Unwanted
A few mornings after the murder case of Addie Montinson was wrapped up; Castle and Beckett were in the kitchen together just after the kids were brought to school by Martha. Beckett could sense that there was something up with Castle. The silence between them as they drank their coffee only made things awkward. Beckett had to do something about the awkwardness before it drove her crazy.
"What's going on with you?" Beckett asked.
"It's nothing really."
"Bull."
Castle was a bit surprised that Beckett had just called him out on trying to hide what was really going on.
"Rick; there's something going on with you and we both know it. So tell me what it is."
There was a pause before Castle spoke. Beckett gave her husband a look that egged him on.
"I guess it just seems like I'm really not needed anymore when it comes to helping with cases. I mean working with you and the guys on the Montinson murder was great; just like the old days…" Castle trailed off.
Beckett realized after Castle's partial admission what was going on in her husband's mind. Castle was about to finish his sentence from before. But Beckett knew exactly what her husband would say.
"Listen to me, babe; you aren't unwanted. Things changed when I took the Captain job and we both knew it would. Just because you aren't needed or wanted down at the 54th doesn't mean that you aren't needed or wanted here. I need you here just as our kids and Martha need. You are always wanted."
With that Castle smiled and kissed his wife.
After the shared kiss; Beckett decided to stay home from work today. It definitely looked like Castle could use some one on one time with Beckett and she wasn't about to deny her husband of that not now when he had just put it all out there. One phone call later and everything was squared away at the 54th.