17. Chapter 17

Chapter 17

The fall proved eventful for all three members of the Castle household. Castle was back at the precinct, and his book was scheduled for release, with all the accompanying hoopla. Alexis was adjusting to high school, becoming involved in activities, and doing well. Martha, through her granddaughter's efforts to introduce her to Facebook, connected with an old boyfriend from her own high school days; and it rapidly became serious enough that she was dividing her time between Chet's place and the loft.

Kate was working as hard as ever, but she was also finding time for Castle and his family. By October, Alexis had become accustomed to seeing Kate in the loft, and Castle thought she looked forward to the mornings when Kate was there.

Naked Heat was being printed in preparation for its release date in mid-November, and advertising was furthering interest in the book. In advance of the book's release, Castle was scheduled for a couple of nationally viewed New York based talk shows, but most of his personal involvement in the publicity would begin after the book launch party.

xxxxx

The first week in October, Jim Beckett called and asked if Castle could meet him for lunch the next day, and Castle nervously agreed. Jim sounded perfectly friendly; but the writer remembered how the last meeting ended, and he would be paying closer attention this time. He suspected that Jim was only exercising his fatherly right to mess with his mind but couldn't quite shake the feeling that there could be more to it. There were two divorces in the last fifteen years, after all.

When Castle entered the diner, Jim was already there and stood to shake hands when Castle approached the table. "Rick. Good to see you again. How is your daughter?"

"She's fine. Getting used to high school. She's a good student."

"Come to think of it, how is my daughter? I suspect you've been seeing a lot more of her than I have," Jim asked as they sat down.

"She's as busy as always but fine. You should come and have dinner with my family sometime soon. My mother would like to meet you. She loves your daughter."

The waitress appeared with coffee and took their orders.

"I asked her to bring coffee as soon as you arrived," Jim explained. "Did your mother love your two ex-wives?"

And boom! They were there already. Castle pinched the bridge of his nose lightly, closed his eyes for a short moment, sighed, and gave Jim a small, resigned smile. "I expected that to come up, just…not quite this fast."

"Last time we met, I promised Katie I wouldn't embarrass you in front of your daughter."

"I appreciate that. So, straight to business. No, she didn't like either of them. What else would you like to know? Might as well get it over with and clear the air. I've told Kate everything, and she's still willing to give me a chance."

"What happened?" From everything Katie tells me, and what I've observed, you're a good man. But you have to admit, the idea of two divorces doesn't look good from my perspective. You're laying claim to my only child, and she's already had enough unhappiness."

"I'll be honest, but I'd prefer it to stay between the two of us. Alexis's mother was pregnant when I married her. I never knew my father and wasn't going to allow my child to grow up without one. I wanted us to be parents, a family. She wanted to be an actress…not as well as a mother, but instead. She slept with another man, moved to LA, sent divorce papers, and willingly gave me full custody. Alexis was so young then that she doesn't remember her mother ever living with us."

"Must have been a rough time for you," Jim answered sympathetically.

"Alexis was worth it. The second marriage…we were ill-matched. The constant arguing that eventually developed wasn't good for any of us, especially Alexis. Gina and Alexis got along fine, but it didn't upset my daughter too much when she moved out. I think Alexis would be devastated if Kate decided to back out now. I certainly would."

"From what I can tell, that shouldn't be much of a concern."

"Good to know. Thank you. And for the record, when I make a promise, I keep it. Kate will never have to worry about another woman. I've never strayed in a relationship and I've never been abusive."

"What about the playboy image. That doesn't fit with what I've been hearing from Katie."

"I may have earned some of that…wild streaks after the divorces. When a man has money, plenty of women… You don't need to hear that. Truth is, a lot of those dates on page six were set up by my publicist, and I never met them before that event. I would usually see the woman home as early as possible so I could spend a little time with my daughter, if she was still awake. I admit I haven't been a saint, but it isn't as bad as the image my publicist has given me, and it isn't what I want. I'm a family man at heart. That's what I hope to have with your daughter."

