Stocking Stuffer II
A post series AU. Rick and Kate are facing an empty loft Christmas Eve. Alexis is spending the 24th with her boyfriend's family. Martha is spending it with her new gentleman friend, and Jim Beckett still spends his holidays up at his cabin with his memories. Castle is in a funk and Kate needs to find a way to make the day special for him.
All Standard Disclaimers Apply
An: I'm not much of a Christmas guy but it does give us writers an easy way to write something 'sappy'.
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Kate Beckett-Castle was up early and already on her second cup of coffee. Rick was in a terrible funk and she hadn't been able to get him out of it. Today was the twenty third of December and for the first time he was looking at not having his family around him on Christmas Eve.
Alexis had made plans to spend the Eve with her boyfriend Max's family. Their relationship had reached the point where they had to balance their holidays. She wasn't wearing a ring yet, but Alexis and Max had been seeing each other for a few years now and it was believed that they were inevitable. So the division of time with families left Alexis and Max to be here for Christmas day.
Martha, on the other hand, was off on a trip overseas with her latest gentleman friend. They would be flying back from Paris for the holiday, but wouldn't be back in New York until Christmas day. Her father, though he had become more able to deal with this time of the year, had chosen to spend the days leading up to Christmas up at his cabin with his memories. It was about the only time of the year that he allowed himself that indulgence. He had promised Kate that he would be there for the big Christmas dinner.
Everything, logically, should be just fine. Except Castle was having trouble dealing with a Christmas Eve without his family around him.
Kate, though she loved her expanded family, actually was looking forward to a night with her husband with no distractions. But she had to make it special for them. And that's why she'd been planning her own special Christmas Eve for her and her man.
She walked into the bedroom to see her disheveled husband sitting up in their bed. She must have triggered some sensory disturbance with her arrival since he managed to turn toward her as she moved over to the edge of the bed.
"Hey, you're up. If you want to come in with me today, I'll wait until you've showered."
He rubbed his eyes, then smiled once his vision was cleared enough to see her. He was a lucky man to have Kate Beckett as his wife. They'd been through hell and back more than once, but he'd do it again to have her waking up beside him every day. Now if he could just get the rest of his family to want to be with him on such an important coming day.
He managed to get enough neurons firing to form and answer for her. "No need to delay yourself. Once I get moving I'm going to look over the notes Gina sent me before I put them away until after the holidays." He gave her a grin. "I don't want to have Gina's haranguing emails bring down my holiday any more than my own family is doing."
Kate strode up to him and patted him on the face. "Oh you poor child. You know that your daughter and mother have their own plans for tomorrow, but they will all be here for Christmas day." She leaned down and kissed his lips. "Even my dad said he would come to dinner."
That got a half smile from Castle. "That will be nice. But no one wants to be with me on Christmas Eve."
Kate glared at him. "Okay," he said. "I know that you will be here." He let his head down. "But you have to be. You're my wife and you have to spend time with me on the holidays."
She raised her brow. "Really? I could work you know."
Suddenly he had a frightened look on his face. "But you wouldn't would you?"
She grabbed his ears and pulled him toward her for another searing kiss. "Of course I wouldn't. I have to go in for an hour or two to make sure everything is set up to follow the plan. Kevin volunteered to take the shift."
"Why would he do that? He has two kids and seniority. He shouldn't have to work."
Kate shrugged. "You're right, but he wanted the overtime. Jenny is expecting, again." She laughed when Rick rolled his eyes. "He's also planning to take the Captain's exam. It won't be long before I won't have anyone left."
Castle gave her a comforting look. "How's Espo doing in S.W.A.T.?"
Kate was able to give him a sad smile. "He's doing well. He's second in command in his unit."
Castle held his arms out to his melancholy wife.
"Don't wrinkle my suit." She warned him as she sat on the edge of the bed and allowed him to hug her.
They stayed that way for several minutes until Kate realized she had to get going. She disengaged from her love and walked to the door. She turned, and her smile was bright again.
"I don't know how I got so lucky to have you."
His grin was crooked. "I was persistent."
"Well, thank you for being persistent."
"You are most welcome."
"I should be back at the regular time." She gave him a mild glare. "Don't just lay about feeling sorry for yourself. Do something. Take a walk. Check out the local toy stores and see what you're missing because you aren't 12 anymore."
He laughed. "That never stopped me before."
She rushed back and kissed him again. She backed off and took a breath. "I love you."
"I love you too."
She turned and headed for the door. She yelled over her shoulder when she hit the door. "I'll give you a call later."
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Kate sat at her desk moving different piles of paperwork from one side of her desk to the other. It was pretty slow, which was not unusual for this time of year. It was good that she wasn't busy with…work.
She had a lot of stuff to deal with before tomorrow that had nothing to do with work. She had been planning this since she knew that the family wouldn't be around for Christmas Eve. Kate hoped what she had planned would bring a little Christmas cheer to her morose husband.
She had been making phone calls, confirming reservations, and checking on purchases and timely deliveries all morning. She hoped that she would be able to make Rick smile.
She was confident that with Kevin in charge she wouldn't have to worry about the precinct. With what she had planned, the precinct will be the last thing on her mind.
Just then her phone rang. Since it was her personal phone a smile painted her face as she answered.
"Hey lover, what's up?"
She heard a familiar voice. "Oh, excuse me, I was trying to reach my wife."
Luckily he couldn't see the expression on her face. "Not particularly funny Casa-no chance."
She heard a chuckle. "Sorry, I just wanted to touch base with you and wondered if you could get off for lunch?"
Kate glanced at the piles of paper on her desk with a frown. "Sure, no problem. What do you have in mind?"
"Remy's?"
Kate bit her lip. Remy's wouldn't work. She had to divert his choice. "That would be okay, but I'm actually in the mood for pizza. Would that work for you?"
She could almost see his shrug. "Not a problem. I could go for a greasy pizza. Do you want me to come to you, or just meet?"
"Let's meet. Original Tony's or Tony's Original?"
She heard his chuckle again. "Actually, I'm glad you suggested pizza. There's a new place that someone told me about. Just opened a couple of months ago, and it not far from the precinct."
"Sounds good, what's it called?"
"It's called Frank's Pizza."
"Really?"
"Yeah, my pizza guy says it's really good. Great sauce."
She's laughing now. "You have a pizza guy?"
"Doesn't everyone? I'll text you the address. I'll meet you there at 2:00."
"Okay, it's a date. And Rick, I love you."
His voice goes all mellow. "I love you too."
The connection is broken just as Kevin walks into her office. "Hey, why the big smile."
She gives her right hand man a shy look. "I was just making a lunch date."
"Anyone I'd know?"
"Funny." She threw an eraser at him. "What have you got for me?"
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Kate stepped out of her cab in front of Frank's Pizza, and she was only 8 minutes late. It was a typical Manhattan store front. Frank's occupied the corner street level on a rather large 40's era building. The whole first level was store fronts from Frank's to a flower shop, along with a new age jewelry shop and even, 'gasp' a pawn shop.
The sidewalk was clean and the building seemed well kept up, so it had that going for it. She took a couple of steps then went through the door. A bell rang to announce her entry. She looked around until she spotted Rick in a back corner booth. It bode well that it was fairly busy. That meant it must be good if it was this popular.
She hustled down the single aisle and slid in opposite of Rick. "Sorry I'm late."
Rick rolled his eyes. "It doesn't count as being late until you're a half hour behind the time we said." She pulled him in for a quick kiss.
She just shook her head. "I don't get it. Those last three signatures could have waited until I got back." He grinned at her. She raised her brow. "You know," she said rather coyly. "I like when we sit opposite each other."
"Really? Why?"
It was Kate's turn to grin. "Because I get to stare at your ruggedly handsome face and get lost in those captivating blue eyes."
Castle started looking around. "Excuse me, had anyone seen my wife? She looks a lot like this beauty in front of me, but this woman seems to be feverish."
She slapped his hands. "Stop it. Can't I just express my appreciation of you once and a while?"
He shook his head. "No."
Kate frowned. "Why not?"
He shrugged. "I'll think my wife has been replaced by a pod person."
"Really? She shrugged this time. "Okay, just because I love you I will never compliment you again."
Castle opened his mouth, then shut it again. "I think I did that wrong."
