Not much to say today…

Enjoy!

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"Hey Girl," Lanie slid into the booth. "Who else is coming?" She knew it would only be the two of them, but with the amount a food on the table one could assume a few more people would be joining them.

"Shut up, I'm making up for the last month." Kate shoveled a tortilla chip into her mouth. It was loaded with salsa, queso, sour cream and guacamole. "Apparently these two love Mexican food." This was Kate's third visit to her favorite Mexican dive in the last two days.

Lanie quickly ordered a drink and began to dig in, "It seems like I haven't seen you in forever."

Kate just nodded; her mouth was full. Not being allowed to cross the crime scene tape until hours after a scene was processed meant that she and Lanie hadn't interacted much the last few weeks. They had spoken regularly on the phone, but with Esposito leading their investigations he and Ryan were usually the ones being briefed on any autopsy findings. Normally the women would get together every other the weekend or so, but with Alexis's impending departure most of Kate's free time had been devoted to the teenager.

"I know, what's going on with you?" Kate had finally managed to swallow.

Lanie knew what her friend was implying. She had confided in Kate concerning her relationship with Javier. "Things are good." She couldn't help but smile.

"Just good?"

Lanie wasn't like Kate; it didn't require a cattle prod and threats of painful torture to get her to open up. "Actually things are really good. He and I have had some pretty serious conversations about our future." Kate smiled at her use of the word our instead of the. "I blame you for that."

"Me, what did I do?" Kate continued to inhale the food as she listened intently.

"He has really embraced this leadership role and in extension he seems to be figuring out what he wants in life. Plus he sees you and Writer Boy and Ryan and Jenny; I think he's just now realizing he wants that too."

Kate was happy that Esposito was getting his turn to lead and she trusted his ability explicitly, but there was still a small twinge of jealously. She dropped her hand below the table and rubbed her belly a few times. It was her small way of reminding herself that the sacrifice was well worth it. Before she raised it again she grabbed her cell from her pocket and shot of a quick text.

K: Juan & Jose

Remembering what Lanie had said when they were in Kate's bedroom a few weeks back Kate wanted to hear about Lanie's feelings, "And you? Are you any closer to knowing what you want?"

Lanie blushed slightly, "Yeah, you were right; you and Castle don't have the monopoly."

Kate's cell vibrated and she couldn't help but giggle at his response.

C: Qué?

Lanie watched her friend beam from across the table, "How many more days?" She knew Castle was to be out of town for a while but didn't know the exact dates.

"Six more," Kate whined and put the phone on the table in case her husband texted her again. "He's only been gone for three and I can hardly stand it." She propped her elbows on the table and held her head in her hands. "God, I'm such a girl."

"You're a girl in love. I think it's sweet."

The cell vibrated again.

C: James and Johanna

K: middles not firsts

"And the Captain won't let me work any OT so I'm home every night by six. Do you know how big that place is without either of them?"

"Do you want to come stay a few nights with me?" Lanie asked

Kate appreciated the offer and it was very tempting but she was a big girl, she could go six more days without her husband. Six more days without feeling his warm embrace, without tasting his lips or… "No, I'll be okay, but thanks."

C: adam & aaron

K: :( & :) how bout alex?

Kate looked up from her phone, "Sorry."

Lanie laughed, "For what, missing your husband?"

C: :( one writer girl remember?

Kate heard her friend purposefully clear her throat, "One more and I promise I'll stop."

K: always… except for now, dinner w/ Lanie - ttl

C: eat a taco 4 me… luv u – ttl

Kate slipped the phone into her pocket, "I'm all yours."

Lanie shot her a knowing look and a raised eyebrow, "Somehow I doubt that."

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"See you tomorrow Mrs. Castle?" The clerk questioned Kate sheepishly and handed her a bag.

