As soon as they had replenished their supplies of water, sweets, and inedible trinkets, and crept at someone else's feet to their seat, the show began.
The blue and white flaps in the far corner of the pool opened inaudibly, and a pair of dolphins swam out. Alexis immediately jumped up from her seat, and waving a small blue flag, shouted loudly and cheerfully:
- Dolphins! Dolphins, hi! Daddy! Kate! Look, look how nice they are!
Pumpkin's pretty face blazed with delight and excitement, and with indescribable joy Alexis clapped her hands and jumped up and down often. Her red curls fluttered stubbornly in front of her nose, obstructing her view, but Pumpkin paid no attention to this. Gradually shifting forward, Alexis got so carried away that she almost dove forward, and only Castle's instantaneous reaction prevented her from falling right into the previous row. Rick was relieved, though he looked super guilty. He was looking at Beckett, who was calmly frozen in one place, and Rick called himself an oaf with a passion, enclosing his daughter's frail waist in a secure ring of his arms. And while Castle whispered something to Pumpkin, an unremarkable smile touched Beckett's lips.
"And he's slick! And self-critical, but that's not all!" - stroking her braid as if nothing had happened, Kate watched the dolphins nonchalantly.
They floated leisurely down the crescent-shaped channel, slicing confidently through the turquoise water with their dark purple backs. Behind the dolphins, on two short twines, dragged a small boat. A girl in a bright blue bathing suit sat in it, her breasts proudly extended. Her one hand was on the safety rope, stretched across the board, the other artist waved to the cheering audience, disrupting the chorus of friendly, welcoming applause. The stands were naturally frenzied, and shouts of "Bravo!" and the like seemed to burst from a single tin throat. Since the size of the pool allowed for a full U-turn, after a couple of laps the team disappeared where they came from.
The orchestra gave a bravura march, and immediately a tall man in a short wetsuit and with a whistle in his mouth ran out onto the blindingly white stone platform in front of the bleachers. The tamer was shaven, wiry, and light in his movements. At his characteristic gesture, two uniformed men rolled up a light-colored plastic box. The man glanced in it carelessly, and, satisfied with the result, waved his hand. And the buzz of cheers in anticipation of miracles immediately subsided a little.
Kate squinted her eyes again and unobtrusively. Graceful and polished, she liked the show more and more, but it was far more interesting to watch Castle from the sidelines. Rick's soul would be uncovered now, and while she and her daughter were whispering quietly but enthusiastically about something, some conclusions would be drawn. Even if not immediately correct, but time, as they say, will tell.
"Secrets! About the dolphins, I suppose! - Kate moved her eyes figuratively and understandingly. - I wonder if they'll share anything with me. I don't mind that at all! I'm even kind of all for it!"
And as if reading his thoughts, their gazes crossed at once: a questioning, perceptive one for him, and an examining, slightly mocking one for her. It was a clear attempt at her miscalculation, but Beckett feigned quite sincere incomprehension and quietly turned away from the show: the sea lions were playing and playing tag in the pool. Such clumsy on land, they dramatically transformed in the water. Following the commands of the animal trainer the animals deftly jumped over the floating barrier, neatly threw the balls into the basket and swiftly grabbed the pieces of fish on the fly. Then all three of them with a regal imposing grace got up to the podium, and their dark brown webbed flippers with lazy strokes "begged" praise from spectators and the trainer. At last the trainer caresses the animals by powerful collars and even smacks the largest one of them in the cold, salty nose. The latter growled, and the three pinnipeds splashing noisily went back.
- Breea! - Rick squeaked funny, "stoked" by the goodbye. He sat with such a comical face that Beckett almost laughed. Perhaps it was impossible to be serious with Castle, and her already excellent mood could not be helped by the bright, fruity scent of roses. Their delicate buds just love the sunny, almost windless weather, with lots of sincere, welcoming smiles and an enduring enjoyment of life. As, indeed, does she herself. It's good to have someone to thank for that.
Unbeknownst to herself, Beckett dipped the tip of her nose into the very center of the bouquet and even flushed her eyelashes with undisguised pleasure.
"Thank you, Castle! It's so nice to have flowers and a show! And no matter what happens later, thank you anyway!" - and Beckett smiled wistfully, dreamily, but then Castle cut in loudly and inappropriately:
- Uh, miss? Is that what's gotten into you again?
- What?" she genuinely marveled, dropping the flowers in her lap. - What do you mean, Mr. Castle?
- Um... Well, that... Suddenly covering your eyes... Suddenly I like to see it in you more and more: the peaceful, relaxed pose, the wandering smile on your face, the dreamy lidded eyes. I hope these are some of your best habits, and if you're of the romantic kind, too...