Kate raised her brow. "Yah think?"
"Anyway," Castle grabbed the one sheet menu. "I was thinking we could get their half and half pizza. That way we could order what we want on our half of the pizza, and then I can eat the rest when you don't finish your half."
She ignored his comment. "What are our options?"
He slid the menu over to her. "Frank has a thin crust and a deep dish. He only has his one secret recipe sauce. Some sort of blended cheese and eight different toppings you can choose from. Anything from just one topping to any combination of them. Included all of them. That's called the glutton." He gave her sly look. "Guess what I'm putting on my half?"
She laughed. "Like that would be hard to guess, Mr. Glutton." He grinned back at her.
Kate chose sausage and black olives on her half. Castle's was never in doubt.
She kept the conversation going by catching him up with some of the changes that had been implemented in the last few months. Now that she was Captain she wasn't out in the field anymore. Espo had transferred and Ryan was a lieutenant so he was more desk bound so there was no one for him to go out on crime scenes with.
He had gone out with Ann Hastings team once, but she was actually intimidated by him so he stayed home unless he was so bored he came in and made Kate's life miserable for a few hours.
Finally they were finishing up their very good pizzas. Kate hadn't tried any of Rick's glutton slices, but she had picked off several pieces of various toppings, for future consideration. Rick only had to finish off one left over piece from Kate's half.
They were sitting enjoying the shared comfort over some coffee. Kate knew she had to broach the subject soon, so now would be as good a time as any.
She reached out and grabbed his hand. "Rick, I know you are disappointed that no one will be here for Christmas Eve."
He suddenly got a panicked look in his eyes. "You won't be able to be there either?
Kate chuckled. "That's not what I meant. Yes, I will be with you the whole time. I just have to stop in for an hour or so to make sure everything is set up and we can go."
"We?" He gave her a puzzled look. "You need me to come in with you?"
Kate nodded. "Yes I do." She leaned back and took a deep breath. "As I was saying, I know that you are disappointed that the rest of the family won't be in town until Christmas day. So I decided to plan a whole day for just you and me tomorrow. I have a few destinations where we can go, do some Christmas sightseeing, and then end up in the honeymoon suite at the Ambassador Hotel."
He cocked his brow. "The Honeymoon Suite?"
She gave him a girlish grin. "Why not? It's a beautiful suite complete with a heart-shaped Jacuzzi bathtub. A large circular bed, and the room service is second to none." She bit her bottom lip. "And surprisingly it's not been booked for Christmas Eve."
Before he could break into her speech, she continued. "I've also arranged for a tree to be placed next to the huge fireplace and it will only be partially decorated. I thought we could pick up some decorations to add to it while we spend the day out and about."
Rick smiled. "It sounds wonderful. I'm so lucky that you allowed me to marry you."
Kate smirked. "Well, it seemed like the thing to do at the time."
"So, do you have any special plans for us in that room?"
She had an enigmatic smile on her face. "Well, I thought we could get naked and enjoy the Jacuzzi tub together?" He nodded. "Then we could lie naked on the bear skin rug in front of the huge fireplace." He nodded and smiled. "Then we could top it off by making love naked on the large round bed."
He pulled her in for a quick kiss. "Mrs. Castle, I heartily endorse that plan. If I'm not mistaken it seems that most of the activities you suggested would be carried out sans clothes. Any reason for that?"
Her tongue peeked out between her teeth. "I like you naked."
His smile was ear to ear. "That's very fortunate, because I like you naked too."
They sat there staring at each other for several minutes, when her phone rang. She startled, then pulled it out of her coat pocket. "Damn, I have to get back."
She leaned in and kissed him again. "I'll see you tonight. Do you want me to bring something home for dinner?"
He shook his head. "No, I think I'll cook. Anything particular?"
She kissed him again. "Surprise me."
Castle laughed. "You surprise me more every day."
She grinned and blew him a kiss and she exited the pizza place.
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Kate was pulling on Castle's leg to try and get him to get out of bed. "Come on Rick, I told you I had to go in for a couple hours before we can start our personal Christmas Eve adventure. If you don't get up now you'll have to shower alone."
One eye popped open, only to see the naked form of his wife urging him on. The testimony as to how worn out he was from last night was the fact that he didn't immediately jump out of bed and gather Kate in his arms and rush to the shower. It actually took him three minutes to drag himself out of bed and then it took a few pinches to the butt to get him into the shower with Kate. Luckily they were already naked.
Kate, foreseeing this very problem, had managed to pack overnight bags for both of them and had them sitting by the front door. She began by making herself a cup of coffee and then got the pancake batter started.
It didn't take Rick long to dress, since Kate had already laid it out for him. When he did come out she handed him the pancake batter and went over to get her coffee.
Rick made each of them a couple pancakes. There were two Christmas tree cakes which were decorated with various berries and strawberry syrup looking like red garland. And the other two were left round and decorated to look like tree ornaments.
They ate with little conversation, but once Kate had finished, she grabbed her second coffee and signaled it was time to go. Grabbing their bags they left the loft and headed for the garage.
Last night they decided to take the Mercedes for the day. She was only going to do a check-in at the precinct so they could park in her parking spot and leave her cruiser in the underground parking. What Castle never saw was the special box that Kate had secreted in the trunk last night.
The pair breezed into the precinct and headed for Kate's office. She looked over the notes she'd left herself yesterday while Castle gossiped with Ryan.
Castle gave Kevin a bro hug. "Hey, I hear there's going to be another Ryan in the near future?"
Kevin just shrugged. "What can I say? I just must be too virile or something."
Castle laughed. "Or something. I see a future of no sex, or minor surgery in your future."
Kevin nodded weakly. "Jenny and I are already talking about it." Kevin slapped Rick on the arm. "What about you and Kate? Thinking about kids? You're not getting any younger, you know."
Castle pulled Ryan in and whispered in his ear. "We've been talking about it. I know that Kate would like to have a kid or two, but bro, I don't know if I have it left in me to raise little ones again."
Ryan punched him in the arm. It shouldn't be a problem for you, man. It's not like you have a job to go to."
"Ha, Ha, very funny." Castle glared at him.
"Besides," Kevin continued. "You knock Kate up and maybe she'll want to retire to stay home and raise the kids." Ryan then unleashed his villainous smile. "And that could mean that I might be able to get the 12th when/if I make captain."
Castle slapped him on the back. "You should have no problem passing the Captain's Exam. Didn't Kate tell you she'd help you?"
He nodded. Castle continued. "So, I guess we have to wait to have kids until you make captain."
Suddenly Kate showed up. "Wait for what to be whom?"
Ryan rolled his eyes. Castle laughed. "I was just telling Kevin that he…" Suddenly Ryan's hand covered Rick's mouth.
"It was nothing. Don't worry about it." Ryan began pushing them toward the elevator.
Kate furrowed her brow. "Okay?"
Castle took her hand and they entered the elevator. "Don't forget to send the latest closure rates to 1PP." The door closed.
Kate looked at Rick, a slightly frighten look on her face. "Maybe we should go back up? I don't know if Kevin heard me."
Rick used his finger to turn her face toward him. "Did you tell him to do that yesterday?"
Kate nodded. "Yes, but I want to make sure that he doesn't forget."
Castle pressed his lips against hers until she began to slump. "You are officially on vacation, so don't worry about it." He kissed her again until the elevator doors opened for them.
They hurried to the car and got in. He looked at her with a raised brow. She was grinning from ear to ear.
"So what's the start of our Christmas Eve adventure?"
Kate turned to him with a big smile on her face. "We're going to Rockefeller Center."
Castle nodded. "We going to see the big tree? I have to warn you. I have already seen it."
Kate nodded. "Well I haven't yet, and also we are going skating. I even brought my pink skates."
Castle laughed. "I don't have any skates, and I don't know how to skate."
Kate kissed him on the cheek. "I bought you a pair of purple skates, with lightning bolts on the sides." She kissed him again. "And I will teach you."
Castle shrugged. "Okay, I think my medical insurance is all paid up."
She slapped him on the arm. "Drive!"
It had been fun down at Rockefeller Center. Kate was enthralled by the tree, and they laughed continuously as Kate did her best to keep Castle upright on his new flashy skates. He cut quite the figure in those skates, if he could just stay vertical for more than three seconds.
