A/N1: Hello peoples and WELCOME to the eleventh Chapter of Absolution titled 'SURPRISE!"
Before I continue on I would like to direct a message to 'Don' the low life scum sucking son of a bitch asshole troll who was one of my reviewers for the last chapter. You sir can go an shove a red hot poker up your ass you inconsiderate troll. No I have not been to New York but no one else questions whether I have or not. I don't think you have to have gone to any city or country to be able to write about it. This is fan fiction not documentation 100% accuracy is not always wanted and it is never 100% required. I think I am accurate enough to provide a happy reading experience for my readers. No I am not American so of course I don't have a 100% grasp on all the slang or cultural nuances of someone born and raised in the in the States. I do realise parking is not always at a premium in NYC but think about it. The few places Rick would drive his Ferrari he would have reserved parking or use a valet service. That's why when I write scenes where he is driving the Prancing Horse he can get a park for it. Yes I use the term 'cliffie' and 'chappie' because they are abbreviations for the word 'Chapter' and cliffhanger' Not because I am not 'American'. I do not think it is only children who use these words or types of slang. And I've never used those words in a chapter I only use it in the author's notes. You are a 'child' for pointing out something no one else gives a rats ass about. And how the MFH can you get the grasp of a story when you only read one chapter the TENTH one the most recently published in the story? No one story can be understood if you only read one chapter especially if it's the last one. That's like someone who has never even heard of Harry Potter reading the epilogue of Deathly Hallows and pretending to understan the entire series. You 'Don' are a sad lonely pitiful troll who clearly gets off on denigrating other people's work. I hope you stub your toe and it breaks you twat! I don't care if chapter ten was the first and last chapter you read in this story, If you continue to troll the review page I will delete you!
ANYWAY end of rant hope the rest of you like this instalment, I like do!...lol
The lights turned on and flooded the main theatre room with light.
"SURPRISE!"
Alexis' hands flew to her mouth and her eyebrows disappeared into her fringe as all her school friends, some teachers, extended family and Ryan, Jenny, Lanie and Esposito yelled their greeting.
"Wha-? Uh-erm-ah-"
"Happy Birthday pumpkin," Rick murmured, approaching Alex's astounded form and wrapping his arms around her.
"Oh Dad, you're officially awesome!" Alexis trilled engulfing her father into a hug. "A surprise party? You are beyond cool!"
"Lex ditch the Old Man and bust a move!" Paige called racing forward and grabbing her friend's hand as the DJ Rick hired started the party with a nightclub remix tune. "No offence Mr Castle, you really are awesome."
"None taken, kiddo." Rick replied with a chuckle.
"But Dad-" Alexis began.
"We can talk later, kiddo. You go have fun," Rick urged his daughter giving her a little push. "I'll be sticking around."
"Alright then-"
And with that the newly turned eighteen year old disappeared into her group of friends. The rest of the guests dispersed as Jenny, Ryan, Esposito, Lanie, Kate and Martha tactfully gave Rick some space as Meredith approached him. The pair watched their daughter for a few moments before Meredith broke the taut atmosphere.
"I can't believe it Rick, our baby has grown up," she said with a wistful sigh. "Where has time gone?"
"Well maybe if you'd stuck around you would've found out," the Writer replied tersely.
"Yeah I would have," Meredith replied with a regretful sigh. "You know these might be empty words to you Rick, but I really regret not being there for Lex and you. I should never have done what I did and left you to bring her up on your own. It was wrong of me to put what I wanted ahead of our baby."
Rick's eyes widened in shock at hearing his ex wife's contrite words.
"It's not that I didn't want to be a parent," Meredith continued before Rick could respond. "It's just becoming one was so frightening and I didn't know how to be a parent and the enormity of it overwhelmed me."
Rick slapped his forehead.
"Why didn't you tell me this?" he asked in exasperation. "God, I was scared about becoming a parent too Meredith, but I stuck around and was there for Lex. It's the scariest thing I've ever done but I didn't do a midnight flit from my responsibilities!"
