A/N: It's my six-year anniversary to fanfic writing today and just like last year I'm celebrating that by stepping into a new fanfic realm. Hope you all like it.
Disclaimer: I own only my creativity, the characters I'm just borrowing. And you don't mind, right? Free publicity.
Loving Hands
Alexis let her head fall softly against her father's chest. It was a move that spoke of such trust, comfort and love. Kate Beckett saw it from the corner of her eye and turned towards the pair, smiling indulgently. It really was sweet to see Castle with Alexis. As she watched, Castle tightened his arm just a little and kissed the top of his daughter's head before letting her pull away, just enough so she could turn back to the stage again and sing along. The perfect combination of safety and freedom that the scene exuded touched Kate, made her want to belong to that perfect family, so she softly bumped against Castle's side, drawing his attention to her. Not needing words to talk, she smiled at him warmly. He smiled back at her easily, the twelve-year-old nowhere to be found, just honest affection in his eyes. With just that smile he drew her into his family, making her a part of this strange but loving group of people. Perhaps, if he hadn't been holding Alexis with one arm and a candle with the other, he would even have let his hand rest lightly on her waist or some other gesture of affection. As it was, he just gave her that smile. She briefly released her left hand from her candle to give his arm a quick squeeze, before they both turned back to the stage, back to Sky, back to the concert. But the affection was there.
Fine