Disclaimer: Everything I type in this document is an adaptation from my own imagination of the show that we all love. I, in no way shape or form have any right to Castle.

Author's note: To everyone still reading this, I cherish every one of you. I have not forgotten this story or any of my others. Life has been busy and I have been sick, I also don't have access to a computer for more than a few hours at a time. Also, I recently realized that the computer I use has a voice recognition software that allows me to speak and it turns my words into text and that's how I'm writing this entire chapter. So forgive any typos but hopefully there won't be any because I'm doing my best.

It's going to be a good day. It's independence day, the 4th of July, a day of celebration, food, good company, and fireworks. It is a day of red, white, and blue. A holiday for them to enjoy, it's something she loves, something their family can share. Kate is ready to do this as a family. Their shared three of Charlotte, Ella, and Weston. And no one can leave out Boomer although, she's pretty sure the dog will skip out on the fireworks since he isn't a fan of loud noises.

They've already spent most of the day outside, letting the children play while Castle grilled up some traditional Independence Day food. An appetizing selection of hamburgers, steaks, and hot dogs. Little girls dressed in lace rompers of Americana colors with pretty bows in their hair. An adorable Charlotte sporting a blue and white bow while her identical twin has red and white, both of them matching their older brother in color coordination and tiny converses. She dressed them with pictures in mind, her baby boy Wes in plaid and jeans, the entire family matching and yes it's cheesy but she couldn't help herself.

After an entire morning of her husband teasing about her becoming a regular suburban housewife - matching clothes and all - she's only briefly considered the idea. As much as she loves being at home, she loves making a difference as well. She's still Beckett. Even with being a part of a family, the second half of her husband, and a mother to three beautiful kids, she needs to keep them safe.

She can't rely on the rest of the world to do that. And yes, it's something that she shouldn't feel solely responsible for but she does and spending time in the Hamptons, waking up each day to little hands and feet and smiles has only solidified her need to do her job. The vacation has been nice and she needed it but soon she will be going back to work at the precinct.

Even now with the wind blowing her hair, the strands whipping around her face and blocking her view of the man currently playing airplane with their son, she knows that she wants to do this. So she's going to enjoy the rest of her vacation, the giggles from her son, the happy squeals from her daughters and the soft eyes of her writer. The deep blue pulling her in, making her smile at his ridiculous airplane noises and the pure joy written all over Weston's face.

The only thing that can make her look away are the tiny hands pulling at her shirt, curious fingers digging into the fabric and scrunching it. Charlotte's adorable face aglow with intrigue, her eyes wide with curiosity and wonder as she sticks her tongue out and blows a raspberry.

"Hey there pretty baby, I dress you up all nice and you've already rolled through the dirt and now you're spitting at me." She isn't actually surprised. Cash gives her brother a run for his money when it comes to the rough and tumble. "Do me a favor and stay on the blanket, okay?"

The response she gets is a high pitched squeal and giggle that catches the attention of Ella. Sweet baby Ella chewing on her little tiger, content to lie on her back and stare over at her brother and crazy dad. A rarity for the hyper little one. But now she's staring at Kate, and rolling to her stomach, pushing herself up to crawl, only to be grabbed by her mother before she can take off.

"Where do you think you're going?" The reply is Ella panting with her tongue hanging out like a puppy and love bursts in Kate's chest, consuming every inch of her, expanding out to flood over everything in her life.

She has a son that thinks he's an airplane, squealing 'Daddy' each time Castle lifts him higher into the air. Her husband is going to regret that later. When his back is protesting and he can't find a comfortable position to sleep in, she'll have to bring him some pain reliever and press her palms into the muscle, rub until he's liquid beneath her.

She has a daughter that pants like a dog, maybe she spends too much time with the dalmatian sleeping on the steps. And she has another little girl, a bright and curious person even if she's a bit lazy. What's not to love?

Girls in her lap and eyes on her boys, she smiles and rubs her cheek across Ella's head before pressing a kiss to Charlie's. The scent of baby shampoo and lavender has become one of her favorites and she inhales, lets it wash over her as Castle rambles about flight patterns and turbulence. He looks good out here. Running around on the lawn of their home with the kids and sun tanned skin, smiling, and catching her gaze.

But she sees a wince as he cuddles their rambunctious Cub closer to his chest and she knows that 'airplane Weston' will have to fly again another day. With a jerk of her head, she motions for him to take a seat next to her, their son already complaining and asking to 'fwy' over and over, squirming as Castle eases down on the blanket.

"Fwy, Momma, fwy."

"You did fly little Cub." She lets Castle pull Ella from her lap as Wes crawls into the empty space. Trading kids.

"Fwy." It's heartbreaking to see his lip poke out in a pout, the tears already welling up in his ever-changing eyes and she shifts Charlotte against her hip, pulls her son in for a hug and nuzzles his cheek.

"Don't cry, Wes. How 'bout we all go for a walk, take Booms to play in the water?" The smile is back as if it never left, his fingers already tugging at her hand, trying to pull her up.

The first walk with all five of them. A baby for each and Wes in between as they leave footprints in the sand, yeah, she's definitely looking forward to it.


When the first crack splits the sky, light glittering, three things happen. Cub squeals and jumps with his hands pointed at the sky, as if he's trying to catch the firework before it fades. Ella giggles and lounges back in her father's arms and Charlie, poor innocent little Cash starts screaming. Tears pouring down her cheeks and face buried in Kate's shoulder.

