Chapter 20 – Cloud 9
Castle stared at Kate his eyes full of joy, "thank you" he whispered "do not under any circumstances tell Ryan and Esposito though" she threatened "they have a pool betting on us getting together" he grinned "now why does that not surprise me" he said, Kate flicked the emergency stop switch and the lift sprang back into life, "what about Lanie" Rick asked "she is your best friend surely you should tell her" Kate pulled a face, "yeah I know but I really don't want to tell her and then have to say that I have already kissed you on the lips already" Rick grinned "three times" he said happily as the doors opened, to reveal Esposito standing obviously waiting for them "what took the lift so long" he asked "and what happened three times" "err" Kate said looking at Castle "lift just stopped, dunno why" Esposito looked at her "what happened three times" he asked.
"she kicked Robertson three times" Castle said coming to her rescue "I was just reminding her what a kick ass she is" Kate elbowed him in the stomach causing him to groan and bend over slightly, Esposito shook his head "oh and by the way Kate a visitor for you arrived no too long ago" he smiled and then they all walked to the bullpen, "Livie" Kate exclaimed, her daughter grinned from Rick's seat, her eyes flicking between the two on them "hey" she said "I hear you had an eventful trip to Newark" Kate laughed and hugged her daughter "it was nothing" she said "you did it" she said with a grin "you made it through school", Livie grinned "yup, I am back" she sang and Kate laughed before hugging her daughter again, things were turning out all right now, Livie had almost recovered and for the first time in a long time, she felt happy and in love.
"you are in my seat again" Castle complained, Livie giggled but didn't get up "mine now" she taunted, Kate shook her head as she began to take stuff off of the murder board "don't even think about it Rick" she said, she turned to find him about to sit in her seat again "aww come on Kate, she has mine" "well go find another" she said, he pouted at her before stomping off to find another chair, Kate shook her head and smiled at her daughter, honestly sometimes she felt like Castle's mother too.
As soon as he was gone Livie leaned forward "and" she prompted, Kate looked at her, "and what" "did you keep your promise and tell him" she said, Kate smiled at her, "yes" she said and Livie's eyes widened in delight "and" she said again, Kate was about to answer when Ryan and Esposito appeared next to them "and what are you to lovely ladies talking about" Ryan asked grinning "nothing" they said together and Kate cursed, she really was beginning to hate that word. "I am going down to see Lanie" she said knowing she would have to tell her sooner or later, Castle who had just appeared winced and gave her a sympathetic grin, Livie followed her to the stairs "and" she whined "what did he say"
"he asked me out for dinner tonight" "YAY" Livie shrieked jumping up and down in delight "wait you did say yes right, because if you didn't I am gonna march out there and tell Ryan and Esposito everything" she threatened "Livie" Kate laughed "I said yes, you are going over to Rick's tonight to spend the evening with Alexis, that ok" "yeah duh of course" Livie giggled her eyes shining "I am going to tell Lanie now, you might not want to be present for this, it might get messy" Livie giggled again and then hugged her mom before skipping back to Kate's desk and throwing herself into her new chair, Castle had placed his new one next to hers and Kate could see Livie grinning at him as she descended the stairs to autopsy.
"Lanie" she called as she entered through the doors which opened with the usual swishing sound, her best friend came out of the back room "Kate" she said in delight at seeing her best friend "what are you doing down here, how's Livie doing now" Kate smiled and told Lanie about Livie and her horse riding adventure, the coroner smiled "Livie and her horses" she said with a smile "it was magical Lanie, I went with her on a hack and we just talked, it was amazing"
Lanie smiled at the sparkle in her best friends eyes "what did you talk about" she asked as she began to put away her tools, Kate took a deep breath "she was wondering what it would be like when Castle and I got together" Lanie burst out laughing "when" she laughed "that girl has a lot of spark to her and a very big imagination" Kate grinned sheepishly "no I think she is just using the evidence that she saw", Lanie frowned "what do you mean". Kate looked at her "would you be mad if I told you I kissed Rick Castle Thursday night" Lanie dropped her scalpel "what" she yelped "and that I was going on a date with him tonight just the two of us", Lanie's jaw dropped "no" she breathed, then she saw her best friends grin "oh Kate I am so happy for you" she squealed hugging her, laughing Kate hugged her back "what does Livie think of all this" Lanie asked when she finally released her.
