A/N: Thanks for your reviews.

Chapter 11

"I really don't want to do this," Castle said the next day as he watched Kate gather up items for the spare diaper bag she was packing full of McKenzie's belongings. "I don't know why we can't just stay home since you refuse to use the reservations in Vermont.

"You wanted to travel," Kate replied as she continued to pack. "You wanted snow; there's snow at the cabin."

"I don't want snow that badly."

"Oh no you don't," she said; meeting his gaze. "You wanted a white Christmas; remember that was part of the tale you told me when you were plotting this trip to Vermont to horn in on Alexis's vacation so I'm going to make sure you have your white Christmas."

He sighed deeply. "Isn't there a hotel up there somewhere in that wilderness?"

"Yes; in the town nearby."

"Can't we at least stay there?"

"No; there won't be a Christmas tree for McKenzie there."

"There probably won't be one at your mother's either."

"She puts a tree up at the cabin, Castle," Kate stated. "If you want to stay at a hotel, go ahead; but McKenzie and I are staying with my parents."

Castle's eyes narrowed slightly. "You know, McKenzie is my baby too. I could say McKenzie and I are staying at a hotel and you can join us or go stay with your mother," he retorted.

"Yeah; you could say that," Kate replied. "And then I'd tell you to kiss my ass while I carried my baby out the door, leaving you here with your mother. No offense, Martha."

"None taken," Martha said as she sat on the couch with McKenzie on her lap. "Richard; why are you being so uptight? You're being a bear for no reason."

"Don't you have a plane to catch?" he asked.

"Not until four," she replied. "Now why are you carrying on so much?"

"Because I don't want to stay with the Becketts," Castle remarked. "I wanted a family Christmas but you and Alexis have abandoned me and my wife doesn't care how I feel."

"You're right; this time I don't," Kate said sharply. "Because you didn't care how Alexis would feel about you showing up on her trip and because you don't care how I feel!"

"It's hard to tell how you feel sometimes, Kate; you bounce back and forth like a ping pong ball…especially when Johanna pulls her guilt card and sheds a few tears. You fold like a house of cards when it comes to her. You know, I thought the umbilical cord between the two of you had been cut a long time ago but seems like you've become re-tethered since having McKenzie."

Anger and hurt flashed in her eyes. "You know what, Castle; stay here. I'll take my daughter and spend Christmas with my family and you can stay here because I wouldn't want you to sully yourself by slumming it with the Becketts because that's what it comes down to; you think you're better than them…well guess what, you're not!"

"I never said I was better than them."

"You don't have to; it comes through loud and clear."

"I don't think I'm better!"

"It's either that or the fact that you hate my parents," Kate retorted.

"I don't hate them," he said through clenched teeth.

"I think you do."

"No; I don't hate them…I just don't like being with them," he remarked. "Your mother is one of the most high maintenance women I've ever seen and your father is her lord protector…I'm not even sure he has a backbone when it comes to her. I think he just bows down to her because he has her built up as some Queen in his mind and she believes she's one because he convinced her of it."

"First of all," Kate said sharply; "My mother is not high maintenance; she just doesn't fawn over you and for the most part, she doesn't put up with your bullshit and you can't stand it that there's a woman out there who isn't charmed by you. Number two; my father has more backbone than you can imagine; he doesn't just bow down to her and she doesn't bow down to him; their marriage is one of mutual respect and love. They work together, it's not a one sided operation. That's why their marriage has lasted. I don't care that you don't like them…they're my parents and I love them; they're McKenzie's grandparents and she loves them…and they're going to be in our lives whether you like it or not."

"Not liking to be with them doesn't mean I'm trying to keep them out of your life or McKenzie's," Castle replied.

"Oh I know it doesn't; because I won't stand for it…and we're going to the cabin for Christmas; because you know what I don't like, Castle?"

"What?" he asked.

"I don't like book parties," Kate said; her voice trembling. "I hate listening to those windbags from your publishing company. I hate how you seem to forget I'm even there when talking to these people I don't even know and have nothing in common with…the ones that look at me like I don't belong with you. But you know what, I go to every single one because I love you and I want to support you and it's important to you. I go, for you…and now you can quit being a bigger baby than McKenzie and load the goddamn car and get in it and go with us to my parents house for Christmas whether you like it or not. You owe me one."

"You've never said anything about disliking book parties," he stated.