- Or dreamers?! Well, no! Not in this lifetime, Castle. I'm more sober about things! - Kate grinned cheerfully, inwardly ready for some sweet, casual chitchat, but Rick was already leaning toward Alexis. She climbed into his lap, wrapping her arms around her father's powerful neck, and told him something sad. At every phrase of his daughter Castle politely nodded, warmly and inexpressibly smiled, and suddenly it became clear to Beckett: Alexis really, really wanted to see dolphins, and sea lions for her - they are just lions.
However, Pumpkin didn't have to be sad for long: right in the center of the pool three white-tailed dolphins dived out of the depths, making graceful stands on their tails. They were immediately encouraged with a treat and did their best. Crazy jumping cascades into the ring and over each other; unimaginable, masterfully performed somersaults; tossing the trainer off their slippery foreheads and riding him on their backs, as on a catamaran. Both children and adults stomped their feet, whistled, drummed and blew their tambourines, and launched into the air inflated balloons with the faces of dolphins and cuttlefish in a friendly glee. It was quite a party, in fact, and the Casls were sure to keep up with the others.
Poor Alexis tried to whistle, too, but she just came out whistling and drooling. It was Castle, of course, who was responsible for her daughter. His cheeks were red from the exertion, and Kate was almost deafened by his outlaw whistling. And the way Rick pounded his hands and laughed! Thus he skillfully kept Alexis interested, and she, waving her arms, shouted enthusiastically and resoundingly:
- Daddy, Daddy, dolphins! Are they really that smart?
- Yes, honey, that's right," Castle smiled broadly, and looked at Beckett a little embarrassed. He knew he wasn't acting like a grown-up, but he couldn't help it. When your child laughs so happily and infectiously, it makes you feel like a dad with a capital letter. Now all the resentments, grieves, and unresolved problems are forgotten, only they - and the dolphins - are left.
- Daddy, can I pet them? - and Alexis tugged at Castle's sleeve. - Come on, Daddy! They're so smooth...
- And wet..." Castle concluded cheerfully. - But I can't help but saddle them up, or at least just give them a fish.
- I see you like animals. Selectively. Does the smell of fish bother you? - Kate asked in a friendly way. Seeing the impatient fidgeting of Alexis, Beckett suddenly realized exactly what she wanted. And even if it doesn't directly concern Castle yet, but his daughter certainly does.
- I'd say he stimulates me," Castle waggled his eyebrows cryptically. - In a way.
- How so? - Kate did not understand the strange innuendo. - What kind of stimulus are we talking about? About throwing off clothes that stink to the skin and diving under the shower?
- Not at all," Rick smiled warmly. - That's how I usually get rid of odors, to my advantage. Here's an example: first you use a knife, then spices, lemon juice, a little flour and olive oil, and a little patience.
- The oil? - Kate grinned at the strange leap from hygiene to gastronomy.
- Butter, - confirmed Castle without an ounce of embarrassment. - I just love the smell of fish sizzling deliciously in the pan. What a delicious, yum, yum!
Castle dreamily covered his eyes, tilted his head, and immediately unceremoniously by the lobe of his ear was brought back.
- Well, Daddy! - Pumpkin squeaked angrily. - I don't want fried fish, I want to go there, to the dolphins! I want to stroke them and say hello! They are so nice! And they're smart. You told me yourself, Daddy, how dolphins help people.
- Well... - obediently bowed his head Castle and suddenly felt Beckett's cool hand on his wrist. Both believing and not believing, he cautiously raised his head and suddenly realized that he was naturally going crazy. From that sweet, open smile, from the clear hazel-green eyes and the gentle touch of her frail fingers. And if this was not an obsession but reality, she, the bravest and the best, was present beside him. In the image of an incredibly beautiful, sophisticated, and charming girl.
"Oh, my God!" - Castle was embarrassed and even lowered his eyes. Had he already forgotten everything in the world, looking at her so defiantly, so defiantly, that he was almost ready to burn with shame? Had he already been given hope for the future? What if his fantasies were that cruel self-deception? Perhaps Kate was there for them out of basic politeness, and would not allow them to get any closer than they were now. And he's good, too! He lost all his seriousness and importance, forgetting with joy and pleasure everything in the world, light-heartedly behaved more than Alexis. He was also childish, funny, and cackling, giving the impression of a superficial, shallow man who could not be entrusted with a child, let alone his innermost thoughts. And then Beckett, politely but inevitably, would leave, and there was nothing he could do about it. Even though he doesn't want it, from the word "at all," he'll never say it outright. Because he knows almost nothing about Kate, but only guesses. And he feels her sincerity and purity in his heart, but he sees the hardness of her character, her independence and determination. But... after all, he's just a "kalif", that is, an instructor for an hour, and there's no reason to hope for more. And he won't hold her if Beckett so decides, though he's willing to comply with any, even the most upsetting, request.
