Chapter 94

"I'm seeing my Dad, Castle. You know he called and asked me to his office." Beckett said into her phone. She walked across the expansive marble foyer of the building in which her father's law firm was located, headed towards the elevators.

"Summoned you to his office?" Castle inquired fully immersed in teasing.

"Mm. That he did." She hit the call button, then waited. "I feel like I've been naughty. Daddy's summoning me to his office." She snickered, amusing herself.

"I can certainly confirm with him you've been a naughty girl," he said.

"You can't." She laughed, very aware of her partner's reference point to call her naughty." She checked the lights on all the elevators. "My Dad doesn't need to know. I will come home once I'm done here."

"Alright." There was a pause. "That's nice, Kate."

"What?"

"That you called my abode your home."

"Oh." She smiled, eyes downward to the marbled floor, "That's easy. You're there. Wherever you are, that is my home." She heard the ting of the elevator and looked up searching for the overhead light.

"Smooth, Baby. Well, I want you home soon. Miss you."

"Me too. Gotta go, Babe. I'll see you soon."

"Say hello to your Dad for me."

"I will. Bye." She disconnected the call. Inside the elevator, she texted her father letting him know she was on her way up to the reception.

Behind the reception desk a minute or so later, Kate was greeted by a young woman, immaculately dressed in a grey corporate suit and a model like smile.

Beckett stopped at the impressive desk. "Good evening. I'm Jim Beckett's daughter."

"Good evening, Ms Beckett. He said to go straight down to his office."

Beckett thanked the receptionist and continued through the office entrance once the security door was unlocked. Behind the glass door was a corridor between work stations to her left and glass walls to her right. Those glass walls were the exterior offices with floor to ceiling windows. Each off was blessed with spectacular views of the city that couldn't be heard from the height she was currently at.

Further down the walk way, Beckett sighted Sonia, her father's personal assistant who was seated at her desk outside the corner office. She was a pleasant woman, in her fifties and she took good care of her father's professional life. She stood when she saw Kate.

"Sonia. Good to see you." Kate lightly pressed her cheek. Having known Sonia for half her life it was always a pleasure to see her.

"Same. Your Dad told me you have a famous writer following you about at work."

"Yes. I do. But don't acknowledge he's famous when you meet him. It goes straight to his head." She laughed with Sonia.

"Katie." Jim called. "You made it."

"I made it." She pointed into her father's office. "Dad ordered me in here."

"Better go."

Beckett entered her father's office and went straight to him for a hug. He came around his desk to give her that hug.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine, thank you." She accepted the tight hug a little surprised that he knew Castle had been worried.

"Rick has been worried sick about you."

"Yeah. Well, I guess he saw my apartment blow up with me inside it, Daddy. Freaked him out a bit." She sat in an office chair, unaware Sonia had closed the office door, and took a moment to absorb the sights of the city her father enjoyed every day. "God, you have a great view here."

"Yes. Never grow tired of it."

"Better than my view of it, chasing criminals through the streets."

"I told you I would pay for you to study law."

"Yes, Daddy." She smiled sweetly.

Jim was amused when he sat in a chair near his daughter and he spent a few moments studying her.

"You look good, Dad."

"Feeling good. You're looking well too all things considered." He smiled then leaned in, "Rick is taking good care of you."

Kate felt her cheeks warm. "He's very generous with his attention."

"He adores you, Katie."

"Maybe." She couldn't stop the smile from spreading, "I like him a lot too."

"Well, I won't keep you from him because I know you need to get home."

"No hurry Dad, and I don't have a home. Well, I do have Castle's loft."

"You like it there?"

"Yes, but-" she shrugged. "I want my stuff, my space. It's his house and he shares it with his mother and daughter."

"Is that okay for you?"

"I'm okay," Beckett sighed, slowly rubbed her upper arms. "For now."

Jim gave a nod. "He's concerned you don't have a place you can feel at home in. He was right to believe that."

"Don't get me wrong, Dad. I'm enjoying being with him every day and night," she said, "But, I'm not sure we're ready for long term."

