Holly was not present when the party lasted into the night. Kate had put her to bed before Meredith ever appeared. So it was a surprise to the littlest Castle to see a woman who is older but look like her and her sister.
Holly rubbing the sleep out of her eyes now enters the kitchen and greets Ellie the Cook.
"May I have pancakes today Ellie?"
"Certainly Ms. Castle. Would you like juice too?"
"No Juice I can get it myself. Thanks."
Ellie places the pancakes in front of her. Seeing only that woman at the table she wonders who she is.
Meredith was nursing a big hangover. She has been sitting at the table for awhile no one else has stirred. She did not notice the youngest Castle eyeing her carefully.
"I am Holly and who are you?"
Meredith now turned her head and through bleary eyes she saw the youngster. Slowly she put the coffee mug down and turned to face the young person who looked like Alexis.
"Alexis, you know who I am I am your mother."
Holly was surprised.
"No you are not my mother. My mother is Kate so who are you?"
At this point Jim Beckett came into the kitchen with the morning paper.
He kissed his granddaughter got a cup of coffee and sat down next to Holly. He ignored Meredith at the other end.
"So little one what are you doing up so early? The sun is barely up and most of the grown up are still asleep."
Pawpaw I tried to stay in my room but I was hungry. Ellie is near so I am not getting into trouble."
Holly now whispered.
"Who is that woman who said I was Alexis and my mother?"
Jim Beckett now notices Meredith at the end of the table holding her head between her arms.
"She sure looks bad doesn't she?"
"Is she sick? I can get some medicine for her."
Holly now got out of her chair and ran to the medicine cabinet in the closest bathroom. Climbing on the sink she opened the cabinet and withdrew the bottle of Children aspirin.
She now climbed down, got a bottle of cold water out of the frig and placed it in front of Meredith. She withdrew and climbed up on her seat to watch what would happen.
Jim Beckett chuckled at seeing the actions of his Granddaughter.
"So are you going to go into medicine like older sister little one?"
Holly now did the miniature scrunching of the nose that Kate did when thinking.
"I do not think so I rather be an Oceanographer and study Whales."
"Yes Whales are very important to the sea. I am sure you would find much to explore about them."
The discussion about Whales continued.
Meredith now noticed the Aspirin and took 8 of the orange tasting small tablets and took a slug from the water bottle. She then placed her head back on her arms.
Meredith Stirring intrigued Holly.
"Pawpaw? Who is that woman?"
Jim Beckett realized he did not answer the question the first time now apologized.
"Oh I am so sorry Holly I did not realize you asked a question earlier about her."
"That is ok Pawpaw you are getting older."
"Uh Yeah, now to answer your question. That is Meredith your sister's mother. She lives in LA and she staying for the weddings."
"Oh is there should be many new people coming to the wedding?"
"Oh yes little one many new people will be coming."
"People like Aunt Lanie?"
"Yes exactly like your Aunt Lanie."
"Cool! Wait you said weddings with an s. What do you mean Pawpaw?"
"Holly, Jim and Callie are getting married in a double wedding with your Mommy and Daddy."
"Really? That is so great! I hope I see Jim later. But now I am finished eating I think I will return to my room. There is nothing going on yet."
Holly picked up her soiled dishes and handed them to Ellie who placed them in the sink.
"Thank you Ellie for the help. I am too short to place them in the sink."
"You are welcome Ms. Castle."
Holly smiled at Ellie and ran off to her room.
Jim Beckett beamed with pride on how Kate had taught Holly to be so polite and helpful.
Jim Beckett returned to his paper. Once finished he left the table and went back to his cottage. Meredith was left at the table slowly recovering from last night festivities.
It was several hours before others appeared in the Kitchen.
