Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC and the others who do own them.
A/N #1: I was very pleased to get the feedback I did for the last chapter so I'll get started on my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (I was glad to see you liked how I wrote the last chapter with the family and that you thought it was very well done. And very happy you like how Castle and Beckett will still talk to each other since I imagined they would no matter how long they were married!) and
Mb (I was glad that you thought the chapter was a nice look at them together in the Bay Area. And really pleased you enjoyed the flashback to them in the lagoon, lol, since I didn't have them go outside on Beckett's birthday there I did want to show them doing a little something while they were still in Tahiti. Great you liked them walking around San Francisco making plans as well as buying gifts, which I figured would be standard for Castle of course, lol. I wasn't surprised you thought it was good seeing them video calling their family, had to include that. And so happy you enjoyed the flashback of them going to Alexis and Louis' that first weekend the twins were home since I wanted to show it in some form! You're welcome for the first half of the chapter! Glad that you thought the second half of the chapter was wonderfully written since it showed Castle and Beckett enjoying each other and San Francisco. Really happy to read you thought going from sightseeing to Castle and Beckett's intimacy was nice! You're welcome for the second half of the chapter!).
Thanks for the reviews, I loved reading them and appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!
A/N #2: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Mill Valley written by Rita Abrams, from the album Miss Abrams and the Strawberry Point 4th Grade Class.
From Mill Valley
"Do you know what you're getting already?" Beckett asked her husband when they met at the back of their car.
"Luckily I do," Castle said. "I planned the meal in advance."
"What if what you need isn't here?" Beckett couldn't help asking him with a smile.
Pausing while getting the cart with their shopping bags out of the trunk, Castle then continued and said, "I have a backup."
"I hope so," Beckett told him, still smiling when he glanced at her.
"Are you ready?" Castle asked her. When she was slipping her hand into his he had his answer, and they were walking to the market. Looking at the stalls ahead of them once they had reached it he said, "I think everyone's here."
"It looks like it," Beckett replied with a nod. She then let his hand go and pulled out her camera when they were reaching the first stall. Seeing the vegetables she was taking shots before she looked to see what her husband was doing. Spotting him picking out a bunch of carrots she smiled and took a picture of him before she made her way over to him. "Are you finding what you what?" she asked.
"I am luckily," Castle said.
"And you're not going to tell me what you're making," Beckett replied.
"Not really," Castle said simply. When she rolled her eyes he smiled, since she was also doing that, and he moved to pay.
"Do you want to walk around the whole market?" Beckett asked once her husband was with her outside the stall.
"I don't need to," Castle informed her. "But I wouldn't mind doing that if the weather holds. You aren't cold are you?" he asked rapidly.
"No," Beckett said, smiling at the speed of his words. They started walking again, passing a few stalls until they had reached one with fruits in them.
"Do you want some?" Castle asked.
"For the next few days," Beckett said, about to walk inside before he was suddenly stopping her. "What's wrong?" she asked, startled.
"Are we making meals at all besides tonight?" Castle asked.
"Tuesday night," Beckett said slowly.
"Did you want to eat in town?" Castle said since he was aware that was why she was hesitating.
"I did but I think I want to just cook, we'll need to rest that night," Beckett said, not surprised when her husband was nodding firmly in agreement. She was surprised for a moment that he was leaning into her but took his kiss gladly before they were going inside the stall. "We'll need more fruit," she told him.
"A lot more," Castle told her seriously. He then smiled at her and said, "Tomorrow for our picnic lunch?"
Beckett was smiling herself and said, "We keep changing what we want to do."
"I'm going to quote you and say that we are on vacation," Castle commented, watching her take a picture of a pyramid shape made with bunches of grapes.
"I know, I'm just pointing that out," Beckett said. "I thought you would be annoyed by that," she then added before her husband was squeezing her arm and turning her attention to him to her surprise though he was speaking shortly after.
"Will you help me pick out the fruit?" Castle asked.
"Is that all I'm going to help you with?" Beckett asked him.
"No, we have dinner Tuesday," Castle commented. He was a little taken aback when she was suddenly kissing him on the cheek and he said, "I'm glad you're going to help."
"I can't cook?" Beckett asked. When her husband paused she said, "I'm planning on it, but I'd like to find another stall with vegetables."
"We'll find one," Castle said before they were turning their attention to the fruit. They got enough for the next three days and were continuing after he had made sure his wife had gotten enough pictures. Walking with her again he said, "You know we're forgetting something."
"I realize, but I wanted to wait to bring it up once we got to the end of the aisle," Beckett replied with a smile.
"Which we are at," Castle said, looking around them. "You're hungry now?"
"Of course," Beckett said, not surprised when her husband was leading her down to the food truck where they usually got a cinnamon roll. She let Castle order one and some coffee for them while she was taking pictures before she sat at one of the tiny tables in front of it.