"Yeah; because I didn't want to hurt you," Kate replied. "But you don't mind hurting me when you're standing there talking about my family. My mother went to all of those stupid lunches with you…and I thought maybe it worked for the most part because things got better…but now it's like you're backtracking all because you're so jealous that you have to share me and McKenzie with her and Dad. Well it's time to get over it, Rick. Things are different for you this time around. You have a wife who has a family that cares about her and wants to be a part of her life!"

"Can't they be a part of it in a less invasive way?" Castle asked.

"How are they invasive?" Martha asked from her spot on the couch. "They don't come over here unless they're invited and that's not often."

"I just feel like everything gets passed by them to see where they stand on everything," he remarked.

"That's not true," Kate replied. "You're just looking for any reason to keep them out of our holiday."

"You're the one who never wanted to spend Christmas with them!" he exclaimed, making McKenzie flinch.

"Richard," Martha chastened as she held the baby close. "You startled McKenzie; knock it off."

"Sorry, jellybean," Castle said as he glanced at his daughter. "But the point stands."

"No, I didn't want to spend holidays with them before…but this year I feel like I'm ready…I want to give us the chance to be different this year. McKenzie's here now and everyone gives their best for her."

"It seems like an awful quick turn of face," he remarked.

"I didn't know I wasn't allowed to think things through and change my mind," she said as she stormed to the kitchen.

"Any chance of you changing your mind again?"

"No," she said sharply. "I want this."

"I don't think it's going to be the Christmas we want for McKenzie."

"You don't know that," Kate retorted. "It might be the best Christmas we could imagine; you don't know."

"I have a feeling I do know," he muttered.

"Where's the baby food?" Kate asked as she searched the kitchen

"In the cupboard where it always is," her husband replied.

"No, I mean the extra baby food I had on the shopping list yesterday. You said you got everything"

"I didn't see any point in buying more when we have a cupboard full here at home," Castle replied. "It's not like we're moving in with your parents for the winter."

She sighed. "We're going to be there for several days which means we need to take a good bit with us…I asked you to buy extra so we could just take it and not worry about being low here as soon as we got back. Why can't you just do what I ask once in awhile?"

"Why can't we just stay home or go to Vermont like I asked?" he retorted.

"Really, we need to do this again?" Kate asked. "Let's see, we can't go to Vermont because, one, you lied to me about the real reason you wanted to go. Two; we're not going to Vermont because Alexis is going to be there with Max and we're not going to invade her privacy. Three; we're not staying home because you claimed you wanted snow and a family Christmas…well; there is snow in the mountains of New York and that happens to be where a part of our family is, so that's where we're going."

"Your family," he muttered.

"Yeah; mine and your daughter's," she said sharply. "Get used to it because they aren't going anywhere. Now I guess I'll run to the store and get what McKenzie needs since you were too busy buying teething tablets that I said she couldn't have instead of the food she needs."

"I'll go get it," Castle said tensely.

"No, I'll go," Kate remarked. "Because I should know by now that if I want something done, I have to do it myself."

"I said I'll go," he exclaimed, grabbing his keys as she grabbed her jacket from the back of a chair.

"Why don't you both go," Martha suggested. "Then McKenzie and I can have some time alone."

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Kate asked as she drifted toward them.

"Not at all; you two go do your shopping; we'll be just fine."

"We both don't need to go," Castle stated. "I'm capable of shopping for baby food."

"So am I," his wife stated. "I'm going; either come with me or stay here."

"Fine," he said as he jerked the door open and waved her ahead of him. "We'll be back, Mother."

"Don't hurry," Martha remarked.

The door closed and she sighed deeply, hearing their bickering in the hallway until finally she heard the hum of the elevator and then the voices fading away…silence filling the air. What a beautiful sound, she thought to herself as she stood McKenzie on her lap so they'd be eye to eye. "Finally; they're gone!" she said dramatically, making her granddaughter giggle.

Martha smiled at her granddaughter. "Well, kiddo; I think it's going to be a rough Christmas for you. Your parents are set on bickering…which I know has been the norm around here the last few weeks…which why I haven't been home as much."

McKenzie grinned at her as if she had known her grandmother's secret all along.

