Star Wars

It was a rainy Sunday afternoon, the kind of day that begged for blankets, hot cocoa, and a good movie. Raindrops pattered against the loft windows as Rick rummaged through his extensive collection of DVDs. Romey sat cross-legged on the couch, his wide eyes following Rick's every move.

"Alright, buddy," Rick said, holding up a DVD case like it was a priceless artifact. "Today, your life changes forever. We're watching Star Wars."

Romey tilted his head. "What's Star Wars, Rick?"

Rick gasped theatrically, clutching his chest. "What's Star Wars? It's only the greatest saga ever told! It's about heroes, villains, space battles, and… lightsabers." He made a whooshing sound and mimicked a lightsaber duel, much to Romey's delight.

Kate curled up in the armchair with a steaming mug of tea and smirked. "Careful, Castle. You're setting some pretty high expectations."

Rick waved her off. "Trust me, Beckett, he's going to love it."

As the iconic opening crawl appeared on the screen, Romey leaned forward, his mouth slightly open in awe. When the stormtroopers burst into the Rebel ship, he gasped and immediately joined Kate on her chair.

"Mommy, are they gonna catch the princess?" he whispered, clutching her arm.

Kate wrapped an arm around him. "Don't worry, she's got a plan."

When Luke and Leia swung across the chasm, Romey's eyes widened. "That was so cool!" he exclaimed, his grip on Kate tightening during the blaster fight.

By the time the Death Star exploded, Romey was standing on the couch, his hands in the air. "Boom!" he shouted, mimicking the explosion with his tiny fists.

Rick grinned, his eyes never leaving Romey. "Told you he'd love it."

"Okay, fine," Kate admitted, shaking her head with a smile. "You win this one, Castle."

After the movie ended, Rick stood up with a flourish. "But wait, there's more!"

Romey's eyes widened. "More?"

Rick led him to a large storage trunk in the corner of the loft. He opened it with a dramatic gesture, revealing an impressive collection of Star Wars toys: action figures, ships, lightsabers, and even a Millennium Falcon playset.

"Whoa!" Romey breathed, his tiny hands reaching for a Luke Skywalker figure. "Can I play with these?"

"Not only can you play with them," Rick said, kneeling beside him, "but I'll join you. Every Jedi needs a good co-pilot."

Romey eagerly grabbed a toy X-wing while Rick picked up Han Solo and started narrating an imaginary mission. "Alright, kid, we've got to take out the Imperial fleet. I'll cover you from the Falcon."

Kate watched from the couch, her arms crossed but her eyes soft. "Alright, children, do you want a snack? Jedi fuel, perhaps?"

"Haha, Beckett," Rick called over his shoulder, holding up an action figure. "I'm a big kid with a fully articulated Boba Fett."

Romey giggled as he swooshed his X-wing around. "Pew pew! Got you, Rick!"

"Nice shot, buddy!" Rick said, pretending to crash his toy TIE fighter.

Kate shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. "You're silly."

"And you love it," Rick shot back, flashing her a cheeky grin.

Kate leaned in, giving him a quick kiss. "I do."

By the time they wrapped up their intergalactic adventure, the rain had slowed, and Romey was sprawled out on the rug, his Luke and R2-D2 figures clutched in his hands. Rick leaned back against the couch, clearly just as content.

Kate walked over and ruffled Romey's hair. "Alright, my little Jedi, time to clean up."

"Aww, but Mommy, we just saved the galaxy!" Romey protested.

Rick laughed. "And a fine job you did, too. But even Jedi need to rest."

Kate shot Rick a look. "You're helping him clean this up."

"Yes, ma'am," Rick said, saluting her with a toy lightsaber.

As they tidied the toys together, Kate couldn't help but marvel at the bond Rick and Romey shared. Watching them play made her heart swell. "Thanks for this, Castle," she said quietly.

Rick looked up, his expression softening. "Anytime. He's a great kid."

"And you're amazing with him," Kate admitted, her voice warm.

Rick's eyes sparkled. "Hey, I'm just doing my part to raise the next generation of Jedi."

Kate laughed, shaking her head.

As the loft settled into a cozy calm, the rainy afternoon became another cherished memory in their little family's story. Rick scooped Romey up and carried him upstairs to bed. "You know we've got more Star Wars to watch, right?" he said conspiratorially.

"There's more?" Romey asked, his eyes lighting up.

"Oh, just wait until you see The Empire Strikes Back," Rick said, his voice full of excitement. "It's a masterpiece."

Kate, overhearing from the bottom of the stairs, chuckled softly. "I'm sure you'll have him quoting it in no time."

Halloween

It all began in the Castle loft, where Castle and Romey were busy hanging fake cobwebs and positioning skeletons. Romey clutched a small plastic pumpkin tightly as he eyed a particularly creepy zombie head that groaned when activated.

"Rick, do we have to put that one out?" Romey asked, his voice small.

Rick crouched down to his level, a reassuring smile on his face. "Buddy, it's just pretend. See?" He pressed the button again, and the zombie groaned, its eyes glowing red. Romey jumped, but Rick quickly scooped him up. "But if it's too scary, we'll put it in the kitchen where it can guard the snacks. How about that?"

