We loved all our replies last time. If you could keep it up, we'd greatly appreciate it. Did I mention that it's my co-writer's birthday on Sunday? Give her a present and show us some love at the same time. ;)
-d-d-d-d-
"Hey it's me," Alexis spoke into her phone while walking down the street. She was bundled up to ward off the December chill, and she had a plethora of shopping bags in her other hand. Kevin's mother had taken Sarah Grace for the day, which allowed Alexis time to finish up her Christmas shopping as the holiday was rapidly approaching. "Has my dad talked to you today?"
"I've talked to him several times today," Kevin responded, "Is there something in particular we were supposed to discuss?"
"He wants to host a Christmas Eve dinner. He's inviting everyone."
"Oh, yeah, that. I heard him mention something about it to Javi earlier," Kevin sighed, "I was planning to take Sarah Grace to midnight mass with my family. It's sort of a tradition."
"I know. The point is I was planning on eating with the family and then coming over to your place to spend some time with you before you went to mass."
"Oh, okay," Kevin replied, "Have your excuse ready yet for ducking out?"
"Kevin, you're out of your mind if you think you're getting out of my dad's party."
"I'm sure he'll understand Sarah Grace and I wanting to do things a bit low key this year," Kevin responded.
-d-d-d-d-d-
"Low key, no way," Rick came up behind the young detective, "What's low key?"
"I'll talk to you later, Mom," Kevin said before he disconnected and turned towards Castle. "Sarah Grace and I want to keep to ourselves this Christmas. You get that, right?"
"What? No way!" Rick protested, "We're having our blow out Christmas bash again this year. You and Sarah Grace have to come."
"Castle, we appreciate the invite, but…," Kevin started.
"You're coming if I have to come over to your house and drag you to mine."
"Come on, Ryan, Castle's bringing Santa in for a last minute pow wow just for Sarah Grace," Kate chimed in.
"It won't be the same without you, Bro," Javi said. "Besides how else are we supposed to give Sarah Grace her gifts?"
"More gifts?" Kevin sighed, "You're already helping out with Santa. That's quite enough."
"She's the only kid we have in our little family, Kevin," Castle reminded him. "She's getting spoiled."
"Face it, Bro. There is no such thing as low key when it comes to Castle," Javi replied.
"Can I bring anything?"
"Yes, that adorable little girl of yours," Rick pumped his fists in the air in victory.
"As for food, we're having it catered so Martha, Alexis, and I aren't trapped in the kitchen all day," Kate added.
"For which we are all appreciative," Javi chuckled.
Kate frowned at her friend, "Watch it, Javi. I can still tell Lanie what your original Christmas gift idea was."
"You wouldn't dare," Javi's face fell in horror.
Kate only smiled and walked to her office.
"Come on, Ryan, it won't be Christmas without you and Sarah Grace," Rick replied.
"I'll be there, I promise," Kevin made his way into the break room and dialed Alexis.
"Hello?"
"Hey, sorry about that."
"I guess my dad finally got around to inviting you," Alexis laughed.
"It's more like he ordered my appearance at the loft on Christmas Eve."
"I told you," Alexis replied, "It will be fun. I promise."
"I'd much rather be alone with you and Sarah Grace for a few hours."
"Afterwards," Alexis assured him.
"It should be a good time. Your dad certainly knows how to throw a party."
"He's pulling out all the stops this year," Alexis replied.
"That's a little scary to contemplate."
"Kate said the same thing," Alexis laughed.
"We've been talking a lot about presents for Sarah Grace. We never really decided if we were going to exchange gifts."
"Mine to you is in the bottom of your desk drawer," Alexis told him.
"When did you manage to sneak in here?" Kevin asked.
"If I told you, then you'd know."
"Castle is going to murder me when he finds out about us," Kevin groaned.
"Don't worry. He'll have to get through me."
"Comforting," he snorted.
"Open your gift when you're alone," Alexis advised. "Talk to you later."
"Yeah, see you tonight."
"Bye," Alexis hung up.
