I'm Here For You, Always (A Caskett Story)

Chapter 18|No Matter What

Chapter 18|No Matter What
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Ricks POV
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I woke up before Kate. Watching her sleep for a minute or two then got up out of her bed. I felt so bad for her last night. She was screaming and crying and there was nothing I could do to help except hold her and tell her everything is going to be fine.

My mother was already in the kitchen, making breakfast and singing dramatically-as always. She was so dramatic and happy and I don't even know the words for it but it was nice.

She wasnt mean at all and although sometimes she gets annoying with her acting stuff but she is the best mother you could ask for.

She saw me once I sat down at the center island, I must of looked sad or something because the first question she asked was, "Richard, darling, what's wrong?"

"Kate. She had a what seemed like a really bad dream about her mother and woke up screaming and crying. I felt so bad and useless." I said.

"Oh, darling, you weren't useless. You were comforting her and being there for her. Hell, you've been there the whole time through her mothers passing. Richard, don't get upset she's still with you isn't she?" My mother said flailing her arms as she spoke. I looked up and her and smiled faintly and I nodded. She was still with me of course.

"Well, who could resist such a man like me?" I teased.

"That's my boy!" She said and patted my hand and continued cooking. A little later, Kate came into the kitchen with messy hair - cute - and her PJ's still on, boy shorts and a tank-top with a robe over them.

"Hey." She said, her voice hoarse from screaming last night and just waking up.

"Hey." I said with a smile and then my mother, of course.

"Oh, Katherine, darling, glad to see you awake! Breakfast is almost ready, you hungry?" She asked and I rolled my eyes.

"Um, yeah, I guess." Kate said and sat down next to me on the stool. Then turned to me, "So, what do you have planned today?"

"Um, nothing really. Whatever you want to do." I said and smiled at her. She nodded and smiled back.

"Oh, I'm meeting a friend in town for lunch so you'll have to house to yourselves for a little while." My mother said and we both looked at each other and smirked.

"Rematch on poker?" I asked narrowing my eyes, smile gone. She looked at me surprised, eyebrows raised.

"Only if your ready to get your butt kicked again." She said narrowing her eyes also.

"Who said you were gonna kick my ass?" I said my face closer to hers.

"Oh yeah? Wanna bet?" She said getting even closer.

"Fine. I win, I get to throw you in the pool, with your clothes on." I said.

"And if I win, you have to go on a run with me for the next week. Because, I haven't been on one for almost a month and a half." She said never breaking contact with my eyes.

"Ooo, that's a good one. He needs it." I heard my mom say and Kate looked over at her and let out a laugh.

"I do not! I'm perfectly fit!" I defended. They both just looked at me and laughed, I felt my cheeks turn red and looked away.

"Don't worry, babe. I'll go slow." Kate teased, placing her hand on my cheek then moving it back to the counter. My mother laughed more.

"No need, I'll win." I said after moment when the laughter died down. Kate looked at me eyebrows raised.

"Oh really?" She asked, unbelievingly.

"Really." I answered and grinned.

"Keep telling yourself that." She rolled her eyes.

"I will." I said, getting angry but not so angry at the same time. Kate held out her hand for me to shake it so the bet was made.

I hesitantly took it in mine and shook it suddenly regretting this. I didn't want to run, I hated it. It was tiring and,ugh, it makes you all sweaty and nasty. I bet she runs about two miles everyday with her body so in shape and incredibly hot.

After a moment of staring each other down with our noses literally touching, breakfast was ready.

"You two are adorable. Sorry to interrupt your starring contest but breakfast is ready." My mom said and we both looked away from each other the same time and ate as fast as we could. I wanted to win, so bad.

We were done eating within ten minutes and my mother was out the door a minute ago so that left us alone. Once she was out the door, we quickly got up me grabbing the cards and she sat down where we were sitting. I quickly dealt out the cards while she watched closely to make sure I wasn't cheating.
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"Nah-uh." I said. Unbelievable, she won! Again! Twice now! I slammed my cards down on the counter and buried my face in my arm.

"Ha ha, guess who has to run with me! Oh and it starts tomorrow, bright and early." She bragged and laughed and put down her cards. "Will a walk on the beach make you better?" She asked, teasingly. I shook my head in my arm. "What will make you happy then? Besides the bet." She asked.

I felt her hand rub my back. I lifted my head after thinking a bit and made a kissy face with my lips. "Alright." She said and inched closer and her lips landed on mine, so soft and tasty. I pulled away and smiled. "Now, let's go get changed and go have a walk on the beach. Okay?" She said and I nodded.

"Okay." I said and we kissed quickly one more time then went to go change.
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We were on the beach, holding hands and swinging them a little. I was still a little sad that she won.. again.. but I was with her and to be honest I did gain a few pounds before I met Kate and I want to loose them. Plus, I want a six pack with rock hard abs.

"Hey, umm.." She started, knocking me out of my thoughts. "thank you." I looked down at her.

"For what?" I asked, curiously.

"Last night." She paused and I sighed. "Ever since she died I've been having these dreams where she's lying there dead in that alley, bleeding to death, and then I come but I'm to late then end up dying like she did. Sometimes it's me who killed her." She said and looked up at me with tears in her eyes. She continued before I could say something. "And for helping me, staying with me, putting up with me."

"Hey," I said immediately, stopping where we were and taking her other hand in mine. "Kate, I love being with you. You're nice, funny, and incredibly gorgeous. I've never been as happy as I am now before I met you. And I'm glad that I helped you through your moms death. And whatever else you need. I'm here for you, always. No matter what." By the time I was done saying that tears had streamed down her face. She smiled up at me and put her hand on my cheek. Then wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me down to kiss her. The kiss was soft and sweet and gentle.

"I love you." She whispered as she pulled away and I smiled.

"I love you, too." I said back and kissed her again.
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be prepared for another chapter soon. it'll be the last chapter /: