Casket chap 31
I turn back to Mike and see that he is staring at me. Here you go." I tell him handing him his drink.
He purposely lets his fingers touch mine. "Thank you." He tells me smiling.
"You're welcome." I tell him turning to Alexis. "Lex, want to help your dad bring things to the table" I smile.
"Sure, mom." She smiles and heads around the counter before she completely reaches the other side she hides and as castle turns she jumps and scares himself.
I couldn't help but laugh as he screams like a girl and some uncooked pasta goes flying.
"Lex, don't scare him to much." I tell her laughing, ushering Mike to the couch.
"Of course not, you love him to much, besides he knows I like you better."
"Hey." Rick says as he picks up the last few pasta.
"Sorry dad." She says laughing.
Rick gets up, "Don't worry baby, I love you."
"At least someone does." He says stretching around the counter to kiss me, I let him. He smiles as he turns back to cooking.
I smile back as I turn to entertain Mike. "Mike, did Ryan and Esposito give you all the information you needed?" I ask him as I sink into the couch. I slide my shoes off my feet and tuck them under me.
"You seem relaxed here." He comments.
"Of course I am, I live here." I tell him as if everyone knew.
"I figured." He laughs.
"Than why ask?" I ask before I could stop the question leaving my mouth.
"Wanted to know for sure." He says moving to sit next to me.
"I love Rick and Alexis, they are the number one things in my life, nothing can change that. My job use to consume me, took up so much my time and so much of my life. With Rick I found a new purpose a purpose to be something greater something I thought I could never have or be. I get to be a wife, a mother, a part of a family. I tried for so long to push it away and not get into anything that could lead to this but I did. Rick brought me out of a shell I thought I would never leave. I was hiding in a dark place with no light till a spark started a fire that caused an explosion and now there is only light, a little darkness lingers and I'm sure always will but those two people in there, probably making a mess, make me happier than I can remember. I want nothing but the best for both of them and for some reason they have chosen me and I will do anything and everything I can to be that person." I let myself say.
"You don't have to be anyone else, we love you for who you are. You are what makes us better. You complete this circle and we are more than happy to share it." Alexis says coming up behind and hugging me. Rick sits on the arm of the couch and and leans down to kiss my head. As soon as I feel it touch my hair I turn my head to meet his lips and he obliges.
"You have become something more than I ever thought I needed or wanted. I love you more and more every day." Ricks says kissing me again.
"Is this a joke?" Mike asks
"No" all three of us say at the same time.
"You all really get along this well?" He asks.
"Yes" Rick tells him. "Family is very important to the is family and once you become that nothing can break that bond. Sure we argue and get on each others nerves sometimes, but family is everything and we all love and respect each other." Rick tells him.
"My darlings." Martian says walking down the stairs into the living room.
"Martha" I say smiling. "Just about ready." I tell her turning to ask Rick to confirm.
"Yes, let me drain the pasta and we are ready to eat." He says getting up and moving back to the kitchen.
" I think I made a mistake, Kate." He says.
"What?" I ask.
"I told the press about everything." He says under his breath.
"I knew it." I hear Rick
"Rick." I scold him.
"Sorry, but I did." He says turning to head back to the kitchen.
I turn to Mike and give him a slight glare. "You messed with my family and that is not acceptable." I start, "You are no longer welcome at the 12th unless it's for a case, so do not ask me personal questions. And do not ask me out again. " I tell him sternly, "understood?" I ask.
"Yes." He said nervously;lay,
"Good." I tell him. ,"Now dinner is ready." I say getting up and heading to the kitchen, "Me and peanut are hungry." I tell them as I head for the kitchen. Everyone follows.
"You're not kicking me out?' Mike asks
"No, we figured it was you and you will get something from my lawyer but, dinner is a big deal in this house and we will keep it peaceful." Rick explains, "Dinner is where anything can be said and talked about and not leave the table."
Mike went back to D.C. And life at the 12th was back to normal. Castles lawyers did send Mike Anders papers and he had to sign some papers and apologize publicly in the paper. He did and Katie's pregnancy continued to progress.
"Rick do I have to go to this event tonight?" She comes out of our room almost in tears.
"What's the matter Katie?" I ask, walking towards her.
"I can't fit into my dress." She says in tears.
