Love's Journey
Originally by The Muse of Apollo, now carried forward from Chapter 8 by Castlefan6 with permission from author
Authors Note This is set before the end of season 2, but after Tick Tick/Boom. Chapters 1-7 are the work of the original author The Muse of Apollo, following chapters are work of Castlefan6
I don't own Castle, I only use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 21
Previously
Rick Castle had restored her faith in men, and her belief in True Love, and she silently vowed, no matter what he needed, she would be there. She struggled with WHY would any woman treat any man, much less this sweet soul of a man the way Kate Beckett had treated him. Kate may have been his most recent Love, BUT Jess vowed she would be his last.
Next Day, Beckett's Apartment
Kate woke at her normal time of 5:30 AM and for the first time since Demming had come into her life she felt peaceful, knowing that she had been exonerated, and the scum bag would be lucky to get a Security Guard job, if he could still walk once he got out of the hospital. It was time to get back to normal and to work on her wellbeing, so she went for her normal run, but had to cutback a bit since it had been a while since she was actually running, another Demming casualty. First thing on her list get back to her 5 miles daily run.
Next after showering and doing some housework she decided she couldn't put it off any longer and started reviewing the paperwork required for her reinstatement, including a list of Psychologists NYPD would accept. She finally narrowed it down to 3, one within walking distance from the precinct, so she made the calls, and got an appointment for a week from Thursday, Dr. Burke's first appointment. The receptionist promised to send out some literature as well as homework required before the first assignment. Homework? What the hell is he talking about. She opened the mail and had a huge envelope with the legal documents from the State of New York, Department of Internal Operations and Affairs. Well so much for free time as she began to dig through the paperwork
Castle's Loft Same Day
After the exhausting discussions from the night before, Rick and Jess decided to spend the night in her apartment, just in case either want to discuss anything further. What started out as "Batting Practice" ALMOST turned into a real game. Rick and Jess seemed almost as one as they sat in her apartment, just listening to soft music and cuddling on the sofa.
Rick was still amazed at the level of maturity of Jess when he was explaining away not one but two failed marriages as well as fatherhood, and a no where relationship where he could see in hindsight, was a one-way street with him going the wrong way. What amazed Rick was that Jess listened, truly heard what he said, and was never judgmental. The only emotions she showed were anger towards those that hurt him and Alexis, (Meredith was in the same category as Demming in Jess's book) and a sense of protection for her new-found family.
Jess was finishing up in the bathroom with a promise to join him shortly as Rick slipped up to his apartment to shower. Alexis had called Jess and asked them to be sure to come to breakfast, and Jess howled with laughter when she added, "oh and tell Dad I didn't Let Gram help so it will be edible". After breakfast it was going to be a full day of work for both, Jess on Lost Innocence project and Rick working on Final Heat. Rick was in and out of the shower just as Jess was walking through the front door, FINALLY using her key, after being urged by all the Castles to do so.
She walked over to Rick, smiled sweetly, put her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a sweet Good Morning Kiss. "Good morning Rick, Alexis, where is Martha?"
A noise is heard by the wine rack and Martha pops her head up, "Here I am darling, just picking out some of the good stuff my son keeps hiding from me, Really Richard why do you go through the trouble when you know I will just find it anyway". Rick just looks at Jess with that Oh Well Look and Jess is smiling and smacks Rick gently on the shoulder, "Rick, quit hiding the good stuff on Martha, you know the cheaper the wine the worse the hangover." Martha walks over and embraces Jess, "Thank You Darling, finally someone on my side."
Breakfast goes by quickly as Alexis is chatting Jess's ear off about the dance, and not being able to find a dress, and a host of issues from school. Rick smiles as Jess is sitting and listening to every word Alexis is saying, then finally surprises her,
"Alexis, if you like I can go shopping with you, I worked my way through college in the fashion industry, not pretty enough to be a model, so I worked in design and production."
"Really Jess, and you are way prettier than the models I have seen, you sure you want to go with me?"
"Of course, Lexi, oops can I call you that, I would love to"
Alexis is beaming, "Jess, I like it when you call me Lexi no one else does so that is our Girl Code, OK?"
"OK from now on sweetie you are Lexi to me, and Rick that is our name you got that?"
Rick is just beaming as his two girls are smiling from ear to ear, "Yes Mam, dooly noted, Lexi is off the table, but I got dips on Pumpkin"
"Dad" Alexis says, oh I have to meet Paige, Bye Jess, we will pick a date to shop when I get home, OK? Oh, Bye Dad I will see you tonight, love you all" and out the door she flies.
Martha is next, "Oh I am off as well, don't wait up darlings, I may be late," as Rick mouths to Jess, she's got one on the line, and won't be home. Jess stifles the laugh and gives Martha a quick hug and then they are alone in Rick's loft.
Rick looks over at Jess, who is looking at him, she has a glow about her that just lights Rick's world. Rick is contemplating how much "Batting Practice" they can get in before when his thoughts are interrupted by Jess,
"I know what you are thinking, and as inviting as it is, we both have to work, let's set a goal and maybe at lunch we can recharge the batteries, OK?"
Rick looks over at her, and in a flash, she is in his lap, "OK but I get 5 minutes with you before we start our day," the kisses are passionate, not urgent, just reassuring each other what the other one was feeling, finally it is Jess who says "Work Time, No Work No Kissing Rick"
Rick pretends to pout, but says "OK one more for the road, "You are 50 steps away you goof," as Jess grabs him for her last kiss.
