Thanks Sarah for all your help. This is my first Castle fan Fic so please let me know what you think. I don't own Castle in anyway, shape or form.
Today was an important moment in any woman's life. Today is a day every woman looks
forward to. Today is Kate Beckett's one year wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, today is also a workday and she has too much paperwork to finish before she can leave.
Kate could hear whispers coming from behind her. She snorted to herself at the thought of Esposito and Ryan scheming together. They're planning something. I just know it.
The whispers got louder and suddenly came to an abrupt stop. Esposito walked up to Kate's desk, not looking happy at all.
"Hey, boss can I talk to you for a second?"
"Right now?"
"Yeah."
Kate put her pen down and prepared for the worse. Looking up at Esposito, she could tell that he was uncomfortable. But, seeing as he was interrupting her, she wouldn't make this easy on him.
"This better be important." she spat. "I'm trying to finish this paperwork so I can get home. You do remember what today is, right?"
Esposito looked helplessly toward Ryan, who smirked. "Well, that's actually it. See, we know your husband, and we know that he'll kill us if we let you stay here any longer. Seeing as I lost the bet," this time he glared at Ryan, "I would be begrudgingly happy to finish your paperwork so you can get home."
Kate smiled, "So you're not just wasting my time." It wasn't a question, it was a fact. "Okay Esposito, usually, I would turn down your offer," Kate switched off her monitor, "but I'm only going to get one of these in my life," she opened her bottom drawer and took out her purse, "so thanks, and I'm leaving!"
Kate grabbed her coat on the way to the elevator, easily slipping her arms into place. Pressing the elevator's call button, she looked over her shoulder.
"Oh! And Ryan?"
Ryan's head popped up from his desk. "Yeah boss."
"Since there's just so much paperwork you need to stay and help Esposito." The elevator arrived and she stepped inside.
"But… no… bet.. He lost?" Ryan stammered for an excuse.
"Sorry Ryan. That's a direct order." With that the elevator doors closed, leaving Esposito laughing and Ryan hanging his head in sorrow.
***
Kate arrived at her car within moments and started the engine. She backed out of her parking spot and moved towards the parking structure exit. Before she could complete her exit, her cell phone rang. The caller ID flashed her home number.
"I know, I know, I'm on my way home right now. Give me ten minutes."
"Good, because Brayden was getting worried that Mommy didn't love Daddy anymore and that she was running out on us." Her husband said sarcastically into the phone.
"Castle! What have I told you about filling our son's head with lies?" Kate rolled her eyes even though no one could see her.
She could hear a baby's laughter and what sounded like her husband blowing raspberries onto their son's tummy. "C'mon Kate," more raspberry noises and laughter were heard, "you know he doesn't really think that. We both know Mommy loves us very much."
"Yes she does." She smiled. "Okay Rick, I'm going now, be there soon." With that she hung up and continued to drive home.
***
Running into the loft she threw up jacket and purse onto the table.
"I'm home," she called out passing Rick playing with Brayden in the living room. "I need to shower and change and we can go!" Rick smirked at her as she ran up the stairs and into their bedroom "Love you both." She yelled loud enough so Rick could hear her.
Knowing Rick he was going to take her somewhere fancy, which meant looking her best for all the photographers. It was still difficult for Kate to understand why the public would want to see her picture in all the magazines, but it was something that happened often. Even more so now that she and Rick were married.
Finishing her shower she stood in front of the mirror and picked up her hairbrush. Pulling the brush through her strands she reflected on the past year. Finally allowing Rick into her heart was the best decision she ever made. It didn't happen overnight but slowly their relationship went from Beckett and Castle to Kate and Rick and she never looked back. Kate smiled and finished styling her hair.
Wearing just a towel she walked back into the bedroom and noticed Brayden was in his playpen with his favorite stuffed animal, Funny Bunny. Always giggling, she thought to herself. Kate looked around the room but didn't see Rick anywhere. She walked up to the playpen and picked her laughing son up.
"Now where has your daddy gone off to?" she cooed to Brayden.
Suddenly Rick walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around both Kate and the baby.
Dropping a kiss onto her naked shoulder he whispered to her, "We can always stay here."
Kate rolled her eyes and spoke to her son, "Tell daddy that good things come to those that wait."
"Come on Bray, my plan isn't going to work." Rick let go of Kate and reached for his son. "Let's let mommy get ready. We'll be waiting for you downstairs." Rick was already dressed and knew that his wife would need a little more time. Thankfully Brayden was always ready to go.
Kate shook her head and walked back into the bathroom to finish getting ready. Applying make-up to her face Kate marveled at being a mother. It wasn't long after the wedding that she and Rick found out they were expecting. To say they were happy would be an understatement. Everyday with Rick and Brayden was a surprise. Kate had loved watching Rick with Alexis, but she was fully functioning person now, seeing him with Brayden warmed her heart.
