Fluffy? Yes. Cheesy? Probably. But I figured we could all use a little reprieve from jealous and hurt Castle.

Food To Die For

"Keep going?" he asked softly a few minutes later.

The repercussions of the last letter still hung in the air, dampening their moods as these old issues resurfaced. Castle had known from the beginning that this could happen, and this wasn't even the worst of the letters. Not by a long shot.

But he also knew that they had a pattern of not talking about things, to the point of nearly destroying them. And though they'd at times been forced to talk it out, they'd never bothered to go back and touch on the difficulties and heartbreak of the past.

And though they could overlook things for the most part, accept that they'd each made their fair share of mistakes, it was good for them to clear the air. He could feel their connection deepening each time they stepped back into the past and actually talked things over. Already this morning he'd learned something vital about her, about them: she'd cared for him much earlier than he'd ever realized. He'd given up too quickly and nearly lost his chance.

"Yeah," Kate replied softly, tearing him from his melancholy jumble of thoughts.

He nodded absently and she could see by the blankness of his eyes that he was still lost in his mind.

"Castle," she called softly, her clear voice drawing his eyes into focus. "It's over. Don't dwell on it. It won't do any good."

He shook his head, snapping out of the spiral of his thoughts and pushing them firmly to the back of his mind. "I know. It's just...I never realized, and I hate that I was so blind."

"You weren't," she reminded him. "I was the blind one, Castle."

"I just..."

She silenced him with a firm kiss, lips moving over his with purpose. It was a moment before he responded, but as he did, she felt him relax into her, knew she'd successfully distracted him.

She pulled away first, leaving a lingering peck on his lips as she settled back into his embrace. "Read," she commanded before his brain had a chance to revert to its previous train of thought.

Dear Kate,

Little Castle babies, huh? I had no idea you felt that way. I thought you couldn't stand me. But I do have to admit that I'm flattered. And intrigued. I mean, I've seen you with kids and I know you're good with them. You're a natural. I just never knew you actually wanted them. Especially not with me. But if you want to...

To be honest, I've essentially given up on having more children. It's just not plausible, you know? I love being a father. It's the single best and most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life. And I've always wanted to give Alexis a sibling, but I figure my chances for that have pretty much run out. Of course, I never dreamed that I might have a legitimate chance with you.

This is all hugely hypothetical of course, because in what world do I even have a chance to kiss you, let alone have children with you? I have no idea if Maddie was even serious in her assessment, or if you agree with her. I'm guessing you don't. But hey, life is all about the unexpected, and this falls pretty solidly within that category.

Little Castle babies.

Who knew?

I'll even play Mr. Mom again so you can continue to be a badass Detective every day.

Just let me know when you're ready to get started on that. I'm game whenever you are. And even if you're not ready just yet, well, a little practice never hurt anyone. I look forward to it, Kate.

-Castle

"Would you want to stay home?" she asked, curious eyes searching his face.

"Uh," he stammered, the question catching him off guard. To be honest, he hadn't really thought much beyond the fact that he was someday going to have a child with Kate Beckett, because that thought alone still blew his mind. "I... of course I'd want to. But I'd want you to as well. It's amazing to watch them grow and you don't want to miss a second of it. I want you to experience that too."

She smiled broadly, eyes shining with love for her wonderful partner and his consideration and enthusiasm and pure love for her. He made it a point to tell her quite often that he thought she was incredible and extraordinary and so many other adjectives that she wasn't sure she could ever deserve, because really, it was her who should be saying those things to him.

"You're amazing," she whispered, lifting up to press her lips to his.

He kissed her back with added fervor, tongue relentless in its exploration of her mouth. His hands traveled over as much skin as they could reach from their slightly awkward position and the journal fell to the bed, bounced, and tumbled to the floor amidst a pile of clothing from the previous night. Kate wrapped her arms around him, holding him to her with everything she had as their lips tangled fiercely, hotly, igniting the flames that always simmered just beneath the surface.

Gradually their fiery passion faded to a slow burn as their kisses became gentler, touches lighter. Kate smiled against him as they stayed frozen in place, noses nuzzling together as their lips brushed gently.

At long last, Castle lifted his head, radiant eyes finding hers in the dim aura of the bedroom.

She pressed one more soft kiss to his lips, pulled away with a sweet smile.

"I love you so much."

The date was fantastic. She wore a form-fitting red dress and matching red heels, smoky makeup lining her eyes, her hair cascading over her shoulders in gorgeous ringlet curls, and every head in the room turned when she walked in the door. She wasn't usually one to go for flashy, especially when out with Castle, because it only drew more attention to them, but she had to admit that by the end of the evening she felt an immense sense of power over the other diners.

They had reservations at a high-class Italian restaurant in Manhattan, complete with wine and delicious food and absolutely decadent desserts that had Kate wishing she'd worn a looser dress by the end of the night.

But Castle was right; eyes were on her almost constantly, her curves and long legs accentuated by her choice of clothing. And she could blame it on the dress, or the shoes... which probably played into it... but she knew it was more than that. She could feel it in the air of the room, in the way Castle went from incredibly proud to be out with her to bordering on possessive by the end of the night when she'd been ogled by more than one person.

"See what I mean?" he whispered in her ear as they slid out of the cab in front of the loft.

"Hmmm?" she hummed, unable to think clearly under the influence of three glasses of wine and the heat of Castle's possessiveness. She'd never admit it, but she was so completely turned on by it.

"All night, everyone's been staring at you. All night."

"This was your idea," she reminded him as they made their way to the door, politely greeted Eduardo.

"I know. And I'm regretting it."

"Yeah?" She batted her eyelashes up at him as they waited for the elevator, her body crowding into his.

"They were staring at you."

She raised an eyebrow. "That's what you wanted, right?"

"You're mine," he hissed as the doors slid open, welcoming them inside. Thank God it was empty. The moment the doors closed he had her pressed up against the side wall, lips sucking mercilessly at her neck, hands firmly cupping her ass, pressing the delicious curves of her body against the hard planes of his, and God, she loved when he took the lead like this, so unchained and wild.

"Mine," he breathed against her skin, his hot breath on her neck sending chills down her spine.

"Yours, huh?" she asked breathily, eyes dark with arousal but sparkling with a dangerous deviousness.

He kissed her again, hot and fierce, and God, they needed to be inside his loft right now before they wound up naked in the elevator.

"Mine," he repeated, fingers and lips still tormenting her in all the best ways.

Kate pulled back gently, leaving a lingering kiss on his lips and calming his raging passion. She raised her hands, cupped his jaw and met his eyes with complete sincerity.

"Don't worry, Rick," she said softly, assuredly. "I don't want to be anyone else's."

Thoughts?