"They got the coffee first," Castle said once he had walked over to his wife. "And the roll should be ready in a second."
Nodding, since she was sipping her drink, Beckett said once she'd put down her cup, "Hopefully it won't take long." She watched her husband walking back to the truck swiftly since his name had been called and she smiled while she watched him. When he was back with her they split the pastry and began eating, quiet at first before she eventually said, "Are we sure about the next two days?"
"I think so," Castle said. He took a quick sip of coffee before he said, "The Ferry Building tomorrow morning." He paused to see her nod of confirmation before he said, "Just walking around, a little shopping maybe and then grab lunch before we take a cab to Chrissy Field and eat there. After… mind if we walk on the beach?"
"No, I was going suggest it," Beckett replied.
"Great," Castle said before he continued their plans. "Then we head to Fisherman's Wharf, go to the pier and eat at Boudin before we go to Ghirardelli Square."
"You don't mind the fact we're going back," Beckett stated.
"That's what I was about to ask you," Castle commented. When she shook her head he said, "No. And Tuesday we'll go to SoMa and the art museum before we go back to Mill Valley."
"Sounds great," Beckett said.
"I didn't finish," Castle said in a mock whine. He wasn't surprised when she laughed briefly and he gently squeezed at her hand before he said, "And then we walk around town."
"Not for that long," Beckett said before she was eating another piece of her half of the roll.
"And you're not going to tell me what you're making are you?" Castle asked in amusement.
"That's the plan," Beckett said.
"Touché," Castle replied before he reached over to her and gently squeezed at her hand before she was leaning against him since he'd moved his chair. He wanted to kiss her, but there were other people sitting around him, so he satisfied himself with raising her hand to kiss the back of it. Once he let her go he saw they had finished eating by then and was about to ask if she was ready to go when she was speaking first.
"How are we going to keep our meals a surprise from each other if we go to the same booth for protein?" Beckett was asking him.
Pausing, since he'd easily realized she was right, Castle frowned and then said, "You have a good point… take turns?"
"Will it matter if we guess?" Beckett asked.
"No," Castle said slowly. He then said, "I guess that problem took care of itself," racing to stand up once she was.
"Not really a problem Rick," Beckett said, rolling her eyes and smiling when her husband was shaking his head. She squeezed his hand and they moved to take their trash before they started to walk down the next aisle of stalls. She wasn't surprised when, at one with vegetables, they were both getting items though a few things were the same.
"Oh good," Castle said, a few stalls down from the vegetables. "This is the one I was really afraid wouldn't be here."
"So was I," Beckett said, smiling at her husband before they were walking up to the butcher's stall. She let him go first, listening to him ordering some flank steak, trying not to let her expression tell him she had an idea of what he was going to make. When he finished she stepped up and began to look at the options, wanting to get a little time before her husband would be able to guess what she was going to make since she was aware he'd be able to.
Watching her ordering some chicken, Castle easily discerned what she would make but didn't say anything while he let her pay for their choice. "Is there much more you need?" he asked once they were leaving the stall.
"A few things," Beckett replied. "Lunch and dessert."
Nodding, since he hadn't forgotten about that, Castle said, "Should we just head straight there?"
"I need a little more vegetables," Beckett answered easily.
"Sure," Castle told her startled for a moment when she stopped him.
"I feel like I should tell you, I know what you're going to make already," Beckett told him.
"And I could guess what you're going to make," Castle replied. "Should we pretend?"
"No," Beckett said laughingly. "Thank you for the stir fry."
"Thank you for the chicken a lá king," Castle said before he was taking her hand. "We ate both back then."
"Mmm-hmm," Beckett replied. She looked on while he leaned down and kissed at her palm before she made him straighten up. "We better keep going," she said, finding she had to force her words out with the way her husband was looking at her.
"We will," Castle said firmly before they were walking again though holding hands tightly that time. Once they had found the bakery stall they chose some mini fruit tarts and pumpkin bread for the next three days they looked around for the sandwich stall. It was the very last one and he was looking up at the sky while they waited in the short line there had been when they reached it.
"We should be alright," Beckett said, looking at her watch when she saw where he was looking.
With a brief nod Castle said, "I just want to make sure we can get back before it starts to rain."
"We will," Beckett replied. She then turned to him and said, "Why are you so worried about getting back?"
"Because… I don't want you to get wet," Castle told her.
Smiling, Beckett said, "I'm not surprised, but even if I do get wet I can dry off in the house." She studied him and said, "You too."
"I wasn't worried about myself," Castle said before she was cupping his cheek.
"Sap," Beckett teased him though she was smiling at the same time. Though they were gazing at each other the line was moving, and she shook herself just after her husband before they were stepping forward. Once they were able to order she was relieved when her husband was doing so rapidly since she'd intended to do that herself. After she'd paid they were walking as quickly as they could to the parking lot since the clouds seemed to be moving more quickly. She was going to help her husband putting their purchases away when he was stopping her. "It'll go faster if I help you," she told him firmly.
