Castle is still not mine.

Hour 10

It's been about nine hours, a bit longer, since Beckett came to the loft last night. And she has already changed me. Because you see, if ten hours ago an amazing woman had thrown herself to me in the safety of my own house (meaning, not just a crazy fan at a book sign- Kate ruined that for me with her head turner entrance to the Storm reading a few years ago-), I would have grabbed her and taken her to my bedroom.

And in the whole lot of activities we would have done, sleeping wouldn't have been a top priority. And then Kate came rushing in 9 hours ago, and we've kissed, hugged, snuggled in the nude, but I still can't say she is completely mine. And I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen for a few hours at least.

"I'm hungry," she says.

If only she knew just how hungry I am, but how little food will do to satisfy it. "So I'm guessing it's safe for me to assume we're not only having coffee, we are sharing breakfast," is what I offer, as a compromise, even if it's far from what I want.

"Well, seeing it's a little over eleven I'd say it's more brunch. What do you say Castle? Do you think you can feed you partner some eggs?"

"Eleven? Did we really sleep that much?"

"Don't look so sad Rick…was I really that disappointing as a blanket?"

What is she talking about? How could she ever be a disappointment? I put my hands on her face and with the sweetest voice I can muster I answer the most stupid question I've heard in my life: "Kate, trust me when I say there is nothing you can do, say or think that could ever disappoint me. You are truly the finest, softest, prettiest blanket I've ever had, but if we really slept 10 hours, two more than I had assume, then, well, I AM a little disappointed over the fact that we now only have like about 60 hours left of our clothes optional Castle-Beckett festival".

"But Rick, don't you know the rules to our own festival? It only starts when we say so. It didn't begin the moment I said I wanted you Castle! As a matter of fact, I'm glad it didn't because I know Alexis will come thru that door any minute now, and I doubt she'd appreciate us being naked all the time…"

I didn't like were this was going…

"No Beckett, no backing up! After four years of foreplay we deserve to have at least three days to ourselves!" And for good measure I drop the spatula (yeah, we started cooking brunch right around the blanket thing), put the knife she's handling down, and kiss her. I really love kissing her. It's so good. To know I can do that? That I have this 'all time pass' to her mouth is enough to make me forget about my complaints. But what the heck! "Beckett did you just use my own spatula against me?"

"Yes I did! Castle I know I hurt you. I know I made you doubt my love and commitment to you by lying to you about the whole 'I love you' thing, but please, stop doubting and second guessing me. I love you, I want you and I need you. My hope to have you inside of me is as deep as your need to be with me, but I want for it to be perfect, uninterrupted and honest. I'm not pushing you away, I'm not delaying it with lame excuses such as coffee and pancakes. I really am hungry, but I do want to be sure your daughter won't catch us in the act and I still need for us to talk."

"No Kate, it's not about doubting! It's just about needing…" And that earns me another kiss. My god, I love this woman! I really could spend a whole day, a whole 24 hours of our festival just kissing those soft, velvet like lips.

"C'mon, finish the eggs and bacon, I'm done with the fruit salad and the toasts are also done. The coffee is ready and…" She's interrupted by the keys in the other side of the door. Alexis is here. "Oh my god Castle! You said afternoon! She's here already! What is she going to think?"

I try to calm her down as best as I can: "Beckett, it's ok, I know for a fact she'll be ok with this new development! She's been cheering for us from the very beginning."

"But things have changed Castle. I know I hurt her this summer, and she can't let go of the whole I-put-her-father-in-danger-on-a-daily-basis thing."

"Dad! I'm home! Oh, hi dad. Detective Beckett? What are you doing here? And why is your phone off? Lanie has been trying to reach you for the last 10 hours! She must have called me 10 times cause neither one of you were answering you phones…are those matching t-shirts? Dad what is going on! You promised me I'd be the first to know if this ever happened! The stakes at the precinct bet are way too high right now for me to loose!"

"What bet! Castle you knew about a bet! Why the hell are they betting on us? And why haven't I heard about this? I want my share of the winnings!"

And to this I had to answer "Kate, you can't bet neither against nor for your own horse! Why would you get a share?"

"But dad! I thought we were splitting my winnings? Does that mean I get them all?"

Aaaand the magic poking finger appears! "Richard Alexander Rogers you are dead meat! And remember, I know people who can make it look like an accident! I've got people in really low places, so you better invest that money in taking me out to dinner!"