What is she doing?
She has no idea.
Well she does really. She knows exactly what she's doing.
She's on her way to Castle's loft to pick him up and take him to her estranged ex-drug dealer turned accountant and father brother's daughter's (her niece's!) birthday party! She definitely knows what she's doing right now; she just has no idea why she's doing it.
She had decided after the meeting with Andrew that she would go alone. Sure it would be awkward and she'd probably just want to find a quiet corner and hide in it but she was going to her niece's party, a niece she'd only found out she had the other day, born from her brother's drug dealing profession. Yeah this story was crazy enough without adding Castle to the mix.
But then yesterday he'd asked her if everything was okay and opened a whole can of worms…
"I'm fine Castle." She smiles, hoping it looks convincing because in reality she is anything but fine. There's nothing for him to worry about anyway, there's nothing actually wrong she's just simply out of her mind nervous about tomorrow.
"Are you sure?" He says interrogatively.
She breathes a heavy sigh. She should tell him right? They are partners and he did persuade her into doing it in the first place. Besides, she already told him the rest.
"I called Andrew." She busies herself sorting some pieces of paper that were already in the right order attempting to make it sound as nonchalant as possible.
"Oh." He seems shocked that she had actually listened to his advice and gone through with getting in contact with her brother. "What happened?"
"We met for coffee." She's still fiddling with random papers, looking anywhere but his eyes.
He gently takes the papers out of her hands and sets them down on the desk. She looks over at him bemusedly but at least she's finally meeting his gaze, he thinks.
"Kate. What happened?" He says it more forcibly this time not allowing her to look away or pass this off as nothing.
So she tells him everything. About Mark, the drug dealing, Canada, Amy and the baby. Everything, from start to finish.
"Wow." He breathes afterwards, eyes wide.
"Yep."
"That's worthy of one of my novels."
"Yeah, almost a work of fiction."
Rick raises his eyebrow at that. "You don't believe him?"
Kate exhales slowly "I do. Andrew was never a good liar and I could just see the true pain in his eyes. It's more like I don't want to believe it. I mean Andrew was as straight as they came when the law was concerned, I just can't even see it. A drug dealer? What the hell? I arrest people for stuff like that, I could've arrested him! How did this even happen?"
"Life can be crazy. Some people lose someone close to them and become drug dealers, some others detectives." He smiles softly after the last bit and she can't help but reciprocate.
"So are you going?"
"Going?"
"To the party?"
"Oh I think so; I mean I want to meet her, Emma. I want to meet my niece of course. I'm just not…"
"Ready to forgive him and play happy families yet?"
"Yes." She forgets sometimes, just how much he really knows her. "What would you do?"
"Well you said that you made it pretty clear he wasn't near forgiven yet right?"
She nods in agreement.
"Well then go, you don't have to act like nothing has happened or anything just go and be your usual civil and polite self, meet your niece and have some fun. You do know the meaning of that word right?" He chuckles.
She play glares at him but can't help the small smile that escapes.
"I just think it'll be so awkward, me, him and all these kids. I just don't know if it'll just become…too much for me."
"Well he said you could bring someone right?"
She doesn't like where this is going.
"Yeah…" She says hesitantly.
"So take me."
"What?" Kate splutters.
"I love kids and with Alexis as evidence I believe I'm rather good with them so could help out and fill any awkward moments between you and Andrew."
Kate's not sure what to say but figures she should say something soon instead of just sitting there gaping at him.
"Umm…"
"Or not, you know. It was just a suggestion. I mean that's what partners are for right?"
"No, no. I mean yes. I mean…" She groans at her lack of articulation, taking a breath before continuing "What I mean is thank you, it would be a great help, but really don't feel obliged to if you have plans or something."
She couldn't believe she'd just said yes and what was Andrew going to say? He'd so called this.
Please say you have plans Castle. Please say you have plans!
"No, no plans."
Damn it. This is a disaster. It's terrible. A complete catastrophe! Then why is she smiling?