"I know you didn't and because of that you proved yourself the bigger person," Meredith answered. "I'm not excusing what I did Rick. I'm just saying why I did it. That doesn't make it right I know that. I don't ever expect you or Alexis to forgive me but I'm offering my apology anyway."
Rick rubbed his face and exhaled in a rush.
"Meredith, we forgave you years ago," he told the actress. "Holding grudges kills you inside. Neither of us hates you. Neither of us dwells on the past. I just hope now that you've realised your mistakes you can try and be a bit more involved in Alexis' life. She may be an adult now but she's still going to need her Mom on occasions."
"Y'think?" Meredith asked doubtfully, smiling as Alexis let out a whoop of joy on the dance floor. "She's the most independent person I've ever met Rick on the eve of beginning her college life. Who needs their parents at college?"
"Everyone always needs their parents, or at the very least a parental figure," Rick countered sagely. "I did when I was in college. Just because you're legally an adult doesn't mean you've grown up. All your life you need your parents. I'm nearly forty one and I still ask my mother for advice and a lot of people I know do the same."
"Well I will if she lets me." Meredith said. "Seven Ivy League colleges huh? We made one smart cookie. Any idea of which one she'll choose?"
"Nah not yet," Rick replied, nodding at Kate across the room who held up a can of coke at him and mouthing 'In a minute'. "Think she's leaning toward Harvard though, that was her second choice after Stanford."
There was a long pause in which Rick and Meredith watched their daughter fly around the dance floor.
"So you and Kate huh?" Meredith began.
"Yeah, four months now," Rick replied with a happy sigh as he watched the female detective engage in a lively conversation with Lanie and Jenny.
"Are you happy?" Meredith asked.
Rick tore his gaze away from Kate and looked into Meredith's blue eyes, somewhat surprised by the question.
"Yeah I am," he replied after a moment of contemplation. "Very. She's the one."
"Have you told her that?"
"No but I don't need to. Kate and I are more of actions not words, pairing," Rick confessed. "I know she's the one, she knows I know she's the one. And the feeling's totally mutual."
"I'm happy for you," Meredith told the Writer genuinely. "I mean it."
"Thanks...so is there anyone special in your life?"
"Yeah, there's one guy," Meredith revealed, with a slight smile. "I've known him for years but it's complicated. We dance around each other a lot."
"Do you love him?"
"Yes."
"Then tell him," Rick said. "Leave it too long and there could be a time when it's too late. I nearly missed the bus with Kate. And despite all the shit that's happened with you and me Meredith. I do still want you to be happy. You're Alexis' mother and I'll always care for you. Tell this guy you love him and he's the one and you'll be the happiest you've ever been in your entire life."
"Well he's picking me up from the airport Monday afternoon...I suppose then would be a good time to tell him."
"It would."
"Alright I'm going to join my daughter on the dance floor, this is a party after all!" Meredith declared. "You coming?"
"Maybe in a bit," Rick replied. "Have fun."
Meredith disappeared onto the dance floor and Rick made his way over to Kate who was still talking to Lanie and Jenny.
"Laaaaaaaaaaaaydeeeeeeeez," he greeted them as he stood behind Kate and wrapped his arms around her slim frame. "Tulip," he added, kissing Kate on the neck.
"Oh get a room!" Lanie exclaimed rolling her eyes.
"Oh shut up Lanie, you and Javi are just as bad." Kate muttered as her face turned a magnificent shade of scarlet.
"I think it's high time I get a certain sexy Irish detective on the dance floor!" Jenny declared as she finished off her can of coke. "You coming girls?"
"I will once I've finished this," Kate told the effervescent blonde, holding up her can of coke. "Go on Lanes, show Jenny how you bust a move at gym. I'll join you soon."
"You got it girl!'
Jenny and Lanie dragged Kevin and Javier onto the dance floor and Kate and Rick stood back to watch as the two couples joined the throng of teenagers on the dance floor.
