- Daddy, Daddy! - impatiently fidgeting on the frayed backseat cushion, Alexis inimitably wrinkled her nose: "Is Kate definitely coming?
- She will, my dear! I'll bet she's already flown in a flock of flying monkeys and is now strolling leisurely somewhere nearby! - Castle ironically grinned, looking for a free parking spot - for a long time there had not been such a full house in the city dolphinarium!
The first billboards with announcements of the new program were posted a couple of months ago, and at the sight of a dashing dolphin team his beloved little girl was so fixated on it, that Castle unwillingly gave up. They started, as usual, with books, and now the home library had a large section on sea creatures, and the number of viewings of documentaries and feature films on the subject was incalculable. And in spite of her growing fascination with the marine theme, Alexis's toy collection was soon enriched with a stuffed dolphin. It was so big and comfortable that it was perfect for family watching "cartoons. In addition, the soft bouncy sides of the "beast" were the best way to relax a strained writer's neck, but the condemning glances of Martha and reproachful shaking of the head instantly returned the dolphin to its rightful place. True, Alexis had never felt sorry for her daddy's favorite, and Castle was determined that the dolphinarium would be the crowning point of the craving for new knowledge. Of course, there was an incredible demand for tickets, but Castle would not be Castle if he did not get out of it. Anyway, it's pretty clear what we're talking about.
And so, at last, the day that was sought, in impatient anticipation. The afternoon traffic jams are behind me, the tickets are peacefully in the glove compartment, and I still have enough to do. In twenty minutes we have to replenish the stock of popcorn, lollipops and water and, as you have guessed, to find Beckett, lost somewhere in the crowd. Though Castle had time to appreciate her intelligence, resourcefulness and ingenuity, the meeting, strictly speaking, might not have happened at all. Especially if you imagine Kate's doubts about the purity of his thoughts, and then the unopened letter would disappear into the trash. Even out of pure interest, Beckett would not read it, and Castle was inwardly preparing himself for such an undesirable turn of fate. Only Alexis would be harder, but he would try to explain things to her. And he always could. And even if bitterness, regret, or annoyance clouded his soul, the holiday would still happen. Because a blooming, cheerful and smiling Alexis would be the best praise for his efforts. Because his personal feelings are the fifth thing.
Ahead of him loomed a narrow gap between crookedly parked sedans, into which Castle, even with his mirrors folded, squeezed with great difficulty. Apparently, their owners were clearly from the "glorious" cohort of some "guy-horse", as a rule, not thinking at all about the people around them.
- Damn, they were awkward! Where were their eyes? Were they from Pluto, by any chance? - Castle turned off the engine and only then turned to Alexis, who with a slight sadness on her face was stroking the linen hair of her beloved Daisy. And Castle guessed what his daughter's sadness was, but only dad and dolphins could drive her away. And they could! And they will.
With a wide, encouraging smile Castle slyly squinted his right eye, beckoning his daughter with his index finger.
- So, honey, put your sorrows aside! And a salty show extraordinaire under our noses! And don't forget to whistle loudly and clap your hands! Each such token of appreciation is an extra unforgettable somersault in front of our eyes! The only thing I ask of you is that when we "google" Beckett, be humble with her, and don't forget our global secret! Okay?
Rick lowered his voice for secrecy, and Alexis, wrapped her arms around his neck, trustingly pressed a small bow of her lips to his ear:
- Okay, Daddy, okay! Because I tried so hard! - Pumpkin, imitating her father, thumbed her fingers behind his back. - The car is red, the trees are green, the water is blue, the popcorn is yellow, and lots and lots of purple dolphins!
And, leaning over a little, my daughter carefully stroked Castle's smoothly shaven cheek with her open palm. He responded with a fancy Piggy-esque face and a sharp exhalation of baby copper-red hair.
- It was a lot, wasn't it? - Castle nodded accordingly. He covered his eyes as if he were calculating something, then visibly perked up:
- "Okay! Then let's go to the meeting with the inimitable "agent" Beckett! What do you think of my signal, eh?
Castle was clearly alluding to the lush, delicately creamy roses at Alexis' right hand, and her thumbs-up finger was his answer. Then the passenger door opened smoothly, and the tiny sandals stepped softly onto the pavement. With great difficulty, Castle climbed out next. Carefully holding the tickets and flowers, he locked the car, dutifully jerked both handles, and looked for his daughter. She was already standing by the right rear light and picking the dried mud with her finger. Seeing her father's close attention, without regret, she put aside her occupation and firmly, with a question in her eyes, held the doll to herself. True, Rick was politely silent, only, with a slight twirl, held out his index finger in front of him. Alexis's bright curls immediately perked up, and Pumpkin, raising her arms upward, slowly spun around her axis.
Castle's approving tinkle sounded in response. He'd picked out that simple but pretty peachy dress himself, and even the picky Martha liked it. Except for the shape and color of the buttons. But that wasn't the main point; it was the steady and unadulterated pride he had in himself. When you're a mom, a dad, and a best friend all in one, you have to be able to do a lot. And Castle could. As good as any caring mother could braid a braid or pick out an outfit. Succeed in swaddling dolls and feeding them from a spoon. If in the hands of "accidentally" got a watercolor and brushes, the small number of colored splatter on his face and clothes - a very controversial issue. He is good at culinary affairs, as well as household affairs, and those very... Which... All is fine, okay... Chocolaty.
- What are you waiting for? Are we going or not yet? Because I want to go to the dolphins! And Kate! - Alexis's bottom lip curled into an offensive bracket, but Castle had already extended his enormous hand:
- Here's your best and most reliable guide! Hold on to it tightly, and everything will be okay!
Putting the bouquet under his arm, Castle prudently picked up his daughter in his arms. Quickly he crossed the parking lot to the entrance to the dolphinarium and before letting Pumpkin go, he looked around carefully. People hurried to take their places, turning the turnstiles with a clang, but Rick did not notice anyone who looked like Kate. He strained his eyes, stretched his neck, even stood on tiptoe, but in vain. And his hands involuntarily dropped.
"Hadn't she guessed? Or maybe she just didn't want to come..." - a painful, persistent disappointment quite sensitively swept over him, but as soon as Alexis uttered a loud and joyful shriek, the man's steady beating heart instantly gained extra momentum:
- Daddy! Daddy!" with genuine, lively joy Pumpkin jumped up and down in his arms, pointing her finger somewhere in the direction of the cash register. - Look! Look! I saw her! It's her! She's here! Kate! Kate! Hello!
Slipping the doll to her father, Alexis jumped to the ground and flew toward Beckett, screaming unimaginably. As she went, Pumpkin waved her arms haphazardly, and the child's resounding voice made people involuntarily freeze. Some skipped, others, on the contrary, quickened their steps to get out of the way, and how good it is that there is a God after all. When the corners of your lips "pop" over your cheekbones, when your ears feel noisy in a springtime way, and you can't catch your breath, you feel like the happiest man on earth. The last time Castle was so insanely excited, picking up tiny Alexis in his arms for the first time, and now fell no less special occasion - a date, so long-awaited and mysterious. In fact, more like a family vacation, and what was wrong with that? I was a little girl, but you always have to start small.
And Castle followed. What he saw, even from a distance, shocked him in the best sense of the word: his student, so bright and unique, was standing at the register, but so as not to disturb others. Kate was wearing a light blouse, slightly lighter than the tones of the buds in his hands, and the same light pants. Alexis had already made her way to Beckett, and jumped on her neck, excitedly admiring her, pointing her finger at her father, at herself, or at a poster for the dolphinarium. In fact, Alexis' joy was boundless, and fearing for Kate's clothes, Castle involuntarily quickened his pace. He kept bumping into passersby, stumbling over someone's feet before he could apologize, but all he saw were Beckett's eyes. They were piercing, alluring, irresistible, they were looking at him with evident interest, but then again a neat little "sunshine" came between them: Alexis was clearly impatient to have a private conversation with Kate about something of her own, about a woman. Beckett's words pleased the girl, and when Castle stepped closer, Pumpkin carefully jumped to the ground, staring intently into Kate's thoughtful face while the latter, lightly smacking her palms, shook off her blouse. When Beckett lifted her head again, she saw before her a fabulous bouquet. And Rick's face, slightly tense with anticipation.
