"Mother, I've decided to tell Beckett how I feel," Castle said proudly as he walked into the kitchen in search of coffee.
"Why today of all days?" Martha asked, glancing up from her newspaper.
"Actually, I'm going to tell her by the end of the month."
"Darling, it's already the 27th."
"Next month. I'm giving myself a few extra days."
"Oh, Richard. Tell the girl already, she's got to feel the same."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Why else would she let you hang around her all the time? She probably gets more work done when you're gone."
"By the end of the month!" Castle yelled at he headed out the door.
On his way in, Castle picked up coffee for Kate and himself just like he had everyday for the past three years.
"Thanks, Castle," Kate said without glancing up from her computer. "I'm just finishing—"
"Go right ahead," he said as he slid into his chair.
She continued typing for a few moments before looking up. "Sorry," she smiled that smile that melted his heart. "Paperwork day. I'm surprised you're even here," she rolled her eyes playfully. It was well known within the precinct that Castle did not do paperwork. "Castle?" She said after a while, "did you ever have a recurring dream?"
"Of course. Everyone does."
"Except me. Until three nights ago."
"What's the dream about? I know a little about dream meanings…"
"Dreams don't mean anything," Kate rolled her eyes skeptically. "I keep seeing my mom in my dreams. There's a tear rolling down her cheek and she's telling me I'm making a mistake. And then I wake up." She shook her head as if clearing the thoughts out. "I haven't been sleeping so well," she finally admitted. Kate wasn't ready to admit it to herself but she worried the dream meant a romance with Castle would be a mistake. She'd been considering putting it all on the line and telling him how she felt but these dreams made her hesitant.
"Castle, I can't work with your stomach growling like that," Kate laughed around lunchtime. "Come on, let's get lunch. My treat."
"You paid last time," Castle reminded her.
"I want onion rings, too. Not sure you can afford it," Kate teased.
"We'd better go Dutch then," he laughed.
They arrived at Kate's favorite dinner, two blocks from the precinct. She knew Castle was used to five star restaurants so she loved the fact that he fell in love with the same dive diner that she had. He ordered a Rueben and fries while she opted for a cheeseburger and onion rings. As they ate they discussed a case they'd recently closed.
"He was so close to getting away with it," Castle said.
"He wouldn't have gotten away with it…" As Kate spoke, she stole a fry from Castle's plate. Castle swapped half of his sandwich for half of Kate's burger, neither spoke during the exchange. Neither paid attention to the routine they'd built.
"I've got to tell you," the middle aged waitress started, "you two are the cutest couple…"
"We're not a couple," Kate started.
"Thank you," Castle said at the same time, smiling widely at Kate.
The waitress dropped off the check and scurried to her next table. Castle watched as a busboy - a busman - studied Kate intensely.
"Excuse me, did I just hear that you were single?" He asked, staring at Kate.
"I… ummm…"
"She's taken. I'm wearing her down," Castle said proudly. Kate couldn't help but smile. She didn't know if it was his jealousy, his protective nature or the truth that was speaking but she couldn't deny that she liked hearing Castle call her his. The busboy nodded before continuing to clean tables.
"Now, next week…" Castle started. "Let's discuss—"
"Let's not discuss. I told you, I don't care about birthdays—"
"It's your 30th. It's a big deal."
"I mean it, Castle. I'm just not into birthdays anymore." Castle knew what she really meant. Birthdays aren't exciting without her mother.
When they returned to the precinct, there was a man waiting at Kate's desk. He was attractive, blonde hair, blue eyed and wearing an expensive suit.
"Kate? Kate Beckett?" He asked. "You haven't changed a bit."
"Lucas? I can't believe it's you!" Castle cleared his throat, eager to be introduced. "Castle, this is Lucas. We went to school together." She turned her attention back to Lucas. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you. About your birthday…" Lucas began.
"My birthday?"
"I don't know if you remember but we made a deal. If we weren't married by the time we turn 30 we'd marry each other."
Kate laughed loudly. "I remember. We were so young and naive…"
"Well, Kate, my birthday was two months ago. Yours is next week. And we're both unmarried."
"What are you getting at?" Castle asked, trying to control his irritation.
"I came to ask you to marry me, Kate." Lucas said, aiming his smile at Kate.