A/N: Okay, for those who are unaware, I have no computer of my own and no idea when I'll be getting one again. That's the reason for the delays but I promise I'm always writing. I just use an old school notebook and pen now.

Some days she missed the hustle of her city, the fast pace of her job but not on days like this one. When her kids rise early and keep her hopping, the normally peaceful Hamptons house becoming a mess of yelling and a touch of frustration. Everyone hungry and just a bit grumpy - not one of her kids enjoy mornings and without her coffee, she feels their pain.

But they settle quickly, when Castle's famous pancakes are done and Wes is shoving syrup covered fingers into his mouth, his skin already shimmering with the stickiness and the girls wolfing down baby food in colors that make her stomach churn. Bright green and orange - veggies they seem to enjoy.

All three kids are fed and clean by nine, dressed for the day and enjoying sibling time in the floor of the living room before a steaming mug appears in front of her face. Despite the lateness of it, she smiles and accepts, leaning in for a kiss when Castle dips to meet her. A soft good morning they hadn't managed to share yet due to Ella being an impatient little girl when she's hungry and Charlie being a grump until she's fully awake. He tastes of syrup and she lets herself linger, run her tongue over his lip, savoring the sweetness before he pulls away and moves to drop next to her on the cushion.

"We doing anything today?" It's a question punctuated by his arm snaking behind her, wrapping around and bringing her closer. She loves these mornings. Both of them watching as their dashing little boy in jean shorts and blue plaid pushes his ambulance up next to his police car, making 'vroom' sounds. Her legs bending over his lap until he's teasing the bare skin of her knee.

"I don't know Castle, I kinda think a lazy day sounds pretty good." She sips from the mug, the delicious hot coffee spilling over her tongue, making her sigh. "Besides, you need to write."

"I'll do it later."

"That's what you said yesterday and then you spent the entire day rescuing princess Charlotte with Weston, the brave sir knight."

"She was being held captive against her will." His explanation does nothing more than earn him a look, her lips twitching, almost a smirk.

"Yes, in the oh-so terrible dungeon that's actually just her crib. How horrendous."

"There was a dragon."

"I don't think Boomer makes a very good dragon when he just sleeps the whole time." The dog moves for very few things, food and attention. And when he wants to go outside and run around.

"That's because we sang him a lullaby and no dragon is immune to the powers of a good lullaby."

"Oh. I see."

Her eyes cut to the spotted member of their family, his head by their Cub's feet, his eyes on the two baby girls rolling around. He's a good protector though, she'll give him that much. He gives really good cuddles too. Just thinking about it makes her lean further into Castle's side and abandon the warm mug to the table. This is better. She lets her head drop against his shoulder, body relaxing into his.

"Thought you wanted me to go write?" The smirk in his tone earns him a quick pinch to his side. A yelp filling her ears and getting their kids' attention. Ella giggling and Charlie's eyebrow raising. Wes grinning before returning to his cars, not to be bothered by the antics of his parents.

"Charlie thinks Daddy is crazy, look at that face."

"Takes after her mother, that eyebrow thing - all you." It's true that their twins resemble her the most, the slope of their noses, the shape of their brow, the chin. It's all from her. But she forgets easily, gets lost in the blue of their eyes and only sees one person: Castle.

The warmth of the moment eases over them, lulling them. Settles into something light and airy as they watch Ella raise up on her hands and knees, eying the toys her big brother has in his hands. Her interest in her own set of keys and stuffed tiger completely demolished by the shiny things out of reach. Always wanting what she can't have - that's their Ella.

Kate doesn't move from her partner's side, doesn't get excited enough to move until she watches their daughter start to bounce, try to lunge herself forward and then she's squeezing his thigh, digging her fingers into him and pushing up from the couch.

"Castle," It takes him a minute to catch up, to mimic as soon as he realizes what's happening and they probably look like loons, standing in front of the couch, staring down at a baby in a pink sundress, Kate with her hands clasped together at her chin, excitement bleeding through her smile as he crowds at her back. "Look, I think she's -"

She trails off the second a look of pure determination furrows Ella's brow, eyes watching as her daughter looks down at her own hands and then back at her brother and his toys. That's all it takes. Just determination and the push of one little knee to propel forward. Castle's bursting, pride radiating, pushing into her, flooding both of them and it's contagious. So very contagious as they watch Ella clumsily slap at the floor, a smile on her face and giggles escaping once she realizes that she's actually going somewhere.