"You don't believe you see a commitment to him?"

Kate thought about her father's question. There were many layers to the answer. "I'm committed to him. But, Dad, the problem is Rick's daughter is not going to accept me being there long term. There is plenty of subtext, particularly that I'm a danger to her father's wellbeing. I'm also not ready to be a step mom to a teenager, not all that much younger than me."

"I think he knows that, well senses it. He called me to set up a meeting with his lawyer."

Kate's heart quickened. "What?"

"Nothing to panic about. He asked me to meet with his lawyer about some contracts he had written up for you."

She sat up. "Contracts? With Castle?"

"Honey, what did I just tell you?" He rubbed his forehead, watching his tall beautiful daughter stand in defiance. Her reaction was exactly how her mother would have played it out. "Sit down, Katie."

"Dad, I cannot move…"

"Hold on." He ordered with a raised hand. "He was one hundred per cent sure you would react strongly to his offer, so he reached out to me."

"Offer?"

"Yes. I initially told him it would piss you off, but once I listened to his point of view, Kate, I appreciate what he's doing, why he's doing it. He's a kind man, Kate. Very kind."

Disgruntled, but unable to argue with her father about Castle's generous nature, Kate returned to her seat. She felt uncomfortable, but settled her attention on her father. Having been raised to respect her parents, she obeyed, and unconsciously fiddled with a gold bracelet around her right wrist.

It must of caught her father's attention because he pointed generally towards her wrist, "A lovely piece of jewellery."

She glanced down, stopped playing with it. She was smiling as she replied. "Thank you. Castle bought it for me. It's something I wouldn't buy for myself but I really like it."

"He has taste. You should have kept modelling, Kate."

"I still do it, Dad." She crossed her legs aware her father was distracting her from being angered by Castle's actions. "I get jobs here and there and the money is too good to knock back," she added, but her thoughts were distracted by her father's desk and the files on upon it. He sure was a busy man, even though he mostly delegated matters to junior lawyers.

"It was funny when Rick discovered you modelled. He gave me a call, asked if I had any evidence."

"Evidence?"

"Pictures."

"Yes. He certainly does his research. No rock is left unturned with him no matter what gains his interest." Beyond the desk, there was a photo of herself and her father together in a frame on a book shelf. Castle had taken the photograph and had gifted her with an 8" by 10" print, already in a frame to re-gift to her father. Jim had certainly appreciated the gesture. "Even me, it seems."

"He is very committed to you. That is clear."

She looked back to her father, her brow knotted as she processed that comment. "Why does he want you to meet with his lawyer? He avoids involving lawyers in stuff."

"Well, Katie, firstly, are you ready to remain calm and passive?"

For a moment she pondered his question, then replied with a neutral tone. "Yes." She understood her father's tone of voice very well.

"Your boyfriend, Richard Castle."

She rolled her eyes. "Yes. I know his name, Dad."

He smiled fondly. "You know your mother would have flipped her lid over that."

Kate smiled and her eyes shined. "I know. I wish she could see us together."

"She did, Honey. You do remember she stood in line .."

"I stood in line with her…"

"Whatever. You both met him."

She leaned forward and whispered, "Don't you dare tell him about that. He'll feel bad because he won't remember. He's met hundreds of people."

"No, I won't say anything."

"Good." She sat back reminiscing about the afternoon she had made that trip with her mother. "Remember I was a skinny teenager? He was the big time writer? Mom wanted to get a book with his autograph."

"Yes, your mother was a fan. You were tall, lanky, had hair down past your waist, not an ounce of fat on you even though you ate like a bloody horse. Now look at you, and he's your partner."

"Thank God I filled out and I still eat well. Particularly since we've been dating Castle. He loves food." She pressed her lips together to suppress a grin, thinking about how much Castle really did enjoy eating. "So, Mr Richard Castle, the author and my boyfriend, what has he done?"

Quickly, Jim spilt out, "He has gone ahead and set up a trust-"

"A trust?"

"In your name." He sat back ready for the dramatic reaction.

Immediately, her eyes widened and she echoed, "A trust in my name?"

"Yes. You know what a trust is."

"Yes. I know what a trust is. But what for, and why would he?"

"He said its royalties from Nikki Heat."

"Royalties from Nikki Heat?" Her voice had gone significantly higher.

Jim stared at his daughter, in a very fatherly manner. "Are you done?" It was asked calmly.

"Done?"

"With repeating me."

Kate swallowed and gave him a slight nod. "I'm done."

"Good." He took a deep breath. "He's clearly a man of patience too."

"Dad!"

He smiled then went on to say, "He is afraid you will be angry, but he wants you to receive a commission on the books because he says he wouldn't have written them without meeting you. He said there has been money going into the trust he set up for you for some time."

"And did you know about this?"

"What?"

"Him setting up the trust?"

"I received the paperwork, and threw it in the top drawer of my desk over there until he phoned me today," he replied watching his daughter's reaction. "But that's beside the point. I will also get it fixed up so they combine to one trust."

"Beside the point?"

"Yes. You see, my Dear." He paused. "Are you holding it together?"

"Yes," she gave a bob of the head, "So far so good. Why?"

"I can see you are already struggling to cope."

"With?"

"Well, since your apartment blew up, you've avoided speaking about whether you want to find a new apartment or permanently live with your writer."

"I-"

He cut her off. "I understand you've never lived with a boyfriend for much more than a weekend. This one also has a daughter. There are a lot of things to think about."

"Having summoned my presence, I am assuming you think I need a bit of a push forwards."

"Mm." He gave a nod. "Get it over and done with. I know you need time to accept the trust fund and now I am about to hit you again."

Kate's hand went to her throat. "Seriously? What has he done?"

"Would you like a glass of water, Katie?"

"Will I need a glass of water?" She was so worried she felt ill.

He shrugged, adjusted his tie, loosened it. "Depends."

Seeing the familiar action with the tie, Kate's anxiety shot up, "Dad?"

He breathed in, then said, "He also wants to help you buy a new apartment if you decide against staying with him at the loft-" Jim held up a hand to keep her quiet when her mouth fell open.

Kate frowned at her father but remained silent.

"But because he knows you won't accept what you will term as his charity, he is offering you a contract. He will invest in a property jointly with you, and if you two ever move in together, and yes, I would like to see grand children before I die-"

The frown deepened. She rolled her eyes.

"- Then you have a spare apartment, perhaps a place his mother could move into-." He fell silent when he saw the color rapidly drain from his daughter's face. The writer was right. She was going to lose it. "Would you like that water?"

Kate inhaled a shuddery breath, "I was thinking of something stronger."

"Honey, take the emotion out of this, okay? Rick appreciates what you two have collectively done to fill his pockets. His phrase. He told me he had writer's block when he met you."

She nodded as she closed her eyes and focused on breathing steadily. "He wasn't doing much writing when we met." She said as calmly as she could manage.

"He started writing."

"A day or so after we started dating. Yes."

"Okay. Then he's honest. I've read through the trust paper work and that's all legit and standard. No surprises there. I also emailed it to our accountant. The apartment, Kate. Your insurance money for the old place will be in soon. Rick and his mother got that started up quickly. You will have enough to buy another modest place. I can contribute for you to find a bigger apartment."

"Its only me, Dad, and Rick sometimes stays over."

"It's not a matter of size. He wants you safe, Kate, despite the fact you're a Detective. He said it's even more important that you have a safe place to live."

"Really?"

"Yes. He rambled on about this scene he's writing where a character is almost shot through her front door. His imagination is wonderful."

She nodded her agreement."

"Anyways, he spun off this scene. Explained his concerns. He's insistent you be safe. I feel the same way. He also doesn't want his name on the title because you two are still flying under the radar, so he tells me. How long is that going to last by the way?"

She sighed, aware as adults they were due to make a decision about their relationship, and conscious her father considered it was time for her to settle down. "I don't know Dad. As I said before it's a bit of an issue between us right now. We're having a secret life and now he wants me to move in with him."

