Taking the carpeted steps down quietly, Lily starts to hear the whispers of a conversation she's sure she shouldn't be listening to.

Mark is talking to his mom. About her.

The girls are off being noisy somewhere around the house.

She is just in the centre of the main hallway of the first floor, in front of the closed door of the kitchen.

Mark, don't tell me how I'm supposed to talk. I said those things to her because she deserves them, all right?

Things can be said in a lot of different ways, and you chose the worst one

Well, what's done is done. Now, let me go get our stuff.

What stuff? − asks Mark with a frown on his face.

The girls and I are going to your grandparents'. Do you want to come? − she hears Megan ask sarcastically, knowing he wouldn't come as long as Lily was there.

No, I think I prefer being here.

Oh, yes, of course, you stay with that girl, fear she might escape. −

Lily stays rooted where she is, don't seem to be able to move, the girls pass by in a flurry of blonde hair, carrying some strange cloth behind them.

Then, the door of the kitchen opens to reveal Megan, the platinum haired woman who has made this mess a larger one.

Oh! and she spies on us now too. − she says passing by her side and onto the living room where the girls are.

Mark follows after her, with some kind of sorry face and goes up the stairs into his room.

Lily goes to the kitchen to get some water, and then gathers courage, enters the living room and says, loud enough for them to hear:

Don't worry, by the time you get here on Sunday, I'll be gone. Thank you for everything you have given me in my stay, I hope you find someone willing to work for you a little longer.

She turns around and goes straight up to her bedroom, not pausing when Mark calls from his for her. She closes the door behind her and continues with the task in hand: packing everything so she can get out of here as soon as possible.

She knows who is it even before he speaks,

He clears his throat −Did you... did you hear anything she said? − he asks from his position just inside her door.

Lily turns around forcefully −That's not the fact here. The case is that we talked about it, I told you not to talk to her, and you went behind my back, for what? Try to make amends between her and me? − Lily asks angrily quiet.

From his point of view, that hasn't been so bad. He thought he could make his mother realize how bad she had treated Lily and try to make the last few days for her here a little better. But he just made it worse. And now... now he had to fix this.

Hey now, I was just trying to make your stay better, so you could enjoy your last days, as I told you. But look, now... − he approaches her and takes the hand hanging by her side − now that they are going to go and you won't see them again, I think I can make your last day a good one− he trails off with a tender smile, caressing her arm, up to her cheek.

Lily seems to be thinking about it, but really he has her convinced the moment he draws that smile on his face.

Lily does too. Smile. A lot when he is around. He makes her smile even in the worst situations.

He makes her happy. And in one day they are not going to see each other anymore.

She is going far away from him. From the happiness he gives her. So yes, she is going to let him make her last day here a good one. Although she suspects that beside him, every day could be a good one.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

She could say that most of her thoughts since their parents told her about Mark hasn't been about him, about how this is even possible, but it would be a lie. And she can't deny that it surprised her, but it really didn't if she thinks it through.

Her dad hasn't said anything about it, but she is waiting for him to come and give her his wisdom, and what he thinks about all of this.

Now, on Monday morning, a day before he is supposed to come, the whole family is going out. A family trip. Her mom's idea. Lily is sure, to distract her from thinking about tomorrow. But it isn't. And she is.

Wandering along her mom into the path the park has, they are both silent, content to enjoy the sing of the birdies up on the high trees, and the laughter that rings from the children playing in the playground.

Her dad and the boys had gone ahead looking for a patch of green grass that they could use to play some games with the football.

Kate thinks this is a good idea. That he had a good idea.

It seems Castle doesn't agree with her.

He thinks this will distract Lily of what she had achieved in these weeks.

It's true that she had cleared her mind about what path to follow in relation to studies, that she decided to prepare herself for something linked to tourism and being a guide, even if it was just to be in a museum. That she is sure 'she could find joy when explaining the history of our country to little kids', she came home saying.

Castle and she both agreed they could see her in that ambit, that she has always loved being able to explain to others every little piece of information she had learnt that day, thanks, also to the many family trips to the many museums New York has.

And when she came home one day all illusion and hope to have found those 'perfect' studies, they have been really proud of their little girl.

Of course, the night that Mark's call came while preparing for bed they had discussed it, about how this could affect Lily and the illusion she had won back in these weeks.

−I imagine you are still excited about his visit −Kate stops there and waits for the answer. It doesn't come so she continues− maybe... maybe a little nervous too, I suppose. − she pauses. Hangs on the silence her daughter is giving.

Lily takes a deep breath and considers the non-question her mom is asking.

Yes, yesterday she said she was kind of excited.

Okay, she might be, a little bit. Definitely nervous.

A soft hah! is out of her lips, her mom turns her head towards her, regards her daughter affectionately.

