I'll Still be Loving You
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: Thisis my AU version SEQUEL to Dinner Date, Please read that before starting this. This story picks up without any time lapse and continues with Kate and Rick as they forge ahead as a Couple and concludes the story arc started when Rick left suddenly.
I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 16
Previously
Around 3:00 AM Rick was still working on the edits, Kate was up and joined him,
"Can't sleep either Babe?" he asked
"No not really, just too much on my mind."
She had just sat down beside him when the door opened and a very disorientated and shocked Cricket walked into the office,
"Can we talk, You were right all along Rick, and Now he's gone for good"
"What, Cricket, what are you talking about?"
She handed her phone to Kate, who read a text and then dropped the phone as she exclaimed, "Oh My God, No
************************************************************************************/
Same Evening
3:15 AM Rick and Kate's Bedroom
GREYBROOK HOUSE
London England
Kate retrieved the phone and, on her way, to embrace a visibly shaken Cricket handed it to Rick to read the text message.
"Cricket, everything is going to work out fine, we're here, we're your family so you got us, just breathe Sweetie, in and out, that's good, again" Kate comforted Cricket and got her out of the beginnings of a panic attack as Rick read the text.
It was the Family Liaison Officer, Department of Her Majesty's Royal Prisons, Welfare and Health Department, and read quite coldly,
This is to inform you that your loved one, Mr. Reginald B Quickllay, who recognized you as his Emergency Point of Contact, relation, Former Spouse, has been found deceased in his cell. Please contact me to arrange the funeral, and for any further details, I can be reached at the main number of the prison, +44 20 7023 7000 extension 47 then press the star key."
Howard Franzen,
Family Liaison Officer,
Her Majesty's Royal Prison,
HM Prison Pentonville
London UK
Rick was in shock along with Kate and for a few minutes sat looking at the phone. The text was void of any details, other than her ex husband was deceased, and what ever plans she had with him had died along with him. Rick glanced at the clock, and it was barely after 4:00 AM, so he sent a text to Lord Barrow's personal phone, as well as his Administrative Assistant.
"Sorry to bother you LB. We have a situation we need your help with, the matter is urgent, so please phone the moment you get this. If you are out of the country are tied up, Administrative Assistant, please contact Lord Barrow's delegate for decision making, again this is an urgent matter and needs a phone call immediately.
Thank You
Rick Castle"
Rick then closed the phone and joined Kate as Cricket turned and fell into his arms, "I'm so sorry Rick, I'm so sorry, I was just being played for a fool all over again, and all you did was try to help me. I shouldn't have snapped or said those cruel things to you, I'm sorry."
"Hey, Hey, That's OK, you want to tell us the whole story, I mean this just didn't happen, and it'll be a few hours before we can reach anyone at the prison, or an attorney, depending on what we're dealing with. Any idea how your ex-husband died, and how did this arrangement all come about?"
"Well, I'm almost ashamed to admit it but when you left I was lonely so one night when he called collect as he had done so many times before, I accepted the call. We spoke and I fell for his same old line, he had changed, and had been working on a new project, totally legal that would give us both a new start."
"Oh Cricket, you didn't fall for that did you Sweetie, I know loneliness will make us woman do a ton of stupid things, but really, that old line" Kate asked with concern on her face
"No not that line Kate, but he did convince me to come and see him, he said he would be getting paroled in a few months, and I should come check it out in person.
I've known him a long time, but that was the first time he was offering to show me what was going on, so I went. We visited for the maximum of 90 minutes, he had kept his original VO, (Visiting Order) or the request for me to be allowed to see him, current. I guess I was the only one, anyway, I fell for the same line.
He told me we had to go to Scotland when he got released, that he had made connections and with an investment of thirty thousand pounds, we could buy out the controlling interest in a small publishing company there, and we could be back in business all legitimate and no more worries."
"Cricket, my math is a bit fuzzy but that's about 40, 000 USD, isn't it I know your bonus was close to that but that's a lot of money to give up on someone, anyone's word."
