Finding a Date – Chapter 10. (At Jim's home – set after DTK)
Kate clasped her arms around her shins drawing her knees up to her chin. Jim was giving Castle and Alexis a tour of the house, she could hear their voices downstairs. She recalled other happy times when she'd sat here on her window seat – trying on her first pair of ice skates, opening the letter with the offer of a place at Stanford and the black days of despair after her mother was murdered when she'd sat for hours just sobbing and railing at the universe for being so unfair.
Now happy times were back, happier than she had ever believed possible.
She thought back to the previous evening, still reeling from meeting in which she learnt of the size and scope of her fiancé's wealth. She hadn't yet absorbed the implications. She knew it would take her time to process, that was her way. Castle had snagged her hand as they'd cleared up in the kitchen after their guests had gone. Alexis had also returned to her own apartment, sharing a cab with Jim and apologising again as they had left together.
"You're good with her," Castle said softly.
"I don't want to be the wicked stepmother," Kate avowed, "but she went too far."
"Yes she did, but now she knows she crossed a line and she won't make that mistake again. She wants your respect more than anything."
"Yeah, well I care about her."
"And that means a lot to me." Castle whispered against her hair.
"What did you think of the meeting?" he'd asked, as they stood foreheads touching in the dimmed lights, the fire flickering on the other side of the room.
She'd sucked in a deep breath, "It's a lot to take in. You know me. Castle, I take time to work things out." There was a short silence. He did know but he'd been patient before and he could be again, especially as this time she was talking to him about her need for time.
"You know I don't love you for your money right? But it is part of who you are and I need... I want to take an interest in every part of you." She'd been astounded by the range and scope of his business investments and charitable concerns.
He'd nuzzled her ear, lips sucking at the tender spot just there. "As long as it doesn't change us, doesn't change what we have. I'll give it all away tomorrow if that what it takes."
"Um no, I kind of like the idea that I can buy any pair of heels I fancy!" she said, grinning into his shirt front.
"Hey, anymore and I'll need a new loft just for your shoes," he joked.
She stepped back looking up at him, concern on her face. "What was that about Martha wanting to move out?"
Martha had floated down the stairs before the meeting, her dress eddying in her wake.
"Richard darling! I hope my investments have done well this year, I 'm looking for somewhere to rent. Time I moved out and gave you two some space."
"That's not necessary, Martha!" Kate interjected, somewhat taken aback. "I like having you here, really."
"Katherine darling I love you too," Martha said firmly, "but now that you and Richard are getting married you don't need me underfoot and I'm making enough from my theatre school to pay my expenses."
Kate looked helplessly at Castle expecting him to object. He placed an arm around her shoulders winking at her.
"If Simon Doyle is right we'll need the extra bedroom. What with three kids and office space for a senator!"
"Castle, I am not becoming a senator!" She punched him lightly on the arm, but he just chuckled.
He'd support her in whatever way he could, financially or using his political friends if she did so decide but he was more intrigued that she hadn't denied the possibility of three children and that prospect excited him even more since it involved him ...intimately.
Now, as she returned to her former home it seemed much the same. Her Dad kept everything neat and tidy and her room was just as she'd left it.
Alexis and Castle came into the room, Alexis' face lit up as she spied the sunny window seat.
"You might want to give it a coat of paint." Kate told Alexis, indicating the walls.
"Would that be OK?" the redhead asked Jim.
"Sure, make any changes you want. I'll get some coffee on. Give me a hand, Rick?" he asked, wanting a private word with the younger man to ensure he was happy with the arrangement. He would, of course, ensure Alexis was safe and well but the girl was entitled to lead her own life.
Alexis browsed along the bookshelf, taking down an old law text-book from Kate's days at Stanford.
"Kate, can I talk to you about something?" Alexis still wasn't sure how she stood with the detective. She'd thought they'd made a good connection, she liked that Kate didn't get between her father and herself, didn't judge her but last evening had shown her there was no free pass, and her deserved rebuke from the person she wanted most to impress had left her hesitant in her presence.
"Of course. What is it?" Kate had never been one to hold a grudge; apology made and accepted she was happy to return to the easy balanced relationship they had been building.
"Well, you remember that Innocence Review case? It felt so good getting Frank Henson off and getting justice for Kimberley Tolbert and I enjoyed all the reading and research with Professor McDonald. It feels the same with the pieces of work I'm doing at your Dad's firm. I know it's only helping out but I'm seriously thinking about majoring in law next year. I spoke to Professor McDonald and he said he thought I'd do well."
"I'm sure you would Alexis. I think you'd be great at pretty much anything you put your mind to but I thought you liked your science and conservation projects?" Kate responded.
"I do! I just ... I don't know. I want to learn so much." Alexis sunk her head on her hands, sighing in frustration.
"It's got to be your decision honey, but even if you study law and decide not to practise it's still a great education. It'd be useful in so many other careers." Kate advised.
"Dad always reckoned I'd be President."
"See, it would be useful to know the law for that!" Kate quipped.
"Can I ask ... I mean I know why you became a cop but what made you choose to study law originally?" Alexis thought Kate could've excelled in any profession she chose. She knew she was one of the most highly regarded detectives on the force. She'd witnessed whilst she was working with Lanie how she stood out in a male dominated world. She was strong but feminine. She had the respect and friendship of her team and led them with authority. She was firm but never strident. She had poise and beauty but didn't flaunt her gifts. She was everything Alexis hoped to be.
