First of all, I want to thank everyone for their reviews. I wasn't sure how well this story would go over since it is outside of the normal canon for the episode. The reviews truly inspire me to keep writing. Thanks again and reviews are always welcome and loved.

Castle made a bottle for Benny and they found her sitting on the front porch. She had a cup of coffee in one hand and a book resting on her lap. She looked up when she heard the door open and smiled when she saw them standing there.

"How is my favorite guy doing today?"

"I'm fine. How are you doing?"

Beckett smiled, "I was actually talking to Benny, but..."

"I think I should be offended."

She reached up and took Benny in her arms and leaned forward to give him a kiss. Pulling back she whispered, "I love you. Both of you."

It was at that moment that Benny squealed loudly and it caused both adults to laugh. Then, Beckett stood up and twirled him around. Bringing out even more happy squeals. Then, she peppered his cheeks and neck with kisses. Looking at him and Castle, she asked, "It's too cold to go swimming in the lake, but we can take a walk along the shore and..."

"Sounds perfect."

Once they were bundled up in coats, they headed towards the lake. Castle carried Benny and Beckett draped her arm around his waist. For a moment, it was easy to forget about everything back home. The only thing that existed in that moment were the three of them. Their tiny family was perfect and they were so very happy. She knew that this is how it should be.

The love that she felt for Benny was unlike anything she had ever known before. She loved Castle, but their love was different. She knew that she couldn't have loved him more even if he was her own son. No. This was true love. The love of a mother for her child.

Castle looked down at Beckett and for a moment he wondered if there was something wrong. Because when he looked into her eyes, he saw that they were watery and filled with tears. He took turned them back towards the cabin and once they were inside, he put Benny on the floor with his toys to play.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I..."

"Beckett...Kate...I know you better than that. Come on. This is me you're talking to."

Knowing that she couldn't hide from him any longer, she stopped trying and told him softly, "I just never thought it would be like this. Especially with a baby that isn't mine biologically. It's so easy to love him Castle, but so hard at the same time. Knowing that he isn't ours officially yet."

Turning to watch him play, Kate smiled as Benny picked up one of the building blocks that she had scattered on the floor and instead of using it to build something, he tried to shove it in his mouth.

Castle watched him and got down on the floor with him and took one of the blocks and placed it onto another one. Benny watched him, but continued to chew on the same block. She had known that he was teething for a few days now, but he hadn't shown any of the normal signs of it. Until now.

Walking into the bedroom, she picked up a picture of her mother and smiled. Then she talked to her mom in the only way she could these days. She talked to herself and hoped that her mom could hear her somehow, "I love him so much mom. And it's crazy because he's not mine. Not really. When he calls me mama, I'm not sure if he really thinks I'm his mother of if they are simply his mouth trying out the different sounds. Castle says that he knows, but sometimes I'm not so sure. How is it possible that I can love him so much? Whenever I see his smile mom, it's like the sun is shining brighter all of the sudden."

She turned and watched Benny and Castle playing in the room. Their laughter was contagious and she couldn't stop the smile from her face. Was it like this for her mom? Did she have this feeling of unconditional love? It was different from anything she had ever felt before. An all encompassing kind of love that didn't rely on biology or DNA. All that mattered was the love she felt for this tiny baby boy.

Looking back at her moms picture, she whispered, "I want to have his babies mom. So many babies. I don't want Benny to be an only child. I wan our house to be filled with the kind of laughter that our children remember forever. The kind that they seek to emulate. I want our kids to be loved like I was. Because I knew that you and dad loved me."

Beckett laughed when she saw Castle turning over on his back and Benny was crawling on his stomach. Castle was crying out for mercy and pretending like the baby was wrestling him to the ground. Both of her men were having the time of their lives. She wasn't sure who was having more fun. Castle or Benny. What was apparent was the fact that that little boy was happy and loved. So very, very loved.

The tears came freely thinking about how much she loved this little boy in such a short time. She laughed through her tears when she heard Castle cry out, "Help me! I'm being attacked by the Benny monster! Help me mommy!"

Walking into the room, she saw her boys. She grabbed her phone from her pocket and snapped a quick picture. The look on both of their faces too precious to not capture for all eternity. Benny had a look of utmost concentration on his face. When he noticed her standing in the room, he pushed off of Castle and crawled over to her quickly. He looked up at her and smiled. She gave him a watery laugh and picked him up in her arms. She smiled and told them, "I'll save you Benny."

Castle sat up and cried indignantly, "Hey! He was attacking me!"

Shrugging, she laughed, "You probably deserved it." Taking a sudden whiff of the air, she laughed, "Somebody needs a diaper change."

