A/N: Thanks for your reviews!

Chapter 15

Tuesday afternoon found Castle sitting at their usual table at the café waiting on Johanna. He picked up the white ceramic coffee mug and took a sip, his gaze darting to the sidewalk outside the window. She was late…not late enough to cause concern yet, but late just the same. He sighed quietly, setting his mug aside as he closed his small notebook that he had been writing in and tucked it back into his pocket with his pen. He'd give her five more minutes and then he'd call and inquire about her whereabouts. Surely she wasn't going to stand him up…if she hadn't in all this time, surely she wouldn't start now…would she?

He frowned, his gaze flicking to his watch once again; 12:07, and she hadn't called or sent a text saying she'd be delayed. But then again, she never did. It seemed to him that his mother-in-law was one of those women who was occasionally late, whether intentional or not, and yet, despite the technology that had advanced over her lifetime, she didn't pull out that smartphone she owned and notify anyone that she was running behind. Or at least she didn't notify him…he was sure if Jim was present that Jim would be notified but other than that, his mother-in-law didn't seem to feel she owed explanations before arriving at her destination.

Castle took another sip of his coffee, wondering if she had had car trouble again. Maybe she was stuck in traffic. Maybe she didn't feel well. Maybe she was just dragging her heels. Whatever the case, her lack of communication left too many maybes to be comfortable with, especially when she had disappeared from the lives of her loved ones once before. He frowned; that wasn't likely in this case…at least he'd like to think so…but New York City wasn't exactly known as the safest place in the world. With that thought in mind, he pulled his phone from his pocket and was about to dial her number when he caught a splash of blue out of the corner of his eye, pulling his gaze toward the window. He breathed easier, seeing Johanna hurrying toward the door in the blue jacket Kate had given her as a gift.

He studied her as she swept into the restaurant; her eyes were hidden behind her black sunglasses as always. It seemed she had a black theme going, he mused, taking note of the black suede ankle boots she wore and the black v-neck t-shirt that she had paired with jeans, her black Coach purse in hand. It dawned on him that he always studied what she wore, as if her wardrobe choice might tell him something about her mood or frame of mind. The heels of her boots gave her back the height he was accustomed to her having, the black of most of her apparel seemed to hint that she was either just dressed down or that she was in some sort of dark mood. As she drew near, she pulled off her sunglasses and he noticed that she wore her makeup this time, her lips painted a dark red, a subtle splash of purple across her eyelids to highlight her green eyes along with a careful sweep of mascara along the lashes. She wasn't flamboyant like his mother; she made her fashion statements in subtle ways. His mother would mix colors with wild abandon; Johanna seemed to pair hers carefully. His mother enjoyed large pieces of jewelry, the more worn at once the better in her mind at times; but Johanna kept it simple, today instead of hoops, she wore a pair of emerald earrings; she wore her usual diamond heart pendent necklace; her wedding rings and the emerald ring that Kate had worn on a chain for years before Johanna's return. The usual watch and dainty bracelet with its butterfly charm were on her wrist. She kept it simple, elegant, an air of quiet class. Her simplicity seemed to imply to him that getting ready for her day hadn't been cause of her delay.

She paused a few feet from the table when someone called her name. He watched closely, seeing her tense momentarily before smiling at the woman who approached her. "Hi, Karen," she said; and he noted that she relaxed slightly but he kept watch just the same, glad they were near enough that he could hear whatever was going to be said.

Castle studied the other woman, pegging her to be somewhere in the ballpark of Johanna's age; her hair was reddish brown, her eyes and smile kind, carrying no hint of maliciousness but he knew that Johanna wouldn't drop her guard too far, she never really did when she was in public.

"It's been a long time, Johanna," the woman stated.

"Yeah; it has been," Johanna agreed. "How are you doing?"

"Oh I'm good; thinking of retiring soon. How are you doing…you know, after your ordeal."

Castle cringed inside, hearing the words 'your ordeal' and he saw Johanna's posture tense again, her foot tapping against the floor once before she caught herself. "I'm fine; it's in the past and I do my best to leave it there."

"Of course," Karen replied, patting her arm sympathetically. "I'm glad you came through it alright."

A small, tight smile graced Johanna's lips. "Thank you; I'm glad all of us came through it."

"How's Jim?"

"The same as always," she said, her smile softening as it always did when she spoke of her husband. "He's snuck back into the courtroom a few times as co-counsel on a few cases."

"Any chance you'll be doing that?" Karen asked.

"No," she said with a shake of her head. "I'm happy with my job; I've been teaching law classes at Columbia…I enjoy it a great deal. How is Harry and your children?"

Smooth change of topic, Castle thought to himself as he subtly watched the scene.

"Harry's off on some fishing trip in Florida; I act like I mind because he likes thinking he's getting something over on me but honestly, I'm glad to get him out of the house for a few days."

Johanna laughed. "They do have to be sent out to play once in awhile."

"They do," her acquaintance agreed. "As for the kids, Parker is an accountant; he got married back in the spring. Shelly teaches preschool; she's been married for two years and just had a baby," Karen said, grandmotherly pride on her face as she lifted her phone to show Johanna a picture.

"He's adorable," Johanna said sincerely. "What's his name?"

"Tyler," she answered; "He's the sweetest thing. Do you have any grandchildren yet, Johanna?"

"No," she said with a shake of her head. "But Katie got married in May so hopefully she'll give me one soon, I've been waiting," she said with a laugh.

She would have her sought after grandchild before long, Castle thought; but technically, she did already have one through marriage…there was Alexis; but she didn't mention her.

"It's bound to happen," Karen remarked; "I saw her in the newspaper; she's so beautiful."

"She is," she said with maternal pride. "But of course I'm biased."

Karen laughed softly. "No one can blame you for that. She looks like you; she can't deny being your daughter."

"She's heard that once or twice."

"I bet; and you've got yourself a famous son-in-law," her friend said with a grin.

"Yeah," Johanna said; "It's not as much fun as it sounds."

Castle's head jerked upwards from his subtle watch, fully staring at the scene as the words hit his ears.

"Really?" Karen asked.

"Yeah…he's right over there," Johanna said, jerking a thumb in his direction; "Pretending he's not listening. Do you read his books?"

"Well of course; how can I not…I knew Nikki Heat when she was a little girl," Karen said with a joyous laugh.

"I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you Katie's favorite remark; that not everything in the books are like her."

"Oh I figured that; tell her the people who've known her all her life know to take these things with a grain of salt."

"I'll remind her of that; do you want his autograph, because he'll humor me…"

"You don't think he'd mind?"

"No, he won't mind…will you, Rick?"