"What?" I ask, turning to pull the dress I had beside me. I hug her and explaine. "I got you a new one. I noticed the baby had a growth spurt and thought you would need a new dress for baby and those boobs." I tell her stepping back and handing her the garment bag. She takes it and a few minutes later comes out in the deep red dress and she is magnificant. "You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." I tell her. She blushes a little. It makes me happy to I am still able to make her blush even after everything we've be been through. I love her so much and seeing her pregnant is the icing on the cake.
"Let's go." She says taking my hand and pulling me out the door.
The fundraiser was for her, she knew. Her mothers legacy to live on in the kids who are trying to be lawyers. The scholarship program took a while to put together but seeing the look on her face as we exited the limo was worth everything. The press snapping pictures as people followed out of their own limos. She turns to me and the question of how in her eyes is unmistakable.
"I love you Kate, this night is all for you and your mom. You deserve to see this in action and see the faces of the kids you're mothers spirit and bravery is helping.
"Thank you." I whisper quietly.
"You're more than welcome Katie, I love you. Now let's go by the time we get to the end you'll be with your family and friends and we can have a little fun, make a speech, and than meet the faces of those this scholarship will help." I tell her leaning in so she is the only one to hear.
"Yes please." she says smiling as she takes my hand and started down the press line.
I can see Alexis with my dad and Martha not to far ahead of us. My dad looks like he wants to be anywhere but in the press line but I know why he does it with a smile and keeps close to Alexis. Good decision dad. We make it to the end of the line and finally inside where I am hugged by the family I chose and happily am ushered to our table. I sit next to Rick and my dad. "Hey Dad." I say leaning over to kiss his cheek.
"Hi, Katie." He smiles back. "How are you feeling?" He asks.
"I am doing okay, a little emotional, it good." I tell him laying my hand on the bump that is getting more noticeable by the day.
"Good." I see him turn to look at Rick over my shoulder. rick must have nodded and my dad gave a slight nod and turned back to me with a smile. "This is all so much more than I thought it was going to be." He says to Rick.
Rick puts his arm around my shoulders to turn and lean closer to my dad. "I had a lot of help. Mother and Alexis took care of food and handled the party planner. I just did all the legal stuff for the scholarships. I'm happy to do this for you both." He says and I can't help but smile and place a kiss on his jaw.
"Well, thank you. She would have loved this." Dad says before Alexis catches his attention for a conversation.
"Thank you, you amaze me so much. She would have loved you and this is everything I ever wanted to help her legacy live on." I smile at him tears eyed.
He kisses my forehead and tightens his hold on my shoulders. "I love you so much Kate. I would do anything to make you happy." He tells me.
"I just need you to love me. That makes me the happiest." He steals a quick kiss and I let him before we both turn back to our family.
After a few speeches Rick took my hand and lead me to the table where all the recipients were seated.
"Kate, these are the three students that will be able to go to school and study law to get justice for those who need it." He lays his hand on my back and I can feel his thumb rubbing small circles on my back. It's comforting to know he's always got my back.
"Hello, I am so happy to meet you and look forward to hearing from you all in a few years for your graduations." I tell them.
"Of course, I am so happy to have received this scholarship a full ride. I would not have been able to attend if it wasn't for your help. Thank you." The girl stands and talks. "I am so sorry I forgot to introduce myself, Kinleigh." She puts her hand out and I shake it.
"It's nice to meet you, I am Kate." I tell her.
"Yes, Mr. Castle has told us a bit about you in the acceptance letter." The boy sitting next to me says standing and shaking our hands. "I am Nick. Thank you for this I look forward to fitting for justice." He says and I smile at him.
"Thank you. My mother would have loved to have met you three." I tell them and Ricks hand moves to wrap around my waist.
"My parents didn't want me to be a lawyer do having this scholarship means I am able to go even without their help." I hear a voice behind me and turn to see the last of the recipients. "Thank you, Mr and Mrs. Castle."
"You must be Emma?" I ask.
"Yes." She simply says.
We talk with the kids for a while and I learn all about their passions and goals and am excited to see what they each do in the community.
After a few more hours I turn to Rick and whisper "I am ready to go home. I am exhausted and I really want to get a head start to our day off tomorrow." I can hear his breath hitch and his grip tightens on my hip. He kisses my head and excuses us from our family and we are o our way home.