Collection of Memories by Castlefan6
Authors Note: This is a continuation of Down for the Count, my AU version of events immediately following the end scene of Countdown where Kate is in the arms of Josh watching Castle walk away after several near-death experiences. Please read that before continuing with this. I had severe anxiety when Beckett just watched as Castle walked away watching her in the arms of Dr. Motorcycle Boy, and once things were back to Caskett, how could we get Rick back to the precinct? NO Doctor MB, but some old characters, owned by both Marlowe and me will pay a visit in this story.
I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 12
Previously
Rick smiles, as he closes his phone and yells out, "Kate, Alexis, do you have a few minutes I need a family meeting"
Kate looks at Alexis with a look of dread, "What's a family meeting Lexi?"
"It's when anyone of us need to talk about something important and all of the family need to know about it, anyone can call one, don't worry Mom, I got your back."
They meet in the family room, and Rick explains that he has formed a new corporation, named KCE, then explains that it stands for Kate Castle Enterprises, and their first acquisition was Black Pawn Publishing.
Kate is sitting slack jawed almost in shock, "Mom that's a good thing, you can control what goes on down there, and make Dad hold his deadlines, technically you're his boss now" she laughs.
August 9th
Downtown Los Angeles, 10:00 AM
Kate can't believe in a little less than 6 weeks she will be Mrs. Katherine Castle, wife, and mother and her life made complete. Her Lexi has been by her side since they arrived home from the Hampton's and Mike Royce services. She was providing Kate a crash course in "Castleness" as she called it, how life in the Loft happens, where to shop, and making her get used to charging items on the Black AMEX that Rick had provided for her.
Today, Lanie, Maddie, and Lexi were going to select the Bridesmaid's dresses and she must make the final decision on her wedding gown. She could have had it custom designed, but fell in love with one on the rack, but allowed the designer to show her a few alternates, just in case.
She was very proud of Alexis when the designer acted a bit snobby when she loved the off rack dress, Lexi let her know in no certain terms that this was "my mom's wedding day and she wants to walk down the aisle in a Duct Tape dress, that's fine, as long as she is happy. If you value any business in the future, check your attitude, and never ever display that behavior to my Mom again".
Maddie and Lanie just stood back, shocked first by the Alexis already addressing Kate as Mom, and secondly at the ferocious attack to protect her.
"Kate sounds like you and Alexis bonded quickly," Maddie said.
"She's a great young lady, we talked, she believed me when I said I was sorry for all the hurt, and she knows just how much I love not only her Dad but the entire family.
She's a lot like her Dad, you don't want to see either when they lose their tempers, and never mess with anyone they love, I'm just glad she's my daughter now."
Lanie laughs and mutters, "I can testify to that, little Castle is just like big Castle, such a big heart, but she has a quicker flash point than Rick."
"You'd never know either were as wealthy as they are, they are always so kind and considerate to others, really refreshing after I have to deal with the Want to Bee's in my business who are only legends in their own minds" Maddie laughs.
"I'm not going to dish too many family secrets but I can tell you, I have never met a more generous man, Actress, and young lady as I have in my new family, I'm so very blessed to be a part of it now." Kate says with a proud look on her face and a tear in one eye ready to fall.
The bridesmaid dresses were selected, and breaking from tradition, they were not horrendous, but very sheik, which left the final decision on the Wedding Gown. Kate had waffled back and forth, she still liked her original choice, but the designer did come up with little touches that she knew would catch Rick's eye, and still give her the comfort she wanted.
"Mom, I know it's your day, and your gown, but it seems like you are kind of stuck between two choices, can I help?" Alexis says shyly.
"Lexi which do you like best sweetie, I love them both, I know your Dad would love the designer gown, but it's 4 times the cost"
"Mom, are you even considering the price? Is that what is keeping you from choosing the gown that I want to wear on my wedding day someday to honor my Mom? That's you Kate, Meredith is my Mother, you are my Mom" as she pulls her into a sweet embrace.
"OK Lexi, which one would you like to wear on your wedding day, Sweetie?"
"The designer gown Mom, it really shows off your figure and is going to knock Dad over."
