Chapter 23

Kate found herself, for the very first time, completely and utterly alone in the spacious kitchen of Castle's holiday abode. Somehow after lunch Martha and Alexis had conspired to remove him for the remainder of the afternoon. His protests were few though he did 'forget' something three times resulting in three mini make out sessions by the front door before he was actually gone for good. He still didn't know what she was doing. She'd said they'd see each other for dinner, kissed his beautiful face, patted his cheek sympathetically, and that was the door he went.

Kate stood in the kitchen, apron hooked over her neck and tied around her waist. Spread her arms wide as if preparing to embrace someone.

And spun.

In a way she was embracing something. The utter ridiculousness of it all. This whole situation in which she previously had thought of in terms of 'maybe someday'.

Well, someday had taken its time in coming but it had turned out to be so much sweeter than she had ever dared hope. And she was simply giddy with it.

And so she spun. Around and around in the kitchen and then making her way to the living room under the skylight letting the joy of just being herein this house at this time with this family...this man...wash over her before collapsing on the couch before the fire.

Good thing Castle hadn't been there to witness that little display. He'd have never let her live that down. Well. He probably would have joined in actually.

Ah well. Kate stood and started pulling out the items necessary for her big endeavor in the Castle kitchen. Most of what she'd needed was already on hand, but those things she'd collected whilst in the village with Alexis had been stashed lest prying eyes see something they oughtn't and began asking questions that would inevitably lead to lies or some other form of distraction...hm. She hadn't really thought that through had she? Maybe she should've left everything out on the counter after all.Too late for that, Kate. Maybe next time.Next she really didn't have time for distractions. Nice and enticing as they may be.

Time to get cookin'.

Castle had ditched his mother and daughter as quickly as possible. Literally had them stop and let him off on the side of the tree lined snow covered road. He was mildly amused that they didn't even ask questions just let him out, made sure he had everything he needed, and left.

Kate wanted to have some time to herself? Fine.

She was doing something secretive? Okay.

He had a few things that he needed to work on as well.

He'd almost tried to drag her back to bed after the third time he pretended to have forgotten something. The look in her eyes? She wanted him as much as he wanted her. Despite their...early morning activities. But she'd practically shoved him out the door and sworn he wouldn't get any...thing if he didn't leave for good this he hadn't known better he would've thought she just wanted the jacuzzi to herself. Which he made sure to give her—at least 20 minutes until he joined her every night.

In all actuality he hadn't forgotten a single thing. Had been ready for this particular excursion for several days now and Kate's insistence that everyone be absent from the house gave him the perfect opportunity. Otherwise he would have just wanted to hand about the house with her. He didn't even care if they were doing anything he just felt drawn to her like moth to flame. Like magnets on those little kissy face dolls. Like sticky to a child's hands. But not as gross.

Castle checked his pockets again, pulling his glove off for the fourth time because he needed to feel with his flesh to be sure. Yep. Good. He hurriedly tugged his glove back on and continued on the snowy path. He was a man on a mission and time was of the essence.

Kate stood and closed the oven. She checked that the timer was on. Removed her apron and looked around. She was ahead of schedule as far as cleanup went. Bowls, cutting boards, knives...everything she'd used to prepare her feast was stacked in the sink soaking. It could wait a little while to be loaded in the dishwasher.

Right now, Kate wanted nothing more than to be soaking herself in Castle's jacuzzi. She checked the timer one more time. Couple hours.

She smiled to herself. She was golden.

Castle peered inside the knot on the side of the tree. Didn't want to unnecessarily oust a resident. Nothing. Perfect. He stashed his last item and pulled back his sleeve to check his watch.

Huh.

That hadn't taken nearly as long as he'd originally thought or planned for.

He smiled to himself, giddy.

His mother and daughter were tied up in the village-which was just as well as Kate had all but banished them all from the cabin until at least 5:30. He knew exactly how he'd like to spend his extra time. It was one of his absolute favorite pastimes.

Many people had many differing ideas of what heaven was like. At the moment, as far as Kate Beckett was concerned, she was currently in heaven.

