1,311Finally getting my way through a tricky part. Apologies for the slowness of these chapter. The isolation has not affected my work load at all, and I'm doing postgrad assignments. Thank you for sticking with this. It will soon do a big time jump.
Chapter 95
A text on the secret phone lit up the screen. Beckett paused from typing and slid the phone over the file to read the message from Castle.
'Change of plan. Don't buy dinner, Hon. An old friend has unexp'dly dropped in and he's offered to cook.'
Curiosity caused Beckett to raise her right eyebrow. She shot her eyes up to ensure no one was close. Esposito was down in archives, hunting for a piece of evidence to write up his report, and Ryan was busy texting Jenny, no doubt. He was leaned over, on his phone. Captain had left for a meeting earlier and said he wouldn't be back. She then looked down. She tapped in three question marks and hit send.
'Surprise.' Rick responded then sent another, 'I also have wine. Be home by 6.30 pls.'
She smiled to herself as she typed. 'Sure. Cows foot on the menu?'
'Haha. No. You will love it.'
Beckett checked the time. 4.47 pm. She'd spent the afternoon doing paperwork and was sick to death of it. As she was going to Rick's place, she would leave the police unit in the underground garage.
She typed out 'Is 5.30 ok?'
She waited for a response.
'Even better. No open houses tonight?'
She pressed her lips together. Typed. 'No. Straight home.'
'Cool. C u soon xx'
'x'
She pushed the phone back to her left near the place she kept her coffee mug. The row of white elephants caught her attention. The display piece had sat on her late mother's desk at home beside the dark grey elephant with its trunk raised in a loop. Castle was always leaving money rolled up in the trunk of the that fella, in case she needed cash for a coffee, or food. The desk drawer was also stuffed with sweets and protein bars. Amongst the pool of detectives, they worked with, not one of them had ever noticed his little gifts. Returning to the computer, she saved the documents she had been reviewing and closed them back to their secured storage system. She then closed the computer down for the night.
The remainder of the time was spent shuffling papers about the desk into neat piles and she jotted down a quick list of things she needed to do next shift. Her curiosity about Castle's visitor had peaked. A male guest who wanted to cook. He had a lot of friends but he always said herself and Alexis were his best friends, the people he wanted to spend his time with. He also enjoyed nights out with the boys but they rarely occurred.
The subway was the fast route to the loft. There was also a short walk to his building. When she arrived at the loft she opened the door to find Castle in the kitchen with his friend. The author was at the counter seated on a stool with a beer resting in front of him. A tall slender and grey haired fellow was busy at the burners, watching over a pan. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up with some serious cooking going on. The men were actively conversing and Castle stood when he saw Beckett and held out his arm.
"Here she is." He delightfully said, his expression nothing short of proud. She timidly smiled at him, glanced to the guest. He had a familiar face and she felt like she'd met him before. His faced was weathered from living outdoors a lot and he had tattoos up both forearms. She gave Castle a questioning look and he nodded. She kissed her boyfriend hello.
"Hi Honey." Castle whispered, "He knows about us and he's cool."
"Okay. Missed you today." She pressed her lips to his cheek.
"Me too. Kate, I would like you to meet Tommy Burton. Tommy-"
"Hi Kate, finally get to meet you. Your punching above his weight boyfriend here, hasn't stopped blowing his trumpet about you."
She laughed, leaned against the counter, reached over and shook his hand. "You must be sick of me already."
"To the contrary. You're more beautiful than he described."
She shot a look at Rick who shrugged and said, "Tommy's charming and, also a chef. We get a special treat tonight."
"Seems so," she replied, "In house chef." She peered over the display of half prepared food, perfectly sliced vegetables, quality pieces of meat. She disposed of her work phone on the counter, out of the way. "It smells great."
"You will love it, Kate." Tommy declared.
Castle went to the fridge to grab Kate a beverage, "Tommy's a writer too."
"Yeah?" Beckett queried.
"But I write decent stuff." Tommy said. "Real stuff."
"Sure you do." Castle bounced straight back as he caught Kate's expression. He unscrewed the cap, passed it to Kate who took a seat beside the stool Castle had occupied.
Kate waited for Castle to communicate his response. She thought she recognised Tommy, sensed she'd seen him before but couldn't pinpoint from where.
And then Castle explained, "Tommy writes and he travels the world looking at cities, food and cultures."
She smiled when she caught on to where she knew the visitor from.
"He's talking to producers about doing a new series for TV," he added.
"About food?" Kate asked. She slipped off the stool and stepped to Castle, going between his legs. She leaned against him as he put his arm around her waist.