Pausing for a moment Castle nodded, and they were hurrying to get the last of the bags in. He held out his hand to her once the trunk was closed and was surprised when she was closing his hand into an empty fist.
"I'm not letting you drive right now," Beckett answered. When he looked like he was about to protest she said firmly, "I want to get home too, but I want to make it and I know what you're thinking."
"Sure," Castle said rapidly before they were walking around to the front seats. While she was driving them back home he stared at the sky, not surprised it was growing darker nearing it. "Just made it," he said once she was parking in the garage next to the Model T.
"Don't jinx it," Beckett told him in amusement as they were getting out. "We have to get everything out of the trunk."
"Now we can run," Castle said, smiling when Beckett was laughing while they got out of the car. Once they were at the trunk they moved as quickly as they could to put the bags back into their cart. He wasn't surprised when she allowed him to pull it with them and they had just entered the lean-to when the first rain began falling while they were removing their outer layers. "See? I didn't jinx it," he told her while he was hanging her things for her.
"I'm aware," Beckett said in amusement. She walked with him into the kitchen, and they were silent putting everything away. Glancing at him from time to time while they did so, she was relieved when they were drying their hands because it allowed them to move towards each other.
"We were supposed to spend time sightseeing while we were here," Castle couldn't help telling his wife once they were holding onto each other tightly. He wasn't surprised when she paused before she was responding to him wryly.
"Well, if you want to deal with the weather then we can head out and go back in the car," Beckett said. She wasn't surprised when her husband was frowning at her, and she smiled before taking his hand. Pulling him to the living room she had him move to the couch and told him, "I'll be right back." Half expecting him to speak, she glanced back at him once she reached the stairs and saw he'd gone to the bookcase, looking through one before she continued up.
Turning to watch his wife, Castle looked around the room once he couldn't see her and he breathed out hard once. He wasn't sure what she was planning to change into, but he decided to close the blinds slightly before his wife was calling down to him.
"Don't close the blinds all the way," Beckett said.
Going to the bottom of the staircase, Castle glanced up and said, "How did you know-"
"I'm not going to wear lingerie," Beckett returned. "But we do need a little privacy."
Shuddering in pleasure at her tone, Castle shook himself and then said, "So slightly?"
"And the windows are tinted," Beckett replied, smiling when he was laughing. She finished with her hair and checked her reflection in the mirror before she was going over to the stairs and heading back down.
Hearing his wife, Castle walked towards the staircase from the couch before he stopped himself and said, "I hope you were serious about it not being lingerie."
"Why, did you want to take your clothes off?" Beckett asked, starting down to the living room. She paused and then said, "Please tell me you didn't?"
"No, I was busy with other things," Castle answered.
"The blinds?" Beckett asked as she reached the room. She smiled when her husband's eyes widened and said, "I hope you don't mind the decade I took from."
"No," Castle said. "It's a toss up between this one and the twenties. Which clothes I liked you in the most."
Beckett laughed before her husband was taking her hand and she turned at his direction before she said, "I did go slightly different with this one."
"No, the silhouette is the same," Castle said seriously. He then smiled and said, "I remember the end of the sleeves and lapels." He took in her fifties styled dress again and said, "The fabric is perfect on you."
"It took me forever to settle on this one," Beckett replied. "And even then I wasn't sure."
"I think you had gingham back then," Castle said while they were walking to the couch. "So it kind of looks like that."
"Or plaid," Beckett said, since the cerulean blue hue had a windowpane pattern on it.
"Or that," Castle said before they were sitting together. He watched her cross her legs and heard a familiar rustle before he said, "It surprises me you want to wear that."
"The effect wouldn't work," Beckett teased him, watching him move her skirt slightly to see the crinoline underneath.
"True," Castle said slowly. He let go of her before he was looking at her and said, "You don't have to do this for me, but I really appreciate it."
Smiling Beckett leaned into him, and they were kissing tenderly before he sat back and she said, "Thank you for covering… everything."
"I… was impatient," Castle said, looking at the couch, loveseat and armchairs he'd managed to cover with sheets in the time she'd taken to change.
"I can see that," Beckett said before she was looking at him when he moved closer to her. She kissed him lightly on the lips before she was about to speak when there was a faint rumble. Glancing outside with him she told her husband, "Even if it hadn't been raining I would have wanted to do this," pleased when his hand gently cupped her knee before he was speaking a little roughly.
"Even after Tahiti?" Castle asked. When his wife nodded he had to school himself to not grab her hard before he said, "I'm… extremely happy to hear that."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said before she was standing up. She smiled at her husband's slightly startled expression at her move before she was sitting firmly on his lap.