"You're right Rick it is, and it was only a few hundred US Dollars more than I had saved. It would have wiped me out completely, but I never gave it a second thought. Then I got a call from the prison, since it was a collect call, I thought it was Reggie, I accepted the call.
It turned out it was a cell mate who had overheard Reggie bragging about how much of a knobhead I was, I would shag the entire cell block while he watched if he asked me to, and other terrible things. The big thing he asked was had Reggie asked for any money. If he had he would be another scam, He saw Reggie using the library computer, and since I never changed our joint account or password, he logged in and found out how much money I had.
He had to speak quickly, and didn't give any details but he said that Reggie had gotten in over his head with some bad people, if he didn't pay up, they were going to kill him. He bought an extension of time when he showed my bank statement to someone in the bad man's gang. He hung up, and I tried to put it out of my mind, I was going to bring it up to him tomorrow when I went to see him, guess I won't have to now." She broke down, tears that had gently been falling as she spoke now exploded down her face as she sobbed.
"Cricket, I'm so very sorry, you're not a knobhead, whatever the hell that is, and you're too much of a lady to even kiss and tell much less do the horrible thing the caller relayed. Do you think the anonymous caller was sincere, or do you think he was part of the bad guys judging if you were going to bring the money or not?" Rick asked
"I think he was sincere, he sounded like someone we knew before he went to prison something about him, he even slipped and called me a nickname I haven't been called in years, Kitty, only my childhood friends called me that, no one else knew me by it."
Rick raised his eyebrows, as Kate made a note on a piece of paper out of Cricket's view, knowing from her background someone could have risked his life tipping her off. Just then Rick's cell phone rang with the distinctive ring tone of Lord Barrow.
"Good Morning Lord, so sorry to disturb you so early" Rick greeted him,
"Quite all right Rick, I assume this is about the unfortunate news about Cricket's ex-husband, he was found hanged in his cell this morning. I'm not sure if she was aware that we knew, but we never hold sins of the family against intelligent talent we hire. Anyway, it's dreadful, how can I be of help Rick"
"Well Cricket got a very cold text from the Family Liaison Officer at the prison, and since I am not familiar with the laws of your great country, I would like to employ a barrister to handle the matter for her, I will bear all expenses since I understand she has given you notice of her intention to leave."
"That is very kind of you Rick, but I've already contacted our legal department to be in touch with Cricket, and handle the details at our expense, and as for resigning, I never accepted it, I was waiting to discuss the matter with you so tell Cricket her job remains here as long as she wants it" Lord Barrow said.
"Lord Barrow, thank you so very much, I'm sure you know Rick always puts the phone on Speaker when we discuss affairs that impact both of us, so I thank you for handling the situation, as well as not accepting my resignation, I will work to earn your kindness and please deduct any expense from my pay."
"Cricket, or Katherine, what part of at our expense did you not hear dear child, you are one of ours and we take care of our people, and that's final" Lord Barrow was emphatic with his tone of voice.
St Catherine's Chapel
London One Week Later
A small private service was held for Reginald B Quickllay, it was apparent that even though he had committed crimes, Cricket loved him, and was taking his death very hard. The official inquest ruled suicide, although Kate and Rick in private conversations didn't agree, especially since the call Cricket received from the prison informant.
The ceremony was simple, yet respectful, today he wasn't a prisoner, today he was treated as the former husband of a member of their family. Rick had paid for a private burial plot so he would not be forced to be buried in the prison cemetery.
Cricket could visit when she felt the urge and allow her to complete the grieving process. It was truly a sad day, as the potential of the young man had been great, yet he took the short cuts in life that led him to his early demise.
Rick and Kate also quietly employed a private investigator, Gerald Irvine, to review if the death was truly a suicide or was it homicide. He was operating with the cooperation of prison officials who just didn't have the resources to attach to such a task. He took Cricket's statement then began his investigation, not hopeful that anything would come of it, even with the prison's cooperation.