"I'm getting too old to listen to that nonsense all the time," Martha went on, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she smiled at her granddaughter. "Ben said I could move in with him…but I declined. I like being with him very much…but I like the freedom of knowing I have a place of my own…so to speak. He understands…he may be he first man who has really ever understood me and my ways. I know I probably should move out of here…but I don't want to leave you, my darling girl," she said, cuddling McKenzie close to her chest as she pressed soft kisses to her cheek.

She breathed in that soft baby scent of her granddaughter as McKenzie's small hands found her necklace and toyed with it. "Your daddy is mad at me," she stated.

"Dada!" McKenzie exclaimed.

"Yes; Dada is mad at Grammy," Martha stated with a nod. "I knew he wouldn't be thrilled that I wasn't going to be here for Christmas…but I didn't expect the cold shoulder either but he's in a strange mood this month. It's not that I don't want to have Christmas with all of you; I do…but I want to have Christmas with Ben too. We've never shared the actual day of Christmas together…I'm always here and he's always in Phoenix with his family. When he invited me and told me that his family wanted to get to know me…I thought maybe just this once it would be alright to do something different. After all, your daddy has you and your Mommy…and even with Alexis going away, he won't be alone."

"Dadadada," the baby babbled.

"Yes; Daddy does like it all to be about him sometimes. I'd blame myself for that but I don't think it's possible that I spoiled him," she laughed. "But that's beside the point. You know I love your daddy; he is my greatest accomplishment…but I chose to follow my heart this Christmas; my heart wants to be with Ben…and I hope he can understand that when he's tired of being angry and I hope one day you'll understand why I missed this Christmas. I just needed to do this for myself this time…and believe me, darling; it's been a long time since I wanted to spend the holidays with a man. Ben is different than the others…and darling, you've got to grab your opportunities when you can."

McKenzie replied in a stream of babble that she nodded to as if she understood completely. "That's right; when an opportunity comes along and it feels right; you have to grab it…there are times when it doesn't turn out right but a lot of times it does…and some times fall in between. If I hadn't grabbed opportunities all my life; I might not have had your father…although I do wish that I had done some things differently. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret having him; I wouldn't change that for anything. I just wish I could've chosen him a better father. One that would've been around…one who would've had the decency at least not to give me a fake name," Martha said before sighing deeply; shifting McKenzie into her arms so that she could cradle her. "Somewhere out there is a very cowardly man who doesn't know that he missed out on a wonderful son and two beautiful granddaughters. Don't ever pick a man like that…more than that; don't pick a man at an after party…they never stay, darling."

McKenzie's gaze remained upon her face as if she was giving the advice serious consideration. Martha smiled; dipping her head to kiss the baby's forehead. "I wish it could've been the way it is with your other grandparents. Your Grandpa walks into a room and your Grandma's face just lights up…and when she walks into a room, she is all he sees. They found their perfect match in each other and they found it early. Grammy here on the other hand, well, darling; we'll just hope you haven't inherited my faulty picker when it comes to men. Grammy fully admits that she made some bad choices; sometimes because she didn't see the forest for the trees…sometimes out of necessity…and sometimes because I was lonely. But Ben is different; he's the kind of man I wish I had met long ago. That's why just this once, I have to do something for myself and go with him for Christmas."

The baby cooed at her, her hand finding the long chain of Martha's necklace once again. "I'm glad you understand," she told her. "I hope you'll still understand when you're told I wasn't here for your first Christmas. I know it's important…but you're not going to remember it. I'd much rather be here for the ones where you're excited and you'll remember everyone being around. I think Alexis feels the same way; she can go with Max this time and she'll have Christmases with you that you'll remember. That's another reason your daddy is cranky; your sister finally stood up to him and proved to him that she's a grown woman with her own mind."

Her granddaughter smiled up at her, content to be cradled in her arms as she rattled on to her. She couldn't help but smile; she liked her chats with her granddaughter. "It's not that we want to miss your first Christmas; it's just that we have to follow our hearts this time…one day you'll do the same thing…and your father will lose his mind again. It's easier for me to go though knowing that you're going to your Grandma's for Christmas."

"MaMaMa!" McKenzie exclaimed.