Castle sat up and reached for him, but Beckett shook her head, "I'll do it." Smiling at him, Beckett told him softly, "I'm hungry. Lets go into town and get something for lunch. There's a kids museum in town. I know that he's still a little young for it, but I thought it would be something fun for us to do. As a family. My mom and dad took me there every time we came here. I remember it being... Fun..."

Looking at her, Castle smiled, "That sounds like fun."

"I know it's more for us than him, but.."

"No. I get it. It's a tradition for you. I would love to continue that with you and with him."

That was when Benny started crying. Kate wasn't sure what was wrong with him, but she knew how to sooth him. Whenever he grew fussy, she would sing to him. She smiled and sang a song that her mom used to sing to her when she was little.

I get to be the one to hold your hand
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones
I'll be there to watch you grow
I get to be the one.

Don't feel alone now,
Little baby.
Do you hear me singing you a song
I can't wait to show you

Little Baby

How to crawl, how to walk, how to run

Benny was looking up at her and smiling. Castle was constantly amazed by the sound of her voice and how it was able to calm Benny. She was so amazing with him. Would be just as amazing with their own babies.

She looked over at him, "Are you ready?"

"I'm ready whenever you are. You have an amazing voice."

Blushing, Beckett brushed past him and carried Benny to the car and settled him into his car seat. That was when Kate told him, "I called Alexis..."

"You did? Why?"

"Well, since she had her finals this week, well, I wanted to invite her to come spend some time with us. To get to know Benny better. He is her brother and..."

"I think that's a wonderful idea Kate. When is she coming?"

"She should be here tonight. She wanted to come sooner, but Martha had something she needed help with. So..."

"Are you sure you are okay with her coming? I..."

Kate gave him a look that was a cross between disbelief and shock. How could he doubt that he wanted his daughter there with them? She was an important part of their family. She was Benny's big sister and that meant something. She shook her head, "I love Alexis, Castle. Don't ever doubt that for a second. She's your daughter and she's his big sister. I want them to be close to one another Castle. I know that we've had issues in the past, but I think we've overcome them. We are a family Castle."

Looking at the woman he loved with something akin to wonder, he smiled and nodded. Everything she said was definitely true. Beckett and Alexis had managed to get past their differences for his sake. That meant more than he could ever say. And Alexis had grown to love her baby brother.

Beckett remembered back to when they told Alexis that they were planning on adopting Benny.

Castle and Beckett had gathered in the living room in the loft the night after they had decided to adopt Benny. Beckett was incredibly nervous about telling their families. She had called her father and asked him to come over to the house. They had decided to tell all of their families together.

Beckett was worried about their reactions. Would her father understand why she wanted to adopt Benny? Would he thing that she was getting in over her head? Or would he be thrilled to finally become a grandfather?

She had a feeling that he would love Benny once he got to know him, but she wasn't totally sure. So, she and Castle decided to tell them together. They would present a united front and answer their questions together.

They had wine and cheese sitting on the coffee table. Beckett hugged her dad and smiled as he went to sit down next to Martha. Their parents had formed a fast friendship after the disaster that was their first family dinner. They had even met for coffee on a few occasions. It was strange to think that they got along so well.

Benny was upstairs and Castle nodded and turned to head upstairs to get him. Beckett sat down and her father asked, "Is there something wrong Katie?"

Alexis asked, "You and dad aren't breaking up are you? Because that would really suck and..."

Beckett laughed and shook her head, "No, we aren't breaking up, but we do have something major to talk to everyone about. Look, there's no easy way to say this, but..." Looking at Alexis, she continued, "Do you remember Benny? The baby that we were looking for his parents."

"Yeah. He was so cute. Did you find them?"

Kate sighed and nodded, "Yeah, but by the time we found them it was too late. They were both killed by someone wanting to fix the lottery."

"That's terrible Katie. What's going to happen to him? Is he going to go with child services?"

"Well, that's what we wanted to talk to everyone about. Look, Rick and I talked about it and, well we fell in love with him and we want to make him a permanent member of our family. I know it's a shock. Especially to you Alexis. Since you've been an only child for so long. I..."

Castle walked into the room then carrying the baby. Alexis immediately rose and walked over to her father. She took one look at the baby and hugged her dad tightly. Then she took Benny from his arms and kissed him on the top of his head. She looked at her dad and Beckett and told them, "I'm honored to have him as a brother. He's going to have the best dad and mom in the world."

"You're okay with this Pumpkin? I know it's sudden, but..."

Alexis laughed, "Are you kidding? I've been wanting a brother or sister since I was six. Don't you remember me asking you for a baby for Christmas? And when you got me a baby doll I threw it in the trash."

Laughing, Castle nodded and hugged his daughter. This caused Benny to let out a squeak and Castle laughed at the baby. Alexis went to sit down with him and smiled.