"Of course not; any friend of yours, Johanna," he stated.

Johanna tugged Karen along with her to the table as Castle pulled a piece of paper from his notebook. "Rick; this is my friend Karen; Jim and I worked with her at Roche's firm."

"It's nice to meet you, Karen," he said with a smile; "And please, don't believe my mother-in-law; she has a lot of fun being related to me."

"Oh I'm sure she does," Karen replied, a star struck look on her face. "I may not have seen her in awhile but I still know when she's kidding."

He wrote a few lines on the paper and signed it as he had a quick discussion about the books before handing the page over to Karen.

"He has new books coming out soon," Johanna told her friend.

"I'll be looking forward to them," her friend said, a hint of excitement in her voice.

"He's going to have a new series too…which he won't tell me what it's about, because he's horrible like that," she remarked.

Karen laughed. "Isn't she funny? I always loved working with her."

"Yeah," Castle said, "She's a riot."

"Were still new to our mother-in-law/son-in-law relationship," Johanna quipped. "He's not sure about me yet."

Karen laughed; taking it as a jest. "Oh I'm sure he knows he couldn't ask for a better person for the job. You've always been warm and loving."

"I appreciate you saying that," Johanna remarked; her tone quiet and honest.

"I have to get going," Karen said; "And I'm keeping you from your lunch. It was nice seeing you."

"You too."

"Are you on Facebook?" Karen asked.

"Yes, I am; send me a friend request," Johanna told her.

"I'll do that as soon as I get home," her friend assured before saying her goodbyes and hurrying on her way.

"You're late," Castle remarked; his gaze pinned to her face as she shrugged out of her jacket.

"I know," Johanna replied; "I'm sorry."

"Where were you?"

"I had to take Scarlett to the vet," she answered, a flicker of what he assumed was worry making her frown. "It was unexpected."

"What's wrong? Is she alright?" he asked; praying that the cat was fine, or if ill, would survive whatever ailed it because he didn't think anyone would be able to stand the sight of her grieving over her pet.

"When I was getting ready to go out, she suddenly started favoring her one paw and limping a little," Johanna stated. "I checked it but didn't see anything wrong with it, she didn't cry or meow as if she was in pain but she kept favoring that paw. I called the vet and asked if they could squeeze her in as soon as possible and luckily they had an opening. I put her in her carrier, rushed her to the vet. We get called back to the room, I open the carrier, she prances out pretty as you please, no limp, no favoring the paw."

Castle's brow rose. "Seriously?"

"Oh yeah," she stated; pausing long enough to glance at the waiter as he appeared at the table. She asked for her usual soda and when he was gone, she continued on with her story. "I tell the vet about how she acted at home, suddenly favoring the paw and a slight limp; that she made no sounds of pain. He said that sometimes cats try to hide the injury when they're at the vet, so he examines her. He checked the paw thoroughly, checked her leg. She made no sounds or indications of pain while pressing and checking everything. He put her down on the floor, she walked perfectly fine. He said he'd x-ray her leg if I wanted. I said yes, of course, I don't want to take chances with her. So he does the x-ray…it comes back fine, no breaks, no inflammation, no arthritis, no cracks, nothing. He checks the paw again, wanting to be sure he hadn't missed a splinter or something small imbedded in the paw. Again there was nothing. He looks at me and says "Mrs. Beckett, there's nothing wrong with her." I felt like an idiot."

Castle laughed. "There's nothing wrong with her?"

"No," she replied. "I had just had her in for her checkup a few weeks ago and everything they do for that came back normal, she's healthy inside and out. Like I said, the x-ray and exam showed nothing wrong with the paw or the leg. So I say to him, why was she acting like something was wrong? He asks me what I was doing when Scarlett exhibited this behavior. I tell him I was getting ready to go out and run some errands and that I had a lunch appointment. He then asks if it's possible Scarlett knew I was leaving. I said yes, she knows when I take my purse downstairs I'm going out…and I tell her I'm going out. He asked me if she's ever done this before. I said no. He asks if I had any anxiety about going out today; if I was going to do something that maybe I wasn't happy to have to do," she trailed off.

He smirked at her. "You said yes."

Johanna nodded. "Yeah; I did…because these lunches never do give me a good feeling. The vet then asks if I'd consider Scarlett very attached to me. I said yes; she follows me around all the time, I baby her. He asks if she ever tries to offer me comfort. I said yes, she does usually jump up on my lap when I'm upset or bothered by something. The vet then says, "I think she just sensed that you didn't want to go do whatever it is you had to do and she was trying to give you a reason to stay home with her."

"Oh my God," Castle stated; "Your cat faked an injury to get you out of lunch with me."

His mother-in-law nodded. "That's what the vet says…costs me $300 to find out Scarlett was faking…although I'll keep an eye on her to make sure."

"I assume you took her home before coming here?"

"Of course."

"And when you let her out of the carrier, did she limp?"

"No," Johanna replied; "She ran over to her dish and got a bite to eat, got a drink, ran upstairs to get her toy and brought it back down to me. She thought I was staying home…she wasn't happy when she saw me pick up my purse to go out again."

"Did she limp again?"

"No; just gave her perturbed meow she always gives when she's annoyed," she replied.

The waiter returned to take their order and deliver her drink, sparing him from further comment for the time being. He ordered a cheeseburger and fries and his mother-in-law ordered a chicken sandwich and fries. "You don't eat burgers much, do you?" he asked. "You always go for chicken."

"I like a burger once in awhile," Johanna remarked; "But I have always preferred chicken for some reason."

Silence fell for a moment and she met his eye. "I only said it wasn't as fun as it sounds because I knew you were listening."

"Yeah; I know, I'm not stupid," he remarked; "I can figure some things out on my own."

Her gaze lowered, her fingers toying with the edge of the napkin. "I'm sorry."

"Two I'm sorrys and our meal isn't even on the table," Castle remarked.

She sighed. "I know; you don't like when I apologize…well I don't know what else to do. If I don't apologize, you'll think I'm a bitch. If I do, you think I'm insincere. I can't really win either way so I'm just going to do what comes natural to me; I apologize, you can accept my apology and move on or you can ignore it and add it to your list of misdeeds; whatever floats your boat."

"I'm just trying to remind you that it loses its sentiment when used so often."

"Fine, Rick; I'm not sorry. Do you feel better now?"

"No."

"Okay, I'm going to say your dreaded phrase," Johanna stated, her gaze meeting his. "I'm sorry I teased you in front of my friend…apparently it offended you; although I can just imagine what you say about me to your friends, because everyone loves a mother-in-law joke and you probably tell them you've got the biggest joke, and that's fine, I don't care. Like Karen said, she knows when I'm joking, she didn't take it seriously."

