OMG, I assume you all loved "To Love and Die in LA" as much as I did?
Also Alexi Hawley was kind enough to answer some questions via twitter after and he answered two of mine. Well, he actually declined to answer the one about Josh, but it took him two tweets to answer my other question. It was pretty cool. I am surprised that he only has around 500 followers. Hopefully, if he keeps writing great eps like that one, he will get more.
I am surprised at all the new readers to my story. To you new comers, thanks for being willing to tread your way through it. I actually stopped and re-read it from the beginning the other day. It takes up quite a chunk of time.
Lotsa fluff
I don't own them
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"Morning Alexis, looks like you and I are on our own today." Kate gave the teen a squeeze on the shoulder as she passed by her on the way to the small kitchen of their hotel suite.
Alexis looked up from the book she was reading. "What, did the Energizer Bunny finally run out of steam? Or, I guess it would be charge, wouldn't it?"
Kate smiled at the nickname the youngster used for her father. It was so appropriate. They had only been in LA for three days and had already been to Disney Land, a Dodgers game, Mann's Chinese Theater, The Hollywood Walk of Fame, The Hollywood Sign, and Santa Monica Pier. Not to mention about ten different restaurants where they ate more food than Kate would normally eat in a week. Of course with all the walking they were doing she didn't have to worry about putting on a pound. Castle hadn't stopped once; he was literally a forty year old on a sugar rush.
"Sort of, I think he has food poisoning, or maybe the cotton candy was just the last straw and his stomach decided to revolt."
Alexis cringed and laughed at the same time. "Do you think we should still go out? I hate to leave him here alone if he's sick."
"Yeah, I think he wants us to go. I don't know that he was really looking forward to a day of shopping anyway. It was the only thing we wanted to do that he didn't."
"True, I'll go jump in the shower, I should be ready to go in about thirty minutes." Alexis could see that Kate was already dressed so she figured she should follow suit. She was always excited to go shopping alone with Kate. It was hard to buy clothes with her dad present, he still thought of her as his little girl; therefore his choice of clothing for her was a little juvenile.
Kate filled a cup with coffee for herself and poured some ginger ale for Castle. She returned to the bedroom to find him sitting on the side of the bed; elbows on his knees with his head hanging in his hands. He was a shade of green not often seen on a human face. "Here you go, babe. Maybe this will help settle your stomach." Kate wasn't usually one to use a term of endearment with anyone other than Alexis, but he looked so pitiful that is just slipped out. She sat next to him as he drank; rubbing his back to let him know she sympathized. He had been up and down all night running to the bathroom.
"Thank you," he sat the glass on the nightstand after a few sips and laid back down on the bed, all the while holding his stomach with his free hand. "Are you girls ready to leave?"
Kate pulled the covers up over him and sort of tucked him in like one would a child. "In a bit, unless you want us to stay." She sat next to him and rubbed his hair from his forehead. Kate was relieved that he didn't seem to have a fever.
Castle didn't open his eyes, "No, I don't want you to see me like this any longer than you have to." He pouted and stuck his bottom lip out. He was clearly fishing for more sympathy.
Feeling sorry for him, she played along, "Hey, in sickness and in health, right?" She knew as soon as she said it that she could have chosen a better phrase.
His eyes shot open and he searched her face for a moment, he could tell she had not said it in jest. It may have been a slip of the tongue, but nonetheless, she was serious. "Not yet my dear, but we aren't too far from Las Vegas, we could make it official pretty quickly." Castle acted as though he was going to try to get up.
Kate put her hands to his chest and pushed him back down on the bed. "Not so fast you Big Hunk o'Love, I am NOT getting married in Vegas."
Despite the onset of nausea that hit him suddenly as he fell back onto the bed, Castle smiled for so many reasons. She had not only made an Elvis reference, but she hadn't shied away from the marriage subject, just the Vegas part. Obviously they both knew marriage was the next step, but they hadn't ever really discussed a timeframe. He was ready now but didn't want to rush her. "Oh, so you think I'm a hunk?"
Kate rolled her eyes, "Help Me."
"Don't Be Cruel" Castle couldn't help himself, "I Feel So Bad."
Kate marveled at his quick wit despite how sick he obviously felt. She put her hand on his face and rubbed the ridge of his cheekbone with her thumb, "Poor Baby."