"Yes. How culture influences diet." Tommy replied.
"Like how Castle loves cheeseburgers?" Beckett asked.
"And like Tommy love hot dogs." Castle bounced back.
"Refined culture." Tommy said.
The men laughed. Kate smiled.
"So, have you two been together long? Still quite cosy I see."
A spontaneous girlish laugh spilled from Kate. "We're cosy here. We can't do PDA's, because we're keeping our relationship a secret."
"How long?"
Kate looked to Castle's eyes, "Umm, we just past the first year, a few weeks back."
Tommy paused a moment from his cooking to really look at Kate.
"Yeah," Castle agreed, "She bought me a stunner of a vintage Montblanc pen as a gift."
"Nice, one. You were a single man last time we caught up." He pointed at Castle with a spatula in his hand, "I reckon she's a keeper, Rick." He tipped the contents of the skillet to a plate.
"She is," Castle agreed and gave her a light squeeze.
"The food smells fabulous," Beckett commented ignoring the banter between the men. The meat was delivered to a hot plate. It hissed and steamed up.
"Tommy says it's a dish he found in Italy," Castle said. "We usually get his wild version of a hotdog when it's us guys, but when he found out we had you in the mix he insisted on making an impressive dish."
"Well, its impressive, right?" Beckett said and leaned back in to Castle. It was nice to be able to relax with Castle in the presence of a third person. He didn't hold back either and wrapped his arm loosely about her.
"Special treat. Not just us boys."
The front door opened. Everyone looked to the door to see Alexis enter the loft with a school bag over her right shoulder, her violin case in her left hand.
Beckett instantly felt Rick give her a gentle nudge, for her to move away, to return to the stool. She glanced at him to see he anticipated his daughter's approach.
"Is that Alexis?" Tommy asked unsure it was Castle's daughter.
"It sure is. Been awhile since you last saw her, huh?" Castle asked.
"As in she was merely a teenager. So yes, it has been a while."
"Alexis," Castle greeted as she came to her father.
"Hi Daddy," She kissed his cheek then smiled at Tommy, glanced to Kate, "Hi, Kate," and breifly touched her forearm.
"Hi Alexis," Kate replied with a smile.
"Do you remember Tommy?" Rick asked.
"Yes. Your friend the chef." Alexis smiled, "How are you?"
"Very well, thank you. Are you joining us for dinner?" Tommy asked as he turned his attention back to the stove top.
"Arrr.. already ate with my friends at study group." She turned to her father, "I have to go study, do you mind if I excuse myself?"
"Off you go." Castle smiled.
Alexis gave a wave then flittered off. She collected her belongings at the base of the stairs.
Tommy who had watched father and daughter interact, glanced at Beckett with a questioning gaze. She didn't react but understood Tommy could sense the division. She took a mouthful of her drink, crossed her legs and relaxed. There was a professional, celebrity chef in Castle's kitchen making them a fine meal and she was going to soak it up. She didn't have to even worry about setting the table as it was already made up, in a rather spectacular fashion. It was sort of surreal. Two celebrities and herself, drinking and chatting.
"Beckett would like to live in France for a while, some time." Castle said.
"Seriously?"
Beckett nodded. "Yes, not sure I want to be in Paris, maybe a province, a country area."
"Parle Français?" Tommy asked.
Kate timidly smiled, "Oui."
"It's hard living in foreign countries. It's always nice to come home."
"You live here, right?" She wasn't asking. She knew from him being a celebrity that his home was in the same city she lived in.
"Up the road a bit." The chef confirmed. "Look me up if things don't work out with this writer," he teased. "I'm far more fun."
Castle reacted, "Hey. That's enough. We're gonna work."
She gave Castle a sly glance, "Maybe I will."
Castle waggled a finger at her in the negative, "Honey, you aren't going anywhere."
Tommy laughed hard. "When are you planning on going to France?" He asked Kate.
"Well, we did once talk about going in what?" She checked with Castle. "2017?"
"Something like that," Castle agreed, "Once Alexis is at college, we'll go for a while."
"Do you have kids, Kate?"
She shook her head, "No. No kids, no pets, but I have him and he's the longest boyfriend I've had."
"Yes. I see. Castle you are a lucky guy."
"I know."
"Well people, dinner is ready. How about we move this party to the table."
"Certainly." Kate stood, picked up a plate and carried it to the table where she placed it in the middle. Other plates joined it.
They ate. The food was delicious and the conversation was filled with stories about all their trips overseas. Tommy had been to some of the places Kate had been to when she was single. They took the back tracks when they travelled, whereas Castle toured the more popular places. When they had finished their meals, they remained at the table, and slowly sipped their way through a second bottle of red wine.
