Faded Memory

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Thisis my AU version of what could have happened following Rick's discussion with Alexis about the night he danced, fell in love, and lost contact with a girl in college, sometimes memories come back at the worse time. COMPLETELY AU except for the conversation that prompted this and use of some characters names. THIS IS A CASKETT ENDING, EVENTUALLY

I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only

Chapter 11

Previously

I know you want to run to her, pick her up and chase twenty years of hurt away, but you can't. She'll have to tell you, us what she needs and wants in her life and as your wife we'll take care of our kids and family, all of them."

"Kate, did you say All of them? You're not?"

"No, not yet, that comes after the ceremony but if you're asking would I like children, yes, as long as you do. I know you had your oppor*"

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Paula Haas Office

10:00 AM Next Day

Paula was searching for the best neutral sight she could find, one that would afford the required security, while allowing the family to come together for the first time. She booked Midtown Loft & Terrace, located on 5th Ave, Rick had used it once before, and was a secure location, even allowing private security teams to sweep the meeting location for threats.

She had called Allison's private number late yesterday, left a message and asked her to return the call to discuss the meeting. Just as she completed reviewing the venue, and the report from Rick's chief of security, her private line rang.

"Paula Haas Speaking,"

"Ms. Haas, this is Allison Grant Maxwell, returning you call, I'm sorry I missed it yesterday."

The young lady sounded nervous very nervous and for the first time since Paula had spoke to her sounded more like a teenager than a young adult.

"Oh, that's fine Allison, may I call you Allison?"

"Yes, please do, I just get so used to using the formal three names, I don't have a lot of informal relationships outside of school and the foundation that manages the business."

"I understand and Allison, PLEASE call me Paula, God I feel so old when someone calls me Ms. Haas" as she laughs and hears Allison giggle quietly on the other end.

"I take it that Richard and his family now know about me, and the sole purpose for me making contact with them by now?"

"Yes, they do, and after the shock wore off, Your Dad, his fiancé, Kate Beckett, your half-sister Alexis and Grandmother, Broadway Actress, Martha Rogers all want to meet you, and want you to set the Agenda. Rick wants to be part of your life in whatever way that you are comfortable with, he really feels awful you and he were cheated out of twenty years."

Paula hears a sniffle on the other end,

"That wasn't the reaction I was expecting if I'm being honest Paula, I thought I would hear from his attorneys disputing the DNA, or a thousand other reasons not to meet me, but they all want to meet?"

"Sweetie, Kate, your Dad's fiancé took one look at your picture and told the room, she didn't need to see any DNA, this girl is our daughter, she looks like her Dad."

A few more sniffles, then

"Wow I really didn't expect that reaction, I mean to discover your Father who you have been told was dead for almost twenty years was alive, and living less than two hours away, it was a shock for me. I can only imagine what it did to the family."

"Well Kate wanted to pass a message to you, she wanted to Thank You for such a sweet and kind way you went about notifying them, and also the empathy you have knowing everyone's world would be changed.

You have a huge fan in her Allison, and believe me, your Dad loves her more than anything. Please don't repeat this but Kate also lost her Mother tragically when she was 19, just like you, and as she said, she's going to be here for you whenever you need her."

That opened the flood gates and Paula heard the sobs,

"Allison, it's OK, they want to be as much a part of your life that you feel works for you. In fact, we have a hold on the Midtown Loft on 5th Ave, waiting for your approval, it'll be completely private meeting with only those we spoke of, and the security staffs, yours and Rick's. Would you be able to meet tomorrow, at 10:00 AM?"

"Yes Paula, and can you do me one favor, please?"

"Sure, if I can, anything I can do to help"

"You're the only voice I know, would you come, at least to get things started?"

"Allison, are you sure? I mean if you need me of course I will as long as Rick has no objections, which I know he won't. One thing about your Dad, the only thing bigger than his talent is his heart, that man loves so deeply, forgives quickly, and will drive you crazy fussing over you, well enough of that, I'll check with him OK?"

