"Gracie." Jim smiled at his granddaughter, shaking the toy above her head. Gracie babbled back at him, her eyes sparkling.
Jim loved that his baby girl had a baby girl; and she was just so cute. Gracie looked like Kate when she was a baby except for the fact that she had Rick's eyes. Almost a perfect combination of her mother and father.
This was his first grandchild, and if Johanna was alive she would have loved Gracie to pieces and loved that Rick was so good to his daughter and granddaughter. They would have spoiled her too, so much. Jim loved days like this, he just wished Johanna was here to babysit while Katie was at work and Rick was away.
Jim heard a key rattling in the door. He looked back to Gracie making excited eyes. "Is that your mama?" Gracie answered him this time by shoving a toy in her mouth.
Kate came through the door then and walked over to her dad. "Hi, Katie."
"Hey, dad." She smiled and hugged him. "Thanks for coming today."
"I don't mind at all. "I'll be here again tomorrow." He stood up and grabbed his coat, hugging Kate again, and left for the evening.
Beckett kicked off her heels and crouched down next to Gracie. "Hey baby girl." She picked her up and held her over her shoulder. "Did you have a good day with grandpa?" Kate turned her head and kissed Gracie's cheek. Gracie smiled and shoved her toy into her mouth once again.
Castle arrived home that night at nine o'clock. The loft was dark, the only light coming from the street lights down below. He assumed that she went to bed early; must have had a long day. He stepped carefully, not wanting to step on any toys and wake everyone up. Ever since Gracie had been born the loft was flooded with toys.
And Castle was adding to her collection. He went to check on her before going to bed, carrying in a little stuffed brown dog and a spotted pattern horse. The Winnie the Pooh mobile spun, playing a song softly. Gracie was babbling and kicking her legs, trying to reach the toys around her. Castle bent over the crib to see that Gracie was wide awake.
"Hey sweetheart." He said, leaning in to pick her up. He picked up her blanket, wrapping it around her. Gracie reached up to his face and smiled. Castle kissed her forehead. "Why aren't you sleeping?" Castle swayed her back and forth. "Have you been a good girl for your mama?" Castle walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle for Gracie. Going back to her room, he sat down in the rocking chair and gave her the bottle to drink.
Soon after, Gracie fell asleep in the warmth and comfort of her father's embrace. Castle kissed her forehead, slowly standing up and placing her in her crib.