The morning progresses well Jess has made several appointments to do preliminary reviews of sites, and also potential architects, as she ruled out the ones who didn't share the passion or tried to speak condescending to her. In addition to the appointments and selections of potential suppliers and service providers, she actually documented the process in a flow chart, using Microsoft Visio.
Rick walked by and saw a glimpse, "Wow Jess, you are blowing me away with this, this is fantastic," She smiles and replies, "this is what you hired me for, you won't always be funding every project and it is important that we can document and demonstrate to investors and contributors we are running this as a business, not just a hobby." Rick smiles and turns her cheek upward, "Do you know how much I love you? I never knew what life was about till you came" then he kissed her gently but full of the love and pride he was feeling for this incredible lady.
Jess blushes ever so slightly, then responds with her own kiss, deep slow and passionately. "Rick, you are never going to get rid of me, I love you more than life itself. Please promise me that we talk everyday like this, and if there is ANY thing I need to do to make you happy you will tell me, OK?" Rick looks down into those beautiful eyes almost full of tears and says "Of Course".
Rick forces himself back to his desk and proceeds on with the outline for the last Nikki Heat book, and stops to think, this is usually the place where writers block sets in, and he stares at the empty screen, not today even without Beckett he is typing away with thoughts and ideas flowing like a river. Maybe all this time it wasn't his muse he needed, he just needed to be happy and at peace, the peace that comes with Jess. When he stops to think about it his entire life had been better since Jess was part of it. Was it really that simple? Just a loving partner who believed in you, and you know would die for you.
The ideas and thoughts were flowing, and he kept typing, unaware that Jess was just watching him with the most loving eyes a man could ever have look upon them. Writing had always been a lonely occupation, but with Jess just a few feet away, he no longer looked for diversions, but let the thoughts just flow. He was about 60% through the outline when a cup of coffee appeared in front of him, and a beautiful brunette leaned in and kissed him gently.
"Thanks Jess, I didn't even realize I was out of coffee"
She smiled and just pointed to the clock above Ricks Desk with her eyes, "Well stud, it is almost 2:00 so if you want that lunch hour I know I can use some recharging"
Rick smiled and raised form his seat taking Jess by the hand "Jess, lets take a long lunch today, I think we earned it"
"Definitely Rick, we earned" was all she got out before Rick's lips were on hers, sweet romantic kisses, almost shy like not to push too hard, Jess sent him a message when she took control with her tongue and demanded access, leaving them both breathless.
Finally, Rick said "Jess, if you keep doing that, I can't guarantee I can hold to our agreement,"
"I'm glad you understood my message Rick, not now because I want what you want, it to be special, but I am telling you I am ready"
"Are you sure Jess, I don't want to rush you, take as much time as you need"
"Rick, if you remember it was you who needed the time to let me in to your past, we did that, and like I promised, I am here and still not going anywhere, and I am ready"
"I promise soon Jess, it has to be perfect, I can't mess up our first time, it means too much"
Just as they finished putting themselves back together again, the door bell ring, Rick had a funny look on his face, so he went to answer the door with Jess right behind him. Outside was the WPS Driver with a package for Jess, Rick signed for it, tipped the driver and closed the door.
Jess had a look of surprise on her face when she opened the carton, she saw the most beautiful hand carved Leather Attaché Case for a modern women, attached to the side in Gold were her initials, and on the other side was a matching Gold Plate with her name in script and address. As she opened the case another small box fell to the floor, and as she opened it, she discovered a Gold Business Card holder with her business cards,
Ms. Jessica Hawthorne
Sr. Project Director
Richard Castle Enterprises Inc.
She looked inside the carton and there it was, A beautiful card, Welcome to Richard Castle Enterprises Inc. and in Ricks handwriting, and to my life, I don't know where I would be without you, Please always stay just the way you are, you are loved more than I could ever say, You have my heart forever, I will carry yours till I die, Love Rick
The tears fell like a thunderstorm when she surveyed such beautiful gifts. She turned and engulfed in Rick in a hug as she sobbed, and through her tears he could hear say "Thank you Rick, I fall in love with you more every day, and I don't know why you love me so much, but Thank you,
Rick just rocks her slowly in his arms and when the sobs quiet, whispers, "I want to show you I love you every day I live, please let me"
Jess is just overwhelmed with the generosity and big heart Rick has, she recently learned he payed for one of the building staff's son surgery since the hospitalization would not cover the full cost, anonymously of course, but the staff knew where it came from. Jess also got a chance to see Rick's parental influence the next day, when she accompanied Lexi and Rick to the soup kitchen to serve on the line.
Rick didn't say much about why, but Lexi told Jess that her Dad was determined she would always appreciate life, even in those less fortunate than we, and it is our duty to help when ever we can. Jess flashed back momentarily to the discussion with Rick about his own time in the streets, and tears filled her eyes. She was almost certain that Rick had shielded his little girl from the horror stories of the homeless. She is certain she can help take some of those nightmares away through positive change and devotes her efforts in even more earnest,
A/N This seems like a logical point to stop, Kate is on the recovery, Lost Innocence Project is kicked off, Rick is making great headway with Final Heat, and Jess and Lexi have bonded. Only reviews could make it better. Thanks to all who have read and reviewed, Tim
A/N Once again, for those wanting a quick return to Caskett, this isn't it, you can choose another work and save your time from reviews asking, pleading and in one case Demanding. I write for fun and this story has an outline, and tentative time table, BUT I will not rush the character development. If that is not what you want, Thanks and have a nice life somewhere else.