Kate murmurs as she pulls the little girl from the crib and holds her against her chest, "Just can't stand to miss a thing, can you?"
Grabbing a couple board books and toys from the basket by the crib, Kate brings Destiny back to their bed and gently sits her down next to Rick, propping a couple pillows around the baby to keep her safe.
Reaching for the closet floppy picture book Destiny fingers the soft brown felt of the first page and runs her chubby finger over the outline of the animal she spies, "Mooooo. Mooooooo. Mooooooo, "she squeals and thumps the soft book against the bed repeatedly as she smiles up at Kate, her two little front teeth on display.
"Cow. That's right baby girl, the cow says moo."
Destiny tosses the book to the floor and the other toys and books quickly follow. Once everything is off the bed and the space in front of her is clear again, Destiny looks at Kate and then turns her big brown eyes to Rick and clenches her fists tightly before bumping them together and then using her right hand to run a tiny circle on her chest.
"More, please? More what love, what do you need?" Rick answers his daughter's signed request.
Destiny repeats the action and follows it by cupping her right hand at the base of her throat and sliding it down to her chest and making another tiny circle.
The signs are new, something Rick and Kate have been working on with Destiny over the last couple of months. However, it's only been within the last two weeks that she has really started to use them to communicate her needs, "Good signing, Sweetheart. Are you telling daddy you're hungry?"
Destiny beams a drooling, toothy smile at her father, "Na. Da. Na.," the happy girl squawks before forgoing the circle and just pounding on her chest with her tiny palm three times.
Getting up off the bed Rick leans down and gives the smiling baby a kiss on her cheek, Okay, love, let me go get you some banana," Almost to the threshold he turns back to his wife, "Kate, you need anything while I'm up?"
Kate hums a second before responding, "Maybe some ice water. Will you just get her some banana puffs and a bottle? I don't want mashed up fruit in my sheets again."
Rick shudders at the memory of the last time they fed Destiny real food in their bed and the mess it made of their sheets, their clothes, their hair, and the baby, "Right. Good point. I'll be back in a minute."
Destiny tilts her head up at Kate once Rick leaves the room, "Na na? Da da?"
Wrapping her arms around her daughter, Kate pulls Destiny close and kisses the crown of her head, "Oh baby girl, you have daddy wrapped around your little finger, don't you? It won't be long before he'll be buying you a pony and a Barbie jeep."
Castel huffs at his wife as he enters the room again and sets a glass of water on Kate's nightstand and hands a brightly colored plastic bowl of fruit puffs to the baby, "Where would we put a pony in the city, Kate? Now a puppy; a puppy would be more than happy in the city."
Letting the squirmy baby wiggle her way back down to the bed, Kate raises an eyebrow and gives her husband a hard glare, "Castle, we are not getting Destiny a puppy for her birthday; maybe when she's older but not now. I already have one toddler to potty train, I don't need two."
Reaching in the bowl Rick pulls out a small star shaped puff and hands it to Destiny, "Mama's such a spoil sport, isn't she?"
Taking the puff, Destiny shoves it in her mouth and thanks Rick by lifting the bowl and dumping them all over her head and onto the duvet and then reaches for the bottle still in her daddy's hand.
Surveying the snack gone wrong, Rick picks Destiny up and carries her over to her crib, "Okay, baby love, you finish that up and then we'll get you changed into jammies and do a little rocking before bedtime."
Rick walks back over to their bed and gathers up the star shaped puffs scattered all over and then brushes the crumbs on the floor and reminds himself to get the vacuum out tomorrow to clean everything up properly.
Sliding under the covers next to Kate, Rick listens to the gentle, rhythmic snuffling of Destiny drinking her bottle, "I can't believe it's been a year already, Kate. And, I think you're right; a small party with family and a few friends will be great for Destiny's first birthday."
Kate smiles at her husband and nods her agreement, "It'll be perfect, Rick. We have years ahead of us for zoos and clowns and blow up princess castles, but for this one: I just want to celebrate her, how far she's come in a year and let the ones who have supported us join in on the fun."
