Tolerable
She's awake. One arm is propping her head up enough that she can see the alarm clock on his side of the bed – they moved it after one too many times when they were late to work after she hit the 'off' button and went back to sleep. His face is hidden, the pillows obscuring everything except the tips of his ears and the mess of his hair.
She feels bad. He's been behind on writing and sleep and everything because she's been cranky and not wanting to move from the couch. So he's been the one out doing the grocery shopping and making lunch and dinner.
And he's been so good about it.
So when the green numbers on the clock switch to 12:00, the little dot in the corner going from PM to AM, Kate leans forward to touch her lips to his hair.
"Happy Father's Day, Castle."
He grumbles, shifting so that she can see his eyes crack open in the darkness. "Hmm?"
"It's Father's Day." She flops back on her side, fingers searching for the curve of his shoulder through the warm sheets and his t-shirt. "And you're a father. So… Happy Father's Day."
Castle moves to snuggle into her side, wrapping an arm over her extended stomach. "Almost a father again," he murmurs against her neck.
"Few more weeks." Kate rests her hand over his wrist, curling her fingers around him. "Besides, you have Alexis already. What's one more?"
It's awkward as he tries to drape himself over her and just ends up with their legs tangled and his chest pressing against her arm. The kiss, though, is anything but uncoordinated as he tips her chin up to slant his lips over hers. When she starts to sigh, her foot inching up to his knee, he pulls back.
"This one matters just as much as Alexis did. Does." He gives her another soft kiss. "You matter."
She turns her head, tucking it into his arm. "You're a good dad, Castle. One of the first things I loved about you." Her voice is sleepy, already drifting back into unconsciousness. "Made you tolerable."
"Tolerable?"
"Mhm. You were kinda an ass besides that."
He squeezes her fingers before pulling the sheets up over them. "And now?"
"Now I just love you. Go back to bed, Dad."