Gripping her tightly Castle said, "What're you doing?"
"Checking," Beckett said simply.
"Checking?" Castle asked, his tone of voice sounding a little strangled.
"Mmm-hmm," Beckett replied easily. She then ran her fingers through his hair gently and told him, "Isn't this what we're here for?"
"Yes I just…" Castle said. "I'm going to feel a little tight right now."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said. She then pressed her lips to his temple, and she said, "You're still clothed."
"When you said-" Castle started to say in mock annoyance before he was abruptly being kissed. It took him a moment to recover but as soon as he had done so he was making her turn on him, so she was straddling his waist.
Pulling away from what was their second kiss, Beckett told him, "Unzip me love."
Nodding, since he didn't want to waste time talking, Castle reached behind her before pulling down the zipper on the back. As soon as he'd done that he was sliding his hand over her back, and he paused feeling her skin was unbroken by a bra. "Thank you again," he told her.
"I hated those bras," Beckett said with a smile. She nuzzled his lips with her own before she said, "I know what you want to do."
"How?" Castle asked.
"Because it's what usually happened when I wore these-" Beckett started to say before she was gasping as he made her get off of him. "Rick-" she said, trying to speak again when he was joining her in standing.
"Let me," Castle outright begged. When she turned around after gazing at him for a moment he zipped her back up and led her to the credenza next to the doorway of the dining room. He covered it rapidly with one of the sheets that had been covering an armchair and helped her up onto it though she hadn't really needed the assistance.
"Your knee," Beckett said in concern while she was watching him. She wasn't surprised when he only shook his head, and she looked on while he was moving under her skirt. Hearing the rustle of her crinoline she couldn't help becoming a little more aroused before Castle was kissing at the inside of her thighs. She spread her legs a bit more though she didn't need to, a little frustrated with her skirt. Lifting it out of the way, she reached down with her other hand to run her fingers through her husband's hair before he was looking up at her and speaking in slight annoyance though that didn't last for long.
"You always did that too," Castle said. He then shook off his irritation and said, "But I guess you just wanted to look at me."
"Come here," Beckett told him firmly. When he was standing she wrapped her arms him tightly before they were kissing deeply.
Once they parted, Castle reached for her and slid his hands around her to hold onto her back. Leaning into her he kissed her almost delicately before he pressed his forehead to hers and told her, "I want to pleasure you."
"I wasn't going to stop you," Beckett replied in confusion.
"Not here," Castle explained. Before she could respond to that he was picking her up and carrying her back to the couch where he laid her down before he was pushing her skirt up. When she was raising her right leg for him he couldn't help saying, "That means you approve."
Pushing herself up, Beckett said firmly, "I would have stopped you by now." She then cupped her hand on the back of her husband's head and pulled Castle to her for a kiss. She was rough and became overjoyed when he was responding to her in turn. Once they had parted she couldn't help asking, "My dress isn't in the way?"
"This is," Castle said honestly, indicating her crinoline. He watched her move around him and stand before they were working together to get it off of her. "If you're going to keep wearing this then include this," he told her seriously.
"I will," Beckett replied, unable to help smiling. When she was laying on the couch again she let him take her legs to drape them over his shoulders while he was settling on the couch himself. Since she was propped against the arm of the couch, she was able to see him clearly while he was brushing his lips to the inside of her thighs. She sighed in pleasure at the sensation before he was pushing himself closer to her sex. He kissed at her clit lightly and she was biting her lower lip before he pressed a few more around her labia. "Rick?" she asked him when he wasn't doing anything else, and she opened to eyes to check on him.
Shaking his head Castle said, "I'm reminding myself to take it easy." He'd been gazing at her sex as he'd spoken, so he had to quickly look up at her when he heard her soft laughter.
"We do have all day love," Beckett reminded him. "So if you're going to end up being fast I don't mind."
Breathing out hard, Castle said, "Alright." He was just about to move back down between her legs when she was stopping him suddenly.
"I'm going to do the same to you," Beckett told him.
"I'm going to insist," Castle said seriously. He wasn't surprised when she was pulling him to her, and they were kissing again. They were passionate as they'd been before, and he was reaching down to her so he could gently caress her. As time went on, he felt her shifting against him and he pulled away so he could begin pleasuring her.
Crying out joyfully in reaction, Beckett tried not to fall back though she slid down before she was gently sliding her fingers through his hair. He was lightly kissing at her clit, and she wondered how long he was going to do that when he was moving down to her folds. "Please…" she sighed when he was gently brushing his lips against the skin there. When she felt his tongue sliding inside of her a little she cried out his name and told him, "Not that slow."
Looking up at her Castle said firmly, "We have all day." He wasn't surprised when she was trying to give him a look though it wasn't successful since he was stroking her clit with the first two fingers of his right hand and rubbing his left index and middle fingers flat against her entrance. He watched her for a moment to see her reaction and was pleased at her arching her back before she was beginning to talk a little throatily.
