Chapter 11

Come and take a walk on the wild side

Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain

You like your girls insane

Choose your last words

This is the last time

'Cause you and I, we were born to die

Born to die-Lana Del Rey

The next afternoon, after her last exam and talking to her mother, Kate and her brother talked on the phone, after weeks without talking to each other.

"Happy birthday little sister." Keith said on the other side of the line and Kate laughed.

"Happy birthday to you too. I put your gift in the mail today, I hope you'll like it."

"And what is it?" He asked, curious, because Kate always knew what he liked or wanted.

"You'll have to wait and see." She replied, ignoring the protests of her brother. She had bought a box of his favorite candy, knowing he hadn't eaten them since he had joined the academy.

"Ok ok. And did you like the shirt?"

"Yes, I can use it on the campus." Keith had bought her a navy blue shirt with the emblem of the academy and Kate had loved it because she would feel closer to her brother."

"Is everything all right there? The boys aren't annoying you?" He asked worried, because he was far away from her, though he knew she was strong.

"I'm fine Keith, I know how to defend myself."

"And am I becoming popular there?" He joked and Kate rolled her eyes and before hanging up, he said. "I miss you, Katie."

"I know, I miss you care."

Later, Kate was in the dorm with Lanie, admiring herself in the mirror and seeing the work that Lanie had done in her hair.

Kate wore a red long-sleeved dress with boots, bought with the money she earned from Rick. Lanie had curled the tips of her hair and made a light makeup, leaving her stunning and a natural at the same time.

"You look beautiful Kate." Lanie said, smiling at her friend. "I have to go, I promised to pass in Esposito's dorm before we leave, happy birthday girl!"

And she handed her a pair of earrings that they had seen at the mall the other day and Kate smiled, hugging her friend tightly.

"Thank you Lanie."

When Rick went into the bedroom to change clothes, he was jaw dropped at the beauty of his girlfriend.

"You're beautiful Kate. To be true, you always are." He said, kissing her lips, wishing her a happy birthday. He was anxious to give her gift because it was special. She was too important to him now.

When the couple left, they saw Josh in the hallway, drinking a beer and staring at Kate with a grin.

"So gorgeous, why waste your time with this little writer?"

The couple ignored him, passing by him and when Josh grabbed Kate's arm, she responded by knocking him as she had done on her first day there, leaving Josh intrigued.

"I'd rather go out with my little writer than with an asshole who likes to chase balls." She replied coldly and Josh got angry, raising his hand to slap her and Rick held his hand, twisting it painfully, his eyes glowing with anger.

"If you raise your hand to my girlfriend again, I'll break your hand." And he released him with a shove, leading Kate out of the block, who smiled proudly of her boyfriend.

"Hey birthday girl!" Esposito said with a huge smile to Kate and indicating a wrapped gift on his hands.

When the couple arrived at the cinema, they met their friends there both eager to see the zombie movie that had premiered. After singing happy birthday to Kate and handing her a bag of gifts, letting her touched with the gesture, they bought tickets and entered and Rick led Kate to the side seats where they would have more privacy.

"Zombies, really?" Kate asked, raising an eyebrow and putting popcorn in his mouth.

"Hey, this movie received good reviews." He protested, making her laugh. Kate had learned that Rick loved movie with zombies or spacecraft. "Unless you're afraid of?" He teased.

"Fearing a lot of actors dressed as undead? I don't think so." She then said, approaching his lips: "Are you afraid?"

"If I say yes, will you protect me?" He joked and she laughed, kissing him.

"Of course I'll protect you."

The movie started and the couple shook their heads to see Jenny and Ryan frightened by the movie while Lanie and Esposito were kissing, ignoring the whole movie. Kate and Rick watched the movie hand in hand and the brunette was surprised when she found herself concentrated in the movie, occasionally they'd feed the other with popcorn.

When the movie was coming to an end, Rick whispered in her ear:

"Wanna get out of here?"

"I want." She nodded with a smile, as he led her out of the room.

Rick led her toward a Ferris wheel that was in a park there and the couple took a compartment, watching the city lights from above. Rick sat behind her, bringing Kate into his lap and the brunette leaned her head on his chest while watching the beautiful scenery and the moon shinning in the sky.

He then took a strawberry cupcake from a bag he was carrying and using a lighter, he lit a single candle, whispering in her ear:

"Happy birthday, my Kate."

"You're amazing Rick..." She sighed thrilled, kissing his lips and then staring at the cupcake as a child in the Christmas morning and Rick smiled, seeing her so happy.

"Make a wish Kate."

"I already have everything I want Rick." She said gently kissing him again and he said:

"Then ask to become a lawyer."

She nodded, closing her eyes and blowing the candle. After sharing the cupcake with laughs, the two were silent, just watching the sky.

"You're being very romantic today Mr. Castle." She said with a smile, when then she felt something metallic slip on her finger and the brunette looked at her hand, seeing a ring. "Rick?" She asked with her heart beating fast, raising her finger and looking at the silver ring that was delicate, with braided details, that meant their relationship and then looked at his hand on her waist that had a ring equal, but simple.

"This is my birthday gift for you, love. I love Kate, and when your father comes to Stanford, I want him to know how you mean to me." He said his eyes shining, his face flushed slightly.

"Rick..." She whispered with a small smile, turning to him and stroking his face, brushing the ring on his cheek. "I love you too."

The idea of her father there, in Stanford, scared her, but with Rick at her side, she knew she could face anything. The couple exchanged a peck, which soon became an ardent kiss and Rick lowered his hands to her thighs, going under her dress and fondling her bare skin, causing goose bumps on Kate, who bit his lip sensually, then felt her head hit the Ferris wheels window, making her realize where they were.

"Rick... Rick, stop, this is a public place."

"Hmm... Kate..." With much effort, Rick pulled away from her, not before exchanging one last kiss and the couple smiled passionately, sitting on the bench side by side, hand in hand, watching the city lights and the stars, eager to return to the dormitory.