Monday, January 30, 2012
I Am Most Definitely Back
Chapter 42 - I and Love and You
"Well, that's the last of it," Rick said, stepping off the ladder. He watched his handiwork and nodded in satisfaction. The loft resembled a day at Disneyland with cartoon characters, colorful balloons and streamers everywhere.
He turned to look at Kate who was washing the dishes, humming in that rich, velvety voice that he has heard so many times when she cradled their daughter. He watched her for a moment, feasting his eyes on the beauty. His eyes became fixed on the long climb of her sun kissed legs (thank you Lord for short shorts!), the skin soft to the touch, but with the promise of brute force hidden in the lean, strong muscles beneath that soft skin. The way those long, long legs usually wrap around him in passionate-
"Staring is still creepy, Castle," Kate said, her voice dancing with amusement. She turned around, a smile flirting with the corner of her mouth, her mirth-filled eyes teasing him.
He choked out a laugh, surprised and pleased at the same time. He cleared his throat and threw an arm out towards his handiwork. "So? What do you think?"
Kate walked towards her husband, a drying towel slung over her shoulder, a strand of unruly hair curving around her plane of her cheek, her toes bending against the hardwood floor. She came to stand beside him, slowly tracking her eyes over the scene - the streamers hanging from the roof, the colourful balloons floating from every corner of the loft and the famous Disney characters that were just... everywhere.
Lizzy's first birthday bash was going to be a blast.
"I'd say-" she turned towards her husband, eyes soft and affectionate, a hand curling around his elbow. "-that you are the best daddy in the whole world," she murmured, pressing a kiss against his cheek. "And that our daughter is the luckiest girl to have you as a father," she said before kissing him softly, her lips feather-light in her appreciation, a taste of unspoken gratitude and pride.
He grinned against her mouth. "Mmm. I am good at birthdays, aren't I?"
Kate wrapped her arms around him, pulling her flush against his body, her lips hovering tantalizingly close to his.
"You sure are, Mr. Castle."
[][][]
"Rick, where are we going? I told you, there is no need to do anything." She knew she sounded like a petulant child, but she was tired after a long day of work and she just wanted to have a quiet evening at home with her husband, a nice dinner and maybe a bubble bath and a good book later on. She didn't want to do something for her birthday because- "We had our anniversary just two weeks ago."
"Quiet, woman, and just follow me," Rick responded with a cheeky grin, practically dragging his wife along the shady-looking little alleyway.
Kate scowled at him. "Don't tell me to be quiet and don't call me woman," she grumbled sourly. He had insisted on them making a quick detour after leaving the 12th. Unfortunately, she gave in and now her feet were killing her in those six-inch heels and she could feel a headache starting to form at the base of her skull. So, it was her birthday. Big deal. Everyone on the planet had one of those once a year.
Rick sighed and stopped walking, turning around to face her. "Fine, I won't. But would you just let me do this, babe? Please?" He was watching her with those big, sincere, puppy-dog eyes all the while caressing her hand with his thumb. It was kinda hypnotizing. She could feel the cool metal of his wedding band against her fingers.
One year.
They have been married for one year (and two weeks). A year filled with unforgettable memories of building a home together, crazy, sometimes dangerous cases, nasty fights, hot make-up sex, a lot of hot sex in general, the forging of their respective stories into one narrative, into a book of love.
One wonderful, exciting, head-over-heels year.
She smiled at him, affection lining the curve of her lips, love flooding her eyes. "Yeah, okay. Sure." She gave him one, two quick kisses, a hand cradling his jaw. "I'm sorry. Lead the way, Mr. Castle."
He smiled at her, boyish exuberance giving life to his features, his whole being. "Come on, we're almost there. You're gonna love it, Kate. Trust me."
She couldn't help but smile like an idiot at the adorableness that was her husband. While he was chatting away, she was watching him closely - the way his shoulders flexed beneath the material of his clothing (so very, very sexy), the way his hair flopped over his forehead, his animated hand gestures as he talked, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled.
Beautiful. He was her big, beautiful man.
She was shaken out of her thoughts when they suddenly came to a stop in front of an inconspicuous metal door. "...And here we are," Rick said with a flourish, his eyes twinkling with delight.
She looked at the door and then back at her husband. "This is it? Rick, where are we?" Her interest was definitely piqued now.
His grin grew. "Time to find out." He let go of her hand and stepped forward, knocking on the door three times.
After a while, the door opened, revealing a tall, scrawny-looking man with long, dark hair, wearing paint-covered overalls. He smiled broadly upon seeing who his visitors were.
"Rick! Good to see you," the man said, extending his hand.
"You too, Jackson," Rick replied, shaking his hand. He turned towards Kate.
"Oh and you must be Kate," Jackson said, his smile widening as she held out a hand towards the detective. "Pleased to meet you. I've heard so much about you already."
"Please, come on in." He gestured them to enter. "Excuse the mess, I've been quite busy." Jackson led them through his studio, paintings and various works of art scattered around the large room.
"Is it ready?" Rick asked.
Jackson turned around and smiled. "Yeah. Just give me a sec while I get it." With that he disappeared into another room.
"Mmm, let me guess, a painting," Kate said, tapping a finger against her mouth, her lips curving into a grin.
Rick turned to her and smiled, his eyes warm. "You should be a detective," he said softly, taking her hand in his again and leaning down to kiss her cheek and the corner just beneath her right eye. Her brow furrowed slightly. She expected him to be a little smug and impressed with himself, but there was a tenderness, a gentleness coating his every touch, every movement of his mouth, every expression on his face.