"With cake, Kate: there will be cake, right?"
Kate laughs, having momentarily forgotten that she is married to a little boy at heart, "Yes, Castle. There will be cake."
Castle leans in to kiss his wife and watches as Destiny's now empty bottle flies across the room, "I think her highness is ready for rocking and tuck in."
"Who needs a puppy? The girl needs a softball and glove with that arm," Kate quips.
XX
The Ryan's arrive first, bustling into the loft with hands full of Sarah Grace, presents and party offerings. Having just finished dressing Destiny in her birthday outfit Kate greets them at the door, "Hey, Ryans." Propping the birthday girl on her hip, Kate the leans in for quick hugs all around. "Come on in, we're just finishing up."
Jenny is carrying a festive plate and once she sets Sarah Grace down she presents the tray to Kate. "I know you said not to bring anything but I saw these on Pinterest and couldn't resist making them for today."
Taking the brightly colored platter Kate eyes the pink and white cupcake liners adorning the tray, every one filled with a different toddler friendly snack of bread sticks, cheese cubes with pretzel sticks, graham crackers or seedless watermelon."
Kate laughs and shakes her head. "Jenny, these are perfect and adorable. Thank you so much."
Kate feels a tug on her pants and looks down to see Sarah Grace smiling shyly up at her, "Can I play with Detny?"
Before she can answer the girl, Destiny squirms to get down and reaches for her friend; almost tumbling completely out of Kate's grip "Whoa, baby girl, hold on and let me get you down." Turning her smile to the Ryan's daughter she sets the wiggly bundle down, "I think she's very excited that you're here Sarah Grace."
Destiny sits on her knees, her legs ensconced in pink and white striped cotton leggings, bounce against her bottom as she springs up and down in excitement.
Sarah laughs and reaches out to touch the decoration on the birthday onesie Destiny is wearing, "Cake." The little girl points at the brightly colored shirt. "I have cake, mommy?"
"Yes, baby. We'll have cake later when we sing Happy Birthday to Destiny," her mother answers.
"Me. Me. Me," the birthday girl squeals and scoots closer to the older child before throwing herself on her stomach so she call roll after Sarah when she starts moving toward the kitchen.
Kate gestures Jenny into the living area. "Let's go find the boys and start putting the food out. Lanie and Espo should be here any minute and my dad is on his way."
Jenny follows Kate to the kitchen and comments on the decorations strung about the loft, "Wow, I see Rick must have done the decorating, huh?" Every beam, surface, railing and piece of furniture has streamers, princess cutouts or Mylar balloons attached.
Kate smiles, "Oh yeah. It sort of looks like a barrel of pink and white exploded in the loft, but that's Rick; he's always been a go big or go home kind of guy."
"I heard that, Kate Beckett," Castle quips as he walks in from the office with Kevin. Smiling when he reaches his wife, he puts his arm around her waist to pull her in and whisper in her ear, "Be nice or I'll let everyone know you're secretly a girly-girl at heart."
"I set the screen up in the office so the girls can watch a movie if they get tired or bored." Castle explains and reaches for a cup cake bowl of cheese cubes and pretzels, "Since Destiny is still in with us we haven't really put her room together yet." He says and pops a piece of cheddar in his mouth. "But, they'll be fine in the office and Alexis said she'd be in with them."
Kevin smirks at his naïve friend, "Really, Castle? You think those two will just quietly watch a movie while the adults are out here eating and laughing? I forget how long it's been since you've had a little girl."
"Whoa, hey now. One; Alexis will always be my little girl and two; those little girls will go anywhere the big girl goes. Destiny adores Alexis and follows her everywhere."
In his peripheral vision he spies the shock of red hair and the subject in question just as she descends the staircase, "The feeling is mutual dad; I love that little peanut." Jumping off the last stair Alexis joins them in the kitchen. "And, I'm anxious to spend some more time with you Sarah Grace today too," she says and smiles at both the Ryan's.