"Paula, could I ask you a very blunt question, I mean feel free to ignore it if you wish,"

"Ask away Allison, what would you like to know?"

"Does Kate love my Dad, as you called him as much as you do, I mean I'm not there, but I can tell you love him just the way you talk about him."

"Allison, I'm not going to insult your intelligence by lying to you, it's true I love Richard Castle, hell I have for years, BUT Kate Beckett is his soulmate, she loves him and completes him and she does the one thing I could never do, she makes him happy. She also loves his family, the entire family, you included, so I think really, you are going to be in good shape."

"Thanks Paula, it sounds like it, but can we meet for coffee, to go in the building together, I mean I*"

"Of course, Sweetie, there's a coffee shop once you park in the secure lot, and go through the doors, I 'll meet you there at 9:00 AM does that Work?"

"Yeah, that works, so I 'll see you tomorrow at 9:00 AM and my new family at 10:00 AM, I probably won't sleep, but I'm excited, so very excited."

"They are as well, I'm excited for you all, so try to rest, and I'll see you tomorrow, It's going to be fine, you'll see"

Next Day

9:00 AM Entrance from Secure Parking

Midtown Loft & Terrace

Paula knew how frightened the young lady was, no matter how much polish she had tried to put on her conversations. She looked up to see, what could be a mini Rick, in female form, God she was like a young Goddess. Kate was right, no DNA was needed, this was Rick's Daughter without a doubt, her beautiful blue eyes sparkling, and she even had a dimple in the same location as her Dad.

"Good morning Paula thanks for meeting me so early, this is Claude, he is my Body Guard, and he will not back off till we get to the secured rooms, no matter what I do."

"Good Morning Allison, and Thank You Claude, we appreciate you keeping Allison safe for us, shall we get the coffee, or would you like to go to the suites? We have coffee and pastries there, a lot more relaxed and Claude can have a coffee and relax."

"Can we go to the suite, I would like to get comfortable before I have to meet them, I mean I'm excited, but I'm nervous, so very nervous"

"Come on sweetie, no need to be nervous, they'll love you, hell I'm supposed to be the tough one and you blew right by me" she laughs making Allison smile and relax just a little.

They trade chit chat for the next 30 minutes, Allison asking mostly questions about Rick's career and how long Paula had managed his publicity. She wanted the inside scoop on his divorces, the true story not the junk in the tabloids. Paula was open, honest and frank with her, explaining Meredith, Gina she couldn't explain as much but she was sure that Rick would tell her anything she wanted to know.

There is a tap on the door, and Claude is there in an instance, his one hand on his weapon inside his coat pocket as Paula opened the door to Rick, Kate, holding hands as usual, Alexis, and Martha looking surprising awake for the hour of the morning it was.

"Rick, everyone, this is Claude, he is Allison's Body Guard, and this young lady here is Allison Grant Maxwell, another family member" Paula had a slight hitch in her voice and a tear in her eyes as she sat down.

"Thanks Paula, I was surprised to see you here this morning, a pleasant surprise I was going to ask you, but things got away from me so quickly." Rick smiled.

Allison looked like she had seen a ghost, looking at Rick, was almost like looking in the mirror, Kate was the first to step forward and draw the young lady into a brief hug,

"Allison, I am Kate Beckett, Rick's fiancé and I want to welcome you to the family. I know what it's like to be the new one, sometimes we drive you crazy because we care so much." She smiled and took Rick's hand with her free arm.

Rick followed her lead, stood forward, and just stared at her, Allison staring back, thinking this is my Father, I finally found him.

Finally he pulled her into a hug, and whispered low for her to hear, "I'm apologizing now, because I know I am going to come on too strong, it's just a miracle that you are here, I am here and I'm so sorry about the lies you were told. I never knew, I swear" as a tear came to his eye.

