A/N: You guys… thank you all for the reception to this story. It means more than I can ever say.
This chapter also kind of sets the mood for the story. Hope you like it. And, once again, I apologize in advance for any misspellings and other errors in this.
He stared at the blinking cursor mocking him at the top of the blank page.
Rick Castle was at a loss. Writing had always been his constant, something to help him and make him feel accomplished with his life. Of course after his daughter's birth, he could add Alexis to his short yet cherished list of life blessings, but his career was the one thing he consciously pursued and, therefore, his success as a mystery novelist was the one thing he was truly responsible for. Yet, at this time, his writing was failing him.
Rick could not for the life of him find motivation to continue writing. Nevermind that Storm's Last Stand was currently a bestseller in every possible list published; the fact remained that he was no longer inspired to go on with his Derrick Storm series.
So, as it had been happening for the past eight weeks, he once again sat quietly, almost dejectedly, staring at the blank document on his laptop screen.
He had managed to write two chapters so far. TWO. He was supposed to have finished a draft manuscript for the first TEN chapters seven weeks ago. His publisher was going to kill him.
Rick sighed. Shutting down his notebook as he rose from his chair, he decided on getting a cup of coffee before heading to his en-suite bathroom to take a shower. On top of everything, he had a meeting in a couple of hours with a whole bunch of lawyers to finalize his divorce.
At least Gina Griffin-Castle would soon go from being a blood-sucking wife and publisher back to being simply Gina Griffin, his blood-sucking publisher.
Looking at Gina once all papers were duly signed, Rick felt a strange feeling of resignedness inside. No matter the reasons for their separation, facing his second divorce before he was even forty brought on a sense of failure that Rick did not appreciate. He had really hoped this marriage would work.
Wearing the same disappointed smile he was sure he had on his face, Gina addressed her now ex-husband, "At least we had our moments, huh?"
"That we did." He gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Too bad those moments didn't stick throughout the marriage." At her quiet chuckle, he looked in her eyes. "Work will be the same, right?"
"Oh, you can count on it." She countered. "In fact, I expected you to have already delivered your manuscript for the next Storm novel, Ricky." She finished, using the pet name he knew she reserved for the times she was patronizing him over his professional responsibilities.
"Well, you can't rush genius," He grinned somewhat arrogantly.
"Genius, huh?" She grinned back at him, just as arrogantly. "Try blockage, Honey. Remember, if you don't meet your deadlines, Black Pawn might just demand you return your advance."
"I already returned it, Gina. I just spent it divorcing you." He announced, smirking insolently.
She chuckled as she turned to leave. "Yeah, well, if you have to return the same amount to Black Pawn as well, you might end up out of your millionaire status. And when the money is gone, Don Juan, the bimbo fangirls are gone as well." She narrowed her eyes in a playful manner. "And then it will be that much harder to be a playboy gallivanting all over town."
He accepted her acid nudge and turned to leave as well. "And on that note, I'll let you be. I have to go meet the girl of my dreams." He gave her a peck on the cheek. "Bye, Gina."
"Bye, Rick." She smiled sweetly at him, no hint of their banter in her voice anymore. "Say hi to Alexis for me."
"Dad!" Alexis called out, pleasantly surprised, running to where her father was standing outside her school and leaving her friends with a quick 'bye' a few steps behind. "What are you doing here?!"
"What, you're too old now for your old man to come pick you up?" Rick told her as he accepted her hug and kissed her forehead.
"Never." The 14 year-old replied, kissing his shoulder. "I'm just surprised to see you here."
"Yeah, I was already out and thought I'd come pick you up." Grinning conspiratorially, he added, "Now that I'm officially a bachelor once again, maybe I'll find me some of those hot single moms who lie in wait around your school."
"Ew, Dad!" The teen replied, friendly slapping her father on the same shoulder she had planted a kiss just a few moments earlier. As her father chuckled, she asked, "So, the divorce is final?"
"Yep." Putting his right arm around his daughter and guiding her as he started walking around the corner, Rick hoped to catch any available cab driving by the intersection. As they walked, he heard a pretty brunette – Bridget Thomas, he noticed, who he knew was the recently divorced mother to one of Alexis' classmates – throw a sultry 'Hi, Rick' in his direction, accompanied by an alluring smile. Grinning back at her, he nodded a 'Hi, Bridget' back as he continued his pacing along with his daughter in his arm.
Bending slightly to reach Alexis's left ear, he whispered, "See? It's working already!"
"Dad!" She playfully scolded him.