In fairness he was able to glide along the outer rim of the rink as long as Kate had her arm around his waist. They both found this was a pleasurable way to skate, and it allowed them several opportunities to steal kisses from each other. Well, they didn't know if you could call it stealing if the other party didn't mind the theft.
They were both pretty tired after their skating adventure. Kate checked her watch. She figured how long it would take to make it to their next destination from where they were. The timing should be just right.
She leaned her head against his shoulder. "You ready for lunch?" She asked.
Just then his stomach growled. "I guess I am." They laughed. "Where to?" He asked.
She looked into his face. "Remy's?"
Rick nodded. "Yeah, that would be good since we decided not to go their yesterday."
Kate stood up from the bench, and helped Rick get up. "So, let's go."
They were lucky. They only had to circle the block a couple of times before a parking spot opened up that wasn't too far away. Kate had been checking her watch the whole time, but she didn't look too anxious.
Rick glanced at her. "Why do you keep checking your watch?"
Kate sighed. "Well, the truth is, I had made a reservation for us and I didn't want to be too late."
Rick frowned. "Remy's doesn't take reservations?"
Kate grinned at him. "I was able to drop a name to get them to do it for me."
"Whose name did you 'drop'?"
She smirked. "Yours, and I pre-paid a very nice gratuity."
Castle chuckled. "It's finally happened. I've contaminated you."
Kate gave her one of her looks. "You've done a lot of things to me."
Castle looked confused. "We're not talking about name dropping favors anymore are we?"
She grinned. "Nope." She grabbed his arm and they moved toward the diner.
Rick was immediately surprised when they walked through the door. H expected a soft background of Christmas music. Remy's did that every year. What he hadn't expected was to see that 'their' booth had been completely decorated for the holiday.
There was a small tree fully decorated on the booth's table. Garland flowed along the back of the benches and across the edge of the table behind the tree. There were Christmassy place mats instead of the normal plain vinyl ones, and their napkins were also Christmas napkins on the table.
No one needed to tell them which booth was theirs. Kate had made sure that this one would be available complete with decorations at 1:30 P.M. just for them.
No sooner had they sat down then their normal waitress, Ruby was bringing their food out. The tray she brought out were festively decorated and had their normal orders of double cheeseburgers, fries and shakes. Rick's was chocolate and Kate's was strawberry. Just one little extra was the candy canes stuck into their shakes hanging from the lip of the cups.
Castle shook his head in disbelief. "I never knew Remy's had these kind of extras for the holidays?"
Kate lowered her head for a moment then looked back up at Rick. "They don't. I provided them. They just agreed to do it for you."
He reached over and took her hand. "You mean for us."
She shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe, but you've been a favorite here for a long time, Rick."
Castle had a big smile on his face. "I love it. I love it all, but why did you go to so much trouble just so we can eat our cheeseburgers in a festive setting?"
Kate again lowered her head allowing her long locks to cover her face. Rick reached over and with his finger tilted her face back up so her eyes met his eyes.
She shrugged. "I knew you were down because no one was here for Christmas Eve, so I wanted to give you some extra Christmas cheer. And… I love you."
Castle pulled her closer and kissed her long and slow to the cheers of the other patrons in the diner.
Their lunch proceeded quite pleasantly. They chatted about mostly irrelevant things but that was okay because they spent much of their time eating and kissing. Finally, after checking her watch, Kate told Rick they should go.
As they walked out, Rick stopped her. "We didn't pay?"
She patted him on the cheek. "I prepaid, including tips and gratuities."
They made it back to their car in a couple of minutes. They sat in the front seat and made out like a couple of teenagers for several minutes. They finally broke apart, both gasping for breath.
"As much as I'm enjoying this, I assume you have something planned to do next?"
"I do." Kate grinned. "I thought we could try to find a place to park, or we could park the car over at the 12th garage and take a cab downtown. I thought we could stroll along and check out the Christmas displays at Macy's and all the other major stores." She stroked his arm. "Who knows? Maybe we can find a few extra presents we can't live without."
Castle laughed. "I'm sure I can do that."
They both laughed, then decided to try to find a parking spot downtown first. It would just be more convenient to have the car available to stuff any purchases in."
