Disclaimer: I do not own Castle
AN: Because I was away for so long, I owe you guys this huge update :) enjoy :)
Chapter 39
The manager approached their table a few minutes later and said
"I'm sorry sir, but your daughter has given me strict instructions to not accept the payment from you"
Rick looked confused for a moment and then he realized.
"Oh no! No! Not at all!" he shook his head "I am not letting my daughters pay for that."
The manager tried to say something but Rick continued "no, I said no, I am in no way going to let them pay for that marvelous dinner we just had."
"Rick..." Kate tried to calm him down
"Kate, neither of them are earning, I don't want them spending on us this way, they've already done so much to make this night so beautiful for us"
"I know, but this is an argument you have to have with them, he's only following instructions" she reasoned.
Finally Castle had no choice but to concede. She kissed his lips and said "hey don't worry, we're going to see them now, we'll talk to them there. We'll explain to them how much we loved the evening, but how we don't want them spending this much on us, I'm sure they'll understand."
"They better" Rick said while he held his wife's hand and they walked out of the restaurant after shaking the manager's hand and greeting him goodnight. The man slipped a little note into Rick hand before they left and wished them a happy anniversary.
When they were out, Kate said "if they're sending us someplace other than home right now, when all I want to do is go home and cuddle with my babies, I'm going to just call Alexis and tell them to come join us celebrate.
"What? You're bored of me already?" Rick teased as he opened up the little note, knowing that their only kid left to send them somewhere was Jamie.
The note, written by one of his sisters, read "Mommy daddy, come home. You'll find my gift for you here. I love you"
Kate laughed "It's like he read my mind"
Rick kissed her head and pulled her close and said "let's go home baby"
They quickly caught a cab to go back to the loft, assuming that Jim must have dropped the kids back home while they'd been out. They stumbled out of the elevator, Kate tucked close into his side, and while he turned the key in the door, he asked "so, what was your favorite part of tonight? Or are you waiting until later in the night to tell me" he winked.
She chuckled at his playfulness and said "I don't think this evening could get better. Our kids just gave us the best anniversary ever. Now what you plan on doing with me after we're in the confines of our bedroom, that's not to be compared with this. That's on a whole other level."
Rick laughed as he pushed open the door and let Kate inside first.
"Surprise!" came a loud roar form the loft and Kate and Rick both took a step back in their state of shock to see a whole bunch of familiar faces standing before them, there was a huge banner that read "happy anniversary!" in the room. Lanie was there, Ryan and Espo were there, Johanna and Jim, Martha and gates, a few others from the precinct, even Tory and Jenny, castle's poker buddies, everyone who's ever rooted for the two of them was there to celebrate their love and the loft was decorated with festoon and frames of Rick and Kate everywhere.
Kate was still in a state of shock when she felt two very familiar arms wrap around her, pulling her into a tight embrace "Happy anniversary mom!" Avril said and Kate allowed herself to just close her eyes for that moment and just feel this comfort of her daughter's arms.
"Oh baby" she mumbled to her as she breathed her in "Thank you, thank you so much". Avril softly spoke "I love you mom, always"
"I love you too honey" and then she pulled away to go greet her father, and Kate saw Alexis pull away from Rick only to come hug Kate and say "You're looking absolutely stunning in this dress, I just knew it was the right one! Happy anniversary mom!"
Kate chuckled and then said "thank you Alexis, for everything"
"It was nothing. After everything you two shell out for us, this was the least we could do"
"About that... Your father and I..."
"No, now is not the time for that discussion, he tried too, but I wouldn't have it, let's just celebrate now, and we'll talk about that later okay?" Alexis told Kate. And Kate looked at her with a smile and nodded.
She heard Avril tell Rick "I was just praying you two wouldn't walk into the loft with your tongues down each other's throats and your clothes being ripped off"
"We can always enter again if you want" rick said "come on Kate, Avril wants to see some action" he said, pretending to walk back out.
