Chapter 7

Kate looks at all the beautiful homes that line the shoreline of the Hamptons as she drives east on route 27. Castle's summer home is actually in Bridgehampton. Passing through Tuckahoe, Alexis is getting more and more excited. She has made this trip hundreds of times. She knows that they are almost there.

Martha could have been bothered less with the fact that they were almost there. She would be putting her son to his final resting place. There was no way on god's green earth she should be doing this before she went first. A mother is not supposed to outlive her child.

"Kate, turn right onto Ocean road," Alexis says excitedly.

Kate turns and they are now heading down a small 2 lane road. They drive for about ¾ of a mile.

"Kate, turn left onto Surfside drive" Alexis states.

Kate does what she is told and the road has now turned to a single lane road covered with sand in places. Kate stares in amazement at the sizes of the homes on the block. The funny thing is that there are only 5 houses that line the beach. The property that separates the houses is so massive there would be no disturbing the neighbors even with a very loud get together.

"Kate slow down a bit…Okay, we're here!" Alexis states.

Kate wheels the car into the driveway. Placing the car in park all she can do is stare at the mansion in front of her. The next thing she hears is Alexis standing at the driver's side door.

"Kate I know that this is a lot to take in. It's just a house." She says.

Kate disagrees by shaking her head.

"This is no way a house," she says to herself as she got out of the car and headed to the trunk.

Gathering their overnight bags from the trunk Kate's hand brushes against Martha's as they both reach for Martha's bag. What Kate feels is a very cold feeling hand. Martha quickly retrieves her hand when they touch.

"It's okay Martha I have it." Kate states.

Retrieving the bags they both turn and head for the front door. Kate has the feeling that this weekend was a very bad idea. Even though Martha puts on a brave face inside she must be hurting very badly.

The staff had done a wonderful job airing out the home. Everything was clean and the refrigerator was stocked with just about anything they wanted to eat. On the counter was a bottle of very expensive red wine with a card attached to it from the staff.

"We are all so very sorry for your loss...love Jeff, Kim, and Sue."

"Alexis, who are these people?" Kate asks as she looks at the bottle's note.

"Kate, they are the people Dad hired to watch and take care of the house when he bought it. They are like a second family to us." Alexis explains.

Kate just stood and stared at everything. Alexis gently nudged her to get her attention.

"I know you think that this is a lot to take. I think a walk around this place is exactly what you need." Alexis says acting as a tour guide.

They leave Martha in the kitchen and start walking through the first floor. Alexis shows Kate the largest room in the house.

"This is basically our comfort room." Alexis states.

Kate takes it all in with the mounted on the wall opposite the fireplace 100" LED flat screen television. Below the TV, there was a mahogany entertainment console with the works. A 50 disc CD player, and all types of media to play just about anything you could dream of. The carpet was wall to wall and oh so very soft. She really wanted to take off her shoes and walk around barefoot just to see how soft it really was.

"Kate, are you ok? I know it seems to be too much. It is not really." Alexis asks pulling Kate out of her musings.

"What did you say Alexis? This place is amazing." Kate stated with much awe.

"Kate this is only just the living room, just wait." Alexis says with a very coy smile on her face.

They ascended the stairs and walked down the hallway. Alexis moved to what looked like the master bedroom. Opening the door the room looked oddly familiar. Then it dawned on her, this bedroom was identical to his bedroom in the loft.

"Dad liked the interior decorator that designed the bedroom in the loft so much he had her duplicate it here." Alexis says.

In the center of the bedroom, there was a king sized bed. On either side, there were oak nightstands. Across from the bed there was a very large armoire she thought it could fit everything in her closet back at her apartment. Kate could picture herself here with him. Her thoughts drifted of them being together then her thoughts moved to the footsteps of little ones entering this room. She missed him and it was starting to take its toll.

Coming back to reality Kate was being pulled by Alexis by the hand

"Come on Kate, the best is yet to be seen." Alexis says eagerly pulling on her hand.

Alexis threw them open the French doors that connected to the bedroom. Kate followed Alexis onto the balcony. The floor was a fine Italian gray marble. Even at night the balcony offered a breathtaking view of the beach and ocean. This home was simply amazing.

"Well, Kate what do you think of this view? Breathtaking Huh…? I love sitting out here to watch the waves. It is a fitting place for Dad's last resting place. Don't you agree?" Alexis says.

"Alexis, this view is beyond beautiful." Kate says still being awestruck.

"Well, I know Dad spent a lot of time here too with his morning coffee. He came out here to watch the sun rise. He did much of his thinking here too of his stories and plots." Alexis states.

"Alexis, I can see how someone can be pulled under the spell of this place." Kate says.

"Well, enough of this walking around. What do you say to a late dinner?" Alexis suggests.

"Alexis, I'd love that only if I can prepare it, though." Kate says.

"Would you mind if I help you?" Alexis asks.

"Great…What do we have to cook?" Kate asks still not moving from the view.