It's a bubble, a perfect moment that only bursts when she drops to her belly right in front of Wes and Castle curls a hand over Kate's hip. Both of them still just standing, staring, unsure if it really happened. But then it starts, the yelling from their boy as his sister swipes one of his police cruisers from his hand and starts to chew on it.

And it's obvious it makes him angry, lip pouting and eyes flashing but he doesn't retaliate, just pushes himself up from the floor and runs straight into Kate's leg, arms wrapping around, face buried against her knee.

"Hey little Cub, s'okay." She palms his back, rubs gently to soothe his broken heart. "We'll get your car back and then after lunch, you and I can go on a little adventure, just us."

Ella is still happily chewing away on the miniature black and white when Castle leans over her, lifts her gently from the floor. She doesn't cry when he pulls the car from her hand, just frowns at him and huffs out a sigh.

"We don't steal toys Ella Jo." He sounds only mildly serious, pride still leaking into his voice as he kisses her head and Kate has to force herself to look away, to not get caught up in the way he eases himself down to the floor, situates one girl on his lap while reaching for the other. Charlie grabbing for him, hands outstretched and top teeth showing.

His back will be hurting later, she knows it but she keeps her mouth shut. She'll let him enjoy this time, join him in the floor with Wes still clinging to her as they push cars around and Charlie chews on her elephant's foot. The purple little elephant that Castle just had to buy for her a few days ago, a shopping trip that ended up adding to the toy collection their kids already have.

Some would say their children are spoiled and she doesn't exactly disagree, but as she watches her husband wrap his arms around their twins, making up an elaborate tale of elephants and tigers as she pushes police cars and ambulances around with their son, she knows their kids will know love first and foremost. She almost laughs when Castle mentions that the tiger and elephant are best friends, almost points out all the flaws in his story but she doesn't. Because both girls are looking up at him, eyes wide and dancing, little hands wrapped around their stuffed toys.

And because Wes steals her attention, a happy giggle as he rams his car into the leg of the coffee table.

"Oh no! Better get your ambulance Cub, there might be people hurt." And she's the one to push the ambulance over as he circles the scene with police cars and she wonders just how many times he's done this with his father and how much the man has taught their young son.


The chicken nuggets are barely off the plate when Wes launches himself into Kate, climbing up her body and pointing towards the door. Wanting out. He wants to do something, remembers that she promised after lunch. Her brilliant boy.

"Go go go go Momma."

"Easy little man, we're going but we gotta say bye to Daddy first." Their son has inherited Castle's eagerness. His legs pushing against her, body leaning towards the door and if she doesn't want to drop him, she has to push against his back with the palm of her hand.

He's squirming, making it difficult until she shushes him with a kiss to his cheek and a whisper of his name. Something that's worked since he was a tiny squirming red faced infant.

"I'll man the fort, keep our girls entertained."

"I can take Booms with us, let him run around. C'mon Booms, let's go." The dog barely moves, just perks his ears up at the sound of his name. Eyes watching her for a second before he shuffles closer to Charlie and rests his head on his paws. "Or not."

"Leave him be, I'll take him out later."

"We'll be back soon, promise." She leans in to press her mouth to his. A soft smack that leaves them smiling at each other when she pulls back. Charlie fussing as she heads out the door with Wes on her hip. Neither wearing more than a shirt and shorts. No need for shoes, not for what she has in mind.

As soon as the door closes behind them, he's wiggling down, keeping a tight hold of her fingers. He's content to just trail along beside her, toddle his way through the grass until it turns into sand. He giggles, his short locks blowing in the wind as his feet mush into the sand. His toes digging in. She lets him hop, little jumps that have him stumbling and her catching him with just the hand wrapped in his.

And they walk. It's a simple adventure but she knows her little boy and she can tell by the way he smiles up at her that he's more than happy just walking along the beach for a little while.

"Thought we could use some time to ourselves, Wes."

