A/N: Although there isn't much of myself in Aris, the one thing I did use is a love for the foster care program. God bless all the foster families in this world. May those who truly have love in their hearts be guided to open their homes to the children in need. And may those who abuse the priviledge and responsibility of foster care burn in a special place in hell. Okay, that was a lil'dark – but it's how I feel. * Awkward... *
Thanks for all your reviews, they really made me happy. Enjoy.
…...
Three months had passed since Aris first came into the Castle family, and Kate had seen her almost once a week. Between "Sunday" dinners, and a few shopping trips and even an evening at the spa, Beckett found herself becoming very comfortable with the familial rituals Aris seemed bent on creating – and including her in. This particular day was no different.
"Hurry up Beckett!" Castle whined at Kate, who just rolled her eyes at him. "We've fallen unacceptably behind!"
"I'm coming!" Kate picked herself up off the bench and tossed the remainder of her ice cream cone away. "I don't like that part anyway," she quipped, falling into step next to her friend.
"Did you see where they went? Monkey or reptile house?" Rick pulled on Kate's arm, hurrying her up.
"We'll find them Castle," Beckett replied patiently. "Just listen for the kids screaming for you." This seemed to reassure the author because he slowed down and grinned at her.
"You're right...they won't want to see anything with out me."
Kate scoffed at his serious comment and wondered again how she got to this place, with him. Last week – at 'Sunday' dinner – Aris asked if anyone wanted to come to the zoo with her the following Saturday. Everyone had been puzzled until she'd explained that she and her husband would get 3 new foster children who were to be with them for at least a month and that she wanted to treat the kids to something fun and frivolous. After hearing there would be children to impress – no one had any objections to an afternoon at the zoo. Eventually, Martha bowed out due to a rehearsal conflict and Kate tried to come up with a worthy excuse, but Castle wouldn't let her out of the excursion. He said he wanted this day to be the most fun for the kids and that Kate would help make that happen. It was a thin argument, but in reality, Kate didn't need much convincing.
Rick had been the most excited about the trip. He'd told everyone at the precinct about it – how he'd meet his latest nieces and nephews and buy them cotton candy and freeze dried ice cream and a stuffed hippo. The whole floor knew about Rick being a "foster uncle" and most of the detectives and officers had seen the pictures Castle now kept in his wallet of the 3 kids that stayed with Cal and Aris when he'd first met his sister.
"It's a big deal, being a foster uncle," Rick intoned to anyone who would listen. "I have an impact on a larger amount of kids." No one bothered to tell him that it was actually his sister and her husband who had the impact – no one said anything because he was just so darn excited. And really, since he was full of such happy energy, Rick probably felt like a good vitamin shot to a down-trodden kid.
Now that they were actually at the park, Kate couldn't help but be grateful for her partner's joyful spirit. She'd felt a little apprehensive over a day with small children – not that she didn't like kids, she just didn't have much experience with them. But with gleeful "Uncle Rick" running around with anyone who wanted attention, Kate didn't have to do anything but smile and laugh at the antics.
"Uncle Riiiiick!" A juvenile voice floated over the crowded walkway. Castle perked up and finally saw one of the little boys sitting on top of Cal's shoulders, waving his arms wildly. "We're going to the penguins! Hurry up!"
Castle grinned at Kate. "Did you hear? We're going to the penguins!" And he dragged her after him through the crowd.
...
"Phew!" Alexis leaned back in the taxi, resting her head on her dad's shoulder. "That was quite the afternoon!"
"Yes it was," Kate agreed, resting her head against the window.
"Are all kids that grumpy?" the teen asked, not unkindly.
"Sometimes," her dad poked her. "But I think they were just tired, and slowing down made them remember that they weren't with their dad." Toward the end of the outing, the oldest boy started acting out and being belligerent. Soft words of discipline brought on an argument where he railed against Cal, shouting that he wasn't his real dad. The two younger children were both scared at their brother's tantrum and had started to cry as well.
Aris had just smiled sadly and said, "Well, I guess that finishes this day." Putting the baby in Kate's arms, the toddler in Alexis' and taking the 5 year old with her, Aris guided the ladies back to the car, leaving Cal and Rick to follow with the stroller and toys. After giving everyone hugs and handshakes, she and her husband quietly bundled everything into their Ford Focus and with soothing words to the tired and scared children in the back seat, headed back to New Jersey.
"It's so sad," Alexis whispered, remembering how upset the little boys got.
No one answered her, for they all agreed. Finally Kate thought of something and roused herself to share it. "Think of this though, Alexis," she said. "When that little boy grows up, he won't just have sad memories of this time. He'll be able to remember running and laughing at the zoo with Uncle Rick and cousin Alexis."
"And Aunt Kate," the teen offered with a contented smile, which faded after a moment. "But what do you say to kids like that? How do you help them not miss their mom and dad? How does Aris do it?"
"She loves 'em while she has them, I guess," Kate replied.
"With all her heart," Rick added. "That way, they will have at least been in one family that loved them. That they can hold on to."