"That heavily swayed to the he wants you to move in. What's your thoughts?"

She briefly pressed her lips, knotted her brow, "Well, It's complicated."

"Kate. Complicated is overused."

"Well Dad, I want to be with him, a lot, but there's things like wanting to keep us a secret because I enjoy the convenience of it, but I'm also burdened by guilt that we're hiding us from our friends, we also cannot progress, and-" She fidgeted.

"And?"

She shrugged. "Nothing." She bit her lip.

"Forget the secret affair."

"But."

"But?" He queried. "You have concerns about his daughter?"

"Not only that. It scares me right now." With elbows resting to her thighs she leaned in. "I need to have a place for me. I will be moving into his home, will have to find a place for me in an already formed unit. I prefer solitude sometimes."

"You have shoulders, Kate. You need to make a space in his home if he welcomes you into it. Take your place. I'm sure he would expect that of you."

"Well." She sat up. "I'm sure it would be easier if we were moving into a new place together. However, his place is lovely and in a great spot." She reached for the contract on the desk between them. "Is this it?"

"Yes." He paused, "If you believe that one day, soonish."

"Soonish, Daddy?" She smiled.

"Yes. If you know you will be with him permanently one day, then I'm all for you signing it. But if you anticipate you will want to walk away from your relationship one day, then I will call his lawyer and decline first thing in the morning."

She picked up the stapled pages. For a minute or so she read through the conditions of the eight page contract. It was simple, much of it contained standard clauses, a place for definitions then the more impertinent clauses. Castle was basically offering to provide funds to contribute towards what money she already had, which would then enable her to invest in say, a two bedroom and bathroom apartment in the Tribeca area with a car space and front door security. It heavily implied she could remain in the area she preferred but get a bigger apartment. She also wouldn't be far from his loft. He was generally aware how much money she had, that she was struggling to find a one bedroom in the right street because they sold as soon as they were listed. She dropped the contract as she understood the terms of it.

"May I sleep on it?"

"Yes. Of course, you may. Will you talk to him without being pissed off at him?"

"I cannot promise I will. He's encroaching on my personal life."

"I think you two crossed that line some time ago, Kate. He's been your boyfriend for over a year now. You two are solid."

"But I'm not his dependent."

Jim leaned forward, and patiently responded. "He's not implying that, but he did mention that's what you would say."

"Yeah. Well. He's very good at predicting so maybe he should then act accordingly."

"He's trying to take care of you, Kate. It's nice to see that in a man. I also expect it for my only daughter."

Maintaining a deep frown, she leaned back a little, digesting her father's comments. Her eyes caught his law degree certificates that hung in expensive frames on the wall. Her mother had bought those frames. "I should have continued and finished my law degree, Dad."

"Why's that, Honey?" He asked aware this was his daughter's way of buying time to think things out. Always deviated.

She shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. But when I see your office, your files, something inside me wants that."

"Well, you have time. I would rather you be a lawyer."

"I will think about it." She tapped the file to indicate what she was referring to.

"Sign it now if you wish. I will only action it once you've given me the green light."

Kate pressed her lips together in thought then nodded. "Okay. I can still refuse his offer even if I do sign it."

"True." He handed her his pen that she fiddled with while she re-read the final clauses.

"Nice pen, Dad."

"Thank you. It's a classic."

As she finished up reading, she looked at her father with concern.

"What is it?" He asked.

She glanced about the office. "You know how I can get panicky when things are spiralling out of control?"

"Yes. But it takes you awhile to reach that point. You're tough."

"Mm. Well, maybe not. I lost it the other night. I scared myself to death, I-." She paused a little choked up.

"You?"

"Umm. I didn't know how to come out of it, Dad. A little thing broke me."

"Were you alone?"

"No. I was at the loft. I terrified Castle, even though he pretended he was dealing with it. I got so scared."

"He was okay?"

