F.B.I.
Chapter 5
Rick jumped into Kate's little apartment in DC for three whole months, but it wasn't working out. Her little apartment didn't have space for Alexis, and her bed was only a queen size. It was nice, but not nearly big enough. Not that they needed much space since they slept wrapped up in each other arms.
Except they lived and worked in Paris, France, for the last three months. Rick had a flat there, and Kate worked for the FBI International team. It had five bedrooms with close to 5382 square feet of space. It was near the Rotonde du Parc Monceau. It was also close to the Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower wasn't far away. It was in the heart of Paris in District 17.
It had a massive master bedroom, a modern kitchen, and a shower large enough for the two to shower together comfortably. It had a tub and two sinks as well. It gave Alexis a room of her own, filled with stuffed animals, books, and pictures.
It had a skylight-filled living room, a sitting room, a dining room, and a TV viewing room. Rick turned one of the bedrooms into his writing room and two bathrooms.
Alexis was growing so fast. Everything she could touch went into her mouth so she could explore what it was. Alexis could roll from her tummy to her back and back again. She liked looking at herself in the mirror and was laughing more now. She was eating baby food now, too, but no more bottles every two hours, not for her. She could also grab things. She was becoming particular about what she ate and would clamp her mouth shut when she didn't want to eat anymore.
Rick tried the old aircraft-coming-in-for-a-landing, but almost always found the hanger closed. She also knew who her mommy was and would lift her arms to be picked up when she got home. Like today.
Kate came home and asked, "How's my little angel?" She watched as Alexis raised her arms to show she wanted to be picked up by her mommy. So Kate did that exactly and peppered her with kisses, getting her to laugh.
Rick stepped over and got in a kiss. "How was your day?"
"Pretty good. We caught the bad guy," Kate said.
"Great, you'll have to tell me all about it," Rick told her hopefully.
"You know I can't, Babe. It's classified."
"I swear I'll get you to talk, Kate. You'll tell me everything. Besides, I might be able to use it in my next book after some adjustments."
From experience, Kate knew full well Rick did know how to get her to talk. First, he would pay attention to her breasts and give her a breast orgasm. Then would eat her pussy, giving her two more orgasms. After that, he would fuck her, giving her two more orgasms. And he would fuck her in her ass, followed by Kate giving him a blow job even after having his cock in her ass. She wanted to taste him. Yeah, he knew how to get her to talk alright.
"Babe, how is the search for a wedding venue?" Kate asked him since he had proposed and she wanted to be Mrs. Castle so much.
He shook his head and sighed. "Not good. It seems like all of Paris is getting married. I can't find anything for at least 18 months."
"Seriously?" Kate couldn't believe it. Yes, she wanted a big wedding, as big as it could be. She was only getting married once. It might be Rick's second time, but to her, the first one didn't count since he was a widower almost instantly.
"I could expand the search to include places like London, Hawaii, or maybe Capri," Rick told her.
Kate had her heart set on getting married in Paris. After all, it was the city of love. "Just keep looking, and I'll think about it."
She turned her attention back to Alexis. "Can you say, 'Mama'?"
"Have you gotten a dress yet?" Rick inquired.
"No, I need to work on that. And your ring," Kate told him. That she'd been busy was her only excuse.
"Well, you've got your engagement ring," Rick reminded her. Kate lifted her hand to look at it. She did indeed have a ring on her finger. Her heart filled with joy at the prospect of marrying him.
"I'll work on it on my days off, which is in two days," Kate promised.
"I'll start dinner, if you'll take care of Alexis." Rick headed for the kitchen, with Kate carrying Alexis right behind him.
"Did you get any writing done?" Kate asked.
"I finished one whole chapter and sent it to my new editor." Rick shook his head. "I still can't believe Gina did it. What was she thinking?"
"It revolves around you, apparently. Gina wouldn't say, so I don't know for sure, Babe. It's a mystery," Kate said, then kissed Alexis.
"I just don't get it." Rick shrugged, "Oh, well. She'll have plenty of time in prison to think about it."
"Yep, all 15 years worth, though she'll be eligible for parole in just ten," Kate reminded him.
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They were sitting down eating and feeding Alexis what she would eat. "Rick, I think I might be pregnant."
That got Rick's attention immediately. "You think, or you know?"
"I'm late for my period, so I think I might be pregnant. You know me and my periods. They run like clockwork."
She watched as Rick got up from the table, strode over to her side since she was busy feeding Alexis, and kissed her. "Boy or a girl? Never mind; you don't know yet. But you're pregnant." Rick kissed her again, and Alexis slapped her table.
Rick changed people and started kissing Alexis. "We're pregnant." Rick kissed her again. "That leaves out you jumping anywhere. I won't risk it, I just won't. So if we get married in London, say, we'll have to take the train."
Kate might have had reservations about what he would say or do, but those were gone now. Now, she just needed to work on how she felt about it since she would be the one to carry this baby. Once she told work, she would be at her desk until she had the baby. There would be no more fieldwork for her.
"I still have hope you'll find something in Paris, and I don't mind walking down the aisle while pregnant," Kate told him, unlike his first wife.
