A/N- Thanks for all the love from the last chapter. I really appreciate all the feedback, especially since I still feel so new about writing in general. Any words you provide me are definitely loved. Thanks to my two cheerleaders, Janna and Joanna...however the grammar police was unavailable for this chapter...so all mistakes are mine. :)
Disclaimer- Castle is awesome and I do not own any of it
If You Want the Happy Ending
"Well maybe it is a sign. A sign that ours is a great love story. Cause what's a great love story without obstacles to overcome? Every fairy tale has them. Terrible trials that only the worthy can transcend but you can't give up. That's the deal. We want the happy ending, we can't give up. " - Castle
Chapter 9
The peace and relaxation of their honeymoon was over; time passed by faster on the island then it seemed to in the city. Walking off the plane into the airport terminal, Kate squeezed her husband's hand and leaned into his side.
"Why did we have to come back?" She grumbled into his shoulder, while trying to avoid getting elbowed by the other travelers.
"Because we live here and you love the city…" Castle reminded her with a laugh; bringing a supportive hand to the small of her back. She rolled her eyes at him.
"I don't remember why. We could always move to that island on a more permanent basis." Their honeymoon was amazing and if it was possible…she fell deeper in love with him. He was completely attentive to their every need and desire while they relaxed in the tropical paradise. She really didn't mean to be in such a bad mood…but being in Maldives wrapped in the warmth of the island and her husband; she never wanted it to end. The three weeks they spent on the island was pure magic and they even extended their trip a couple days to enjoy it longer than they originally planned. All good things had to come to an end because the city called for their attention.
"Kate, you know I can write from anywhere, but I don't think JFK airport is really the place to have a conversation about moving out of the country." He smirked, directing them toward baggage claim.
She had an ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow and that was the only way that he could get her off the island. Tomorrow. The day they would be able to see their baby. See if he or she was developing normally after her hellish first couple months of pregnancy. If all went according to plan, they would at last find out if they were having a boy or a girl. This knowledge about their little person would hopefully ease some of the stress of picking a name. At this point, they were not agreeing on anything.
"Fine—you're right. Not the time for the conversation. But keep it in the back of your mind…" She whined, as Castle kissed the top of her head.
"Keep in mind, your job is here."
"My job is here…" She mimicked her affirmation.
"And you love your job…"
"I love my job…" She repeated in a monotone voice, glaring up at him. His laughter didn't help her sour mood. Tomorrow would definitely be better, but today her heart was still on their island. Their own little perfect bubble in the world.
Collecting their luggage, they were entirely oblivious to the person across the room; tracking their every movement.
Balloons and a welcome home banner greeted them as they walked through the door. However with all the decorations, no one was actually around. A note left on the kitchen counter explained that Martha had a class and Alexis was studying, but they were both happy to have them home.
"I'm so happy that our family cared that we're back." Castle whined as he brought their luggage into their bedroom.
"Told you we should've stayed in the Maldives," she called out to him. Laughing to herself, she walked into the bedroom in search of her disappointed husband. She had to bite back a giggle when she found him pouting on the bed. "Seriously? You do know they have their own lives too?"
"No, I know. I just – maybe I wasn't ready to leave our honeymoon behind either…" Some couple they were, she smiled to herself. So in love with each other, they wanted to pretend like their real lives and responsibilities did not exist.
"Now you admit it…should I start packing the loft?" She joked, snapping him out of his pity party. He pulled her down on the bed next to him and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"It was pretty great. Maybe next year we can go again for our one year anniversary?"
"Maybe—or maybe at that point we can bring our little one with us. Share our love of the island." Castle chuckled for a moment at her suggestion and she looked down at him confused with the humor he found in her statement.
"Baby's first vacation—to the Maldives. And you were afraid that I was going to spoil the baby!" Kate rolled her eyes at him and lightly elbowed him in the ribs.
"Quiet. It's just so strange to think about it like that. Soon, it's not just going to be you and me—" She paused for a second before a grin spread across her features. "That's kinda great, you know?"
"Our little family." He agreed, gently caressing her stomach.
"Slightly terrifying."
"Slightly? It's definitely terrifying." Castle pulled her closer, as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Wait—what? I thought you had an RHD in childcare…" She mocked him as her eyes widened. If he wasn't confident about having a baby, how in the world were they going to survive this? Her breath hitched for a moment as panic started to creep into her mind.
"Kate, we're going to be fine. But having a baby is still scary. Even when you think you know what you're doing…you will constantly learn new things every day—it's terrifying but it's also pretty amazing." She was certain that the insecurity she felt was painted across her features. "You will be a spectacular mother. I have no doubt about that…" Placing her hand gently on the side of his face, she leaned in to lightly kiss his lips. She was so grateful to have him in her life. Castle always knew the right thing to say to stop her from drowning in her own thoughts. His words were her life raft.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. Without question." Kissing his cheek, she whispered her gratitude into his skin before standing up to put away their luggage.
