Alexis checked out of the hospital the next morning. The next few days flew by for Rick as he lost himself to his next novel. His spirits soared as all the preparations proceeded without much difficultly. And, he couldn't wait to see Kate again. Paula complained about bringing the children.
"But Richard, since she's watching the children anyway, why can't they just stay here?"
Rick looked up with an annoyed expression. "Paula, I used to bring my family to the launches all the time, and Miss Beckett has graciously agreed to help care for my children. What exactly is the problem?"
At the look in his eye, Paula backpedaled a bit. "I'm not opposed to your family, it's just... how much do you know of this woman? How can you trust her?"
Rick's look hardened. "That's enough Paula." His eyes unfocused and a slight smile appeared as he continued. "You should see her with them. It's like magic the way she can ease our pain and unhappiness." He thought about how much happier they had all been since they met her. Alexis had no trouble returning to school, and he had seen her smiling and humming as she played. Aiden had aced his first school test in ages and seemed more confident.
As she watched him reminisce, Paula knew that she'd lost more than just the battle about a book launch party. His choice of words and the expression on his face could only mean one thing - Richard was falling in love, just like with Kyra. She felt slightly disappointed, but oddly enough, not sadness.
For Kate, the days crawled by. Mackenzie's new treatment pushed the cancer into remission, so the cancer cells stopped spreading, but the radiation made her so sick that she couldn't eat. They fitted her with an I.V. to keep her hydrated and gave her medication for the nausea, and that helped a little.
Lanie stopped by on Thursday for a visit and talked with Kate. "She doesn't look too good. What does the doctor say?"
Kate pulled her friend into the hallway. "I met with Dr. Davidson today. The cancer has pretty much halted, but the treatments still make her sick." Kate's eyes began to well. "Lanie. I just can't stop her pain."
Lanie pulled her into a hug as Kate started crying. "Honey, don't give up. That's good news, she'll pull through this."
Kate wiped her eyes. "Maybe I shouldn't go out tomorrow. I don't want to leave her."
Lanie placed her hands on her hips. "Katherine Beckett, you have got to enjoy life outside this hospital. How many times is a New York Times author going to ask you out? You are going!" Kate wavered. She really did want to go, but still worried about Mackenzie. "In fact, Kate, go now. Get a gown. I will stay here while you shop. And I'll be back tomorrow so you can get dolled up. Go! Enjoy yourself."
Kate hugged her friend. "Thanks, Lanie! Love you!"
Kate found the perfect dress shopping and had a fabulous time the next day getting ready. She had a manicure, pedicure and her hair done. Three hours later, she returned to the hospital to find Mackenzie propped up and playing 'go-fish' with Javier while Lanie sat in the corner reading a magazine.
"Mama, you look pretty!"
"Thanks, baby, but just wait 'til you see the dress I found." She emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later wearing an exquisite floor length, black strapless dress with a long slit in the side. It accentuated her slender frame and her long legs and gave just the right hint of sexiness.
"Kate, you look beautiful."
"Thanks, Javier." Kate turned to check on Mackenzie. "How you doing, Baby. Do you want me to stay here with you?"
"No way. I'm feeling better. Go and have fun Mama."
Lanie looked Kate over. "Wow girl, you look incredible."
"Thanks Lanie," Kate glanced at the clock. "They will be here any minute." She leaned over to kiss Mackenzie goodnight. "You get some rest tonight. I don't want to worry about you."
"I'll be fine. I've got you right here in my heart." Mackenzie held up her locket. Kate smiled at the gift, hugging her daughter once more. "Love you, Mama."
"Love you more, Baby."
Lanie tugged on her arm. "Come on Kate, Javier and I will take good care of her. Now I want to meet this Prince Charming." Kate blew a final kiss toward Mackenzie, following Lanie downstairs.
Rick was already waiting in the hospital lobby when they exited the elevator. They both stared at each other, mouths hanging open for a few seconds. Rick recovered first. "You look stunning tonight."
Kate blushed and stammered, "Thanks. You look great too."
Lanie nudged Kate in the back and cleared her throat. Kate turned slightly and presented her friend to Rick. "This is my best friend, Lanie Parish, medical examiner. Lanie, this is Richard Castle, the novelist."
