"I still can't believe I agreed to this," Kate said as she paced, well waddled (she was willing to admit that to herself, but no one else), around the loft.
"You'll be fine," Rick said, soothingly, "you've seen me do this so many times."
"Right, but you're used to this, you were prepped for this, you chose this as part of your career." She countered, she knew it wasn't logical, but she was very nervous about their interview the following morning.
Any time she had done interviews in the past, they were about a case. This was her, somewhat willingly, going in front of America to discuss her personal life. Again, why had she agreed to this?
"Can we just, go over the talking points again?" She asked, trying to steady her breathing. In order for this to go as smoothly as possible, she was going to go in prepared. She would know what questions they would ask, and have answers ready.
"Well, they will want to discuss the book, and your thoughts on it and maybe the entire Nikki Heat series. They will ask about our wedding day. They will no doubt want to confirm your pregnancy and might joke about page 105, it will be a straight shot about how we might have conceived." Rick said, honesty dripping from his voice, as if he knew his jokes would not be appreciated at this time.
"All right, fine. I will allow one joke about our sex life, in connection to the pregnancy, but any more and I will not be laughing." She stopped pacing and sat down on the very plush couch in the living room.
"That's fair," he said, before adding, "thank you by the way, for agreeing to this."
"Babe, I would do anything for you," she said softly, then chuckled, "proven by the fact that I'm going to be on live television tomorrow morning."
Kate looked at Rick, who had just joined her on the couch. "Oh, don't worry, you'll do great."
Rick took her hand and looked into her eyes, "now what do you say we take a nice bath, with scented candles, a massage and a glass of apple cider?"
"You had me until apple," Kate said with a look of disgust. "Swap apple cider for orange juice and you've got yourself a deal."
Rick just chuckled before standing up and offering her his hand for support. They were already disrobing on their way to the master bath. Rick ran the bath as Kate sat on the bed to take off the rest of her clothes.
When everything was ready, Rick held her hand as she got in and sat behind her in the tub. After they settled in, Rick put his hands around her, holding her close. "I love you," he said as he started to rub his hands up her arms, towards her shoulders. "I'm so grateful that you are willing to do this with me." He said as he kissed her neck, before slowly starting to work on the knots in her shoulders and back.
She hummed in approval, "wow, I really needed this."
"Yeah, no kidding," he said, "it's like I'm massaging a rock."
"It's not easy carrying your son wherever I go, all day, every day," she said laughing.
"Hey, I resent that," Rick said in mock offence, "he's our son."
"Fine, but you can carry him for nine months after he's out of there," she was joking, but the idea was too much for her. "No, I take that back. I'd miss him too much."
"Kate, you do know that whilst holding him, I'd be standing right next to you. Right?" He asked, sounding somewhat amused by her paranoia.
"I know, it's just," it's just what? What is it? "it's a mother thing. Just ask Martha if you don't believe me." She stated firmly, feeling like she had a strong argument, but was surprised when she heard, and felt, Rick chuckle. She soon felt Rick's hands trace her body from her shoulders, down her arms and then rested on her protruding bump.
"It's so much better doing this with someone who's just as excited as I am. Meredith loves Alexis in her own way, but she was mostly worried about her figure her entire pregnancy." Rick said, his voice low and raw. "I've always wanted more kids, you know me, I'm still a kid at heart. I wondered if I would do it by myself again, or maybe not do it at all. I'm so happy I have a partner, not just that, but a partner that's all in."
Kate put her hands over his and squeezed, "I didn't even want kids until I met you. You gave me this gift, even before I got pregnant. I had fantasized about what our family would look like, not if we'd have kids, but how many. Now I just picture what Jack will look like, will he have your blue eyes or my hazel ones? Will he have long fingers and become a piano player or cute stubby little fingers and have to find an instrument that doesn't require delicate movements? Or will he want to focus on sports rather than the arts?" Kate laughed at herself, "sorry, I get a little carried away sometimes."
"No, I get it. I've done the same thing," Rick said, "well, almost the same thing. I've wondered if he'd be into Laser Tag, hide and seek, and other games I used to play with Alexis. Will he want to be a cop like you or a writer like me, or will he want to follow in Alexis' footsteps where ever they lead her. Will he have a flair for the dramatics like mother?" He laughed, before adding, "God forbid."
"I don't know how to tell you this, babe, but any dramatic flair could just as easily be from you," Kate said with a chuckle.
"Uncalled for," Rick said, feigning hurt.