You're planning to marry her?"

"Yes, but we've only mentioned it. No plans yet." Castle chuckled suddenly and looked down at the tabletop briefly. "Were you this intimidating when boys came to see Kate in high school?"

"I certainly hope so," Jim answered with a grin.

"Well, having a daughter in high school now, I have to say I'm impressed. I may call you in for back-up sometime."

"I'd be glad to help out, and I think the inquisition is over now. Oh, just one more thing. I'd prefer that you marry my Katie before she's carrying my grandchild. I know that decision belongs to the two of you, but I'm old-fashioned that way. However, I do know the world around me has changed on that score. All that is assuming you want more children, having one almost college age."

"Does that mean we have your blessing…when we're ready?"

"Unless you do something between now and then to convince me otherwise."

"I said I wanted a family with Kate. That includes at least one child. I hope you can find a place somewhere in your heart for Alexis, too."

"From what I've seen and heard, I don't see that as a problem. You've raised an impressive young lady."

Their meal was served, and from that point they enjoyed good conversation, and sat and talked for a while after they finished dessert. A little bit of their exchange involved Kate's childhood and teenage years… enough to intrigue Castle's need to know but not enough for Kate to threaten never speaking to her father again.

"Dinner with us on Saturday night?" Castle asked as they were leaving. "Kate has to work on Sunday, but she has Saturday off. Alexis would enjoy seeing you again, too."

"I'd like that."

This time Jim offered a business card, on which he had already written his personal numbers.

Castle accepted it. He smiled mischievously; and, reminiscent of their last parting, tapped Jim's chest with it and said, "I'll call you with the time."

Jim laughed, then looked serious. "You make her happy, son. It's been a long time since I've seen her this happy."

"I hope so, Sir. It's been a long time since I was this happy, too."

xxxxx

October soon took a turn for the worse in the form of Mike Royce, Beckett's training officer, who had become a bounty hunter. After discovering that he was using her to gain information to make his own illegal profit, she had to arrest him. And she again had to face being disillusioned by someone she cared about and thought she could trust.

When the ordeal was over, Castle took her for a walk to a little park near his home.

"You loved him?

"I thought I did then, and I guess I imagined he felt the same way about me. I was so alone, Castle. He got me through a lot, personally and professionally, and I depended on him. He knew about Mom…and Dad…helped me get Dad home a couple of times. He saw my abilities, taught me everything he knew about police work, looked out for me, encouraged me, pushed me to do my best… I told him how I felt, offered…" She stopped, tears threating, and Castle put his arm around her for comfort. "But he turned me down…transferred. He just left. It was my fault. I put him in a bad position. But I needed him so much, and he left…like I didn't matter. Then he came back, and it was worse. He wasn't who I thought he was. How do I know that you won't turn into somebody I don't know?"

"Do you really think that might happen?"

"How do you know I won't do something to run you off, too? How do I know I can trust you not to leave? Castle, if you left now…"

"I won't, Kate. I won't leave." He put his hands on her shoulders to get her attention. "Look at me. We promised to be honest. I won't leave you. I won't lie to you. I won't hide anything from you. No matter how hard it is to tell you the truth, I always will. Always, Kate. I'll always be here."

"I know." She answered, pressing herself close against him. "I'm sorry. It's just… Royce? It was so unexpected. It shook my faith."

"Come home with me. Let me take care of you. You're not alone anymore." She nodded, and Castle walked her to the street and hailed a cab. He took her home, helped her shower, loved her gently, and held her protectively until morning.

A couple of weeks later the team at the twelfth ran into a case that bore a resemblance to the methods of a serial killer who had been given the nickname 3XK. The killer, Jerry Tyson, had exchanged identities with another man, even had the other man sign a confession for the murders; and he almost got away with it. Tyson's attempt to disappear with everyone believing he was someone else was ruined when Castle unraveled the identity switch. Castle and Ryan were surprised by Tyson, taken hostage, and believed they would be killed; but Tyson left them behind, escaping with Ryan's gun.