"So a deep and meaningful with Meredith huh?" Kate ventured.
"Yeah...we had a heart to heart," Rick replied, grabbing a pair of fold up chairs and pulling them over. "She apologised for not being there for me or Alexis and promised she would try and be a better person and a better parent. And this time I believe her, I really do. You were right. She really does regret not being there to see Alexis grow up."
"See? Didn't I tell you that was the case?" Kate said with a smile, sitting down and giving the Writer his can of coke.
"Yeah you did," Rick told her affectionately as he popped the can. "So what do you think?"
Kate looked around at the room that Martha had decked out in drapes of green, purple and silver, Alexis' favourite colours. In the far corner was the DJ who was grooving as hard as the guests themselves and in the opposite corner was a bar set up where Tom, one of the barmen from the Old Haunt was mixing up mocktails and distributing soft drinks. Tables and chairs were dotted around the spacious room, one of them was piled high with presents for Alexis and another had a guestbook and a huge memory board documenting Alexis' life from birth to the present day. Right at the front of the dance floor was a clear plastic lectern and by it was an enormous television.
"Perfect," the female detective replied with a smile. "What's the deal with the lectern and TV?"
"Just a little something for later," Rick replied, tapping the side of his nose secretively. "You gave the idea actually with the memory board. I put that together and decided to give a little speech too."
"Ah, that'd be where you tell the stories about Alexis doing nudie runs through the house when she was a toddler in front of her friends and family?" Kate inquired with a giggle. "Dad did something similar at my eighteenth."
Rick laughed heartily.
"You did a nudie run through the house as a toddler?" he asked with a snigger.
"Apparently, though I don't remember it," Kate confessed. "Apparently it was during a really fancy dinner party Mom and Dad were holding. I ripped off my diaper then raced around the living room during coffee and liqueur."
Rick had to swallow the mouthful of coke in his mouth before the carbonated beverage threatened to erupt out his nose.
"Y'you're k-kidding?" he choked, his face alive with glee.
"Apparently, as I said I don't remember it," Kate replied. "After that night I used to spend the night at Grandma's place whenever Mom and Dad had fancy guests over."
"Now you've told me that I'm going to ring your Dad and organise a round at Bethpage, then I'm going to grill him for more 'When Katie Beckett was a kid' stories. I'm sure he has hundreds."
"You do that and I will kill you!" Kate trilled. "There are no hundreds of when 'Katie Beckett was a kid' stories. And by the way Dad is the only one who can call me Katie, got it?"
"Yes Ma'am," Rick replied with a grin giving her a sloppy salute.
"You enjoy winding me up don't you?" Kate asked dryly.
"Yes but you enjoy winding me up," he countered
"Oh brother."
Two hours later the party was still going strong.
Rick decided the time was right for the little speech he was to give and leaving Kate to boogie away to the music with Lanie, Jenny and Meredith (The latter two having struck up a friendship over their Dancing With the Stars obsession) he made his way over to the DJ and pulled him aside.
"I have something I want to do after this song, can you announce it at the end of this song?" he yelled over the thump thump thump of the music.
"You got it pal!" the young black man yelled back.
Rick made his way through the dancing hoards and over to the TV where he slipped a DVD he had made earlier in the week into the DVD player. He took the remote controls for the two devices over to the lectern and began sorting through his speech notes he would reference during the speech he was about to give. Kate saw him and broke away from Jenny, Meredith and Lanie, making her way over to the Writer.
"You look n-nervous," she said, puffing slightly from her exertions. "You okay?"
"Yeah I'll be fine," Rick replied, flashing her a dazzling smile that made her belly flood with butterflies every time. "Actually can you and Meredith stick with Alexis during this speech?"
"Sure, you gonna to make her cry?" Kate asked with a giggle.
"Not intentionally," Rick replied. "Though I might tear up a bit. I did when writing this speech."