-d-d-d-d-
"Dad? The doorbell's ringing, and my hands are full," Alexis called out.
"Got it," Rick hollered back while jogging to the loft door.
"Hey, Castle," Javi greeted as he and Lanie walked in.
"Wow, Santa's workshop has nothing on this place," Lanie glanced around the festively decorated room.
"Kind of the idea," Rick stepped back to allow them into his home, "Can I take your coats?"
"Yes," Lanie slid hers off, revealing a deep red velvet dress.
"Wow, Lanie, you look terrific," Kate came in to greet her friend. "New dress?"
"This old thing?" Lanie swayed her hips to show it off a bit.
"Oh, it's not too incredible," Alexis called.
"What are you two drinking?" Rick asked.
"Wine," Lanie nodded, "And keep it coming."
"Water. I volunteered to be the sober driver," Javi said.
"One wine and a water, coming up," Rick went to the bar to retrieve their drinks.
"Alexis, you need any help?" Lanie called.
"It's just cookies. Dad forgot to order them for tonight."
"Shame on him," Lanie came over to offer up what help she could.
"Heard from Ryan yet?" Javi asked, "Figured he'd come up with some bogus excuse to duck out on tonight."
"If he does, I will hunt him down," Rick promised.
"I'll help," Javi added.
"He won't," Alexis replied, "Sarah Grace was really excited to show off her new dress."
"Good," Kate sat down on the couch with her own drink. She reached over and turned on the stereo. A country version of Jingle Bell Rock played.
Lanie sang along with the tune while helping Alexis. The doorbell rang, and Castle ran over to answer.
"Uncle Castle," Sarah Grace hopped into his arms excitedly.
"There's my snow princess," Rick hugged her tight, "How are you?"
"Excited. Santa comes tonight."
"He is?" Rick asked, "Have you been a good girl this year?"
"Yes, I've been a very good girl," Sarah Grace nodded her head vigorously.
"Hey, Castle," Kevin smiled, "Thanks for the invite."
"Glad you came," Rick ushered his friend into the apartment.
"Uncle Castle, where's Lexis?"
"In here, Peanut," Alexis called, "Do you want to help me and Lanie with the cookies?"
"Yes," Sarah Grace squirmed down and raced into the kitchen.
"Can I get you anything to drink?" Rick asked while taking Kevin's coat.
"Just a soda. I have to stay up for mass tonight."
"I admire your dedication," Rick patted his shoulder.
"Hey, Bro," Javi greeted him with a hug.
"Hey," Kevin returned the hug. "Hey, Beckett. Where's Martha?"
"Last minute shopping," Rick said.
"Stores must be crazy tonight," Kevin took a seat next to Beckett.
"When it comes to shopping, Mother takes no prisoners."
"Is your dad coming tonight?" Kevin asked Kate.
"No. He's not a Christmas person."
"Oh, right," Kevin recalled the story she'd told him a few years ago. "Tell him I say hi."
"I will," Kate nodded.
Rick put a hand on his wife's shoulder, "Maybe things will change after we start having kids."
"Maybe," Kate nodded.
"Is this a way of announcing something?" Javi asked.
"No," Kate burst out laughing and held up her glass of wine, "No bun in this oven."
"Hello everyone," Martha swept through the door.
"We were beginning to wonder if the stores extended their hours for you, Mother," Rick greeted her with a kiss to her cheek.
"I'm sure I could've convinced them," Martha said. "However, it wasn't necessary. I found everything I needed."
"Need a hand, Martha," Kevin offered.
"No, no," Martha waved him off. "I'll be back down in a bit."
Sarah Grace suddenly appeared in front of her father, tossing her coat at him before returning to the kitchen to help Alexis again.
"I guess she was hot," Kevin said dryly.
-d-d-d-
"Dessert or presents?" Alexis asked after dinner had been consumed.
"I can't eat another bite at the moment," Lanie groaned.
"In that case, I guess we get to open presents," Castle smiled.
"Presents?" Sarah Grace's ears perked up.
