DISCLAIMER: Since Andrew W. Marlowe thought of this wonderful show first, that means it's his and not mine. Oh, well…

CHAPTER 7: TALKS OF ADOPTION

Alexis' Point of View

Kate and I had barely stepped foot in the loft when we both heard an excited squeal and the sound of tiny bare feet running across the hardwood floor. Kate saw LJ coming and crouched down to catch her. LJ gave Kate a huge hug, and I was sure that LJ was using every ounce of strength to let Kate know how sorry she was.

Dad, Gram and I stood together and watched the two exchange words.

"Mama," LJ's voice was raspy, and it sounded like she was making a recovery from losing her voice. "I sorry 'bout yesterday."

"It's all right, baby girl." Kate kissed LJ on the forehead. "You were just scared, weren't you?"

"Yeah." LJ bobbed her little head up and down, making her hair fall in her face. "I scared about my nigh'mare, but daddy was there when I waked up."

"Did he keep your nightmares away?"

"Yeah, he did." LJ ran her fingers through the end of Kate's long brown curls. "Daddy say to me that I'm his baby." She tapped her chest and then tapped Kate's chest. "I still yours?"

We saw tears fill Kate's eyes as she hugged the LJ close, and whisper something in her ear, earning her a kiss before LJ wiggled out of Kate's arms and ran off to play with her toys. Kate walked over to dad and the two of them shared a hug before turning back to Gram and me. Dad motioned for all three of us to gather close and spoke in hushed tones.

"I've been on the phone with the adoption agency this morning," He informed us. My heart leapt into my throat at his words. When I looked at the others, I saw Gram was smiling happily, but there was a look of pure joy on Kate's face that I couldn't put into words. "And they are going to stop by tomorrow morning around ten to do a house inspection, and then go over paperwork." Dad continued. "If everything goes according to plan, LJ will be Lily Joy Stana Beckett-Castle, and she'd be living with us by the end of the week."

Gram straightened up and patted dad on the arm. "Well, with a name like that, LJ is going to have a lot to live up to, but it's a beautiful name, nonetheless, and it's going to be nice to have her running around here."

"She and I are going to have a lot of fun together." I observed. "That name is bigger than she is, and she's going to have a lot of honor to live up to, since she'll be a Beckett, too. She's already very spunky…" We all looked over at Kate, who was still quiet. "Kate?"

Kate's Point of View

I came back to my senses as Alexis said my name. Patting her hand absently, I walked over to Castle, having eyes for only him right now.

"Adopting LJ and giving her my name, that'll work?" I asked softly. "It would work even though we aren't…married?"

"Yes, it will." He assured me. "You'd have full custody over her, too." My knees buckled at his words, and he held me steady, putting his hands in the small of my back as I held onto his arms. "And no, I didn't have to jump through any hoops for that."

"Then how is she going to be ours by the end of the week?"

He laughed and pulled me close in a hug. "When are you going to learn, KB, that I have people everywhere?"

"I don't know." I laughed. "It'll take a few more times…"

Alexis cleared her throat and we both looked over.

"Pardon me for interrupting," she said. "But does LJ know about any of this? We should tell her soon. We need to tell her about the babies, too…"

We all looked back at the little girl who was happily playing on the living room floor with her toys, and then back at each other. Martha spoke up first.

"As the oldest parent in this situation, I would advise you two," she gestured between Castle and me. "To tell her about the adoption first, and tell her about the babies afterward. She's a smart kid, but it's still a lot for a little kid to process. The last thing we need is for her to have another meltdown…"

I nodded. "Good idea." I looked at Castle. "Should we tell her about the adoption now?"

"Yes, we should."

Martha, Alexis, Castle, and I went to the living room and sat down on the couch. I looked at Castle to see if he was ready to talk to her, but he looked like he was still gathering his thoughts. I laughed to myself when I realized that I knew what to say before he did. LJ, as clever as ever, had picked up on the fact that something important was about to happen because she had stopped playing and had gotten up to watch us.

I held my arms out to her. "Come here, Baby Bird." She toddled over obediently and let me pull her up into my lap. Castle and I moved closer together, and the other two watched silently. "Daddy and I need to have a talk with you."

The little girl became slightly alarmed. "I do something wrong?"

Castle shook his head and rubbed soothing circles on her back. "No, you didn't. This is a good thing."

She nodded. "What?"

"What do you think about daddy and me being your parents forever?"

Her eyes went wide with excitement as she realized what the words meant, and her whole body shook with excitement. She looked from Castle to me as she tried to relax.

"R-really? I be daddy's and yours forever?" She looked at me and there was nothing but pure hope in her eyes. "I already yours and daddy's, but now forever?"

"That's right, LJ." I whispered happily to her. "What do you think?"

"I like it, mommy!" she declared, making my heart leap. "I like it!"

LJ gave me a tight hug before crawling into Castle's lap and spoke to him with complete three-year-old sincerity. "Daddy, when I be yours an' mama's forever?"

"By the end of the week—a few more sleeps."

"Okay…" she looked over at Martha and Alexis. "Daddy?"

"Yes?"

"What about Gram an' Lexie?"

"Gram will still be your Gram," he explained. "But Lexie will be your big sister now."

"Lex be LJ's big sisser forever and ever? LJ have forever family?" My heart turned over at her words. "Is it true?"

Castle gave her a hug and kiss. "Yes, princess, it's all true. You're going to have a forever family now."

LJ clapped her hands in excitement, obviously having understood what her father had meant and returned the hug and kiss before hurrying over to Martha and Alexis to talk to them about everything that had just happened. I leaned up against Castle and rested my head on his shoulder as he snaked his arm around my waist, bringing his palm to rest on my belly.

My mind was running in so many different directions, but I did pay attention when Castle whispered in my ear.

"What are you thinking about tonight, KB?"

I sighed contently. "I'm just happy, Castle. This is just one of those times where I live for the moment of joy that can't be put into words. It's just…a feeling."

Castle kissed me on the top of the head. "Then I'm glad I can be here in this moment with you."

AN: Sorry it's another short one! They'll get longer soon, I promise! As always, though: reviews = gold stars