A/N: This is just a collection of one-shot ficlets that I've previously posted to Tumblr. I just wanted to house them on this site as well for my own organization. They're all fairly short and have not been beta-ed.

(Cover art and title of the collection - provided by Lou because it's random and it made me laugh)

Disclaimer: I do not own Castle or any of its dialogue, but all mistakes are mine.

Bedtime Story

Anon prompt: Kate comes home and finds her son reading to an already asleep Castle.

Looking down at her watch, she groaned when she saw the time, but she was finally done with work.

Case closed.

It was a long and exhausting day at the precinct. These were the days that she missed Castle being there with her. She missed him creating his crazy off-the-wall theories, rubbing the tension from her shoulders when no one was looking, and making her the most amazing lattes. True, she missed her husband's contributions on all cases but long days like these were when his absence was felt the most.

He had a more important job now.

All the lights were on as she walked through the front door to the loft, but not a single person was around. Sure it was nine o'clock at night, but her home was rarely ever quiet.

Not since Liam and Emilie were born. Their twin 5 year olds had filled their house and their hearts with love. Well beyond anything she could have ever wished for.

Castle often times referred to Emilie as mini-Beckett because of how similar she was to Kate.

On a daily basis Emilie could be heard telling Liam what to do and she had even perfected Kate's famous eye roll. If she was so much like her now, they were in for a world of trouble when Emilie was a teenager!

Liam in contrast was nearly a mirror image of his father; definitely a little Castle from the piercing blue eyes down to his mischievous personality. He was always getting into trouble but his adorable little dimpled smile seemed to keep him from being punished on most occasions.

Kicking her heels off, Kate padded through the family room in search of her husband; picking up misplaced toys along the way.

"Castle?" she called out in a hushed tone.

Silence.

Continuing into his office, she noticed the lights were off in their bedroom aside from the small lamp on the nightstand. Her eyes hovered to the bed and she smiled.

There she found Castle curled up with Emilie and Liam on each side of him. She was about to pull out her phone to snap a quick picture of the family snuggle when she realized that one of her family members was still wide awake.

Liam.

Of course.

The boy never seemed to get tired and by the soft snore that fell from her husband's lips; he obviously had worn Castle out. Moving further into the doorway, she was about to scold him for being awake when she heard him talking.

Oh. Not talking. He was reading.

"Goodnight stars. Goodnight air. Goodnight noises everywhere," Liam read, turning the pages as he went.

Closing the book, he set it down and leaned over to kiss Castle and Emilie on the cheeks. "Goodnight Daddy. Goodnight Emmy."

Her heart nearly melted at the sight of her son reading his favorite book to his sleeping family. Sure she knew both of her children were excellent readers for their age, but it never ceased to amaze her when she witnessed it.

The floor creaked below her feet as she reached the side of the bed causing Liam's head to whip up.

"Mommy!" he whispered with a smile on his face, jumping into her arms for a kiss.

"Hey Buddy," she greeted, brushing his hair out of his eyes. "Did you have a good day with Daddy?"

"Yep, but he was tired after we built a fort today so he said we could all cuddle in bed. Em fell asleep before Daddy could even finish one book, but I was wide awake," he beamed.

"I see. So when did Daddy fall asleep?" she asked with a laugh.

"After five books Daddy said he was sleepy, so I told him I'd read him a bedtime story."

Liam hugged her tight and cuddled into her arms.

"You seem tired now though," she murmured into his hair.

"Kinda. Want to know a secret?" he asked with a yawn.

"Always."

"I was just staying up to wait for you." He leaned up to kiss her cheek and then was asleep in her arms within a matter of minutes.

Yes, her son was definitely like his father. He had a way with words and a way to her heart.

Thanks for reading!