AN: Big chapter. Too many things going on at once. Introduced a new character and yes, she's of legal age.🫡 Enjoy and let me know if there are any mistakes.
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[Morning] [7 PM]
Alex leaned back in his chair with the kind of satisfied smile usually seen on people who had just finished a twelve-hour exam and learned they passed, got a scholarship, and were also legally entitled to free pizza for life. His phone still rested on the table, Rachel's call fresh in his mind. She took care of things as usual. Alex made a mental note to take her out on a date and give her a break from work.
Spectre was finished.
3XK and Kelly were now officially the victims of a Guatemalan cartel. Rachel made it look like they targeted Alex over a land dispute.
The LAPD and the task force would be too busy chasing the drug lords.
Life was good. Criminal empires were collapsing, annoying murderers were gone, and for once, nobody was threatening his loved ones. It was shaping up to be a peaceful night, which was disturbing on a spiritual level.
He glanced at the checklist on his tablet.
Invitations sent.
Red carpet inspection complete.
Wine selection approved.
Menu finalized.
Security coordinated.
Suit ironed.
Angelina's outfit double-checked and triple-guarded because her stylists treated dresses like holy relics.
Tomorrow was the premiere of Mr & Mrs Smith. His acting debut. Angelina's return to the spotlight. The press was already chanting his name on social media, although some were still arguing whether they were dating in real life.
He tapped the papers on his desk to straighten them.
John sat on the sofa with a beer. "You look happy. Should I be concerned?"
Alex smiled at him. "Spectre is done. Tyson and Kelly are done. The cops have switched from stalking me to hunting a cartel. I have one night of peace. I am legally required to enjoy it."
John lifted his bottle. "Fair. You deserve it. Tomorrow is a big night."
"Yeah," Alex said as he stood up and stretched. "My acting debut with Angelina and her big comeback. And the best part? No lunatics with scalpels. Just cameras, interviews, and pretending I am not terrified..."
He paused for a moment before saying, "Let's hit the bar. I'm so fucking nervous right now. It's more than the first time I directed a movie. Like, everyone is expecting something big from me and I'm kinda getting a little cold feet now. I saw the movie, it's great in my opinion, but what about the public? What if they don't like it? And look at me rant... Let's go."Â
He grabbed his blazer, put it on, and walked toward the door.
John shook his head as he placed the empty bottle on the table and followed him.Â
"You'll do just fine."Â
"Yeah, I hope so."Â
..
[On the way to the bar] [Backseat of SUV]
Alex scrolled aimlessly through his phone. John sat beside him, arms crossed, giving off the calm energy of a man who had already accepted that Alex would spiral at least three more times before the bar. John was actually surprised because he had never seen Alex getting nervous over something, but it made him realize that Alex is only a human despite all his calmness.
Alex's phone buzzed.
He looked at the caller ID.
Chloe.
He picked up immediately. "Hey, sunshine. What's up?"
Her voice came through tense and apologetic. "Alex. I'm... I'm really sorry. I won't be able to make it to your premiere tomorrow."
Alex sat up a little straighter. "What happened?"
"We're gearing up for a huge operation. The department is stretched thin after that cartel mess. The captain wants all hands on deck tomorrow. I tried to push for even an hour off, but it's not happening."
Alex let out a soft breath. "Chloe, hey, it's fine. Seriously."
"No. It's your first premiere as an actor, and everyone is going to be there. I should be there too."
He smiled, even though she could not see it. "You are doing something important. Taking down bad people beats watching me flirt with Angelina on screen."
Chloe sighed. "Still. I wanted to be in the front row. You know, cheering like a crazy person."
"You being safe matters more to me than you being on a red carpet," Alex said. "And tomorrow sounds dangerous. I want you focused, not worrying about me posing for cameras like a confused flamingo."
Chloe laughed. The tension in her voice eased. "You do pose like a flamingo sometimes."
"Only on special occasions."
There was a small pause. A comfortable one.
"Alex," she said, voice softer, "I'm proud of you. Really. And I'll watch the movie the moment I get off duty."
"Then that's enough," he replied. "Just promise me something."
"Name it."
"Be careful tomorrow."
Chloe's voice warmed. "Always. Good luck tomorrow, Alex."
"Good luck to you too."
They hung up.
Alex stared at the phone for a moment, then slipped it back into his pocket.
John glanced at him. "You good?"
"Yeah. Just worried." Alex ran a hand through his hair. "They are walking into a big fight while I'm walking into a big premiere. Feels weird."
