Part of Me, Part of You
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: Sequel to Girl from Yesterday, No Time Lapse, the story picks up where we left off. This is AU; Beckett has left for D.C. and the Feds. This describes the activity of each, during the time away from the other. It blends some Canon dialog; courtesy of Dust Jackets Dot Com then goes quickly and completely AU. This will describe what our friends have been up to, Rick and Kate WILL NOT END UP TOGETHER! Taking a Literary License to fill in the blanks.
A/N: THIS IS NOT A CASKETT ENDING: THIS IS NOT A CASKETT ENDING.
I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only, except the ones I create.
Also, we take liberties with the timeline from Canon and use events to make this more believable fiction, thanks.
**************************************************************************/
Chapter 3
Tide Mill Basin,
Kirby Lane,
Rye, New York,
One Week Later
Rick and Serena had narrowed their new home choices down to the top three choices, one in Scarsdale, one in Garden City, and the last located in Rye, New York. Serena was leaning towards the home in Rye, secretly Rick had already purchased it, and now all that was needed was for her to meet with the architect, Paul Varases, to finalize her touches on the new construction.
She thought they were meeting with the Real Estate Agent, but in reality, it was for her to select her choices for all of the interior colors, and styles. The base home was being built on a 3-acre gated lot, the only home on the street, had sixteen bathrooms, ten bedrooms, and was approximately 15,000 square feet, not including the gym, and walk-out basement.
Rick still had the description from their walk-through of a home a few streets away:
Introducing Tide Mill Basin: a waterfront dream estate in Rye that's yours to realize! This unparalleled custom compound on almost three acres, with wrap-around water views, will be built as a showpiece of luxury coastal living. Westchester's leading luxury developer will adapt and modify the current design, depicted in the renderings, according to the needs and wishes of the interested buyer. This incomparable shoreline enclave encompasses a 10-bdrm 15,000 sq ft main house, 1,497 sq ft 2-bdrm guest house, fully renovated 2,330 sq ft 18th century Tide Mill house/recreation barn, and a private deep water 5-yacht-accommodating dock.
With striking architectural lines, an open floor plan, and a stunning pool, this breathtaking property is designed for a year-round luxury resort lifestyle that's a watersport lover's ultimate fantasy. Sited on the historic Tide Mill Yacht Basin parcel, affording panoramic prospects of both idyllic Kirby Pond and Long Island Sound this property allows family and friends to kayak, paddleboard, and swim in privacy on the protected pond or power up the yacht or hoist the sails and within minutes you're cruising the Sound. The vision for this 14,827 sq ft waterfront oasis includes two acres of lawn, professionally landscaped with specimen trees and seagrasses. A few yards off the boat slips, you will row to your secluded island for picnics for family and friends.
All that is needed is a loving family that will complete the color schemes, the final selection of interior components, and finalize a move-in date. This could be yours for less than $30,000,000.
Rick was excited about giving Serena a clean start, not only for her but for both of them. No matter how far away Kate was physically, she would always live in her mind in the loft and other local spots in the city. It was time to make their memories.
The beauty of this location was it was accessible even by train, and a short, well, a nice walk to the gates of their new home. It offered much of what the Hamptons did but was being built for year-round occupancy, not just the beach season.
Another bonus was the small airport, Rick had already decided to house his fleet of aircraft there. The only plane that was too large was his latest acquisition, but it was seldom used, and Janice would manage it from her location. She and Kelly could always fly up in the chopper.
They had discussed future plans as a new power couple, Serena was going to join him at RCE, as well as embarking on her desire to do motivational speaking for girls at risk. It was a passion of hers, remembering the only thing that kept her from a miserable life was the love, and sometimes discipline of her Papa, many other girls weren't so lucky. He hadn't given up totally on writing, but he was considering buying Black Pawn and changing his pen name and genre.
She walked up to him, wrapped her arms around him, kissed him, and asked, "Would my fiancé like to go to breakfast before we meet the agent at the house?" as he kissed her back.
"I think that can be arranged, do you want to stop on the way, or is there a place you'd like to visit this morning?" he asked,
"Let's check out the restaurants near the house, I mean if we purchase it, well" She was interrupted by his kiss, and a huge smile, "Ready when you are my sweet," she laughed as she pinched his ass on the way out of the door.
"That sounds like a great idea, Serena, I know you like it, more than the other two, so let's see what the agent says," he said with a smile.
