A/N: So here is another family "AU" story. I kind of want to continue but that's only if I get some response to this chapter.

Title: The Castles

Rating: K

Summary: Kate's POV to start. Explores the lives of Kate and Ricks family, Alexis and Jeff, Inara, Nicole, and Ethan. Christmas in the Hamptons.

Kate stood in the kitchen of her home away from home in the Hamptons, while Rick was out shopping with the kids. There was something about this time of year that made her stop and survey the life she'd been blessed with. Never in a million years did she ever imagine that she'd be married to Richard Castle... let alone be the mother of his children. Yet here she was and she wouldn't have it any other way.

Kate had to smile as the memory of her first pregnancy came forth from her memory. She'd been so terrified! She didn't know how to be a mother and she was so sure that she wouldn't be a good one. Without a doubt Castle had soothed her fears but it wasn't until the second ultrasound that the doctor brought to her and Ricks attention that there wasn't "a" heartbeat, there were two. The next few weeks Kate didn't know what to do. One baby was scary enough and here she was going to have two. Castle never heard the end of her wrath...

It was two days before Christmas when they were blessed with two healthy baby girls. If there was ever a doubt in her mind that she was a mother, it was gone the moment she held her two perfect miracles. Castle had insisted that they name one of them after Kate's mother and taken aback she complied. Inara Elisabeth was first, her dark think hair suggested that she'd have hair like her father's but as soon as her eyes opened Kate knew she was seeing a reflection of her own green eyes. Nicole Johanna was second. Her hair much lighter than her sisters but just as thick. Castle smiled as he watched her open her big blue eyes for the first time.

It wasn't two years later that they were welcoming a new addition to the Castle clan. Castle had been so excited that he was going to be a father again and he was even more overjoyed that it was going to be a boy. They'd decided early on on a name for their little man, Ethan Jamison. Kate hadn't wanted to name him after a character of a book but Rick reminded her that Nicole had been named after Nikki and assured her that he wouldn't suffer for being named after a character who was based on his father.

It was the twins 9th birthday this year so to celebrate they decided to take the kids to the Hamptons for the holiday. Not to mention they were going to surprise the kids with a visit from their favorite older sister, who had some good news of her own. Kate had a feeling that she already knew but wouldn't say anything until her daughter announced it herself.

Suddenly there was noise in the foyer and warnings to stay in the other room. Ethan ran to find his mother in the kitchen, "Mom! I found you the most awesome present ever!"

She pulled him into a hug, "Oh really?"

"Umhmmm" Came his reply.

"Do I get a hint?" Kate tried.

"Not a chance, Mama bear." Castle spoke entering the room and placing his hands on her hips, "you can't interrogate our children."

"Ummm, so if I can't interrogate them," she stood and turned so that she was standing right in front of him. Her lips started on his lips and migrated towards his neck, "so I'm only allowed to interrogate you."

"Um," Castle paused to organize his thoughts, "I... um,"

"Come on guys! We are here too." Nicole complained walking in on them. Kate stopped her pursuit but leaned in one last time to whisper in his ear

"We're not finished, Mr. Castle, we will finish this tonight."