Two updates in one week! That hasn't happened in a while! (And don't let it get your expectations up there too high!)

Re-cap: Kate spent the night of Castle's birthday with him and his family at his loft. She went home not expecting to see him again until his boat party.

Chapter 50 – Memory-making moments

Come play with us. That was the caption to the adorable photo Kate just received—her fifth of the day. They'd obviously made it back to the loft okay because KaraLynn and Matteo were sitting in one of the chairs in Rick's office. Matteo was sporting a hat that looked very much like Curious George's head and KaraLynn had on some dazzling light blue shades and was holding what looked to be a star-stopped fairy wand with tinsel and ribbons dangling around her hand.

Kate smiled. Again. She didn't text back and, when six o'clock finally rolled around, she didn't go home to change. Her Friday night was looking a whole light brighter.

Kate stepped into the loft on hearing Castle call "Come in!" She was first struck by the silence. How could two and a half children be so quiet? Maybe their day out had worn them out? Then she looked down and saw the maze of dominoes weaved all around the floor. From down in the living room to up and over and through the first step on the stairs, V-ing around the kitchen table, zig-zagging behind the couch—homemade bridges and a dominoes tower included, her eyes followed the path they'd created until they landed on the man in the living room.

Rick was spread out flat on his stomach, propped on his elbows with Matteo spread out in similar fashion along his back. KaraLynn was sitting beside them placing another black track that looked like it went to a race car set on the cushy carpet so that their dominos would stand up on end.

Kate carefully stepped over two rows of dominoes to join them in the living room.

"Wow. I've never actually seen anyone make a dominoes..." What was it anyway? "Train? before." How many dominoes did he have?

Kate was having a hard time believing Castle had the patience for such a task and briefly wondered where Alexis was. Surely, she must have been involved? But, to do this with two kids? And she'd seen how Matteo's attention flitted from one person, one project, one toy to another last night. And wasn't there a puppy running around somewhere?

"How many…how'd you?" Wow. She shouldn't have been so surprised. The man literally spent hundreds of hours stringing words together that in turn kept her entertained and entranced for hours. So she shouldn't have been. But this is what he constantly did to her.

Castle gave her a huge grin, as each of the kids started chattering about what they were building. Matty was excited because he was going to get to knock it down. Kate looked around again and stepped carefully over to the couch, where she kneeled to look behind the couch again.

"This is amazing!"

"We started it this morning when Alexis and their dad were still here to help."

"I can't believe you were able to do this with Sherlock in the house and with these guys."

"Sherlock was easy at first. All the intricate stuff was behind the couch and in the dining room, and his toys were out here. Plus, Steph and Mother were here for most of the day. We spent so long here doing this we only made it to the zoo. Then, when we got home, Alexis and Ashley met up here. Took Sherlock to the park. They should be back soon, then Matty gets to set this thing rolling! Right, Big Guy?"

Matty nodded enthusiastically. Kate imagined that was his motivation for letting the others build the maze without interference.

"You hungry?" Castle asked. Kate shook her head no.

"There's a plate of homemade mac-n-cheese in the mike," he said, trying to entice her. He thought he'd won when she headed for the kitchen, but she just dug in the cupboard for Press-N-Seal wrap, covered the plate and popped it in the refrigerator.

He shook his head at her. How could she not be hungry? He was willing to bet she hadn't eaten much today. Maybe she'd go for it later or he'd send it home with her.

They weren't yet out of dominoes—Castle still had half a large box sitting by the chair, but Kate proved to be enough of a distraction that neither of the kids nor Castle cared to keep adding to the dominoes stack. Instead, Castle found the piece he'd set aside…a little handmade "START" banner hung between glued-together dominos pillars. He placed that over the first domino, in the last spot they'd been arranging them, which surprised Kate.

Kate expected him to place the start line closer to where they'd built all the more intricate and exciting loops and bridges and tunnels. She was struck by how willing this man was to let the anticipation build. She imagined it carrying over into his lovemaking, a sudden image of dominoes lined up along the flat of her belly and Rick's blue eyes hovering over her before blowing them down left her feeling hot and inappropriate. Especially sitting there conversing with a fairy, a boy and his monkey.