"Maybe not, but you're implying we don't have a good relationship."

"We don't," Johanna stated; "But if it was so bad, I wouldn't be here…and I wouldn't have made sure to tell her you have new books coming out, now would I?"

"You might."

She rubbed her fingers across her forehead. "I'm already getting a headache. Don't worry, as soon as Karen sends me a friend request, I will send her a message telling her that you're a wonderful, perfect son-in-law and assure her that I was merely trying to tease you today. God, you used to have a sense of humor."

He frowned; she was right…he usually took little comments like that for what they were, light hearted teasing that did no harm…and he'd made his share of cracks about her; in front of her and in private. Now he had put her on edge, she was tense again; he could always read it in her posture and he couldn't blame her for it when he seemed to have shifted attitudes so quickly. "You're right," he stated; "I'm sorry."

"It's fine, don't worry about it. It's my fault; I can't ever keep my mouth shut like my father always said. Let's just get on with this, Rick; I don't really want to leave Scarlett home too long by herself just in case the doctor was wrong."

"I'm sure she's fine," Castle replied; "Cats like to gain attention…even though everyone knows she's lavished with it. She knew you were leaving, she didn't want you to go…so she got your attention."

The waiter arrived with their meals, allowing Johanna to stay quiet as he put the plates on the table and made sure they had everything they needed. Fredrick went on his way and she gave her attention to her food, lifting the bun of her chicken sandwich to make sure they didn't accidentally put a tomato on it as she always requested that they leave it off.

"So," Castle said casually. "You told your friend that you don't have any grandchildren."

Puzzlement flicked across her face as she glanced at him. "Well, I don't have any grandchildren yet…unless you know something I don't. Does Katie have a secret child hidden away somewhere? If so, I'm going to need to know the location so I can go and get it and take it home with me."

"No; she doesn't have any secret children."

"It's a good damn thing; I'd hate to have to yell her for keeping it from me…and for not keeping the child in the family."

"You don't have to worry about preparing that lecture; she hasn't hidden a child," he assured; although technically, the one she was carrying was still a secret for the time being.

"Then what's the problem with me telling Karen that I haven't joined the grandmother ranks yet?"

"Because…technically you do have a granddaughter."

She shook her head. "No, I don't."

"Yes, you do…Alexis is your granddaughter by marriage."

Johanna sighed. "Is this going to be your topic today?"

"I think it's time we got it crossed off the list."

She shifted in her seat, growing quiet for several long moments as she felt the weight of her son-in-law's stare. "I know the technicalities of marriage," she said slowly, trying to choose her words carefully. "You have a child, you married Katie; Katie became her stepmother and that makes me a so called step-grandparent. But like I explained before, that role would be different if Alexis was a little girl…but she's not. She's in college; she has no need for me in that type of role."

Castle eyed her. "Say Kate and I have a child one day, does that mean when it becomes college age that you're just going to tune out of it's life because it's not little and needy anymore?"

"No! That would be an entirely different situation."

"Why?"

"Because when Katie has a child, I will be in that child's life from day one, as much as I'm allowed to be there. Alexis is grown; I didn't come into her life when she was an infant or a young child. I came after she graduated high school."

"So when you're asked about grandchildren, you're never going to claim Alexis?" he asked.

Johanna dipped a fry into some ketchup. "I don't think Alexis would want me to claim her as mine."

"Why?"

She scoffed. "I think you know why, Rick; but if you need a few examples, we can start with how she calls me Mrs. Beckett and flees the room when I'm around. It's like I'm the teacher she dislikes or something."

"She doesn't dislike you…if she did, she wouldn't have spent so much time with you."

"Yeah; well that time spent being friends is another reason I won't claim her…you made it very clear that I wasn't welcome to do so and so did Martha. Martha said if it wasn't for my influence, Alexis would've been confiding in her as always when she didn't feel she could confide in you. She said I was trying to take her place in her granddaughter's life; that I was trying to get even because Katie likes spending time with her more than she does me. I thought all of that was very rich coming from a woman who has called me ridiculous for feeling like someone was taking my role in my daughter's life; but I know how the world works; what's deemed wrong for one person is allowed to be right for another."

"It was a difficult time," Castle said as he reached for his coffee to take a sip. "It got out of hand and we never did really apologize for that."

Johanna shrugged. "Don't worry about it. It was a lesson I needed to learn apparently; and believe me, I learned it."

"What lesson was that?"

"Don't get involved with a kid who isn't yours by birth or other blood relation."

"I sat in two of your classes," Castle stated.

"What's your point?"

"I wouldn't say you're uninvolved with your students…and they're college age. You know where they work, who has a little sister in dance class that they're helping to support; you know who has a baby, you walk around the classroom holding that baby when need be. You know who has earned some type of honor; you know who is likely to be out partying instead of doing the work assigned. Those are just a few examples off the top of my head."

"That's different; they're my students…they're my kids for a semester. They need me…they need me to teach them what they want to learn. They need me to give advice. They need me when they just need someone to talk to for a few minutes. They have a need for me….they like me, they accept me…they respect me. It's my job to be involved with them, to make sure I'm getting through to each and every one of them so they go into their career knowing what they need to know."

"And buying things for dance class fundraisers and giving parenting advice are included in that job description?" he asked; knowing he was going to be pushing her buttons.

"They're my students; my kids…if they need me to buy a candy bar or hold a baby; yes, it's my job."

"They're not your kids though…you say they're yours but they're not."

"When they walk into my classroom, they're mine," she stated through clenched teeth. "They're my kids, and they treat me better than some people I know."

"Why?" he asked; "Because you think they need you? That seems to be a key word with you, need. You want people to need you and when they don't need you in the way you want, then you're going to be distant."

"That's not true."

"I think it is; Alexis doesn't need you as a grandmother; at least the way you think a grandmother should be needed, so you're not going to claim her. You think your students need you…but really, you need them, because you need to be needed all the time. You're a needy person, Johanna."

The remark brought back the memory of Frank McKenzie and she clenched her teeth together so hard she was afraid she might crack them. She had to remind herself that she had come to the decision to give up the battles between her and her son-in-law. She had to remind herself that Katie was more important than her wounded pride or the opinion of a man who could never walk a mile in her shoes. She closed her eyes, breathed deeply and told herself to rise above it.

