Autumn

For Jess, who asked.

Candlelight flickers across the walls of the loft, dark and mysterious. The whole place smells of pumpkins and spices and the whiff of sugar from the pile of candy sitting on the side table. The pile that had decreased significantly since she had poured the bags of mini chocolate bars and boxes of malted milk balls and little wrapped Lifesavers into the huge bowls. Probably due to the man who had taken the newborn from her arms ten minutes ago and went to get into their costumes.

It's early yet so there aren't trick-or-treaters out yet, knocking on doors in the building and holding out sacks for candy. She's able to lean against the pillar near the dining table, stretch her legs out in front of her, flexing her toes against the hardwood. Barefoot because she's never seen a reason to wear shoes in the house and because it's just easier with the baby. Her hat tips forward, almost falling to the ground but she snags it, shakes out the top.

His idea. The costumes even though it's just a small party for their friends at the loft. She hadn't wanted to dress up, ready to sit in the study with Andy and a glass of apple cider and to try and keep him quiet and happy despite the noise that even the ten people coming over would make. But he had insisted, going out and buying things for the three of them while she took a nap with the baby one afternoon. Which was why she is wearing a simple black dress that falls loosely to her knees, baring her shoulders and her back in a deep vee, hair curled into tight ringlets that are pinned back from her face. She replaces the hat, glancing in the hall mirror and finding the tip of the witch's hat flopped to the side. She doesn't bother fixing it; it gives it character, the tip almost falling over the wide brim.

It's been too long, too quiet under the stereo playing some Halloween playlist he came up with. So she pushes off the pillar, careful to get her footing before she starts toward the bedroom. "Castle, don't tell me you went and offed our son on Halloween," she says. "Because I'm on call and the last thing I need to do is arrest you."

Their bedroom is bathed in soft light thanks to the dimmer switch he had installed a few months back. He's bent over the bed and she catches sight of Andy's foot kicking at his ribs. The kid's been fascinated with trying to get his toes into his mouth despite the fact there's a sock dividing them. This pair has little pumpkins on them, brilliant orange with smiling jack-o-lantern faces and curling vines. To match his costume.

She taps Castle on the shoulder, moving her hand up to twist into his hair. "Hey. You coming?"

"Yeah," he says, wrapping a flannel blanket around Andy and scooping the boy up. He's asleep which will only last until some of the people show up and start talking. Castle steps back, eyes roving from her bare feet, nails painted a deep purple, up to her hat. "You look beautiful," he whispers.

She hums, pressing up on her toe tips to brush her lips over his. She hasn't ever needed someone to increase her ego but he knows better than anyone when she does need the little boost. And she has needed it more often in the past month than she thinks she has in her life. Help to get past the crippling fear of doing something wrong or hovering too much. Times like this, she thanks goodness for the fact that he knows her, inside and out. "You look pretty sharp too," she says, giving him a final peck on his cheek and grinning when his head follows, searching hers out again. "How's our pumpkin looking?"

"Yeah, about that," he hedges, shifting Andy as Beckett narrows her eyes. "I got a better idea this morning and ran out to get the things and…"

"Oh no," she murmurs, already shaking her head. "I'm not letting you dress our kid up as…"

"But it's so cool and perfect," Castle starts, defending himself as he dances backwards to keep her from plucking the baby from his arms and changing him into the pumpkin outfit they had agreed on. "We might not get this chance again so we've got to seize it!"

The climb in his voice has Andy squirming, fingers clutching around the gold and scarlet blanket as he pushes his little noise into Castle's chest. Beckett sighs, reaching out to run a finger over the baby's chubby cheek. "Fine. Just this once."

Castle leans over, free hand catching her chin and tilting her head up so he can kiss her, desire shooting straight through her. "You gotta admit it," he says, going around the bed to the armchair in the corner with bags stacked on it. "It's a good idea."

"You have those sometimes," she agrees with a shrug. He glares over his shoulder at her but it only makes her laugh. Andy cries, wiggling so that Castle has to brace an arm on the chair so he doesn't fall. "Let me take him."

He shields her view from the bags as she plucks the boy from his father's arms. She ignores his secrecy, moving out into the living room while bouncing Andy. The Monster Mash is playing in the background as she whispers into the boy's ear, calming him down. She smoothes the baby's hair back, already deep brown and curling a little around his temple. And finds the one thing that will give the costume away. The man really does think of everything.

"Here," he says, handing her the wand over her shoulder and placing another kiss along the curve of her neck, making her raise her shoulder up. He wraps a scarf around her neck after, letting the scarlet and gold fringe fall through his fingers. "Gotta complete the ensemble."

She turns, skirt flaring out a little and catching on the denim of his jeans. "Not quite. Where's my Head Girl pin?" she asks, tugging on his striped tie.

"You're one of the brightest witches of your year, Beckett," he scoffs, moving around her to pick up another piece of candy. "Think you can figure it out."

Someone knocks on the door and she can hear Lanie's voice outside. Adjusting the brim of her hat so she can see without having to tip her head back, she settles Andy into the crook of her arm, tucking the edges of the Gryffindor blanket around his little navy striped light blue onesie as the boy's eyes blink open, still stormy grey.

Castle steps into her space again, pushing her hair back behind her ear. "Happy Halloween, Beckett," he murmurs before kissing her softly. Then he places his lips on Andy's cheek and Beckett has to smile as the boy's hand reaches up, curling around his father's lower lip. "And to you too, The Boy Who Lived."

Then Castle opens the front door, finding Lanie and Esposito chatting with Ryan and Jenny and their two year old in the hall. "Welcome to Hogwarts," he says to the group. "Go find a seat so we can start the Sorting Ceremony."

She'll tell him later, after their friends have left and Andy has been put to sleep, but this just may be the best behind-her-back idea he's ever had.