Evening Blues Chapter Eleven
Beckett let Castle lead her more inside the room. The lights were on low, there were tons of tables in the middle of the room with white table cloths; each table had a vase with three red roses. The waiters were offering champagne and elegant finger foods to each guest as they sat at their tables. There was a mini bar in the back part of the room if any of the guests preferred wine or other beverages. The small stage was set up with two speakers on each side, and a crystal clear podium in the center with a small microphone. Castle had a reserved table for Beckett, Paula, himself and the two hosts located closer to the front of the room directly in front of the stage. There were two bouncers located on the outside of the door and two bouncers standing on the inside of the door. There was light instrumental music playing in the background. On the right side of the stage was a small table with two name cards, two chairs and a cup holding pens and black sharpie markers, this table had been roped off for later that night. As Castle led Beckett to their table Beckett could hear the whispers and gasps coming from the guest when they saw her on Castle's arm. As Castle pulled the chair for Beckett she sat down, then he came around to sit beside her, he could tell she was a little overwhelmed with all the people so he gave her a comforting smiles and took her hand in his. There was only one photographer allowed to be inside the room and she was from Cosmo, she stood in front of their table, took a quick picture and walked away to take pictures of the guests at their table. As the photographer walked away Paula came and sat down with her glass of champagne, she took a sip and looked at Beckett
"So glad you could join us Detective Beckett, Rick has told me alot of things about you, but I can assure, their wonderful".
Beckett squeezed Castle's hand and looked at Paula "Thank you for having me and you can call me Kate".
The host of the party started walking onto the stage to introduce Castle and Beckett so the party could start "Hello everyone, thank you for coming, my name is Alis Bennet, and this is my colleague Jason Daniels, and we would like to welcome you to the Book signing party for Richard Castle's brand new released book Heat Rises" as the guest cheered and clapped, Jason stepped up closer to the microphone, "Tonight we would like to introduce the Author of this book: Richard Castle and the Inspiration for Nikki Heat: Detective Kate Beckett from the NYPDS Homicide Department"
as the guest stood up cheering and clapping, Castle stood and offered Beckett his hand, he led her on stage and they shook the host's hands. After the clapping had died down and the hosts went to sit at the table, Castle stepped up to the microphone
"Thanks everyone for coming, we appreciate you all being here, enjoy your champagne and I will read a few passages in Heat Rises momentarily"
As Castle and Beckett walked off the stage, he put his hand on her waist to lead her back to their table. The photographer snapped a few quick pictures and she watched the partners take their seats.
A few moments had passed as the guest mingled with each other, laughing, comparing opinions about the book, enjoying champagne, as Alis Bennet stepped onto the stage
"At this time Richard Castle is going to read a few passages from his book, then he and Miss Beckett will be seated to sign your books for you"
the guest clapped as Castle walked onto the stage with his book in hand. He settled his book onto the podium and began reading a few passages. Beckett took a sip of her champagne as she watched Castle; he flipped thru a couple of pages and began to read. She watched as the crowd hung on his every word, ever so often Castle would look up at Beckett and smile. The photographer stood in front of the stage and got a few good pictures of castle reading and looking up, and then she turned around without Beckett noticing her and got some good shots of Beckett laughing, watching Castle and taking a few sips of her champagne. When Castle was done, the crowd applauded and cheered as he walked off the stage. He walked over to Beckett and offered his arm to walk to the signing table, Beckett took his arm and the duo walked to the table the photographer swooped in getting in good shots of Castle and Beckett arm in arm, smiling and laughing as he led her to sit down. When the Castle sat down after Beckett he scooted his chair closer to her and smiled
"so, how do you like the party so far Kate?",
Beckett smiled as she took Castle's hand "it's wonderful, a bit overwhelming at first, but I'm getting the hang of it.".
Castle smiled as he watched Jason walk onto stage "If everyone who wants their book signed please make a line beside the table". The two bouncers from the door made their way towards Beckett and Castle, one stood and manned the velvet rope and the other took his place behind their chairs.
Once a line had formed the guest started making their way towards Castle and Beckett. Castle reached over to Beckett and leaned in close to her ear
"Remember Detective, it's just like signing your name on the napkin".
Beckett smiled as she squeezed Castle's knee. After a few minutes of singing books, Paula came up to the table with a glass of wine, feeling a bit tipsy, she watched as the writer and detective laughed, touched, signed their autographs and greeted fans. She stood there for a moment and leaned between the couple
"Sooo how long have you too been dating?"
Castle looked at Beckett with a deer in headlights look; he was worried she would get angry and Paula, then at him, instead Beckett gave him a smile and calmly said "oh were not together".
Castle took a sip of champagne as he turned towards Paula "aren't you supposing to be making appearances or something?" Beckett giggled as she watched Paula storm off, Castle leaned back in his chair waiting for the next guest come up
"Thanks for not getting mad at me; I didn't put Paula up to that".
Beckett finished writing her name as she looked at Castle "I'm not mad, besides, she's had like three glasses of champagne, and that's her second glass of wine, were here together and the question was bound to come up sometime during the evening".
Castle leaned forward in his chair as the second guest game up with her book; he smiled "well Detective Beckett you're full of surprises".
When a woman came she kneeled down towards Castle and whispered something in his ear, Castle swallowed and looked at Beckett and back at the women he said in a shaky voice
"I'm sorry but I don't do that anymore, if it's not inside the book, I don't sign it.
The women leaned forward to Castle again as Beckett realized what the women asked Castle to do as she leaned forward towards the woman and said in a low threating voice
"He said if it's not in the book, he doesn't sign".
The women quickly gave Castle her book for him to sign and walked off. Castle leaned back in his chair and looked at Beckett with a smug smile;
Beckett rolled her eyes "Well you don't have a gun on you so I had to scare her somehow so she would stop looking at you like that". Castle realized she just recited the words he said earlier about the man in the elevator making eyes at Beckett. Castle laced his fingers thru her free hand "Thank you Kate". Beckett squeezed his hand "always" she replied.
Thanks to all you guys who are following, favoring and posting reviews, chapter twelve will be up soon!