Luck was with them as they found a spot in a small lot when someone pulled out just as they approached. The weather was quite pleasant as the wind from earlier had died down significantly.
They walked up and down the sidewalks in front of the big retail giants and marveled at the amazing scenes that had been constructed in the various windows. Kate particularly liked the one that showed Santa looking confused while searching for the chimney on the cottage he'd just landed on with his full sled and annoyed reindeer. It reminded her of being the three year old who had deduced that there was no Santa because they didn't have a chimney he could come down, yet she got her presents.
They strolled along looking at the displays, watching the people hurrying along as the magic day crept closer and closer. Even though she knew that every year Castle made large donations to the Salvation Army and various soup kitchens they took turns stuffing large bills into every red kettle they pasted.
They were hand in hand, she with her head often on his shoulder when it started to softly snow. Kate couldn't believe the luck. The only thing that she had wanted but had no control over was for it to snow. It was the perfect light but large flakes slowly falling reflecting the various colored lights draped around every window and lamp post. It was magic.
Finally, Kate led Castle back to the lot where the car was parked. He kissed her just as they got into the car. Once in the car, she leaned over and kissed him. Then, being who they are, they spent several enjoyable minutes pretending to be horny teens at a drive-in.
Kate pulled back from a particularly lengthy kiss and took a deep breath. "Well, how's the day been so far, Babe?"
He ran his fingers across her cheek. "It's been magical, Kate. I can't thank you enough for doing this for me."
Her smile was bright. "Well, we aren't through yet. We now have to head over to the Ambassador for a candlelight dinner in their acclaimed restaurant, then if we can still move we retire to our honeymoon suite. Where we can work all the food off." She grinned.
Castle wiggled his eyebrows. "I really like the way your mind works Mrs. Castle. I'm really looking forward to this evening."
She kissed his cheek. "So am I Mr. Beckett." She smirked.
Even though they were only 20 blocks away from the hotel, due to New York traffic it took them over a half an hour to reach the VIP parking for the Ambassador. Kate had reserved a parking slot when she'd made the reservations, and other stuff. She prayed the evening would go as planned. She had worked hard with the concierge to make sure everything would be ready for them.
Their meal was incredible. Kate had pre-ordered their infamous table buffet. This wasn't one of those, get up with your plate and walk down a long serving table scooping up what you wanted then walking back to your table. No this was much classier.
You were seated and you chose from a selection of appetizers and your drink of choice. Once the appetizers and drinks were served you also got a list of the various entrees, and side dishes that were available. You would choose what you wanted and the waiter would go and have it dished up for you.
The difference being that it was geared toward an evening of sampling different dishes. Each portion was less than a normal order of that particular entrée. They encouraged multiple entrées and sides. Once you were filled up with that, you were brought out a dessert menu which you then chose the dessert you wished, or which of multiple desserts you wished.
While all this food was being brought out to you, your drinks were kept full, and a fresh brewed Brazilian blend of coffee was also provided if wanted. Guess what Kate had to drink to finish her meal.
As much as they enjoyed their meal, they enjoyed each other's company that much more. Their conversation was light and stimulating. Rick would go on about Alexis and Max, and how he was dealing with the fact that Alexis didn't need him anymore. Kate would laugh off his fears and tell him girls will always need their fathers.
Rick pushed Kate to really tell him about being a Captain. Did she really like it, or did she miss the action out in the field. She told him what she thought he wanted to hear. The truth was, she didn't really know how she felt about it.
She did miss being out on the front lines. She loved the feeling of accomplishment when they were able to find that missing piece that made the case come together and be able to solve the murder and get justice for the victims' families. But she also liked being able to teach and mold those under her. But she wasn't sure that was enough.
The paperwork, and the politics wore her down sometimes. More and more she was listening to a little voice in the back of her mind that said; 'being captain is alright for now, but maybe if she ever got pregnant she would consider retiring and become a stay at home mom'. She didn't want her career to keep her from experiencing all the firsts in her child's, or children's lives.
The last of their plates were being taken away when she glanced over at the head waiter gave him a little head nod while Castle's attention was elsewhere.
Soon the hotel manager came over to their table.
