A/N I would like to thank my muse Erika ( Flutterbiesaroundme) for giving me the inspiration and willing to write this chapter. I hope you all like it :)

They had spend the morning/afternoon strolling around central park. They observed the people milling around them, Castle made each one of them have a different story of why they were there. There was the elderly lady who was feeding the ducks at the lake, she had no family left and spent each and everyday coming to the lake according to him. The business man who was in a hurry, Castle decided that he came to the park for some peace and quiet. Until he was interrupted by a email on his phone that informed him that he was losing shares hence why he was now in a hurry. Kate and Rick had laughed at the roller skater who had tripped and fell to the floor but had got up just as quick. They had smiled at the sight of the kids playing tag across one of the green areas. They had stopped for a hot dog and drink halfway through. They had pointed out the places they had come for cases. The frame where the victim in bondage and caramel sauce had hung. The boat lake where they had found the boy back in the early days. The piece of green by the trees where they had found the steam punk man. For any other couple these would be chilling memories, something to be forgotten. Not for them, for them these memories helped them see how far they had come as partners, as friends.

The light had begun to fade, the sun set at 5pm at this time of year. A chill had begun to fall on the city, it may have been sunny during the day but the January nights still had a bite to them. The decision was made between them to head back. Alexis would be returning from school soon and Castle wanted to be there to greet her. He needed to reassure himself that she was okay, yesterday had been a hard day on them all. As they walked back towards the park entrance Castle felt Beckett's fingers intertwine with his. They hadn't fully discussed what this was, they didn't want to label it. It was them , it was 4 years of saving each other's lives, 4 years of stolen glances and longing looks. He knew how hard the last few months had been on her especially. She had survived a bullet to the chest, she had fought it and she was still with him in person and in spirit. They had yet to discuss the moment where he told her that he loved her on that horrible day. He knew that conversation would eventually come up, and surprisingly he was happy to wait. He knew deep in his heart that she had heard, he just needed to wait for her to admit it to herself.

Beckett offered to walk him back to his loft and he accepted with out a second thought. They weren't quite ready to part ways just yet. They had been on a emotional rollercoaster in the last 24 hours and at the moment they were at the peak of a high point. Neither wanted to come down from this spot and why should they. They dealt with death everyday why can't they enjoy this high. The walk back to Castle's loft took 15 minutes and they held each other's hand all the way. They stand outside the foyer doors unsure of what should happen next. Castle asks if she would like to come up and have dinner. She politely declines, he needs to spend this time with his daughter on his own she says. She does how ever tell him that if he needs to talk or he just needs her that he should call her. She says she will be here in a heartbeat. She is unsure how to say goodbye, they are basically standing in the street. There could be paparazzi waiting, watching them and she isn't really for what ever this is to go public. She untangles her fingers from his and lays her hand on his forearm. She looks him in the eye and begins to speak…

He doesn't want to say goodbye like this. He places his other hand on top of the one of hers on his arm. He grabs it gently and pulls her inside and to the right, Out of the way of any prying eyes, she doesn't fight him which shocks him at first. He takes a quick glance around to make sure they have privacy before releasing her hand and snaking his arm round her waist. He pulls her that bit closer and she comes willingly, her hands now resting on the lapels of his jacket. He looks her in the eyes accompanied by a small smile before tilting his head down. She smirks to herself before coming up the short distance to meet him. The meeting of their lips is a gentle affair, the passion still burns there but it has been slowed. His free hand tangles into her soft wavy hair, her left hand caress his stubbly chin. Not long after it had begun it is over. They pull back and each take a ragged breath. She simply says call me later Castle, before giving him a soft peck on the cheek. She untangles herself from him and walks back out the front entrance to hail a cab back to her place. Her fingers now ghost over the place on her lips that he has just left. She gives a quick glance back and finds Castle doing the same action as she is. A cab pulls up ,she opens the door, slips inside and gives the driver her address.

He just stands there for a second as he watches her leave in the cab, he is alone now but not for long. He makes his way to the elevator pushes the button and waits for one to arrive. He feels so much better going back to his loft than he did leaving it last night. He is still unsure of what he should do about the whole father thing. Has his dad just come back to upset him and his family or does his dad really want to get to know his son before he dies. That is something Castle has to figure out mainly for Alexis sake. She may be a mature 17 year old way above her years but he knows that if his father doesn't really mean it about getting to know them that it will break her. He can take a lot but the one thing he will never have is to have his daughter hurting. The elevator dings and he takes it up to his floor. Once inside the loft it is clear that he has beat Alexis home. It appears his mother is also out. He suspects she has gone to her acting school, her own way of dealing with emotional things.

