Short and sweet, but I felt like this one needed to stand on its own.

Little Girl Lost

The morning sun peeked over the horizon, casting bright rays and long shadows over the landscape. Every tree appeared ten times as tall as it truly was, the shadows stretching across the ground and falling in streaks over the porch. Kate smiled as the sun hit her face, enjoying the warmth of summer that was finally beginning to break through the cool spring air.

She was seated in a wicker chair on the porch, clad in a button-down shirt and boxers, her bare legs curled up in front of her to stave off the light morning breeze. Her hair was semi-secured in the braid she'd slept in, wisps of it gently framing her face, catching the air currents and brushing across her skin.

Kate took a moment to appreciate the beauty of it all, to take in the sunrise, unmarred by the buildings and traffic and noise of the city. It was so rare that she got to be outside to witness the break of day, especially in a place like this. It was so calm and peaceful.

She curled her toes into the chair as she bent over and retrieved the small notebook from the ground next to her. A string of cases and the return of Alexis from college had severely limited the amount of alone time they'd had in the last two weeks, and they hadn't touched the notebook since then.

But it was Memorial weekend, and she'd taken an extra personal day and they'd left last night to make it an extended vacation. Alexis and Martha and Jim would be joining them on Saturday, but for today it was just the two of them and the ocean and the sand and the beach house and a giant, relaxing jacuzzi.

Kate squinted into the sun as she flipped open the book, found the next entry. It was dated April 2009. Over five years ago. So many of those times were chronicled in her mind, moments between them she'd never forget, for various reasons. But she was so glad Castle had written it all down, because he captured the details, the quotes, the feelings she hadn't realized he'd had, certainly not back then. In the uncensored situation of writing in a journal, he'd been unafraid to voice the things that both had kept hidden for so long.

His CIA theories may have been way off base, but his letters, especially the more personal ones, were a constant surprise. She loved the way his mind worked, and these were no exception.

Kate,

I found myself wondering today whether you want to have kids. From what I can deduce, it doesn't seem to be something you have planned in your near future. But someday, if you get married and decide to have a family, your kids will be so lucky. I can tell.

You were amazing with little Angela. The way you comforted her. The way you fell asleep in her room, like you were watching over her even though she wasn't there. You're a natural. It shouldn't surprise me, really, with the level of empathy you exhibit on a regular basis.

I have no idea how you feel about the topic, which is why I didn't say anything to you. It didn't seem like my place. I know the pain of losing your mother still runs strong, and I'm sure it influences your feelings on the matter. But I'm telling you as a father – being a parent is the single best thing that's ever happened to me. It's amazing. There's absolutely nothing like it. And I'd hate to see you miss out on such a wonderful aspect of life because of what happened to you.

I know I have no right to be saying these things to you, because I hardly know you. And I highly doubt you'd ever want to have this conversation with me. But after seeing you with Angela, I just feel like someone should tell you what it's like.

You'd be amazing, Kate. You'd be such a good mother. And I truly hope someday you have the chance to raise a family.

-Castle

Just as she finished reading, Kate heard the glass doors slide open behind her, footsteps on the balcony. She was staring, entranced, at the page, at his words, and looked up only when Castle squatted down in front of her, rested his hands on the chair on either side of her feet.

Her eyes were wide and searching, shimmering a dark liquid green in the early morning light, and she was gazing at him with so much love it threw him off-balance.

"Kate?"

She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

"Kate?" he probed again. "What's going on?"

She dropped her feet to the ground, held up the journal.

"You brought it?"

She nodded, wordlessly handed it over to him.

Oh. Oh.

Kids. She was thinking about kids.

It wasn't something they'd discussed, and Castle always figured he'd be okay with whatever she wanted. After all, he'd already had the chance to be a father. If he could do so again, he'd be absolutely thrilled. If not...well, he had Alexis. And he had Kate.

But given the look in her eyes, there was apparently a conversation they needed to have.

"Yes," she said softly before he could figure out the right words.

"Yes what?"

"I think I do. Want kids," she clarified shakily. "Not now but… someday. I want us to."

Now it was Castle's turn to be rendered speechless. Kate Beckett wanted to have children with him. Which meant she was prepared to be with him for... well, forever. It wasn't a complete surprise. They were living together. They'd been together for over two years. The 'forever' conversation was already under their belts, albeit in an abstract future kind of way. But kids – this was so much more.

"It's always scared me," she admitted softly. "I have a dangerous job and I hate knowing that I'd be bringing them into the world with the possibility of suffering the way I did. But with you, I want to start a family."

The journal clattered to the deck as his hands rose to cup her cheeks, pull her in for a deep kiss.

"God, yes," he murmured against her lips when they finally separated, breathing hard, eyes dark. "So much, Kate."

"Someday," she promised, leaning in for another kiss.

"Someday," he echoed softly.

Thoughts?