As Paula was talking to some producer, Kate was staring straight ahead wringing her fingers together.
"Sweetheart? Are you feeling all right?" Rick asked, looking worried and slightly alarmed. "You're looking a little – nervous."
"Nice save," Paula said as she joined them. "Your segment will start in five minutes, get her ready."
"I'm ok, I just need to use the bathroom." Kate mumbled, before being guided towards a door a few feet away.
"Do you need any help?" Rick asked.
"No, I think I can manage it by myself," Kate joked, and she could have sworn she heard Rick breathe a sigh of relieve at the joke.
As Kate looked in the mirror, she was tempted to splash water on her face, to cool down, or settle her nerves. However, the fact that a team of professionals had gotten her hair and makeup done, not fifteen minutes ago, the thought was quickly squashed in favor of not going through that again in a hurry.
She left the bathroom and had no sooner joined Rick and Paula, when a staff member of the show told them they'd be on in one minute. She didn't even have time to be nervous anymore, there was only time to look at Rick and marvel at his composure and try to mimic it before being called on stage.
"He is the best-selling author of the Derrek Storm and Nikki Heat series' and she is his muse, turned wife. The new book Deathly Heat will be out later this month, let's see what they have to say about it. Please welcome author Richard Castle and Detective Katherine Beckett." Lara Spencer said as she gestured towards them where they sat, Rick calm as a cucumber and Kate not so much.
"Good Morning America," Rick said with his usual charm, "and good morning Lara."
"Well, good morning to you too, Richard," Lara said, before Rick good naturedly interrupted her by saying, "please, call me Rick."
Kate just sat there smiling, rather unnaturally to be honest.
"Well, Rick, it's wonderful to have you here this morning and even better that you brought your stunning, absolutely stunning wife with you." Lara said, making Kate blush and lean into Rick.
"Thank you for having me," Kate said with a soft smile, "this is usually something Rick does by himself, so it's nice to be included." That's it, nice and simple.
"Rick, has mentioned his muse on more than one occasion, and now with the – if I'm not mistaken – surprise wedding, we had to talk to you and get your reaction," Lara joked.
"Whoa, do not use the m-word near her," Rick said with a laugh. "After the first Nikki Heat novel came out, I mentioned her being my muse and this beautiful lady on my left, told me in no uncertain terms that if I were to call her that again." Rick jokingly winced and hurriedly moved his legs away from Kate, before finishing, "that she would break both my legs."
"I'm pretty sure that, while I'm 24 weeks pregnant you would be able to outrun me." Kate said with a laugh, gently rubbing her belly.
Rick laughed along with her, putting his hand over hers. She then moved her hand from under his to the top so she could guide his hand to where Jack was kicking. Rick's eyes went wide for a second, before he proudly announced, "he is very excited to be here." With a glint in his eye he added, "he is also extremely smart and is talking in Morse code. He just told me that my wife could outrun me, but asking that she doesn't."
Kate just shook her head at her husband's antics, very used to them by now.
"To answer both questions directed at me: I have gotten used to the title of his muse, and will not be breaking his legs, I need him to be able to use them to cater to my every whim during this pregnancy." Kate pointedly looked at Rick, causing him to chuckle and Lara to politely laugh. "And Lara yes, he did surprise me with a wedding."
"Wow, brave man," Lara breathily laughed.
"I just went with the assumption that she wanted to marry me as much as I wanted to marry her." Rick said, taking Kates hand and squeezing it.
"How did that even happen?" Lara asked.
"Well, he managed to get away with a lot of planning under the pretense of planning the lavish engagement party he so desperately needed." Kate said with a laugh before adding, "Alexis will attest to the fact that I was on to them."
"Alexis will do no such thing," Rick scoffed.
"I asked her the night before and I quote, 'so, what is this big surprise your dad has in store for me'." Kate was still laughing, as she subconsciously rested her hand on Ricks and interlocked their fingers.
"But when we were supposed to announce this little guy," Kate said looking at her protruding belly, "Rick decided it would be more fun to surprise me."
"There have been rumors floating around that there is supposed to be a tv-show based on Nikki Heat, is that something that we are likely to see in the near future?" Lara asked, effectively changing the subject.
"Well, there has been talk, but for now, nothing is set in stone." Rick said, smiling politely before adding, with a devious glint in his eyes "I just hope that if that happens, it won't crash and burn like the movie."