−Yes, I guess you could say I'm nervous− she looks from the corner of her eye to Kate. −Still excited, though− an easy smile blooms on her face, but quickly disappears when she really looks to her mom and sees the worry on her features, looking like she had in the first weeks upon her arrival.

Beckett is aware, her baby-girl (not so baby anymore) always so brilliant, has noticed the slight concern she has (Castle too, not sure if she has noticed it on him too).

Before she can start explaining their doubts, they are both startled by the ball Reece is throwing at Lily, laughing, telling her to pass it on, to join them, a football match, Jake, Reece and Lily versus their parents.

Lily looks at her, she catches her look before she says anything, and gives her a wide smile.

Understood. Another time, then.

−Game on! − Kate fires back to her son, laughing and running towards them.

She turns around, walking backwards, looks at her daughter and gives a come on gesture.

She has missed this.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

He doesn't tell where he is taking her. She doesn't really care. She trusts him. And it could seem strange, to trust someone with whom you haven't spent more than a few together. But she did, a lot. He could be trusted.

Bellevue Park could be read on the letters of the sign hung on the bars of the metal gate. She knew this park, had come with the girls one afternoon, didn't notice anything out of ordinary in it.

But now. Now he is leading her towards a section of the park she hadn't seen.

It's beautiful.

He stops after taking some steps up to a rounded area, formed of a fountain in the middle of it, and wooden benches spread around it.

The trees up high, meeting their branches in some kind of leaves mattress, where in between some beams of sunlight cross through them and can be seen in a dancing reflex in the transparent water of the fountain.

It's fascinating how the trees, birds and lights play, creating a relaxed, placid atmosphere among them.

Lily breaks the silence

Thank you− she squeezes the hand surrounding hers. She shifts and places herself in front of him. Pushes up on her tiptoes, levelling herself, and says just shy of his lips − thank you so much− she ends with a hushed tone, in line with the quiet ambient where they were. She pecks his lips then. He drops the hand holding hers and places it on her cheek, anchoring them together for a few more seconds.

They break the connection a little breathless.

You are very welcome, my love −he responds in the same quiet voice, not even caring the term of endearment that emerges from his mouth without his consent.

She is his love. There's nothing wrong with that.

They are eating some sandwiches he had brought in a bag, along with some cut fruit and two bottles of water. He had taken them to a picnic site inside the park after some alone-time on the benches in front of the fountain.

They were now surrounded by families, children running wild through the green park, laughter resounding.

He is explaining how he used to come here all the time with his mother and sisters when they were younger. Sharing stories from his childhood. She unravels some of hers too. And it feels good.

He disrupts a moment of quietness, each gazing around the pleasant ambience.

I thought I could take you to the airport tomorrow− he says casually from his spot by her side.

She is really not surprised by it; she was even expecting it.

Her honest answer −I would like that− makes him smile softly at her, pushing gently at her shoulder. She shifts to lean against his chest, his arm coming to rest naturally on her stomach.

A while later, they find themselves at home again, it's late, they have spent most of their afternoon at the park, relaxing, wandering around, with him showing all the secret places he used to go when needed a break from everything. She is in love with it.

With him?

For sure, in love with the manner in which he details every story, how he hooks her with each word he voices.

Settling on his bed facing the TV he has installed on the wall, they opt for something neutral, just some program about redecorating houses. No more words than the typical comments about the couples in the program and so, Lily finally falls asleep.

He carefully stands up, lays her down on his bed in a more relaxed position, and goes to prepare what he had in mind since this morning.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

On Tuesday morning Lilly shuffles out of her room rubbing away the sleep from her eyes.

She admits to herself that yesterday's all day out had her a little tired.

She goes downstairs where Jakey and Reece are explaining enthusiastically their camp trip to dad.

Mom nowhere to be seen.

Dad diverts his gaze from the boys to Lily, chimes a good morning Lilypad and a soft smile to her.

Her murmured morning dad is uttered on her way to the fridge, she takes the cold bottle of milk, prepares herself a glass and saunters towards her parent's bedroom, where she supposes her mom is.

She finds her inside their walk-in closet, hands on her hips. She turns at the sound of footsteps and curves a loving smile when she sees her daughter.

−Hi sweetheart− Kate greets her− Need something?

Lily sits heavily on the cushioned bench they have against the wall and curls her legs underneath her, getting comfortable.

With a shake of her head, she asks− nothing. What are you doing? − she asks curiously.

−Just looking for an old summer dress I had, red with white dots.

Kate describes, losing herself in the thought of how the dress had a beautiful cleavage, of which Castle couldn't take his eyes off.

She is pulled out of her reverie by a throat clearing.

Right. Lily.

−Hey, what's wrong baby? − she asks tenderly walking to where her daughter is sitting.

She starts, −Would you...− pauses, thinks, and starts again− Would you give me a ride to the airport? I want to pick him up. − she finally ends saying.

