A/N: I've been feeling extra festive this year and this little idea just wouldn't leave me alone. Hopefully it'll turn out to be a nice little Christmas fic that you guys enjoy. Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Day 12: Dear Santa Claus

"Kate, I don't know how to tell you this, but it's not going to fit."

Kate twists her head and tries to look behind her. "What do you mean it's not going to fit? It fit just fine last time." She wiggles out of his grasp and heads for the full length mirror. Kate turns and inspects the gaping expanse of the back of her dress. She pulls at the fabric, trying to make them meet.

Castle gentles her hands when he gets to her side. She relents with a huff and lets him tug her into his side. "Kate," the awe in his voice makes her go still and forget what she is about to say.

One of his large hand goes to rest against her belly. "Kate, you're showing." She swivels her head to check out her reflection in the mirror. Standing like this, she finally gets a good look at her side profile and sees what Castle sees.

Sure enough, what was once a taut, flat plane now sported a slight curve. Just the tiniest of bumps. Maybe slightly larger than a food baby, but prominent enough to keep her dress from fitting.

"Oh. Oh wow," she breathes, suddenly stunned.

"Kate, you're gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful."

Turning to press her face into his chest, she chokes on a sob, not quite managing to get his name out.

They'd known she's been pregnant a few months now, but every time they discover something new, every appointment they've had, having Castle on this journey with her just intensified all her emotions and everything just felt more.

"I'm going to be fat," she whines instead. She has more than ten thoughts running through her head, most of them happy thoughts, but that was what she vocalised instead. Pregnancy brain is definitely a real thing.

"Hey, that's the mother of my baby you're talking about," Castle chides, pulling back to cradle her face in his hand, "and she will always be the most beautiful woman on earth."

Kate blinks to keep her tears at bay. Damn that man and his words. "Thanks, Castle." She presses a chaste kiss to his lips, just taking a moment to enjoy the peace and quiet. When they finally pull apart she asks, "Wanna help me pick out another dress to wear for dinner? Our guests will be here soon."

Castle nods and start leading her toward their walk in closet. "Speaking of, do you want to share our good news tonight? I'm pretty sure Jenny's guessed by now. It's like she has a magical pregnancy radar or something. Ryan's been beating around the bush with vague questions recently."

"Guess we can't really keep it hidden any longer now that I've started showing, but maybe hold off until after new years? I want to tell the kids and our parents before sharing the news with our friends." Kate steps out of her dress and hangs it up, stroking the sequinned fabric wistfully.

"Tell the kids, Mrs. Castle?" He takes away Kate's sparkly number and hands her another dress.

She smiles at him, all lips and white teeth."Tell our kids, Mr. Castle."

He couldn't resist mirroring her, returning a happy grin of his own. "After dinner?"

She slips the new dress over her head and begins adjusting it with his help. "After dinner."

"Merry Christmas, Kate."

"Merry Christmas Rick."

Dear Santa Claus,

Thank you so much for the lovely presents. I hope you and your elves enjoyed the snacks I laid out this year. Alexis and I baked them just a few days ago so they would still be fresh for you.

Anyway, if I am honest, I must admit I'm quite sad you couldn't get me the doll model I asked for, but Daddy says sometimes the elves can't keep up with all the present demand they have to prepare, and I understand especially since the model I asked for just came out.

Mommy says I'll be getting something even better in a few months - a baby brother or sister! I don't see how a real baby could be better than the doll I asked for (as you know it can learn up to ten words within a week), but I'll be a good girl anyway and hopefully get a nice baby sister to play with.

I hope you have a nice rest. Christmas must be exhausting for you! Send my love to Mrs. Claus and the elves and all the animals at the North Pole.

Love,

Arriana Castle

25th December 2014