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Beckett slept until late morning the day of the precinct Christmas party, and for once she couldn't bring herself to feel guilty about it. She was warm and comfortable and when she woke she had that nearly-hung-over feel that comes from a long hard sleep after going without. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she stretched hard enough that little spots appearing in her vision, and then dropped back to the bed with her muscles loose and limbs akimbo.
She did need to get up. Because she had Christmassy things to do, as Castle would say, though mostly that entailed a few phone calls. Well, a few phone calls and some good luck, but she could really only control one of those things. And she would need to get ready for the party, too. More excited than she would ever admit, she turned over onto her back and hugged a pillow to her chest, grinning at nothing.
This was going to be their first real date. Castle had asked her out, he was picking her up, they were going to a party, they were going to get dressed up for each other... Or rather, she'd be in a little black dress for him. There was always the chance with Castle that he'd show up in a damn Santa suit. Beckett grinned again. She wouldn't mind if he did. Maybe she'd consider adding a little Christmas flair to her own outfit. Mistletoe earrings, or something.
Chuckling at her own silliness, she sat up and yawned. She had things to do. Plucking her snuggie from it's bedside location she tugged it over her head and fought the urge to flop back into bed again. She felt lazy and snug and her to-do list was important but low-stress and she was looking forward to her day and her night, and the sensations all combined into something unfamiliar that it took her a moment to put her finger on.
Oh.
She felt happy. She buried her face into her fleece cocoon at the epiphany, smiling to herself. It was Castle's doing, mostly. Because this time of year was when she usually holed up and... no. Castle had made this huge effort to keep her from falling into the usual depression, and she wasn't going to throw away his hard work or her perfectly good mood by indulging in the usual psychological traps.
She stood abruptly, determined to keep her emotional momentum, but when she wandered out to her kitchen like normal there was a problem. She didn't want mediocre coffee from her dingy old coffee pot. She wanted a white peppermint mocha, because Castle had been positively spoiling her with them all month. She wrinkled her nose and put her hands on her hips, burrowing her fingers in the soft fleece. Quite the Saturday conundrum: did she stay in her warm pajamas and drink coffee that was only okay or get dressed in real world clothes and go get the sparkly Christmas coffee she wanted?
Beckett stood in the warm morning sunlight that was filtering in through the window and shook her head at herself with a sigh. She'd better get dressed.
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Castle was also out and about the city that afternoon. After breakfast with Jim Beckett, which had gone very well, he found himself on Fifth Avenue, trying to find something for Beckett. He didn't want to get her something big to unwrap on Christmas day for a couple of reasons, the foremost being that she was only tentatively warming up to the holiday cheer, and he didn't want to scare the sentiment away before it had time to set down roots.
But he remembered the way she'd gotten so emotional about the snuggie he'd left at her door. She could deny, deny, deny all she wanted but Castle knew that she liked getting gifts, as long as they weren't too extravagant. So for tonight, he needed something that skirted that line of special but not-too-much, and something that came with a holiday theme.
Castle could hear even in his own head how high-maintenance he was as a gift buyer, and the exasperated looks on some of the sales ladies faces confirmed it. They could always tell he had money when he walked in the door, either by the quality of his clothes or the way he didn't even raise an eyebrow at the prices, and every single one of them today was trying to sell him something uber-expensive for his 'special lady's Christmas gift'.
They weren't listening, so he found himself moving away from the high-end stores. It was getting late as he wandered the streets, the time to give up and head back to the loft to change for the evening bearing down on him with surprising speed, so he decided to try one store. It was a little independent jeweler off the beaten path, and Castle entered with some trepidation and less confidence than he'd been carrying earlier that morning.
What he found instead of pushy salespeople was just one easy-going, wizened old man with a beard that was mostly grey and kind blue eyes; the jeweler and proprietor himself. After introducing himself, Castle tried to explain what he needed.
"And it's not that I can't buy her something expensive, but it'll make her uncomfortable." He trailed his gloved hands over the glass as he walked slowly through the store, peering at the merchandise. "What I need is something she likes but that doesn't make her feel guilty that I bought it."
Nick, the jeweler, nodded knowingly. "Lots of people feel that way, especially early in a relationship. How long have you known her?"
Castle laughed, looking up, and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, three years. But we've only recently, uh, gotten together."
