Still Here – Chapter 7

Beckett couldn't get out of the precinct fast enough. As soon as it was six, she was turning off her computer, pulling on her jacket and practically bolting for the elevator. Ryan and Esposito had been giving her odd looks during the latter half of the day, obviously confused over why the shadow's seat had been vacant. It wasn't like this was the first time Castle hadn't shown up at the precinct, but ever since they had started officially dating, Castle had always showed up about a half-hour before Beckett got off and would simply sit in his chair, either creepily staring at her or doodling in his notepad.

And today his chair had remained strangely—longingly—empty. Even Beckett could feel the strangeness of it. She would deny it if questioned, but she actually missed him creepily staring at her whilst she finished her paperwork. For some odd reason having him stare at her had somehow become soothing. Almost reassuring. Hearing the elevator chime ding, Beckett let out a sigh, and quickly made her way inside, hitting the button for the ride down.

Once in her car, she wasted no time driving to her apartment. Beckett had an uncharacteristic desire to actually dress up for Castle. In the past, when he had taken her out to a fancy restaurant, she had worn one of the three nice dresses she had, one of them having been given to her by Castle when they went undercover at a charity ball during the first year of him working—shadowing—her. Beckett did not plan on dressing up that much, but she wanted to get out of her pantsuit and where something more feminine… more girly. She laughed inwardly as she turned right at the intersection. Castle was perhaps the only guy she'd even been with that actually made her want to do such a thing.

Chalk up another win in Castle's column for that one, Beckett mused as she hunted for a parking spot.

Finally finding a spot for her car, Beckett unconsciously growled under her breath. Why couldn't she find an apartment building that had an underground parking garage? Getting out of her car and slinging her bag over her shoulder, she locked the doors and then hustled across the street and to the building's front door. Buzzing herself in, Beckett hastily made her way up to her apartment.

Once inside, she absently dropped her keys and bag on the small credenza by the door, and rushed to the bathroom, wanting to make herself look good for Castle. It stunned her again that she was thinking that, but she shoved it from her mind and focused on the task she had charged herself with doing. She took a quick shower, scrubbing herself clean and she made sure to use the shampoo that gave her that "cherry" scent she knew he loved so much, and would drive him crazy.

Beckett also took the time to shave her long legs, wanting them nice and smooth for Castle's talented fingers. She contemplated shaving the hair between her legs, then decided against it. Castle wanted a woman, not a girl. Finished, she stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself up in a towel, having decided to air-dry her hair and allow it to fall down naturally around her face.

Slinking into her bedroom, she glanced at the clock. She had twenty minutes left. Stepping over to her dresser, she opened it up and rifled through her underwear, searching for a particular pair she had hardly ever used. Finding the black lacy bra and matching panties, Beckett grinned. Oh, she was going to entice Mr. Castle tonight. She smirked. Maybe they'd even reenact the night their twins were conceived. Finishing drying off, Beckett put on the sexy lingerie and judged how she looked in the mirror. Narrowing her eyes, she turned sideways and almost let out a loud gasp.

She had been mistaken. She was showing, more than she thought she would be. It wasn't much, but it was there, clear as day. And despite her thoughts earlier in the day, it was actually quite visible to the naked eye. It was just a slight bump, but it was clearly there. Suddenly she wondered if Castle would still find her sexy and hot in this little black lacy number she was wearing.

Closing her eyes, Beckett shook her head and attempted to reassure herself. The sight of her small baby bump would probably only further turn Castle on, especially when there was no doubt that he had a hand in helping to create it, even if he couldn't entirely remember all that he had done that night. Smiling to herself, she ran her hands over her tummy, loving how she could feel the beginning swell.

Beckett blinked in sudden realization. She was carrying twins. God… she… she'd now start really showing a lot sooner than she had thought or had been prepared for. Sighing deeply to calm her anxiety, she told herself to just relax and take one day at a time. Turning to her closet, she pulled out a small green sundress that matched her eyes, a light yellow ribbon wrapped around the waist.

She also liked the small skirt on it, which would allow her to show off more of her long legs than she normally did. She laughed lightly as she shimmied into the dress, imagining Castle's eyes immediately dropping to her legs and his hand unconsciously reaching out to touch when they sat down on the couch. Chewing on her lower lip and adjusting the straps of the sundress to hide the bra strings (wanting him to be surprised when the dress got removed), Beckett found herself actually wanting him to touch her legs… very much.

Kate Beckett normally wasn't the sort of woman to wear such things. In fact this sundress was probably the only one she owned. And for the life of her, she could not remember when or where she got it. But, nonetheless, it was there, in her closet, waiting for a day (or night, for that matter) in which she finally chose to wear it.

When she was done preparing herself for her "evening date" with Rick Castle (as she had started to think of it), Beckett was pleased with how she looked. Having dried naturally, her hair was slightly more wavy and curly than normal, and she liked the look of it as it bounced about her face as she moved. Though, she felt a little silly at having dressed up for what was, in a sense, an evening at home. And as she scrutinized her appearance even more, that is when the doorbell buzzed, announcing his arrival.

