A/N I am sorry that this chapter has taken so long. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the reviews :)

" Does this count as strenuous activity ? because the paramedic told me not to do that with my arm."

I can't help but laugh as he reaches down for one more gently kiss before leading me to the couch. His sits down and pulls me down with him on to his lap.

" Your amazing do you know that Kate."

"Your not bad yourself Rick."

With your heart out on your sleeve

You leave me breathless.

It is one AM and I am just returning from a fabulous fundraiser. I am not sure whether my son will be in bed at this hour or if he will be up writing a chapter for the next Nikki Heat book. Which ever way I will soon find out, I turn my key in the lock and push the front door open slowly and quietly, I don't want to disturb him. I feel like a teenager who has missed the curfew deadline. I place my bag on the side table just inside the door, hang up my coat and quietly click the door shut before locking it. I remove my heels as they will make a loud noise on the laminate wood flooring. I head towards the kitchen to grab a glass of water to help stave off the hangover that I know will greet me in the morning. I am getting to old to drink that much but you know it was a party. As I pass the sofa I notice there is someone laying across it, wait scratch that there are two people laying across it. I creep closer for a better look, I wonder who this girl Richard has bought home is. Although at the same time I am surprised, since breaking up with Gina and working with that lovely detective Kate Beckett, Richard has not been out with or bought back anyone. As I get closer a smile adorns my face, my son is laying on his back and laying on top of him with her head resting on his chest is the one and only Kate Beckett. Richard has his arm draped over her unconsciously holding her closer to him. My heart swells at the sight, I am so happy for them if this is what I think it is. I hope that they have both finally realised what is in front of them, their love for each other even a blind man could see. I notice that Kate has a small cut and bruise on her forehead, I wonder what they have got up today at work. I will ask them about it in the morning but for now I don't want to be caught watching them. I don't want Kate to feel awkward having Richard's mother staring at her while she sleeps. Although she already feels like one of the family like the daughter I never had but now do. I go to the cupboard by the stairs and take out a blanket. I go back and gently place it over them both, I don't want them to get cold. I return to the kitchen and grab my self a glass of water and head up the stairs to my room. As I reach the top step I hear Kate murmur Richard's name in her sleep before she shifts her position slightly and falls back into a deep slumber.

8 AM …...

I am woken by the sound of the front door closing. I feel disorientated, I remember coming to Castle's place yesterday and declaring my love for him. I slowly open my eyes to adjust to the sunlight that I can feel hitting my face. I shift slightly and realise that there is someone beneath me and I have a feeling I know who it is. Opening my eyes fully I find myself looking at the crevice of Rick's neck. I lift my head up a tiny bit and look around, we are in Rick's living room still. We must of fallen asleep on the couch while watching that movie we put on. I stretch my arm out and it comes against something soft and quite thick. I look down to see that someone has placed a blanket over us during the night. That means either Martha or Alexis is at home, I would have been worried about this before but it now brings me a sense of comfort. I look at Castle and see that he is still fast asleep, his mouth agape a fraction and he is dribbling on the couch. I chuckle to myself he looks quite cute like this.

My question before in regards to who is at home is soon answered, as Alexis comes down the corridor towards us. I push myself up to a sitting position and gently shake Rick's shoulder to wake him. This doesn't seem to have any effect so a place a small kiss on his lips, this does have the desired effect and he opens his eyes.

"I could get used to waking up like that every morning."

He tells me. I just give him a small smirk followed by my famous lip bite. This seems to turn him on slightly as he sits up and leans in for a longer kiss which I gladly return. However Alexis has made it into the living room at this point…

"Dad seriously could you of not both slept in your room and what is this one's name?"

It appears she has not recognized me from the back so I separate from Rick and turn towards her and say…

"Detective Beckett."

She suddenly realises her mistake and blushes.

"Sorry Kate I didn't know."

"Hey don't worry Lexi"

Before I know it she is embracing me in a big hug which I return. Castle can be heard chuckling next to me. She lets go and I push up to stand.

"I am so happy for the both of you Dad and Kate. When did this happen?"

Castle is soon standing next to me and has his good arm wrapped around my shoulders.

"Last night Alexis. I thought you weren't back until tonight?"

"I came back early because I have to study for a big exam tomorrow."

She smiles at us before heading off towards the kitchen.

"Why is my child so sensible Kate?"

"No idea Rick she certainly doesn't get it from you."

He feigns upset at this comment so I kiss him again.

"Shall we get breakfast Detective Beckett?"

"Well what a good idea Mr castle."

He steers me towards the kitchen his arm never leaving my shoulder's if anything he draws me closer.

