Disclaimer: Not mine and to tired to come up with a witty way of saying it.

Feedback: Yes please. But no flames. Thx.

Author's Note: Okay, so it's like 4 in the morning and I really should be getting to sleep but I've been itching to write a Christmas fic. The last Christmas story I wrote was for Bones and this year I really, really wanna do a Castle fanfic. So this is a story set in the same universe as my other story "My Father's Daughter". It doesn't really fit in the timeline that I'm going to take with that one but it's been bouncing around my head for a while now so just take it as you'll be getting two versions of this. Kinda. I'm definitely gonna cover Ryan's wedding in "My Father's Daughter" I just haven't figured out when. However, this will be a holiday spin on it.

Note: You might want to read "My Father's Daughter" for a little bit more background on what's going on. I'm going to try and include enough info that you won't have too if you don't want, but if you're like me it'll make the story that much more interesting to have a bit of background.

I never knew the meaning of Christmas
'Til you came into my life
I was lost in the dark 'til you opened my heart
Like an angel shining bright
I wished on a star and, girl, here you are
Suddenly I realize
That I never knew the meaning of Christmas
'Til I looked into your eyes

-I Never Knew the Meaning of Christmas - N Sync

Chapter 1: The Meaning of Christmas

Richard Castle hummed as he made his way into the elevator. In exactly 25 days his favorite holiday would roll around again and this year it would be twice as special. First, because there was a new addition to the Castle clan, Nikki, his adorable little five year old and second because he was going to be trying his hardest to convince "Aunt Kate" as Nikki called her to have Christmas with them.

Over the past few months she'd slowly been thawing to him; letting him help her with her coat, letting him pay for more lunches, spending more time at his loft with his girls. So he figured that it was the perfect time to try and up the stakes. When the elevator doors opened he was grinning mischievously as he thought of his little plan.

Beckett was already at her desk and working on paper work but she seemed to sense him because she looked up and smiled when she saw him with her coffee and bearclaw. He smiled back and made his way over to his usual seat, saying good morning to the boys as he passed.

"Hey," he greeted, his whole body tingling with excitement as he took his seat. She raised an eyebrow and accepted the coffee he handed her.

"Hey," she took a sip and her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You're one of those that goes all out for Christmas aren't you?" she accused as she took another sip of the peppermint flavored coffee he'd picked up earlier. His smile just got bigger and she rolled her eyes. "It's going to be a long day."

"Oh come on Beckett, where's your holiday spirit?" he teased. "Besides I have something that just might make your day a little bit better." She looked over at him and he all but bounced in his seat as he handed over the green construction paper card Nikki had entrusted to him this morning. "Nikki made you a Christmas card! She says that she really, really wants to spend some more time with you too."

Kate's eyes softened at the mention of his youngest child and she took the card from him with a tender smile on her face. It was small and the letters on the front spelling out 'Merry Early Christmas' where wobbly and the s' were backwards but the drawing of a brightly wrapped Christmas present underneath spoke of Nikki's obvious talent for art and the inside had the sweetest message: "I love you Aunt Kate. I hope you have a lot of fun this month and that you have a really, really good Christmas. I got you a present!- Love Nikki."

When she looked back up he saw that he eyes where just a little bit glassy and she was smiling brightly. He loved the look she got whenever she was dealing with anything having to do with Nikki. Her eyes took on this look of adoration, and a gentle smile would spring to her lips. When she dealt with Nikki she was so patient and loving. He thought it was the most beautiful side he'd seen of her yet.

"It's beautiful," she told him softly. Her fingers drifted lightly over the glittering silver and gold tree Nikki had done right beside her little note. "Tell her I love it and that we will definitely have to have a girl's day."

"If you're not doing anything tomorrow you could have her then?" he told her. Her smile got bigger and he could tell she was excited at the prospect. The past couple of weeks had been a little rough and spending time with Nikki would be a welcome change. Plus, Castle was fairly certain that Beckett liked to live a little bit vicariously through his daughter. Whenever they did days like this she would spoil Nikki rotten; not with presents, that was his job, but she would do her hair or nails, she would take her shopping, let her watch sappy movies and eat popcorn and talk about the girly things he knew nothing about.

"That would work out great," Beckett replied. "Lanie wanted to go shopping for dresses for Ryan's wedding tomorrow and she loves it when Nikki gets to come with us, apparently she appreciates Lanie's love of shopping more than I do," Castle laughed.

"No, she just has more experience faking enthusiasm with shopping. Mother and Alexis love to drag her out and make her play dress up with them," he confided conspiratorially. "She doesn't like to disappoint them and she likes to spend time with them so, while shopping is not really her favorite thing to do she makes an effort to like it for them."

"She's sweet that way," Kate agreed. "Do you want us to look for Nikki a dress to wear to the wedding while we're out?" Castle was about to answer when he heard Ryan call over to them.

"Hey, wedding dress shopping?" he asked walking over with Esposito just behind. Kate nodded.

"Laney, Nikki and I are going out tomorrow." He shifted a little nervously.

"Don't get Nik one just yet," he told them. "I was actually going to ask about it today," he turned to face Castle. "Jenny and I want to ask Nikki to be our flower girl. Would that be okay with you?" Castle's grin was so proud that Ryan relaxed a little.