"How do you do, Miss Parish?" Rick bowed slightly giving her a dazzling smile.
Lanie smirked. "Charming..."
Rick smiled and turned back to Kate, offering her a single, red rose. He presented his elbow to her. "Shall we, my lady?"
"And funny," Lanie smirked. Kate took the flower and turned to hug Lanie goodbye before taking his arm and walking to the waiting limo. The door was held open for them. She bent down to see two kids yelling excitedly and beaming at her, while one annoyed business partner rolled her eyes and sipped her champagne. Rick offered her his hand and helped her into the car. She settled between Aiden and Alexis, with Paula beside Rick.
"Wow, don't you two look fabulous?" Kate wrapped her arm around Alexis.
"Kate, will you help me learn to do make-up like yours?" Alexis asked.
"Maybe when you're a little bit older," Kate smiled. "Besides I think you look beautiful tonight."
Alexis giggled and leaned in to whisper, "Not as good as you. Daddy can't take his eyes off of you."
Kate glanced over at Rick, who quickly averted his gaze. She winked at Alexis. "Perhaps I could show you a trick or two, if it's okay with your father."
Rick couldn't resist the hopeful look on both of their faces. "I suppose it would be all right just for tonight, but don't get carried away."
Alexis squealed in delight and Kate pulled open her bag. As they moved toward the theater, Kate removed Alexis's headband, and sprayed her hair away from her face. With a little blush and lip-gloss, she'd transformed a little girl into a young lady.
Aiden leaned in to whisper to his dad. "Now why don't you find a sitter like Kate, Dad? She's fun, loving, and isn't bad looking either."
Rick turned a shocked look at his son and gave him a warning, "Aiden." After a moment, Rick whispered back, "Because the agency only sends frumpy, old, boring ones." Rick glanced back over at Kate and found her looking at them. She gave him a sexy wink, letting him know she'd heard their conversation. Rick flushed from embarrassment and turned to look out the window, as Aiden winked back at Kate.
The limo pulled to a stop in front of the bulding. As the driver walked around to open the door, Rick reassured his family. "The lights and cameras can be a little intimidating. Just smile and act as natural as possible. Paula and I will handle the reporters"
"Don't worry, Dad. I remember how to behave. I'll help Alexis." Rick regarded his son a moment, surprised and proud of his confidence. He smiled back and stepped out into the chaos of flashing bulbs and screaming reporters.
Kate felt Alexis stiffen next to her. She looked terrified. "Alexis, honey, just hold my hand and practice some of the relaxation techniques Dr. Burke taught you." Alexis visibly thawed at Kate's words, but maintained a death grip on her hand.
Paula muttered, "Oh, please" before exiting the limo after Rick.
Aiden followed, with Alexis and Kate emerging last. Rick offered Kate his arm again, and she found herself gripping Alexis's hand almost as tightly as they made their way down the carpeted walkway. When the last group of reporters stopped them, Aiden offered Kate his arm and they continued into the building, while Paula and Rick fielded questions from the press.
Once inside, Kate and Alexis simultaneously let out a huge sighs of relief. They smiled at each other and started to relax. "Wow, that was scary!"
Aiden pulled Kate over to the bar for a drink and once they'd found a seat, they started looking around the room.
"Look at all these people." Kate's eyes kept jumping from group to group, the kids smiling at her exuberance.
"Are you having fun?" Rick's voice crooned low in her ear, causing her heart to start racing for entirely different reasons. That man's voice was just too sexy for words!
She turned to him and gave him a dazzling smile. "Absolutely."
Paula approached, rolling her eyes. "I hate to break up this," she waved her hand dismissively, "Whatever this is, but we need to start." She tugged on Rick's sleeve as he extricated himself from Kate's presence. "Come on, Richard. We need to go NOW."
He turned to his children before leaving. "Duty calls. I'll join you again before I have to read an excerpt from the book."
Kate turned to the kids and began engaging them in random conversations. It was different to be able to talk with them outside of the hospital. Some time later, Rick slipped in between Aiden and Kate. Rick restlessly wiped his hands against his pant legs, then rubbed his stomach.
Kate leaned in to whisper, "What's wrong?"
"I just hate this part, waiting to read what I wrote and seeing how they react."