"I would be more comfortable claiming Alexis if I had her permission to do so…and if it wasn't an issue with her biological grandmother. I respect Martha's role in her life; she's been an excellent grandmother. She's been there for her all of her life and deserves the title, not just because of blood relation; but because she's done everything the role requires. Why should I claim what is hers? What would it prove to you? You didn't want me to have a role either; you made sure it was obliterated…and now suddenly it matters to you if I claim your daughter as my grandchild. Why is that, Rick? What is it that you need so badly, that you've changed your tune?"

He studied her, as he had been the entire time since his last comment, watching her swallow back the words that sprang to her tongue, watching as she closed her eyes and took a breath. She hadn't taken the bait, the little test he had set to see if she was sticking to her previous comments about giving up the battle. Apparently she had…but he had hurt her, he saw the glimmer of moisture in her eyes…a look he couldn't place, but he felt badly for it. "I'm sorry for what I said," he stated.

Her chin jutted up that extra notch, the trait that was so much a part of her that he realized the night before that he had given it to Erica Bradley as well.

She shrugged slightly. "It's no big deal; it's nothing I haven't heard before," she remarked. "My father started telling me I was needy when I was five years old. He told me all the time. Katie's said it too…it's nothing…I'm a big girl, I can take it."

Those daddy issues, Castle thought to himself; the ones she had mentioned the last time they had lunch. His little test had plunged right into that deep well of hurt she kept buried inside. "I know, you've told me…but I was baiting you…I wanted to see if you were still stuck on conceding the battle; apparently you are…because the mother-in-law I know would've told me where to get off for that remark."

"Yeah, well, you don't like her," Johanna replied; "So I'm giving you the new improved version. If you don't like this one, all I can suggest is that you just give up in the mother-in-law department and be content with everything else you have."

"I'd rather you just be the way you were when we first met."

"In a constant state of guilt and turmoil?"

"No…just…you know, relaxed and comfortable with me."

"I'm comfortable, Rick; but I swear, if you had been as picky with wives as you are with mother-in-laws, you might not be on your third go around."

Castle nodded. "I'll give you that one…and thank you for being yourself with that remark."

Johanna glanced at him. "When you say it like that I'm not sure if I need to apologize or not."

"You don't…I prefer you to be yourself."

"I wish you'd make up your mind," she sighed before picking up her sandwich.

"I'll work on it," Castle replied; "But let's get back to Alexis; no wait, first, I don't want you to think I believe you're overly needy, I really was goading you."

"Fine, I'll pretend I believe that so we can move on," Johanna replied.

"I'm serious though."

"Right, moving on."

Castle sighed a little. "It wasn't an easy time for me…it was the first time I ever felt disconnected from Alexis."

"It's not easy for any parent, Rick…we all go through it. You're lucky though, Alexis held out longer than most kids for rebellion; and honestly, her rebellion was pretty quiet. Her method wasn't hurtful to herself or anyone else in a physical sense."

He shook his head. "I'm sure there was…physicality."

She smirked a little in amusement. "If you mean sleeping with her boyfriend, of course there was; but I meant physical harm some kids do by experimenting with drugs; by getting drunk every night and partying. Getting involved in an abusive relationship. She wasn't committing crimes or getting arrested. Her grades didn't drop, she wasn't thrown out of school. She was trying to find herself. She was trying to figure out who she is besides your daughter; trying to grow…trying to figure out her place in a time when you were making decisions about your own life. She was trying to show you that she can stand on her own…and maybe she was trying to punish you a little for letting her out of the loop about things that affect her life too."

"And an idiotic boyfriend was supposed to accomplish all that?"

Johanna smiled a little. "You've never been a young woman caught between childhood and adulthood. We're held to different standards than boys. Boys are allowed to fumble their way into adulthood, make mistakes and have them laughed off as rites of passage or as a good story to tell one day. It's not the same for girls. We have to navigate the world with a different set of rules and it gets hard sometimes…what Alexis did wasn't unusual."

"No?"

"No…because when you're a girl, in that gray area of eighteen and nineteen, where you're suddenly supposed to be an adult and you still kind of feel like a kid at times; it can get confusing. You find out college is a different world than high school…that it isn't the same way television and books make it out to be. You start looking for something to hold on to and you feel like you're too old for it to be mommy and daddy. Your friends are scattered between various universities…new friends aren't quite the same yet and they have their own lives they're trying to figure out. So, we tend to find someone to hold on to; and if you're supposed to be an adult, in the mind of a young girl, that means you need a relationship. Alexis did what a lot of nineteen year old girls do; she found a boy, she let herself love him; she let herself believe it was right and perfect."

"It wasn't right or perfect," Castle muttered.

"In your mind it wasn't," she replied. "But you don't know how a young girl feels inside; how quickly she can convince herself of love just because a boy gives her the attention she thinks she needs…because he makes her feel a little less lonely. Just because you didn't like him doesn't mean it was wrong; it wasn't your choice, it was hers. Her choice. Her mistakes to make, her lessons learned."

He scoffed a little. "She wouldn't have made the mistake of bringing him home with her if she had discussed it with me."

"That's why she didn't discuss it with you; we don't want anyone messing with our special brand of logic when we're in love and it's new and exciting. We don't care what anyone thinks; all we care about is how we feel and how that person makes us feel. You could've talked until you were blue in the face before hand and she still would've brought him home. Once she was home and saw how much you hated him…well, Rick, you just made him look all the better."

"Why?" he asked.

Johanna smiled. "Because when we're young, any boy our fathers hate is exactly what we think we need in our life. We can be on the brink of breaking up with an idiot and a father can make a comment about how terrible he is and we'll stay with him another month. Trust me, I know…Katie dated an idiot for seven months when she was sixteen because Jim just could not listen to me and keep his opinions between us. At the time, it was the longest seven months of my life."

"Kate's mentioned that," he admitted.

"I bet she has…you should've listened to her; she knows what it's like. Just because she isn't a mother yet doesn't mean she doesn't have anything to offer. She's been a teenage girl. She's been a college student. She's got a wealth of knowledge about things that you don't concerning the workings of a young female mind."

That was probably true, he thought to himself. "Did you make that same mistake at nineteen?"

"Oh yeah," Johanna said, stabbing a fry into the ketchup once more. "I dated the biggest jackass in the universe for two years. I thought he loved me…I was a fool. He used me, he cheated on me, he dumped me and he made me a laughing stalk for anyone who wanted to listen about how foolish I had been to think he was going to marry me one day. It was a very difficult time."

"What did you father think of him."