"That's right," Martha laughed. "You're going to go be with your Grandma and your Grandpa and I'm so happy for you. They will of course be a part of those future Christmases that you'll remember…but just between us; I think they need this one with you…especially your Grandma. This is a sad time of year for her but she's trying so hard to get past it for your sake. She doesn't say much about it but I know…it shows in little ways. You know, she and I didn't always get along so well…we're both a bit hotheaded when provoked and we did step on each others toes a lot…but then you came along and we agreed that we didn't have time for that nonsense when we had a grandbaby to share. It's better now and so I think I know her a little better than I did before…and I think if she could wake up on Christmas morning and have you on her lap and your Grandpa beside her and your Mommy too; that she'd feel a lot better about this holiday. She might be able to forget the sad memories if she could make some new ones with you…so I'm okay with letting her have this one solo this year; she needs it…she needs you and your mommy just like I need to do something for me this time. Your daddy doesn't agree with any of this…he's not very open to change when it comes to the family and how things are always done…but things have changed and he's going to have to adjust with the rest of us."

"Dadadada."

She laughed softly. "Yes; he's the one who has to do some settling this time around. He's going against everything he hoped to accomplish before you were born. He's trying to push your Grandma out again…he's trying to hold on too tight to your sister…he's trying to show your mother he knows more about parenting. He's trying to guilt me for loving another man. I don't know what we're going to do with him…I guess we'll just have to love him despite how much he tries our patience and nerves when he's in one of these moods. Hopefully your parents will quit bickering when you get to your grandparents house…I don't see Johanna putting up with it for long if they don't…they'll be sorry," she said with a lilt to her voice that made McKenzie giggle. "She just might keep you and throw them out in the snow."

The baby giggled once more and she kissed her forehead, reveling in the sound. "It's going to be a rough one this year, my darling girl; Alexis needs to be with Max, I need to be with Ben…your Grandma needs to be with you…and I think your Mommy needs to be with Grandma…she's got that look in her eye; the one of a woman who needs her mother to help soothe her. Of course the problem in all of this is your Daddy who needs everything to stay in the order he prefers it to be in…and we've all changed the game…so we're all in trouble with him but if he'll allow himself, I'm sure he'll have a happy Christmas."

"Mama," McKenzie said. "Mama."

"Mama will be back," Martha told her. "I think Mama will be happy to have a Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa for a change. I think she's ready…your Daddy just needs to realize that and relax. He needs to see that change isn't necessarily a bad thing."

Her granddaughter huffed out a small breath as if the whole thing troubled her too. "Don't worry, little one; it'll all work out in the end. No matter what you'll have a nice Christmas…if your parents don't see to it, your Grandma will and she'll send me pictures of you so I won't miss anything…well, that's not entirely true; I will miss you," she said, kissing her cheek. "I love you; don't you doubt that while you're daddy is talking about on the drive to the mountains."

McKenzie grinned at her and she smiled in return. "I know, darling; you love me too…you may be the only in this house who will love me while I'm in Phoenix but that's okay because you're my favorite anyway," she said in a stage whisper. "Now that we've got that all straight; let's go get your diaper changed before they get back. We have to enjoy our peace while we still have it."

Awhile later, Martha was making faces at her granddaughter as she played with her while her son and daughter-in-law moved around the loft, making sure everything was packed and ready to go in between their bickering. She sighed a little; her own bags were packed and sitting by the door, waiting for Ben to arrive so that they could get to the airport early. She hated to admit it but it would be a relief to get away for awhile. The tension lately was nearly unbearable and she worried that if things didn't change soon; her son would be heading for his third divorce…and Kate wasn't going to just hand McKenzie over like Meredith had handed over Alexis. No; there would be a battle and she didn't want to ever see that happen. She didn't relish the idea of him following in her footsteps with a third divorce either. Once you reached the third divorce you had to start taking into consideration that the problem may not be just the other person…it might be you.

She blew out a breath which made McKenzie giggle, bringing a smile to her lips as she tickled her granddaughter who was sitting in her walker. Hopefully another divorce wouldn't be added to the family ledger; they had enough of those. Surely they'd get it together again and they'd be fine with some effort by both parties…but then again; they were both very stubborn.

"Martha," Kate said. "Can you lift McKenzie out of the walker so I can fold it up. Rick needs to put it in the car."

"We're taking the playpen, why do we need to haul the walker with us too?" Castle asked. "She can play in the playpen…which is the point in the playpen in the first place."

"I'm taking it so we don't have to carry the playpen up and down the stairs every day," Kate replied. "I figure we can leave the playpen setup upstairs for her naps and bedtime and she can have her walker downstairs when she isn't crawling around. I intended to take it with us no matter where we went."