A car horn knocks her back into reality and she looks back to see a growing line of traffic behind her.
"Shit." She quickly steps on the gas continuing on her journey to Castle's loft.
"Where are you off to Richard?" Martha asks as she sees her son fiddling his hair in the mirror, a particular nervous trait of his. He wanted to look good today, the only question was why.
"Just helping Beckett out with something."
Martha raises an eyebrow at him inquisitively. "It's Saturday and I believe her day off so not a murder, especially wearing that suit and playing with your hair. So what are you 'helping' her out with Richard?"
"Is the accusing tone really necessary mother?"
She just gives him an impatient look that tells him not to mess with her because their jokes aside she's still his mother and he's just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar and better start explaining.
"I'm just going with her to her niece's birthday party, okay? No biggie."
"Beckett has a niece?"
Thank God that's the part his mother focuses on first.
"It's relatively new, Beckett's estranged brother turned up out of the blue earlier this week after fifteen years away and you don't want to hear the whole story but basically he has a daughter and Kate's going to meet her and try to restart some kind of relationship with her brother."
"Kate huh?" She chuckled but carries on before he can say anything "So why are you going Richard?"
"Because I'm her partner, we have each other's backs and I'm going to fill the awkward silences and help out with the kids, you know? If there's one thing I didn't screw up in my life it was taking care of Alexis when she was younger and I chaperoned quite a few of her birthday parties whereas K-Beckett and Andrew aren't so prepared for children on full on sugar rushes. So-"
His speech is interrupted by a knock at the door. He looks like he wants to finish his explanation but his mother quickly shushes him.
"Whatever you say Richard, just answer the door before the poor women leaves. What have I always taught you? Never leave a lady waiting."
"Yes Mother." He calls already making his way towards the door.
When Kate arrived she kept trying to turn around, call him and cancel but with every step she took, no matter how nervous she was, she just couldn't. It was when she got to his door though that all the work that those steps had done fell through.
It took her a whole five minutes to quit pacing and knock on the door.
'I could just go right now, without him. Say that the offer was kind but not necessary and I'd rather do this on my own, like I always do everything. Well that is, until Castle came along…' She had thought before quickly knocking on the door before she could stop herself because as much as she doesn't want to admit it, she really doesn't want to do this on her own this time.
He didn't answer as quickly as usual and she had to stop herself several times from turning around and just leaving.
But then he'd answered the door…
"Hey Kate, you look great."
She's wearing casual top and jeans that compared to her, admittedly sexy as hell, work clothes make her seem warmer. It's almost like, right now, he is seeing Kate not Detective Beckett.
She on the other hand falters slightly at the use of her first name before realising he'd been calling her Kate a lot recently, but she had been telling him some of her deepest secrets and was now taking him to her niece's birthday. So she guesses they've passed the first name basis by now. She then blushes at his complement mumbling a quiet thankyou. She had just thrown on her favourite jeans and a random top, put on only slightly more makeup than she would for work and let the natural curls of her hair flow free.
"You too." She adds taking in his nice suit she assumes he reserves for outside of the precinct where there's no threat of a suspect chase or anything else ruining it and his slightly more styled than usual hair that she just wants to run her fingers through and play with.
Wait what? 'Run her fingers through and play with'? Where the hell had that come from? Sure Castle had okay (awesome) hair, as a woman she could admit that without it meaning anything right? It was a simple fact, so much so that maybe a woman, like any woman, would like to run their fingers through it quickly to you know test the thickness and lusciousness or whatever, like an experiment. Yes, the whole thing was for scientific discovery, that's exactly it… and she always had loved…science.
Shit. He's been talking to her and she's been too busy staring at his hair to realise but now he's looking at her expectantly and she doesn't know what to say.
"Huh?" She asks instead.
"I asked you if you wanted to come in for a moment while a grab my coat and stuff."