"You sure you don't want some company?" Kate asked in concern.
"Nah, I'll be fine as long as I get a hug and a dance afterwards." Rick replied with a grin.
"You got it, Writer Man."
After the song ended the DJ switched on his headset, the lack of another immediate song immediately caught the attention of the guests.
"Ladies and Gents, time for a little break from the tunes, the father of the gorgeous birthday girl has a few words to say! Give it up!"
A loud and raucous cheer rose from the crown. Out of the corner of his eye Rick saw Meredith and Kate take their place beside Alexis and each put an arm around the teen. He shuffled his notes and smiled as the whoops and cheers died down and all attention turned to him.
"Hey everyone, I won't keep you from the festivities long," he began. "But I've prepared a little something to mark the occasion of my little girl's eighteenth birthday..."
"Now, about a week ago I had absolutely no idea how to go about celebrating my little girl's accession into adulthood. I worried about it for hours on end til my beautiful girlfriend Kate came to me and suggested a surprise party. I ran with the idea and with the help of Alexis' grandmother and two best friends Kelsey and Paige. I have organised tonight's get together and I hope you're having as much fun as we are.
"Kate also brought up the suggestion of me giving a speech to document Alexis' life. Now this got me worried. Despite making my living from stringing words together in a creative manner I have and always have had trouble authoring speeches so forgive me if I go off into a tangent or totally make an ass of myself.
Rick took a deep breath and began emotion bubbling in his stomach. He started the DVD playing and immediately a picture of a newborn Alexis her face still squashed and crusty and wrapped in a soft yellow bunny rug flashed up on the screen. A montage of pictures began to flow as the Tim McGraw song 'My Little Girl' began playing.
'Gotta hold on easy as I let you go.
Gonna tell you how much I love you
Though you think you already know.
I remember I thought you looked like an angel wrapped in pink so soft and warm,
tou've had me wrapped around your finger since the day you were born'
An immediate 'Awwwwwwwwwwww" rose from the crowd.
"My life changed forever on March twenty six, nineteen ninety four when my gorgeous daughter Alexis Harper Castle was born," Rick began. "Before Alexis came along I was quite happy flitting through life attending college and the associated frat parties and doing a nine to five job while writing. But Lex came along and all that changed. I quit my nine to five job and began writing full time as to spend more time with her. I've seen her through chicken pox, snotty noses, cuts and scrapes, violin recitals, proms and the best fun of all boyfriends. I've seen her at her best and her worst and despite all my and her mother's parenting screw ups. She has turned into a beautiful young woman of whom Meredith and I are extraordinarily proud..."
You beautiful baby from the outside in.
Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again.
Go on, take on this whole world
But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl.
The father's eyes prickled with unshed tears and he swallowed hard.
'When you were in trouble that crooked little smile could melt my heart of stone.
Now look at you, I've turned around and you've almost grown.
Sometimes you're asleep I whisper "I Love You" in the moonlight at your door,
As I walk away, I hear you say, "Daddy Love You More"
"My baby girl has turned 18, a milestone in her life and Meredith and I as parents. To see her grow from the beautiful, small and fragile child I first saw in the hospital, 18 years ago to the day, to the strong, independent and beautiful woman that stands before us now. She is smart, beautiful and has worried me a few times over the years with the choice of boyfriends that she has brought home..."
"Your beautiful baby from the outside in
Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again.
Go on, take on this whole world
But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl."
The guests laughed and Alexis rolled her eyes good naturedly. Rick grinned and continued on. A picture of a gap toothed Alexis dressed in a pirate costume on her first Halloween trick or treat outing as a four year old flashed up on the screen and an enormous lump formed in Rick's throat as he recalled that night, fourteen years previously.
'Someday, some boy will come and ask me for your hand.
But I won't say "yes" to him unless I know, he's the half
That makes you whole. He has a poet's soul, and the heart of a man's man.
