AN: I'm back, and this time with a multi-chapter story!
I know there's a whole bunch of family fics out there, but I love writing happy stories so I'm contributing a series of family-related one-shots. They won't follow a chronological order, and I can't promise regular updates due to my commitments in the real world, but whenever I'm inspired, I will write something and post it. That I can promise.
This whole thing was inspired by AC, who prompted this on Twitter and has been super supportive of my writing, and for that I am grateful - so this first chapter's for you, AC! Enjoy your fluff :)
IBYL
xo
Kate stood in the kitchen of the loft, making waffle batter. It was early, probably earlier than she should be up on the first day of her week-long vacation, but old habits die hard. Gates had mandated that her lieutenant take a few days to be with family, after their latest debacle of a case. She wasn't about to say no to a week off – for someone who was once a workaholic, times had definitely changed, for the better of course.
Her reverie was interrupted by the pitter-patter of little toddler feet making their way down the stairs. She knew the pattern like the back of her hand – slow and careful while on the stairs, but as soon as those feet hit the ground floor, peace was over. Sure enough, the pitter-patter sped up to a run, and Kate put the bowl down and crouched to greet her beautiful boy with a hug.
Liam Castle was a charmer, much like his father. He looked a lot like his mother, but had his father's big blue eyes and cheeky grin, which pleased Kate no end.
"Good morning, my little man." Kate said, open arms swiftly collecting the fast-moving boy.
"Morning Mommy." He said, squeezing her around the waist in the 'Castle Family Bear Hug', as Rick had dubbed it.
At 3 years old, her little man had a big personality – and an even bigger imagination. He loved to tell stories and talk about his dreams. So much like his father.
"So what did we dream about last night, baby?" Kate prompted, her heart melting when her boy's eyes lit up excitedly.
"There was a dinosaur, Mommy. He was purple with little orange arms and a bright green tail."
"Little arms, hey?" Kate responds. "So what type of dinosaur was he?"
"A T-Rex!"
"Was he scary?"
"No, Mommy. He was a nice T-Rex. He was friendly, like my Dino."
"Well that's what I like to hear." Kate said, standing up and putting Liam on the kitchen counter. The little boy swung his legs happily.
"What are you making?"
"Well, today I have a day off, so I thought I'd make my favourite boys waffles."
"Yeah! No work! That's me and Daddy, right? Your favourite boys?" He asked.
"That's right, little man. You and Daddy."
"And Lexis is your favourite girl?" Liam questioned.
"You know it." Kate replied, flicking her boy playfully on the nose and watching him giggle.
"But I'm your really favourite boy, right? Not Daddy." Liam said proudly.
"I thought that was our little secret, squirt!" Kate stage whispered, and Liam giggled. "But yes, baby. Favourite boy." She said, blowing a raspberry on his cheek as he squirmed happily.
"Kate, I'm wounded!" A voice boomed across the loft. "I will need something extra awesome to recover from the hurt." Castle pined, making Liam giggle at his dramatics.
"Morning, Daddy."
"Morning, Liam. Have you and Mommy be conspiring against me?"
"What does that mean?"
"Telling secrets about me." Castle said, having long since learnt to simplify his explanations. His boy was an inquisitive mind – which was fantastic, but occasionally it was tiring.
"It's not a secret. Liam's my favourite boy." Kate said matter-of-factly, accepting a peck from her husband. "I'll make it up to you with waffles."
Rick wrapped his arm around his wife's waist, smiling as she taught Liam to stir the waffle mix and allowed him to taste-test the batter. Liam was happily chattering once again about his dreams, which he'd proudly informed his dad of as soon as there was a break in conversation between the two adults.
"Daddy?"
"Yes, little man?"
"Do you think T-Rex's ate waffles?" Liam asked, and Castle smiled.
"I don't know if they had waffles back then, buddy. T-Rex's were meat eaters – like lions."
"They were hunters!" Liam said proudly.
"Exactly. They were hunters."
"Cool." Liam replied happily. "Thanks, Daddy. Mommy, when are waffles ready?"
"Two minutes, squirt. Why don't you and Daddy set the table." She said, knowing that Liam was currently in his 'I'm old enough to help with everything' phase.
"Okay Mommy! Daddy, let's do the table so we can eat waffles!"
"You excited about breakfast, my man?" Castle asked.
"Dreaming about dinosaurs made my tummy rumble." Liam replied as he carefully positioned three forks at the breakfast table. As he finished, Kate brought over their food and they sat to eat, enjoying an admittedly rare family breakfast.
XXX
"So, Mommy's got a day off. How do you think we should celebrate, Liam?" Castle asked, and Liam looked thoughtful. After a while, he sighed.
"I don't know, Daddy. There's too many choices!" He said exasperatedly, and Castle laughed.
"Well how about we all get dressed and ready, and then we'll decide." Castle suggested, and Liam nodded.
"I'll think more."
"Who do you want to bathe you this morning, Liam?"
"Mommy!" The reply was instant. At first, Castle had almost been jealous that his little man was such a momma's boy, but he got over that quickly – the bond between his wife and son was nothing short of amazing and he was proud to be privy to it.
"Looks like I'm on dishes duty." Castle said as Kate collected a now-messy Liam and took him upstairs.
"Thanks, Rick. See you in a bit." She said, pressing a quick kiss to his shoulder as she walked past, the toddler in her arms chattering happily against her about how cool turtles are.
Kate had quickly learnt that her child's thought pattern is a constant mystery, much like his father's, and she's okay with that. It means he's likely to have his father's open heart, not her dark one - but she shakes that thought away.
She once had a dark heart, but slowly it is becoming lighter. Her husband and son are the reason. Her family are the reason.
Interrupted from her thoughts by Liam, who insists on practicing his kicking whenever he's in the bath, and Rick, who has just arrived at the bathroom door chuckling at the mess and looking the very picture of a domestic god with a towel slung over his broad shoulder, she can't help but wonder if this is the definition of perfection.
And she knows that whatever they decide to do today, be it a day in the park, going to the museum or even a lazy movie marathon on the couch, she knows it'll be perfect because it will be spent with her favourite boys.
Plural.
Chapter 1, complete. Review? I'm happy to take prompts as well, so if you've got ideas for Liam, let me know!