Castle and The Originals

Chapter 16

"Don't be nervous." Alexis nudged her friend's arm as they made their way to the front of the airport. "My parents are great, you'll love them."

It had taken a bit of convincing to get her timid classmate to agree to the trip to New York. Alexis was sure most of the hesitation was about the cost. Thank goodness Kate had managed to convince Shelby's parents that in all actuality they were doing the Castle family a favor. In no way were she and Rick going to miss out on an opportunity to have Alexis home for a visit if they could help it. Alexis also had to assume Shelby's naturally shy demeanor contributed to her nervousness.

"I'm sure I will. I think I'm more scared of the city than anything else."

"Oh, you'll love it too. Plus, we live in Manhattan." Alexis didn't want to seem like a braggart so she just had to hope Shelby had enough general knowledge of the country's largest city to know that parts of Manhattan were more affluent than the rest of the city, therefore it was also the safest of the five boroughs.

When Alexis initially learned she would be partnered with another student for the whole semester she was worried; she had always had trouble getting to know new people. She had been hurt a few times in her life by individuals pretending to be her friends when in actuality they were just enamored with her father's fame and money. However, she was ecstatic to discover that Shelby had absolutely no idea who Richard Castle was. In fact, being from a small farm town in Ohio, Shelby was the epitome of the term sheltered. Until her visit to Stanford the previous fall, the girl had never stayed away from home for more than a week and until then hadn't even been west of the Mississippi. Still, in order to help keep her antinomy, Alexis hadn't shared a whole lot about her family, yet. She knew this trip and the assignment given to them by their Sociology Professor would soon change that, but she was sure to hold out on some of the details until the last possible moment. Despite their differences they had become fast friends and were even considering rooming together in the fall.

"Dad!" Alexis ran the last twenty feet separating her from her father.

She dropped the bag that had been weighing her down before jumping into his open arms.

Rick couldn't speak at first; he was so caught up in the feel of his little girl. He had missed her more than words could express; he just wanted to hold her.

Rick finally let's her go but only after planting a lingering kiss to her head. "Hey pumpkin, I've missed you."

"I missed you too." She gives him another quick squeeze before turning to introduce her friend. "Dad, this is Shelby; Shelby, this is my Dad, Richard Castle."

Rick extended his hand. "Nice to meet you Shelby."

He was surprised at how tall the young girl was but other than that she looked like the typical Midwestern girl.

"Nice to meet you too Mr. Castle."

Rick was already shaking his head. "Call me Rick or even Castle, but please no Mr.; it makes me feel like an old man."

"You sound like my dad." Shelby smiled meekly. "He was in his forties when I was born so he's always worried that his age will embarrass me somehow. I just tell him to be thankful he has me to keep him young at heart."

Rick looked at Alexis. "You were right kiddo; I like her already."

Neither he let's on, but neither missed the blush on Shelby's cheeks either.

"Here, let me take those." Rick picked up Alexis's bag from the floor and removed Shelby's from her shoulder as they headed for the exit.

"Where's Kate; I thought she would be with you?"