Disclaimer: I have no ownership of these characters.
This is an AU story. Montgomery is still alive, and Beckett has not been shot. Castle is at the precinct for his fourth year.
Kate awakens to the smells of coffee, bacon and eggs. She stretches her arms and legs and opens her eyes. She's lying in Castle's bed, alone. She looks around the room, it's a great room. There's a stone fireplace in front of his bed, with a huge plasma TV hanging over it. The bed is a plush sleigh-bed. She snuggles deeper into it. She could stay in this bed forever.
The door opens and Rick bursts in whistling a Christmas carol, wearing his pajamas. She opens her eyes again, to find him carrying a tray of food. He makes his way to the bed, and sits beside her.
"Good morning, sleepyhead. I brought you breakfast." He says as she sits up.
Rick places the tray in front of her. A red rose sits in a slender vase. The food smells delicious.
"Have you already eaten? Where did you get the rose?"
"Yes m'lady, I have already eaten, and the rose came from the atrium. You enjoy your breakfast; I'm going to get cleaned up and dressed." He leans over and brushes a quick kiss across her lips, then walks off.
Kate looks down at her food. She laughs. Rick has arranged the eggs and bacon in the shape of a smiley face. Kate's stomach rumbles, and she tears into the food.
Rick walks out of the bathroom, to find Kate and the breakfast tray gone. He quickly dresses and finds everyone but Kate, in the dining room.
"Mother, Beckett and I are coming to help today. She has a little more shopping to do, but the rest of the day we'll be there."
Kate walks into the room. "Actually Castle; Chell and I are going shopping together. You can hang out with the rest of the gang."
"Sidelining me, detective?
"Of course not, Castle. I just figured I'd give your wallet some down time. Besides, I'd like to get to know the woman that's getting so much of my dad's attention." She says as she winks at Jim.
"Well then, Mother. It looks as if I am at your disposal."
"That's ok, kiddo. I'm sure I'll find plenty for you to do."
Kate and Chell walk into one of the malls in Fleischmanns.
"Kate, I could use a latte, how about you?"
"Sounds wonderful, Chell. Let's go."
The duo purchases their lattes and bear-claws and locates a booth to sit at.
So, Castle tells me that he's known you guys all of his life."
"Oh yes, he sure has. Our families have always been close."
"Were Jacob and Martha always close?"
"Oh yes, they even dated for a few months, back before Rick's grandparents died. It took several years, before Martha came back up here. When she did come back, for my husband's funeral, she had little Ricky in tow. By that time, Jacob had married Denise. Honestly, I have always thought he and Martha would end up together."
"Think they will ever get serious?"
"It really depends, on Martha. Jacob has always loved her, she was his first love. But he knows that Martha needs to spread her wings, and doesn't want to force a commitment. He's leaving the pace and the next step up to Martha to make."
"Chell, I'm glad you and my dad have become friends. You make a cute couple."
"He's a very special man. I feel so comfortable around him, like I've known him forever. I've invited him to come back up this summer. He and Jacob want to do some fishing."
"I'm sure he will come. Fishing was a passion of his, many years ago. I'm sure he has missed it."
"Why don't you all come back up this summer? I know Rick usually spends some time in the Hamptons, but I'm sure he could spare a few days to come up here."
"I'd like that. We'll have to bring it up to him when we get back. Ready for some shopping?"
They leave the café and head off towards the shops.
Rick steps outside of the auditorium to make a quick phone call.
"Hey Mal, I've got a few things I need you to take care of for me. First, I need you to mark the upstairs area as reserved for New Years Eve. I'm going to be holding a private New Years party for about fifty people. I'll also need you to make sure the bar upstairs is stocked full, and plenty of champagne is available. Get Sally to make sure it's decorated and ready for the party. I'd also like you to get Patrick scheduled to tend bar, and Stacy to waitress. Get someone to make sure the poker room upstairs is ready for that night as well. I should be back sometime on the 30th, so if there are any last minute details or problems, I'll swing by. Thanks Mal, see you then."
Rick hangs up, and immediately composes a mass text message:
You are cordially invited to a New Years Eve Party at the Old Haunt.
The party will begin at 7:00pm on Saturday, December 31, 2011.
Appetizers and beverages will be on-the-house. Bring your spouse or
significant other. Poker game and festivities will be held in the upstairs
level. See you there!
Rick hits send, and pockets his phone. Now all he has to do is let those up here know about the party.
Kate and Chell walk into the auditorium to find everyone arguing about when to break for lunch.