"I think you just said the magic word, Dad."
"It's an ordinary word. Something found around the house every day," Kate teased.
"Let's open presents," Sarah Grace began pulling each adult towards the tree, one at a time, much to the amusement of the adults.
"Hey, Peanut, why don't you take a seat, and we'll let my dad play Santa."
"Okay," Sarah Grace plopped herself down on the sofa between Alexis and Kevin.
"Who should get the first gift?" Castle asked.
"Me," Sarah Grace cheered.
"Really? Do you think you've been a good enough girl?" Rick asked her.
"Yes, yes, yes," Sarah Grace bounced up and down.
"What do you think, Ryan?" Rick asked, prolonging the agony for the little girl.
"Rick," Kate glared at him. "Stop it."
"Which present do you want first?" Rick motioned towards the pile of presents, most of which were for her.
"The one with the white snow flakes on it."
"Coming right up," Rick handed her the present.
Sarah Grace wasted no time in tearing through the paper.
"Lexis, it's the doll I wanted!" Sarah Grace held up the box excitedly for her to see.
"Wow," Alexis sent her father a wink, "Santa must have told my dad what to get you."
"Thank you, Uncle Castle," Sarah Grace hopped off the couch and gave him a hug.
"Thank Kate too," Rick replied, "She helped me pick it out."
"Thank you, Aunt Kate," Sarah Grace moved to hug the woman.
"You're so welcome," Kate hugged the little girl tight.
Alexis gave Kevin a sidelong glance and smile.
"Who should get the next present, Peanut?" Rick asked the little girl.
"Daddy," Sarah Grace replied.
"No, let one of the girls go," Kevin shook his head.
"Princess Peanut has spoken," Alexis shook her head.
Rick motioned Sarah Grace towards him, "Help me decide what present to give your dad."
"That one," Sarah Grace pointed. "It's from Uncle Javi."
"I hope this is kid appropriate," Kevin accepted the gift as Sarah Grace walked it over to him.
"Have you no faith your fellow man, Partner?"
"Not when I've been on the receiving end of his presents for almost a decade."
"Open your present, Daddy," Sarah Grace encouraged him.
Kevin dutifully began opening the box. It felt as light as a feather.
He pulled the envelope out of the box and opened it, "Knicks tickets."
"Nicely done, Javi," Alexis smiled.
"I wonder who I should take," Kevin noted the pair of tickets inside.
"Don't even think about taking anyone but me," Javi scowled at him.
The room laughed.
"I'll have to plan a girl's night with a special peanut."
"Yay," Sarah Grace cheered.
"Who said I was talking about you?" Alexis frowned.
"Lexis!" Sarah Grace frowned.
"I'm sorry, Peanut," Alexis giggled and kissed her cheek.
Sarah Grace snuggled into Alexis.
Rick began to pass out presents a bit more swiftly, realizing if they went at their current pace they'd likely still be opening gifts into the New Year, especially Sarah Grace, who had the most.
-d-d-d-
"Dad, I'm gonna help Kevin get the presents and Sarah Grace home."
"I suppose keeping track of all the presents and a sleeping little girl will be a bit of a challenge," Rick conceded, glancing at the soundly sleeping girl on Kevin's shoulder, with one of her new dolls tucked in tight under her arm.
"Kevin still wants to try to make it to mass, so I'm gonna watch Sarah Grace. I'll crash on his couch and be home tomorrow morning."
"I'll hold breakfast for you," Rick kissed her cheek softly.
"Thanks, Dad. Love you. Night, Kate."
"Night, Bud," Kate hugged her.
"Thanks for everything, Castle," Kevin replied.
"No problem," Castle smiled. "Merry Christmas."
"See you at the precinct in a couple of days," Kevin nodded to Kate.
"Enjoy the time off," Kate smiled.
"You too," Kevin replied while Alexis gathered the bags of toys Sarah Grace had collected that evening.
Alexis and Kevin walked down the hall carrying their 'packages' and rode the elevator down.
"Tonight was nice," Alexis smiled.
