And as promised, another fic on Sunday! This one is set in between the ending of season 7 and the beginning of season 8. I have always wondered how their conversation about her choice between captain and senator would be and why she chose to be captain. I took a little liberty with the story though but I wouldn't call it an AU, but I hope you enjoy!

A puff of steam entered the bedroom and with it, the familiar scent of his wife's body wash. Soon after the aroma, Kate herself emerged from the bathroom clad in a loose fitting shirt and yoga pants while still dabbing her hair dry with a towel. It brought a smile to his face. He loved it when she would get all dressed up for him, and he had to admit she did look stunning in her red dress that night he received his prize. But this, the sight of her being so incredibly comfortable around him: her pajamas, her vulnerability, the domestic-ness of it, it did something to him.

"What are you smiling about?" Kate asked as she felt her husband's eyes follow her around the room. He could look at her with so much love while she was doing the most mundane things that it made her a little shy about whatever task she was doing when it happened.

"Just thinking on how I should address you," Castle said with a grin.

"Address me?" she answered with a frown as she put lotion on her arms and softly massaged it into her skin.

"Senator… Captain… both are very hot. Even though I still am partial to 'my wife'"

She rolled her eyes, but smiled, and dropped her bathrobe on the ground before joining him in the bed. "Actually, my husband, I eh, wanted to talk you about something."

She was in such a pivotal moment in her life and career, and it was the only thing she could think about. She felt incredibly honored to have been asked to run for state senator but it was also very daunting and not something she had actively thought about as a career choice. But somehow, even though she was a cop, it kind of felt right to her. Holding this position, she could bring on the change that she always wanted to inspire into the world. But she also loved being in the police and a promotion to captain would mean so much more stability and better hours. All in all it would be much more of a safer choice.

Castle dropped his book next to him on the nightstand and focused all his attention on her, "is there something wrong? You seem a bit nervous."

Kate shook her head; she felt butterflies in her stomach, why was she so nervous talking about this. He was her husband. It wasn't like they had never talked about this before anyway.

"Babe, there isn't anything wrong. I, eh, maybe want to go by a different title, soon."

Castle frowned, "different title? Did you get another job offer or?"

Kate smiled, "no nothing like that I thought maybe, eh, the title of mom."

Castle's eyes grew big as he looked from her face to her stomach area and back "are you? Do you mean you are?"

Kate quickly shook her head and smiled "No, no, not yet. I am just thinking that it is something I really want for our future, if you are still in of course," Castle nodded furiously, his eyes still wide open in shock. Maybe for the first time in his life Castle was completely speechless. "Being a senator, I really think is something I want to pursue but I am not getting any younger and I don't want to risk us being able to have a family because I am making a risky and a very time involving career choice."

Castle had calmed down a little and nodded understandingly, grabbing her hands in his and slowly making soothing circles with his thumbs.

"So I was thinking, if you agree, that I am going for the captain route for now and when I am settled in in my new role we could try for a baby?"

"A baby." He repeated with so much joy on his face that Kate couldn't help but kiss him.

"Yeah," she just answered tracing her hand along his stubble "and maybe then I could go and try and run for senator. But not just yet."

"A baby, our baby." Castle couldn't help but repeat again.

Kate laughed, "Did I break you?"

Castle shook his head "I am just so happy."

Kate leaned her forehead against his "me too."

See you next Sunday, and again thanks to Rebecca for Beta'ing!

p.s. there will be some longer one-shots in the future too!