Since when did she play games in bed? Not since she was younger and experimenting. Castle would be patient and playful—two things that didn't typically appeal to her. She was more of the fast and furious type. She didn't linger over sweet nothings or rely on her partner for fulfillment. She flushed, cursing Castle's dominoes—combined with his childlike exuberance and paradoxical patience—that had her thinking like this.

And, God, she'd love to turn the tables on him. She'd never met a man she enjoyed playing with as much. But Richard Castle? Yes, she'd play games with him. All sorts of games. The anticipation was building, and she wasn't sure how much longer she should or could hold out.

Castle looked over at Kate, relaxed on his couch holding Matty's new stuffed monkey in her lap while Matty drove a car from her ankle to her knee, and then half-way up her thigh. Ah, so innocent. She was clearly lost in thought, but as his gaze traveled up to her charcoal top, with the braid-style collar, he paused briefly at her breasts. Is she cold? Can't be. She's wearing a light sweater. His eyes traveled higher to her neck and cheeks. Her hair was partially blocking her face, but her cheeks were definitely tinted. Kate glanced at him then, paling everywhere but on her cheeks when she saw the look on his face.

Holy hell! Kate Beckett was turned on! Whatever bawdy thoughts were running through her head, he wanted to know! And he wanted to make it happen again! Preferably when he was closer to her and when there were no kids in the room.

The door opened, then, and Sherlock scrambled in still attached to his leash.

"Yay! Lexi's here!" KaraLynn exclaimed. Matty jumped from the couch and Castle caught him before he could damage the dominoes maze, still looking at Kate. She was definitely avoiding eye contact.

Alexis and Ashley stuck around just long enough to watch Matty flick the first domino into motion by driving his car into it. Alexis filmed the whole thing so they could send it off to Karamagi and Steph. Kate watched from her spot on the couch, while Rick flew and excited KaraLynn over the whole display for an aerial view. All that work, and the whole exhibition lasted only a minute. Still, it was very cool.

Now, they were busy re-packing all the dominoes into the boxes Castle had saved and then those boxes into other boxes. He was very particular about how they were arranged, and spent a good two minutes just watching her to make sure she was doing it right. She almost told him to do it himself, but the kids had been promised a movie and popcorn before bed and that wasn't happening until all the toys were cleaned up.

Kate paused arranging the dominoes in her latest box when two chubby legs danced in front of her. She looked up to see Matteo holding himself with a pained expression on his face.

"I hafta go potty!"

"Okay, buddy. Hold on." Kate glanced toward the bathroom, but she didn't know the protocol with someone else's kid. It wasn't like Lanie's niece or her cousins' kids who were used to her and vice versa. She knew them, their parents' parenting styles—even the reward systems. Plus, of the four kids she had experience with, they were all girls, except one. Did he sit or stand?

"Castle! Matty's gotta go potty!"

"Then take him potty!" Rick called from behind the couch.

He waited a moment, but no one passed his line of sight headed toward the bathroom. Did they go to his bathroom?

"I gotta go bad."

Kate stood up. "He's gotta go now!"

Rick heard the urgency in her voice and his head shot up from behind the couch like a gopher. He could see they weren't moving. Well, Kate wasn't moving. Matteo was doing the potty dance with a death grip on his junk.

"Go, Matty! Go! Hurry!" he said, waving toward the bathroom and clambering to his feet all at the same time.

They raced there together. A few moments later, Kate heard Castle reassuring Matteo that "It was okay" and that "accidents happen." He came out carrying a bare-bottomed boy and Matty's wet shorts. Matty was crying.

"We didn't make it."

Kate grimaced. "Is he okay?"

Rick nodded. "Uncle Ricky's fault, big guy. We'll make it next time." He stopped in the living room. "KaraLynn? Want to take a bubble bath with brother?" The girl was on her feet in no time.

"You okay with them for a minute while I get things ready? He shouldn't have to go potty or anything."

Kate assailed him with one of her more derisive glares.

"Maybe I'll just take him with me. Safer that way."

He came back through while she was still picking up dominoes, but didn't say anything. He was just staring at her, shaking his head. Ugg, she thought, I should have just taken Matty to the bathroom! Castle was having way too much fun with this.

