"Kate!" Rick called from the bedroom "which tie should I wear ?"

"Ok come on, it's your birthday party and at 40 you don't know how to dress yourself?" she asked, coming out of the bathroom, already dressed.

"Ah ah, really funny I just need … wow! You look incredible!"

"I know " she simply said, handing him a red tie

"And why do you look so gorgeous?"

"Hum … I'd say … natural charm ?"

"And?" he asked, approaching her

"And … I have the most wonderful husband in the world, who has the most wonderful taste in women dresses."

"Now, that's better" he said, kissing her.

"Dad, Kate ! Hurry up we're gonna be late!"

"Coming!" they answered together, going down the stairs hand in hand.

Half an hour later, they were arriving at the hotel where Rick's birthday party was held. At first, it should have been an intimate party at home, only with the closest friends and immediate family, but when Paula-the-book-agent heard about it, it rapidly turned into a launch party taking place on his birthday.

"You're sure you don't mind?" Rick whispered to Kate when they exited the car

"I think I already answered his question at least a dozen times. You're getting so old you don't remember?"

"Oh Oh, playing with fire here Mrs Castle! You know perfectly well how young I am… but if you want some proof, I'll be happy to oblige"

"Looking forward to it … as always"

"Guys ! You do know that there are photographers everywhere right? I don't want to have to throw cold water on you when you're so well dressed"

"Come on" Rick said, putting an arm around Kate's shoulders and the other around Alexis who was carrying Lizzi, "let's show all these people how the Castle family walks the red carpet!"

"So Castle, how old are you ?" asked Esposito

"It's "how young are you" and if you don't know you don't even deserve to be here!"

"Oh come one, you're not old Castle" Ryan said

"Thank you!"

"See, I was right! I'm always right …" Kate said, giving him a glass and putting her arm around his waist

"Lucky for me, at least you are nice to me. All these people here are making fun of me" he said, pretending to cry.

At this moment, Lizzi, who was in Lanie's arms, stretched her arms towards her father, saying "dada". Suddenly, everyone stopped talking.

"hum … maybe it's because I'm old but … did she just …"

"I think she did." Kate answered

"Oh my God, that's the best birthday ever!" Rick said, taking Lizzi and kissing her

Paula interrupted the moment, coming to the group.

"Rick, it's time to cut the cake! Come on ! " she got back to the crowd as soon as she was finished

"Wow, the boss is not happy! Better get going before she fires me for not cutting my Kate on time!"

"I'm sorry, what did you just say?" Kate asked

"I have to go and cut the cake …"

"that's not what you said, you said …"

"Richard Castle come here NOW!" they heard Paula yell

"Sorry, gotta go" he said, kissing her quickly and giving her Lizzi

Around the end of the party, Castle came back to his family and friends.

"Oh I'm so sorry, I just couldn't get out of there"

"Yeah, celebrity is a burden, I understand" said Ryan

"And how would you know that, Detective Ryan?" Rick asked, pulling Kate to him and sitting both of them on his chair, trapping her with his arms.

"Well … you know … being so handsome and all…"

"Yeah, I'm really having a hard time keeping him at home" Jenny said.

Everyone was laughing and going back to their conversation. Rick put his hands on Kate's thigh.

"Can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Yeah, sure" she answered, totally confused

When he took her by the hand to the back of the room, she really started to panic

"Rick, what is it? What's wrong?"

"What's wrong ? Really, you have to ask?"

"What? I don't underst …"

She was cut off by his lips literally crashing on her. She was surprised but responded immediately.

"You didn't even tell me happy birthday" he pouted

"I was saving that for later actually …"

"mmm … nice" he said, kissing her again.

As they were more than happy where they were, Alexis came running to them.

"Kate !"

"mmm" she answered, her head against Rick's chest, eyes still closed.

"It's …uh… it's your dad…"