Make-up finished Kate hung her towel up and strutted over to the walk-in closet. She would never refer to her naked walking as strutting, but it was something that Rick once said when their personal relationship started and the memory made her smile. Hanging in the closet was a black garment bag with "Barneys" printed in big bold white lettering. He didn't, she said to herself zipping the bag open. She gasped, he did. There, hanging in the bag, was the most beautiful black cocktail dress Kate had ever seen. It was something she admired once while out on a family shopping trip. Kate was giddy with excitement as she picked the perfect bra and panty set to go with the outfit. Slipping the dress on she admired herself in the long mirror.
Matching jewelry and shoes chosen Kate made her way back downstairs. "Okay, I'm read-" She froze at the bottom step when she saw the two dozen red roses sitting on the coffee table.
Carrying their son with him, Rick walked from the kitchen over to the roses. "Aw, yes," he said, "the roses. One of them is from the kids, and the other, more extravagant looking one is from me."
"Thank you Bray." She cooed as she kissed the baby. "Mommy loves them." She pulled back from Brayden and leaned into Rick. Their lips were barely brushing when she spoke. "And you… Stop trying to make yourself look better then the kids." She pulled back and reached for the card attached to the kid's present. She opened the card and read to herself:
Kate/Mommy,
Happy Anniversary. Thanks for putting up with dad.
We love you,
Alexis and Brayden
Placing the card back with the flowers she moved onto the bouquet from her husband. Again, she read the card to herself:
My Dearest Kate,
One year today, you made me the happiest man alive when you said I do. You made me even happier when you told me you were pregnant. I love you more and more everyday. I'm looking forward to all the years to come.
Love,
Rick
Closing her eyes, she tried not to cry and ruin her make-up.
"I mean every word of that." Rick said while placing Brayden in his highchair.
She walked over and pulled her husband into a long, slow, passion fueled kiss. Brayden started to fuss and the magic of the kiss was gone. Pulled apart the parents chuckled at the baby.
"Sorry buddy but you better get used to us kissing." Rick said picking up his son again. "Alright, Kate, if you'll grab the diaper bag we'll be off."
***
"Are you sure she is a good babysitter?" Kate asked. It was obvious that she was nervous about leaving her son with someone she had never met before.
"Kate, Mrs. Sanders is an excellent babysitter. She would watch Alexis for me when I couldn't." Rick took his wife's hand. "He is going to be fine."
"Sorry," she half-smiled, "I just have a bad feeling about leaving him. I guess all moms get this feeling." She looked out the window, trying to calm her nerves.
"I understand completely. This is the first time you have left him with anybody but close friends or family. Of course your going to be nervous." She turned her head back towards Rick. "But this is something that is good for you, and good for Brayden. He needs to get out and see the world, while he's still young."
Kate scoffed at her husband, "Castle! He's not even a year old." She pulled her hand away and turned to watch her child in the backseat. "He's already growing up too fast."
"Okay, okay. Maybe he doesn't need to see the world, but he does need to start sharing you with me, and in order to do that, we need a babysitter who we pay." Rick caught his wife's eye and laughed. She laughed back, happy to know that even after a year this was still the same man she married.
***
Dropping Brayden off with Mrs. Sanders was actually easier then Kate thought it would be. She was a very sweet, older lady with graying hair. They were able to spend some time speaking with her and when Mrs. Sanders showed off the fact that her apartment was baby-proofed Kate felt much more comfortable. Kissing her son good-bye, Rick placed his hand on the small of his wife's back and guided her to the car. Thankfully, there were no tears.
The drive to the restaurant was quiet, but quick. It was a small, romantic Italian place that Rick had taken Kate to on their first "official" date. Luckily, there were only a few photographers waiting outside who were able to snag a picture of the couple while their car was valet parked. "A lot less then usual." Rick murmured in his wife's ear.
He spoke quickly with the maitre d' and they were escorted to a private table towards the back of the restaurant. Rick insisted on pulling out his wife's chair for her. She smiled in appreciation as the maitre d' handed her the menu. Their waiter came over within minutes and their order was placed.
"So Honey, how was your day?" Rick asked with a smirk.
Kate rolled her eyes. "Well dear, it was pretty quiet actually. Just a ton of paperwork. You would have hated it."
"I still miss following you around all day."
"Hey, you got me pregnant and paid the price." She said with a shy smile. "It's not my fault the mayor said it was bad press to let you continue shadowing me."
"I know, I know." He chuckled. "All I'm saying is I wasn't the only on involved with making Brayden. It was a joint effort, oh wife of mine."
"This I know." Kate's smiled softened. "It's still so surreal. You. Me. Us. Married. Brayden. All of it seems like it's happened to someone else. If you would have told me two years ago that I'd be married to you, with kids, I would have laughed. Or shot you."
