Gifts of Love Large and Small
A story of Christmas love and joy.
Post-Series Fic
Kate jumps at the metallic tap and scrape of a key in the lock of her front door, her brow furrowing in confusion. Everyone's home as far as she knows; the kids are asleep upstairs, and her husband had been at his desk the last time she checked, before she settled down in front of the window to read a little bit, but it's possible that Castle had slipped out to get something while she was immersed in the book?
Instead of her husband, though, it's Alexis's easy smile that greets her when the deadbolt gives way with a quiet snick and the door swings open. Her stepdaughter (a title that after all these years finally feels more natural to say, even to herself) waves before adjusting her purse on her shoulder and closing the door behind her.
"Hey, did I wake you?" Alexis asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
Beckett laughs, looking down at the book that's fallen limp in her lap. She marks her page with the first thing she can find - a tiny Lego lightsaber that Reece had left on the cushion while he and Jake were playing earlier - and unfurls from the window seat.
"No, no. I was just reading a little." It's a little white lie, but it's not going to hurt anything. She hadn't been dozing that long, really. "I didn't think we'd see you today. Not that it's not good to see you," she adds, moving through the living room to offer Alexis a quick but firm hug. "I just didn't think we were on for a visit until the weekend."
Alexis grins, coming back for another longer hold. Kate's happy to return the affection; after so many uncertain months, it's no wonder they're all reaching out to one another more.
"Dad texted a little bit ago. He asked me to stop by for a little bit."
That's news to her, but not surprising that her husband would want to bring his baby bird back to the nest more frequently during his favorite time of the year. What is surprising is that he waited until Lily, Reece, and Jake were in bed to ask her to come; the youngest Castles adore their big sister and they'll be so disappointed to know she came over while they were sleeping.
Kate nods, rubbing Alexis's back. "Well, come sit. Want a drink? I finished my wine while I was reading and didn't even notice."
Alexis laughs. "Sure. I'll have whatever you're having."
Beckett nods, moving to grab her empty glass and heading to the kitchen. Another glass won't hurt her.
"Where is Dad, anyway?" Alexis asks, following her instead of taking a seat on the couch. "Usually he comes running when I-"
They both look up at the clatter that marks Rick Castle's entrance through the main door to his and Kate's bedroom. "Pumpkin! You made it," he says, holding out his arms, giving Alexis time to prepare for the bear hug long before he wraps her in it.
Alexis tosses an indulgent smile Kate's way but leans into her father's chest with a relish that tells the real story; she's not bothered by the embrace or her father's dramatics in the least.
"Hi, Dad. Why're you out of breath?"
Beckett passes over Alexis's wine glass and gestures to her husband in question. "Rick?"
He smiles, nodding against Alexis's hair. "Sure. And I am out of breath because I was finishing a surprise for Beckett-"
"In your bedroom? Ew. I don't need or want to know anything else."
"No, no. I just came in the secret door, that's all. That's all."
Kate purses her lips to hide an amused smirk, but she knows she doesn't quite manage. At least he's admitting that he's up to something. The fact that he's not rising to take the bait of the dirty joke is intriguing, too; he must really be excited for this surprise of his, because that would ordinarily be low-hanging fruit for an eyebrow wiggle at the very least.
"Interesting," she murmurs, pouring him a glass. "So, I'm guessing Alexis is here to make sure the Larry, Curly, and Moe upstairs don't make a break for it while we're gone… wherever we're going?"
He chuckles. "Got it in one. And of course, my lovely daughter, you are welcome and encouraged to stay the night. We won't be gone too long," he promises over Alexis's head, talking to both of them no doubt.
Alexis laughs, pressing her cheek to Rick's shoulder. "Sure, Dad. I'll stay. I do have to work in the morning, though. So, plan the breakfast feast I know you'll want to make accordingly."
His eyes brighten. "Absolutely I will. Lily's been begging for candy cane pancakes, so we can do that. They're quick enough, but not a drive-by breakfast."
Kate grins. Lily has been asking for those, but only because her daddy has been hyping them up since the beginning of the month. They're almost a full week into December and they haven't had the special breakfast yet, but they're behind on a lot of their traditions this year (the glaring omission is the tree that they've not bought yet, but she won't bring that up unless she's prepared to find a lot and go immediately – and while she might be, the house is not) so it's not the most surprising. Still, it's good to know they'll be remedying at least a small portion of their outstanding Christmas preparation.
"Okay," Alexis agrees. She pats her father's chest once before squirming out of his embrace and picking up her wine. "You go do… whatever it is you've planned for tonight. I'll be here making sure The Sprout, PB, and J don't wake up and wonder where you went."
"Thanks, pumpkin."
Kate moves around the counter, brushing her fingers over Rick's back. "Do I need a coat?"