She returned the smile and as they broke the hug, she whispered back "You're here now, that's what makes this special, Thank You."

Alexis was next in line and really broke the ice when she hugged Allison, and said, "Hi big Sis, I've been asking for a sibling all of my life" she giggled.

Allison hugged her tighter, "Hi Little Sis, well you got one now, I hope I don't disappoint you" as the beautiful laugh Rick remember from so long ago, echoed in the room. He could close his eyes and he was right back there, such a sweet sound at the time.

"What should I call my Sister?" Allison asked sweetly,

"Oh, I'm sorry, call me Alexis or Lex, just as long as you don't pick up Dad's word for me, I lived with it all my life," as she rolls her eyes and Kate laughs so hard.

Rick is sitting with a little boy look, and Allison surprised him, "So Dad, what's the word, it's not terribly embarrassing is it?"

Rick's face swells with pride, and immediately the room took on a family atmosphere with multiple conversations going on at once, till Rick finally looks at Allison,

"I don't know why but she suddenly doesn't like the pet name I've called her since she was a toddler,"

Allison also has some of Rick's habits as well when she replied, "Which Is?" You can't get me on your side till I hear how bad you embarrassed Sis."

Alexis stood next to her wrapping her arm around Allison, "See Dad, told you she would be on my side" and giggles.

"OK, OK, It's Pumpkin, I call her Pumpkin, and it was fine till about two years ago, now she wants to keep it just between us"

Allison started laughing, then pulled Alexis in close, "humor him Sis, I wished for years I could have heard my name, or any name come from my father"

Kate has joined her girls now and the three are in a bit of a group hug, Kate whispering to the girls that they were all going to be fine when Martha, walked over and joined.

"I'm sorry, I wanted you to feel comfortable before I started piling more names on you but I am your Grandmother Martha Rogers, Alexis calls me Grams, Kate calls me her second Mom and Richard, well we'll stop there," she laughs

Allison took Martha into a big hug, "I never had a Grandmother before, just my Grandpa but he passed a long time ago, so Thank You for coming, I know this news has really been hard for your family."

Rick took the lead on this discussion, "Sweetie, I never knew, I promise you, if I had I would have done anything in this world to contact you. My whole life is my family, your new Stepmother to be is the love of my life, and some say I have spoiled the other ladies in my life.

Perhaps they are right, but I promise you today, I will be here for you, WE will be here for you no matter what the problem, the cost, or how impossible the odds seem, we are family and that's what we do."

"Thank You, I know this sounds odd, but I prepared some questions for each of you, and I would really like to meet one on one with you, if you don't mind. It's just I am a little shy, no matter how famous the name, and I do better in small group surroundings."

"That's not an odd request at all, in fact Paula would you, or can you stay a bit longer in case Allison wants more details or anything about you, you're part of this family as well you know" Kate smiled.

"That's very kind Kate, Allison and I have talked but I'll be here as long as she needs me, if that's OK with you"

"Of course, it is Paula, you don't even have to ask." Kate smiled.

"Rick, Dad, First what do you want me to call you? I mean I don't want to overstep here" Allison says shyly

"Whatever you're comfortable Allison, I am fine with anything but Richard," as he rolled his eyes and smiled towards his mother.

"Well, Dad," she seemed hesitant, but she carried forward,

"I'd like to talk to Kate first if I may, just her and I, Kate are you Okay with that?"

Kate smiled pulled the young lady in a hug, whispered "Of Course" as the strode towards a private conference room located a few feet away. The family seemed to take it all in stride, except for Martha, she seemed very nervous, but that could be because she had been up for over 24 hours straight.

"You OK Dad?" Alexis asked Rick,

"Yeah baby, I'm fine, I think it's going well, are you OK?"

"She's very sweet Daddy, I see a lot of you in her, so yes, I am fine, in fact I'm happy I have a big Sis to call when I need advice."

Rick smiled, as Martha fidgeted, what a difference a few days made in all their lives.