Hello all! Hope you're all good and well and happy!

Can't believe we're making our way to July already (real calendar…Freeze, Thaw, Reheat is still making its way to Memorial Day!)

This chapter and the next took a while to complete…sorry about that! Story is moving through my timeline slowly, but you all don't seem to mind the detail and dialogue so, I'm just going to stick with it and hope you don't get frustrated with me!

Chapter 28 - Promenade

"Castle?" Kate asked, in surprise, when the door swung open. "What are you doing here?"

"I live here, Detective," he reminded her with an amused expression.

Kate rolled her eyes and stepped forward, pausing briefly while Castle dropped a kiss on her cheek. She wondered again why she liked that so much.

"Kate! You're here!" She looked to see Alexis coming down the stairs.

"Yeah, I'm here." Kate smiled, dropping the bag she carried at the foot of the floating stairs. Alexis met her at the bottom of the stairs and enveloped her in a big hug. "Didn't think he was going to be though," she said quietly to Alexis.

"I think he changed plans when he found out you were going to be here."

"Sorry, thought he knew."

"I didn't tell him because I figured he do that. And I didn't want to draw attention to not wanting him here."

"Well, I'm glad I didn't bring my guitar."

Kate looked up when something flying through the air caught her eye. Then she noted the large boxes in the living room.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Chucking Styrofoam," Castle answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"He already popped all the bubble wrap." Alexis explained. Kate looked around, confused.

"Castle, did you buy a new TV?"

"Yeah!" Castle said, making his way to her. He grabbed her arm, and quickly drew her to the couch, pushing her back slightly so she fell heavily on the cushion.

"Check this out!" he said, oblivious to her glare at being man-handled. "Smart TV. Internet-capable—so we can Goggle from right here." Castle plopped a wireless keyboard into her hands. "NetFlix streaming. Plus, I have a box, so we can stream any movie, not just the Watch Instantly ones. Not to mention Madden and Grand Theft Auto."

"Thrilling."

He paused and looked around, finally pulling glasses out of another box before putting them on Kate. "See? 3-D!"

"It's not 3-D, Castle."

"Yes it is."

"No, Dad. You have to switch it to the 3-D movie."

"Oh, right."

Kate took off the glasses. "Castle, why—"

"Oh, but you haven't seen the best part. Check this out!" Castle grabbed his iPad from the coffee table. "Look, we can project stuff onto the screen from the laptop or this." He made a few movements on the iPad, and all of a sudden there was a timeline across the top. A fake-vic's pic and some scribbles Castle was adding showed up in real-time. He looked over at Kate and grinned. "A virtual murder board. Even cooler than Shaw's."

Kate had to admit, it was pretty cool. "Wow," Kate said, shaking her head "I can't believe my murder board still isn't enough for you. I feel so irreverent and unwanted."

"Beck-ett," Castle whined.

"No, Castle," Kate made like she was going to get up. "I understand. We're not good enough for you." She turned to look at Alexis, who was looking anxious until she saw Kate's sly smile.

"No. I—but—Esposito—wait. Your board is fine. I like your board. I love your board. But now I have one, too…and we can switch to a movie if we need a break."

Kate picked up the iPad while Castle was stuttering through his explanation and wrote "just messing with you" followed by a smiley face.

"Castle," she nodded to the screen as she finished drawing the smiley face. He looked up and read what she wrote.

"Oh, uh, right." He turned to look at her. "So, it is cool, right?"

She wrote "Yes" on the iPad. "Still not sure why you needed a new TV though. Your other one was perfectly fine."

She turned to look at him, but he wouldn't make eye contact and was slightly flushed. "Castle."

"Hmm?"

"What's this have to do with Esposito?"

"Huh? What? Nothing?"

"You said 'Esposito' earlier."

"No I didn't."

"Dad, you're a horrible liar. What did you do?"

Beckett narrowed her eyes at him. "C'mon Castle."

"What? I didn't do anything bad."

"We're not saying you did," Alexis assured him.

"It's just…okay, fine. I heard him complaining about the sound going on his TV. I figure it must have gotten worse since the last time I was over there."

"And?" Beckett prodded.

"And I knew he wouldn't let me buy him a new TV. Man, I knew I should have gone with the raffle!"

"Huh?"

"Well, now it's gonna look like I'm trying to give him my hand-me downs."

