This was supposed to be the last chapter, but I'll see what I can do about writing something regarding their first time. I will remind you guys that I already stated I don't do smut writing. As Mr Marlowe and co, I believe that there's much more in insinuating than in actually showing!
And the Catholic in me can't help quoting Benedict XVI Urbi et Orbi message in this special day that is Christmas: "Dear brothers and sisters! Kindness and truth, justice and peace have met; they have become incarnate in the child born of Mary in Bethlehem. That child is the Son of God; he is God appearing in history. His birth is a flowering of new life for all humanity. May every land become a good earth which receives and brings forth kindness and truth, justice and peace. Happy Christmas to all of you!".
Thank you for reading, and I'm sorry for the long wait!
Hour 72
"Ok, now that we all have our pizza slides and our drinks, I think it's about time you two explained how this happened."
Oh Jenny, I'm going to bite your head off before this night is over. "How did what happened?"
"Oh no you don't Kate. I'm not letting you wissel yourself out of answering that question. We deserve to know what he did to get you in full girlfriend mode overnight."
"Hey! What makes you think it was his doing?"
"Beckett, we all know it's his fault if anything wrong happens-"
"Hey, just so you know, I resent that comment"
"-BUT we all knew that when you two finally got together it was going to be because of him."
"And just so you know, I resent THAT comment Lanie! You were my friend first, you're supposed to be on my side!"
"And I am sweetie. But that doesn't change the fact that no one made a bet on you being the first one to make a move. We all really thought it was going to be Castle doing!"
"Well, in a way it was but-"
"Ha! I knew it! It had to be Castle's doing! What did he do, kissed your booboos better?"
"No! As I was saying, it was kind of his doing but I took the first step."
At their astonished faces, Castle intervenes and says: "Hey, it was true! I was alone in here, liking my own wounds, alone after Alexis graduation and hoping that Beckett would be here whilst being mad at her for once again being reckless with a lead concerning her mother's murder when she knocks on my door."
"Ok, so she knocks on your door and you kissed her?"
"No! She kissed me. Ambushed me actually. She was all wet, it was raining outside, but she just came up to me and kissed me."
"And?"
"And what Jenny?"
"What happened after that?"
"Fuiiii! Man what's wrong with your wife! That's my little sister's romantic life we're talking about! I don't need the details!"
"Little? Who're you calling little Esposito? Sister or not, girl or not, I can still kick your butt in the gym any day, any time."
"Knowing that does nothing to calm my protective feelings towards you, and I can only assume they are brotherly protective feelings Beckett."
"They better be man! I finally got the girl, I'm not giving her up!"
"Stop side tracking guys! You kissed him and that was it? You went straight to bed?"
"That's for us to know and for you to stop wondering!"
"That means yes."
"That means no comment Lanie."
"No comment means yes."
"Whatever. Either way, that all you're getting from us!"
"Good, cause that really is all I want to know!"
"Chill Espo! I'm not one to kiss and tell man!"
"Oh yeah? Since when! I seem to remember a very detailed conversation about a deep fried Twinkie."
"Since I, once again, finally got the girl I wanted!"
"Whatever man, you're soooo doomed!"
"And with that, my friend, I would have to concur. I've fallen under your sister's, little or not, spell and I'm not breaking it!"
"Told you before Mr. Castle, flattery will get you nowhere."
"Flattery or not, I'm not trying to get into your pants, I'm just making a stament."
I lean in and, I making sure no one can listen, I whisper to his ear: "Good. Cause you don't need flattery, you're getting in there as soon as everybody leaves. And before you ask, NO, you can't kick them out."
After that, dinner goes pretty uneventful. Castle and I purposefully avoid the anchovy's one, after all the dough did fall to the floor, and I notice that we're both consuming a hell of a lot less alcohol than the rest of the table. I guess we both want to make sure we have all our reflexes just right. Looking around the table to confirm my suspicions regarding the alcohol consumption, something else catches my eyes: Jenny is not drinking either. I really can't help it, I need to ask. So I do. She was after all the instigator of our own little questioning session. "Ryan, Jenny, anything special you'd like to share with the class?"