Then he's walking back into the apartment not bothering to wait for a reply and all she can do is follow, closing the door behind her and sitting down on the couch closest to the door while he disappears, she assumes into his bedroom, to grab his belongings.
"Kate darling!" Kate startles at the sudden noise emanating from the stairs behind her.
"Martha hi." Kate replies at a considerably lower volume.
"Richard told me you were going to your young niece's birthday party, are you sure you can handle a bunch of three and four year olds on sugar rush?" Martha giggles.
"Well I deal with Castle on a daily basis I'm sure the kids will be a piece of cake compared."
Martha barks out a deep laugh and Kate joins in enjoying the older woman's company.
"What'll be a piece of cake?" Both women's heads whip around to see Castle has re-entered the room.
"Nothing." They both speak quickly before laughing again at themselves.
Castle simply stares at them confused and suspicious before a smile graces his features at how well Kate and his mother seem to be getting along, how well they always do. Mothers were supposed to hate the girlfriend. Not that Beckett was anything like his girlfriend or ever would be. They were partners, best friends and nothing else and right now she needed him as, and only as, her partner and best friend so that's what he was going to be. He had to get silly thoughts like that out of his head right now.
"Ready to go?" Kate asks when the laughter dies down.
"Yep. We won't be too long Mother, try not to wreck the apartment while I'm gone." He says teasingly.
"Really Richard is there no trust?" She asks feigning offence.
"Of course there is. I trust completely in your ability to destroy our home."
"Ha ha. Very funny Richard. Now haven't you got a birthday party to go to?"
Kate had been, up to this point, watching the unconventional interaction between mother and son affectionately. Some would look on and think the two weren't very close or didn't get along that well but she knew the teasing was just their weird way of showing each other they cared and she found it extremely endearing. But Martha mentioning the party brings Kate back on track again.
"Yeah the drives not too far but I said we'd be there by two." Kate says whilst looking at her watch to sees that it's almost ten to two already.
"Right, goodbye Mother." He says kissing her cheek and heading towards the door.
"Bye Martha." Kate calls over her shoulder while following Castle and smiling kindly at him when he opens the door and waits for her to exit first.
They drive in relative silence until he catches a glimpse of something pink on one of the back seats, a gift bag. He reaches for it and puts it in his lap.
"Oh I got her a gift; it's just a simple cuddly toy. Do you think she'll like it?" She looks so nervous, he thinks it's cute.
He looks inside the bag before pulling out a small yellow bunny rabbit. It's soft and by the look of the stitches, hand stitched. It's not some manufactured piece of junk but something a child would actually enjoy hugging.
"I know it's not much but I didn't know what she did or didn't like and thought doesn't every little kid have at least one cuddly toy in their life? So I just-"
"It's perfect Kate." He cuts off her anxious ranting "just perfect."
"You think?" She asks tentatively.
He nods with confidence and is happy to see hers grow a little with it.
"Sorry, I guess I'm just a little nervous."
Castle can't help but chuckle. "A little?"
Kate lets out her own laugh before becoming serious again. "I mean what if she doesn't like me because I haven't been around at all so far in her life? What if she doesn't even want me there? Do I stay and try to make it work or leave her be? What if-"
"What if Kate has a nervous breakdown whilst driving to a children's birthday party and crashes the car, killing the both of us over 'what ifs'."
She sighs deeply "I just don't want to mess it up."
"You won't. And even if, by the smallest chance, you do I'll be right there helping you fix it, I've got your back today as always."
She smiles genuinely at him, visibly relaxing at his words and apparently just in time as they arrive at Andrew's apartment building.
"Ready?" He asks her encouragingly.
"Ready as I'll ever be."
They both get out of the car and head into the building. He stands closer to her than usual in the elevator to remind her again that he's there for her today and he thinks she gets the message as she leans against him slightly. Because partners can stand in each other's personal space and lean on each other without it being weird, right? Because that's all they are and all they'll ever be. Partners.
