Chapter 7: Family Gathering

I DONT OWN CASTLE. that being said, enjoy the story

Castle was running through the empty streets of New York City alone, it was around 9 AM and no one was in sight. He had no idea what was going on, he was lost, he was confused, and he was scared. He continued to run down the streets of the City but each street looked exactly the same, no matter what turn he took. After running for what felt like hours he decided to stop in the middle of an intersection. He panted heavily and looked around for any sign of life specifically Kate and his family. He looked left and he looked right but then suddenly he heard a familiar voice in distress calling out to him, "CASTLE!" it was Kate. Her voice was coming from the street to his left; he turned and ran hard in the direction of her voice.

He kept running toward the direction of her voice, but then he stopped when he heard her voice again calling out to him in distress from behind him this time, "CASTLE!" He turned around and ran in the other direction toward her.

He heard Alexis' voice to his right calling in fear, "DAD!" Castle turned and ran toward her. Then all of a sudden both of them were calling out to him from every direction with increased distress. He didn't know what to do. He was scared and lost and he couldn't find the people he loved. Castle then saw a figure from the corner of his eye. He turned to see who it was only to find out it was the one person who caused him and his friend's pain for so long. Jerry Tyson.

Jerry Tyson walked in a slow circle around Castle with a devilish grin. He had in one hand a black gun and in the other a knife. Tyson stopped walking then cocked his head to the right, "So you thought it was over huh?" He laughed evilly before speaking again, "Hey Castle… I have your girls." Castle froze. He didn't know what to do. Tyson slowly pointed his gun at Castle and said happily, "this time. I get to see you die."

Castle Loft

Castle shot up with a gasp practically throwing Kate over the bed. She had her arm draped over his chest and her head was resting on his shoulder before he jolted awake. Castle found him self shaking lightly and covered in a cold sweat. It was still early in the morning and the sun wasn't even up, it was pitch black in their bedroom and nothing seemed out of place. Castle scanned his surroundings then quickly looked to Kate to see if she was next to him. He calmed down slowly as he saw her, the covers weren't fully covering her body so he could still see her naked legs and spot her small baby bump. Even through the light grey shirt she wore he could tell. He knows every inch of her like she knows every inch of him. He sighed. It's been about a month and a half since they announced her pregnancy to their friends and this whole time, life seemed to move inexplicably fast. He saw Kate prop herself up on her elbows and through the darkness he could see a worried look on her face. She clearly was woken up by his sudden jolt from her arms.

Kate sat up then ran a hand across his back and spoke softly, "hey. Are you okay?"

Castle nodded and said plainly, "Yeah…just a bad dream. That's all."

Kate sensed his hesitation, "It's okay to talk to me babe." She put her arm around his shoulder and kissed him gently on the cheek then spoke softly again, "Come here."

Castle didn't resist her embrace while being pulled toward her chest with her arms wrapping him tightly, like it was her way of shielding him from his dreams. He felt her stomach gently like he was afraid she would disappear along with their unborn child. He gently kissed her chest.

Kate placed a kiss on his head, "it's okay to talk to me Rick. I'm here to listen."

Castle sighed and caved into her pressure. He could never resist her at all. He extracted himself from her grip then looked down ashamed, "Tyson…"

Kate played with his hair gently, "what about him?"

Castle shook his head, "I was running around an empty city following you and Alexis' cries for help. But then Jerry Tyson appeared." He looked down again, "He said he had you and Alexis."

Kate smiled gently and caressed his cheek, "Oh. It's just a dream. I'm right here." She then gently held his hands and kissed his cheek. She spoke softly, "do you remember when you came for me? Do you remember what you said that night when I asked how you get over seeing his face?" Castle looked up at her with a blank expression of fear from his dream. Kate held his hands, "I open my eyes and look at you." She kissed his cheek gently then continued, "So look at me." He complied, Kate kissed him then continued, "and feel me." Castle smiled and kissed her. They lay back down on the bed and cuddled up with each other to go back to sleep. Kate held onto Castle like it was her way to protect him from his dreams. But… the moment didn't last.

Kate got up and rushed to the bathroom, Castle smiled lightly and got up to follow her. He leaned against the doorframe and laughed lightly as Kate bent over the toilet throwing up. He walked forward and kneeled beside her and rubbed her back lightly. Kate coughed and looked down and sighed, "you don't have a weird fetish about vomit do you?"

Castle laughed and brushed her hair back, "hell no. That's gross."

