Taken from a photo prompt, which can be found at castleincalifornia dot tumblr dot com slash post slash 103331999849 (photo is mildly NSFW).
It's been weeks - weeks - since they've been able to string together a few days off, so when they find out that she isn't on call over the long holiday weekend, they throw a couple of things into a bag and head straight for the Hamptons.
They haven't been able to get back there since the wedding, their marriage a whirlwind of work and family and the myriad of commitments that life has a tendency of throwing at them. Castle still has Nikki Heat to write, and Kate knows all too well that crime never takes a break. Their lives mesh remarkably well though, their partnership stronger than ever; most days are happy and effortless, but their lifestyle doesn't afford them a lot of downtime.
They hold hands and listen to a mix of their jazz favorites as he sets the cruise control, the promise of several lazy, aimless days already relaxing their overworked minds and bodies. The conversation flows easily between them as they jump from one topic to the next; the latest case they solved together, the new Greek café in the village that they want to try, memories of the last time they were there.
They've barely made it through the door before they're pulling each other's clothes off, determined to start their mini-vacation properly, with some mind-blowing sex followed by dinner at the Greek place. They end up going a few exquisite rounds, but dinner turns into a pepperoni and mushroom pizza shared in bed over a bottle of their favorite red wine, neither wanting to leave the sanctuary of the house (or put on clothes).
He wakes her the next morning with a trail of kisses down her torso before busying himself between her legs, and they swear - they swear - that today they're going to get dressed, drive into the village, do some grocery shopping, do something other than each other. In the end, they make it as far as the back porch and onto the chaise lounge built for two, their best laid plans and minimal clothing tossed aside in favor of a more pleasurable activity. They end up having groceries delivered that afternoon.
By the third day, they've completely thrown in the towel; neither of them possesses the desire to even get dressed, let alone stray from the privacy of their home. They while away the hours cooking together, reading side-by-side on the chaise lounge, swimming and napping when they feel like it. They venture out to the beach a few times, collecting some colorful shells and letting the surf cool their toes, but they never wander far. They make love whenever the urge strikes, and it does...frequently.
On the last night, they lie in each other's arms, sweat drying and hearts calming, and they talk about the future; books he wants to write someday, what she hopes to do next in her law enforcement career. Eventually, the conversation turns to family, and to children. He pulls her close, their limbs tangled as they discuss how many they want, the names they're keen on, if they'll have his eyes, or hers. They talk about the places they'll go on vacation, about celebrating Independence Day in the Hamptons, about all of the adventures that await them. They fall asleep that way, completely intertwined, no desire to move from the other's embrace.
They drive home the next day, smiling and sated and maybe just a tiny bit sore, a happy, contented glow surrounding them as they return to the normalcy of their everyday lives. It's not until about two months later that Kate suggests a short weekend trip back to the house, but Castle needs no convincing. And this time, when they lie in their bed together, their arms and legs and bodies entangled, she lets him in on a little secret: she's pregnant.
Thank you for reading...as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts.