Finding home

Chapter 8 - Alexis time

I followed mr Castle out and he hailed a cab the second he got out. I watched him leave before I decided it was time to drive and pick up Alexis from my dad's. On the drive there I couldn't stop thinking about the time I'd had with mr Castle. It had been... fun. Or perhaps that was the wrong word... enjoyable? Yeah, not good enough but still better than the first word that popped up in my head. Before I knew it I pulled into my dad's driveway and parked my car. I jumped out of the car and looked around, mostly to make sure no one was following me. Not that I thought mr Castle would have followed me, I was pretty good at noticing small details, he seemed like an honest guy who just wanted his daughter back. I stepped up to the door and decided to knock instead of ringing the bell  in case Alexis was asleep. It didn't take long before my dad opened up the door and greeted me with a big smile.

"Hi Katie!" he said and pulled me into a hug.

"Hey dad, she's asleep?" I asked, hugging him back.

He let me go and as he closed the door he answered my question by nodding.

"Yes, she fell asleep about an hour ago. She asked me how long you would be gone and tried her best at keeping her eyes open but soon enough she was snoring on the couch" he chuckled while we walked towards his living room.

"Thank you, for watching her. I had a really good time with my friend" I said and I could feel him watch me closely.

When we got into the living room I saw Alexis lie on the couch with arms and legs spread out. I couldn't help but adore the little girl and I pulled up my phone to snap a picture of her which I mentally wrote up I would send to the girl's father. I felt my dad keep his eyes on me and I couldn't help but get a bit nervous. I knew he wouldn't sell me out if I told him about the meeting with mr Castle but I wasn't ready to tell him, which is why I got a lump in my throat when my dad gave voice to his suspicion.

"Katie, is there something you're not telling me?" he said after a few seconds of silence.

"No, why?" I said as natural as I could.

He looked at me and I decided it was best if I met his gaze so I turned my head. I saw him looking deep into me with those typical father eyes trying to figure out if I was telling the truth or lying.

"Who was the friend you met?" he questioned instead of answering mine.

"An old friend from college" I answered, not looking away.

I could see in his eyes that he wasn't quite convinced and I was almost flickering with my eyes before he himself looked away at Alexis.

"Just..." he started but cut himself off to take a deep breath before he continued, "if you were dating you would tell me right?" he asked and glanced at me.

So that was what he was worried about! Me seeing guys without him knowing! Which I kinda had but not in that way.

"Dad" I said looking at him, "when I meet a guy I promise I will let you know, besides she would probably not be able to keep it down" I pointed at Alexis with a smile set on my lips.

"Yeah, you're right... I'm sorry for accusing you" he started but I cut him off as quickly as I could.

"Dad, don't worry about it, we're cool" I said giving him a wink.

"Kate?" a whisper came from the couch and when I looked there I saw Alexis yawning big while rubbing her eyes.

"Heey pumpkin" I said low as I moved towards her.

I sat down on my knees in front of her, putting my hand carefully on her head, and she looked at me with a small smile on her face.

"You're here" she whispered relieved.