A New Life Ch 3
*1 year later*
Kate gets back to the loft after a hard day at work. Castle has already made dinner. Like every night. She kisses him and helps him set the table. Today they're having dinner alone, Martha has left with her theater class and Alexis is with Pi. Castle wants this to be an intimate dinner because he wants to talk to her about something really important.
When they got married, they decided that they were to no longer work together. Now that they live in the same place, Castle now has his muse at home and has no reason to go to the precinct. Besides, when Beckett comes home, it gives them something to talk about. Sometimes, Kate lets him go with them to the arrests.
During dinner, Kate is lost in thought. She's been like that for a couple of days now. There's something she can't stop thinking about. She's not sure whether to talk about it with Castle or not. Finally, she decides to talk to him after dinner.
Everything has been cleaned and put back in its place. It's time to talk. They're on the couch sitting in front of each other.
-Kate, there something I want to talk to you about. You see, I…- she interrupts him.
-I also have something to tell you. Can I go first?
-Yeah sure, I'm listening.
-I've been thinking. We've been together for two years now, and this year we have been married has been amazing, but I think we're ready to take the next step, well, at least I am.
-Take the next step? Kate, what do you mean? - He smiles.
-Rick, I want us to have a baby- Castle looks at her surprised. –Oh, God, did I scare you? Do you not want to have another kid?
-No, no, it's not that- he gets closer to her and takes her hands in his. – It's just that I… I wanted to talk to you about the same thing.
-Really?
-Yeah, but I was afraid to bring it up because I didn't want to pressure you or seem too impatient- they both laugh. –So, do we start trying?
-Yeah.
The next morning Kate wakes up at the sound of her cell phone. It's a text from Esposito; they know where the suspect is hiding. She puts one of Castle's t-shirts on before she gets up, takes some clean clothes and goes into the bathroom.
Inside of the bathroom, she remembers the conversation they had last night, she looks at herself in the mirror and without thinking about it, her hands go to her stomach.
-You'll be beautiful- Castle's voice takes her out of her reverie.
-What?
-When you're pregnant, you're going to be beautiful- he hugs her from behind and kisses her.
-Hey, we know where the suspect is and we're going to get him. You coming? - Without breaking the embrace, she turns to face him.
-Yeah, sure.
An hour later, Castle and Beckett get to the abandoned building where Ryan and Esposito are waiting for them. Javi explains the situation to Beckett.
-Alright guys, you cover the back, Castle and I will cover the other side.
The building is deserted and almost in ruins. Only the homeless stay there at night. Kate was completely concentrated and her senses were sharp. There is an almost absolute silence, except for their footsteps and some water dripping. A loud bang makes her stop on her tracks; it was the sound of a gun going off. She turns around slowly and sees the suspect pointing the gun at Castle.
-Drop the gun! - yells Beckett getting into shooting position.
-No! You drop it or I blow his head off!
Castle takes advantage of the distraction and he hits him on the nose with his elbow. Beckett runs to knock him down and cuff him, but the man is faster and punches her, which sends her to the ground. Castle realizes the guy still has his gun on his hand, so he tries to take it away from him. Beckett watches this go down from the ground. She hears a shot. Castle falls. The suspect drops the gun and runs away from them.
-CASTLE! – Yells Beckett while running to him.
The shot was at point blank and the bullet went through the bulletproof vest. Beckett takes it off carefully. He's bleeding a lot, but he's still conscious. Kate puts pressure on the wound to avoid any more blood loss.
-Come on Rick, hang on. Don't close your eyes- the tears start welling up in her eyes. –Come on! Don't die, please. Don't leave me, not now.
Castle closes his eyes.