He smiled and rubbed her leg as it rested on the bed next to his hip, "Long Legged Girl I'm a Puppet on a String." He could do this all day.
Kate chuckled but gave him a look that said he should be resting not reciting Elvis song titles, "A Little Less Conversation."
He couldn't resist that one, "A lot more action?" He raised an eyebrow in hopes that he would actually get some of what he was asking for.
Kate was tempted but thought twice about it, she was sure he hadn't brushed his teeth, which normally wouldn't matter, but he had been vomiting much of the night. "Richard Castle, you're nothing but a Hound Dog!"
"Oh Katherine Beckett, your rejection, It Hurts Me at least Kiss Me Quick." When she shook her head he whined, "This just turned into Heartbreak Hotel."
She did feel a little bad for him and for herself. She couldn't remember the last time they had started the day without at least a good morning kiss. She gave in slightly and kissed him on the cheek then laid her head on his chest, "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You."
The teasing tone had left her voice and his heart fluttered at her words. It didn't matter how many times she said it, those words were music to his ears. Every day with her was more amazing than the day before, even though he felt terrible; he felt wonderful at the same time. He let his arms rest on her back. He would let her stay there forever, but finally she sat up, "Alexis is probably about ready, we really should get going." Kate stood and walked across the room to put on her shoes.
"Hey Kate, can you hand me my wallet, it's on top of my suitcase?" Castle pointed at the luggage sitting a few feet from her. She retrieved what he asked for and walked back to the side of the bed. As he watched her, she could tell he had something to say and she was most likely not going to like it. He sat up and opened the wallet and pulled out a credit card to hand her.
"Seriously Rick? Are we going to have this conversation again?" They had this discussion soon after she moved into the loft. Clearly he didn't need her to contribute to the household and they had already found someone to sublet her apartment; her things were going to be moved to the loft while they were out of town. Obviously he insisted on paying for the whole trip to LA. So Kate, finding herself without expenses insisted that she would at least pay for her own personal items. In her mind, that included a day of shopping on Rodeo Drive.
"Kate, just take it. You know I think the whole thing is silly, but it isn't worth arguing with you over. However, I do not expect you to pay for Alexis." He just continued to hold the card out to her.
"Fine, for Alexis." Kate glanced down at the Gold Amex and just about choked as she read the name imprinted on it. "Castle!"
"Remember, I'm sick." His words were joking, but his tone was serious. He had known when he ordered the card with her name on it that a fight would ensue, but he did it anyway. He meant it when he told her that what was his was hers. Maybe it was old fashioned, but he didn't care. "Look, if it makes you feel better, we can both close all our accounts and open new joint ones. That way there is no way to tell where my money stops and yours starts."
Kate flopped down on the bed facing him and let out an odd chuckle. "Trust me Castle, I have a feeling mine wouldn't even be a drop in the bucket compared to yours."
He didn't miss a beat, "Well then, let's just consider it all ours and we won't have to waste our time comparing."
Kate bit her bottom lip, "But I never paid you back." She watched his expression as he tried to decipher her meaning. Usually he was quicker about it, but she allowed him extra time considering his weakened state. Finally she knew he had it and she flinched at the flash of anger and hurt in his eyes.
"Seriously! All this time you've been worrying about that?" He was a little perturbed at this point.
"It was $100,000 Rick! How could I not worry about it?" She felt her voice crack a bit as she remembered the day he had gladly given the large amount of money in hopes of finding her mother's killer.
He was frustrated with her and the situation, "Money and women are the most sought after and the least known about of any two things we have." He knew she wasn't in the mood for more games, but this time it was more about stating the truth than engaging her in banter. He continued without letting her answer, "If you think about it, between the books and the movie rights, I made millions with the Nikki Heat series and without you that wouldn't have even been possible. So, consider it royalties. Now, please can we just drop the subject?" He realized his tone was too harsh, he had only ever once raised his voice with her, and that was during a case, the Damien Westlake case. He took a deep breath and took her hand in his. "For richer for poorer, right?" He hoped the link to her earlier slip of the tongue would ease her anger.
Kate just stared at him; she didn't really know what to say. She wasn't even sure what she could say. She wasn't even sure why she was mad. She wasn't so sure she should be mad. Before she could say anything they heard a knock at the door. Kate turned toward the sound, "Come on in sweetie."
