Lightning Flashes - Chapter Four
"Oh, Katherine, darling it's good to see you. I didn't know you would be able to leave work so early today."
Kate smiles, relaxing into Martha's embrace. She's known the woman for years and never fails to feel like a kid when Rick's mother wraps her in her arms.
"I wasn't sure it was going to happen, but I closed my case and Montgomery let me clock out early."
"Wonderful! Oh, that's good to hear."
Kate nods, leaving it at that. Rick will no doubt grill her for as much as she's willing to share, but Martha is always content to let her dictate what gets said, asking only the bare minimum to make sure Kate's okay.
"How are you, Martha?" she asks, changing the subject entirely. It's easier that way, too. "How was your tour? Tell me all about it."
"Oh, now you've done it," Castle says, dodging his mother's swatting hand to offer to take Kate's jacket. "We're never going to stop hearing about it now."
"Hush, Castle," she says, shrugging out of her coat and passing it to him. "I'm talking to your mom."
Martha chuckles, hooking her arm through Kate's and leading her to the couch. "To answer your question, it was wonderful. The first few shows were a little rocky, but when are they not?"
She nods. Acting has never been something she's been interested in, but she'd been gaga for a boy in the drama club in high school and she remembers the painful first few shows from her decision to be in the audience every night to get his attention. (That relationship had most definitely not panned out, but judging by the reunion recap emails she had mostly browsed, he and his husband are very happy together.)
"But we found our stride and dazzled audiences the entire rest of the time," Martha continues, waving a hand for emphasis.
"I have no doubt about that," Kate says, patting Martha's arm. "What will you be doing now? Another tour? Another show?"
Rick's mother smiles. "Well, we do have a limited run here at home in the next few weeks – which you are, of course, invited to – and other than that, I'll be here for a few days helping Richard with little Alexis."
Kate glances toward the kitchen where Rick putters around grabbing ingredients from the pantry and fridge.
"Really?" she asks, trying her best to keep surprise from her voice.
Rick has had an… interesting relationship with his mother for as long as she's known him. It's part antagonistic, part fiercely devoted duo who have bonded over their lifetime of shared experiences and trials. Some days she can predict which version of them she'll see and others she finds herself surprised by which version of the pair gets to witness.
"And how does it feel to be a grandma?" she adds, nudging Martha with her shoulder.
Martha laughs. Her gaze turns to where Alexis rocks in her swing, eyes fixed on the flashing lights overhead.
"Oh, she's darling. It was a shock when he told me about her, I must admit. Richard does have a habit of sowing his wild oats on occasion, but-"
"Thank you, Mother," Rick calls from the kitchen. Kate can't help but wince at the strain, the tension in his tone. "Your thoughts on the subject are inspir-"
"If you had let me finish, I was going to say that I can't and won't judge, given that my son wouldn't be here if not for my own youthful indiscretions. Between you and me, kiddo, if I'm going to judge anyone, it's going to be the one who dropped her daughter off and left." Martha holds up her hands. "But since I absolutely prefer the fact that Alexis is with us instead of strangers, I can't even be too upset about that."
"I know what you mean," Kate agrees, looking back at Alexis. "So, you're staying here for a few days?"
"Or until Richard throws me out."
Kate laughs.
"My abode is technically still occupied with a renter for the time being, so I'm hoping it won't come to that, at least until they're gone and I'm able to move back home."
"Exactly when does their sublet end, Mother?" Rick asks, bringing a tray with cheese, crackers, and wine glasses to them.
"Don't you worry, you'll enjoy having me here when you start getting double the amount of sleep you've been getting for the last two months."
"I might not have been the best at math in school, but I know two times zero is still zero," he quips, squeezing onto the couch with them.
"Oh hush," Beckett murmurs, tapping her glass against his. "You get sleep when I'm here."
"True. Kate has been a life saver. She was with me the night Meredith brought Alexis and she saw how pathetic I was at first."
Kate shakes her head. "You weren't pathetic, you were overwhelmed. He's been a rock star, Martha. He just jumped right in, didn't look back. Sure, he's been a little weird at times – think of when he's researching, only on steroids – but he's done great so far. You should be proud of him," she insists, patting Rick's knee.
Rick's mother smiles, her face soft with affection.
"Oh, Darling, I am."
She chances a glance at her friend, finding him watching Alexis with a thoughtful expression. He's trying hard to appear unmoved by the praise, both from her and from Martha, but she knows better than anyone how much hearing the words means to him.
She squeezes his knee again. "How long has Alexis been in that thing?"
He jolts a little bit, a smile sliding over his lips. "About half an hour, maybe forty-five minutes. She loves it."
Kate grins. "I can tell. She looks like you when you get a new toy."
He chuckles, waving to Alexis when she looks past the entertainment of her swing and to them.
