Castle looked up as he heard knuckles rap against the doorframe. He smiled when he set eyes on his fiancé, standing there holding and almost absurdly large mug of coffee. His grin widened at the thought of her being his fiancé. It was still very new. They'd only returned from the Hamptons a couple days ago.

"You've been holed up in here for a while, I figured you could use a break," she mentioned, holding up the coffee. "Share with me?"

"I think we could share that with the whole building, sweetheart," he snorted a laugh. She affectionately rolled her eyes and made her way to the desk. He eased his chair back, opening his lap to her. She pressed the mug into his hands and he didn't hesitate to take a greedy sip.

Beckett couldn't help but notice the blank document open on his computer and the balled up papers scattered about his desk.

"I thought you were working," she commented.

"I'm trying, I just keep getting distracted," he sighed.

"You, distracted? Never," she teased.

"Actually, I'm glad you're here. You can help me with my distraction," Castle realized, clicking through the tabs on his computer.

"Rick..." Beckett replied disapprovingly. Castle pulled a face.

"Not that kind of distraction," he shook his head. "I was talking about this," he finished, pulling up a picture of a simple ring.

"I told you I liked my ring," she remarked, fluttering the fingers on her left hand against the coffee mug.

"It's not for you," he mentioned.

"Oh, for your other fiancé," Beckett snorted a laugh. However, the pink tinge of Castle's cheeks told her he didn't appreciate her joke. "Ok, ok, who's it for?" she relented.

"I was thinking about getting it for Genevieve," Castle started slowly. Beckett furrowed her brow. "And not just as some frivolous gift. I know it's only been a couple days but I can't stop thinking about her telling me she is just an added bonus to our relationship." he continued.

"When did she say that?" Beckett didn't recall Genevieve saying such a thing.

"Shortly after we picked out your ring. We were discussing the proposal. That was when she told me our engagement was about us and insisted I propose in private. I told her she was what made us a family and she agreed, but I really want to drive that fact home. I wanted her to know when we get married, we're not just getting married. We are becoming a family and that she is very much a part of that," he explained. While Beckett was touched by not only what Castle said, but also the conviction with which he said it, she was not surprised. He had considered Genevieve since day one. He wanted to get to know the girl long before he ever pursued a relationship with Beckett. For a moment she didn't know how to respond. Of course she was going to allow it, but she couldn't make her mouth form those words.

"If you don't think it's a good idea..." Castle trailed off, suddenly self-conscious about the idea. He moved to clicked the window closed. Beckett placed her hand on his wrist.

"No, Rick. I think it's a wonderful idea. I think it will show her this is really happening and ease any uncertainty she may have," she explained.

"Do you think she'll get anxious?" Castle wondered.

"To be honest, I have no idea. A year ago, I would have said yes, absolutely, but she has changed so much," Beckett mused. Castle smiled a little, proud of how far the girl had come. "I mean there are times that I can almost forget about the long nights I spent battling that monster. But there is part of me that knows she still has that hair trigger and I don't know what could set it off."

"Well, I hope this doesn't," Castle commented, nibbling on his lip.

"I don't think it will," Beckett shook her head. "But I like the idea of a ring for her. It helps her to have something tangible." Castle nodded.

Together they clicked through the website finding the perfect ring for Genevieve. They settled on a simple ring, adorned with a small heart and a tiny diamond. It was beautiful, but not something that would be too much for a twelve year old. He selected her size and opted to pick it up in the store.

"Looks like you have another proposal to plan," Beckett stated as soon as Castle clicked order.

"Ah man, I thought the last one was the last one," he groaned. "Are you gonna help me?"

"Nope, this was all your idea," she laughed. "But I can tell you I have to work late next week. Provided you get her ring in time, you could plan another date night," she hinted. Castle nodded slow, a plan already formulating in his head. "Now get back to work, you have writing to do," she pressed, kissing his cheek and extracting herself from his lap.

"Hey, leave to coffee," he requested. Beckett took a long sip of the beverage.

"Nothing left to leave," she shrugged showing him the now empty mug. Castle scowled at her. "If you're good and get some work done, I'll bring you a cup in a little bit," she promised.


Castle hummed as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

"For me?" Beckett asked, swiping his mug before he could even take a sip.

"Well, it wasn't for you, but you can have it," Castle grumbled, making himself another cup.

"I was fighting crime all night, I needed it more than you did," Beckett reasoned, hopping up on the counter.

"Which is why I'm surprised you're even awake," he returned. He stepped between her legs and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "I missed you last night," he added, sliding his arms around her waist and hugging her. He felt her smile against his cheek.

"Was Gen ok?" she checked. It was rare that she wasn't anymore, but maternal impulse forced her to ask.

"Yep, right at home," Castle grinned. "Which reminds me, when were you planning to actually make this your home?" They had discussed living arrangements but never settled on a date.

"As soon as I have a minute to move the rest of my stuff. At this point my apartment is just an expensive storage unit," Beckett laughed.

"Whenever you're ready," He replied, kissing her forehead. "Oh, I have something to show you," he remembered, moving towards the fridge. From the cabinet above it, he produced a small box.

"Is that the ring?" Beckett chirped, making grabby hands at the box.

"Shh," Castle chided, glancing at the stairs to make sure Gen was not on her way down. He opened the box for Beckett to see.

"Rick, it's perfect," she gasped. "She's going to love it!" Beckett was excited for her daughter. The girl was going to be beside herself. "You figured out how you're going to do it yet?"

"You two are so much alike," Castle chuckled.

"Well, I did spawn her," Beckett shrugged one shoulder.

"I have a general plan," he replied vaguely. He knew Beckett had her training seminar later in the week and he'd already "asked Gen out", it was just a matter of things falling into place. He knew it would, just like it did with her mother.

"That's all you're going to tell me?" She asked.

"That's all there is to tell," he smirked, taking the ring back and studying it for a moment. He closed the box and put it back in its secure location above the fridge.

"Morning," Gen greeted as she bounded into the kitchen. Both adults turned to look at her, goofy grins on their faces.

"What?" The girl asked.

"Nothing," they both said at the same time. Genevieve pulled a face.

"You two are acting weirder than usual," she commented, opening the cabinet and pulling out a box of pop tarts. Beckett and Castle exchanged a look and shrugged.


"Riiick..." Genevieve whined during their nightly phone call.

"What sweetheart?" He chuckled.

"You won't tell me where we're going so I don't know what to wear," she huffed.

"It won't be as fancy as the last time," he provided, referencing their Broadway date night.

"Gee, that's helpful," Gen deadpanned.

"Well, it means you don't have to wear a dress, so that should make you happy," Castle responded.

"I just want to know where we're going," she grumbled, frustrated.

"You'll know tomorrow. Now you have to go to bed so tomorrow will get here," he stated.

"Ok, fine. Goodnight, Rick. Love you," she conceded.

"Night, kid. See you tomorrow. Love you too," he ended the call.


Castle hadn't planned an extravagant affair. He simply wanted some one on one time with his soon to be stepdaughter. He wanted burgers, shakes, and a visit to the New York Public Library. He figured he would go back to where it all started.

"I love it here," Genevieve mused, running her fingers along the spines of the books. She pulled one out, reading the back cover. Not interested, she slid it back in its place.

"It is one of my favorite places," Castle agreed. He dropped himself into a chair at a nearby table allowing her to continue wandering through the young adult section. It was a section of the library he rarely frequented until he met Genevieve. He had favorite nooks and crannies all over the building, as associated with a memorable moment. He hoped to make the young adult section another one of those places.

"What you got?" Castle asked as Gen approached him with a small stack of books.

"The next books in a couple series I'm reading," she shrugged, setting the books on the table and taking the seat next to Castle. She picked up the one on the top of the stack and studied the cover.

"You remember the first time we came here?" Castle wondered, absently thumbing through the rest of the books she picked out.