Alexis entered and they both realized instantly that she had heard her father's raised voice. The look on her face and her hunched shoulders gave it away instantly. "Hey, I just wanted to say good morning to Dad before we left."
Alexis reminded Kate of a small child afraid that her parents were about to drop the D-word on her and she was going to have to choose which one she wanted to live with. Suddenly the whole thing just seemed so stupid and Kate felt guilty. She stuck the credit card in her pocket as she stood and walked to Alexis. She cupped the girl's saddened face in her hands. "It was my fault and it was stupid." She wrapped her arms around Alexis's shoulders. It was a testament to the fairytale childhood he had provided her that such a little argument affected her this strongly. "You're dad was right." She smoothed her hand over silky red hair and twisted their upper bodies so she could see Castle's face. "Maybe he could have used a little less volume." She raised her eyebrows in his direction, "But he was right."
From the bed Castle watched as Kate comforted his wounded child. His heart swelled at the sight but before he could say anything the nausea he had been fighting back hit him full force and he jumped from the bed and ran to the bathroom. Luckily Kate had quick reflexes and she buried Alexis's face deeper into her shoulder. The sight of her father streaking naked across the room was not something the teenager needed to see. Once he was out of the room the women began to laugh hysterically.
Alexis yelled toward the bathroom door, "Seriously Dad, since when was this vacation clothing optional?"
Alexis made her way to the end of the bed and sat down. She didn't want to leave without checking on him. Kate finished putting on the shoes she had started to put on earlier. They tried not to listen to the heaving sounds coming from the adjoining room, as in all things; Castle was even dramatic while vomiting. Finally he made his way back into the bedroom. He was pale and clammy looking and he held his stomach as he fell back into bed and pulled the covers up to his chin.
"Do you want us to bring you back anything Dad?"
He just groaned, "Uh-uh."
Alexis kissed her hand and touched his cheek. "Feel better Dad."
In the meantime Kate had finished getting ready and crawled across the bed to say goodbye. She kissed him on the cheek. Again, he didn't seem feverish. "Call us if you need us." She placed his cell phone on the pillow. Then she stood and walked Alexis to the door. As she turned to get one last look at the silly man she loved more than anything, she saw that he was watching them leave.
He smiled and said, "There Goes My Everything."
Kate's heart did a little flutter and she wondered if that feeling would ever get old, she couldn't see how it ever could. "Get some sleep Elvis."
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Alexis and Kate sat across from each other at a cute little sidewalk café in the heart of Beverly Hills. They had done quite a bit of damage to the Gold Amex card that had been the subject of much debate this morning. She was glad they had chosen to hire a driver for the day instead of just taking a cab. Once they had stuffed the trunk with shopping bags they decided to stop for lunch before deciding on their next move.
"My feet are killing me." Alexis sighed as she looked over the menu.
Kate was feeling the same way. She was going to suggest they head back to the hotel and change into their swimsuits and spend the afternoon at the beach. Before she could speak her cell phone chimed with the familiar sound that indicated Castle was texting her.
C: hey beautiful how's the shopping going
K: put a serious dent n that gold card of urs
C: how quickly the tide turns
K: :)) feeling better?
C: much better & I'm starving
K: just sat down 2 eat want us 2 bring u something
C: please
K: will do hey u up 2 going 2 the beach
C: I'll follow u anywhere
K: b there n an hour
C: 3
Kate looked up and saw Alexis staring at her. "What?"
"Nothing, you just had the goofiest grin on your face while you were texting." Kate saw a look of horror cross Alexis's face. "Please tell me he wasn't sexting you?"
"Alexis Castle!" Kate's voice came out in a loud squeak but she quickly lowered it to a more reasonable level. "No he was not! He just wanted us to know he was feeling better and wants something to eat." Kate was blushing at this point.
Alexis laughed at Kate; she didn't know the comment would fluster her so much. "Oh, he's feeling better huh? Sounds like someone was just trying to get out of shopping today."
"Normally I wouldn't put it past him, but believe me I witnessed it personally, he wasn't faking." Kate scrunched up her face at the memory of Castle hunched over the toilet half the night. She had tried to comfort him, but he eventually suggested she at least try to get some sleep even if he couldn't
Alexis laughed, "I guess there's love in that."