Kate had relaxed in the presence of the visitor. His casual demeanour and interesting conversation had eased her.
"The speed of the city gets to me nowadays." Tommy said and Kate bobbed her head in agreement.
"Same." She replied, "I enjoy it when Castle and I go up State for a weekend away. It's refreshing."
"I should take you to the Hamptons. Haven't been up there in ages." Castle said to Kate.
"You should," Tommy replied, "She would love it there."
"We will go there." Castle stood up, "Excuse me, I just need to go visit the bathroom." He put his hand lightly on Kate's right shoulder as he stepped behind her. They remained silent as Castle skated across the living room. A smirk escaped Kate at Ricks clownish behaviour.
"He's an idiot," she commented with compassion. "Always makes me laugh."
"Got that right." Tommy said. "He's the happiest I've seen him."
"Really?"
"Serious. How are you finding it, dating a man who's a father, been married? There's a bit of an age difference too."
Surprised by his question, his reference to their age gap, Kate glanced to where Rick had gone then looked back at Tommy who leaned forward interested in listening. She shrugged her shoulders, "It's different. It's also the first time I've been this serious with a guy, so I'm emotionally invested."
He added. "If it helps you, I did it with an ex. Loved her a lot. She had two kids. It was alright until I mostly moved in. I'm thankful I kept my place."
"My place blew up. I'm here now." She paused, then sat up and leaned forward and quietly said, "Family does have an impact, for better or for worse." She sighed. "I always imagined I would meet a guy, we'd move in, marry, have kids." She paused, "I'm happy, but never saw myself being a step Mom." She had a bit of a giggle. "But this is reality."
"Because of the bombing, your ideal plan has all been thrown into turmoil and you have a sixteen year old in the mix."
"And I'm a homicide cop." She added, popping out the 'p' with eyes widened.
"He mentioned that was a problem of late." Tommy stood up, reached for an empty wine bottle, "It will blow over, Kate."
"I know. Nothing is permanent."
"I'll open another one. It's still early. How about I will raid Ricky's extensive wine stash."
"Great idea. He has plenty and the collection we had at my place is here too." She sat back, stretched her torso and felt the waist of her jeans momentarily thinking about his comments. No one was witness to their life at home, so to hear someone make a comment about their relationship was strange. She questioned what Lanie would think of their situation. The doctor was Team Castle, wanted Kate to be with him, but she wondered what she would say if she knew they were together and in this situation. She left it there, decided not to dwell on what if. "I'm going to get out of my tight jeans. I'm so full." With that she stood and made her way to the Castle's bedroom. He was coming from the bathroom when she entered the room.
She said, "Tommy is opening another bottle. I've gotta get out of the jeans."
"Okay. I'll see you back there." Rick went to go, then stopped, "Hey?"
She turned about, "Mm?"
"I'm really happy you got to meet Tommy. He's a good friend."
"He is." She nodded, "Could you please.."
"Pull off your boots? Of course." He followed her to the bed she sat upon. She raised her left leg, and he pulled off the black
"It's fun being able to be us around people, Rick." She lifted the right leg.
"Well, if you decide to stay here, we'll have to let the cat out of the bag." He passed her the second boot. "I'll see you out there."
He walked.
Kate stayed seated on the bed for a minute or so, caught up in her own thoughts of what if once again, prompted by Tommy's questions. She unbuttoned her jeans, unzipped the fly. Sat there. She felt pleasantly tipsy. Thought a bit more. When she heard the men's laughter she looked towards the doorway. She needed to return to the living room. She pushed out of the jeans, threw them over the armchair and swapped them for the shorts also on the armchair. She also found a loose top she changed into and tied her hair up.
She returned to the table with a glass topped up with fresh expensive wine.
They fell into bed gone 1.00 am, tipsy from the wine, perhaps on the edge of being drunk. Tommy was riding a cab home, probably more intoxicated then they were. He had declared he would be at training at 7.00 am. Even the idea of getting up that early put Beckett off.
She pulled the sheets up, relaxed and stared vacantly at the ceiling. Just as she closed her eyes, feeling sleep was going to take over, Rick spoke.
"You have every right to be pissed at me."
Her eyes shot open. She rolled her head to look at the profile of his face. His palm felt over his bare chest. For once he wasn't wearing a t-shirt to bed. There was something arousing about the way his hand moved.
"Excuse me?"
"When you got changed, Tom scorched me about what I did." He looked at her eyes.