"Ok folks listen. To ensure peace between the natives, let's break for lunch now. And to make sure there are no arguments, I'm buying. I figure we can introduce Beckett and Jim to the wonders of the Charcoal House. Beckett still swears no other burger joint can beat Remy's. I tried to persuade her with DairyGold, but she still thinks no-one can beat Remy's. I aim to prove her wrong at Charcoal House, voted 'Best Burgers' for twelve years running."
"Detective Beckett, you are going to love this place." Alexis replies.
"Let's go. We'll see who's got the better burger. My money's still on Remy's."
The group takes off in the direction of Charcoal House, without further argument.
They are seated and place their orders.
"I'm going to have a New Years Eve party at the Old Haunt. All of you are invited. Drinks are on-the-house. Poker game awaits as well. Chell, Jacob, you both can stay the night with us at the loft. There's plenty of room."
"Who can pass up free drinks and poker, count me in." Jacob replies.
"Jim and I already have plans for New Years. But thank you, for the invite." Chell responds.
The gang spends the rest of their meal discussing New Years Eve plans, and New Years resolutions.
When they are leaving the restaurant, Kate grabs Rick's arm.
"Castle, I'd like to go somewhere, before we go back to the auditorium. Would you come with me?"
"Of course, Beckett."
They head south from the restaurant, while the rest of the gang heads north. They walk about two blocks, and Kate stops him in front of the Sacred Heart Cathedral. She grabs his hand and walks inside.
Once inside, Kate turns and heads to the side alter. Rick follows.
"I always light a candle for Mom at Christmas and this year I want you with me."
Kate steps up to the alter, and proceeds to light a candle.
"Jesus is the Light of the world, a Light which never knows darkness. Merry Christmas, Mom, I love you." Kate says.
Rick steps up and lights a candle as well.
"Jesus is the Light of the world, a Light which never knows darkness. Merry Christmas, Mrs. Beckett, peace be with you." He says.
Kate turns to Rick, with tears in her eyes. "Thank you."
Rick leans in and pulls her into a hug. "Always." He replies.
They exit the cathedral, and take off in the direction of the auditorium.
Once back at the auditorium, Martha puts them all to work. Kate and Rick are busy painting props for the children's play.
Alexis and Ashley are up on the stage working with the Balsam Preschool kids, on their song for the pageant.
Rick is trying to sneak around one of the trees, just as Kate rolls the paint roller. Rick gets caught in her stroke, and gets green paint all over his arm.
Kate giggles.
Rick raises an eyebrow. "Oh, so you think that's funny, detective."
"No, no, it was an honest mistake." Kate says with a smirk.
Rick grabs a paint brush, and whips it at Kate. It splatters her with red paint.
"Castle!" She screams as she chases him with her roller.
She catches up to him, and rolls her roller up his back.
He turns around and catches her with his brush, splattering her hair in red.
Kate takes off chasing him. Rick slips in the paint, and takes Kate down with him.
Before long, they are completely covered in paint, sitting on the floor of the auditorium laughing heartily.
Martha walks in. "Looks like you two had fun. You both need baths."
Rick and Kate bust out laughing again.
"We're just about done here for the night, why don't you head home and shower. We're supposed to go caroling with the kids tonight in Highmount." Martha says.
Rick and Kate nod, and Martha leaves the room.
"We better head home, or you'll never get the paint out of your hair." Rick says.
They grab a couple of trash bags to cover the seats, and head to the SUV.
Rick and Kate enter the cabin. As soon as the door closes, Rick grabs Kate's arm and pulls her to him.
He leans down and slowly kisses her. He grabs her ass and pulls her tight up against him.
"C'mon Kate, let's go take a shower, together."
He takes her by the hand, and leads her into the master bathroom. Once there, he reaches inside and turns on the shower. They both kick off their shoes and remove their socks.
Rick turns around and Kate slowly begins to unbutton his shirt. She slides it off his shoulders and tosses it to the floor. She then grabs the hem of her shirt, and pulls it over her head, tossing it as well.
Her fingers find the zipper to his pants, and slowly push them down his thighs. He steps out of them.
He unzips her pants and pulls them down along with her thong. Kate rests her hands on his shoulders as he lifts first her right foot and then her left, leaving her bare to him, except for her black bra.
He stands up and removes the rest of his clothes, watching as she reaches behind her and unhooks the bra, letting it fall to the floor with the rest of the clothes.
"Beckett.. You are so beautiful." Rick says as he steps inside the shower.
She steps beside him and under the spray, moaning at the rasp of his fingertips along her bare back. She pushes his flush against the wall and presses tightly against him.
"So are you, Castle." She whispers against his ear before moving her lips down to his chest. She follows droplets of water with her tongue until she reaches his right nipple.