Finally, his silence provoked her enough. "What, Castle?"

He answered her with a roguish smile.

"The great Kate Beckett. Takes down bad guys twice her size but can't take a three year old potty."

The gibe, meant in good fun, irritated Kate more than it should have. She'd caused Matteo unnecessary distress all because of her second guessing. And she didn't like being indecisive. She didn't like hesitating. She liked control and answers. She bit her lip, irritation, guilt, embarrassment all battling for prominence.

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. I should have…but he doesn't know me that well."

Castle could see she felt bad, and that it wasn't about him picking on her. She genuinely felt like she'd let Matteo down. "No. I know. I get it."

"I just…I didn't know if it was okay. I'm sorry. Is he okay?"

"Hey. Stop apologizing. I'm just razzing you, I swear. Didn't think you were that upset about it."

"But I made him cry."

"Third time today that we didn't make it."

"Really?"

"Really. You can check the dryer if you want."

"Maybe you should just tell me the potty rules. 'Cause honestly, I've done this before, but it's been different with every kid."

"So, you don't mind?"

Kate shook her head.

"Okay. Rule number one with Matteo—he always waits too long. If he's kind enough to tell you he's got to go, make a mad dash for the bathroom. Two, he's got a stool in there, so he can reach. If we're not here, he can sit to do either. Three, if he poops, he definitely needs help wiping. Fourth and final? He gets a sticker for a job well done."

Kate simply nodded at his instructions.

"You mind going in with them? I don't want to leave them alone, but I thought I'd get their jammies now."

Kate did as he requested, marveling again at his room and bathroom. The kids spent more time in the bathtub than she thought they would. Castle, expert bubble-maker that he was, had somehow managed to color the bubbles into blues, pinks, greens and purples. Which as it turned out, was way more fun than plain white bubbles—at least according to KaraLynn.

When they finally pulled the raisinettes from the bathtub, Kate found herself kneeling on the floor helping Matteo into his Pull-up, then jammies. Rick was sitting on the toilet, weaving KaraLynn's curly locks into short, braided pigtails. She looked up at him and their eyes locked.

It was so banal. Helping children get ready for bed. Something done every day, all across the world. And yet, she felt like she was discovering something pristine and new and absolutely unknown to anyone else—past or present. Unknown to everyone but her…and him. Like it was theirs to know and share, and theirs alone.

What was it about this man's bathroom that prevented her emotional inhibitors from functioning properly?

It was late, but Rick had promised them a movie and popcorn. Rather than renege on his promise, he tricked them into a couple of Pixar shorts: Jack-Jack Attack and Day and Night—neither of which Kate had seen. But KaraLynn was not satisfied.

"But it's late, Sweetie. Way past bed time."

"How about a story then?"

"It's not Sunday." They Skyped on Sunday nights.

"But it will be better 'cause we're here."

"Oh, I don't know." But now he was just teasing her. "I don't think you can stay awake for a story. You fell asleep last time."

"But it was really long. And it was Matty's." She turned to Kate. "Dinosaurs," she said, obviously dismayed.

Kate wrinkled her nose sympathetically. The way KaraLynn bobbed her head, Kate could tell she'd earned points for sharing the girl's non-affinity for the large, long-distinct reptiles.

"And it's my turn to pick."

"Oh, your turn? When do I get a turn?"

"You don't get a turn, Silly. You get to make them up."

"Ah." Rick eyed the three of them, Matteo curled into Kate's chest, struggling to keep his eyes open and KaraLynn sitting between them, obviously tired but not wanting to miss anything. "What do you think, Kate? Would you like to hear a story?"

"I'm always game for a Rick Castle original."

"Really? I'll remember that next time—"

"Story, Castle. No aliens. Or dinosaurs."

"Sorry, but it's KaraLynn's pick." He pulled the little girl onto his lap. "Come on, Cutie. What am I making up tonight?"

"I want to hear the one about Princess Kate."

Castle grinned. Perfect. It was one of his favorites that he'd made up for the kids. Kate narrowed her eyes at him. He ignored her, though, and settled KaraLynn more comfortably in his arms.

"Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess named Kate. But Princess Kate wasn't any ordinary princess. No. She was a warrior princess."

"Who hated to be called 'Princess,' KaraLynn chimed in.

At least Castle got that part right, Kate thought.

"That's right," Rick answered.

"Now Princess Kate was not like other princesses of the time. Though she was by far the prettiest of all the princesses. She was rich and always well-dressed, but she didn't care about those things. Of course, she let her father buy her pretty things—if only because it made him feel better. She let the maid servants fit her in fine dresses and warm her linens before she slid into bed at night. But she didn't care about these things.

It was hard to care about these little things—or the big things, for that matter—for poor Princess Kate suffered a fate no other in the kingdom shared. Her memory maker had been stolen. It was taken from her by an evil shaman who wreaked havoc on their planted hills and sent spirits to terrify to the townspeople. He was the worst kind of evil, taking pleasure in causing others pain. She'd led their able knights on numerous crusades to capture the shaman, but he, with his black magic, was always one step ahead.

Finally, they'd caught up to him. Princess Kate seized his staff and cast a spell on him of her own that another, kind, but less powerful magic man had shared with her. The evil shaman was imprisoned and given a speedy—but fair—trial. Still, the townsmen found him guilty, and her father, the King, sentenced the evil shaman to death.

Without her father knowing, the evil shaman cast a spell with his last words.

If death and I shall meet this day,

My captor's memories take away,

No more memories shall she make,

Guard them, dragon, after my wake.

The fair princess, she shall cry,

Seeking always the day you die.

So now, the princess wandered the immaculate castle, planning ways to find and slay the dragon. Because without her memory maker, she was stuck in the past. She couldn't make new memories—and she couldn't care about all the things her father and everyone else who adored her would do for her—except in the moment, because she'd forget their kindnesses in the very next.

The princess' greatest desire was to be able to make memories with her friends and not see disappointment flash in her father's eyes or her friends' eyes when they mentioned something she couldn't recall. So, she searched, and she hunted the dragon.

For years she sought the dragon. The townspeople would return from their treks to far-off lands, always inquiring on her behalf and bringing her each tidbit they learned. Knights from other kingdoms would call on the fair princess with news of the dragon's whereabouts and promises to assist. A prince or two rode under the iron portcullis offering their cavalries and infantrymen in hopes of gaining the fair maiden's hand. Of course, she declined. How could she knowingly welcome anyone to share in her despair?

And each time she thought she had enough, she'd gather her men and they'd go after the dragon. Inevitably, she'd come home empty-handed and spend days wandering from the stables to the keep. It was hardest when the reconnaissance proved correct and she'd get a glimpse of him—maybe even a few jabs from her sword. But the dragon would always flee. He'd rise up on his wings and breathe fire down on them. The truth was, she didn't know how to fight him and win. And the idea of sacrificing more of her men—well, it broke her heart.

She couldn't do it anymore. The Princess decided she would do as her father wished and take her place among their people—even if it meant she'd never make another memory. She was passing through the refectory, on her way to her father's chamber to tell him of her decision, when a maidservant stopped her.

'Your father, the king. He summons for you,' she said with great urgency and great excitement.

'Where is he, Mathilda?'

'In the Great Hall, m'lady,' she answered. 'With a handsome Nobleman.'

Princess Kate raced through to the Great Hall and joined her father and the man he was with. Many had joined them, excited to see what this newcomer refused to share with anyone but the princess.

'Katie, my darling,' her father beckoned her to the chair beside him. But the princess refused. She stood steadfastly before the man who'd knelt down before her. She was inexplicably drawn to him.

'This man comes bearing a gift for you,' she heard her father say. But she could feel it. He held something important. She wished only that he would speak and reveal his reason for being there.

'Speak, Sir. I beg of you. What is your reason? Why do you kneel before me?'

'My lady, forgive me. I did not know that he was yours to slay. I only protected my flock.'

The Nobleman raised a wooden box above his head in offering to the Princess. And she knew. She knew what this was. She lifted the lid and breathed in. For though the box appeared empty to the Nobleman, it held something only she could grasp and retain.

She pulled the Nobleman to his feet and smiled a smile at him that was so brilliant the sunlight shining in seemed to dim in comparison.

'How did you…?'

'I lured him with a tainted goat. Then tracked him and cut his throat.'

