Hi there!

Prompt: Beckett talks to their daughter the night before her last cross country race.

I know this is kind of an odd prompt, but I myself run cross country so I thought it was something a little different. I can also see Beckett as being a little bit crazy about their kids sports, so why not explore that a little bit?

Always accepting prompt ideas, so please send them in!

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Enjoy!

She didn't know what it was, but something pulled her out of unconsciousness. She didn't know if it was a dream, or a noise, or movement from the other side of the bed, but she knew she hadn't woken naturally.

She turned to examine Castle who was still dead asleep. He was facing her, his face relaxed and breathing even. She smiled to herself; after all these years, she still couldn't get enough of him. She pushed a lock of his hair, streaked with grey, away from his forehead, the nervous wrinkles just barely noticeable. He had been up for hours, pacing the office, checking and rechecking the ranks, and performing his own pre-race rituals that he had started over the years, until he finally came to bed.

He was their daughter's biggest supporter, well behind herself, and he was just as nervous as Marley was about the next day. She had worked harder than most, and this was her final opportunity to show the entire state what she was made of. She couldn't help but look back on their daughter's cross country career. She had started at the bottom of the varsity team her freshman year, and race after race, year after year, had moved up in the ranks. She arrived at practice early, and left after the coaches. She was more dedicated than any athlete to go through the sport, and her races showed for that.

She was the number one runner on the team for three years, and ranked in the state for two. Marley went to state the year before, and had barely missed placing. It was that day that she had gone up to her mother and told her what she wanted. "I'm first next year. That title is mine."

Beckett had simply nodded, knowing that her runner would do everything she had to to reach her goal. She had her mother's determination, and her father's persistence.

It was then that Kate realized what had woken her up. She noticed it was unusually cold in the loft, the early fall air crisp, sending a chill down her spine. She slipped out of bed and into her robe and slippers to search for the source of her waking. She didn't have to go far when she saw that the patio door was cracked just enough. She padded slowly towards it, peeking outside.

"Marley, what are you doing? You should be in bed." Kate pushed the door the rest of the way open and closed the distance between herself and her daughter.

Marley sat, legs tucked under herself, covered in her varsity letterman jacket, her long curls tumbling around her face. She was staring out into the sky as if waiting for something or looking for answers. Kate sat beside her silently, waiting for her to speak.

"What if I can't do it, Mom? What if I put all of this work into these four seasons, and I choke?" She looked at her mom, eyes worried.

Kate gave her a reassuring grin, squeezing her arm gently. "I want you to think about what you told me last year at states. When you finished, you came straight to me. You marched your little spandexed butt through a creek to talk to me. And you had this look on your face that I had never seen before. You were so determined; and you told me that you were gonna do it. You said that the title was yours." She paused for a second, letting her story sink in. "Marley, I've seen how hard you've worked this year, I've been at the races, and I've seen you improve. I know that you can do this."

"I'm ranked second though."

"Oh please." Beckett rolled her eyes. "That website has no idea what it's talking about."

"I want this more than anything." Marley turned to face her mom then, biting her bottom lip; a nervous trait she had acquired from her.

"And you have it. You know how to race, Mar. You've done this before and you can do it again. I've got more faith in you than you know."

She smiled, looking down at the metals on her jacket. "Can't believe tomorrow's it. Seems like it was just my first race yesterday."

Tears blurred Kate's vision. It was sinking in that this part of their life was coming to a close. Every long car ride, every early morning, every cold, wet field that she and Castle trotted through to watch their daughter, every cow pasture, every actual live, scary cow, and every fast food lunch was now almost gone. All those things that seemed so unappealing to most were going to be missed when it was all over. Four years had flown by. She had watched her daughter grow from a small, intimidated freshman, to a confident, determined young woman; her timid demeanor replaced with confidence on the starting line. "No matter what happens, I'm so so proud of you."

"Thanks, mom." Marley smiled again, leaning in to hug her mom.

Kate met her halfway, squeezing her tightly. When she pulled back, she held onto her shoulders. "And no matter what happens tomorrow, kick ass."

"Plan on it." She wriggled her nose, a fire lit in her eyes.

"Now get to bed. You have a big day tomorrow." Kate pulled her up, leading her into the house.

When she tucked back into bed, Castle stirred. "Everything alright?"

"Just some pre-race jitters." She scooted closer to him, stealing the warmth.

"Mhm." He closed her in a hug, his breathing evening out again.

Kate lay there for a moment, listening to the rise and fall of his chest. She thought about the next morning again, thinking about their final moment as race parents, hoping they would be bringing home that state champion trophy. She smiled to herself once more letting out a content sigh. She was sad it was going to be over, but not so sad about leaving the cows to themselves.

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