Kate smiled "to be honest I was not sure what to do, it was Livie who told me to follow my heart and she made me promise to tell Rick how I feel" Lanie smirked "oh so writer boy is Rick now is he, I knew that girl had the biggest heart there is" she sighed dreamily. At that moment the doors to autopsy swung open and Livie herself came in "you" Lanie growled "when you came down here earlier I specifically asked you if there was anything going on between your mom and writer boy and you said no" Livie smiled sweetly "technically nothing was happening between them at that time so it wasn't a lie" Lanie growled at her again before pulling her into a hug "perfect" Lanie sighed "so when were you going to tell me about the bet" Kate asked Lanie blushed "oh err that was just a bit of fun" she scowled at Livie who smiled again sweetly "nothing much" Kate raised her eye brows "it is if Captain Montgomery put money in betting that we would" Lanie grinned at her sheepishly "I don't actually know if he was serious about that"
Kate laughed again as Lanie began to fantasise about what their date would be like "well it is going to be late if I don't go soon" Kate said looking at her watch "come on Liv, oh and Lanie, please don't tell Ryan and Esposito I would like to tell them myself when I know how far this is going to go" Lanie smiled "oh believe me Kate it is going all the way or you are going to have to answer to me" Kate smiled as she and Livie exited autopsy.
XOXOXO
Castle watched Livie talk to her mom and smiled when she let out a tiny shriek and leapt up and down, they spoke for a few more minutes before Livie hugged her mom and skipped out back to her new chair, the moment she sat down she turned to grin at him, eyes sparkling in the same way her mother's did, he waited until Kate had descended the stairs to autopsy before he leaned towards her daughter "so you ok with all this right" her grin widened "yeah" she said as though it was obvious "I am glad that she has finally found somebody, I mean she never used to date, she went on a couple but I never actually met many of them, and she seems happy with you"
He smiled at her "nervous" she asked cheekily "ur a bit" he said "why should I be", Livie thought "hmm, yeah maybe" she said "but I can tell she likes you so you probably don't have to worry that much" "any advice" he asked, again she thought "nothing fancy, she likes simple, and take it slow, she doesn't like to be rushed" he chuckled "oh believe me I know that" she giggled, "I am going to see Lanie" she said and stood up "that is still my seat" she called and Castle raised his eyebrows how did she and her mom do that, he had been considering taking her chair back as his own, he shook his head and settled down watching Ryan and Esposito bickering about something, judging by the fact that they kept looking at him, he would guess it was about him and Kate.
He saw Kate and Livie come up the stairs, Livie grinning happily, he thought back to when he had first met her, frightened and unable to remember who her own mother was, she had jumped at everything, and cowered away from physical contact, it was hard to believe that that had only been about 10 days ago and two months since he had found out she even existed, he thought back to those days when she had been in the coma fighting for her life, Kate had been so scared and afraid during that time, better than during the time when she was missing but still anxious, it was during that time that he had discovered a different Kate, a calm emotional loving person with a smile and a family rather than a workaholic, controlling, kick ass detective, although he had always know from the moment he had first seen her that he had feelings for her, it was then that he realised that those feelings he had been feeling were love.
He watched as they approached, Kate raised her eyebrows at him, pushing her long auburn hair back behind her ears gently, "you ok Castle" she asked "err yep" he said standing up and grabbing his coat as Kate picked up her bag and turned off her computer and Livie grabbed her school bag, Kate turned to him when they were ready to go "what time should I be at your place" she murmured as Ryan and Esposito were standing quite close by.
"how about seven" he murmured back gently, she nodded and then beckoned to Livie "see you all tomorrow" she called "bye" everyone called back and mother and daughter left slipping into the elevator, Castle hung back to try and make it seem like he wasn't following Kate everywhere, he and the boys had a quick chat about the case and then he too left, Ryan turned to his partner "that was strange" he said "she wasn't tearing his throat out as she usually is, and he was being sweet to her" Esposito frowned "yeah, strange" he said, they both frowned after the author for a minute before shrugging, turning of their computers and leaving the precinct.
XOXOXO
Rick arrived home with a huge smile on his face that made his mother and daughter stare at him, "hey dad, you look happy" Alexis commented "oh I am" he said bending to kiss the top of her head "I have a date tonight", they both looked at him "with who" Alexis asked "oh yeah before I forget she is bringing her daughter over for you to have a girly evening with". Alexis' face split into a huge grin "oh my god, you have a date with Kate" when her father nodded she let out a squeal "oh yes about time, ha-ha I knew Livie would be able to help her see", Rick frowned "what do you mean", his daughter smiled "we could see at dinner that you loved her and that she liked you, but we could see that she wasn't sure, Livie told me she was anxious about dating, but she was different around you, she loved you, Livie said she just had to make her realise it"
Rick smiled "she is coming over about 7, I have a table booked at a small restaurant, not too big of fancy, because Livie said she doesn't like fancy, you and Livie can do whatever you want as long as it is safe and inside the apartment, and you go to bed at a reasonable hour because you both have school tomorrow" Alexis nodded and gave a mock salute "yes sir" she said with a grin, he gave her another hug and a kiss before disappearing into his study, to either write or prepare. Alexis grinned at her grandmother who grinned back "finally" she said causing Martha to smile.
