Sorry for the delay, college is like hell with a cherry on top. Reviews really appreciated, good and bad. This is the last chapter building up to the plot (basically the last of the mushy, gushy stuff) It'll still be some of that To answer a few questions, I'll definitely be giving glimpses into their past, that's the good stuff lol. It's a little of that in this one, but it just tells how they got together. That's definitely going to be in here. Reviews are always nice.

Chapter 3

Castle wrapped his arms around his wife, "So are you ready to go home?"

"Chinese please?" She moaned

"I think mother cooked, but if Mrs. Castle wants Chinese then Mrs. Castle gets Chinese," he kissed her cheek and held out his hand for her

"Wait, if your mom cooked I don't want to-"

"My baby wants Chinese, my baby gets Chinese."

She smirked, "Well your baby wants some other things too," she stood up and leaned into him

"Oh really?"

"Your baby wants Chinese, and then a bubble bath with a nice glass of wine and my husband right in the middle of all of it," she backed up and met his eyes. She brought her tongue between her teeth and her eyes darkened

"Will candles be involved in these festivities?"

"Only the cherry scented ones," she winked before walking off to the elevator, "You coming Castle?"

Beckett was laying in bed still tangled in her robe. Her hair was damp and her body was wet. She couldn't find the strength to get up and actually put some clothes on, or at least that's what she's telling herself. Part of her didn't even want to get dress. It's not like she hasn't slept nude before, Castle actually prefers her to sleep that way. Hesitantly, she got up and looked for one of Castle's shirts to wear. She really wanted to wear one of his button ups, but she knew she shouldn't wear those to sleep. After contemplating it for a minute or two, she thought what the hell and threw on the shirt. As she was buttoning it up, Castle walked in from his office.

"Seriously Kate? I mean if you're going to wear that to bed you might as well where what you're wearing underneath, which I'm sure is nothing at all"

"Haven't you seen me naked enough tonight?" She smirked before settling under the covers

Castle shook his head, "my poor, naive wife. I can't and will never get tired of seeing you in all your glory."

"Shut up and come hold me Castle," she turned and faced away from him

Castle smiled before turning off the light, getting in bed, and wrapping his arms around her from behind. Kate cuddled back into him and their hands settled on her stomach.

"Sometimes I still think I'm dreaming," she broke the silence

"About what?"

"This. Us. I still remember when I thought this would never happen. I thought you would eventually stop wanting me and move on, but now. Now. Now I'm your wife and we have a child together and ... and we're married."

"Hey you're the one that said yes!"

Kate furrowed her brow "To your proposal?"

"To the Hamptons. I honestly thought you were going to tell me not to come back when you asked to talk to me," he laughed

"Well I didn't. I told you I'll go to the Hamptons with you, at the end of the weekend you told me you loved me, and I finally let you meet Nikki Heat. But, now we're married and all of that is in the past."

"Yes, and we have been for the past 4 years. And just in case you don't know, we will be for the rest of our lives."

"I know," she said it so quietly that Castle had to strain to hear her voice

Castle's arms tightened around her and she cuddled as far back into him as she could go. She wasn't trying to initiate sex, they just had sex, TWICE, but she could never be too close to him. She always wanted to be around him. She had turned into a total fluff, and it was all his fault.

"And just in case you don't know, I don't want anyone else besides you," she confessed

"I know. Trust me, I know"

They both laid there and enjoyed being wrapped in each other's arms surrounded by a comfortable silence. Castle could feel Kate's breath evening out and he silently rejoiced. That's exactly what he wanted for his wife. For her to relax and sleep. He just kept his arms around her and watched her in silence. All too soon, the silence was broken by a knock on their bedroom door.

"Come in," he was trying to be loud enough so the person on the other side of the door could hear him, but quiet enough so he wouldn't wake his sleeping wife

His oldest daughter poked her head through the door and smiled at him, "can I come in?"

"Yeah. Come on," Castle tried his not to wake Kate as he removed his arms from around her and sat up in the bed. He beckoned his daughter over to the bed but cringed when he felt the other side moving. Kate whimpered at the lost of contact and started moving in order to find her husband. Alexis made no sudden movement and Castle didn't either. Kate turned around and ceased squirming when her head found her husband's body. She threw her arm over him and sighed. She settled into her new position with a smile on her face. The best part about all that was Kate was still sound asleep!

"Aaawwww she's so cute!" Alexis beamed

"Never say that where she can hear you," he joked

"It's like she can't sleep or isn't comfortable if you're not close to her"

"Yeah, but trust me, it's a mutual feeling," he smile running his hand through her hair, "so what's up pumpkin?"

"It's actually about sleeping beauty over there," she answered still looking at Kate

"Oh sweetie, can it wait until tomorrow? Kate really needs to sleep"

She finally looked over at him, "No dad. I need to talk to you about her"

"Oh"

"My final in my Women and Gender Studies class is to do a project on a phenomenal woman that has impacted our lives and I-"

"You want to do your project on Kate," he finished for her

"Yeah. I mean I know it's a little cliche to do you project on your mom, but my mom is Katherine Beckett-"

"Castle"

"-an NYPD detective. Besides her job, she's just," Alexis trailed off looking back over at Kate

"I'm sure she'll be honored sweetheart"

Castle's smile fell when he saw the worry and fear in her crystal blue orbs.

"Alexis?"

"The thing is I wanted to um ... I wanted to," Alexis was too nervous to actually say it out loud

"You want to include her mother in the project, don't you?"

"Yes, but I don't want to offend her or drag something so close to her heart into a silly little school assignment of mine"

"It's not a silly assignment, sweetheart just talk to Kate. I'm sure Kate will have no problem letting you know what she's comfortable with"

"I know I guess I was just worried because it is her mom. That's always been a touchy subject. I guess I just didn't want to overstep."

"I understand Pumpkin. Next time just-"

"Next time just come and talk to me Alexis," Kate opened her eyes smiling

"Mom!? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you"

"Come here sweetheart," Kate sat up

Alexis walked around to the other side of the bed and sat down. Kate pulled her back into her and wrapped her arms around her, "Alexis I never want you to be afraid to ask me anything."

"I'm not mom, I just didn't wanna upset you. I mean, you just solved the case, after all those years. I know that was really special to you."

"I appreciate the concern Alexis, but I arrested Bracken in the middle of a live press conference. Plus he was the senator, it's already public."

"Oh, I didn't think about it that way," she sighed

"That's because you were thinking about me, and I appreciate you for that Alexis. I really do, but sweetie you guys come before all of that. You, Jo, and your father are what matters most to me."

Alexis sunk back into Kate a little more and let her head fall back against Kate's shoulder.

"I know that. I'm sorry mom"

"No need to be sorry. I'll be more than honored to be the woman you choose to do your project on, and I know your grandmother would be just as honored to be featured in it as well."

"Really?"

"Really! I'll even give you some pictures of her to use. Now, I can't give you any major details on the case."

"Oh no, I know that. It's basically like your personal connection and determination to find her some justice. I was planning on tying it all back to you in the end."

"I'll be honored Alexis, and, more than that, I'll be proud!"

"I love you mom!"

"I love you too, and don't you ever worry yourself with talking to me, about whatever. Just come to me"

"Yes ma'am"

"Okay. Now get your butt to bed. If I'm not mistaken, you have a 9 a.m class tomorrow."

"Yes ma'am"