Walking towards their building chatting amicably about nothing in particular, Rick and Alexis caught a glimpse of an older redhead lady wearing a leopard-print chemise and black leggings just as she crossed the threshold directing their doorman inside the building with a suitcase. Glancing at each other, they took the last twenty or so steps separating themselves from their lobby, only to be faced by said doorman – Eduardo – standing alone.
Eduardo greeted them with a polite smile. "Good afternoon, Mr. Castle – and Ms. Castle. Ms. Rodgers just went up to your unit, Sir."
"Hi, Eduardo," Rick greeted. Although his tone was just as polite as ever, his voice did not carry his usual cheerfulness. "'Ms. Rodgers' went up already, huh?" Then, mostly to himself, he added, "Figures she would be able to convince you."
"Excuse me, Sir?" Eduardo could not make out Castle's words.
Shaking his head, Rick spoke up. "Nevermind, Eduardo." Already walking towards the elevators with his daughter, he finished, "Thank you for the heads up."
"Why is Grams here, Dad?" Alexis questioned in a low voice, stepping into the lift as soon as the doors opened.
"I have no idea, Pumpkin." Before he had a chance to muse his thoughts as the elevator came to a stop on their floor and the doors opened, he was faced with his flamboyant mother standing outside his door.
"Richard, darling!" Martha Rodgers loudly greeted. "And Alexis! Aren't you two a sight for sore eyes."
"Hi, Grams," Alexis was the first to greet her grandmother, giving her a hug as her father stood behind her, waiting.
"Mother," Rick punctuated his greeting with a kiss to his mother's left cheek once Alexis had stepped out of their embrace. Unlocking his door, he spoke, "Not that I'm not glad to see you, but what are you doing here? And why all the suitcases?"
As the three of them entered the loft, each carrying a piece of luggage Martha had brought with her, the older woman replied, "The time has come to part ways with Walter." At her granddaughter's downcast eyes, Martha continued. "Nothing to be sorry about, Kiddo. No need for a pity party. Although there is a need for family support for a while."
"Mother?" Rick inquired as he shut the door, already afraid of where this was heading.
"Well, Walter and I had no boundaries of any sort. That goes for money as well." Noticing the eerie look on her son's face, she continued. "Yes, well, as soon as he went through all of his share, mine soon joined the list of bad investments he made. But not to worry, he managed to save a few bucks for himself before he snuck out."
"I'm so sorry, Grams." Alexis hugged her grandmother. "What are you going to do? Do you think the police can help?"
"Well, I don't think there is much they can do, Kiddo. He was in a way entitled to use the all the money he burned. Now, I'm going to sign the divorce papers he left in the kitchen table and move on with my life." Looking up at her son, she added, "And hopefully you'll let me stay with you until I get back on my own feet."
"Of course, Mother." Rick put his arms around both his mother and daughter. "That's what family is for." Letting them go, he continued. "But you have to promise not to interfere with my work. That means no joining forces with Gina and no using my office for your own activities."
"Why, whatever do you mean?" At his scoff, she changed the subject. "And how is Gina?"
"I would think richer, considering the divorce settlement she obtained today." He said, sarcastically.
"Oh well, maybe next time you'll think better before you go on marrying someone."
He looked pointedly at his mother. "Please tell me you see the irony in that."
Alexis chuckled and hugged the older woman. "Well, Grams, I am glad you're here. And I'm sure Dad feels the same way. He's always complaining that his life has become too predictable," She joked.
"Yeah, this was not the novelty I had in mind." He threw back. "And let's see how you feel after she invites half of Manhattan to a party in our living room." Rick told his teenage daughter as we walked toward the refrigerator to get a can of whipped cream. As soon as he had finished speaking, the doorbell rang. "Already, Mother?" He grinned acidly and Alexis threw him a look as she turned to open the door.
Staring at the person who she had never seen before standing in the hallway, the teen politely asked, "May I help you?"
"Hello." The unknown brunette greeted her. "Is Richard Castle in?"
Turning around to call her father, Alexis noticed he was already at her side, with a flirtatious smile on his lips. "Hi there. Rick Castle," he stuck his hand out. "What can I do for you?"
Shaking his hand but ignoring the flirtatiousness in his voice, the brunette spoke up. "Mr. Castle, I'm Detective Kate Beckett with the NYPD. I'd like to ask you a few questions regarding a murder that took place last night."
Rick stood at his door puzzled, only coming out of his stupor when he heard his daughter speak next to him, "This more of your kind of novelty, Dad?"
TBC
(All characters, the homicide case plotline and even some of the quotes in this fanfic don't belong to me. This is made available for entertainment only and not for profit. No copyright infringement is intended.)