When they get to the correct floor they don't really need to check the door number as the big pink 'Birthday Girl' banner and sound of children's shrieks is indication enough to the correct apartment. She knocks firmly and quite loudly ensuring it is heard above the children and is greeted with the sight of Andrew sporting a load of pink hair bands and clips in his hair, glitter all over his face and lipstick that has obviously been applied by one of the kids covering just about everywhere but his actual lips. Kate and Rick struggle to hold back their laughter at the sight.
"Well this takes me back."
"Hey I was a good brother letting you do this to me, even after you told just about the whole school."
Kate has to laugh at that. "Yeah well I was very proud of my makeovers on you,"
"You played makeover? That is such an anti-Kate Beckett thing to do." Castle blurts out in surprise.
"Hey, I was a little girl once you know. I didn't dream of solving murders all my life."
Andrew laughs still not quite believing that his little sister Katie hunts killers for a living.
"Well come in, Emma has been dying to meet you. Ever since I told her you were coming, it's all been when is Aunt Katie coming? Do you think Aunt Katie will like my dress? Etc. etc. She's a bit nervous to meet you."
Rick almost laughs at the parallel situations but his happiness at seeing Kate almost light up with joy at the fact that the little girl is excited to meet her overpowers the humour of the situation.
Little girls run around the nicely furnished yet homely living room in a rush of pink and glitter.
"Emma!" Andrew shouts out before Rick sees one little girl dressed in a pink princess costume with matching tiara come up behind Andrew hiding behind one of his legs.
"Emma this is your Aunty Kate, she's really excited to meet you, you wanna say hi?" He says softly, coaxing the shy girl out from behind him.
The girl hugs her father's leg tightly but looks up at Kate before reach out a hesitant hand. "It's nice to meet you Aunt Kate." The words come out quiet and Rick thinks he's never heard something so polite, especially coming from a four year old excited on her birthday. Then he notices the striking resemblance to Kate, she's exactly like a younger version of her. Rick makes a mental note to ask Andrew for a picture of Kate as a child at some point just to test his theory.
Kate smiles softly and gently shakes the offered hand. "It's nice to meet you too Emma."
Then Emma turns towards her father putting a hand over her mouth and tries to whisper but apparently she hasn't mastered the skill yet as they all hear her loud and clear.
"Daddy you said she was pretty but you didn't say she was a pwincess!"
Andrew and Rick laugh while both Kate and Emma blush, Kate at the compliment and Emma at having been heard.
Andrew picks Emma up and kisses her cheek. "Well I did say she looked like you my little princess."
Kate has to hold back tears at the sight. Her big brother, her Andrew, is a dad, and a really good one. She's never felt so proud.
"Did you do your own makeup Katie?" Emma asks a bit more confidently this time.
"Yes, in fact I did Emma, do you like it?"
"Yeah, you look really pretty Aunt Kate."
Kate smiles "Thank you Emma, you look really pretty too."
Emma smiles wildly at her words. "Thankyou Aunt Katie, I'm supposed to be a pwincess but Daddy can't do the makeup right." Emma huffs. "No o- of- o-, what's the word Daddy?"
"Offense?"
"That's it!" Emma squeals enthusiastically "No offense Daddy."
Andrew chuckles "None taken sweetie."
"Could you do it?" Emma asks sweetly. "Pweeeease Aunty Kate."
Kate looks at Andrew questioningly while he just shrugs and smiles at her.
"Okay Emma, just a little bit yeah?"
"Yay!" Emma squeals practically jumping out of her father's arms onto the floor taking Kate's hand and pulling her towards the couch area where Kate sees a bundle of makeup spread across the coffee table. "Thankyou! Thankyou! Thankyou!"
Soon a big crowd surrounds them as all the little girls want to become princesses.
