A/N: Hey guys! I apologize for the extremely long delay. I guess a small case of writer's block is my excuse. I've been working on this for a couple days and I finally finished it. I just wanted to show the contrast between Beckett's day to day life, and also how she still kept parts of her the same. I'm actually more happy with the first part, which is odd since it's pre-relationship. But anyway I hope you enjoy it. And as always, let me know what you think! Thanks for all the lovely reviews so far!

*The first part is pre-relationship, then the second takes place after all of my other stories. Same first two kids though, plus another :) Just to avoid confusion.

Mornings

Nothing says more about your life than the way you get ready every morning. Kate Beckett knew this fact well. It ran through her mind as she rolled over and disabled her alarm at five o'clock on a Saturday morning. She didn't think twice about the fact that she was waking up in an empty bed- maybe because she was used to it. She also didn't notice that the New York sky outside her apartment was still as dark as night. She couldn't remember the last time she woke up to see the sun shining, or woke up at her own free will rather than to a nagging alarm. Nor could she remember the last time she had a reason other than work to get her out of bed.

With a sigh, Beckett slinked out of bed. Almost immediately she felt the need for caffeine and made her way towards her kitchen. She started a pot of coffee with the ease of a seasoned pro. Then she yawned and headed towards her shower.

Lather, rinse, repeat. She wondered who actually followed the third step, so commonly seen on the backs of shampoo bottles. She hardly had time for the first two.

Feeling refreshed and slightly more alert, Kate stepped out of the shower. Other than the sound of early city traffic outside, her apartment was eerily quiet. It made her glad she had a gun, should the need arise. She crossed the thresh hold into her room and finished getting dressed in her usual routine. Watch, necklace, clothes. She then expertly holstered her gun and badge, applied a thin layer of make up, and styled her auburn hair.

The smell of a fresh pot of coffee screamed at her senses as she slid her straightener through her hair one last time. The detective breezed into the kitchen and poured the steaming liquid into her favorite thermos. Compared to the machine down at the precinct, her coffee at home was starting to taste bland. It was one thing that made her thankful for Castle. She started to wonder if he would show up this morning to watch her fill out paperwork, despite the fact there was no current case to solve. A smile crossed her face, then she quickly shook her head to rid the thought. What did it matter if he showed?

Detective Beckett slid her navy trench coat over her slender frame. She walked out the door without a second look back at her lonely apartment, anxious to be in the company of others.

****

Four Years Later

In the time before Kate was in a relationship with Rick, she had thought many times about how her life would be in a few years. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever fathomed the actual result. A different couch in her apartment, new window coverings, or maybe a new colleague, were a few possibilities she had ever dared to consider. But now, half asleep in the arms of her husband, she thought how much her life had changed in a short time. Her dreamy thoughts were interrupted by the shrill sound of her cell phone alarm. She relished in the coziness of their plush bed for a moment before slipping out of bed quietly, careful not to disturb the snoring man beside her.

Kate walked downstairs, trying to be light on her feet. She was always the first to rise in their apartment. When Beckett reached the kitchen, she mixed and heated a baby bottle before starting her pot of coffee. Baby monitor in hand as she perused around the lush apartment, she awaited a baby's usual morning cries. When she stopped in front of the fireplace, a picture on the mantle elicited a smile from her lips. It showed a beaming Alexis holding her newest baby brother in the hospital, while the remaining two Castle children smiled from each arm of the chair.

Like clockwork, Blake let out his first cry, letting everyone know he was awake and hungry. Kate heard heavy footsteps up above. She cursed herself for letting Rick get out of bed. She had to be up anyway to be to work. But contrary to her wishes, a groggy Castle crept down the stairs not a moment later; bathrobe hastily thrown on and a crying little boy in his arms.

Kate met them in the middle of the kitchen and kissed her youngest son good morning. "Go back to bed," She said, more of a demand than a suggestion. Castle stuck out his bottom lip in a juvenile pouting look, which prompted an eye roll from his wife. When had he ever listened to her in these sort of situations?

"Good morning to you, too," He teased, and placed a kiss on her forehead.

Their bickering was interrupted by the sound of little footsteps padding down the stairs. A bouncy little girl scrambled towards them with the energy of a usual toddler. Their kids had definitely inherited their mother's habit of waking unnaturally early. Paired with their father's enthusiasm, it was a tiring combination.

"Hey, you!" Kate greeted her only daughter. "Guess what day it is?"

Lyra furrowed her brow at the question and shrugged. She looked at her mother for an explanation.

"Shower day," Kate answered with a grin. As expected, Lyra protested profusely. Eventually the two made their way upstairs to shower, leaving the two boys to themselves downstairs.

Beckett hurriedly washed both herself and her daughter, hoping to reduce the amount of complaining. Lather, Rinse, Repeat. But who said the third step had to be completed on the same head of hair? Lyra's long red hair fully lathered up, Kate maneuvered her under one of the shower's numerous heads. For such a luxurious shower, she couldn't remember the last time she had actually taken a break and relaxed in it.

Finally ready- and running a little late- Kate descended the stairs in a hurry. She was greeted by her three children who were now all awake, and Rick, in the kitchen. "Are you goin' to work momma?" Asked Brayden with a hint of sadness.

"Yeah, bud I have to," She replied as she kissed him goodbye. Once she had kissed the four of them and made sure there would be no disasters while she was gone, she put on her coat and was headed out the door. She had just turned the handle when she felt someone small hugging her legs.

"I want you to stay home," Brayden pleaded. It killed her to see the sadness in his green eyes and she bent down to hug him.

"I'll be back before you know it, okay?" Although she knew this would do little to appease him, it surprised her when he started to cry. He usually wasn't the more emotional of the kids. Thankfully she was rescued by Castle, who came to carry him back into the kitchen so she could escape, although regretfully. "Bye!" She called through the doorway and made her way out of the loft, anxious to return home as quickly as possible.