"Mm." She gave a nod. "And Martha talked to me about the occasion she lost her apartment. But it got a little weird with his family afterwards. They are not used to others being there and I'm not accustomed to living with other people, Dad, like outside of you and Mom, dorms. As in another family." She fell silent, looked over her father's face, his neutral expression. "As you've said I've not lived with a boyfriend and this one has a kid, and there's our age difference, so-"

She trailed off, unsure of her own thoughts when she heard them spoken. Her father remained calm. She then focussed on the contract and signed it on the line above her name. Her phone beeped with an incoming text.

"You've always been independent Katie, since you were a little girl. That independents doesn't always work for you. You need to want to move in with Rick before you do take that step, not because you feel you should. I will help you find a new place, you know that. I'm more than happy to."

"I know. Thank you." She placed the contract and the pen on the desk then found her phone. "I think that was Castle," she murmured as she swiped the screen of her phone. "Yes. He wants to know if I'm coming home for dinner." She glanced at the time. It was a little after six thirty.

"Would you let your old man take you for dinner?"

She smiled. "Not too early for you?"

"Hey, I'm a partner. My staff have left for the day."

"Then let's do it. I will let Castle know."

While her Dad packed up for the night, Kate texted Castle to confirm she was going out for dinner with her Father.

The loft was quiet when Beckett closed and locked the front door about two hours later. She placed the keys in the bowl then shredded her coat. She listened for life, for the TV. Alexis was upstairs practising violin.

She called out as she walked to the kitchen for a drink. "Castle?"

"In here, Beckett."

"Do you want a drink from the fridge?"

"Beer please."

She fetched two beers then skated through the living room to the office. Rick was relaxed in an arm chair with his iPad that he rested on the arm of the chair. He was comfortable in track pants and a long sleeved cotton sweater. She liked the way the soft fabric clung to his strong chest. It turned her on, distracted her from other thoughts.

"How was dinner?" He inquired.

"Pleasant." She passed him both the beers. "My Dad said you should have joined us."

"Oh no. You need one on one time."

"Yes. It was nice to catch up."

"Your Dad is well?" He untwisted a lid off and gave her back the bottle. She moved the tablet to the desk where it wouldn't fall, then sat in the other armchair facing him. She commenced to pull off her boots.

"Yes. He's a happier man now he is with his lady friend. I have a baseball night date with him next week."

"That's good, Honey."

They clinked bottles and said in unison, "Cheers."

Once the boots were set aside, Beckett sat back into the comfort of the arm chair. She was weary and didn't feel like talking about the contract or the trust, but she could see Castle was anticipating it would be brought up. Whether he was nervous she was unsure, but he definitely anticipated a chat. Perhaps an argument. It was late. Too late for potential conflict. She didn't want to talk about it or disturb the peace she currently relaxed within. She drew in the beer, savoured the bitterness of the brew then swallowed.

"How was your evening?" She saw him lightly tap the arm of the chair.

"Quiet. I wrote. Played Poker with Alexis for half an hour or so. She's getting very good at it, I'm afraid."

"Like her father. How much do you owe her?"

He perked up and smiled, "Oh. She's owes me two nights of washing dishes and one evening to take her on a dinner date." They looked towards the ceiling when they heard the violin miss a note. Music fell silent for a second or so then resumed.

"You beat her?" Kate asked.

"Oh yeah. Not letting her win poker just yet. But she is quite good at it."

"Mm. Maybe I could kick your ass with some strip poker tonight," she cooed.

"If you play your cards right, you certainly will."

She giggled, "I will. She's playing violin a while tonight."

"Yes," he confirmed, "Studying for music exam, and then bed." He reached out, placed a hand on her knee. "I missed you," he quietly said.

"Me too." She got up, stepped over and climbed upon his lap, circling her left arm around his shoulders.

"Feel like a cuddle?" He inquired as he adjusted his position to be comfortable with her body across his lap.

"Mm. We go to bed soon?"

"Yep. I was just waiting for you to come home."

"I'm home." She stared at his hand on her right thigh. "I'm with you." She pressed her lips to the side of his head. "Want this," she whispered.

"I wasn't expecting this." He pulled her in close. "But I'm a happy man."