"You're okay, pumpkin," he says. "Keep swinging if you want."
"I'm surprised she's still awake," Kate remarks, sipping her wine. "I'm glad to see her, though," she adds, waving to the baby.
Alexis squirms in the swing, squawking after a second. Rick scoots off the couch and moves to slow the swing and lift Alexis from the seat.
"Bored now, huh? Or just wanting to see Kate and Grandma?" he looks up to Martha wrinkling her nose. "Nana?"
"Goodness no," Martha says, shaking her head. "Gram is… okay, I suppose. Though that also makes me feel old."
"You are," Rick teases, rubbing Alexis's back. "But Gram works just the same." He kisses his daughter's head. "Let's go sit with Gram and Kate and you can tell them how much you like watching the lights. You know, I'm thinking we should decorate for Christmas early."
Kate laughs. "Rick, it's May. That's not just early, that's obscene."
"She's right, kiddo. You'll get to experience Alexis's first Christmas in due time. Just put up some twinkling star lights if you want to amuse her and save Christmas magic for the intended season."
Rick sighs. "Okay, that's fair." To his daughter, he adds, "We'll just do Christmas in July, pumpkin, and we won't tell them."
Kate snickers, leaning over to kiss Alexis. "Of course you will. Hi, sweet girl. Did you and Monkey Bunkey like your swing? Yeah, I think you did."
She smooches Alexis again, remembering belatedly that Rick's mother probably wants to snuggle her granddaughter. "Sorry, Martha."
Martha waves her off. "I had time with her earlier, Dear. You're the one who could probably use some time with the baby at the end of a day.
Kate tilts her head. That's not too far off, honestly. She does frequently seek out the baby's warm weight and gentle breathing when she comes over after her shifts.
"That's okay, I can share her today." She grins, lifting Alexis from Rick's arm and blowing a raspberry on the baby's belly.
"Go see Gram, Alexis. Show her another one of your smiles."
Kate kisses Alexis's nose before passing her over. Martha takes her easily, pressing her cheek to the baby's and breathing her in.
"Such a sweet, sweet girl. Oh, I'm so happy you're here with us." Martha settles Alexis on her legs, rubbing the baby's belly.
Alexis's face cracks, offering her grandmother a gummy smile. Martha beams in return, kissing all over her granddaughter's face.
Kate turns to Rick, patting his knee. "So, what're we doing for dinner? I saw you making something when I walked in."
"You're staying?" Rick asks.
She nods. "If I'm welcome?"
He scoffs. "You were going to be taking some home even if you didn't eat it."
Beckett laughs. "I was, huh?"
Rick grins, tilting his head. "Did you expect anything less?"
"No, not really." She bumps him, leaning back into the couch cushions, releasing a quiet breath.
Rick drops back with her. "So, you closed your case, you said? How was it?"
"I'm glad it's over," she says. "I'm trying to close a few more before the end of the month."
He frowns a little, working through something in his head before he asks, "Is Montgomery giving you a hard time about your numbers again?"
She lifts a shoulder. "It's always our goal to close cases, Rick – or it's my goal. Montgomery does want our numbers up because 1PP wants our numbers up, but I just don't want to keep people waiting too much longer. Any longer than some of them already have."
He rubs her arm, squeezing her forearm gently. "I know."
She smiles nodding.
"Need any help? he offers, his smile sly.
"I think you've got your work cut out for you right here, buddy," she says. "You're a dad; you worry about being that right now."
"Right now… I can do that. But later?"
She sighs, waving him off. She knows he would jump at the chance if she gave it to him, she's just not convinced that giving it to him is the right thing to do.
"Ryan back yet?" he asks, cocking his head again.
"Not yet." The other detective has been working a case – or several, she's not quite sure which – with Narcotics over the last couple of months, leaving her team a man down. It's nothing she and Esposito can't handle (and, hell, she's done this job on her own before; she would be fine with it happening again), but not having the extra eyes and body does have its disadvantages, too.
"I'm okay, Rick," she insists off his look, knowing how he worries she might be using her current cases as a distraction or even a proxy for her mother's. "I'm here every other day, after all, you can see that for yourself."
He eyes her carefully, taking a moment before relenting. "Okay," he says, leaving it that. "And to answer your question, dinner is a chicken casserole that I found the recipe for while Alexis was napping earlier."
"Look at you, June Cleaver," she murmurs.
He laughs, lifting a shoulder. "I do what I can. And if it's terrible, we can order a pizza."
Kate grins.
The following week, she convinces Stegner to cover for her last hour on shift and changes clothes in the locker room so she doesn't have to run home before she meets Castle at the theater for his mother's show. As it is, she's about twenty minutes later than expected, and has to dodge the crowds spilling onto the block from the neighboring theater.