"Yeah," Kevin agreed, "Thanks for making me come. Sarah Grace certainly enjoyed it."
"I thought she'd still be on a sugar high," Alexis smoothed the little girl's hair away from her face.
"Yeah, me too," Kevin kissed his little girl's forehead.
Alexis checked her watch, "You gonna be able to make it to mass?"
"I hope so," Kevin nodded as they made their way through the parking garage to Kevin's vehicle.
"I'll try to wait up for you," Alexis smiled.
"I'll understand if you don't," Kevin replied, "It will be quite late."
"I want a Christmas kiss," Alexis whispered.
"Who am I to deny a Christmas wish," Kevin lowered Sarah Grace into her car seat and buckled her in.
Alexis smiled and got in the front seat, buckling herself in.
Kevin quickly loaded in the presents and then got in himself and revved the engine to life.
Alexis watched the city go by as Kevin drove them to Brooklyn.
Kevin helped Alexis get Sarah Grace and the presents into his apartment before he headed off to join his family at midnight mass.
"Lexis?" Sarah Grace whispered just as Alexis was about to slip out of the room.
"What is it, Peanut?" Alexis knelt by the little girl's bed.
"I just wanted to say thank you and 'erry Christmas," she said sleepily.
"Merry Christmas to you too, Peanut," Alexis kissed her forehead.
"And Santa needs cookies and milk," Sarah Grace mumbled as she hugged her new doll tight.
"I'll make sure to put some out," Alexis assured her, "And the note you wrote for him."
"Thank you," Sarah Grace smiled.
"Go back to sleep," Alexis encouraged her.
"Okay," Sarah Grace mumbled.
Alexis returned to the living room and turned on the stereo softly. Soothing Christmas music filled the apartment as she dutifully set out the milk and cookies she'd promised for Sarah Grace. She knew Kevin would consume both when he returned from mass.
As she looked around the apartment, it didn't feel quite as festive as she was used to. Her dad had always gone all out for her in decorating. She'd wanted to give that to Kevin and Sarah Grace. She'd snuck in decorations the day prior and went straight to work, making sure the entire apartment was decked out for the holiday.
She just finished hanging the last bit of decoration when she noticed the snow coming down outside. It was only a light dusting, but she hoped it didn't delay Kevin in getting home.
She turned off the overhead light to better see the outside, watching the snow with a slight smile. She hadn't seen a white Christmas in a long time. She waited until she saw Kevin's vehicle pulling into the parking garage before getting Santa's presents out of their hiding place.
"Hey, you're awake," Kevin smiled.
"How was mass?" Alexis greeted him with a hug.
"Spiritual," Kevin smiled.
"Really?"
"No, it was good. It was nice to be there."
"I bet your mom missed seeing Sarah Grace," Alexis frowned.
"She did," Kevin confirmed, "She understood though. She said to thank you for watching her."
"No problem. I had an ulterior motive."
"Is that so?" he raised a curious brow.
Alexis nodded and wrapped her arms around him, "Hi."
"Hi," he held her tight. He took his first glance around the apartment. "Did elves invade the apartment while I was gone?"
"Yes, a redheaded one," Alexis teased. "I hope you're not mad."
"Why would I be mad?" Kevin asked.
"I don't know. Maybe I overstepped my bounds?"
"You just Castle-fied everything," Kevin smiled, "Sarah Grace is going to love it."
"Good," Alexis smiled fondly. "I got the gifts out. You have to remember to eat the cookies and drink the milk so Sarah Grace knows Santa showed up."
"The hardships I have to entire for the sake of my daughter," Kevin snickered, "Which kind did you leave out?"
"Sarah Grace insisted we make chocolate chip just for Santa. Apparently those are his favorite."
"Coincidentally, they are also Sarah Grace's favorite."
"Amazing," Alexis shook her head.
Kevin went to the table and instantly began gobbling up the cookies while Alexis began organizing the presents around the tree.
"Do you think we went a bit overboard?" Alexis looked at the mound of presents.
