Chapter 5
Later That Morning
Castle's Apartment
Rick, Kate & Alexis
Kate awoke from a very sound and content slumber. At first, she didn't know why she had awoken until she heard a light tapping at the door and Alexis' soft voice.
"Kate, are you decent?" Alexis whispered.
Kate reluctantly slid out of bed and padded toward the door. As she moved around the room she became aware that the sun was not yet up. She thought that Castle had not been kidding when he said early. She cracked open the door to look at the younger Castle. Alexis gave her a hopeful smile.
"Merry Christmas," Alexis whispered.
"Why are we whispering?" Kate inquired.
"I don't want to wake Dad up yet. I made some coffee for us. I wanted a little time with just us." Alexis explained. "It's Italian Roast, your favorite."
The two moved toward the kitchen. Kate looked out the window the sky was just beginning to lighten. It had stopped snowing during the night but the sky was still cloudy and a slate gray. In the kitchen on the counter were two mugs of steamy hot goodness. Kate sipped appreciatively. Kate surveyed her young friend trying to gauge how she was feeling.
"So Alexis, what's up?"
"Dad has had you all to himself ever since Christmas. I guess I wanted a little time with you, just the two of us."
"Is there something wrong Alexis?" Kate asked worriedly.
"No… No, it's not like that." Alexis tried to explain. "You've met Grams and my mother. You know that they both have their drama. I have never had someone like you in my life before now."
"Someone like me?" Kate inquired.
Alexis clarified. "Someone I feel like I can talk to. Who understands me and can issue advice when needed, but also who can be a confidant. Somebody who cares about me and Dad."
"Your Grandmother cares for you and loves you."
"I know, I guess what I am trying to say is I have never had a mother…. Figure before. By the time I was aware of what was going on, Mom and Dad were already having difficulties. I felt torn between my parents. I felt if I confided in one the other would feel betrayed. I didn't start getting close to Dad until Mom had her affair. I love both my parents, but I never really had a mom. Meredith always tried to be my best friend. It's sad to say but Dad was the one who disciplined me. He didn't do it often and I think it killed him when he did it. My Dad is Richard Castle so you know rules are not his forte."
"So in some ways, you raised yourself."
"In some ways I did. I had to set my own limits."
"So you had to grow really fast." Kate surmised.
"don't get me wrong, I love my life and I am who I am because of how I was raised. Sometimes I need some guidance from a woman who is mature."
"You mean old." Kate joked
"If I meant old I'd be talking to Grans. Stay here a minute." Alexis asked.
Alexis disappeared out of the kitchen and went over towards the Christmas tree. Kate pondered her young friend's words. She could remember many times when she had confided in her mother and had sought wisdom from her. Kate was surprised when the memory did not fill her with sadness and pain. Maybe she was finally healing from that wound.
Alexis came back into the kitchen carrying a cherry wood box wrapped in red ribbon and a red bow it was about eighteen inches wide and perhaps eight inches tall.
"I apologize but I couldn't find a box to put this in. Merry Christmas Kate."
Kate set the box down on the kitchen table and surveyed her gift. She removed the ribbon and bow. On top of the box was a brass plaque with the initials K.B. There was some very delicate scrollwork around the box. Kate could tell that a master craftsman had made this work of art. Both sides had brass handles and a sturdy looking lock adorned the front. Kate opened the lid the inside was lined in purple velvet. A ring post and an oval raised area were at the right side. A key lay in the center. Kate look at her friend with curiosity.
"PawPaw made it, it will hold your service weapon and your mom's ring and your dad's watch when you stay here"
Alexis pointed to the underside of the lid where there were three small frames the right and left were filled with a high school picture of Alexis and a book jacket photo of Castle. " I was hoping that we might get a picture of the three of us together for the center, or you could put pictures of your mom and dad in there as well as a photo of your family," Alexis explained.
Kate felt a lump in her throat and grabbed Alexis in a fierce embrace. "Thank you, honey." Kate managed a whisper. "You and your dad are my family too." They clung to each other for a long time.
"Hey, Hey, hey, no fair, You know the rules Alexis it's stockings first then breakfast then presents," Castle interjected.
Castle led the two women who were central to his life into the festively decorated living room. The Christmas lights were back on and Castles iPhone, which was plugged into the sound system was playing Christmas music, at the moment Dean Martin was imploring it to snow. It was almost full light outside as they began their first Christmas together, impromptu as it was.. Alexis grabbed the stockings and passed them to the proper recipients.
"Did you stuff your own stocking, Rick?" Kate asked.
"No, Alexis did the honors," Rick replied.
The stockings held delights for all. There were the usual things like candy canes and chocolates. There were also humorous little trinkets. Kate got a key chain with a little Lego policeman. Castle got a little hula girl who would swing her hip if you pressed done on her head. The atmosphere was light and festive. Kate reveled in the company of her newfound family. Were they her family? She pondered the question briefly and decided that even though there were no ties, as of yet. Richard and Alexis had opened there home and their hearts to her, so yes they were family.
Kate and Alexis sat and talked as Castle fixed breakfast. Breakfast was a leisurely affair of Danishes and coffee. They sat together content in each other's company. The conversation was light and filled with laughter. Kate had no thoughts of either the past or future, but stayed in the moment.
Soon it was time to open presents. Kate had feared that Castle would go to the excess, but found that he hadn't gone crazy. Kate received a burgundy cocktail dress. When she questioned Rick he said the to kick off the symposium there would be a gala at the Met and he thought she would like something new to wear.
"Won't our relationship get found out then?" Kate asked with a little trepidation.
"If they haven't discovered us by then they aren't doing their jobs right."
Kate gave Alexis a leather jacket like the one she often wore, and to Castle, she gave homemade rum cake. She had wracked her brain trying to think of what he would like, that he hadn't bought for himself. Rick exclaimed joyously as he stuffed a piece in his mouth. Castle handed Kate her last package. It was about a yard square. With no clue of what could be inside, she opened the package. There smaller packages layered one on top of the other. 'if there is a ring at the bottom of this box I will shoot him' Kate thought.
The top package contained a mesh bag with beach toys in it. She gave Rick a quizzical look, he but told her to continue. Next was a cloth beach chair and after that, another mesh bag with lotion and suntan oil.. Beneath that was a bright red swimsuit with a sarong and at the bottom were three airline tickets and a confirmed rental agreement for a bungalow down in the Keys for the end of May. Alexis let out a delighted squee and hugged her father.
"This should be far enough in advance for you to request the time off." Richard surmised. "Two weeks in the Florida Keys. Not a crime scene in sight."
The game that Castle had gotten Alexis was 'Pandemic'. A game centered around trying to stop various viruses from destroying the world. "Come on ladies let's try to stop the zombie apocalypse" Rick encouraged.
They played through the game twice, winning once and then losing horribly. It was more difficult than it first appeared but it was enjoyable to play with Alexis and Castle offering a running commentary. After the second round Alexis went in to prepare the sweet potato casserole. Rick took Kate into his study for a little alone time. On his desk lay one last gift.
"I wanted to give this to you in private." He said mysteriously.
The box was too big to be jewelry and too heavy to be wispy bedroom ware. When she opened it up she saw her very own laser tag gear. Beckett was relieved.
Castle laughed evilly." If Alexis had seen this we would never get through lunch without a match or three./"
"Castle, I'm not very good at playing games." Kate lamented.
"Nonsense, it's time to tap into your inner child. Have some fun, let you hair down."
Kate let out a deep sigh "I'll try" she said.
"You'll do fine." Rick encouraged.
The Apartment
Later That Day
Everyone
Christmas dinner was absolutely breathtaking. Everything seemed perfect. Kate ate too much and felt stuffed, but was given only a short time to rest before Castle and Alexis grabbed her off the couch and made her don her laser tag gear. She did so, under protest. While Rick and Alexis had no problem throwing themselves into the game, Kate had difficulty. For so long she had fostered a reserved manner, to better achieve success at work so it was difficult to throw caution to the wind. Finally, she began to get into the swing of things. By unspoken consent Kate and Alexis teamed up and started stalking Castle.
"We're are coming for you, you foul fiend," Alexis shouted
"We're taking you down;' Kate yelled, getting into the spirit of things.
"I had foreseen this treachery and I am prepared. Rick snarled. He popped into the doorway from the kitchen with not one but two pistols.
Kate was trying to flank Castle by way of the foyer when there was a loud knock on the door. Without thinking, Kate moved to answer it, still in full gear and flush from exertion. When her hand turned the knob she panicked. What if it were Meredith? Since she was in the motion of opening the door she really couldn't stop. There in all her bloodsucking glory was Gina. She took in Beckett and her attire and with a smile of condescending amusement.
"Oh, it's you." She said scornfully. She shoved a stack of papers into Kate's hands and said" Make sure he signs these and gets them back to Black Pawn no later than Wednesday." And she turned and left.
"Well, that put a damper on things," Rick said as he came into the foyer.
"She sucks the fun out of everything," Alexis agreed
"Like a wet blanket," Kate concluded.
"Well, I guess it's time to clean up." Rick sighed, not looking forward to the prospect.
In short order, the trio straightened up and put things away. Alexis retired to her room to see if she could talk to Paige and straighten things out. Kate and Richard sat on the couch. Castle was absently channel surfing.
"So, Kate, what did you think of our first Christmas together? Did it live up to the hype?"
"It was the best faux Christmas I have ever had," Kate assured him.
"Faux? FAUX! Just because it didn't happen on the 25th of December doesn't make it faux." Castle said in mock indignation.
"I know Dearest," Kate agreed. "It was the best holiday I have had in a long time and I look forward to next year."
"Well, technically it will be this…."
Rick was interrupted by the news anchor on the television." Well, ladies, it looks like one of New York's most eligible bachelors may be off the market. Here is footage of Richard Castle frolicking in the snow with his inspiration and it now appears girlfriend Kate Beckett" The screen showed a film clip of the pair walking arm in arm in the snow. The voice-over continued "After their romp in the snow they were seen heading into the mystery writers apartment, where they have yet to surface. Take a breath Castle."
"That wasn't a frolic or a romp" Kate complained
"I told you they would find out eventually." Castle rejoined.
FINI
A/N:) Well there it is. I hope that this little venture provided a little enjoyment. I certainly had fun writing it. This is not the end of my Castleverse. The next bit is going to be entitled 'Cupid' despite what the name implies it will be case-oriented, with a little Fluff on the side. Until then, Be well and be good D. J