"I… I want to feel your mouth on… me… please Rick," Beckett told him. She tried to look at him when she felt his left hand moving away, but she couldn't open her eyes with the pleasure that was going through her body. When his mouth was gently pressing a kiss directly on her entrance she was shifting as she nearly whimpered in reaction. Feeling her husband grunting, she was startled when he pulled away from her fully and she watched him tearing off his plaid shirt he wore. "Are-" she started to say.
"No," Castle said firmly before he was pulling off his black shirt. When he had it above his head he had to pause when he could feel his wife tugging at his fly. "Kate?"
"Do you want me naked too?" Beckett asked him, pausing to answer his question.
Castle helped her with his jeans and boxers before she was brushing her fingertips against his erection. "Not yet," he breathed hard. "But soon, I promise," he added while he was leaning into her and kissing her deeply.
Tasting herself a little on her husband's lips, Beckett moaned deeply against him before he was pulling away from her and kissing at her neck. When he was sliding down further she told him, "Unzip me again love."
"I will," Castle said huskily before he was reaching around her body. He kept his eyes on hers while he was unzipping the back, not hesitating that time while he pulled the dress forward to help her get it off her arms. Pushing it down to her waist he moved his hands swiftly to her breasts, gently cupping them before he waited for her to sit up.
Once her husband had his hands on her mounds again, Beckett couldn't keep herself from grasping his length in hand. She gently began moving it up and down, though she didn't have the chance to do that for very long since he was grabbing her wrists and nearly slamming her down on the couch. "I want-" she started to say when he was cutting her off with a kiss. She managed to get her wrists out of his grasp; since he wasn't holding onto them that tightly; and wrapped her arms around him. They were parting for a quick breath eventually and when they moved into another kiss she allowed herself to caress at his back before he pulled away from her.
"I know we… have all day but… I need you now," Castle told her. He wasn't surprised when she was parting her legs a little more and he slid down her body. Though he had wanted to hurry he was taking his time when he reached her breasts, brushing his lips to the mounds at first. When he pulled back he watched them moving with her breathing for a moment and he gently cupped his hand around her side under her left breast before he told her, "You're gorgeous."
Reaching up, Beckett gently brushed her fingers against his lips, and she told him, "Sheik, hurry." She wasn't surprised when he nodded at first but became so when he was hesitating before he was moving his hand. Moaning at his touch she was going to remind him to start when he hurriedly began to explain why he had hesitated, continuing to fondle her.
"I promised myself the first time I wasn't going to rush and start," Castle said. "And I think I did anyway." Before his wife could say anything he leaned down to her and was kissing her nipples in turn before he parted his lips to the left one. Suckling at it lightly he felt her raking her nails over his scalp, doing his best to not pull away from her before he was moving to her other breast. Once he'd stopped, he pulled away from her breasts slowly and said, "I meant what I said."
"Please don't make me wait," Beckett replied. She saw his slight hesitation and then told him hurriedly, "You'll have to work me up again after."
"Alright," Castle said when he realized she was right. He then moved to kiss her, making it very slow and sensuous before he was pulling away at the same speed. Looking into her eyes he could see the brown hue of them were nearly black and he moved down her body.
Moaning with every kiss her husband was brushing to her body, Beckett tried to hold onto him though that was nearly impossible since he was burying his face into her sex. She cried out his name once when he lightly sucked at her clit, afraid he was going to focus only there, when the first two fingers of his right hand were sliding into her. She let out a moan in pleasure while he was stroking her sex and she was shifting before he moved to kiss her mound a few times.
"Will you let me decide for myself?" Castle asked his wife, hoping she would understand what he meant.
"Yes but… make me come now… I need…" Beckett tried to say. She couldn't finish that though, since her husband had gone back and had switched his fingers and mouth. Feeling his tongue entering her, his fingers sliding against her clit from her arousal, she was clutching at the back of the couch and a little at his head before something seemed to snap within her. She was crying out loudly, arching her back and calling to her husband a few times until the ecstasy became too much. When she felt everything had stopped and she could become more aware of her surroundings again she realized her husband was lightly kissing her entrance. "Too fast?" she asked with a smile when he pushed himself up to her.
"That's not my call," Castle said. He couldn't help chuckling when his wife gave him a look and said, "Seriously, my pleasure doesn't really factor into this."
"No, it does," Beckett said. She was about to continue when her husband was suddenly kissing her hard and she was answering his passion eagerly. When they were slowly parting eventually she said, "Especially now."
"I…" Castle started to say. "I know what I want."
"Tell me," Beckett said, surprised when he was moving to stand up. She then smiled and moved quickly to sit up herself, sitting on the couch normally before she said, "I'm surprised."