First was Lanie having not indulging to excess she was feeling great. Getting to the table she noticed Ellie at the stove and Meredith at the table. Ellie noticing Lanie greets the ME. "Has she been there long?" Ellie looked over at Meredith. "She was there when I got here to prepare for breakfast. That was at 5 AM. She has not stirred since." "Ok Ellie well I would like one of your wonderful omelets." "Sure thing Ms. Esposito." "Please call me Lanie everyone does." "Ok Lanie it should be up soon there is cut fresh fruit, toast and bagels on the table and Coffee in the pot." "Thanks Ellie." Lanie busied herself with the bagels and cream cheese. Rick sure goes all out for his guests. Alexis was next to appear. She saw her mother at the end table. She looked at both Ellie and Lanie. "How long has she been here?" Lanie said. "At least since 5 this morning according to Ellie." "Yes she was there when I arrived Ms. Castle." "Oh this will not do!" Alexis moved to her mother and gently shook her. "Mother? Mother?" Meredith now raised her head to see Alexis looking worried. "Alexis how nice…." "Mother? Stay with me Mother. Let me get you up and place you on a bed. You look terrible." Alexis got her up and escorted her to one of the unoccupied bedrooms on the first floor. She got her on to the bed and removed her shoes and covered her up. Meredith was out like a light. Returning to the kitchen she got her omelet from Ellie and sat down next to Lanie. They were chatting about the latest victims discovered by NYPD just before Lanie left. "All the finger and toe nails were ripped out? Plus the head in a plastic bag? Wow sounds like torture." "Yeah something like that I had ruled it a homicide." "So is that why Javi and Kevin are not here?" "Yeah they caught it with their new partners. I mean that woman reminds me of Kate so much. I am happy she was found. But I still am angry. Kate is going to get an ear full once I get her alone." "Well good luck with that Dad has been inseparable since finding her alive and well. Yeah after 3 years it was a shock but Dad does not seem to care. So I am being happy for him." "So what was the reason again for her disappearance?" "My Uncle Alex." "Who?" "Did you not see him at the wake?" "No I went to bed early Irish wakes are too depressing for me." "Oh so you do not know about him." "I guess not I have not been with the group I have been staying by myself and entertaining Holly. She is such a smart young child.' "Ok about my Uncle Alex, he has been a hidden part of the Rodger's clan like my grandfather the Admiral. Only Dad knew of him. However, I still believe I saw him when I was little." "The Admiral?" "Oh Yeah the Admiral is a 4 star Admiral whose name is Richard Alexander Rodgers. My Dad was originally named after him. It seems like that side of the family are famous admirals in the Navy. I am learning so much about my hidden part of my family. I have started filling out my genealogy record. Alex has been a good source of information." "Back to Alex who is he?" "Oh my Uncle Alex is my Father's Twin. He was raised by his father. Grams never knew of him until recently. He gave her quite a scare when he showed up on Holly's birthday." "Richard Castle has a twin? I suspected something was up around the time of the Dragon's fall. Your Dad was not acting like himself. That must have been Alex!" "Possibly he was known to impersonate my Father at several functions. My mother just confirmed that last night." "It seems I left the party too early. I did not realize Meredith was here until this morning." "Yeah it looked like Mom slept at the table. I guess everyone indulged too much. I really do not expect anyone stirring until the afternoon." "I see" "I am the wedding coordinator for both wedding. I have lots to do today. Flower arrangement and placing are up for today. So excuse me Lanie I got get busy. See you later. Go and look around the grounds. It is quite interesting." "I think I will thanks Alexis see you soon." Alexis got up and put her dishes in the sink and left the room. She got her phone and was starting to all everyone on her list. Lanie being alone also left the table to take Alexis's advice and look around the compound grounds On her walk she ran into Callie and Jim. "Hi Jim and Callie how are you this morning?" "Ok, I did not indulge in the alcohol much well at least not as much as some people so I am feeling fine." "How are you today Lanie I did not get to chat with you earlier you disappeared before the wake got rocking." "No I was with Holly. Wakes are not my thing I see too many dead bodies." "I see Yeah in our line of work that is an occupational hazard." "Yeah so can I talk to you Jim?" "Ah Sure lets go into the cottage and sit down. Callie Honey I will be in soon go get some breakfast. I love you." They kissed and separated Jim escorted Lanie into the cottage. "Wow this is something. Rick Castle Huh?" "Yeah, he seems to be an irresistible force of nature." "Yeah that was my impression too when I first met him. That was 8 years ago. I was looking at a supposed drowning victim but had a knife in the chest. I was bending over the body and I saw a shadow I looked up into the blues eyes I had ever seen. That was it. He accurately determined the causes of death and rest was history." "So he is a good friend?" "Oh Yeah he has been a great friend even when he was not with Kate. I guess you do not know this but Kate and he never dated until 4 years after they met. He followed her around like a little puppy but Kate was stubborn and did not give him a chance. Something happened finally Kate saw the light the rest is history except the part down here I would hope you could fill that in for me." "Ok what do you want to know?" "How did you and Kate meet?" "Oh I was working at the FDLE and I was bored I had just come from Chicago and was trying to make friends. One of the first people I met was Jim Beckett. He had just purchased a house. He needed help setting it up. As we talked I found we had much in common. We liked the same sports and he golfed. I am an avid Golfer. I am sure I will get Rick to set up a course here it is large enough." "Ok then what?" Oh after a few months he told me of his famous daughter in NYC who was also a detective. But I did not see Kate at first only Jim. Kate was pretty much hidden until One day I stopped by and saw Kate. She was a mess. I helped Jim. I also noticed she was Pregnant