Disclaimer: The only part of Castle that I own is the TV on which I watch the show.

"Sorry that I have to go to the dentist when you have a surprise day off," Castle says after breakfast. "It shouldn't take too long, though. We can do something when I get home."

Beckett is still in her jammies. "Look at me, Castle. I love this. I'll hang around here until you get back. I have a book I've been dying to finish, so I'll be fully occupied with it while you're out. Oh, and also with the stud muffin who's hiding under the bed."

"There's a muffin under your bed? Why didn't you eat that for breakfast instead of that boring cereal?"

"Mmph," he snorts, and gives her a quick kiss. "See you later." At the door, he stops and turns around. "Don't forget the butter. You know, for the stud muffin."

She wiggles her fingers at him. "Bye."

"Right, don't forget the butter for the muffin, Mom. It tastes a lot better with butter. And maybe some jelly, too."

Beckett goes to fetch her book from her night stand, grabs a throw, and returns to the sofa. She makes herself a nice nest and settles in for a good long read.

"It's so quiet. You've been reading for ages and ages."

"Fantastic chapter," Beckett murmurs.

"Fantastic for you, but boring for me. I've been wondering about this thing, you know, this tube thingy that's attached to my middle. What is it, anyway? I'm going to tug on it. Do you feel that?"

Beckett scratches her stomach lightly, and turns another page.

"If there were more room in here I could rappel off the sides with it. That would be so cool."

"This is a great, great book. Why haven't I read anything else that he's written? Gotta look him up. I should get up and Google him, but I'm too comfy. And sleepy. And I can't believe I'm talking to myself."

"I'm glad you're talking, Mom. Keeps me company."

Beckett's eyelids are drooping. She's so cozy here. This book is so goooooodddd. And it slips from her fingers and lands in the middle of her chest.

"Mom? Mom? Why did you stop talking? I think I felt your book fall over on us. Are you asleep?"

She rolls onto her side and the book topples to the floor with a thunk.

"Mmmuh. I must have fallen asleep for a sec. Where's the book? Oh, there. Castle? Are you home? No, guess not. I'll read some more. What page was I on? Huh, talking to myself again."

"Sorry, I don't know what page you were on. I wish there were someone else in here with me. We could play jump rope with this."

"Beckett?" Castle calls out as he drops his keys in a bowl. "I'm home."

"In here, Castle. Let me see your sparkly teeth."

"All the better to bite you with, my dear," he says, leaning over her from the back of the sofa. "You been reading?"

"Well, and snoozing. I didn't mean to. And the baby? You know, it kind of felt like it was playing."

"I'm shaking this rope thing now, do you feel that? Will I have if after I get out, or is it going to stay in here? Wouldn't it be funny if I could it in a knot?"

"Maybe it's something you ate."

"Don't think so. I haven't eaten anything in a while. And it was only granola."

"I'll say it was only granola."

Castle walks around and stands next to her. "Is there room for me on that sofa with you?"

"There's always room for you on this sofa with me."

"Yeah, Dad, but don't bite us! Hey, maybe you know this. Am I going to get teeth?"

TBC

A/N I haven't said this before, but thanks to the guest reviewers for all your nice comments. I'd respond to you if I could!