Surrounded by lovely smelling hot water, up to her neck in bubbles, a glass of red within reach...Not to mention the fact that there was next to no pressure on her shoulders. She was quite confident that her dinner was going to be good. A first for her, but thus far everything had gone exactly as planned. So she figured a little uninterrupted relaxation was called for. Kate smiled to herself for the millionth time. Her cheeks were starting to hurt with it. Leaned back. Closed her eyes.

And sang.

They can have their trimmed up tree,
Dressing up on Christmas Eve.
There's so many other things
We'd rather do.Like makin' angels in the snow,
Playin' records soft and low,
Bundle up and watch the fire grow
Me and you...

He heard it before he could make out the was singing. Somewhere in his house...one of his houses, Kate Beckett was alone and singing. If that wasn't a good sign he didn't know what quietly entered the cabin and unzipped his coat. Hung it in the closet and dropped his hat and gloves on the entry table. He tugged off his shoes and crossed over the creaky floorboard without a was in the . Something smelled good too. He was tempted to take a peek, but the words became discernible and his need to listen—to find out what she was singing about -beat out his curiosity of what she was cooking. So he spread out on the bed, arms behind his head and listened.

...Here we've time to spare
Without a care.
We don't need nothin' new
.Some mistletoe, a lover's glow
And a table dressed for two.
Yeah, I'd rather have Christmas with you.

He couldn't stand not seeing her face. What had made her choose this song? Castle moved to his knees and crept closer to the slightly ajar door, peeking through the crack.

Shopping days are almost done.
Shoppin' never was much fun.
Without my one and only one
It's all just blue.But we've time to spare without a care.
We don't need nothin' new.
Some mistletoe, a lover's glow
And a table dressed for two.
Oh, I'd rather have Christmas with you.

Oh. Him too. Yes. Christmas with Kate. He was practically bouncing on his toes like and excited little . That's what this whole vacation was wasn't it? It was more, yes, with his mother and daughter, but they'd had lots of...mistletoe and...yes. Perfect song.

Rudolph, Frosty, Christmas lights,
Jingle Bells and Silent Night;
It's always right in front of you.

She was whistling. Oh God. Kate Beckett was singing and then whistling. In his house. Having spent numerous hours on end with him. And she was whistling. A very good sign.

Yeah, we've time to spare without a care
We don't need nothin' new.
Some mistletoe, a lover's glow
And a table dressed for two.
Oh, I'd rather have Christmas with you.
Yes, I'd rather have Christmas with you.
Ahh, I'd rather have Christmas with you.

He couldn't help it. Couldn't have stopped his feet from moving forward if he'd wanted to. His heart was so far ahead of him anyway, it wouldn't have done any good to stay put.

Kate wasn't surprised when he burst through the already open door to the bathroom. She'd heard his not-as-quiet-as-he'd-probably-hoped entrance to the bedroom. Plus she could smell him. Over the perfume of her bubbles and body wash. Over the mouth watering aroma of dinner as it wafted throughout the house. His outdoorsey mixed with Castle scent...mmm. That made her mouth water...She was surprised, however, that he'd been able to hold back for the entire song.

She'd perhaps underestimated him.

"You. I. We-" he sounded out of breath though he couldn't have moved more than a handful of feet to get to the bathroom.

"Zip it Castle, I'm still relaxing." She smiled and waved a hand in his general direction. "Would you hand me a towel please?"

He nodded dumbly and grabbed a towel out of the towel warmer, wrapped it around her as she stood gracefully from the tub and helped her out.

She kissed his cheek. Whispered in his ear a quick "Thank you" before skirting him and making her way to the bedroom.

So her bath had been cut short. She'd make it up later. He was here now and she'd be a fool not to take advantage of him- of the situation with his mother and daughter still out for at least another good hour and a half. She didn't kid herself. Sometimes it was a little weird if she let herself think about the fact that they were just in the other room. She tried not to think about it.

Still.

Knowing that they were currently out afforded her a little more freedom and she wasn't about to let that opportunity pass her by. She didn't think he would either and judging by the look in his eyes, he'd started without her. Or...with her unintentional help maybe.

"Coming Castle?"

"Yes please."

AN: More on its way when able. Apologies for continued but ultimately unavoidable delays.