Disclaimer: I do not own Castle
Chapter 11
Kate unlocked her front door and let Avril go in before her. When they were inside, warm and on the couch, she finally spoke.
"I'm meeting a lawyer tomorrow"
Avril looked at her "so it's happening then?"
"Yea. We can't live this way sweetie... I know he's your dad, and the last thing I want is for you be taken away from family…"
"Mom. He's not family... he never was... he abandoned me when I was born. And he's been doing the same for the past few years. Come to think of it now, he's never really been a good father to me."
Kate pulled her daughter to her arms and she held her close for a while. Both of them needing this kind of comfort and support.
"We'll get through this mom. Don't worry"
"I know." She kissed the top of her head and said "we'll be happier after this. I promise"
Avril said goodnight to her and then went off to bed. Kate finished all her chores and finally got in bed at around 11pm. She debated in her head whether to read a book or watch a movie. She really wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. For some reason she had some feeling of unrest in her.
She thought back about the earlier half of the evening. The time she spent at a handsome writer's loft.
A smile came to her face at the thought of him. He was a kind man, a caring father. He was everything she'd ever wanted in a husband.
Kate ran her hand through her hair. A lot of things had shifted between them tonight. They had been shamelessly flirting all night long. And Kate didn't regret it one bit. Castle was fun to be around and he always knew how to make her feel good.
Tonight though, with all the stealing glances across the dinner table, brushing knees against each other under the table, teasing openly, and even the hand holding… Kate was not really sure what signals she was sending out to him.
Of course, Kate was starting to feel something for him. But the minute she realized he was going to bring up the topic, she avoided it, ran from it. And it was pretty clear to her that she scared him. He immediately back tracked and took his words back. Not willing to let her go so easily.
He's waiting. And he's determined. And that made Kate even more confused. What lied ahead for them? She needed to know.
But right now, she needed to end things with her husband. And she needed to give that priority. She can't possibly think of another relationship right now. It's uncalled for. However badly she wanted it, she would just have to wait.
Oh but Richard Castle was stuck on her mind. She felt like all she ever did these days was think about him. Even now, she had a divorce to worry about and here she was, wondering what if there was anything in store in the future for her and Castle.
Of course those were HER dreams. How could she be so sure that that's what Castle wants too?
What if he's this way with every woman he meets? How would Avril react to her mom dating again?
And this worried her the most. Cause Avril had no clue that Kate had gotten this close to Castle. She knew nothing about their late night conversations or their coffee meet.
Kate's mind was working 100 thoughts per minute. And she just wanted all of it to shut down! She needed to stop thinking!
And like a saviour, came a message on her phone from the man in question.
"Okay so I spoke to her. And she said she's not in town, so if we want to meet her tomorrow, we'll have to drive on out and see her at her cabin. You up for a trip tomorrow?"
Kate smiled to herself. And quickly replied.
"Okay. I'll have to call the precinct and let them know I'm not coming in tomorrow then. What time should I come pick you up?"
"Wait… I'll come pick you. Be ready by 9 am tomorrow okay."
Kate laughed. Then she looked at her bedside clock. And sent him another text.
"Are you sleepy? Or can I call you? I just need someone to talk to"
Kate knew he'd never say no to her so she was just waiting for his reply and then she'd hit call on her phone.
Her phone suddenly began ringing and Kate wanted to laugh out loud. It was Rick. Of course, why send a text saying "Call" when you can call, yourself"
She quickly picked it up and said
"I would have called you, you know"
"Oh I know, but I thought I'd make you smile"
"You always do"
there was a comfortable silence on the line.
"How'd you know I'd be awake to reply to your message?" Kate asked.
"Trust me, when these kind of things happen, it's hard to even think of falling asleep. So I had a feeling you'd be awake"
"Well you're right... I can't get my mind to shut up"
"let me help you with that. What are you wearing?"
"Rick?!" Kate laughed. "You can't tell me you're serious!?
"Awww come on... I want the character in my book that I'm creating after you to be just like you and for that I need to know what you wear at night"
"Oh please that's the lamest excuse I've heard"
She could already feel her head getting lighter and her body relaxing.
"Okay fine... then how am I supposed to know?"
"Use your imagination Writer boy"
"oh I do that all the time. The last time I imagined you in…"
"Shut up!"
"What" he chuckled. "Don't tell me you haven't been dreaming about me too"
"Ofcourse not" she lied with a chuckle.
"Liar"
"Am not"
"Are to"
"Castle!"
"You couldn't control yourself today. In case you forgot... you were the one brushing your leg against mine under my table"
"ha! You're imagination runs wild I must say. You wish Castle" she teased.
"Anywho... I still want to know what you're wearing."
"Well I'm not telling you anything. If you want, you're just going to have to wait for a day when you can see for yourself"
Kate couldn't believe she had just said that to him.
"Oh Kate. The day I get to see you for myself, in bed...you won't be wearing…"
"Castle!" she half scolded. "This topic is going way out of hand!"
"You're right" he laughed. "Your right... How about I read you something…"
"Okay. What are you going to read for me?"
"Since you love my last book so much... I'll read to you from there."
Kate chuckled "I'm waiting"
"Are you all tucked in?"
"Hmmm" she hummed in the affirmative.
He took a deep breath, cleared his throat and began to read to her over the phone.
Kate found herself being transported to another world with the sound of his voice. She closed her eyes and focused on his every word, his voice, deep and throaty in her ears in the stillness of the night.
It calmed her down. It made every cell in her relax to such an extent that she felt herself slipping into a world of fictional characters... wherein she could picture herself with Castle. Kate was slipping into dreamland, sleep finally overtaking her tired self.