The older man nodded and smiled warmly, "Ah, those relationships that need to percolate a little longer in the beginning usually turn out to be the best ones! You two should be very happy together," he enthused. "See anything you like?"
Castle shrugged noncommittally. "It's all very nice, but..."
"Okay, let's see. What are you thinking? Bracelet? Necklace? Ring?"
"Not a ring," Castle rushed to clarify, the tips of his ears getting hot when the jeweler smiled broadly at his interruption. "I was thinking necklace, really."
Nick disappeared into the back, leaving Castle to wander. He was staring at the glittering arrangement of engagement rings without really meaning to, wondering if that was what he might be shopping for this time next year. The possibility left him smiling down at the diamonds and the gold, wondering, and that's how Nick found him when he returned.
Ignoring the obvious, the jeweler simply held up a small collection of boxes. "Christmas-themed, right? How do you feel about these?" Keeping most of the boxes on his side of the counter, he slid the first offering across the glass, peering up at Castle over gold-rimmed glasses. His whiskers were twitching and his eyes crinkling as he grinned.
Castle's eyes lit up. It was perfect. With careful hands, Castle lifted the necklace a little closer to inspect it. It was a Christmas tree pendant on a gold chain. The tree was made of emerald with a smattering of ruby, and outlined in gold. It was beautiful, finely crafted, not too big, just what he'd been looking for. Perfect. He looked from the necklace back to the man in front of him.
"You've been holding out on me," he admonished lightly.
"Well," the jeweler said, "most of the people who come in here aren't looking for something like this. Though it's one of my favorites."
Castle just closed the box with finality. "I'll take it. Can you wrap it?"
"Of course! You mentioned it's for tonight, am I right? I'll just wrap it up for you and you can give it to your girl just in time for the party." He began to wrap as he spoke, and Castle noted the classy antique feeling of the paper he was using. A little old-timey, a little timeless. Again, perfect, and Castle felt a strange affection for the old man behind the counter, who was still speaking. "...anyway if you decide that you want it engraved, there's room enough on the back for a 'Merry Christmas, Kate', or something of the like. I'd be happy to do it for you here."
"Thank you so much," Castle said enthusiastically, taking the gift bag. "Really, you've been so helpful."
"It's what I do," the old man shrugged, and waved him out of the store with a, "Merry Christmas, Rick!"
Castle's cab was three blocks away before he realized he couldn't remember ever actually telling the jeweler Kate's name. Or his own. He turned and looked back through the rear window, but he had covered too much distance and the sidewalks were too crowded with Christmas shoppers for him to see the store. A quick check of his watch reminded him that he was running too late now to go back. Slowly, he turned back in his seat, brow furrowed. He must have told him without meaning to. There was no other explanation.
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It was a quarter to seven, and Beckett was almost ready to go. She was wearing a little black dress, as she had promised herself earlier, and had found a pair of emerald earrings to add a little festiveness to her outfit. Warm black winter tights to combat the weather just added to her already long, sleek look. Her shoes were by the door, her hair and make up done. There was also a little twinge of nervous excitement burrowing into her chest as she spritzed a little perfume and regarded herself in the mirror.
She smiled at her reflection and walked back to her bed, her stockinged feet padding silently along the floor. There was one more thing she was considering wearing, but she was undecided. It is a Christmas party, after all, she thought as she chewed contemplatively on her thumbnail and looked at her possible accessory. Then she jerked her hand away from her face and checked the damage. She had painted her nails a sultry kind of red, and if she had thoughtlessly ruined the job she would be so disappointed. But all ten were still perfect, and she bit her lip.
She hoped Castle liked the effect.
With that in mind, she picked up the broad, silky red scarf from her bed and wrapped it high around her waist, tying a bow left of center. It took a few tries to get the unwrap me, Castle effect she was going for without looking like something from a 90's clothing catalogue, but she was satisfied in the end. The long ends of the scarf flowed down along her hip, adding a little color, too. And there was still time to change her mind, but the red matched her nails and she was feeling more and more confident about the look the longer she wore it.
What had he said about wanting to unwrap Santa's presents?
She giggled to herself, a warm flushed feeling infusing her blood, and was considering pouring herself a glass of wine to curb her nerves when her phone rang with a familiar ring tone. Checking the display to be sure, she nodded to herself. She might be able to arrange Castle's Christmas present before the holiday, after all. She swiped her thumb on the screen to answer the call.