John nodded. "Life does that. You deal with your part. They deal with theirs. And you trust them to come back in one piece. Besides, we have some people with specific skills on standby. They'll make sure this operation goes perfectly. She and everyone involved will be fine."
Alex let out a slow breath. "I know. Still sucks."
...
[LAPD]
Castle was busy. He was balancing a coffee cup on the tip of a pencil, tongue poking out in concentration like a ten-year-old attempting a science fair project that absolutely violated OSHA.
Officer Daniels approached Castle. "Uh… Castle?"
Castle froze. The cup wobbled like it was considering a career change. "Yes, Officer Daniels? Unless the building is on fire, speak softly. I'm conducting a delicate scientific experiment."
Daniels looked at the cup, then at Castle, then silently decided that whatever this was, it was above his pay grade. He placed a black envelope on the table. "Legal team representing Alex Wilson dropped by. Left this for you before they left."
Castle blinked, immediately losing his balance. The coffee cup toppled, bounced off the desk, and somehow landed upright on the floor.
"Ha! That's going in my memoir," Castle muttered as he took the envelope. The insignia stamped in gold made his eyebrows jump. Titan.
He opened it with the cautious excitement of a kid opening a letter from Hogwarts.
Inside was an invitation card.Â
Mr and Mrs Smith Premiere.
Tomorrow at 5 PM.
You are invited.
Plus four guests.
Castle's eyes widened. His grin stretched so wide it threatened to become medically concerning.
He shot upright from his chair. "Kate! Kate! Kateeeee!"
Half the precinct turned to look. Kate looked up from a stack of files, already bracing herself. "What now?"
Castle jogged over like a golden retriever who had just discovered the concept of tennis balls. "You. Will. Never. Guess." He said those words with multiple pauses.
Kate pinched the bridge of her nose. "Do I want to guess?"
Castle held up the invitation as if he had just pulled Excalibur from the stone. "Alex invited me to the premiere! Premiere, red carpet, celebrities, and I get to bring four people!"
Kate's eyes softened. She genuinely looked happy for him.
"Castle, that's amazing."
"Right? And you're coming with me, obviously."
Kate gave him that look with a sigh.
"Kate...?" he asked quietly.
She shook her head. "I can't. You already know tomorrow we are going to run the big operation."
Castle's smile faltered. Only a little.
"Oh."
"I'm sorry," she said gently.
"Hey," he said, forcing the smile back up with genuine affection, "you're going to be out catching dangerous criminals, and I'm going to be... trying not to trip on a red carpet. We're both performing important public services."
Kate laughed. "Just promise me you won't embarrass yourself."
"Me? Embarrass myself?" Castle put a hand over his heart. "Never... Probably."
She arched an eyebrow.
"Castle."
He caved instantly. "Fine, I'll behave."
"Maybe you can take Alexis and Martha?" She said after a thought.
"Great idea, Kate," Castle nodded. And then he was already pulling out his phone.
"Flight tickets, flight tickets... come on, Internet, don't fail me now."
Within minutes, he had two flights booked for early morning. It's approx. 5 hours 40 minutes flight. So, they'll make it in time. His mom and Alexis are both fans of Alex's movies and books. Both would combust with excitement. Martha especially. The last premiere she attended was in 1988 and involved an avant-garde musical that was shut down halfway through for excessive use of interpretive screaming.
He dialed his mom first. She picked up after half a ring.
"Richard! I was just workshopping a monologue about dolphins and emotional repression. What's wrong?"
"Mother, pack something fabulous."
"Darling, I am always packed with something fabulous."
Castle grinned so hard it hurt.
"You're coming to a movie premiere of Mr & Mrs Smith with me tomorrow. There will be many high-profile celebrities, and I'll introduce you to Alex Wilson. And if we are lucky, we might get to meet Angelina Jolie too."
There was a pause.
Then Martha Rodgers shrieked so loudly the phone speaker crackled.
"Richard Edgar Castle, if you are joking, I will dramatically faint in public."
"I'm not joking. Even I can't believe it."
"I'm bringing three outfit options," she declared.
"Oh, is Alexis there with you?" He asked.
"No. She went out shopping with her friends," She replied.
"Okay, I'll give her a call, and I've already booked early-morning flights for you two so that you two will have enough time to prepare."
"Oh, sweetheart, can you book a good hairstylist and salon for us?"Â
"Will do, mother."Â
With that, Castle cut the call. Then dialled Alexis's number.