- ...ell," Rick forced out of himself and lowered his eyes bashfully. - Then I'd have to put my mouth shut and my hands under my belt, since I couldn't contain my joy, one for two. After all, I'm probably the only one... in the world...
- No, that's all right. Joy is a special category that intoxicates everyone," Kate sat down next to Rick, and her thin fingers gently squeezed over Alexis's tiny hand:
- I suggest we go to the dolphins together! Would you like to?
- Yes, yes," Pumpkin rejoiced deafeningly, letting her father go. - I do, I do, I really do!
Rick unclasped his hands, and Alexis immediately reached out to Kate with indescribable joy. As she, smiling softly and friendly, held the girl close to her, Pumpkin whispered loudly and begrudgingly right into her ear:
- Will we have ice cream today? My daddy keeps saying that sweet is the crowning glory of salty!
- Does your daddy eat ice cream? - Beckett grinned mischievously, looking at her daddy over the fiery top. Putting his palm to his ear, Castle tried hard to eavesdrop, but when the plastic chair crunched unpleasantly under his weight, he gave it up in an instant. Putting his foot behind his leg, Rick leaned back absentmindedly and whistled softly.
- Yes," Alexis sighed sadly, "but he's the only one who eats it. And if you don't tell anyone, I'll share a super secret with you!
- I promise!...
...- Daddy, my feet hurt," Alexis whimpered, "and I don't want any more popcorn.
- And vanilla ice cream with chocolate sprinkles and crunchy caramel?
- I don't want that anymore," Kate grinned good-naturedly, looking at the big fat stain on her blouse that appeared as a result of Castle's "diligence. - My ceremonial clothes will not tolerate such sacrilege.
- At other times I'd know where to put it, without any inconvenience," Rick looked at Beckett with such undisguised adoration that she flashed inside and averted her eyes as if reluctantly. While they chatted sweetly over sodas, bagels, and ice cream, Castle's glances left no indifferent spot on her, and she didn't want to get his hopes up! And she moved her eyebrows steadily, and frowned furtively at Alexis, and gestured at Castle's exaggerated mouth, but alas, without much success. It looked like Castle was getting a little carried away!
"What do we have to go through with this!"
Kate smiled understandingly, looking at the exhausted Alexis. Beckett was dragging shopping bags and drooping flower buds, and Castle was gently carrying her daughter in her arms. Of course, fatigue still had its effect, and wrinkling her pretty face, Alexis still sweetly yawned for a while, but then her eyes closed by themselves. The fiery head leaned on her father's shoulder, and neither the loud salute nor the noisy cheering of the crowd could disturb the sound sleep of a child.
So they reached the parking lot, and then Castle was frozen: their car was in a "box" of three pickups, and it was out of the question that they could easily fit in the cabin with his daughter.
- A thousand devils! - Castle cursed softly, but with feeling. - I wish I had a sunroof and a microlift in the back seat. If I was a designer, the devils in the Underworld would die of envy!
- Pfft... And why invent convertibles when there are other ways, Castle? - Kate kindly waggled her eyes. - Well, and others don't have hatches, so how are we any worse?
- Then I want a third arm right now! I don't care if it's on my stomach or my back, I want it! - Castle replied without a shadow of a smile. - No one, not even me, is allowed to disturb the peace of my baby girl because of a personal inconvenience! It is the holiest of all saints!
Rick looked at Kate with such a forced look that her first impulse was to lean over to the peacefully sniffling Alexis, gaze carefully into her peaceful face, and then gently drop her hands on his mighty shoulders, and get close, eye to eye, and even...
"Oh-oh-oh, no! No, no, no, no, and again no! - Kate threatened grudgingly to herself. - It's a little too soon for me to be foolish! It won't be any worse if we stay on the edge! And then we'll see."
Beckett gathered the loops from the bags in one hand, and opened her palm sharply in front of Castle's nose.
- Like I said, we'll go the other way! Keys, Castle! - she cheerfully commanded, and Rick smiled so understandingly:
- There's an inexhaustible treasure trove of keys in the right pocket of my jeans! And since the walls are so thin but supple there, I'm only begging for a crumb-drop of tenderness. I hope I deserve it after all!