"Mr. and Mrs. Castle, how was your dinner?"
Kate smiled. "It was excellent. The food was excellent, and the service was exemplary."
He nodded. "I'm so glad to hear that." He turned his head toward Castle. "Mr. Castle I know you and your lovely wife have plans for the rest of the night, but I was wondering if I could impose on you for a few minutes?" Rick looked at Kate then back to the manager. "You see, one of our board members and his wife are having dinner here tonight and his wife recognized you. They are both big fans of yours and I wonder if it wouldn't be too much if I could introduce you to them and just say hello to a couple of your fans?"
Castle frowned and looked over a Kate. She smiled. "Oh go ahead. I'll go on up to our room and get 'dressed' for the rest of the evening." She winked at him. "If you get my meaning?"
Castle bit his lower lip, then turned back to the manager. "Okay, I'll meet your VIP and his wife and make nice for a minute or two. I'll do it because I always like to meet my fans, and because the dinner was really excellent."
"Thank you, Mr. Castle. If you would follow me?"
Kate got up and grabbed her bad and coat. "We're in the Honeymoon Suite. Just ask any porter where to go." As the two men turned, Kate had a big smile on her face. Everything was going to plan.
Kate had made it up to the suite in record time. She still had stuff to prepare and she didn't know how long they would be able to detain Castle. She quickly unlocked the door with her key card and was greeted with splendor.
The room was flawless. The large round bed was over toward the right side of the big room. She could see the doorway to the bath area that held the extra-large Jacuzzi tub, and a multi-jet shower big enough for two, and maybe a couple more. Who was she to judge?
She glanced to the left of the room and her breath was taken away as she saw the huge fireplace with a fire going in the hearth. It was massive and the mantel was deep and wide. To the left of the fireplace was the tree. A seven foot Nordic spruce that had lights already wrapped around it along with some tinsel garland in red, green, and silver. And a meager amount of glass balls hanging on some of the branches. A box of assorted ornaments sat under the tree to be placed by them as they wished.
But the focal point of the whole room was the huge red velvet stocking with bright white fur trim that was hanging from the over-sized mantel.
She quickly moved over to it. She saw that it was fastened via a heavy metal hook that were used to hang heavy electric signs greeting newlyweds as they entered the suite. She had no fear that it would hold the weight.
Getting the giant stocking had been a bit of a problem. She had seen it one day a couple of weeks ago while cruising the internet for presents to get her loved ones. When she first saw it, her imagination took off and it triggered what became this day for them.
It was a near thing though. It hadn't arrived until two days ago, and then she had to go to the hotel and make sure they could mount it before this evening. She was so happy how it all turned out.
The stocking was easily a bit over five feet deep. Just the right size. She ran over to the decorations box and found what she had ordered special. With a grin on her face she ran into the bathroom to 'get dressed' for when Castle got there.
She quickly undressed and then grabbed the three large red bows from the ornament box. With a little two sided tape she knew she would be ready. She grinned and thought of what Rick's expression was going to be. She couldn't wait for him now. She moved toward the fireplace. She was ready.
Castle was on his third different hallway and he still hadn't found the elusive Honeymoon Suite. He had asked three different people and had gotten three different answers. It had to be somewhere, there were only so many floors in this hotel.
He was cranky because he'd been hung up with the hotel VIP much longer than he wanted to be. It was bad enough that he was delayed by Mr. and Mrs. Important Hotel Board Members, but their greetings and conversation drew the attention of a few other folks who were dining there and they just happened to pass by and just had to stop and introduce themselves and gush over him. With as many people over the years who've proclaimed him their favorite writer he wondered how come he didn't sell more books.
It was well past a half an hour before Castle was finally able to break away from the impromptu fan club. Now he had wasted a least another fifteen minutes trying to find the stupid room. He was about ready to go back down to the desk and demand someone personally take him there when he saw a room service waiter wheel a cart out of a room a few doors down from where he was standing.
"Excuse me?" Castle got the man's attention.
"Can I help you, sir?"
Castle walked up to him and pulled a hundred dollar bill out of his pocket. "If you can take me directly to the Honeymoon Suite, you can have this to buy your special someone a nice Christmas surprise."
