Hijacking the 'cuddles/hugs' whatsit I've seen some of you guys writing on here, not sure of the etiquette of joining in - pretty sure this is not the correct way, sorry - but I can't stop my brain and my fingers connecting especially when the laptop is close by. Anyhow I hope you will excuse me borrowing one of the headers, because this popped in there as soon as I saw it.
2
Clinging
Castle found himself awestruck. He did the only thing he possibly could, he supported her weight as she leaned up against him clinging to his neck, her body shaking with the intensity of the experience. This was it, the end game, after hours of waiting, feeling useless as she worked through the process, finding her way, allowing her instincts to guide her. Here as was often the case, they seemed to be bang on the money, she trusted her body, listened to everything it was telling her and allowed herself to become a slave to it, never resisting she worked with it.
Her breathing became deep and controlled as she focused on just this one thing. The heat of her breath on the tender skin of his neck was quite stunning. She was running hot, her exertion bumping up her body temperature up even more in this already very warm room. He made a mental note to ask if she wanted a cold compress just as soon as this was over. If she didn't, he thought he might be in need of one himself. She was a furnace, heat radiating to him through the fabric of her once loose fitting vest top. She had also stolen a pair of his favourite boxers, claiming they were the only thing comfortable enough to wear.
He felt her reach the zenith, the tension lessening in her arms and hands which had been exerting pressure on his shoulders and neck which had become painful in her powerful embrace, but he could not, would not, complain. He always said she was extraordinary, but until this day he had absolutely no idea of how profoundly, deeply true that statement was. 'You have no idea' she had said to him once, long ago and again he could not have anticipated the depth of her strength, courage and determination, or the extent to which she could draw upon them when she required. Of course he had seen each of those things and more from her since that time and he was well aware of the ferocity she harboured within, which she channelled into productivity, especially with regard to her work. But since he had been with her, he also felt the ferocity of her love. It frequently left him reeling, as he was now, he was dizzy with it. What was especially rare was that her ferocity was twinned with compassion, it made her a great detective, a great woman and lover and he had no doubt she would be great once more in her new role, just about to begin in this next chapter of her life, that of a mother. Soon now, very soon.
"That's it," he murmured into her ear, he felt her coming down, slowly relaxing into him now, "God, Kate, you're doing so well." This was all so very different from the last time in was in this position, then he had been with a woman who was a shrieking, freaking mess and she only had to make it to the hospital, where a C-section would be performed.
But now he sensed the power of Kate in a whole new way, her quiet yet steely determination washing away all the doubts she had spoken of in the days leading up to this one. Her fear was gone, she welcomed her labour, she felt invigorated and motivated, she knew exactly what she had to do. Everything leading up to the long awaited, highly anticipated moment they would meet their child. And she longed for it.
Castle worked his hands over her lower back, kneading into her muscles there, trying to relieve some of the tension and pain he knew she had been enduring all day. "You take my breath away."
She eased back as she temporarily reclaimed control of her body once more. Pulling back to see him, still lightly resting her hands on his shoulders, her eyes flashed. Even with her pupils widely dilated as they were, he could clearly see that hazel of her irises had turned to green. Long ago he learned this could serve as a warning, signposting 'danger'. In the early days, failing to notice had cost his ear dearly, however the colour of her eyes changed in moments of passion and also when she teased the green reflected her mirth. While sometimes confusing, he knew her well enough to know the difference - most of the time. He thought perhaps now there was a little of all three mingled in together.
"Your breath?" she asked, a slight twitch of the eyebrows soon followed by that of her mouth, as she fought to regain hers. She sucked in huge lungfuls of recovery breaths, flooding her system with oxygen, she knew she was soon going to need it along with all the strength she could muster.
"Anything you need?" he asked "You're roasting. A cold compress, maybe some more ice chips?"
She shook her head, "No, not just now, I have everything I need right here." She closed in to give him a soft kiss, putting everything she no longer had the energy to say into it.
Slowly parting, they said in unison "I love you".
"We're close Castle," she said holding his gaze with her own, already feeling the rising of the next onslaught "really close." her words becoming pinched as she leant in once more, taking comfort in the closeness of him, assuming the most comfortable position she possibly could.
"Already?" he asked, glancing at the clock on the wall, taking notice of the time, and how little had elapsed since the last one.
"Mm-hmm" she gave her hummed response and settled against him, but soon she began to rock on the balls of her feet, he compensated instinctively, mirroring her movements giving maximum support and allowing her the freedom of movement her body was demanding. "'S good" she breathed as they performed their strange clinging hug-come-dance.
Castle heard the door creak as it opened, and their midwife breezed in. She stood just inside, observing the couple, giving them space as they worked their way through Kate's contraction. They were doing remarkably well. Some women, especially those for whom this was their first baby, would shout and curse, others became hysterical, but others were focused and calm throughout, the same could be said for their partners. So far, the later had described this couple and judging by the progress they had already made, experience told her that it would not change for them, so long as everything continued to run smoothly.
Kate let out a soft moan of discomfort as her contraction peaked, her breath momentarily stolen away from her, but slowly she felt it tapering off and welcomed the rest that came with it, though she still rocked with Castle, now finding her mind sufficiently free to enjoy their closeness.
"Mind if I cut in?" Ray asked as she approached them. "How're we going in here?" Castle liked the midwife, she was small and had a boyishness about her. She had scruffy hair, a little like Kate's had been when they first met, but even shorter than hers had been. Ray had an ease and warmth of personality which made her instantly likeable, but she also exuded professional confidence. Yes, it was fair to say she reminded him of Beckett in more ways than just similarities in hairstyle. Ray was part of the reason they had chosen this facility, they had committed staff for each of their clients and Ray had been with them right though the planning process. The centre also impressed, with its relaxed unobtrusive atmosphere, which both he and Kate felt they wanted, yet they still had the security the facility and its trained staff had to offer.
Kate disentangled herself from Castle and turned to face Ray. "Okay," she said breathlessly, "the last two were really close together and strong."
"That's good." Ray said, "Looks like you're dealing well with this just as you are, but if you change your mind about pain relief there are a couple of things we can try. Just keep that in mind." Kate nodded, though she didn't intend on taking the offer up, not if she could help it. She felt clear and focused and didn't really want anything to interfere with that.
Ray patted the bed, "Hop up here, we'll see how close you really are." Kate shucked the boxers and ungainly manoeuvred herself onto the bed with Castles help, opting to crouch on her hands and knees. Castle stayed close by, gathering cushions to support her, placing them just where she needed them without having to be told. "You've got a good one there Kate." she smiled, giving Castle a wink. "Have you felt like you have the urge to push yet?"
"No, not quite, but I feel like I might be close. I guess I would describe it as steadily increasing pressure." Kate replied and just as she said that, she felt her muscles begin to tighten once more. Castle must have read the tell-tale signs, his hands began roaming soothingly over her back, while Ray gave Kate the once over.
"Good news Kate, you're nearly fully dilated. Won't be long now." Kate found rocking really helped so she continued her rhythmic movements through the contraction. "I'd say just keep doing what you're doing. I'll be just down the hall and will be back in a few, but call me when you feel the urge." And with that Ray stepped out, leaving them alone once more.
Kate made to scoot off the bed when the contraction ended. "I want to move a bit, standing helps."
Castle came to her, caressing the swell of her belly. "Almost there." he said.
She placed her hands atop his. "Almost there."