Romey giggled nervously. "Okay, but I'm not going in the kitchen alone."

"Deal," Rick said, setting him back down. "Now, help me with these bats. They're way less scary."

Romey's excitement for Halloween grew as they worked, and Rick's mind buzzed with ideas for the perfect costumes. He had a surprise in mind, but this time, he and Romey would work together to keep it a secret from Kate.

Later that evening, the family gathered around the kitchen for a pumpkin-carving session. Rick had set Romey up with a paper plate and some orange paint while Alexis had drawn the outline of a pumpkin for him to color in. Romey's tongue peeked out in concentration as he painted, occasionally looking up to admire the carving contest underway. Rick, Kate, and Alexis each worked on their own real pumpkin, the stakes high as they had appointed Romey the judge for their competition.

After the pumpkin-carving session wrapped up, Romey's face was smeared with orange paint, which Kate immediately noticed. While he stood in front of the pumpkins, thoughtfully inspecting each one, she grabbed a damp cloth and tried to gently wipe the paint off his cheeks. Romey squirmed but didn't take his eyes off the carved creations.

Alexis's pumpkin had a perfectly etched cat face with delicately carved whiskers. "Hmm," he said, pointing at Alexis's pumpkin, "that kitty looks like it's going to jump out!"

Kate chuckled, still dabbing at his face. "It's pretty lifelike, isn't it?"

Romey moved on to Kate's haunted house pumpkin, featuring an elegant haunted house scene, its windows glowing from within. "This one's spooky, Mommy. Who lives in there?"

"Probably some friendly ghosts," Kate replied, tilting her head as she admired her own handiwork.

Finally, Romey stopped before Rick's zombie pumpkin, his brow furrowing. "Rick, why is your pumpkin eating its own face?"

Rick threw his hands up. "It's a zombie! It's supposed to look creepy!"

Rick's face fell as he slumped back dramatically. "Silly? I was going for scary!" he groaned. Romey, still giggling. Rick sighed, muttering, "The struggle of being misunderstood by your own family," which only made Kate and Alexis burst into laughter.

And then, with a dramatic flourish, Romey announced, "Alexis wins!"

"The fix is in!" Rick declared, feigning outrage. "Kids against parents."

The morning dawned with a crisp chill, the loft bustling with energy as Rick and Romey dove into costume preparations. Rick leaned into Romey as they sketched out ideas, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Okay, buddy, remember our secret plan?"

Romey nodded eagerly. "I'm gonna be Luke Skywalker!"

"That's right," Rick said, ruffling his hair. "And I'll be Han Solo. But we can't forget the most important part."

"Mommy!" Romey exclaimed, his eyes wide.

"Exactly. Mommy will be Princess Leia, but she doesn't know yet. It's a surprise."

Romey giggled. "She's gonna look so pretty!"

Rick smiled. "You bet she will, buddy. Now, let's finish your helmet."

On Halloween night, the big reveal finally came. Romey, dressed as a pint-sized Luke Skywalker, marched out of the bedroom, his lightsaber slightly too big for his little hands but adorable. Rick followed in his Han Solo outfit, blaster holstered at his hip. When Kate emerged, wearing the iconic white dress and braided hairstyle of Princess Leia, Rick's face lit up.

"Wow," he said, clearly impressed. "The galaxy's luckiest smuggler right here."

Kate rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "This was your idea, wasn't it?"

"Guilty as charged," Rick admitted. "Romey really loved his first viewing of Star Wars, and when I asked him who he wanted to be, he said he wanted to be a Jedi. But doesn't it feel right? The three of us, saving the galaxy… or at least collecting candy."

Romey struck a pose, holding up his candy bucket like a blaster. "Pew pew!"

"Exactly, my little Jedi," Rick said, grabbing the handle of a decorated wagon he'd prepared. "And here's our secret weapon."

Kate tilted her head. "A wagon?"

Rick grinned and gestured to the wagon, now adorned with posterboard panels he'd carefully painted to resemble an X-wing starfighter. "Not just any wagon," he said proudly. "This baby is ready to take our little Jedi on the candy-collecting mission of a lifetime. I used this trick with Alexis when she was little. It's genius. You get to more houses, more candy, and no tired feet."

Romey climbed in, beaming as Rick pulled the wagon toward the door. "Let's go, Mommy! I want all the candy!"

Kate shook her head, laughing. "Alright, Captain Solo, lead the way."

Trick-or-treating was a hit. Romey's Jedi robe flapped as he waved to everyone, his candy bucket quickly filling. Rick's Han Solo swagger and Kate's Princess Leia elegance earned them countless compliments. Thanks to the wagon, they navigated the building's elevators with ease, moving from floor to floor efficiently.

"Told you it was a good idea," Rick said smugly as they piled candy into Romey's bucket.

"Okay, you win," Kate admitted, laughing. "This might be the most efficient trick-or-treating ever."