"I had the sudden urge," Castle said. He paused and then said, "We keep talking about our past life, but we don't have to do everything we did back then."
Smiling, Beckett said, "We never did this Rick."
"Not exactly," Castle said, looking around them at the sheets on the various furniture. His head then whipped back to her when he felt her hand curling around his length and he said, "What-"
Interrupting him by leaning over and kissing the tip of his length, Beckett smiled at his strangled groan before she gently slid her mouth over him. Hearing her husband's heavy breathing never failed to arouse her, and that time was no different though she had just been pleasured herself. She forced herself to focus on Castle, gently sliding her mouth on him before she was pulling away and laving her tongue over the tip.
"Kate," Castle said in a strained tone of voice. "I'm going to come you…" Trailing off when his wife was bobbing her head on him again, he did the best he could to withstand what she was making him feel and he was tangling his fingers through her hair. He fought with himself and did his best to last for longer than his body wanted him to, but eventually his wife's stimulation and ensuing moans reverberating around his member were too much. He managed to warn her a second before his climax was reached and he was able to keep from thrusting into her mouth before he felt the last of his release leave him.
Smiling when she pulled away, Beckett pressed a light kiss on the tip of him before he was making her lay down with him on the couch. She felt his chest moving against her breasts since they were facing each other and when she eventually felt it slowing down she said, "Better?"
Laughing briefly Castle said, "Trust me, I was great not too long ago." When his wife didn't say anything in response he said, "No?"
"I agree with you," Beckett said, smiling. She took her husband's gentle kiss and said, "I want to do that again… later though."
"Whatever you want," Castle said, turning slightly so he was more on his back.
Kissing his shoulder, Beckett looked at the windows above them and said, "I'm glad you did the blinds like that."
"Me too," Castle said while they were watching the trails of rain going over the panes. They were quiet for a moment, and he said, "I'm glad you wore the dress."
"Oh…" Beckett said, letting go of him and sitting up. She was going to remove it when she paused and said to her husband's slightly concerned expression, "Could we go up to our bed?"
"Of course," Castle replied firmly. He waited for her to get up and said, "Are you leaving that on?"
"Just until we're upstairs," Beckett said, smiling since she had slipped her arms back into the sleeves. "Could you get my crinoline?"
"Sure," Castle said, shaking himself after watching her breasts while she'd zipped up the dress as much as she could herself. He picked up his clothes at the same time and then followed her up the stairs. "I feel like I'm doing a walk of shame," he joked when they were nearing the staircase to their room.
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said before she started up the stairs. When they were in the bedroom she waited for her husband to set his clothes aside before she watched him putting her crinoline on a dresser.
"Did I mention you look beautiful?" Castle said, walking over to her when he had finished.
"You did," Beckett replied, turning around. She let him unzip her dress before she was stepping out of it, smiling when her husband took it to lay it on the dresser and tucking the crinoline under the dress's skirt.
"That didn't look weird did it?" Castle asked while he was walking back to his wife.
"No," Beckett replied in amusement before her husband was pulling her up against his body. She stopped him and said, "The bed love," laughing when he was leading her over to it. Once she was pressed against his side she was about to tease him for wanting to cuddle when he was admitting it to her outright as soon as he began to speak.
"I hope you don't mind us staying like this for a while," Castle said.
"I was going to say," Beckett said. "You felt downstairs like you wanted to cuddle for longer."
"Wherever," Castle said as nonchalantly as he could to make her laugh. When she did he couldn't help himself, holding her tighter against him and told her, "You don't enjoy it?"
"Oh I do," Beckett replied reassuringly. She kissed his cheek and then said, "I'm just surprised you do."
"I hate your exes," Castle said.
"Me too," Beckett said with a sigh. She kissed his cheek and said, "But they really don't matter right now."
"No," Castle said in agreement before he was kissing her lightly on the lips. After they had parted he commented, "But is that all you want to do?"
Beckett was about to speak when she could hear her husband's stomach growling and she looked at him in amusement.
"We ate… hours ago," Castle said.
"And you were working," Beckett teased him.
"Extremely hard," Castle said with a firm nod. He smiled when she laughed again and he cupped her cheek with his hand before he told her, "You're stunning when you smile Kate."
Growing serious then, Beckett couldn't help biting at her lower lip before she told him, "You too."
"Really?" Castle said in slight surprise while she was gently brushing her fingers to his hair that had fallen onto his forehead.
"As long as you keep those glasses on," Beckett teased him. She smiled at the one that appeared on his face and was about to tell him he didn't have to when he was rolling around to get on top of her.
"Don't worry, I will since I kind of need them to see you," Castle said, kissing at her breasts, shoulders and collarbone in between each word. "And I need to do that," he said seriously, pulling away to say that without interruption. He was about to lean into her to kiss her when his stomach was growling again, and he made a face before he heard his wife's doing the same.
