Hearts and Surprises
Based on the cover photo to this story, prompted by coffeecup218. Thank you for allowing me to use your picture!
Previously posted on my tumblr.
The recycled cardboard to go cup sits on her desk when she finally makes her way into her office from 1PP, but the man who brought it is nowhere in sight.
That's a bit… disconcerting, given Rick's track record with surprises. The confetti explosion on their first anniversary (though she recognizes the extenuating circumstances of that first year, why he'd felt like he needed to go all out like that), the flower invasion on their second (sweet as it was); she can only imagine what might be coming this time around.
But God help her, whatever it is, no matter how over the top this year's plan might be, Kate wants him here, wants to see his face when it comes together. So she sits, cradling the declaration of her husband's love to her chest, waiting for the next phase of Rick's surprise.
Just a few minutes pass before his head appears around the door frame, the smile on his lips soft, almost bashful.
"Hey," he says, checking the room before he steps in. "Anything good happening so far?"
Kate's lips curl. He's going for nonchalant, playing it cool about what's to come. That's fine; two can play that game.
Her finger curl around the cup again, tracing the heart he'd scribbled on the coffee sleeve beside the four simple letters of his name.
"Oh, just the usual. Boys caught a case early this morning; if you want to pull up a chair and go over it with them, feel free."
His smile deepens. "Yeah? Good one?"
"Castle," she chides, but she gets his point. There's no such thing as a 'good' murder, though some cases are more intriguing than others. "Looks like a regular pop and drop."
"Oh, in that case, nah," he says, flopping onto the couch across from her desk. "I think I'll stay here."
"Lucky for me," she drawls, resting her chin on her hand.
Her husband grins. "Extremely. How often do you get to have such rugged handsomeness in your office?"
"Every day," Kate says, the answer automatic. Distracting as he might be sometimes, she loves having him here to talk to, to bounce ideas off, to be her partner. She knows it's not as exciting for him as it used to be since she only makes the occasional trip out to the field, but she's grateful, so very thankful that he stays.
He always stays. Through some of the worst moments of their lives, he's been right here beside her.
"How is it?" Rick asks, interrupting her thoughts before they have the chance to turn melancholy - more so than they already have. He nods to the coffee when she blinks in question, a smile lifting his cheeks.
Kate thumbs the coffee sleeve again. "Delicious. Exactly what I needed this morning."
He leans forward, dragging his tongue over his lip. "Are you sure you're talking about the coffee? Or about…?"
Her lips twitch. "Both."
"Good," he rumbles, getting to his feet again and sauntering to join her behind her desk. A shiver rolls up her spine as he nears, and she lifts her chin to meet him when he bends at the waist. "Because," Rick adds, his mouth brushing hers for a kiss she would normally never allow in her office, "there's more where that came fr-"
"Yo, Cap'n, we got some…thing."
Rick's head drops, his exhale loud in the quiet office, but they both manage to smile (or at the very least not glare) at Esposito when they give the detective their attention.
"Sorry to interrupt," he says, tapping the folder in his hand, "but you should see this."
Beckett nods, squaring her shoulder and reaching for the file. "Financials?"
Her detective nods. "Vic's sister said he was unemployed, but according to the records his bank turned over, he was getting regular, large payments from some real estate company on the east side."
"Interesting. Maybe not just a simple pop and drop after all," Castle says.
"Looks that way," Espo agrees. "Course it could be that he'd gotten a new gig his sister didn't know about yet."
"No, that's boring," Castle argues, shaking his head. Her husband rubs his hands together. "What do you think he was into?"
Beckett jumps in before a conspiracy theory or ten can tumble from Rick's lips. "That's what we're going to find out. You got an address for the place?" Off Espo's nod, she adds, "Check it out."
"On it, boss." He turns toward the door, stopping short of the threshold. Beckett watches his lips lift, the usual Esposito humor returning to his features. "Ah, carry on with… whatever you were doing when I came in."
"Go," she orders, shooing him out. Beside her, Castle laughs, enjoying the good-natured teasing. "You wanna go with them?" she asks after a beat, slipping her fingers around his wrist to get his attention.
Rick shakes his head, grabbing the chair - his chair - from its spot along the wall and pulling it beside hers. "I'm good."
Kate nods, wondering if this is the part where a string quartet bursts into her office and serenades her, but her husband doesn't have the vibrating anticipation that she's come to expect from the moments before his surprises. Instead, he simply leans across the arm of his chair and cups her cheek, pressing his lips to hers.
"Happy Anniversary, Kate," he whispers against her mouth.
Her fingers sift through his hair, thumb brushing his earlobe. "Happy Anniversary, Babe."
The next coffee he brings her has another handwritten note, the one after that, too. And when they get home and she's greeted by a riotous bundle of fur and paws, there's a handwritten note tied to their new dog's collar.
For Kate,
Love you.
Rick