Disclaimer: I own a lot of things but nothing of Castle
Here we go - Chapter Three. I won't say much, except thank you to those of you who reviewed followed and faved this story. And of course, also everyone who just read it. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. The fourth chapter is almost finished but the next update will probably still take a few days.
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Kate sat at the counter of the huge area combining kitchen and living room, watching Castle as he fried some eggs and cut up fruit with an exaggerated big knife. That somehow made her smile. Everything in this apartment seemed a little bigger and more lavish than necessary. But it fitted his personality perfectly, like a kid with a too-big wallet.
She had been to his loft several times before, even stayed overnight, but today it somehow looked different to her. She had never really recognized this place as what it was: Castles's home. Until now it just had been a big, luxurious place to her. But now she noticed all the little details surrounding her, making clear this was where he felt at home. Framed pieces of evidence of his successes as an author. Photographs and pictures from many years before, showing him with a little red-haired girl she recognized as Alexis. Also, a lot of drawings which were obviously done by a child, and of course all the various certificates she had collected over the years.
She smiled at all this proof of how unbelievably proud he was of his daughter when an unpleasant thought crossed her mind and almost made her choke on her coffee. She sat down her steaming cup and cleared her throat. „Um Castle, where are your mother and Alexis?" The thought of his family walking in on him only in boxers and her still wrapped in his sheets made her mouth go dry and her palms grow sweaty.
He grinned at her horrified expression and placed the eggs on two plates along with the fruit and toasted bread. „Don't worry. I wouldn't let you have breakfast in my kitchen half-naked if they were here." He put down one of the plates in front of her. „Alexis is still not back from her graduation party and probably won't be for another few hours. And my mother is gone to the Hamptons and won't be back until tomorrow." She let out a relieved sigh. „Good. I guess walking in on this wouldn't be the best way to tell them that…" She stopped, unable to label what they were. He noticed her insecurity but chose to not push the subject any further. There was no need to put into words what their relationship was called just yet. For the moment it was enough to just enjoy what they had.
„You're probably right about that. We will find a better way at some point." He handed her a fork and smirked at her. „For now we don't have to worry about that." She remained still and started eating. After another sip of coffee, she tried to put into words what was on her mind. The perspective of telling Martha and Alexis about them was somehow unsettling to her. They were both lovely people, she genuinely liked them. But they were his family and telling his family about them made everything much more real. At the moment she felt like she would rather keep what they had in their own little bubble. But she knew that that was probably a pointless wish, knowing how present they were in his life.
„How do you think that will work?" she quietly asked him. He took a bite of his food and quickly swallowed before he answered. „What? Mother and Alexis?" Kate nodded. „Oh don't worry about them. They have seen me bring home much worse than you." He said with a slight laugh. Kate raised his eyebrows at him. He immediately realized that had not been the best thing to say. „Not that you are just someone I would bring home after a night out and wanted to leave next morning!" he added.
He reached over the counter and took her hands in his. „I thought I had made that clear." She tenderly smiled at him and returned the slight pressure of his hands. „You did. Still, I think it won't be as easy as that. They also know a lot has happened between us. And I don't think they are necessarily as fond of me as you think." „Even if that's true, I'm sure they will be when I explain to them what happened." She had to smile at that thought. „I hope so. But please don't tell them all the details." He laughed and shook his head while he walked around the counter and came to a stand behind her.
„Oh believe me. My lips will be sealed." He murmured as he pressed said ones to her neck. „That's good." She hummed as she stretched her neck a little to allow him further access to her skin. He slowly brushed away the white fabric of the sheets wrapped around her shoulders, uncovering her upper body. As his lips trailed along her neck he let his hands wander around her body to her stomach. Moving his hands further up her body he reached the bottom of her breasts, her skin feeling so incredibly soft. Just as he was about to lay his hands over the soft curves a faraway ringing noise found its way to his mind.
He squinted his eyes realizing what it was. Somewhere in the bedroom, his cell phone was ringing. There weren't many things that could stop him from doing what he was about to do. But he recognized the melody as the ringtone he had set for Alexis. No matter how much he hated having to interrupt his actions with Kate, he was still a father responsible for his daughter. „That's Alexis." He said in a disappointed tone. „Sorry, I have to get that." He mumbled and reluctantly pulled away from her body to then disappear into the bedroom.
Kate looked after him and wrapped the sheets back around her body. Looking at the door he had just walked through she realized she would always have to share him. But to her surprise, she found it didn't bother her. She had never been with a man who had children before. And even though Alexis was almost grown she appreciated how caring and responsible he was. It was proof to her, that he wasn't just a playful child caught in the body of a grown man.
Castle returned from the bedroom slightly waving his phone in his hand. The expression on his face told her their time together was probably up for now. „You have to get her?" she asked. He nodded, looking like a puppy someone had forgotten outside in the rain. „I'm sorry. She spent the night with her friends and now is stuck in some diner uptown. I don't want her to take the train or a cab after a night like this." „Of course not!" It didn't even come to her mind that he should put her before his daughter. „No, you go get her. And I will finish this breakfast and then head home. The two of you will probably have a lot to talk about and I shouldn't be here when she comes home from her graduation." He nodded, still not looking happy.
