It was over a month before they were able to continue their ritual. Body drops and mid-term tests and book signings had intervened to disrupt the new and eagerly awaited custom. But finally they had a weekend with no encroaching murders, no angry agents and no exams. It was a relief for all of them.
Saturday broke in typical Big Apple style for the time of year; cold and dismal, though with Christmas barely a month away New Yorkers were doing their utmost to make the place as festive and cheerful as possible.
Castle was busy making pancakes and trying not to make too much noise; Alexis had arrived late from a party and Kate had been held up till late in the precinct whilst the final reports on their ... well ok , her ... latest case were finalized.
"I smell coffee" came a grumpy voice from behind him and he spun round guiltily.
"Sorry, did I wake you?" he asked
His tussle headed muse shook her head, shuffled as far as the counter and propping herself on a stool, silently held out both hands. With a grin Castle poured her out a fresh mug of coffee and placed it within the outstretched hands.
Some sort of noise which he took to be "thanks" came from within the confines of mug, hands and hair which was about as much as he could see of her, so he leant over and kissed the top of her head and went back to the pans.
He was just dishing out the first load of pancakes when Alexis made her appearance from upstairs and with a sleepy voice and a yawn wishing them a "Good morning".
"Morning daughter of mine, I hope you enjoyed last night?"
His rather bleary-eyed daughter groaned and dropped her head onto her arms "Ugh! Coffee Dad!"
A snort of amusement came from the sleepy headed detective beside her and Castle had to grin at the scene. One tousle headed brunette with eyes crinkling in laughter and one tousle headed red top looking at the coffee machine with yearning.
By the time breakfast was over both ladies were fully awake and ready to take the day on. Alexis headed upstairs and Castle moved round to pull Kate up into his arms. She slid her hands up his chest and linked her fingers behind his neck.
"So Mr Castle, do you know anyone who would be willing to scrub a poor, hopeless girl's back?"
"I'm always happy to help if I can, but just where would I find this poor, hopeless girl?"
"I think maybe you should tidy up here and then go look for her in the shower!"
With a grin he bent down to kiss her and then as she spun away he slapped her butt which earned him a raised eyebrow and a cool glare. His smile slipped and his eyes became worried; for a heartbeat he thought he'd upset his muse ... until her lips curved into a seductive smile and with a commanding crooking of her finger she turned and headed for the office.
As he followed he almost tripped over a shirt on the floor. Stopping to pick it up he realised the item had very recently been on his detectives back. Three steps later and he was stepping over a pair of shorts and by the time he entered the bedroom his muse was striding towards the bathroom wearing nothing but an alluring smile on her face ... with a gulp he hastily started to strip, stumbling and almost falling over in his haste. With a frustrated growl he kicked off his boxers sending them flying before almost running into the bathroom.
By the time he had scrubbed the poor, hopeless girl's back not just once, nor twice, but three times, they were both exhausted and in need of a bit of downtime. Lying flat on his back on the bed Castle chuckled as his detective snuggled up against him.
"How did I do as a back scrubber?" he asked.
"Hmm, I can highly recommend you ... but if I catch you scrubbing anyone else's back you will be missing some of your tools!"
It was about another hour before Beckett awoke. She found herself half-sprawled over Castle, her head resting on his chest, one leg across his thigh. She had to smile at the way his hair had dried into spikes and she was reluctant to wake him up, but they had a reading session and if they didn't get started soon, someone was going to have to come up with a good excuse for his daughter!
Half an hour later both the writer and his detective were making a slightly bashful appearance in the sitting room where a headshaking Alexis had already laid out drinks and this week's binder.
Not looking at anyone in particular as she headed for the kitchen she was heard to mutter "Thank heavens there wasn't a Monkey-Bunkey in the Shower story ... it would never end!"
Castle spluttered, opened his mouth to say something only to think better of it and abruptly closed his mouth again. Beckett meanwhile pretended to tidy up the cushions in order to hide the rising blush she could feel suffusing her face.
Eventually all three were sitting in their accustomed places on the couch, fruit drinks before them and the binder which Kate had first come across several months before, on the table.
Castle, checking that both his girls were settled and comfortable, turned the cover and displayed the first page ...
MONKEY-BUNKEY AND THE NAUGHTY BANANA
For my little Pumpkin
By Richard Rodgers