Sanity Is Overrated (Especially At Christmas)
A.N.: For Beth (caskettlover101) on tumblr., for being my 100th follower. Also submitted to the "Castle Fan Project" Christmas one-shots project over on facebook.
"Castle."
"Beckett.", he retorts back and she rolls her eyes.
"Rick, you're not buying an Agatha Christie book for a four year old.", she says and Castle puts on his best puppy-dog face as he lifts the book up.
"But it's Agatha Christie.", he stretches out the name. When he sees it's not working, he adds, "She'll learn French?"
She arches an eyebrow.
He takes in a breath and puts the book down, "Okay, then.", he says and goes down the aisle, "James Patterson?", he asks hopefully.
"No."
She tried to keep him out of the family games section. Really, she did, but Castle seems to have the nose for mystery as he roams through every game on the shelf until he finds 'Cluedo'.
He rases the game, his eyes filled with joy and hope as he looks over at Kate.
She sighs, "Castle-"
Before she can say anyrhing else he puts the game in the cart and continues going through the store. She rolls her eyes and follows him.
"You're costing me my sanity."
He turn around and kisses her softly, "Sanity is overrated, dear.", he says, smiling, "Especially at Christmas."
(She lets him buy the game.)
"I know!", he yells out as they're picking out a Christmas tree, "I'll buy h-"
"You're not buying our daughter a pony, Castle.", she says, not looking away from the trees.
"You know me too well.", he sighs and continues picking a tree, "How about this one?", he asks and she looks at it. The noise of Christmas ornaments breaking fills her ears and she knows they got the right one.
"Perfect.", she smiles and he grabs her hand as they walk to the salesman.
"Speaking of trees,", he starts, "that one kind of looks like a pony."
He never really gives up about anything.
"I admire you.", Kate says as she and Alexis are wrapping up gifts.
Alexis chuckles, "Why?"
Kate pick Johanna up in her lap, "After all these years of Christmas shopping with Rick, you're still pretty sane."
A laugh escapes Alexis' lips, "I have nerves of steel. I think I got them from dad, though."
Kate smiles as Johanna gets tangled in wrapping paper, "Oh, the irony."
(He still buys her a pony.)