With Alexis asleep Kate could resume her playful flirtation with her husband. This time with the intention of following through. She adored his man-child attributes, in particular the pride he displayed when allowing his nerd flag to fly high. A prime example of this was the green lantern logo adorning his pajama shirt. Though she wouldn't often admit it, Kate too had a flare for the comic book universe. She fancied herself more the closet nerd by revealing her interests on rare occasion.

"Hey you." She hummed in a sultry tone, approaching Castle from being and wrapping her slender arms around his broad chest.

"Is it me or did it get a lot hotter in here?" He mused with sarcasm.

"Mmmm… I don't know. You're pretty hot."

"Ha! You think I'm hot – you should see my wife! In the dictionary, next to the definition of hot is a picture of her." Kate just giggled at her husband's cheesy compliment. "Then again, her picture is also next to sexy. Gorgeous. Beautiful – pretty much any attractive characteristic a person could have, physical or otherwise." He declared with a smile.

"Enough, writer boy." Kate said turning Castle to face her. "Have I ever told you how lucky I am to be your wife?" She couldn't resist smiling as she kissed him with conviction.

"Go on."

"Rick, you are the essence woven into each moment of poignant significance in my life. I always have and forever will love you. Always."

"Whoa, I thought I was the writer here!" He teased.

"I guess all this time with you is starting to show." She nudged him in banter.

"I love you too, Kate. Always. Since the day we met it felt as though I took my first breath and my life finally began."

They stood absorbing the adoration containing within each other's eyes until Kate finally interrupted. "As much as I could stare into those beautiful blues of yours all night, I had something else in mind." She uttered, taking him by the hand and guiding him to the bed. She would show him just how profound her love for him was.

Later into the night the couple had drifted, ensconced in the warmth of one another's embrace. Kate jostled awake, startled by a voice inches from her face. "Mommy, I don't feel good."

Kate willed her consciousness to return, though her head was still a bit clouded. "Alexis, baby?" She reached out for her daughter. "What's wrong? Are you feeling sick?"

"Yes, my tummy hurts."

"Do you feel like you're going to throw up?"

"Mmmhmm."

Kate pulled her tired body out of bed and escorted Alexis to the bathroom. She held back the girl's red hair as her tiny face hovered over the porcelain bowl. Once Alexis' stomach was empty of any contents she notified Kate that she wanted to return to her bed. Kate pulled her into her arms and carried her to her bed.

"Slide over, bug." Kate motioned, joining her daughter in her bed. She pulled Alexis close to her and began to run her fingers through her red hair.

"Stay with me, mommy." Alexis begged through a yawn.

"Always." Kate smiled drawing Alexis closer with gentle coercion.

When Castle awoke the next morning he rolled to Kate's side hoping to bask in her warmth. When he reached out to find her side of the bed cold and empty his eyes opened. It was a Saturday so he knew that she didn't need to be to work. He reached for his phone on the nightstand to check the time. '7:30 – She's usually not up by now either.' He thought to himself.

His first instinct was to check their daughter's room. Upon peering in he was overcome with emotion at the scene before him. Kate enjoying her peaceful slumber with their daughter cuddled up against her. Her head resting on Kate's chest. There they were, his two girls. His. He felt so blessed to have such remarkable women in his life. As he turned to leave them to their dreams he heard Alexis stir.

"Daddy?" She inquired still in a semiconscious haze. His eyes darted to Kate, hoping that Alexis didn't wake her. No such luck, her eyes unfurled and she looked around, a smile spread across her face at the sight of him.

"Good morning, babe."

"Hello, my beautiful girls!" He declared. "Care to maximize on this cuddling session and move it to the master bedroom?"

"Yes!" Alexis said running to Castle and jumping into his arms.