Hi!
I just want to take a moment and say thank you to all of the brave men and women sacrificing their lives to put out the fires that are burning all over Colorado. I have friends and family that were told to evacuate, so please keep them and the firefighters in your prayers. This is a very trying and difficult time for us. Your support is appreciated!
On a happier note, thank you all for your love throughout this story! Only one more chapter after this!
Disclaimer: Castle is not mine :/
[Chapter 9]
"What's it say, Brae?" Kate asked as they all huddled around the fire pit, Braden holding onto a note, which was on one of the rocks that surrounded the fire pit. Rick had the flashlight aimed at the note.
With a calming breath, Braden began to read the third clue. "You are al-almost done. Go to a place that is warm and com- com...com-fy. You sleep here at night."
Rick ruffled the boys hair, bending down so that he was at eye level. "Good job, buddy."
Braden beamed at his dad. "Thanks, Dad."
Kate grinned at the interaction. No matter how many times she saw her husband and son talk and play with one another, it still made her heart swell with emotion. She was a lucky woman. Bending down, Kate smiled. "So where do you think we're supposed to go next, Brae?"
The four-year-old thought about it for a moment. With an uncertainty about him he took a guess. "The tent?"
Kate and Rick shared a look. He got it. Smart kid.
"One way to find out," Rick stated, standing and gesturing with his hand toward the tent. "Lead the way."
Braden nodded, rushing over and disappearing inside the tent. Rick and Kate remained outside, the flashlight directed on the opening of the tent. Kate had an arm wrapped around Rick's waist, her hand in his jacket pocket. She snuggled deeper into his side, loving the warmth that he radiated off. He smiled at that, and with his free arm Rick placed it over her shoulders.
"We've got a smart boy," he whispered into her hair.
He heard her sigh. "Yes, we do."
A few seconds passed before they heard Braden gasp in surprise. "I found it!" He rushed out of the tent, a note in his hand.
Aiming the flashlight on the note, Rick asked, "Where was it?"
"On my pillow."
Rick grinned and then gave him a slight nod of encouragement. "Go on. Read it."
Braden nodded, staring at the note. "This is the last clue. To find the treas- treasure look for me in the big RV." His eyes shot up from the note to the RV. Without even saying a word to his parents Braden ran over to the large vehicle. He tugged on the door handle but it wouldn't budge. Turning around he saw that Rick was already there. "I can't open it."
With a chuckle, Rick opened the door for the boy, who quickly ran inside in search of the treasure. Kate followed Rick into the RV as they watched Braden look up and down for the hidden treasure.
After about a minute of searching, Braden sat on the ground. His legs out in front of him as he slouched his back and set his hands in front of his lap. "Where is it?"
Both Rick and Kate got down on all fours and smiled at Braden.
"Don't give up yet, buddy," Rick told him, trying to encourage the boy. "We'll find it. We just have to keep looking. Now, if you were buried treasure where would you be?"
Braden shrugged his shoulders, his bottom lip catching between his teeth. "Um..."
Rick gave him a little boost. "X marks..."
"The spot!" Braden shrieked, scampering to get up. "X!"
"Let's find the X then!" Rick cheered, helping Kate up as the three of them began to look for the X.
Braden was looking through the chairs and small couch that turned into a roll out bed while Rick was "looking" in the cabinets and Kate doing the same in the bedroom. They wanted Braden to find it, so they tried to look in places that were not even close to where the treasure was.
As Kate and Rick were busy "searching" they would look over every so often at Braden to see if he was getting closer. And he was.
Barely a minute later a small gasp of joy erupted over by the chairs and couches. Braden had a dropped jaw as he pointed to the paper cut-out of a X in his car seat. It was nestled in the side pockets. "X! I found it!"
Rick and Kate rushed over, each wearing identical smiles. Kate kissed the four-year-old on the head while Rick squeezed his shoulder. Braden glanced up at his parents.
"Ready?" Kate asked.
He merely nodded, reaching out and pushing the car seat so that he could look behind it. Rick helped him, seeing that it was pretty big job for the little guy. "Whoa!" Braden squealed as he saw what was laying behind the car seat. "Treasure!"
There was all sorts of toys that were scattered along the cushion of the couch. It varied from (chocolate) gold coins to Hot Wheels cars. But one toy stood out to Braden and that was the brand new Batman Bat Mobile toy. It was an addition to his Batman action figure.
"No. Way!" He shrieked, totally shocked. "The Bat Mobile!"
Rick and Kate chuckled as they watched Braden play with the new toy. He loved it!
The trio spent the remainder of their time playing with Braden's Batman and Bat Mobile on the floor of the RV. Kate, surprisingly, got really into it. She could see why Rick and Braden had so much fun playing with the action figures and pretending to be superheroes. It was a blast!
Even though Batman was the only action figure present, it didn't stop Rick and Kate from playing along. Braden was Batman, Rick was Green Lantern, and Kate was Elektra. They battled and saved the world, protecting it from the evil clutches of the Joker.
But all too quickly, Rick was teamed up against Kate and Braden. Braden lunged at Rick, his Batman toy grasped in his little hand as he straddled his dad's stomach.
"Take that, Green Lantern!" Braden yelped, grinning down at his dad.
Kate moved over to Rick's feet, quickly removing his shoes and tickling his feet. "You're no match for Batman and Elektra!" She smirked, her fingers moving rapidly on the bottom of Rick's feet.
Rick was laughing and gasping for air as he tried to get oxygen in his lungs. With Braden on top of him he couldn't get to Kate, so he was stuck. And there was only one thing left that he could do: surrender.
"Okay! Okay! You win!" He shrieked, trying to breathe. "I give up!"
Braden stood up and turned to his mom, giving her a high five.
Kate smiled down at Rick as his breathing returned to normal. "Told you," was all that she said as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Braden mimicked her, grinning like a mad man. His parents were so cool!
"I know, I know," Rick waved off, standing up. "The Green Lantern is no match against Batman and Elektra. I learned my lesson."
Braden then let out a huge yawn, his eyes growing droopy. Someone was getting sleepy.
"Okay, I think it's time to hang up the capes and turn in for the night," Kate said as she reached down and tried to pick Braden up but he moved out of her reach.
"But I'm not tired..." he whined, another yawn escaping as he rubbed his eye.
Kate smirked, knowing this situation all too well. "Oh, I think you are. Even superheroes need their sleep, Braden. They get tired and sleeping helps them stay strong so they can save the world."
"But-"
"No buts. Come on, let's go to bed."
A sigh left his lips as he nodded, trying to keep his eyes open. "'Kay." He knew there was no point in arguing with his mom, she always won.
At that Rick picked him up in his arms as Kate opened the door for him as they headed toward the tent.
Once they were all situated and comfortable, Rick smiled at Kate as she reached over to grab his hand. Braden was in-between them as he cuddled his Batman to his chest, he was fast asleep.
"Good night, Rick," Kate breathed, sleep quickly gaining control over her.
"Night, Kate."
There you go!
Please leave a review with your thoughts! They're always welcome!
And I apologize that it took me a while to update. Some family emergencies came up and so I didn't have time to write. And as I stated earlier, please pray for those who lost their homes in the fires and for the firefighters. This is a really difficult time for many people. Thanks!
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