Fate's Surprises
Chapter 8 - On Finding A New Character
Rick Castle had a problem. Every since he had killed off his profit-making character, Derrick Storm, he had not found a replacement character to write about. His publishing house, Black Pawn, was reminding him of contract breech if he did not come up with a new character. Then it dawned on him, why not write about a female NYPD Homicide. He had just the inspiration and role model to research for it in Kate Beckett. But how to go about it? Maybe his friend the mayor could help, and then there was the PC, one Frank Reagan, both poker buddies. He would pitch it to them that this new character would put the NYPD in good light and enhance its image. Both the mayor and PC wanted that in these times with all of the anti-police sentiments growing.
So come the night of his poker game he brought it up. He said the new plot would the story of a young female trying to rise in a male dominated NYPD career, making for a woman empowering plot. The backstory would be Bruce Wayne-like: the detective had her mother murdered, and that had motivated her to become a cop. Her final goal was that of becoming a homicide detective so as to ultimately solve her mother's cold case and bring justice for her murdered mother.
Rick suggested doing research for the new character using Kate Beckett as a role model. She had just picked up homicide and would be a good person to base his character after. Both the PC and Mayor liked the idea. The mayor most especially since it was a election year and any good PR arising from the new character would help his re-election efforts. As the Police Commissioner Frank Reagan had seen the popularity of the Storm series. This popularity could be repeated with this new character resulting in much better PR for the Police Force. Frank said he would talk to the Captain at the 12th, Roy Montgomery, about it.
"I have another idea, Roy also likes to play poker. Why not invite him to the next poker game and we can make it a foursome where we can discuss this matter", says the Mayor.
"As usual Bob a very good idea. I will send an invite to Roy for the next poker night", Frank Reagan replies.
At The Beckett Townhouse
"Rick, this research thing is not a good idea", she tells him
"And why not Kate? I mean you can help me with my writer's block, and I get to see you more often than I have been. We can use that to get closer, don't you want that?"
"It's just that I recently made detective and am in probationary status. I do not need distractions that will hinder my performance on the job."
"But that's the whole point of the research. This is about a bright and ambitious female cop coming up from the ranks to be a capable homicide. It will inspire people, especially young females, to strive to be the best, even when faced with difficulties, such as being in a male dominated profession. You would be inspiring many young females, that's a good thing Kate."
"You don't think it would hinder the unit cohesion of my team. They are breaking in a new member, who unlike other rookies, will come with a tag-a-long shadow for research."
"Well, Capt Montgomery did say he needed to consult with the lead detective, Royce, on this. Let's leave it up to him. If he's okay with it, that should be the final word."
"Okay, I can go with that, but one more thing." "What's that Kate."
"Demming is sure to be against this. He already thinks you have more of my time than he does, and he'll see this as just another annoyance."
"Really. He's there at the Precinct everyday and has a chance to see you every day. From what you tell me he is always asking you out to lunch when it's convenient. Takes you to case celebrations when they happen. You two even volunteer for special assignments as partners. I would say he has the advantage of your time."
"Yes, but that was when we were both uni's, now that I'm a homicide detective those previous opportunities will be less."
"I think you should tell him this just levels the playing field for me and leave it at that."
Rick was happy with their talk. He had convinced Kate to accept his research with her. Also, Kate's disclosure about Demming revealed to Rick that the robbery cop was not as confident about his chances with Kate as Rick had thought. Rick realized that Kate would make up her mind about them in her own way. Kate would not be pressured into making a choice on which of them she wanted exclusively in her life until she is ready to do so. She was her own woman, independent, self-assured and so would decide when she chose to and at her on own pace!
Kate was the kind of woman who would decide after she gave the matter due time and due deliberation. Still, Castle guardedly considered he had a slight advantage over Demming in that he and Kate had a daughter together. Although he knew that Kate would consider this, he also knew she was enough of her own woman that she could set aside that for other more significant considerations on the matter. Kate and Rick being a couple was not assured by any means because of Rick's baby daddy status. Rick was not about to be overconfident in that fact in his pursuit of Kate.
The one thing that Castle was attempting to avoid in all this was Kate perceiving that he was enticing her into a union because of their daughter. The reality was that he had married Meredith because he got her pregnant with his other daughter Alexis and it had turned out badly. An unexpected pregnancy should not be the main reason for marrying someone, especially considering his ex wife had no real concept of what a sound marriage meant. Castle was not about to repeat marrying someone because he had gotten the woman pregnant. This despite the fact that Kate had a far better grasp of what a marriage should be like than his ex-Meredith. For that reason alone, Kate deserved the right to make a decision without the social expectations that she should marry the man she had a child with.
