Hi there!

I was going to try and wait until Friday to post this, but I couldn't! Just a Valentine's day one shot. This particular feed, though, is my new one-shot feed hence the title "One and Done" (clever, right?) Anyway, I'll start with the one shots once I finish "Letters to You". Go check it out if you haven't already. And please send in your one-shot ideas and prompts. I need inspiration! So either review or DM me. Please and thank you!

Enjoy, and Happy early Valentine's Day!

It had been an extremely long day. For a period of twenty four hours set aside for loving and admiring significant others, some people didn't get the message. They had had a homicide bright and early, seven o'clock to be exact. On top of having to work on Valentine's Day, Castle couldn't be there, hadn't been in a little over a week. He was in the middle of a book publication, which rendered him useless at the precinct; not by his own will, by Gina. So not only had she had to leave his nice, warm embrace before the sun came up, but she had to go through the day partner-less.

So finally being home was more than welcome. She kicked her heals off and slid them to the side, still closing the door as she did. She tossed her keys in the dish on the table. Kate leaned up against the door, closing her eyes. The cool metal, and worn, oak wood of the door felt incredible on her back, helping her to unwind. She took a deep breath, tilting her head back. She was taking full advantage of the quiet. The precinct had been hectic, yelling, fighting, and nonsense all day, from start to finish.

The silence was welcome, but it's what she didn't hear by this point that concerned her. By now, if Castle was home before her, he would jump up from where ever he was and greet her in the doorway. He would gather her in a hug and kiss her, asking her how her day had been. Then, they'd decide on dinner and he'd open a bottle of wine. But she had been in the loft for five minutes, and still no sign of writer boy.

"Castle?" Kate took a few steps into the loft. It was still completely silent. She knew he was home; his keys were right next to hers. The silence was a small indication that he was up to something. She didn't know what, but it was definitely something.

She took a few more steps, ending up at the island. She listened a little more intently than before, trying to pinpoint where he was. Nothing above her moved, not even a floor board, which meant he was somewhere within a few feet of her. She looked around, trying to find something out of place; a book, a chair, anything that would give her a hint pertaining to his game.

"Rick?" Kate moved next into the office. The door to the bedroom was shut. Gotcha! Before she went to investigate their room, something on his desk caught her eye. A single, long-stem, red rose sat in the center, on top of the newest Nikki Heat novel. It was opened to the dedication page:

To my beautiful wife. You inspire me in so many ways.

It was the first time she had seen it, and it left her with a school girl like smile on her face. After all this time, he still managed to keep her on her toes, surprise her, and find new ways to show his love for her. To some, it was just a dedication in another book; most would think she would expect it after the first dedication. But it was so much more. It signified the moments in between the first and the current. So much had happened, so many changes, and the dedications, though similar, were so unique and different from the other.

She brought the rose to her nose and smelled it, making her way back over to the door. She turned the knob slowly, and pushed it open, suddenly filled with anticipation and excitement to see what Castle had up his sleeve.

As soon as she opened the door, rose pedals and tea light candles blurred in front of her; cliché but perfect. He sat on the side of the bed, a bouquet of white roses in his hands. There was a tray sitting on the end of the bed, with chocolate covered strawberries and a bottle of that red wine that made her feel all... She couldn't contain the smile that spread across her face.

He stood up and walked over to where she was standing. "Happy Valentine's Day." He handed her the flowers and leaned in to kiss her.

Beckett couldn't contain her excitement as a blush crept up her neck. He still made her feel special. "Happy Valentine's Day."

"I see you saw the dedication." He motioned to the red rose in her hand.

She nodded and then met his gaze. "I did. Castle, it's beautiful, thank you." She walked over to the dresser, setting the flowers down, and reaching into her top drawer. She fished around until she found the box, pushed all the way to the back. "I got you something." She pulled it out and made her way back to where he was standing. "Here." She pushed the box towards him, hoping he would like it.

He smirked at her, and took it, eager to see what she had picked. No matter how old he got, he always loved presents. He ran a thumb over the top Armani Exchange. He opened the box to find a beautiful Meccanico style watch with a dark brown leather band. The face shown with rose gold, the gadgets and gizmos within twirled and danced. "Wow, Kate, it's amazing. Thank you so much."

"Do you like it?" She held her breath, hoping that she was getting good at the gift giving thing.

"I absolutely love it!" He took the watch out of its little nest, and wrapped it around his wrist. He pushed it to the light to examine it. He smiled at her again, going in for another kiss.

When they pulled apart, Castle smiled, no smirked. He had something up his sleeve. "My turn to give you your present." He raised his eyebrows, waiting for her reaction.

"Rick, I thought the dedication was my present? And all of this?" She gestured to the entire room. "It's too much!"

"Never too much for you my dear lady." He faked a British accent and backed up towards the bathroom, a look still on his face. "Wait here." He ducked into the bathroom, and returned, his back to her. Whatever he was holding, it was fairly large.

Kate stood still, her arms folded in front of her. She could only imagine what it could be. When he turned around, her mouth fell open. "Oh my gosh." She met him in the middle, taking her present in her arms.

"His name's Rocco." Castle proclaimed rather proudly as Kate took the Golden Retriever puppy out of his arms. "He's six weeks old."

Kate snuggled his closer, as the puppy licked her face. "Hey little guy." She laughed as he moved his paws to her shoulders, and started pawing at her hair. She laughed and moved him back down to secure him in her arms. "Rick, I love him."

"I know you always wanted a dog, and I found a breeder who was selling them just outside the city. I left my meeting early to pick him up." He reached out and petted the pup on the head, still looking at his wife.

"He's perfect. Thank you so much, for all of this." She gestured to the entire room and then back at the newest, little, fluffy Castle.

"You're welcome." He smiled at her again, he couldn't get enough of that look she got on her face when she was happy. It melted off of her and made him feel just as good. Seeing her happy was enough.

"So what do you say, want to open that bottle of wine?" Kate got that look on her face; the sassy, playfully smirk settling on her lips.

"Nope." Castle scooped Rocco out of her arms, pecked her on the lips, and made for the door. "Let's go play with the puppy!"

Kate rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the smile, that again, spread across her face. He was childish, and playful, and funny, and sweet, and so rightfully hers. She popped a strawberry in her mouth, before joining her husband and their new, little guy in the living room to forget about work and enjoy her Valentine's Day.

Please review!

xoxo