But before she could say anything more, Jackson came back, carrying a large canvas. "Well, here it is," he said, placing the canvas on an easel. He excused himself and stepped away, revealing the painting. It was a scene of a woman and a little girl, presumably a mother and her daughter, sitting on the floor opposite each other. The little girl was watching her mother while the woman was busy putting what seemed like a ballet shoe on her daughter's small foot. The scene was decorated with light and illuminated colours; streams of sunlight adorned the background, giving it a dreamlike quality. The little girl and the woman were both smiling, but their faces were unrecognizable due to the impressionist style of the painting. However, something about the small, intimate scene struck Kate. She stepped closer, her brow creasing as she looked at the scene. There was just something about it. Something vaguely familiar. She had a faint memory of her and her mother in a similar-
Oh. This was it. Oh... wow.
She whipped around, eyes wide, her mouth parted in wonder. Rick was watching her with a small, serene, closed-lipped smile; his eyes bathed in softness. She slowly stepped closer to him, her parted mouth curving into a wide, dazzling smile that revealed all of her joy. His heart stuttered at the sight. She was at her most beautiful when happiness was made home in the curl of her mouth, in the glittering sparkle of her eyes. And it was because of him. This unbridled, untamed joy that gave wings to her beauty was because of him.
"Do you like it?" Rick asked softly.
Kate looked at the painting again. She and her mother, a cherished moment between a mother and her daughter, her little girl. She could almost feel her heart breaking open with a lightness, a gentleness that stilled everything inside of her, that calmed all the stormy seas.
"I..." she started, but stopped, shaking her head in amazement; that smile still parting her lips and teeming in her eyes. "It's beautiful. So, so beautiful," she rasped, feeling the tears in her voice, her eyes already wet. "Thank you, Rick." She turned to look at her husband again who was, by now, grinning like an idiot.
Adorable man.
Kate suddenly wrapped herself around him in a fierce hug, burying her face in his neck, her nose pressed against his skin where the musky scent of his cologne still lingered strongly. She took a shaky breath and placed a kiss against his jaw, his cheek before whispering another quiet 'thank you' into his ear.
"Anything for you, Kate," he responded before feathering a few kisses on her cheek and down the corner of her mouth.
She finally let go of him and wiped at her eyes, slowly shaking her head, happiness still lifting the corners of her mouth. "How-"
"Remember when we organized all of our photo albums?"
She nodded and her smile grew. That was a fun day accompanied by a lot of laughter. They had ended up on the living room floor, family photo albums strewn all over the carpet, while the two of them rolled around in a fit of giggles after discovering photos of Kate's grunge rock-phase and Rick's prep school days.
"Well, I saw that photo of you and your mom where she was putting on your ballet shoes. And you were in that adorable tutu. I just remembered the look on your face when you talked about it. That gentleness, that fondness. It was just... beautiful. You were just so beautiful. So, I thought, why not do something to make that moment even more... memorable," he finished with a shrug and a shy, lopsided smile.
Gosh, she was so in love with this man.
"I love it and I love you, Mr. Castle," Kate replied, weaving her arms around her neck again. "I'm a lucky woman to have you."
He grinned and kissed her cheek. "Yeah, well, third time's a charm for me." She smiled widely and he couldn't help but kiss her then, drinking in that smile, that joy. "I love you."
[][][]
"Mmm, I left a mark," he rumbled against her skin, tracing his handiwork with a finger. "Sorry." Rick grinned and continued to place lazy kisses on her shoulder and in her neck.
Kate huffed a laugh and turned around to face her husband, all adorable blue eyes and floppy hair and stubbly cheeks. Sleepy and sexy.
And oh-so-deliciously naked beneath the sheets.
"You're definitely not sorry. In fact, you seem quite pleased with yourself," she murmured, pulling a leg up over his hip and purposefully brushing against him. His smile faltered and her grin grew.
Such a tease.
"Katherine Castle," Rick warned with absolutely no conviction. He loved her teasing. Absolutely loved it.
She bit her lip, dark eyes toying with him. "Yeah?" She was gorgeous dressed in only white sheets, pale sunlight and glorious, glorious nudity.
He was in such trouble.
"Don't tease me," he breathed against her throat, lightly biting and soothing her pulse point with his tongue. Her hips jerked violently in response, heart rate jumping. Rick grinned against her skin.
Ah, sweet victory.
"You're being the tease, Richard Castle," she panted into his ear in her bedroom voice; heat and fervor and lust flavouring each syllable.
So, so sexy. And arousing.
Rick flipped his wife over, possessing her with his mouth and tongue and teeth; his body heavy and warm and sexy as hell on top of her.
"Not if I plan to follow through."
Oh, yes please.
Kate's legs fell open up on a moan, cradling his hips within the frame of hers. She welcomed his tongue into her wet, burning mouth and pulled him down further on top of her, body arching into his. His hips rocked slowly against her, driving both of them to the edge; the movement a tormenting promise.
"Castle," Kate groaned, clutching at his shoulders and scratching his back.
Way beyond turned-on.
He continued to place feathery kisses all along her jaw line, the slope of her throat, her collarbone and in the valley between her breasts.
"Patience, lover... patience," he mumbled, his breath wafting over her flesh.
"Shut up," Kate grumbled while wrapping a leg higher around his waist, making her message crystal clear:
Take. Me. NOW.
"Feisty. I like it," he said with a smile before invading her mouth again.