Rick did have feelings for Kate, he felt it that first and only night they were intimate. He sensed she felt the same way on their one night together. But was that strong connection enough to base a life time on? Except for that one night, they really had not gotten a chance to know each other in ways that established a meaningful and lasting relationship. Both he and Kate deserved to have that, so the need to take it slowly and explore what their one connection from their night together could mean for them. But that desire was not without challenges, the least of which was that Kate had another man interested in her. That man was also sincere and just as determined about what he wanted with Kate.
In one aspect, this challenge was good for Castle and Beckett. The situation would test their true feelings for one another. Both he and Kate were not virgins, and Kate had been in past relationships before their one night together, and Rick was coming out of a divorce. So both of them knew what they wanted out of a lasting union. Rick Castle had committed himself to be with Beckett for as long as needed. He was wise enough to know that the other man in Kate's life was just as committed. Which of the two of them would prevail was now left to the time and the efforts of both men to show Kate they were worthy of her. Capturing Planet Kate into either man's orbit would prove to be a complex and exhaustive effort. To the one who could endure, the rewards were well worth it. Rick Castle was determined to prevail in his efforts to win the heart of Kate Beckett.
A School Pickup
"Mother, are you free to help me with a task this afternoon?"
"Of course, Richard, that's what mothers do. Now how may I help you?"
"Not so much for me but for your youngest granddaughter."
"Well in that case, I am definitely available."
"Can you pick up Lily at school? You are on the school's list for Parent Pickup, but may have to show an I.D. to get her, but once Lily sees you she will confirm your identity."
"I can do that, but this is certainly an unusual circumstance, it will be my first time to pick up my youngest grandchild."
"Well, I am tied up with this meeting at my publishers, Kate is working a heavy case and thinks it will go to late night, and Jim Beckett is returning from a business trip, but won't arrive on time to pick Lily up. You or Alexis are our backup. I called the car service so you can pickup both your granddaughters from school. I sent a message to Alexis to wait for you at school rather than come home on her own."
"Some bonding time with my granddaughters, what more could I want. This certainly is one chore that I will truly enjoy."
"Thank you, mother, you'll have them all to yourself for a few hours."
"Oh, but I am so much looking forward to it Richard. All of you take your time, Martha has this well in hand."
"Love you mother, got to run."
"Do take your time Richard, no need to rush, and I love you too son. So bye for now."
The service car arrived on time at the loft and Martha took it to Alexis school first to pick her up and then they both headed to Lily's school. Once their Martha is informed that both parents had called to let the school know that her grandmother would pick her up today.
"Lily will be right out. I have a teacher's aid picking her up from our Play Lounge where all our students wait for pickup. I am so glad to meet you Ms. Rodger's, I have seen several of your Broadway play. It seems those genes are in Lily, what with a famous author for a father and her grandma a renowned Broadway actress. Lily is quite the animated child."
"Thank you so much for those kind words. This is my other grand daughter...", but before Martha can finish her introduction, the head teacher completes Martha's sentence.
"...yes, Alexis Castle, her older sister. Lily speaks so highly of you. She really loves her old sister and always talks about you."
"I hope it is all good, Lily does get pretty chatty at times."
"Yes, she always speaks well about the two of you. That is how I know Lily is well cared for and loved.:
Just then Lily arrives, and upon seeing them, she says excitedly, "Grams and Lexy!" and then runs to kiss Martha and give a hug to Lexy.
"Your parents called and said they could not pick you up but that your grandmother and sister would do it today."
"Yes, I am so happy they are here to take me home!"
In the service car there is a robust conversation between the three.
"Grammy and Lexy, I told mommy I want you to stay with us. Can you stay with us all the time, like my other friend's family."
"I don't think the loft would be big enough to hold us, and what of your grandy Jim, where will he stay?'
"Oh, he can stay too."
"We will need a bigger house for that Lily', says her grandmom.
"Oh don't worry about that Lily. Daddy will just bUy us a bigger house."
"Can he do that grammy?"
"Well, your father certainly has the money to do that. But enough of this talk, let's talk about something more important. Where shall we have dinner?", asks Martha.
"Somewhere fun for Lily, grams", replies Alexis.
"Let's have Lily make the choice. Where shall we have dinner young lady?" , Martha says with much humor to her youngest grand-daughter.
Lily thinks for a moment, "Let's have pizza at Chucky's Place.
"Chucky's Place it is. David, please take us to the closest one near", Martha says to their service driver.
"Certainly Ms. Rodgers, we are about fifteen minutes out."
The three spend the next fifteen minutes enjoying the company. Then after dinner, they head for the Loft where Lily will do a sleep-over. Fortunately, Lily's has clothes for the next day at the loft, something they made sure of for Lily since her first sleep-over. It was a way to make sure Lily always had a presence at the loft and always have a home there. It was also very convenient for Lily for when she did sleep-overs.