Disclaimer: Sadly not yet…. Probably not ever tbh. Anything else you recognize is definitely not mine. Not making a profit yada yada yada
A/N: Thanks for the continued interest. Sorry I was gone for so long this summer. I will try to do weekly updates starting today.
Juggling two five years olds and an eighth month old was a lot more difficult than Rick had expected. It hadn't been so bad during the summer.
Hours were spent walking through central park. Numerous soccer games were played, Father against sons. Hundreds of books had been read. One of the boys favorite books, Nate the Great, had once been lost after their dear but trying sister Jo threw it out of the stroller. Rick searched the park top to bottom, but had no luck. Of course he couldn't disappoint his favorite men, so he immediately rushed to the nearest Barnes and Noble to get a new copy.
Of course, now that school had started back up Rick was finding it much harder to be a stay at home father. Not that he didn't love being a father, he did. It was one of the things that brought him the most joy and smiles in life. The loft was just too quiet. He found himself back at the precinct most days. Baby Johanna strapped to his front. Although, he wasn't sure that Kate was okay with that. He knew she often worried about hostage situations at the precinct. Especially the Coonan hostage situation. That one had caused more than one nightmare for the both of them.
One afternoon after picking up the twins, Rick got a crazy idea, more crazy than usual that is. He just hoped Beckett would be okay with it. He rushed the boys, he and Jo home to begin packing. He explained to the boys his secret plan. Both shook their heads in agreement, excitement bubbling in their chests and through their smiles. Rick looked at the clock and set his plan.
Beckett gets home at five. It was currently 3:00. He had about an hour and a half to pack the boys', his, Kate's, and Jo's bags and to call the precinct and convince Gates to let Beckett off when he got there. He could do it. He was the man.
He set Johanna in her play pen and wheeled it near the door of the boys room. He grabbed two empty duffel bags from their top shelves. He leaned down to the boys.
"Alright you two. Xavier, here's your red one. Kev, your blue one. I need you guys to pack quickly and light. 2 pairs of shorts each, 3 shirts each, one dress shirt and slacks set each. Xavier, your leather jacket, Kev, your new blue blazer from Ryan. And 2 pairs of shoes. Your favorite sandals and your Sperry's, got it?"
"Yes Daddy!"
"Absolutely Dadda! Are we gonna surprise momma?"
"Yes sir, we are. Now go. Don't forget your underwear, socks, and pajamas either. I have to go pack Jo's bag. You got your stuff covered?" Upon the nod of their heads, Rick shuffled out of the room and went to the next to grab Jo's stuff. He pulled out his phone and dialed the precinct's number. Quickly explaining his idea, Gates agreed it would be good for the Detective. He hung up and packed the girls bag. Extra diapers and wipes. Lots of her cute but comfy clothes and her adorable tiny shoes.
"Little one are you excited?" Johanna's gurgles and squeals filled the air. Castle leaned to kiss her forehead, "I'll take that as a yes." He peaked his head in the boys room, "How's it going in here?"
"Good Daddy, Xavier and I are almost done!"
"When your done I need you to come to my room with your stuff okay?" They quickly agreed and resumed packing.
Castle jogged down the hallway to the master bedroom, towing the playpen behind him. He rushed into the room and grabbed his big backpack out of the closet. He began to pack his favorite super hero tees. He took his midnight blue button up out of the closet and packed it away, knowing that it was Beckett's favorite. He grabbed a pair of Khakis and 2 pairs of cargo shorts and grabbed his Navy Sperry's from the closet. He snatched up some boxers, socks, and an undershirt. Lastly he took his purple flip flops from the closet and stuffed them in the backpack.
Four little feet ran down the hallway. Shoes thumping against the hard wood floor. He smiled knowing his sons would burst through the room shortly.
"WE'RE DONE DAD!" Xavier shouted as he burst through door way, turning to his brother he whispered, "also I beat you here. You owe me a piece of candy later." Rick chuckled at the boys' enthusiasm.
"Alright let me check your bags first," he grabbed both, shuffled through the items and satisfied with what they contained, zipped them up and put them on the big bed, "Alright, we need to pick mommy's clothing for this surprise, you guys want to help?"
"Yes!" A shout rang in his ears, man he loved this life.
They shuffled through Kate's shirts and picked a few casual ones to go with the jean shorts and joggers rick had already packed. He grabbed her favorite running shorts, bra and shoes. Stuffed extra bras and underwear in her small suitcase, and then turned to the boys.
"Do you guys want to pick her pajamas or dress first?"
"Pajamas, save the best for last." They settled on sky blue cotton pants and a grey shirt.
"Alright what color dress do you think we should pick for momma?"
The boys turned to each other, Rick smiled observing their eyes. They were holding a non verbal conversation and he loved it. Xavier spoke up, "what color button up are you bringing Dad?"
"Navy, why?"
Kev took over, "I brought a navy one too. Xavier brought his favorite red one and you packed a red and blue dress for Jo, right? That one's mommy's favorite dress for her." Rick nodded his head and Xavier picked up.
"So, Mommy needs her red and white sundress so that she can match me. So that way, the color is even."
"Of course boys great idea! Her sandals too?"
"Absolutely daddy! She's so gorgeous in that outfit!" Castle smiled at their enthusiasm and packed the rest of Kate's stuff up. He plopped a sleeping Jo in her car seat, gave the boys their bags to hold and slung his backpack and Johanna's over his shoulder. He pulled the handle out on Kate's suitcase and trailed it behind him. They strolled out of the loft, locked the door behind them, and loaded up in the SUV that was necessary at this point.
He couldn't wait to get this weekend started and the boys were just as excited. His smile almost couldn't be contained by his face.
A/N: No Rick didn't forget Alexis. Shes at stanford in my mind and couldnt make it. I will try to get the rest of this part up before next monday. Please R&R. Let me know if you like or hate the story. Thanks!