"Maybe a bit," Kevin smiled fondly.
"She deserves it," Alexis nodded.
"Yes, she does," Kevin agreed.
"I think that about does it," Alexis finished with the presents, "I have one to give you tonight."
"Don't keep me in suspense," Kevin raised a curious brow in her direction.
"First, you need to stand right here," Alexis pulled him to a specific spot in the apartment.
"Is a bucket of water going to fall on top of me now?" Kevin stood where Alexis directed him.
"No, but I'd suggest looking up anyways," Alexis pointed to the ceiling before stepping into his arms.
"Mistletoe," he smiled.
"Merry Christmas, Kevin," Alexis leaned in for her holiday kiss.
"Merry Christmas, Alexis," before he gave her a kiss.
"I wish I could sleep with you tonight," Alexis whispered.
"Me, too," Kevin nodded. "But…"
"I know," Alexis nodded. "Not yet."
"Soon," Kevin pecked at her lips. "We'll tell Sarah Grace soon...after the holidays are over and she's recovered from her birthday."
"Right. I promised her I'd talk to you about that."
"About what?" Kevin asked.
"Her birthday party," Alexis smiled. "She wants to have it at my Gram's studio."
"Sounds like fun," Kevin replied.
"And she wants a bouncy house," Alexis added.
"A bouncy house," Kevin nodded. "She wants a bouncy house in your grandmother's studio."
"Yes," Alexis nodded. "And she wants to play laser tag and a whole host of over things."
"I can't afford all that," Kevin replied.
"Dad actually wants to host it," Alexis stated, "He wants it to be his present to her."
"He's making it a gift so I can't say no," Kevin summarized.
"Pretty much," Alexis nodded. "Sarah Grace wants to invite all of her little friends and have all sorts of fun."
"I'm doomed," Kevin shook his head.
"You're loved," Alexis corrected.
"It's one thing to get her all these gifts for Christmas, but to host this over the top birthday party on top of it..." Kevin trailed off.
"Kevin, it's not a hand out," Alexis stated. "You know my dad. This is what he does for those he cares for, and he deeply cares for you and Sarah Grace."
"I know, I know," Kevin groaned. "I hate it, but I know."
"You don't hate it," Alexis shook her head.
"No, I don't," he finally conceded, "I actually feel extremely fortunate to have so many people in my life who love me and my little girl."
"There he is," Alexis smiled as she lightly fingered the hairs at the nape of Kevin's neck. "I knew underneath that stubborn Irish facade was a reasonable man who knows how lucky he is to have so many people around him that love him."
"It's getting late," Kevin glanced at the clock.
"Very smooth change of subject."
"Thank you," Kevin smirked.
"But you're right. Sarah Grace will be up entirely too early," Alexis agreed.
"Yeah," Kevin nodded.
"I should change. Make up the couch for me."
"It feels wrong to make you sleep on the couch," Kevin frowned at the piece of furniture.
"Think of it like this," Alexis smiled. "We're fighting, and I refuse to sleep in your bed."
"Oh," he raised a brow and tightened his grip around her waist, "What are we fighting about?"
"You insulted my cooking," Alexis gave him a look.
"I would never," he gasped.
Alexis smiled, "Make up the couch, Dear."
"Yes, Dear," he chuckled.
Alexis disappeared into the bathroom, and Kevin made up the couch.
Kevin peeked in on Sarah Grace. She looked so cute curled up with her new doll in the Christmas themed pajamas she'd received as a gift earlier in the evening from Lanie.
He didn't hear Alexis leave the bathroom, so when he turned he noticed the living room lights were off. He frowned. Walking over he saw Alexis was curled up under the covers.
"Trying to deny me the opportunity to tuck you in?" Kevin went to her side.
"Gonna kiss me goodnight?"
"It's a tough job, but someone has to do it," Kevin leaned in for a kiss, "Sleep well, Angel."
"Night, Kev. Merry Christmas," Alexis smiled up at him.
With great effort, Kevin forced himself into his bedroom.