- Hello, Kate, - said a polite but careful greeting Castle, handing her the flowers. - Honestly, I didn't think you'd come. Really, Alexis was just bugging me, asking about you.
- That's very flattering and... Hello, Rick! - she smiled very sweetly, even shyly, as she rested the bouquet on the bend of her elbow. - Honestly, I didn't think I could do it at all! The mystery of the black boogers alone was worth it! It took me hours to figure it out!
- "Black boogers"? - Castle genuinely marveled, stroking his temple. From the hard work of thought Rick even slightly sweated. - Several hours in a row? Oh, my God, what are you talking about? I mean, we..." He couldn't tell if she was joking or serious. - "Usually computer battles last that long, but if it's a new TV show, I'd reserve a place for it in our film library! By the way, what's its plot? It's not about the paranormal, is it? Alexis and I just love anything mysterious, mystical, unexplored...
- Mystery? Mystery? It's not a soap opera at all, Castle," Kate condescendingly rolled her eyes, giggling to herself at such "hypotheses," "it's a real work of modern art, just a completely obscure direction.
- And what does it look like, then? And what does it have to do with a dolphinarium?
- It does! - she summed up confidently.
Two pairs of unblinking eyes stared at Beckett absentmindedly and with interest, and the faces of this family looked so funny that Kate even wanted to torture her a little. No, not Alexis, but Castle. For his intense and childlike attention. Without looking, Kate pulled a folded sheet of paper from her purse. Her every movement was deliberately slow, if not to say - lazy, while Castle just burned with impatience, but as soon as Rick looked at the spread, his lip sagged resentfully.
- And why do I feel like I've seen this somewhere before? Alexis, you...
Rick didn't finish, because Pumpkin swiftly snatched the sheet from his hands.
- Daddy, daddy! - excitedly chirped little Castle. - It's my, my picture! I drew it for Kate! You said you were sure she'd figure it out!
And giving the picture back to Beckett, the girl jumped happily around the adults,
- Awesome! Awesome, Kate! - she clapped her hands loudly. - You're doing great!
"Those sneaks!" - Beckett chuckled to herself, and remarked aloud, admonishingly:
- Like I said, it wasn't easy. I had to use my father's magnifying glass, and then I had to consult the reference book," Kate stowed the picture in her purse and glanced casually at her watch. - We have no more than ten minutes, and what I don't like is rushing, that's for sure!
- We'll make it! - Castle politely leaned toward his daughter, impatiently tugging him by the tip of his trouser belt. He listened attentively to her whispers, shook his head affirmatively, murmured "Good," and smiled:
- By the way, Kate, wouldn't you like to participate in a few other events besides the main one? I'm sure it would be great! - And Castle gave an abrupt thumbs up.
Beckett just shrugged her shoulders perplexedly:
- Since I came here, I guess I have no other choice. I hope I won't be offered anything illegal.
- I promise. I swear not to offer anything you don't like! I swear on my death oath! - and after spitting heartily on his twin fingers, Castle held them up from himself. - You can trust us!
- Castle, really? - Beckett turned her eyes up to the sky. - And why do I doubt that so much?
She was yanked lightly on the hem of her blouse. When Kate looked down, she saw the childishly unhappy look on Alexis' face.
- You don't know my daddy at all! - The girl spoke quite seriously. - He always keeps his promises! He's the best daddy in the world!
