A/N: I haven't abandoned my other stories, life has just been chaotic and I'm struggling with a major case of writers block. I'm hoping this gets me out of my rut and I can update all of them this week.
She calls at 9PM to tell him goodnight. She hasn't seen him all day and every part of her misses him. She has to rush the call and she almost regrets bothering him but when she hears the sleepy "I love you" on the other end of the line followed by a yawn she knows she needed this. He gets her through her toughest cases. He gives her a reason to come home each night. She's made him her priority.
When Kate ends the call, both boys are staring at her. "Beckett, we've got it from here if you want to call it a day. You've been here since 3AM and I'm not sure how much we're gonna get out of this guy tonight." Espo started, motioning to the murder board that now displayed their best suspect. Kate shook her head and finished the now cold coffee that sat at her desk. "I just need another hour with him. I know this is our guy."
He caved in less than thirty minutes. She let Ryan finish the booking and headed to her desk to finish the remaining paperwork. The exhaustion hit as soon as she let herself relax. She tries to concentrate on the documents in front of her, her eyes growing heavier every second. She drops the pen in her hand and lets out a frustrated sigh while attempting to rub the sleep from her eyes. The photo on the corner of her desk catches her eye. It sits on the same side that Castle made his own. It's the only photo on her desk. The blue eyes and mischievous grin stare back and her heart aches. She wonders if it'll always be like this, if she'll always miss him this much. Esposito's footsteps pull back her attention. He's holding her coat out to her and giving her that look. "Go home, Beckett. I called you a cab. I'll finish up here. You tell Castle he still owes me." Kate slipped into the coat, quietly thanking the detective that was more a brother than a colleague.
The New York Winter air bites at her cheeks when the cab finally drops her off outside the loft. She pulls her coat tighter around her and quickly rushes into the warmth of the building she now calls home. The elevator is empty on her way up. Of course it is. It's now after ten and most people have been home for hours. Kate sighs and digs for her keys when the elevator finally reaches their floor. She sneaks into the dark loft, kicking off her heels and disposing of her coat. She turns the heat up a couple of degrees and quietly makes her way to his bedroom. She stalls by the door, listening for any sign that he's still awake. The loft remains quiet and she wonders if he actually fell asleep this time. Kate pushes open the door and slowly makes her way inside, being as quiet as possible. She startles when the blue eyes catch her in the dark. They're in the rocking chair and only one of her boys is still awake. His little arms reach out to her and Kate is quickly there, wrapping him in a tight embrace. "Mommy." The little boy whispered, sleep coating his voice. Kate kissed the top of his head and watched as his eyelids fluttered still trying to fight the impending sleep. "I missed you, baby but you need to get some sleep. I love you so much." Kate whispered to the boy, letting her fingers run through his baby curls. "I wait for you." He mumbled before finally letting himself drift off.
"He waits up for you." Ricks voice, rough with sleep, fills the room. He motioned her over and carefully pulled her next to him on the oversized rocking chair. He placed a kiss to his wife's temple, taking in her silence. "I love how much he loves you." Rick murmured pulling his wife, who was still staring at their son, into a one armed embrace. "He's persistent and maybe a little stubborn. He doesn't get that from the guy who fell asleep at 10PM waiting on his wife." He let out a low chuckle but quickly stopped when he noticed tears streaming down her face. He pulled her in closer and attempted to wipe the free falling tears from her cheeks with his thumb. "I should be home for bedtime. He shouldn't have to wait up all night just so he can see me." Kate choked out trying to calm her emotions. She sucked in a deep breath as the small boy snuggled in closer to her, his hand tightly clutching her shirt. "I didn't see him all day, Rick. I kept thinking about him waking up without me being there and him having to fall asleep without me being there. I can't do that to him."
"Kate. Our son waits up for you because he loves you. You're his favorite person. He loves you so fiercely and that will never change. Three years. You've been his mom for three years and this is the first time you were not there when he woke up. This is the first time you haven't been home before nine. You know what he talked about all day? He talked about his mommy helping people. He told every person at the library today that you catch bad guys. You cannot beat yourself up for helping people. Not when our son worships you for it." Rick placed another kiss on her temple and wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks. Kate carefully placed a kiss to their sons forehead before shifting him to Castle and letting him take the boy. "I love you both so much. I don't want to fail you. I'm going to take a shower and text the Captain and let her know I won't be in until 10 tomorrow." She stood to leave but took a moment to stare at her boys. "Will you put him in our bed tonight? I just want you both close." Rick smiled and carefully got to his feet making sure the sleeping toddler didn't wake. "Of course. How about you take a bath? I'll put him in bed and bring you a glass of wine." Kate nodded her head as Rick led her out of their sons room, only stopping once they reached their bathroom.
"Kate, we'll always try to wait up for you."