Kate put her weight back and looked up at Castle, "Just making sure. Don't want the father of our child to get off on gross things like that." Castle laughed. Kate turned a little bit more serious, "you okay?"

Castle smiled at her, "why are you asking me? You're the one who's vomiting."

"I meant from your bad dream." She said gently as she caressed his cheek.

"I'm okay Kate. Really." He said as truthfully as he could. Kate smiled at him then looked down at the toilet and sighed.

"Morning sickness…I think I can deal with pregnancy if it didn't have all this side effects…" Kate shook her head, "Castle can you get me some water."

Castle complied without hesitation. He took one of the cups he had on the sink and rinsed it with cold water before he filled it to the top. He brought it to her and smiled, "Hey, we're living the dream."

Kate took the cup of water and rinsed out her mouth and spat into the toilet. "Are you still going to think I'm beautiful when I'm over weight and carrying our child?" She said humorously.

Castle continued to rub her back and chuckled, "hey you'll always be perfect in my eyes Kate. Even if you were a thousand pounds and pregnant."

Kate spat out and laughed, "I love you Rick." Castle smiled and rubbed her back gently.

9:00 AM

Kate was wearing a light blue shirt and tight black jeans in the bathroom as she finished putting on her light make up over the sink. Castle walked in with his coffee and leaned against the doorframe and stared lovingly at her, he smiled as she finished getting ready. Kate knew he was there and smiled as she did her routine. She looked briefly at Castle then back at the mirror, "Hey Castle, remember my dad is coming over later to spend the day."

Castle took a sip of his coffee, "oh I haven't forgotten."

Kate finished up and put her things away neatly, then turned to face Castle, "Is Alexis and Martha coming by?"

Castle smiled, "Alexis will be back around noon from the library." He shrugged, "with Mother…it's a hit or miss. I told her but she might be busy with her play and hanging around her place."

Kate made a serious grin for a moment, "oh yeah. I forgot about her other apartment." She chuckled, "for someone who said she was going to move out. She still spends lots of nights here still."

Castle laughed, "I know right?" He paused remembering something that he wanted to ask her, "Hey Kate, why did you take so long to tell your dad?"

Kate walked over to Castle and put her arms on his shoulders and smiled, "tell my dad what?"

Castle kissed her cheek, "that you're pregnant."

She nodded and smiled, "oh right. Well. I didn't know how to exactly tell him."

"What do you mean?" He laughed, "you're a consenting adult, you're married, and doing very well. I don't see what the problem is." Then he raised his eyebrow and said humorously, "Does he hate me?"

Kate smiled and rolled her eyes, "No. He does not hate you Rick." She shrugged while keeping her arms on his shoulders, "when I was a younger, my dad was worried that I'd be THAT person who got pregnant when they weren't ready." Castle raised an eyebrow shocked. Kate laughed, "He wasn't mean or anything. He was just very intimidating."

Castle smiled and nodded understanding her father's feelings, "Yeah. I can totally understand that."

Kate kissed him gently and briefly, "well you should. You are a father of a beautiful daughter." She kissed him again, "And a father to be of another beautiful daughter."

Castle rolled his eyes, "How many times do I have to say it. I'm 100% positive it's going to be a boy." Kate raised an eyebrow and gave him a mock serious glare. Castle softened, "Uh 80% positive." Kate smiled and shook her head and kissed him.

Kate looked over his shoulder to see the clock to check the time. It was half past nine; she looked back at him and asked, "So my dad is okay with having dinner with Ryan, Jenny, Espo, and Lanie. What time are they coming over?"

Castle smiled, "Espo and Lanie are coming up around four. Jenny and Ryan will come up a little after that." He paused for a moment to remember something, "Wait, didn't you invite Gates?"

Kate nodded, "Yeah but her In-Laws decided to drop in." She laughed to herself, "Pretty funny actually." Castle chuckled along with Kate. Then there couple talk was cut short when there was a knock on the door.

Castle turned around and extracted himself from her grasp, "I'll get it."

Castle opens the front door to see Jim Beckett, his father-in-law waiting happily on his doorstep. Castle smiles at his father in law and says genuinely, "Mr. Beckett! Glad you can come by!"

Jim smiled at his son-in-law and shook his head, "Damn it Richard, how many times do I have to say it. Just call me Jim." Both of them laughed as Castle offered a handshake. Jim took it, "Come here." They shared a manly hug between the two of them.

