Best Spring Ever!

Timeframe - April - June 2024

Chapter 1

Friday, April 5th

Springtime brings several new adventures to the Castle household. This story will include special personal events at home, and challenges for Kate and the 12th Precinct, between April and June 2024. With everyone always knowing, they are family!

This story is an entry for the Castle Ficathon 2022

This AU story is partially written, and chapters will be posted once a week until it's completed. When concluded, it will be changed to a twice-a-week posting schedule.

Alexis Castle arrived home on April 5th, 2024, following her month-long college senior class trip to Austria and Switzerland. The purpose of the trip was to give students an in-depth look into international law before beginning their first year at Columbia Law School.

April 5th- Early morning at the Loft…

To Kate's dismay, Rick had woken up early and did not attempt to be quiet about his early morning approach to whatever he was trying to accomplish. Usually, his morning endeavors wouldn't bother her, but she is dealing with a heavy caseload at the 12th Precinct, and she hadn't arrived home until after 11:00 pm last evening. With her first meeting with Precinct staff not scheduled until 10:00 am, she had hoped to sleep in a little later this morning. That wasn't going to happen!

Kate finally turned over and aimed her somewhat irritating comments toward her husband, "Babe, why are you up so early, and what are you doing that is causing all of that noise?"

Rick sticks his head out of their vast walk-in closet, saying, "I am trying to find the shirt that Alexis gave me for Christmas two years ago. Every time I wear it, she hugs me, tells me it's her favorite, and thinks it brings out the blue in my eyes."

Kate rolls her eyes at her husband, turns over, and pulls her pillow over her head, attempting to block out the irritating sounds of Rick's frantic efforts to locate the missing shirt.

Knowing that his wife is now awake, Rick calls out to her in a frustrating tone and asks, "Since you are up, will you please come and help me find my shirt?"

With a muffled reply, Kate groans, and states, "I am not up; I don't even want to be awake yet. Rick, you do realize it's only 5:30 AM?"

Rick walks out of the closet, sits down beside Kate, and gently rubs her back, saying, "I'm sorry, Kate, I know you got home late last night. I should have been quieter. I am so excited that Alexis will be home today, and I guess I got carried away. You go back to sleep, and I will look for my shirt later.

Before he can stand and move away from her side, Kate reaches for Rick's arm, gently pulling him back toward her, softly saying, "I know Rick, it's been a long month. Why don't you come back to bed and cuddle with your wife for a few minutes? Then I will get up and help you find your special shirt."

Rick smiles down at the now serene look on Kate's face and moves to his side of the bed. He crawls under the covers, pulling Kate close, and immediately feels her body go slack in his arms. He leans over and kisses her forehead before closing his eyes, allowing his tiredness to lull him back into a light slumber, knowing his alarm will be sounding in about forty-five minutes.

Kate wakes up about five minutes before Rick's alarm is scheduled to go off. She gently lifts his arm from around her waist and turns to observe the now peaceful look on her husband's face. Earlier, he had practically worn out his phone as he continually checked the status of Alexis' return flights from Europe.

Alexis' flight left Salzburg, Austria at 7:10 am their time, with stops first at Charles DeGaulle in Paris, then departing to Charlotte, with its scheduled arrival at LaGuardia estimated for 5:59 pm this evening. The late arrival time enables the entire family, including Alexis' grandparents, to join Rick in welcoming his baby bird back home.

Rick constantly struggles when Alexis is gone for extended periods, but for some reason, this trip was more difficult for him, even though she was only gone for a month. Rick would not voice his concern out loud, but Kate feels he continues to struggle with fears stemming from Alexis' kidnapping years ago in Paris, and he wants nothing more than to have his little girl safely back home.

Kate watches Rick sleep until his alarm blares out the theme song to Star Wars. She leans back as Rick often throws his arms around when he tries to turn off the loud noise that resonates from his cell phone. Once the cell phone quiets, Kate stretches up, gives Rick a passionate kiss, and says, "Okay, lover, should we try and find your special shirt before we fix breakfast for the kids?"

Kate's offer of assistance excites Rick, and he throws the covers off of both he and Kate and heads back into their closet, saying, "I haven't worn that shirt for a while, but it's like it has disappeared from my side of the closet. You haven't worn it have you?

