Thank you for the reviews, follows and favourites. It means a lot.

This is a filler chapter, didn't want to leave such a big time gap between the last and next chapter so this is Caskett-y goodness. Alexis and Martha brighten it up as well.

Disclaimer: Laspeyres index, Paasche index and mathematical matrices have nothing to do with the production of Castle.

Chapter 7: Domesticity

After leaving the precinct, Rick and Kate spent the day mulling around the city; gorging out at Remy's in continued celebration of her Lieutenant promotion, she still hadn't told him of her soon to be Captain status. The surprise she was organising wouldn't be ready until the morning so she needed to hold off on that piece of information for a day.

They went to their swings and unlike other times they didn't have a fight behind them, they instead were there to play on the swings. Yes, two fully grown adults at the playground acting like they were kids. They did get a few peculiar looks, however they didn't care as they were there for them.

Part way around Central Park they encountered a street sketch artist who offered to draw them; they both looked at each other and together said "Yes." So they sat down with Kate sat on Rick's leg and looked at each other, anyone who looked at the couple could see how happy and in love they were. The artist seemed to be having a field day getting the couple to pose in a variety of positions, at one point they seemed to be drawing in a small crowd but they were just in their own world and oblivious to the people around them. By the time they were done, they left with three incredible sketches that would be framed and hanging in the loft as soon as possible.

They were fortunate that the weather was nice and after their activities in the park which included consuming far too much ice cream, they went to meet Alexis from her last class before going back to the loft. When they got back to loft they showed Alexis the sketches when from nowhere Martha appeared and they all commented on how fantastically the sketches had come out.

Chinese was on the menu tonight, however, it would be home cooked. They'd all consumed enough fast food for the week in the past day. Martha put herself forward to cook which Alexis managed to convince her Grandmother that they could do a better job together. So Kate and Rick sat on the sofa aiming to finish the crossword that they failed to finish earlier. However, they were slightly distracted by the arguing in the kitchen

"Grams, no don't do that. We don't need that either."

"Oh phooey, it adds taste."

"Yes but half the bottle isn't required, do you have any idea how unhealthy it is?"

"We live once."

"Exactly, make it a long one."

"You can be such a kill joy sometimes." Martha said before taking another swig of her wine.

Soon enough they settled into a comfortable pattern which basically meant that Alexis had taken over. Kate and Rick returned to their crossword. Now it was their turn to argue, since they had barely started it this morning, they had only done a few words which meant lots of empty spaces.

"Are you kidding? That is so not it."

"Fine then mister, what is it?"

"I don't know, YET. But I will figure out and I do know that that isn't it."

"How about we try the cryptic crossword?" She said with a hint of a naughty smile

Alexis and Martha were now paying more attention to the couple's bickering than the food so soon smoke was filling the immediate area around the stove.

"Gram, I thought you were watching that?"

"Watching those two is way more interesting."

"You do know that this is almost burning?"

"It isn't going to kill us. Anyway, you could see that I was watching these two." Pointing at the couple sitting on the settee

"Urgh… Fine. Dinner's ready."

This seemed to go unheard by the two who had decided Sudoku. So, to gain their attention Alexis cleared her throat loudly but that still didn't get their attention. Deciding to creep up behind the settee and scare the pair of them, Alexis leant forward to so that her head was just behind and in between their heads she loudly spoke

"You know for a writer, Dad, you really are bad at crosswords."

"And you my darling daughter have the footfalls of an elephant."

"Whatever, if you two are done with your games will you come and join us for dinner."

Dinner turned out just fine and was enjoyed by the Castle clan although it was made funnier when Rick managed to drop some sauce and noodles down his shirt.

"Rick, you're nearly fifty. Do you still need help feeding yourself?"

"No, it was Alexis' fault.

"How is it my fault?"

"You could have warned me it would still be so hot."

"Dad, you've managed to eat at least a third of it without getting it down you."

"Fine, why are we eating with chopsticks?"

"Because Rick, you said it would be cool."

"Oh."

"Yes Richard, oh."

"I'm going to go clean up a bit and get a cloth." He walked off to the kitchen in search of something to clean himself with and to protect his shirt from anymore stains. If it were just he and Kate, he would have taken his shirt off but with his Mother and daughter present it wouldn't be appropriate.

"Hey, Alexis" Kate whispered "Could you take your Dad out for a few hours in the morning, please?"

"Yeh, sure. Why?"

"I've got to pick something up tomorrow and your father can't know." Concerned by the look on her step-daughter's face "Oh, Alexis it isn't anything bad. He'll love it."

"I'll just suggest we get you something as a 'Well Done' present for your Lieutenant job."

"I don't need anything, the looks on your faces were enough. I'll just say that I'm going to stay in and pack."

"It'll be the easiest way to get him out of the house."

"Fine and thank you."

"Why don't we get this meal finished and"

"Dad, we're finished."

"Oh."

"Yes Rick, eat up."

"And Richard, remember to aim for your mouth then chew."

"Yes Mother." He quickly finished his dinner, succeeding in managing to eat it all instead of decorating his shirt with it. He had however, returned to using normal cutlery. "Right, who is up for monopoly? Bagsy having the hat AND being the banker." He ran off to collect the monopoly game leaving the remaining occupants of the table to clear away the dishes.

For the sketch artist I was picturing one season's promotion pictures where they're outside and Stana (wearing a black knee length dress) is sat on Nathan's knee for the first sketch. They could easily pass for wedding pictures, just change the colour of the dress.

Reviews, pretty please? With whipped cream? :P

Has anyone got a favourite line so far? I'm just interested.