Finding a Date – Chapter 9.
Kate settled at her desk, the bullpen was busy this morning and she saw both Esposito and Ryan were already in.
Ryan approached, "Here's the report from last night's case." he said, placing a folder on the heap on her desk.
"You must've come in early?" she commented, noting the tiredness around his eyes.
He shrugged, "Sarah Grace was grizzling but it seems the sound of my voice lulls her to sleep so"
"Yeah, me too." interposed Esposito. Kate tried to hide her smile.
"So..." continued the Irish detective unperturbed, "I dictated my report into my phone and she dozed off, then all I had to do this morning was transcribe it."
"Dude! Seriously?" Esposito was shocked.
"You told your six-week old baby a bedtime story about a murder?"
"I don't think she understands me." Ryan protested weakly.
"Well you'll know if the first word she says is "Wicked," laughed Kate, remembering the sticker in the cab that Ryan had successfully tracked down the previous year. Ryan shook his head but he didn't mind the banter; he knew these people had his back, as he had theirs.
He had another reason for coming in early today. Jenny had shown him a letter from a lawyer telling them that Sarah Grace was the beneficiary of a Charitable trust fund set up to pay for her College education. Apparently this was a discretionary award to dependents of NYPD officers.
He'd never heard of the Charity and certainly hadn't applied for funding. Ryan wanted the best for his daughter and any other children they might be blessed with and it wasn't easy putting money away with all the expenses of a newborn.
He'd run a check on the Charity which appeared to be legally constituted and the bank had confirmed the money was safely set aside in a fund only accessible when Sarah Grace entered college.
His NYPD union rep. thought he'd heard of something similar awarded to Captain Montgomery's girls but couldn't help him further. Ryan had the bright idea of checking out the law firm which had sent the letter. It seemed it was a reputable practice with a long client list amongst whom, he was pleased to note, was Black Pawn. Ryan knew someone with connections there!
"Is Castle coming in today?" he asked Beckett,
"No, he should be writing" she replied unconsciously echoing Castle's screen saver.
At that point Kate's phone rang and she accepted the call without looking, "Beckett."
"Yeah, me too," came her Dad's amiable rejoinder.
Kate moved towards the break room. "Hi, is everything all right?" Kate queried, concern in her voice. He rarely called her during a working day although, now they'd been drawn closer by the influence of Castle's family, she did make an effort to speak to him at least once a week.
"Yes. Everything's fine," he assured her, "but there's something I'd like to discuss with you. Are you free for lunch?"
"Sure." she replied and they agreed a time at their usual diner.
He was already sitting in a booth when she arrived, a cup of coffee in front of him. She slipped onto the red bench seat opposite and picked up the menu.
"Um... you know Alexis has been working with me?" Jim began.
"Yes," Kate replied hesitantly. She hoped there wasn't a problem with Alexis at his place of work. It could get awkward if her father had to ask her to leave.
"Well, she was telling me that she's looking for another place to live now that Pi's gone and I thought... well I wondered, " he tried again, "I thought I might offer her the use of the spare room. I mean the house is too big for me and she'd be company."
He looked at his daughter anxiously.
"I think it's a great idea," Kate said enthusiastically. "She's bright and lively and I'm sure she'll be no trouble. Only don't offer her the spare bedroom, she'll be much more comfortable in my old room."
Jim looked surprised. "Are you sure? I'm not trying to drive you out."
She reached across, impulsively grasping his hand. "No, of course you're not. I left home years ago. Besides I've got a whole apartment I never use, why would I want to keep my old bedroom? Its light and sunny with that dual aspect - she'll love it."
Kate thought fondly of the room in which she'd spent much of her childhood. The view over the garden and the padded window seat where she curled up with her books. She hadn't been back there in years, rarely visiting the house even since her father had sobered up.
"Well if you're sure?" Jim enquired again, "I'll suggest it when I see her."
Kate was pleased he'd thought to consult her first but she genuinely believed it would be good for both of them. She had little idea of her father's social life, if indeed he had one, so the presence of a spirited youngster would keep him on his toes. It also occurred to her that it was unfortunate corollary of Castle's lack of a father in his life that Alexis was also missing a grandfather. In fact, any male influence other than her indulgent father.
Kate had loved going out with her grandfather. He'd taken her to the magic shop and showed her tricks but hadn't treated her like a child. She supposed grandparents can take a responsible but more relaxed approach than parents.
Although she now knew that Castle's father was very much alive she was certain he wouldn't be a good example for Alexis. She hoped Castle didn't want any more to do with him but she'd support him if he did or if Anderson Cross, or whatever name he went by, turned up again. Martha had confided in her that she wouldn't mind too much if he didn't come back and as far as Kate was concerned he was just trouble. She certainly didn't want to execute the outstanding warrant against her prospective father-in-law.
Alexis had excellent manners and an innate consideration for others. Kate had no worries that she would misbehave in Jim's home. In fact she would probably fit in better than she had at the loft recently. Personally, Kate thought she was just pushing at the boundaries which was all part of growing up. Castle had been so accustomed to dealing with a mature well-behaved child he'd coped less well when faced with a young adult testing the limits. Despite the tensions Pi had slept on the couch, as instructed.
They ordered lunch and as they ate, Kate told him about Matilda King's gift of the wedding dress.
"It's gorgeous Dad, wait till you see it!" she told him excitedly.
"Have you set the day yet?" he aske.