"Okay, okay! One princess at a time!" Kate chuckles to the girls whilst applying a little bit of glitter eye shadow to Emma's eyes and some pink lip gloss to her lips, readjusting her tiara slightly as it's been knocked off centre slightly by all the excitement of the party. Then she gets a big brush and puts a little glitter on it before patting Emma's nose and cheeks with it then whispering in her ear "You know what this is Emma?" When she receives a simple head shake she continues. "This is special princess glitter only for special birthday princesses so only you're gonna get some today." Emma practically squeaks with excitement before launching herself at Kate hugging her tightly taking Kate aback slightly until she squeezes the little girl back before she takes off into the kitchen where Andrew and Rick are drinking coffee, Andrew obviously relieved to have a break from chaperoning for a little while.
"Look Daddy! Aunt Katie did my makeup, now I look like a real pwincess just like her!"
Andrew chuckles "You look beautiful sweetie."
Emma just smiles wider before leaning in closer to Rick and Andrew keeping her voice low. "She put on the special birthday princess glitter but don't tell anyone! No one else can have it because they're not birthday princesses today!" Both men fight to keep a straight face at he complete seriousness.
"We won't tell a soul princess."
"Pinkie promise?" She asks putting up her little finger.
Andrew links it with his "Pink promise."
"You too Mr… Uh…"
"I'm Rick sweetie, Aunty Kate's friend and I wont tell anyone either." He says also linking pinkies with her.
"Good! It's nice to meet you Rick."
Then she's off back into the living room again. "Ellie would look nice with blue eyes Aunt Katie!" She yells before sitting next to Kate handing her things and advising her on what makeup to put on whom.
"She's good with them." Rick says happily.
"Yeah, she always has been. We had some little cousins when Kate was mid-teens and she'd go over there all the time to play with them, even cancel big plans with friends to babysit. She loved it and they loved her. Anytime I tried to pick one of them up it'd be all 'we want Katie!' Being rejected by a five year old doesn't give you the greatest feeling."
Rick laughs and looks over at Kate again to see her tickling Emma's side making the girl giggle loudly.
"She even convinced herself she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher at one point before she realised she loved law so much but she always said she wanted kids. She even went through this dramatic phase at fifteen when she said if she found out she couldn't have kids she's kill herself, that not having children would make her life not worth living. A few months later she laughed at herself saying she'd gone a bit OTT about the whole thing but to a certain degree I think she was kind of serious. That's why I was surprised to find she hadn't settled down and had some yet. But I guess I was surprised to find her putting killers behind bars as a detective instead of a lawyer, you know." Andrew huffs a sad breath. "Things change, I missed a lot, screwed up a lot. I don't know if she's told you but-"
"She's told me." Rick confirms.
"You think she'll ever forgive me?"
"Maybe." Rick answers honestly. "She may be tough sometimes and if you hurt her really badly, like I think you did, it'll take a lot for her to forgive you but I think hearing your story has helped and if you don't push her and just let her forgive in her own time you may have a chance. Man I've screwed up quite a few times and she's let me back plus Emma, I can see Kate has already fallen in love with that little cutie, so she'll never be able to block you out now with her around." Rick jokes.
"I hope so. Life's not been the same without her around, even this new kickass Detective her and I'm pretty sure Emma's feeling the same way about her anyway, this is gonna be like our cousins all over again! I can't handle that kind of rejection from my own daughter!"
Rick chuckles clasping a supportive hand on his back.
Once all of the princesses had had their makeup done Andrew had started getting them to play some 'princess party games' like princess pass the parcel and princess pin the tail on the donkey. Kate had had to restrain Rick from joining in although was extremely quick to offer him up when the girls had wanted to do another princess makeover of their own. He seemed happy to though, making the girls giggle the whole way through and Kate got flashes of what she thought he must have been like with Alexis growing up.
Afterwards she had laughed so hard her eyes had gotten teary before saying he looked beautiful and bursting into another fit of laughter only to be interrupted by Emma calling out to her father.
"Is it time for cake yet Daddy?" Her eyes are almost sparkling with anticipation for the sugary treat. Andrew looks at his watch and sees that parents should actually be arriving in not too long so now would be a good time to bring out her overpriced, but definitely worth it for that smile on her face, princess cake.