She whimpered in response, unable to form any coherent thoughts while her husband's talented hands and mouth were doing very talented things to her. And driving her insane, completely bonkers. They were so different, even in this: he liked it slow and sensual, she liked it quick and dirty.
Yin and Yang - a perfect fit.
They had quick and dirty (twice) last night. So, this morning was going to be slow and sensual. And thorough - very, very thorough. Just the way he liked it. She was not on call this weekend, after all, and it was still early, barely 7h30. They still had some time before-
The doorbell rang.
-someone interrupted.
Rick grunted in disapproval, his breathing laboured. "Seriously?"
The doorbell rang again after a few moments of heavy breathing and hoping that the interruption would go away.
"Castle," Kate said, pushing on his shoulder and lowering her legs from his waist. "Come on. Up and off."
He rolled off her onto his back, eyes closed, jaw clenched, heart pounding. Everything hard. Kate got up and got dressed in his boxers and one of her t-shirts, watching her very sexy, very aroused husband with a smirk. Hopefully they could still have that morning delight-
The doorbell ran for the third time, snapping Kate out of her mind's wanderings.
She sighed, threw on his robe and headed downstairs, hair tousled, sexed up and frustrated.
She opened the door and was surprised by by the presence of a delivery man at their door so early. "Hi, can I help you?"
"Uh, hi. Yes, uh, yeah. Here's a delivery for a Mr. Castle," a young delivery man said, staring openly at Kate.
"Well, I'm his wife, so I can sign for it," she replied with a small smile, holding out a hand to sign the receipt.
The young man shifted uncomfortably. "Uh, ma'am, I- I have specific instructions that Mr. Castle has to sign for this package. And also to make sure that hegets it."
Kate frowned. "My husband isn't available right now. Can't I just-"
"Hey, who's at the door?" Rick called out, bouncing down the stairs, his hair flopping (adorably) over his forehead. He was dressed in a pair of pajama pants and a white t-shirt, looking calm and collected.
"Here's a delivery for you," Kate replied, eyeing the delivery man suspiciously making him gulp at her intense perusal. "You have to sign."
His eyes lit up. "A present? For me?" He smiled at her. "Honey, you shouldn't have."
Kate rolled her eyes and stepped away. "Oh, I didn't, Castle. Maybe it's one of your deranged fans."
Little did she know...
[][][]
"Looks like I have a fan."
"Yeah, a really deranged fan."
He fought a grin."Oh, you don't look deranged to me."
Wait. What?
Shit.
"What?"
She was cute. An intimidating hard-ass with a badge and a gun, but cute nonetheless. Well, actually she was hot, really, really hot. Striking, gorgeous face; beautiful, dark eyes; a strong jaw line; a soft, delicious-looking mouth. He bet she tasted like strawberries and cream. And maybe a little vodka.
Detective Kate Beckett. Mm, he was intrigued.
"'Hell hat no fury'? Angry wiccans out for blood? Only hardcore Castle groupies read that one," he remarked with a lopsided grin, his eyes laughing.
He was smirking at her. Arrogant, self-absorbed, sexy-
No. No, no. Stop it. He wasn't that good-looking.
"D-do any of these groupies ever write you letters," she said, flustered. 'Damn, pull yourself together, Kate'.
He nodded.
"Disturbing letters?"
"Oh, all my fan mail is disturbing. It's an occupational hazard."
"Because sometimes in cases like this we find that the killer attempts to-
"-contact the subject of his obsession." She stared at him in surprise. "I'm also pretty well versed in psychopathic methodologies. Another occupational hazard." He sat forward, leaning in closer to this beautiful mystery of a woman. "And do you know, you have gorgeous eyes?"
Ugh. Lame. Seriously? She had to resist the urge to roll her (gorgeous) eyes... again. And ignore his gorgeous eyes.
"So, I take it you won't have any objection to us going through your mail."
"Knock yourself out." She got up. "Can I get copies of those?"
She frowned. "Copies?"
"I have this poker game. It's mostly other writers. Patterson, Cannell. You know, best-sellers." Really? He was name-dropping now. What an arrogant ass. "You have no idea how jealous those would make them."
She was still confused. "Jealous?"
"That I have a copy-cat. Oh my gosh, in my world that's the red badge of honour. That's the criminal 'Cooper's Town'."
She came forward, her face inches as she towered over him, lean and tall and sexy as hell.
Mmm, feisty...
"People are dead, Mr. Castle."
"I'm not asking for the bodies. Just... the pictures."
Did he really think those baby blues and little boy expression and sexy, sexy stubble was going to make Kate Beckett cave? Ha! She was stronger than that.
She gave him a brief, sarcastic smile. "I think we're done here, Mr. Castle."
Little did they know...
[][][]
She camped outside his building waiting for the delivery man to get back. She saw him go in with the package and was anxious to know whether it was delivered or not. Her hands felt clammy and her heartbeat erratic while she paced on the sidewalk across the street. She glanced up again at the top loft, hoping to see something like the last hundred times she did that. Nothing. Well, no worries, she'll be seeing him soon. Maybe even in said loft. While he made her dinner... or breakfast. It wouldn't be long now. They were meant-
She spotted the delivery man emerging from the doors sans any packages in his hands and stopped pacing, smiling widely. He got her gift on their three month anniversary. He was going to read the message and he was going to remember her.
He just had to.
She glanced at her watch and sighed - she had an appointment with Dr. Burke today and couldn't miss another one. She already missed her last three appointments. She cut her eyes one last time to his loft, her lips curling.