"Of course! She'll be thrilled," he assured him. "She and mother are out today. I'll let mother know not to get her dress just yet. Or did you want her to get her something more specific? It's a Celtic theme right?"

"Right," Ryan nodded. "Jenny actually wanted to take her out to get her dress if that's alright with you? She's getting all the bridesmaid dresses from this one place she found and she wants Nikki's to match."
"It's going to look beautiful," Kate told him, already seeing little Nikki in a cute little green dress. Ryan grinned, his eyes just a little love struck as he obviously followed her line of thinking, but with his bride pictured instead.

"Mother's going to bring Nikki by for lunch later if you want to ask her yourself," Castle told him. "She's been dying to show off her new present anyway."
"You're lucky that child can't seem to be spoiled," Kate remarked rolling her eyes. "What did you get her this time?" Castle just grinned.

"You'll have to wait and see."

"Daddy! Daddy!" Nikki yelled as she ran out of the elevator toward where she knew Kate's desk was. Martha followed her at a little slower pace with an affectionate smile.

"Slow down, kiddo," she admonished as Nikki skidded to a halt and jumped into her father's outstretched arms. "My goodness she exactly like Richard at that age," she told Kate who was watching the seen with a wide grin. "Hello detective. Has he been bothering you too much?"

Kate shook her head but before she could answer she too was enveloped in a tackling hug by the youngest Castle.

"Aunt Kate!" Nikki exclaimed excited. Kate laughed and hugged the little girl back just as tight.

"Hey Nikki, and no Martha he's actually not been too bad this morning," Kate informed her. "Of course he did get a new game on his phone and that kept him busy for a couple of hours." Nikki perched herself on Kate's lap like it was the most natural thing in the world and turned around to face the rest when she spotted her card propped up on Kate's desk.

"That's my card," she said pointing at it in surprise. "You put it on your desk?" she questioned looking really proud but also confused.

"Of course," Kate told her seriously. "You have to display pretty cards like that so everyone can see them." Nikki's blue eyes, exact copies of her father's, lit up with such joy that Kate thought she might cry.

Nikki was still, even after months with her father, not used to being treated with love and respect. Her mother and the men in her mother's life had never wanted to be bothered with Nikki, she was an annoyance at best and they had done their best to either ignore her or convince her she should be ignored. It had done a lot of damage on her and it was heartbreaking that Nikki still had that hatred ingrained in her. She never thought that things she did were worth much.

The girl regularly made what Castle called "Just Because" cards that were made simply because she wanted to let you know she loved you. They were simple but you could just feel how much she cared every time and she never expected anything in return. To her it was important to let all of her new family (her biological one and her precinct one) know she loved them, but she was always so shocked when they showed how much they loved her in return.

"You really like it?" she asked shyly. Kate nodded enthusiastically.

"Of course, I love all of your gifts."

"Nikki," Castle called, drawing her attention to Ryan and Esposito who had just come over. "Uncle Kevin wants to ask you something." Nikki looked up at Ryan as he knelt to her level on Kate's lap.

"Nik, Jenny and I were wondering if you would do us the honor of being the flower girl at our wedding?" Ryan asked. Nikki's eyes got really wide and her face took on a look of awed shock.

"Really?" she asked breathlessly. Ryan grinned and took a hold of one of her small hands.

"Yeah, I can't think of anyone better."

"YES!" she yelled eagerly, jumping off Kate's lap to throw her arms around Ryan's neck. "YES! I'll do it! I'll be the best flower girl Uncle Kevi. I promise!" Ryan laughed and hugged her back.

"Of course you will," he assured her. "Now what's this about a present that daddy got you?" She let go of him and all but bounced up and down.

"He got me a new shirt! Look!" she unbuttoned her warm winter coat and handed shrugged out of it so that they could see the longsleeved t-shirt she wore underneath. The three detectives burst out laughing when they read what it said. The shirt itself was a dark navy blue and on the front it said, "Property of the 12th Precinct Homicide Division" in gold letters and on the back it said "If found please return to: Kate Beckett, Javier Esposito, or Kevin Ryan."

"That is adorable, Castle," Kate said when she finally stopped laughing. "She has to wear that when we have our annual picnic in the summer."

"Well by then she'll probably have a couple more like it," Castle admitted. "I had way too much fun coming up with the design and Nikki love it too much. Don't you, Nik?" Nikki's pigtails flew up and down with her head as she nodded.

"It's awesome!"

"I've got something even better," Castle told her pulling her up onto his lap. "You get to spend the day with Aunt Kate and Aunt Lanie tomorrow. Would you like that?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" she told him bouncing up and down.

"I guess that's settled then," Kate said laughing. "Now let's go see about lunch."

And that's all there is for chapter one. How cute is Nikki? I can't help but love her a little bit more each chapter I write with her in it. She's a mix of the little girls that I watch (I have about 4 that I watch on a regular basis...) and myself when I was younger. That whole "Just Because" card thing? I used to do that when I was younger. My grandmother has a whole drawer full of cards on everything from pretty constuction paper to scraps that have little drawings and "I love yous". Let me know if you want more. I'm thinking of trying to do a chapter a day until Christmas to get back in the swing of writing again. School's kept me so busy I haven't had the chance to do much. Well, I'm off to try and get some sleep. Please read and review.

-JJ