Alexis POV

I take a seat at the breakfast bar and I am soon joined by Kate who takes the stool next to me. Dad and Grams start raiding the fridge for ingredients for breakfast. It is now that I notice the large bruise and cut on Kate's forehead I wonder how it has happened. Before I have the chance to ask I hear a loud bang followed by my Dad swearing. I look down to see the frying pan now laying on the floor and Dad is standing in front of the cooker clutching his right arm. I can see pain etched all over his face and he is holding back the tears. Kate is at his side in a second making him remove his long sleeved shirt. That is when me and Gram's notice the large bandage at the top of Dad's arm. Kate tenderly runs her hand over the bandage, I presume looking for any signs of fresh blood. She then places a soft kiss above and below the bandage before kissing Dad on the lips.

"Castle, the paramedic told you to be careful with that arm for a couple of weeks."

" I know Beckett but I wanted to make everyone a nice breakfast."

"Richard dear what have you done?, and what happened yesterday?"

Dad looks at Kate then turns around to face Grams. I can still see the pain in his eyes, Kate grabs his hand and holds it in hers for support.

"I didn't want you and Alexis to worry about me so I didn't call either of you I'm sorry don't be mad at me but I got shot yesterday."

Grams gasps and I can't quite believe what I am hearing. I walk around the bar and stand in front of Dad.

"What do you mean you got shot?"

He glances at Kate and she nods her head so he starts the story.

"Beckett and myself went to arrest a suspect yesterday and he attacked Kate and took her hostage."

Well that explained the reason that Kate had a bruised and cut forehead. I waited for him to continue.

"I heard her scream so I went in the room and the guy had her pinned to the floor by her wrist, I couldn't have him hurting her so I distracted him. It worked for a while, Beckett was able to stand up and shoot him but not before his bullet grazed my arm."

I pulled Dad into a big hug, I couldn't believe he had gone and done that but on the other hand I was proud that he had saved Kate. I looked over Dad's shoulder and saw Kate crying, she must have noticed me because she turned to walk off.

"Kate where are you going?"

"I am sorry for putting your dad in that kind of danger. I shouldn't be here this is a time for family and I am intruding. I'll leave you all to it, let me just grab my jacket and shoes."

I released Dad and went and stood in front of Kate. She had stopped walking but was staring down at the floor.

"Kate look at me please."

She slowly lifted her head and I could see the tears running down her cheeks. My heart broke she looked so fragile like she would snap at anytime. I took a step forward and wrapped my arms around her waist. I was not sure if I was overstepping the mark.

"Kate you are like family to me, Dad and Grams, you are like the big sister I never had and like the mother that I always wanted. Yer I am annoyed that Dad put himself in danger but at the same time I am glad that he did because he saved you. I am happy that you are both okay."

It took a couple of minutes but I eventually felt her arms in case my shoulders and her head drop on to the top of mine.

" Thank you that is really sweet Lexi."

"Your welcome now come sit back down for breakfast."

"You sound like your Dad he tries to boss me about to make me eat."

She let me go and went to sit back at the breakfast bar were Gram's and Dad had finished breakfast and had laid it all out. They had made sweet pancakes and a selection of cut fresh fruit, it looked delicious.

"So what are your plans for today Dad"

He glanced over at Kate with questioning eyes and she just shrugged so he looked back at me.

"Not to sure Alexis we had a rough and exhausting day yesterday and the captain has given a few days off so we might just stay in and chill. Maybe watch a few movies if that is okay with Kate?"

He glanced back over at Kate and this time she answered.

"Yes sounds good to me Rick, I'm looking forward to a day of just relaxing. The only problem is I don't have a change of clothes with me, so I'll have to pop back to mine."

She looked like she didn't really want to leave but it was a case of having to. Then Gram's joined in the conversation, she had a smirk on her face this would be interesting.

"Don't worry about that darling, I'm sure Alexis has a shirt that will fit you and you can borrow some of my son's sweats."

Kate looked stuck for words so I jumped down from my stool and took her uninjured hand. We had both finished our breakfasts so I pulled her hand slightly.

"Come on lets go find you a top while dad get you a pair of his sweats."

She appeared still stuck for words but followed me up the stairs anyway.

…...

I watch my daughter take Kate upstairs and I can't help feeling a little lost. We have just spent twenty four hours together and this is the first time we have really been apart well expect for that stupid fight we had last night. In a way I'm kind of glad that fight happened as it let both our feeling for one another come to the surface. I realise that I have been staring at the stairs for about five minutes pining for Kate because my mother puts a hand on my shoulder and says,

"She will be back in a second son. By the way Richard I am very happy for the both of you. Now you better go get them sweats and a pair of clean boxers for her to wear."

I stand up and pull her into a hug.

"What's this for Richard?"

"You're a amazing woman mother."

I let her go, give her a light kiss on the cheek and head down the hall into my bedroom.

A/N i will write more soon i have loads of ideas for this story :D P.S i love it when you review