"I was working too," Beckett replied with a smile, thrilled at her husband's laugh though it was brief. Once he had gotten off of her she told him, "So we're stopping."
"We are," Castle said though he was looking at her stomach. "Don't hit me," he said, tilting his head to look into her eyes. "But you're very delicate, compared to me."
Beckett couldn't help smiling at how fast her husband had spoken his last three words before she said, "Even my stomach growling?"
"Even that," Castle said, nodding his head rapidly. He wasn't surprised when she leaned into him and they were kissing tenderly before he told her after they'd started, "I love that about you."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said, aware he was talking about her petiteness since he'd told her that before. They shared another kiss before she said, "I almost don't want to get dressed," smiling when he was responding to that in a rush.
"You don't need to," Castle said. "We could eat here in bed." He wasn't surprised when she was wrinkling her nose and he said, "Then could I request we get dressed fully?"
"You just want me to wear the dress again," Beckett told him teasingly.
"Of course I do," Castle replied, in a tone to convey there was no doubt.
Rolling her eyes Beckett said, "Then we're eating in the dining room if I'm doing that."
"I'm fine with that," Castle said. He looked over at the windows and said, "Especially with this weather."
"Get off of me love," Beckett replied, teasingly pushing at his shoulders. After he was off of her they were getting up at the same time and she went to the dresser, pulling on her crinoline before her husband was with her to help with the dress. "Thank you," she said.
"Would you help me with my clothes?" Castle asked her. When she gave him a look he said, "Okay."
Unable to keep herself from smiling at his rapid speaking, Becket went to the stairs and called back before he could say anything, "Since I bought it I'm getting lunch ready."
"It won't take me that long," Castle said swiftly. He wasn't surprised when his wife was waving towards him over her shoulder before he hurried to finish fully. Walking to the stairs he hurried down before he met his wife while she was entering the living room. "What?" he asked in surprise when he saw her frown.
"Why are you going down the stairs like that?" Beckett asked her husband.
Turning back to look at the staircase, Castle said, "I'm hurrying to you." Looking at his wife again he said, "Okay, so I went way too fast but really I was careful."
"Please keep being careful," Beckett said while he walked up to her. She took his kiss on her cheek before she kept him from moving away from her so they could kiss gently.
When they parted Castle pulled her into his embrace and said, "I adore you Kate."
"I feel the same love," Beckett replied. She then smiled a little and told him, "Would you help me now?"
"Sure," Castle said, going after her. When they reached the dining room he asked her, "Would you want me to set the table?"
"No," Beckett said.
Castle was about to speak when he stopped himself and asked, "Are we having a picnic?"
"I'd like to," Beckett told him seriously. She watched him overexaggerate pretending to think about that and said, "So would you."
"Oh… I guess that would be fine," Castle said, laughing when she was pinching playfully at his arm. "Are you kidding? A picnic where we made love?"
"Do you think you could take off the sheets actually?" Beckett asked him.
"You don't want to do anything there again?" Castle responded with his own question.
"Not really," Beckett said. She waited for him to respond to that but was surprised when he nodded before he then spoke.
"Okay, then I'll get the sheets off now," Castle said. "Are we using the coffee table?" When his wife nodded he leaned down to her and kissed her tenderly before they were letting each other go. He was quick to get the sheets out of the way before he got the two cushions from the love seat and was setting them next to the coffee table. Making sure everything was finished he made his way over to the kitchen and saw she had set their sandwiches on plates along with some rye crisps. "Wow, you went all out with these," he said when he noticed she had even cut some slices from the small wedge of Manchego cheese he'd bought.
"The way your stomach growled I was sure you'd need a little more," Beckett said, smiling when her husband was wrapping his arms around her. She leaned back against him and told him, "What do you want to drink?"
"I'll take care of that," Castle told her firmly, kissing the back of her head quickly. He let her go and went to the fridge where he grabbed the bottle of juice they'd gotten with their fruits. "I'm saving the wine for tonight," he told his wife when he saw she was watching him.
"Fair enough, you're making it," Beckett said simply before she put the cheese away. When she turned to him she was startled to find her husband was standing next to her and she was about to ask if he was ready when he gave her the glasses before she said, "I-"
"My treat," Castle told her quickly. He smiled when she rolled her eyes before he leaned into her and was kissing her tenderly before he stepped away. "Come on," he told her.
"Don't forget the plates," Beckett told him teasingly, walking away from him.
Castle couldn't help himself, watching her as she went before he grabbed their lunch and followed her. "Can I ask about your feet?" he asked her once they were in the family room.
"What about them?" Beckett said in response, sitting down first.
"They're not cold?" Castle asked her, letting his concern seep into his tone.
"No, the house isn't too bad," Beckett answered, smiling at him. She sat on the cushion and told her husband, "Are you?"
