Ch. 1

It didn't escape Beckett's mind as to what day it was, the day before Valentine's. Much to her dismay Castle had pleaded with her boss, the day before, a Thursday, to give her Friday off. She had all ready used up every last one of her days in trying to find Castle and the boys had been generous to give her some of theirs. So when she found out that Castle had gone directly to Gates to ask she had been mortified.

She had wanted to storm into the office but the boys stood in her way.

"What the hell is he doing," Beckett had asked, "And what are you guys up to?"

"Sorry can't say," said Ryan.

"Castle promised us box seats to the next Rangers game," Esposito.

"Since when do you guys like hockey?" she asked, knowing them to be more baseball and basketball fans.

"Are you kidding," said Esposito, "A bunch of guys ramming each other into boards, heavy hitting, what's not to like?"

"Not to mention the sounds," said Ryan. Esposito shot his partner a look, "What the sounds of the skates along with the sound of a stick slapping a puck is kind of cool."

"He doesn't know what he's talking about," Esposito told Beckett.

"Are you done stalling," asked Beckett.

"Nope, not letting you in there," said Ryan.

"You know I could probably take you both right," Beckett told them.

"In front of Gates' office," Esposito shot, "Yeah good luck with that."

Beckett looked at the boys and then toward Gates who was still talking with Castle. She weighed her options.

"Okay fine, you win this time," Beckett said making her way back to her desk.

The boys smiled but neither of them moved from their post.

A few minutes later the door to Gate's office opened and Castle handed two cards to the boys.

"Thank you fella's. Call this guy. He'll have you all set."

"You're the man, Castle," said Ryan.

"Thanks Bro."

"But seriously guys," said Castle, "Can you ever do me a solid without asking for something in return?"

"And miss out on torturing you like this," said Esposito, "Not a chance."

"Well I might," said Ryan, "but only because you're family now."

Esposito slapped Ryan's arm, "Dude?"

"What the guy is practically our brother-in-law."

"And what kind of younger brothers would we be if we didn't take advantage?" Esposito said as the boys walked back to their desks.

With the boys taken care of Castle walked over to his chair at Beckett's desk.

"So are you gonna tell me what's going on?" Beckett asked her mysterious husband.

"As a matter of fact, yes," said Castle, "Gate's cleared it so you can have the whole weekend off including tomorrow."

"Castle, what did you do- how did you-?"

"I got Karpowski to cover for you. Granted you'll have to work three days for her on Saint Patrick's Day but trust me honey, this will so be worth the trade."

"I don't know whether to kill you right now for meddling with Gates or be proud?"

"There's always door number three."

"Oh yeah and that would be?"

"Loving me because I'm such an awesome husband."

"Yeah right now that's debatable."

"Just wait till the weekend then you'll change your mind."

Beckett smiled and shook her head, "Castle, seriously, what are you doin'?"

"I am making the most of our Valentine's."

"It's not until Saturday."

"Doesn't mean a guy can't start planning early."

Castle stood up and placed a kiss on his wife's forehead. "Now I will see you later. You've got work to finish up and I've got plans to make."

Beckett didn't want to be disturbed. On her day off, a day that Castle had pleaded with Gates for, all she wanted now was to sleep in but that didn't seem like much of an option. She could feel Castle hovering above her.

"Beckett," Castle whispered, "Beckett wake up."

"Why," Beckett whined, her eyes still closed.

"It's Valentine's Day-Eve," said Castle as if that were a real thing.

Christmas Eve, Hallows Eve, sure but Valentine's Day Eve? Not likely.

"That's not a thing."

"Well I'm making it a thing so, it's time to get up."

"Castle, it's five in the morning."

"I know, rooster crowing time, come on."

There was no way he was going to shut up. Beckett turned over from her position on her right side and moved to her back, her eyes now open.

"This better be good, Castle."

He smiled at her, "Trust me it is."

As Beckett's eyes adjusted she could see that he was all ready dressed in a button down shirt and jeans.

"How long have you been up?"

"Since four. I was going to wake you but I thought better of it."

"Smart man."

Castle shrugged, "I have my moments but you're awake now so come on, up, up, up," Castle said getting off his side of the bed and walking over to Beckett's side.

He took her hands and brought her to a seated position. A pair of jeans and a white cotton shirt was all ready at the foot of the bed, waiting for her.

"I married a crazy man," Beckett said aloud.

"Crazy in love," said Castle.

"Really, that's the line you're going with?"

"Tell you what, you get dressed and I'll go make the coffee," Castle said patting Beckett's legs which were still hidden under the covers.

"You're all up," Beckett said as she saw Martha and Alexis in the kitchen.

Castle placed a cup of coffee in front of Beckett.

"Dad wanted to make sure we were around for your big send off," said Alexis.

"What big send off," asked Beckett.

"Just part one of your Valentine's Day surprise," said Castle.

"Part of my surprise," said Beckett, "What happened to just spending Valentine's on the actual day it falls on?"

Castle didn't stay to answer the question. Instead he went back to the bedroom.

Alexis smiled, "That was before you married dad," she said to her step-mom, "Now that you're officially a Castle, dad has a different way of thinking."

"Nothing wrong with wanting to spoil my wife on the holiday."

"A holiday invented by the candy company," Beckett teased.

"Buzz kill," said Castle.

Beckett smiled at him and then turned her attention back to Alexis, "What about you, Alexis, any plans for tomorrow?"

"As a matter of fact," said Alexis, "Grams and I are going on a day spa retreat."

"Nothing but mud baths and massages, a day of abstaining from men," Martha said with glee.

Beckett laughed a little and smiled at her girls. She was happy that they would have something to do.

"Speaking of abstaining from men," said Castle as he stood beside Beckett, "We should probably leave if we're going to catch our flight."

"Flight," said Beckett, "Rick what are you not telling me?"

"Oh so very much, so, so very much. And don't even try to get it out of me because I'm not telling."

"You sure about that," said Beckett, "I am a master interrogator."

"Not gonna happen babe," Castle said with a smile, Beckett having used those very words on him once.

Beckett bit the inside of her lip and smiled, "I'll get it out of you one way or another."

"Oh so does this mean we'll get to join the mile high club while you try?"

"Dad!"

"Richard!"

Both Alexis and Martha said at the same time.

Beckett looked away to hide her blush but Castle continued to smile.

Castle placed his hand up in a vertical position near his mouth so that his mother and daughter wouldn't see, and only Beckett could. "We'll discuss it," Castle whispered to her.

"Promise," Beckett whispered back.

"Okay you two," said Martha, "Enough whispering. Go on get out of here, have yourselves that romantic Valentine's weekend. God knows you both deserve it."

Martha and Alexis both walked over to Castle and Beckett. Martha hugged her daughter-in-law first while Alexis hugged her father and then shortly after the two switched.

Alexis held back though, telling her dad that "Kate forgot something in the room. She'll just be a minute."

Castle just nodded and left the loft. With him gone, Alexis hugged Beckett.

"Have a good time," said Alexis as they pulled back.

"Thanks."

"Oh and I've all ready put your Valentine's Day present for dad in your one of your large duffle bags. I hid the boxes under a bunch of your clothes that dad had all ready packed."

Beckett's heart skipped a beat. At least she had all ready had the decency to wrap Castle's presents prior to bringing it in the house. It was slightly embarrassing being romantic with her husband in front of family and sometimes at work but she would have passed out had her gift been exposed.

"Thank you for that Alexis," she said.

Alexis laughed, "No problem. You should go, dad's waiting."

"See you both after the weekend then," Beckett said with a smile as she left the loft.