„And when will I see you again?" he asked reaching out for her hand. She smiled at him, stood up, and closed the gap between them. „As soon as possible." She gave him a tender kiss on the lips and let him pull her into a tight hug. She felt him burying his face in her hair and his arms pulling her even closer. As she also noticed the bulge forming in his groin she had to grin and slightly pushed him away. „Now go." She said and stepped back from him to avoid giving in to the temptation to touch him again.
He sighed and defeatedly made his way back to the bedroom. She sat back at the counter and continued eating her already-cooling breakfast. When he came back into the room a few minutes later he was dressed in jeans and a plain blue shirt. She could also see he had brushed through his hair. „What a pity." She thought to herself. She really liked his ruffled bed hair.
He walked over to the main door and opened what had to be a cupboard for shoes. He pulled out a black pair and slipped them on while simultaneously grabbing his keys from a little table beside the door. He crossed the room and came back to her, resting his hand on her cheek. He looked at her with an intensity in his eyes that made her shiver slightly. „I really don't want to go." He whispered. She softly smiled and took his hand away from her face to press it against her lips. „I know. I also don't want you to." He leaned forward and kissed her again. Firmly and passionate, the little hint of fear she could still change her mind when he was gone still present in his mind. She returned the kiss with just as much intensity, trying to reassure him everything was okay.
Before his desire for her could overcome him again he pulled away and gave her a soft smile. „I will call you as soon as I can." He whispered. „Okay." She smiled back at him. Walking backwards to savor every last look of her he made his way to the door and opened it. With a last smile, he hesitated for a second, then stepped out of the door and closed it behind him. Man, he really hated to leave her behind. And he caught himself sending a quick prayer to whoever was willing to listen, that she would still feel the same about them as she did now when they met the next time.
Kate did what she said and finished her plate of food and coffee and afterwards placed the dishes in the sink. She then went back into the bedroom and searched for her clothes, scattered around the bed. Her trousers were still damp and her blouse was crumpled but she had no other choice than to put them back on. She checked for her keys and cell phone and desultorily did the bed before she got ready to leave. Reaching the door she looked around one last time and had to smile. Hopefully, she would see this place a lot more often from now on.
She went out the door, closed it behind her, and turned to go down the hallway heading to the elevator. Looking up she stopped dead in her tracks. With risen eyebrows, the noble figure of Martha Rodgers strutted towards her. Kate felt her heart beginning to race and her brain instantly trying to work out an excuse but with little success. „Detective Beckett, what a surprising pleasure!" The older lady said the question she was about to ask already lingering in her voice. „What are you doing here?" Kate stared at her for what was only a couple of seconds but felt like an eternity.
„Um I, eh, Castle and I had a few things to sort out. But I was just about to leave." She stuttered and felt herself blush. „Castle said you were gone to the Hamptons?" She didn't recall if there had ever been a more embarrassing moment in her adult life. Martha's eyes barely noticeably looked over her wrinkled clothing, then met hers again, smiling. „Oh you know, it is just not the same without the kids. Plus it was raining nonstop and I could feel myself getting depressed so I decided to leave early." Kate nodded, having no idea what to reply to not make this scenario even more awkward. „But I am so very happy the two of you decided to get in the clear! So I suppose we might see each other now and then?" Martha light-heartedly said, implying she exactly understood what was meant by „sorting things out".
Kate swallowed. It was pointless to pretend they both didn't know what had happened last night. She tried to smile and decided it was best to stick with the truth. „I hope so." She said, trying to make her voice sound at least a little self-confident. „Wonderful!" Martha replied with a beaming smile. She pulled her keys out of her purse and Kate stepped aside to let her get to the door. „Have you also met Alexis yet?" Kate shook her head, thinking „Thank God, no. One of Castle's red-headed family members after spending the night with him is more than enough." „Castle just went to get her, she was still out after her graduation party." „Ah, I suppose it is better that way." Martha said. „Better talk to her when everyone has a clear mind and is freshly showered." She added with a playful chuckle.
Kate felt a deep red rising up her cheeks and couldn't bring another world over her lips. So she simply attempted to smile again, realizing she failed and wished she could just sink into the ground. But Martha just smiled at her and opened the door. „Well, see you soon, Katherine." She said as she stepped into the apartment, one more time smiling back at her before she closed the door.
Kate let out a deep breath and felt herself sink a few inches as all tension left her body. With quick steps she made her way to the elevator, realizing with huge relief that it was empty. The irrational fear Castle and Alexis could already be returning had crept into her mind. From another encounter like this, she probably would have not been able to recover. She stepped out of the elevator and hurried to get to her car, wanting to go home as fast as possible and then go hide under a blanket for a couple of weeks.