'Soon. Very, very soon.'
[][][]
"Wow. I thought, I had nutty fans. But this... is just... bizarre."
"What is?" Alexis inquired, bouncing down the stairs still in her pajamas.
Rick glanced up to his daughter, trying to smile. "Uh... just some fan mail."
"Really strange fan mail," Kate added while cajoling a cranky Lizzy into another bite of oatmeal.
A fan sent him a signed copy of his book, the latest Nikki Heat-novel. With red lipstick kisses on the first pages of the book. Where he had signed it.
Mm, weird.
He turned to the dedication page again where his dedication to Kate was scrapped out and replaced with:
I love you. We belong together.
"That is just... creepy, Dad," Alexis commented, leaning over his shoulder to read the strange message.
"You really do have deranged fans, Castle," Kate said while wiping her daughter's hands. She tried to smile, but there was an anxiousness eating away at her. Something about this was off. Call it instinct or intuition or just a gut feeling - her Spidey senses were tingling.
"Yeah. That was... interesting," Rick said, putting the book - distorted gift or whatever it was - away and attempted to smile. He also felt uneasy. Something about his was off. But that uneasiness melted away when he heard his baby girl's delighted giggling, thoroughly amused by the game of peek-a-boo her mother and big sister were playing with her. He smiled softly as he watched them.
Kate turned to look at him, a wide, beaming smile decorating her face. Utterly beautiful. She had Lizzy in her arms, the little girl an adorable, giggling mass of plump limbs while Alexis kept on entertaining her little sister, her hands on Kate's shoulders.
He was so in love with them - his girls, his family, the beating of his heart.
[][][]
She's talkin' to me with her voice
Down so low I barely hear her
But I know what she's sayin'
I understand because my heart and hers are the same
Title - Avett Brothers' song, 'I and Love and You'; lyrics at the end - Avett Brothers' song, 'January Wedding'.
Chapter 41 – My life would suck without you
"Beckett," Kate answered curtly, too busy to care if she sounded rude.
It has been a rough few days. She got called out for a double homicide at some ungodly hour four days ago. And they're still struggling with it. She and Ryan on their own because Esposito is only coming back after the weekend. They were close to closing it, but that last piece of the puzzle was still evading them.
Where are the crazy theories when they need them?
To top it off, she's feeling a little off colour today because she only slept for about five hours... and because she and Rick had an argument about how little she is sleeping. They went to bed angry and she got up before they could talk. A carnal sin for a marriage. And to make it worse, she's feeling guilty. It's her baby's birthday in two days' time and she cannot give it her undivided attention.
So, in short, the last two weeks have been... an adjustment for everyone. To put it mildly.
"Uh, hey, Kate," Rick greeted hesitantly. "Is this a bad time?"
Great.
He probably thought she was still pissed at him. She sighed tiredly, feeling affection seeping into her being for her husband who was, at the very least, an incredibly sweet man.
"Hey, no, it's fine. I can talk, Honey," she responded, her voice flowing in gentler tones. Rick let out the breath he didn't know he was holding, a smile cracking open over his face as excitement crashed over him in waves.
"Okay, good. So, I'm here at Party Land, which by the way is huge and freakin' awesome!-"
Ah, there was the Castle she knew. A big kid in a grown man's body. Kate bit her lip to stop from laughing. He was just so damn adorable when he got excited.
"-And they've got these cute lady bug outfits. Don't you think we should get Lizzy one?"
"And embarrass her on her big day? I don't know, Castle. She might never forgive us," Kate said teasingly, grinning as she twirled a piece of her hair. She was flirting with her husband over party plans for their daughter, the previous evening's argument forgotten. He always did that - fight off the shadows lurking in her mind. He always made it light.
"Oh come on, Babe! She would look so adorable! Can you just imagine?"
Actually, she could. And yes, he was right, her daughter would be completely adorable in such a silly outfit.
Awwww.
She felt a little painful tug at her heart strings because she wasn't there with him, picking out an adorable outfit for their adorable daughter. She was standing outside the morgue waiting to look at the mangled bodies of the victims again. She was surprised about how much that affected her, how much it stung.
"Alright, go ahead. After all, you're in charge of this shindig, Daddy." He was of course because she wasn't there. She wasn't there when Lizzy gave her first independent steps last week. She wasn't there when she fell and hit her head the other day. Hell, she wasn't even there to help plan her baby's-
No. No, no, no. She didn't want to go down this rabbit hole again. Her daughter was fine, she didn't lack in anything. She was healthy and happy and loved. She was fine.
But was her mother?
Rick could hear the guilt in her voice, the apology in the roll of her tongue. She didn't need to feel guilty or to apologize. But this was Kate. And she wasn't Kate if she wasn't stubborn.
He sighed. "Kate..."
There was a moment of silence on the other end. "I know, I know," she said softly, almost meekly.
It broke his heart.
"Honey, we've talked about this. You have been helping me. We have been doing this together."
"Yeah, but you're the one who's-"
"-Who's shopping for a cute outfit for our daughter while her mother is out there risking her life to try and create a better one for her little girl."
Oh. Oh, wow.
"Please Kate, stop beating yourself up about this," he said, his voice low and soothing. Comforting. "It's not helping anyone, okay?"
"Okay," she breathed quietly, feeling the weight on her chest ease slightly.
"Good. Let Daddy handle this."
