Chapter 13
Not long after dawn's first rays shone on the curtains of their room, Rick woke Kate with more whispering. "Hey, gorgeous, time to face the day."
Kate was instantly conscious, smiling, until it occurred to her that SHE was the morning person. How had he managed to wake up first? Little did she know that Castle had made a resolution NOT to leave himself vulnerable to her sleepytime interrogations until after the dress was revealed. To that end, after she had drifted off the night before, he had covertly set his cell phone alarm and put it on vibrate, placing it under his pillow.
When they were all dressed, Rick, Kate and Alexis had breakfast in the hotel restaurant before setting out to take in the sights of Boston. They walked the Freedom Trail, following the red painted line from one historical location to the next. Alexis studied each sign and display carefully, soaking it all in. Kate was kept busy trying to prevent Castle from touching the artifacts beyond the velvet ropes in the various museums. When all of her best threats failed, (even forced celibacy) her final solution was to keep his hand firmly clasped in hers. His telltale smirk told her that THIS had been his goal all along.
When they were tired of walking, they had lunch at Faneuil Hall, which boasted a food court roughly the size of a small landing strip, with nearly every conceivable menu item. They bought tickets for a "Duck Tour" and traveled to the pick-up point. They boarded a purple vehicle. Once it was full, the tour guide explained that the fleet of vehicles had originally been built for trans-Atlantic troop/supply transport during World War II. They rode around the city, seeing statues and other landmarks, until the vehicle drove down a ramp and into (?) the Charles River. Scraping and mechanized noises could be heard/felt beneath their feet until it became obvious how the conveyance had earned its name. What had seemed to be a squatty bus was now a boat. The guide took them past more landmarks, citing the city's notable bragging rights in numerous hospitals and colleges. Alexis perked up noticeably at this last fact, causing Rick to shoot cranky looks at the tour guide.
At the conclusion of the tour they returned to the hotel to rest and change for dinner. They took a cab to the Prudential Center. Their ears popped as they rode the elevator to the 52nd floor, where they had dinner at the Top of the Hub. They had a window seat, with a breath-taking view of the city. Rick had seen it before, so in his mind the most breath-taking part was watching the faces of woman he loved and the daughter he cherished, as they took in the view. As they enjoyed dessert, the sun set, painting the sky with pinks and oranges. In the cab headed back to the hotel, Kate wrapped her arm around Rick's and rested her head on his shoulder, just for a moment. Alexis watched them, smiling. When they all reached their suite, Alexis disappeared into her room for a few minutes, then emerged and announced that she was going down for a swim.
Kate opened her mouth to say she would join her, but a squeeze from Rick's hand stopped her. She looked to him and he shook his head, smiling. After the teenager, wrapped in her robe and armed with a book, disappeared out the door, Kate allowed Rick to pull her to him. "That's a remarkable daughter you have. Perceptive, discrete, and willing to share her father with me."
Rick nodded his agreement, but Kate could tell that his thoughts had already turned away from his daughter to something far less innocent. He led her to their room, closing and locking the door. He reached for her again, kissing her passionately. His hands wandered down her back, cupping her behind before moving upward again. After his third pass, he pulled back, appearing confused. Reading his expression, Kate chuckled. "What's the matter, Castle, are you actually having difficulty getting a woman out of her clothes. You must be slipping." She taunted him, pulling away. "Maybe you're not qualified to be involved in this secret dress business after all."
She almost goaded him into spilling the beans, but he waggled a finger at her. "You'll find out soon enough, darling. Now, tell me how to get you out of THIS dress, or I will find my own way in, and then I will need to commission the seamstress to fix it for you." He advanced toward her, and she backed up with her hands in the air, until the backs of her knees hit the mattress. When her hands came up, he noticed the zipper pull under her arm. "Ah HAH!" He pounced, spinning her so that her back was to him. He cupped her breast through the fabric before sliding his hand to the right. His left hand found the other breast while his right hand pulled the zipper down. He released the fasteners on the shoulder straps, and she was free of the dress. He turned her back around. His eyes traveled down her body and back up, noting with appreciation the way the dark blue lace made her skin look like porcelain. Not knowing how much time they had before Alexis returned to the suite, they made love feverishly. When they were done, Rick cradled Kate for a while. He left her, murmuring "I am going to go check on Alexis." Kate nodded sleepily.