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A few hours later Kate sat in a lounge chair on the beach reading a book. The weather was perfect, not too hot, but still warm enough to make the water just right for swimming. Castle had rebounded from his earlier ailment and he and Alexis had been jumping waves for the last forty-five minutes. The two of them hadn't been able to spend too much time together alone so Kate had decided to stay back and give them that time. Eventually she finished her book and just watched Castle as he repeatedly tossed Alexis in the surf. She laughed every time Alexis screamed before going under. Kate's eyes wandered up and down the beach, she watched as an elderly couple walk hand in hand. She couldn't help but picture herself and Rick and prayed they one day they would be doing the same thing as they relished in the memories of the life they had made together. She also watched some teenagers playing volleyball before her eyes fell on a couple of young children making sandcastles with the help of their very attentive father.
The little girl had long flowing auburn hair and a few freckles scattered her cheeks. The little blond boy was maybe two years older than his sister and Kate could only guess his age at about five. She watched as the father patiently filled bucket afer bucket with damp sand. Then he would watch with concern in his eyes as the boy turned each loaded bucket over. Kate could tell he was hoping with all his might that each one came out perfect, but even if they didn't he praised the young boy. The little girl spent much of her time knocking over the castles her brother and father had painstakingly erected. At first the boy would yell at his sister and even once threw a small tantrum, but his father would softly remind him that she was just a baby and that she didn't know any better. Having inherited his father's kind nature, eventually he joined the freckled girl as she kicked over his construction, time and time again. They both just giggled and built more so they could knock them down. After awhile, the little girl seem to get tired and she toddled over to her mother sitting under an umbrella a few feet away. She stuck her thumb in her mouth and rested her head on the woman's shoulder. Kate again pictured herself and Rick in the scene. The only difference was that the two little kids in her fantasy had a beautiful red-headed young woman helping them and their father build the castles. She could almost feel an ache as her belly reacted to the desire she had to make that dream come true.
Suddenly she realized that the sun was no longer warming her skin. A shadow had formed over her. She looked up and saw Castle standing over her. He had been watching her as she watched the young family play in the sand. He smiled wildly at her and she knew she had been busted. He reached down and grabbed her by the elbows. He would have grabbed her hands, but her cast made that difficult. He pulled her to his wet body and held her tight.
"Castle!" She squeeled, "You're wet."
He sat down on the towel that was spread next to her loinge chair and pulled her down to sit in his lap. "I missed you."
"Come on, you were only out there for an hour or so." He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck.
"That is what I imagine love to be: incompleteness in absence." He just squeezed her tighter as he spoke and didn't give her a chance to answer before he nodded towards the children she had been watching. "How many do you want?"
Kate thought about it for a minute. Not to long ago a question like that would have had her running for the hills, but lately she had clearly been thinking about it and he knew it. However, she had never taken time to think about how many. "I'm not really sure." She leaned her head back onto his shoulder and laid her cheek against his. She could feel him smiling and couldn't help but smile back. "How many more do you want?"
"I asked you first."
Kate elbowed him in a no-fair sort of manner but answered him honestly. "I think I would like two or three, but I would be ok if you only wanted one more."
"Why would I only want one more? I'd be thrilled with a dozen."
She ignored the large number, "I just figured you had already done it once so one more time would be enough."
"No way, the first time was so amazing and I did it alone. This time will be so much more spectacular because I will be doing it with my best freind." He nuzzled his nose behind her ear. "I'm surprised you want more than one."
Kate had always known that if she ever had kids she would want more than one. "Eventhough my parents were great, it was lonely being an only child. I would want our kids to have each other to play with."
"Alexis was an only child, she didn't seem too lonely."
Kate turned sideways in his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed the tip of his nose, "You're forgtting, she had you."
Castle watched her eyes as they went to a far off place. "What?"
"I don't want nannies, but I don't know that I would want to quit my job."
Castle knew what she was asking and there was no hesitation. It would be his privilege to be a stay at home dad like he had been with Alexis. It was one of the many perks of his chosen career. "Kate, I want nothing more than to raise your babies." He gave her a long passionate kiss. The emotion and promise in that kiss stirred both their souls. Finally parting from her he smirked and she could see the twinkle in his eye. "Of course I will also thoroughly enjoy making those babies with you." Once again their lips met.
A familiar young voice rang out behind them, "Oh God, please don't make them out here for all the world to see."
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Hope you liked it!