"As you know both my parents were lawyers but it was more than just expectation on their part. I saw my mother's concern for those she tried to help. Too many people she worked for had been failed by the system. Sometimes they didn't have the means or the knowledge to fight for their rights. I thought I could solve their problems. I was going to be the first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court." How naïve that ambition seemed now.
"Perhaps I could do it for you?" Alexis asked seriously.
"Don't do it or anything else for me. Do it for you and I'll be proud as long as you have given it your best shot. "
Alexis glowed, relieved that they were OK, again.
The men returned bearing a tray with coffee and pastries which Jim had fetched earlier.
"Come on Xis, let's get you organised." Kate opened the wardrobe door, startled to find her old tennis dress hanging there. She quickly reached for it but not before Castle spotted it.
"Wow! Bet you looked good in that, try it on?" he batted his eyelids at her, playfully. Kate smirked, glad he never seen the photo the boys had found of her wearing it.
"Not gonna happen" she assured him. Although still slim and fit through yoga, running and working out there was no way she'd ever get into a dress she'd had when she was half her present age.
She started checking the drawers for any other long forgotten items.
Alexis reached up to the top shelf of the wardrobe. "There are photo albums here," she said offering them to Jim.
"I put them there for Katie," he replied, "they're wedding photos."
Alexis looked shyly at Kate and then at Jim. "May I look?"
"Of course."
Alexis curled her feet under her on the window seat; Castle, always curious, perched next to her peering over her shoulder.
Kate had seen the pictures many times over the years. Photos of her parents always brought bittersweet memories but she didn't mind her new family viewing the collection.
Kate recalled the majority had been taken at the reception and showed a plethora of her parents relatives and friends, she knew few of them now.
"You're very like your Mom, you know." Alexis offered quietly.
"Yes she is," Jim agreed, "not just in looks. You have some of her mannerisms too, Katie"
"Do I?" Kate asked, she shrugged pushing her hair behind her ear.
"Yes, like that."
She huffed.
"And that!"
As Alexis got to the last sheet a framed print fell out and she picked it up carefully. It showed the happy couple standing under a columned portico, part of a substantial red brick edifice.
"I know that building!" Alexis exclaimed. "That's Colombia University chapel. It's got a wonderful dome, all warm pinks and terracotta."
"That's right" replied Jim. "Jo and I got married there, we both graduated law school from Columbia so it seemed appropriate. "
Kate crossed to where Alexis and Castle were still contemplating the photo. Castle handed it to her, a question in his eyes. She turned to her Dad, "That's where you and Mom got married?"
"Yes."
Castle met her gaze, "You're Mom would be with you there."
"It's perfect" they said in unison, both laughing as they realised they might finally have found a suitable venue.
"Just as well I know a guy who can arrange it then." Jim beamed at them. "I roomed with the chaplain, before he got his vocation of course. He was one of the few friends who stood by me when I hit the bottle." He felt no need to dissemble, these people knew his weakness and accepted him despite it. "You really want this Katie?"
"Yeah." She looked at Rick for confirmation. "Yeah we do."
"May? I think you told me." Jim asked.
"Yes, but not the first week, Alexis will be away."
"Right, better get on it then." He pulled out his cell and dialled a number.
"Hi Greg, Jim Beckett speaking. Yeah it has been a long time. How's things?"
The one side of the conversation could be heard by all in the room.
"Yes, it's about my daughter Katie. She's getting married this spring and would like to use the University chapel for the ceremony. Do you have any free dates in May? "
The room occupants held their breath. "Very busy you say?"
Jim held up his hand as the three slumped in disappointment. "The only date you've got is the seventeenth. " Kate and Castle's faces lit up and smiles broke forth again.
"I think that'll do nicely." Jim said, as the two nodded their assent vigorously. "Two o'clock?" Another nod from Kate and a thumbs up sign from Castle. Kate's widest smile lit the room as she clasped Castle's hand in both of hers.
"Thanks Greg, that sounds great. Can you book it for Katherine Beckett and her husband to be Mr. Richard Castle? Yes, the mystery writer. No, I don't know where he gets his ideas from either!"
Jim was trying not to laugh; he was well aware how his daughter had become the inspiration for Nikki Heat.
"But" he told his old friend, "you can ask them after you've married them! Would be ok if we all came down this afternoon to pay the deposit and look around? Great see you later."
He ended the call and looked up to see Rick and his daughter locked in an embrace. Alexis grinned smugly at him so proud of her discovery of the perfect venue for the wedding.
He ushered her out of the room, "Come along Alexis. We'll go and fix some lunch. I think they've found their date."
The END
A/N
I'm basing this story on the idea that season 6 will end with the wedding but as far as I know the broadcast date for the last episode hasn't been announced yet , so this just a guess.
Thanks to lkwill39 ; ucsbdad; scottish castle fan; saved240307 for your reviews and to everyone else who has taken the time to review or has followed or favourited this story. An amazing response to my first published fanfic.
I'm working on a one shot post Still – yes I know it's been done, but not by me... yet.
Many thanks also to Cheerful Chemist for technical advice on how to format my story on ff!