Castle knew the man would kill again, somewhere…three more victims before he stopped…and he blamed himself for Tyson's escape. That was a heavy load for his conscience, one that Kate couldn't entirely ease for him, but she did her best. She sat with him outside the motel where Tyson had left Ryan and Castle, brought him coffee and held his hand until they could leave. Then she took him home, helped him shower, loved him gently, and held him protectively until morning.

When Alexis came downstairs ready for school, Kate was up and dressed, having coffee as she fixed breakfast.

"Hi Kate. Where's Dad?"

"Still asleep, I think."

"He's usually at least up to have coffee before you leave."

"A rough case ended last night, and it took a toll on him."

"What happened?" Alexis looked worried. "Is he okay?"

"He may need a little time to come to terms with it. The short version is that the killer got away and your dad blames himself. This guy likes to play mind games and your dad's mind was his playground last night."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Just be your usual self and love him. He won't want you to worry."

"But you're worried?"

"Not long term, but I've been through the blame game, and it isn't easy. I've told Roy I'll be an hour late this morning…wanted to be sure Castle ate before I left. I don't know yet if he'll be coming in today. Want eggs and bacon?"

"Don't you know yet that a Castle never turns down bacon?"

"I'm counting on it this morning," Kate answered as she put the last pieces on the plate. "I'm going to wake him. Be right back."

She walked into his room, sat down beside him on the edge of the bed, and kissed him. When she saw his eyelids flutter open, she kissed him again. "'Morning. I need to go to work in a little while, and I've made breakfast. Will you get up and eat with us? Alexis is ready for school."

"I'll be there in a minute. Ummm. Do I smell bacon?"

"I'll start the eggs while you wake up." She kissed his cheek and stood to go back to the kitchen.

"Kate." She turned in response, and he caught her hand. "Thank you for last night…for…"

"For being your partner…however you want to describe that word? No thanks needed. You've done the same for me. I love you, remember?" She squeezed his hand in understanding before she left the room.

"Love you, too. I won't be long."

The three of them had breakfast. Castle made an effort to assure his daughter that he was okay, and she went to school. Then, deciding he would be better off with company, he showered and went to work with Kate.

Ryan was in about the same state as Castle but also had to deal with all the paperwork and questioning that accompanies losing a weapon. However, he and Castle, in a moment to themselves, agreed it was easier to be there with something to do and partners who understood and cared than to be alone with what was in their heads.

The ring on Kate's right hand was stroked more than usual that day.

The following week was another rough one, but Kate had the weekend off; so Castle asked his mother to stay with Alexis. He and Kate took the weekend for themselves and went to the Hamptons.

After coming home from a nice dinner out on Saturday night, Castle suggested sitting on their bench behind the house. They cuddled together and talked for a while before conversation accidentally brought to mind some of their more dangerous encounters.

Castle suddenly said, "I want to marry you, Kate…sometime soon."

"What's bringing this…"

"Even if we didn't keep getting ourselves into dangerous situations, we couldn't know what's going to happen. Whatever time we have left, I want to spend it married to you…whether it's two days or until we're old and decrepit." Moving off the bench and down on one knee, he took her hand in his, and asked, "Katherine Beckett, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

"This isn't because of recent cases, is it? We shouldn't make a decision like this out of fear."

"No. I had already planned to do this tonight… only because I want to be married to you for as long as you'll have me."

"I want to be married to you, too. It should feel like now is way too soon, but it doesn't frighten me anymore."

"So, is that a yes?"

"Yes." She smiled the smile he had discovered was only for him. "That was a yes."

Taking the ring from his pocket, he slid it on her finger, kissed her hand, then moved back to the bench to kiss her lips and pull her into a close embrace.

"You really did have this planned," she said as they separated slightly.

"You doubted my veracity? I've had the ring for a month."