"Oh my god, no! Get back in here! I don't want to see anything. Isn't it enough you scar me. Do you want to scandalize all of your guests too? "
Kate laughed at the father daughter exchange that they were having, soon she was caught up with all of the guests and their wishes and the cake, and the dancing, and Jamie and Kaylee, and Rick too seemed to be busy being a good host. Kate took a moment to properly absorb everything around her, to understand the day. From a woman going through a failed marriage at a point of time in her life, who then had given up hope of ever having happiness, she had now become a happily married woman, Mrs. Castle. And she was celebrating every new year with him with more to look forward to. She felt lucky to be here among friends and family, every single person in the room here meant something to their lives, especially the two young girls who were currently laughing at something on the phone, and the tiniest couple in the crowd who were trying their best to dance- Kaylee and her little brother Jamie.
Kate had already decided in her mind, she was going to give Castle a night to remember tonight in their bedroom. She was going to show him just how much she loved him, just how grateful she is to him for coming into her life and making it his.
As if he were reading her thoughts, he came up behind her and put his arms round her waist. His lips softly connected with her cheek, giving her a sweet lingering kiss. She hummed in delight.
"Kaylee told me a secret"
"What?" Kate asked, tilting her head to look at him with curiosity written all over her features.
"She said there's one more gift they have to give us"
"Oh my god, Rick…"
"I know… They've already done so much. I don't know how they managed all of this"
From out of the blue, Martha came up to them and took both their hands,
"It's your party, and you two are here cuddling in the corner, go there and dance, enjoy!" she exclaimed while tugging them closer to where everyone was dancing.
"I was enjoying myself quite a lot right there" he told his mom with a smirk, while leading a blushing Kate ahead of him.
She put her arms around his neck, and he placed his hands on her hips and they slowly swayed to the music, completely forgetting what they were previously talking about, losing themselves in the others gaze, and the love pouring out of it.
Soon enough, it got late, and the little family found themselves alone in the loft. Kate and Rick were seated close to each other on the couch with Jamie clawing up his father's chest to get to his shoulders. Kaylee was seated in Martha's lap, and Aril and Alexis had re appeared from the kitchen where they had disappeared off two a few minutes ago.
"Mom, dad, we have one more surprise for you" Alexis said.
Kate smiled, "Girls, whatever you've done tonight, you really didn't have to, even now…"
"No mom, you can't not accept this from us. We want you to have a special anniversary"
"Still, it's no secret you guys have spent a lot on us today, and whatever other surprise you have left for us, I am not letting you guys pay for it." Rick said.
"That's not negotiable. Honestly, this is the least we could do dad." Aril said to her father, and then from behind her back, she revealed a blue envelope and handed it to her mom.
"Here, make good use of this"
Kate opened the envelope carefully, and pulled the contents out. There in her hands were two flight tickets to Bora Bora, and a little brochure. Kate looked at it for a second, and then up at Rick, to find him staring at them too, his eyes wide.
"Your flight leaves tomorrow, and you guys have all weekend there to yourselves!" Avril said excitedly.
"Avril..." Kate began to say
"What is it? You don't like the gift?" Alexis asked, worry and doubt etched into her features.
"no! no!" Kate quickly replied "We love it, it's... its amazing! Your dad and I have been waiting for a chance to plan a vacation there"
"Then what is it?"Avril asked, the look of hesitation on her parents face making her nervous.
"Girls, we can't accept this unless you let us pay you back for it"
"I told you dad, it's non-negotiable" Avril said.
"what are you guys so worried about, you hardly allow us to spend on you ever, this one time we wanted to go all out and give you a special weekend, please, just go and enjoy yourselves" Alexis said with a sincere smile.
Rick looked at his mother and she gave him an encouraging nod. He exhaled loudly and looked at Kate and finally said "Okay, looks like we're flying to Bora Bora tomorrow"