Bundle of Joy
Disclaimer: I still don't own it, and I am back to being a poor student with bills, so I'm even less worth suing.
For Trinity Everett
She carries the folded comforter out of the closet, her eyes darting to the bed. She'd set little James down on the soft white sheet, and she checks to be sure the five month out hasn't rolled off in her absence.
But there he is, the little striped onesie that's covering his diapered butt on full display as he kicks his tiny feet in the air.
"Are you being my little exhibitionist there, buddy?" She asks with a soft laugh.
Setting the comforter down on the bed, she reaches out and snags one little foot, pressing a kiss to the soft little sole. James lets out a gurgling giggle in reply, kicking and wiggling even harder.
Kate grins back at him. Her sweet, joyful, little boy. As she tickles her fingers across his tummy to coax out more of his beautiful laughter, she remembers telling Castle that she didn't like babies. Wasn't one to nibble on their little toes, was that what she'd said?
But she's drawn to her son, over and over. This chubby, blue eyes, curly haired, joyful little soul. He's a little mini Castle, and she can't resist him.
"You and Daddy and all your charms," she says with a sigh. "You make me break all my rules." Thank goodness.
"So this is where two of my favorite people are hiding." She turns at her husband's voice, smiling, letting her happiness spill over onto him.
"Not hiding Castle. Just getting the room ready for Alexis. Jamie wants to build sandcastles with his big sister, right little man?" She throws the comforter over the bed, lets the edge fall gently on the baby, an impromptu game of hide and seek.
James squeals, delighted, and on impulse she scoops up the baby and spins, bringing them both within Castle's reach.
He gathers them both close, dusting a kiss to his son's head, then her lips. "Love you," he says, his joy making so like the little boy in her arms that she aches with it.
"Love you too, babe," she says quietly.
He studies them with a warm gaze that leaves her tingling. "What?" she asks, feeling suddenly self conscious, nuzzling against the baby for cover."
"He looks just like you," Castle says.
That stuns her, because she always sees so much of him in their son. He must see it on her face, because he adds, "he has your structure, those thick lashes. Gonna break hearts one day."
But she shakes her head. "No. Gonna mend them, build them up. He's his father's son."
They share a long look until James starts to squirm between them.
"Come on, Castle. Takes us for a walk on the beach." And as she leads them down the stairs of their Hamptons home, she looks from father to son. She thinks that maybe the answer is simple.
They make a very good team.