"That's the one, then, and you're right, it will drive your Dad nuts all day, we may have to have the buttons replaced for your wedding," Kate smiles
"Mom, TMI for now, I know what goes on, but I don't want to picture it, just yet" she laughs
Castle Loft
11:00 AM Same Day
Roy, Espo and Ryan all come over to go over the last-minute plans. To avoid arguments, Roy is going to serve as Rick's best man, and the boys as attendants. There had been all sorts of gamesmanship going on between the two till Kate decided enough was enough, it was disruptive, so Rick made the obvious choice. Rick loved it, because how could they argue with their Boss's Boss.
Guys stuff for weddings always goes so quickly, do you have a Tux? Yes, get it sized, cleaned and pressed. No? Buy one or rent one, since this was Rick Castle, Rick had the tailor come to the loft, and was purchasing a tux to match his for each of his bridal party. He also had him bring the top of line leather shoes that he wore exclusively and fitted each, so they matched perfectly.
"Rick, I have to say, I had doubts I would live long enough to see this day," Roy laughs
"Tell me about it, I really thought it was hopeless, till she suddenly woke up and saw I had been there all along.
Espo, I know I have you to thank for telling her bluntly to wake up, I never said it but Thank You."
"It was my pleasure Bro, everyone in the freakin precinct could see what you two couldn't or wouldn't, anyway Kate's like a sister to us both, so if you ever hurt her, *"
"Can the macho shit Espo, she's going to be my wife, and if you two bozo's ever let her down you'll see a side of me you will wish you hadn't.
If you want proof that I mean what I say I have a gym downstairs with a ring and the equipment if you want to go a few rounds."
Espo looks a bit flustered, as Ryan grins, "Nah, not before the wedding, don't want to bruise you for the pictures writer man."
"It won't be me, besides we have a little over 6 weeks till the wedding, anytime you think you can do it, bring it on soldier boy."
That pushed Espo over the edge, being challenged in front of his partner, and Captain. "Let's do it then", he says.
They were in the ring a whole of 2 minutes before Espo had cuts above and below both eyes, that were swelling shut, plus a bloody nose.
Finally, Montgomery said "enough Espo, you're done"
Rick is laughing, never once losing his cool, as Ryan asks, "How the hell did you learn how to do that Rick?"
"Kevin growing up your whole life as the outcast teaches you more than how to read and write novels, it also teaches you when to shut someone up with your fists, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but no matter others think twice before targeting you for the bullying,"
"Espo, you OK? Put some Ice on those eyes, and maybe they won't show for the pictures, also there is some butterfly band aids over in the first aid kit.
I hated to do that, but you have been pulling that bad ass routine since I first came to the precinct. Things change now, Kate is my responsibility, not yours and I'll take care of her in and outside the precinct, you got that?"
Espo is still in disbelief at not only that he got his ass handed to him, but the relative ease that Rick had picked him, a decorated soldier, apart. "Yeah I got it, but I want a rematch."
Ryan speaks up, "for what Bro early retirement on disability, Espo he will kill you next time, I watched, and he pulled back some of his punches."
"No hard feelings Espo, consider it done, but lose the attitude, you ever make me look like a fool in front of my fiancé or wife, and this is just a taste of the beating you'll get, or as you once told me, I'll make you bleed."
"He'll be OK in a few days Rick, hard for him to let go, but you're right, it's time to change the guard" Roy says softly.
Castle's Loft
5:30 PM
Kate, Lexi Maddie and Lanie had made a day of it, BUT had secured all they needed in clothing lines, which not only please Kate, but her new daughter as well. They bid farewell to their friends and as they enter the loft, Alexis let's her opinion be known.
"Hey Dad, too bad you can't see what we bought for a few weeks, but you are going to lose your mind, Mom is so beautiful."
"There's my two heartbeats Rick says as he stands embraces Alexis, kisses her head then draws Kate in for a deep Kiss and long sweet embrace, "I missed you, every minute you were gone" he whispered.
"I missed you too Babe, soon this will be all done, and all we'll have it time for each other, I promise" as she kisses him back deeply and passionately.
"Rick, I thought I saw Espo leaving with Ryan, Kevin waved but Javi hid his face from me, what's going on?"
"Well you know we were talking the other night about how he is so protective of you, sometimes even when it's none of his business, "
"Most of the time when it's none of his business and I don't need protecting from him" Kate bristles.