Lily doesn't have to wait long to hear her mom's answer

−Yeah, of course. I think he said he would arrive at LaGuardia around midday. Are you sure you want to go to the airport? − Kate asks, rounding her mouth to one side, waiting.

Lily's proposition had really surprised her, but she respected it and what could go wrong, right?

The thing is, she had to tell Castle and he thinks that this could go wrong. But they had to wait, and see.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

She wakes to the feeling of tender caresses on her cheek. Something soft covers her against the chill of the night. Green eyes are the first thing she sees when she peels her own open. Mark is crouching beside her pillow, smiling at her with that warm smile of his that could melt ice.

Hi− she murmurs, voice rough with sleep − slept a lot?

He is already shaking his head

Don't worry, you slept just enough

Enough? − she asks curiously, now more alert, supporting herself on her elbow, eyebrows furrowing together.

Yes, I prepared dinner, come on− he says standing up, and reaching forward to take her hand, helping her up.

Okay− she hums not that convinced.

The door to the kitchen is closed, Mark places himself behind her and tells her she should close her eyes, she looks at him, rather confused, he sighs and says:

It's a surprise, come on− and ties a soft cloth over her eyes and around her head.

She hears the door opening and him going away and coming again to her side, behind her, he takes the blindfold out and she hears herself gasp at the vision.

The gentle glow of lit candles gives the square wooden table a restaurant look, with a white table cloth and two sea-blue plates on top of it, and the amazingly good smell that may be coming from the pot in the oven.

This is beautiful− Lily says to him with kind eyes, mouth still on an 'o' shape left by the surprise.

She looks toward him, entering deeper into the kitchen, brushing the table cloth delicately with her hand.

Rather sheepishly he answers:

I wanted to make your last dinner here as special as I could and... he gestures widely to the things he has prepared− this is it.

She goes straightforward, places her hand on his cheeks and kisses him intently, his arms coming to catch her.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

−I'm just saying that whatever happens, we have to be there for Lily, you know that− Beckett says in a hushed tone. Her arms crossing under her breasts, not in an angry way but in that position, he has seen many times during her detective years, later as captain and then as a mother, commandment.

And it's not like she has been taking all the decisions in this parent- adventure that started with Lily, on the contrary, she was full of doubts and fears on their first steps as parents together that he had been able to resolve, always knowing he had her back.

But now, now she seemed so sure of this, of how this, him, can bring happiness to their daughter again. And he doesn't disagree but

−I only think we should be more careful, Kate. I'm not denying he can be good for Lily − a brow rising upwards has him sighing and telling the truth− okay, you know me− he shrugs his shoulders− I've been always so protective of Alexis and Lily when it came to boys and this stuff and I will be the same with the twins because girls can also be very mean, you know, and I just don't want anyone get hurt- he finishes in a rush.

Kate is hiding the little stretch upwards of her mouth behind her fingers, but she can't resist so she places herself in front of him, closer now, in the intimacy of their bedroom, interlaces her fingers behind his neck, caressing the baby soft hairs at his nape and presses her upturned lips to his, he relaxes, sighing softly, breaths mingling, and settles his hands on her waist, caressing her over the cottony, comfy t-shirt she is wearing.

He puts a little more pressure, opens his mouth, knowingly, strokes her lips with his warm tongue, she opens immediately, letting herself go for a few seconds.

Their kiss ends far too soon for his taste and he lets out a quiet groan of disappointment, to quench his discontentment she pecks him once more before finally separating from him and continuing their needed talk.

−Listen, I get it but don't anticipate things, just let the flow follow its own path, all will be put into place. Just be happy for Lily when she is and be there for her when she isn't, and all will be alright− she ends with her kind eyes and a tender caress on his chest.

His nod is her answer before she kisses him once more, waiting

−Okay− he sighs− Okay, I can do this − she smiles against his lips and frees herself of his embrace, listening as he groans once more of her walking away.

−Come one babe, I'm going to take Lily to the airport and we will see how this goes, just stay put, okay? do something to entertain the boys − she pauses, and then − and you for that matter− he furrows his brows as she smirks, turning her back to him, she lets a soft laugh and starts walking to the living room with a

−Bye Castle, have fun with dad boys! −

He can hear the boys mumbling their byes to her and the murmurs of Lily talking to Kate, then the click of the door being closed.

He takes a deep breath and puts on a smile, goes out to where the boys are watching the tv, saying loudly and spreading his arms wide

−Who wants to play laser tag, huh?− with a playful smirk, wiggling his eyebrows.

The boys jump up at the chance to beat their father

−The game is on! −Jake shouts

XXXXXXXXXXXX

A/N: Two more chapters to go. Hope you are still enjoying this despite my not regular updates.

Thank you for reading and sorry for any mistakes- I know the site doesn't always accept the '−' I write to start conversations, so I'm sorry, I edit every time I see this, but it doesn't change.

Anna.