Here's another chapter. They will be slightly sporadic. I don't have much written on the other pieces due to writer's block. Also, if anyone has other things they want to see, tell me! I'm happy to accommodate your thoughts, provided they don't turn M or something. Anyway, enjoy!
Kate looked over at her partner chatting on the phone in the conference room. Something in his demeanor caught her off guard and when he came toward her desk, she happily pestered the writer.
"Esteban forgot to pick Cassie up from soccer practice. I was on the phone with the coach when he couldn't reach Gloria."
"So, you're picking up Cassie." Kate clarified. Castle's breath hitched.
"I was wondering if you could. Paula called and told me about a mandatory book signing tomorrow. My flight's in an hour and a half and I still have to pack."
Realizing the man had been talking with Paula, Kate conceded to the arrangement and grabbed her car keys. Making sure she got directions to the school, Kate drove to pick the child up.
Finding a group of children on a soccer field, Kate parked in the closest lot.
The detective noticed the children grabbing their water bottles and school bags and decided to stand outside her car. Spotting the detective, Cassie ran toward her.
"I thought Rick was picking me up!" She exclaimed after hugging the woman. Kate shook her head.
"He has a book signing and asked me to get you." The child nodded as she took a sip of water from her water bottle before getting consent to get in the vehicle. Kate looked at the child from the rear view mirror and smiled.
"How was practice?" The woman questioned.
"Great! We have a game next week! Can you come?" The child pleaded. Kate sucked in a breath.
"I'll have to find out what time it is." The detective replied. Cassie nodded before staring out the car window. For a few minutes the car was silent. As
the woman realized she was now stuck in traffic, Kate turned the radio on low.
Noticing the girl in the back seat humming to the song, Kate asked, "Do you want me to turn it up?"
Cassie nodded and then started softly singing to the One Direction hit. At the chorus, the soft singing of the girl was joined by Kate's alto voice. At the end of the song, Cassie smiled.
"You sing pretty!" The six- year- old responded. Kate smiled.
"Thank- you." She answered before assessing traffic to see if she could use her siren. Biting her lip, Kate decided not to abuse her position.
"Do you have homework?" The detective asked once she realized they would be in the car at least an hour with the wreck on the road. Cassie told Kate she did as she took a binder out of her backpack. The detective answered a text Castle sent her about picking up Cassie as the girl worked. She had just finished a call with Gloria telling her where they were when traffic finally started moving.
"Kate, I have to read a paragraph out loud. Can I read it to you?" Cassie questioned from the back seat.
"Sure sweetie. Go ahead." She responded. Kate listened as Cassie fumbled through the reading.
"That it?" The woman asked questioningly due to the child's abrupt stop.
"Yeah, I just need to write who listened. How do you spell your name?"
"Kate or Beckett?" The detective inquired.
"Beckett." The child responded. By the time the child had finished the name, Kate had pulled up to the girl's house. The woman got out of the car and helped Cassie with her bag before they walked to the door. Mrs. Sanchez opened the door and ushered the woman and child inside.
"How are you?" Kate asked hugging the older woman.
"Fine, but I need to talk with you if that's alright. I was hoping Mr. Castle were here, but this will involve you too." Mrs. Sanchez stated gesturing to the living room. Kate sat beside Gloria and the woman began to explain the predicament.
"A couple weeks ago, Estaban was diagnosed with dimensia. We're afraid to tell the girls, but with Estaban's memory and my worsening arthritis, we were
wondering if we could sign you and Mr. Castle over as the children's legal guardians."
"Now?" Kate instantly responded. Mrs. Sanchez shook her head.
"Not now, but probably within the next year or so. I know it's sudden and you'll need time to process it, but as you can tell, we forgot Cassie at practice. I can give you time to think it over; we just need to know-"
"Yes." Kate answered surprising herself as well as the woman beside her.
"And Mr. Castle?" Gloria questioned.
"He would in a heart beat." The detective answered resolutely. The women talked a little longer about Kate's work and the children until Lanie came in the room.
"I should go." Kate said knowing they had a busy day tomorrow.
"Bye Kate!" Cassie said hugging the woman before thanking her for the ride home.
"Bye sweetie. Be good for your grandparents." Kate responded as she received a hug from Lanie.
"Don't forget about my game!" Cassie called. Kate smiled and told her she would remember. Leaving the Sanchez' home, the detective smiled wondering what the next year would bring her.
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