He doesn't say anything, just looks out at the water as it crashes up onto the shore. Eyes searching for something - she doesn't know what but those murky depths are always curious, always inquiring. Castle tells her that those eyes - a match of her own - will be his death and she usually reminds him of the two beautiful little girls that will one day bring home boyfriends just to see the look on his face. The way his skin pales.

"What are you looking for little Cub? What's out there?"

"Momma."

"I'm out there?" He shakes his head, confused by her and she wonders how his brain works. The mind of a toddler closing in on his second birthday is probably an interesting place. "Want to play in the sand?"

"No."

"Okay, we can keep walking." He mumbles another 'no' as he tugs her further down the beach. It's his answer for almost everything. Ask him a question and he's going to answer with that one syllable word.

She lets him lead, goes where he wants and she can tell he's getting excited. His chest puffing with every breath as his legs scramble faster, his footprints tiny next to her own. Her heart swells, pride and love rolling through her veins as he bends down and picks something up, falling almost face first when he loses balance. Her quick reflexes save him from a mouthful of sand.

He looks back up at her, tiny fingers wrapped around something possessively and she sighs when he pulls away from her, sits down to eye the prize he's collected from the ground. She's suddenly really glad she opted not to dress in something nicer than old shorts. She drops next to him, holding out her hand, watching him as he eyes her carefully.

"Can I see?" He shakes his head, lips thinning in a sharp line and she offers a smile and tries again. "Please little Cub? I won't tell anyone."

He giggles at her, crawling into her lap and Kate has no idea what it is that he finds amusing but she laughs with him, sharing the secret and then he's pushing the object into her hand.

"Momma." She barely tears her gaze away from his, those eyes full of wonder as he hands it over. "See, see."

And it shouldn't choke her up, shouldn't make her eyes water but it does. A tiny little stick, more of a twig and he's so proud of himself for it, so excited about such a small thing. The joy on his face as he pats her cheek with the same hand he used to find his treasure has her pressing forward, kissing his head, his nose, making him giggle and push her away with warm fingers.

"Good job, Wes."

She loses track of time easily, watching him play with his little stick in the sand, drawing squiggles and she guides his hand to spell out his name. Him struggling to pull away the whole time and draw on his own. She finally gives in, lets him have his way for awhile, letting him get up and run around in circles, falling on his butt and doing it all over again...and again.

It's something Kate loves, watching him be so carefree, happy, childish. He's rambunctious, a wild little boy that finds it fun to run. And she jumps up before he can get too far and chases after him, tickling him as soon as she catches up, lifting him into her arms. He squeals, burying his face in her neck, and she feels the little stick in his hand, pushing into her chest.

"Hey, let's leave this here."

"No!" He shakes his head fiercely, eyes flashing as he hugs it and she doesn't really understand.

"Wes,"

"No!" And then he's pushing it toward her, offering it with eyes so sad and she sees, she understands and it hits her like a tidal wave. It's the only thing he has and he's giving it to her.

"For me?" That's when he nods and she nuzzles him, nose against his cheek. "Oh Cub."

The stick comes with him, between their palms, all the way to the house - inside to be cherished as the first gift her son has ever given.

He runs off the second she puts him down, blazing a staggered trail through the foyer and she knows she should follow him, make sure he doesn't get into something or fall but she's stuck. Feet glued to the floor and eyes locked on that little stick in her hand. She sniffs before she even realizes that she's actually crying. Crying about a stick.

The things her Castle boys do to her emotions. She closes her fingers around it, drawing her fist up to rest protectively against her chest. It isn't until she hears Wes jabbering and the sound of footsteps that she realizes she's not alone. Looking up just in time to see her boys watching her.

"Hey,"

"You alright? What happened?" Castle is stepping closer, wrapping his hand around her elbow before she can even get a word out. She offers him a smile, affection and love pouring through as he thumbs her cheek, collecting a tear that managed to escape.

"M'okay. Wes just...it sounds stupid."

"I doubt that." Instead of explaining, she gives their son a smile too as he hugs Castle's leg and then she's opening her palm and showing her husband what their son has given her. "A stick?"

"Wes gave it to me. He gave it to me."

He doesn't laugh, doesn't think it's stupid judging by the way his eyes soften as he pulls her against his chest, mouth landing beneath her eye. He understands. Completely. He always understands.


"Come on Charlie, all you have to do is...here, look at Momma, I'll show you how."