She laughed, her eyes sparkling, the sound sprinkled with loveliness. It wrapped around his heart, the ringing of her delight. He was proud of that because the joy was because of him, because of what he did to, for her.
He made her happy.
"I love you," Kate said suddenly, the words bubbling out, her heart in her voice and words.
He smiled with his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Love you too."
There were a few beats of silence.
"So, did you get the balloons?"
He grinned. "Yeah and party hats."
Oh, Castle.
She smiled and shook her head. "I bet you did."
"Oh, and I also got her another big teddy bear. A white, smiling one with a cute bow tie. Who, thank God, doesn't sing."
He always did this. He always gave more than was asked, than was needed. He always gave more of himself.
She loved him for it.
"Ri-ick," she admonished on a laugh. "She's already got like hundreds of teddy bears. And we got her birthday presents. Remember?"
They had bought her a pink rocking pony - who could sing songs, unfortunately - because their daughter was completely obsessed and in love with ponies. Rick made a promise to buy her a real one once she was old enough to ride on it.
He still had to convince his wife of that particular idea.
In addition to the rocking pony, Lizzy also got a whole stack of books (mostly Dr. Seuss) and classic children's movies that her daddy was going to enjoy with her.
"Yeah, yeah. I just... I want to spoil her. It's her birthday after all."
"I know, Honey, but she's only turning one. She's still going to have many more. We don't want to spoil her too much."
He sighed despondently. "Yeah, I know. But I already compromised on this."
Kate bit back her laugh; she could practically hear the pout in his voice. "Compromised? How so, Mr. Castle?"
"Well, I didn't buy her a puppy."
[][][]
He was handsome, even more so in person. Especially when he smiled. She was almost tempted to walk up to him where he was standing in the aisle, picking out what seemed like some sort of outfit. He was talking on the phone with someone and laughing. She wondered who-
Kate. She heard him say Kate. Her stomach twisted. God, she hated that woman. Kate Beckett was all wrong for him. Couldn't he see it? He was left to play Mr. Mom while she was out gallivanting. Why didn't he see her? She was right here, with him. She was helping him, making sure that he was safe, that he had everything that he needed.
She loved him.
Not like that stupid bitch who left him alone with her brat all day while she was out playing cops and robbers. Kate Beckett didn't deserve him.
She did.
She was going to prove to him that she was worthy of him, that he had made a mistake. She was his soul mate, she knew because he told her that. He was always writing her secret messages in his books. Even in the dedications. Those weren't meant for Kate, they were meant for her.
Because he loved her.
[][][]
"Honey, I'm home!" She was in a good mood. They finally closed the double homicide by that afternoon and got the paperwork done before six. She got to be home with her family, she got to see her little girl, spend some quality time with her husband.
"Hey, we're in here," he called out.
Kate frowned and shrugged off her coat and walked towards the office from where she heard his voice.
"Hey, what are you-"
She stopped abruptly when Alexis appeared from behind her father with Lizzy in her arms.
"Alexis!" Kate exclaimed, her beautiful features transforming into a wide smile, lighting up her whole face. She greeted the young woman with a fierce hug, Lizzy in between them.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were only coming tomorrow."
Alexis beamed at her. "Well, I couldn't wait any longer. I wanted to see you guys and come party with my little sis," she said, tickling Lizzy's side causing the little girl to succumb to shrieking giggles.
Kate laughed and wrapped her two girls in another tight hug. "I'm so glad you're here," she whispered. "We've missed you."
Rick cleared his throat, making his presence known. "May I also join the family group hug? Or does this one only include the female members of our clan?"
Kate turned her head towards to her smiling husband who was leaning against the desk, watching them with soft, affectionate eyes. She grinned at him and opened an arm to him. He practically jogged over to them, pressing all of his girls to his chest.
"Grroouuuppp huuggg!"
Kate huffed out a laugh. "Castle, you're crushing me."
He kissed the side of her head, nuzzling her hair. "Shhh, no talking during group hugging."
"Uh, Dad, you're kinda crushing me too," Alexis said. "And also remember I'm holding the tiny human here."
He sighed. "Fiiiiine." He loosened his hold on Kate and dropped his arm from his daughter's shoulders who was still holding a babbling Lizzy.
"Hey baby girl," Kate said, brushing a hand over her daughter's head and kissing each of her cheeks. "I missed you today," she continued, stroking Lizzy's soft, curly hair while the little girl gave her mother a large, adorable smile.
"Is she the only one you missed today?" Rick asked with a quirked eyebrow.
She shared an eye roll with Alexis before glancing back at her daughter and quickly sticking her tongue out, making a face at the little girl. Lizzy cackled loudly in delight. She loved it when her mother made silly faces.
Mommy was the best.
"No, Castle. I didn't just miss her," Kate said turning around, a playful glint in her eyes. He grinned, cocky and confident, while pulling her closer. "I also missed Reggie the doorman terribly."
His smile fell while Kate and Alexis shared a high five, laughing at the expense of the only male in the family. To add insult to injury, his youngest was giggling as well.
"Oh, ha ha. It's good to know where your loyalties lie, dear daughters," he grumbled, pointing a finger at his offspring. One amused, the other one blissfully ignorant and much more interested in sucking on her big sister's necklace. He turned his attention to Kate. "And you. You've turned them against me."
She slapped his hand away. "Please, there was no need. I've always had them on my side."
He looked at his daughters in mock horror, again pointing an accusatory finger at them. "Traitors!"