Genuinely clueless, Ryan answers "No, not really, why?" And I realize that Ryan actually doesn't know yet. And if Jenny's face is anything to go by, she barely just found out.
"No reason. I just felt like asking." At that, Kevin's wife looks up, a grateful look in her face. I breefely consider taking this as a revenge opportunity for all those unwelcomed interruptions from before, but I decide to give her a quick nod as if to tell her don't worry, your secret's safe with me, you're a part of our team and we take care of each other. That doesn't mean I won't tell Castle later tonight…on second thought, that might bring his five years old into the surface, and I'm not sure I want that little fella on our bed tonight…
Is it selfish to admit that I don't really have my mind in the talking that's going around the table? More often than not, I find myself thinking about what's going to happen in a few hours. As it is, I hate the fact that this is the last hour of what should have been our first 72 hours clothes optional festival, yet we barely did anything more than kissing. And I hate knowing that it was my doing. Four years is more than enough foreplay so I can't help asking myself if that biting I took from Madox was worthy. Yes! Of course it was! You and I both know you wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that biting. Don't you just love it when your minds voice is smarter than you? When it comes down to it, I wouldn't change our getting together for all the gold in the world. So what if it took me more than it should have to finally get the courage to be here? I'm here, I'm committed and I'm not going anywhere.
The feeling of Castle's hand around my knee brings me back to the dinner table just in time to hear Lanie say: "Hey friend. Anything you'd like to share with the rest of us?"
I turn crimson, but there's no way I' m sharing those thoughts with them. Friends or not, it still feel weird, especially with Espo and Ryan here. So, I go for the easy answer: "No, not really. And even if they were thoughts I'd be willing to share, I'm pretty sure Espo wouldn't appreciate them!"
"Argh Beckett! So not funny!" Yet we all laugh at his reaction.
"Relax Espo, I'm just kidding. I'll admit though, I was mentally cataloging my summer clothes. We promised Alexis and Martha we'd be at The Hamptons around noon and I haven't packed my bag yet." I make eye contact with Castle and I know he noticed my bluff. Gratefully, he doesn't comment on it and lets me have this small victory. The smug look on his face though lets me know that once everybody leaves all bets are off. I guess it the price to pay.
"If you want us to leave, all you have to do is say so girl…"
"What, no Lanie, I'm sorry. I really wanted to have you guys here tonight. Well, we both did. I don't know why I can't seem to remain focused. But I'm back in the table. Tell me, any gross cases since we left the precinct?" And with that, I try my best to keep my mind into the topics at hand. I'll have all summer to daydream about Castle, and better yet, to act on those dreams. But staying focused doesn't mean I can't lean over and rest my head on Castle's shoulder. His hand immediately goes around my upper halve, a gesture both comforting and a bit arousing. I guess I'm not the only one who can't keep herself to well, herself basically. But I remain active in the conversation. I meant what I said to Lanie, I really don't want for them to leave yet. This dinner took a lot of planning, and more than a bit of plotting. I refuse to let it go down the drain because I can't keep my mind out of the gutter.
As if sensing my thoughts, I feel Castle's lips come even closer to my ear and he murmurs: "Relax. The first night of the rest of our life will come soon enough. Let's enjoy the friends we have, before we set our bodies and mind into enjoying ourselves." I look up and I see in Lanie's smirk that she knows exactly what's going on, so I give into her need for evidence and kiss Castle squarely on the lips. And I do it right. She wanted gross, we'll give her gross.
"Hey! What did I tell you? If you can't keep it to yourselves get a room or something!"
"Well, if I kick you out I might be banned from my own room and why would we pay for a room somewhere else when I have a perfect bed right behind those doors." As if to make a point, he troughs his finger to his back, pointing to said bedroom.
"Oh Javier Esposito grow up! We've done a hell of a lot more than that at a restaurant. They are just discovering each other, they are supposed to be smitten!"
"Hey! This is not being smitten. This is being in love!"
"Girl are you kidding me? I defend you and you attack me? That hardly seems fair at all!"
Ahh the magic of being surrounded by friends when you could be doing so many, so much more interesting things… Deep down I know though, that seeing Espo and Ryan's friendship all patched up makes it all worthy…Very deep down…