Castle offered him in and they both walked over to the kitchen area to talk. Castle poured him a nice cup of coffee; Jim smiled as he received the nice hot cup of Joe. Castle leaned on his side of the counter and both relished the smell and taste of their respective cups of coffee. Good talk. Jim finished a couple of sips and said, "Katie always did mention you're magic with coffee." He laughed, "It's a shame she can't have any." Castle smiled and raised his cup, Jim did the same then they both drank their cups silently.

Kate walked into the living room and shook her head at the sight, "Geez guys, it's okay to talk."

Castle looked around Jim and smiled at his gorgeous pregnant wife, "we are talking! We are conversing through these outstanding cups of coffee." Jim turned around and raised his cup silently with a smile to Kate.

Kate shook her head and approached the duo. She came over and kissed her dad on the cheek, "Hi dad." Her dad smiled silently and continued to drink his coffee with content. She then went around the counter and kissed her husband on the cheek.

Castle turned around and walked over to another hot cup and brought it to Kate and kissed her on the cheek, "here's your tea honey." Kate smiled and took the tea. She won't lie, she was insanely jealous that she couldn't have coffee. Especially Castle's specially made coffee.

Jim took a few more sips of his outstanding coffee, "you guys ready for a great ball game!"

Castle put down his coffee, "You bet! And Jim. I got a surprise for you." Jim looked at him with a questioning look. Castle smiled, "I scored box seats to the game."

Jim smiled then placed his coffee down on the counter and leaned forward, "But first. I would like to offer you two my congratulations for a little one on the way." Kate and Castle shared a happy look with one another. He smiled and continued, "My beautiful Katie, you're mother would be so happy for you. She'd be happy that you married such a man like Richard." He maintained his strength, "You'll make an excellent mom." He looked at Castle with a happy grin, "And Richard. I hear you are quite the father."

Castle put an arm around Kate and smiled, "I don't know what to say about that one. Just don't want to jinx it." Kate smiled and shook her head as her father laughed.

Jim reached out over the counter to touch Kate's hand; "I'll keep saying this to you Kate. I'm glad you opened your eyes and found each other."

Castle looked at her and smiled. Kate smiled, "Me too dad. Thank you."

Jim stood straighter and swung his arms out, "So! Are we going to the ball game or what? See some of the pregame!"

Castle smiled and placed his coffee on the counter then went to the front door to get his jacket, "I got money running on the Yankees."

Kate placed her tea in the sink before following her husband to the door, "that's because you know the owner."

Jim smiled at the two of them, "Are you not rooting for our home team Katie?"

Kate shook her head with a smile, "Only rooting for Boston because it's going to spite you and Castle."

Castle kissed her cheek, "Better be ready to lose two bets then."

"Wait, two bets?" Kate gave him a questioning look.

Castle smiled, "Yup, Boston loosing to the Yankees, and our child being a boy not a girl." Kate spat out laughing and slapped his shoulder playfully.

Jim approached the couple and shook his head, "I'm staying out of this one."

The game ended with the New York Yankees winning 9 to 3 against the Boston Red Sox. It was a great game to watch and a great family bonding moment between the three. Kate was still extremely happy that her father and her husband got along great. So great that it seems that her father and her husband have known each other forever. It is a great day so far, and now they are on the way back to the loft to have a big family and extended family dinner.

Castle was driving happily back to their home and conversing with his wife and father-in-law about the game, a quite enjoyable car ride through the city. For what counts as enjoyable in the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. Kate sat in the front passenger seat next to him caressing his hand that was resting on the console while talking with her husband and father, Jim sat behind Kate and enjoying the ride. But Jim just remembered something that he needed to do, and they were so close to home too, "Oh shoot. Sorry you two. I forgot to pick up some of the groceries for the dinner tonight, do you mind if we stop by at the super market?"

Castle looked into the rear view mirror and smiled, "not at all. Guests shouldn't be here anyway." He looked at Kate, "Just worried if Kate's morning sickness will kick in before we get there."

Kate shook her head, "I'll be fine babe."

Jim tilted his head to see her, "he's right. You made a couple of trips during the game. Probably best if we drop you off at your place and we'll take care of the groceries." Kate was about to refuse before her father cut in again, "Not going to have my pregnant daughter go grocery shopping."

Kate looked back at her father with a confused face, "Dad, I'm only a month and a half pregnant!" She then glared at Castle, who was smiling, "You two are spoiling me."

Jim smiled, "well it's his job as the husband and my job as the father. This isn't a debate Katie."

Castle pulled up to their building and parked next to the curb then Jim got out from the back and opened the door for Kate. Kate smiled and kissed Castle briefly, "I'll see you two later. Love you."

