Disclaimer: Not mine.
"Oh how quiet, quiet the world can be.
When it's just you and little me.
Everything is clear and everything is new.
So you won't be leaving, will you?
-Dido, Don't Leave Home
They made it back into the city shortly before dusk. It always amazed Castle that travel could be so exhausting. Despite the fact that they'd done little else but drive, stopping along the way for lunch, he felt as if he could collapse in bed and sleep for the next 12 hours.
Neither of them questioned his decision to go directly to the loft. Castle was simply on autopilot, driving home. Beckett didn't seem to mind. In fact, her desire to sleep with him beside her outweighed any need she felt to be back in her own place. We'll discuss it in the morning, she thought to herself.
The door man helped to carry their things upstairs, setting them down by the door as Castle fished for his key. Seconds later the door swung open, as both Castle and Beckett found themselves enveloped in the embrace of his family. It would appear that it wasn't needed.
"Darling, how are you feeling?" Martha held Kate against her, alarming the detective with the sudden burst of affection. The detective smiled shyly. She simply wasn't accustomed to such overt displays of affection. Martha didn't seem to notice.
"I'm feeling much better, thanks." She smiled shyly at Martha. The older woman gave her a once over before turning to her son to do the same. She glanced back and forth between them and raised her brow.
"Ah, I can see that you are feeling much better." She gave Kate a conspiring grin and nudged her side. She can't possibly know! Kate was incredulous. How did she do that? The detective wondered to herself. Before she could think on it any longer Alexis approached, giving a squeeze to Kate's hands.
"It's good to see you again, Detective Beckett." Alexis was reserved, but polite. She seemed to be genuinely pleased to see Kate.
"Thanks Alexis. Things have calmed down quite a bit and I'm feeling more like myself again." She squeezed the teens arms with gratitude and smiled. Alexis seemed to relax at the gesture, and she pulled Kate in for a tentative hug.
It seemed that there was some work to do where her relationship with Alexis was concerned. Afterall, in less than a year she would be the mother of Alexis' sister or brother. Kate wasn't sure why the girl was so reserved, but imagined it had a lot to do with the events that transpired after her shooting. While she knew that Alexis supported the pregnancy, she'd told Kate that much, there seemed to be a tentativeness there.
After a few welcoming moments Martha spoke to the pair of them,
"Will Kate be staying here tonight?" It was a question, but Martha seemed to already know the answer.
Kate nodded, prompting Martha's smile to widen,
"Wonderful, I've got dinner ready in 15. Why don't you two freshen up?" The older woman waived them off as she turned back towards the kitchen, a glass of red wine in her hand.
Alexis smiled once again at Kate and embraced her dad, "I'm glad you're back." She paused before adding, "both of you."
Castle smiled as he watched his daughter follow her grandmother back into the kitchen.
"The good news is that with Alexis in the kitchen, dinner will likely be edible." Kate smiled, grabbing her duffel bag and starting to move towards the stairs. Castle grabbed her arm gently to stop her.
"Kate." Her name on his lips was a question, an invitation. She nodded with a smile on her face.
"Alexis?" She whispered. Kate wasn't sure if his daughter would approve of them sharing a bedroom.
"Kate, you slept in my bed half the nights you were here. I think they're used to it." The detective nodded again.
"I'm pretty sure my mother already knows about us." He added.
"I know!" Kate exclaimed, her voice still a whisper, "How does she do that?"
Dinner was easy, companionate and the food tasted delicious. Kate was very pleased that she was able to eat it with little problem. Then again, she was nearing her second trimester, just two weeks to go; so it was only natural that the morning sickness should ease up a bit. Still, she'd read that some women remain sick throughout the pregnancy, and considering hers was so severe, the relief she felt after every successful meal was immense.
Neither Alexis nor Martha seemed the least bit surprised that Kate was sharing Castle's bedroom, using his bathroom and shower to freshen up. In fact, they didn't seem to mind at all. Alexis had learned long ago to not involve herself in what goes on in her dad's bedroom. Martha simply thought it was about time. She only hoped that things wouldn't fall apart. After all, it was a new relationship and there was a baby on the way. Stress, it would seem, would continue to follow the couple around wherever they went.
When his daughter suggested it, Castle declined the idea for a movie night. He was simply too exhausted, and while Alexis understood it was clear that she was slightly disappointed.
"How about a marathon tomorrow? I'm still on leave and the sonogram isn't until Tuesday." Kate suggested, "your choice of movies?"
Alexis looked to Kate with surprise and delight, "That sounds great! Living room camp out?" She turned to her dad excitedly.
"Absolutely. I'll go to the store first thing and stock us up on junk food, you're responsible for the palace of pillows." He instructed his daughter.
Alexis smiled, a hint of her inner child shining through. She gave her dad a kiss on his cheek and hesitated, but soon did the same for Kate.
"Rest up. Tomorrow is going to be fun!" Alexis informed Kate before heading up the stairs to her own bedroom.
"It is good to have you both home." Martha spoke from behind them. Her words were for the pair of them, but her eyes were fixated on Kate. The detective blushed and smiled, home.
They changed together, stripping their clothes as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Kate leaned down to sort through her night clothes, leaving Castle the perfect view of her chest.
"Don't think I don't know what you're doing." She shot at him teasingly. Kate never bothered to look up.
"I'm simply admiring the beauty of the human body. My gaze is purely for artistic purposes." He defended himself.
"Thinking of taking up painting, are we?" Kate rose to hold an already worn night shirt. "Got anything I can borrow that is clean?" She questioned.
Castle smiled, "If I were to become a painter, would you be my model?" He grabbed an old cotton shirt from his dresser and tossed it to Kate.
"In your dreams Castle." She teased as she removed her bra and slipped into his shirt.
"You've been modeling in my dreams for years, detective." He flirted.
He leaned back towards his dresser to grab a pair of draw string boxers, tossing them to her as well.
"I'll wash your clothes in the morning. Wear something clean."
Kate smiled at his attempt to get her completely naked, and never broke their gaze as she stripped out of her panties to replace them with boxers.
He took a deep breath, still not used to being allowed to watch Kate Beckett naked.
"You look good in my clothes." He whispered.
Kate approached, kissing him firmly on the lips, "I feel good in your clothes,"
she kissed him a second time, "and in your arms."
They brushed their teeth side by side in his master bathroom. She washed her face, patting it dry with a towel before she looked back to the mirror and saw his reflection staring at hers.
"What?" Kate asked with a smile.
"Nothing." He responded, "You just look really good here." His words echoed his earlier sentiment regarding his clothing, but his carried so much more weight.
Kate smiled, turning to him as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I feel really good here," came her response. She kissed him softly, inhaling his scent deeply and placing another kiss against his jawbone.
"and I could definitely get used to this, Castle."
They curled up together in his bed that night. She rested her head on his chest, an arm sprawled across him, leg entangled with his own and her body within his embrace. She planted a kiss on his bare chest and whispered,
"I love you."
He released a deep breath, but did not respond.
It was clear that he'd already fallen asleep, and soon after she followed.