Alexis rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Come on Lizzy Bug, let's go put on your pajamas." She stopped at the door. "Hey, should I order us some pizza or something?"
"Yeah, thanks, Lex, that would be great. I'm starving," Kate answered.
"Okay, cool. So, I'm going to order pizza and then go and change Lizzy." She glanced between them, her expression turning serious and stern. "Now please behave yourselves while we're gone."
"Yes Ma'am," Rick quipped with a mock salute.
Kate laughed. "I'll try my best, but can't make any promises for him," she said, jerking a thumb in her husband's direction. Alexis left with Lizzy, her laughter ringing out throughout the loft.
When Kate turned back to her husband, he was still sulking. She sighed. "What is it, Castle?"
He pouted. "You haven't kissed me yet."
She rolled her eyes again. "You're such a child." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hello - she was thorough in her exploration of his mouth, reacquainting herself with the movements of his tongue, languid in her appraisal of his soft lips.
She loved kissing him hello.
"Well, hello there, Mrs. Castle," he murmured against her mouth. "Miss me?"
"You have no idea," she breathed, her mouth sizzling against his, her words molten in his mouth. Her lithe body like liquid heat burning against his. He cupped the back of her skull and kissed her with abandon, his other hand darting downwards to pull her flush against him. They made out like a couple of teenagers for a few minutes.
A couple of frisky teenagers.
Kate choked on a wave of desire when he left her mouth and moved to her jaw and neck; nipping and sucking at her skin.
Marking her.
She wanted to do dirty things to him. She wanted to rip his clothes off, clear his desk and proceed to-
But then she heard Alexis' voice and Lizzy's babbling getting closer.
Shit.
"Castle." It was meant to be a warning. It sounded like a breathless, pleading whimper that sent a jolt of arousal straight to his groin. He grunted his approval, his hips insistently and instinctively rocking against hers, picking up speed. She had to resist the moan of pleasure that wanted to escape.
He was just so, so good at this. At loving her. At making love to her.
"Castle... T-the kids." He wanted laugh at her choice of her words and point out that Alexis was not a kid anymore. But he was much rather interested in getting rid of her shirt.
"Rick," she said firmly, finally pulling away from his grasp. Panting, heart pounding, mouth swollen, eyes wide and dark and feral as she worked to close the few buttons he had managed to open. He could see her pink, lacy bra.
Holy hotness.
"Later," she promised, her voice dark and husky. Her bedroom voice, the voice he heard gasping wordlessly in is ear while her nails dug into his back, while her body arched against his and just before she-
"Hey guys, are you done making out in there?" Alexis called from the living room.
Kate let out a startled laugh and dropped her head to his collarbone. Rick just groaned.
"We're coming, Lex," Kate called out after a moment.
"In more ways than one," Rick muttered, his hands itching to grope something, his eyes dark and dilated.
It's been a lean two weeks.
She bit her lip and watched him from beneath her lashes, leaning up to whisper promises into his ear. Hot and heavy. "Later, Stud. I'm not on call this weekend. So, I'm yours... All. Night. Long," she purred before sucking on his earlobe causing every last drop of blood in his quivering, needy body to rush south.
Holy shit.
He dropped his head and closed his eyes, trying to control his breathing, his erratic heartbeat, every throbbing pulse of desire. The primal urge to rip her clothes off and take her on the desk or any other surface for that matter. He would never, ever win this game. Not that he minded. But, damn, she always got him to unravel so easily.
He loved her for it.
When Rick looked up again, she was standing at the door and watching him with a smirk.
"I'll just... give you a few minutes," Kate said, pointedly glancing at his pants.
He narrowed his eyes at her, stopping himself from chasing after her. "Katherine Castle, I'm gonna make you pay." She resisted the shiver that ran down her spine at the dangerous, gruff tones flooding his voice. At the way he wanted her so completely, the way his body burned for her, the way his eyes slowly perused her - hungry and commanding and all-consuming.
Like a predator. A sexy predator.
Oh, she wanted him. Badly. But Rick Castle didn't need to know how much he affected her.
So she resorted to her age-old weapon of choice: teasing. And it worked.
Every. Delicious. Time.
Her grin grew wicked. "I'm looking forward to it, Mr. Castle. So very, very much."
He growled - literally growled - and stepped towards her. She laughed and darted out the door, infinitely pleased by her womanly guile to turn her husband into horny teenager who was unable to control himself.
Ah, victory was sweet.
[][][]
I'm gonna start a fire
You're gonna feel the heat
I'm gonna burn for you
You're gonna melt for me
Come on, Come on in to my arms
Come on, Come on
Give in to me
The title at the beginning is the Kelly Clarkson song of the same title and the lyrics at the end is from a lovely Faith Hill song, "Give in to Me".
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Chapter 40 – Come and find me
"Morning Perlmutter," Kate greeted the grumpy ME who glanced up in surprise. Lanie and Esposito were still on their honeymoon, so for next couple of weeks the homicide division of the 12th precinct would have the privilege of working with the delightful Dr. Perlmutter.
It was going to be bliss.
He huffed. "Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence. Welcome back, Beckett. Had enough of playing house with Castle?" He said with a smile, an actual smile. Or maybe rather a smirk.
Perlmutter rarely smiled.
He was always a bit of a douche, but, at least he was an excellent Medical Examiner.
Kate only rolled her eyes and gave him a tight-lipped smile. "No. Why? You miss me?" She shot back.
"Didn't even know you were gone," he replied, his eyes laughing. Even the grumpy ME couldn't deny it – they all had missed her, the 12th precinct's finest (and most attractive) homicide detective.