XXX

Taking in a deep breath, she did one last look-over of the light make-up she had just finished applying before padding out of her bedroom (there was no reason to put on any heels, especially since she wasn't planning on remaining clothed in her sundress for that long) and towards the door. Closing her eyes and exhaling softly, she opened the door and smiled, seeing Rick Castle standing there with a plastic bag of Chinese takeout from their favorite restaurant. His dark blue eyes went wide and Beckett tried not to show her delight as his eyes dropped down to drink in the sight of her long legs. His jaw hung open and he looked very much like he was in some sort of trance.

"I… um… I…," he stammered, forcing himself to look up and meet her eyes, an adorable lopsided grin forming on his face. "I brought the food."

Beckett smirked and her happiness reached her eyes, something that happened more often now that she had started dating Castle. He was still dressed in the same suit he had worn to the doctor's office, so Beckett grabbed his tie and backed up, adding a suggestive wink to her eye and swaying her hips in a way that only made Castle's jaw drop even more. She smiled up at him as he used his foot to close the door, watching as he expertly moved one hand around his back to lock the deadbolt.

"Just how long do you think you're staying here, Mr. Castle?" she question in a low breathy voice that caused Castle to shiver promisingly.

"As long as you let me, Detective," he teased back, though she could tell his breath was hitched up as his eyes greedily drank in the sight of her bare legs.

Stifling a blush, Beckett swung around and tugged him along into the kitchen, where he placed the Chinese takeout on the counter. She turned around, releasing his tie and decided that she'd be the one to invade his personal space this time. Before he could do anything, Beckett stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his neck as she pushed up on her toes—surprisingly the height difference without her high heels did not bother her as much as she had thought it would.

Castle took a sharp intake of breath and she smirked, watching as his nostrils flared as he caught scent of the cherry smell that permeated her being. His hands dropped to her sides, and for a moment they just flirted there before settling around her waist, clutching her tightly. As she pushed her tongue out to lick his bottom lip, asking for entrance, Castle complied, moaning as he opened his mouth to her. Beckett closed her eyes and tasted him, really tasted him. And she was surprised at just how delicious he was.

After what seemed like a blissful eternity, Beckett reluctantly pulled back for air. Castle seemed to sense her reluctance, because he allowed himself a tiny prideful smile. She rolled her eyes at him and playfully slapped his chest before settling back down on her feet and wrapping her arms around him, clutching on to the man that was the father of her twins.

"You're the father," she whispered out as she buried her head in his chest.

He let out a breath, and she felt a hand run down the back of her head, his fingers tangling into her long brunette strands. "I know," he replied. "And… and I'm sorry for implying I thought otherwise."

Beckett shifted, pulling back a little to look up at him. She stared into his eyes, and sensed the truth of his words. Giving him a soft smile, she nodded her head. "Well, just in case either of us were mistaken, I checked with Dr. Elam," she said slowly, not sure how he'd react to the news that she had actually worried enough about the possibility to check.

"And?"

Oh? Had she stopped talking? She swallowed and blinked, looking back up at him, only seeing reassurance, respect, desire, and love—yes, love—in his eyes. "She… she said there is no doubt that you are the father, Rick," Beckett said, her fingers fiddling with the lapels of his jacket. "You… and no one else."

She tugged on the lapels and kissed him again, slow and sweetly, enjoying ever minute of it. Beckett held him to her for longer than before and they both had to separate to breathe. A boyish smirk formed on his lips as his eyes gazed down to hers.

"So, are we just going to stand here kissing, or do you want to move things into the living room… or possibly the bedroom," he added, looking hopeful.

Beckett laughed softly and rolled her eyes, giving him a playful slap to the chest as she stepped back, glancing up in satisfaction as his nostrils flared again, taking in her cherry scent. His eyes even closed, if just for a second, and his lips parted.

"Mmm… cherries," the words slipped out before he knew what he was saying. He noticed immediately and opened his eyes, flushing slightly in embarrassment, which only made Beckett laugh more.

"Come on, let's eat… I'm starving!" she exclaimed.

"I have no doubt," Castle replied with a smirk. "After all, you're eating for three!"

Beckett smiled at him as she walked around the island counter to the cupboards and grabbed two large plates. Normally she might have had a glass of white wine or even a beer with Chinese, but since she was pregnant, she decided to just go with some water. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Castle following her lead, pouring himself a glass of water as well. A soft smile touched her lips, grateful that neither of them would have alcohol in their systems. She wanted him to remember tonight's events.

Padding across to the living area, Beckett sat down on the couch, placing the plates and her glass on the coffee table. She looked up and watched Castle follow, sidestepping the ottoman, and bringing the food with him. As he kicked off his shoes when he sat down next to her, Beckett noticed that Castle took the time to quickly drink in the sight of her long legs. She could tell he wanted to touch, run his fingers along the smooth skin, but he was being a good boy and waiting for permission.