"Ah, but you can't prevent the inevitable from happening. You and I were inevitable." He took her hand in his from across the table. "I'm just happy you finally gave in and agreed to a date."
Kate smiled lovingly at her husband. "Well, I really had no choice. I didn't want a causal relationship with you, and we had already crossed "that" line." He laughed. "What it comes down to is that I love you. As annoying and as frustrating as you were and are, I wouldn't change a thing."
"Awww… And as demanding and controlling as you are I love you." With that Rick reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. "So the first anniversary is the paper anniversary and since you have all my books," he handed Kate the envelope, "I decided to get you this."
Looking in the envelope Kate gasped. "Hawaii?"
"Yes, Hawaii. One whole week of basking in the sunshine. Just you, me," he paused, making his wife squirm, "and of course Alexis and Brayden." Kate blew out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "I rented us a nice, big beach house. Of course, we'll have to wait until Alexis finishes her finals."
"But her last final is on Tuesday."
"Yes, I know." He smirked again. "So that gives us just enough time to pack and get ready to jet off into the sun. And don't worry about work. The Captain has already been informed that you'll be taking a small vacation and he's glad to be rid of you."
"What have I told you about arranging time off for me without my knowledge?"
"That you love it and wish I would do it more often?"
Kate shook her head with laughter. "Alright writer boy, since I do love my gift, I'll let you have a warning this time, but next time, you're in for a world of hurt." Rick raised his eyebrows in a hopeful manner. "And not a good kind of hurt." His eyebrows lowered.
"Seeing as this is the paper anniversary does that mean you're going to officially change your name to Mrs. Castle?" This was something Rick had been asking for since even before they were married.
"Rick, I've already explained why I don't want to change my last name, but I will still let you call me Mrs. Castle in bed."
"I guess I can live with that." He smiled.
"I do have gifts for you. Both, however, are at home." Neither gifts were things she wanted to give to her husband in public.
"I hope one of them is for you to wear." He said with his cocky grin.
"Maybe." She said biting her lip. "Maybe not?"
***
Dinner arrived and was delicious for everyone. Kate tried Fettuccine Alfredo while Rick got the Chicken Parmesan. They spent the entire meal sharing food and sharing stories. It was like their first date, only better. Kate had once told Rick that she was a "one and done" type of gal when it came to marriage. She was glad that she found her one in someone she actually enjoyed spending time with.
When the food plates were cleared the conversation started to lull and Rick noticed his wife was desperately trying to keep her eyes open. "Kate," he said, "I know it's been such a long day for you. Why don't we get some dessert to go, pick up Bray, and head home. We'll put him down for the night, crawl into something comfy, and eat tiramisu in bed."
Kate's eyebrows shot up in confusion. "What about your anniversary presents?"
"I'm sure I'll want them just as much tomorrow." He smiled softly.
"Thank you Rick."
The waiter came with the check and Rick paid. A generous tip was left for the waiter as well. The couple waited outside for the valet to bring their car around. Thankfully all but one of the photographers had left. He politely asked for a picture and the couple complied.
Once inside the car Rick drove towards Mrs. Sanders apartment. Turning the corner onto her street both parents stared in shock as there were police cars surrounding the building.
"Rick, I have a really bad feeling about this." Kate said as she grabbed on to his arm.
"Me too." Rick parked the car as close as he could.
They walked into the building, Kate was on extra alert looking around. An uniformed officer stopped them before they were able to get to the elevator.
"What apartment are going too?" He asked sternly.
"517." Rick responded.
"I'm sorry but it's a crime scene you can't go up there."
"A crime scene? Oh God." Kate reach into her purse and pulled out her badge. "I'm Detective Kate Beckett." She said, showing her badge to the officer. "He's shadowing me." she gestured towards Rick with her head. "We need to be up there right now."
The officer stepped aside, giving them full access to the elevator. Kate pushed the button for the fifth floor and waited for the doors to close. She turned to her husband who wore the same scared face she knew she must have. No words were spoken as the couple silently communicated with their eyes. The elevator chimed and its doors opened. Both parents ran down the hallway. Esposito and Ryan were talking to a lady outside of apartment 517.
"What are you guy's doing here?" Esposito asked.
"We were coming to pick up Brayden. Is he alright?" Rick countered.
"Damn." Esposito turned to his partner, "Ryan call the Captain and tell him to get down here right away."
"Esposito you have five seconds to tell me what the hell is going on here." Kate looked at him with tears in her eyes.
Esposito looked down at his feet, sighed, and looked back at his boss. "A women in her mid-sixties was shot. Lanie's in there right now."
Kate and Rick looked at each other, fearful of the answer to their next question. Rick took a deep breath and asked. "Where is Brayden?"
A/N: PLease Review