Most even missed her shadow, her partner. Perlmutter was not one of them.
"I'm glad to see you so excited about having me back, thanks," she shot back sarcastically. He only shook his head and tried not to smile. He went back to examining the body and Kate's attention became fixed on the victim, a young girl in her twenties. She couldn't help but think about Alexis and about calling her the moment she got the opportunity.
Detective Kate Beckett steeled herself and took a breath, putting her armor in place.
She was ready to do this again.
"Alright. What do you have for me?"
[][][]
But they were going to surprise Mommy with lunch later on.
He was snapped out of his thoughts when a small blur of human limbs launched into the adjacent swing next to them, startling Lizzy.
"Momma!" A young boy of about four with way too much energy and dark spiky hair yelled as he pushed off the ground and started to propel himself forward. "Watch how high I can goes!" He was all vigorous concentration, complete with his tongue peeking out of his mouth and a cutely furrowed brow as he moved back and forth, trying to go higher. Lizzy leaned forward to watch, her little mouth open, totally in awe of the heights the boy was able to achieve.
He was a friggin' rock star.
"Joshua! Get back here!" The boy's mother yelled, jogging towards the swings and looking completely haggard. Rick watched in amusement as the short, petite Soccer Mom-type quietly scolded her son for running off like that. She grabbed his arm and pulled the whining and protesting youngster off the swing.
"But I wanna swing, Mommy!" He all but sobbed, trying to get out of her grasp and getting very close to throwing a tantrum.
"I said no. We're going home now," she hissed, red in the face from exertion and anger. She became aware of Rick and Lizzy and shot the writer an apologetic and sheepish smile. He returned a lopsided one and gave her a slight nod. With that, Joshua and his mother walked off, more like he was dragged away by her.
Rick just shook his head in amusement, suddenly very thankful that he had a daughter and not a mini Rick Castle running around. Now, that kid would be the personification of a sugar rush. Well, Kate had on occasion said that she wouldn't mind having a little Rick running around. He could just imagine it. A boy to wrestle with, to play video games with, to do manly stuff with. He loves his girls – they're the best – but he's kinda outnumbered and having a boy-
Whoa. Hold up. The baby factory is closed for production. For now. Well, at least for the next few years. Hopefully not too long, because he would like Lizzy to have someone to play with and just to see Kate pregnant again because she's never been more beautiful-
O-kay. Time to go. Damn, his wife hasn't been back at work for more than four hours and he's already daydreaming about another baby.
Sheesh. He's such a girl.
Lizzy clapped her small hands and grinned at him, complete with about four baby teeth. She was too cute for her own good and had Daddy wrapped around her little finger.
Not that he minded. On the contrary.
He smiled at his adorable daughter, the spitting image of her mother, except for her eyes.
That was all him.
He adjusted her pink cap and tapped her lightly on the nose, making the little girl giggle even more. Rick lifted her out of the swing, cursing the way his knees popped when he stood up. He was getting old. It was depressing.
"C'mon, Sweet Pea." He hugged and kissed her before glancing at his watch. "Time to go and surprise Mommy."
Rick was so enamored by the babbling little human being in his arms that he didn't notice the woman in the shadows watching him like a hawk, snapping pictures of them, of his daughter.
She had been doing this for more than three weeks already because-
she and Richard Castle belonged together.
He was the love of her life. She just knew it. Knew it when they locked eyes, the way he talked with her about the book, the way he smiled at her when he signed his name.
There was only one problem, one obstacle.
Kate Beckett.
[][][]
Especially when the suspect was about to break.
The thirty-something man who was confident and cocky and all talk when they started about fifteen minutes ago had been reduced to a sweating, nervous wreck.
He was about to confess. She could feel-
"I- I want a lawyer. I'm not saying anything further. I- I'm done talking with you, Detective."
Shit.
"Fine. You do that, Tate, because believe me, you're gonna need a lawyer, a very good one." With that, she turned and left, shutting the door with a little more force than needed.
Damn.
"So?" Montgomery inquired when she emerged.
"He lawyered up. But I think we got him on DNA." Kate sighed and pulled a hand through her hair, feeling the beginnings of a headache at the base of her skull.
Great.
"Alright, good. Keep me posted, Beckett," the captain said, walking off. He came to a stop and turned back to her. "And Detective?"
Kate's brow furrowed. "Yes Sir?"
He smiled. "I'm glad to have you back."
She returned a small one herself. "It's good to be back." Even though she missed her baby terribly. She glanced at her watch, deciding whether to go for lunch or just to-
"Hey, Castle! Long time no see."
Kate whipped around, surprised and delighted to see her handsome and grinning husband greet all the familiar faces. Their daughter – her baby girl – was glancing around curiously at everyone who was cooing over her like a bunch of aunts and uncles. Kate smiled, beaming and bright, her heart breaking open with affection and softness and tenderness. All the things that she had to put away when she put on that badge and holstered her gun.
Apparently all it took for her to become a puddle of mush was a pudgy, smiling little baby. Apparently that was all it took for a whole precinct full of tough cops to go all mushy and soft.
It was adorable seeing tough, manly cops making funny faces to entertain an almost one-year old.
When Rick spotted her, his grin widened, eyes twinkling. She loved that, loved him for being such a sweetheart. He walked towards his wife, Lizzy in her pram holding out her arms for Mommy, her little hands opening and closing with impatience, with need.
She wanted her mom.
