Year in Time

Part 12

December 24, 2014 — Christmas Eve
It's crazy to her that two years ago she had to beg her dad to just stay in the city for the holiday so that she could go to lunch with him on the 26th. This year when he asked if they had any plans on Christmas Eve and she explained to him that they would be drinking hot cocoa and watching movies her jaw nearly dropped when he asked if he would be able to join them. Tears filled her eyes as she told him of course he could, that he was family after all.
She feels those same tears form at this moment. Castle is laying on the love seat with his head in her lap as her arms rest wrapped around his chest. To their right, her dad is sitting with Avery sleeping against his chest while Martha and Alexis are sharing a blanket on the other side of him. They're watching The Polar Express and she can't help but feel all the joy in the world at the simple moment. It was one she dreamed of as a little girl, but that dream faded after her mother died, Castle brought those dreams back into her life.
She leans down and kisses his head as she runs a hand through his hair. He's about to say something when Avery stirs in Jim's arms and wakes up. She looks at her mother and begins crying, "She's probably ready to be put down for the night." Beckett says as she stands and takes the baby from her father. She leans down so Castle can kiss her cheek, "I'll be down in a minute." Kate says, "I think I'm gonna head up too, Darlings. See you in the morning." Martha stands from the couch and follows Kate upstairs.
Alexis and Jim help Castle clean up the living room after he turns the movie off. "Will you tell Katie I said 'goodnight'?" Jim asks as he prepares to leave, "You know, we have a guest room, Jim if you would like to stay. That way you can be here in the morning for gifts." Castle says, hoping he's not overstepping his bounds. Jim smiles, "Maybe next year. Christmas morning is still a little too sensitive." He says and Castle nods as he shakes his hand and walks him to the front door. Alexis kisses her father's cheek before going to bed herself.
He's loading the dishwasher when his wife returns downstairs. "Little one is down for the night." She says with the baby monitor in her hand as she shows him their daughter on the screen, "She's precious." He says, "She really is. We made a cute human." She says. He wraps an arm around her waist, "Wanna make another one?" He teases as his lips attach to her neck. She chuckles, "Not right now, stud. We have presents to put out." She reminds him. In the closet, they slowly remove the pile of gifts and take them out to the living room where they place them under the tree.
Once all the presents are delicately placed, they stand in front of the tree for a few minutes. "Merry Christmas Eve." He whispers in her ear. She wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him down for a kiss. "Merry Christmas Eve." His hand slowly slides down her spine until it's cupping her backside, "I know you aren't ready for another baby right now, but can we practice?" She giggles as he follows the question with his eyebrow wiggle. "C'mon, handsome, Mommy has a present Daddy needs to unwrap." She says and pulls him to their bedroom.

December 25, 2014 — Christmas Day
These are the Christmas mornings she'll cherish: when their kids are too little to burst in early in the morning since she and Castle didn't get dressed after their lovemaking last night. She watches his hand slide up to hers and his fingers slip in between hers before he squeezes her palm. "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Castle." He leans over and kisses her neck to her shoulder. "Merry Christmas, Mr. Castle." She smiles as she turns her face to meet his gaze. He leans down so their lips meet and she smiles.
Their kiss is lazy, but passionate before Avery cuts through the baby monitor. "I'll go get her." He says. She watches him roll out of bed and slip on a pair of boxers before leaving their bedroom. Meanwhile, she gets up and washes her face before brushing her teeth and hair. She returns to bed where he's laying with their daughter. "Good morning, sweet girl. Merry Christmas." She coos. She lifts Avery into her arms before the baby pulls at her shirt. She raises it to release her breast allowing the baby to latch.
Castle lays on his side, cuddled against her thigh. The silence is nice as they both become more alert as sleep wears off. There is a knock on the door, "Dad?" They both hear Alexis. Beckett scrambles to grab the sheet to cover herself, but Castle stops her, "I'll be out in a second, Pumpkin." He calls back. "Come out when you're ready." He tells his wife before kissing her forehead and standing. He slips on his pajamas and then walks out to the living room where he greets his oldest daughter. Once she finishes nursing Avery, Kate joins the two of them.
It doesn't take long for Alexis to request to hold Avery which Beckett happily obliges. A little bit later, Martha walks downstairs and accepts a mug of hot chocolate from her son before they all sit to open gifts. Castle smiles as he watches his wife's eyes light up as she helps their baby girl open her presents. Out of all the Christmases he's experienced, this one feels the most complete. But with Kate in his life, everyday has started to feel like Christmas.
Part 12! What do we think? Comment please!