A/N: Hey guys! So this is my first multi-chapter fic, and I'm super nervous about it. Hopefully it pans out, and I don't lose inspiration in between, but I've got loads planned, so I can't wait! Thanks for reading. Looking forward to comments and (constructive) criticism! :D

Quick shoutout to Ellis, who beta'd this for me. You're a star, Jelly Bean and I actually like you. ;)


Kate delicately plays with his large fingers, sliding them between her own slender ones, and exploring them in the comfortable silence of the loft. The fire crackles, as she lays her head down on his chest beside his beating heart, their legs stretched out and intertwined on the sofa in front of them. The rain patters softly outside and she finds that it is moments like these that prove to be a perfect way to end an amazing day like the one she's just had.

Just as she's about to close her eyes, Castle speaks suddenly, in a hushed tone. "Kate, it's November!"

She smiles sleepily, his childlike innocence never failing to amuse her, and replies, eyes rolling, "Sorry to break it to you, but it's been November for a while, babe."

He shakes his head, his body now positively vibrating with energy. "Yeah, but that means it's almost December. And you know what December means, don't you?"

She grins, looks up at him and quickly pecks his jaw. "Christmas?"

He nods excitedly. "Christmas" he replies definitively.

Kate chuckles, snuggling further into his chest, quietly murmuring a thank you for the day she's had, for the day he's given her. She's never enjoyed her birthday, at least not after her mother died, but Castle's infectious joy is difficult not to succumb to, and despite all the glittery streamers and hundreds of balloons strewn across the loft, she has to admit that she's had a fun day. Everyone has always said that he brings out the best in her, that she smiles more when she's around him and sitting here, 4 years later, there's no way she can deny it. He makes her happy, plain and simple, and he really doesn't even have to try.

"Esplanie looked very cosy today, didn't they?" She laughs at the ridiculous name and nods.

"Yeah, I asked Lanie about that. Apparently they're together, but they're not together. I could tell Lanie was anxious to get back to him, so I let it go. I don't even know what that's supposed to mean."

"No, it makes sense to me. You and I were like that for a while, remember?" Kate tilts her head to one side, eyebrows rising questionably as Castle rubs circles in her forearms with his thumb. He grins, cheekily.

"Please, as if you weren't going to shoot me when I kissed Serena Kayes. We weren't together then."

She smacks him on the chest, appearing to be offended. "You kissed her! What did you expect?"

"As a distraction! It wasn't even a real kiss!" Castle gasps, laughing.

"Yeah, but you were supposed to be in love with me!" she retorts, her eyes glittering, mockingly.

He runs his hands through her hair and replies softly, "I am in love with you. Always have been, always will be."

"Sap." she fires back, snorting, but kisses his palm softly because she knows he means it.

"Alexis looked lovely today." she suddenly murmurs against his palm, remembering the young adult elegantly poised in her sky blue dress, "She's grown up so much since I've met her."

Castle groans softly. "Don't remind me, Beckett. She used to be this little baby. All she needed was for me to braid her hair and take her to the park and have lightsaber duels with her and now she's an adult in college, having boyfriends and drinking alcohol and doing unmentionable things and I.. I just miss my little pumpkin. I miss when she needed me."

Her heart breaks a little inside, and she rubs his arm softly as she speaks.

"Oh, Castle. Just because she's all grown up now doesn't mean she doesn't need you. She's always going to be your little girl. I turned 36 today, and I still need my father to hold me and tell me everything's going to be alright sometimes. Alexis isn't going anywhere, babe, I promise."

She turns in his arms and kisses him, once, twice, hard and reassuring. They rest there in silence, save for their heavy breathing and the crackling fire. He kisses her neck tenderly, silently thanking her. He grins against her crook of her neck, nipping softly at the juncture with his teeth and she knows there's something very childish that's about to come from his mouth.

"Speaking of unmentionable things, how about you and I go to bed?"

She laughs, shaking her head at his childish antics. "Really Castle, that's the best you've got? You sure you're a writer, buddy?"

Castle pouts, trying to look offended, his eyes full of laughter giving him away. "I got the girl, didn't I?"

"Yeah, yeah. Go get the wine, instead. I'll be right there."

Castle jumps up right away, nearly pushing her off the sofa in the process. "Red or white?" he asks, as the doorbell rings.

"Red. The special red." she says, saucily as she swings her hips more than she should to answer the door.

Kate opens the door with a smile on her face. Her eyes widen, and she gulps, getting ready to say something to the person standing in front of her, only to find that the words stick in her throat. A soft 'hey' is murmured and Kate's only response is the frantic shaking of her head, quick, soft whimpers and then the swift slamming of the front door.

"Castle?" she calls, shakily. He walks towards her, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Kate, what's wrong?" Kate takes a breath and softly whispers.

"You might want to hold up on that wine. I think my mother's here."