A sharp twinge made it's way across Kate's lower abdomen, waking her.
"Rick.."
"Hmm.."
He said sluggishly, still half alseep.
"Rick...the baby, it's time"
She nudged him in the ribs.
"Huh?Oh, okay, umm...wow"
Suddenly he was wide awake and trying to remember "The Plan".
Where the hell had he put the bag containing everything they would need for the birth?
"Castle, calm down. I moved it to the front door before bed"
Kate started inching her way off the bed.
She was more than ready to get back to being able to maneuver around comfortablyRick came around to her side, took her hands in his, kissed her and helped her up.
'Thanks"
"It's going to be awhile, Kate. In the mean time we'll keep monitoring your vitals and make sure your comfortable"
had entered the private suite and was checking heart rate monitors.
"Thank you, Doctor"
Rick smiled and shook his hand.
"Rick..."
"Is everything okay?"
He said turning back to face her.
"Uhm, So far. I just want you to know how grateful I am to have you"
She put her hand on her belly.
"...and her"
"Me too"
He said resting his hand on hers.
A contraction struck
"Mhmm.."
Moaned kate.
She bit her lip, trying to let the moment pass.
Rick squeezed her hand, kissed her temple and whispered
"You're the strongest person I know"
She grinned through gritted teeth
Another contraction forced her to cry out
Beads of sweat had formed on kate's forehead causing her bangs to stick to it
Leaning over he smoothed the hair back and out of her eyes.
"Rick... it hurts"
He hated seeing her like this, but he had to be strong ... for her.
"I know..
a tear escaped her right eye.
"just a little longer, okay, then she'll be here and it'll have been worth it"
he wiped the tear from her cheek.
"You ready, kate?"
asked Dr. Bishop, sitting at the foot of the bed.
she nodded
"I'm going to need you to start pushing... now"
"Rick!"
Panic suddenly washed over her.
"I'm right here, baby"
Desperately hoping he sounded comforting and not at all terrified.
"Push"
She held Rick's hand tightly and pushed
"Push"
He looked into Kate's eyes and tightened his grip
"Push"
Tears were streaming down her face...
But he made sure they kept their eyes focused on each other.
"I know it's tough, kate.."
Dr. Bishop said looking up at her.
"But she's almost here, just one last push. A big one, okay?"
Rick moved around to the foot of the hospital bed, making sure never to lose eye contact or let her hand go.
He put his right hand on her left knee.. to steady himself.
"She's beautiful..."
Kate made a face.
"Okay, well the top of her head is"
for a split second she forgot where she was and laughed.
"Ready...and push!"
Ah, reality..
She pushed as hard as she could...
A small gurgly cry escaped their daughters lungs
When kate opened her eyes she saw Rick beaming, apparently unaware of the tears falling from his eyes.
One of the nurses rested baby girl Castle on Kate's chest..
"Told you she was beautiful"
Rick said, stroking his daughters head.
Kate was in her own little bubble...
Staring at their little girl.
She was the most beautiful thing kate had ever seen.
Mom.._
"Hanna"
Whispered kate, as she kissed her little girl's cheek.
"Huh?"
She looked up at Rick
"Huh?..."
She'd almost forgotten he was there.
"Hanna?"
"Oh, yeah. Do you like it?"
"It's perfect!"
Rick grinned.
He could see she was a little dazed and sleepy. So he kissed her
"You should get some rest"
"I love you"
was the last thing she said as she closed her eyes.
Castle made himself comfortable on the recliner next to the bed...
Holding his baby daughter...
"Hello, Hanna Nicole Castle"
he kissed her forehead.
"Don't tell mommy"
The End