Kate sighs and shakes her head at her overly excited husband and calmly replies, "No, I would never wear that shirt as I know it's one of your treasures." Kate then crawls out of bed and gives Rick a hip bump as she steps past him and goes to the far back corner of theIr closet. She pushes two of Rick's suit coats to the side, revealing the dark brown hanging travel bag that he uses to store specific dress shirts that he keeps for special occasions. Kate pulls down the full-length zipper revealing the Azar blue Egyptian cotton dress shirt Alexis had gifted him two years ago.

Rick's jaw drops and, with a baffled tone, says, "How do you do that? I moved all of my jackets, and I never saw that bag!"

Kate walks by Rick, pats him on the butt, laughing, and says, "I'll meet you in the kitchen, Sherlock. I'll start frying the turkey bacon, and you take care of the eggs."

Rick stands muted, staring at the back rack in their closet, saying, "I can't believe she found it." He shakes his head and walks out of their bedroom to go and help Kate prepare the family's breakfast.

About five minutes after Kate begins cooking the turkey bacon, their two children wander down the stairs, rubbing their tired eyes, and move to their chairs at the dining table. Emma pauses by Eli's chair long enough to assist him as he crawls onto his booster seat. Once he has settled in, Emma moves to her chair, sits down, and lets her head droop down until it rests on the edge of the table.

Rick had entered the kitchen and was cracking eggs for their morning scramble. Kate had the bacon frying on the large flat grill, so she began pulling juice and milk out of the refrigerator and a bowl of fresh fruit. Rick and Kate pause in their morning cooking routine to glance at their children and then look at one another, smiling as Rick quietly says with a disappointed tone, "I guess this is just another regular morning for these two. I thought they would be more revved since Alexis is coming home tonight?"

Rick has no sooner expressed his thoughts when Eli, who has been silently sitting in his seat, watching his family, chimes into the conversation and says, "Me bez, happy Lexi, comz home today! Iz has been tinking 'bout her all nightz."

Emma then raises her head and replies, "Me, too! I was thinking about Lexi, too, until after I heard Mama come home last night. I've missed her."

Rick and Kate again look at each other, realizing why their two kids are so tired. Neither of them had gotten a good night's rest, which meant the day could be challenging.

Kate and Rick bring the warming plates with their morning breakfast to the table, which perks up their two sleepy-eyed children. Once the milk and juice have been poured, and Rick prepares coffee for him and Kate, the family sits down to enjoy their morning feast. Kate looks into the kitchen and notices only one coffee pot sitting in Rick's Barista Pro Coffee machine. She raises a questioning brow toward Rick, who immediately understands her silent question. He quietly says, "I decided to join you in your new morning routine. I felt guilty enjoying my usual brew when you have to stick with a single cup of unleaded in the mornings." Rick then raises his cup in a salute to Kate. They help the kids fill their plates with scrambled eggs and crispy turkey bacon, along with sweet sourdough bread with homemade strawberry preserves that Rick picked up at an open market located down the block from the Loft.

As the kids enjoy their breakfast, Emma looks to her dad and says, "Daddy, are you still going to pick me up after school today?" Rick glances at Kate, who nods, and then Rick replies, "Yes, Bug, I will be picking you up at school, but how about if I come a little early, then you, Eli, and I can stop at Remy's on the way home and pick up some burgers and shakes for lunch?" This idea draws cheers from both of his kids, but Emma asks, "What about my afternoon classes? I'm not supposed to miss classes, especially on Fridays."

Rick smiles and looks at his daughter and happily replies, "I spoke with Dean Abrahamson on Wednesday and explained that your older sister was coming back from Europe tonight and asked if you could be excused from your Friday afternoon sessions. Dean Abrahamson double-checked your schedule and found that you have two study periods this afternoon and no regular classes, so he agreed that I could pick you up at 11:45 am. He did suggest that you spend some time this weekend reviewing your science class notes, so you're prepared for your test on Monday morning, but he was happy to sign the release for your early dismissal. Does that idea work for you? I'm sorry, Bug, I should have said something to you earlier, but I wanted to surprise you this morning. If this plan doesn't work, we can make other arrangements."