"Well I just mentioned something to him about backing off a bit, he took it as a challenge, so we visited the gym for a few minutes"
"Oh Dad, you never told them, did you?"
"Told us what Lexi? I'm confused" Kate frowns.
"I'll be right back," she says bounding up the stairs, returning a few minutes later with three trophies, and a scrapbook.
"Dad will never tell but I guess he got tired of getting beat up by the bullies in school, especially since he was always the easy target, so he took up boxing. One of Gram's boyfriends was really good and had a gym, so it was free.
Dad actually won three Golden Gloves tournaments when he was between 15 and 18," as she opened up a scrapbook of a young Richard Castle with headgear and the large gloves.
"Rick, you were a three-time Golden Gloves Champion, and never said a word? Why Babe?"
"Well I thought it would end having to fight, you know they knew you were good, but instead there was always an Espo somewhere shooting off their mouth, so I just avoided the fights by keeping quiet."
"How bad did you mess Javi up Babe, will he be OK for pictures?" Kate smiles
"You aren't angry Kate, I mean I always try to avoid this, but he has had this **"
"Big Macho Man image that he can take care of anyone, and no one better bother me, right?" Kate interrupted.
"Yeah, that was it, it just brought back every barb, every smart aleck comment he had made, and I did give him an out, but he had to see it through. I guess he won't open his mouth so often now.
I told him, I would take care of your safety and honor both in and outside the precinct, and he was to keep his mouth shut."
Kate started laughing, "Oh babe I wish I could have seen it, I bet he is the most surprised man in the world now."
Alexis pipes in, "Mom do you really want to see it? I mean for real?"
"Yes, Lexi but we were out, how can we see it now?"
Alexis types into her phone, then hands it to Kate, "Dad setup a cloud account and always tapes the boxing ring just in case someone get's hurt and wants to sue, we have the actual footage,"
"Well Babe, it didn't take you long to get your message across, boy he is a mess, no wonder he didn't want to face me. Maybe I should call Lanie to go over there and try to keep the swelling down, but it serves him right, him and his big mouth."
"I'm sure she is not going to share your opinion about this."
"Babe, Lanie is the first to tell him he is going to get his Ass kicked and he needs to back off, he's not the macho man in the gangs now, so she'll be fine.".
September 18th
Old Haunt
Rick's Bachelor Party,
Rick could not believe how fast the time had flown by, but tomorrow he was going to make a dream come true, he reluctantly allowed the boys to throw a Bachelor Party for him, with some restrictions, no strippers, no call girls, and only for 3 hours. That matched the time that Kate would be celebrating as well, and since her daughter was with her, she made sure it was age appropriate.
The weeks following the beatdown of Espo had been a little tense at first, till Espo finally realized that things were different now, Kate has her man in her life, her choice, and there was no need for him to insert himself.
It took almost 5 weeks, but the bruises were almost gone, lucky he had a dark complexion, and the cuts had also faded well. His ego took a bit longer to heal, till finally he invited Rick out for a beer to clear the air.
"You should have told me Bro, I mean if I'm going against a 3 times GG Champ, I alter my attack."
"Espo you were Special Forces, did you broadcast all of the technical advantages to your opponent before you went into battle? That's bullshit, and you know it, and as for altering your tactics, it wouldn't have helped. I got into boxing because I was too vicious in the streets and had to learn to channel anger."
"Yeah, you're right, it's hard to admit, but you kicked my ass pretty good. I was just trying to protect Kate, *"
"And you had been told several times to back off, your protection was the way you wanted it to go, she's my wife in a few hours, and no one, I mean NO ONE is ever going to take that role again,"
"Yeah, I see that now, Are we good Rick?"
"Of course, we are good, do you think you would still be in my Wedding if there were anything wrong between us?"
"Thanks Man, here's to you and Kate," as he clinks his bottle with Ricks, the last piece has fell into place, just in time.
A/N Well I thought this was going to be the wedding, but I was asked to incorporate an attitude correction for Espo, so I kind of let the characters take care of it. (Hope this is what you wanted Dream) Next Chapter will be the wedding, and again, end of this story. We can pick it up as a sequel if there is demand taking it forward to what I feel we were cheated out of, Pregnant Kate, and seeing the trouble little Castles can cause. Open to ideas. Thanks for the reads, review, favorites and follows, Appreciate them all, Tim