and she would not tell anyone who the father was. I helped her through the pregnancy and the birth of Holly. I sort of lived at the Beckett house for awhile. Kate grateful died her hair Red, changed her name and Holly's to my last name. Callie was not happy but the nurse in her relented gave me permission. I was there for the two o clock feedings and after Holly was about 8 months she would sleep through the night. I had moved out by then. At this point Kate was restless I got promoted to Head of the station and I needed a replacement Detective. Kate was my first choice. She accepted and I still came over to the Beckett house and made sure Holly did what she was supposed to do. Kate had a bit of problem with her. I did not so I ended up being the mean one. Lanie laughed at Jim's description of himself. From what she had seen Jim was too laid back to be ever considered mean. "So don't you ever resent Rick just coming in a taking over like he did?" "No not really since about the time I moved out of the Beckett house. Kate was showing pictures to Holly of her family. There were pictures showing her and Rick, His mother and Alexis. Holly's eyes would light up every time she saw her famous father. She was able to watch an old Sci Fi show who had an actor who looked like Rick she would believe he was her father. Then I was a bit resentful but I learned the poor guy did not even know of Holly's existence. So I pitied him instead of resenting. So I resolved to get in touch with him." Why did he not know? "It was hard to get a message to him. I even flew up to NY but was unable to penetrate the security surrounding him. I mean I tried all sorts of Police channels but I was rebuffed at every point. I shared that with Kate. After that she no longer tried to contact him or anyone else. She felt she had turned her back on him so he was protecting himself. So she busied herself in raising Holly as best as she could. I think she had a done a great job." The anger at her friend was quickly ebbing. "You were a true friend Jim I am glad Kate had you during her times of need." "Yeah I guess I am being rewarded now." 'I suppose so. Well I am sure Callie is waiting on you. Thanks for the chat." "Anytime Lanie. Drop on by" "I will see you later Jim." Both of them left the cottage and headed to kitchen. Callie was at the table and so were Kate, Rick and Alex. Martha and Meredith were still missing. Lanie looked at Alex and said to herself Damn he does look like Castle! Jim ran over and kissed Callie on the lips. "Are you finished with Breakfast already?" "Yeah we are planning the trip to the bridal stores. Want to come along?" "No Love, there will be too much estrogen in that trip for me". "Aw Poor Jim!" Kate quipped. "Poor Jim is right I have a 12 o clock tee time. Say would any of the other fellows here be up for a round of Golf?" "Jim I will accompany you. I am a Par golfer" "Rick I did not know you golfed." "Yeah I picked it up when you left I was told by the therapist that I needed an outlet so Golf became it." Alex now added to the conversation. "I know Jim Beckett is a good golfer. I am fair look like we have a foursome." "Great I will call Jim Beckett and get him over here." Jim now called Jim Beckett and he said he would meet them at the SUV. "Ok we are set it is 11:30 perfect. Let's go guys". Rick kissed Kate and said "Don't not spend all my money!" Kate snorted, "Like that is possible!" "Bye honey." "Bye Stud". Callie was kissed by Jim and they all left the kitchen leaving the women behind. They walked over to the SUV while Rick walked over to a door in the garage. Opening it there was all sort of sporting equipment enough to open a sporting good store. Walking through the isles Rick found his clubs they were state of the art. There were 4 other bags available too. Having chosen the clubs they went to the SUV and loaded them. Soon Jim was driving to golf course. A friendly wager was being made on who would be the worst golfer. Alex thinks he would be But Rick was not sure. Getting on the course Jim was first to Tee it was a par 4 hole and eagled it. Rick said, "that is great Golfing Jim!" Next up was Jim Beckett and he made one under Par. Rick was next and he made par. Alex surprised everyone with a hole in one. "Amazing Shot" Brother Rick said as he clapped his hand on his shoulder. The game continued until the last hole Jim had bogied the last two holes and was tied with Alex. Rick was next and Jim Beckett was trailing by 2 strokes. This was the 18th hole and it was a par 5. There were only 5 strokes separating the leader from the trailing end. Rick was first up and sliced it. Everyone cringed. Alex was no better. But his ball went further in to rough than Rick's. Jim Beckett was up. His was a perfect right down the fairway. Jim was last and he did exactly the same as the other Jim. His ball went further. Rick getting to his ball first was able to recover and place it on the green. Alex in the weeds finds his ball and also gets it on the edge of the green Jim Beckett also got it on the green in two. Jim dropped his ball in a sand trap. Everyone was giving him a razzing for such a bad shot. The game was getting close Alex double bogied and ended up in Third place. Jim Beckett made par making him still in fourth place. Jim bogied the last hole and was in second. It was all up to Rick he could be the hero or the goat. Today the goat won. He tripled bogied the hole. "Tough luck Rick, I thought you were going to beat us". Jim said. "Yeah I did too but the ball could not get in the cup!" "It is time for the nineteenth Hole let's head to the clubhouse." Alex said. They all agreed and headed for something to drown their sorrows. "Rick, did you know you did well as some professionals on the PGA tour up to that last hole?" "Yeah I was trained by a PGA pro. I think it was money well spent." "Rick I was thinking after the weddings are over would you entertain a golf course in compound?" Actually Jim I have plans for that very thing. He pulled out his smart phone and showed Jim the plans. "Wow that is a championship course." "Yeah I know. It looks perfect to me Brother." "Son that looks too challenging for this old duffer!" "Oh come on Jim practice makes perfect that is what my therapist said." "Well as the movie Field of Dreams said If you building they will come." The rest of the men agreed. Soon they were back at the compound wondering how the women were faring.