Castle's Loft
Alexis enters the loft a little after eight in the morning. She originally planned on staying at Paige's longer, but made plans with her dad to spend the day together. Even though they talked on the phone every night, she still missed not having him around the last 2 weeks.
As she enters the living room she notices them… a pair of high heels sitting next to the couch. She knows they aren't hers or her grams, which can only mean one thing…. She changes direction heading through her father's office towards his bedroom. Slowly she turns the handle, opening the door just enough to peak in. What she sees nearly causes her to shriek. She quickly closes the door before waking them up and heads back out to the kitchen trying to process everything.
Alexis sits motionless on the kitchen stool… still at a loss. There in her father's bed snuggling with him was none other than Detective Beckett. "How the hell did this happen?" she asks herself. She knew he got into a fight with the detective's ex and it had to do something with defending her honor. But last she was aware he still wasn't talking to her… In fact he didn't want anything to do with her. So why was she in his bed, dressed in one of his t-shirts, snuggling next to him with her head lying on his bare chest? She wants to feel outraged with Beckett… after all she put her father through, who does she think she is? What right does she have being in his bed with him?
She turns on the coffee maker hoping a cup will help her comprehend everything. As it brews and the smell fills the air, she notices a set of soft footsteps making their way out of the office and towards her. Thinking it he dad she looks up and locks eyes with the woman in question.
Beckett is awakened by the sound of Castle's bedroom door closing. She lifts her head off his chest and looks around the room. Finding nothing and thinking she must be hearing things, she snuggles back into his chest. She can't believe how natural it feels waking up in his arms. Smiling to herself, she tells herself she can definitely get used to this.
Not able to fall back to sleep she moves off of him… resting her head on her elbow she gazes at his sleeping form. Last night was the best sleep she has had in a long time. She felt so relaxed… so secure… so loved in his arms. She knows not what she did to deserve him, but no matter what happens she is determined not to lose him again. While her mind starts to wonder about a future together with him, the beautiful smell of coffee catches her attention.
She carefully gets off the bed not wanting to wake him and heads to the in suite bathroom to freshen up. There she finds his robe and slips it on over his t-shirt trying to keep some modesty as she makes her way out to the kitchen.
There she comes face to face with Alexis and she doesn't look to happy. They stare at each other for a moment… no one saying anything. Finally she takes the initiative "Good morning Alexis."
"Good morning Detective Beckett" she replies.
"Alexis I'm not on duty, please call me Kate."
"Would you care for a cup of coffee, Kate?"
Beckett can tell that although Alexis is trying to be pleasant, there is still some hostility behind her words. She responds "I would thank you."
After fixing Kate a cup and handing it to her, Beckett takes a seat on the bar stool next to her. She knows this is a close nit family and what affects Castle affects them all. She knows if there is any chance for a future with him she needs to explain herself and her actions to them all. Turning to face the teenager she starts "I know this must seem odd… I mean finding me hear with your father."
"Whatever you and my father have done or not done is really none of my business" she replies.
"Look Alexis, I know my actions over the past couple of weeks have caused your father pain and by extension you and Martha. I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner what I was doing. I'm so sorry; I never meant to hurt anybody… especially Rick. I came here last night to apologize and ask him to forgive me. He is such a caring and forgiving man and I am so lucky to have him by my side. But I'm also here asking you to forgive me?"
Alexis is startled by this, she knows her father loves this woman but didn't realize it was reciprocated. The venom gone she responds "I forgive you Kate, but I need to ask what are your intentions with my dad?"
Taking a moment to formulate her response, she looks straight into the girls' eyes while saying "I love him. I can't imagine my life without him. I'm just sorry it took all of this for me to come to my senses."
Alexis sits quietly looking at Kate. She is beginning to think that maybe she said the wrong thing when suddenly Alexis is up and pulling her into a hug saying "Thank you." She then continues "He loves you… you know?"
"I do, I still don't know what I did to deserve it" she replies.
As they are both still embraced neither of them notices the man coming out of his office dressed in a t-shirt and a pair of shorts he speaks up "That easy Kate, you were you."
