A Very Castle Christmas
Chapter One
Kate sits quietly at the table, an amused smile playing on her lips, thinking that Thanksgiving at the Castle home was an experience she would not soon forget. Martha and Alexis are both talking loudly at the same time, while Castle's head swivels silently back and forth to each of them like a spectator at a tennis match. He makes no attempt to add anything to the conversation, having learned early, Kate suspects, that to do so is futile. The sparkle in his eyes tells her that he doesn't mind and in fact seems to revel in the lively exchange between his mother and daughter.
The table is covered with the remains of the traditional Thanksgiving favorites, including one of Martha's 'specialty' dishes. Despite previously warnings about Martha's culinary shortcomings, Kate had scooped a hearty helping onto her plate when she saw Alexis and Castle do the same. It was the only food remaining. She figures that if they deem it edible, she should be fine. Besides, as a guest, she certainly doesn't wish to hurt Martha's feelings.
She prepares to take a bite but freezes as out of the corner of her eye she catches Castle and Alexis sharing a knowing glance before surreptitiously sliding the entire portion off of their plates. With a practiced flip of the wrist, it disappears into the folds of the cloth napkins waiting on their laps. They never even look down which tells her that this was a move they have perfected, obviously one used countless times in the past. Martha, already on her third glass of wine, is so engrossed in sharing the details of her latest acting audition, her arms flailing dramatically, that she doesn't take notice.
Raising one eyebrow in mock disapproval, Kate bravely picks her spoon back up and takes a small, tentative bite. She immediately dives for her wineglass, almost knocking it over in her haste, and takes a large gulp, desperate to erase the offending taste from her mouth.
"Are you alright, dear?" Martha asks, alarmed at Kate's sudden flurry of motion.
"I'm fine," she mumbles from behind her napkin, blatantly ignoring the muffled snickers of father and daughter as they look on in amusement. "Really. Dinner was delicious Martha. Thank you so much for having us."
"You are very welcome," she says, shooting Kate and her father, Jim, each a blinding smile. "It was our pleasure." After a brief pause, Martha rubs her hands together excitedly, "So, who's ready for dessert? I made pie!"
Not willing to brave another 'Martha Surprise', Kate pats her stomach. "I, for one, am stuffed. Honestly, I couldn't eat another bite."
Everyone else chimes in, emphatically agreeing that they too had no room left for dessert. At least not for that dessert.
Martha's face fell in disappointment. "Oh. Okay. Well, maybe later-"
"Actually, we better get going, right dad?" Kate asks, as she stands up, shooting him a firm look.
"What? Oh. Yeah. Long ride ahead of me," Jim affirms.
The next few moments are full of cheerful commotion as goodbyes and hugs are generously passed around. Amidst the chaos, Kate finally finds herself in Castle's arms. She leans in close and gives him a quick kiss while enjoying the warm weight of his arm resting on her waist. The brief contact only serves as a reminder of how long it is been since they have been able to share more than a stolen kiss here and there. In actuality it's only been a little over a week. But in such a new relationship, that week seems to Kate like a lifetime. Between her father showing up for a weeklong visit, Alexis coming home for the week leading up to Thanksgiving and an unusually busy week in the homicide business, she and Castle haven't had a moment to themselves.
But her father was leaving that evening and Alexis would be heading back to the University on Sunday. And although she will miss her father, Kate is grateful that things will soon get back to normal.
She looks up to find Castle watching her closely and feels a familiar flutter in her belly at the barely masked hunger she sees in his eyes, telling her that his thoughts weren't far from her own. She almost jumps when his fingers inch up under the back of her sweater to brush against her bare skin, sending her heart into a full gallop.
"Kate? Are you coming?"
Castle drops his hand abruptly as they both whip their heads towards Alexis.
Alexis looks back at them innocently. "To help us decorate the tree Saturday. You're coming, right?"
"What? Oh, the tree. Oh, of course," Kate manages to sputter out, ducking her head in an attempt to hide the sudden heat that she feels rising in her cheeks. When she finally dares to look at Castle again, his eyes are brimming with amusement, aware of exactly what she had been thinking.
"Good night, Kate," he says before giving her one more quick kiss. "See you Saturday."