"That seems like forever ago," she replied, looking over at him.

"It was back before your mom and I started dating," he agreed.

"Back before Mom even liked you," Genevieve snorted.

"Funny how time changes things," Castle laughed.

"Yeah, now she likes you enough to marry you," Gen quipped.

"Hey now," Castle mocked offense, sticking a hand out to tickle her side. She let out a shrieking giggle, earning them disgruntled looks from fellow patrons. "Shh, you're going to get us kicked out," he chided.

"Ok, ok, that wasn't very nice. You are very likable," she recanted.

"I'm glad you think so," Castle started, fishing around in his jacket pocket for the box he'd placed there. "Because I hope you like me enough to be a part of your life for a very long time," he said, placing the box on the table in front of her.

"What..." Her question gave way to a surprised gasp as she opened the box. "This is for me?"

"Of course it is, sweetheart. I told you when I wanted to propose to your mom that you were very much a part of it. We are becoming a family, this is to symbolize that," he said, sliding the simple ring on her finger. The young girl got really quiet, toying with the ring on her hand. "You ok, Gen?" Castle asked finally, reaching out to stroke her hair.

"Yeah," she replied softly. Castle wasn't quite convinced.

"Honey, if this is all too much, you can tell me. It won't hurt my feelings. Your mom and I just thought..."she cut him off.

"No, no, I was just thinking. You said it was me that made us a family, but really it was you," she pointed out. Castle was flooded with emotion at the girl's admission. He looked around the room they were sitting in, remembering the first time they'd been there. It was one of the first days she could push past her anxiety enough to look him in the eye, none the less talk to him and even hug him before the day was out. Like he said, it was funny how time changed things. There was a time he thought he'd never be able to crack the girl's code. Now they were so connected sometimes it was like they shared a brain. He couldn't imagine his life without Genevieve or her mother and he was glad he no longer had to.

"Thank you, sweetheart," he managed kissing her hair and wrapping his arm around her shoulders, hugging her close.


"Did your date ditch you?" Becket smirked as she found Castle alone in his office. She was surprised he and Gen were already back at the loft. Date night must have been short and sweet. He did say it wasn't going to be the same extravagant affair it was the last time.

"She did, but I guess that's what I get for taking her to the library," he replied with a soft smile. By the tenderness in his tone and expression, Beckett could tell it'd been an emotional evening for Castle. She stepped into his office and leaned over his desk to give him a quick kiss.

"How did it go?" She asked, dying to know what her daughter thought of the ring. A look of pure joy burst across Castle's features.

"She made me swear I wouldn't say a word. You'll have to go talk to her about it," he replied, dramatically pretending to zip his lips. Beckett turned and headed up to the room that would soon permanently belong to her daughter. She knocked gently and let herself in. The girl was tucked in her bed, nose buried in a book. She politely stuck up a finger, asking her mother to wait a moment while she finished the page she was reading. Beckett nodded, lifting the duvet and climbing into her daughter's bed while she waited. Gen slid a bookmark between the pages and finally looked up at her mother.

"Rick said you wanted to talk to me," Beckett started, wrapping an arm around the girl's shoulders and pulling her into her side. A look almost identical to the one she'd seen of Castle's face downstairs lit up Gen's features. She produced her left hand and set it across her mother's lap, showing off the ring Castle gave her. "Oh, it's beautiful, honey," Beckett gasped. The ring looked perfect on Genevieve's small hand. It was stunning, but not too outlandish for the girl.

"Did you know?" Gen wondered. Beckett nodded.

"We talked about it. We both thought it was important," Beckett provided.

"He said it was to show me he was going to be a part of my life for a very long time," Gen mentioned.

"That's what he said about mine," Beckett mused, setting her left hand next to Gen's showing off her more substantial engagement ring.

"We talked about becoming a family," Genevieve mentioned.

"Yeah?" Beckett responded.