She tries to soothe her, shushing her gently, palming her back and rubbing her head. Nothing works. Each firework has her clinging desperately and after a few minutes, she tells Castle she's taking her in.

Boomer is hiding out beneath the coffee table when Kate sinks down on the couch, cradling Charlotte to her chest and whispering soft words in her ear. She can still hear the fireworks, muffled now by the walls of their home. And she rocks gently, trying to calm the baby in her arms.

"Shh, s'okay Charlie. I would never let anything happen to you." She presses kisses to her face, wipes at her cheeks and nudges her nose with her own to get her attention. Make her focus. Slowly her cries turn to whimpers. Red faced and tear streaked, she finally calms.

Tiny fingers are still clinging, refusing to let go and Kate's more than okay with that. She'll hold her daughter, never put her down if it means she'll feel better.

"You're safe Charlotte, I've got you and Booms is here. You know that silly dog would never let anything happen to us." Although he's currently taking shelter as if they're being bombed but she knows her voice can calm her baby and that's exactly what she's trying to do. She turns Charlie to face their lovable mess of a dog and the girl finally giggles, smiling at Boomer.

"That's it. Everything's okay." Not quite convinced, her daughter doesn't let go of her, starts fretting the moment she tries to put her down. So she settles back against the couch, gently swaying side to side as Charlie cuddles into her.

She hums softly, starts singing a lullaby when she sees those beautiful blue eyes start to close. Emotionally exhausted from such a long day and fun activities. Kate lies down, gently eases Charlie into doing the same, pressing her into her chest and letting her burrow into her neck. Her one cuddly baby. Ella too hyperactive and Wes at the stage where he just wants to go, go, go. But she has Charlotte and with a sigh, she keeps singing until she feels her youngest daughter drift off to sleep.

She'll wait a few minutes before she puts her in her crib.


She wakes to the weight on her chest shifting, lifting, fading away and her arms tighten, try to hold on as she fights against sleep to open her eyes. The soft voice she hears relaxes her before she ever blinks awake.

"Shh, just me. I'm taking Charlie to bed." When he tries once again to lift their zonked out daughter, she lets him. No fight, no resistance as he pulls her into his arms, snuggles her into his chest, his cheek pressing against her soft hair.

As much as she loves her alone time with each of their kids, she also loves watching him interact with them. The softness in his eyes and the way his hands become velvet and warm, cradling and gentle, the way his shoulders relax as Cash sighs in her sleep. Her lips parted and breathing deep as he presses a kiss to her head.

"Wes and Ella?" Her voice is nothing more than a whisper, quiet in the stillness of the living room.

"Ella fell asleep during the fireworks and Wes is curled up in bed with Boomer, didn't even make it through story time."

"You should've woke me. I love story time." He leans in and she closes her eyes, revels in the feel of his lips pressing to hers. Soft and quick.

"Something tells me, you wouldn't have made it through either." She huffs out a laugh, knows he's right, her eyes already heavy again as he turns away and takes their lazy girl to bed.

The energy to move is nonexistent. Obliterated by a day of chasing Wes around the yard and crawling after two very energetic girls - the same sweet lovable little babies that had kept them up the night before with whines and cries, teething and cranky. So no, she wouldn't have made it through story time, she would've fallen asleep curled up in a toddler bed with their son. And now, she's not so sure she's going to leave this couch. At least not until her husband reappears.

She's dozing by the time he nudges a knee to her hip, already half bent as if he's about to carry her to bed and she shoves at his shoulders, sitting up and groaning at the energy it zaps out of her. She's getting too old.

"You're not carrying me. You already over did it with your airplane duties."

"I'm fine." He isn't but she chooses to stay quiet, linking their fingers as she leads him to their bedroom.

He doesn't protest when she pushes him down on the bed, only raising his eyebrows, giving them a wiggle that has her shaking her head and pulling his shirt up. As soon as it hits the floor, she's covering his mouth with her own. A wet, open kiss that has his hands roaming, sneaking up to caress the underside of her breast as she nips at his lips.

"Turn over." It's a low command, voice silk between them as she presses her lips to his once more. Softer this time. "Seriously, Castle, turn over."

"Isn't that usually my line?" Just for the obscene tone that sends a shiver through her, she bites at his jaw and pushes against his shoulders until he backs away and rolls onto his stomach.

He groans when she crawls over him, straddles the backs of his thighs and presses her hands to the twinge along his spine, the one she knows is there despite his denial. She can feel the heat of the ache, the tense muscles rippling as she kneads at his skin. He melts into the mattress, face plastered to the pillow as she continues. His sighs and soft moans enough to tell her she was right.

"Next time, don't play so vigorously." She leans into him, kissing the skin between his shoulder blades, nudging the space with her nose. "Just take it easy for the rest of the week, okay?"

"S'worth it."

"What?"

"Cub is happy and now I have a very hot woman giving me a massage. Seems like a win." She reaches up, twists his ear just to hear him chuckle and then she's digging her fingers into his lower back. She'll give him the best damn massage he's every had. Leave him limp beneath her and so relaxed he won't be able to keep his eyes open.

a/n: Next chapter will be up Friday.