Captain Gates is dealing with her overbearing mother-in-law this holiday season. Lanie is spending Christmastime with friends, but encourages Esposito to give her a call after the holiday hoopla dies down. Ryan is planning to have Jenny test drive some sexy holiday lingerie. He’s hesitant to head home though, as his wife thinks it’s time they start trying to have a baby. His partner assures him that he’s ready for this. Esposito then returns that valuable clock to Beth Cabot, who invites him in for a warm holiday meal.

Castle’s apartment looks like a winter wonderland with all its Christmas décor. It’s part of a holiday tradition that may be coming to an end. Both Martha and Alexis have plans Christmas Eve, so the opening of the presents will have to wait till Christmas Day this year. He’s also bummed to learn that Beckett has to work the holiday shift. Actually, she volunteered to work it. Christmastime still has bad memories for her after the murder of her mom.

Castle can’t even give Beckett a Christmas Eve kiss as he says goodbye to her under the mistletoe at the precinct. On the bright side, Alexis and Martha cancel their Christmas Eve plans to stay home with him. Beckett also changes her plans to show up at his front door. The fact that they aren’t standing under mistletoe doesn’t stop them from sharing a kiss smack-dab in the middle of Castle’s Christmas castle. It’s nice being home for the holidays with the one you love even if you did neglect to get her a gift.