Their conversation is interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell and the arrival of Lanie and Esposito. Greeting everyone at once, Lanie immediately seeks out her godchild, "Where is my little birthday cutie?" Brushing Kate aside the boisterous M.E continues to call out, "Oh Destiny, where are you munchkin? Come here sweet pea and say hi to Aunt Lanie."
Castle grimaces at the M.E.'s over the top singsong calls. He and Kate have never been fond of the sickening sweet baby talk most adults take on when talking to young children, but he keeps his mouth closed to stave off the wrath that would come from both his wife and her friend should he try and broach the subject. Instead Castle steps out from the kitchen and heads towards their bedroom where he saw the two littlest partygoers retreat to a few minutes ago. "Hold on, Lanie, I believe the girls are playing in the other room. I'll go grab them."
The medical examiner smiles sweetly, "Thanks, Castle. I can't wait to get my hands on the birthday girl."
Castle continues to hope the woman tones it down as he goes in search of Destiny. The last thing they want is Destiny upset or over stimulated at her own party.
Kate catches him before he leaves. "Hey, you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay. It's just so weird to see Lanie all baby crazy and I don't want her or my mother's exuberance to upset Destiny today. I want her to enjoy the day."
Kate trails her hand down Castle's back and around his hip so she can grasp his hand, "Rick, Destiny will be fine. She hardly even startles at loud noises anymore and things that upset her earlier don't faze her at all. Lanie and Martha will not get her over excited and she loves having a friend here."
Castle shrugs, "You're right. Let's grab the birthday girl and get this party started, shall we?"
In the end his worries are for nothing. Lanie and his mother were perfect with Destiny and she laughed and squealed every time either one of them picked her up.
Having snacked and visited for an hour Castle announced that it was time for gifts and settled on the couch with Destiny on his lap and the brightly wrapped packages spread out on the coffee table in front of them.
Sitting down beside her husband and daughter Kate watches as Destiny's eyes sparkle with mischief before she lunges for a purple box adorned with a white glittery bow.
Rick leans forward with her to help bring the box closer while Destiny is already tearing the delicate topper apart, "Oooh. Me. Me." She happily babbles and places the bow on top of her head and reaches for another gift.
Kate halts the girl with a laugh and a gentle nudge of her hands, "Hold on, goofball, you have to open the box: the surprise is inside"
Destiny watches as Kate's slender fingers glide under the tape and loosens the paper on each side and then hands it back to the now eager girl.
Jim chuckles, "apparently we all could have skipped the gifts and just brought bows for Destiny this year."
The grown-ups laugh at his joke and, not one to be left out; Destiny joins in, "Me. Me. Oo. Oo." She then tears the packaging off the box to reveal a colorful wooden pounding bench complete with knobs and a sturdy hammer.
Smiling at his granddaughter as she begins to bang the instrument against the red and green pegs, Jim turns to his son-in-law and daughter and smirks, "You're welcome."
Once the birthday girl has mastered the art of present opening, with the help of her parents she flies through the rest of the boxes and bags in record speed amassing a collection of toddler friendly toys and books and a beautiful array of bows that she has stuck all over herself.
Leaving the mess for later, Kate gestures everyone to the dining room where a three tiered cake, complete with beautifully crafted fondant butterflies scattered around all three layers and an edible bouquet of pink, purple and orange Gerber daisies sprouting from the top, sits in the middle of the table. Next to the festive, professionally decorated cake sits a small, simple 8 inch round treat with chocolate frosting and the words Happy 1st Birthday Destiny written with flair in red icing.
"Oh Katherine, this cake is gorgeous," Martha gushes. "Did you end up using the bakery I suggested earlier in the week? Marco does such lovely creations."
Her smile wide and proud Kate nods, "Thanks, Martha. Yes, Marco really outdid himself and I might have dropped your name to entice him to make it on such short notice."
"Good girl," Martha praises. "Whatever works, darling, whatever works."
Rick settles Destiny in her highchair that has been pulled up close to the long table and clips the straps at her waist and puts a cushion at her back to assist in keeping her upright against the eating tray, "There you go little girl. Now the real fun begins: it's cake time."