"Rick, I only want it IF it will fit into your plans as well, I mean, RCE is doing well, and the Old Haunt is being managed nicely by Brian, so we can concentrate on our other interests, provided we don't get those special requests," she said, then it flooded back to Rick. She had to be working with Jordan, or worse his father to know what she knew.
"I agree, let's just hope we can start to live OUR lives for a change. Alexis will be starting her own life soon, so it's our time, just you and me kid." He made his Bogey imitation; she laughed and then kissed TBC
Beckett's NY Apartment,
Same Time Frame
Lanie and Kate seemed to have bridged any hurt feelings caused by her departure from NYPD, or they were ignoring it. Either way, the visit was going well, catching up on all of the gossip, and who was doing what, Kevin had been promoted to Captain of SVU Unit, Gates was sentenced to 15 years to life, and no one had heard anything from Javi, other than he had re-enlisted in the Air Force and volunteered for overseas duty.
Kate was very aware of how Lanie was trying her best to avoid the elephant in the room, Rick and Serena, and their engagement until she took her hands and said.
"Lanes, I know what you're doing and why, and I love you for trying to spare my feelings, but I know about Rick and Serena getting married, I saw it on TMZ." She smiled and gripped her friend's hands a little tighter.
"Thanks, Kate, I was trying to figure out how I was going to approach that topic, I didn't know if you knew or not, and I didn't want to see you surprised by a news blurb, but I guess I was too late for that." She said, with a sad look in her eyes,
"It's been almost a year now Lanes, so I can't expect him to stay on the shelf forever, but I do have to admit, I was a bit shocked that he moved on so quickly. He and Serena did have an instant connection when she worked the jewel case with the NYPD." Kate replied,
"Oh, I thought I recognized her name, that was the chick Rick was supposed to stall while you and Javi searched her room and wound up kissing her in the hall before you arrested her," Lanie said, "I would have asked Javi or Kev, but I don't talk to Kevin that often now that he is running SUV and Javi, well, no one has heard from him since he left."
"Wow, I'm surprised that he didn't at least write you or Kevin a letter or something, I mean,"
"To spare you, Kate, we had broken up right after you left, actually the day after you and Rick split on the swings. I wanted more, and he wasn't ready to commit, so he was shocked when I started dating my fiancé, Dr. Keith Williams from Presbyterian Hospital.
"I gave him an ultimatum, show me that he was serious, or I was moving on, he laughed. Kevin told me he regretted it later, but it was too late, I had moved on." Lanie said quietly,
Lanie held out her ring finger and turned the diamond so Kate could see the entire ring, She squealed and hugged her friend, "Are you happy Lanie, that's all that really matters, trust me, I learned that lesson the hard way." She said sadly,
"I'm happy Kate, truly happy. Looking back Javi and I would never have worked out, I need someone at least as mature as I am, if not more so, Javi's still a boy." She said sadly,
"Well, when is the big event, I'm putting in my vacation request as soon as I get my laptop fired up," she smiled,
"I was hoping you would say that I want you to be my maid of honor, I mean if you can get off, and want to, I would" Kate stopped her by hugging her,
"Lanes, You're my best friend, maybe my only friend, of course, I'll be happy to play any part you need me to do, thanks for letting me be part of your life" she said softly,
They continued to chat, plan, and reminisce for the next several hours, neither paying attention nor caring about the time.
XxX
Rick and Serena had taken a leisurely drive to meet what Serena believed to be the Real Estate Agent, and as they pulled into the drive she got a sick feeling, the agent was finishing installing a Sold sign in the middle of the front yard. Her heart dropped, but she kept a brave face as she turned to Rick, "I guess it wasn't meant to be," she said, as he tried to keep a poker face
"Well, let's see before we lose all hope, let's talk to the agent, I mean we've driven this far," he said, as he took her hand and walked to the front door.
She walked in the door, his hand on the small of her back, as the Agent looked up, "Oh, right on time Mr. Castle, I take it you've seen the sign located out front." He asked trying hard to look sorry,
"Yes, we did, about that, is the deal solid, I mean are you even writing conditional contracts in case the first deal falls apart?" Serena asked,
"Sorry to say there is no chance of that, it was a cash deal, the funds just transferred into the seller's account not more than 30 minutes ago," he said,
Rick looked down at an incredibly sad lady on his arm, "Well, I guess we have to move to the next step," he paused as Serena turned and headed towards the door, "Miss Kaye, the next step is for you to select the color scheme, styles of lighting, appliances and all of the interior selections that need to be done before you and Mr. Castle can move in" he said, smiling as Serena just caught it, Rick had gotten her good.