Romey's excitement was boundless when they ventured into nearby neighborhoods lined with brownstone. At one house, they paused to marvel at an intricately spooky yard display complete with a life-sized skeleton band and glowing gravestones. Rick, fully committed to his Han Solo persona, struck a dramatic pose with his blaster. But the moment was cut short when they realized Romey had wandered off.

"Romey?" Kate's voice was sharp, her eyes scanning the crowd.

"Romey!" Rick called, his heart pounding.

Kate's breath quickened as her eyes darted over the crowd, scanning every costumed child in sight. "Rick, where is he?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Rick held a steadying hand on her shoulder though his heart was pounding. "We'll find him. He can't have gone far."

"What if he's lost? Or…" Kate's voice caught. "What if someone…"

"Hey, hey," Rick said firmly, forcing her to meet his eyes. "He's okay. Let's check the yard display. He loves those things."

They split up, weaving through the clusters of trick-or-treaters. Kate's mind raced to worst-case scenarios, her chest tightening with every second that passed. "Romey!" she called, her voice strained with panic.

Rick rounded the corner of the spooky yard display, scanning the shadows. "Romey, buddy, where are you?"

Just as Kate turned back toward the main street, Rick's voice rang out. "Got him!"

Kate spun around to see Rick holding Romey's hand as the boy clutched a giant candy bar in his other hand, his face lit with excitement.

"Look!" Romey exclaimed. "They gave me this because I told them I'm a real Jedi!"

Kate dropped to her knees, pulling him into a fierce hug. "Don't ever do that again, Romey. You scared me."

"Sorry, Mommy. I just wanted to see the big skeleton," Romey said, his voice small.

Rick knelt beside them, his voice gentle. "Next time, let us know, okay? Jedi always stick together."

Romey nodded solemnly. "Okay, I promise."

After trick-or-treating, they returned to the loft, where they began welcoming guests to Rick's yearly Halloween party. Romey only stayed at the party for about thirty minutes. Still, in that time, he made the rounds, proudly showing everyone his Luke Skywalker costume.

"Wow, look at you, little Luke!" Lanie said, crouching down to Romey's level.

Romey glanced at Lanie and grinned. "Your Catwoman costume is so cool, Aunt Lanie!"

Lanie gave Romie a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, little man."

Romey continued to work the room, then climbed onto the coffee table, striking a dramatic pose with his candy bucket held high. "I am a Jedi, like my father before me!" he declared, channeling his inner Luke Skywalker and drawing cheers and applause from everyone in the room.

Meanwhile, Alexis, dressed as a Green Woodland Fairy with sparkling wings and a flowy green dress, approached Romey with a playful smile. "Sir Romey, have you come to seek the wisdom of the Woodland Fairy?" she asked, twirling her wand.

Romey giggled, his eyes wide with admiration. "You look so shiny! Can you do magic?"

Alexis tapped his nose lightly with her wand. "Of course. I can make you laugh uncontrollably!"

Romey burst into laughter, clutching his sides. "That's the best magic ever!"

Rick watched the interaction from across the room, smiling warmly. "It looks like the Woodland Fairy's got some serious skills," he said to Kate, who stood beside him with a proud look on her face.

"Yeah," Kate replied softly, her gaze on Romey and Alexis. "She's a great big sister."

Jim chuckled from the couch, adjusting the fishing hat that matched his flannel shirt and overalls. He was fully committed to his fisherman costume. "That's quite the outfit. You must be the bravest stormtrooper in the galaxy."

"Rick says I'm the best Jedi," Romey explained solemnly.

"Obviously," Ryan chimed in, holding up a candy bar. "Here's some rations for the mission."

"Thanks, Uncle Kevin!" Romey said, saluting Ryan, who was dressed as a doctor.

Esposito leaned over, adjusting the camouflage shirt of his soldier costume and grinning. "Hey, kid, who's cooler? Han Solo or Chewbacca?"

Romey considered this for a moment, then declared, "Rick is the coolest."

"Smart kid," Rick said, puffing his chest out as Alexis giggled.

Martha swept in dramatically. "Darling, you're stealing the show. Simply fabulous!"

Romey beamed. "Thank you, Cruella De Vill!" He whispers to Martha, "You're much nicer than the real one."

Martha chuckled, her eyes sparkling. "Darling, I prefer to use my powers for good, not evil."

Finally, Captain Montgomery, dressed as a decorated naval officer with a crisp white uniform and captain's hat, patted Romey's shoulder gently, taking in the little Jedi's determined expression. "You've got a good crew here, son. Keep them in line, alright? Use the Force."

"Yes, sir!" Romey said, standing at attention before giving a quick "pew pew" and running back to Rick.

With everyone sufficiently charmed, Kate eventually whisked him off to bed, but not before he insisted on sleeping with his lightsaber beside him.

"Thanks for going along with this," Rick said, pulling her close. "Romey said you're like Princess Leia because you're smart and never let the bad guys win. He's right, you know."

Kate smiled back, her eyes warm. "Thanks for making it special. For him and for me."

As they shared a quiet moment, the magic of the night lingered a reminder of the family they'd built and the adventures yet to come.