"He hated him; said he was a no good son of a bitch…he was right…I always hated when he was right. Knowing he hated Cade helped keep him appealing. When it was over, my father told me, "I told you he was a no good son of a bitch; maybe next time you'll listen". Again, he was right…but what I really needed to hear from him at that time was 'it's alright, we all make that mistake at least once in our life'…but that was left up to my mother to say. That's why Alexis didn't come to you when she and Pi parted company…she didn't want to hear 'I told you so', she didn't want to hear about how unsuitable he had been for her, how you could've told her from the start that it was doomed. She didn't want her mistake rubbed in her face…and can you honestly say that you wouldn't have said those things? And before you answer, let's remember that you weren't in a very rational state of mind concerning her during that period."

"Okay, I probably would've said those things without really thinking about it," Castle admitted.

"Right…and it would've made it all hurt worse."

"But according to what I heard, she's the one who broke up with him."

"It doesn't matter, Rick; that's still a hard thing to do. It hurts to realize you don't love someone like you thought; that you made the wrong choice…to realize that you made the choice for wrong reasons. She made a home with him in that apartment; you don't just end that and feel nothing. Sure she was relieved to be out of a relationship that was starting to suffocate her…but then she felt alone again; alone in that home she was trying to create of her own because you were at odds with each other and she didn't want to just run home and cry to daddy like a little girl."

"But she could have."

"Yes, she could have…but again, it was her choice to make."

"She chose you," Castle remarked; doing his best to keep bitterness from his tone.

"Not actively; and she didn't choose anyone when it first happened. She stuck it out on her own for awhile. She took on odd jobs to pay for the apartment because she didn't want you to pay her bills. That's how she ended up in my neighborhood. She was tutoring a kid up the street; Jim saw her standing outside our house one day, looking up at the door. I had food on the stove, I told him to go out and get her, maybe something was wrong. He brought her inside, the poor girl was exhausted, she was running herself into the ground. She had a bag of laundry with her that she told me she needed to take to the laundry mat because the washer in the laundry room was broke. She hadn't had dinner. I made her sit down and eat with us; we coaxed more of her story out of her over dinner. You could tell she was burning herself out, trying to do everything…trying to hang on to her pride. She mentioned she hated being alone in the apartment all the time…and I honestly don't think she meant to say it out loud. I kept her talking for awhile, about school, what all she had been doing to earn money for the bills. I kept her talking until after eight and then I started suggesting that she just stay over and I'd take her to school the next morning because I had to go there for work anyway. She put on a little bit of a show of hesitating at first and then she agreed. I settled her in the guest room and she was so tired, she was asleep by 9:30…and then I went in and took her bag of laundry and went and washed it for her and had it back in the guest room before the night was over. When she got up the next morning, I made sure she had a good breakfast and drove her to school. Jim and I both hinted that when she was in the neighborhood, she was welcome to come to the house and have dinner…stay over in the guest room and she could ride to Columbia with me. We didn't see anything wrong with opening our home to her. We just thought we'd give her a place where she could feel safe and loved when she needed it since she was against going home to you."

"You've told me all that before," he remarked.

"I figured you wanted me to go over it again," Johanna replied. "I don't think she had it in mind to make me a confidante that day…she just kind of landed there and figured it was a good fit."

"But why?" Castle asked. "Why you instead of me or Mother?"

"Because you're her father…and she wasn't all that happy with you. You had criticized her boyfriend, you criticized the home she was trying to make. You were pushing too hard, you were doing all the things she didn't want you to do. She didn't go to Martha because she knows Martha tells you nearly everything. She didn't seek out Katie because she didn't want to put her in a bad position and honestly, I'm not entirely sure she was happy with her at that moment. I guess she felt I was a safer choice…I had some distance. She knew Katie and I weren't really getting along so there wasn't going to be much mentioned since we weren't talking a lot. She knew you and I don't get along all that well and I definitely don't get along with Martha so she felt she had nothing to worry about from me. I wasn't even sure she'd come back after that first evening…but then the next week she did…and it became a habit."

"That you didn't feel a need to share with me," he stated.

"No; I didn't…she's grown, she doesn't have to inform you of every move she makes anymore and being that she wasn't a minor, I wasn't obligated to tell you her business. When Katie mentioned in a conversation that you were worried, I told her to assure you that Alexis was fine and that she stayed with us at least once a week; that I was making sure she was taking care of herself and had what she needed; that she wasn't letting her school work suffer."

"You still should've told me," Castle said; "You knew more about her than I did at that time."

"So what? Is she not entitled to privacy? Is she not allowed to make her own decisions about who she can confide in and trust? I figured it was better for me to mention it to Katie; because that put a person between you and I, which would've comforted Alexis. She wouldn't have trusted me as much if she thought I was calling you every time I saw her. I didn't do anything wrong…all I did was give her a safe place when she wanted it. I gave her friendship. I gave her meals and rides to school and did her laundry a few times. We offered her advice about her classes for the next semester, listened to her debate majors. Jim helped her with some complicated chemistry assignment she had that was giving her a little trouble because she was wearing herself out. He was always good at that stuff; won awards for it in school. We just took care of her in the small ways she allowed. We made her a part of our family; we enjoyed her, we loved her. We never thought for a second that you'd have such a problem with her spending time with us."

Castle swallowed the bite of burger he had taken. "I just wanted her to come home."

"I was working on it," Johanna replied. "I almost had her convinced that she could go home, tell you that she was in over her head with that apartment, that she wanted to move back home. I almost had her convinced that you wouldn't serve up the judgments that she feared…that even if you did, it would only be because you love her and you hate to see her get hurt by the choices she made. I almost had her there…she was starting to come around to the idea; if you had just given me a little more time…but then you had to storm into my classroom that day and accuse me of stealing your child; of convincing her to stay away from you. You said I was using her to recapture the years I didn't get with Katie…you said I was using her because my own daughter didn't come around enough to suit me. You said I had no right to take her into my home and act like a parent toward her; that I wasn't her mother and I damn sure wasn't her grandmother, nor would I ever be. You said I was manipulative…that I was keeping her from you to get even with you because Katie chose you and your family over me. You told me what a terrible person I was…that I was the last person you wanted your daughter thinking of as a role model; because I had done nothing but lie and hurt people and you weren't going to stand for me turning your child into some copy of myself; nor would you let me use her to recapture my need of motherhood. You said she didn't need my kind of attention and mothering, because you couldn't think of a worse mother…that I was as bad as her own mother. You said I had no business being in her life that way; that if I had any respect for you, I would've called you immediately and had you come and get her…and you said it like I was some kind of evil monster that had tainted your daughter," Johanna said, her voice growing taunt with tears. "Those are just highlights of the accusations and things you threw at me that day…and Alexis heard most of them. She knew you didn't want her around me and she needed you more than me, so she went home and she never came back to my house. She never treated me the same again. She was finally calling me by my name…and in an instant I was back to 'Mrs. Beckett' and she kept as much distance as possible; still does. Martha, of course, had to give me her two cents as well as I mentioned earlier. I had already known that you didn't like me…but that was the day I realized you hated me."