"No, daddy, that is great. I will miss studying with Bryan, but he'll understand. He knows how much I've been missing Lexi," Emma responds with a more upbeat tone. Then Emma looks at her mom and asks, "But what about you, Mama? I don't want you to miss out on having Remy's with us? Can we bring yours to your work?"

Kate gives her daughter a very loving look and says, "Oh, Bug, that is so sweet, but your daddy and I talked, and my afternoon may be open, so if no new cases come in this morning, I plan to leave work early too and meet you all back here for lunch. But if something changes, I will call daddy, and then, yes, you guys can bring my Remy's to my office. A nice thick strawberry shake sounds delicious to me!"

Both kids clap their hands and cheer, with Eli chiming in, "Canz wez gets fries too?"

Kate smiles at her sweet little boy and says, "By all means. I can't have my double cheeseburger and strawberry shake without fries."

"I knowz," Eli proudly says, "You gotz to have themz so youz can dips dem in your shake! Dats, whats you lub to doz wit your fries!"

Eli's comment draws a chuckle from everyone around the table, with Kate smiling as she pretends to whisper in her son's ear, saying, "Yea, Tiger, I love to dip my fries in my shake. Are you going to do that with your fries too?"

Eli wrinkles his nose and quickly responds in his little assertive voice, "Noz, itz makes my fries all …" he gives his dad a look, silently asking him for help finding the word he's trying to say.

"Soggy," says Rick.

"Ya, datz makes my fries allz soggyz and I don'tz likes dem dat way," he replies with a determined look.

Kate again laughs and, looking at Eli, says, "That's alright, Eli. You don't have to dip your fries. I was teasing you."

Eli smiles at his mommy with his distinct grin, saying, "K, mommy! Tanks you."

Kate nods to Eli, then checks her dad's watch that she continues to wear around her wrist and says, "Guys, I am sorry to have to leave so early, but I have meetings at 1PP and then at the Precinct in about 45 minutes. Will you two help daddy clean off the table after you finish your breakfast?"

There is a chiming of voices around the table as Emma, Eli, and Rick all say yes, at the same time and tell Kate that they hope she has a good meeting. Kate excuses herself from the table and goes into the bedroom.

About fifteen minutes later, Kate exits their room, dressed in one of her power suits and heels. She kisses each of her family members goodbye, assuring them she will do everything she can to be home to enjoy lunch with them later.

Rick stands and walks Kate to the door, giving her another more passionate kiss and wishing her luck with the meeting she has with her Detectives. After Kate leaves for work, Rick shuts the door, relocks it, and then joins his kids at the table as everyone finishes eating their breakfast.

Once everyone has finished eating, Emma races upstairs to get ready for school so she isn't late for the bus stopping outside the Loft in about 25 minutes. While Emma is getting dressed for school, Rick wipes off the table and begins placing the breakfast dishes and pans in the dishwasher. Eli has been learning to help his dad with this chore, so Rick carefully hands the forks and spoons to Eli, who gingerly places them into their respective holders in the dishwasher's door. Rick smiles down at his little boy as he sees Eli's tongue slip out between his teeth, just like his mom does when concentrating on a task.

Shortly after the dishwasher is filled and the counter cleaned off, Emma comes back down the stairs dressed in her dark blue school uniform and carrying her backpack. Once she reaches the bottom of the stairs, she goes to the hall closet and pulls out her lightweight purple and yellow windbreaker and one of her favorite beanie hats.

Eli is watching his sister, and once Emma has zipped up her jacket and put on her beanie, he rushes over to her, hugging her and telling her to have a good day. Emma returns her little brother's hug and tells him to have a fun morning with daddy.

Rick then takes his turn and walks over to his daughter, giving her a hug and a kiss on her forehead, and also wishes her a good day, saying, "We'll be at school to pick you up at 11:45." Everyone says final goodbyes as Emma unlocks the door and heads toward the elevator.