"Yeah, let me just set it up. You wanna go gather everyone sweetie?"
"Okay Daddy!" Then she's rushing back out of the room and it's not long before the adults hear her ordering everyone to gather around for the cake.
They all share a laugh.
"She really is like you Kate. The spitting image and bossy."
Andrew laughs while Kate elbows Rick in the side.
"Funny Castle."
"Nice cake." Rick comments as Andrew begins sticking the candles in the multilayered pink princess cake complete with palace and horses.
"Yeah well it caught Emma's eye on a shopping trip and you should have seen the look on her face, I practically had to drag her away from the shop window."
Rick and Kate chortle before entering the living room first while Andrew lights the four candles and turns out the light. Kate sees that Emma has left a space next to her on the couch and goes to take it when she feels Emma tug on her sleeve.
"Aunt Katie, can I sit on you lap then Rick can sit next to us and we'll all have room. Daddy's always scared I'll put my hair in the candles and you can stop it this time. Pweeeease."
Well how could Kate say no to that?
So she lifts up the small girl whilst shuffling over and deposits her in her lap, allowing Rick to sit down next to them.
As soon as they're comfortable Andrew enters with the cake and everyone begins singing/shouting happy birthday. Emma giggles when the cake is right in front of her and Kate starts whispering in her ear.
"So when you blow the candles out Emma you've got to think of a wish, and make it a really good one, because sometimes birthday wishes really do come true."
Emma turns to look at her saying "I wanna wish for-"
"Shhhh silly!" Kate laughs, "You can't tell me, now or ever, or it might not come true!"
"Oh!" Emma says in all serious before closing her eyes and blowing out all four candles in one as a camera flashes, temporarily confusing Kate until she realises Andrew gave Rick the cake to hold still and grabbed his camera quickly, wanting to capture his baby girl's first birthday wish.
After that Kate and Rick mainly help Andrew make the party bags and cut the cake into pieces to put in them then watch as Emma says goodbye individually to all her friends. Who knew a four year old could have such a social life? A few parents come and talk to Kate and she introduces herself and accepts all the kind words about how amazingly kind and polite her niece is and she cant help but agree and feel a little bit more proud every time.
When everyone is gone they help clean up, despite Andrew's protests, and they're just about to leave when Kate remembers something.
"Wait here." She tells them heading towards the kitchen where she'd left the gift bag when they'd first arrived.
"Here you go Emma, happy birthday." Emma squeals and hugs Kate's legs despite her growing tiredness whilst Andrew gives her a look that says 'you didn't have to'.
"Thankyou Aunt Kate." Emma says taking the bag and pulling out the stuffed toy.
"Daddy look! It's a bunny rabbit just like the one we saw at the pet store but even cuter and softer!" Emma pulls the teddy bear towards her chest. "It's so cuddly! I'll call you… Benjamin!"
"Benjamin eh?" Kate smiles at her, obviously pleased with the child's reaction.
" Yeah! Benjamin the bunny rabbit! Thankyou Aunt Katie!"
"That's okay sweetie, you just take good care of Benjamin for me and make sure you give him lots of cuddles. Benjamin loves cuddles."
"So do… I!" Emma squeals in childlike wonder, although she is interrupted by a yawn half way through showing truly how the day really has worn the girl out.
"Okay time to say goodbye Emma before you fall asleep on us."
"Okay Daddy." She reaches her arms up at Kate signalling that she wants to be lifted then kisses Kate's cheek before putting her small arms around her neck in a tight hug.
"Bye Aunt Katie." She whispers against her neck and Kate takes a moment longer to enjoy the embrace before she feels Emma let go and lean towards Rick and kissing his cheek.
"It was a pl- ple- pleasure?" She looks to Andrew for confirmation of the word and smiles as he nods proudly. "It was a pleasure to meet you Rick, thankyou for letting us give you a makeover."