He decides to take a quick shower and change before Alexis returns. As he stands under the hot stream of water he thinks about how the day has gone so far. He woke up with Kate in his arms and then he got to kiss her not once but twice. If he puts aside all the problems with his father sudden appearance today has been a very good day. He hears the front door click open as he dries himself off . Alexis voice can be heard echoing through the loft.

"Dad are you here"

" I won't be a second pumpkin."

He chucks on a pair of boxers a pair of faded dark blue jeans and his favourite green lantern top before heading out into the sitting room area. He has barely made it to the sofa when he feels a pair of arms wrap tightly around his waist. He leans down slightly a places a kiss on top of her hair, he wraps his arms around her shoulders and pulls her closer. She will always be his baby there was no doubt about that. She pulls back slightly her beautiful red hair framing her face and looks up at him.

" How are you dad?"

This makes him chuckle he is suppose to be the adult here, he is supposed to ask her that not the other way round.

" I'm getting there pumpkin, I'm sorry for running out on you yesterday. I just …"

Her head is now leaning on his chest, her words slightly mumbled by his shirt.

"I know Dad you just had to get away, spend sometime taking it all in."

This makes him smile, she understands him too well.

"Enough about me sweetie, how are you coping?"

"I'm not sure what to think, it has been just you me and gram's for such a long time. Why did he decide that his last few weeks would be a good time to find you. I have a grandpa but he's dying."

He looks down at her takes her chin gently in his hand and tilts it up so he can look her in the eyes. She has tears forming in the corners, and it breaks his heart.

"I don't understand why he decided to come out of the woodwork now either sweetie. Maybe he has realised the mistakes he has made in his life and wants to put them right before he dies. Maybe he is just a selfish man, I really don't know. However what I do know is that if you want to get to know him before he dies that is fine with me. If you don't want anything to do with him that is also okay with me. It's up to you only you know what is the best course of action for you."

She nods against his hand in understanding, the tears have been released from their place of capture and now slowly wind a path down her cheeks. He swipes at them with his thumb.

"What about you Dad, what are you going to do about your Father?"

For a minute he is stumped, he is unsure on what his decision should be. She is looking at him with those watery eyes awaiting his answer. He takes a deep breath and begins to speak.

" I don't know Alexis, On one hand I want to get to know the man, to find out my heritage, my past but on the other I think to myself that I have gone this long with out him in my life, do I really need him now."

The tears are streaming from his eyes too, he takes them towards the couch. He slowly sits them down and Alexis curls into her father's side. They sit there for awhile in a unspoken silence, both of them thinking through things in their head.

Alexis is the first to break the silence, he left you his number if you want to talk to him she says. He just nods not giving a definite answer if will he require the number or not. He brushes away his tears with the back of his sleeve. He glances at his watch and discovers that it is now 6.30 pm time for dinner. He decides that tonight they will have takeaway pizza.

"I'm going to order some pizza, you want the normal?"

"Yes sounds good to me. I meant to ask earlier how is Detective Beckett?"

A big grin forms on his face unknowingly at the thought of his day spend with Kate. She picks up on this but withholds the questioning for the moment, maybe he will reveal anyway. He stands up and picks up the phone from the holder on the side table. He dials the number for the pizza delivery and waits.

"She is very good thank you, we spent the morning/afternoon walking around Central park it was nice."

"And?"

He orders a thin crust pizza with pepperoni, olives and extra cheese before hanging up the phone.

"What do you mean by and?"

"Every time you think about her tonight you get a big massive smile on your face and a twinkle in your eye. What else happened?"

He goes bright red, he had know idea he was doing that let alone, realising Alexis could pick up on it. He doesn't know what they are but it won't hurt to tell Alexis. He speaks again but his words come out mumbled, she has a hard time hearing him but by golly does she.

" We may have kissed a couple of times."

"Oh my goodness Dad this is huge. I am so happy for you both."

She runs at him full pelt and knocks him on to the heels of his feet for a second with a air crushing hug. He regains his balance quickly and hugs her back with the same amount of force.

"Can she come over tonight for pizza, if she leaves now she would get here in the time it takes to make it, cook it and deliver it? "

"Alexis calm down take a breath and I will ring and ask her."

A short phone call later and Kate is on her way over and she didn't take that much persuading at all.

A/N Please review, fav and all that jazz because i love it when you do :D