They separate jerking their heads up and find him smiling at them. "It's so nice to see my girls getting along so well."
Beckett tries to give him her patent glare repeating "Your girls."
"Yeah my girls" he says again making his way first over to his daughter kissing her forehead while saying "morning pumpkin."
"Morning dad" she replies.
He then pulls Kate into his arms "morning beautiful" he responds as he leans down taking her lips into his mouth with a sweet but passionate kiss.
Breaking away, fighting the blush that is spreading over her face she replies "morning handsome."
He gets himself a cup of coffee then adds "Who's ready for breakfast?"
As he's making his special smiley face pancakes per Alexis' request, Martha makes her way into the loft with her customary walk of shame. She stops when she notices three sets of voices both talking and laughing coming from the kitchen. She rounds the corner and is surprised when she not only finds her granddaughter and son but also Kate Beckett sitting together at the kitchen bar. The fact that she is here doesn't surprise her… she knows how her son feels about the detective and knew it wouldn't be long before they reconciled. What surprises her is that the three of them look good together, just like one big happy family. Deciding to get their attentions she announces "Good morning darlings."
"Morning Mother" Castle responds moving towards her to place a kiss on her cheek.
"Morning Gram" Alexis reply as Kate adds "Hello Martha."
"It's good to see you Katherine." Martha says as she comes up and wraps the young woman into a hug before continuing "I take it you and my son has reconciled whatever it is that has been affecting him."
Shocked over the affection shown her and at a loss of words she stands up, walks over to Rick and places a kiss onto his lips. She then turns to the older woman "I hope that answers your question."
Martha smiles back at her "Good, it's about time the two of you come to your senses." Then continues "Well I'm off to bed… I hope to see all of you later" her eyes solely focusing on Kate.
After breakfast is finished and everything is cleaned up, Castle turns to Kate and asks "Do you have any plans for today?"
"Well, I do need to go home, shower and change as well as catch up with my laundry. Was there something you had in mind?"
"Well Alexis and I plan on going out to lunch, then hit the zoo and finish off the evening with pizza and a movie marathon. I was hoping you would join us?"
"Rick, I'd be honored to, but I don't want to interrupt your time with Alexis."
"Kate, we would love to have you… you wouldn't be interrupting anything."
She is just about to argue when Alexis adds "Really Kate, it's not a problem… I would love for you to join us. "Then jokingly adds "plus with the two of us he is more likely to behave himself."
"Hey" he replies trying to sound hurt but no quite pulling it off as both Alexis and Kate break out laughing.
"In that case how could I say no" she replies.
Changing back into her work clothes she hugs and kisses Rick telling him she see him soon as she exits the loft heading home to take care of her errands.
Beckett's Apartment
Kate rushes around her apartment trying to get her laundry caught up before the Castle's arrive. She pulls an overnight bag out of the closet and packs it with a change of clothes and her essentials. She hopes Rick doesn't mind, but seeing how she is going to be staying late… she might as well be prepared.
Roughly a half an hour later there is a knock at her door. Checking herself out in the mirror she hurries over and opens it without looking. To her surprise it's not Rick and Alexis but her father.
"Dad" she barely gets out before continuing "What… what are you doing here?"
"Hey Katie, I know I wasn't expected but I was in the area and decided to stop by. Can I come in?"
"Uh… yes come on in."
"I'm not interrupting something am I?"
She is about to reply when a second knock comes from her door. Her father looks like he is about to apologize when she holds up her finger asking for a minute as she goes to answer. Opening her door she finds Rick and his daughter. He hands her a bouquet of beautiful flowers and a kiss on the check as they both enter. Kate blushes before replying "Thanks Rick they're beautiful."
As Castle enters her apartment he is shocked to find an older looking gentleman around the age of his mother staring back at him. Jim looks at his daughter waiting for her to make the introductions.
"Oh right" she replies "Dad this is my (my what, my partner, my friend? Taking a deep breath) my boyfriend Richard Castle and his wonderful daughter Alexis." This causes Rick to grin one of those smiles he uses just for her.
"Rick, Alexis this is my father Jim Beckett."
