At first I was loving the banter. Then I loved the part about gift-wrapping, because my daughter and I were discussing that very thing yesterday. Then I read the part about Manushi. I tried to find a link to donate, but the links I found didn't work. It's a lovely story and fits Castle and Beckett's story so well. I'm glad I found this story to read today.

What an incredibly beautiful story!

awwwwwwwww... :')

You know what? ... It's almost November. Just saying. *whistles while casually walking away*

Just lovely.

very sweet story

How beautiful )

Amazing! I need to come up with a new word... Stay tuned!

Again. I hate you. but I don't because this is beautiful.

No really. You are too good. Such beautiful, magical, lyrical writing.

Awww, that was wonderful and so in-character. You totally have Kate and Rick's voices down pat.

That gift was so beautiful. :) I loved it!

"No," she says, holding out a hand to stop him. "You aren't allowed." – LOL, oh silly Kate. I’m excited, this is going to be cute.

She turns back to her computer, ignoring him with every ounce of energy and focus she can muster. Doesn't keep her renegade body from being attuned to his every movement. – LOL.

She wants to say 'no cake' but the boys would give her grief for denying them; also, it is sweet. The cake. Not him. Him too. A little. – I love this.

"You're not most women. And you're smoking hot. You'll be hot when you're 80. Which will be interesting; I can't wait to see that. So you have nothing to worry about." – HAHAHA.

She flashes him a look, not sure herself if she's pleased or annoyed, but probably both. "32, Castle." – I love how she doesn’t even say anything about him seeing her when she’s 80. Adorbs!

"Young at heart, Beckett." "Immature at heart, you mean. – Teehehe.

"Five year olds are cool. I'll take it." – Hahah, I love him.

She won't touch it. If she touches it, it's hers. Her fingers won't let go of it. A gift from Castle. He's already given her too much. – I love this, “if she touches it, it’s hers” and “he’s already given her too much.” SO GOOD.

Two years ago, even last year, this would have been a golden opportunity for her to say Well then stop showing up. But she can't. Her mouth won't open; her brain won't send out the signals. She can't say it. – Awwwwww. :)

He sighs, as if in rapture, makes moon eyes at her that actually do make her stomach flutter, damn it. – Baww!

"No gifts is a stupid rule. I'm not listening to you when you're being stupid." – LMAO.

She just wants to kiss- Deep breath, Kate. Breathe through it. It'll pass. – HEEE!

but saying no to him now is almost impossible. Not when her silence, her convenient amnesia, says no to him every day, all too well. – Oh my GOD, how do you DO THAT? It’s perfection and perfect and PERFECT. OKAY? Sigh.

"Take it," she says softly, meeting his eyes and telegraphing her seriousness. "Give it to me at lunch." – BSOIDJSAO! SOOOO CUUUUTE.

It may be the ache in his chest from three months of not being able to look at her suddenly resolved into this - Kate Beckett alive and smiling tenderly at him whenever he opens his mouth. – I’m in love with them.

instead, she gives him that pressed lips smile that he loves - loves - and has never seen before this summer. – Heee! This story is so friggin’ cute.

She's already picking at the tape with a nail, peeling it back. He used too much tape maybe. He wrapped it himself, which seriously never happens, but he couldn't bear to let it out of his sight long enough to pay someone to do it, even if it does look sloppy now that he's watching her- - Awwww! He’s so cute.

"All right already. You're a tease. Get on with it." – I’m grinning like a fool over here.

She laughs and brushes her fingers along his on the table, goes back to the gift. – IN LOVE WITH THEM.

He wishes he could push her hair back, see more of her face. He wishes he could brush his thumb over her cheekbone. He wishes so many things that they all stick in his throat. – I love this.

She's stroking the tusks with a finger, but her face is the listening one. – I love this, too.

"It represents water. A flowing force that reshapes even rock. That prayer bell was made by a woman who was rescued from the slave trade by an organization in Nepal called Manushi." – How do you KNOW this stuff? Or come up with it? Or whatever. You’re such a smarty-arty-o!

He's still unsure what the elephants on her desk mean to her, what they symbolize; she's only ever said she just likes them. He thinks it has something to do with elephants never forgetting, but in his darker moments, he's more certain it's because elephants are matriarchal and run out the males in their herd when they no longer need them. – SRSLY, how do you THINK of this stuff? It’s genius.

He wishes she liked penguins instead. They mate for life. – AWWWWW, Castle.

The irises of her eyes glitter like flakes of mica, green and gold. – I love this, how you keep going back to stones/gems/whatever (see, I’m not as smart as you, lol.) It’s interesting.

Her lips touch the corner of his mouth lightly, barely there, and he can feel her cheek , then her lashes as she closes her eyes. Her hand comes up and caresses his cheek, her thumb at the other corner of his mouth, as if to hold him there. He doesn't move, lets her linger even as his heart pounds. Her hand over his on the table tightens, and then she pulls away. – I ADORE this.

I just, really… I would never think of something like this. I’m having a hell of a time coming up with Christmas presents for the people closest to me, haha. But yeah, you’re brilliant. Seriously.

Beautiful. Touching. Flailworthy!

I love your one-shots!

Great story, absolutely LOVE your work! Thank you for the 'couldn't care less' clarification, I laughed when I read this, soooo many times I read 'could care less' and it frustrates me so much! Again, love your stories, thank you for sharing them with us! :D