Disclaimer: Characters belong to the shows creator. See the picture that inspired this at my tumbler, found on my profile page.
Kate opened the heavy front door to the Hamptons home, sneaking around it and leaning against it gently as it latched closed. She let out a cleansing sigh as she slipped out of her heels, so relieved and happy to be home, well at least be at the next best thing to home.
The house was quiet and dim, a single lamp lit the entry hallway and the rhythmic and powerful waves of the summer storm could be heard from beyond their yard. Kate took a moment to breath in the clean ocean air; take in the scents of her family's vacation home. The long, treacherous drive from the city allowed her to get some distance from the stress of her work.
She loves her job, feels accomplished and honored to give victim's families closer and offer a voice to those who were robbed of their own. But this week had been particularly brutal on her. The case that landed in her lap this week revolved around the murder of an 11-year-old boy, found strangled in Central Park. It was haunting and disturbing to discover that it was the boy's estranged father that had committed the crime.
Kate couldn't tell if she was grateful or not for the fact that she had left her family at the Hamptons last Sunday night. Part of her was thankful to keep the light that guided her life now away from such darkness; but another part of her had wished incessantly that she had been able to come home to the warmth and cheer her family provided. Regardless, Kate had been home alone at the loft for the last five days while her family laughed and played in the summer sun and sand, but duty called and she answered.
Five days later though, she couldn't wait any longer and had to get back to that light and warmth and laughter. So instead of crashing at the loft and driving back up in the morning, Kate rushed to repacked her duffle bag and hopped in the car for the long drive. She could already tell it wasn't a mistake.
As she walked through the house Kate saw toys, puzzles, picture books, and more scattered here and there; a mess of pillows and blankets pitched into a fort in the living room; and wet swim trunks and towels hung over the chairs and tables of the dining room. Kate smirked to herself, knowing Castle was planning to get up early and straightened things up before her arrival- always trying to make her think he had it all under control. Sweet man.
Making her way up the wide staircase, Kate strained to hear any signs of a wakeful Castle. Wondering if he would be up this late and hoping none of the kids were. She slipped off her rain-dampened jacket as she ascended, hearing nothing but the booming clap of thunder and the striking of lightening. Mhm summer storms like this brought back some amazing memories for her. Memories of that first time Castle made love to her, the phantom feeling of his hands, lips, and body entwined with hers elicit a shiver along her spine. Yeah, she hoped Castle was still awake.
Ignoring the urge to race to their bedroom and surprise her husband with more than just her presence, Kate veered down the first hallway coming to the bedroom door of her youngest son. She slipped into the softly lit room and padded over to the small bed. However, on closer inspection she realized the bed was empty of her son and his blankie. Furrowing her brows she ventured out to check the twin's room and sure enough both beds were sans little boys.
Figuring that all of her boys must be in the big bed she returns to the main hallway, heading towards the more secluded master bedroom that faced the ocean. Kate still wondered if her man was awake somewhere in the house, perhaps in the library or down in the den.
However, as she came to the open French doors of her bedroom the mystery was solved. The sight before her nearly knocked the wind out of her because of the feeling of pure contentment and joy that came with the sight of all of her boys snuggled in bed. And she does mean all her boys. A shirtless Castle was lying on his side, one arm buried under the pillows and the other resting lightly over the rounded stomach of their youngest, August.
August was crammed right up against his fathers chest arms raised next to his ears like he has done since he was an infant. Even when Castle executed the perfect swaddling technique within a few minutes August had always squirmed his little hands up to his ears.
Next in line were their five-year-old twins. Marlow, cuddled close to his little brother and hunkered in the down comforter, no doubt from fear of the storm. Her tenderhearted boy. And finally, braving the outside edge was her dare devil of a son Wesley, laying face down, arms and legs askew, taking up the most room on what was usually her side of the bed. His twisted stripped pajama shirt was a testament to how he moves nonstop, even in sleep. Kate smiled tenderly as she meandered over to Castles side of the bed to kneel next to the bed at Castle's back. She slid her arm down her husband's strong bicep and curled it around his chest, taking one more peek and her family before disturbing it.
The peaceful sound of little breaths huffing and mumbling in sleep, thick and long eyelashes flickering with the excitement of their dreaming. It painted the perfect illusion of serenity, but Kate knew that in about 6 hours her boys would be going non-stop, crawling all over her, playing rambunctiously, fueled by their father's adventurous games of make believe and magic.
When she found out she was pregnant the first time, she was excited and thrilled to be making a family with Rick; when she found out she was having twins, she was terrified-worried there wouldn't be enough of her to go around.
When Castle shyly theorized that the reason she was exhausted, moody, and had sore breasts was because she might be pregnant again, Kate was simply overwhelmed and in denial. Having two 18-month olds and finding out you're pregnant was shamefully one of the worst moments of her life. But now, with this image before her and the secret knowledge she had yet to tell Castle about, she was simply happy.
As crazy and exhausting as it was, she absolutely loved it, loved being a mother. Never once had she believed she could ever have joy and love and contentment overflowing from her heart, not since her mother's death. But here she was, getting to love these beautiful children she helped create and being loved by a fun, faithful, gorgeous husband. On that thought, Kate nuzzled closer to Castle's ear, whispering into its shell.
"Castle, wake up. Your Misses is home."
Castle mumbled quietly and slowly emerged from sleep, blinking lazy, sexy eyes open and turning his shoulder slightly to see his wife hovering above him.
"Kate? What are you doing here?" He asked ineloquently, but she simply leaned in and gave him a soft, tender kiss on his lips. Castle hummed and wrapped his one free arm around her shoulders, attempting to pull her up on top of him but she resisted.
"Mhmm" Kate hummed as she broke the kiss, smiling at the drugged look on Castle's face and tracing light circles on his chest. "Missed that," she added with a smirk.
"Well c'mere and get a little more then." Castle sleepily whispered as another lick of lightening brightened the room, illuminating the beautiful features of her family for a split second.
Inspiration struck.
"Nope, you come here. Come with me Castle," Kate said mischievously, beginning to get a second wind of energy as mild arousal simmered in her bones.
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