Castle smiled, "I love you too." Kate walked out of the car and into the building. Jim got in and sat in Kate's seat and closed the door. Castle drove off toward the supermarket.

Kate arrived at their loft and opened the door to see Lanie and Esposito sitting at the counter in the kitchen. Kate had a surprise expression on her face. Lanie and Esposito turned to face the door to see who came in and saw Kate. Lanie launched her self for Kate and hugged her tightly, "There's my mother soon to be!"

Kate laughed and hugged her best friend back, "you know you're going to be her god mother!"

Esposito happily approached the two of them, "why do you both think it's going to a girl. It's obviously going to be a boy." Kate and Lanie released each other from the hug and gave him the glare. Esposito shrugged, "What? Castle seems to know these strange things all the time. It won't surprise me if it's a boy. I'm just saying."

Kate shook her head and hugged him, "Nonetheless, you and Ryan will have to fight for the god father position."

Esposito released himself form her hug with haste, "Say what! I have to compete! Can't have two? He took the best man position from me already! There is no way the Castle son will have Ryan be the God Father too!" Kate and Lanie laughed.

Lanie took Esposito by the arm and kissed his cheek, and lead him to the couches, "come on baby before you give yourself a brain aneurism." She shrugged, "besides we all know it's a girl."

Kate removed her shoes and followed them to the sitting area, "how did you guys get in here anyway?"

Before they could answer Alexis ran down the stairs to greet her mom, "I did. I was home and they were here a little early, so I let them in." Alexis kissed Kate on the cheek.

Kate smiled, "Oh! Thanks Alexis!" She offered her hand to Alexis, "Care to join us?" Alexis smiled and took Kate's hand and they both walked to talk with Esposito and Lanie.

Now was the son-in-law and father talk Jim needed to have with Castle in light of Kate's announcement of her pregnancy. It wasn't going to be bad. He just wanted to talk with Castle. He looked at him, "I'm happy for you two Castle." Castle looked at him briefly then back to the busy streets. Jim continued, "You and my little girl are the best for each other. I'm sure you hear it a lot but I'm extremely happy she's with you. You saved her life countless times I imagine, and in a special way you helped reshape mine for the better."

Castle smiled, "Jim. Kate is an extraordinary, extraordinary woman and you are a great, great man. She saved my life multiple times too and she speaks very highly of you and I know why."

Jim nodded, "I always liked you Richard. You were good for my daughter since day one. Even when she didn't think so at the start, I believe there was a little spark in there." Castle chuckled lightly. Jim also laughed, "looks like I was right. You and her got married AND going to have a child."

Castle looked briefly at Jim before pulling into the parking lot of the store, "Everything is perfect." Jim nodded in agreement. Castle parked the car and before he got out, Jim held up a few pictures he had in his wallet for him to look through. Castle slowly and gently took them. The first picture was a family portrait of Jim, Johanna, and Kate as a little girl it was a beautiful picture.

Jim narrated, "Kate has her mothers eyes, hair, nose, and laugh. She got her demeanor from me." Castle laughed and flipped to the second picture, which was Kate, Castle, and the Precinct team with Montgomery. Castle shook his head gently, Jim noticed and spoke up, "That picture was sent to me with a letter from Kate, telling me that you were of some use to them after all." Jim shook his head, "Montgomery was a good man."

Castle nodded, "Yeah he was." He flipped to the third picture, which were Kate and Castle holding each other. Kate in a gold dress with a wide happy smile and Castle in a black tux, in fact it was a picture the couple used in their wedding invitations for "take one", but it was wallet sized.

Jim smiled, "that was the photo Katie sent to me when she announced the engagement to be. I was ecstatic." Castle smiled and continued to the next one. This one was their wedding photo for "take two", Kate in her beautiful angel like white dress and Castle in his sharp looking tux, both with the widest smiles ever seen. Jim looked at Castle, "now that was the best day of her life."

Castle nodded, "mine too. Tied with the birth of Alexis…" Jim laughed understandably. Castle flipped to the last picture and he was shocked. It was a laminated picture from the newspaper taken months ago. The picture was shrunk to fit in the wallet but that didn't shock Castle. The picture was of him on a stretcher taken from a distance. Castle looked at Jim, "why is this one here?"

Jim took the pictures and placed them back in his wallet then said, "to remind me about the risks you two take. You are as much part of my family as she is to yours." Castle smiled and offered a friendly handshake. They both shook hands and nodded. Jim looked at the time, "shoot, we should probably get to it."

