CH24

It is now Christmas Eve: (December 24, 1999)

They had already been here one day, if you could call landing at the airport at 2:00 pm local time as being one day. Kate still didn't know how Castle had talked her into coming to Amsterdam to celebrate Christmas.

Her dad was out of the detox center where Castle had arranged for him to stay and had been sober for the last 3 weeks, or so he swore. Since they always went over every week to clean, buy him food, not finding any bottles, and finding a sober Jim waiting for them, Kate was forced to believe him. She just hoped he stayed that way.

Kate had begged him to come with them. Even Castle had told him he was more than willing to reserve him his own room. He could go where he wanted or go with them. Rick had promised there was no pressure for him to do anything or everything.

Kate already knew her parents had never been to Amsterdam, let alone during Christmas. However Jim had turned both of them down and said he was going to go to the cabin to spend his Christmas there. "Please don't start drinking again dad." Kate had pleaded with him.

Castle had gotten them a one bedroom suite in the DE L'EUROPE. The room had a balcony overlooking the historic city center as well as the Amstel River. The room itself was huge at 85 square meters. Dark real wood floors, dark navy blue ceiling with light blue walls.

There was a work desk, sofa with coffee table and two chairs. The bathroom was all marble. The floor, shower, walls and even the vanity. It really wasn't to Kate's taste, still the tub was big enough for two.

The bedroom had a large king sized bed. It had a unique blue wallpaper on the walls. The bedspread and even the head board was navy blue as were the two chairs at the small table. Floating tables on either side of the bed held lamps.

The bathroom floor turned out to be heated. "Why didn't we think of this Castle?" Kate knew their bathroom floor wasn't heated. There was maid service twice daily. Coffee, espresso, and a mini bar were in the kitchenette area. All of the lights came on via motion sensors.

"You spent way too much money again Castle." Right after the words escaped her mouth, Kate remembered just how much money Castle was making off his latest book that was already in the top ten best sellers list. And if it did better than his last book, he would be even richer still.

"I know you have the money Castle, but you should save it not spend it." Kate didn't want them to burn out and end up dirt poor because they overspent.

"Actually half of what I've made so far is already earning me money. Something similar will happen with the money from the latest book," Rick countered, putting Kate's mind to rest.

"Gina still hasn't sent you a contract for the next book," Kate reminded him.

"I noticed. If it isn't waiting for us when we get home I'll give her a call and start looking for a new publisher. For all her faults, Gina actually is pretty good at her job," Rick defended her.

"Not when she is inserting herself into your personal life Castle, and trying to turn you into a wandering playboy who beds any and every woman who comes his way." Kate didn't like it and didn't see the point.

"Gina is supposed to be doing a voting sample on how that would work out before I commit to it." Higher sales were higher sales. Still he didn't want to alienate Kate by letting Gina turn him into a skirt chasing playboy. He loved Kate and would never cheat on her with anyone.

"Has Gina handed over the data for that yet Castle?" Kate questioned, watching Rick shake his head. "I don't know what her game is Castle, but she is up to something."

"She is just trying to increase book sales, it's her job. Black Pawn earns extra money for each book sold," Rick was still defending Gina.

"We'll see Castle, we'll see. And I am looking over that contract if she sends it. I also want to give it to my dad for him to look over. He is a lawyer Castle." Kate didn't know what Gina was doing, but she was going to be ready.

"I have no problem with that, Kate. Shall we go and act like tourists and find someplace to eat dinner?" Rick inquired.

"Grab your coat and let's go Castle." Kate picked up her coat and started putting it on while walking towards the door. "Hang on!" Rick called after her.

Castle put something in his pocket. "It's a city map so we can find our way back here." Castle explained.

Using the map Castle brought with them, they found the 9 streets neighborhood. It was an open market where people sold all kinds of things, most, but not all, Christmas related.

It looked like they were only half way through the place and Kate already had two bags with stuff in them, all little trinkets that she used her own money to buy.

"I've never seen so many bicycles in my life." Castle mentioned as they were everywhere. Then Kate pointed somewhere. "Castle look."

She was pointing at a three level giant parking garage filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of bicycles, and there were still bicycles parked on the side streets with people riding still more. Practically no cars were to be seen except on the major roads.

There were canals everywhere. "Can we go on a canal tour?" Kate asked.

"Sure, it looked like there were a lot of boat companies over near the main rail yard station." Rick was willing. "How about tomorrow or the day after since tomorrow is Christmas Day."

"We're going home the day after so the sooner the better I guess." Kate replied, knowing Castle had tried to talk her into staying long enough for New Year's too. It was just that March 1st wasn't that far away to start her training with the FBI. Kate was really hoping it was different than the Police Academy and without any Demmings.

"We can walk that way on our way to China Town to look for a restaurant to eat dinner and stop to see if they are still open and open tomorrow." Rick said.

They spent most of the day touring the outdoor markets that were filled with all kinds of things. Castle's hands were empty while Kate now had two bags that had a few little trinkets, with nothing serious.