"I don't hate you," Castle said with a shake of his head.

"You could've fooled me," she replied quietly. "It sure did feel like hate. You don't have any idea how much you hurt me that day."

Seeing the hurt that still lingered on her face without the cloud of his anger blinding him, he felt ashamed. "I did a lot of damage that day."

Johanna nodded. "That was the day I stopped caring."

"Caring about what?"

"About what I said or did around you. You already thought I was terrible so why should I keep trying to prove to you that I wasn't as bad as you thought? You had already made up your mind…I mean it's pretty bad when someone is so against you that they don't want you around their kid…that they think you'd actually be so cruel to use a kid for some personal gain. I wasn't using her for anything; and I damn sure wasn't trying to substitute her for my own daughter…I wasn't trying to live out the time I should've had with Katie through Alexis. It isn't possible to do that, nor would I want to. Alexis is a beautiful, intelligent girl…but she's not my Katie. No one can be a substitute for my own daughter and I'd never even try to find one or make someone into one…that would only cause hurt for everyone involved."

It had been cruel to say those things to her, Castle thought to himself; he had allowed his anger and frustration with his daughter's distance to leak out and hurt someone who had only been trying to help. But he had been jealous…insanely jealous that his daughter had seemed to prefer Johanna Beckett to him in those weeks. After all, he had raised her on his own…or rather, he had raised her mostly alone; he couldn't discount his mother's role in giving Alexis a female influence and added family stability. He didn't like to share his child…and suddenly he realized how Johanna must've felt when Kate had turned her down so often in favor of him or his family. It was a bitter pill to swallow; to realize that feelings he had criticized her for having were the same ones that had led him to cause so much damage with the woman who was to become his mother-in-law. She was right after all, she hadn't done anything wrong…all she had done was offer his daughter a safe haven; a shoulder to lean on, an ear willing to listen; things Alexis had needed and didn't feel she could get from him at the time…and hadn't it been better for her to go to someone she knew she'd be safe with? She had gone outside of her family but she hadn't gone far…she had gone to Kate's family, and even though they had only been engaged then, her family and his had already felt somewhat connected. But maybe what had bothered him most was that Alexis had sought out a woman…a woman who could mother…instead of going to her own father after everything they had conquered together in her life. She hadn't even thought of going to her own mother, and a part of him was always pleased that he outweighed any opinion Meredith could give her…but that time she had gone to Johanna; someone who actually knew what it was to be a full time, hands on mother. Maybe a mother was what she had needed during those weeks; she hadn't felt like she could put Kate in the role at that time, so she had chosen Kate's mother when their paths had crossed…and it had annoyed him, made him jealous because he thought he did pretty well at being both parents rolled into one. But even though he had done the job, Johanna was right; he didn't know the inner workings of a nineteen year old girl's mind and heart. He didn't have the same experiences to share, the understanding that came with once having the same feelings. She had needed a mother to help her lick her wounds that time…but she hadn't picked her grandmother for whatever reason. She had picked a different type of mother…and in hindsight, he realized that maybe he had felt threatened by it and he hadn't been able to handle it.

"I'm sorry," Castle said as he met her eye. "It doesn't seem like it's enough, but I am sorry. I hurt you, I was cruel…and my only reason for it was that I was jealous that Alexis could replace me so easily."

Johanna shook her head. "She can never replace you, Rick; nor does she want to. Those moments of breaking away and having distance, they're a part of life…we all go through it. I loved my mother with all my heart and yet there were times when I had to step away from her because we were at odds…its not a good feeling for either party, but it happens…all that matters is that whoever steps away comes back…and as daughters, we always come back. I always went back to my mother. I always went back to my father, even when I didn't want to, I did…and I used my mother as my excuse for it every time…but I went back because I loved them both. Katie and I, we have our moments…sometimes I let her go; she comes back to me when she's ready. You're going to have to learn to do the same with Alexis. Sometimes she needs room to try her wings; you can't clip them just because you're afraid she won't come back or that she'll confide in someone you haven't approved. Those things will only make her stay away longer. I think you've already learned a bit of that lesson."

"Yeah; I guess I have."

"You can't tell her who to fall in love with; you can't tell her who to be friends with. You can't have the control that you're used to having…those days are over."

"I know," he said quietly.

"She's going to make mistakes…she's going to pick the wrong guys…but you have to make mistakes to figure it all out. Everyone knows that Pi wasn't right for her; but at that moment in time, she felt like he was. He served a purpose in her life in that moment…and then the haze faded and she realized that it wasn't really love; that she was just trying to fill that void she felt. That she wanted to show you that she could make decisions without you too…because you hurt her by leaving her out of the loop when you proposed to Katie…and when you're that age, and you're used to your parent consulting you on things, you feel a little shunned…so she thought she'd just get her own relationship, make her own home, show you that she didn't need you either. She was being a teenager, Rick…and Pi was a lesson that will serve her well later in life."

"How do you figure?"

Johanna smiled. "Because she'll look back and see all that was wrong with it; she'll see how she used the wrong reasons…see that maybe he used her a little too…and then one day when she uses the right reasons, with the right man, she'll appreciate him even more. I know my lesson made me appreciate finding the right man all the more. It made me see things that maybe I wouldn't have if I hadn't learned some hard lessons."

"Like what, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Things like the right man respects you, gives you consideration. The right man makes everything about both of you, not just him. The right man cares more about what he's giving than what he's taking. If you don't take a few wrong turns, you don't realize those things when the right one comes along."

"I guess that's true," he replied; "I hadn't thought of that."

"That's because you haven't been a woman," she explained; "Its different for women…I know that sounds cliché; but it is…we analyze things and store lessons differently."

He nodded. "I can agree with that assessment without offense on behalf of my gender."

"Good to know; the last thing I want to do is add more offenses to my list."

Castle sighed heavily. "How do I fix it?"

"You can't fix Alexis; you just have to let her grow into the woman she wants to be…it's a bumpy road at times but she's a good girl, she'll make it. You just have to remember that your intense dislike of her boyfriends only makes them more attractive to her."

"That's good advice…but not what I meant."

'Then what do you mean?"

"How do I fix the damage I did the day I came to your classroom and acted like an ass?"

Johanna took a sip of her soda as she carefully considered the question. "I'm not sure there's a fix for that. It was done and you can't go back and change it…you just have to learn to make your peace with it; at least that's what I've had to learn to do with certain things in my life. Some words can't be forgotten and the only thing you can do is let it lie where it is and move on."

