Thanksgiving, Castle's Loft
"Before you decide if you really want to stay, I have something to show you."
Kate didn't know what to expect, but she followed Rick as calmly as she could into his office. It was the first time she had actually been in the room where her favorite author wrote his books, she realized. The other times she'd been to the loft, she'd only seen his office in passing, from the outside. It was like being in a sacred space, and she didn't take it lightly. Whatever Rick had to show her, it was something serious. He walks to his desk, open a drawer, and pulls out a familiar object. His notebook.
"Uh, okay," Rick sighs. He sets the black bound book out in the open and then gestures for Kate to sit down on the couch across from him. "So, I need to start off by saying that getting to know you has been the second best thing to happen to me after the birth of my daughter."
Kate freezes. She always underestimates the ability of his words to run her over. "Uh, wow," is all she can muster.
"It's been incredible, Kate, even in all the ups and downs," Rick continues. "But, I need you to know that I lied."
"Lied?" Kate repeats. "Okay, lied about what?"
"Well, I suppose it's not a lie, per say..."
"Rick, what is it!?"
"Okay, well, you asked me a while back about this notebook and I explained that it was my writing notebook, which is true, but, there's more to it than that," Rick explains. Kate's puzzled but interested look urges him to continue. "As you know, it's been a while since I published anything. My last book actually came out before I knew Meredith was pregnant, and since then, since Alexis was born, I've been struggling to write...anything."
"But, uh, a few months back, I was at a coffee shop trying to break out of my writer's block, when I saw this girl. The moment I laid eyes on her, I just thought she was the most breathtaking woman I'd ever seen. I overheard her talking to a friend about the Legal Studies course she was taking and so I kind of, followed her, at a distance, not in like a creepy way, to the lecture hall."
"That day in class, the girl was the only one who knew the answers to the professor's questions and not like in a know-it-all way, but like this captivating, awe-striking way. That's when I knew I was in big trouble. I fell in love with this girl from that moment because she was just so beautiful, and intelligent, and witty, and mysterious. So after lecture that day, I approached the professor and asked to add the class to my schedule even though I really only needed two more English courses to graduate. And when I got home that day, I felt the urge to write for the first time in...almost two years. And so I wrote and wrote, about this girl. And since then, I've basically filled this notebook with stories...about...about you."
Kate didn't know what to say or how to say it, so instead, her tears spoke for her.
"I am sorry for hiding this from you," Rick says. "And for stalking you as I realize in the retelling of this story that that's what it was."
Kate laughs through her tears. "Yeah, that part's a little creepy," she admits. "Why didn't you tell me any of this before?"
Rick shrugs, "I was afraid, and ashamed."
"Ashamed?"
"I started my career with an insane streak of bestsellers, and then, as soon as someone other than myself relies on me to provide for them, I can't write anymore," Rick explains. "Like, I physically lost the ability to form a coherent idea. But I had to do something, come up with something, for Alexis. So, I, uh, used you, in a way. And if you hate me for that, I completely understand. I kind of already hate myself for it."
"Hey, hey," Kate says as Rick's eyes also fill with tears. "Rick, I don't hate you. At all."
"You don't?"
"I actually think it's really sweet," she says. "A little weird, but really, really sweet."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you until now," Rick says.
"Don't be. I don't think I could have handled all of this until now," Kate smiles.
"Until now?"
"Until now," Kate repeats. "A month ago, a week ago, even yesterday, if I heard you say that you fell in love with me the first day you met me, I would have run for the hills. But, now I just want to tell you that I love you, too."
"You love me, too?" Rick repeats.
"I do," Kate smiles. Kate could barely finish her sentence before Rick's lips were pressed to hers, his soft hands gently cradling her head in the way that always made her feel safe. She kisses him back, deeply, passionately. It was the best kiss she'd ever had, no question.
"So, you'll stay?" Rick asks.
"As long as you have room at the table for one more," Kate says.
"Of course," Rick smiles. "And, perfect timing, too. He looks down at his watch and says, "because the turkey is done in three, two..."
"Wait," Kate cuts in. The alarm goes off as Rick falls silent. "Is-is there any, would you...uh..."
"What is it, Kate?"
"Maybe after dinner, you'd share a little bit of what you wrote with me?" She suggests. "Since I'm the inspiration, and all."
"Oh, um, yeah, I suppose it's only fair that the muse gets special insight for Richard Castle's next novel," Rick laughs.
Kate laughs too, but then looks at him dead pan. "Call me a muse again, and I'll break both your legs, 'k?"
Rick smiles but sheepishly responds, "okay." Kate drops her serious tone and smiles wide, grabbing Rick's face in her soft hands and going up on her tiptoes to kiss him.
"Happy Thanksgiving," she whispers as they pull apart.
"Happy Thanksgiving," Rick returns with a blissful smile before his expression quickly turns frantic. "Oh, god! The turkey!"