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Kate barely made it through the door before Rick confronted her. "I found a place. Hear me out because it's unconventional. It's a yacht that runs on the River Seine."
"A yacht?" Kate questioned him.
"Yes, they had a cancellation, but here's the kicker. It's next month." Rick gave her a face that said, please don't shoot me.
"Next month! That's like three weeks from today," Kate told him.
"Technically, it's four weeks, but I found us a place in Paris. It is €198 including tax per person, a yacht with or without a cruise, sit-down meal, and drinks reception, Pièce montée (elaborate French pastry arrangement), tableware, one maître d'hôtel for every 20 people, DJ, and atmospheric LED lighting. They can handle anywhere from two to 800 people," Rick told her.
"A yacht?" Kate asked him again.
"I found us a place in Paris. But we'll have to work fast since we have just four weeks," Rick told her.
"You think?" Kate snapped. "Sorry, I'm sorry. You just caught me by surprise. I told them I was pregnant and was immediately given a desk, making me cranky. I need a drink. ...That I can't have." Kate lowered her head.
She found herself in his arms, being kissed. "We're getting married. And since you've got desk duty, you can help me plan." Rick kissed her. "I'll start dinner. In the meantime, Alexis needs your attention. Oh, and the yacht's name is Excellence. It can handle 80 to 180 people."
"A yacht," Kate repeated.
"It should be memorable," Rick told her.
"So now I'm down from 800 to 180. Lovely," Kate sighed.
"At €198 including tax per person, maybe that's a good thing," Rick suggested. "Plus tip."
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Over dinner, Rick mentioned, "I want to get a dog. For Alexis and the baby."
"A dog? You mean a puppy. What are we going to do with a puppy, Rick? You'll have to raise him since I'll be at work. Take it outside along with Alexis and the baby. Then there's dog food, the vet bills, and everything else." All Rick did was look at her. "What kind of dog are you thinking? A small dog?" Kate asked him. "A big dog? What kind of dog?"
"A Great Pyrenees."
Kate stared at him. "Why?"
"Great Pyrenees are mellow companions and vigilant guardians of home and family. Sounds perfect, right?" Rick asked her.
"How much?" Kate inquired.
"Could be three thousand or more," Rick replied. "But it's money well spent, honest. You'll love it. Or him or her. …Please, Kate?" He brought her his laptop. "This is Sally. She's available here in Paris, but we need to move fast."
A puppy and she had black tipped ears. Kate sighed. She had to admit that she was cute. But then all puppies were cute. "It's a good thing we have over 5,000 square feet of space."
"I knew you would see it my way." Rick kissed her and smiled wide.
"Oh, boy. That puppy will make messes all over the place, Rick!"
"She'll learn," he told her. "It'll be great, and Alexis and the baby will love it."
"It's a good thing we have a car," Kate told him.
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Rick drove Kate to work with Alexis, and then he went to pick up Sally. He paid three thousand Euros and went to the closest home pet store – Two Tails Paris 17. It was there that he bought puppy food, a collar, leash, puppy pee pads, and bones for the puppy to chew on instead of his shoes, he hoped. Rick added a puppy bed, tennis balls, and stuffed animals.
"I should have done this in reverse," Rick told himself since he had his hands full.
He finally made it home, introduced Alexis to Sally, and watched them interact. Rick smiled since they seemed to hit it off. Then Sally peed on the floor.
He hadn't had time to put out the puppy pee pads yet. "Rats." Rick hung his head.
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"Kate, meet Sally. She's sleeping. Well, she was sleeping." Sally woke up when Kate came home. "No, no, no." Rick moved in and moved her to a puppy pee pad where she peed. "That's a good girl."
"Alexis is sleeping, but Sally seems to like her, and Alexis loves Sally," Rick told her.
Sally headed straight for the new person and sniffed her up one side and down the other. Sally decided she liked her and wanted her to play with her.
"She is cute. I'll give her that," Kate said. "Dinner? I'm starving."
"Coming right up." Rick left her and Sally alone.
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Kate was watching Alexis roll around on the floor while Sally was all over and listened to her laugh. "You did good." Kate kissed Rick.
"Told you," Rick said. "So, how was your day?"
"I spent it mostly on the phone. I found a photographer and a florist. And I worked on who to invite. What about you?" Kate asked him.
"I confirmed our reservation and put down a deposit. Oh, and I worked on what the invitations will look like. I've narrowed it down to three options." Rick showed her the three on his laptop.
"Hmm, I like all of them," Kate told him. "It's going to be a tough choice."
"We need to complete the invitation list by tomorrow. And select an invitation and get them printed, or we'll be alone at our wedding," Rick told her.
"Fine. The second one, then. I'll get you my list tomorrow," Kate said.
"I've worked out all the local hotels close to the yacht. We can add them to the invitations," Rick told her. "Since there are three locations listed, I'm including multiple locations."
"I'm sorry, Rick. It's not you. It's me. I'm stuck working at a desk. That just isn't me."
"I know. Don't worry. You'll be back in the field, eventually." Rick kissed her. "Oh, I scheduled a visit to the local vet for Sally's check-up and shots in two days. Wagranville is its name."