I know he'll say that he's in love
But between you and me
He won't be good enough'
"But Alexis, my little Lexie, we are all her today to say we all love you and wish you every happiness in whatever you do next. Alexis has brought into mine and her mothers' life more than we could have ever expected. You have filled our lives with a happiness that cannot be measured by any scale man has. Shown us more love than we knew possible and you have made us the happiest parents that there is...thank you so much, sweetheart. We are better people for having you in our lives.
"Good luck as you embark on the rest of your life in your quest for the perfect job, perfect man, or in the search of anyway. And I hope that one day your children will bring you as much happiness as you have brought to us."
A fission of laughter ran through the guests as another picture of a pig-tailed Alexis about five years old and Rick flashed up on the T.V, both were crossing their eyes, poking out their tongues and thumbing their noses at the camera. Then came a montage of Alexis getting older and older, playing a game of soccer on a muddy pitch, horse riding lessons decked out in proper riding attire and one of her dressed in a floor length midnight blue gown at her first violin recital at ten years old.
A singular tear ran down Rick's cheek and he hastily wiped it away with the back of his hand as he struggled to continue.
'Your beautiful baby from the outside in
Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again.
Go on, take on this whole world
But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl.'
"Just remember this Lex...Be happy and reach for the moon, and if you miss you will land amongst the stars and be the brightest we can see."
The rest of the guests burst into enthusiastic whoops and cheers and applauded madly as Rick concluded his speech. Alexis broke from Meredith and Kate and ran over to him, engulfing his muscular frame in a crushing hug. Tears ran down both Castle's face and they embraced.
"Day-um that was beautiful!" Lanie said to Kate as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "Your boy certainly has a way with words, Kate."
"Yeah, doesn't he?" Kate replied, pulling a handkerchief from within her bra and blowing her nose on it. "Thank god for waterproof mascara, I don't want to look like an emo clown."
Alexis released Rick from the hug and planted a big kiss on his cheek. "You're awesome Dad I love you," she said, deciding to go in for another hug. "That was lovely, thank you."
"Just had to say what I felt Pumpkin, true every single word of it," the Writer replied thickly, returning the hug as the DJ started up the music again. "It's gonna suck when you head off to College so I'm going to keep that DVD and play it whenever I miss you."
"You might have to make more than one copy, Dad. You'll wear this one out," Alexis teased. "Can I have one to take with me when I go?"
"Sure thing kiddo, anything." Rick told her. "Now how about a dance?"
After another hour of music, food, dancing and celebration, Rick surreptitiously made his way out to the front of the acting school and moved his Ferrari up one spot. He then went to the side of the building where the private garage for the building was and moved Alexis's new car to the Ferrari's old spot. He then pocketed the keys and made his way back into the bustling party where he gave the DJ the direction to stop the music.
"Sorry for the interruption folks but the part of the night that involves present giving has come up," he began. "If you could all follow me out to the sidewalk there's one present you should all see Alexis receive that's just a little too big to bring inside."
"Grams, what are you doing?" Alexis exclaimed as the older actress wrapped a black silk scarf around her granddaughter's eyes.
"It's a surprise kiddo, just go with it you'll be fine," Martha assured the teen as she knotted the scarf at the back of the teen's head. 'Can you see anything?"
"No!"
"Good, now grab my hand and follow me."
The rest of the guests flowed out to the front of the building and Martha carefully guided Alexis out of the function room, down the hallway, past the reception desk and out onto the now very crowded sidewalk.
"What's going on?" Alexis demanded as Martha steered her though the door and out onto the sidewalk where Rick, Meredith and the rest of the guests were waiting in a semi-circle around the sleek black SUV.
"Lex, your Mom and I wanted to give you a joint gift that would last you past your nineteenth birthday," Rick began chuckling slightly as the redhead put her hands on her hips and tapped her heeled foot impatiently. "Initially we weren't entirely sure what would be appropriate but after fleshing out several ideas both ridiculous and sensible, we decided to get you this..."
And with that Rick flicked off Alexis' blindfold.
