Hello all! Internet's been down, but it's fixed now. (It's also the reason I haven't responded to reviews. I'll try to get to that soon!) I'd keep apologizing for making you wait for these chapters, but life's happening, and the apologies aren't making me write any faster. You should have another chapter in quick succession, but it's not quite done yet.

Recap: A moody, sulky Castle finally shows up to his mini-birthday party Kate throws for him at the precinct. She presents him with the puppy, Castle get emotional because he feels like a puppy is something you do with someone or for someone—so he never got one for himself. He was touched, but messed with Kate when it came to the puppy's name, which everyone was curious about. Also, Lanie set the team up for having to work in a kissing booth. Detective Ryan gets out of it because Jenny said "Hell no!" She challenged Esposito into it and blackmailed Kate into it. Castle thought it sounded like fun until he realized Kate caved to Lanie's blackmail. Now, Kate's about to join Castle and his family for his birthday dinner—which Castle didn't invite her to because he assumed she'd want to be with Josh who was supposed to be back today. (But, as well all know…Josh came back a day early, surprising Kate, who immediately set him straight and sent him packing.)

Chapter 49 – There she glows!

Standing outside Castle's loft, Kate paused a moment appreciating the squeals and laughter on the other side of the door. From the way it sounded, Castle was tickle-torturing the children. Wait. And Alexis?

Kate adjusted everything she was carrying in order to knock on the door. She again thanked her lucky stars that she had her own car—however old it was—to navigate Manhattan. She typically preferred her bike—especially in the summer months, but she didn't mind walking or taking the train. Cabs were convenient, but expensive. When she had cargo, though? That's when she was grateful for a car.

Kate couldn't imagine trying to take the subway carrying Little Creature's dog kennel stuffed with all the toys they'd gotten him and his doggie dishes. Plus, she had his small bag of dog food and his small doggie bed tucked under her other arm. She'd briefly considered trying to strap it all to her bike, but immediately realized it would be more of a hassle than necessary. She'd loaded up the Crown Vic and left for the loft, knowing she was already running late.

Her problem, she thought standing there waiting for the door to open, was too much car. It was not an ordinary problem for most New Yorkers. She had the cruiser when she was on call, but with the old Ford Contour her dad had insisted she take, she had to pay for an extra parking space. Her cousin's kid was already heading off to college and he wanted to buy the car from her. And she was going to let him even though her dad didn't like the idea of her being without a car if she needed it.

But, he was in the city a lot now, and, if she wanted to head to her dad's and Babi's, she could take the bus. Or maybe force Castle to go with her? She was pretty sure he wouldn't mind if she used him for his car every now and then. Besides, she could find a way to reciprocate and it would be nice to have him with her.

The loft door flew open and she found Castle's arms wrapped around her shoulders, each of them awkwardly leaned over the stuff she held in her arms. Castle grinned and pretty much ignored all that she was carrying as her drew her into the loft before she could even regain her balance. She dropped the carry case just inside the door and pushed the dog bed into his chest.

"He's a huge hit. Kids love him," Castle told her, setting the dog bed down by the carry crate and taking the dog food from her.

"Where is he?"

Kate asked, but she didn't get an answer as Castle went ahead of her toward the kitchen in response to Martha yelling his name. Kate kicked off her heels and pulled a pair of socks from her purse. She normally didn't mind walking around barefoot at the loft or in nylons, but it seemed a little too casual knowing they had guests and not knowing exactly who all would be there.

She'd just finished planting a second socked foot on the floor when a little girl appeared in front of her. The six-year old seemed taller in person—or maybe the last photos she'd seen were just a bit outdated because her cheeks had lost some of the baby fat she had before.

"Are you Miss Katie?" the gorgeous little girl asked.

KaraLynn had wide, big brown eyes that oozed kindness like her father's and were tinged with a child's inquisitiveness. She had a heart-shaped face, more like Stephanie's, with delicate features, but her skin and hair was definitely a mix of the two. Actually, her complexion was similar to Javier's, maybe a little lighter. And her hair was definitely black—but with a true red hue to it that must have come from Martha's side of the family. KaraLynn's natural tight ringlets framed her face, held back by a red headband that matched her summer dress and painted fingers and toes. She was definitely all girl—looking a bit exotic without even trying. She was destined to be a knock-out. Poor Magi.

