Chapter 33 - All shook up

"So, where are you guys, or should I say girls, going tonight?" Rick asked. Lizzy was wriggling in his arms, freshly bathed and dressed in her lady-bug jammies.

Kate glanced up at her husband and grinned, pulling on her impossibly high (and ridiculously sexy) pair of Louboutins.

"Oh, wouldn't you like to know, Writer Boy." She stood up and walked to her dresser with Castle following, openly ogling the contours of her ass in the dark form-fitting jeans.

"Ah, come on. I promise I won't tell Esposito anything."

Kate smiled and rolled her eyes, but kept quiet.

"Kaaatteee."

She huffed out an annoyed breath and continued to apply her mascara. "Why is it so important for you to know, Castle?"

He shrugged. "Just… I'm curious."

She stopped applying mascara and watched Rick in the mirror. He was being all domestic (and hot) with his bare feet, ratty jeans and blue NYPD t-shirt while Lizzy clambered all over him.

It was kinda heart-melting.

"Are you worried that we're going to a *ahem* ladies-friendly institution?"

"No," Rick scoffed, his brow furrowing.

She lifted an eyebrow and fought the grin that was threatening. "Oh, really?"

"Yeah, really." He returned a shit-eating grin of his own. "Besides, you don't need other sources of entertainment. You've got me."

She turned around and gave him a heated look which made his grin falter. Kate slowly sauntered up to him; a graceful, feral, predatory beauty. He was helpless against it, against her.

A moth to the flame.

Kate pressed her cheek against his, lining her body with his. A perfect fit. "Believe me, I am well aware of what I've got," she breathed into his ear, tracking a hand low on his stomach. "I am a very lucky woman to have a husband with such a big... heart."

He gulped and tightened his hold on his daughter who was babbling away and bouncing in his arms, completely unaware that her father's brain had just melted.

"Uh... I... uh."

"So easy." Kate laughed and patted his cheek before giving her daughter's chubby one a smacking kiss and running a hand affectionately through her dark hair. "Don't worry, it's just gonna be dinner and drinks at Maddy's place."

"No show?" Rick quipped after recovering.

She flashed him a wide smile and gave him a quick kiss. "No. That I get from you later tonight. So be ready... Stud." She bit her lip and swept a thumb over his mouth, lowering her tone. "And I promise that if you're good, you might be getting one from me."

He groaned. "Oh, don't tease me, Detective."

[][][]

"Kate, what the hell is this?" Lanie exclaimed in surprise amid clapping, laughing and familiar female faces smiling back at them. The petite ME turned to her friend, eyes wide and sparkling.

The dark-haired detective grinned. "Well, just a little get-together with all your girlfriends before the big day." Kate's grin got wider. "And of course, a little payback for what you did to me."

Lanie's face fell. "Oh no."

Kate laughed. "Oh yes."

She ushered her friend towards the large table with all the women - Lanie's younger sister, Michelle, a couple of close cousins, Rhonda, a varsity friend, Esposito's sisters and Jenny and Madison.

There was no Mama Esposito and no Mama Parish in order to ensure the continued existence of humankind.

"Finally! We were almost tempted to send out a search party for you guys!" Madison moved through the group and towards them.

"Hey, Maddy. Long time no see." Kate greeted her friend.

Madison tugged the detective into a tight hug. "Hey Becks. Yeah, too long."

The hostess turned to the woman of the moment, her smile getting wider. "Dr. Parish, good to see you. Another one bites the dust, huh?"

Lanie laughed and embraced the other woman. "Good to see you too, Maddy." The ME grinned mischievously, lifting an eyebrow. "And I'm not biting anything."

The blonde laughed and ushered Lanie towards the group of other women. While Lanie was surrounded by the other women, Madison turned her attention back to Kate, linking her arm with the detective's as the two women made their way to the table with the other guests.

"So, how's baby Castle?"

Kate's grin immediately got wider, brighter. "Great. She's wonderful and beautiful and just perfect," she gushed. "You have to come and visit."

"Aww, I want to so badly. It's just been busy, you know? But don't worry - Aunt Maddy will definitely be at her first birthday party."

"You better be."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world. And how's Daddy doing?" Madison asked, her eyes twinkling knowingly.

Kate bit her lip, feeling a little giddy and proud that Rick was hers. "He's great too."

