Kate tiptoes into their bedroom and melts from the sight of her hubby and baby sleeping soundly in their bed. She just barely manages to strangle the small 'awe' that wants to slip out of her mouth. It's the first time she leaves them alone for the few hours it took her to brief her partner about an old case they had needed to look back into. It was late already when Espo and Ryan had asked her if she could come in, but she'd gone anyway. Especially since Castle had insisted he could manage a few hours without her, had said he thought it was better for her to go to the precinct if it meant bringing justice to another person.
Now she looks down at her sleeping husband, their daughter splayed on top of his chest and she can't help but wonder if that had been the only way to get their daughter to sleep. Kate smiles. God, she loves them. Kate sneaks closer, reaches out to carefully stroke her daughter's head, her hair. The girl squirms a little but nothing that alarms Kate of her waking up.
"'mm-he-ey," he whispers and she glances up to see his eyes blink at her. "Tried staying up."
She smiles, leans down to kiss his cheek. "Don't worry, you need sleep," she whispers back and pecks his cheek again before she leans away to get herself ready for bed.
As soon as she's ready she carefully climbs down, cuddles closer to him in order to put her head right above his shoulder, kissing his skin there as she puts an arm around him and their daughter.
"Night babe," she whispers into the night and feels his hand tangle his fingers with hers, both of them having a hand each on their daughter's back for security measures.
"Night honey," he whispers back sleepily and it doesn't take long before they're both breathing heavily, falling into the sleep with ease.
THE END