'Just you?'

'I thought it better not to announce myself.'

'But as he lay dying words teemed around us though we were quite alone. 'To the princess her memory maker return.' That's it. Over and over. At first, I knew not what the words meant, but then I recalled a fairy tale about a princess searching for a dragon to slay in order to break an evil spell.'

'It is broken. I can tell. I can feel it.' The princess couldn't stop smiling.

'Are you sure daughter?'

'How shall I prove it?'

'Have you any new memories?' the King asked.

'Not yet,' she answered, as she pulled the Nobleman to her and kissed him. She closed her eyes and could still recall the blue of his. Finally, amid cheers, she pulled away from the Nobleman who never expected such a fine reward from the beautiful princess.

'But this?' she said. 'This I shall never forget!'

"Nor shall I!" the Nobleman answered.

And they lived happily ever after. And made a million, gazillion new memories. The end."

"Thus, ends the story of Princess Kate. And, were KaraLynn still awake, she'd remind us—well, me—

that there's no such thing as a gazillion."

With her head lolled back on the couch, Kate turned to smile at him.

"It's a nice story, Castle. But, just one thing missing."

Castle gave her a quizzical look. "What's that?"

"What, pray tell, was this nobleman's name?"

"Why Reginald, of course."

Kate chortled. "Oh, of course."

"Shh! They're both out!"

Kate tucked her chin to glance down at Matteo who was resting heavily on her chest. He was definitely out. With his head scrunched back on his neck, he was even drooling a little.

"Let me take KaraLynn up, and I'll come back for him."

"No. I've got him."

Rick waited for her to hitch Matteo higher onto her shoulder and then led the way to the guest room.

"If they're in here—"

"I'm crashing on the couch. I thought Steph would be more comfortable not climbing stairs and with a bathroom close by. She's so pregnant."

"Yeah, she is. Looks uncomfortable."

Kate wasn't exactly sure how to accomplish laying the child down without rousing him, so she waited for Rick to take him from her arms. Bad plan. Castle managed to graze the sides of each of her breasts—and make it look unavoidable. But she was sure he paused and pressed in on her before lifting Matteo away. Even if he hadn't—even if she was just imagining things—her body reacted as though he had. She excused herself to the bathroom.

Rick was still smirking as he made his way back downstairs. Serves her right for being so damn sexy. He put a movie in a plopped down, low on the couch. He pulled the picture Ashley had given him for his birthday from the side table. Ashley had silhouetted the photo he had of himself and Alexis, made it smaller and put it at the bottom left of the frame. That was overlaid on a full-color photo, that he'd cropped himself and one of their guides out of so, that it looked like it was just the two of them standing side-by-side on the cliff where they had picnicked. They were standing closer together, but he was looking down at his daughter while she looked up at him—just like they had years ago in smaller photo.

Ashley was really quite talented, and having the kids here made him feel all nostalgic. They grow too fast.

Kate slid onto the cushion right next to him—closer than he imagined she would. She let a sleepy Sherlock drop from her arms to her lap. He thought she'd be bidding him goodnight, especially after that stunt he'd pulled. Instead, she tapped the silhouetted portion of the picture.

"I have one just like that of my dad and me. Mom took it my first day of Kindergarten."

Castle hummed. "You were lucky, then." Lucky. Then. Were. He didn't mean it how it sounded. "One of Alexis' school friend's moms took this. At the park. Gave it to me a few months later. I didn't even know she'd taken it."

"I know what you meant, Castle." She thought a moment before leaning into him, nudging him slightly. "I was lucky. Blessed."

Castle nodded, but was obviously pensive. She leaned back and rested her head on his shoulder, looking at the picture with him. She petted Sherlock absentmindedly. "And I am. Again," she said quietly.

Castle tapped her head with his.

"It must have been hard…not having anyone around to take pictures. I mean, I know you have a lot of Alexis…but of the two of you?"

"Eh, we did alright. I mean I was luckier than most. I could be there for her, for her things at school. Flexible schedule. And for the most part, I dictated my own travel schedule and she could go with me. It was better than…"

"Growing up?"

Castle shrugged. "That was fine, too."

