Chapter Five
Rick was always happy puttering around the kitchen but this morning he wanted to dance and sing as he made breakfast for two. A very special two, him and Kate; he made love with Kate Beckett. Last night had been so special because it wasn't "just sex" (but it was unbelievable sex), it was about finally sharing the most intimate parts of who he was with her. Even after four years together, Rick was still learning things about her that surprised him…Kate was a cuddler! He chuckled when he thought about it. Badass Detective Katherine Beckett liked to be held, caressed and kissed. Rick just loved to cuddle, oh hell, he loved to do anything with or for Kate but especially cuddling with her in bed. He was so happy, almost giddy and he was in love, maybe for the first time in his life.
Rick spent most of his teen years in all boy schools, military academies or prep schools. If he was brutally honest about it, what he felt for his first girlfriend, Kira Blaine, had been puppy love. Neither of them was serious enough to commit to a relationship. She wanted space and he let her go. It hurt at the time but life went on. With his first wife Meredith, it had been pure lust! She was sexy, outrageous and just wanted fun, so different from Kira. He married her because he got her pregnant. Rick would not walk away from his child, the way his father had walked away from him. His first marriage was short lived but the birth of Alexis gave him the love of his life...until now.
Rick always thought of his marriage to Gina as more a business merger. He got a talented editor, a liaison with his publisher and someone who was good at forcing him to write. He learned very quickly that she had no intention of being just a wife or mother to Alexis. Did he ever really care for her? After the divorce, they worked much better together. She came up with that whole badboy/playboy crap. It had been fun for a while but Rick was tired of that whole image but he kept playing the part. God had he really been that shallow? Why the hell would someone like Kate let him hang around her? His guilty conscious answered him, "Because you forced her to, jackass." He didn't force her last night. Rick couldn't stop smiling. She did care for him. She still hadn't said she loved him but he could wait. He danced over to grab two mugs. The pancake batter was ready, the eggs were just about done and the bacon was in the warmer. He was pouring coffee when he heard a chuckle come from behind him. Rick turned and nearly dropped the cup. Kate was standing in the doorway in nothing but one of his dress shirts. Good God, she was gorgeous! He wouldn't mind seeing her just like that every day for the rest of his life.
"God Kate, you are so beautiful…and you were beyond extraordinary." She blushed at his compliment and the reference to their earlier activities. She lifted her hand to reach for the coffee but he took her hand and kissed it. Kate had never felt this way. Sex with the other men in her life had been...uninspiring. Will usually rolled off her after he got off and went to sleep. Josh usually made sure she was satisfied but then he would clean up, get dressed and was gone. No one ever called her beautiful before or cared if she was happy. It felt so damned good just to be held; Rick held her for hours, stroking her hair and skin and kissing her.
Rick's brain /mouth filter obviously was not working well today but other parts of him were most definitely wide awake and raring to go. Giving her the cup, he turned away quickly and began putting food on a plate for her. "Toast or Pancakes?"
"Toast for now, maybe a pancake later." He watched her take a bite of the bacon and eggs. "My compliments to the chef, he looks fetching in those boxers."
Rick turned back to the stove to get his breakfast. He was so busted. Hopefully..."things"would calm down before he had to stand up to make her pancakes.
Taking pity on him Kate changed the subject. "I heard the phone ring; do you need to head out?"
"No, it was Alexis checking in. She went to a graduation party and was supposed to be home by now."
"Is everything OK?"
"She's fine but apparently it has been raining all night and everything is flooding. She is staying where she is, at least until the rain lets up a little."
"It was pouring last night when I walked here, that's why I was so wet. How did her graduation go?"
"I was so proud of her, her speech was wonderful?"
"Speech?"
"She was the class valedictorian."
"Did you tell me that? I'm sorry I forgot all about her graduation. I wanted to get Alexis something. She is wonderful, so smart and mature. You are a great dad."
"I lucked out. She has always been like that and she has grown into the most amazing young woman. Did you know she got accepted to every college she applied to? She decided to go to Columbia. At least she won't be so far away but she made me promise not to just drop in on her…at least not every day." The thought of seeing his baby girl only once or twice a month wiped some of the joy from his face.
"It will be hard for you not to have her here; you two have always been so close. Poor Rick, I've missed so much because I've been so focused on my mom's case for so long. Well no more…hey, how about that pancake? I know you have a hundred questions. Let's enjoy breakfast and we will talk after, OK?"
Rick nodded. "More coffee?" Rick poured the batter onto the griddle and then filled both cups. He returned minutes later with two plates that held three pancakes each. "OK, dig in. Maple Syrup?"
A/N Thank you to all who made this story a favorite or set up a story alert. This was going to be the last chapter but it got too long. I should have the last part done by tomorrow.