Kate looked at her dad and asked, "What do you think about this dad?"

Her father was unusually quiet. He asked her softly, "Do you think it's wise?"

"Do I think what's wise?"

Looking at Rick and then at his daughter, he started again, "Do you think it's wise taking in another couple's baby? I mean the two of you aren't even married yet. Bringing a baby into a relationship, regardless of whether you are their natural parent is hard. You don't know anything about this baby's parents and he lost them so young Katie."

"He needs us dad and I love him so much. We both do. And we've done hard before. I nearly died and I overcame that. We are getting married soon and..."

Castle could tell that Beckett was getting overwhelmed by her fathers questions. So, he motioned for his mother and Alexis to follow him out of the room. Leaving Kate and her father alone. She looked at her dad and said, "I'm not asking you for permission dad. I'm telling you the way that it's going to be. You can either accept the fact that he is going to be your grandson, or..." Swallowing hard, she continued, "Or you can't. Once you get to know him dad, I promise you will love him."

Castle brought the baby into the room at that point and looked at Jim Beckett. He held out the baby to his soon to be father-in-law. He said a silent prayer that he wouldn't disappoint his daughter. Beckett had fallen deeply in love with him and her father's approval meant the world to her.

After a few brief moments, Jim finally reached out and took the baby. The little boy was his usual charming self and looked up at his grandfather with the biggest smile on his adorable little face. Any negative thoughts that Jim Beckett had vanished the moment that Benny smiled at him.

Benny spit up and Kate went to take him, but was waved off by her father. He simply picked up a napkin and wiped off his jacket. He talked to the little boy softly and Castle went to take him back, but Jim shook his head.

It was that moment that Kate knew her dad was on board with them adopting Benny.

Since that moment, her father had been a constant figure in their house. He said that he was simply in the neighborhood, but Kate knew the truth. Her father was coming to see his grandson. He always brought a new toy or stuffed animal for his grandson. It was everything she wanted and nothing that she had ever hoped for. Her dad was a wonderful father and he was proving to be the best grandfather that she could have hoped for for Benny. She wouldn't have traded their life now for anything in the world.

The most surprising thing for Kate was what Alexis did. After her father left that night, Alexis and Kate were alone in the kitchen together. Alexis looked nervous. Almost like she wanted to talk to her about something. So, Kate turned to Alexis and asked, "Is everything okay?"

Alexis nodded and then she bit her bottom lip. She turned and ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Leaving Kate to wonder what on earth was going on. She heard Alexis' footsteps and a few seconds later she was back in the kitchen. She was holding something in her hands. It was a small stuffed monkey.

She held it out to Kate and told her, "I want to give this to Benny. He has no one and well..." Alexis swallowed hard, "Monkey Bunky helped me feel safe when I was little. I...well, I want to give it to him. To my brother."

Smiling, Kate rushed forward to hug Alexis. She knew how important this stuffed Monkey had meant to her. Giving it to Benny showed that she was accepting him as her brother and as a member of their family. Kate had never loved her stepdaughter more than she did at that moment.

Alexis had volunteered to watch him on numerous occasions. Sometimes before they even asked. One time she had practically forced them out of the loft. It had been date night, but Kate was hesitant to leave Benny. He had been extremely fussy that day and neither Castle or Kate wanted to leave him. Alexis had insisted that they would be fine.

Sure enough, when they got home that night Benny was sound asleep and Alexis was studying on the couch. Kate sat down beside her and asked, "How was he tonight?"

"He was perfect as usual. I think he's getting another tooth though. I gave him some tylenol and one of his teething toys. He finally calmed down. He even helped me study for my chemistry test tomorrow. He's going to be a smart one. If I do say so myself."

Kate laughed softly, "Thank you for watching him tonight."

"You don't have to thank me Kate. He's my brother. I'm happy to do it."

Kate hugged her tightly, then she stood up and headed to their bedroom. She undressed and showered. Then she walked upstairs to check on Benny. She smiled when she saw that he was hugging Monkey Bunky tightly. It was obvious that the little boy loved that stuffed animal just as much as Alexis had before him.

She was in the middle of her thoughts when she heard the door open. She turned and saw Alexis coming into the cabin. Benny noticed his big sister and started squealing loudly. Waving his hands in the arm and crawling over to his sister. Alexis bent down and picked him up. Giving him kisses on his neck Alexis asked, "Did you miss me? I bet you did! I sure missed you! The loft was so quiet without you guys there."

Alexis walked over and hugged her father and then she turned and hugged Kate. Surprising the older woman for a split second. Then she realized how right it felt.

It made her realize everything she had almost lost when she had taken that undercover assignment. She could have been killed. Benny would have been taken from Castle and given to strangers.