XOXOXO
Livie lay on her front on her mother's bed watching her mom prepare for her date with a smile on her face that didn't evade her mother's notice "what" she asked "nothing" Livie said making her mother groan, what was it with that word, "you actually seem generally nervous about this date" Livie commented, Kate thought "yeah I guess I am" she said "but you are excited" Livie noted "I have never seen you get ready for a date with so much concentration and a smile on your face" that made Kate smile more "since when are you a detective" she asked sticking her tongue out at her daughter making her grin back.
Kate sighed as she ran the brush through her hair which now hung in thicker, tighter curls, she carefully pinned a few tight curls back out of her face securing them with a few pins, Livie scrambled off the bed to help her fix them in place "I think I really want this to work Liv" she said, she stared at her reflection in the mirror until Livie's appeared next to hers as she wrapped her arms around her shoulders "it will" she said "you deserve it to work out" she grinned "I want it to work out too", Kate smiled and touched her daughter's cheek "got a bag packed" she checked making Livie grin "had one packed since we first walked in" she said her eyes glinting "don't stay up late" Kate warned "it is still a school night even though you are having a girly evening" "I know" Livie said grinning. Kate looked at her watch "come on" she said "otherwise we are going to be late".
Livie scampered off to grab her overnight bag and her school bag, Kate stood up and looked at her reflection in the mirror, 'simple' she thought "pretty" Livie said reappearing at the door again with a grin, Kate smiled at her before grabbing her own bag which she had packed as it would be easier for them to stay at Rick's house again, she drove to his apartment thinking and trying to hide her nerves. Livie seemed very eager for her to be happy so maybe she should think about allowing herself to be happy and allowing herself to feel and love more willingly.
When they arrived and knocked on the door they heard Alexis shout "dad they're here answer the door" and then Rick shout "I'm going, I'm going", Livie grinned at their little bicker. The door opened and Rick grinned at them, then his jaw dropped as he stared at Kate in amazement.
XOXOXOXO
Rick was in his study when the door went, he heard Alexis shout at him to get, he bounded over to the door and yanked it open a big grin on his face, he felt his jaw drop as he saw Kate though.
She looked incredible, she was wearing a simple yet extremely elegant dark blue strapless dress, it clung to her body showing off her body, it came down to her knees. There was very little decoration to the dress but it didn't need any, it was simple and to the point, and the women in side it was gorgeous, he stared at her, she had tightened her natural curls so that they were tighter, she left her hair down as he liked it only pulling a few locks back out of her face. He doubted that he had ever seen anyone so beautiful.
She rolled her eyes as she stepped in, as she passed him, she raised her hand to shut his mouth, grinning "close your mouth Rick," he gazed at her in amazement "I… err…wow Kate you look…amazing" he managed "thanks" she said looking him up and down "you don't look so bad yourself", he did look rather good in his tux, "very James Bond" she approved making him grin "I aim to please" he said, that was when they realised they had an audience, they looked over to see Martha sitting on the sofa watching whilst Alexis and Livie both leaned over the back of it watching their parents interact, when their parents looked at them they both grinned innocently making them smile.
"have a good evening" they both chorused, "you have a nice one too little ladies" Rick said "Alexis you're in charge as the most responsible" "oh ha ha" Martha said from her seat scowling at her son "remember bed at a reasonable hour" he said and then he offered his arm to Kate "may I have this evening with you Kate", Kate smiled and took his arm "you may" she said and they slowly left, Rick watching Kate in awe amazed that he had managed to finally win her over. Their daughters watched them leave before looking at each other with a grin "at last" Livie said sliding down onto the sofa, "ditto" Alexis said joining her for a minute before they both leapt up to begin their evening, they put romantic movies on and painted each other's nails, whilst fantasizing and imagining how their parents would be conducting their evening.
XOXOXO
Castle drove them both to a small restaurant that looked over most of New York, they ordered their food and then Kate looked around "this is nice Rick" she said softly "not to much, but something I will remember", he smiled at her "glad you like it" he said softly, Kate looked at him observing him "you seem worried" she said, he smiled sheepishly "well I have been dreaming of this night for years now Kate, ever since I first met you" she ducked her head embarrassed "how is it so far" she asked "oh perfect" he said "nice restaurant, beautiful date who happens to be the woman of my dreams and a view of New York" he smiled at her "and you" he said leaning forward "did you ever think you would be out on a date with Richard Castle" she shook her head with a smile "not in a million years" she said before leaning towards him "but I am glad that I am" his grin widened "I am glad" he said.
