A/N: If you want to know why I've been MIA, blame Steve Hansen, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ben/Aaron/Conrad Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Beauden Barrett, Bernard Foley, Handre Pollard–okay, just blame everyone from the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks teams.
The drifting aroma of coffee had crept into Kate Beckett's room; creeping up her covers and surrounding her in a state of bliss. Her eyes fluttered open, the welcoming morning sunlight, dancing through the gaps of her closed curtains and creating beams on the floor. It captured her attention, in a way that only the small details could. The swirling of dust catching in the light, the soft noise of traffic, and the scent of coffee entering under her door.
Kate sat up feeling oddly refreshed. She stretched her arms, the stiff joints whining in protest. She flipped off the sheets a moment later, her feet softly hitting her wooden floors.
Whether it was from the bounding steps she took, or the seemingly etched smile on her face, Kate Beckett felt calmer, lighter...happier. Her slumber had gone undisturbed; lucid dreams of a certain writer, creeping into her dreams, and memories of the night before following. It had been such a stark contrast, to nights before, where she would be tossing and turning in an interrupted sleep pattern. It was usually her staying up all night, but this was different. With thoughts of Richard Castle on her mind, Kate had finally been able to sleep without worry.
Kate took long strides to her bedroom door, pulling it open softly, as the smell of coffee and something else greeted her.
Her parents were standing in her kitchen, their bakes turned, as Jim seemed to be frying something, while Johanna buttered toast. Kate's soft steps seemed to alert them, their cat-like senses a trait that Kate had picked up on, helping her already well-established detective skills. Both her parents turned with a readied smile, her dad with a spatula in his hand, and one of Kate's old cupcake aprons, and Johanna with jam smearing across her cheek.
Kate stifled a laugh at her parents messy looks, sliding easily into a bar stool. "Morning. You too having fun?" She questioned cheekily, grabbing the nearby grape bowl. How her parents had managed to stock her house with anything, other than takeout containers and heat-up food, wasn't surprising for Kate. They had always managed to take care of their only child, adult or not.
Her parents shared a loving look, before Jim winked at his daughter and flicked the spatula at his wife, sending what appeared to be, liquid eggs into her hair.
"Jim Beckett!" Johanna yelled, reaching for a piece of jam-covered toast. Jim turned and sprinted to Kate, ducking behind her and swiveling her around, to shield off his wife's advances.
The play-fighting lasted for a couple of minutes, before Jim held up his hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay. I'm done," he puffed out breathlessly. He moved back to his previous spot, behind the bench. Johanna followed, but started to place various plates on the bench.
"Wow, mom. What are you trying to do? Feed a small army?" Kate asked, looking at the numerous plates of food.
Her mother waved a hand in dismissal."Nonsense Katie. I invited Richard and his family over too."
Kate gaped at her parents, eyes widening. "But- I'm not even dressed yet," she stated, looking down at her over-sized hoodie and cotton shorts.
It was stupid. She was acting like a teenage girl, whose prom date had come 2 hours early.
Jim and Johanna both laughed, bringing their daughter out of her thoughts. "Relax Katie. It's only Rick coming." Her dad said.
"Alexis had a study date and Martha has a rehearsal," her mother added.
Kate had easily gotten over her previous worry, biting her lips as she looked back over the huge amount of food. "Thank you, mom, dad. You guys really didn't need to do any of this." She smiled at her parents, before a thought struck her. "Wait, I thought you guys were leaving first thing today?"
"Trying to get rid of us already, Katie?" Johanna asked.
"Our client's has a meeting, so he'll be coming late. That means we have another hour with our favorite child," Jim said enthusiastically.
"Dad, I'm your only child," Kate pointed out teasingly, just as a knock sounded. "I got it," she nodded to her parents, sliding off her stool and making her way to the door.
She opened it to reveal Castle who, for once, wasn't greeting her with coffee. Instead he offered her a smile, kissing her on the cheek as he stepped into her apartment. Any lingering insecurities, of him seeing her without makeup on or work clothes, were gone–completely erased.
"Hey." Castle smiled at her, the height difference more noticeable. In only her socks, the top of Kate's head only just brushed above Castle's chin.
"You always greet girls like that Castle?"A/N: She teased, closing the door behind him.
"Only Alexis, Mother. Girls I care about," he stated bluntly.
His words sent a warm feeling through her stomach, a blush hinting at her cheeks.
Castle turned back at her silence, eyebrows raised. "What?"
She bit her lip slightly, shaking her head. "Nothing, just-nothing." She smiled at him in reassurance, falling into step with him. His hand fell easily to the small of her back, and she shivered slightly under his touch.
"My parents cooked enough to feed a small army," Kate informed, walking into the opens space, where Castle could see the amount of food.
"Have I ever told you how much I love your parents?" He asked her in a whisper, leaving her side to greet Jim and Johanna.
Everything looked right. The way that he easily embraced her parents, making her mother laugh and father shake his head fondly.
Everything felt right.
A/N: Would not blame you if you hate me for the terrible ending. I originally wrote this as a two-shot, but since you guys were so supportive, I expanded and ran out of ideas. So I know there will be people who say they hate this ending, but I would rather end it here, than throw out terrible, half-hearted chapters.
I am super open to the idea of a more 'in-depth' sequel, of Castle and Beckett's further relationship.
Oh and THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 100 REVIEWS! I never thought this story would reach that, and all the follows, favorites and reviews have been amazing! You guys are...extraordinary.
~Kenzie :)