They were still open and yes they had tours that operated Christmas Day. Did they want a day cruise or a night cruise? A Rembrandt tour? Dinner Cruise? Cocktail Cruise? Pizza Cruise? It had Kate opening and closing her mouth like a fish since she never thought there would be this many options. She just wanted a tour of the canals.

They had tours that operated roughly every hour starting at 9:00 am and lasting an hour. If they started at 10:00 for an hour cruise, that gave them an hour to sightseeing while walking around before searching for lunch. Plus Castle wanted to go tour the Heineken Brewery.

With a decision made they started walking hand in hand while keeping their eyes and ears open for bicycles since it looked like they would run you down if you got in the way.

They were still walking their way towards the main train station since it was a good landmark to find their way back to their hotel when they found themselves in the red light district.

"Don't go getting any ideas Castle and keep your eyeballs in your head," Kate warned him.

"I have no reason to even think of being with them, especially since none of them can hold a candle to you. You could clean up here with your beauty." Rick kissed her cheek.

Rick did his best to try and not look, however Kate had no problem looking. Most of what she saw made her feel better. They were all wearing the tiniest of bikinis even if in a couple of cases they were too big to be wearing it. One of the black women wearing one of these things even pounded on her glass door looking right at Kate.

That got Kate to grab Castle's arm and to get him to walk faster. Kate did see a couple of women that were lovely and had figures that Kate wished she had. One in particular had a figure that would likely cause traffic accidents.

They made it to the same boat area for their tour 15 minutes early and soon found themselves on a big boat that could hold a lot of people. It was low in the water with windows and roof made of plexiglas.

They were handed a box with ear buds for them to use. There was a helmsman and a tour guide who talked the entire time. They saw lots and lots of house boats along both sides of every canal they went down. Some looked terrible while other looked very luxurious.

They saw the Westerkerk, the Anne Frank House. "We have to go see that Castle," Kate told him as they passed it by. They saw the narrowest house in Amsterdam.

They found out that like Venice, Amsterdam was sinking ever so slowly. "Does everyone see this house across the way? The one just to the left of the one with the large front window. Do you see how it is the only house that is leaning to the right?

That house has its wood pilings that it is sitting on and are sinking faster on that side than the other or its neighbors. They can not only lean left or right but front to back as well. Also you see the ones that have steps out front that take you up to the entrance level? Those houses are more expensive and more desired than the others. It means that those homes have a basement where the others don't.

Also you will see all the house boats on either side of the canals. All of those boats are owned by someone and most are actually rented during the summer. Almost no one lives on them year round. So on your next visit during summer you can rent one. Just be prepared to love riding bicycles since cars are far and few between here." Their tour guide announced.

Rick, Kate and a number of others exited the tour a little early when it stopped at a diamond manufacturing factory.

It was here that they learned that to cut a diamond you had to sacrifice a diamond to cut away the parts that you didn't want. The diamond was in a wood clamp-like device and they placed it on a high speed plate for a second or less and then looked at the result under a microscope.

From here they were escorted to a room where they learned about the size, shape, and color of diamonds. Their guide would place it in tweezers and show it to everyone. "Is there anything you would like to see in any size or color? I can also show you our own 121 cut diamonds that only we make.

This is the standard princess cut diamond that is clear in color. This is the same diamond with our 121 cut. Notice the difference?" The lady behind the table showed everyone. "WOW!" was all Kate could say. The difference was striking.

"This is a yellow diamond on a standard white gold ring," as she places it loose on the setting. "This diamond isn't really meant for this setting," she apologized as it kept falling off. "Now see the very same diamond with a yellow gold ring. Notice how the color of the diamond is now far more evident?" she asked everyone and began wrapping up all of the diamonds.

"There is a large sales store downstairs that is filled with diamond rings and watches," she tells them.

"REALLY!?" Kate was up and headed for the stairs. "And there goes Kate," Rick chuckled. "Do you have a moment to help me?" Rick asked after Kate is out of sight.

"Of course, what can I help you with?" she replied still sitting at her table.

"I need an engagement ring. By the sound of it and the look on Kate's face we will need a 121 cut. Somewhere between 6 and 7 carats with excellent clarity and close to no color." Rick told her.

"Something of that size would likely be best if it was an emerald cut. Taking away more of the diamond will only increase the cost. Let me take a look at what we have." And she turned to the computer next to her and soon wrote something down and stuffed it into the vacuum tube.

"This will only take a couple of minutes. There are literally hundreds of diamonds downstairs. I'm having them send up three different ones for you to view." She said to Rick.

Just a few moments later something arrived in the tube; Rick watched her take them out and separate them. "This one is a good cut, 6.12 carat, it is an L in color placing it in the middle of the clear table, with D being the most clear. It is a VS1 on the clarity scale with VVS1 being the most clear with our 121 cut." She left it on top of the papers in which it as wrapped.

"This one is also a good cut, 6.05 carat, it is an I in color making it a little more clear, with it also being a VS1 in clarity." Again she left it on the papers.

"This one is a very good cut, with excellent being the best. It is 6.31 carat, it is VVS1 in clarity and an H in clarity." She told him and left it on the papers.

Rick was looking them all over and they didn't really look all that big; and it had him wondering if he should go bigger?

"Do you know her ring size?" she asked since Rick was quiet. After Rick answered her, she said, "In that case I would not go much larger than this. Her fingers are just too slender for something any larger in carat. Do you have an idea of ring type or color?"

"I know gold is maybe the most common but if she is anything like me gold causes a discoloration." Rick told her.

"A lot of people have that problem. Actually white gold and platinum are now the most common colors for rings," she replied.

"I know she ooo'd over the yellow diamond with yellow ring. Is there another color for the ring? Something less common?" Rick inquired.

"Since all of these are mostly clear especially this one, you could consider a ring that is called rose gold." She opened a drawer and started searching only to open a different drawer. "Here is the color." She pulled it up and showed Rick.

"Ooooo!" Rick liked it instantly. "With this diamond perhaps," Rick picked the last one.

"This setting isn't meant for a diamond of this shape and size." It took her a few tries to get it to stay in place.

"Yeah, very nice. Are simple bands of this color all that is available?" Rick wanted to see options.

She wrapped up the other two diamonds, put them off to one side, and opened a drawer to show Rick pictures of bands that were available in this color. "This one?" Rick put his finger on the picture.

"That one is a thin, elegant French-set diamond "V" band with diamonds located on the V section of the ring. Very nice, it will add 1.24 carats to the overall 18kt Rose Gold band," she told him.

"Perfect, when can you have it ready?" Rick queried.

"The diamond is right here and this ring is also in stock. We just need to mount your diamond and adjust the ring to her size that you gave me. We could have it ready tomorrow easily. How long are you staying?" She needed a time frame.

"We leave for the United States the day after tomorrow, we're only here for Christmas." Rick said.

"We might have it done before 7:00 pm tonight though you would need to call ahead first to verify. Will tomorrow morning work for you or any time after that work for you?" The more time they had the better.

"Tomorrow will be fine." Rick told her.

She began working on her computer. "I'm going to send this diamond back downstairs marked as being sold and place the work order number on it so they can get started immediately.

That diamond is $155,870 and the band you selected is $3,460 in US dollars. There is a 10% discount if you pay when you pick up the ring and a 20% discount if you pay before you leave. In either case the ring and diamond are covered in our warranty. If for any reason the diamond comes off its mounting, simply take it to any competent jeweler and fill out one of our claim forms after the repair and we will reimburse you for any and all costs associated with the repair. It is a lifetime guarantee. If you somehow managed to damage the diamond itself, you are responsible for the damage. Of course since we are talking about a diamond, the chances of that are slim. You can also fill out a claim form to be reimbursed in case you ever have to adjust the ring size at any time." The lady said to him.

"I'll pay now thank you." Rick noticed that she didn't blink at him paying in full now or that she even offered to tell him the cost.

"Your total is $127,464." She took Rick's black credit card, ran it, and handed it back. Rick watched her print everything out, fold it all up, and stuff it into the vacuum tube. "Here is your copy that you will need to show one of the sales people downstairs to pick up your ring. You will also need to show some form of picture ID. Your passport is the best option for this," she told him.

"Thank you for all your help with this." Rick offered his hand, getting the lady to take it. "You are more than welcome and if I may say, your young lady is one very lucky woman," she said.

"Thanks, however I think I'm the lucky one. I should get downstairs before she buys half the store. Thanks again." Rick suddenly felt better, he had made a decision. He was 99.99% sure Kate would say yes. Now he just had to find the right time to ask her. Hopefully Jim would be sober when he asked for his permission.

Rick had only just made it through the glass door when Kate came running up to him. "Castle, come see." Kate grabbed his arm and dragged him to what she had found bypassing all of the diamond rings that were already in settings. She took him straight to a case in the middle of the store.

"Second row back, third from the right." Kate tapped the glass trying to point it out. "Isn't it gorgeous?"

Rick had to squint at the tiny card under it.

Rado S Centrix AUTO ST/5N18 BLAC. "At $1,600 for a watch it had better be." Rick was finally starting to have sticker shock, especially since he just finished spending $130 thousand.

"Would you like to see it?" the sales associate asked. She had watched Kate walk all over the place, praying she found something she couldn't live without, since she was wearing what were probably the largest diamond earrings she had ever seen. "PLEASE," Kate answered immediately.

Kate soon had it on her arm and was admiring it. Rick couldn't help but notice that the color was close to the color of the ring he had just gotten her. It was now that Rick noticed that there was a sign telling him everything was 15% off.

"No wonder Kate likes it. It's on sale no matter how much the original cost is." Rick thought to himself. "It looks like we'll be taking it." Rick sighed.

Kate, however, was glowing at those words. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. $1360 later Rick was walking around from case to case looking at men's watches while telling Jack to scan the ones he points out, knowing that Jack was better than any watch here. However he could make himself look like any of these watches, just last longer and not cost him a dime.

"Castle?" Kate questioned, getting Castle to "SHhhh" back at her.

Finally they leave the diamond store with a much poorer Rick and a very happy Kate, just not knowing how happy she is going to be someday. They head off for a tour of Heineken Brewery.