So here is a chapter filled with fluffy goodness.
I still don't own Castle, in any form, I haven't found the boxsets in the correct region for here.
Enjoy!
Kate cannot remember the last time she had such a brilliant day. It is now evening and she is sitting upon the sofa watching her boyfriend argue with his daughter over how to cook dinner. Somehow despite the constant back and forth, the duo has managed to make a pretty good start on dinner.
Jim had left a few hours before claiming he had a dinner date. This had surprised Kate and part of her had felt hurt. As she watched the family in front of her however she realised that if this is what makes her dad happy then she will swallow any pain his dating again might cause her.
Looking away from the duo, Kate turns her attention to the game set up on the table. Almost as soon as she had asked what they were doing Rick had jumped up and down declaring board games. So far they had played Snakes and Ladders, Cluedo and Monopoly.
Kate shakes her head at the memory of Rick playing Cluedo. He had come up with stories for every character and when Alexis found that it was Professor Plum in the library with the candlestick, he came up with a detailed account of events. Professor Plum had been angry at the victim, another professor called Bob, for stealing both his theories and his wife. When he came upon Bob in the library copying down love poetry for said wife, Plum had snapped and grabbed the nearest object which happened to be the candlestick. He hit Bob killing him instantly before fleeing at the sound of approaching footsteps.
In response to his story Kate had shot him down with help from Alexis, but secretly she loved it or mainly hearing him tell it. As she returns to the moment she sets the last of the pieces up for the next game, The Game of Life. Kate's eyes linger on some of the spaces and her heart begins to fantasise wildly about marriage and children. Kate is surprised to find that she can only imagine Rick being the man by her side.
As that thought crosses her mind the man in question sat down beside her and sets down the plate in his hands, Fajitas. Her hand automatically entwines with his and as she reaches for the food she sees Rick's eyes linger over the same words that hers had not five minutes earlier.
Alexis begins this new game seemingly oblivious to the thoughts of the adults with her. She almost squeals in excitement when she lands on the marriage space. Rick groans as his little girl picks up a husband and proceeds to name him after her boyfriend. Rick's unhappiness at the game increases as Kate's turn puts her on the same square and Alexis practically demands that the new husband be named.
After pretending to think about it and trying not to grin at her guy's annoyance, Kate surprises him with the name choice. "I'll call him Alexander, after a fortune teller's prediction."
Rick immediately knows that true meaning of the name but cannot help but tease the detective. "I thought you didn't believe in such things."
"I don't, I just liked the name."
Alexis laughs at her fathers reaction and then even more when he fails to land upon that space and instead has to pay tax. The game continues with laughter and banter aplenty but of all his reactions the look upon his face when Alexis lands on the baby space was best. She had no hesitation in naming the child, a girl, Martha.
The game continues until Kate lands upon the baby square and the name she chooses has Rick's jaw hitting the floor. Amelia. Kate questioned the duos reaction when she noticed they shared the same dumbfounded look. "What? I've always liked it."
Rick finds his words shortly before his daughter and taking a gulp he explains. "It's a lovely name, the one I always use for this game in fact."
"Really, what a coincidence."
"Yeah, what a coincidence."
A knock at the door interrupts further conversation and as Rick moves to answer the door, Kate swivels her foot up into his space on the sofa. She removes it however a moment later when Lanie enters with her detective close behind.
She takes one look at Kate, shakes her head and turns her attention to the game upon the sofa. "So you've got one kid this game,"
"Yeah."
"Did you call it Amelia again?"
"Always do."
"Ok but anyway enough of that, we need to deal with that foot."
"Why?"
"It needs bandaging otherwise there's no point in elevating it. Anyone can see that."
Looking down at her obviously fine ankle, Kate concedes that no one could be fooled into thinking it was sprained. She sighs and looks up at her friend who is now rummaging in a shopping bag. "Fine Lanie, what do you suggest?"
Kate's eyes widen a bit as Lanie produces some bandages and a tuba grip. "These. You'll need the foot bandaged during the day for a week at least. I'll keep tabs on it and the tuba grip for night time. I will know if you skip either. I'll show Castle how to bandage it since you can't do it on your own."
"Lanie, I'm fine I can do it myself."
"No you can't, no one can wrap their own ankle properly. It'll actually heal with him doing the bandaging and how are you going to even try that with your ribs." In her hands she held a note stating that she was to play along in case they were followed and being listened to.
"My ribs are fine."
"Define fine."
"Practically no pain, I've had broken and cracked ribs before, these are just a bit tender."
"I'll listen to you on that but I expect lover boy to inform me if it's false."
"Fine, but he won't because I'm telling the truth."
Beside them Javier and Rick watch their partners with pride and love. Alexis watches with awe at the interaction, her mouth curving into a smile when Kate makes no remark on the lover boy comment.
Kate patiently sits still while Lanie teaches both Castles how to use the bandages and how to put on the grip. Alexis picks up the technique with little trouble and finds the process enjoyable. Rick just enjoys the chance to touch his girlfriend without anyone making comments.
With that done the visitors prepare to leave. Esposito hands Rick a pair of crutches which make Kate narrow her eyes at him. Avoiding his boss's glare Javier leaves quickly with Lanie not far behind him. When the door closes and the trio are left alone again they realise that no one really wants to go back to the game.
Instead the family decides to put on a film. By half way through Rick is the only one left awake, smiling he kisses the foreheads of his girls and settles down to watch the rest of the movie. He falls asleep moments later.
Rick wakes to the sound of his daughter getting ready for school. Kate is still sleeping softly in his arms so as he tries to moves Alexis shushes him and tells him off as his movements will make the detective stir. Alexis is too late as Kate wakes and contentment shines in her eyes as she bids him a good morning before greeting Alexis.
"Hey Lex, you got school?"
"Yeah that's me just heading off. It's still early so why don't you go to bed? The sofa isn't that comfortable."
"Yeah I'll do that. You have fun today with learning and all that."
"Yeah, have fun babysitting dad. Bye."
Alexis turns to leave and then remembering her parent tosses another bye as she exit's the loft. This causes quite the look on Rick's face but it soon disappears as Kate's laughter reaches his ears. She turns to him, something in her eyes making him gulp in expectance of her words.
"So it's just you and me now, what you say we move this to the bedroom for a while." She speaks softly, sultry and he can feel himself being seduced. Happy to be her slave he gently picks her up and carries her off to his room.
He sets her down upon his bed and as she slips back into sleep he changes the dressing on her foot before striping off his shirt and joining her in the bed. Within moments the pair are asleep once more, curled up with one another, their hands entwined and their smiles sweet.
Please review, I would love to know what you guys think of the story so far, I accept flames just as much as I do compliments.
Also I should really thank Ayeshajen for helping and correcting this chapter, brilliant advice.