Dinner Date

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Thisis my AU version to the events when Demming has dinner catered by Hung's China Sea, complete with the candlelight. Sometimes, a candle provides the light that is needed to get you out of the dark. Based on a prompt and request from mbeckettcastle or JC. This is for you; I hope I do it justice. There will be ANGST, Tons of it, if this is not your story, Thanks, hope you find what you're looking for.

I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only

Chapter 34

Previously

"You know what they say in the movies don't you?"

"No, not sure which movie or who says what Genes, please tell me"

"Love means never having to say you're sorry, I love you, you love me, so enough of the I'm sorry. We have 5 weeks to live it up, let's start now,"

*******************************************************************************/

Hamptons Beach House

Next Morning.

Gina was the first to rise, and she showed off a side few knew she was capable of, cooking. She laid out a complete spread of Eggs, Waffles, French Toast, Sausage, Bacon, and had the omelet station setup if someone cared for that. Alexis was the next up, perhaps lured from her room with the smell of breakfast cooking, thinking it was her Dad, she sleepily said,

"Good Morning Daddy, it sure smells good in here" as she rubbed her eyes,

"Well Sweetie, I agree your Dad is a Beautiful Man, but I'm going to have to book another session at the spa if you think I'm him" Gina laughed as Alexis turned red

"I'm sorry Gina, it's just that, I mean, I, well you kno*"

"You never saw me in the kitchen much less cooking before, right? Is that what you're stumbling over you little stinker?" Gina said finally taking Alexis out of her misery.

"It's OK, I could always cook, but who can compete with your Dad, I mean who else can create the Smorlete?" as both laughed,

Rick appeared just at that moment, "Hey, don't make fun of creative genius" as he slipped behind her, arms around her waist, and kissed her up her neck and then sweetly when she turned her face to meet his.

"Genes this all looks so delicious, what time did you get up? I didn't feel you leave the bed as I usually do"

"Well, I pulled a trick I use when you're gone, I placed my pillow between us first, then as you took in a breath and breathed my sent, you hugged the pillow tight as I slipped out. I wanted to read my chapter again, it was really so sweet. Of every gift you have ever given me, this was the sweetest one. Thank You again, I love it, and I love you"

"You use that trick when I leave, you take my pillow and hug it Genes?"

"What can I say, it's the only way I can get any sleep, especially after, well the dreams"

"I'm so sorry Genes, we are going to work on getting rid of those, I'm all yours and not going anywhere, when I do, you're going too," he smiled then gently turned her to accept a full deep kiss, as she moaned into his mouth.

They heard the "Ah Hem, Ah HEM, KID in the room" finally breaking their embrace and looking over at not only a smiling Alexis, but Cricket as well.

"Sorry" they both mumble, but everyone knew they weren't, the only thing they were was lost in each other's love.

"Gina, Dad, Cricket and I would like to go exploring today on the opposite side of the island, can I borrow the car please?"

Gina watched as panic, then sweat beads popped out on his forehead, but she gave him credit, his voice was as sweet as always as he replied,

"Of course, just be careful, take the Mercedes, I'm not sure the Escalade is up to date with its maintenance."

"Gina, wasn't that cute dress shop located over there next to the Ice Cream Parlor or am I thinking of the wrong store?"

"Nope, you're absolutely correct, and from what I heard it just received it's new shipment so happy hunting Sweetie" she smiles at her,

"Alexis is going to show me the fashion trends here and I'll return the favor when we are back in the UK, that is if my mean old boss will let me off for a few hours"

Rick smiled and deadpanned, "I wouldn't let LB. hear you call him mean" then laughed,

"I meant you Rick, you're my boss" Cricket responded

"Maybe on paper, but when we are working, we're partners, so enjoy your shopping and of course you can take time to show Alexis around the UK."

"Well we're off Dad, I promise, I'll drive safe and we should be home this evening for dinner, we want to make a day of it, so you kids can discuss the book or whatever it you were calling it earlier" she ducts as Gina has thrown a dishtowel at her and smiled.

'OK Pumpkin we'll see you late, Cricket, be sure you buy something nice; you do have a sizable bonus coming when we return"

"Thanks Rick, I shall, See you soon" then they bounded out the door and to the car.

"Do you think she is finding things to do to allow us privacy or being nice to Cricket, Rick?"

"Both, she loves you Gina, and she's worried about the dreams, so we want to assure you and take away any insecurities causing them, I'm trying I really am"

"If you mean Sex Therapy, yes you are, and Sweetie, it's working, I think I'm due for another dose any minute now" as she smiles and pulls him into a deep kiss, tender, yet sensuous and no mistaking what she desired.

They had just began making their way down the hall still locked in a deep kiss, when the doorbell rang,

"Damn" they both said at once,

"Hope the girls didn't change their mind" Rick said as he headed for the door. When he opened it there stood a courier on his bicycle, he knew from the parties he had hosted.

"Sorry to bother you Mr. Castle, Miss Gina, but the boss called and told me to get this to you today, special delivery and signature required. Can you sign here please, and if I may I need to see your Driver's License for the record."

Rick fumbled for his wallet, as the package was handed to Gina, as soon as the Courier had recorded the information, he excused himself and was off on his bicycle.

Gina looked a little shocked, and perhaps frightened, as Rick reached over to pull her into a hug.

"What is it Genes? It's nothing to worry about regardless of what or who sent it, please believe me, OK."

She looked up with a tear in her eye, "It's from Kate Rick, she must have saw the pictures and decided to send you a package here."

"Gina, please don't worry, OK, you read the letter I sent back, I have no idea of what she is replying for, I thought it was a done deal"

"I know Rick, I'm sorry, I just have to push this away, I've lived in her shadow and it hurt so bad, I just can't do it again, not after how close we've become."

"PLEASE, come with me, let's read it together, then we'll decide, OK? Genes I'm not going back there, I swear, what more can I do to convince you?"

"I'm so sorry Rick, this is totally unfair to you, me and my insecurities, you read the letter the*"

Rick's lips are on hers before she finishes her sentence, "Come with me, we read it together or I throw it in the trash, no other option, OK?"

"Rick, you can't just toss it, I mean you're not that cruel, so OK Damn you, you always knew how to get to me, but before we do, just know, if you want to change anything, I love you enough to go back to *"

Rick just kissed her again, "Enough, now let's read the letter together,"

She climbed onto their bed, in the V of Rick's legs his back against the headboard, and her leaning back against his chest, his heart was beating so hard she could feel it through her clothes, God when would this end.

Rick opened the letter and smoothed the sheets out, as he held them in a position for her and him to read together,

As it started, she was shocked, the tone of this letter was completely different, more mellow, humbler than the one Kate had sent several weeks ago. As they read silently, one would comment, then the other as they read a passage.

"It seems like she's a different Kate writing this letter Rick, who would have thought she would have thanked me for anything."

"Don't feel bad Gina, it's just Beckett, I don't think she has said Thank You or Forgive Me more than once in her life, just her style"

Rick read the part about how she agreed with his responses, expecting another slew of excuses, but was surprised when she wrote it was just tough to hear my own words come back to me and realize how you must have felt.

"I don't think I have heard you say that Kate accepted ownership of something like this ever before, and this is truly a different person than the old Kate." Gina still has the tears pooled in her eyes.

"That may be true Gina, but what would I gain by going back there, I have everything I want right here, right now"

She turns and kisses him sweetly, somewhat relieved but still so afraid of what could happen.

"Rick, I know you did forgive her, but are you holding on to just a little hatred, or hurt, is that the reason you want to forget you ever knew her?" Gina asked quietly

"Truthfully, this is one reason I wish I had never met her; you and I wouldn't have to worry about her and how she creeps into your dreams at night. Genes, I gave you Panic Attacks for God's Sake, what husband or lover does that to his mate?

"Rick, what if I didn't have those attacks could you remember her without the hurt and hate? I know you have the right, but you have always forgiven even the biggest blights on this planet, and no not only Meredith, but Sheila Blaine as well. That woman was a Bitch on steroids."

Rick laughs and pulls Gina tight into a hug, "You're right Sweetie, it's funny after all these years you still remember not Kyra, but her mother and the hell she put me through, I didn't even know you yet but you have a hatred for that woman."

Gina laughs quietly, "I still remember you baring your soul on our Honeymoon about how you were a failure, half of what you said were Sheila's words, it hurt me Rick, I saw you hurting and knew someone had did this to the man I loved and I wasn't there to protect you."

"Thank You Genes, I love you and I know you would never let anyone hurt me again,"

"Back to the question Rick, can you let go of the hate or hurt, don't hang on to it for me, it will only hurt you and eventually me or us. I want you to be able to talk about your past, all of it without having to censor a period of time, Sweetie, let it go, for me, if no one else, please?"

"I'll try, and I promise it will be a genuine effort. She said that I was a person who usually forgave fast, but I think this time when I saw Alexis worry, that caused you to worry about us both, it made me angry more than hurt. Maybe I'll call Dr. Schwartz to have a session or two before we go back, will you go with me please?"