Kate smiled at Alexis and she headed into the kitchen to join Castle. Their little family was together again and it felt so good. Kate was glad that she'd invited her stepdaughter to join them.

Turning around, she saw Alexis putting Benny in his high chair. She took out a box of cereal and put some on the tray for him to eat. He had only recently started eating solid foods, but the little boy was fast becoming a pro at it. Beckett smiled as she watched Alexis interact with Benny.

Castle walked up behind her and kissed her softly on the neck. Then he whispered, "She is so good with him."

Nodding, Beckett laughed, "Yeah. I can just imagine how she will be with her own children."

Beckett heard him choke and then he mumbled, "Not funny."

"It's a little funny. Admit it Castle."

Shaking his head, he told her, "It's not. My baby girl isn't going to have her own baby until she's fifty."

Turning around to look at him, she whispered, "Does that mean I have to wait until I'm fifty before we can have more children?"

"Is this one of those trick questions? You know, one of those that's going to have you sleeping at your old place and me wondering how to make it up to you."

Shaking her head, she smiled and whispered into his ear, "I'm just thinking that I'd really like to give Benny a baby brother or sister."

"You do?"

"Why do you sound so surprised Castle?"

"I just figured that we had enough going on with Benny that you would want to wait a few years before.."

Shaking her head, she whispered softly, "I don't want to wait a few years Castle. I want to fill our house with little Castle babies. Maybe a little girl. Benny would be a great big brother. And they would be close in age."

Castle moved away from her and for a moment she wondered if she had said something wrong. He turned and looked away from her. She saw his shoulders moving up and down and she knew that there was something going on in that big brain of his. So, she walked over to him and put her hands around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. Then she asked, "What's wrong?"

Castle shook his head and then whispered, "Nothing. Not really anyways."

She turned him around and put her hands on his shoulder and looked him right in the eyes. Then, she asked him, "Does the thought of me having a baby, your baby, upset you that much?"

Castle shook his head hard and closed his eyes. She knew he was working through something, but she had no idea what it was.

For his part, Castle was having a hard time believing that they were talking about this. Benny was still so young and it was hard to see them with two little ones. However, he could sense that this was important to her. So, he decided to confide in her. He smiled and told her, "I'm just worried that it will be too much for you Kate. I mean we've only had Benny for a few months and..."

"And I want it all. I want more. Having Benny has made me realize that having a little baby around isn't quite as scary as I used to think. I think..." She paused and looked deep into his eyes, "No, I know that I want more. I want to experience the whole package. The morning sickness. Feeling our baby kick for the first time. I want it all Castle. I want to feel the magic of it all. Even if it is a lot of work. After all, all of the best things usually are. Right?"

Castle looked at the woman he loved and a huge smile popped onto his face. Then he asked, "How soon are we talking about here? This isn't your roundabout way of telling me that you're pregnant is it?"

Laughing, Beckett shook her head, "No. I was just wondering if it was something you wanted. Because I know that I do."

"I want it also. I've wanted it for longer than I've been willing to admit." Then, he looked at her and asked, "Marry me Kate."

"We are getting married Rick."

Shaking his head, he whispered, "No. I mean, marry me tomorrow. We can call Lanie and the boys and have them meet us in the Hamptons."

"It will take forever to set everything up Castle. I..."

Shaking his head, "I know a guy that can set it up in no time. Plus, it will look good if we are married when we go in front of the judge to finalize Benny's adoption. They always like married couples more for some reason."

"Has your attorney said something about..."

Shaking his head, Castle eased her fears, "No, but I've been reading up on it. I just wanted to be prepared. Just in case."

Kate looked deep into his eyes and then looked at him with tears in her eyes. She shook her head and practically ran out of the kitchen and into the woods surrounding the cabin. Leaving Castle wondering what the hell was wrong now.

Castle turned and looked at Alexis and Benny and told his daughter, "I'll be back. Can you watch him for us?"

Alexis nodded and motioned towards the door, "Go after her dad."

Castle didn't need to be told twice. He took off after her and finally saw her sitting on the dock by the lake. When he got closer to her, he could tell that she was crying. Her shoulders were shaking and she had her face in her hands. He was silent when he said, "Are you going to tell me what that was all about Kate? Do you not want to marry me? Is that it? Has this all been for nothing? Should I just take my ring back and forget everything that we've been working to build here together. Because if you aren't going to talk to me than I..."

She turned to face him and shook her head, "It's not that Castle. I..."

"Then tell me what this is all about. Because I'm so damn confused right now."

"I can't Castle."

With that, Castle threw up his hands and walked away from her. Fine. She didn't want to talk then he wasn't going to force her. He looked back over his shoulder and told her, "Come find me when you're ready to talk about it Beckett."

Castle needed to walk off some of the anger, so, he headed deep into the woods.