..
[NY] [Mall]
Alexis held a stack of sweaters against her chest, trying to decide which one made her look more like a functioning adult and less like a college gremlin. Her friends, Lily and Morgan, were locked in a fierce debate about whether the pastel pink cardigan made Lily look sweet or like she taught kindergarten in 1974.
Alexis's phone buzzed.
Dad.
She stepped aside toward a quieter corner of the store. Less noise. Fewer cardigan opinions.
She answered. "Hey, Dad, what's up?"
Richard Castle didn't ease into anything. "Alexis. Sweetheart. How do you feel about attending a movie premiere tomorrow?"
She blinked. "Which movie?"
"Mr & Mrs Smith."
Alexis almost dropped all her sweaters. "What?"
"Alex Wilson invited me. Premiere. Red carpet. I'm allowed four guests, and I'm bringing you and your grandmother. Your flight is tomorrow morning. Pack something nice. Your grandmother already requested a hairstylist, so I'm assuming she is planning to ascend into the heavens when she meets Angelina Jolie."
Her heart thumped. "Wait Wait Wait. Meeting Alex Wilson? Like... actually meeting him? Not 'Oh look, he's ten yards away, let's take a blurry picture' meeting him?"
"Yes. In person. Up close. Possibly within hugging distance if the stars align. Now pack something elegant. Not the sweater with the cartoon raccoon. I love you, but no."
She felt heat rush to her cheeks. "Dad. Oh my god." She was a huge fan of Wilson.
"Thought you'd want to know right away. The flight details are in your email. Tell your friends you're about to attend the biggest premiere of the year."
He sounded so proud she could practically see him grinning.
"Okay. I'll get ready," she said, dazed.
"Perfect. Love you."
"Love you too."
The call ended.
Alexis stood frozen.
Lily walked over. "Alexis? You okay? You look like you just saw God."
Alexis inhaled like she'd forgotten how oxygen worked. "My dad. Just invited me. To the premiere of Mr & Mrs Smith. Tomorrow. Alex Wilson will be there. I might meet him."
Morgan's jaw dropped. "Shut up."
"I can't. I literally can't shut up. My brain is screaming."
Lily grabbed her by the shoulders. "Alexis. Are we talking about your secret crush Alex Wilson or a different Alex Wilson?"
"The same one. The one from my screensaver. The one who looks illegal in every photo ever taken. That Alex Wilson."
Morgan squealed. "Girl. You need a dress. Immediately and shoes and hair products. All of them."
Alexis nodded, still stunned. "Yes. Clothes, dresses... Things."
Her friends dragged her deeper into the store like a mission-critical SWAT team.
Lily held up a red dress. "Try this."
Morgan held up a black one. "No. Try this."
Alexis stared at both. She mentally pictured standing in front of Alex Wilson. Hollywood's Golden Boy. Her crush since she saw his interview after the release of Titanic. Then she kept following him. She loved his books, movies, and comics. And she was head over heels for him when she saw his debut photoshoot. Let's just say, just like other girls, she too bought the magazines and let her imagination run wild in her locked room.
She swallowed hard. "Okay. I need to look like a grown woman who knows how to function. Not like someone who will faint if he makes eye contact."
Her friends exchanged a look.
Morgan smirked. "Oh honey. You are going to faint no matter what he does. Let's just make sure you faint beautifully."
Alexis laughed, nerves buzzing like fizzy soda.
Tomorrow, she might actually meet him.
And she had no idea whether to scream, cry or practice breathing into a paper bag.
...
[On the other side of NY]
"HHHHAAAA!!!" Max let out a long sigh. "Just how many papers are you going to sign? I need my good night's nap and get my nails and hair done before the premiere."
Caroline patted her back as she watched her father sign stacks of paperwork. "I know. They auctioned everything, and now that it's been proven that my dad isn't a criminal, they had to track down every single item they auctioned. Then there's our house and my Lamborghini, and we are getting a huge compensation... Can't believe that Alex and Rachel did so much for us. I can't wait to give him a bear hug and kiss him."
"Wow! Wow! Easy there, girl. Bear hug and kiss are my thing," Max said, pointing a finger at herself. "You do that bikin... Mhmm!" Caroline shut Max's mouth with her palm before she could say anything stupid in front of her dad.
"Don't say that," Caroline whispered. "It's so embarrassing. My dad's here."
She pulled her hand away.
Max smiled. "Oops. My bad."
*****
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