Rick ventured down to the pool room. He found Alexis relaxing in a chaise lounge, reading, her hair still damp from her swim. "Hey, pumpkin…"
She looked up, smiling. "Hi Dad. Everything ok? Where's Kate?"
"She went to bed, which is where you should be, young lady. But since you are here, can we talk?"
Alexis closed her book, her brows knitting. "Sure, what's up?"
"Are you doing OK with this? I mean, you seem OK with it, but I sorta sprung it on you, 'Hi Honey, come to Boston for the weekend, and oh by the way, Kate and I are dating now'"
"Dad, really. When you said you'd invited someone to the Hamptons, did you honestly think I couldn't figure out who you meant? I'm so happy for you. Kate is fun and smart and…and…brave, and obviously the most patient woman on the planet, if she puts up with you. I mean, I have to, blood ties and all."
"Yeah, that and the fact that I pay your allowance. Seriously though, I'm glad you like her. Now why don't we head up to bed.
Over breakfast Kate asked Alexis how the pool was. Getting an enthusiastic response, Kate suggested that they all go for a swim once their food had settled. Donning bathing suits and robes, they went to the pool and splashed around, had a three way race, and generally enjoyed themselves. Castle noted that Kate had chosen a different bathing suit, one not so easily undone. She caught him contemplating the closures on the suit top and shot him a warning glare, earning a smirk in response.
Once dried and dressed, they traveled down to the waterfront and caught a harbor cruise. Back on land, they bought sandwiches and drinks and headed to the Esplanade. They had a picnic supper and then made their way to their seats for the concert. Kate's prediction came true, they were spotted by reporters, but Rick kept his word, doing one interview with Channel 5, and one with the Boston Globe. After that he directed a meaningful glance at one of the security guards, who deftly blocked all further attention. Rick sat between Alexis and Kate, holding Kate's hand for the duration of the concert and Alexis' for as long as she permitted it. The orchestral music was lively and beautiful. (Much like "his two girls", Rick mused, watching their rapt faces.) The fireworks display began, an eye-popping assortment of red, green and purple blossoms in the sky. There were gold sidewinders and silver starbursts. Kate glanced over at Castle. The colors in the sky played over his face, a picture of child-like awe. When the show was finished, Kate glanced behind them with dismay at the huge throng of people. It would take forever, jostling through the crowd, before they could get clear. Before she could plot their path, though, Rick stood and pulled her out of her seat, toward the stage. The security guard nodded and motioned toward a "restricted access" gate. Kate and Alexis followed Castle through the gate and watched him approach a slightly younger man in a white dress shirt. He clapped the man on the back, causing him to turn. Alexis let out a small gasp.
"Omigod" she squealed. Rick turned from where he was chatting with none other than Keith Lockheart. He grinned and waved them over. They approached and introductions were made all around. Keith and Alexis talked music for a few minutes, before he made his excuses and left them to greet another eager fan..
By then the crowd had dispersed, so they caught a cab back to their hotel. They ordered a movie on pay per view, got munchies from room service. When the credits rolled, Alexis yawned and bid them goodnight.
Laying in bed, Kate turned and kissed Rick's shoulder.
"What was that for?" he asked.
"For a magical weekend. You really do know how to show a girl a good time." Kate braced for his cocky response. What she got instead surprised her.
"Thanks, I try." He said it simply, softly. "You and Alexis really seem to be getting along. I'm grateful for that. I know you weren't figuring on 'instant family' when you met me…"
They drifted off in comfortable silence.