"You mean we own this?" she squeaked out" as she balled her tiny fist and tried to smack at Rick playfully,
"You just wait Richard Castle, you have one coming, and you know I will get even," then she grabbed him and kissed him, "Thank you, you never stop surprising me, but when, how, I mean"
"It doesn't matter, you loved this home, and I love you," so I talked to Jerry, who happens to be employed by RCE, in our Real Estate Division and he managed the negotiations today," Rick said,
Just as he finished speaking the doorbell chimed, "Well, Darling wife-to-be, shall we greet our first guests?" he smiled as he took her hand and walked to the door, there stood Alexis and her boyfriend Mike. "I thought you might need another woman's input into some of the colors and designs, and I wanted to show Mike the gym and bowling alley in the basement" he smiled as the men disappeared.,
"Thank God you are here Alexis, I need help, sweetie" I never decorated a home, hell I never decorated an apartment before." She said, all panicky,
"Relax Serena, if you don't like it when it's going in, stop them and change it, that's what Daddy always does. He told me it was more important to love what you are designing than to worry about saving a few dollars on rework and hating the house." She laughed,
"Oh, Dear God, I hope I don't mess it up," she said,
"Serena, you won't and there is no rush, take your time, I'll help you at the loft or I can drive over to your condominium, so relax you got this. We have the to-do list for the wedding, so once we have the completion date for the work on the house then we can schedule the good stuff, you and Daddy getting married." She scrunched her nose as she giggled like a little girl,
Rick and Mike appeared, and she asked Rick "Sweetie, would you mind if Lexi and I worked on the selections at home, or even the loft?" I want to take my time and be sure, if that's OK with you" she asked,
"Of course, it would be, I just want Alexis and Mike to be our first official guests and be sure they can find the home. I still have to set the security codes, and" he was interrupted, "What he means Serena, is that he will have me come up with the codes easy enough for him to remember then he will punch them into the systems" Alexis laughed, "You see, you aren't the only one that needs help" she hugged her future stepmother as they laughed.
"OK, Dad. When you want to meet, call me and we can go over your part of the new codes, Serena, I can be at your place anytime tomorrow or the next day, just let me know. Mike and I are going to shove off, we have tickets to a concert he promised to take me to, so I don't want to be late" She smiled, kissed her dad, and then in a surprise, hugged and kissed Serena on the cheek.
Serena looked at Rick as she hugged her goodbye, "Thanks Alexis, you're a God Send, I'll call you tomorrow, OK?" she asked,
"Sure thing, remember, you got this, if you don't like what it looks like, change it. I'll talk to you tomorrow, as Mike closed the car door for her, and they were off to see their concert.
"You're just full of surprises aren't you, Mr. Castle" she laughed,
"Well, I guess the next question is do you want to go out to a sit-down dinner tonight, or just swing by Remy's for a burger and shake?" he asked,
"Let's do Remy's if you don't mind, I don't want a three or four-course meal, their burger platter seems to be calling my name" she smiled,
"Very well, Remy's it is, you're going to close up for us right Jerry?" he called out,
"Got you covered Rick, I've emailed the code to the keyless entry encrypted of course, to your RCE email address, so you won't have to rush with the security codes. The gate code I've set for your birthday so that's all you will need to get in, and the same for the alarm system for now, your birthday. Enjoy the home, Serena," He said with a wink.
Serena was almost in tears, "Rick, when, I mean why, how did you buy the home? I just said I liked it better but what if I didn't want it for our new home?" she asked, as he smiled,
"We'd sell it and buy what you wanted, I just like surprising you Luv, I never want what we have to get stale, and predictable." He kissed her sweetly,
"Rick, I don't either so if I ever start to become that PLEASE promise me you will tell me, I can't lose you, I just can't" She got out before the tears fell.
"Hey, hey, none of that, I promise you I will never get tired of what we have, but if you need a promise that I will tell you, then I promise, OK Sweetie? Now can we get that cheeseburger, I'm getting hungry," He said, she knew that it was said to take her mind off her insecurities, more than to feed them.
"Of course, Rick, I love you, I know I say that so much, but I really do. Thank you for making me feel like the queen of the Castle, no pun intended." She smiled and pulled his head down for a long slow kiss.
"If you keep that up, we may christen the new home before it's completed" he waggled his eyebrows as he held the car door for her, then started the trip back to the city, at least for a while longer.
TBC