Hello!

I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything but I am back! And I am so excited for you guys to read this! I've had an absolute blast writing it! This chapter is dedicated to my friend, QueenStanatic (Sleepy Katic) on Twitter :) this is for you! Thank you so much for your continuous support! It really means a lot!

And I know that quite a few of you wanted to see more of the character I've created, Braden, from "Sick Day" and "The Castle's Guide to Camping", so I decided to put him in here! :) I hope you like it! (Takes place December 2019)

Disclaimer: Castle is not mine :/

[Chapter 1]

December 24th, 2019

Snow trickled down, covering the city of New York in a white blanket as people were bundled in large jackets, knit hats, gloves, and scarves. Children played in the snow, laughing and giggling, happy that school was out and basically, not having another care in the world. Many people rushed to their snow-covered cars or hailed cabs, trying to get home on time for dinner. But hailing a cab proved to be difficult for one man more than he had originally thought…

With his feet ice cold in the snow, Rick kept waving for taxis but they didn't give him a second glance, driving right passed him. Shuffling all of the boxes and bags in his arms, he gave up. He'd make better time on foot rather than a taxi if it took this long to just hail one. And he was running late, as it was, his family back at the loft waiting for him.

Well, this is what you get when you wait til Christmas Eve to do your Christmas shopping, he thought as he trudged through the snow.

Luckily he was only about ten blocks from the loft, but with the snow slowly picking up and the wind nipping at his ears and nose it made it that much harder. He tried to stay protected by walking close to the buildings under the storefronts, but it didn't make much of a difference. Maneuvering around people and trying not to get in their way, Rick struggled with keeping a firm grip on the bags and boxes; they were beginning to feel heavier and heavier with each step. He nearly took out an older gentleman while trying avoid running into another; he gave out several apologizes, trying to stay as calm as possible. But it was proving a tad difficult.

His nose and ears were bright red because of the cold winds, he really needed to hurry up or he'd freeze to death.

Nothing made him happier than seeing the loft up ahead. As he climbed the steps, careful not to slip or fall, he smiled at Barry, the doorman, when he opened the door for him. Thanking him and wishing him a Merry Christmas, Rick stumbled inside, the warmth of the building immediately encircling him. Stomping his boots, he got rid of the excess snow on them. He stopped at the elevator, pressing his elbow on the up button before waiting for the elevator to arrive. With a single ding, the doubles doors opened and Rick stepped inside, using the same technique and pressing the fourth floor button.

The ride up was fast and smooth. When the doors opened, he took the small journey from the lift to his front door. Rick couldn't help but smile when he found that it was unlocked. Thank you, he thought as he opened the door, stepping inside. He tapped the door shut with his foot as he made his way over to the massive Christmas tree that sat in the left corner of the living room, near the vast window. The multi-colored lights flickered, reflecting off the window and walls.

Rick took the gifts out of the bags and boxes and set a few of the presents down by the tree, rearranging them until they all fit. He stood there admiring the tree, seeing their handiwork. There was a lot of homemade ornaments that covered the massive tree, but there was also many regular ball ornaments, a few candy canes, and of course the gold star on top. It was simple yet very intricate.

Glancing over, he smiled when he saw the stockings hanging above the mantel. The entire loft was completely decked out in Christmas decorations, making it look like the North Pole with garland hanging from the ceiling, paper snow flakes on the walls, colorful lights wrapped around the railing on the stairs, and he was pretty sure Kate hung up some mistletoe somewhere. He'd have to find that later...

Making his way back to his study, he put the remainder of the presents behind his desk to keep them hidden from any peeping toms. Shutting the door, he walked to the front entrance and shred himself of his jacket, gloves, scarf, and snow boots, leaving them all by the entrance. He can put them away later. Underneath the jacket and scarf Rick had on a blue v-neck sweater with a white undershirt beneath and basic blue jeans. It was casual and comfortable.

Just as he was finished toeing off his right boot a small, warm body collided into the back of his legs. "Hi, Dad!"

In one quick swoop, Rick flipped around and grabbed the little boy, picking him up by the armpits and bringing him up into a hug. He was wearing a navy blue long sleeved shirt and blue jeans. His little feet were covered in red socks.

"Hey, Brae. You have fun helping Mom bake cookies for Santa?" The boy nodded, his eyes sparkling.

"More like help Mom make a mess of the kitchen," a voice sounded from his left in the kitchen. "He was covered in cookie dough, weren't you, buddy?" Braden just grinned mischievously at his mother. "Took a bit but we got it all out. I haven't gotten a chance to clean myself up though, I've been busy cleaning the kitchen."

Rick smiled, setting his son down and walking toward his wife. When he reached the kitchen, he saw that a mess was an understatement. The cabinets, countertops, and walls were covered in cookie dough; chocolate chips scattered all over the ground. Kate was wiping her hands on a dishtowel when he reached her. Rick wrapped his arms around her middle, bringing her flush against him and he could see she had some flour in her hair and on her cheeks. But from the smile on her face she didn't seem to mind. At least she wasn't completely covered in it. She was donning a purple plaid shirt with a gray camisole underneath and skinny jeans, her hair up in a simple ponytail.

"I think you look cute." Kissing her softly, Rick smiled down at her. "Sorry, I'm late. It was impossible to get a cab so I had to walk home."

"You walked home?" She asked, her face that of shock. "It's freezing out!"

He merely waved her off, "It wasn't that bad actually. I'll live." Who was he kidding? It was like an icebox out there! But she didn't need to know all the details, no sense in worrying her even more.

Kate couldn't help but smile up at him; he always did things the hard way. "You could've called, you know? I would've picked you up."

His arms wrapped tighter around her, their chests pressed closely together. "I could've, but where's the fun in that?" He waggled his eyebrows up and down, making Kate swat him on the chest as she chuckled.