"Rick, Of Course I will, and I'm so proud of you. I'm sure Dr. Schwartz can give you some advice on how to let go, it's best for us both."

"Looks like I surprised her when I called her on her letter as an assignment, I still remember how much I hated to do mine, but it was therapeutic."

"Rick, you said things in your letter to me, you never would have if we were face to face, again I am so very proud of you, your strength never surprises me. I know I could never carry the load you have."

"In Kate's defense, no one knows how troubled a life you have had, by looking at you, things have always been easy. If they only knew the struggles you had to overcome, but your smile, God that smile and those eyes had me at our first Hello. I told Erika I was in love and she thought I was nuts." Finally, Gina laughs as she holds Ricks hand, looking into his eyes,

"Genes, could I ask you a question, and if it's too personal you can tell me to buzz off, OK?"

"Rick, you know you can ask me anything, I mean we were married, I have nothing I need to hide from you Love."

"Well if this hits too close, I still want you to shut it down, OK?"

"OK, I don't know where this is going, but I promise you I will" she leans up to kiss him sweetly.

"Well, we talked at length about my heart breaks, Kyra, in length, the one I thought I would never get over, but we never, make that I never asked you, Was there someone who broke your heart, and what was he like?"

Gina grows quiet for a few minutes, "I'm sorry Genes, that was stupid of me to ask, I ha*"

"Bob Pitney was his name, we dated from ninth grade to Junior year of college, and I thought he was the one that got away till I met you."

"I'm sorry Genes, that's a long time to spend with just one person, may I ask what happened?"

Gina's tears fall just a bit, then she collects herself and replies, "It was almost like he woke up one morning and had been invaded by a foreign body. I was going through the name change from Griffin to Cowell, and somehow, he found out how much I stood to inherit from my Grandfather, and he broke up with me.

Remember I told you about how one day a lawyer showed up on my Mom's doorstep with a check and proceeds from a Grandfather I never knew about. Mom always said he was dead when I asked as a kid. The one stipulation was I had to take the family name of Cowell; Mom had named me Griffin when I was born after my biological father just to piss them all off.

Bob had plans on being a Doctor but had to work for every semester in college, even with student loans he barely made it through school. I guess it was the opposite reason of why Sheila broke you and Kyra up, she wanted more for her daughter, I just wanted Bob, but he was gone the next day. I never heard from him again. I cried my entire Senior year of school and transferred back to Stanford to get away from it all, I almost had a nervous breakdown."

"Oh God Genes, I'm so sorry I asked and brought that memory back, I know how bad they can hurt." Rick caressed her hair gently as he tried to make up.

She looked up at him and smiled through watery eyes, "Hey Pain and hurt doesn't discriminate"

"Is that why you are so adamant about me forgiving Kate? So, I can find the peace to let it all go and be free to let my love grow?"

"Figured that all out by yourself eh Mr. Castle? It's not that I love her, I just don't want her to pay for the sins of Sheila Blaine, and I think sometimes that hurt spills over. Your daughter and I talked and she wants you to forgive her as well, don't hold back forgiveness because Alexis and I were hurt, we're fine as long as you are Rick."

"You know how special you are, I mean you have night terrors and still push for me to forgive the woman who I know hurt you by hurting me. If you and Alexis had forgiven her, I can as well."

Gina settles back in her position, once again stealing a kiss that started off to be just a quick peck but turned into a long sensuous, I love you more than ever type quickly.

"Kevin is the one you liked best isn't he Rick? I'm glad he's doing well, and who called him Castle Jr.?"

"His partner Esposito and even sometime Kate would, especially when the Demming Debacle was occurring. He's a good man, and a good cop. I'm glad he's doing well."

Gina continues to read, not interested enough to make a comment concerning Javi, she had met him and instantly disliked him for his cocky ways. They were both reading the comment about growing up, when Gina laughed,

"I know and love the fact that in some ways you will never grow up, I've known since I met you and that boyish charm also made me fall in love with you. I dated enough stick in the mud men before I met you," His eyebrows waggle as she looks up into those loving blue eyes wondering why the hell would anyone want to change this man.

"Well she's admitting she understood why I left, finally, it took her long enough."

"Rick, I'm not siding with her, but as a woman the worst hurt, we can feel is when someone or something we count on is pulled out from under us without warning. I know Sweetie, I know she hurt you so badly that Alexis and I were also so hurt, BUT she still is entitled to feel like she does. I know that hurt as she phrased it just hurts going from the inner circle of your life to a spectator who can't even contact you to beg forgiveness.

