Author's Note: Sorry for the lack of update. I'm on spring break. YAY! Thanks for reading and reviewing! Let me know how you think the story is progressing! Enjoy!
We all sat around the fireplace in the living room watching a Christmas movie. All the couples were snuggled up with each other, Martha on the other hand held a wine glass in one hand and critiqued the acting. Alexis and I were on one of the couches. She was curled up next to me, her head laying on my chest, her hand drawing small circles on the other side. If I could spend the rest of my life having her like this, I swear my life would be complete.
Jenny and Ryan were the firsts to turn in for the night as they had Sarah Grace to attend to. Martha was next as she had way too much to drink. Lanie and Esposito were next, I'm pretty sure they had separate rooms but they only used one.
I shook Alexis and she drowsily climbed the stairs, leaning against me. She opened the door to her bedroom, as I walked past her, she grabbed my arm and pulled me into her room.
"Alexis, you heard your dad. He wants separate rooms."
"I don't." She said starting to undress.
"Alexis…"
"Just get in the bed, Jasper." She said throwing on one of my t-shirts that she must have packed for herself.
"Ok, ok." I smiled, ridding myself of my button-up and pants. Leaving me in only boxers. I climbed in next to her and laid on my side to look at her. She leaned over as well, snuggling into my body. Her head under my chin. We soon fell into a deep slumber.
The morning sun shined brightly through the windows in the bedroom. I had just woken up to the smell of coffee that permeated the air. I slowly slid out of bed and out of Alexis's grasp. I would have woken her up as well if she had not looked so adorable. I put my pants on quickly and grabbed my clothing from last night. Opening the door slowly, I heard Martha and Castle bickering downstairs. Down the hall, I heard Ryan and Jenny calming their baby girl down. I stepped into my bedroom and quickly showered, changing into black jeans, red button up, and a dark blue sweater with brown loafers.
I threw open the bedroom door and walked down the staircase. Lanie, Beckett, and Martha sat around the living room chatting while Castle was in the kitchen fixing the ham that we would be having later tonight.
"Good morning, Jasper. How'd you sleep?" Martha asked.
"Good morning, Martha. I slept great. How about you?"
"Slept like a baby from all that alcohol."
I laughed as I walked into the kitchen, grabbing a cup of coffee.
"Mr. Castle, I was wondering if maybe you and I could talk for a minute?"
"Yea, sure." He said wiping his hands on a kitchen towel. "Kate, watch the oven for me. Don't let Mother touch anything." He said leading me into what must have been his study. He sat down behind his desk and I sat in the chair in front of it. "So, what did you want to talk about?"
"I wanted to ask you something regarding Alexis."
"Go on."
"Sir, I love your daughter. She makes me happy and I want to make her feel happy, loved, and safe for the rest of my life. I know that you and I got off to a pretty rocky start with my father and all, but I wanted to ask for your blessing. I want to ask Alexis to marry me."
He cleared his throat, "Jasper, I'm going to be honest with you. I don't think you two are ready to handle marriage. I mean you and Alexis are both very young. Let me tell you something, I was your age when I met this girl named Kira. We fell in love and I asked her to marry me. I look back now and I realize how young I was and how was acting on impulse. How long have you and Alexis been dating?"
"Four months."
"Is four months long enough to warrant marriage?"
"I love her, Mr. Castle."
"I'm not saying you don't. I'm saying, why rush it?"
"Why wait?"
"To make your relationship successful and strong."
"So, you're saying no."
"It's not my decision." He said standing and leaving me in the office alone.
I sat there for what felt like hours, staring out the window that was behind Castle's desk. I reached into my pocket and pulled the ring out. I looked at it, rotating it around; the diamond catching the light.
"Hey." I heard Alexis say from behind me.
I quickly shoved the ring in my pocket, "Hey, you're up."
"Yea. Why didn't you wake me?" She said coming over and sitting in my lap.
"You are adorable when you sleep. Especially when you drool a little on my chest, that's the cutest thing." I said wrapping my arms around her waist.
"Liar." She said leaning in and touching her lips to mine. "Listen, my Dad wanted me to run into town and grab a couple of things for dinner. Do you want to come with me?" She said running my hands through my hair.
"Yea, sure." I said running my hand up her thigh, starting to kiss her neck.
"Jasper…we need to go." She giggled.
"It can wait." I said shutting her up with my mouth. Our tongues battled for dominance. It was fast and heated until Alexis started slowing it down. She pulled away, gasping for air.
"Come on, Casanova." She said standing and pulling me up by my hand.
We pulled into the parking lot of the grocer and walked inside. Alexis had the grocery list in her hand while I pushed the cart beside her. It was all very domestic. She walked through every aisle with ease and threw the items from the list into the cart. she turned the corner when we heard a woman's voice.
"Alexis?"
Alexis turned at the sound of her name being called.
"Paige?" Alexis said hugging the girl. "I didn't know you were coming to the Hampton's."
"I came with my boyfriend's family or should I say fiancé." Paige said holding up her left hand.
"Oh my god, it's gorgeous. Congratulations." Alexis said said hugging the girl again. "Oh, Paige, this is Jasper Bracken, my boyfriend."
"Oh, I heard about you. You're the sexy, new city council member. You had my vote." She said holding out her hand.
"Thank you." I said, unsure of how to respond.
"So, Alexis, when are you getting one of these?" She asked.
"Oh, I don't know, Paige. Listen, we actually have to get going, but I'll call you. Merry Christmas and congratulations." She said grabbing the cart and pulling it away from the girl.
After checking out and loading the bags into the car, we started our way back to the house.
"Sorry. Paige really knows how to make awkward situations."
"It's fine. That's pretty cool that she got engaged."
"Yea, but I don't think that's gonna last."
"Why?" I asked, my curiosity taking over.
"They're so young. I mean engagements that young don't work out that often. Don't you think?"
"Yea…yea." I said. I tried to hide my sadness.