AN: I know it's been a while, I'm sorry i took this long :( but my mid term vacations have begun now, i think I'll be updating more often :) Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Castle

Chapter 18

She woke up to a feeling she had come to term as the best feeling in the world. The feeling of her husband's lips against her skin. A lazy trail of kisses warmed herskin, as his lips strategically kissed down the back of her neck, to the place between her shoulder blades that was ever so sensitive to his touch.

She smiled lazily, her eyes still unwilling to open to the bright new day. His arm around her waist wrapped tighter around her, and she snuggled deeper into his offered embrace. She hummed softly and he chuckled. She could feel him, all of him against her and it made her feel alive. Last night made her feel alive, and this morning, his kisses were drawing out those beautiful memories of moments that would stay with them forever.

"Good morning babe" she groggily mumbled. She felt his breath against her skin, and his smiling lips. He then nuzzled his face into those golden brown tresses of hair that flowed beautifully on the pillow they were currently sharing. He inhaled deeply and in her mind she asked herself for the millionth time, how could there exist a man who loves her, head to toe, who takes every chance to worship her existence, who'd find a way even to say with no words, that he loved even her hair.

"Good morning" she heard his low deep tone. She turned slowly to look at that handsome face. She kissed him softly on the lips, slow and deep and let it linger when she pulled back, only to snuggle closer to his chest, warm and cozy, to be wrapped up in his strong arms.

"Do you have to leave today?"

He sighed "Kate you know I wouldn't if I had a choice"

She kissed his heart

"I know"

"Don't worry, it's just a week. I'll be back before you know it. The kids will keep you on your toes"

"Is that a warning?"

"I have to say, I'm afraid for you. This will be the first time I'm going to be away from Kaylee and Jamie this long"

"They're going to miss you from the moment you step out" she said with a frown.

He pulled back a little and tilted her face up to look at him.

"Don't worry, you'll do okay. I'll keep calling, and you and the girls can keep them distracted. They'll be alright"

"And what about me?"

"You've survived my absence before."

"Yea, but the more years I spend with you, the more kids I have with you," she said with a chuckle "The harder it gets to stay away from you"

He kissed her again, passionatly and lovingly, making every moment count.

"You keep say things like that, and I might just consider giving up writing all together just to avoid these book signings out of the city." she laughed and they made love once again.

It was an hour later, she had just got done making breakfast, when the girls walked in, in their PJs, Avril yawning away to glory.

"Didn't sleep much?" she asked her daughter.

"Kind of"

"She never tried" Alexis said with a smirk and Avril gave her a glare.

"Were you on your phone again?"

Avril didn't answer, simply began stuffing her mouth with her food so that she wouldn't have to answer.

"The things we sacrifice for boys." Alexis deadpanned and Kate laughed. She kissed both of them on the head, and then went on to her babies' room.

She first went to her elder one. Little Kaylee was now 3. She sat beside her little girls sleeping form and leaned over and kissed her beautiful face. The girl was growing fast and with every year, she was looking more and more angelic. The soft touch of her mother's lips, brought her out of her sleep.

"Hey baby, come on, it's time to wake up" the girl only cuddled closer to her mom and tried to go back to sleep.

She didn't want to, but she knew they'd want to say goodbye to their dad before he left. So she picked her up, carried her in her arms and said "Come on doodle bug, you daddy's going out today, and he's going to want a good bye kiss from you"

"Okay mommy" she mumbled while resting her pretty face on her mommy's shoulder. She carried her out and left her with her sisters and then returned to the room to get her youngest.

If Kaylee had looks of an angel, Jamie was the closest thing to perfection she'd ever seen. Their little baby boy was the apple to her eye. He was healthy, round, and had a summation of good looks that ran in the family. If anyone thought Kaylee was a mix of her parents' good looks, they hadn't seen Jamie yet.

Jamie had the perfect face. And anyone could tell he would grow up to be a heart throb just like his father, just by looking at him.

As she picked her one year-old baby out of his crib, he whimpered into her shoulder.

"Aww baby, what is it?"

The child grabbed some of her hair in his hand and relaxed in her arms. She smiled. He loved playing with her hair. 'The apple didn't fall too far from the tree' she thought with a smile as she made her way out, back to where the rest of their children were.

Castle had showered and gotten ready in that time, and was now seated beside his girls, having breakfast with them.

Kate went over to the fridge, took out Jamie's milk bottle, filled out dish with water and set it on the fire to heat up, she waited a few minutes for it to get warm, and then put the bottle in.

"I'll hold him, you can use both hands" Rick offered. She smiled and said "Don't worry, you eat, I got this"

He had no doubt. It surprised him how much she could do at once. Kate never failed to prove how good a mother she could be. Still, he finished off with breakfast fast, and was by her side when she was taking the bottle out.

"I'll feed him, don't worry" he said with a smile. He carefully took Jamie from her and began to feed him, cooing at his son, talking to him, telling him how much he loved him, kissing his soft cheeks now and then.

Kate sat by her elder two, and pulled Kaylee to come sit on her lap, and they all joined in to tease Avril about her new guy.

Half an hour later, Kate noticed her husband looking at his watch. And then she remembered. He had a flight to catch. The bag beside the staircase should have reminded her.

"Rick, are you getting late?"

"Actually I am." He said while getting up from the stool he was seated on. She walked to him and took Jamie from his arms. He went on over to the door and put his coat on.

When he turned back around, Avril took him by surprise by winding her arms tight around him.

"Take care okay. I'll miss you" she said softly. He kissed her atop her head and said with a chuckle "I'll miss you too, and I don't want to be told you eloped with that boy when I return okay, so don't get caught up with his charms"

She laughed "I won't dad!"

Alexis was right behind her. This was a hug he was all too familiar with, but it still held as much emotion to it as it always had.

"Dad, come home soon"

"I will sweetie. Help you mom take care of your brother and sisters okay"

"You don't need to tell me that, you know I'll do it anyway"

Kaylee was playing with the tie on her mommy's robe that was hanging down. He stepped closer to her. And got down to her level

"Hey baby"

"Where are you going daddy?"

"I got to do some book signings honey, I'll be away for a few days, but I'll come back soon, and I'll bring you that doll house you've been wanting."

A huge grin donned her lips and she giggled with glee. She leaped and threw herself into her dad's embrace. "Okay daddy"

"I love you doodle bug. Be good for mommy."

"I will, I love you too." she kissed his nose, and he flicked hers. He then stood up and took Jamie from Kate's hands.

"And you my little man, you're going to be the man of the house while I'm gone. Think you can hold down the fort for a week?"

Jamie caught hold of his daddy's nose and squeezed it.

"Yea? I think you'll do just fine."

"He has no clue what big shoes he'll have to fill in" Alexis joked from behind. And the girls laughed.

"Oh, he'll be sure to keep you girls in place" Castle mocked. "Am I right buddy? Yea?"

Little Jamie's eyes widened and this time he reached up to catch hold of his daddy's hair.

"Don't you worry, you're going to inherit our great hair too" Kate laughed from beside him, and Castle kissed his son one more time, before Avril came and took him, so that her mom could say goodbye to him before he leaves for the week.

Alexis knew they'd want a private moment, so she held Kaylee's hand and said "Come on, show me that new doll aunt Lanie bought you last weekend" And the girl hurried off to her room, tugging her elder sister's hand behind her.

Castle walked to the door with his suitcase and she followed slowly behind

"I wish I could come drop you off"

"It's alright, you need to be here with them" he said with a smile. And then that smile stayed on, his perfect blue eyes staring at her beautifully. And that smile, contagious as it always was, caused her to smile too. She looked down, memories of last night coming back to her, and her cheeks began to flaunt a beautiful shade of red.

"Why do you always give me the best nights of my life before I have to leave for something, it just makes leaving so much harder" he said.

she laughed and playfully hit him.

"Shut up. Now go, you have a plane to catch."

"I do" he paused for a moment, and then pulled her into his arms and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. He made it a kiss she could hold on to for the rest of his time away from her, and she kissed back with equal fervor.

When she pulled away she said softly with a smile "Go now, before I decide to lock you in"

He took a step back, that mischievous smile on his lips, "You'd do that?"

"Go!" she chuckled. And he kissed her one last time and said. "Keep your phone with you at all times okay? I'll call you. And if you need anything, just call me, I'll come."

"Careful what you wish for" she teased. And when he sent a fly kiss her way, she said "Take care of you, I love you"

"I love you too, always" he said sincerely and then walked into the elevator with a last wave goodbye.

Kate shut the door and leaned against it. It was going to be a long week.