A/N: Okay, I need some feedback here. The end of the story as I originally intended it is coming up in the next few chapters. So you tell me... Do you want to see the wedding and the birth? I can do it... I am in love with these characters and have become very invested. But if no one is interested I can just write it in my mind :D.

A/N #2: As much as I love Castle, I adore Beckett more. She is such a complex character, with so many emotions she hasn't even tapped yet. That being said... here we go.

A/N #3: Time Ripple! (At some point...)

Castle could feel the need in his offspring for distance and loosened his arms; letting them fall. She smiled at him gratefully.

"We'll talk." Alexis promised. "Just maybe... maybe not now."

The writer nodded. "Whenever you're ready, sweetheart."

Nodding, the redhead turned, walking towards the stairs. Only to stop in her tracks when Kate walked out of her fathers bedroom.

Beckett did the same; her lips moving silently as she stared at the younger woman.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then Alexis crossed the space towards her, wrapping her arms around the detective tightly.

"It wasn't about you." She whispered.

Kate wrapped herself around the younger woman in return. "I know."

The redhead took a deep breath; tightening her arms before letting the older woman go.

"Just so you know..." She cleared her throat. "There is no one else I would trust... or want... to take care of my dad."

Beckett swallowed, her eyes filling with tears as she blinked at the younger woman.

"Okay." Alexis squeezed her hands. "I can't hang out with you guys all day. I have plans."

The detective grinned. "Anything interesting we should know about?"

The redhead's answering smile was inscrutable. "I'll let you know later."

The doorbell had rung for a third time before Castle even acknowledged it, looking up from his laptop in frustration, hoping to see his mother or Alexis headed down the stairs.

But there was no sign of them. And Beckett was getting dressed in the next room. He could hear her.

Smiling, Castle thought about surprising her; the images in his mind decidedly lascivious as the doorbell rang yet again.

"Dad?" He heard Alexis call down from upstairs. "Can you get the door? I'm still getting dressed!"

With a sigh, he hit save twice and then closed the top of his laptop. Standing, he realized by the creaking of his joints that it was probably a good time to take a break anyway. With a much better disposition, he walked to the door; throwing it open with a smile.

A smile that immediately froze on his face.

"Tabrett." Castle used his best book-signing grin on the lovely blonde girl. "How are you... this morning? On a Saturday..." He blinked. "Which... is not a school day. So... this visit is not... school related."

The Australian flashed him a brilliant smile, reminding him WAY too much of himself. "No. I am not here on school-related business." She held out her hand, smiling when Castle took it automatically. "I'm here to give Alexis surfing lessons."

"Surfing... As in... the ocean? Where there are sharks?"

Tabrett tried hard not to laugh. "You do realize that you are more likely to die from a coconut than a shark attack, right?"

"How?" Castle blinked. "What are people doing with these coconuts?"

"Dad!"

The writer turned, watching his daughter descend the stairs in a black, leather mini skirt and a T-shirt he was sure hadn't been her size for about ten years. Her hair was curled, shimmering red in the morning light. "Alexis?" He choked. "What AREN'T you wearing?"

"Dad..." His daughter frowned.

And then Kate was there, taking him by the arm; pulling him back towards the kitchen. She grabbed his chin and pulled him down into a deep kiss. "What's for breakfast?"

Rick stared at her.

Honestly, everyone in the room stared at her.

"Whatever... whatever you want." He finally choked out, staring at the tight jeans and even tighter halter top that looked like it had been painted on.

"Damn."

Alexis looked at Tabrett in surprise.

The blonde reached out and touched her cheek. "Talk about amazing genes."

"Oh, no." Alexis shook her head quickly. "Kate's not my mom."

Tabrett smiled. "But she could be... right?"

The redhead's forehead furrowed. "I don't..."

"Yeah, ya do." The Australians accent caused all kinds of havoc up and down her spine. "You... You're the kind of person that needs love, Alexis. That isn't a bad thing. It's an honest thing. And that woman could give you a lot of what you've been missing."

Alexis bit her lower lip. "And what about you?" She flushed as she realized what she had just said.

"Me?" Tab moved in, hooking her fingers into the waist of the redhead's miniskirt to pull her closer. "I'd like to try to give you the rest."

Alexis felt herself falling into bright green eyes and swallowed hard. Taking Tab's hand she headed up the stairs.

Which finally cut through the Beckett-Haze fogging up Castle's mind. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" He raised his hand. "Alexis... Pumpkin... you know the rule..."

His daughter smiled at him. "Which rule?"

"No... boys... in your bedroom."

"And I promise not to break that rule." She continued on, dragging Tab behind her; the blonde casting worried looks at the man below.

He moved to follow them, only stopping when the pressure on his arm increased. He looked down; seeing Beckett's hand... and the ring... on her finger.

"She's seventeen, Castle."

He closed his eyes.

"And even if she wasn't... she'll always be Alexis."

Castle turned and gripped Kate's waist tightly. "But... she's all grown up."

"And smart. Smarter than either of us."

He nodded slowly.

"She'll always be your little girl, Castle. But that doesn't mean you don't have to eventually let go."

"And if she gets hurt?"

Kate cupped his face in her hands. "Then you be there to help her through it. That's the best you can do." She kissed his lips gently.

"Do I get a prize for being a good dad?" His hands slid lower, cupping her ass as he pulled her into him.

"You're unbelievable."

"I've heard that before."

She rolled her eyes. "And you want to get laid right now?"

Castle looked at her innocently. "You're my fiancé... doesn't that mean I can pretty much expect to get laid right now?" Kate's eyes widened, her mouth settling in a grim line before he laughed and nuzzled her neck. "I will always want you. Whenever you want me..."

Sighing, Beckett gave in. "I will always want you...too." She took a deep breath when he bit down on her neck. "And... now seems good..."

A/N: Please review if you have time! Thanks to all that have!