Both men shake hands and express pleasantries while she takes the flowers into the kitchen to place in a vase. Kate isn't sure what to do… she wants to go with Rick and Alexis, but at the same time she doesn't want to make her father leave. Sensing her dilemma Castle speaks "Jim we were just about to all go out to lunch… would you care to join us?"
She smiles up at him as Jim replies "I'd love to Rick."
They all make to leave and Castle notices Kate grabbing a bag to take with her. As Jim and Alexis walk ahead of them talking, Beckett whispers to him "I hope you don't mind, I…I just figured we would be up late."
"Kate, if you don't already know… you are welcomed to stay whenever you want too. I want you there with me." She stops and pulling him in for a quick kiss before they hurry to catch up with the others.
The lunch goes better than expected. Everyone was having a great time and nobody was excluded from the conversations. It also made her happy to see her father and Castle hit it off and they agreed to meet for coffee later on in the week. She never had a boyfriend she felt comfortable enough to meet her father. As the check came Jim offered to pay and Rick waved him off letting him know it was on him. As he headed up to the register to take care of the bill, Jim leaned over to Kate whispering "I like this one Katie. He seems to make you happy." She smiled back replying "Me too, I'm glad you approve. "After lunch over they say their goodbyes and Jim lets her know they will talk more later in the week.
The remainder of the afternoon went off without a hitch. Spending the day with Alexis and Rick at the zoo was perfect. She has to laugh as he tried to be on his best behavior; wanting to show Kate that he was more than a nine year old on a sugar rush. Little did Castle know as much as she complains about it, she loves this about him. Towards the end of their visit Kate watches as Castle and Alexis enter the gift shop determined to find something for her. She can't help but smile at the two when an older woman comes up and lets her know what a beautiful family she has. She can't help but smile back at her a reply "yes I do."
That evening exhausted from all the walking they've done, the three are cuddled up together on the couch enjoying their pizza while deciding on a star wars marathon. Kate is on the right of Rick leaning onto his chest with his arm around her as Alexis is on the left leaning into his shoulder her arms wrapped around his. He can't help the smile that is plastered on his face telling himself there is nothing better than this. As the night goes on and the third movie ends he can tell his girls are getting tired. Shutting off the TV he announces "I think it's time to call it a night." Both Kate and Alexis nod in agreement.
Alexis kisses her dad's cheek responding "night dad" then get up moving over to Kate hugging her "night Kate." They both reply night as she heads upstairs. Standing up Rick extends his hand to Kate and pulls her up to him. She wraps her arm around his waist as they make it into his room.
She once again decides to change into one of his t-shirts as he strips down to his boxers. She comes out of the bathroom just before he is able to slide under the covers. He turns to her and the both freeze taking in the sights before them. She is raking her eyes appreciatory over his sculptured body. Him starting off at the end of her long beautiful legs working his way up stopping momentarily at her heaving chest then moving up to look into those gorgeous green eyes of hers. Before they can stop themselves they are heading towards each other. Their lips meet and passion erupts, soon they are dueling for dominance. Her arms make their way around his waist sliding down his boxers gripping his fine ass. His hands find their way under her shirt making their way up her back scorching her skin as they go. Things continue to heat up as his lips start sucking on her pulse point. She moans and moves her hands to the front of his boxers. She goes to grip him in her hand when he pulls away. He sees the hurt, confusion and disappointment in her eyes and knows he needs her to understand. "Kate, you don't know how bad I want this… how bad I want you."
Looking at him with lustful eyes she replies "then why did you stop? I want you too."
"You don't know how hard it was for me to stop, but Kate I…I want to take this slow. I don't want to screw this up. You mean so much to me."
Understanding she responds "You're right, I want this to work… I don't want to screw this up. But Rick we have known each other for two years now. Even if we weren't together then… you are who I want to be with." Giving him a sultry smile she finishes "don't make me wait long."
He pulls her in for another kiss before continuing "I won't." He then leads her over to the bed where they kiss one more time before they snuggle together drifting off to sleep.
AN: Sorry if I didn't have more of Martha in this chapter, but as I was writing it… it went a different way. 1 or 2 chapter left. Hope you are enjoying and once again thanks for the support.