And if Castle catches her doing this, she's never going to live it down but she doesn't care and he's busy with dinner. She's a little worried. Ella is crawling, mastered it in just the few hours and then there's Charlotte. Her little lazy Cash doesn't even seem interested, won't even push herself up on her hands and knees.

Not even when Kate is showing her how, down in the floor next to Boomer and his judgmental stare as she pushes up. Charlie giggles, chewing on her elephants foot and smacking her hands against the floor.

"C'mon, don't you wanna be like sissy?" She just stares up at her, blue eyes smiling and Kate wonders if maybe there's something holding her back. Maybe there's a reason she's slow to pick up on this. "You crawl and you can chase Ella all over when she gets done eating."

Nothing. Still. Nothing is motivating enough and even when Wes joins, crawling around to mimic Kate, Charlie just lays on her stomach and chomps away at her toy. Attention elsewhere, not even focused on what's happening or anything besides that purple little elephant.

"Can I see your toy, Charlie?" She reaches for it, propped on her side, an elbow holding her up as Wes crawls over her legs. His stomach against her as he drops to push his favorite car over her foot.

Kate eases the purple slobbery blob away from her daughter, tries to coax her forward with it. Thinking she'll come after it since it seems to be the only thing she wants today. But it doesn't work. The baby doesn't push herself up, doesn't try and when her lip starts to tremble, Kate knows she made a huge mistake. The first wail and the fat tears that roll down her daughter's face make her chest constrict.

"Oh no, baby, don't cry. Here." She gives the elephant back but it doesn't help. Charlotte is screaming. Red faced and loud cries. Kate reaches, pulls her closer, rolling on her back to rest the girl against her. "Look, it's all okay."

She hugs her, cuddles her close and buries her nose in her hair. Whispering sweet nothings and trying to calm her as she rubs a hand over her back. Her words becoming apologies as the cries eventually turn quiet and morph into sniffles. She hugs her daughter, doesn't let go for hours, clings because she hurt her feelings and she hates it.

Castle asks but she doesn't tell him. She says nothing really all through dinner with Charlie in her lap and even when she starts getting them ready for bed, matching duck pajamas for all three of them, she tells him that she's okay. Because she is - she will be. She just needs some time to get over the look on Charlotte's face, the hurt in her eyes.

It isn't until after the kids are down for the count that Kate lets herself retrace the steps of her day. The entirety of it flashing through her brain as she snuggles beneath the blanket, her arm wrapping around the solid form in the middle of the mattress. The warmth stretched out in front of her, the soft fur beneath her fingertips and she nudges his nose with her own. The cool wet of it clearing her mind.

"I messed up today Booms." He yawns in her face, his back paw pushing at her hip. "You don't care, do you? As long as I snuggle, you're perfectly content."

She rubs her fingers over his face, watches him blink in the lamp light, his blue eyes heavy when she gives his ears a scratch, his tail thumping lazily against the bed.

"I feel bad though, I didn't mean to make her cry."

"Kate," The sound is a sigh, barely her name and she knew he'd hear, knew he'd be coming out of the bathroom any second and she gazes up at him, watches as he gets in the bed. Blocked by the dog in between them. "Boomer, you're a good dog, but I'd like you more if you weren't in the bed right now."

He doesn't move. Just huffs and closes his eyes until Kate lets him go, whispers to him.

"Go check on the babies, Booms." And he's gone. Running out of the room and they both know he'll be curled up in front of the cribs in the morning. "He's a good dog."

"The best." Castle claims the spot their dalmatian just vacated and she eases into him, face ducking into his chest.

"I made Charlotte cry. I was just trying to get her to crawl and I took the elephant -"

"Kate, she's a baby. She gets her feelings hurt easily and she won't even remember. You didn't scar our child, I promise." His mouth meets her forehead, hand at her chin, tilting until she's meeting his mouth with her own. The day melting away with the heat of his fingers slipping up her back. The weight of him against her front as she sighs. "Get some sleep, it's been a long day."

"Mm, one night, we're going to get to bed early and I promise I'll make it worth your while."

"I've no doubt, but we're both exhausted, sleep Kate." And she does.

a/n: Next up is more Hamptons time and possibly the July 4th celebration. Haven't quite decided just yet.