Hope you enjoyed the previous chapter! Day before yesterday, the season 3 finale was finally on television in Holland. Sorry if I miss some information or if I have information wrong from season 4.

Chapter 3

"Dad!" Alexis exclaimed happily. She hugged him.

"Hey pumpkin" Castle said, kissing the top of her head.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling rather good, actually. The doctor said I can go home by the end of the afternoon."

"Great! Grams and I can make a welcome home dinner for you! Detective Beckett, do you want to come?"

"You can say Kate and I-I don't want to be intruding-"

Castle interrupted. "You're not Kate, you're always welcome, and besides, you saved my life yesterday. Dinner is the least I can do."

Kate looked from Alexis to Castle. "Well, okay, I'll be there."

Alexis was about to leave for school. "Oh, and Kate?" she started, "do you maybe want to bring dad home, I don't want him to go by himself in a cab."

"Hey, I've been stabbed, I'm not deaf," Castle said from his bed.

Kate glared at him. "Sure, Alexis."

"Thank you, Kate. Bye, see ya tonight!"

Castle was allowed to go home.

Together they walked towards her car. She helped him in and then sat down in the driver's seat.

Kate took his hand.

"Is something wrong, Kate?" he asked concerned.

"No, why?"

"It's just that I never imagined you as the type to hold hands."

She just smiled at him.

They arrived at the loft and stepped out of the car. When they rode the elevator, Kate took his hand again and laid her head on his shoulder. "Do you want to tell Alexis and your mother about us?"

"Only if you want to, Kate. I don't want to rush you into anything."

"Then I suppose we should tell them. I mean, they're your family and I don't mind if they know."

The elevator dinged.

Kate removed her head, but kept holding his hand. Together they walked into his apartment. Alexis hugged them both. Then she saw their joined hands.

"O my god, are you together?"

Kate ducked her head. "Sort of, I guess. Are you okay with it?"

"Are you serious? Of course I'm okay with it!" She grinned. "It was about time."

"What are we eating, pumpkin?"

"Spaghetti, and after that ice cream. Eh… Kate, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Yeah, sure."

Alexis led her to her room and sat down on the bed. She motioned for Kate to join her.

"Kate, I'm happy dad and you are together now. You're so different from Meredith and Gina. You're more… real. I hope you realize you have a chance, because he really cares about you." She looks down. "And I do too."

Kate is touched. She wraps her arms around the red headed girl. "I realize that, Alexis, and I care about him too. And I care about you too." She pulls back. "But your dad and I, we're taking things… slowly, so if you don't mind keeping this for yourself for a while…"

"I understand, Kate. But I'm still over-excited that you're with dad now." She grins. "C'mon, let's go downstairs, I think dinner's ready."

Together they walk towards the kitchen. While they were in Alexis' room, Martha had arrived.

"Kate, darling, thanks for bringing Richard here. Oh, and I'm really happy for you two, it was about damn time."

Kate looked down. "Thanks Martha."

"Come, sit down, the spaghetti is ready."

They all sat down and started to eat.

"Ehm…Castle?" Kate asked.

"Yeah?"

"Ryan and Esposito are trying to catch the guy who did this, and they asked if you could come to the precinct tomorrow, and meet a sketch artist."

"Sure, no problem."

When they finished eating, Martha spoke. "I'm heading out tonight, if you don't mind."

"Sure, mother, you can go. We'll manage, I think."

Martha left.

"Girls, why don't you pick a movie, then I'll fix the ice cream," Castle said.

"You sure, Castle? I can do the ice cream too, if you want."

"I can take care, thanks. Now pick a movie."

Kate and Alexis were looking through the DVD collection. They saw one they both liked.

"Shall we watch that one?" they both asked at the same moment. They smiled at each other.

"Dad, we're watching 'Made of honor', okay?" Alexis yelled.

"The one with Patrick Dempsey?" He walked into the living room.

"Yes, Castle, that one. No need to get jealous," Kate teased.

Alexis put the movie in and they all settled on the couch, Kate and Alexis on either side of him. When they finished their ice cream, Alexis yawned. "I think I'm heading to my room, I'm really tired. Night, dad."

"Night, pumpkin." He kissed her forehead.

"Night, Kate. I'll hope to see you tomorrow."

"Night, Alexis."

Alexis stood up and walked the stairs to her room.

Kate laid her head on Castle's shoulder. He kissed the top of her head. Together they watched the movie in a companionable silence. Suddenly he felt her sobbing. He put the DVD on pause.

"Kate, what's wrong?" he asked concerned.

"It's just- How can you do this, Rick?"

He was confused and a bit hurt. "Do what?"

"Being with me. I've always pushed you away, and you kept coming back. Rick, you had to be held hostage and get stabbed for me to acknowledge my feelings, damn it! You deserve so much better than me." Now she was really crying.

He hugged her tightly. "Kate, never, ever think you're not good enough for me. You're the best I can get; you're the most extraordinary and strongest woman I've ever met. And I have made mistakes too. But we're here now, and that's all I need." He pulled back and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

She calmed down a bit and said, "God, Rick, what have I done to deserve a man like you?"

She laid her head back down on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her. Soon she fell asleep.

He looked down at her, feeling incredibly happy. Not soon after her he fell asleep too.

Curious to know what you think!

-xxx-