"No, we'd like to bring it forward to this spring, probably May," she told him. "We really don't want to wait any longer but everywhere we've looked at is fully booked. Ever since I placed that announcement I've been inundated with adverts for wedding venues. Most of them are awful. I mean who wants to get married in a swanky hotel - all marble and glass and no feeling. I want to get married somewhere that means something to us!"
He had no suggestions to offer but then remembered something else he wanted to ask. "You mentioned your apartment," he said, "have you decided what you're going to do with it? I mean when you get married." He was afraid she was still keeping it as a possible retreat should the one foot out the door become two.
"Oh I'm going to put it on the market. I just didn't have time before I went to DC and then when I returned, well the loft was rather crowded and we both escaped there a few times but I haven't slept there in weeks." she told him. "It's probably a good time of year to sell so I ought to get on with it."
Jim was relieved there was no hesitation in her decision; it had simply been the pressures of a busy life holding her back.
"Why do you want to sell?" he asked." It's a nice apartment in a good area and a sound investment, why not rent it out? It's not as if you need the capital." He knew the apartment had taken a sizable part of the money she'd inherited after Johanna had died along with the insurance money after her first apartment had been blown up.
Kate shrugged. "I suppose I could. I haven't really thought about it."
"Actually I might know someone who could be interested. It seems her son is getting married and she wants to move out," he eyed Kate but she didn't react.
She was worrying about moving the rest of her stuff to Castles loft. They'd successfully negotiated the removal of Linus, the glowering lion but that was from their bedroom to his office. Negotiating her art work and knick knacks into the living area of the loft would inevitably need to involve Martha and Alexis. The loft was tastefully decorated and furnished and she did not wish to add clutter. Where she would place her Buddha statue? It fitted well by her apartment door but Castle had that millstone arrangement which looked spectacular. He had great taste and she didn't want to disrupt the synergy of his home with her eclectic collection.
There was so much to think about so she was just relieved when her father offered "Will you let me look into it? I could arrange a survey and valuation."
"Sure Dad thanks, if it's not too much trouble." He nodded, satisfied. Their little plan might just work. Parents will do anything for their children; he and Martha were no different. She had confided in him that she wanted to give Richard and Katherine their own space at the start of their married life. Even if nothing came of it he was happy to help his daughter, he had a lot to make up for the years in which he failed her.
"I'll see you tonight." Jim told her. "Rick's invited me to his financial meeting, are you OK with that?"
"Of course Dad. I'll see later. "They parted outside the diner.
That evening Kate was relaxing on the couch with a mug of coffee before the scheduled financial meeting.
Alexis and Jim entered the loft together, she assumed they'd both come from his law office as they still seemed to be discussing legal terminology. She waved lazily at them.
Jim crossed to where Castle stood in his kitchen, they exchanged a handshake then Castle indicated the coffee pot and Jim nodded gratefully. Alexis joined her on the couch.
"Hey Xis, how was your day?"
"Good thanks," the redhead replied.
"Dad, there's something I want to tell you before the meeting." Alexis said glancing at Kate.
"Hey Pumpkin, what is it?"
"Well, I've met this very nice man, he's quite a bit older than me but he's on his own now and has lots of space and he has invited me to move in..."
Kate took one look at Castle who was nearly puce, a look of horror and dismay on his face.
"Alexis enough!" she reprimanded her. She crossed swiftly to Castle's side; he seemed to have difficulty breathing. She gentled him, a hand on his chest. "It's just my Dad," she assured him, "Alexis is moving in with my Dad, he has the space. " Castle sucked in a breath and wiped his hand across his brow.
"Your Dad?" he croaked, he looked at Jim who seemed decidedly uncomfortable at the way Alexis had chosen to break the news.
Kate would've liked to grab hold of Alexis and give her a good shake and a stiff talking too but that probably wasn't her place, however she did not have to witness Castle's distress and her Dad's embarrassment without comment.
She spoke quietly but frankly. "Alexis, I am disappointed in you. You've hurt your father and embarrassed my Dad. You and I will have a problem if this is how you behave."
Alexis swallowed, mortified. She'd only meant to tease but it had all gone so wrong. She knew how sensitive her father was on this topic and she certainly hadn't meant to upset Jim when he'd been so nice to her. Why, oh why had she let her mouth run away like that? Why was growing up so hard?
But Alexis knew exactly what she had to do and quickly.
"I'm sorry Dad, I didn't mean to upset you. Jim, I apologize. That was uncalled for when you've been kind enough to offer me a place to stay. And Kate, I don't want you to be disappointed in me, really I couldn't stand it if we weren't friends."
It was certainly a fulsome and heartfelt apology, Kate nodded. Castle opened his arms and Alexis went into them for a hug whispering "sorry" into his chest.
Jim cleared his throat. "Look why don't you all come to me for lunch tomorrow? You can see the arrangements and if you still don't like the idea, Rick, we can discuss it."
Jim had spent many years as a lawyer negotiating terms and he knew how to offer an outcome acceptable to all parties.
"Its fine, Jim really. Now I know it's you, it sounds a splendid idea." Castle recovered his poise.
Yes, well I've plenty of room Rick, it's on a bus route to Colombia and she can come and go as she pleases."
"I'm happy you'll be there to keep an eye on her."
"Uh, no Rick. I'll expect her to let me know me if she's staying out but what she does and who she's with isn't any of my business," Jim declared. "Mind you," he added, with a touch of the dry wit Kate remembered from her youth, "if she gets behind on her rent I'll be round here straight away!"