"Mmhmm, I bet he is." Madison grinned, turning her attention back to the other women. "Ladies, are we ready?"

"Hell yeah!" Michelle Parish exclaimed enthusiastically, already on her second glass of wine. "Crack the champagne so that we can get this party started!"

[][][]

"Goodnight stars, goodnight air, goodnight noises everywhere." His voice was a soft, deep rumble; lulling the baby warm against his chest to sleep. Rick glanced down at his daughter and smiled tenderly as he studied her little face. Her eyes were closed, her small mouth open and her features relaxed, deep in slumber.

She looked like her mother. Like his wife. Like their Kate.

"Goodnight, baby girl," he said quietly, closing the story book. He bent down and pressed a lingering kiss against her forehead, still rocking rhythmically in the rocking chair. After a few moments, he stood up and carefully placed Lizzy in her crib, running a large hand affectionately over her skull.

"You're growing up too fast, baby bird. Remember, you and your old man have an agreement," he murmured, before bending down and placing another kiss on top of his daughter's head.

Rick stood up and sighed, catching sight of a framed picture on the small bedside table next to her crib. It was a photo of his whole family - Alexis, Lizzy, Kate and himself; one taken at the zoo the last time Alexis was in town. His three girls were in a close embrace, his eldest daughter and Kate wrapped around each other, with eye-crinkling smiles while Lizzy was in between them, babbling happily in her mother's arms. He was standing behind them, his arms slung over Alexis and Kate's shoulders, grinning like a fool.

Ah, good times.

'Maybe Nikki needs to get pregnant.'

[][][]

"Lanie, where are you going? They're waiting-"

Her friend was acting weird, darting up and grabbing her hand and dragging her along before they could toast her upcoming nuptials. Yeah, so not Lanie Parish.

"Girl, just... listen. You gotta help me out," the M.E. said, pushing the tall detective into the ladies' restroom.

Kate's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Lanie locked the door before turning back to face her friend, wringing her hands nervously.

Locking the door? Okay, now she was seriously concerned. Help her out with what? Was she getting cold-

"Kate, I... I'm pregnant."

Oh.

Oh. Wow.

The dark-haired beauty gaped at her friend, mouth open, eyes wide and large. And then she smiled, her whole face alight and beaming. Lanie let out a shaky breath and returned a broad smile.

Kate moved forward, one, two steps and enveloped the petite woman in a fierce hug, both women feeling emotions bubbling out.

"You're pregnant," Kate said softly, reverently, stepping back a few paces.

Lanie wiped at her eyes and let out a watery chuckle. "Guess you got your wish, Detective. Lizzy will be having a playmate soon."

"When did you find out?"

"Uh, about two days ago."

"How far?"

"Not sure yet, but I'm guessing about five to six weeks."

"And Esposito? Does he know?"

The M.E. ducked her head and smiled softly. "Yeah. He is the only one, besides me and you, who knows." She looked back at the detective. "Oh, Kate, he's so excited. I had to stop him from going out and buying a football."

Kate grinned and shook her head. "I bet he his. He's gonna be great, you're gonna be great. Oh my word, an Esplanie baby!" She squealed, literally squealed.

The other women laughed. "Seriously? An Esplanie baby? Writer Boy has definitely rubbed off on you."

"Oh, believe me, you have no idea how much he has," Kate murmured with a slow, sly smile.

"Definitely did not need to know that."

Kate chuckled quietly before embracing her friend again. "Lanie, I'm so happy for you. And Espo. You two are going to be fantastic parents."

"Thanks, girl," Lanie replied before breaking the embrace.

"Wait. What did you mean when you said that you needed my help?"

Lanie bit her lip. "Look I don't want anyone else to know about this yet. And this being my bachelorette and all, if I'm not throwing back tequila shots-"

Of course. Duh.

"-people will start getting suspicious and start asking questions."

"Exactly... So I'm gonna need someone to take care of my drinks."

Take care of her drinks?

Kate's eyes grew wider. "Oh. O-okay." She was already dreading the hangover that would follow her act of kindness. "But you owe me, Dr. Parish."

Lanie smiled, teasing. "Dr. Esposito, Detective Castle."

Kate snorted. "Detective Beckett, Mrs. Castle. Get your titles right, Mrs. Esposito."

