The next few days went by in a blur of activities. They mountain biked up to an active volcano. The watch the fire dancing from the fissure in the earth. Rick cracked a joke about being Frodo at the crack of Doom. Kate smiled but rolled her eyes anyway. Then they horseback rode. Found a secluded waterfall. Watch tropical planet and birds. Did some snorkeling and compression tank dives on the reef. The went into the closest town and bought souvenirs. They had couple massages and generally pampered themselves. One by one her guest needed to go back to the real world. Kate promised she would call them once they had returned from her honeymoon. Finally, only Martha and Alexis remained. They did many fun things with them while staying. Finally one day Kate said Lets go home. New York at the time is experiencing a winter storm so they ended up staying the night in Omaha. The four crossed out of the plane and into a warm limo which whisked them to the hotel. The temperature was very cold. It was a shock to the system when one day they were enjoying 80 degree weather and the next -15 in Omaha! After the night stay the weather cleared in New York and they touched down in NJ Tetterboro airport at 3 in the afternoon. The traffic to the city was slow but after a few hours they were deposited in front of a very familiar door. Rick opened it and let Alexis and Martha through. Rick then swooped up Kate and strode through the door to their home. Kate giggled and convinced Rick to put her down. Rick now kissed his bride in their home!
Kate now untangled from Rick set about getting her clothes which were sent from Vegas set up in their closet. Rick made space for all her stuff in their bedroom.. The rest of the time between kisses was spend getting everything settled. While cuddling on the couch Kate started to speak.
"Rick we need to go to my old apt and start packing."
"Yeah I guess we could do that or I could call a guy who would have it done and over here in about 2 days. You still have a week to go on your vacation."
"Yeah but I was wanting to follow up on those promising leads Esposito uncovered and has been working on. Besides our prisoner in Vegas has arrived so I want to re interview him."
"Ah just chomping on the bit to return to your glamorous job eh?"
"Yeah something like that. Now do not get me wrong I love being with you but the real world is now knocking. I love you but I do have a responsibility."
"No Problem Kate we will make it work!"
"Yeah, I know we will with you by my side we can do anything! I have to go to HR in the morning and suffer through all that. Then I need to get with Gates. I do not know if you will be allowed back in but I am going to try my best to get you there."
"It is getting late and you need to get up early so lets go to bed Mrs. Castle."
"Right behind you Mr. Castle."
So Kate and Rick spent the first night together in their loft.
The next morning the alarm went off. Kate stretched and looked out the window at all the snow which has now been placed during the night. The snowplows had not yet cleared the roads in this area. So Kate saw there must have been 3 ft of snow deposited during the night. Kate thought I must have been crazy to come back to this!
Rick walked up behind his wife and stood with coffee in hand starring out at the winter scene.
"It is very pretty but cold. However, not as cold as Omaha that was cold!"
"Yeah I agree that was uncomfortable cold."
Rick kissed his wife and gave her the coffee then encircled her waist with his hands and pulled her into him. They both continued to stare into the scene unfolding outside their window.
Rick was the first to break their silence.
"Well whatever you were trying to get done today is canceled so why not I make breakfast."
Kate spun around to look at him and said,
"No Way! I will make breakfast for my family. What would you like?"
Rick smiled at her and said
"I like the way that sounds My family. Yes Kate you are truly now My family!"
Rick then planted a long slow sensual kiss upon her lips.
Kate moaned in reaction to the kiss.
"Ok enough or nobody is going to get fed. To the shower with you Rick. While I whip up a breakfast."
"Ok my Love I will do as you asked."
Kate entered the kitchen and was now joined by a red head with bright blue eyes sitting at the counter.
"Good Morning Lex how did you sleep?"
"Morning Kate I think I slept exceedingly well. It did feel strange sleeping in my own bed again though."
Kate laughed, "So you got used to living in such a warm clime?"
"Yeah I guess so I mean we have been gone for almost 6 weeks so I guess I got used to it."
"Yeah being back is a little disconcerting but familiar too."
Kate was busy making omlets and sausage links, mounds of bacon and pancakes.
Rick now appeared just as Kate was plating everything.
Rick gave his wife another kiss and set down to enjoy the feast.
Martha now appeared.
"My word Child what heavenly scents I was smelling in my room. I just had to find out where this delightful aroma was wafting."
"Good Morning Mother, Kate has graciously prepared our morning meal."
"Morning Martha, I like preparing a meal for MY family. I can cook. I just never had a reason to do so. Now I do!"
"Rick was smiling at Kate. He loved seeing this domestic side of his wife. His other wives they were a disaster in the kitchen. Pretty much they were just a disaster period. Poor Alexis she had to learn to cook just to survive. It is great to see everyone getting along. It was like our family was incomplete before Kate. Alexis said it best. There was a Kate sized hole which we did not even know needed filling until she arrived. There was so much love displayed in this kitchen.
