It was barely morning as the sun was just starting to sneak behind the skyscrapers. Sam tiptoed out of her bedroom across the living room. She was all dressed up in a festive blue holiday sweater and a cute velvet skirt with tights. She got to the other side and pressed her ear against Beckett's door. It was silent. She smiled slyly to herself. She gently and slowly opened the door and peeked open. She was sound asleep. You could hear her soft breathing pattern. She smiled a little more and then opened the door a little wider. She took a couple steps backward out into the living room then finally full speed ahead, flung herself onto Becketts bed straddling her.

"Kate! Wake up Kate!"

Beckett's eye opened, "Sam! Is everything ok?" She sap up a little and looked around worried.

Sam continued jumping on her "Yeah, it's christmas shopping day! Up Kate!"

Beckett doped by down and pulled the blanket over her head. "Samantha, it's my day off. Come on. I need to sleep in."

Sam moved the blanket off her face "No Kate. Come on! You GOT to get dressed. Our ride is going to be here in less than an hour! Get dressed!" Sam jumped off her and ran toward the door. Beckett then flung up, "Our ride, what ride?"

Sam screamed from the living room "Just dress warm. Put on a sweater. I'll make the coffee."

Beckett took a deep breath and shook her head.

Half hour or so later, Beckett emerged from her bedroom. Sam was sitting with a bunch of papers in her hand with two full cups of coffee in front of her and two empty, coffee stained mugs. Beckett walked toward the windows, "So what is this ride that's picking us up?"

Sam without even turned around in a stern voice "Katherine Beckett, don't you dare take another step toward that window."

Beckett smiled and shook her head. She quickly walked toward Sam and looked over her shoulder. Sam quickly covered the papers.

"Samantha!" At this point Beckett was upset and not having it.

Sam handed her a to-go cup of coffee. "Here is your coffee, Kate"

Beckett took it. She squinted her eyes at the girl, "Why are you acting so...secretive? You know I hate secrets Samantha!... Did Castle put you up to this? What are we doing and why do we both have to dress warm and who's empty cups are those Samantha? Was someone here?"

Sam looked at her and took a breath. "First, Kate, take a breath, calm down-"

"-don't tell me to-"

"Kate….shhhhhhhhh. Sip the coffee." Sam pushed the mug toward Beckett a little more. She shuck her head and took a sip and Sam took a sip of her coffee. "No Castle has nothing to do with this. It's all me. You will find out soon so just enjoy it. It's the holidays Kate, it's something for us. And….the two empty cups of coffee was mine. This is my third."

Beckett shook her head and carefully took the mug out of Sam's hand. "No more coffee for you young lady….For the next month. And fine I will….just go with it...for you Sam."

Suddenly Sam's phone rang. She picked it up. 'Hello…..Yes…..Great! We'll be right down. Thank you!" She hung up and jumped off her stool. "Speaking of go with it, our rides here!

They both grabbed their coats and bags and ran to the elevator. They both stood in the elevator silent with joy. Sam smiled at Beckett as Beckett smiled back. Smiling from this new excitement she hadn't felt since she was a kid at Christmas.

Sam grabbed Beckett's hand as the doors opened on the first floor. They both walked through the lobby toward the door. The doorman opened the door and they both came to a halt. Sam looked at Beckett as her jaw dropped. "Kate, literally your chariot awaits. Let's go Christmas shopping."

Sam dropped her hand to go pet the two horses. Beckett slowly walked closer and examined the christmas decorated stage coach pulled by two huge horses. She walked closer to the horses. Sam had already rushed to put the horses and give them kisses.

"This is Carolina."

Sam took her hand and placed Beckett's hand gently on one of the horses noses. She smiled at horse "Hi beautiful."

"And this is Baltimore", Sam pet the other one. She then turned to Beckett, her eyes were glowing as she kissed the horse gently on her nose. "Are you ready Kate?"

She nodded in response.

They both walked over to the side of carriage and was greeted by the carriage driver.

"Good Morning Samantha", the english gentleman tipped his hat as he stood up and offered a hand to help them up.

Sam smiled "Good Morning Alfie". She grabbed his hand and climbed up onto the open carriage. After he offered his hand to Beckett. She placed her hand in his and pulled her up.

"Kate, this is Alfie. He's from the english countryside. My mom and I use his horses all the time, because he treats them well."

Alfie turned back and tilted his hat "Detective Beckett. There's tons of blankets if you ladies would like."

Beckett smiled and nodded, "Thank you Alfie." She turned to Sam, "So where are we headed to first?"

"To Macy's of course!"

Alfie signaled a thumbs up "Excellent choice darling!"

"Samantha, I'll be around the corner just there." Alfie pointed to where he would be waiting in the carriage.

Sam and Kate jumped out of the carriage and onto the sidewalk in front of Macy's. Sam took a deep breath and then turned to smile at Kate. "Are you ready Kate?" Beckett smiled back. Sam grabbed Beckett's hand and ran inside pulling the women. Sam ran up to the customer service counter and basically threw herself upon it. She dinged the bell on the counter.

How may I help you? The lady behind the counter turned around and smiled at Sam.

"Yes. Is Jeremy around? He is expecting me." Beckett just looked at the girl in awe.

"Yes, one moment please." The women disappeared.

Beckett leaned in and whispered "Samantha who's Jeremy and what are we doing?"

Sam ignored Beckett and just smiled. The women returned with a tall handsome man dressed in a fabulous dinner jacket. "Why Samantha! It's so good to see you again!" He moved from behind the counter and hugged Sam as she jumped into his arms. "I saw what happened to your mother in the paper, I am terribly sorry dear", he whispered while they held each other tightly.