Her brow knotted. She swallowed. There was a choice. She too pulled him up on it, or she pretended to not be aware of what he was talking about. "Umm." She moaned.
"Kate?" His brow furrowed.
She shifted to her side, facing him, and placed a hand to his upper arm. "Castle, I'm not clearly thinking here. Help me."
This time he swallowed then returned to staring at the ceiling. "When Alexis came home, you were in my embrace, and I nudged you away."
She breathed in, out, bit her lip, scanned his face. Decided to bite the bullet. "I know."
"Tommy noticed it, so I know you would have." He rolled over to face her, "He said it was like I kicked you to the curb when she came home."
Kate pressed her lips together, wishing this would blow over very quickly. She was tired, drunk and needed to pass out immediately. Involuntarily, heavy eye lids closed.
"Kate?"
They opened to his blue eyes. "Rick." She whispered. There was a flash of emotional pain that came out of nowhere. "It hurt." Drunk emotions. It wasn't the time to have this talk. Instead, her fingers lightly brushed his whiskered jaw, and she drowsily stared at him. "I love you, but …."
A nudge of her shoulder opened her eyes. "Kate?"
"I love you, Rick… but I cannot compete with blood." She expressed and wrestled with her eye lids to stay open, but she soon gave in.
"You love me?"
"Always." She gave a sleepy smile. "Drunk truth serum." She inhaled deeply. "Am I being coherent?"
"Yes. Very." His hand stroked the side of her face. He murmured, "I love you too."
Her eyes opened, rolled until she saw his eyes, "So much." She blinked, unable to focus. "Hurt."
"I'm sorry."
Eyes shut, she made a sound.
"Kate?"
"K." She mumbled, seconds before she passed out.
When it was still very dark, Kate woke up needing to use the bathroom, badly. She swung her legs out of bed and sat up. Dizziness had her pause until it eased. Behind her, Castle was heavily asleep behind her, snoring like a tractor. There was a great temptation to give him a shove to roll him but he might tackle her to use the bathroom.
She stepped to the bathroom, turned on the light but dimmed it right down unable to tolerate much brightness. She used the toilet. All the while her head thumped with the stirrings of a major hangover and her mouth was like a dry sponge. Finished, she move to the vanity, opened the cold faucet and draw a long drink to relieve the thirst. Satiated she straightened up, capturing her reflection in the mirror. There was court again that day. She badly needed to sleep off the alcohol.
Then realisation of something she'd confessed to Castle hit her like a brick. Had it been a dream? A gut feeling told her it had happened.
What she hadn't been able to express with a sober mind had easily escaped her in an intoxicated state.
"Fuck." She ran her fingers through her sleep messed hair, turned away from the mirror. It had been within the context of their conversation. It hadn't been out of the blue. So many times she'd gone to say it but a part of her had held back.
She returned to the bedroom, to the man who continued to snore, undisturbed by her movement. On her knees, she crawled over the bed to him, knelt and put her hand to his muscular bare chest. For a while she waited in the hope he'd wake but his constant snore continued uninterrupted. She gave him a shake.
He woke and blinked up at her.
"Are you okay?" He sounded worried.
She nodded. He looked between her face and hand resting on the chest. She inhaled.
"Its 4.30," he calmly said. "Is this about before?"
Another nod. "Castle, I've gone to say it many times. I meant it and I wish …"
"You weren't drunk when you said it." He finished, "But I know how well you can hold your alcohol, so I know you remember and had your guard down."
"I remember, and I remember I meant it. The filter was off." She leaned down and gave him a brief kiss. He released a moan of content. She gazed down at his sleepy blue eyes, and with a smile she said, "You've been snoring like a cave man."
"Mm. You have a drunk purr too. It's cute."
She laughed the pressed her lips to his. "I love you, Rick."
He smiled, touched the side of her face. "I've waited a long time for you to say it. I've loved you since I first saw you."
She felt shy, and her voice went higher, "It's been … I remember the moment I realised."
"The night we found the pink chair," he suggested.
She nodded. "I was sitting on it, looked at you, and I knew."
"C'mere. Show me how much you love me."
With grace, she extended her right leg over him and moved until she straddled his body "Always do."
They kissed, slowly, tenderly. She shifted. He groaned in pain. They paused and she looked at his eyes in question.
"Fuck, we hit the bottle hard," he said.
"We did."
"I've gotta go to the bathroom, Kate."
"How to ruin a moment." Kate grumbled as she rolled away from him. He was gone quickly.
"Hurry up," She called.
"Two seconds, baby," he replied.
By the time, he returned a couple of minutes later, Beckett was asleep.
TBC