"Well I didn't," he remarked as Martha lifted the baby out of the walker. "The suite in Vermont would've had a crib for McKenzie to sleep in."

"And what would we do with her the rest of the time?" she asked. "She does need to be contained sometimes."

"This is why we should just stay home," he retorted. "Now we not only have to take the gifts, we have to haul baby furniture with us too and I'm telling you right now, the highchair won't fit so if you're thinking that's next, you're wrong."

"I don't need the highchair," Kate said as she cleared off the loose toys and folded up the walker. "McKenzie can sit in the walker and be fed or she can sit on my lap. Now, I'm taking this down to the car. I'll be back."

"I'll take it," he said, taking it from her hands. "I'll get it in the right way…but no more stuff! The SUV is packed between the luggage, the gifts and baby furniture. We are done packing, Kate. So sit down and quit looking for more."

"Hey, you're the one who said it would be fun to travel for the holiday."

"I said it would be fun to go skiing; not that it would be fun to go sit in the wilderness with your parents."

"Stay home if you don't want to go," she retorted. "But McKenzie and I are going."

"I'm not going to miss my daughter's first Christmas…unlike some people who don't find it important enough to be around for," he replied. "So I'll go to the middle of nowhere with you so you can be with your mommy and punish me for my supposed misdeed."

"Richard," Martha sighed. "Just relax, dear; everything will be fine. No one is saying McKenzie's Christmas isn't important, it's just that some of us have other important things to consider as well…and she does have more family than just you and I and Alexis to consider. I'm sure Johanna and Jim will be overjoyed to have her in their home for the holiday."

"I'm sure they will be; they'll realize their guilt trips on Kate work."

"Kiddo, you need to calm down about all of this. Christmas is what you make it…and at the rate you're going, you're going to make it miserable…not only for yourself but for everyone around you. With all the fighting that's been going on around here, I'm glad I accepted Ben's invitation to Phoenix…there isn't much peace on earth going on around here."

"So the truth comes out," he stated. "You're not going to Phoenix because you want to be with Ben; you're going because you want to get away from us."

"No," Martha said with a shake of her head. "I am going because I want to spend the holiday with Ben and I feel I've earned the right to do so. I'm saying the invitation was even more appealing because of the tension around here lately."

"Whatever gets you through the night, Mother," he remarked before heading to the door with McKenzie's walker.

"I'm sorry about all the bickering lately, Martha," Kate stated once he was gone. "We just don't seem to be on the same page lately."

"It's alright, dear; I didn't mean any offense…just sort of stating the obvious."

Her daughter-in-law nodded. "I know…I don't blame you for being glad to get away. If it wasn't for it being Christmas…I would just take McKenzie and go to my parents on my own. I don't know what's happening lately…if we just need space or if we just need some time away without the baby and work and everything else. My Dad suggested that we go skiing for New Year's weekend and they'd keep the baby but he didn't want anything to do with that idea because I didn't think of it myself," she said with a sad smile. "It made me feel like he doesn't want to be alone with me unless it's strictly on his terms."

"Come here, darling," Martha said, holding an arm out to her so that she'd join them on the sofa.

Kate went willingly, settling into the circle of her mother-in-law's unoccupied arm as her daughter cooed at them. "Hard times come to every marriage," Martha remarked. "Sometimes it just takes awhile to work out the bugs…especially when your husband insists on being the bug."

"Should I spray him with Raid?" she asked.

Martha laughed. "Only if it becomes an emergency…now a smack with the fly swatter now and then is very reasonable. Richard is up in arms about Christmas and Alexis…me…being a father again and having to share the duty. He never did like to share his toys. Maybe once the holidays pass he'll settle down and you can aim for the weekend getaway again."

Kate sighed. "That would be nice if things settled down after Christmas."

"Have faith, dear; this too shall pass."

"I hope so," she settled, accepting the squeeze Martha gave her. "When is Ben picking you up?"

"He should be here any minute; he said it would be best for us to get to the airport early."

"That's true," she replied. "It's a mad house at this time of year; which I'm sure you know."

"I know; it's the only part I hate," Martha laughed; "That and saying goodbye to this one," she said, dropping a kiss against her granddaughter's hair.

"She'll be here when you get back…but I'm sure she'll miss you."

