This fic takes place in the present time everything is as is on the show.
Disclamier: Yeah I own Castle! Not! If I did I'd be hanging out with Stana and Nathan and there would be a Castle baby on the way! I do own all 5 seasons of Castle on DVD, 4 Nikki Heat books a Castle calendar and a Castle t-shirt!
Chapter 14: Trying to be Normal
Kate looked around the loft it was like a Christmas wonderland with a huge tree, garland on the banisters, a tiny Christmas village with a working train and mistletoe which she happened to be standing under. She jumped slightly when two arms circled her waist and two hands were placed an her slightly larger bump
"You're under the mistletoe" Castle grinned "You know what that means" he gently turned her in his arms locking his lips with hers kissing her.
"Eww get a room" Alexis teased from the kitchen where she was baking cookies
They broke apart both laughing. Kate smiled they haven't made love yet but it felt good to kiss him again and it felt good to laugh.
"You know instead of making out you guys can come help me finish the cookies before everyone gets here" Alexis stated spatula in her hand
"Okay pumpkin okay" Castle chuckled taking Kate's hand leading her into the kitchen.
"Hello kiddos" Martha came down the stairs in a sparkly red velvet dress with white fur around the collar.
"Hello mother have you been in the egg nog already" Castle teased
"Oh you hush" she giggled as the doorbell rang she sashayed over to answer it "Jim welcome" she grinned letting Kate's dad in.
"Daddy" Kate went over hugging him "Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas Katie bug look at you, you've grown" he set his hand on her small bump
"I know I'm getting fat" she whined with a smile.
Esposito and Lanie showed up next together and holding hands
"What's this" Kate grinned motioning to their entwined hands "Lanie are you and Javi" she started but was stopped
"That's right Lanie is my woman" Esposito pulled Lanie to him kissing her gently
"Its about time" Castle said from the kitchen
"Look who's talkin writer boy it took you four damn years to get my girl here" Lanie reminded him putting her arm around Kate
"Touché" Castle laughed as he set homemade Christmas cookies onto a plate
Ryan and Jenny arrived and in Ryan's arms was a tiny pink bundle. Jenny gave birth just days after the armament to a beautiful baby girl Alicia Katherine Ryan. Kate cried when she heard the baby's name and when Ryan said he couldn't think of a stronger woman to name his baby girl after.
"Let me hold my goddaughter" Esposito grinned taking the small bundle in his broad arms "Uncle Javi has you yes he does" he cooed to the tiny newborn
Kate smiled "Hey Lanie I think you may be next" she rubbed her small bump
Lanie shrugged "I can think of worse things than having a baby with Javi" she smiled watching her boyfriend with their niece.
The last person to arrive was Gates when Castle found out her kids wouldn't make into New York until Christmas Day and her husband had to work he insisted she join them for the annual Castle Christmas eve dinner that for a long time was just him , his mother and daughter but over the years his family grew and he was never happier.
"Merry Christmas everyone" she greeted them
"Merry Christmas sir" Kate welcomed her boss to their home
"Everyone we are not at the 12th and its Christmas call me Victoria" the older woman smiled making her way over to Esposito cooing at the newest member of her family.
"Man look at this place its like Christmas threw up" Esposito commented handing his niece to his boss.
"Hey I love Christmas I always have even when I was little and mother didn't have much she still made Christmas special for me" Castle told him
"Aww listen to my adoring son" Martha blushes a little "Thank you Richard"
"Always mother" he smiled as he finished setting the table. He switched on his ipod in its ideck and Christmas music filled the loft "Dinner's ready" he grinned
After a feast of ham, crescent rolls, yams and so much more the family moved around the huge tree to exchange gifts. The ones for Christmas morning tucked safely in their bedroom. Castle loved watching everyone opening their gifts and the sounds of joy when they saw what was inside. His eyes landed on Kate her eyes sparkling and her smile so bright as she tore open a gift followed by her squeals of excitement at what was inside. He was glad to see her so happy he hoped it lasted.
"Castle look what the boys got us for the baby" she grinned as she held up a tiny little vest the word writer on the front.
"Okay that is too cute" Castle said "What do you think little bean" he set his hand on her bump he couldn't wait until he could feel him or her moving. "Thanks guys" he looked at his best friends, his brothers.
"The kid has to be like his old man" Esposito chuckled
"Or her" Kate added even though she knew Castle really wanted a boy this time and she kinda hoped it was a boy too that looked just like his daddy.
Wrapping paper covered the livingroom of the loft Kate started to pick some up as everyone chatted, sipped egg nog and listened to Christmas music. She noticed a lone gift under the tree addressed to her the handwriting did not look familiar. She tore it open and looked inside when she saw what was inside the feeling of fear came back. Inside was a little doll it had brown hair a little writer vest on and in the head was a bullet hole. She knew it was Josh he had someone bring this here to ruin her Christmas. She wasn't going to let him she swallowed blinked and put the cover back on the box and hid it. She stood up letting her eyes wander the room looking for her fiancé he was standing near the kitchen egg nog in his hand talking to the boys. She crossed the room to where he stood and wrapped her self in his arms.
Castle handed his glass to Ryan and put his arms around her "Hey you okay" he asked
She nodded against him "I love you" she whispered
"I love you too always" he replied "Are you sure you're okay" he asked
Kate pulled away and looked around at her growing family and smiled "I'm fine" she answered
She stayed in his embrace where she felt safest. She'd tell him about the box and what was inside but it could wait until December 26th.
"Merry Christmas Castle" she whispered pulling him close
Chapter 15: Will It Ever Be Over...Coming soon
Author's Note: Merry Christmas Caskett lovers! Love you all!