"Well if you read the next line, if I hadn't left it would have been business as usual for her, the old Castle coming back to get kicked again and again. I understand better now that you confided in me about Bob, but she had to be aware of her behavior, I mean she's not a teenager and this isn't her first rodeo."

"Rick, I never said it was right, just that I understand and you're right there's a difference from what she did to just being blindly rude, she knew better but had her sights set for the badge bunny magnet as you call him. It sound like she got paid back in spades from the ridicule and shame she brought on herself.

I'm glad you left, and I hope to God you never set foot in the precinct ever again, BUT that has to be your decision Love, and for the right reasons, not running away from hurt, but to a better opportunity"

"How did you get so damn smart Gina, I see what you mean she has no idea of what I ran to, and now isn't the time to tell her, but she, as well as others I guess think I ran away. How do we overcome that without spilling the secret?"

"Well I think we are off to a good start, I cheated I read ahead, it seems she knows you're happy, or in her estimate you are, and now I ask you for the truth Rick. Do I really make you this happy or is it for the press?"

"You know the old Rick would have all kinds of smart ass answers for that, but you've been through too much to even toy for a moment with your heart, Genes, I'm the happiest I've been since the last time we first got together and started playing house. This time, we both are going in with our eyes wide open and we know the baggage each brings."

This opens the flood gates, Gina turns and mounts him kissing him sweetly, deeply and expressing her love with tiny caresses he loved.

"Baby, it's OK, I told you Hun, we're in this together, but like you told me over and over again. IF there ever comes a time when you find a greater happiness, PLEASE, and I'm begging you, PLEASE come to me first, and I'll step aside. I just don't think I could take one more episode of cheating or being played a fool, OK?"

"OK Rick, I don't think that will ever happen, but I promise, and I'm so sorry this has brought back all the bad memories,"

They finish reading the letter, together and as Rick holds her, asks gently,

"What do you think, it doesn't sound or read like the same person wrote this letter to me? I appreciate how hard it was for her, and I'm surprised that the comment about not being my friend seemed like such a new revelation to her."

"I think she got very good at compartmentalizing things, and as long as you were there bringing her coffee, and building theory, she had no reason to work for your friendship, in her mind you were. I don't know her that well but I'm betting she has only a handful of friends, and most of those are from her work"

"Well the only friend I know of is an old High School friend, Maddy who owns Q3 Restaurant, other than that I never heard her mention anyone other than Lannie."

"Well it makes sense that she thought you were her best friend; I mean who else would put up with her episodes other than a true friend. I'm not saying it was right, just that it explains, at least in my mind, why she thought you were her bestie."

"Gina, something in your eye tells me you're not telling me everything, what is it?"

"The last part where she said she loved you Rick, of course I'm jealous but you're right she has grown to now I think she does want you happy. I should be glad, but it makes me worry even more that you might find her more*"

She doesn't get to finish the sentence, before Rick assures her without a word, she's his one and only and he has no interest in the lady that has held him captive, well at least his emotions over the last two years. After a comforting, make out, and I love you session Rick finally breaks the silence,

"Well that leaves one thing to decide, do I respond and if so how?

"Are you asking me what I think you should do Rick?"

"Well, yes but I wasn't so direct, I'll do what you think is best Genes, I want you to be happy and know exactly where we are in this relationship, OK?"

She turned to look deep into his eyes, "For the first time in I can't remember when, I feel comfortable telling you this, Call her Rick, talk to her and tell her she's forgiven. If she discovered she truly loved you too late, she has a big enough heart ache to carry around without adding your and our hurt and anger.

Hell, if need be go see her, BUT only in a public place and no touching, no hugs, no kisses on the cheek, just kind gentle talk, does that make me sound like a Bitch? I'm sorry but I love you and I would fight anyone that tries to take you"

"It makes you sound like a woman who loves me with all of her heart, and would do anything to see me at peace, I love you Gina, Thanks I don't know when I will but I agree, letters can only do so much and I need to be clear headed when we return to work."

"Rick, please do me a favor when you call her, if you will?"

"Sure Genes, anything, just name it."

"Just be sure you're wearing and looking at this please" as she slips his original wedding band that she had reworked into a beautiful birthstone ring on his right ring finger.

"Is this my we*"

"Yes, I know I told you I threw it in the Hudson, but I couldn't I hope you like it now, I mean I hope it wasn't too bold"

His reply came quickly and left no doubt that this had truly touched him. Kate may get a call, but they have each other.