Hello again, my fantastic readers. A short little fluffy piece this time...

Disclaimer: Does not own Castle.

Chapter 10

"Wake up! Wake up!"

Rick groaned, rolling away from the little person bouncing on the bed, and pulled the thick blanket over his head. It had been too many years since Alexis had woken him this way and if he wasn't so tired he would have felt nostalgic.

"Lilly! What did I say about waking Ricky up?" He heard Kate whisper and then felt as the little bundle was lifted from the bed.

"T's ok, I'm awake now." He yawned, pulling the blankets back down to his waist. Kate and Lilly were still in their pajamas, but looked as though they had been up for hours.

"Katie says we is going to a sprise?" Lilly said, wriggling in Kate's arms. Rick yawned again and nodded, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and standing up.

"Katie is right. First things first though, my belly is empty…do you think smiley face pancakes will fill it up?"

Lilly nodded excitedly and clapped her hands, and the trio made their way downstairs.

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Once they were seated and eating strawberry smiley face pancakes, with Rick's swimming in syrup and cream, Kate remembered her promise to call Alexis.

"Rick? Have you spoken to Alexis since we've been here?" She asked, leaning over to wipe away a trail of syrup from Lilly's chin. Finishing his food (he knew he would be scolded for talking with his mouth full), Rick shook his head no.

"No…I should probably call Mother as well, make sure she hasn't fallen overboard."

Martha was spending Christmas with her latest beau on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. Rick pulled out his phone and dialed Alexis' number first. His daughter picked up on the first ring.

"Hey sweetie, how are you?" He said. His smile turned into a frown, instantly concerned by the upset voice of his daughter.

"Honey, what's wrong? Why didn't you call sooner?" Just as he was about to switch the phone to his other ear, it was snatched out of his hands. He turned bewildered eyes to Kate, mouth gaping as she stole the phone from him and all but ran upstairs.

"Well, Lilly, looks like it's just you and me." He said, still frowning slightly. Lilly bobbed her head, her long chestnut curls falling onto her plate and covering them with sticky syrup. That brought a smile to his face.

XXXXXXX

Making her way into Alexis' room, the phone cradled between her ear and shoulder, Kate couldn't help the concern creeping into her voice.

"Lex, honey, what's wrong?"

She heard Alexis sigh on the other end.

"It's awful here, Kate. I've had enough."

After carefully making the bed Lilly had slept in, Kate sat down and pulled one of the bears from the ledge above, idly picking at its soft fur.

"Talk to me, Lex."

Alexis was silent on the other end for a moment, and Kate prayed the girl wasn't about to burst into tears. Maybe she should have let Rick talk to Alexis.

"Are you and Dad having fun?" Alexis asked finally, changing the topic.

"Yeah, sweetie. Your neighbor, Lilly, stayed over last night, and your Dad wants to take her to see Santa today."

"Oh…ok. I haven't seen Lilly since she was a baby. She must be pretty cute."

"She's adorable. She loves your Barbie dolls."

Alexis laughed, but Kate could tell it was forced.

"Alexis, I'm sorry we didn't call you sooner." Kate's voice was soft and full of guilt.

"No, its ok. I just miss you guys."

"We miss you as well, Lex. So, here's what we're gonna do." And with that, Kate laid out a plan that should see Alexis joining them within 24 hours.

XXXXXXX

"Hey, is she ok?" Rick asked as soon as Kate came back downstairs. She kissed his cheek and slipped his phone in his pocket before picking Lilly up and wiping cream from the girl's nose.

"Yeah, just needed some girl talk. She'll call tomorrow to speak to you."

Nodding, but still feeling unsure, Rick cleaned the dishes as Kate made her way to the bathroom.

"Time for a bath, Lil? Then we can go to your surprise!" Kate said, bouncing Lilly who shrieked happily.

XXXXXXX

With more water outside the tub than in, Rick decided bath time was over. He picked up the slippery girl and handed her to Kate who was holding out a thick towel. She bundled up Lilly and took her back into the main room, setting her down in front of the warm fire. Quickly, efficiently, but softly, she dried the girl, both of them giggling when she ruffled the mass of chestnut curls and they went flying wildly. Rick handed her a tiny pair of jeans, a red hand-knitted turtle neck and a Hannah Montana sweater. Even though the show had ended years ago, it seemed little Lilly was a fan. With Kate dressing the girl, Rick settled back against the sofa.

"You're really good with kids." He observed. Kate shot him a quick, lopsided smile.

"Kinda hard to believe. Lilly's probably the only kid aside from Alexis I've spent a long period of time with." She grinned at Lilly, leaning down to blow a raspberry on her small belly. Lilly shrieked and playfully tugged Kate's hair.

"That means it comes naturally to you." Rick commented.

"I guess."

Rick laughed at the blush that rose over her cheeks and moved to sit next to her, placing a few quick kisses on her neck.

"That's a compliment Kate. You'll be a great mother." He hadn't meant for the last part to actually leave the confines of his brain and exit through his mouth. She stared at him for a moment and he held his breath. Instead of grabbing the car keys and bolting, as he half expected her to do, she let out a small laugh and leant over, giving him a loud smacking kiss on the lips, which caused Lilly to giggle.

"Don't start choosing wall paper and names just yet, kitten."

If only she knew how much he couldn't wait to do so.

I told you, sugary fluffiness. Hope you all enjoyed!

I've almost finished writing the final chapters (fear not, there are still at least half a dozen after this chapter)...and I can't wait to post them! I'm a little excited about it, so I really hope you press that little review button ...