"Kate you just have to look in the refrigerator. Everything is stocked before we arrived here." Alexis nonchalantly says as if it was commonplace to have a fully stocked kitchen.

Leaving the balcony and the bedroom they head to the kitchen. Martha was sitting at the kitchen island with a glass of red wine.

"Martha, are you hungry? I am going to prepare something to eat." Kate says.

"Why yes Katherine, I was just thinking about ordering something from the little restaurant on the beach. They have the best seafood" Martha states.

"Martha, as wonderful as you make that sound I'd love to cook for you and Alexis." Kate says.

"Well, in that case the restaurant will not go away we can do that another day. By all means dear Katherine, Please cook away to your heart's content." Martha states.

Kate walks up to the very large double door Thermador refrigerator/freezer. Opening it, she sees all the items to make what she needs. She takes out everything she needs to prepare what she hopes they will both like. She also notices that the staff went to the extreme when they stocked it with fresh fruits, vegetables, sparkling water, and a case of imported beer.

Kate busies herself with the prep.

"Kate is there anything I can do?" Alexis asks.

"Sure Alexis why don't you slice up these vegetables?" Kate points out on the counter.

"Great Kate I will get right on it." Alexis cheerfully says.

Kate heats up the cast iron skillet then adds butter and olive oil. She carefully watches as it melts slowly. 3 minutes later the butter is sizzling and she adds 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts. Browning them on both sides, she removes the chicken and plates the pieces. Adding lemon juice, chicken stock and capers into the pan she brings the broth to a boil and places the cooked chicken back into the pan. Adding seasoning, she covers the pan and lets it simmer for 5 minutes.

Martha is impressed by Kate's skills in the kitchen by what she sees. Kate looks to be at home in this setting.

"Katherine how long have you been cooking like this?" Martha inquires.

"Well, when my Mom was... what I mean is my Mom had one of these cookbooks. It was handed down to her from her Mother." Kate states on the verge of tears.

Kate hopes that they both missed her slip. Martha decides not to continue with this inquiry due to Kate's emotional state. Kate had other ideas then continued her explanation.

"Martha, what she taught me when I was younger has stuck with me. She would plan a lot of dinner parties for my father's clients. She always had them wanting more of what she cooked. So over time I guess it rubbed off on me." Kate says getting her emotions more under control.

"Katherine I am glad to know this about you. I sense that you miss her immensely." Martha states with much compassion.

"Martha, there are times when I still can't make it through the day without thinking about her. How she would react to who I date, if she was happy with my career path, and believe it or not children." Kate states.

"Katherine this is a normal feeling she will always be a part of you no matter what happens, and do you know how I know this?" Martha asks.

Kate looks to her with a puzzled look. Martha extends her arm and with her index finger touches it to Kate's chest

"She will always be in your heart" The older woman states.

Kate's eyes quickly start to glaze over and a lone tear slides down her cheek. Within seconds, she thinks about her childhood and the times she shared with her Mother. Martha gets up and rounds the island and pulls Kate into a motherly hug. All the frustration and hurt leave Kate's body during this embrace. She sobs quietly and after what seems to be hours she looks up to Martha.

"Thank You, Martha." She says drying her eyes.

"Katherine, no thanks are necessary everyone needs someone to lean on every once and a while." Martha says glad to help someone she had hoped one day to be her daughter in law.

The moment is over and the chicken is just about done. Turning away from each other they see Alexis and notice that she has been weeping quietly also.

"Gram that was such a beautiful moment I feel it too…" Alexis says wiping the tears from her eyes.

Before Alexis can finish her thought both women walks over and draw her into a group hug.

"I really need to finish this dinner if we are going to be able to eat it tonight." Kate quipped breaking the hug then attending to the rest of the dinner.

Martha sets out the plates and silverware, Alexis lights some candles for the mood. Kate removes the chicken from the pan and plates it. Simmering the lemon/butter sauce into a light thick sauce she covers the chicken with the sauce, she adds the vegetables that Alexis had prepared earlier.

Kate walks over to the table with the plates.

"So Katherine what have you made for our culinary delight?" Martha asks.

"This was one of my Mom's favorite dishes. It is chicken piccata" Kate replies.

"Well, it simply looks delicious." Martha praises.

Light conversation went on between the three women. Kate thought seriously about telling them about her news. After thinking about it, she decided that what was happening at the dinner table was too precious to disrupt with the fact that Rick could be alive. Cleaning up after they were finished Kate asked Alexis

"Alexis, I have a question for you." Kate asks.

"What is it Kate?" Alexis asks curiously what the older woman was thinking.

"Alexis what would you do if someone had some news about your father's case." Kate asks.

Alexis looks perplexed

"Kate what do you know?" Alexis asks very concerned.

"Listen pumpkin, what I have to tell you could be nothing until Espo and Ryan get back to me on the supposed evidence we found. I really can't tell you anything until our weekend is over okay? It still needs to be verified." Kate says.

Alexis is torn. She wants Kate to tell her what she might know but, on the other hand, whatever it is could have a negative result for her Grandmother.