Castle and Jim arrived to the loft a little later than expected but they got the things they needed to make the dinner perfect. Jim opened the door for Castle who was carrying the majority of the groceries, as Castle walked in he saw his friends and family sitting down and watching a movie. Kate, Alexis, Esposito, Lanie, Ryan, Jenny, Sarah Grace, and Martha were sitting on the couches watching Bourne Supremacy. As Jim closed the door everyone turned to see who it was. Kate got up to greet her father and her husband; she walked over and gave them both a kiss on the cheek then helped take the groceries to the kitchen. Alexis paused the movie as everyone got up to greet the arrivals, except for Jenny who was busy playing with Sarah Grace.

Esposito and Ryan approached Castle in the kitchen and shook his hand. Esposito smiled, "Sup bro." He patted Castle on the shoulder, "we going to play madden on the big screen?"

Castle smiled, "oh yeah!" He nudged Esposito, "You're going down."

Esposito laughed, "What? No way!"

Ryan laughed, "He's just worried that you'll beat him too because I shut him out last time."

Esposito shook his head, "Hey! My controller was running out of batteries."

"Right…" Ryan said sarcastically.

"Psh. Whatever man. I'm going back to watch Bourne." Esposito shook his head and walked back to the couches. Castle laughed and started to get to work on the food.

Castle was making the steaks and getting all the food ready as most of the guests went back to the couches to continue watching the movie. Lanie, Jenny holding Sarah Grace, and Kate decided to stay behind in the kitchen to help Castle with things. Lanie and Jenny were setting the table while Kate stayed next to a clear part of the counter playing with Sarah Grace. As Castle put the meat in the oven he took a couple glances at Kate who was playing with the little baby, both of them looked like they were having so much fun. Sarah Grace was laughing uncontrollably and contagiously as Kate bounced her on her leg. Castle noticed Lanie and Jenny staring too, they all knew it was adorable. Kate is going to be a great mom.

Everyone was sitting at the table happily engaged in conversation listening to smooth Jazz Castle put on moments earlier for everyone to enjoy. The empty seat at the head of the table closest to the front door was for Castle. Seat next to the head facing the counter was occupied by Kate who was bouncing Sarah Grace on her knee happily, on Kate's left was Jenny who was making silly faces at her daughter, next to Jenny was Ryan, and next to him sat Jim Beckett. Facing away from the counter closest to the head sat Alexis who was also making faces at Sarah Grace from across the table, next to her sat Lanie, Esposito, and finally Martha who sat near to Jim. Everyone had a glass of wine except for Kate because she was obviously pregnant. Kate decided to stay away from caffeine and alcohol of all types. Castle appeared and put down two large plates of cut Prime Rib down on both ends of the massive table. There were now two plates of steaks, mash potatoes, beans, vegetables of many kinds, gravy, and fruits of the gods.

Castle stood by his seat at the head of the table and picked up his glass of wine, "Before we feast. A toast." He looked at Kate then to his family and extended, "To family including my precinct extended family." Everyone held up their glasses and drank to the toast. Castle smiled and sat down and placed his napkin on his leg. Jenny grabbed Sarah Grace from Kate's leg and placed her on her own lap to get ready for dinner.

Martha smiled, "Everything looks so wonderful Richard. As always."

Castle reached out to Kate and held her hand on the table and they both shared a sweet glance and smile. He then looked over to his guests and with excitement, "So shall we feast!" He roared with joy, "LET'S FEAST!" Kate laughed as she reached for some of the steak in front of her.

Everyone started to grab their food and engage in conversation. The food was perfect and the company was great. Jenny had baby food at the same time on the table to feed Sarah Grace on her lap, and while she fed her daughter Ryan cut her food for her so she can use one hand to eat. Martha and Jim were engaged in a deep nostalgic discussion about family, Alexis was talking with her parents, and Lanie and Esposito were talking sweet nothings to each other as everyone enjoyed the atmosphere with Castle's smooth jazz in the background.

Half way through the dinner, Lanie nudged Esposito lovingly while he was about to eat mash potatoes and gravy causing him to get it all over his face. Lanie laughed at the carnage that was his face. Ryan looked up and smiled at Esposito, "He looks better that way." Everyone laughed. Esposito shook his head and was about to wipe his face when Sarah Grace turned his way and cracked up laughing. Kate turned to Sarah Grace and tickled her chin.