"Rick, Kate, I can't thank you enough for all you have done for me, I know Reggie wasn't an all-star in life, but I did love him. Thank you for all you did for me in getting the barrister, and for Lord Barrow to rescind my resignation, I mean I would be lost without you two and Alexis. I felt alone before, but never like this, now I feel all alone."
"Cricket, we've told you, we are your family and you'll never be alone, whether it's here or in the states, you are our family and we want you to be with us till you feel like getting your own place." Kate pulled the weeping young lady into a hug.
"Thanks Kate, it means so much more than you know," she said through her tears.
"Oh, but can I ask one favor, Can we get this damn book done so we can be there for my baby's birth. No offense, I love Dr. Harris, but I want to be home soon, if that makes any sense."
Cricket Laughed, "Yes Mam, it shall be done, I don't blame you Kate, I know I would want to be at home for my first as well. We'll get a move on, just for you and Baby C." as she hugged her and turned to the office area.
New York
3 Months Later
Kate had reached the uncomfortable stage in her pregnancy, and the foods were just not agreeing with her. This was also the end of the window both Dr. Manning and Dr. Harris would permit her to fly so they needed to leave now, or wait till after the baby was born, not an option to Kate. Rick had submitted the final copy of the book to LB. and all that were needed now were final edits. Cricket had stayed to handle any issues, then planned to join them in a few weeks.
They landed at JFK, and Kate had never been so glad in her life that the flight was over, and she was home. The little one didn't like flying apparently and had let her know with kicks and pains throughout the entire ordeal. Rick and Alexis had been so sweet and tried everything to get her relief, all without success.
They had just stepped off the elevator at the baggage claim level when Armand, one of Rick's regular drivers took charge and pushed through a crowd to get Kate and Rick to the waiting limo. He returned a few minutes later with the baggage and Alexis, and hurriedly loaded the car.
"I'm sorry for the Rush Ms. Beckett, Mr. Castle, but TMZ was coming around the corner with their broadcast truck earlier, unfortunately they hit a concrete barrier which kept them from setting up their truck till I could get you safely behind the glass." Armond said in perfect English.
"Thank You Armand, I wonder what prompted that or who tipped them off we were coming home, I know Cricket had it booked under Rogers and Madsen names, just for safety." Rick replied
"One of their reporters got arrested the other day and, in the elevator, overheard someone say that you would be home soon, I guess Dr. Parrish told*"
"Jesus Christ, Kate burst out, I told Lanie I would be home soon, she tells Javi and the whole freaking city knows about it, why can't they just keep their mouths shut." A pregnant Kate Beckett was not someone anyone wanted to argue with. She would tell Lanie later, and Rick was glad he wasn't in Javi's shoes when the beat down started.
At last she was home, the loft looked and felt so comfortable, she made her way to their bedroom, sat on the edge of the bed, and let the tears flow. Rick was quickly on one side of her, and Alexis on the other, both holding her.
"I know it's stupid, and I know I shouldn't be, but I'm scared." She said through her tears,
"Shh, it's OK, Rick comforted her, "What are you afraid of, Dr. Manning is the best, and I'm sure you'll do great giving birth to our little one,"
"That's not what frightens me Rick, I'm afraid I won't be a good enough mother" and the tears roll down her cheeks,
"Mom, listen to me, now Listen", Alexis had taken charge, You see how well I turned out, right? EVERYONE knows that half of Dad's parenting skills came from you, especially the last two years, he wouldn't know how to do some of the things he taught me if you weren't in the background helping.
You don't have to worry about being good enough, you're already the Best Mom I could ever ask for, and my little brother or sister is lucky to get you, I mean that" as she hugged her tightly,
It had been a long journey, but Rick was glad to be home, glad that his fiancé was healthy and glad his daughter had grown to love and accept Kate as her Mom. Now all he had to do was get through the last 7 weeks of her pregnancy and it would be the start of a new chapter in all their lives.