Chapter 2 Beckett's news/Phone calls

2.1

Castle thought of a line that every author feels when looking at a blank page.

It is hard to begin.

Because today was a blank page, no words had been uttered about what had happened last night, they had come together after an emotional couple of days, YEARS in fact and it was time to have the conversation about what comes next.

However an insidious voice whispered to Castle that maybe it had just been all a dream. Castle's response – Let's go see.

Becket was smiling, which was a good sign, her eyes of course said much more. She was happy and that was what Castle had always wanted for her. A small part of him wanted to take credit for this, but he quickly pushed it away.

"Good Morning Castle, thought the smell of bacon and eggs would wake you up, coffee is brewing too"
"Why Detective Beckett, you only know me too well, I hope you slept well"

Castle noticed a stiffening of Beckett's posture but let it go. They needed to talk but right now he wanted Beckett to concentrate on getting breakfast ready.

With both plates filled to the max, Castle shovelled one mouthful of eggs when Beckett said in a small voice

"I'm not a Detective anymore, I quit the 12th"

Castle slowly chewed, thinking over the statement, Beckett watched him. It was strange for her to be apprehensive about what other people thought when she made a decision about her life. Nothing like a near death experience to have your priorities change she thought wryly.

"This happened last night? Before you...came over?" Castle tried to keep his voice as calm as possible. But inside he was roaring with emotion. The woman he loved had decided it was time to move forward. Basically she had decided to embrace the future they could have and leave the past behind.

"As long as you're happy Kate, that's all that matters to me. Maybe it's a good time for you to take a break from running after bad guys. "

Beckett's smile was all the answer he needed. He knew she would get bored sooner or later and there was still the spectre of the man who shot her still on the loose. However a smiling and happy Katherine Beckett was enough for now.

"Well I'm going to go clean up, don't eat all the food Castle" Beckett said, as she wandered over to the bathroom.

Castle was still musing the recent turn of events, when he heard the front door opening. Eyes wide with panic, he remembered Alexis was due back today. He quickly made his way to the door. She looked a little worst for wear after her graduation night. He thought back to his own highschool graduation night and... that was a story he would never tell Alexis.

"Alexis!"

She winced when she heard him and Castle was glad. She had always been the strong one, the no nonsense young woman who always walked the sensible path and to see her hair uncombed and bleary eyed, Castle could see Alexis could be responsible enough to have fun, and come home alive.

"Hi Dad, can you just turn the volume down a bit? Had a bit of a late night"

"Of course honey, we-I'm just having breakfast if your stomach is up for it"

Beckett heard Castle talking to someone, Alexis probably. She looked at herself in the bathroom mirror. She saw a pretty woman, with world weary eyes. A strong willed stubborn woman, who sometimes was unable to express how she felt. She was more of an action speak louder than words kind of person.

And now she had to make a decision. She wanted Richard Castle in her life, permanently and that meant being part of his family. She smiled at the word.

Family

Her family sadly only numbered her Father. Alexis needed to know that there would now be another woman in her Dad's life.

Beckett brushed her hair and tried to look respectable and was hoping her clothes weren't too damp

"No it's alright dad, I'm just tired, I feel like going to sleep for 10 hours, I was going to crash at a friends house, but I thought I'd better get home"

"I'll talk to you later okay?"

And with that a bleary eyed Alexis shuffled over to her bedroom and closed the door. She didn't even see a smiling Beckett

"Big night?"

"Yeah, but she got home alive and that all that matters. Just like you're alive and I'm with you" with that statement he gave Beckett a lingering kiss.

"I was going to say hi to Alexis, I think she needs to know that her Dad is seeing someone"

"All in good time Beckett, but for now why don't you have some breakfast, I have to give Martha a call or I'll never hear the end of it"

He gave Beckett another quick kiss and started dialling.

Castle dialling reminded her to check her phone and saw there were missed calls namely from Lainie and to her surprise from the precinct, 5 to be exact.

Paperwork she thought, where would the world be if there were no paperwork to go through before starting or ending something.

But for now, what was most important was to call her best friend and tell her what was going on.

"Hello Martha, how's life in the Hamptons? Yes, everything's fine, Alexis came home, a little less for wear but still beautiful as ever. She didn't even look excited about packing for college yet. Oh won't be doing much today, maybe some writing, help Alexis pack. I'll see you tonight okay?"

Castle hung up with a smile, he wondered what Martha would say when she found out about this new turn of events.

"...no Lainie I have not lost my mind, I just made a decision, THE decision to leave, I know I know, we'll talk okay? Where am I? I'm...how could you possibly know that! Look I think it's better if we see each other okay. I need to see my best friend, I promise, today 12pm okay...at the Old Haunt? I'll see you then"

Beckett shook her head in amazement, Lainie had gone to Beckett's place after her repeated calls went to voicemail. And just like that Lanie immediately asked if she was at Castle's. Perhaps Lainie was in the wrong field. She could sniff out a clue about Beckett's personal love life life just by listening to her over the phone.

She listened to other messages, a couple from Ryan but what surprised her the most was the message left by Gates.

"Detective Beckett, we need to talk...in person. Please come see me, there are still procedures in place when a Detective decides to leave the 12th precinct"

Again Beckett shook her head and laughed. Yes, paperwork, how she would miss that part of the job.

A/N Very tough chapter to write, probably could have sped it up a bit, but there were several sliding door plot lines to look at. How would Castle react to Beckett quitting? Do they keep their relationship a secret from Castle's family? Is Beckett strong and secure enough to be under scrutiny by Castle's daughter as perhaps a future Step Mother? I have been advised the chapters have been too short, so I hope this is longer. Still getting used to the publishing tools : ) See you in the next chapter.