Rick chuckles "That's quite alright, I had fun."
Then Kate puts her down on the ground and follows Andrew to the kitchen as he insists they should take some cake back with them since there is plenty left over.
"Thankyou for coming today Kate. She was really looking forward to meeting you and she looked like she had a lot of fun." He says wrapping up some cake, smiling at her gratefully.
"I had a lot of fun too; she's a lovely girl Andrew. You've raised her well."
"Thank you." Andrew says sincerely leaning in for a quick hug, incredibly relieved when she hugs him back. It's a short, quick hug but he doesn't mind too much. 'Baby-steps.' He just keeps thinking 'baby-steps'.
"And thankyou for coming also Rick, it was great seeing you again. Hopefully we'll be seeing each other more often." He ends with a slightly teasing tone, his eyes flicking quickly towards Kate then back at Rick and Kate has to stop herself stamping forcefully on his foot.
"Me too Andrew." Rick answers shaking the man's hand.
They walk into the living room and Andrew goes to call out for Emma when Kate shushes him.
"Look..." She whispers pointing towards the sofa where Emma is curled up, Benjamin tucked protectively under her chin. She looks so peaceful…so adorable.
Andrew chuckles quietly. "That bunny really must work; she doesn't usually drop off like that even after a busy day."
"I'm glad, I would have got her more but I had no idea-"
"Kate. It's great really and she loves it, although I think you coming was probably the best gift you could have given her today. We'll have to arrange something for next week; you can take her shopping or something if you like. Apparently I have 'terrible fashion taste'." Andrew moans jokily.
"Sure I'd love that."
Andrew walks them to the door and watches, waving, until the elevator doors close. He then re-enters his apartment, gently lifts Emma up and puts her to bed.
As Kate drives Rick home they mainly speak of the weather and how they hope they won't catch a case tonight and can just get a long night's sleep (who knew a four year olds' party could take so much out of you?).
But when they park up and Rick goes to leave with a quick 'goodbye' Kate finds herself reaching out to stop him.
"Thankyou." She says quickly, slightly out of breath.
"Oh it was fun, brought back memories of Alexis at that age. You don't have to thank me at all."
"Well I am thankful, and I don't just mean for coming to the party and letting the kids mess you up. I mean have you looked in a mirror Castle?" Kate pauses to giggle. "Not just for that but for everything since Andrew reappeared, if you hadn't persuaded me to call him I may have never even met Emma. I mean she's beautiful and just perfect!"
Rick smiles at her with a knowing look.
"What?"
"Nothing just it's nice to see you like this. It's a change from the tough as boots Detective Beckett, although she can be pretty awesome too. It's still… I don't know…nice I guess." He smiles sheepishly while she rolls her eyes.
"Well don't go getting used to it, Detective Beckett is right back again tomorrow, I'll call you if a body drops and don't you dare tell the boys about this, their teasing will be endless. I'm still yet to tell Lanie." She groans.
"Haha, well good luck with that Detective." He says getting out of the car. "Until next time."
Then he's disappeared back into his apartment leaving Kate with mixed feelings about the whole day.
You see…
She has a problem.
He was great with the kids, talked to Andrew a lot and made her laugh countless times. She was glad she'd taken him. The problem wasn't in taking him and having a good time. Not at all.
The problem was that she's almost had too good a time. It'd felt too natural letting Castle into her newly reforming family, playing together with the kids and reprimanding him for his sillier moments.
But she has too much going on in her life right now with Andrew and Emma to wonder about what was going on with her and Castle.
Then she realises something. She still has to tell her Dad.
Again sorry for the long wait I have had no free time and when I've had even the shortest moment I was updating my other story which I'm proud to have uploaded weekly. So to cope with the wait maybe you could read that ;)
And as apology for the wait I made this extra long as you may notice.
But where do I go from here? Any ideas?
Review please! They are so appreciated so thankyou to previous reviewers and alerters, I really do listen and take them into serious consideration.
xxx