ASK via Tumblr: can you do a fic where Castle asks Beckett to move in, or something along those lines please?
The key
"And we're all okay with this?" he whispered to his daughter and mother as they huddled around the kitchen counter, all leaning in on their elbows for maximum privacy.
It was a little past 2am when Castle practically leapt up the stairs, banging on doors and declaring the need for an emergency house meeting.
When his family had finally joined him downstairs, they were less than enthusiastic, but he had a deadline rapidly approaching. The stroke of midnight, now two and a half hours ago, marked February 14th. And, for the first time ever, he was gift-less.
"I would have been a little more okay with it after a full nights sleep," Alexis grumbled, her palms pressing into her temples the only thing holding her head up.
"Ignore her, Richard." Martha swatted the teenager's arm playfully, before turning her attention to Castle. "While I tend to agree that the timing of this meeting is not ideal, I am thrilled that you and Katherine are doing this."
"Well, I just figured that you guys should probably have a say in this considering this is your home," he justified, hoping they would forgive his wake up call knowing the urgency behind it. "And we aren't doing anything. Not yet, anyway."
"But gifting her a key to the loft is a step in that direction." Martha clarified.
"It's just- she deserves something more, you know? More than store bought jewellery or an expensive dinner."
"She doesn't like jewellery?" Alexis chimed in, a willing participant in the discussion now that her body was beginning to wake up a little.
"No, she does. And I know she would appreciate anything I got her, but I just- I want something that says 'I love you this much'." He held his arms out wide, emphasising his point. "Jewellery says 'I love you enough to go to the mall'."
"Ah, but a key says 'I love you enough to share my space'," Martha added as she began to understand her son's rambling. "You want to share your life with her."
"Exactly," he smiled.
Alexis placed her palms on the countertop, uncurling herself as she sat upright. "Uh, Dad?"
He followed his daughter's eyes, locked in the direction of his study. He turned, his eyes falling immediately to the figure standing in the darkened doorway.
"I didn't mean to interrupt," Beckett said apologetically as she stepped forward into the soft light of the kitchen.
She folded her arms across her body as she approached, self consciousness marring her face. She knew she was the topic of discussion. That left him with one burning question:
"How much of that did you hear?"
She dropped her eyes from his, biting down on her lower lip nervously. Without a word she moved across the room, to her bag left by the lounge.
"I've been reconsidering this for a few days now," she confessed as she pulled a small box from the front compartment of her bag, brushing her thumb along the soft ribbon bow embellishment. "I didn't know how you'd feel about it, I guess."
She took a breath that seemed to enforce her confidence, then moved back toward the kitchen where her love and his family stayed waiting.
She passed him the box, a new smile on her face.
"But, I heard enough to know I was on the right track."
He opened the gift slowly, delicately tugging at the ribbon before lifting the lid off the box. He smiled, a slight laugh leaving his lips as he pulled the key from its box.
"Hey, you stole my idea."
She scoffed. "If anything, this is proof that you stole my idea!"
He placed a hand on her waist, pulling her into him. Her arms wrapped around his neck.
"I love you," she whispered.
He pressed a kiss to her temple, "I love you, too."