Coffee and Tea
He walked into the bullpen clutching a cardboard tray that held four to-go cups. He passed one to Esposito as he walked past, placing another on Ryan's desk.
He swaggered over to their desk, grinning from ear to ear. He was in a good mood. A very good mood.
"Good morning, Detective." He placed one cup in front of her, keeping the last one for himself, and tossed the tray into the garbage.
She rolled her eyes, bringing the cup up to her mouth to hide the smile she couldn't hold back. "Someone is very chipper this morning."
He lowered himself into his chair, leaning across the desk. "I'm feeling very optimistic."
"Gates is in a meeting, but I'm going to talk to her as soon as she is done. Let's see how optimistic you're feeling then."
Even her 'glass half empty' attitude couldn't ruin his mood. Soon enough, their relationship wouldn't be a secret anymore. They had decided that they would deal with whatever consequences would come. Ready or not, today was the day.
She twisted the cup in her hand until the small opening lined up with her lips. She had been craving coffee all morning and her mouth salivated in anticipation. She sucked back the hot liquid, her eyes widening with surprised recognition. She sputtered, choking on the mouthful of steaming hot tea, forcefully swallowing it.
"Tea? Seriously Castle?"
"I figured you would have known it wasn't coffee." He apologised... kind of. The tone was right... the words, not so much.
"You've been getting me decaf?" She questioned the sudden change in routine.
"You hate decaf." He countered, instantly.
"But... coffee." She looked deflated. Exhausted. Radiant. But that last one could just be his own personal bias.
He sighed, taking the cup from her hands and replacing it with his own. "Tomorrow I'll get you decaf."
She smiled wickedly as she brought the cup to her face, inhaling the unmistakable scent of coffee. Fully caffeinated, with a shot of caramel syrup... heaven.
Her face dropped and she swapped the cups back with a heavy sigh. "Only six more months... I can do it." She scrunched her nose as she took another sip.
"Detective Beckett," Gates poked her head out of her office, gaining their attention. "You wanted to see me?"
She gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder as she walked off. He could feel the tension enter his body through her fingertips. She was afraid - afraid of the unknown. Afraid of how Gates would react. Afraid of losing her partner. Afraid of things changing.
But things were going to change, whether she liked it or not. In big ways. In every way. And while that thought terrified her, she was also excited for this next chapter. More excited than she ever thought she would be. It was something she honestly didn't picture for herself. But with him by her side, she was ready to embrace it. Parenthood.