And Everything Nice

9. Caroling

Cracking her mouth wide in a yawn, Kate stretched, trying to work out the kinks from sitting for so long. The Candy Cane killer case had distracted from her ever-growing stack of paperwork, and at present she was trying to make a sizeable dent into it before clocking out for the evening. She had plans with the family that she didn't want to miss, especially since it would be the first time the whole group got together before Christmas dinner at the Loft.

A knock sounded from her door.

"Enter," she called, quickly adding her signature to the bottom of the end of year review for Officer Hastings. Depositing it in the tray, she glanced up and had a momentary flash of déjà vu from a few weeks back.

"Castle?" she gasped. "What are you doing here?"

Her husband held up a familiar to-go cup. "Don't worry," he smirked. "It's coffee this time."

Accepting the cup, she took a sip and found that it was, indeed, coffee this time. "Why are you here?" Kate asked, having a flash of panic, checking her Omega watch to see what time it was. "Did I get the time wrong?"

"No, no, you're good," Castle assured, holding up a hand to forestall her rising panic. "I just wanted to pop in and see if there was anything interesting."

"Fishing for inspiration for the next Nikki Heat story?" Kate ventured, lifting the cup to take another hit of the delicious vanilla latte.

"Something like that," Castle offered with a shrug, pausing to gesture to one of the chairs in front of her desk. "May I?"

"Of course," she nodded, suppressing a grin. Like he had to ask.

Castle sat down. "A bit different than out in the bullpen, but I think you're settling in."

"It's been about two… almost three years," Kate realized. "Wow. That happened fast."

"You miss it?"

"Miss what?"

Castle jerked his chin towards the bullpen, where Ryan and Esposito were huddled before the whiteboard, discussing their latest case.

"Sometimes," Kate admitted. "I miss not having you around more, to be honest."

"Me too," Castle confessed, glancing longingly back out at the bullpen. "I didn't think I would. But I do. Helping bring justice to people, making a genuine difference in people's lives…" he trailed off as he turned back to meet her eyes. "I can see why it means so much to you."

"It did," Kate concurred. "Still does. But not as much as you and Lily, our family, which was why I took the captains exam."

"I know," he nodded thoughtfully. "Still, I'm glad you occasionally get hands-on with a case."

"Have to keep myself sane," Kate smirked back, meeting his eyes with an amused look.

"That you do," he patted the arm of the chair. "Well, I'll leave you to your paperwork."
"You're not staying?" she frowned, disappointed.

"Since when have I ever stayed for paperwork?"

"Never."

"Exactly," Castle grinned. "Besides, I need to get back. Alexis is bringing a date tonight, and I want to me home intime to give him the once over when he arrives."

"Castle," Kate groaned. "We talked about this. Alexis isn't a child anymore. And… we don't want a repeat of what happened with that Pi guy."

He huffed and waved a hand as if to dismiss it, but she could see the slightly shell-shocked look on his face from the memory of those days. He visibly shuddered, as if to ward it off. "She'll always be my little girl," he countered. "Expect the same when Lily comes of age."

"Comes of age?" Kate scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Castle, she's an infant. We have a ways to go until then."

"Still," he straightened the lapel on his jacket. "I need to keep in practice for when that time comes."

"You silly man," Kate shook her head, but held up a hand to beckon him over. "But I love you."

"You bet you do," Castle smiled with a confident wink, clasping her hand and squeezing his fingers around hers, before dipping down to press a kiss to her wanting mouth. "Now, I'll leave you to this boring paperwork. Pick you up in two hours?"

"Sounds good, yes," Kate nodded, yanking him back for one more kiss, before sending him on his way. She sighed, watching him go. Two more hours. Did she really have to wait that long?

Buckling down, she got to work, occasionally sipping her coffee, using the knowledge of what awaited her once she finished to give her the motivation to plow through four, at the very least, end of year reviews. By the time she was completing the final marks on the fourth report, Kate was pulled from her concentration by a knock. She quickly added her signature at the bottom and deposited the review in the small stack in the desk tray, pleased with what she was able to accomplish. It wasn't as thrilling or satisfying as running down a suspect and hauling him in for questioning, but at least it allowed her the time she wanted to spend with her family.

