December 16 - Hot Cocoa

Doing much of anything with two toddlers underfoot is an experience, but making hot cocoa takes it to another level. Twice now, she has stumbled over one or both boys, nearly landing on her face as Jake and Reece flit around her feet.

"Mamamamamama," Jake chants, grabbing at her pant leg. Behind him, Reece races back and forth across the kitchen, his feet moving faster with each lap. Oh, it was a bad idea giving them those cookies at lunch time. And to think, just a few days ago she'd given Castle shit about doing something similar. At least the treats she'd given them had been cooked, but the net result is probably still the same; two incredibly wired boys whose stomachs will hurt later in the day.

"Yes, yes, yes?" she asks, lowering a hand to stroke his hair back from his face. "You need a haircut, baby. You won't be able to see to play soon."

Jake grins up at her, scrunching his little nose in delight.

"Yes, I see you. Are you having fun?"

She reaches over, catching Reece on his next jog past her. "Hey, running man, slow down before you fall down. You don't want to get hurt."

Reece giggles, patting at her shoulders. "Mamamamama."

"That's the rumor," she quips, kissing his cheek. "Settle down, Peanut Butter. Why don't you and Jakey go play on your mat?"

She points to the blanket and toys she'd set up in the playpen in front of the fireplace and one of the three trees on the main floor of the loft. It's within her sightline as she stands at the stove, but not in the kitchen where they can get hurt or burned by the hot cocoa mixture she's preparing. So far, though, they've resisted slowing down at all, forget taking a real rest.

Her boys babble to each other, exchanging looks that can only mean trouble. Jake lets go of her leg and Reece squirms away. She straightens up, eyeing them as they run to each other and around the edge of the cabinets.

Right into the only blind spot she has (other than directly behind her back).

"Don't play innocent with me, you two," she warns, lifting the spoon and gesturing in their direction. "You're exactly like your father, and that means you're up to something."

Her sons giggle, peeking out from behind the cabinet. Kate leans over, blowing them kisses.

"Boo."

They squeal, running toward the playpen. She contemplates leaving the pot of hot cocoa for a moment and jogging behind them to close them in, but they dart back out before she makes up her mind to do it.

Damn. They're quick little boogers today.

They appear at her knees again, this time with the two of the toys she'd stashed on their mat. Reece holds it up to her, snatching it away with a giggle when she reaches for it.

"Oh, I see how it is," she teases, tickling his neck. "Sit down right here and play, then. How's that?"

They heed that suggestion for a few minutes, allowing her to stir the concoction and sprinkle half of the remaining ingredients into the mixture. She brings the spoon to her lips, blowing on it for a moment before tasting her first attempt at homemade – Castle-level – hot cocoa.

It's not great, but it's not horrible, either. It just needs more flavor. More oomph to really give it that special "Castle" feel. Kate glances over her shoulder at her boys to find Jake snatching Reece's toy from his hands and running.

"Jake," she warns, lowering the burner again. The last thing she wants is to have to start over this late in the game. "We don't take toys from each other; give it back to Reece right now."

"No!"

Reece turns toward her, his pout threatening to become a full-blown cry.

Kate puts the spoon down and lifts him and Jake's discarded toy into her arms. "Don't cry," she murmurs, moving to catch up with Jake across the room, kneeling where he sits with the toy. "Jake, that wasn't nice. You made your brother sad."

She turns Reece a little so his brother can see his face. "See, Jake?" She nudges Jake's leg. "Can you say sorry and give Reece his toy. Then maybe you both can play?"

Jake says no again, but she shakes her head. "No telling me no about this," she says. "We don't take toys from anyone, but especially not our brother or sister. You wouldn't want Reece or Lily to take something from you."

Her son lifts his chin in defiance, making her sigh. "Jake, give me the toy. It's time to share."

She has to practically pry the damn thing from his fingers, but she gets the truck out of his hands and offers it back to Reece.

Who, of course, doesn't want it either.

Kate sighs. "Just… play nice, boys. Please? I just want to finish this treat for Daddy, okay? Then I'll come play with you, too."

They scamper off into the playpen for more toys as soon as she releases Reece, Jake's theft seemingly forgotten, leaving her shaking her head. Those boys of hers.

She returns to the stove once she's sure another skirmish isn't going to break out, finding her attempt at hot cocoa slowly turning to sludge. She sighs, giving it a long look before killing the burner and taking the saucepan to the sink.

Looks like she'll be starting over.

Thankfully, her second attempt is beyond successful. It's full-bodied and creamy, it's flavorful but not bitter with the cocoa she'd picked, and the added zip from the chili pepper makes for a fun surprise. She also brings out the marshmallows and whipped cream for anyone who wants them (oh, who is she kidding, everyone will want them).

She has three mugs and two small sippy cups ready and waiting to be filled when Castle and Lily step through the door after school.

"Hey you," she calls, watching the boys stampede toward the door. Lily giggles, holding out her arms for Jake while Reece crashes into Rick's legs.

"Hi Mommy!"

Rick grins, pressing his lips to Jake's hair. "Hey, how was your day? How are you, Jelly?"

"How was school? How was your meeting at your publisher?" she asks, beckoning them closer once they've shed their coats and Lily has dropped her backpack by the door. Lil's the first to make it to her, climbing onto the stool and gawking at the mugs Kate's chosen.

"My nutcwacker!" she beams.

Kate grins, nodding. "Uh huh. I have treats for us today. How do you feel about cookies and hot cocoa?"

Although she's looking her daughter in the eye when she poses the question, it's not Lily that squeaks with excitement.

A laugh spills from her lips. "Come sit, babe. I have a surprise for you."

Castle settles on his stool, lowering Jake to his feet. The boy runs to find Jake, giggling as he tackles him. Thankfully, Reece giggles as well.

"This," she says, reaching for a ladle and spooning the hot chocolate into their mugs, "is my own recipe, but I tried to capture a truly Castle spirit with it."

She drops half a handful of marshmallows into each one, topping the concoction with a healthy spiral of whipped cream.

"Let me know what you think," she says, sliding the mugs over to them and reaching for her own.

The sparkle of delight in their eyes tells her everything she needs to know.

Thank you everyone!