Sure, she was just busying herself to keep her mind off of things, but she needed to do something. The truth of the matter was going to the appointment tomorrow scared her in general. So far everything had checked out normally with each checkup, but she was still scared that the drugs Tyson injected her with harmed their baby. The doctor tried to calm her fears and even told her how wonderful things were progressing—but it was always in the back of her mind. Every appointment brought it all back to the forefront of her thoughts. She wanted to tell Castle; have him help her with it, but she couldn't. He was finally back to his old self. Finally full of optimism— Kate couldn't have her worries cause any setback in his improvement. So she internalized it and tried to just keep her mind focused on everything else.
They decided to walk to her appointment the next day. It was a warm August day in New York City, but the sun shining in the sky brightened Beckett's mood. She was walking with the man she loved, hand in hand. Just enjoying each other. The buzz of excitement was electric between them, they would finally know what they were having and she refused to let her fears spoil that moment for either of them. Before long, her doctor's building finally came into view. Castle squeezed her hand for a second to catch her attention, before walking in.
"Boy or girl…"
"Castle, I told you it didn't matter to me."
"I know—I know. Every parent says they don't care, they just want the baby to be healthy." He ran his hand up her arm and then rested it on her cheek to draw her eyes to his. "But this is just between us—just for fun. Boy or girl? Not necessarily what you prefer, but what you think we're having…"
"Oh—um—I just have a feeling it's a girl. Just my gut. But then I had a dream the baby was a boy, so…"
"Well you think girl and I think boy…" He laughed, bringing her into his body for a quick kiss. "And I'm always wrong, so…"
"You're not ALWAYS wrong…" She smiled up at him before she continued. "Just most of the time…" Kate laughed as she grabbed his hand and pulled him through the door. Out of the corner of her eye, she swore she recognized the person getting on the elevator ahead of them. When she tried for a closer look; the doors were already closed.
"Hey. Everything okay?" Sensing that her mind was a million miles away, he nudged her a little.
"Yeah-uh- yeah." Beckett shook her head a bit and forced a smile on her face. "I'm fine. Let's get moving. We don't want to be late."
Her mind started to race as they walked to the elevator and rode it up to the sixth floor. It couldn't be. She was just seeing things. Everything had finally calmed down for them, but her mind however was still hyper aware. To the point that she was creating paranoid delusions—that's what she kept telling herself. There was no other explanation. Definitely just seeing things. That person was dead; she heard all about it.
"Earth to Beckett?" Castle stared at her confused, already off the elevator. "Kate? Are you sure everything is okay?" The level of concern in his voice, snapped her out of her own head. They were here to see their baby.
"Yeah. Sorry, Castle. Just nerves…" She lied to him. Just a white lie, but she couldn't stop herself. He didn't need to worry about her mental breakdown. She just needed to focus on her doctor's appointment and the ultrasound. Everything was going to be okay.
Once they were finally in the exam room, her mind calmed down. She intertwined their fingers and brought his hand to her lips.
"Sorry I spaced for a bit…" She whispered, before meeting his eyes. "The whole idea of this is making me a little crazy. Paranoid even…"
"Everything will be all right. All your appointments have gone well so far, right?"
"Yes, but…"
"And the doctor allowed you to take our honeymoon—completely cleared you for the long trip, right?"
"Yes, but…"
"Kate—"
"Castle, what if when they do the ultrasound—they find something they missed? Or I did something wrong? Or the drug harmed the development?"
"Hey—you did nothing wrong. And if something happens? Well, then we will figure it out as we go. You're not alone. We're in this together, partners…" He assured her and the pang of guilt sank in her stomach. He was right. They were partners. She didn't need to keep her concerns from him. Kate reached out her hand toward him, motioning him to where she sat on the examination table.
"Earlier in the lobby, when I zoned out…I thought I saw—" Her train of thought was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Mr. and Mrs. Castle…" Her doctor greeted them as he walked into the room.
"Later…" Castle whispered into her ear, sensing that what she had to say was important.
"So it looks like we are here for your 20 week ultrasound…give or take a couple days." Dr. Lucas explained with a smile after reading her chart. "Let's see what we can find out for you."
Walking next to Castle toward the playground, they both had huge grins on their face. They got to see their baby, they heard the heartbeat and they learned that everything was still looking great. Their swings were luckily unoccupied, so Kate darted ahead and sat down with the envelope tight in her grip. They decided when they were in the office that they didn't want the doctor to announce what they were having. Instead, they turned away from the screen during that part of the ultrasound. Dr. Lucas printed the image and placed it in a sealed envelope; so they could have the reveal privately. Once they left her doctor's building, Kate had the perfect idea of where they should go.
"Do you want the honors or should I?" She asked, waving it in the air once he situated himself in the swing next to her.
"Um…" He hesitated for a moment, with a giddy smile.
"You should do it." Kate decided and handed him the envelope. Her heart was racing as he slowly opened it up to pull out the picture. His smile suddenly got even broader when he turned the print to show her.
"We're having a girl!"
"Oh my God…we're having a girl!" She smiled in disbelief as Castle's mouth crashed onto her own. "I love you so much." Kate promised against his lips.
"I love you, too." They were both so wrapped up in one another, that neither one noticed Dr. Kelly Nieman watching them across the park. By the time either of them had any realization of the world outside their little bubble, she was already gone.
TBC
Thoughts? Reviews are really appreciated!