"Okay Kate, I can wait until Monday. It is the reading of dad's will that day too. I would love to have good news on that day." Alexis states.

"Alexis I thought you would have had that done already?" Kate asks.

"Well, it is part of dad's will we have to release him before it is read. Besides it is a formality anyway. I have my own money and so does Grams. So we are not in any need." Alexis states.

"So on that note, what are the sleeping arrangements?" Kate asks.

"Well, Kate I thought you would take the master bedroom. Grams and I have our own rooms. It will be empty otherwise." Alexis states.

"Alexis, I couldn't that's your Dad's bedroom." Kate protests.

"Correction Kate, that WAS Dad's bedroom. He is not here anymore. You can and you will end of discussion." Alexis forcefully states.

Walking up the stairs to retire for the night Kate could see that she is quickly being a part of this extended family...and she likes it. Going through the master bath, she spies a huge tub. Feeling a little guilty, she starts the water for a long relaxing bath. Castle does not have any bath oils, but finds an old bottle of Jo Malone red rose bath oil. She wonders where this could have possibly come from and makes a mental note to ask Alexis about it in the morning.

Soaking for about an hour she decides to vacate the cold water she is now sitting in. Drying off she walks out to his armoire. She rummages through its drawers until she giggles to herself. She pulls out one of Rick's Batman t-shirts. She puts it on. Heading to the massive bed, she pulls back the comforter and slips between the sheets. Her thoughts wonder if he is really alive and that's the last thing she contemplates before falling quickly asleep.

While she sleeps, she dreams of what they could have together.

Her dream finds her married to Rick and she is bathing their daughter. He tells her that he wants to make an ice cream run and that he will return shortly. Time moves by and her daughter is now sound asleep waiting for him. He has not returned and it's hours later. She gets worried and just then her cell phone rings.

"Yes this is Kate Castle"

The phone falls from her ear and as it hits the floor, as it does she bolts straight up in the bed and is sweating profusely not quite waking from her now dream turned nightmare.

Alexis awoke to the sound of screaming coming from her Dad's bedroom. She got up and knocked softly on the door. Not hearing an invite to enter, she slowly opens the door and peeks in. What she hears and sees scare her a lot. Kate is sitting straight up in the bed and it seems like she is talking about Rick.

"Noooooo it can't be, please he can't be dead. There has to be some mistake." Kate screams.

Alexis walks cautiously over to the bed and reaches for Kate.

"Kate, please wake up." Alexis says shaking her arm gently hoping it would pull her from her nightmare.

It did not work. Alexis heard Kate scream out again.

"Pleeeeeease someone do something!" Kate screams out in anguish.

Alexis sits on the bed and gently places her hand on Kate's shoulder. Right at that moment Kate's eyes widen and she stops her screaming. Kate comes back to the living and sees Alexis directly in front of her.

"Kate, do you want to talk about it?" Alexis asks.

"Alexis, all I need right now is a loving embrace." Kate says panting.

They both move towards each other feeling like each of them needs this hug. It lasts for a while and before Alexis realizes it Kate has fallen back to sleep on her shoulder. Laying her down back into the bed she stands back to contemplate.

"What has my dad done to her?"

Kate wakes up slowly and has little memory of last night's event. She rolls over to eye the alarm clock. It reads 9:53am. Kate jumps from the bed, throws on her robe and heads down to the kitchen where she finds Alexis and Martha at the kitchen island enjoying a cup of coffee.

"Why didn't you guys wake me up?" Kate asks perplexed.

"Katherine, after last night we felt that you needed to rest a little longer." Martha says taking a sip of her coffee.

Kate looks at the both of them like they're crazy.

"What are the two of you talking about? What event are you talking about did someone try to break in last night without me knowing?" Kate asks visibly disturbed.

Martha and Alexis look at each other in shock.

"Kate, are you for real? You mean to tell me you forgot about your nightmare that had you screaming out at the top of your lungs?" Alexis asks out of total disbelief.

Kate looks at them as some pieces start to come back to her and she suddenly blurts out.

"They killed Rick." Kate exclaims.

"Kate what are you talking about?" Alexis asks as both redheads wanted to know.

She recounts the dream she had to the both of them and when she received the call on her cell she kind of woke up.

"Katherine I think that you are under a lot of pressure, maybe we should just honor Richard and then head back to the city early so you can relax before going back to work on Monday." Martha says.

"I agree with Grams. We should honor Dad and leave." Alexis says.

Moving over to make herself a cup of coffee she knows what Martha said was correct. Re-thinking their plans about the weekend she knows that this is the right decision.

After breakfast, the three women stand facing the Atlantic Ocean. All three women agreed that what should be said should be from the heart. They all talk about him from the heart and standing on the rock jetty each of them takes a turn at letting his ashes disperse into the Atlantic. Taking time to reflect on what they meant to him, each of them turn towards one another and see the tears rolling down each of their cheeks. Walking along the beach in silence they make it back to the house around noon and get ready to leave for the city.