AN: And so, more fluffiness begins! I'm having a great time writing this story and have already started the next chapter, but I still need three more date ideas! Credit for this one should really go to Steve1961, and the next chapter is one of my own ideas... but that leaves three more! If you have any cool ideas inbox me, I'd love to write what you want to see :)

Thanks everyone!

IBYL
xo

Monday morning arrived and I felt like a small child. Clearly, there was a part of me – a pretty large part – that liked the idea of being courted and wooed by Rick Castle. I think this was because I knew that despite his tendency to go completely over-the-top, he'd never do anything to make me uncomfortable – at least, not hugely uncomfortable. He always wants the best for me, in every possible situation. So when I woke up at 9am after a very rare sleep-in, I was not surprised to find the bed next to me empty. I headed downstairs and smiled at the smell of fresh coffee – but Rick was nowhere in sight. Taking the steaming cup of coffee, I wandered towards his study and found the door slightly ajar. The room was empty but the light from his laptop was bouncing around the room. I walked over and looked at the screen, smiling slightly.

KB,

I knew you were a detective for a reason! Drink your coffee, dress comfortably and come to the Central Park Zoo. You won't see me immediately, but tell the people at the gate your name and they'll show you where to find me.

I'll see you soon, my love.

RC

I drained my coffee cup before jumping in the shower. Since Rick had advised me to dress comfortably, I threw on some jeans, a tight-fitting hoodie and a pair of gorgeous Nikes that Rick had bought for me a few weeks ago, despite my insistence that I'd never have anywhere to wear them. I tucked my phone into my pocket and all but skipped from the loft, looking forward to seeing what Rick had planned.

XXX

I arrived at the gates to the zoo and declared my name, as asked. The young woman led me through the gates before handing me a bright yellow tulip with a small note attached. I slipped away the note and rolled it open.

You'll find me by my favourite animals. I'm guessing it'll take no more than two seconds for you to figure it out.

RC

Rick was right – I knew immediately, and I set off to meet my man. Within minutes, I was there. I spotted him staring intently into a cage and snuck up behind him, sliding my arms around his waist. He turned to me and smiled, kissing me soundly.

"Hi." I said, and he smiled again.

"You have no idea how hard it was to leave this morning without kissing you first." He said, and I nodded.

"Don't make a habit of it, I missed you." I said, and he wrapped an arm around my waist.

"So was I right? You knew where to find me in two seconds?"

"I only had to read the words 'favourite animal' before I knew where I had to be." I affirmed, and he pouted.

"Am I really that transparent?"

"Only to me, Rick, although most people who know you would completely understand why you love monkeys." He kissed my forehead before taking my hand.

"Come on. I know your dying to see your beloved polar bears." He said, smiling.

"Of course." I said, leaning into his side and simply enjoying being close. We wandered for a while before I finally asked him what had been on my mind.

"Why the zoo?" I asked, and he obviously knew what I meant.

"I wanted to bring you to do something you usually don't have time for. We've got the whole day just to walk around and see everything." He said, gesturing slightly with his free hand.

"Thank you, Rick." I said, smiling. It was simple, not at all extravagant – and the perfect day out.

"Always. Now come on, we've got some animals to see."

XXX

Almost four hours later, we left the park, strolling aimlessly in the direction of the loft. As we were walking down a serene and empty path, I decided that I couldn't resist having a little fun. I dropped Rick's hand and stepped beside him, before jumping onto his back and locking my arms around his neck. He groaned a little but laughed as his hands tucked under me to support my weight, and we continued our trip through the park. I leant into his ear and whispered softly.

"I love you." I smiled against his ear, before kissing it softly. I couldn't see him but I could hear the smile in his voice as he replied in kind. I couldn't help but think that I've never, ever, been quite so content. And I was really, REALLY enjoying it.

We reached the loft and Alexis was home from school, so the three of us relaxed and watched a movie before dinner. After dinner, both Rick and Alexis had their laptops – Rick was writing, while Alexis was finishing of the last of her schoolwork before her break. I was sitting on the couch, reading, when Rick gently nudged me and passed over his laptop. It was open to an email that he'd received through his website only a few hours ago. He nodded towards the screen and I read quickly.

Dear Mr Castle,

I am a New York resident who is very fond of photography, and as I am retired now I spend most of my days wandering around Central Park taking pictures. Today I saw you and a young woman walking down a path and photographed you a few times on a whim – it was only until I showed my wife the photos that she informed me that you were a famous author. I have no need to profit from such photos, so I thought I'd send them to you – I usually wouldn't bother but the pictures turned out so beautifully and I didn't want them to go to waste.

Sincerely,

Arthur Thomas

I clicked on the link and couldn't help the gasp that escaped me. There were three photos – one of Rick and I holding hands and smiling, him staring at me and me glancing down at our joined hands, and another of Rick resting his head on mine with our arms wrapped around each other. And the last picture was of Rick piggy-backing me through the park, my head resting close to his.

"Wow." I breathed, and Rick nodded. "They're beautiful pictures."

"Yeah." He agreed, before minimising the window to show that they had been made his background on his laptop. I smiled and kissed his cheek.

"I like this guy much better than the paparazzi." I said, earning a chuckle from Rick. I waved Alexis over to glance at the pictures, and she smiled.

"You two are worse than me and Ashley, I swear. Adorable, though." She smiled, and I laughed lightly. Rick took his laptop back and continued checking his emails, while Alexis bid us goodnight.

A few hours later, in bed, I curled up next to Rick and soon found myself drifting off to sleep, smiling about the day's events and dreaming of tomorrow.

R + R if you want, the emails arriving in my inbox make me smile :)