They both looked out of the window gazing at the beautiful city spread around them, a beautiful city, where hopes and dreams were made then either fulfilled or crushed, a city of design and beauty but with hidden ugliness. A city of money and fortune, with hidden poverty and desperation. And the city that they knew, a city of happiness, full of life, but with pain, crime and suffering inside it, always around, always at play around them. Kate had spent most of her life in this city, and it still intrigued her, how one city could hold so much without exploding, how one city could hold so much violence, so much pain and yet still be beautiful.
Rick watched her, she reminded him of the city, beautiful and secretive, strong yet gentle on the eyes. He watched her gaze out, her eyes tracing over the city she protected. When she next looked at him and smiled he felt love rushing through him, "tell me something about you that I don't know" she said suddenly, he grinned cheekily at her "I think you know everything about me already" "only because you tell me everything" she said grinning at him "ok I um, hated school, used to skip it all the time but didn't fail because I would read my text book at top speed right before the exam and I found I had a pretty good memory" she raised her eyebrows "that really doesn't surprise me" she commented, he grinned at her "and what about you my kick ass detective what don't I know about you, any other children" she punched his arm playfully "don't be mean" she said "it wasn't just you, it was everybody that I hid her from" he smiled "hey if you hadn't we might not be here tonight"
Kate thought about that and realised it was true, if Livie hadn't been kidnapped and such a surprise she would never of stayed at Rick's house, she would never have been comforted by him and discovered the caring fatherly side to him, she would never have kissed him, if Livie had not been too tired to go home, she would never have agreed to this if her daughter had not showed her how much she cared for Rick Castle. She smiled "wow" she said "that's true Rick" he grinned "she certainly is extraordinary" he said making her smile widen at the thought of her daughter "so what are they going to do to each other on a girly evening" Rick asked "I saw Alexis get her make-up out" Kate laughed "oh they will paint each other's nails watch flick chick movies, talk about everything" "wow" he said "sounds like quite an evening" Kate nodded "I am glad Livie has Alexis, she doesn't usually wear make-up and I am sure Alexis will be a better teacher than me" "I think you did very well tonight" he said making her cheeks redden slightly.
They talked about their memories of their childhood and their daughters, then they talked about crime and his books and she weaselled some information about his new Nikki Heat book out of him, while he managed to get some funny stories out of her, she found that she had never opened up to a man so much before in her life, it felt wonderful really.
She loved his smile and she found that the cheeky twinkle in his eyes that had always hinted to her to be careful was actually very sweet, he really was a charming man. They talked for so long they didn't even notice the small restaurant emptying out around them, it wasn't until they were the last left sitting that they noticed, apologising for keeping the staff in they left and returned to the loft apartment.
"Wow" Rick said as he entered and Kate laughed, the living room had been turned into a slumber party den, the table covered in food and make up pushed to one side to make room for all the cushions and blankets covering the rug in front of the TV which had a pile of DVD's next to it all of which were romantic films including the twilight films. Rick turned to look at her "kind of glad I didn't have to sit through that" he said with a look if relief on his face.
There was a bottle of wine and two glasses on the kitchen counter "oh how much bigger of a hint could they have left" Rick said "wonder who left that out" Kate mused "both probably" Rick laughed "well do you want some to save disappointing them" "why not" she said accepting the glass he offered her, they went and sat on the sofa carefully climbing over the remnants of the slumber party, carefully curling up to continue their talk.
It was late when Rick suddenly lent forward and kissed her, she closed her eyes as she kissed him back, enjoying the moment, the wine was forgotten as they slowly moved together, their kisses becoming more hurried and passionate. Eventually they both pulled away gasping "um do you want to take it up stairs" Rick asked looking like he was on Cloud nine already "I don't mind if you don't" Kate pressed her lips to his as she thought 'oh what the hell' she thought 'with him it is bound to happen soon' and she realised that she wanted to make love to him, she wanted to give a part of herself to him, so in reply she grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet still locked in their embrace, they made it slowly up the stairs and into his room, she did pull away to slip quietly over to Livie's room and poke her head round the door, checking that she was actually asleep, she smiled at her peaceful face before carefully shutting the door and slipped back into Rick's room closing the door carefully behind her.
With a smile she kissed him again and soon they were making love, and she joined him on cloud 9, in bliss, feeling passion and love course through her acting as adrenaline in the night of pleasure.
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