Destiny's eyes go wide at the site of the cakes just a few feet away from her and smiles so big her two little front teeth are on full display, "ooooooooo," the baby coos and suddenly lunges forward in an attempt to get at the sweet treats while bumping her fist against her chest frantically.
Alexis laughs at her half-sister's short cut sign language and leans in to kiss her cheek, "Soon, little munchkin, soon. We have to sing first."
Grabbing the box of matches she left on the counter Kate pushes on one side and extracts a single match, flicking against the igniter and setting the lone candle aflame. Bringing the burning match close to lips she quickly blows the flame out and sets the now extinguished stick in a glass of water and moves to Rick who is standing next to the Destiny's highchair, his arm resting on top of the back.
Destiny startles when the group breaks into song and looks around the room in confusion and awe and her eyes flit from the candle in front of her to the happy faces surrounding her, before they settle on her mother. Smiling brightly the baby begins slapping her hands against the tray joining in on the fun.
Alexis takes charge of handing out plates and silverware and slicing up the large cake to offer to their guests while Kate scoots the small chocolate one over the dip of the table and onto Destiny's highchair, "Okay, baby girl. Have at it."
Now that the treat is so close, Destiny eyes it suspiciously and turns her head over her right shoulder to look at father: her expression telepathically questioning this turn of events.
Rick leans down and swipes a finger through the frosting, bringing it to his lips and making an exaggerated production of licking it clean. "Mm, chocolate," he moans and repeats the gesture, only this time he presents the treat to Destiny.
The curious little girl pokes a tiny tongue out and touches the tip to the bit of frosting resting on her father's finger and quickly pulls the sugary snack inside her mouth. Thoughtfully rolling the dollop across her taste buds Destiny's eyes scrunch up and she shivers as the chocolate flavor bursts inside her tiny mouth.
"I think she likes it," Rick observes as he watches the baby's expressions go from hesitant to blissful right before she plunges face first into the cake.
Kate laughs and watches as their daughter lifts up from the dessert; her cheeks, nose and forehead covered in frosting, "You think?"
XX
The party ended and the birthday girl resting in their room after being bathed and chocolate washed from ears, hair and nose, Rick and Kate set about cleaning up the aftermath of the festivities.
Kate and Rick's friends have been generous, if not a bit devious as they take stock of the gifts Destiny has received, "Do you see a pattern here, Kate? I think our friends secretly hate us." Castle muses and leans down to pick up a Musical Activity Cube with bright colors and multiple buttons of bells and whistles.
Gathering up the paper and ribbons and cards Kate looks at the gifts spread out on the coffee table, "What are you talking about, Castle?"
Picking up a See-n-Say of farm animals and a bundle of kid friendly musical instruments including a triangle, a drum and hand held bells as evidence, he answers his wife, "Every gift Destiny received today either produces a sound or encourages her to make her own."
"Mhm, maybe you're right, Castle." Kate responds eyeing the gift the Ryan's gave Destiny. "Let's remember this Learn to Play Piano when Sarah's birthday rolls around."
"Ah yes, revenge will be sweet," Castle chuckles and stacks up the remaining toys and books to move upstairs to Destiny's room. "Hey, did you hear your phone ringing earlier?"
Setting the bundle of cards in her hand back down on the table, Kate looks at her husband. "Oh. Thanks for reminding me. I heard it ring a couple of times, but since I'm not on call and everyone we know was at the party, I just let it ring through to voicemail. I'll check it now."
Castle is stretched out on the couch with his eyes closed when Kate returns from the bedroom where her phone was charging. "Rick!" Kate calls and the urgency in his wife's voice makes him bolt upright from his resting place.
"It was Linda Thompson and she wants us to call her back as soon as we can. Since it's Saturday, she left her cell phone number. and She said there is some good news and some bad news about Destiny's case."
A/N A big thank you to every person still reading and following along.
Even sick, sick, sick GeekMom never fails to support. Thank you.