Kate squeezed his arm. "Even not having…"

"Don't go pitying me. I mean, yeah, I think about it, but less so as I've gotten older. And at least I wasn't shuffled around between divorced parents that couldn't get along, feeling like neither wanted me like some of my friends were."

"I guess. I just wish you hadn't missed out. Hadn't had nannies or been shipped off to school. That you had a dad who wanted to teach you to play ball and take you to ballgames, like I did. He should have had a son."

"I'm not sure whether my father would or wouldn't have wanted to do those things."

Kate turned her head into him understandingly. He didn't know if his father even knew about him. He didn't know anything about whoever had donated to his DNA, so it was entirely plausible that this donor—if his mother even knew who he was—didn't even know he existed.

"Really," Castle assured her. "I've got nothing to complain about. Can't blame her, you know? If she'd put her dreams on hold, she'd have resented me. And she was already on her own, so she had to make a living somehow. Besides, it paid off. Sent me to all the best private schools. And she always encouraged me to cultivate my imagination—even when her husbands or boyfriends didn't like it."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't bring it up. I just…I wish you'd been blessed the same way I was. You deserved that, too. And I think you'd have appreciated it more than…maybe anyone else I know."

"You only think that now because I didn't have it then. Besides, I am blessed. Who do you know who's more blessed than me? I've got my mother, Alexis. Great friends. A job I love—getting to annoy the hell out of you. I don't struggle to live in the world's most expensive city. And, on top of all that, my best friend is sitting beside me worrying that I'm not happy enough."

Kate's heart swelled. She knew he cared for her, but he'd never actually called her his best friend before. And even Lanie, the woman she called her best friend, understood that it was really Rick who held that honor and knew her better than anyone.

"How many times was she married?"

Just drop it already, Kate. But she couldn't help it. She wanted to know more about him, how he felt. She almost groaned at herself. So typically female. When did I become that 'Let's talk about our feelings!' girl? Maybe I should gather up all my girlfriends and stand in the corner giggling at him, while I'm at it?

"Just twice. And, you know? Having me didn't help. And I didn't make it any easier on her—especially that second time."

"I'm sure it was hard on her being a single mother, but no harder on her than you."

"Maybe in some ways. But it was different 40 years ago than twenty. And she was never married to my father. People just assumed she was…well, anyway. I definitely had it easier. Most people assumed I was a widower or just out for the day with my daughter. And for the most part, people—especially women, for whatever reason—are kinder to a single father than a single mother." Or, they just want to snag a rich, responsible man.

"Or they just wanted to get in your pants," Kate teased.

"Maybe. But even little things."

"Like?"

"Like taking Alexis to the bathroom. When she was really little, it didn't matter. But then when she got a little older, I didn't want her in there with other men. It always seemed like there was a mom or a kind grandmother around to help her out. I hated it, but imagine what my mom went through. Would you want to send your son into a nasty bathroom alone? 'Cause men don't volunteer to help—and if they did, there's no way in hell you'd let your son go in with him."

"Did that ever happen?"

"No. Well…not that I recall."

The two sat there for a while, quietly contemplating. Sherlock had stretched out between their laps and Kate was still leaned into Rick's side. I should go, she thought.

"So…anything spectacular on your DVR?"

"Probably not. You're staying?"

"Unless you want your bed back?"

He smiled at her, with wiggling brows. "I like my bed like this. I put in The Walking Dead."

Alexis had given him Season 1 for his birthday and a few other things so he wouldn't get suspicious about his real present.

"Zombies, Castle?"

"If you're game."

"Okay, I'll bite."

"So long as you're not a walker."

Don't be mad at me if I told you in a review response that the boat was going to be the next chapter! I really thought it was going to be. But…you know…I couldn't resist these sweet moments. And I promise, next chapter? Party on boat and more sweet moments…before I make you all really want to kill me. [You all make it really hard to stick to my plan, but I'm gonna do it. I'm going to stick to my plan. I'm going to stick to my plan. And yes, I do repeat that to myself on a daily basis.] I promise you'll like it in the end. Especially those of you who…well, nevermind. I don't want to give too much away.

Hope you liked this installment. Next chapter in 2012. Happy final days of 2011. Hope you all had a better year than I did. It started off really bad, but it's ending on a good note!