Kate reached into her bag and pulled out a package of Tums. She handed him one and tucked the other back into her bag. "Don't worry about what they think, your story is great."
Rick popped the Tums into his mouth with a grin, just as Paula called his name. Walking on stage he glanced around the room at potential readers and prayed he made it through this reading in one piece. Twenty minutes later, Rick's voice echoed in the room as he finished reading the last paragraph. The crowd applauded him and began making their way towards the stage for questions, pictures, and autographs.
Kate had loved the party but by the end of the night, Alexis was resting her head against Kate's shoulder. Rick looked over and smiled at her as he made his way across the room. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. Although it was a small gesture, Kate thought her heart would explode. Just being this close to him made Kate feel excited and nervous.
She watched him from the corner of her eye. She had thought a lot about Rick and his family this week. Her attraction to him was undeniable, what was there not to like? He's kind, generous, and don't forget ruggedly handsome! She could go on all night. Kate sighed and shook her head at her own thoughts.
The clincher was, that although technically available, Richard Castle was still married in his heart. It was an endearing quality, but it convinced Kate to keep her distance. She had vowed never to be hurt by a man after Will, and she never wanted to compete with another woman. Besides, he'd never given any indication that he wanted anything more than a friend.
All right, she concluded, we'll just be friends.
It's the right thing to do.
It's logical.
It's safe.
Kate sighed. Who knew logic and safety could feel so awful?
After the party, Rick took Kate and the children out for dessert. Once the family inside the small ice cream shop, Rick started pacing. After a couple of rounds around the make shift lobby, Rick caught Kate's look of amusement and smiled.
Just then, he tripped over a chair leg and tumbled into a waiter, sending the tray of drinks into the air. Appalled at his own clumsiness and the giggles coming from his children, he watched as Kate suppressed a smile as she stepped next to him and extended her hand.
"See, pacing is hazardous," she chided, helping him to his feet.
Rick tried to wipe the splattered liquid from his trousers. Embarrassed, he placed his hands on his hips. "It's not the pacing. It's the distraction during the pacing."
Her hands froze while straightening his jacket lapel, leaving her hands on his chest. She peered up at him, seeing his smile leak through as he tried to hold an indignant pose. Flirting? From him? She gave him a coy look and asked, "You think I'm a distraction?"
Her sultry voice and comment started his heart pounding madly. He realized that his nervous feeling had been completely replaced by a pleasant, warm sensation in his gut. He leaned in toward her slightly, her smell and proximity making him a little dizzy. It felt good, too good. He shouldn't flirt with her, but he just couldn't resist. He lowered his voice to a gentle rumble and replied, "Definitely very dangerous..."
He looked into her eyes. He watched as her confident smile faltered. She licked her lips and swallowed nervously. Her eyes drifted to his mouth, and then slowly back to his eyes. He had that irresistible urge to kiss her again, her whole presence beckoning to him. The adrenaline coursed through him as they leaned towards each other.
"Hey, Dad! Our table is ready!"
Aiden's excited yell brought them both back to reality. Rick ducked his head and cleared his throat as Kate jumped back a little, removing her hands from his jacket. Before he could walk away, she placed her hand on his upper arm and gently squeezed. All Kate had to do was remember the man sitting across from her was supposed to be her friend and nothing more. That was easier said than done. After dessert had been finished they lapsed into easier conversation and before long the wait staff was informing them the shop would be closing soon.
"Sorry that took so long..." Rick began by apologizing, but stopped when he noticed the smile on Kate's face as she sat stroking his daughter's hair.
"Don't worry, Castle. I was having a good time."
"Are you holding that poor woman against her will?" Martha's voice rang out on once they exited the shoppe.
"Mother, what are you doing here?"
"It's after midnight Richard. You were supposed to be home hours ago so I came looking for you. It wasn't all that hard to find you darling. After all, this is your favorite shoppe in the city," Martha smirked as she approached them. "And you still haven't answered my question. Are you holding Kate here against her will?" Rick's eyes widened as he spun to look at Kate. "If you want, I'll take the children home so you can escort Kate back to the hospital."
Rick glared at his mother for a moment, not sure whether he should be angry at her or hug her for intervening. Rick decided to hug her later and walked his children to the waiting limo before hailing a cab. "That would be wonderful. Thank you Mother."