Gifts of Love Large and Small - Chapter 6
She's pulled out of her slumber far too early, especially given how late they'd been awake.
First it's her bladder, reminding her that she's frequently awake by now. Then, it's the weight of Castle's arm and the heat of his chest pressed to her back that's leaving her just a little too warm beneath the covers of their bed. And of course, once she finally settles into a comfortable, cooler, position, her phone bleats pitifully from the nightstand.
Castle grumbles from behind her before rolling onto his back and turning his face away.
"Sorry, babe," she whispers, dragging a hand through her hair before throwing the covers off and lowering her feet to the floor, reaching for both her robe and her phone.
With their open bookshelves, closing the door doesn't do much to quell the sound of conversation, so she moves all the way out of her bedroom and into the kitchen, ready to flip the switch on the coffee while she listens to the message that pops up. Both Ryan and Esposito have been called in and they're giving her a heads up that she might be needed as well – as moral support and to handle briefing any press – but they'll let her know.
Releasing a sigh, she pads through the kitchen to get one of the Christmas mugs Lily made at preschool from the cabinet and the coffee creamer from the fridge. There's no point to going back to bed if she's just going to be dragged out again in half an hour to head to a scene. No, she'll sit by the window, drink her coffee, and let the day start around her. And if for some reason she gets to stay home, she'll be awake to make breakfast in a little while and hear everything about the kids' evening with Alexis.
It's peaceful out there, she notes when she settles at the window. The sky is just beginning to turn pink with the coming daylight and she can see that the light fluffy snow that had been falling when she and Rick were on their way home has melted to become the crackle of frost on the trees below, the glint of icy patches on the sidewalk. She'll have to be careful if she goes; the last thing she needs is to slip and fall on her way to work.
"There is no reason for you to be awake right now."
She pauses mid-sip to look over her shoulder, finding Rick standing at the table in his robe, his hair wild and askew. Her fingers itch to smooth his hair down and fix the lopsided bow he'd tied in his haste to find her.
"Waiting to hear from Ryan and Espo," she murmurs, leaning her temple on the windowpane. The glass is cold against her skin, but she manages not to shiver. It's a nice kind of cold.
He hums in answer, moving close enough to dip to kiss her. "I'm going to get a cup. Need a refill?" he asks, gesturing to the mug in her hand.
"I'm okay," she says. "Thanks, though."
He nods, coming back for a kiss that ends up interrupted by a yawn.
"Rick, go back to bed," she tries, catching his fingers as he starts to walk away, jostling his hand to get his attention. "You don't have to be up at the crack of dawn just because I am."
He just smiles over his shoulder, squeezing her hand. "I want to be. Especially if you're going to be out for part of the day."
She nods, accepting that. She knows the feeling; the idea of leaving their little bubble on a Sunday seems just this side of excruciating. She'd been looking forward to spending the day with her family, to eating with Alexis and trying to sneak money she won't take into her bag as thanks for watching her siblings, to making good on her promise to Lily, to playing games with Reece and Jake, to stealing moments with her husband while the kids nap. The thought of having to leave that cocoon to see more of the world's horrors just fills her with dread.
"Kate," Rick murmurs, back at her elbow once more. "Scoot."
She exhales, making room for him on the window seat. He eases behind her, curling his arm against her belly. He sips his coffee slowly, follows her gaze out the window.
"Last night was good," she says, pressing a smile into the rim of her coffee mug. "I liked getting to go somewhere with you."
Castle presses his answering smile into her hair. "Me too. Sorry there was so much shop talk, though."
She snorts. "You're not; they sang your praises all night long. Even Gina's happy with you right now."
"It's a Christmas miracle," he quips. "What a beautiful thing."
Kate laughs, relaxing in his embrace.
"Speaking of beautiful things," he says, thumbing her belly through her nightshirt, "I know I told you this already last night, but you were stunning last night in your dress."
Her chin drops toward her chest at the compliment. She'd fallen in love with the glittered eggplant purple dress, with the lines of the velvet, and had been even happier when it fit the way she wanted without needing to be altered in any way (especially given how little time she'd had prior to the party).
"Thank you," she breathes.
"And out of it, too."
"Romantic," she drawls, but her fingers brush his knuckles in gratitude. He'd certainly proved the sincerity of his words to her when they got home last night. When he'd breathed his love and his desire for her into her skin and against her mouth.
"I mean it, Kate. You were beyond gorgeous." His lips touch her cheek. "And you are right now."
"Mmm." She presses her thumb to his. "I already bought your gifts, baby. You don't need to butter me up."
He laughs, dipping his head to kiss her mouth lightly. She pecks back, tasting the sweetness of his coffee on his lips. "I've already bought yours, too, Kate."
Her eyes slip shut as he pulls her closer. She could go back to sleep right here with him, just like this.
"And the kids are done, right?" she asks instead of letting his warmth and the solid thump of his heartbeat at her back lull her into slumber. "All four of them?"
"All four of them," he confirms. "Mother's last gift will be ready for pick up tomorrow. Which leaves…"
"Dad," she says, peeking an eye open. "So, Gift Ninja, how'd that information gathering go?"
Rick huffs. "Not as well as I'd hoped it would," he admits. "He seemed a little quiet – quieter than usual – actually."
She drags her teeth over her lip. The holidays haven't stopped being difficult for Jim Beckett, even after all these years, but she'd also noticed that the last time she talked to her father, noted the longer pauses in the conversation and the way his voice had lost some of its lift. He is down this year.
"We'll call him tonight," she says, tamping back on the urge to worry. Bad days are just bad days, after all. "And then we'll settle the bet. But you should probably just go ahead and pack Baby Yoda up now."
Castle chuckles. "I'll make sure to find your sweater for you, honey. Don't worry."
Her intended response gets lost in the trill of her cell phone. "Sorry."
He shakes his head, sipping his coffee as she lifts the phone to her ear and greets Esposito, listening to the details of the case, the reasons they need her to join them at the scene and then ride to make a family notification before the press gets wind of things. If they're lucky they can get out in front of it, and she won't even need to give a press conference.
"I'll be there soon," she says hanging up and draining the last of her coffee. "I gotta-"
"I know," Rick says, rubbing a hand down her arm. His lips connect with her cheek. "Go change, I'll make a travel cup for you."
"Thanks." Her fingers brush his chin before she unfolds from the window seat and gets to her feet.
They move in opposite directions on quiet feet, coming back together just a few minutes later. She's not entirely sure she looks presentable, but she's dressed, her make up is done, and her hair still has the remnants of the curls from the night before, so it'll have to do.
Rick waits until she pulls her coat on and buttons it up to hand over the coffee. She thanks him quietly, lifting onto her toes to press her mouth to his.
"Tell Lily I'll be home as soon as I can, and then I want to hear about everything she did with the boys and Alexis last night."
Her husband nods, thumbing her chin. "I will."
"Okay," she exhales. "Now go back to sleep while you still can."
She can't be completely sure, but from the direction he moves as she's closing the door behind her, it looks as if he does exactly that.
Good.
Thank you for reading! Until next time!