Phone Call

When Alexis and Jake called the loft that night it seemed out of the blue. Alexis wanted to talk to Beckett and Jake just wanted to come over to spend time with Castle and the kids. Castle of course went into worry mode when he learned that Alexis wanted to talk to Beckett instead of him; his mind spun just as it had when this happened the first time.

"Beckett. Oh, hey, Alexis. Uh, are you looking for your dad? To me? Okay, what's up? Yeah, yeah, we can meet at Suttons's around 7:30. Is that okay? Alright, I'll see you then."

"Was that Alexis calling you? Why?"

"She needed my advice."

"About what?"

"I don't know. It's probably no big deal."

"When you kept secrets from your father, was it not a big deal?"

"Hey."

"Hey."

"Thanks for meeting with me."

"Yeah. What's so important?"

"Um … you know that I don't take sides on anything between you and your dad, right?"

"Yeah. I appreciate that."

"Okay, well … your dad wants you to move back home. And I know that you said you have a lease, but you also said that there were other reasons why you didn't want to move back and I … I just … I want to make sure one of those reasons isn't me."

"Oh no. No, no, it's – it's not you at all."

"Are you sure? Because the last thing I want to do is make you feel unwelcome in your own home."

"No. It's … not you, it's me. All those things my dad said when I was moving out. About me making a mistake, moving in with my boyfriend. He was right. I can see it so clearly now. Why didn't I then?"

"You were in the love haze."

"The love haze?"

"It's like a drug. It makes intelligent people do stupid things. And then it clears and you look around and wonder 'what was I thinking?'. You dad just wants to help. It's okay to let him."

"Yes. But this was my mistake. He shouldn't have to pay for it. So I will tutor and do whatever I have to until the lease is up."

"Okay. I get it. But … look. I know what you're doing seems noble, but it's not. I mean, the long hours, the exhaustion? What you're actually doing is punishing yourself. Trust me. I've been there."

"This… this isn't necessary. Your dad loves you, he worries about you. I think your penance is paid."

When Alexis and Jake arrived at the loft; Alexis insisted that she and Beckett go out for their talk. This only made Castle more uneasy.

"She's in good hands; don't worry babe." Beckett said as she kissed Castle goodbye.

With that Castle watched his wife and daughter leave the loft.

Once they left the loft the ladies decided where they were going. Castle looked over to Jake for some reassurance.

"Don't worry Dad; everything will be fine. I promise." Jake said.

All Castle could do was nod as they looked after the kids.