Esposito wiped his face and looked over to Lanie, "two can play at this game." He took a spoon full of mash potatoes and splat her across the face with it. Lanie gave him a death stare but everyone around them laughed. Lanie soon came around and laughed with everyone else. She wiped her face and then kissed Esposito before continuing her feast of great food. Everyone returned to their food and conversation enjoying the nice evening.

Lanie looked at Esposito playfully, "so that's how it's going to be?"

Esposito looked right back at her defiantly, "hey don't look at me baby. You started it."

On the far end of the table Martha and Jim were conversing happily over their food. She smiled at him, "Boy has my boy changed since meeting your daughter."

Jim swallowed his bite and smiled at Martha, "my daughter has changed drastically since meeting your son." He took a sip of his wine then laughed, "she used to talk about how annoying your son was when he first joined the precinct." He was about to take a bite but felt guilty for saying that, "I mean no offense Martha."

Martha patted Jim's hand and laughed, "Oh Jim, it's no problem." She leaned closer to whisper, "Between you and me. He was very annoying before he met your daughter." Then she leaned back and took her wine in her hand, "But, they are married now, and they are perfect for each other." Jim lifted his glass to Martha and toasted with her.

On the other side of the table Kate took Sarah Grace from Jenny so she could eat unhindered without Sarah Grace on her lap. Kate was pretty full already so she didn't really mind. She bounced the baby girl on her leg and cooed, "Getting so big Sarah!" She lifted the laughing growing baby up and down, "you're going to be such a beautiful girl!"

Alexis and Castle watched Kate play with Sarah Grace, and they both shared a look and nodded silently agreeing that Kate would be great as a parent. Alexis touched her dad on the shoulder, "Oh Dad before I forget. Can friends come over tomorrow?"

Castle smiled, "Of course. You can feed them these outstanding left overs." He looked down at his plate, "because we're going to have left overs." Alexis laughed and continued eating her food.

Castle leaned over toward Kate and Sarah Grace and started to play with her tiny hand. Kate looked at him and smiled then looked down to Sarah Grace and said in a playful tone, "Say hi to Uncle Castle." Kate and him both laughed as Sarah Grace shined a brilliant smile.

Jenny leaned over to her daughter and tickled her, "Sarah Grace, this is Auntie Castle." She directed her daughter's stare to Kate then pointed to Castle, "And that's Uncle Castle." The growing baby girl clapped happily.

Castle looked over at Jenny, "she talk yet?"

Jenny shook her head, "Not yet. We're hoping it might be soon." She nudged Ryan, which got his attention, "Kevin always spends the last few hours of the night with our little girl, reading bed time stories and such." She smiled at him and kissed him.

Ryan smiled, "It's our baby girl. Trying to hold onto everything. She's growing up so fast."

Kate nodded in agreement, "Yeah she is!" She lifted the little girl up, "Look at her! She's getting tall too!"

Lanie called from her side of the table, "She's a beautiful baby Ryan." She looked over at Espo, "Way better looking than Javie's baby pictures."

Esposito shook his head smiling, "It's because I'm a boy."

Ryan laughed, "still though."

It was late at night and all their friends and family left for home after watching Esposito get destroyed on Madden by both Ryan, Castle, and even Kate. All the guests left except for Martha who decided to stay in her usual room. After the guests left Castle, Kate, and Alexis cleaned up the table and kitchen; boxing up left overs, cleaning the table and counters, and cleaning the dishes. After that Alexis retreated to her room to sleep off the food coma from the epic meal. So that left the Kate and Castle alone. They were cuddled up on the couch enjoying each other's company and enjoying the final stages of the night.

Kate kissed Castle's chest, "perfect day."

Castle nodded in agreement, "yeah it was." He kissed her head, "Bonded with your father, enjoyed the company at home, had great food, and enjoyed this family time."

Kate couldn't help but Smile. She stood up and offered her hand for Castle, "ready to sleep babe?"

Castle took her hand and slowly got up, "the food coma…is real." Kate took a step forward but then yelled in surprise as Castle picked her up and held her in his arms. He looked at her with a mischievous grin, "Now pretty lady… are you ready to 'sleep'?"

Kate smiled and placed her hands on his face and kissed him gently, "You can do whatever you want." She kissed his cheek, "Just remember I'm the mother of your child."

Castle kissed her, "I haven't forgotten pretty lady." He then carried her into their bedroom.

HOPE you enjoyed the story

I don't want baseball so don't blast me for having the Yankees win. I like football, basketball, and formula 1