Their family had gone home. The kitchen was clean. Lily was snug in her bed. Kate and Rick shared a few moments with glasses of wine relaxing in the corner of the sofa. Kate's head rested against Rick's chest, and he had his arm around her shoulders. He placed his empty glass on the table behind the sofa, and picked up a remote from the table. He pressed a button, and a song emanated from their speakers. "May I have this dance, Mrs. Castle?"
Kate smiled and rose from the sofa with Rick. The music was unfamiliar, but the song's lyrics had to be why Rick had chosen this song. As they swayed together, Kate asked Rick about the song, "I don't remember this song."
"I heard this song a few days ago, and it fits us. It's titled "The Story" by Belinda Carlisle. I like it, because I was made for you."
"We were made for each other, Babe." They swayed and kissed to the music.
When the music faded, Rick picked Kate up and carried her to their bedroom. "I love you, Kate. Let's celebrate your resignation."
"You have the best ideas, Mr. Castle."
RCKBRCKBRCKB
At the precinct the next morning, the homicide department was crowded with the officers and detectives waiting for Kate's announcement. She had arrived 30 minutes early to write a short memo, that she would send to all the personnel of the 12th after the meeting. She could tell the night shift was getting antsy to go home, so she took a deep breath and walked out of her office. She gave a nod to Espo, and he whistled loudly to get everyone's attention.
"Thanks, Javi. Thanks to all of you for gathering here. I want to inform you that I have tendered my resignation to the Chief of Detectives." Kate paused to wait out the vocal responses made by her people. She raised a hand to signal a request for quiet. "After discussions with my husband and some other people I trust for good advice, I decided that my job and the plans I have for my future are not compatible. I'm blessed with a husband, who is capable of supporting our family without my generous NYPD salary." Kate's little joke evoked the laughter that she hoped it would. "My last day on duty will be March 9th. Rick plans to close The Old Haunt that evening for a retirement party open to all the personnel of the 12th. When he has the details finalized, I'll send out a memo. It has been an honor to serve with you all, and I'm proud of the work we do here. When I have been informed by the Chief who my replacement will be, I'll let you know. Now…night shift folks, head home for some sleep. The rest of you, get back to work."
There was some applause, and several people wanted to speak with her. Kate listened to the words of congratulations or disappointment from her people. Within a few minutes everyone had gone home or back to work. When she returned to her office, Javi and Kevin were waiting for her.
"We want to tell you we're happy for you," Kevin spoke first.
"And, if you think you are allowed to disappear from our lives, you are totally mistaken," Javi informed her.
Kate laughed. "You two are the closest I'll ever come to having brothers. You'll still come over to play video games with Rick. Lily will still be your de facto niece, like Sarah Grace and Nicky are my niece and nephew. I'll expect you to show up for Rick's book parties, Halloween and whatever other excuse he has for a party. You're stuck with me. Now get back to work."
Javi and Kevin smirked and saluted Kate. Javi turned around before he got to her door, "Captain, do you have any input on who your replacement will be?"
"I don't know. Did you have a suggestion? I'll pass it along to Gates, without telling her the source."
"Lieutenant McCarthy covered for your maternity leave. Kev and I were both happy with how he handled things. I just thought it would be an easier transition with someone who has experience here at the 12th."
"I'll pass that along to Gates this morning. I don't know if he's next in line, but it couldn't hurt to let the Powers That Be know McCarthy made a good impression on the staff here."
"Thanks. Appreciate it."
RCKBRCKBRCKB
After calling Gates with a recommendation from her people for McCarthy, followed by a flurry of other phone calls and emails, Kate had a moment to call Rick.
"How did the "I'm not going to work here anymore speech" go?"
"Good one, Rick," Kate answered him with a smile. "I made a joke about you being able to support me. I think the party will placate most everyone. Javi and Kev gave me a "Don't disappear from our lives" talk. I told them you'd still play video games with them, and Lily needs her uncles."
"Definitely. True friends are important to keep around. I called Brian, and let him know the Haunt will be closed for a private party on March 9th. He'd like a general idea how many people might be there, so he can plan staffing. It would be helpful to have a general idea how many might come a week in advance."
"I'll send out a memo next week, and ask the department heads to try to get a rough count. If there's too much food, we can send the leftovers to the 12th the next day. Why is it so quiet where you are? What is Miss Lily doing?"
"She's watching Sesame Street. She's sitting in her bumbo chair with her elephant. She seems to be fascinated with Snuffleupagus and Big Bird. It gives me a few minutes for another cup of coffee, and she's exposed to letters and numbers. If she gets bored, she calls for Dada and Daddy comes running."
"You're such a good Daddy. I'm looking forward to going on excursions with you and Lilybit. We can spend the summer at the Hamptons house. I can have fun, while you do paperwork. Maybe you can start writing 2 books a year, like you did before you killed off Derrick."
"Woman, bite your tongue." Rick teased her. Before he could say more, Lily started calling for "Dada".
"You're being paged, Daddy. I'll call before I leave for home." Kate could hear the background sounds of Rick walking to get Lily.
"Tell Mommy "Hi" baby." Rick told Lily, before Kate could hang up. The next sound Kate heard was Lily babbling, "Mamama, hi. Mamama."
"Hi, baby. Did you watch Snuffleupagus?"
"Gus Gus, Mama."
"Play with Daddy, I'll see you later. Love you, baby girl. Bye Bye."
