Sorry it took so long but the Power of Attorney got in the way
A Saturday morning is always a relaxed peaceful morning for these two. They insist the children sleep late, when they listen which isn't that often.
Castle's thinking is that there is something special about being able to just lounge in the bed with the spouse. Especially a spouse that you love as dearly as he loves her
Rick is not aware that Kate is thinking the exact thing about him that he is thinking about for her. Both thinking about lazing in bed with the spouse or doing other things with that person
Even with this being a Saturday morning, they are both waking up gently from their night spent in activities usually celebrated by newlywed couples
Rick feels Kate roll against his side, snuggle up on his shoulder, and she gently kisses his neck "Good morning babe"
"GOOD morning yourself" he responds with the emphasis on the good. He has pulled his arm onto her bare shoulder and back
"I am surprised you didn't put on a night gown"
Not looking up she responds "Who said I even brought one?" and he feels her pulling in tighter. That naturally causes him to react the same
After a few moments Rick remarks with a small change in the tone of his voice. One she is not sure if it is worry or something else. "Did you notice how many of your old classmates were checking you out last night?"
"No. Were they?"
"How could you miss it?"
"I was busy talking to old classmates and checking out the guy I came with" she says with a chuckle in her voice "And of course watching out for the women that had eyes for my man"
He does not remark and that is when she realizes he was serious in his question she looks up to his face and props her chin on his chest "What's wrong Rick?"
After not getting a funny comment in response again "What is it Babe?"
"Looking at all your old classmates and all the guys who were watching you, I…I just…I was wondering how many of them knew you …. You know, you were more than just the pretty girl in the seat across the aisle in English class."
She decides to play with him a little "You mean 'KNEW' me in the biblical sense?"
He nods his head
"Is this you being jealous?"
"Well maybe…a little. I could have sworn that some of them were looking at you with more than just a friendly hello. More like remembrance"
She decides not to let him suffer too much "None of them"
"They sure looked like they …I mean… they…wanted to get a little closer than…"
She rises up higher on his body to kiss him "you remember how much I flirted with you when we first met?"
"Yeah" he responds
I had a lot of practice in high school I WAS a flirt and a tease. Some of the guys just hated me because I would not let them go too far"
He kind of points his thumb toward the door "So not one of them got…went too…."
"If you really want to know…?"
Silence
"NO! Not one of them. I didn't become active until later"
"So I don't have to be jealous of any of the guys here?"
"You don't have to be jealous of any guy anywhere" Then knowing how much guys like to have their egos stroked she continues "I told you several years ago how satisfied I am in our marriage?"
"Yeah?"
She leans up to his face and slides a long set of fingers across his cheek "That has not changed. You have given me everything I have ever needed both physically and emotionally" she then gives him a soft yet wanting kiss
When she pulls back ever so slightly "you know what they say?"
"About what?" He does not understand then she leans back into his face
"A day that begins with making love can't be all bad" and she dives back into his face
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
After a longer than normal time from waking up and getting dressed, they finally reach the main dining room. She has dressed in a comfortable pair of slacks and cool blouse and he, similarly, in slacks and sports shirt. Both are wearing comfortable shoes planning for a casual day at the golf course. Neither plays, but enjoy the open air and warm sun
The two of them are looking around to find a table to sit before going to the buffet and custom made to order egg bar
Their attention is caught when they see Maddie Queller but she is now talking to another woman but there are empty seats at the table. Maddie waves at the couple and motions for the available seats. It is possible that she is trying to attract Kate and Rick to join her
When Rick and Kate reach the two women Maddie introduces the other woman "Kate did you know Nancy Hopkins? She graduated with us"
Nancy seems very stern in her expression and add to it when she gives Castle the once over. The difference in this event from his history of adoring fans, this woman seems more disapproving than appreciating the man
Kate honestly does not recognize the other woman" No I guess not. Did we have any classes together?"
