Chapter 1: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (Castle Style)

Kate sat down on the couch and stared at the living room. She, Alexis, Rick, and Martha had spent the whole day decorating and the finished product was like something straight out of a christmas movie. It was, as Kate saw it, magical.

All along the walls, lights of all different colors shone cheerfully onto the assorted manger scenes, train sets, and sculptures that filled every previously open space. Four empty stockings hung on the mantle, each decorated in sparkly glitter with names and patterns. And set in the middle of it all, covered from floor to tip with lights and ornaments, stood the beautiful fir Christmas tree.

"What do you think? Meets expectations?" Rick asked from behind Kate, reaching his arms out to wrap her up in a hug.

"It's breathtaking." She responded.

Alexis bounced into the room, grinning like a child. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders in messy locks and she was wearing much-too-small reindeer pajamas.

"I...am going to bed now so Santa comes, I suggest you all do the same! Dad, make sure you put out the milk this time. Don't forget like last year!" She gave him an accusatory look then ducked out of the living room and up the stairs. Rick grinned.

"Every Christmas, a little bit of that foot-tall little girl she used to be makes an appearance." He sighed.

Kate nodded and allowed Rick to help her to her feet. She followed him into the bedroom and helped lug armfuls of gifts out next to the tree where Rick began to strategically stack them. His obvious need for everything to be arranged perfectly made her smile. Flat ones on bottom, boxes next, odd shapes and small things on top.

"Can you grab the cotton off my dresser?" He asked, yanking a box out from under something bigger and switching them out.

Kate retreated back to their room and found the huge bag of white fluff. As she lifted it, her eyes trailed to the mirror. For a moment, she stared. This was her third Christmas not working the shift at the precinct. Her third Christmas spent with her husband. And yet, even after all those years, the memories of her mothers death still came back to haunt her once in a while. She couldn't help but think about how much her life, and herself, had changed since that day three years ago. That day she had showed up at his doorstep to tell him that she was ready for something new. The day that Christmas started to mean something more to her than sad memories. And now, this Christmas Eve, her life would change again.

With a heavy sigh, she dropped her gaze and went back out into the living room, dropping the bag in front of her husband.

"So...what's the cotton for?" She asked, helping set out the last few, small gifts. She hadn't helped set up as much last year or the year before, and was now realizing how much work he put into it.

"Santa's beard of course!" He responded, "I mean, a man with THAT much hair couldn't possibly brush by a needly tree without leaving a little bit behind!"

Kate laughed. He could be such a child sometimes. Part of what she loved about him. Rick began to pull pieces off and place them in bits all over the tree.

Minutes later, he stood and took a few steps back to admire his work. Kate had to admit, it was incredible. She had never seen that many gifts under a Christmas tree before. She stood as well and joined him. He put an arm around her waist.

"I love it." She whispered, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"It is magical, isn't it?" He responded, placing a kiss on her head.

"Mhmm...hey, let's go to bed now so Santa doesn't skip this house."

"He removed his hand from her back and took hers in his. They walked through the bright living room and into their room. He shut the door.

"Thanks for your help tonight. It's much more fun with company." Rick said as he climbed in under the covers.

"Yeah. Thank you too. For making my Christmas magical. It really is incredible babe."

He smiled and patted the bed next to him, waiting for her to come lie down.

"Um...before we go to bed...I...uh...I have something for you." Nerves fluttered through her body, but she shoved them away, trying to replace them with excitement. This was it. This was what she'd been anticipating all day.

"An early Christmas present? Kate you know my rules against that!" He said in mock disappointment.

"Yes...but this one's personal. I thought, maybe it would be better to open tonight. When it's just us."

He nodded his understanding as she pulled the small, wrapped package from her sock drawer and climbed into bed next to him, placing it on his lap.

"Let's see...long but small." She could see him thinking.

"Just open it!" She whacked his arm with her hand and he laughed.

"Okay, okay!"

Slowly, careful not to rip the wrapping paper, he pulled away the tape and lifted off the paper. Inside was a white box. Hands shaking, Kate watched him lift the lid and pull away the small layer of cotton covering a small item. A long piece of cheap plastic really, but to them it meant so much more.

Kate took a deep breath, willing her heart to stop thumping so hard, and pursed her lips. Rick stared in slack-jawed silence.

"Kate...hun...you...you're..." he glanced up at her, then down at the contents of the box.

She nodded, trying to read his expression.

"Oh my god!" He broke into a huge grin and wrapped her up in a hug. "Kate that...that's amazing! Incredible! Wow...best gift EVER!"

He dropped the box on the bed and threw his arms around her. She found herself crying as they leaned in and kissed. But now it was tears of happiness, and of relief. He was thrilled. They were going to be parents. She was going to be a mother.