HAPPY NEW YEAR

Chapter 7

Castle arrived outside Kate's apartment door just minutes before the clock strikes seven. His palms were clamming up as he tried to build up the courage to knock. He had no reason to be feeling anxious. This woman had slept by his side only a few nights before. But this was their first date, their first outing as a couple. That's why he was nervous.

He had brought a small bouquet of flowers for her, but he was squeezing onto the stems so tight they might not survive long enough to be put in a vase. He took a deep breath before knocking three times on the wooden door.

"Hey," Kate said swinging open the door. "Come in. I've just got to get my shoes."

Castle followed her in, admiring the navy figure-hugging dress she was wearing. It clung to her in all the right places and emphasized her greatest features.

"Oh, I…these are for you," he said handing her the flowers, almost forgetting because he was too busy watching her.

"That's so sweet," she expressed, smiling widely. "Thank you."

Castle stood awkwardly by the door while she searched for a vase. She snipped the ends of the stems and set them into a yellow marble-dipped vase.

"You look great, by the way," he complimented.

"You're not so bad yourself, Castle," she flirted sitting on the couch and putting on her heels. "So, where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," he explained.

"Can you at least tell me if I'm dressed appropriately for wherever we're going?" she asked, standing up and smoothening the wrinkles from her dress.

"You'll be fine, don't worry," he said comfortingly.

Kate grabbed a jacket and turned out the lights. Castle rested his hand on her lower back leading her out of the apartment.

"Before we go," she said as after locking the door. "We should probably keep the PDA to a minimum. You know, with hiding it from Gates and the precinct."

"Trust me, I've got the perfect place."

They arrived at a small Italian restaurant by the name of 'Gusto d'Italia'. You could instantly tell it was owned by an Italian family as there was an authentic Italian feel as you entered. Photographs of an older couple picking grapes at a vineyard hung on the walls. There were flags and other authentic mementos covering the interior.

Rick and Kate entered and immediately saw an older woman approaching them.

"Ricky!" the woman yelled with an Italian enunciation. "How long has it been since I last saw you?"

"Madolina," he laughed. "Too long," he said bringing her in for a hug. "Alexis misses her favorite Italian place."

When Madolina finally released him, he wrapped his arms around Kate's lower back and pulled her closer to him. Madolina eyed the two of them and grinned.

"And who is this bella signora?" she asked.

"This is Kate Beckett, one of New York's finest," he introduced, smiling proudly at her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Kate said extending her hand.

"The pleasure is mine," she said completely ignoring Kate's outstretched hand and pulling her in for an even bigger hug. She leaned in and whispered into her ear, "You must be very special to him."

Kate chuckled and Madolina released her from her grasp. Madolina waved her hands in the air to signal them to follow her, so they did. She seated them at a quiet table near the back of the restaurant. It was cozy and located away from the draught of any doors.

Madolina lay two menus down in front of them and lit a small red candle in the center of the table.

"Have a wonderful evening," she said. "And if you need anything or if this guy," she said gesturing to Rick, "is too much to handle, just call out for me."

"Thank you, Madolina," Kate laughed.

They picked up their menus and began reading through their array of options: everything from pizzas to pastas to salads. How could they just choose one?

"You're like royalty around here," Kate said.

"I've known Madolina and her husband, Ricardo, for a long time," he explained. "I met them a little while after Alexis was born. They're kind of like my second family. They've seen me at my best and my worst. Ricardo has a soft spot for Alexis, always has. He used to always give her extra homemade ice-cream if she finished her spaghetti," he said snickering at that memory.

"I'm glad to know this about you," she said, resting her hand on top of his.

A waitress arrived with a bottle of red wine. She wasn't that much older than Alexis and was obviously working to earn some money for herself. She poured some into each of their glasses before leaving the bottle with them. Then she grabbed a notepad from her back pocket and began taking their orders.

Kate and Rick made small talk while they waited for their meals. When the food arrived, Kate was beyond impressed. She had never been one to judge food presentation, but this was spectacular.

"Oh my god," Kate exclaimed before swallowing her risotto. "This is delicious."

"I told you," Rick laughed, digging into his chicken alfredo.

They finished the bottle of wine just as they finished their meal. There wasn't a crumb left on either plate. Madolina noticed the empty plates and came over, gathering them in her hand.

"Did you darlings enjoy the food?" she asked piling the plates.

"It was delicious as always, Madolina," Castle said charmingly.

"This place is amazing," Kate said. "Thank you so much."

"Seeing Ricky happy makes me happy," Madolina replied.

"I guess we'll take the check, please," Castle said rubbing his hands together.

Madolina brought the dirty plates to the kitchen and returned with the check, insisting that Rick only had to pay half. But Castle, being the charitable man he is, paid the full bill along with leaving a generous tip.

"Say hi to Ricardo for me," he said pulling Madolina in for one final hug.

"It was lovely meeting you," Kate said.

"Likewise," Madolina smiled hugging Kate again. Then she whispered, "Take good care of him."

"I will," she said with a big smile. "We'll see you soon."

Castle waved goodbye to his old friend and escorted Kate out of the tiny restaurant. They linked arms and strolled down the street in silence. It had become dark since they had arrived, and the moonlight was beaming down on them.

"So, is it time to go home?" Kate asked breaking the silence.

"Hmm, not quite," he said mischievously.

"Oh, you have something else planned?" She watched him waiting for a response, but he just grinned to himself. "Can I have a hint?"

"Nope."

"Well, it better not be far. These heels aren't exactly designed for long walks," she said gesturing to the four-inch heels she was wearing.

They walked for another hundred meters before arriving at the entrance to the park. Kate had never been to the park this late unless it was because a body had dropped. She didn't ask any more questions, but she could see Castle was all smiles.

He led her to a secluded area of the park with nothing, but a small pond covered in waterlilies and two benches surrounding it. The only light sources were the moon and a dimly lit lamp situated between the benches. It was quiet, but not eerily silent. Sirens and car horns could be heard in the distance.

"Castle…," she said in awe as she took in her surroundings.

"Not a lot of people know about this place," he said watching her absorb it.

"Wow…."

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he said referring to her.

She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, tilting her head to the side and smiling at him. He intertwined his fingers behind her back.

"You've really outdone yourself tonight," she praised. "Thank you."

She pressed herself up to his lips on her tippy toes closed her eyes. He closed the final few centimeters between them and kissed her gently. He had brought her here knowing it was private and that she would be comfortable kissing him technically in public. She took his hand and led him to the bench where she rested her head on his shoulder. They sat like this peacefully for a few minutes.

"Castle…," Kate said lifting her head to look at him. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Are we jumping into this too fast?" she blurted before she wimped out. "I know you want this and believe me so do I, but with everything that's happened and Alexis…."

"Kate," he said squeezing her hand. "I may not remember everything that's happened to me, to us in the past few years but I know I want this." He stopped before he used the 'L' word knowing it would scare her considering she was seeking guidance. "I want you."

"I want this too," she said putting a hand on his face.

He wrapped his arms around her pulling her close. She snuggled into his warm jacket and closed her eyes. She felt safe in his arms, even if they were in the park late at night. His touch made her feel safer than her bulletproof vest. Metaphorically, of course.