"But can it really be moved on from? It's always going to be there…it was a very bad moment between us."

"It was," she agreed. "And it's why I worry about the place I'll have in my future grandchildren's lives. Katie tries to assure me that I'll have an active role…but then I wonder what happens if one of you or both of you get mad at me. Will my grandchildren be kept from me as my punishment until the anger passes? What if you plan on doing something with that child and she tells you she wants to see me? Because kids do that at times; they want to see grandma or play with cousins…Katie had those moments at times. I remember a time when I had a terrible week at work and just wanted to spend time with my little girl that weekend…and all she wanted to do was go have a sleepover with her cousin Claire. It stung, but I let her go; her happiness was more important than my need. It was more important for her to love everyone in her world and to be loved by them. So I can't help but wonder; what if my grandchild looks at you one day and says she wants me? Are you going to be angry and keep her away because you think she's too attached to me? Will you keep her away because of a momentary sting of jealousy that she wants someone else in that moment?"

A part of him wanted to tell her that she was ridiculous for harboring such worries…but he felt that she was justified, all things considered. Besides, he knew the feelings she spoke of; there had been times when Alexis just wanted her grandmother. There had been time when she was four and had been angry with him for telling her no about something and she had cried for her mommy. In fact, she had cried for Meredith several times when she had been little…until one day she realized that Meredith wouldn't drop what she was doing to fly across country…that he didn't always call, knowing that she'd chat with their child for a few minutes and then disappoint her by not coming to soothe her hurts. But that was a different time, a different relationship. He had no doubt that one day his child would look at him and Kate and demand to see her grandmother for whatever reason came to mind; despite whatever plans they made. It was a part of parenthood…it was evidence that your child knew he or she was loved by someone other than its parents.

"No, I wouldn't keep your grandchild from you in a moment of jealousy," Castle answered. "I do know what you mean by those moments; I had them with Alexis and I never kept her from Mother when she'd make a small demand to be taken to her. Mother was, apparently, better at tea party than I was."

She smiled a little. "Well, knowing you, you probably asked if the tea had been poisoned by spies trying to steal the crown from the young princess."

He met her eye. "Did Alexis tell you that?"

"No," she laughed; "It just seemed like something you'd do."

"I was just trying to liven it up."

"I'm sure; but I see why Alexis would've preferred Martha for that game. I'm sure Martha made it feel classy and sophisticated in that way little girls like."

He nodded. "There were feather boas."

"Mhmm…I'm guessing pink wasn't your color."

"I'm more of a blue…and she always took the blue."

'Isn't it terrible when kids don't play fair and take all the good stuff?"

"Actually, I meant Mother…I joined them a few times; she always took the blue boa."

"Well, blue is Martha's color," Johanna remarked. "It goes well with her eyes and hair color."

"But still, she could've shared."

"Poor you," she laughed.

"It's always poor me," he replied with a small smile; "But, honestly, I know when Kate and I have a child, there will be moments when that child demands you…not only because it will love you, but because I'm sure it will know you will always side with it and give it whatever we said no about."

"Most likely true."

"I figured as much; but I won't allow any momentary jealousy to keep me from calling to see if you're available for a visit or a phone call, or whatever it is your grandchild wants in regard to you. I promise you that."

"Alright," she replied; "What about the question about if one of you are mad at me?"

He shook his head. "We won't punish you by keeping your grandchild from you. If you and Kate are having one of those weeks where you're off balance; I'll bring the child to see you, or do the drop off/pick up for babysitting, whatever the case is. If we're having a bad moment between us, which hopefully we won't be, Kate will bring it. I promise you that your grandchild will never be used as a pawn against you. That wouldn't be fair to you…and it wouldn't be fair to the baby," he said, and then froze, realizing the word he had said.

Johanna looked at him oddly. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing; I just meant to say child."

She shrugged. "A baby is a child."

'I know…I mean…it's nothing, just a slip of the tongue."

"One that shouldn't really bother you as much as it is," Johanna stated. "Do you have babies on your mind?"

Castle laughed, nerves kicking beneath his skin. "No, of course not; why would I?"

She eyed him, studying him intently. "Well…you're married."

"I am; I'm a lucky man."

"Yes, you are…but maybe you're thinking about babies."

"Well of course I am, you're talking about grandchildren…and if you're going to have grandchildren then Kate and I have to provide a baby," he said; hoping he wasn't talking as fast as he thought he was.

"Yeah; that's usually how it works," she stated, still eyeing him. "I think maybe Katie wants a baby sometime soon."

"Oh yeah? What makes you say that? Because not too long ago you weren't sure she wanted any."

"We've had some discussions since then," Johanna replied; "I think maybe she's thinking about it…and you said in a round about way that you've discussed it."

"Yeah…a little…but you know, those things take time."

"I'm aware of that," she laughed. "I did have a baby of my own."

'Yeah; you did, and she's great, you did a good job," he told her.

"Thank you, but I didn't do it alone…there was Jim."

"He did a good job too."

"He always does. So…are you both thinking about it?"

This was dangerous territory, Castle thought to himself. Kate would kill him if he slipped up and relieved the news. There would be no mercy if he stole her moment. "All I'm willing to say is that we do discuss it."

His mother-in-law smiled; so she was right, Katie was trying to have a baby. "Discussion isn't how you get them."

He smirked at her in amusement. "Yeah; to hear you tell it, it requires champagne and a hotel room in another state."

"Well…it was snowing and there was nothing to do but to celebrate my good fortune of missing that damn reunion…but you know, winter is on the way, I'm sure it'll bring snow days."

"You want a grandchild really bad, don't you?"

"Desperately," Johanna replied; "And while I'm still young enough to have the energy to chase a toddler."

He smiled. "We'll see what we can do for you."

"Please do, the sooner the better."

It would definitely be sooner than she thought, he mused but he wisely kept the thought to himself. "So, getting back to Alexis."

Her nose wrinkled. "I thought we were done with that."

"No; not entirely." He replied. "I know I can't change what happened, but I am sorry for the way I treated you."

She gave a slight nod. "I'm sorry I overstepped by taking her in."

"You didn't…I'm glad she chose a place where she'd be protected and taken care of in the little ways she needed. I'm glad she felt that comfortable with you and Jim that she kept going back. I'm sorry that I ruined that relationship; it wasn't fair to any of you."