"You're something else...I can see where Braden gets it from," she scoffed, kissing him on the lips. "Oh, did you get-"

Rick grinned, nodding his head. "Yep. Got the last one."

Kate let out a sigh of relief, her head coming to rest on his chest. "Oh, good. He's been asking for one for months now. And with it being Christmas Eve, I wasn't sure if there'd be any left."

"Nope. We're good! Can't wait to see his face when he opens it."

She lifted her head, eyebrows raised. "I think you're more excited about it than he'll ever be," Kate chortled, her eyes lighting up with joy and pure delight.

Speaking of... "Where is the little guy?" Rick asked, not seeing where his son escaped off to after greeting him at the door.

Kate pulled away from his embrace, heading back to the kitchen. "Check by the tree, he's probably checking out the latest additions to the presents," she tossed over her shoulder. "He's been doing it all day."

Rick watched her for a moment, smiling to himself. Turning around, he found his five-year-old son by the Christmas tree as he stared at the many presents that lied underneath. The colorful wrapping and large bows mesmerized him, the need to see what was inside was growing and growing the longer he sat there. Rick glanced over his shoulder at Kate as she cleaned off the counter; he raised a finger to his lips silently telling her to be quiet before he pointed to Braden. She nodded, watching as he snuck over to the tree.

The boy had no idea his dad was sneaking up on him and when he felt a pair of hands at his sides he couldn't help but let out a squeal. Rick held him down with his upper body before he tickled his sides, making him burst out in laughter. He cried out for his dad to stop but he didn't, Rick knew that he loved when he did this; it was a game to him and he couldn't get enough.

After the boy was practically crying, Rick finally released him. Braden slumped his head back, his arms falling at his sides as a big sigh escaped his lips. He smiled at his dad, "That was fun…can we do it again?"

Rick nodded toward the presents under the tree. "You sure you don't want to go back to staring at the presents?"

At his father's words Braden's focus went back to the colorfully wrapped boxes and bags. He sat up, poking one with his finger delicately. "Can I open one?" He asked, putting on the charm.

Kate shared a glance with Rick, silently telling him: oh yeah, he's definitely your son.

That just made Rick smile. He focused back his attention to his son. "No, you can't, buddy. We're going to wait to open all of these when Gram comes over for dinner tomorrow night," Rick explained, ruffling the boy's hair.

"What about Papa?"

"Papa can't make it to dinner tomorrow night, buddy. But he'll be here for New Year's."

Braden nodded his head before glancing at the presents and then up at his dad, his bottom lip out. "Please. One present?"

With a roll of her eyes, Kate walked over to the living room, bending down so that she was eye-level with her son. "No, Braden. Dad is right; these are for tomorrow. And besides, Santa is coming tonight and you'll be able open what he brings you tomorrow morning. Okay?"

"But why can't I just open one?" Kate gave him a stern glare. Braden sighed, nodding his head. "'Kay."

She brought the boy in for a hug, which he returned. "That's my boy."

"Speaking of tomorrow morning," Rick began, his hands behind him, holding him up as he leaned back, legs out and crossed. "What time did Alexis say she'd get here?"

"Around eight or so. Hopefully this weather will ease up by morning so she doesn't get stuck in traffic," Kate replied, glancing out the window to see the snow coming down; it wasn't letting up, in fact, it seemed to be getting worse.

"Can't wait to see Alexis!" Braden yelped.

"We can't either, buddy," Rick sighed. "You miss her, huh?"

Nodding his head solemnly, the five-year-old sank in his mom's arms. "A whole lot."

The timer on the oven went off, Braden looked over to the kitchen and then up Kate, his hair falling over his eyes.

She smiled, "I think our cookies are ready."

It was a scramble for the kitchen, all three running as fast as they could. Rick and Braden stood at the counter, the five-year-old peaking over as he stood next to his dad. Kate got out an oven mitt from a drawer before opening the oven door and reaching in to grab the cookie sheet. Braden and Rick observed, both of them staring at the enticing smell and look of the cookies.

Kate set the tray down on the oven top, swatting at Braden's little hand as he tried to grab one. "They're hot, Brae. We have to wait for them to cool down." He sighed, crossing his arms over his chest and pouting.

Rick tried doing the same thing when Kate's back was turned, but he got hit on the arm. "What?" he asked, rubbing his upper arm.

"Don't think you can pull that off when I just told our son to wait."

"You said that to him, you didn't say anything to me!" He defended, smirking because he knew that he was getting under her skin, taunting her like that.

She just glared at him, the message well received. Rick could see annoyance yet a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Just wait a few minutes, you two. You'll get your cookies soon enough."

Rick and Braden shared a look, their mouths watering as they waited for the cookies to cool. A few minutes later, Rick shot Kate a pleading look, his hands clasped together as he begged. Braden mimicked his father, and with the two of them looking at her with those puppy dog eyes she couldn't say no. A single nod of her head had the two of them grinning like no other. Rick grabbed two cookies, handing one to his son before they took a bite at the same time. A double groan could be heard escaping their lips.

"You two did an amazing job! These are delicious!" Rick moaned, before leaning over the counter to kiss Kate briefly on the lips. "You did good, Mom."

She grinned, "I know. But I couldn't have done it without Braden." At his mom's words Braden smiled, his mouth full with the cookie. Kate grabbed a cookie for herself, taking a bite. The chocolate chips melted into her mouth, the taste sending her into a sweet bliss. The three of them stood in the kitchen with smiles of delight on their faces.

Nothing could make this moment any better.

Yay! :)

As always, please feel free to leave a review with your thoughts and comments! I hope that you guys enjoyed this chapter! The next chapter will be posted Sunday (Nov. 11th) Until next time!

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