Alexis's ice blue eyes fell upon the sleek black jeep before her that was adored with a roof sized purple and silver bow around its middle and her mouth fell open.
"You got me a car?" she screeched. "Oh my god! You got me a car?"
"We did sweetheart, do you like it?" Meredith asked.
Alexis engulfed her mother in a crushing hug. "Oh Mom you and Dad are the best!" she trilled "oh wow!"
Rick laughed as Alexis pulled him in for a group hug.
"Glad you like it pumpkin," he said, dropping a kiss on her crown. "It's up to you to decorate the interior how you wish though, just keep in mind that it's illegal to hang anything from the rear view mirror."
And with that the Writer dropped the keys into Alexis' hand.
"Oh boy, I seriously cannot believe you got me a car!" Alexis exclaimed in disbelief looking from Meredith to Rick and back again. "Can I take it for a ride?"
"You have to give us a ride in it Lex!" Paige piped up. "It's a bitchin' ride!"
"Yeah totally!" Kelsey added, nodding enthusiastically.
The guests gathered on the sidewalk roared with laughter.
"How about you wait til the end of the night then take Paige and Kelsey home?" Rick suggested to Alexis. "That way you can give it a test drive and drop your friends off safely at the same time."
"Awesome idea!" Alexis declared. "oh wow. I'm going to miss driving the Ferrari now."
"Ah, you can still drive that once in a while," Rick answered smiling as his daughter began walking around the brand new vehicle admiring its interior. "This one is to get you through college and beyond. I'm sure you'll drive it all the time."
"Of course I will. This is seriously awesome, Dad. You and Mom are the best!"
Alexis' birthday started to wind down by midnight and by one am all the guests except for Kate, Martha, Rick and the birthday girl (Who had just returned from dropping Meredith at the Waldorf Astoria and Kelsey and Paige off at their homes in her new car) herself remained.
"Oh, I had the best night!" Alexis declared, kicking off her shoes and leaning on Rick with a sigh. "Thanks so much Dad, you're the best Dad ever."
"So you've said several times tonight," Rick replied with a chuckle putting his arm around the tired teen and resting his chin on her head. "But thanks for the positive re-enforcement. Did your Mom, Paige and Kelsey get home alright?"
"Yeah they did and Mom and I have organised to spend all day tomorrow together," Alexis revealed. "We're going to have lunch then go on a cruise on the Hudson."
"Good, I think your Mom wants to spend more time with you now," Rick said. "D'you think you'll head down to L.A and spend some time with her over the Summer?"
"Yeah of course, she's invited me to and promised me a CSI set tour," Alexis said. "It's one of my favourite shows."
"Well I'm glad you're re-connecting with your Mom again, better late than never kiddo." Rick told his daughter as he stroked her hair.
"I propose a final toast for the night." Martha piped up, going over to the now deserted bar and retrieving a can of coke and four glasses.
"If I drink another sugary soda my pancreas is going to spontaneously self combust." Kate joked as Martha popped the can and began dividing the contents into the glasses.
"With four of us, darling, there's only going to be a mouthful each," Martha informed the female detective. "We've got to end the party with a bang."
"Only you Mother, only you," Rick said dryly, accepting a glass from his mother. "Party animal."
"So sue me, I'm not quite ready to retire for the night." Martha replied with a megawatt smile.
"You never are Grams," Alexis told her grandmother with a giggle. "You going to come clubbing with me when I turn twenty one?"
"Oh that is not something I want to imagine my mother doing!" Rick groaned.
"Oh shush Richard," Martha chided elbowing her son affectionately. "Well here's to you Alexis I hope you had the happiest of birthdays. Your Mother, father, Kate and I love you very much."
"Cheers!"
A/N2: Well there you go peoples chapter eleven hot off the presses! If you like you're most welcome to follow me on Twitter at (at) LauraDunstan. I love reviews they totally motivate me and also let me know you love me and my work MWAH! LOL