"I'll miss her too…but I'm glad you're going to your mother's," Martha remarked. "I think it's time the two of you made some new memories for Christmas…and what better memories for her than ones of her granddaughter being on her lap on Christmas morning?"

Kate smiled. "I am hoping it breaks recent trends…I do feel like it's time…even if my husband doesn't."

"It's alright for him not to have his way sometimes, darling," she replied. "In fact, it's good for him. It keeps him grounded. This time you get to do what's best for you and McKenzie."

"I'm glad you understand," she murmured.

"I do," her mother-in-law assured. "And once Richard settles down and decides to do his share of listening, he'll understand too."

"I guess only time will tell about that," Kate said; hearing the sound of the elevator which she was sure denoted her husband's return.

Castle swept through the door a few moments later. "Did you get the walker in?" Kate asked.

"Yes; and with the exception of us, McKenzie, your purse and the diaper bags; nothing else is going in."

"Fine," she replied; picking up the toys she had taken off the tray of the walker. She rose from the sofa and carried them to the diaper bag sitting on the table and squeezed them into one of the pockets.

"Kate; we don't need to take everything she owns!" he exclaimed.

"We're not!"

"She has a whole suitcase full of her wardrobe in the car like we're going to be there for a month."

"She goes through a lot of clothes, Castle. I'd rather have too much than not enough."

"I think we could've found a happy medium but you don't want to listen to someone who has experience traveling with a child."

"Oh I don't know; I think I do have experience traveling with a child…I have done some traveling with you; Mr. that's my window seat, the champagne is flat and they didn't give me enough peanuts."

He smirked at her. "Cute."

Kate sighed deeply. "Can you just chill out about this? You're the one who set this ball rolling. If you hadn't thought up the Vermont thing, my parents would've stayed in town to be near McKenzie…but no, you lied to me about Vermont so you could follow Alexis. So now, with Martha going to Arizona and Alexis in Vermont, our only way to give McKenzie family for Christmas is to go to my parents."

"She'd have family here at home; me and you."

"I want her to have grandparents with her for the holiday; I'm not going to have her see none of her grandparents just because you had to be an ass and start all of this. Things will be fine at my parents. You act like you're going to an execution."

"That would probably be more fun," he muttered.

Kate opened her mouth to speak and then closed it, shaking her as she did so before she finally sorted her thoughts into words. "You know what, I don't care if you have a good time or not but McKenzie and I are going to enjoy Christmas with my family in any way we can. You can either be a part of it or you can continue to be a self centered ass. The choice is yours. As soon as Ben picks Martha up, we're heading out."

The doorbell rang before anyone could speak. "And there he is now," Kate remarked.

"Not a moment too soon," Martha stated as she rose from the sofa with McKenzie on her hip and breezed to the door.

Ben smiled. "Hello, dear; are you ready to go?"

"I will be as soon as I put my coat on and say goodbye," Martha said as he kissed her cheek.

"No hurry, we'll get there in plenty of time," he said as he brushed a finger against McKenzie's chin. "I've got something for you, little doll," he remarked, handing McKenzie a small soft bodied baby doll.

McKenzie squealed happily as she pulled the doll close. "That was very sweet of you," Martha told him. "Wasn't that nice of Ben, McKenzie?"

"Her smile is thanks enough," Ben said as he smiled at the baby.

"McKenzie," Castle said; "That gift is to make it up to you for taking your grandmother away at Christmas."

"Castle!" Kate said sharply as she took McKenzie from Martha's arms so she could put her coat on. "Don't mind him, Ben; he's cranky today. It was very sweet of you to think of McKenzie."

"It was my pleasure," he assured. "My little granddaughter Chloe loved little baby dolls like that when she was McKenzie's age…now she's moved up to the more expensive baby dolls that eat and talk and do everything under the sun."

"I'm sure McKenzie will make fast friends with her new doll," Kate said with a smile as she glanced down at her daughter who was kissing her baby doll's head.

Ben glanced to Castle. "Are you upset with me for taking your mother away, Rick?"

"A little," he stated.

"Castle!" Kate chastened once more.

"Oh that's alright, Kate," Ben said with a smile. "I know how it is; boys don't like to share their mothers; but I assure you, Rick; that I will make sure your mother has a wonderful Christmas."

"I hope you do since she won't have any family of her own out there," he commented.

