christmas

Kate woke up early in the morning and started coffee and pancakes. They would have Christmas dinner later, when the families came out, but for right now, this was just for her family. She wished her father could be there, but she still hadn't convinced him to celebrate Christmas, although this was her third. Before had been different though. She and Castle hadn't been married and she'd been the one fitting into traditions, coming for dinner. This year, truly and for certain, she was part of the family, not just a partner, a girlfriend.

Alexis came skipping into the kitchen. "Hey Kate," she said, her surprise for later just dying to come out.

"Hey, honey," she hugged her. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." Alexis hung around as Kate cooked. "Is your dad coming for dinner?"

She shook her head. "I couldn't convince him."

"Oh." Alexis was suddenly disappointed. She had a surprise for him too.

"He hasn't celebrated Christmas since the last one my mom was alive. Your dad talked to him, but I don't think it worked." She wished that it would have. It was the only thing that would have made the day more perfect.

"Can I try?"

"Of course." She doubted it would do any good though.

Alexis smiled and grabbed the phone, running out of the room. She smiled, shaking her head.

Alexis dialed the number her dad had programmed into the phone in case he ever needed it. "Jim?"

"Alexis." He was a little surprised, but he guessed he knew what it was about. "How are you?"

"I'm good. How are you?"

"Fine."

"You're missed over here."

"I'll be there on New Year's." Kate had already invited him.

"That's another week away. I wanted to see you today cause I have a present for you."

"Alexis..." He paused. "I don't celebrate Christmas. I haven't for fifteen years."

"Neither did Kate. Now she is. Please come?You don't have to celebrate Christmas to be with family."

"I'll see." He would do anything for his daughter and was fast adding Alexis to that status as well, the closest thing he had to a grandchild.

Alexis decided on giving him part of his present right then. "Please Grandad?"

His heart melted. "I'll be there."

"Thank you." Alexis hung up and danced back to the kitchen.

Martha was awake and helping Kate when Alexis returned. "You're in a good mood this morning, darling," Martha said, kissing her cheek.

"Kate, I have an extra present for you. Merry Christmas," she smiled. "Your dad is coming now."

Kate stood there in shock. She barely felt Martha hug her. When she finally could speak again, she whispered, "Thank you." She hated the idea of her father being alone today of all days.

"That's okay."

Martha heard a noise outside and went to check, not surprised to see her son there. "Did you get her?" She asked, knowing he had gone for the two surprise gifts, a small one for Alexis and a larger one for Kate.

"I did. Is something wrong with Kate? She looked odd just now."

"Alexis got Jim to come."

"That's great. How?"

"No idea."

"I'll have to ask. Can you get the girls for me? I want to give them their presents."

"Do you want me to distract them so you can put them in the living room? Kate's cooking pancakes."

"Yes, please."

She went back in and noticed Kate was busy with the pancakes. "How did you convince Jim to come?" She asked her granddaughter.

"Can't tell. Sorry. It's a secret. I'll tell you later."

"Here. Can you finish up here and I'll make you some hot chocolate?"

"Okay." Alexis took over for her grandmother.

Kate waited until Martha had finished starting the hot chocolate. "Can you watch these for awhile? I...I have one more present I need to wrap."

"Sure."

She went upstairs and found the paper she'd framed and hidden, wrapping it and heading downstairs. She was a little dizzy going down, but other than dizziness from time to time, she'd been very lucky so far that there'd been no signs, no symptoms. He had no idea what she was going to 'give' him for Christmas.

"Hey honey," said Castle when she came back down. "I heard your dad is coming after all."

"I can't believe Alexis convinced him."

"Me either. He seemed pretty set."

"Are you okay? I figured you'd be in the midst of everything in the kitchen."

"I'm okay. I actually wanted to give you something."

"Do you want to do that first or eat first? Breakfast was almost ready."

"Eat first is good."

She walked with him back to the others.

"Morning Dad," said Alexis as she finished putting the pancakes on the table.

"Morning, sweetheart."

"Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Mother." He kissed Martha's cheek.

"Merry Christmas darling." Martha kissed him back and set down the hot chocolate.

He took some coffee and pancakes, sitting between Alexis and Kate.

"Dad, I have a present for you and one for Kate."

"That sounds, great, sweetheart." He smiled at his daughter.

"Gram, I have something for you, but it's not ready yet."

"It's okay, darling." Like Kate, she was just absorbing that all their family was there.

Alexis smiled thankfully. They ate and then cleaned the kitchen together before going into the den for presents.

"Mine first," said Castle. He handed a present to Alexis and Kate.

Both boxes started squirming, walking across the floor.

Alexis jumped. "Dad!"

In Alexis' box was a tiny teacup miniature schnauzer, weighing in at maybe a pound or two. Kate opened her box to find an Australian Shepherd puppy, looking so cute as it rolled around on the floor in front of Kate.