He needed a compass, a map straight to where he wanted to go. It was so much easier in the real world. Log onto Google Maps, plug in your current location and your destination and follow the instructions.
That didn't work with people's hearts. He was left seeking the right path, trying to avoid wrong turns, taking detours in order to keep away from shortcuts. Normally, he'd be all for the fastest way to his goal, but this case was different.
He was going to be in this for keeps. The quickest path wouldn't cut it this time. That's the path he took with his first two. But she was going to count. If that meant he spent years finding his way into her heart then so be it.
He stepped off the elevator, circled around the wall dividing the bullpen from the rest of the floor, and set her coffee next to her keyboard. "Good morning, Detective."
As her hand wrapped around the cup, he could only imagine how it would feel when those same fingers wrapped around his own fingers.
"Morning, Castle."
Her soft smile as she took the first sip of coffee was enough to confirm his thoughts. He'd keep seeking out the correct path just to see her smile like that every morning when they woke up together and every night when they fell asleep.