"I'm not," Castle said firmly, looking at her in confusion as he was sitting on the other cushion. He then noticed her gaze was on his dress shirt and he glanced down saying, "I didn't want to take that long," aware she could see his nipples underneath it.
"I'm glad you didn't," Beckett replied. She then took a sip of the pomegranate juice and told him, "We should hurry and eat."
"Good idea," Castle said, looking her body over deliberately. He half expected her to call him a pervert, but she wasn't responding, instead beginning to eat. He was soon doing the same and they were quiet for a little before he asked her, "Do you want to tell me?"
Beckett glanced at him since she was biting into her sandwich at the moment and finished eating that bite before she responded. "Can I be fully honest about this?" she asked.
"Believe me, I want you to be," Castle said seriously, not really concerned since he had an idea of what she was going to say before she was continuing.
"I don't know if it feels… right to really be here on our own now," Beckett replied.
"What we did on the couch?" Castle asked her. When she looked uncertain for a moment before she nodded he then said, "It's okay. I kind of felt the same way myself. I think we've gotten used to everyone being here with us."
"I had the same thought," Beckett replied.
"And since we're thinking of this," Castle said then while he got some of the cheese and a rye crisp together. "I get the feeling we should just come for Memorial Day weekend and… whenever we're on this side of the country."
"I like that idea," Beckett said. "But we're going to need to explain it to the girls."
"Okay," Castle said, smiling when his wife was laughing. "No?" he asked.
"Okay, but let me know what you plan to say," Beckett said before she found herself laughing again at the serious expression on his face. "You don't have to figure it out now you know," she told him before he was smiling.
"To be honest I would just really say that we want to be there with them," Castle said. "And we'd like to spend more time in Tahiti."
"Good point," Beckett said with a nod. She then smiled and said, "Hopefully they'll accept that."
"Don't they kind of need to?" Castle asked. "We are their parents."
"But you know how kids are," Beckett pointed out to him. She smiled when he pretended to look glum and she said, "We'll tell them together."
"Oh good, I don't want to do it by myself," Castle replied, smiling when his wife was laughing. When she had calmed down he said, "I knew you were going to already."
Nodding, Beckett said, "We are their parents."
"Yes," Castle said, smiling when Beckett did at how simply he'd spoken. "Now what do we talk about?"
"Is it because we have the rest of the trip set?" she asked him in amusement.
"Kind of," Castle said. He smiled at the sight of her laughing and he leaned into her to kiss her briefly. "And we do have it set right?" he asked her.
Nodding Beckett said, "If we change it anymore we're going to give up and just stay here." When her husband put on an exaggerated expression she rolled her eyes laughingly and told him, "We're not."
"But if we honestly wanted to you would right?" Castle asked her.
"Of course," Beckett said, putting her glass down. She reached over to him and cupped his cheek momentarily before she said, "But we're going out," relieved when he nodded before he was speaking with a smile on his face.
"We are because I don't want us to feel the need to take another break," Castle said.
Smiling Beckett said teasingly, "Is that all you can think about?"
"When we're like this?" Castle shot back to her teasingly. He smiled again when she laughed and he couldn't help himself, cupping her cheek with his hand before he was kissing her lightly on the lips. Pulling away from her he said, "I love you."
"I love you too," Beckett replied before they were leaning into each other for another kiss. It was brief and when she turned back to her food something suddenly came to mind and she said, "We have to make a phone call."
"Two of them," Castle said, looking at his watch hurriedly. "Wait," he said.
"What if we try calling Alexis first?" Beckett asked, putting her hand on his arm to get his attention.
Thinking about that, Castle nodded and said, "That's true. Hopefully they're both there."
"Louis said he wasn't going to leave for as long as he could," Beckett replied in amusement.
"Okay," Castle said before he looked at their plates. "Do you want some grapes?"
"Wait until we call them," Beckett said firmly. She wasn't surprised when her husband was taking both their plates and she allowed him to before standing up herself. She took the cushions back to the loveseat and said when her husband entered the room, "Don't start."
"I wasn't going to say anything," Castle said defensively. "Let me get everything ready."
Beckett nodded and watched him move to the TV screen which they had caved in and bought so they would be able to talk to their families since they'd planned to travel there after Tahiti. "Let me text them," she told him. When he waved to her, his head behind the screen, she smiled and then picked up his phone on the coffee table.
"Okay," Castle said once he had finished. "It should be all ready to go." He looked at his wife and then said, "I hope they are," smiling when she laughed briefly before she replied.
"They probably are… or asleep," Beckett commented before her husband was kissing her cheek. She gave him his phone and was about to tell him they would likely reply shortly when his text alert sounded.
"She says they're more than ready," Castle replied, reading the message from their oldest. He called and said, "Let me get you on the TV Alexis," before he was moving to get it ready. When Alexis appeared on the screen he laughed seeing she and Louis were holding the twins.