Holding her hand out to look at the ring, she said softly, "It's beautiful, Rick…perfect. Do Martha and Alexis know you were planning this?"

"No. I thought we could surprise them if you said yes."

"Did you really think I might not?" she asked, moving away just far enough to look at him.

"I guess I was still afraid I might be pushing you too hard."

"I'll admit I've been thinking about it, too. And this was the perfect place to ask. Sitting here with you reminds me of the first time we were here."

"Me, too. Hence, the plan," he answered with his little smirk and drew her in close again."

She snuggled back against him, their closeness hampered by the jackets required for an ocean breeze on a November evening. From where she nuzzled against his neck, she asked, "You said soon. Did you have a date in mind?"

"Before Christmas? Is that too soon? Do you want to wait? Do you want a big wedding? Money can make things happen as fast as we want them…"

"Before Christmas?" She again sat up to look at him. "Rick, it's already November, and you have publicity tours, and…"

"It's barely November…and I can hire people to arrange things for us. Now answer the questions. Do you want a big wedding?"

"No. Never did."

"How not big?"

"Family and close friends?"

"Is before Christmas too soon? Am I…"

"I want to be married to you…and your family; but even with help, how do we accomplish everything in such a short time? There's planning to do, contacts to make. I'll need to go through my apartment and sort what comes with me and what…"

"We can keep your apartment as long as you want, so merging both households can stretch as long as it needs too. I just want you living with us, being a full-time part of our family. Can you take that much Castle family yet?

"I think I'm happiest when I'm surrounded by Castles."

"I know you need some time to yourself now and then. We'll figure out how to accommodate that. I promise."

"Okay." She agreed, throwing her arms out and looking amused. "The weekend before Christmas. Nothing else about us looked like it would ever work out, but we finally got together and it did. So I'll just trust that we can make a wedding happen, too. Your family is going to think we're crazy."

"They already know about me. I guess you're about to reveal your crazy side."

"I think Alexis already suspects," she answered with a grin. "She and I have had our odd moments, too."

"It's getting colder out here by the minute. Shall we start the fireplace in the bedroom and warm up?" he asked, standing and offering her his hand.

"Sounds great," she answered, standing to accept it and walking with him toward the house. "And maybe try for magic again?"

"Yeah. That, too."

Engagement magic happened, and they drifted into a sound and satisfied sleep.

The following morning as they lay with limbs tangled together, they whispered loving words and talked quietly until they were ready to leave their bed.

Eventually, Kate asked, "There's likely to be publicity we can't escape, isn't there?"

"We can announce our engagement at the book launch party. Announcing it along with the book release should help contain the publicity to that event. Paula will be thrilled to have something to replace the playboy image I'm destroying. She might even forgive us eventually. I know you aren't happy about that much attention, but it should keep the Richard Castle marries Nikki Heat news confined to a shorter period of time. It's going to be a novelty attention getter, and I'm not a major celebrity; so it should blow over pretty quickly. Publicity is going to happen, but I'll do my best to minimize it."

"That's all I can expect." She paused for a moment before asking, "Can we stop on the way home and tell my dad?"

"I told him barely a month ago that we had only mentioned it…had no plans. But we have his blessing. I asked."

"It's a little scary how well the two of you get along."

"He was a little scary the second time I met him. It's a wonder you had boyfriends in high school. There's a look he can give you…"

"I've seen it more than once. Sorry I had to introduce you to that."

"No. I like your dad. It's nice to have another male around."

"How do you want to tell Martha and Alexis? Should you tell Alexis first…just the two of you?"

"I spoke to her last week about the idea of asking you sometime soon. We have her blessing, too."

"That's a relief. I don't ever want to get between the two of you."

"She believes that now."

Kate relaxed in his arms in relief, and he smiled. They dozed for a little longer before getting up, packing, and having breakfast. Before they left for home, they bundled up and took a long walk on the beach, a pastime that had become something they especially enjoyed, and which sparked some good conversations between them.

Back in New York City, the couple's first stop was Jim Beckett's apartment. Kate had called ahead to be sure he would be home, and to let him know they wouldn't stay long.

"Come in," Jim said when he answered the door. "To what do I owe this visit?"

"We can't just stop by to say hello?" Kate teased.

"Of course, but you rarely do."

"There's something we thought you should know," Castle said, and Kate held out her left hand and wiggled her fingers, showing off the ring.

Jim pulled his daughter into his arms and said, "Katie, I'm so happy for you." Pulling back from their embrace, he looked over at Castle. "And for you, too, Rick. So have you talked about when?"

"The week before Christmas," his daughter told him.

Jim's eyebrows raised when he looked at Castle, who was quick to say, "I asked her for no other reason than loving her and wanting her to be a part of my family. Nothing else."

The fatherly evil eye toward Castle eased, and Castle visibly relaxed.

"You'll have to let me know what you need me to do for the wedding. You know your mother handled things like this; but tell me what you want, and I'll provide it. My little girl doesn't get married but once…I hope." There was another warning look in Castle's direction.

"I hope so, too, Sir. I've never wanted anything more in my life," Castle assured him.

"Then congratulations…to both of you."

"Thanks, Dad. We'll see you soon. Gotta go now."

"We haven't told my family yet."

"Oh. Well, I won't slow you down, then. Give them my regards."

When they arrived at the loft, they were greeted by Castle's two redheads, and he told them, "Kate and I have news."

"What?" Alexis asked. "Is it good news?"

"You decide," he answered, then took Kate's wrist and held her hand up with the ring clearly visible.

"Are you okay with this, Alexis?" she asked.

Alexis grabbed Kate in a big hug and asked, "Have you set a date yet? Is it soon?"

"You think l can take that as a yes?" She turned to Castle with a relieved smile.

"Is the week before Christmas soon enough?" Castle asked his daughter.

Martha let her opinion be known at that point. "The week before Christmas?! Richard. How…"

"We're having a small wedding…Kate's request…and I know guys."

"The odds have been against us before, but we've made it this far, Martha," Kate added. "We're both insane enough to think we can manage it. And then you're all stuck with me. Think you can handle that?"

Martha finally got her chance to hug Kate and said "Being a little crazy seems to be a prerequisite for membership in this family, Darling. Decide what you want and tell me how to help. Welcome to the funny farm."

"I'm going to talk to Paula tomorrow," Castle told his redheads. "We plan to announce it at the book launch, so please don't mention it until then. That's only a couple of weeks."

"But I want to tell my friends that Kate is going to be my stepmom."

"Two weeks, Pumpkin. Then you can tell anyone you want."

As the couple was getting ready for bed later, Kate asked, "What was that little non-verbal exchange between you and my dad? That explanation of why you proposed had a little desperation in it."

"You caught that, huh?"

"You're marrying a detective, remember?"

"He might have mentioned that he'd rather I didn't have you pregnant before I married you."

"And he thought…"

"I guess a month seemed a little too fast."

"I can't believe he said that."

"I'm the father of a girl, too. I understood. It's okay."

"I'm thirty years old, and he still thinks you need 'the talk'?"

"He asked about my other marriages, and I told him briefly about Meredith. He…"

"You're defending my father for giving you a hard time?"

"I'm respecting your father for caring about you...and for listening to me with an open mind. He's a good man, Kate. He didn't handle his grief well, and you suffered for it; but he loves you. It's written all over him."

"I'm glad you can see that…and I'm glad you like him. I love you, Richard Castle."

xxxxx

Castle worked half a day at the precinct the next morning. He had a meeting scheduled with Paula for the afternoon, and they each had big news. Paula was shocked to learn of the engagement, but Castle could almost see the publicity cogs turning in her head. He was certain she was excited about it, since she needed fodder for changing his image. She, in turn, presented Castle with the news that there had been an offer to make a movie based on Heat Wave. Part of his west coast publicity trip would include meetings with the studio bigwigs.