An alternate ending to episode 8x20 "Much Ado About Murder." With potential spoilers for that episode, obviously.
Kate Beckett is sitting on the floor with her husband, happily eating Chinese food out of takeout containers.
"Mm," he says, swallowing a large mouthful. "This date night is everything I dreamed it would be."
"Aww," she smiles. "Well, don't get too comfortable, babe. The night is young."
"Oh. Really?" he asks, surprised. "I thought you were gonna say something like, 'given all the recent excitement, a quiet night in would be nice for a change.'"
"Nope," she grins, shaking her head. "Although, now that you mention it, that does sound kind of nice. You should keep that in mind next time it's your turn to plan date night."
Castle narrows his eyes at her. "Come on, Kate. We both know you didn't plan anything."
"Actually," she checks her watch quickly, "I did, and we have to leave soon or we'll be late. Eat up."
Her husband still looks skeptical, but he shrugs and starts shoveling the rest of the lo mein into his mouth. Beckett grins and goes to work on the remainder of the cashew chicken.
"Okay," Castle says a few minutes later, watching Beckett pull on her shoes. "So, on a scale of one to ten…"
"What you're wearing now is just fine," she assures him, quickly taking the empty containers to the kitchen trash can. "Come on, we need to get going."
"At least give me some kind of hint," Castle cajoles as they grab their jackets and leave the loft. "Are we going skydiving?"
"At this time of night?" Beckett scoffs. "Forget it, Castle. I'm not giving anything away. You'll just have to wait and see."
"Kate," he whines as they ride the elevator down to the ground floor. "You know I love guessing. Just one little hint."
"Nope."
Castle continues wheedling, and Beckett ignoring, as they emerge from the elevator and walk across the lobby. The doorman, occupied with a messenger delivering a large box, gives them a wave on their way out.
Within moments they're in a cab, and Beckett slips the driver a piece of paper with an address written on it. Castle's eyebrows go up.
"Okay, I'm officially impressed."
"Listen, babe," Beckett murmurs, biting her lip nervously, taking his hand. "Um, this isn't exactly up to the level of Hamilton or the spelunking thing, as date night plans go."
"Hey," he soothes, bringing her hand to his lips, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. "I'm sorry if the whole date night competition thing is too much. You don't need to feel pressured. Whatever it is, I'm sure I'll love it."
A tentative smile claims Beckett's lips. "I really think you will. Even though it's not skydiving."
"Well, maybe next time."
They both chuckle, leaning in to each other for a quick kiss.
"Here ya go," announces the cabbie. Castle sits up straight.
"That was quick," he comments, reaching for his wallet, but Beckett has already pressed some cash into the driver's hand and climbed out. He hastens to follow.
"Huh," he says when he joins Beckett on the sidewalk. "What is this?"
It's a nondescript block, mostly brownstones and unassuming brick buildings, with a convenience store on the corner. Castle gazes around curiously, trying to figure out where his wife is taking him.
"This way," Beckett murmurs, quietly pleased at his confusion. She laces her fingers through his, pressing her palm to his bigger one, and tugs him toward the nearest low building.
As soon as they enter the front door, Castle begins to get the idea. "Oh," he exclaims, his lips turning upward. Kate can't help smiling back, her chest tight with affection at the way her husband's expression softens as he takes in the brightly colored artwork on the walls.
"Beckett! Castle!" They both turn at the sound of their names, and smile at the approach of Kevin Ryan, his tiny son balanced easily on his shoulder. "Hey, you guys came."
"Wouldn't miss it," Kate smiles, glancing sideways at her husband, who nods enthusiastically.
"No way," he agrees, squeezing her hand. And they follow Kevin into the little auditorium.
The preschool play is achingly awkward and completely adorable. Beckett smiles through the whole thing, beaming at little Sarah Grace as she twirls and flutters through her flower song.
As the final notes die away, the parents and friends burst into applause. Kevin and Jenny are both on their feet, clapping furiously. Kate sneaks a glance to her right and laughs aloud at the sight of her husband holding little Nicholas, cradling the baby in the crook of his arm with ease and applauding gently. Beckett had been so focused on Sarah Grace's performance, she never even noticed when Rick took the baby from Jenny.
As the parents make their way up toward the stage to collect their little performers, Castle's gaze shifts down to the infant in his arms, and the tenderness in his face sends Kate reeling back in her chair, feeling almost as if her heart has stopped in the sudden rush of almost unbearable longing.
"Castle," she gets out, choked, and he lifts his eyes to her, beaming.
"You win date night, no question," he announces, and the knot in her chest slowly loosens.
She even lets him slide the baby into her arms, asleep now, a solid warm bundle of soft skin and plush fabric and downy hair. She bites her lip hard as she studies the tiny face, transfixed while her husband goes to give Sarah Grace a hug and congratulate the happy parents.
"All good?" Jenny is asking a moment later, and Kate nods, smiling, but ready to relinquish the baby back to his mother.
They say their goodnights and meander out to the sidewalk again, their arms linked.
"Thank you," Castle says softly as they wait for a cab. Beckett cocks her head at him questioningly.
"For what, babe?"
One corner of his mouth quirks upward in self-deprecation. "For … reminding me that date night doesn't have to be a competition."
"The rivalry is half the fun," she teases lightly, echoing his words from earlier. He snorts and nods ruefully.
"Yeah, but the other half is this." He waves his hand back toward the preschool building as they climb into the taxi. "Just … being together."
Beckett leans forward to give the driver their address, then slides over to press herself against her husband's side, his arm wrapping around her shoulders with easy familiarity.
"Speaking of being together," she rasps against his neck, slipping her hand into the open collar of his shirt. She presses her lips to the underside of his jaw, and feels him smile.
"It's the baby, isn't it?" he murmurs, his voice husky with arousal. A shiver runs through Kate, an odd mixture of desire and anxiety as she remembers the sight of his strong arms cradling the infant, the sweet adoration on his face.
"It's you," she says against his skin. "It's all you."
An hour later they're in bed, sweaty and breathless and happy.
"Seems like date night always ends the same way," Castle smirks, his fingers dancing lightly over Beckett's shoulders. She huffs out a laugh.
"It's important to maintain some traditions in a relationship, don't you think?" she teases back.
"Oh, definitely. Absolutely," he agrees. "But strictly speaking, this particular tradition demands a third round."
"You don't say," Beckett grins, rolling on top of him, her hands seeking. "Well, I guess we'd better honor that tradition properly."
And they do.