Once Lost But Now Found

Chapter 4 – Pondering the Future

Jim Beckett was contemplating this new man in his daughter's life. She was to be the baby momma of their child, the result of a one-night liaison with the man. Despite the one intimate time together, Rick Castle had sought her out, because he had experienced a connection to her that night, and thought that Kate had felt it too. Learning of her pregnancy, Rick had taken responsibility for his child, their child. So far he had been steadfast and dependable in caring for Kate and their child to be. Jim knew that such a man would make his unborn grandchild an exceptional father.

Jim had come to realize just how much Rick Castle was an ideal companion for his daughter. The more Jim saw of Castle and his treatment towards his daughter, the more Jim became convinced that Rick was the man for her.

Most women would be lucky to have such a man, and his daughter had found him quite by chance in a one-time encounter. Was it luck, or had the universe conspired to bring them together? Rick would do anything for Kate to provide for her every need or whim! One could not ask for anything more in a partner. Jim was hoping and praying that their chance union would blossom into something deeper, more meaningful, and more lasting.

Father and Daughter Talk

One evening after a deliciously prepared dinner of Fillet Mignon wrapped in bacon, with grilled mixed vegetables, and Mediterranean style rice, all prepared by Castle, they had a dvd night. Rick had brought with him the latest movie he had purchased for them to enjoy. Rick had even made a pitcher of homemade lemonade and had roasted a bowl of popcorn drenched with butter for the movie night.

Jim was sitting on his recliner, Kate and Rick on the couch as they watched the dvd. Rick had his arm around Kate's shoulder and she in turn was leaning into to his shoulder a bowl of popcorn between them and their lemonade on the small table in front of them. Jim had his own small bowl of popcorn and lemonade on the end table next to his recliner. Every now and then Jim would sneak a look at his daughter and Rick. It was quite a domestic scene, and one that Jim wanted to have repeated for the rest of Kate's life, and hopefully with Rick. When the movie was done, Rick got up and prepared to get back to his loft. He gave Kate an affectionate good night hug and an innocent kiss to her cheek. Rick fist bumped Jim just before he left. As Kate started to clean up from their movie night, Jim spoke to her.

"Just leave it Katie, I'll do that, but let's talk about Rick? How do you feel about him after all these months with him?"

"Dad", Kate replied, "I do not know what I have ever done to deserve such a man in my life?"

"You are correct on that matter, Katie? A lot of other men would not have reacted to your pregnancy like Rick has responded and with all that he has done for you. He is an honorable man."

"I know that and consider myself so lucky with Rick."

"Katie, where are you and Rick headed here in this relationship?"

"For now Dad, just to have the baby delivered healthy. After that, Rick has said we would take it slow and just see where it goes. Both he and I agree there was something there that night when we got together. But he is not pushing, he is leaving it up to me to lead, and he will follow."

"Rick is a wise man, but what you and Rick have experienced in your short time together is far ahead of many other couples with more time between them than you and Rick. Many couples with the same time together are not in a similar place. You two are quantum steps above those couples."

Kate had heard the word relationship used by her father to describe them. The use of that word by him, prompted a question from her in response to his use of it.

"Dad, is this a relationship, what Rick and I have? Rick and I do not know what to make of it, this thing between us. It is so much more complex than most other relationship between two people. Relationships often develop over time. Ours happened in one night and here we are about to become parents. We've only been together a few months? So what do Rick and I have? He cares for me I know and I care for him, but is this a relationship in the true sense of the word? And yet what we have gone thru is a lot more than most couples. Even those with more years of being together than us."

Jim responds to his daughter in the way a father would, "Take it slow. Let it develop like it has been doing. In time the two of you will figure it out. Rick is right not to push and to just accept for now what the two of you have. With the passing of time, you and Rick will come to learn more about it. Talk to each other and tell each other what you want and need from this union you share. But please be reminded there will be another little person involved, yours and Rick's child yet to be born. Do what is correct, but especially what is needed for your unborn baby. I trust Rick to do that with you Kate. He has already done much for you and this coming child. It promises to continue. Take it day by day Kate."

"Thanks Dad. I am feeling worn out now. Sweet pea here is also tired", Kate says rubbing her stomach, "so off to bed for the both of us".

"Goodnight, Katie, you and my grandchild to be should get a good night's sleep."

She gives her father a bedtime kiss to the cheek and says, "Don't take too long cleaning up, Dad, you also need your sleep."

Castle's Loft

He was pondering the question of where they would go once the child was born. He knew that he would always be around to raise the child, but was it to be as a husband or as just the baby father. Rick wanted more than what they had. He wanted to be a husband to Kate and married father for their child. He wanted them to become a family. He knew Kate had feelings for him, but was it as a potential spouse, or just as a man she would share joint custody with her for their child? Rick knew marrying Kate because she was bearing his child was not a strong basis for a lasting relationship, such as marriage.

Kate was barely twentyone and still had many dreams she wanted to fulfill. Number one on her list that Rick knew about was for her to become a detective and solve her mother's cold case homicide, bringing justice for her mother. It meant going to the Police Academy and he knew Kate had applied and had already been accepted to the upcoming class. She was free to go to the Academy as she had quit her waitressing job once the baby bump showed. Her tuition at NYU for her final year was only a third of what it had been when she had a full load. That tuition savings helped pay for the house expenses, and at the Academy she would draw Cadet pay for the duration of her Academy attendance, then rookie pay once she finish. Rick knew Kate wanted to pull her load on the expenses. She had continued to pay for all the household expenses, even though Rick has taken care of food expenses.

How was this thing between them to work? The Academy was a four-month long training period before she was awarded her patrol badge as a rookie cop. Then on probation in her rooke year to gain a regular police officer status. It would take many more years of work on the job to become a detective. Did a family and marriage work into those plans? How would he handle it? How would Kate handle it?

If their union continued blossom, when was the right time for him to suggest marriage, to propose, or would he even get to propose? Kate was young, but she had also been in carnal relationships with past boyfriends and knew what she want from a man. Should he ask her to move in with him once the child is born. Or do they continue living in separate homes? Would living together be too early, they had only known each other going on a few months?

Rick decides he would play it by ear. Let things happen and see if there was a "them" in the future with the hope of becoming man and wife. They already had a head start with a baby on the way. True, unplanned, but happening. Kate had refused to have the baby aborted and wanted to raise their child. For that choice Rick had been happy with her decision to keep their unborn child.

He fell asleep as all these issues danced in his head and in his dream that night.

Girl Talk

One afternoon Rick had to attend a meeting at his publishers, Black Pawn. Maddy had a day off and said she would stay with Kate until Rick returned. Rick had promised Maddy a home cooked dinner as a reward and Maddy was anxious to dine with them. She had heard Rick was a good chef. Maddy after all was in the Restaurant business and knew a well-prepared meal by its taste, aroma, and presentation. She was eager to see how Rick lived up to her standards.

The two friends had settled in after Rick had left. Kate was drinking sparkling cider and Maddy was drinking wine.

"I cannot believe how lucky you are that Rick Castle is your baby father. He has not lived up to his playboy image hype. In fact we see nothing like that in the Rick Castle we know. He is an absolute gem of a man when it comes to you and your unborn baby."

"Well, the secret is out, it is just a PR image made to help sell his books. How truly did I luck out?"

"Seriously, Becks, what's in the stars for you and Rick after the baby is born? More of the same?"

"He asked me to move in with him after the birth."

"Really, wow. But wait, I see hesitation in your eyes. Becks, what is there to think about. Say yes."

"What if it doesn't work out?"

"Kate, he will still be around, you have joint custody of the child with him! Oh, I see it now. You wonder how it will work if he is with another woman and you with another man."

"It would feel like a divorce Maddy. I'm a one and done kind of gal. You know that of me?"

"Becks, rather than look on the dark side, think what it will be like if he is your one and done."

"Yeah, you're right. It's one of those instances of hope for the best but prepare for the worse scenarios."

"Kate, what worse? If it doesn't work out, you two will still be good friends with all the two of you have gone thru together. Besides, in my mind, it ain't gonna happen. The two of you are a match. Trust me."

"Well okay then," says Kate raising her sparkling cider for a toast, "here's to trust."

"You got it, girlfriend", Maddy says clinking her glass with Kate's.

The dinner that night was one of the best that Maddy ever had the pleasure to savor. Maddy had even joked that when she opened her own restaurant, Rick was going to be her head chef! How had her BFF been so fortunate, he cooks, along with being handsome, rich, and adorable. Maddy was sorely tempted that if by a long shot Kate and Rick did not work out, she was going to try her luck with him.

Then she quickly let that thought escape her mind. This was Kate she was talking about, they had been friends it seemed, like, well, forever. Maddy wanted her friend to be with Rick. With all Kate's life problems, she deserved a man like Rick Castle by her side, sharing her load, her bed, and just being happy with him. Maddy prayed to the universe to make it so.