"I am," Kate answered, wondering again, how children always managed to leap to "Katie," but not at all bothered by it. "And, you must be KaraLynn."

"Yes, Ma'am," the girl answered, never looking away. "You're pretty."

"Uh…thank you. So are you." KaraLynn smiled a little, but continued to stare at her. She wasn't scrutinizing—there were no narrowed eyes or pursed lips. Her head wasn't even tilted. It was just a straight-on, expectant stare. Can you have an uncomfortable silence with a six-year old? Kate wondered.

Kate shifted slightly, before asking KaraLynn if she knew where Sherlock was.

"He's with Tyler," she answered, smiling a secret smile again.

"Is Kate here yet?" she heard Alexis call, either from Castle's office or the other side of it.

"Just got here," Castle yelled back.

"Shall I show you in?" KaraLynn asked gallantly, offering Kate her hand. Somehow, Kate felt that she'd unknowingly passed a test.

"Please do," Kate answered taking KaraLynn's outstretched hand. She tried not to show her amusement at the little girl's seriousness.

"Oh, Kate, Lovely. You're here!" Martha said, rising from the couch when Kate and KaraLynn stepped into the living room. "I'd like you to meet my sister, Lynn," she said, sweeping her hand toward her sister who was sitting beside her on the sofa. Lynn may have been Martha's younger sister, but she looked older, tired and worn. Still, she smiled and started to rise.

"Please, don't get up on my account."

Kate knew Lynn had recently wrapped up a round of radiation therapy, and that she'd already been through first a lumpectomy and then chemotherapy—from which, it appeared, she was only just nicely recovering her hair. "It's nice to meet you, Lynn."

"So, you're the infamous, Kate? I know Rick follows you around, but remind me again, what is it that you do?"

Kate nearly barked with laughter. "You don't read Rick's books do you?"

Lynn waved her hand in the air, reminding her of Martha. "Who has the time?"

Kate looked for Rick in the kitchen, hoping he wasn't missing this. She found Rick shaking his head, and everyone else—Alexis, Ashley, Karamagi and Steph raising their hands. Even Martha had her hand raised.

"Yes, well. I've never been much of a reader."

"I've told you before—they're on tape!" Rick replied with exaggerated offense. "Even Darrin's listened to them on tape."

Lynn simply rolled her eyes and Kate laughed.

"So, I can take it that you're the subject of his books?"

"Kate's a detective. Richard consults with her." Kate was pleased Martha identified her as simply a detective, not a homicide detective. She also noted the pride in Martha's voice and somehow felt that that was inclusive of her, not just her son, famous or not.

"Meaning Dad annoys her."

"I help her."

"'Course you do, Rick," Steph teased.

"Seems to me that she helps you," Karamagi said, walking into the living room to officially greet Kate with a kiss to the cheek. "Katherine, have you met Darrin, Stephanie's little brother?"

Kate had been aware of a man sitting separately and off to the side, intently focused on the Pandora station Rick had pulled up on the big screen. He kept brushing his knuckles roughly over his knee and then flicking his wrist to do it again.

"He probably won't talk to you or even look at you," Steph supplied, joining them in the living room, with Matteo clinging to her leg. "'Til he gets to know you better, but Karamagi always likes to try."

"Come, Stephanie, he's been doing much better since he's been at the group home."

"A savant he is not," Lynn said, like she'd said it a thousand times before. "But he's a sweetheart. Be forewarned, though, he's repetitive and blunt."

"Uncle Darrin likes soft stuff and music," KaraLynn supplied, tugging slightly on the hand she still held. "But don't touch his blanket unless he offers. And don't jump on him or turn the lights out on him."

"Darrin," Karamagi said, touching his brother-in-law carefully on the arm, "Would you like to meet someone?"

Darrin didn't react.

"Time to eat!" Alexis yelled from the kitchen.

Kate didn't know what she was supposed to do, but she didn't want to ignore Darrin, so she squatted down beside him, careful not to touch him, but so that she could see his eyes.

"Hello Darrin. I'm Kate." No reaction, but Kate hadn't expected much. She stood, while Stephanie got firm with Darrin and directed him to the table, telling him it was time to eat.

Just then, Castle walked from the kitchen to the dining room carrying a heavy dish with hot pads. "Tell him she's Nikki Heat," he called over his shoulder. Immediately, Kate found her wrist grasped with a surprising strength, as she was jerked back off the step leading to the dining room. She had heard that autism could be like having a child trapped in an adult's body, and Darrin's grip, coupled with the fact that he held out a baby blanket to her in his other hand certainly supported the statement.

Darrin still had his head down and Kate couldn't take any queues from him. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to do. She turned to Castle, who'd come up beside them while his aunt apologized and Steph told him he couldn't do stuff like that. They were trying to tell him that he could have hurt her. She was fine, of course—just startled, but she knew it wasn't really about her.

"Just touch it. Don't take it," Castle whispered in her ear.

She did as she was told, but Darrin's vice-like grip on her wrist didn't slacken in the least.

"It's…nice. Very soft," Kate said, but, still, he didn't let go, even as everyone was trying to convince him.

Finally, Rick approached him. "Mine, Darrin." She felt Darrin's grip loosen. "Nikki's mine," he repeated a couple of times, helping Darrin to pry his fingers loose.

When Darrin finally let go, Steph and Lynn led him to the table while Karamagi ensured she was okay. She assured him she was fine, no harm done and resisted the urge to rub her wrist. When he was convinced, Karamagi headed to the table as well.

Castle held her back when she started to walk with him.

"Sorry."

"It's fine, Castle. Nothing you could do about it."

"It's just…he responds to proprietorship," Castle explained. "He knows if he doesn't want others to play with certain things of his, he has to respect when we don't want him to touch our things."

Kate raised her eyebrows at him. Castle's eyes widened, realizing what he'd said. "N-not that you're mine!"

"Nikki is, though, isn't she?" Kate asked, challenging him to deny it before walking to join the others at the table.

She stood there for a moment, looking around at everyone seated. There were only two empty seats left, one for her and one for Castle. She was definitely missing something. Everyone at the table—except Darrin, who had his back to her anyway, and the kids looked to her expectantly, wondering what the holdup was.

"If we're all here, who's Tyler? And where's Sherlock?"

"Oh!" Alexis said excitedly, "He's the dog walker. Gram and I found him. Well, Jimmy helped."

"It's a pretty sweet deal," Castle told her. "I just have to text him if we aren't going to need him, otherwise, he'll show up twice a day, and has a backup. Lives just around the corner. Cares for several dogs in the building. Makes a living of it. Comes highly recommended."

"Plus, he's going to give us obedience lessons," Alexis said.

"Your dad, too?" Kate teased.

"Yes, actually," Castle answered. It was true. It was part of the deal. They had to learn what queues and expectations to set right along with Sherlock.

"Oh, thank God!" Kate laughed.

"Hardy har har." Castle said, urging Kate to the table with a hand to her back.

"But, seriously, Castle," Kate said turning toward him while her mind was still processing, halting their progress to the table again. Their faces were close and she lowered her voice. "He's going to have a key to the loft? Be able to come and go?"

Castle nodded once, not really able to speak in such close proximity, watching the questions roll from her lips, and anxiety build in her eyes. Odd, he thought, but he wasn't really hearing what she was saying.

She stepped away from him, away from the table. "What's his name?" she asked, pulling out her phone. "Castle? His name."

Castle shook his head. "Tyler Brandt."

Kate stepped back down into the living room. He heard her identify herself as "Detective Beckett" and give her badge number.

"What are you doing?"

"Just a sec. Go sit down. I'll be there in a—" She stopped speaking to him and turned back to the phone. "Yeah. I need a ten-twenty-niner on a Tyler Brandt."

A 10-29r? "Wait. You're not seriously running a background check on him are you?"

Kate looked at him in annoyance and turned away, listening for whoever was on the other line.

"He's highly recommended. Building security ran his credentials already, Beckett."

Kate covered the speaker with her fingers. "He's gonna have a key," Kate half-hissed, turning back on him. "Alexis could be here. Alone. Or your mother. Of course, I'm running a background check." It was Alexis. A background check was nothing compared to the micro-chipping that had first flashed through her mind.

That shut Castle up, and he stood beside her, not close enough to hear what the officer on the other end was saying, but wishing he were.

"Did you get a copy of his license or anything?"

Castle nodded.

"Address?"

Castle nodded again, and confirmed for her the correct address when the database revealed more than one Tyler Brandt in the system.

Kate got off the phone, thanking the officer, but demanding the report be on her desk first thing in the morning.

By the time she was done, Castle was standing there smirking at her. He'd already begged a favor from one of the officers, but Kate didn't need to know that—and he rather liked that she was protective of his family.

"What?" Kate asked, feigning ignorance. She should have gone to his office and banned him.

"Nothing," he answered, still smirking. "Can we eat now?"

They sat down at the table, Castle on her right, KaraLynn on her left. Kate tried to ignore the looks Alexis and Ashley were giving her from across the table, but everyone else seemed to get it. They were parents, though, so a streak of overprotectiveness seemed reasonable to them. Especially to Martha, who was caught somewhere between pleased and proud.

"Did you, uh, run a background check on me?" Ashley asked nervously.

They were all looking at her, except Castle.

"Nah. She wouldn't let me," Castle answered honestly, while Kate neither confirmed nor denied. She fought the blush that wanted to swell in her cheeks, though, and ultimately, that's what gave her away to Alexis.

Alexis's eyes widened. "You did?" she said, looking at Kate.

Actually, Ashley was pretty young, so she'd run one on him and his parents the first time Alexis went away with them for a weekend to check out colleges. Castle had been so worked up about letting her go overnight with a boy. She'd done it just to assure herself that there was no reason she shouldn't be assuring him that Alexis would be fine.

Castle's head whipped around at her. "You told me 'no.'"

"I told you 'no.'"

Castle frowned at her. "What happened to 'No abusing police records for your own personal agenda'?" He mocked with his chin drawn in his best schoolmarmish Detective Beckett voice.

Beckett raised a defiant eyebrow at him. She would have told him if anything came up. He knew that. He just didn't get why she'd do it for her, but not for him. No give, sometimes, he thought, shaking his head.

"Nothing came up, right?" Alexis laughed at her frozen boyfriend, and tried to break her dad and the detective from their eye-lock.

"Just a B and E," Kate answered without missing a beat.

Castle's face tightened and his eyes narrowed before his head whipped back around to a very pale, sputtering Ashley. Poor guy, Kate thought, still watching Castle. He's gonna get whiplash. She turned her eyes to a very shocked Ashley. She held out for the brief moment before she finally laughed, breaking the silence.

"Kidding!" she elbowed Castle. "Geez!"

Everyone laughed—Rick included—at Kate's teasing, but without realizing it, she'd brought her hand to rest it on his left leg. She found herself squeezing his thigh, looking up at him.

"You know I wouldn't have…" She paused, leaving the rest of her thought unvoiced. Let him anywhere near Alexis if…well... "Right?" A bit of her uncertainty came through in the vague question.

Castle didn't answer, but he nudged her shoulder with his own and squeezed her hand in response. He was pleased when he felt Kate relax beside him. He didn't let go. Instead, he pulled his fingers through her own and held her palm in place against his leg while he invited Karamagi to lead them in prayer.

KaraLynn took up her other hand. Her family prayed together before meals at large get togethers, as well, so wasn't unaccustomed to the practice. But Kate had never prayed with someone she loved like this. Kate brushed her thumb along his finger, over his the rough material of his jeans. As she listened to Karamagi's calming baritone thank the Lord for the meal before them, new friends and old, and request blessings for Richard on his birthday and always, the moment struck her as supremely intimate.

She felt swept up in an emotion, and the blessings bestowed upon her to be sitting here, with this man, holding his hand, counted among his family. So, much had happened. She was the only one at the table who knew how close they'd come to never seeing Rick celebrate his 40th. It made his birthday and being here all the more meaningful. Kate stole her hand away from his to swipe at her eye before everyone looked up. It was just a little moisture.

She could maybe maybe pass it off as an irritating itch—if it were anyone but Castle. But, if she didn't, everyone would know it wasn't an itch. She hated that Castle would know what she'd done, but he didn't look at her. Castle just peeked for her hand when he felt her bring it back down and caught it up again before he didn't have the prayer as an excuse.

Sherlock was back now, crashed on the floor between the counter and Kate and Castle's feet. They all stood around the island in Castle's kitchen, looking at the orange marmalade cake Alexis baked for Castle's birthday. It had a creamy ganache filling between the two layers and was drizzled with dark chocolate crisscrosses over the top and down the sides. She and Ashley were getting everything together to set the thing ablaze, making a show of counting out the candles. Alexis hadn't spared her dad a single waxed column when it came to representing his age on the cake.

They were taking great pleasure in teasing him about reaching this milestone, but Castle was firing right back. Karamagi had already cleared forty a few years ago and Stephanie still had a couple years to go, but was enjoying harassing each of them with "over the hill" comments that Martha, especially, was quick to reject.

"I'm just glad we outgrew the spanking machine!" Castle said.

"Spanking machine?" Kate asked.

"Yeah."

"On our birthdays, when we were younger," Steph explained, "they used to make us line up and crawl through all the partygoer's legs to receive a birthday spankings."

"And Stephen hit hard!" Castle exclaimed, referring to Steph's twin. Funny how things worked out. He was literally a rocket scientist, working on the last shuttle launch down in Florida.

"Oh, so hard!" Steph agreed. She turned to Kate. "I'm convinced they made us do it 'cause it hurt more and they're cruel."

"Long-standing Rodger's family tradition," Martha explained, raising her glass to her lips. "One of the tamer ones."

"But you're right," Lynn said. "It was awful! Especially that pinch to grow an inch at the end."

"Won't be needing that," Castle answered humorously. He nudged Kate's foot, and watched, waiting for her to react. She pursed her lips and refused to look at him. She enjoyed flirting with him, but comments like that? In front of his mother, daughter, aunt and near-priest friend? And the kids?

"Ugg. Da-ad." Alexis grimaced at him before continuing to light the candles.

Ugg, is right, Castle thought. Why does she have to be old enough to get every possible meaning to that?

"Please tell me your dad didn't put you through that kind of torture." Kate said looking at Alexis.

Alexis shook her head. "Thankfully that family tradition died."

Castle put an arm around her shoulder and jostled her. "But I'd be happy to revive it for your birthday."

With his cake all aglow and the lights dimmed down low, the desire to flirt with him was too overwhelming. "Does that mean you don't want me to spank you now, Castle?" Kate taunted.

"Maybe just a pinch," he answered while she snaked her hand around his back and pinched his side.

Castle jumped and she withdrew her hand, but kept her arm around his back as Martha started the first notes of the "Happy Birthday" song.

Castle left his arm draped over Kate's shoulders, enjoying the feel of her hand pressed between his shoulder blades. He couldn't believe his luck. This day had turned out better than he imagined. He had his daughter, his family all around him. His favorite detective—hell, his favorite woman period—was tucked into his side. He kept expecting her to be looking at her watch or making some excuse to leave. Didn't she need to meet Josh? Maybe they'd had a fight? Maybe they never recovered from their previous fight? Even though he knew it had to do with him, he couldn't help but hope that they were through.

Kate had been staring wondering what Castle would wish for when she felt Castle's eyes on her. She looked up at him, still singing, wondering why he wasn't paying attention. He had a look of awe and surprise on his face. Kate looked away quickly and realized everyone, except Darrin and Matteo, was staring at her. She blushed and quickly adjusted her voice. Sometimes she forgot to not actually sing. It didn't make any difference, they were already at the end of the short song.

"Okay, Dad. Make a wish."

"You're sparing him the monkey verse?" Kate asked.

"Monos!" Matteo yelled, while Rick blew out the candles in one great exaggerated huff.

"Yup, tomorrow, Matty," KaraLynn said.

"Tomorrow, we're hitting the museum, the zoo and the American Girl Café," Castle explained to Kate.

"Sounds like a Castle excursion."

"He's very excited about the monkeys," KaraLynn said, addressing Kate. "I want to see a giraffe. And Lexi has an American Girl doll, too. She's going to bring hers, too."

"It sounds like fun. What's your doll's name?"

"I have two. They're twins like Mama and Uncle Stephen."

"I had the Molly doll when I was little," Kate told the little girl.

"You did?" a wide-eyed KaraLynn asked.

"Yep. She'd be worth so much now if I'd taken better care of her, but I played with her too much."

"Mama had a Samantha doll, but she broke her."

