Thanks to bones12castle on Tumblr for the idea! I hope you enjoy. Reviews are always welcomed :3

"Mrs. Castle, over here!"

Flash, flash, flash.

"Mrs. Castle, a moment please."

Flash.

"Mrs. Castle-"

Kate groaned, knowing that eventually she would have to answer them. They wouldn't go away until she did. Adjusting the shades on her face, she turned towards the small crowd of paparazzi that was waiting. Letting the smile slip onto her like a mask, she focused on the woman closest to her.

Flash, flash.

"Mrs. Castle, what brings you out today?"

Reminding herself to be polite, Kate held up the few grocery bags that she had in hand. "Just needed a few things from the store."

A camera went off to her right, her eyes quickly adjusting to the bright flash that burned into her cornea. She knew that at least one of the people standing in front of her were recording, the others preferring to write down everything she said and use pictures to capture the moment.

"Tell us, Mrs. Castle, how is Johanna?"

The protective side of her came out now, her walls quickly rebuilding themselves up as she started to step backwards. The doormen of the building was already opening the door, prepared to force the paparazzi off as he had many times before.

"She's fine but I really must go now."

Giving them one more smile she turned and quickly rushed into the building, hearing their calls as she eagerly jumped into the elevator waiting for her. Even after three years she couldn't stand the vultures that wanted to pick apart every moment of her and Rick's life. She had expected it to get easier over the years, and in some ways it had, but not in the ways she had hoped. Instead of growing a neutral feeling for them, she had learned how to avoid them and hide who she was. It helped when she was having a particularly bad day.

As the elevator climbed to her floor, she let herself relax. No one would be waiting to surprise her from here on, the building very good with security. In the past two years that she had been living there, she had learned to trust her neighbors and the people who worked there. When the ding announced her arrival, she stepped back and quickly walked over to the door. Unlocking it, she walked inside and dumped her keys and purse on the coffee table.

It was quiet. Way too quiet. Her eyes quickly searched the loft, her mind quickly piecing together where everyone could be. Martha wouldn't be there - it being the middle of the day - she would be teaching a class, Alexis would be home much later as she was more than likely stuck in class as well, but Rick..

She quickly put down the grocery bags in on the kitchen counter, her long legs carrying her over to the stairs and up. Heading down the hallway, she heard a voice followed by giggles coming from the master bedroom.

"Who is daddy's little princess?" His voice was soft and full of love, completely caught up in the moment.

Her heart was filling with warmth, her emotions assaulting her in the way only that they could when it came to her family. Quietly coming to the door, she leaned against the frame and watched as Rick held their daughter above his head as he laid on his back. The small infant was giggling, her little feet kicking non-stop as she blew bubbles through her lips. Pulling her lip between her teeth, Kate watched as a nice gob of slobber fell onto Rick's face.

"Aw, Jo!" He made a squeaky noise as he sat up quickly, attempting to stop the slobber from finding its way to his mouth. Wiping at it with his free hand, he held the baby close to his side as his eyes found Kate - her laughter giving away her hiding spot.

"When did you get here?" He turned slightly, bouncing their daughter carefully on his knee.

"Not too long ago," she answered softly, making her way over to the bed, sitting down next to him. She reached out, letting Jo wrap her fingers around her own. "Paparazzi attacked downstairs."

He made a face, knowing how much she hated that. "Sorry, I could've went."

She shook her head, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "It's alright, it seems I have to live with it."

He grinned, nodding. "Marrying me kind of means that, you're right."

"I probably shouldn't have done that," she said slyly, glancing at him through her eyelashes.

"Probably not," he murmured, sneaking a quick kiss.

Jo decided at this moment to giggle loudly, tugging on her mother's finger, bringing them out of their moment. With a smile, Kate gently took her from Rick's grasp.

"I don't think Alexis would approve of you giving away her title of Daddy's Princess."

Rick smiled, touching Jo's nose gently with his finger.

"I don't think she'll mind too much. She seems rather okay with sharing me," his eyes were focused on their daughter but quickly moved to her.

Her cheeks were flushing as she leaned against his shoulders, staring down at their daughter.

"I love you, Rick," she whispered.

He kissed the top of her head as his arm snuck around her and pulled her closer, his hand rubbing small circles into her skin. She was never one for broadcasting her emotions, something he knew from day one and experienced every day. Moments like these weren't rare but they weren't frequent either so he took and cherished them when they did happen.

"I love you too, Katie."

A loud squeal came from their daughter, Rick laughing loudly as he leaned forward rubbing noses with the young girl who looked just like her mother.

"We love you too, Johanna Marie."

Rick's laughter and Jo's blubbering comforted Kate as she rested against her husband, staring down at the life they had created together. She knew that this - what she was feeling and how they made her feel everyday - was worth dealing with paparazzi everyday, even if she wanted nothing more than to shoot them all.