The waiter pushed the cart up against the wall, snatched the bill from Castle's fingers and pointed toward the elevator. "Come with me, sir."
In less than two minutes the waiter deposited Castle in front of a door with no number on it, but in gold letters; The Honeymoon Suite was on the shiny red door. And in deference to the holiday, a large wreath also hung on it.
"Thank you so much." Castle shook the man's hand.
He grinned and held up the bill. "My wife thanks you, sir." The waiter turned and went back to the elevator.
Castle reached and pulled his key card out of his wallet. A thrill of expectation and excitement flashed through every nerve ending in his body. His hand actually shook as he flashed the card passed the electronic lock. The red light changed to green and the door clicked.
He pushed the door open and stepped into a room filled with Christmas magic.
His first thought was to call out his apology to Kate as he walked in the door, but what he saw before him stilled his voice. It was amazing. He saw the huge round bed covered in red satin sheets and a bright white cashmere blanket folded at the foot of the bed.
The partially decorated tree off to the left of the room glittered in the partial darkness. It seemed to be waiting for someone to finish the job. But his attention, once seen, was focused on the huge fireplace which dominated the center of the room.
He saw the bear skin rug that Kate had mentioned which led the eye toward the fire burning in the hearth. The massive mantel drew his eye, but immediately his focus was captured by a huge red velvet stocking hanging from that massive mantel.
His breath caught in his throat as he recognized the head of chestnut colored curls framing the face of an angel. A Christmas Angel. He moved closer.
It was Kate, his Kate. And she was in the largest Christmas stocking he'd ever seen. He had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. She was asleep. He could hear her cute little intermittent snoring. She must have fallen asleep waiting for him to show up.
A tear escaped his eye as he rose on his tip toes and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. A smile formed on her face even though her eyes were still closed. Her lips were making a smacking noise as they searched for his while she was still asleep. He granted her lips wish and sealed his to hers again.
Suddenly, her eyes flew open and her well kissed lips curved into a big smile. "Hi." She glanced around. "I must have fallen asleep."
Castle nodded. "That would be my guess. I'm sorry I was so late. Other people kept coming up to the table to chat with me."
Kate let her head drop. "S'kay. I needed time to get ready. This wasn't quite as easy as I thought it would be."
Castle chuckled. "I can imagine it wasn't, but I have to say it's by far the best stocking I've ever had hanging from a fireplace mantel."
Kate smirked. "And it's all for you. Now could you help me out of this?"
"In a minute." Rick stepped back, pulled out his phone, and took several pictures.
Kate glared at him. "Those better not wind up as part of a text message to anyone else. This was just for you."
"And I will cherish it." He moved in close to her. "So how do I get you out?" He frowned. "How did you get into it in the first place?"
She nodded her head to one side. "There's a zipper along that side."
Rick quickly unzipped the large stocking and with his hands around her waist he lifted her out of her unexpected sleeping stocking.
He set her down in front of him and smiled. "I like your outfit… a lot."
Kate blushed and let he head fall forward for a bit. Castle's mouth was open.
In front of him was the love of his life completely naked except for some red ribbon and three strategically places red velvet bows.
He reached out and grabbed her by the hand.
"Where are we going?"
Castle gave her the smile that was hers and hers only. "I thought we'd go over to the bed where I can unwrap my amazing present." Rick suddenly cocked his head like he was listening to something or someone. "Did you hear that?"
Kate looked around, confused. "I didn't hear anything."
Castle pursed his lips. "It came from the fireplace. It sounded like Ho, Ho, Ho."
Kate rolled her eyes. "You're the only Santa I'll ever need or want."
Castle smirked. "Oh, why is that?"
Kate grabbed his ears and drew him down for a long, deep kiss. "Because I love you."
Castle smiled. "I love you too."
Kate grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the large, round bed. "Now hurry up and take off those clothes. We have a lot of naked Christmas celebrating to do."
Castle began to shed his clothing. "And to all a good night."
FIN.
AN: I called this story "Stocking Stuffer II" because it is loosely based on a story I wrote about 16 to 18 years ago for the Lois and Clark fandom. About the only things that are same are the ladies got in the stocking and falling asleep waiting for their man… and of course how the evening ended.