Sam gently pulled away and smiled, "Thank you Jeremy." She turned to Beckett, "This is Kate Beckett. She adopted me. She's honestly the best."

Jeremy reached out his hand "Ms. Beckett, it's a pleasure to meet you." Beckett shook his hand and smiled, "It's great to meet you too."

"Kate, this is Jeremy. He was my mom's personal shopper and he helps us every year. We just choose everything and it gets shipped to the apartment."

Jeremy perked up and saluted. Beckett and Sam giggled. Sam turned to Beckett, "Let's go!"

They all rode up the elevator. The elevator doors open and they stepped out. People were bustling all over the floor. Christmas music played over the noise of the busy shoppers. Sam stepped out and led the way. "I figured we'll start with the boys, Esposito and Ryan. Sam ran over to the men's clothes section. "I figured Espo would like a new leather jacket. The one that he has now is getting a little ragged and he's always talking about getting a new one." Sam looked through the racks and pulled out a jacket. "What do you think? Too many patches?"

Beckett tilted her head a bit, "Yeah I think so."

Sam nodded and put it back. She continued to look through the rack "Ah ha!" She reached out and pulled out one. "What do you think?"

Beckett smiled, "I think it's perfect."

Sam smiled and handed it to Jeremy, "We'll take this one!" Sam took out the paper from her pocket and cross something off. "Next is Ryan."

Hours and stores later they were both done. It was dark out and they both were tired. Beckett climbed onto the carriage and plopped down. Sam took a seat next to her.

Beckett breathed heavily, "You're so hard to keep up with."

Sam giggled, "I keep you young."

Beckett breathed heavily and looked at her watch. "How many store stops babe? It's getting late and-"

Sam's stomach growl interrupted.

Beckett laughed "-and it sounds like someone's hungry."

Sam leaned back and yelled out to Alfie, "Last stop Al!"

Alfire turned to smile and tilt his hat, "You got it Ms. Samantha."

"What's the last stop babe?" Beckett placed her hand on Sam's leg.

She turned "You'll be."

It was dark and the lights of NYC glowed. Sam looked around everything like she'd seen it for the first time. She yelled and pointed out the different decorations, window displays and people on the street. It was magical. Time to time Beckett would just look at Sam. The bright glow in her eyes, and excitement on her face was so innocent and pure. She hadn't seen Sam like this, so happy since she's known her. She also might understand why parents say Christmas is much better with kids around. Beckett herself hadn't been this happy during the holidays since her mother died. She felt her heart swelling with joy and warmth. She took Sam's hand in hers and pulled it up to her face to kiss her soft hand. Sam turned to her and smiled.

About 20 minutes later Alfie pulled up outside of a restaurant. "Our last stop Ms. Samanatha and Det. Beckett. Beckett looked out the carriage into the restraunt.

"Thanks Alfie. You can go home, it's late. We'll take a cab home."

Alfie stood up and stepped off the carriage. He let out his hand to help the ladies our carefully.

"Thank you so much Alfie!" Sam embrassed the gentleman tightly. She laughed and matched her grib. "It's always a pleasure Sam. Anything for my girl."

"And Det. Beckett it was lovely meeting you", Alfie reached his hand out to shake the detectives.

"Likewise. Thank you so much for a magical night", Beckett hugged the man tightly. He froze for a second before returning the hug and smiling.

Sam waved off the carriage and horses. She then turned around to face, the restaurant. "You hungry?"

Beckett look down at Sam "Beltazar?"

Sam nodded, "My mom and I would end the day eating at one of our favorite places and I LOVE Balthazar and I heard a little birdy told me…...so do you."

Beckett smiled and led the way in.

Hours later they were both in the cab. Sam was knocked out in the backseat. Beckett smiled at her and brushed a strand of hair from her face and kissed her gently on the cheek.

The cab finally pulled up. Beckett paid the driver and thanked him. She gently rubbed Sam's arm. "Samantha, honey we're home."

Sam moved a little and moaned.

Beckett continued "Sammy, babe we're home."

Sam stretched out her arms slowly waking up. She turned her head and gave Beckett a sleepy smile.

Beckett laughed. "Come on babe, pajamas and bedtime"

Sam was tucked in bed scrolling through her phone. She instagramed a selfie of her, Beckett and Alfie on the carriage. There was a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

Beckett opened the door and smiled, "Is someone not tired anymore because they took a nap?"

Sam made a face, "Maybe."

Beckett laughed and sat on the edge of the bed next to Sam. She held Sam's hand.

"Thank you Samantha for an amazing day."

Sam smiled "Oh no problem Kate I'm glad you had fun."

Beckett looked down and smiled. "Sam honey...Thank you for making me love the season again. I forgot what that warm feeling felt like when you see the christmas lights or taste roasted chestnuts. Seeing how much you love the holidays and the glow on your face and how much thought you put into it….made me smiled again,so thank you. And I know it's really hard for you and we're still adjusting...I'm still adjusting but I'm so very proud of you baby."

Beckett noticed the girl started to tear up. Her eyes were shiny and she could see the knot in her throat. Beckett saw the pain in her face, which caused Beckett to frown. She reached up and wiped her tears. Sam started to tear more. Sam finally spoke with a shaky voice "I just miss her so much."

Beckett took a breath, "Sammy...I know baby." Beckett pulled Sam in. Sam buried her face into Beckett neck bawling. Beckett held Sam tight supporting her when all she wanted to do was melt under the pain of feeling the girl's wet tears on her neck. Beckett squeezed her tighter and cried along with her.