Kate missed a beat when she realized what he meant. "So you bought a new TV just so you could offer your other one to Esposito?"

"Well, yeah. Plus, it's cool. But I should have just gotten Esposito the same one and let him think he won it. Oh, this is bad. What am I going to do?"

"Dad, it's not bad."

Kate wasn't sure she'd ever met someone so generous. He had the means, yes, but it wasn't just that. It was the little things he'd do for people. The Temptation Lane photo for her, flowers for Lanie, pie for everyone on Pie Day (which she'd never heard of until three years ago). The other day he gave Koenig's son tickets to Spider-Man on Broadway just because the six-year old was so fascinated with Spider-Man. Castle thought he'd get a kick out of seeing him 'fly' in real-life. Kate was surprised he didn't want to see it himself, but he said he'd been given the tickets back in January when it was originally set to open. He said the tickets were for speaking at an event, but now Kate wondered.

"I agree Castle. It's a sweet thought. And I get that you're looking out for his pride, but trust me, tricking him would be much worse. At least this way, he can still decline."

"So, how 'bout it? Wanna watch a movie with me?"

"Dad, she's not here for you. You see her all the time."

"You've seen her more than me lately."

"That's not true!"

"Yes it is. You had her all day Sunday!"

Kate's head bounced back and forth between the two. She didn't know whether to be appalled or astounded. She literally had no words. She supposed with Rick around, Alexis couldn't help but be pulled into childish arguments sometimes.

"But I brought her home with me! And I haven't seen her since."

"And we are thankful, Dear," Martha said from behind them. "But, Goodness, you two. You're embarrassing the poor girl."

The both looked at Kate, who was definitely a shade brighter than before. They each mumbled, "Sorry, Kate."

"Richard, I wonder if I might have a word?" Castle was going to get the best behavior lecture for when Ashley showed up tonight.

"Come on, Kate. Let's escape while we can." Alexis smiled and led Kate up to her room.

On the way up, Alexis showed her the results of the mani-pedi she'd had done earlier. Kate was glad she at least had the opportunity to do that with her friends, but she felt a little bit bad for her. She knew Alexis was missing out on getting ready with her girlfriends—who were all leaving with their dates from Paige's house. Alexis had been thrilled when Kate offered to come help her get ready.

Kate put her bag on the bed and started pulling out stuff. Alexis noticed she had extra boots and another outfit with her. Kate explained that she was going out and thought she'd just get ready with Alexis. Sure, she'd be done hours before she'd actually be leaving, but it would be more fun for Alexis, and it would be just as easy since it was a convenient meeting place for Lanie, Jenny and Madison.

While Kate curled Alexis' hair, Alexis talked about their plans for dinner, Ashley's tux and the boutonniere she picked out. Alexis had been to prom before, but she told Kate if felt different this time, especially since she loved Ashley and he was graduating and would be leaving for college soon. Kate asked more about her friends, studies and told Alexis some stories from her own high school days.

Kate finished curling Alexis' hair, asking her how she wanted to wear it? Alexis wasn't sure, so Kate suggested she put her dress on first. Kate curled her own hair while waiting. When Alexis came back in, Kate was again impressed by how well the dress suited Alexis. Lanie had been right.

"Well, your hair looks great just like that, Lex. But, I'm thinking you might want it half up, half down, especially for the after party. Are you changing clothes or staying in your prom dress all night?"

"I think you're right. I packed clothes, but I don't know. I'll probably wait and see what my friends do."

Kate motioned for Alexis to sit down in front of her facing the bathroom mirror. She pulled Alexis curls back, so that it draped back between her shoulders, but gave her lots of body on top. She left only a few soft tendrils down to frame Alexis' face.

"Will you do my make-up, too?"

"Of course. That's what I'm here for."

She looked at Alexis. "So what's it gonna be? A tribute to Heath Ledger's Joker, Adam Lambert look-alike or crazy cat eyes?"

Alexis laughed. "I was kind of hoping more for Kate Beckett's smokey eye special."

Kate cocked her eyebrow at Alexis. "Oh, Alexis…I don't think..." Kate watched as Alexis' face dropped a bit. "Well, I brought my makeup, Lex, but I think it's probably too dark to go with your dress…not to mention your complexion."

"What would you need?"

"I'm not sure exactly…let's look through what you have."

Kate and Alexis rummaged through her eye makeup, but only found shimmery metallics and brighter colors. "I don't think we have what we need to do what you want."

