240. Chapter 240

After Secret Santa, Yet Again

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I'm afraid it's no secret that I don't own Castle. Rating: K Time: See above.

Kate smoothed down her Christmas dress and checked herself in the mirror. Green and red, with holly, Santas, reindeers, Christmas trees and jingle bells for decoration. She had originally been shocked when Castle bought it for her. It should look gaudy, but somehow it just says Christmas. She turned and walked out into the bedroom.

As soon as she came into the bedroom, Rick walked over and put his arms around her. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. No, the most beautiful woman there is. Or ever has been. Or ever will be. And I love you."

Kate smiled. "And I love you. But, I'm an old married lady now with children and you, sir, are known for writing fiction."

"You are not old." He looked down at her legs. "Your legs are still the best legs anywhere." One hand settled on the left cheek of her ass. "You have an absolutely perfect ass." He squeezed her gently. "And it's as firm and squeezable as ever." He used his other hand to cup her boob. "And your boobs are magnificent." He kissed her softly. "And your face is beyond compare."

"Thank you, but I'm no kid any more." She kissed him back with more passion.

"Oh? Well, I happen to know that you weigh exactly two pounds more than you did the day I married you."

"You do?" She asked. "And how do you know that?"

"You just had your annual physical and a little bird told me."

"A little bird named Lanie?" Kate tried to frown, but couldn't manage it. "I'll have to talk to that little bird about medical ethics."

"And you can still fit into the same size skinny jeans that you could when we were first married. You know I keep track of your clothing sizes and I checked your closet this morning."

"You think you're pretty smart, don't you writer boy?"

"I think I'm fantastically lucky to have married you." He whispered.

"I'm the lucky one." She whispered back. She felt his hand try to slide down her front to stroke her boobs.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Cried a young voice. "There's someone at the door."

Kate disengaged herself from Rick and walked over to their daughter, kneeling in front of the five year old. "And you never open the door by yourself, do you, Jo?"

Jo shook her head enthusiastically. "No! Only mommy, or daddy, or Alexis, or Grandpa Jim, or another adult can do that." She said proudly.

"We'd better answer the door." Rick said. "It might be Santa, coming here early." The three Castles walked to the door and opened it. Jo was jumping up and down with excitement, in case it was Santa.

"Jim." Rick cried, embracing the older man. "Merry Christmas. And come in, come in."

"Hi, Dad." Kate said, kissing his cheek. "Merry Christmas, too."

Little Jo hugged Jim's leg until he picked her up and they exchanged merry Christmases.

"Am I the first one here?" Jim asked.

"The very first." Kate said.

Jim looked around. "It doesn't feel the same without Martha and Alexis here."

The smile faded from Rick's face, but came quickly back. "At least Martha got to see both of her new grandchildren before we lost her. And Alexis had a great opportunity. Not many people get to study at the Institute for Tropical Medicine in Singapore. Even if it means she misses Christmas, it was the right thing to do."

"I hear someone else coming." Kate said, heading for the door. She opened the door to see that four Ryans standing there.

"Ho, ho, ho!" Kevin cried. Everyone hugged and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and then Rick looked at Sarah Grace, all dressed up in a new party dress.

"And who is this grown up looking lady, Kevin?"

Sarah Grace blushed furiously until her mother put her hand on the girls head. "What do you say, Sarah Grace?"

"Merry Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Castle." She stopped and then. "And Johanna and Roy, too."

"And how's little Javier?" Kate asked.

Kevin turned around so everyone could see their son. "He's starting to sit up by himself, so he'll be running around in no time. How's Roy?" Kevin looked around. "Where is the little fellow?"

"Asleep in his crib." Rick said. "He sat and watched us do everything today, didn't take his nap and crashed about ten minutes ago. He'll probably sleep until New Year's Eve."

"Just like his old man." Said a familiar voice from the still open door."

"Javi! Lanie! Come on in." Kate said. Hugs and merry Christmases were exchanged.

"So how's the blushing bride?" Rick asked.

"I'm doing my best to keep her blushing, bro." Espo said.

Lanie glared at him. "You keep that up and you'd better hope that Rick has been kind enough to give you a nice sofa for Christmas that you can sleep on."

Everyone laughed, except Espo. But he grinned at Lanie after a second.

"Dinner will be ready in about half an hour." Rick said. "And I want to tell you that my beautiful, talented and remarkable wife has outdone herself this year. Tonight, we feast."

They were all headed for the kitchen when there was another knock at the door. Rick turned around. "Are we expecting anyone else, Kate?"

Kate shook her head. "I didn't invite anyone."

"It had better not be a murder on Christmas Eve. They can't do this to us."

Rick pulled open the door and stood there in shock for just a second. "Alexis! Why aren't you in Singapore?"

Alexis shook her head in disbelief. "Duh! Because it's Christmas. Where else would I be?"

Everyone greeted Alexis and asked her a million questions about her studies, Singapore, and her life in general.

"How did you manage to get the time off?" Kate asked.

"Dr. Brennan is so sweet. I was talking about our Christmas at home and he insisted I take an extra couple of days off and come home. He knows someone and got me a seat on a flight from Singapore to New York, flying over the North Pole."

"Is Doctor Brennan a Dr. McDreamy?" Lanie asked.

Alexis grinned. "No, but I think his youngest grandchild will be a real heart breaker once he's in high school."

"At least he got you here." Kate said, smiling at her oldest daughter.

Alexis grinned at Jo. "And I'm sure we saw Santa getting ready to take off when we passed over the Pole."

"Really?" Jo cried!

"Of course." Alexis said, taking a paper bag out of her pocket. "Why what's this?" She asked with a look of curiosity on her face. "Oh, I remember. I picked these up at the airport for some little girl. Now what was her name?"

"Me! Me! Me! It's for me, for Jo!"

Alexis took Jo over to the couch to show her what she'd brought, assuring Jo that she was sure Santa had more things coming to her from Singapore.

After dinner, they opened their presents. Castle, who usually went overboard on Christmas had learned not to go overboard with his family and friends who didn't have his money. But the gifts were all thoughtful and very much appreciated.

When the gifts under the tree had all been opened, Castle pulled a small box from his pocket. "And I have one more present for Kate, the love of my life. I had this made for you."

Kate opened the box and smiled. "Castle, how did you find out?"

"I know a guy." He replied, smiling.

"What is it, Katie?" Jim asked.

When Kate didn't answer, Rick replied. "It's a pin. A solid gold NYPD badge, with diamond chips, and on the back is engraved…"

"To the remarkable Captain Katherine Beckett-Castle, 12th Precinct, who completes me." Kate began to cry.

"Whoa!" Espo cried. "Captain Beckett-Castle? You mean you're the new Captain?"

Kate nodded. "It was supposed to be a secret, until the first of the year, anyway."

After everyone had left and Alexis and Jo had gone to bed, Kate and Rick snuggled together in bed.

"How did I ever get such a wonderful husband?"

"Even after all this time, you still have no idea how amazingly remarkable you are. The question is, how did I manage to convince you to marry me?"

"The Universe?"

"No. It must have been Santa."

She nodded. "It could only have been Santa that brought us together."