Kate nodded. "Sounds like you have everything covered."
She eventually got to watch Alexis and Sally play together again. "You made a good choice, Babe." Kate kissed him.
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Kate found a dress on her first day off, but it needed alterations to fit better. Then, she came across a ring for Rick on her second day off. She used all of her money, even though Castle offered to help her.
So the next day, she went to work happy, and it showed. They drilled her, wanting to know why she was beaming. "We're getting invitations, right," they asked her.
"Yes, of course you are. You all are," Kate told them. Then she got hugs and was told they were happy for her. "You found someone to love who loves you back. You're not afraid of being an instant Mom, and we think that's great."
"Thanks, guys. That means a lot." Kate smiled the rest of the day, even if all she did was paperwork on an old case.
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Kate arrived home and greeted Alexis and Sally. "We had something strange happen today," she told him.
Since Rick was working on dinner, he had to stop to listen. "We had someone walk into the office and admit to killing and raping a woman 44 years ago."
"Seriously!?" Rick was shocked. "Now what?"
"We try and confirm his story, which isn't going to be easy. If his story is confirmed, it was done over forty decades ago. First, we need to find this woman, if she's even alive," Kate told him.
"Wow, that's some story. Forty-four years ago is a long time. Why now?" Rick asked.
"Here's the kicker. He said he raped her after he killed her," Kate said.
"SICK! …Are you trying to put me off of my dinner?" Rick demanded.
"No more than it put me off of mine. Sorry, Babe."
Rick looked at Alexis who was in Kate's arms. "At least one of us still wants to eat."
"Yeah, there is that." Kate kissed Alexis. "Can you say 'Mama,' Alexis?"
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Kate was home the next day, and she greeted Alexis and Sally. "You learn anything yet?" Rick inquired.
"A little, yeah. It turns out the reason for turning himself in is because the man's dying. Cancer. He has about six months to live," Kate told him.
"And his conscience got to him. Interesting. Anything about the woman he killed?" Rick asked her.
Kate shook her head. "No, we have to exhume the body first, and to do that, we need to contact next of kin, which we have yet to find."
"Still sick. I mean raping a dead body." Rick shook his head. "And no, I haven't lost my appetite yet."
"Yeah, I know what you mean, and neither have I. Have we gotten any RSVPs yet?" Kate asked him.
Rick pointed. "On the table." Kate put Alexis down and went to look through them.
"This is a lot," Kate mentioned. She looked through them to see if they were all coming or not.
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Finally, the day was here. It was time to get married. Kate, Rick, and Alexis were on the boat. They left Sally behind in her crate.
Kate was standing in front of the mirror, looking herself over, when she saw someone else in the mirror. Kate whirled around to face her. "MOM! You made it."
"Of course, I made it! There was no way I was missing my only daughter's wedding. Our flight to Paris ended up being canceled, so your father and I spent the evening at the airport, waiting for the next flight. We tipped the cab driver to get us here on time with our luggage. But we're here." Johanna opened her arms and hugged her daughter.
Kate was ready to cry. "Thanks, Mom."
"I still can't believe you're marrying my favorite author," Johanna told her. "I'm going to hand you over to your father. You look beautiful, sweetheart." She hugged her daughter again and headed for the door. "She's all yours." Johanna kissed her husband and hurried to take her seat next to Alexis.
Kate smiled at him. "Hi, Dad."
"Katie, you look amazing! Maybe better than your mother looked when I married her. Don't tell her I said that," Jim said.
"Thanks, Dad."
"You ready to get married? Come on." Jim held out his hand for Kate to take.
Thanks to a three-person live band of mostly violins, they had music. There were flowers in strategic places. There were also 90 people on either side, but Kate barely saw them. All she saw was Rick in his tux, standing there, waiting for her.
Kate looked up at Rick to say something. "I'm a one-and-done type of girl. I thought I would never meet someone thanks to my job, but then, I met you. You changed my mind and wormed your way into my heart, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you so much."
"Kate, I'm glad you came into my life. Even if it was to arrest me," Rick started with, and Kate smiled. "I couldn't love you more than I do now. You're my life, my heart, and I love you."
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They were married and dancing, along with everyone else on the boat, making its way down the River Seine. They were having fun. Then, it was time to cut the cake and serve it.
Rick introduced Kate to her mother-in-law. "This is my mother, Martha."
"Katherine." Martha hugged her in a way only a mother could hug someone. "I'm glad to get to meet you. Richard has told me so much about you. My stand-in is taking my place in my play so I could be here. I wouldn't miss my son's only wedding; the first one doesn't count."
Then Rick introduced his father. "This is my dad."
"You're Rick's father?" He was handsome, not what she was expecting. She thought he would be full of holes from being shot and have scars from knives. "I'm told you're CIA," Kate whispered.
"And I'm told you're FBI," Jackson replied.
"I am," Kate told him.
"You're the most beautiful FBI agent I've ever seen. I might be willing to be arrested by you. Then, I would escape. It's what I do," Jackson told her.
"I might even let you escape," Kate teased him.
They went back to dancing. They danced with each other and everyone else, using every minute of their time on the ship.