"I just hope that the actress won't be so method like the last one, asking me for permission to sleep with you." Kate said, somewhat annoyed but managed to hide it, at least to some extent.
"What?" Rick exclaimed, "I never slept with her. Why would she ask your permission? We weren't even dating."
"I never said I fully gave her permission." Kate blushed a little, before adding. "Besides, babe, so many people assumed that we were a couple from day one." They both laughed at the truth of her words.
"Will we be seeing art imitate life for Nikki Heat?" Lara asked, before adding. "Will we see Jameson Rook put a ring on it?"
"Well, Lara, I don't think I have it in me to plan two weddings the span of a year." Rick smirked, "but maybe down the line, when I feel it is warranted. I think it's best if that duo sticks to solving murders."
"Speaking of planning weddings, Katherine, was there anything you felt was missing from you wedding? Something Rick might have forgotten or overlooked?" Lara asked softly.
"No," Kate looked at Rick lovingly, "he made the day magical and everything he thought I might want was done to perfection. He even had my mother's wedding dress for me to wear, so it was almost like she was there with us too. Plus, he shamelessly used Alexis to get information, girls night and dress shopping were covers for wedding espionage." Kate laughed.
"Before finding out that you were expecting a boy, what had you hoped for?" Lara asked, looking between the two.
"I thought it was a girl, but I hoped for a boy because we already have a daughter." Rick said, causing Kate to look from Lara to Rick so fast, she might have gotten whiplash. "I mean I know that Alexis is a young woman now, but I thought it would be nice to have a little boy. Have one of each if you will."
"Well, all I hoped for, and still hope for, is a healthy baby," Kate began, adding with a smirk directed at Rick, "besides, I knew it was a boy."
"That's only because you cheated," Rick exclaimed. "Using that mother's intuition thing, I say that's cheating."
"This is your first child together, but Rick has Alexis from a previous marriage. What is your relationship with Alexis like?" Lara asked, looking directly at Kate.
"Alexis and I," Kate was suddenly nervous and looked for some reassurance from Rick, getting it in the form of a light squeeze of her hand. She cleared her throat, then started over. "Alexis and I have been growing closer everyday it feels like, it makes me so happy because I was a little apprehensive that she would resent me as some kind of early on set sibling rivalry when I told them I was pregnant." Kate laughed, "I mean, I couldn't blame her, she has been an only child for over 20 years so having a new baby, it would freak me out a little I think. But she has been so great, so caring and thoughtful. I love her so much and am so proud of her every day." Kate said, eyes a little glassy, but managing to maintain her composure.
"It's been amazing to see Alexis and Kate grow so much closer than I ever thought they would. Sometimes I almost get jealous when Alexis calls Kate for advice about things that she would have called me for a year or two ago, but then I get that this is such a rare, magical connection and I just marvel at it." Rick said happily.
"We have time for one more question. There are rumors that you have joined a celebrity moms club, is that true, and if so, are you getting helpful tips from that group?"
"I'm sorry to tell you that, I have not joined any mom groups, celebrity or not. I would however love any tips, so I might have to find a group to join." Rick said in mock seriousness, as Kate just laughed before saying, "what he said."
Lara laughed before ending the segment with, "Deathly Heat in stores near you. Rick, Katherine, it was a pleasure, thank you for coming."
"Thank you for having us," they said simultaneously.
"And you're off," a producer announced as he walked on set with Paula right behind him. There was a staff member removing their mics as Lara said, "you did great, it was light and funny, good job."
"Thanks, I was so nervous about saying something stupid," Kate admitted.
"Well, you didn't and you came across as smart, witty and confident." Lara reassured her.
"I told you, you had nothing to worry about," Rick said as he kissed her temple and rubbed her lower back gently.
So, I know, I suck. I have no good excuse or anything that would be worthwhile for you to read about this unscheduled hiatus. It's just life, and it sometimes gets in the way.
I was a little skeptical if I should continue with this story at first, psyching myself out, that because of the time gap, I would never be able to write a chapter that would live up to peoples expectations. I'm sure this chapter was not as good as some of you hoped, for that I am sorry.
Hopefully you will forgive me for this huge gap of time between updates, as a token of peace and love and all that, I have a sweet surprise coming to you tomorrow. Check my profile tomorrow to see the new story, I am currently finishing the first chapter for the new story. Not to be taken as me leaving New Beginnings to collect even more dust. I will also update that tomorrow, around noon GMT.
In conclusion, I appreciate you and your patience.
