Castle was already busy in the kitchen by the time Beckett came down the stairs, closely followed by Alexis.

"Does he always get up early?" Beckett asked the girl as they walked along the downstairs hall, and Alexis nodded.

"He thinks it's his job to make my breakfast, even now."

"That's kind of sweet, actually."

Alexis grinned. "He's a sweet man."

They entered the kitchen side by side, and Castle glanced around briefly then did a double-take. Beckett was wearing shorts and a halter top, and was barefoot. She smirked at his wide-eyed expression.

"Uh… hi. And g'morning, pumpkin," he said at last, staring for another moment before turning back to the breakfast preparations.

Beckett winked at Alexis, then quipped "I don't remember saying you could call me 'pumpkin', Castle."

He promptly dropped a ladle into the frying pan, and Alexis giggled.

It's going to be a long day, he thought retrieving the ladle then turning slowly to once again look at the two women.

"Good morning, Kate," he said pointedly, and he was pleased to see a smile flash across her face.

Alexis looked from Beckett to her father and back again, and then averted her eyes. Way to go, dad, finally, she thought.

"And you're right, I am indeed a sweet man, with very good hearing," he added. "Now where's my morning hug?"

Beckett raised her eyebrows, and Castle glared at her before nodding towards Alexis. The girl crossed quickly to where he stood and put her arms around his waist, and he engulfed her in a bear hug and kissed the top of her head.

"Did I ever tell you…" he began, deliberately trailing off, and Alexis pulled back just enough to grin up at him.

"That you love me?"

Castle's eyes widened in mock astonishment, and he looked over at Beckett, stage-whispering "She can read our minds!"

Beckett smiled softly, and Castle's eyes roamed over her face for a long moment before he once again looked down at his smiling daughter.

"You might have mentioned it once or twice," Alexis said, and Castle nodded solemnly.

"Good. Wouldn't want you to forget," he said.

He squeezed the girl to his chest once more and then released her, and turned away to continue preparing breakfast.

Beckett watched the whole exchange in silence, her pulse thumping.

She saw him for all that he was.

What have I been hiding from?

A small smile appeared on her lips, and she slowly walked over to where he was working. Alexis had gone over to the large fridge to search for the eggs, bacon and orange juice, and after a moment she set the items down on the counter near her father.

"I'm going to get the newspaper," she said, and then left the room.

"Hi," Beckett said, and Castle smiled at her.

"Hey. Sleep well?"

"Mmm. Really comfortable bed."

"Only the best," he said, with a grin.

"…for your family?" she suggested, and he tilted his head in acknowledgement before glancing around at her.

"For the women in my life that I care about," he replied, holding her gaze for a moment longer than strictly necessary.

Her stomach flip-flopped, but she didn't look away. "Anyone I should know about?"

He grinned. Fishing, detective?

"I can tell you that there are three of them, so I'm hopelessly outnumbered" he said. "Number 1 is getting the newspaper right now."

Beckett grinned. "And number 2 is teaching an acting class in the city."

He raised an eyebrow, and waited several seconds before replying. "That would be number 3, actually."

She felt heat rush into her cheeks, and she put a hand on the countertop to steady herself. They searched each other's eyes for a long moment. She had no idea how to respond, but she felt the need to say something.

"Castle, I–"

"Would it kill you to call me Rick?" he asked suddenly, turning to fully face her. He saw the look of apprehension appear on her face, and he sighed softly. "I'm not trying to push."

He paused for a moment, trying to find the right words.

"I've always called you Beckett, but… I've thought of you as Kate for a long time."

His eyes were earnest and filled with meaning, and she felt her heart rate increase again. He gave her a small smile that didn't reach his eyes, then he looked way, through the large window and towards the sea, and shook his head.

"Sorry. Forget I said that, OK?"

"I don't think I want to," she said softly, and he glanced around at her again in surprise. His gaze roamed across her face for several long moments, then he spoke.

"It's not about what you call me. Castle will do just fine. OK?"

She nodded cautiously, and he smiled that slightly sad smile again.

"I'm waiting for the day when you see me as Rick," he said gently, and then he immediately turned away and switched the stove on, just as Alexis walked back into the room clutching a bundle of several newspapers.

Oh god, Beckett thought, and she busied herself with finding plates and mugs so she could hide her flushed cheeks.


By 10:30 it was already very warm outside, with the sun blazing down from a vividly blue and cloudless sky.

Beckett and Alexis were already lying out around the pool, since Castle insisted on tidying up after breakfast.

"The weather is incredible here," Beckett said, and Alexis looked up from her book and smiled.

"It'd be horrible in the city, but it's perfect for a vacation," she replied.

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps, and both women glanced around to see Castle. He was wearing swimming shorts, sandals, and a loud Hawaiian shirt. He was carrying a pair of sunglasses and a Kindle.

"I had you pegged as more of a hardback guy," Beckett said, and Castle shrugged at her.

"Try carrying ten hardbacks around," he said, and Beckett tilted her head to acknowledge the point. She also didn't miss the way his gaze wandered appreciatively down her body, and she allowed herself a small grin.

He put the Kindle down, kicked off his sandals and slipped the sunglasses on, raising his arms to the sky.

"Now this is more like it," he said, basking in the heat and sunlight. "Anyone up for a swim?"

Alexis shook her head without looking up from her book, so he turned to Beckett.

"Uh, I think I'll give it a while," she said, and he nodded.

"Suit yourself."

He reached up and unbuttoned his shirt, then shrugged it off.

Oh, Beckett thought, her lips parting in surprise.

She had always known he had broad shoulders and a big build, but she didn't know that he found time to work out regularly, which he obviously did. His arms, chest and abdomen were toned, and as he strode towards the edge of the pool, she could see the strength he carried in his body.

Castle stood at the poolside for a moment, stretching his neck, then dived smoothly into the water, disappearing beneath its blue surface for several seconds before surfacing and going straight into a front-crawl along the length of the pool.

"He has a gym upstairs in one of the spare rooms in the loft, and one in the garage here," Alexis said, and Beckett's head whipped around to meet the girl's amused eyes.

She gave Alexis a weak smile, blushing furiously, then buried her face in her book.