Both Rick and Eli stand in the open doorway of the Loft, watching Emma until she is inside the elevator, and everyone gives a final wave as the elevator doors close. Rick knows that Eduardo will be meeting her in the lobby and escorting her outside once her school bus arrives. This is a morning routine he worked out with their treasured doorman a year earlier when Emma made it clear that she could ride the elevator and go out to meet the bus on her own. She was too old to have her parents always walking her to the bus. And truth be known, Emma enjoys having a few minutes alone to chat with Eduardo before her bus arrives. He is a great listener, and she always enjoys sharing any new tidbit of her life with him.

Unbeknownst to Emma, once she is safely on the bus and Eduardo is back at his post in the lobby, he makes a quick call back to Rick, assuring him Emma is safely on the bus and on her way to school. Eduardo loves all of the kids in 'his' building, but Emma and Eli hold a particular spot in his heart as they remind him of his grandchildren, so he is honored that Rick has asked him to help with their morning routine for Emma.

Rick closed and relocked the door again after seeing Emma get in the elevator. He then turns and watches Eli as he heads toward his play mat to pull out one of his toys. About five minutes later, the landline telephone rings. Rick knows who is calling and answers, "Good morning, Eduardo. Is our girl safely on her way to school?

"Yes, Mr. Castle. I escorted Miss Emma to the curb and watched as she boarded the school bus. She even turned and waved goodbye to me this morning before she began speaking to her friends," Eduardo proudly replied. "Miss Emma also shared that Miss Alexis will be arriving home this evening from her European trip. If I am off duty when you and your family return, please give her my greetings and tell her I also look forward to seeing her. I have missed her special smile and gentle spirit over these past weeks."

"Eduardo, yes, I will be delighted to give her your greetings, and if you are on duty this weekend, I know she will want to talk with you too," Rick said to his special friend. "And, Eduardo, thank you again for taking such special care of my children. It is a true blessing to have you as a part of our extended family."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the call, and Rick knows it's difficult for Eduardo to accept any form of praise.

"Thank you, Mr. Castle. Your kind words are appreciated. You and your family are amazing, and you realize the little ones are precious to me. Daily they remind me of my grandchildren."

"Thank you, Eduardo. Please give your lovely family our greetings too," Rick replied as the two men disconnected their call.

After Rick disconnected his call, Eli came to his side and tugged on his leg, asking, "Is Mr. Ed okayz? Youz talked morez today."

Rick picked Eli up, hugged him, and said, "Yes, Eduardo is doing well. He wanted to let me know that Emma got on the bus and is on her way to school."

Eli looked at his daddy, knowing they said more than that, but as long as daddy says Mr. Ed was okay, he's satisfied with his daddy's answer. Eli then wraps his arms around Rick's neck and asks,

"Whatz we goinz to doz till itz time to picks up Em?"

Rick smiles at his youngest, knowing that he probably wants to play with Legos with his daddy. But Rick knows he needs to try and get some writing done since they are looking ahead to a jam-packed weekend with Alexis' return from Europe.

"Well, Tiger, I need to write for about two hours, and then we can get ready to pick up your sister. I wondered if you could do me a favor and make Alexis a new Lego that would look like an airplane? I think that would be one she hasn't seen yet. What do you think?" Rick inquired of his three-year-old.

Eli looked at his daddy and was thinking. "K. Canz I builds it in your room, so Iz can aks you quetchons if Iz getz stucks?"

"That sounds like a great plan. Grab your Legos and meet me in my office? I'm going to get a cup of coffee. Would you like a juice box?"

"Yay, peaz. Juice sounz grat. Tanks you, daddy," Eli said as Rick lowered him to the floor and watched as he raced over to his toy mat.

The two guys worked on their projects in Rick's office until it was time to get dressed and head to Emma's school. Kate had called her men around 10:45 am, letting Rick know she should be home around 12:30 for lunch. Rick was a little concerned by her subdued tone, but with Eli sitting beside his desk, he couldn't ask her any questions about her new cases. Rick hopes they can steal away a few minutes to talk before heading to the airport to pick up Alexis.

A/N #1 - Rick's fears of Alexis' kidnapping refer to the two-part episodes of "Target" and "Hunt" from Season 5 of the Castle TV Series.

A/N #2 - Rick and Kate recently learned they are expecting their third child, hence the decaf coffee for breakfast. They are waiting to share the news with their family until Kate is through her first trimester.