[][][]

It was past midnight and Nikki was in the middle of cracking a serial killer case with Rook by her side, of course. Nikki getting pregnant was not on the cards... yet. He was just finishing the scene where she had been lured to the maniac's lair when Rick heard the sound of the door opening and feet stumbling into the foyer.

Stumbling? Huh. That was... strange. Kate never-

Wait, was that giggling? She definitely did not giggle. Unless...

Before he could get up, his slightly intoxicated and giggling (giggling!) wife came through his office door. She spotted him and unfurled a slow, teasing, sexy smile while watching him from under her lashes.

"Hiiii, Baby."

Oh wow.

He cleared his throat, watching her strut (so hot!) towards him. A lioness, a tigress stalking her prey.

Holy shit.

"Uh, hey Honey."

She slowly, a little shakily, made her way towards him. "Sooo? What're you doin'?" His lips flickered at her slurring, but resisted the amused smile that wanted to escape.

She slid her arms up his chest and around his neck, stepping closer, her chest pressing against him. "Just- just writing. And waiting for you," he managed.

"You wait'd f'r me?" She asked all too innocently, pouting her lips and batting (batting!) her eyelashes at him.

Rick returned a smile. "Of course, Babe."

Kate stepped closer, her hair tickling his cheek. "Don't call me 'Babe'," she murmured, nuzzling her nose with his, squeezing his neck.

He chuckled softly. "Whatever you say, Beckett." Before she could respond, his mouth was on hers - demanding, insistent, hungry. He could taste the champagne, the vodka, tequila on her tongue. But she's intoxicating. He's drunk with her, because of her. His head, his world was spinning by the time she hooked a long leg around his and pressed her hips against his insistently.

His legs were jelly, knees giving in.

They're both breathless, thrumming with need when they broke apart.

"'Tis Officer Beckett to you, Misstterrr," she pants, still slurring, but alert now. A little bit more sober. He was about to capture her lips again when she disappeared from his arms. Her eyes were wide, dark, sparkling with mischief and something.. dare he say? naughty.

"Kate?" He queried as she slowly retreated out of his office.

She was grinning at him, dangerously, a femme fatale. Like she had a secret that he had to discover. A delicious secret.

"Give me ten minutes." He is instructed in a low, throaty voice. A voice dripping with liquid heat, with sex.

Ten minutes.

It shocks his system. A bolt of lighting, a lick of fire. Jolting him, leaving him breathless with anticipation. Because when Kate gets adventurous, his world usually explodes.

Among other things. . .

[][][]

Officer Beckett.

His jaw was probably somewhere on the floor. Along with all coherent thought. How was he supposed to think with his brain when she was prancing around in her cop (cop!) uniform; just the black shirt and hat? And while she was wearing his favourite pair of black lace panties and a pair of sexy heels, showing off her toned legs? Way too sexy for her own good.

He was going to die. Rick Castle was going to die due to an overdose of arousal.

She smirked at him, her eyes filled with equal measures of mirth and heat. "See somethin' ya like, Castle?" She was more sober, more in control now than a few minutes before.

He couldn't move. Literally couldn't move. His pants were too tight, his mouth dry, his legs heavy. "Uh..."

She walked towards him, torturing him with the seductive sway of her hips. He gulped. "Cat caught your tongue?"

"Nice outfit," Rick quipped, proud to be able to put together a string of words. Her smile only grew more devious as she reached back and pulled out a pair of fluffy handcuffs.

He was going to faint.

She stepped into his personal space, in between his parted legs, the handcuffs dangling teasingly from her fingers.

"I promised you a show, didn't I?" She breathed into his ear, hot and eager and spine-tingling.

He could only nod dumbly, clenching his fists; feeling the blood race through his veins. Uninhibited, scorching, primal lust.

Kate molded her lithe body further into his, a hand trailing up his chest, playing teasingly with the buttons of his shirt.

"Well, Mr. Castle, is there something you want to confess before I take you... downtown?"

She was going to kill him.

[][][]

I'm a natural ma'am
Doin' all I can
My temperature is runnin' high

Talking's fine
If you got the time
But I ain't got the time to spare
Yeah

Do you wanna touch (Yeah)
Do you wanna touch (Yeah)
Do you wanna touch me there, where
Do you wanna touch (Yeah)
Do you wanna touch (Yeah)

Title of the chapter is an Elvis song and lyrics at the end from 'Do you want to touch me.'