Kate relaxed, closed her eyes and allowed herself to just drop the thoughts circling in her mind. She wasn't willing to give this up tonight, to have a go on him for being nice, being generous. His hold of her body was firm and snug.

"You okay?" His voice was soft.

"Am now." Eyes blinked open and she pressed her lips to his temple. "My Dad took me for dinner to diffuse me."

"Thanks Dad," he said with sincerity. "I owe him a dinner."

Kate laughed. "You do."

"So long as you enjoyed your night."

She smiled against the side of his head, "Yes. I love spending time with my Dad."

"He likes to see you too." His head lulled back. He soaked in the attention she gave him.

"I told him about my meltdown."

"And?"

"He asked if you were okay." She released a squeak of amusement.

Rick smiled. "Arr. Trait of the Beckett women."

"Maybe."

"Did you assure him I got through it unscathed?"

"Yes," she softly replied, "Using other words."

He caressed her thigh, "You weren't that bad."

"I acted out in front of your family." She slipped her fingers into his and he closed his hand around hers. "I apologise for that."

"You already did, and it's okay."

She lulled her head against his shoulder, relaxed. "My Dad." She said. "He's inspiring."

"He's the first man you loved. He presented you with values in a man, a reference point, a comparison for you for future boyfriends."

She laughed, touched his hand that snaked around her waist. "You're nothing like him, Castle."

"Should I be worried?" He joked and playfully squeezed her.

She shook her head with laughter. "No. You share similar values. You impress them upon Alexis."

"God help her," he mumbled. He stroked her hip. "He's a good father, Kate."

"Mm. Losing his wife, it broke him, Rick. They were happy. Its only now I'm older and more experienced, that I when I look back, reflect, I can understand how it would feel to lose the person I'm in love with." She quietly said, then sighed, "It would have been hard."

There was a sobering moment in which Castle couldn't think of a thing to say. Every single word she had said he'd heard, along with the subtext. Upstairs the violin continued playing scales. Alexis was almost done with her practise. Beckett relaxed in his hold, her fingers entwining in his.

"She's good at it." Kate said.

"She is. But it's something she won't pursue," he replied. He rubbed his jaw.

"Ryan said that Jenny wants to go out on another date night with us." She said. "She wishes she had suggested it earlier.

"Another date night?" He queried. "I personally would love to."

She couldn't help but laugh. "Jenny thinks we would make a great couple."

"We do. She's right."

"Mmm. And heads up, my Dad indicated three times that wants grandchildren before he's too old to enjoy them, Castle."

"Your Dad?" Castle coughed, "Is that a hint?"

"No." She loudly said, "No! Dating period, ring ceremony, engagement period, wedding, honeymoon, maybe then babies."

"Babies." He squeezed her playfully, "Multiple. Fuck, Beckett. Don't shock me."

She sat up and whacked him on the shoulder. He caught her hand and held onto her.

"You have a long way to go, Buddy." She giggled.

"Yeah, but let's go practice." He half lifted her to her feet. "I really enjoy the practical component of making babies."

"You always want to practice."

"Stop wearing clothes that make you look hot."

"I don't think it would matter." She held out her hands for him and when he took them she leveraged herself to pull him out of the armchair.

He stood and kept hold of her hands, brought her to him, "Baby, I watch you sleep, when your limbs are awkwardly positioned, your hair is everywhere, and all I can think about is how beautiful you are, how much I want to have you."

She blushed. "It's still creepy you watching me sleep."

"We missed something major here, Beckett." He stated, leading her towards the bedroom.

"What's that?"

"Your father."

She raised her eyebrows in question, as he turned about to look at her. He stopped, which stopped her.

"What about him?"

"He's hinting at grandchildren."

"Yes?" She waited, not following him.

"Subtext." He smiled, "He accepts me as a suitable man to be the father of your children."

She burst into laughter.

"He always did, Castle. Doesn't mean there will be babies."

His hand pointed to the ceiling towards Alexis' bedroom, "She would like some siblings."

"Castle," she cooed, "Let's go to bed."