Hour 39

Ok, I know what I said, and the truth is, I really see myself as a man of my word. But our perfect afternoon in the park, jus the two of us talking and hanging out is interrupted in the worst possible way. At least, the worst possible way that can be pinpointed to me. Gina called. Yes, my ex-weife-soon-to-be-ex-editor-for-ruining-the-greatest-day-I've-had-in-maybe-10-years Gina called. Talk about bad timing. We were almost by the Ice-Cream truck when my phone rung. And rung again. And again. Eventually, Beckett got tired of it and, seeing who it was, forced me to pick up. You see, the main reason I didn't want to pick up was the fact that I knew why she was calling. The last draft of Frozen Heat was due last night, and as you might remember, I was otherwise preoccupied. Picking up meant going back to the loft to send the damn file to Gina. As luck would have it, it was actually done, but I wasn't ready to give up what Kate and I were sharing. But as I said, she bent my arm into picking up the phone.

"Gina, don't you know how to take a hint? If I'm not answering my phone it's because I'm not available."

"But you see Ricky boy, I was married to you. I know how you work. You no being available might mean playing laser tag with Alexis, running around chasing Detective Beckett or just wasting your day doing a Star Wars Marathon, sword fighting with Alexis included."

"Two of the things you just described included Alexis. And since we were actually married you know better than to call those occasions 'wasted time', Gina."

"Oh trust me, I know your kid comes first, no matter what. Either way, I didn't call so we could have the same old fight. You owe me a book and I want it in my mail ASAP."

"Well, ASAP as far as I'm concerned means tonight."

"No Rick, it means now. I either get it in the next hour or I'm forcing you to all the book launch meetings I can think of. And trust me, they are plenty. The cover is being printed as we speak. We've already announced a launch date and we're not going to make it unless I send it to the printer house right now. One hour Rick. That's all you have before I start setting up meetings. And we both know how much you hate those."

"Fine. You'll have it within the hour. But Gina? I don't want to hear from you until the summer is over. Do you copy me? I'll send it and you and Paula take care of everything. The press, the meetings, the planning. All of it."

"When has it been any different? I know, summer at the Hamptons, you, Martha, Alexis and no one else. You have 59 minutes Mister Castle." And with that, she hangs up.

"Argh! I hate that woman! She's the most maddening, frustrating person I've ever met."

"Good thing she's not remarkable and challenging, if not I'd be forced to think you're following a pattern with me and your ex-wife."

"Trust me Kate, you couldn't be more different from her."

"Give me three differences, and love can't be one of those." It's a good thing she can't keep the smile off her face, if not, I'd be forced to believe she's actually worried. "And only one of those can be a physical thing."

"Easiest challenge ever. First of all, you have a heart. You're both maddening and frustrating because you're driven. You set your mind on something and you don't stop until you get it. The difference? Her mind is set on the money, the next big books sale. You? You're driven by the answers. You work day in and night out because you want to give families the peace you never got for yourself." If her watery smile is any indication, difference one was as good an answer as you could get. "Secondly, you couldn't care less about my money. As long as I can provide you with fair amounts of coffee and some reading material, I think you'd stay by me through everything, while Gina only keeps me around 'cause she sees me as the hen that lays the golden eggs. As soon as I run out of those, I'm out her door." Once again, right answer Mister Castle, I think to myself. "And last but not least, your smile. The way your entire face lights up when you smile at me, either because I bring you coffee or because I say some wild theory or because you've just rescued me from a bank robbery, you have this smile that tells me we can overcome everything and anything. And I love you all the more for it. And Gina has so much Botox that she probably wouldn't be able to give an honest smile to save herself…"

"Good answers Castle." And to prove that statement, she leans in and gives me a lingering kiss. I could stay like this forever. Kissing her and, yeah, you get the point right?

"And of course, there is your amazing-I-want-to-eat-you-up-should-be-illegal-to-flaunt-it body."

"And then you go and say something like that. And just for that comment mister smartass, you don't get to come with me to my apartment. You go to the loft, send Gina the file and do whatever you feel like doing while I get packed. Once I'm done, I'll meet you back at the loft."

"That's not fair! I gave you three good answers! And that was all you asked for! The fourth was just a proof that three differences to explain why I love you and why you're so much better than my ex-wife aren't enough. "

"You can complain all you want, but you're still not coming with me and I'm not going with you. Besides, we've been attached at the hip for the past 38 hours, I think we could use a few hours apart."

"A few? One hour, that's all I got from Gina, that's all I'm giving you. If you're not back in the loft before the hour is over I'm sending a search team after you."

"Don't worry Castle, I'll be back as soon as I'm done. Now go and give Gina what she wants so we can go back to being just the two of us."

"Ok. See you in less than an hour. Love you."

"I love you too." She gives me a peck on the lips and we each hail a cab to go two our respective homes. I can't wait for the moment when going home means the loft for the two of us.

As soon as I get home I turn the computer on and just as I'm about to send the file to Gina I remember the dedication. Written in anger after finding out about her lie, it just doesn't seem right anymore. I open the file and deleting the old one ("Thanks to all my friends at the 12th, it's been an honor working with you.") I stare at the blank page. I want to scream to the world that the 'Extraordinary KB' is even more extraordinary now.

"To the most remarkable, maddening, challenging, frustrating person I've ever met. Thank you for making my life an extraordinary one.

And to my daughter, who taught me that change is inevitable, but that as long as we have a north star, those small clear voices in our heart that will be with us no matter what, it's OK.

It will always be OK."

Yep, that's more like it. I save the file and attach it to an e-mail addressed to Gina that only says: "Three months. Oh, and send me an advance copy on Monday to the Hamptons, if not, forget about any book tours".

I consider what to do next. I could browse the internet, but I don't really have any research to do. I just want Kate to get here. Like, right now.

I consider going to her apartment to help her pack, but I'm not sure she'd appreciate that. I guess the fastest way to get time going is taking a nap, so after turning off the computer, I head to bed. I shed my clothes and put some PJ pants on before I lay down in bed. But I can't sleep. I toss and turn, but no position is comfortable enough. I decide to forgo the nap and head to the living room couch. This way, I can watch TV and see Beckett the minute she gets home.