Oh gosh. This is adorable! I loved reading it in Dash's point of view. Really well done.
Everything about it is cute and wonderful

i melted like halfway through the second paragraph. Honestly, this was the sweetest family life scene I have ever read in a fanfiction. I felt my heartstrings tug, and I was right there with every characters as you shifted the perspective from Dashiell to Kate and then to Rick.

I love the way you describe the world from Dash's bright mind, how you point out things that for us are obvious and you lose yourself in his ever-swirling thoughts, forcing us into a point of view we have long ago forgotten. The thrill of doing something our parents forbid us to, getting caught with the hands in the cookie jar...I was right there, with Dash, wishing Ellery would let go of my fingers so I could hide under the crib! Marvelous.

The dogpile in the bed was probably my favorite part though, just imagining all of them snuggled together in the hazy hours of the early morning was just perfect. There was everything in this scenes, everything. You wrote in 3,000 words what I dream of writing in a lifetime.

This Sleep series definitely started out with the right foot! Just what I needed tonight!

This one was adorable.

I liked how you started the bond between Dash and Ella here. He is really protective of his little sister despite the fact that she woke him up.

It was also good to see how Dash was learning about time and what the numbers mean for him.

The family moments were wonderful as well.

killlllling me, Laura. I've seriously got to stop reading these right before I go to bed. I get all maudlin, like Castle. geez.

this was my favorite- "The baby has curled up there, her fists at his ribs, her mouth open in sleep, knees bracketting his hips like a little koala. Dashiell is cuddling his father's leg like his thigh is a teddy bear, and then - to his astonishment - Kate is pressed close, her arm thrown over the little one, a knee at Dash's side, as if she's holding them all together."

I love this so much, I love the way you describe how they are all with each other... love and acceptance that just tugs at my heart. Because that's what it's all about, the people that make us feel safe and loved, no matter what.

Awwww ! ;-)

Sigh. Fabulous.

I love this story, where Ellery and Dash are still a few years younger. Hope you update soon

Love the Dash POV, and the description of how he takes care of his baby. Very heart-warming and sweet. Happy 100.

Aww so sweet! I want a little man like that :)
100th story and going strong!

Dash is the cutest kid ever, and Kate is such a good mom. And I love Castle and Ella and everything. I love their family so much. So glad you added this story! I love the whole Dash series.

That is such a sweet story! I loved it! Can't wait to read more Dash's adventures :)

Awww. 100th story from Dash POV. Appropriate! :)

This is quite adorable. Love his thoughts, and how he calls her his baby, and how much he loves his momma and it's just such epic CUTENESS. I love the imagery of this family together like this.

I actually read this last night at bedtime. Then couldn't sleep half the night. As this is a weird, albeit unrelated, coincidence, I thought I'd let you know. ;)

Oh, I was so thrilled to see this story posted last night. It helped cap off an excitement evening for me. First, I watched the American Women win the gold medal in gymnastic then I see that you updated with a new title. I was bouncing around even though it was very late. I had to read half of your new Dash companion or I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep wonder what was happening. So I was very happy it was fluffy, cuddly, and filled with a family who wanted to get some sleep as well. I read until your story break with the Castle family members that were still wake going to bed as well.

So now I am back to review after finishing the last half of this story. Here are the parts that I just adored:
Dash's referring to his sister as ''his baby''.
Dash checking on his baby when he realizes the sounds that woke him up were from Ella.
Dash comforting his Ella by patting her back through the crib's slats and stating he'd stay with her. My heart! Oh, the feeling!
Kate and Castle talking about what a good boy Dash is.
Kate thinking that Dash takes after her in regard to sleep habits along with her telling Dash he can be like her.
Castle happiness that his youngest daughter adores him.
Castle and Ella settling in to sleep with kiss for his Cricket along with the phrase, " love you all the ways." Oh, the happy feelings that were flowing by this point are beyond any description that I can write.

You had me chuckling too when Dash calls Ella a monkey along with Kate saying Castle is a lazy bone on Saturdays. I can so relate. I like to be lazy on Saturdays when possible too.
Plus, I always laugh when Dash requests a tea date with Kate because of the diluted Sanka coffee. Dash is going to be in for surprise when he is older and learns that his "tea" is really weak coffee. I keep imaging the look on his face when he tastes real tea and it isn't what he is expecting.

Thanks for sharing your writing talent and congrats on your 100th Castle story. What an achievement. Your writing has brought such pleasure and adventures to many I would dare to say. I know it definitely has for me. You helped make the Castle hiatus bearable along with helping me escape the canon 4th season storylines when they were tormenting me until AM brought us through. So once again kudos on your writing achievement.

Awwwwww...