"Hello, is this the Santa hotline returning my call?" she laughed as she answered.
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Suited up, wearing a green shirt and no tie under his black jacket, Castle stood for a brief moment outside of Beckett's apartment to collect himself. He had her present in his suit pocket, but took it out instead. Nervously, he mimed offering it to her when she answered the door, and stuffed it back in his pocket. That was better.
No, not better. He took it out, did his best to affect some nonchalance, one foot out a little awkwardly and one elbow resting on the doorframe, and knocked. He was midway through changing his mind again, the gift half exposed and half hidden by his jacket, when she opened the door.
Oh, damn.
She looked amazing. She was on her phone when she opened the door, smiling at him with twinkling eyes and gesturing him in while humming vague responses into her phone.
'Lanie,' she mouthed, pointing at the phone. She ran an affectionate hand down his lapel while still obviously listening to her friend. She was so distracted that her fingers actually grazed the box in his hand without noticing. Castle had the opportunity to take her in when she turned to lead him further inside, and gulped. She looked amazing, as always, her dress showing off all of her best qualities, and wait. Was she dressed up like a present?
He looked down at the one in his hands, thinking that it could never really compare if she was. A little nervous, he rested a hip against her counter and watched while she tried to wind the conversation down. His gift rested lightly in his fingers.
"Mm hmm. Okay. Yeah, thank you again. I'll see you tonight, s-"
She was cut off, or otherwise interrupted, and then she put her phone down. She turned to look at him with eyes that were bright and widened by what looked like excitement, if the fact that she was standing mostly on just her toes was any indication. She was practically thrumming with energy, even looking a little flushed, and Castle found it impossibly endearing.
"Hey, Castle," she grinned, eyes locked with his.
"Hey back. You look amazing."
Her smile widened, her lower lip drawn partway between her teeth like she still couldn't believe their good fortune, and she closed the gap between them. He leaned down to help her close the distance when she stretched up all the way on her tiptoes, and she kissed him.
"You look great, too." Her eyes were wandering to take him in, and Castle had the opportunity to watch her face when she noticed that he was holding a little wrapped box. She looked quietly delighted.
She looked up at him through her lashes and raised an eyebrow. "That for me?"
At his nod, she shook her head at him, though still smiling. "It's not even Christmas, Castle." Her fingers belied her words though, taking the box from him and running over the paper.
"It's not a Christmas present," he said with a grin. "It's a Christmas party present. A whole different thing."
The suppressed eye roll was exactly what he was looking for, but it was only for show and they both knew it.
"The paper's beautiful," she murmured, head cocked slightly to one side while she looked at it. She flicked her eyes back up to his, returning his gaze. "I've never seen anything like it."
"I think," Castle said slowly, "it might be very special. But that's a story for a different day. Open it."
She did, her fingers moving rapidly over the paper and then, her eyes moving between the box and his face, she opened it. Beckett gasped, and he grinned.
"Castle, this is beautiful. It's so... it's perfect."
"I'm glad you like it." Castle lowered his voice and stepped a little closer. He ran his fingers over the exposed skin of her arm and then took the necklace from her. She turned in front of him and held her hair over one shoulder while he helped her put it on, fingers only fumbling slightly on the clasp.
"I love it," she murmured, leaning back into him when he brushed his lips over the exposed skin of her neck. From this vantage point, he could see the swell of one cheek as she smiled, and the way her lowered lashes brushed against her skin. Gorgeous, from any perspective. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his clasped hands casually at her belly.
"I guess we have to go to this party now," he complained with a laugh, his nose brushing her ear.
She laughed with him, twisted to kiss him briefly, then disengaged to slip on her shoes and coat. "Come on, Castle, I want to show off my present."
Leering a little, he raised his eyebrows. "Does that mean I get to show off mine?"
She blushed, giving him a look, but shrugged and met his gaze. "I guess it's only fair."
"Then after you, madam."
He held the door for her and they stepped out together, arms linked, the glittering red and green necklace highlighting how their outfits matched. A picture-perfect couple, on their very first date.
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A/N: Thank you for reading, and the favs and follows and reviews! I'd love to know what you think!
