getaway

She laughed, shaking her head, but the truth was she had looked forward to it almost as much as their first weekend getaway in the Hamptons. "You never told me where we're going."

"Cause it's a surprise." He kissed her. "You'll see soon enough."

"I don't know if I can take any more surprises this year, Rick," she said, smiling though as she settled beside him.

"It's a good surprise. I had Alexis check it over for me."

"Okay." She would worry if he said Martha, not because she would pick a bad place but because it would be over the top, but she trusted Alexis' judgment. All she wanted was somewhere low key that they could be alone together. With the publicity he'd gotten during and after his disappearance, their adopted family, Martha, and Alexis, it seemed like she had to fight for time with him.

Half an hour later, he stopped outside a hotel. It was small, and secluded, but it had the essentials. A lovely big outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a lounge to relax in. "We're here," he said, suddenly very worried about what she might say.

"It's perfect." She'd been scared that he'd take her to the Hamptons house and she just wasn't sure she was ready yet, wasn't sure that the good of the wedding had cancelled out the bad of seeing his wrecked car burning.

"Come on." He grabbed their bags and led her inside.

"Oh, it's got skiing. Maybe we could go...if you promise not to break your knee again." She teased him.

"Of course. I'd love to go."

She turned her cell phone off and put it away, knowing Ryan and Esposito wouldn't bother her, but not wanting to give them the chance either.

"I'll check us in."

"Thanks, babe." She used the time to look around.

Castle checked in and got their room key, then headed back to Kate, a smile on his face. "They are taking the bags up for us, so we have a choice. We can do something now, or we can go see the room."

"Oh, either sounds good to me. You pick."

"Why don't we go check out the lounge upstairs? They tell me it's pretty quiet up there."

She smiled. "Okay." Her hand was locked through his.

Upstairs was empty. It was quiet. Castle sat on a couch, pulling her down into his lap. "I'm so glad we could do this."

"It's nice." She put her arms around him. The last time they'd been able to do anything like this was their honeymoon, six months ago.

"We have this for the entire weekend. Are you sure you like it?"

"Of course, babe. Stop worrying," she kissed his forehead.

"Good. I was thinking, after some lunch, do you want to go look around? It's a small town but I've heard it's really lovely."

"Of course. I'm yours for the weekend."

He smiled happily. "What do you want for lunch?"

"Let's just look in town and see what they have. Or maybe they have things for a picnic."

"Picnic. Great idea. Come with me!"

She groaned when they got up, but walked with him.

"Hi, is it too late to get a picnic lunch prepared?" Castle asked the person at the front desk.

Castle thanked them and took the lunch, leading Kate outside.

"I guess everyone was right," he gasped. "This place is amazing."

"I always do my homework."

"Not planning on it." He kissed her.

"I love you."

(now what?)