"If we'd known then," Steph said.

"Yeah, but my Grandma would have been so disappointed if I hadn't liked her. I hated Barbies—probably due to my mother's influence—and she spent so much time picking that doll out. Made me tons of outfits for her—which made it more fun."

Rick handed them each a plate with cake and ice cream. He'd been enjoying listening to them reminisce and couldn't help but picture a little Katie Beckett playing with her dolls. No surprise she didn't like Barbies like Alexis had.

"Hope you've got a plan in there for naps, Uncle Ricky, 'cause don't forget you promised to keep them tomorrow night, too."

"Who needs naps? We're gonna have fun, right guys?" Uncle Ricky said, sharing a high five with each of the kids.

Castle looked as excited as each of the kids. Kate kind of wished she were going with them. Seeing it all through the kids' eyes—through Rick's would be like seeing it anew. Instead, she realized she wouldn't see Castle until his boat party on Saturday, so now, even though she was right beside him eating cake and ice cream, Saturday seemed like a long time away.

By the time Kate had declined Martha's third offer for wine after dinner—the fact that she was on call not really sinking in, Karamagi and Steph were rousing the kids to get them ready for bed—which meant peeling KaraLynn from her side and Matty from her lap. Matty had started the night with his attention shifting from person to person to the toys scattered on the floor, sneaking up behind Kate's chair to touch her hair. He was jabbering at anyone who'd listen, but he'd eventually settled sleepily onto Kate's lap, wrapping her hair around and around his thankfully not sticky hands.

KaraLynn had simply sat down beside her with a book in hand to start with. Probably because she was holding Sherlock. Kate had asked the little girl if she wanted her to read the book to her, but the little girl had simply said, "No, thanks. I can read it." She got down a couple of times to pick a different book, but always ended up right back at her side, even after Rick had stolen the puppy from her. In her other books, she'd sometimes point to words she couldn't get right, but otherwise she was pretty quiet, just letting the adults talk around her.

Kate figured it was time to say goodnight. She took another look across the room at Castle, with Sherlock cuddled in his lap. That look on his face that he'd had since he first thought the puppy was his and that he'd recovered completely before they left the precinct—that's what she had been going for. Totally worth it.

Castle insisted on walking her out. He used taking Sherlock out as an excuse to walk her all the way out to her car, not just to the door.

At her car, Kate leaned against the door. Her head tilted, she considered him and graced him with one of those sweet smiles that he loved. Who was he kidding? He loved them all. This was the short grin—the one that pressed dimples three layers deep into her cheeks.

"Kate." How could he thank her? "Thank you so much. For him. I've just…thank you."

"I'm glad you like him, Castle. You had me worried at first. But…I don't know. He just seemed perfect for you." Plus he has your eyes. She reached out to pet the puppy that Castle still held in his arms.

"Yeah, we're gonna get along just fine. He's the best."

"I'm actually going to miss him," Kate said bending down to kiss the puppy's head.

No bed warmer? Is Motorcycle Boy waiting for you?

Kate shook her head. "All right, Little Creature. Be good." She held the puppy's chin. "No messes," she told him seriously.

Castle laughed. "Fingers crossed."

"He likes the rope toy a lot." God, he knows this. I'm stalling. It's so obvious. "It's still in the dog cage."

"Yeah…I noticed he didn't care for the squeak toy too much."

Their small talk stalled. Words they wanted to find wouldn't come. Kate nodded to the car.

"Happy Birthday, Castle. I hope you wish comes true."

"It will," he said without hesitation. Castle leaned down slightly and kissed her cheek, warmer and lingering longer than his normal greeting for her. "Goodnight, Kate. And thank you."

"'Night, Castle. See you Saturday."

The one Christmas fic I was expecting to see never showed up! I would have loved a Christmas fic where Beckett is fantastically cheery—just like she always is and Castle shows up with a black tree/decor saying "You don't have to fake it with me." Or takes her to some bum's fire barrel to burn Christmas-y goodness or dresses up the punching bag like Santa and holds it for her while she beats the sh** out of it. That would have amused me, but I didn't get around to it. Maybe next year?

Hope you all enjoyed a Happy Chanukah, Happy Christmas, and for those embarking on Kwanzaa, Happy that, too!