Finding home

Chapter 28 - No kiss and tell

My dad eyed me and Castle as we ate the waffles him and Alexis had worked on. If he hadn't been suspicious about my relationship with the guy before he definitely was now. And I vaguely remembered telling him I would let him know if there was a guy in my life only a week ago or perhaps it wasn't even that long ago, I had no idea. Anyway I was so screwed, he could be asking all the questions once he got me alone, and if I knew him right he would try to get some alone time with Castle too just to make sure he was good enough for me.

"So, Alex, what do you do for a living?" my dad asked when we had all eating two waffles each, or Alexis was just starting on her second one but she wasn't eating as fast as we did.

"I'm a teacher, I teach English in primary school" Castle went on with the plan we had gone through in the car on our way over here.

I looked at Alexis to see if she would happen to expose us but to my relief I could see she remembered our plan.

"Hmm, how come you teach the younger ones? Wouldn't it be funnier to teach those who will understand better?" my dad asked and I choked on my coffee.

"Dad" I warned but I heard Castle answer him.

"Actually, it's more satisfying teaching the young. You see, I teach through stories, such as I start by telling them stories, reading them and creating out of thin air. While creating I let the kids join in so that they can feel like they're a part of something bigger. Then I start to teach them to write and how to create their own stories, I teach them to keep their fantasy and expand their creativity through stories, and at the same time they learn the English language" he explained and I couldn't help but feel really impressed by how he could make something up that easily and fast.

I glanced at Alexis who looked very proud of her father, I was glad my dad didn't see her big smile because that could've blown our cover. I looked at my dad who looked as impressed as I felt before he offered Castle a third waffle which he gladly accepted, and so did I when he offered me one more. We ate up without much more questions, my dad gave me a few glances which let me know he liked the guy that was sitting at the table with us. I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but feel a small part of me jump with joy as I thought of my dad approving of my boyfriend. Also a small part of me was saddened by the fact that we were lying to him about who he was and he would probably hate us both once the truth got out.

"Kate? Can I go to the playground in this neighborhood?" Alexis asked after she'd eaten all the waffles she could.

I looked at her with a thoughtful look but didn't get to answer before my dad had opened his mouth.

"We can go all together" Jim said with a smile on his face.

I bit my lip and looked at Castle before I turned to my dad.

"Sorry dad, I have some work to do and I need Alex to help me find... out what parent have motive to kill the victim of the case I'm working on" I tried to make the lie sound as believable as I could.

"You can stay work here, and I can take Alexis to the playground... as long as you are working" my dad added the last part with suspicion in his voice and eyed Castle a little longer before he turned to me again.

Castle choked on his waffle but quickly disguised it from his daughter as I gave my dad a warning eye. He just smiled at me like nothing was wrong.

"We're definitely going to work, sir" Castle said and I could hear a small fright in his voice.

I could see my dad was satisfied by the effect his words had on Castle and I rolled my eyes. We all helped out cleaning up after the waffles, including Alexis as she helped me with the dishes while Castle dried it and my dad wiped the table. As soon as we were done Alexis jumped around asking for them to go out to the playground. My dad just laughed and told her to go and put on her shoes so they could go out which she immediately took in and ran for the door. I couldn't help but laugh and thank my dad.