"No. You did not know me. I knew you, of course"
Kate is honestly confused by the woman's comments "You knew me?"
"Oh yes. Everyone knew you. You were the girl all the guys wanted and from what I hear several boys did"
Beckett's response is fast and firm "I don't know what you heard or from whom, but that is totally not true"
The woman seems put out by Beckett's response "Whatever…I have to go. See you around" and the woman walks away
"WOW" Maddie starts off "that was intense. I wonder what got into her?"
Kate is feeling Rick's eyes on the back of her neck. She looks up at her husband "I have no idea what she is talking about…I promise"
Maddie confirms in Kate's defense "Rick, we were best friends in high school and I promise that woman's statements are totally wrong. Kate was not that way"
Kate looks at her husband He has a blank look on his face. She is not sure if it is hurt, anger, or something entirely different
She turns around then pulls him to the side "Babe. It is not true…. I did not sleep with any of my classmates…. I NEVER did what that woman said…. I don't even know her… I don't know why she would…say…things like that…" she stops when she detects a small upturn in his lips "you believe me? Right?"
"You told me this morning and I believe you" he responds to her rambling
She pulls his arm tight and he wraps his arms around her
"Kate. We have been together too long. And I do know that you were that rebel in high school. Maddie has told me all about you and how you really were back then. The things you did and the two of you did getting in trouble."
"She did?" Kate seems to have a touch of worry building up "What did she tell you? I mean what kind of things did she say I did…I mean we did?"
"Granted she never mentioned CBGB however"
"Let's go have breakfast…" he starts pulling her toward the tables again "and we can talk later" she goes willingly
After they get their breakfast selections they rejoin Maddison at her table "Maddie…? "Kate starts out "Do you remember her from school?"
"I have no idea. Before you arrived she was ragging on men. Calling then awful names. Saying they were all dogs. They only want one thing from a woman and after they get it the guy is done with her"
Castle is looking at the two ladies sitting with him "She is sure bitter about something…"
Kate finishes "or someone"
"Some man must have really hurt her. Did her wrong…"
"Or she wanted something and he was not interested"
"Or both" the both remark at the same moment
Madison is sitting watching her old high school friend and husband/best friend carry on a conversation as if they were of one mind
"So Maddie" Kate starts up "How is Q3 doing?"
"We are really doing wonderful" She looks at Castle "You mentioning the restaurant by name in the latest Nikki Heat novel didn't hurt me"
"We're glad" Castle responds "It was Kate's idea" he looks at his wife and she ducks her head
Kate raises her head "Are you going shopping, play golf, or do the New York tour?"
"None of those. I see enough of the city with the catering business. I don't need anything from the expensive tourist traps but I enjoy watching the single men play golf"
"Good choice" Beckett chuckles
Just as the three are finishing their coffee they hear the sound of a siren and an ambulance pulls up to the front followed closely by several uniformed police officers, The emergency responders enter the hotel and are escorted to the penthouse floor by hotel security
Castle refills the ladies coffee cups and the three sit and watch the coming and going of several police officers, both uniformed and plain clothes
"I wonder what happened?" Maddie remarks
"Since we saw the paramedics come and leave without a patient and the police are here in force, including detectives, I would say they found a dead person" Castle answers
Then Kate suddenly has a question on her face "Didn't they go to the penthouse?"
"I think so" her husband confirms
"That is where Charles Ivy was staying" Kate looks up through the atrium "I wonder if he is OK?"
Kate feels her phone vibrate in her pocket. She pulls out the device and sees that the id says the caller is the New York police Commissioner "Hello sir" she listens as he tells her he needs her to look into a special case. A high profile murder "Sir…I am on a brief vacation. I am at my class reunion in Westchester…" again he is talking "WHAT" she looks up toward the top floor "Yes sir…I will keep you informed"
She hangs up on her phone "babe. Homeland and the FBI want me to look into the death of Charles Ivy. He was found in his hotel room beaten to death" she points up "That is what is going on up there"