She gently flicks her tongue over it, and then softly nips it.
Rick hisses and wraps his arms around her. He turns them so that she is against the wall.
Rick begins to kiss her neck. He swipes his tongue along the bottom of her ear, nipping the tip. Kate sucks in a breath and arches into him. He continues trailing his tongue and lips lower down her chest, trailing his fingers up and over her breasts, not touching her nipples.
Kate's hands tighten in Rick's hair as she tries to move his mouth to her nipple. He leans closer, letting his breath slide over her nipples, the sensation causing them to strain towards him.
"Castle, kiss me. I need you to kiss me."
"You need?" He licks his lips and looks up into her eyes and Kate blinks at the intensity there. "I'm glad to hear that, Beckett, because I have something to confess too."
Rick stands and lowers his lips to hers; letting his hands smoothly slide along her hips, lowering even more to cup her ass in his large hands. He intensifies the kiss; Kate wraps her arms around his shoulders and pulls him tightly against her. Their tongues tangle like swordplay, each trying to consume the other.
"I need you too, Kate, with a force I cannot describe."
She gasps at his words, and the honesty she can see in his eyes.
She pulls him in for a kiss. Rick quickly deepens the kiss, darting his tongue in and out of her mouth causing the fire in her belly to travel lower to her core.
He kisses his way down her neck and along her shoulder. Her hands tighten on him and he smiles against her skin before moving back to her breasts. He finally lets his lips caress the underside of her breast."
"Castle." She squirms against him. He answers her call by covering her nipple with his lips. He slides his tongue across the tip, and then softly nips her aching flesh.
She cries out in pleasure, as she begins to rotate her hips in time to the suction of his mouth. He presses one knee between her legs, so she can rock against him.
The dual assault has her arching her back and crying out as her orgasm overtakes her.
Rick kisses back up her neck and looks into her eyes. Kate gasps at the predatory smile that curves up the side of his mouth. His eyes are narrowed and dark and she knows he is controlling this game of the flesh, for now.
He reaches back with his rand hand, and grasps the handheld shower head. He flips the switch to turn the water from the overhead shower to the one he holds in his hand.
Rick pushes her tighter against the wall, grabbing her ass and pulling her up face to face. He grinds his erection against her heat. She moans in anticipation.
He inserts one long finger into her heat, slowly moving in and out. With his other hand, he lets the heated stream of water caress her inner thighs.
"Castle, more. I need more."
A second finger joins the first, setting a slow steady rhythm to drive her insane.
"Hang on to me." He whispers before simultaneously pulling her nipple into his mouth and letting the stream of water rush up against her clit.
Kate lets out a scream as the water pulsates against her clit, and his fingers tantalize her core. He intensifies the thrusts of his fingers.
Kate screams out his name as her orgasm bursts through her entire body. He uses his thumb against her clit to continue her pleasure until she comes down from her high.
He replaces the handheld shower head, and flicks the switch to turn the overhead shower back on.
Rick continues to assault her nipple as Kate begins to squirm against him again. Rick releases her nipple and slowly begins to trail his tongue up her chest, along her throat, and softly sweeps it over her lips, gently lifting her in his arms.
He attacks her mouth in an earth-shattering kiss, just as he thrusts up into her. Kate cries out into his mouth. Rick trails kisses along her chin and jaw. When he looks back into her eyes, she can see his total surrender. Kate suspects she has a similar look in her eyes, but she doesn't care. As long as Rick keeps moving inside her, she doesn't care about anything right now.
Rick reaches his hand down and gently flicks a finger over her clit. Kate gasps as he continues his thrusting assault, increasing his speed.
"I love you, Kate." Rick rasps out. "Only you."
Kate takes his mouth in a demanding and passionate kiss. She throws all her passion, all her need and all her promises into the kiss.
"I love you too, Rick". She breathlessly replies.
Rick's heart flies hearing those words finally fall from her mouth. The intensity of his thrusts becomes almost torturous. He can feel her tighten against him. He feels like he can move mountains.
Kate's climax splinters into thousands of shards of sensation and pleasure, spreading throughout her entire body. She realizes now that she will never reach such a level of pleasure and sensations with anyone but Rick, and that he needs her every bit as much as she needs him.
Rick pulls Kate tightly against him, as he takes one last deep hard thrust into her, growling as he spills his seed inside her. His heart soars knowing that the deep, passionate, selfless love he feels for this woman, is reciprocated.
They maintain their positions for a few minutes, while they find their breath and regain their strength.
"We had better get cleaned up. Everyone should be home anytime."
"We wouldn't want to keep everyone waiting." Kate smirks.
Note:
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