No phone calls or alarm woke Mr. & Mrs. Castle on March 10th. Their daughter slept just a smidge later than usual. Lily had had a fun, busy day with Is Is and Gamda. It was an hour later than normal, when Lily's first grumbling sounds reached her parents' ears. Kate muted the baby monitor and slid out of bed. Rick's been Mr. Mom for months. Now Lily would have both parents at her beck and call.

Kate entered Lily's room to find her Dad holding Lily. "Good morning, Katie. I heard little bit complaining."

Lily interrupted any further comments from her Granddad, "Mamaaa. Mama, hi hi." She leaned toward Kate.

"Hello, my baby," Kate took Lily from her Dad. "Sorry, Dad. She had your attention last night, so I guess she missed me. Did you miss Mommy?"

Jim chuckled, "I'll leave you girls alone." He kissed the head of his daughter and then his granddaughter.

Kate chatted with Lily and pretended she understood her daughter's babbling. While Kate was slipping Lily into an adorable coverall, she sensed Rick's presence. While snapping Lily into her warm outfit, she called out to Rick, "I tried to let you sleep, Babe." She turned around and smiled at Rick. He crossed the room in a few long strides.

"I got cold." He kissed Lily's head, "Good morning, baby girl."

Lily smiled at her Daddy, "Dada, hi hi. Mama 'ook. Dada." Lily pointed to Rick as if Kate hadn't seen him.

Rick wrapped his wife and baby in a hug. He kissed Kate quickly. Kate's smile lit his world. "I'm going to start breakfast. I know your Dad's awake. Do you think he'll want strawberry smiley-face pancakes?"

"Go for it, Babe. Your pancakes are absolutely delicious. He'll also love your coffee."

"Message received. Mommy wants coffee."

RCKC RCKC RCKC

"Rick, these pancakes are the best I've ever eaten. This is definitely a celebratory breakfast. What do you have planned for brunch tomorrow; since that is when the extended family will celebrate Katie's ….what do we call it? She isn't retiring. I know, Katie is taking a break from employment."

"Dad, a break from employment sounds perfect. At some point in my future, I will start a new career."

"Back to my original question. What do you have planned for brunch, Rick?"

"I'm cheating. It's being catered. Strawberry smiley-face pancakes are too labor intensive for a big group. We'll have silver dollar pancakes, eggs, bacon, fruit, bagels, and a big variety of breakfast foods. Whatever is left over, we'll pack up for anyone who wants some to take home."

"Dada, Dada, pakes, pakes."

"You want some more pancake, little one?"

"Me pakes." Lily slapped the tray on her high chair.

Jim laughed. "She is your daughter, Katie. She's as stubborn as you were."

"Yes, little flower. You may have more pancake." Rick appeased Lily. He cut up small pieces of a pancake and placed it on Lily's tray. Lily smiled at her Dad and turned her attention to her pancake.

"Babe, what happened to all the leftovers from last night?"

"Brian has a friend who is going to deliver the leftovers to the 12th between 11 and 11:30 this morning. I spoke to Kevin about this on Thursday. He had the responsibility of telling the desk Sergeant for today that the food is coming. My staff was supposed to create 4 sets of goody bags, so one for each floor. Hopefully everyone will find something they want to eat."

"I knew you planned to send the leftovers to the 12th, but I didn't realize you'd worked out such an equitable way to distribute it at the 12th. Thanks."

"Fanks, Dada."

"Is that the first time she's said thanks?"

"I think it is. Good job, Lily."

Jim chuckled at his granddaughter. He was enjoying his time with his family. "Anyone want more coffee?" Jim asked as he rose to refill his own cup.

"Thanks, Dad. Rick has some secret talents with coffee, and I'm addicted to whatever he does to my coffee."

Jim laughed. "Rick, how soon after you started following Katie did you realize how strong Katie's coffee addiction is?"

"I think I noticed during the third case we worked together. I bought the espresso machine for Homicide during out fourth case. I started bringing Kate coffee a few cases later."

"So what do you do to Kate's coffee that's so special?"

"It's a secret."

Jim laughed. "Making yourself irreplaceable. Smart move."

"I've asked him to show me how he makes the coffee, but he left out the secret. You better put that secret in your will, Babe."

"I'll show you before I go on my next book tour. I don't think I need to hide the secret to keep you anymore."

"You're stuck with me now, Babe."

"Thank Heaven for that."

After their meal and more coffee, Jim left for home. Kate and Rick enjoyed time with Lily. After lunch Kate rocked Lily to sleep. Once Lily was sleeping soundly, she joined Rick for coffee. "She's so cute when she's sleeping. Thanks for making coffee."

"I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Is something wrong?"

"No, Kate, everything is great. I know you don't like surprises, but I've booked a trip for us." Rick held up his hand to forestall Kate's objection. "Honey, we both need a break. We have tickets to fly to Key West. The temperature will be in the 70s. We have a private home to stay in on the beach with a heated pool."

"Babe, thank you. That sounds wonderful. How long will we be there, and how did you find the house we're staying in?"

"Wow. I thought you'd protest."

"I'm Mrs. Katherine Castle now. I'm going to enjoy the beach with my husband and baby." Kate's posture, facial expression, and vocal accent imitated the trophy wives they'd interacted with over the years. Kate laughed at the expression on Rick's face. "Seriously, Babe. The trip sounds wonderful. Who owns the house?"

"It's Connelly's. I knew he had a house near Key West, and when I asked for recommendations for a hotel with villas or something along that line, he offered it to us."

"What favor did he ask for in return?"

"Nothing, yet. He claims it's a gift to celebrate your leaving the NYPD. I expect at some point he'll want something."

"How long will we be there, and is there a crib?"

"We have the house for a week. As you know Mike lives in the Tampa area. This is a smaller house they use for getaways to the Atlantic side of Florida. He said there's a pack and play, but not a crib. He has a lady that cleans and stocks it for them, and I've talked to her. She's opening the house and buying groceries. She'll set up the pack and play in the guest room next to the room we'll use. Mike prefers guests not use the master bedroom. We should only need to pack clothes and Lily's paraphernalia. We leave late Tuesday morning and return the next Tuesday. Mike says if we want to stay longer, it's fine. I need to email a grocery list to Mia, that's the lady who will open up the house."

"Does Alexis want to come, too?"

"She can't. I did ask her. I also asked Mother and your Dad. They all said they couldn't get away right now."

"Sounds wonderful. How long do you think Lily will nap?"

"At least another half hour. Did you have something you wanted to do?"

"Yes, You!" Kate grabbed Rick's hand and pulled him towards the bedroom. He picked her up and carried her to their bedroom.

After enjoying the intimate delights of marriage, they were lying in bed naked and sated. Kate's head rested on Rick's shoulder while she played with the hairs on his chest. Rick had his arms around Kate and his legs tangled with hers. "I'm already enjoying your new job status."

"Me too, Babe. I know not every day will be like this morning, but the coffee is great and the company is even better."

"The rest of this day is going to be lazy. Tomorrow we'll have our family here to celebrate our new life. Just relax and enjoy today."

"Dada, uppy Dada. Mama. Uppy."

Kate rose from the bed and grabbed her robe. "Get dressed. I'll get Lily."

"Yes, Ma'am." Kate laughed while she walked out of the bedroom door.