Castle reached into the plastic bag and produced the cartons, lining them up in-between them as he also fished out the chopsticks and fortune cookies. Breaking her sticks, she rubbed them together to remove any stray splinters before reaching over for the nearest carton. She had no idea what Castle had picked up, but they'd eaten Chinese takeout enough over the past three years that he knew what she liked.

Opening the top of the package, she smiled. He just so happened to put her favorite right in front of her. Using her chopsticks she piled it up on her plate before handing it over to him, watching as he put some on his plate and laughing as he carefully picked the mushrooms out. He looked up in a half-smirk.

"What?"

She shook her head. "I thought you liked mushrooms," she said.

"I do," he said, begrudgingly. "Just… just not in this sauce, is all."

Beckett snorted a laugh that was very un-lady like and she blushed brightly, hoping she hadn't embarrassed herself. Castle's bright eyes danced and she knew she was safe. She didn't have to worry about appearances or allowing her small quirky traits out around him, like she had to do with other men. With Castle she could just be herself. Hell, he was probably the only man she had ever been with where she could just be herself. With every other man she had hidden something or had kept something secret. But with Castle, everything was out in the open, so to speak. She was free to be her, and never had to pretend to be interested or like something that she neither found interesting nor liked.

"So… did you get any more work done in Heat Rises?" Beckett inquired as she added a generous amount of chow mein to her plate.

"Oh yes," Castle nodded, spilling out some fried rice onto his plate. "With all the inspiration I've been getting, I'll be surprised if I'm not done soon." He laughed lightly and shook his head. "Gina's gonna curse like hell when I don't ask for an extension. I can assure you, my dear detective, this one is going to be finished well before the deadline."

Beckett subconsciously fumbled at the mention of Gina, and she almost dumped all the sweet and sour chicken all over the floor. She bit her lower lip and admonished hers. Gina was never going to be completely out of their lives… she was still his publisher. Unless I convince him to accept a deal with Random House or Penguin/Putnam, she thought devilishly to herself. Beckett could swear remembering him say something about one of those publishing houses making an offer to lure him away from Black Pawn.

"Kate?" his voice called her out of her musings.

Blinking, she looked up at him and smiled. "So, Rook and Nikki close to finding the killer, are they?"

Castle narrowed his eyes, like he knew there was something more. But thankfully he stayed silent on it and answered her question. "Close, yes…," he smirked his boyish grin. "You can say that."

"Alright! what have you done?" she demanded, recognizing that look on his face and the glimmer in his eye.

"What?" Castle defended himself, trying to act all innocent.

"Oh god, don't tell me you've got Nikki and Rook in some hot shower scene?" she almost went red with mortification. Now that they were an official couple, Beckett did not want people thinking that the things Nikki Heat did with Castle's fiction persona Jameson Rook were based on what she, Kate Beckett, the real-life Nikki Heat, did with Richard Castle.

He laughed lightly and for a moment she thought he had.

"Castle?" she grounded her teeth, making her tone of voice clear that she was not joking.

"Don't worry, sweetie," Castle winked, leaning over and kissing her cheek. "As I said earlier today, our private moments are just that… private." He tapped the side of his head. "All that stuff is for up here. You know… for when you become so huge that doing certain things might prove a bit difficult. Though I'm sure we'll find a way around that."

Did he just 'sweetie' me? Beckett thought, her mind a little slow to catch up. Huge? What the hell? Just for that comment she gave him a punch in the shoulder.

"Ouch!" he whined like a little kid.

"Oh, shut up," she groaned, rolling her eyes. "You're an adult, Castle, start acting like one. Now be quiet and eat!"

"Yes, ma'am," Castle said with a bob of his head.

They dug into their food, and Beckett took sometime to collect her thoughts and cool down. Putting her chopsticks down, she suddenly realized she wasn't really that hungry. She knew she should eat more, but right now… staring at her half plateful, all she felt like was vomiting. Oh god, she suddenly thought, her eyes going wide.

She bolted up to her feet and went running out of the room, a hand covering her mouth. Shoving the bathroom door up and pulled the toilet seat up, Beckett dropped to her knees and retched out the contents of her stomach. It wasn't until the last shudder ran down her spine that she recognized the hands holding up her hair, causing her to almost go pale with humiliation. There goes my wild night of passion, she grumbled to herself.

His hand was rubbing up and down her back in a very soothing way, but just the same, she tensed with embarrassment. Castle chuckled. "You have no reason to be embar—" his words suddenly dropped off and she heard his breath hitch up a bit. "My, my, my… Detective Beckett, is that a lacy black bra I see?"

Her eyes went wide, but a smile touched her lips just the same. "Yes. Yes it is," she admitted, hearing him chuckle, as she sat back up and looked up at him.

Castle was grinning at her. After a moment, she noticed that one of his hands had dropped to touch her bare thigh. Beckett could do little to hide the blush that spread to her cheeks as his dark blue eyes locked with her emerald greens. "Why, Detective Beckett…," he feigned a stunned gasp as he wiggled his eyebrows. "I had no idea you were so… so devious."