"Enter," she called, smiling when she looked up to see her husband. "Coming to pick me up?"

"I'm double parked, so we better hurry," Castle said.

"I'm the captain of this precinct," Kate said, "You could have just used by parking slot."

"Oh, I… um… I hadn't thought of that," he admitted. "Anyways, come on, Alexis and Tim are waiting in the car with Lily."

"Tim, is it?" she questioned as she stood up.

"Yes, Tim," Castle repeated, retrieving her charcoal peacoat from the coat hanger behind her desk and holding it out for her. "Not Timothy. But Tim."

"And what's wrong with that?" Kate asked, slipping her arms into the sleeves. Castle helped adjust the coat around her shoulders and smoothed his hands down her arms, as if seeking reassurance from touching her.

"Nothing," Castle said with an air of indifference, and then his voice grew cold as his eyes narrowed. "It was the way he corrected me."

"Ah," she said. Clearly Castle had taken an instant dislike to Alexis's new boyfriend. Not necessarily a new phenomenon. "Well," she said, spinning around to gently pat his cheek. "Try not to take it personally. He's probably just as nervous as you are."

"Perhaps," Castle grumbled, stalking out behind her.

Kate tossed a goodnight wave to the boys, before turning to Castle and grabbing his hand, offering a reassuring squeeze, as they waited for the elevator.

"Try and look cheerful, Rick," Kate advised. "We will be spending the next hour or two caroling with them, and you don't want to ruin everyone's evening, do you?"

"Are you calling me a Scrooge?"

"No," Kate shook her head. "You are calling yourself that. I'm just telling you to smile."

"Can I get a kiss if I do?"

Rolling her eyes, Kate fought down a chuckle. "Do you always need incentive?"

"Yep," he smirked.

Close enough, she thought, and snagged him for a quick kiss before the elevator doors rattled opened. He was definitely smiling as they sauntered out of the precinct lobby. Kate, on the other hand, had to work to stifle a blush. She may have let him cop a feel while they made out in the elevator. Sometimes Castle was easy to please.

Tim—Not Timothy—was lovely. He was great with Lily, who seemed to thoroughly approve of her big sister's new boyfriend, giggling and squealing with delight as he made funny faces for her. Kate eyed Castle as he drove, making sure he kept to their deal and didn't sulk. They arrived at their destination without incident.

Her phone buzzed as she climbed out of the car.

"Please don't tell me you have to go back in?" Castle asked with pleading eyes.

Kate dug inside her coat pocket to retrieve her phone. "It's just a text from my Dad," she said. "He's waiting for us by a pretzel vender."
"Smart man, your Dad," Castle declared. "Mother loves hot pretzels."

"Did I hear you say hot pretzels?" Alexis asked, approaching with Lily in her arms. Tim, tall and broad shouldered and a flop of golden blond hair falling down over his forehead, strolled up beside her.

"Apparently my Dad has learned Martha as a weakness for them," Kate informed, pausing to adjust Lily's pink beanie. "I can take her if you want."

"No, I'm good," Alexis hugged Lily close. "We don't get too much time to snuggle."

"You sure?" Kate asked.

"Kate," Castle spoke softly, touching her shoulder. "She's fine. Lily's fine."

She pursed her lips, but nodded. She couldn't help herself.

"Come on," Castle said, sliding an arm around her waist as Alexis, holding Lily, and Tim walked ahead. "Let's go meet up with your Dad and my Mother, and then go caroling for a while, then go for hot chocolate. We can share the baby amongst the family."

That made Kate smile. Castle always knew what to say to lighten the mood. It was one of the first things about him that thawed her icy exterior and warmed her heart. She wrapped her an arm around his torso and leaned against his side, smiling happily as she watched Alexis talk animatedly to Lily, who stared up with an almost kind of awe at her big sister.

"Yeah," she said, glancing up at her husband. "That sounds good."