"She will be welcomed by my family with open arms," Ben assured. "But if you'd like to come along, I can make arrangements for you at our hotel."

"That's not necessary, darling," Martha said, pulling on her gloves once her handbag was hooked over her arm. "They're spending Christmas with Kate's parents at their vacation home in the mountains."

"That sounds lovely," Ben remarked. "I hope you'll have a nice time."

"Me too," Kate said; casting a subtle glance at her husband as Martha lifted the baby from her arms.

"Come here, kiddo," Martha said; cuddling her close for a moment before pressing kisses to her cheeks. "I love you, McKenzie; I hope you have a nice Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa. I'll see you as soon as I get back. Give me kisses."

McKenzie grinned and then pressed her hands to her grandmother's cheeks and bestowed her brand of sloppy kisses upon her, making Martha laugh. "Thank you, darling," she said, giving her one last squeeze. "Be a good girl; I'll see you soon," she remarked, handing her back to Kate so that she could wipe her face before she hugged her daughter-in-law. "Have a wonderful Christmas with your parents, Kate; and if necessary, smack Richard upside his head if he doesn't quit acting like a bear."

"I'll keep that in mind," Kate replied. "Have a good time, Martha; let us know you got there safely."

"I will, dear. You do the same."

"I promise."

Martha then turned to her son and opened her arms for a hug. "Richard; give this trip a chance," she told him quietly as he hugged her. "It's alright to try something different this Christmas."

"That's what we're doing," he told her with a tight lipped smile. "I hope you have a nice Christmas, Mother. I'll see you when you get back."

"I do intend to call every so often," Martha stated as she and Ben began picking up their luggage.

He nodded indulgently. "Sure. Have a safe flight."

"Alright," Martha said, turning to give them one last look. "Give my best to Johanna and Jim. I'll see you in the new year, kiddos."

"Bye, Martha," Kate replied as she helped McKenzie wave at her. "Bye, Ben; thanks for McKenzie's doll."

"No problem," he said; "Have a nice Christmas, kids."

Castle closed the door behind them and then turned toward his wife. "Can we compromise and just drive up to your parents on Christmas Day for a few hours and then come back home that same night?"

"No, if we're going, I want to be there long enough to enjoy it. We're already packed, the car is loaded. I'm going to change McKenzie and get her ready to go and then we're leaving…so either get ready to go with us or bring yourself up on Christmas Day if that's what you want but we're going."

"Fine," Castle replied as he turned and headed for the bedroom. "But this isn't the Christmas I wanted."

"Yeah, well, sometimes we don't always get what we want, Castle. Maybe this year I get the Christmas I want," Kate stated as she headed for the stairs with McKenzie.

"This is nice," Johanna said as she leaned against Jim while they watched another episode of Rockford Files.

"It is," her husband agreed. "It's been very nice to just be lazy today…to just hang around here with you doing nothing but watching a show and eating junk food."

She laughed softly. "It is a good way to spend a day. I think we've earned it."

"I think so too," Jim replied. "We should try to get up here more often."

"I'd like that; but it's hard to do with work and the baby."

"I know…but we could try," he said. "In the summer we come up on weekends a good bit and spend at least one full week. I say we make it two…and that we try to add more weekends through the year. We could ask Rick to pick McKenzie up a half day one Friday a month or even every other month so we could come up here for a weekend."

She nodded as she shifted to see him better. "I guess we could try to find more time to spend here. It is peaceful…it's nice to get away from everything for awhile."

"You know what my favorite part of getting away from everything is?" Jim asked he slipped his arm around her.

"What?"

"Having you all to myself," he replied with a smile. It was true, he did love these times when it was just the two of them; her face scrubbed clean of makeup, walking around in a pair of soft leggings and an old comfortable t-shirt, her feet bare. They had nowhere to go and nothing to do but be together. They were the most perfect moments in his mind.

Her hand caressed his cheek. "It's my favorite part too…I do love getting to monopolize you."

"I'm all yours," he grinned before capturing her lips in a kiss.

Johanna settled into his arms, losing herself in his kisses until something broke through the haze. "Did you hear something?" she asked Jim.

"No," he said with a shake of his head. "What did you hear?"

"Kind of sounded like a car."

Jim shook his head once again. "It was probably on TV; there isn't anyone around here, sweetheart. It's you and me…nice and cozy."

