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Disclaimer: Does not own Castle

After unpacking her clothes into the empty drawers in Alexis' bedroom, Beckett sat on the carved wooden single bed and admired the small room she was staying in. It obviously hadn't changed much since Alexis was a little girl. The walls, curtains and bedspread were varying shades of pink. There were Barbie's and porcelain dolls and teddy bears splayed across the cedar chest of drawers. The only grown-up-Alexis thing in the room was the antique serpentine kneehole desk with bottles of nail polish, writing paper and different coloured gel pens spread out neatly. There were pictures tacked to the wall above, mostly of friends, some who Beckett was surprised to recognize as girls Alexis had brought back to the loft to "hang out" with. There was also one of Alexis and Beckett, taken years ago when Alexis was working at the precinct for a school assignment. Beckett moved the picture from the desk to the night stand next to the bed. Even though Alexis had been living on campus in Princeton for most of the year, she and Beckett had become incredibly close. Beckett tried to keep herself emotionally distant from the girl, she wasn't her mother and didn't want to cross any boundaries, but it was so difficult to stop herself from loving Alexis like she was her own child. She had tried for a while to convince herself that she was just lonely, needing someone to love, maybe even a little (dare she even think it) clucky. Beckett had eventually come to the conclusion that, yes, she was all of those things, but Alexis was an amazing young girl who was easy to love, and even though she really had no right to feel this way about Castle's daughter, as long as Alexis wanted Beckett in her life, she would be there.

Sighing, Beckett shook her head to clear her thoughts, and decided to go and snoop downstairs.

XXXXXXX

When Kate Beckett was a girl her parents' house was furnished with antiques, some passed down through the family, other pieces purchased at auctions. So she knew, just by glancing, that to the untrained eye, the pieces in Castle's cabin would just appear to be big brown blobs of furniture, but Beckett knew better. The large open mahogany bookcases almost bursting with books were definitely Victorian and probably one year's worth of her paycheck. Scattered randomly about was a rosewood sofa table, a cedar and brass bound secretaire campaign chest and a Regency mahogany chiffonier topped with framed photos and what looked like little pottery ornaments made by a young child. It should have screamed wealth, but the open living plan oozed warmth and comfort and love and family. Thick Persian carpets overlapped and covered the wooden floorboards, deep red curtains hung from each window and a fluffy blanket was draped over the large sofa. Beckett could already picture herself sitting amongst the overstuffed cushions in front of the sofa, fire roaring before her, reading the first Nikki Heat book, cuddled in Castle's arms…-woah, Katie-girl, jumping the gun a bit there-ignoring the annoying voice in her head, Beckett smiled and made her way over to Castle who was standing by the stove wearing a ridiculous apron.

"So, since I know you love my mad bacon and egg cooking skills, that's our dinner." Castle said, noticing as Beckett made her way over and leant against the small kitchen counter.

"Don't flatter yourself. Does this mean we'll be having chicken and veggies for breakfast then?"

"Ha, ha, Detective. You're a little comedian, aren't you?" He chuckled, lightly slapping her hand away as she attempted to grab some bacon from the pan. She huffed, but moved around him to find some plates and cutlery. Once the food was done they sat down at the small rosewood dining table.

"Our neighbor, Lucy, will be here in a few minutes, she can't wait to meet you. And even though I know you're not really big on the whole "Christmas" thing, I thought before it gets dark we could go find a tree, bring it back and decorate it?"

He sounded so hopeful, Beckett really couldn't say no. And she toyed with the idea of questioning his choice of words regarding the "our neighbor", but let it slide this time.

"Sounds good. I hope you don't expect me to help you cut it down and carry it though?" She said, spearing some eggs with her fork.

"Certainly not, what sort of gentleman would that make me?" He chuckled at the look on her face but continued.

"And I thought tomorrow we could head into town, buy some groceries and what not. I asked Lucy to grab the basics for us to get by tonight."

"That sounds fine, Castle. I'm just happy to be here." The words were softer than she intended them to be, and she glanced up to see him smiling at her….almost tenderly? Surprising them both, he reached over and clasped her hand in his.

"Beckett…Kate…"

Before he could continue there was a soft knock on the front door. Reluctantly pulling his hand away, he broke eye contact and moved to the door.

Beckett pulled her hand into her lap, her fingers warm and tingling from the sensation of his grasp. It seemed this Lucy had awful timing.

XXXXXXX

Beckett hadn't given much thought to what "Lucy" would be like, but the moment the older lady pulled her into a warm embrace she knew she would like her.

"The famous Detective Kate Beckett. I've heard so many stories about you, I'm glad to finally meet you!" Lucy gushed, pulling away from Beckett, her green eyes twinkling at the blush that rose on the Detective's face.

"It's nice to meet you to, Lucy. Thank you for setting the cabin up for us."

Lucy waved her hand and shook her head.

"Please, anything for my Ricky here." Lucy walked back over to "Ricky" who was holding a small child on his hip.

"This is my granddaughter Lilly. Lilly, say hi to Kate." Lucy took Lilly from Castle, who stuck his bottom lip out and pouted. The little girl, who was maybe 3, hid her head against her grandmother's shoulder shyly. Laughing lightly, Beckett moved towards Lucy.

"Hi Lilly. My name's Kate. Did you know that upstairs we have lots of dolls you can play with?"

Lilly lifted her head, eyeing Beckett.

"Weally?"

Beckett nodded and held out her arms.

"Would you like me to show you? We could play with them if you like?"

Lilly nodded and lifted her arms shyly towards Beckett, who pulled her into her arms. Grinning like the cat that ate the canary at Castle's look of disbelief (Lilly was usually very hesitant around strangers), Beckett took the little girl upstairs to play with Alexis' dolls.

"Oh, Richard. She is wonderful. If you weren't such a dolt you'd be married to the girl by now, with your own kids to play with. Lilly is going to put on such a tantrum when its time to go!" Lucy grumbled, slapping Castle's cheek lightly. Grinning, Castle led Lucy to the sofa to talk and catch up. He wondered how he got so lucky as to be surrounded by amazing women wherever he went.

TBC

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