"That's okay. Maybe next time."

"Wait..." Kate looked up at Alexis. "How many actresses do you know that don't have a crap-load of makeup?"

"Well," Alexis grinned, catching on. She put her index finger to her chin. "Now that you mention it. I know a few actresses…and I happen to live with one who wouldn't be caught dead without her face painted on."

"Right. Wait here."

Kate stepped out of Alexis' room and called for Martha, seeing if she was in her room. When she didn't answer, she looked downstairs, where Martha was reading a script in the armchair.

"Martha?" she called.

"Yes, Dear?"

Kate smiled. The woman was regal, even in the way she turned her attention to another. "We require your expertise." Kate paused, then grinned. "And your makeup."

"Well, then! Let's not keep Cinderella waiting!"

When Martha joined them in the bathroom, she looked Alexis over. "You look lovely, dear. So fresh-faced. You don't need any makeup to be the most beautiful thing there."

Alexis blushed. "Your Gram's right. Your skin's flawless. Have you ever even had a zit?"

"Ha—too many." Alexis turned to her grandmother. "Kate's going to make eyes look all dramatic like she does to hers."

"But, my makeup is too dark for Alexis and she only has brighter stuff." Kate glanced to the case Martha carried in. "We're hoping you might have something that will work."

"Well, I have a whole arsenal, and you are, of course, welcome to it." Martha looked wistfully over the scene before her. She was happy that Alexis was getting the girl time she so often missed out on. She sometimes wished she could do this for Alexis, but she realized that Alexis needed her to be the grandmother, a sometimes shelter from her overprotective father. So, unconventional though she was, that's what she was for Alexis, and she never tried to be anything else. She didn't mother her; she cared for her like a grandmother would and should.

"Have fun, my dears," Martha said, turning to leave the two alone.

"Wait. Where are you going?"

"Well—"

"It's just…I don't know what colors to use on Alexis and you two have the same coloring. I was hoping you'd stay."

Martha looked to Kate and Alexis, who were looking back at her hopefully. For whatever reason, she hadn't expected to be included and it hadn't bothered her in the least. But knowing that they wanted her there made her feel young and needed and, well…wanted. She wondered if Kate knew how much she was giving to this family.

"Yeah, Gram. Plus…you've never told me about your prom."

"Ah, my prom, hmm?" Martha asked digging in her makeup console. Kate thought it was easily the size of her dad's tackle box, if not larger, but in moments, Martha had expertly selected three different shades and an eye pencil that Kate knew would work flawlessly together. "Well, let's start with the most important thing: the fashion. I wore this absolutely hideous blue ruffled number. I swear, I don't know what I was thinking!"

Martha continued to regale them with stories about her prom, stopping occasionally to reminisce. While holding up jewelry for Martha's approval and working on Alexis face, the younger two were awed at the trouble Martha had gotten in to.

"Martha, you have to stop making us laugh so much! Alexis is in tears and I'm going to fudge this up." Kate stopped herself. "Okay…break for you. Dry your eyes. I'm going to do my eyes and you can watch. Then maybe you can try your own?"

Alexis and Martha both leaned in to watch what she was doing.

Kate was bent over the sink, not explaining what she was doing entirely, but going slow enough for Alexis to follow. "Wow. This is weird. Never had an audience before."

Without Kate realizing, Rick chose that moment to appear in Alexis bathroom sporting a video camera. He noticed Kate leaned over the sink and zoomed in on her ass.

"Dad!" Rick jumped. "What are you doing?"

Rick kept filming. "I heard a lot of laughing thought I'd catch the pre-party party."

Kate glared at him from the mirror. "Castle! That better not be pointed where I think it is!"

"Honestly, Richard. Have you no shame?"

"What'd you expect?"

"Privacy!" Alexis answered, shoving him out of the bathroom.

"What? You're kicking me out?"

"Yes!" all three chorused.

Kate turned back to the mirror.

"Such an opportunist!" Alexis exclaimed. Kate smirked.

"We really can't blame him, Sweetie," Martha said, appraising Kate's backside. Kate blushed. "No need to be embarrassed, Dear. Embrace it!"

"Gram!"

"We're goddesses! We are meant to be worshipped."

"Martha, you're..."

"Too much?"

"I was gonna say 'something else.'"

"What?"

"No, I mean, I was gonna say, 'You're something else.'"