"He told me I was the one that makes us a family, but I told him it was him. I mean, you and I were a family before, but he completes us," the girl continued. Beckett was overwhelmed with pride for her daughter. She so beautifully articulated their relationship with Castle. While it exemplified the innocence of her youth, it still held a sort of elegance.

"He does," she agreed.

"I knew he would," Gen added confidently.

"You did?" Beckett chuckled.

"Yep, from the first time I came to the loft," the child replied.

"Really? That far back?" This surprised Beckett.

"First off, you never let anyone watch me that isn't family and secondly he didn't crowd me. He let me warm up to him," Genevieve explained.

Beckett smiled at her response. "Which we both know was very hard for him."

"When did you know?" she turned the question on her mother. Beckett took a moment to piece together her answer.

"I don't think it happened all at once for me," she started. "It was a little bit of everything. How much he wanted to know you, the trip to the library, the way he wanted to help with your anxiety, how I felt when he was in that accident, how he never hesitated to take care of us when we needed it," she continued wistfully. Most of the things she mentioned pertained to Genevieve, but that was how she knew he was part of their family. She had a whole other list of moments that showed her that she wanted to spend the rest of her life as his wife.

"Can I come in?" Castle's voice interrupted from the other side of the door.

"Yes!" both Becketts shouted, breaking into a fit of giggles.

"You left me alone for a very long time," he pouted as he shuffled into the room.

"Sorry, we were having some girl talk," Beckett smiled.

"Ohh, anything scandalous?" he returned, earning an eye roll from both of them.

"Actually, I was just getting ready to tell Gen it was time for bed," Beckett mentioned.

"Fine," Genevieve sighed.

Beckett gave her daughter a light squeeze and slid out of the bed. "Goodnight sweet girl."

"Night Mom," Gen chirped.

"Goodnight, kid," Castle said, winking at the girl. She grinned wildly and rolled over to settle in for the night.

Castle set his hand on the small of his fiancé's back and led her out of the room, flipping the lights as he went.


"When did you know?" Beckett as Castle scooped her against his chest.

"Hmm?" he returned. She shifted on to her back so she could look up at his face.

"When did you know you were going to be with us forever?" she clarified. Her conversation with Gen showed her they all had a different perspective. She was curious what his was.

"For Gen, it was the night she showed up here by herself," he answered easily.

"Really?" For some reason that wasn't the answer Beckett expected. To be honest, they never really spoke about that night.

"Yeah, I was completely stunned. I couldn't believe the risk she'd taken to come see me that night," he paused, remembering Genevieve falling to the floor in front of him, begging him not to call Beckett because she wanted to spend time with him. He decided to omit that part of the story, knowing Beckett already felt enough guilt over that situation. " I instantly felt responsible for her, much like the first time I held Alexis. I knew in that moment that I was essential to Gen's life and I had to honor that regardless of what would happen between you and I," he finished.

Beckett stared at him for a moment, wondering why it took her so long to accept the fact that he belonged in their lives. She smiled and reached up to ruffle his hair. "And me?"

"The moment I met you, sweetheart," he grinned.

"Try again," she scoffed.

"It's true," he persisted. "You are one of the more remarkable people I've ever met. I had seen the way you do your job so when I finally got the opportunity to see you with your daughter, I was sold. I wanted in," he elaborated.

"And very little gets in the way between you and what you want," she teased.

"Obviously, if that ring on your hand is any indication," he remarked. "But to be honest, that was just when I wanted to know you. I knew I wanted to marry you when you pretended to be my wife at the hospital," he added.

"You liked how that felt?" she laughed.

"Absolutely and the fact that it was the night you told me you loved me didn't hurt either," he shrugged. Beckett felt a blush stain her cheeks, remembering the way she blurted out that she loved him.

"I don't know when it happened exactly, but I do know I want to spend the rest of my life with you," she replied. Like she had told Genevieve, it was a gradual thing, a million different moments.

"And that makes me the luckiest guy in the world," he replied, leaning down to press a quick kiss to her lips.