Of course, Rick is nowhere to be found when she steps up to their meeting point, which makes her wonder if he's already gone inside. If he has, she hopes he left her ticket at the box office.
Beckett lifts her phone to her ear, looking around as she waits. It rings and rings and rings before going to Rick's voicemail.
"You've reached Richard Castle, lucky you-"
Rolling her eyes, Kate waits until his ridiculous spiel ends. "Hey, it's me. I'm at the theater. Are you here already? Let me know; okay, bye."
"Kate!"
She spins, spotting her harried looking friend careening around people in his haste to get to her.
"Hey, I was just calling you. I thought I was late."
He huffs. "No, no, I'm sorry. I'm the one who's late. Alexis was fussy all day and didn't want to settle when the sitter got to my place. We had to walk and sing and snuggle a little. She still wasn't happy with me when I left, but at least she wasn't screaming anymore."
"Oh boy. I'm sorry, Rick." She rubs his arm. "Come on, let's go in and I'll buy you a drink or three. You look like you could use it."
Castle laughs, allowing her to lead him to the box office to collect their tickets before they head into the theater lobby. He smiles and nods in all the right places as they stand in the concessions line and chat, but she can tell he's preoccupied.
Reaching out, she squeezes his bicep. "Hey, she's going to be okay."
He exhales. "I know, I just… this is the first time I've ever left her with someone. And after Meredith dropped her off so unceremoniously, what if she thinks I did the same?"
"That's…" she starts, trying to decide if he's being over the top. "Rick, that's ridiculous. Alexis is little and this is just one night. She'll be fine. She knows you'll be coming back. Just relax or you're going to be upset all night long. And if you miss your mom's show because you're freaking out, she's never going to let you forget it."
That gets a laugh from him. "You're right. I will never hear the end of it if I bail on Mother's show."
She squeezes his arm, moving him when the line moves up. "Uh huh. So let's get our drinks and you can relax. Alexis will be just fine, and your sitter will call if she needs anything."
He nods again, lowering his chin. "Sorry, I know I'm a little–"
"Bit of a headcase right now?" she offers, quirking a grin. He laughs, conceding that.
"Yeah, little bit. But it's understandable."
She bumps her shoulder against his. "Would it help if I gave you a little tidbit about my last case."
He tilts his head, the corner of his lips quirking upward. "You know, I think it would."
Kate laughs. "Somehow, I knew that would cheer you up."
"Hearing your stories always – well, sometimes – cheers me up."
Shaking her head at him, she grins. He'll be fine soon enough but she'll make sure to distract him until he gets there.
They make it as far as intermission before Rick's every-five-minute phone check has him cursing softly.
"What's wrong?" she asks. She leans forward to see his phone screen, hoping to see what's gotten him so upset this time.
Rick fires off a text, lifting his phone to his ear a second later.
She nudges him. "Castle, what's going on? Is everything okay? Is it Alexis?"
"Alexis won't stop crying – apparently she was fine for a while and she fell asleep, but then she woke up and now she's inconsolable," he explains in a rushed breath, turning back to his phone when the babysitter picks up. "Katrina? Hi – oh wow, I can hear her from here. Okay, I'll be right there – I'm leaving now. No, no, don't worry about it. My lovely date and my mother will understand; Alexis comes first."
Kate scrubs a hand over his back, mouthing for him to go as the lights dim. "I'll tell your mom what happened," she adds, shooing him. "Call you later."
Rick nods, jumping to his feet. "Thanks," he says, rushing out of their row and heading toward the exit.
She emerges from the theater after the show to find a text with a picture of Alexis lying on Rick's chest, looking totally content. It's what she shows Martha at the stage door when she sees her to help explain Rick's absence.
"He thought you were wonderful in the first act," she promises. "He just couldn't stay and leave Alexis to cry with Katrina."
Martha smiles, waving her apologies away. "I'm just glad that you were able to stay, Darling. Thank you."
"Of course, Martha. You were amazing and the show was fantastic. I'm glad I had the chance to see it."
Rick's mother beams, pecking her cheeks. "Thank you, Kate. Now, how would you like to go live it up with the cast? I can get you an 'in' you know."
Beckett laughs. "As much as I appreciate the invitation, I have to be at the precinct early tomorrow."
"Ah well, better luck next time."
They share a grin.
"I told Rick I would call him, so I'll make sure he knows not to wait up for you," she adds, winking.
Martha grins. "This is why I like you, kiddo."
She squeezes Martha's hand quickly, backing away as another well-wisher nears. They manage a quick wave when Kate finally departs, before she heads toward the subway to make her way home for the night.
Thank you for reading! I'm so grateful for everyone who has expressed excitement and offered kind words and encouragement with every chapter, I truly cannot say that enough.
Until next chapter!