"Yeah. She's definitely 'something else.' Broke the mold. Can't find another one like her." Alexis teased.

"As it should be my loves, but I could say the same for the pair of you!"

By the time they were done in the bathroom, Kate had finished her makeup and did one of Alexis' eyes on the promise that Alexis would do the other—which she did just fine. Kate also finished her hair and re-perfumed. Since she still had a few hours, she decided to stay in her jeans and tee until it was about time to go. No need to torment Castle.

Rick had insisted that they let him film the big reveal, so Martha and Kate went downstairs to tell him Alexis was ready. Castle was there, video camera in hand as Alexis came down the stairs. She looked every bit the princess he'd always imagined her to be.

Kate watched Rick as he watched his daughter. She was moved by the pride and devotion that emanated from his expression. After Alexis made it to the bottom of the stairs and twirled for her father, he stopped filming and wrapped her in a huge hug, picking her up off the ground.

"You're look so beautiful…and grown up." He tilted his daughter's chin up. "I think it's the eyes…makes you look older." He frowned a bit in consternation, realizing Ashley wasn't going to think she looked older. He was going to think she looked sexy as hell.

Kate knew what Castle was thinking as he looked Alexis over. Maybe she didn't know he was envisioning her with pigtails on her first day of school, but she knew he was thinking about Alexis getting older, not needing him so much. And probably about Ashley and how he wanted to warn him to keep his hands to himself.

Martha watched Kate and noticed the way her features softened as she watched her son. It wasn't just when he was with Alexis. She'd watched them work cases together on the couch late into the night. They'd had movie nights and poker nights. Martha wondered how much longer they would wait to accept what was between them. Rather, she knew Richard was waiting, Kate was, as yet, unwilling—but she trusted that the detective had her reasons and accepted that her son's ardent nature and reputation were likely factors in her hesitation. Kate would figure it out in her own time.

Ashley arrived right on time, looking dashing in his ivory tux. Going on Lanie's advice that black would clash, he let Alexis help pick out his tux without ruining the surprise of her dress. They'd even managed to find an ascot tuxedo tie in the exact same color of green as the sash on Alexis' dress. Ashley wore it with a pearl pin at the base of the neck.

Of course, Rick caught it all on video, including Alexis' dash to the refrigerator to get Ashley's boutonniere. It was cute to see her nervous. After they exchanged flowers and a discreet kiss, and were just about to leave to make it to their dinner reservations, Castle stopped them. He passed the camera off to Martha, who immediately zoomed out to get a shot of all four of them.

"Alexis, Sweetie," Castle said giving his daughter one more hug, "thank you for giving me this moment."

"Aw, Dad. Not just for you. For posterity," she said nodding slightly to the camera.

"Blackmail. It will embarrass you someday."

Alexis laughed.

"But, seriously, I know you missed out on the limo with all your friends—"

"Dad, I've been in a limo before."

"I know, but still…" Castle dangled some keys up in front of the two. "I was hoping this might help make up for it."

"Seriously?" Alexis squealed. "The Ferrari?"

"Well, you know…" Castle handed the keys to Ashley. "Have fun. Be safe. Secure parking."

"Oh, uh, Mr. Castle, I don't think—"

"Ashley, don't worry about it. I checked with your parents. I know you know how to drive a stick."

"It's just a…it's your really sweet car. I don't want—"

"Ashley, I trust you with my daughter and she's a helluva lot more important than some car. You'll be fine. Car will be fine. Now, go, before you're late. Show my daughter a good time!"

After another round of hugs, and Alexis again thanking Kate and Kate again telling Alexis how beautiful she looked, Castle and Kate stepped back. Without thinking about the gesture, Castle put his arm around Kate's shoulders and pulled her closer. She rubbed his back, letting him know he'd done a good thing and offering him support as he watched his baby girl leave on an important date, one they both knew she'd always remember.

After the lovebirds left promising to have fun, Kate and Rick turned to look at each other, smiling. Castle realized he still had his arm around her shoulders. He hadn't reached out to her intentionally, and was surprised she hadn't balked at the gesture, even returned it. Not wanting to draw attention to their present position Castle dropped his arm and turned toward the kitchen.

Castle smiled at her, but not teasingly. "Come on, Detective. I'll make you dinner." Noticing Martha still with the video camera, he winked at her. "Mother, you staying?"

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