"Mmm, probably."
"Probably or definitely?" she asks, already on her way to the coat closet. She's wearing a sweater, but the fact that he'd come in through the secret door says he went out into the hall and probably downstairs. So unless they're staying in the lobby…
"I'll keep you warm."
She rolls her eyes, grabbing one of Rick's zip-up hoodies and shrugging into it. "I'll bring a jacket anyway."
Alexis laughs from behind her, waving when Kate glances over her shoulder to be sure her husband is joining her. Castle trots over, plucking her wine from the console table with a flourish before opening the door and gesturing for her to go ahead.
"No secret entrance for us?" she teases, taking her wine and waiting until he locks the door behind them to loop her arm through his and sidle closer.
He shakes his head. "I only used it to sneak out so if you woke up while I was gone, you wouldn't notice right off the bat." He grins. "Of course, you were snoring away when I checked on you, so I probably didn't need to be that concerned with the door…"
"I was not."
His lips brush her temple. "You were, but it was adorable snoring. And you weren't even drooling this time, so there's nothing to be embarrassed about."
He laughs at her hip check, managing to keep his wine from sloshing over with the motion. "I've seen it all before, honey. Many times."
"Why don't you just tell me where we're going?" she says instead of dignifying his teases with a response. "Downstairs? Out? I didn't grab my bag, so if you want to get a drink once we finish our wine, we'll have to go back. Actually, we should probably put the wine down entirely if we're leaving the building."
Rick pats her hand, brushing this thumb over her knuckles. "We're going up to the roof. Everything's set up."
She tilts her head, trying to gauge what he means by that. "Everything?"
"Mhmm, you'll see," he promises. "You're gonna love it."
He's said that so many times throughout their partnership and their relationship. In the very beginning, it was hard for her to admit that she would and had loved the things he would spring on her. She has no doubt she will this time, though.
Save for one the first year they were married - and that one was out of his hands - Castle's Christmastime surprises are always delightful and always worth it. She has no reason to suspect that this one will be any different.
Her lips dust his chin. "I'm sure I will."
That's completely confirmed when he leads her up the stairs and out to a twinkling, starry paradise on their rooftop patio.
Technically, it's a shared space with the rest of the building, but most of the neighbors tend to cede it to them, giving them the go ahead to make whatever they'd like out of the rooftop area. She makes a mental note to come up during the day and check on the garden they've all been maintaining, not to mention finish cleaning up the chaos her children left behind the last time they played up here.
But for tonight, she's drawn to the plush couches, the crackling patio heaters, the delicate canopy that covers the pergola - and is that a projector? - Rick has set up for them.
"It's beautiful," she breathes, letting him lead her where he wants her to go. Letting him set their wine glasses down once they're by the couches. "What is all this?"
"Well, I thought we could try to see some of the stars and look for Neptune and Uranus, so I set up the telescope. Not sure what we'll be able to see, but I wanted to try anyway. As a fallback, though, I pulled the canopy and brought up the projector; I figured we could make our own planetarium up here and enjoy the starry night some other way."
Castle looks up and she follows suit, trying her best to see something through the glow of the city lights around them. She can only make out a few faint twinkles, and those could very well be air traffic, too, but it's the thought that counts. The thrill of seeing the world differently for a few minutes. The magic he's offering.
"I love it," she breathes, turning her gaze back to him. She lifts onto her toes, slipping an arm around his neck and drawing his head down to hers. Her lips brush his once, a soft kiss to tell him she's not just putting him on before covering his mouth with hers and allowing him to taste her gratitude.
His hand flutters at her hip before she feels him pull her closer, flush with the planes of his body. Warmth floods her veins, igniting the sparks in her belly as his hips connect with hers and his tongue darts out to swipe across her lip.
Their foreheads land together when their lips separate, and she sucks in a few deep breaths before palming his cheeks.
"Well, it looks like you've thought of everything, Castle. So why don't you show me some stars tonight?"
He grins, sinking a hand into her hair and pulling her mouth to his once more. "I can do that, Beckett. We'll even look through the telescope a little bit, too."
It's a terrible line - both were - but God help her, she laughs anyway. "And maybe… tomorrow after I get off work, we can see about getting a tree?" she asks, thumbing the swell of his cheek, seeing delight flare in his eyes once more.
His lips skim her mouth again, a little sloppier than before, but she doesn't mind. "Absolutely we will."
She nods, feeling something loosen in her chest at his happiness. Just like with Alexis and the hugs that seem to go on longer and longer each time, there's no doubt in Kate's mind that her husband has needed this, too. Needed the go ahead to celebrate as usual this year.
And celebrate they will.
Thank you for reading! I hope you'll enjoy this story and come along with me for another year of Castle holiday hijinks. For the Castle Ficathon Winter 2021
Until next chapter!