- Uh-oh, no! I don't think you'll ever know, mister, about my secret and indescribable tenderness! - Beckett waggled her eyebrow merrily. Gently taking the bundle from his pocket, she deliberately ignored the nervous twitch of his shoulders. Carefully, masterfully, she stowed the bags in the trunk, squeezed through the gap between the sides with difficulty, and sat behind the wheel. The midday sun was hot inside, but Kate's attention shifted to Castle, who was in the front. At his prompting, the car rolled carefully out the back, followed by a smooth, almost artistic U-turn, the handbrake rattled, and Kate moved to the back seat, putting her slender legs out. Figuring out the best way to deal with Alexis, she beckoned Rick with her dainty finger:
- Castle, over here!
His face immediately smoothed, and a sincere gratitude sparkled in his eyes. As Alexis' light body moved into Kate's tender embrace, Rick critically examined both of them and, quite satisfied, carefully shut the door.
The road was clear, and the car started moving. Slowly at first, then, as they pulled onto the highway, faster and faster. The warm and gentle evening of summer enveloped them. A light breeze, cheekily bursting through the ajar window, flickered with the curls of the sleepless girl. Her head on the bend of Kate's elbow bobbed in time with the movement, her hands rested on her chest in a defenseless cross and her knees rested on Beckett's belly. Sometimes Alexis mumbled something inaudible, fidgeting in place, but then she snuggled even tighter against Kate's side. Rick had clearly overfed his daughter with the experience, but those memories would last for years to come. Not just for Alexis, but for herself.
Peering into the cropped back of Castle's head, Kate felt a little strange. No, she wasn't tired at all. No discomfort or embarrassment at all, but she had definitely drawn some conclusions. A father as caring as Castle was still to be found, and no matter how things worked out between them, Pumpkin would always be his number one, without a doubt. And one more thing: Castle is so funny, kind, selfless, and so really drawn to him, but Kate wouldn't want to go wrong. Because men are so unpredictable, and big kids especially.
In total silence they drove to Castle's house. It was a gray and unsightly high-rise with the cheapest furnished rooms for rent. Some skinny lady in dark green was already on duty at the entrance. She looked quite decent.
- It's my mother," Castle apologized embarrassedly, accepting her daughter from Beckett. Rick passed her in his arms, gave the lady a light kiss, and quickly got back behind the wheel. About half an hour later, the car pulled up in front of Kate's house.
Like civilized people, they politely shook hands, but did not unlock their fingers at once. They stared at each other, as if ashamed, and then averted their eyes with embarrassment. Feeling her cheeks blush with fire and her chest heaving with oxygen, Kate ducked out of the room. Where to wave goodbye and leave, but something vague, restless, exciting was holding her. Uncertainly holding a finger to her temple, Beckett involuntarily rested her hand on the counter, and Castle immediately swung deftly over to the passenger seat.
- Good-bye, Kate! - Rick leaned out of the open window with unconcealed regret, the light from the lantern falling directly on his face. - You've been a great help to me! It's been a wonderful, wonderful day!
- I agree, but... aren't you trying to make long-term partners for me? - She playfully chided me. - I'm used to being on my own!
- No, no, not at all! It's more like a partnership to lull Alexis to sleep. Do you know how much she's looked forward to this day? I'm not supposed to say, but my baby girl is my most anxious and most beloved creature!
- I get it," Kate nodded politely, "and I don't need glasses to see the obvious.
- I, too, am sighted," Rick was suddenly embarrassed for some reason, "and if my eyes can see as well as my heart feels, then there are no barriers for me!
- I think I'll arm myself with that warning phrase," Beckett bit her lip discreetly, "just to see how to tame someone's little ego more easily!
Beckett hoped so much that Castle wouldn't be offended by the slight irony, and she certainly wasn't wrong. Castle bowed his head in understanding, then raised his index finger admonishingly.
- Note, Kate, that the handsome men do not brag, but maintain their reputation by all available means. By the way, what do you think of mine?
- If I have a lot of time, I'll try to think about it, but for now, honest answers are not in my pocket.
- I'll wait," Castle humbly put his eyes down, "as long as it takes. You just tell me when it will be possible. Ask your opinion.
Rick was silent for a while, and sighed regretfully.
- Well?
- Well what? - She said softly.
- Shall I go?
- Well!
- All right! - As he moved to his side, he gently released the clutch, and the car reluctantly crept forward. Standing on the edge of the sidewalk, Kate saw Castle's sad smile in the mirror, and suddenly, without knowing why, she followed. His shoulders and turned head naturally stiffened in the same position, and if it weren't for the container yard a couple of dozen yards away, this mutual "move" could have gone on indefinitely. Castle didn't even look at the trash cans, but if he wasn't let go immediately, the evening could have ended quite miserably. And Kate waved her hand affably.
- Hey, Castle.
The car braked immediately, and Kate could clearly imagine how bright, if not passionate, fire lit up his eyes.
- You can call me "you" now!