Johanna met his gaze. "I didn't only take her in for her sake…I didn't only do it because I like her and enjoyed her being around. I did it for you…I knew you'd find out eventually that she was hanging around. I thought you'd trust me…that you'd know that I would keep her safe until she was ready to come home. I thought you'd trust me with your daughter because I trust you to protect mine even when she thinks she doesn't need it."

Oh…there was a piece of the puzzle that he hadn't even considered; and he didn't know what to say in regard to it but he knew he had to think of something. "It was never an issue of not trusting you, Johanna…I would trust Alexis and any future child I have into your care. I told you, it was about jealousy and being in uncertain waters. I admit that I never once thought about it in the terms you just used; that you took care of mine because I take care of yours. I guess I never allowed myself to see that you were doing it for Alexis and for me…and you may not believe it, but I am glad you were there for her when she needed someone."

"I'm always glad that you're there for Katie…especially during those times when she won't let me be there."

"I think those days are in the past, Johanna. I think things are going to be a lot better between you and Kate…I know you both want it to be that way and I think you've been achieving it."

"Things have been better the last few months…and I'm glad for it; and no matter what you think, I am glad she has you, that she has the person she was meant to be with," Johanna stated. "I want her to be happy and loved; I want her to have a family of her own…I just want to keep my place in it."

"You will," he said with conviction; "I'm never going to stand in your way…nor do I expect you to let me."

"I would fight against it," she assured.

"Good…now what can I do to make things better for you in regard to Alexis? How can I help repair that?"

"I don't think you can right now," Johanna replied; "I don't want her pressured to act differently toward me. I know you have some goal in mind with all this; but I don't want her to feel obligated. I'm not going to push; I don't have any right to in that area. I do love her, I do want you to know that, but I won't claim her with the specific term mentioned earlier unless that's alright with her one day…because right now it wouldn't be; not for her and not for Martha. Maybe one day she'll feel better about being around me again…and maybe she won't, but the choice is hers."

"So you don't want me to talk to her?"

"Rick, I can't tell you not to talk to your daughter about the subjects of your choosing. If you want to talk to her about how you felt during that time period, please do so, it might clear away any lingering feelings about the whole thing…but don't pressure her into thinking she has to have a relationship with me because she doesn't have to. That ball is in her court."

"Alright," he stated; "But what about me? Are you going to forgive me…even though some things can't be forgotten?"

"I'll forgive you…"

"Good," Castle smiled.

"On one condition…"

"Oh, I missed the silent 'but' in that answer," he quipped; "What do I have to do?"

Johanna smiled. "I'm going to need that grandchild."

"That's all?"

"Yes."

"Consider it done," he grinned.

Her brow rose. "Won't Katie have something to say about that?"

"Oh don't worry her, I'm sure she'll go along with it…I mean, we're talking family unity here, she's all for that. Don't worry; we'll get that grandchild to you."

"You sound like you're going to order it on Amazon and have it shipped to me," Johanna replied.

He shook his head. "That's not as much fun."

"I don't need the details, Rick."

"Just the end result," he said with a nod; "Don't worry, my forgiveness is secured."

She studied him intently again, wondering if that was some sort of slip up as she quietly gathered evidence. "Then can we check this topic off your list and leave it in the past where it belongs?"

"That depends; are we as okay as we can be on the topic."

"I'm fine," she answered. "Are you?"

He nodded. "I think we have a better understanding of the issues and can move past it now."

"Then by all means, let's check it off and move past it," Johanna told him.

"Alright, I'll check that one off…and hey, we're still on speaking terms; that's progress right?"

"I suppose so…you won't have to worry about your wife being mad at you."

"Yes; that's always a plus," he stated. "And I won't have to worry about an angry father-in-law…right?"

"Right," she answered.

"Good…because I think he could hurt me if he really wanted to."

"Count on it," Johanna replied.

Castle smiled. "So we're going to call this lunch a success."

"You can call it whatever makes you happy, Rick."

"You'll be back Thursday?"

"I guess so since you seem to want to stick to that."

"You said you'd try," he reminded her.

"I'll be here," she said, picking up her glass to finish her drink. "I am going to head home now though; I want to check on Scarlett and make sure she's still fine."

He gave a nod. "I understand, let me get the check and I'll walk you to your car."

"I know the drill," his mother-in-law answered as she pulled her keys and sunglasses from her purse.

After he paid the check, Castle walked Johanna to her car, hoping he had finally found the right path to stay on with her. The topic he had chosen that day could've gone very badly in light of all the wounded feelings involved but it hadn't. They hadn't lost their tempers. She hadn't left before the meal was over. Maybe he was finding his balance.

"Will you let me how Scarlett is?" he asked as she unlocked her car door.

"Sure, I'll send you a text later and let you know," Johanna replied. "I'm hoping the doctor was right and she was just putting on a little show to get me to stay home."

"It might come with the name you gave her," Castle said; "Scarlett O'Hara could be dramatic when it suited her."

"Yeah, she could be…but she's still one of my favorite characters."

"Apparently so…why did you name the cat after her?"

"Because I was re-reading Gone with the Wind when Jim gave her to me…and because she has green eyes and Scarlett O'Hara had green eyes….and Scarlett's full name is Katie Scarlett O'Hara; I already have a Katie, so I figured I may as well have a Scarlett too."

He smiled. "When you put it that way, it seems fitting. Do you have name suggestions picked out for your future grandchildren?"

"I might have a few things in mind if Katie ever needs a suggestion. Should I start making a list?"

"Knowing you, you probably already have," Castle said lightly; "But I was just making conversation."

"I've got my list stored right here," she said, tapping her temple. "Are you going to the precinct now?"

"Yeah; do you need something first?"

"No; just give my love to Katie."

"I will."

"Is she feeling any better?"

"She's doing fine," he answered; not wanting to say that she still wasn't feeling her best; he was sure he had already raised his mother-in-law's suspicions enough.

"Good; I worry."

"I know you do; but she's fine, I make sure of it."

"I hold you to that."

"It's a promise I can keep," he said as she opened her door and got in the car. "Be careful getting home; let me know how Scarlett is."

"I will," she told him; "Have a nice day."

"You too," he remarked before closing her door for her.

Johanna pulled her seatbelt around her and hooked it while her son-in-law stood on the sidewalk, watching and waiting for her to pull away from the curb as always. They weren't fooling her…there were babies on the brain; either they were trying as she suspected…or there was already one on the way…she just wasn't sure which answer it was. She gave him a smile and a wave before pulling into traffic; she'd have to present her evidence to her husband and see which theory he agreed with…and then she'd have to figure out how to get the truth of the matter to prove the theory right.

A/N: Next up; setting the stage for the big reveal…and possibly the reveal too but I might need to move it back one, it depends on word count.