Warmth
He wakes slowly, pale morning sunlight tickling his nose and soft pat-pat-pats tapping on his naked back. His eyes feel gritty still, glued shut and he keeps them closed, at first, honing in on the beats on his skin, drifting with the almost indiscernible rhythm. It's lulling and he feels like he floats, in that half-aware state between waking and dreaming, his body sluggish, too heavy to move.
Soft humming joins the thudding over his shoulder blades, the tune becoming clearer with the melodious tones of her voice and the smile slowly spreads on his face. He gives himself another moment, letting the now familiar rhythm tug him into awareness, a languid stretch and then he turns over, opens his eyes to the bright, gorgeous smile of his wife.
Kate is sitting by his waist, a knee folded under herself, their daughter sitting in the firm grasp of her palms. Her fingers are splayed beneath the girl's chubby thighs and she lifts each leg in rhythm, tapping the baby's naked feet onto his stomach now. The humming blends into words as she starts singing, her eyes melting with his, warm, flooded with love.
"Happy Birthday to you…" The baby's eyes widen at her mother's first words, and then a grin splits her round, dimpled cheeks, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Happy Birthday to you…" The girl's arms wave with the melody, the little chubby hands slapping together in what approximates clapping, her whole little body arching with pure joy. She loves music and singing, especially when it's Kate and he just lies there, listening to Kate's voice, watching his happy little baby girl.
"Happy Birthday, dear daddy…" She grins at the words and he laughs with her, reaching out a hand to curl around Kate's waist. "Happy Birthday to you."
She lifts the baby over to him and he reaches for his daughter, cradles her to his chest while Kate curls up next to him, her head resting on her elbow, watching them quietly. Their daughter gurgles happily, blowing spit bubbles while her fingers pinch his skin, suddenly interested in a few of his chest hairs.
"Ouch," he winces and Kate giggles, dislodging the tiny fingertips. She kisses the corner of his mouth, nudging her nose into his cheek.
"Happy Birthday Castle," she murmurs softly and he turns toward her, finding her mouth. He kisses her, tongue curling inside, tasting her deeply, full of longing and happiness and heart until she makes that soft whimpering noise in the back of her throat.
His daughter curled into his chest, drooling on him; his wife pressed to his side, warm and lithe and happy. His heart thuds thickly, his insides limned with warmth.
Best birthday morning ever.