Rick came back on the phone, "She's waving at the phone. Love you. Talk to you later."
"Love you, too."
RCKBRCKBRCKB
Kate was busily working on comp stats for 1PP when Rick's ringtone interrupted. "What's up, Babe?"
"Paula called. The Ledger called her office looking for confirmation that you are resigning. Paula is quite angry with me at the moment, since I didn't think to tell her about this quote momentous development. She wants to put out a statement for the press. Sorry, Honey."
"Calling Paula never crossed my mind. How much information should we disclose?"
"Paula says we need the statement to have enough information to keep crazy rumors from starting. Her examples were that you're sick, or I'm sick, or the baby is sick. She even thinks the press might think we're having marital problems, which she immediately said she knows is not true."
"Sometimes I wish you were a best-selling author who never appeared on page 6."
Rick chuckles. "Too late to change that now. What do you want me to tell Paula?"
"How did the Ledger find out already? Never mind. I'm sure somebody at the 12th or 1PP got paid to share that information. I'll send you the email I sent to everyone working here. I didn't give specific reasons in the email or my little speech this morning. I'm not sure I want strangers knowing that I want another baby."
"We want another baby, Kate, we. I'll forward your email to Paula, and she and I will write a statement. I'll call you to get your approval, before Paula makes the statement public."
"You could make it funny, and tell the world I'm fed up with the paper cuts from all the paperwork being a Captain creates."
"Capt. Katherine Beckett retires because paperwork is boring might be an option."
Kate laughs. "True. Paperwork and meetings just don't have the same appeal that catching killers did."
"That's a statement we can use, or something similar."
"I joked with the Chief of D's that I wanted a writer's credit on your next book." Kate heard Rick take a deep breath, "Babe, do not put that in the statement."
"Yes, Dear."
"What is Lily doing that allows you to chat with me for so long?"
"She is babbling to her elephant. I wish I knew what she's saying. It sounds like she's telling it a story. I've heard her say Is Is a few times. So I know she's talking about Alexis. I'll let you get back to your paperwork, and I'll get back to mine. Love you."
"Love you, too."
It was a few hours before Kate received an email from Rick. He'd sent her a copy of the press release he and Paula had composed:
"Captain Katherine Beckett, wife of author Richard Castle, has announced her decision to resign from the NYPD. She is proud of her record over the 15 years she has served the citizens of New York. Her family is delighted that Captain Beckett will have time to play with her daughter and keep her husband out of trouble. Contrary to any rumors, Captain Beckett is not resigning due to paper cuts from her duties as Captain of the 12th Precinct, or any lingering effects from her shooting in 2016. She and Mr. Castle have both fully recovered from their wounds. When a decision has been made about her future career choice, an announcement will be made. Richard Castle has every intention of cajoling his wife into collaborating on a future book."
The playful tone of the press release relieved all the stress Kate had felt after Rick had called her about Paula's phone call. She printed out a copy of the press release. She thought the boys would enjoy reading it. While the copy printed, she called Rick.
"So what did you think of the press release?"
"I love it. The playfulness of it is perfect. Does Paula think it's sufficient to make the press happy? Also I noticed you didn't include the date of my last day."
"Paula loves the keeping me out of trouble line, which I am proud to say I wrote."
"I know the tone of it is your idea. I'm guessing that Paula pushed for the reference to our shooting."
"Yeah. She said it needed something to avoid any rumor that you're ill. I added in the paper cut part to balance it out, since you mentioned those earlier. Do you want to include the date of your last day? I thought it wasn't a good idea to include it. If it's not officially released, it might keep the press away from the 12th that day."
"The press will probably find out, but if we don't include it in the press release, maybe that will keep the Castle groupies away."
"Would you be upset if I schedule the car service to bring me to the 12th that day, so I can whisk you away?"
"As long as you don't bring Lily with you."
"Of course. I'll find someone to stay here with Lily. Do you plan to bring your personal items home all at once or a few at a time?"
Kate's desk phone rings. "I have a call. We'll plan that out tonight. Love the press release. Love you."
Kate answered her phone call from 1PP. She was relieved that she had the press release from Rick. It made what could have been a long phone call with NYPD's press liaison into a short chat and the promise to forward the press release.
She looked out on the Homicide Bullpen and saw Javi and Kevin at their desks. She walked to her door and called out to them to come to her office. She handed Kevin, the first one through the door, the press release. "I wanted you two to see this before it hits the news. Rick's publicist got a call from the Ledger this morning."
Kevin laughed as he read. "Writer Boy made it fun to read."
Javi's comment was, "He gave us some ammunition to tease him with at the party."
"Would you post this copy on the bulletin board, please?"
"No problem, Cap. Do you want us to spread the word not to talk to the press? Somebody must have talked to them, since they already know," Javi said.
"My guess is that leak was from 1PP. You can express your opinion about talking to the press, but don't make it sound like it's an edict from me."
"Will do."
"Thanks, guys."
RCKBRCKBRCKB
Before Kate left work, she checked in with Rick. He had texted her earlier that a couple of photographers were hanging around the lobby door to their building.
"Do you want me to check with Eduardo for a press report?"
"I'll drive home in my unit and ride the elevator up from the parking area. It'll take a little longer than the subway, but enable me to bypass the cameras."
"I'll see you soon, then. Love you."
"Love you, too."