She smiled. "Very true…but don't forget Scarlett."

"Of course not," he said; "But you'll notice that she's also indulging in lazy day…she's napping in our room."

"Then I guess we are truly alone," she murmured mischievously.

"Yes…all alone…so it's my job to keep you entertained."

A grin curved her lips upward. "What do you have in mind, handsome?"

"Oh, I've got a few things in mind," Jim replied; his eyes gleaming with love and amusement as he caught her lips in another series of kisses until they pulled apart at the sound of a knock on the door. "I didn't hear that," he stated.

"Who could that be?" she whispered.

"It can't be anyone we'd know," he murmured back. "I say we don't answer it and they'll go away."

The knock sounded again. "Mom!" a voice called out.

"Katie?" they both murmured to each other before Jim got up and headed for the door.

Jim unlocked the door and pulled it open, finding his daughter and granddaughter on the other side. "Katie," he said.

"I was starting to think you weren't going to answer the door," Kate said as she carried her fussy daughter on her hip, carseat in hand as she moved into the house.

"What are you doing here?" Johanna asked as she got up from the couch.

"We're here for Christmas," Kate replied as she held the baby out to her. "Go to Grandma, maybe she'll make you feel better."

Johanna took McKenzie into her arms as Jim returned to her side. "What's wrong with her?" she asked as her granddaughter wiggled excitedly.

"She's been in a car with us," Kate replied. "It wasn't a nice place to be which is why she's already out of her carseat. I'll help Castle unload the car," she said as she headed back to the door and slipped outside.

Johanna glanced to her husband. "What just happened?"

"I had you alone on a couch," Jim replied. "That's like shining a bat signal into the sky in terms of the universe. It pretty much guarantees an interruption."

"We have our phones on; did we miss calls?" she asked as she unzipped McKenzie's jacket.

Jim grabbed both phones and checked them. "No."

"Texts?"

"No; there's nothing. No one called the landline either…we checked the phone to make sure it was working when we got up here."

"I know; you even called my phone from it to make sure it was alright."

"We definitely didn't miss any calls," he replied. "I thought they were in Vermont."

"So did I; although I hadn't heard from her since the day before yesterday I think."

"I guess she didn't want to give advanced notice of a change in plans," Jim remarked.

"We'll take my old room," Kate said as she and Castle carried bags into the house. "I'll put McKenzie's playpen in the room across from us."

"Rockford Files," Castle said as he glanced at the television screen. "That's Christmassey."

"If that offends you," Jim replied; "You should've been here earlier when we were watching Cagey and Lacey."

His son-in-law said nothing, merely huffed a little and followed Kate toward the stairs.

"Katie; I wish you had called," Johanna stated as she got McKenzie's jacket pulled off. "I could've had the rooms ready. I probably need to dust."

"That's okay," Kate said as she started up the stairs. "I'll help you do a quick clean once we have everything in. I'm sure it'll be fine."

"You didn't even call," Castle said sharply. "You dragged me up here and you didn't even call first!"

"I wanted to surprise them," she remarked. "You know; like you were going to surprise Alexis."

"How many times am I going to have to hear about that?"

"You'll stop hearing it when you admit that you were wrong," she retorted.

"Oh my, they're fighting," Johanna said quietly.

"Yes; so they decided to visit us," Jim replied. "Somehow we've suddenly lost control of this vacation."

"Yeah…I'm feeling a little torn about it," she admitted. She was thrilled to see her daughter and granddaughter…but it was a sudden turn of pace after she had already made her peace about how the holiday was going to be.

"Me too," he murmured. "Are we terrible people?"

"No, I don't think so…but if we are, someone will tell us by the end of this holiday," she replied, a touch of amusement in her eyes.

"You're probably right," he said as he wrapped an arm around her.

"MaMaMa!" McKenzie exclaimed before kissing her grandmother's face.

Jim sighed, running his hand over her dark curls. "Up until two minutes ago, kissing her was my job."

McKenzie giggled at him, a small hand reaching out and grabbing his nose, making him laugh. "Welcome back, sweet pea," he told her.

Johanna pressed a kiss against McKenzie's cheek as she listened to her daughter and son-in-law bicker as they made their way back downstairs to get another load from the car. "I think that peaceful thing might be out the window," she whispered to Jim.

He nodded. "Yeah; I'm getting that feeling too."