December 21 - Caroling

"Mother called," her husband says the moment she steps foot in the door, forgoing any pleasantries.

Kate shuts her eyes, taking a deep breath. It's not that she doesn't want to hear what her mother-in-law has to say, but after a marathon shift, she would much rather enjoy Martha's antics without her shoes and over a glass of wine.

"Hey honey, I'm home," she says, dry. "My day was okay, thanks for asking."

Castle looks up from stirring at the stove. Sauce, she thinks, given the scent of oregano in the air. "Sorry," he says, offering her a sheepish, lopsided smile. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," she drawls, shrugging out of her coat and hanging it in the closet. "Where are the kids?"

"Plopped them in front of The Polar Express. Lil's the only one really watching it, though; I think the boys fell asleep."

She huffs a laugh. "Really? You think a pair of one-year-olds had trouble staying awake during a movie?"

He grins, putting the spoon down on the spoon rest and moving around the kitchen to her side. "Just a guess. Lily did come out about half an hour ago asking for more snacks, so she was at least awake and watching up until then."

She slips her arms around his shoulders as he nears, tugging his head down to hers for a proper greeting. Contentment floods her veins at the heat of his mouth, the slide of his lips over hers, and when he releases her and rests his forehead on hers, she exhales.

"Now," she says after a moment, "what were you saying about your mom?"

Castle chuckles, thumbing her sides. "Mother called and asked if we were interested in caroling with her – all of us, your dad included."

Kate tilts her head. "Dad, too?"

Her husband nods. "She said she understands if he doesn't want to, but she wanted to extend the invitation to him, too."

She smiles. Martha is and always will be a lot to handle, but her heart is in the right place. She wants the best for them all, including Kate's father, who's been here for every Christmas since before Lily was born, even when his heart aches for Johanna. "I'll give Dad a call and see what he says. When is caroling?" she asks.

"Ah," Rick hedges a little, glancing down at his watch. "Six o'clock… tonight?"

"Castle," she groans, dropping her head back. If he committed them to going out in the cold tonight with three kids after she'd worked for almost twelve hours… She might actually kill him. Which would be disappointing, given that he's a great dad and so good in the sack, but it would be a necessary evil. "Did you agree?"

When his denial isn't immediate, she narrows her eyes and stares him down. "Rick."

"She suggested Lily would be able to sing more of her pageant songs," he says, shifting his weight. "And you know how much she loves singing those songs."

Kate sighs, scrubbing a hand over her face. If he wants to take Lily tonight, that's fine. She'll stay home with the boys where it's warm and relaxing and doesn't involve singing in public or wearing a bra and dress pants for any longer than necessary.

"I said we would think about it?" he says, though it comes out as more of a question than anything else. She nods. "But I'm getting the impression you're not feeling it tonight."

"Not on less than two hours' notice after getting to work at five this morning, no," she says, though she knows it's probably too snappy for something that's not entirely her husband's fault. "Sorry. I just… it would be fun – especially if I didn't have to sing at all – but not tonight. Are they planning any other outings we could join? Maybe one after my vacation officially starts, or at the very least when I haven't been at work all day long?"

Castle rubs her arms. "I'll find out."

"I can invite my dad to that one," she says. "Lily can wear her candy cane costume and sing to her heart's content, and I don't have to be out when I would much, much rather stay in."

Rick grins, nodding in agreement. His lips touch her hairline. "Done. I'll call Mother and arrange it, then I'll get dinner finished. Go change and get comfortable; see if the sprout is still awake or if the blanket and the pillows got the best of her."

A smile touches her lips at the mental image of Lily passed out against a mound of pillows, curled around her favorite fleece blanket. "Thank you." She presses a kiss to his jaw. "I'll be back. Unless Lily looks comfortable, then I might just join her until dinner's ready."

Castle chuckles, squeezing her arm. "I wouldn't blame you if you did, Kate."

She does end up crawling onto the pallet on the floor in the office with her babies, kissing their heads when they squirm and snuggle close to her. She dozes off just a few minutes later to the sound of a train whistle.

A few days later, her father meets them outside the loft with a camping thermos of hot chocolate and a smile on his face.

"Hi, Dad," she says, pressing her lips to his cheek. "Thanks for coming. Lily's been warming up her voice all day. She can't wait for you to hear her sing with Martha and the others."

Jim smiles, looping his arm around her in a sideways hug. His lips knock against her head, his breath puffing against her hair. "I'm glad you invited me, Katie."

"You're always invited," she murmurs, leaving it at that. He has a standing invitation to everything holiday in their lives, making it easy and low-pressure for him (and Kate) on the hard days.

He doesn't get the opportunity to say anything else because a flash of red and white sparkles emerges from the lobby, crashing into his legs with gleeful abandon.

"Gwampa!"

"Well, if it isn't the Candy Cane Princess."

Lily giggles, looking up at him. "M'Lily, Gwampa."

He tweaks Lily's chin with his forefinger and thumb. "I know you are, sweetheart. But you were a great Candy Cane Princess in your show and I'm glad I get to hear you sing again."

The girl grins, taking his hand and swinging it wildly. "Lessgo, Gwampa."

Lily's already singing the first of the tunes when they join Martha and a small contingent of her usual troupe at the first house. And even though she and Rick hang back with the twins, Kate finds herself humming along as well.

Castle smiles over at her when the song ends and the next one begins, draping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. His lips touch her forehead, fingers curling around her arm as she exhales and presses her face against him.

"Dad's singing," she says into his coat, swallowing hard against the tightness in her throat. "He's singing again."

Rick squeezes her, imparting without a word that he knows just how wonderful this moment is.

We're in the home stretch, everyone! Thank you for all of your kind words and your excitement for this story. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope you'll enjoy the chapters to come.