Kate laughed, her chest feeling lighter at the sight of her daughter. "Hey baby," she said softly, lifting her baby out of the pram. Lizzy surprised her by wrapping her small arms around Kate's neck and burrowing into her mother.
Well, at least Kate wasn't the only one who was experiencing a little bit of separation anxiety.
She glanced at Rick, unable to shake off her smile. "What are you doing here?"
He stepped forward and kissed her in greeting, a soft hello. She loved those kisses. "We wanted to surprise you for lunch," he said with a shrug. "It's kinda lonely without you."
Oh, he was looking at her with those adorable puppy-dog eyes.
"I miss you too," she said softly, squeezing his hand before releasing it. She turned and walked off to the break room, carrying her daughter with her husband following, greeting people as he went.
She felt all warm and fuzzy; the frustration of not getting a confession a thing of the past. "So what did you get? Please tell me it's Chinese. I'm starving!"
He grinned and pulled out the bag from her favourite Chinese take-away. "Why do you ever doubt me, Detective?"
"Oh, Richard Castle, I love you," she breathed, adjusting her hold on Lizzy.
He chuckled and started to take out their food as well as Lizzy's lunch. "Right back at you, Mrs. Castle." They sat down as they have done so many times before in the years gone by.
"So, tell me, how's the case going?"
Always partners.
[][][]
It was past seven when she walked through the door, tired but satisfied. They got their man. He had slipped up with disposing his bloody clothes and the murder weapon.
The savvy lawyer couldn't save him.
Kate removed her jacket and kicked off her shoes, her brow furrowing at the absence of her husband and daughter.
"Rick?"
She made her way upstairs and heard the low rumblings of his rich voice. She stopped at the nursery, the door slightly ajar. She quietly peeked inside, seeing the outline of his figure, his broad shoulders in the dim light. Her chest felt tight as she watched, listened to soothing voice of her husband. She loved listening to him, listening to him being a father to their daughter. She loves it when he's being a smart-ass, all twinkly eyes and amused smiles and dirty innuendo. Everything about him. Every role he fulfills. When he's being a nine-year-old on a sugar-rush or her favourite author or a man who would recreate the world in order to protect her, their family.
But she loves him the most when he's being a father, when he gently brushes a large hand over their baby's small skull like he's doing right now, when his face softens in affection whenever he sees his girls, the way he wants to carry their burdens.
They way he gives them the world.
She wanted to be part of that, wanted to bask in the warmth of his love. Everyday, always.
"Hey," Kate said softly, stepping inside, her toes curling against the soft fabric of the carpet.
Rick turned at the sound of her voice and smiled. "Hey," he greeted, his face decorated with gentleness, tender and beautiful.
Her heart pounded as she watched him; his blue eyes warm embers, his mouth her fire, his arms her resting place, his body her home. It suddenly hit her - how much she loved him. How much she was hopelessly in love with him, this man.
The father of her child.
She swallowed and stepped towards where he was sitting in the rocking chair, a children's book open in his lap. A Dr. Suess book. Kate wasn't sure whether it was one he bought especially for Lizzy or whether it was one of his own. She wouldn't be surprised if it was the latter. He was essentially a little boy trapped in a grown man's body.
Well, not always...
"She asleep?" Kate asked, peering into the crib where Lizzy was lying. Long, dark lashes were feathered against her soft, pale skin; her curly hair fell over her forehead and around her cheeks; her pretty, pink mouth was slightly open as she breathed.
She was beautiful.
Rick wrapped an arm around his wife's waist and pulled her down into his lap, holding her close and resting his chin on her shoulder. For a few minutes they sat in silence, just watching their daughter sleep.
"You tired?" He asked after a while, planting a kiss against her hair.
"Mm, not too much." Kate relaxed further into him and sighed. Another few moments passed. "I missed you guys today," she murmured.
He laughed quietly, kissing her cheek. "Same here, Mrs. Castle."
She turned to face him, quirking an eyebrow. "What? Not Detective now?"
He smiled and shook his head, cupping the back of her head. "No. Not here. Here you are Lizzy's mom." He pulled her towards him, kissing her softly, briefly, delicately. Like waiting for a flower to open up. "And my wife." He kissed her again, a little longer, a little more insistent. When he pulled back, Kate saw that unmistakable Castle glint in his eyes. "And my really, really hot sex-kitten."
She slapped a hand against his chest, fighting the smile tugging at her lips. "You're not getting lucky tonight, Castle."
Of course he was.
She got up and kissed her daughter goodnight. Rick followed her, murmuring a sweet goodnight to his baby girl and switched off the light as they went.
"Oh come on, Babe." He wrapped his arms around her from behind once they were out of the nursery, walking them (rather awkwardly) towards their bedroom. "I haven't seen you all day."
She grinned. "Liar. You brought me lunch."
He flipped them around, crowding her against the door. "Yeah, but I wanted to do so, so much more," he said against her skin, placing hot, wet open-mouthed kisses in her neck.
She slowly dragged a long leg up, wrapping it around his one and pressing her hips against him insistently. He growled in response and attacked the buttons of her shirt with gusto.
She loved it when he got impatient.
"Well, I'm here now, Mr. Castle. And I'm all yours."
[][][]
If I could trace the lines that ran
Between your smile and your sleight of hand
I would guess that you put something up my sleeve
Now every time I see your face the bells ring in a far-off place
We can find each other this way I believe
Title and lyrics at the end is from the beautiful Josh Ritter song, "Come and find me".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)