Kate nodded and gave the young girl a small smile. It was the fifth day in a row that Kate had stopped into the little bookstore just a few blocks from the loft. She had never noticed it before and wasn't sure if Castle knew about it or not. She would be sure to bring him if he hadn't. On her first visit she bought the newest Patterson book. It only took her a few hours to devour it. So on her way home from work the next night she stopped in again; she didn't have a specific book in mind and found herself in the children's section. She quickly picked up one of her childhood favorites; the first of the Fudge series by Judy Bloom. Each visit since had been to purchase the next book of that series. Tonight she picked up Double Fudge. She knew it would be easier to just buy the whole set, but she found it comforting to walk the aisles and look for the title she was seeking. Plus, the hour she spent in the quaint boutique was one less hour she would spend at home alone.

"Thank you, Jill." Kate had learned the names of most of the employees and they in turn had learned hers. She didn't bother to ask how. She was content to believe it was the name on her credit card and not the recent press release on page six confirming her pregnancy that caused them to recognize her. Either way, they were polite and non-intrusive while still being extremely responsive to her requests. "I will be sure to stop in again tomorrow night; one more in the series."

"Have you thought about what you will read them next?"

Kate hadn't told the kind young woman that she was reading the books to the babies, but somehow she still knew. In fact Kate felt so comfortable that it was on her third visit that she confessed to be carrying twins. There had been nothing about that in Rick's press release.

"No, actually I haven't." Kate just figured she would only be reading while Rick was away. "Do you have any suggestions?"

Jill blushed, clearly excited about the prospect of making a book suggestion to a semi-celebrity, "I may have a few ideas. I'll have them ready for you tomorrow."

"Thanks see you then." Kate left the shop with a sense of excitement. She really had no idea what to expect from the timid girl.

Ten minutes later Kate locked the door to the loft and kicked her shoes off. "Three more days babies. I know you miss him, so do I." For more than a week now it had been just the three of them. Martha had dropped by a few times, her dad spent Sunday with her and she had gone out with Lanie twice. But when it was all said and done she spent most of her down time alone in the loft. Alexis called her around nine every night and they would talk for a while but the girl was pretty busy with classes and studying so they had to keep it brief. Castle texted her on and off all day long, but his schedule was so packed that he usually wasn't able to actually call her until after eleven, a few times it had been closer to midnight. Kate was okay with that; because a packed schedule meant less time away from home.

The first night Rick was gone had been the last night she slept in their bed. It just felt so cold without his warm body to snuggle against. Instead she spent most evenings curled up on the couch in her room upstairs. She tried to remind herself that she had lived alone for many years; over a decade in fact. After college Kate never moved back home. She couldn't fathom living amongst the still raw memories of her mother. She wasn't sure how her father had managed it and wondered if it had contributed to his addiction. She had never had any roommates after leaving the dorm either. In fact, until Castle, she had never lived with anyone.

So why was she finding it so difficult now? It was only ten days. When Rick initially told her about the trip it didn't seem like such a big deal, but that was months ago. Since then Alexis had finalized her decision to go to college early and they had found out they were pregnant. Combine all of that with the fact that she and Rick had not spent a night apart since last June; and ten days suddenly felt like ten years. Distraction, she had quickly realized that distraction was the only way she would survive. So with takeout, a bottle of water and her bag of books, she had also purchased a book about twin pregnancy, in hand; Kate climbed the stairs and settled in for another night of The Hatcher family and the hijinks of their precocious children.

She sat down on the couch and decided to skim thru the pregnancy book first. She had selected it primarily because of the pictures. Her belly grew every day and it was starting to freak her out a bit. She was glad to see that the half soccer ball sized mound she now carried was normal for fourteen weeks. Luckily she had found a store that carried high end professional maternity clothes. The dress pants rode very low in front and had a bit of elastic at the small of the back to allow for growth. The matching blazers were not meant to be buttoned but allowed for coverage of the belly. Kate had also purchased various turtlenecks and sweaters to accompany the new suits. After reading what to expect over the next few weeks, Kate shut the book and wolfed down her dinner. Her cravings had already switched from Mexican to anything with a crust. After finishing the savory chicken pot pie she inhaled the peach cobbler before reaching for the next book.

Just like she had done for the three previous evenings, Kate rubbed her belly and read aloud. She didn't read like her husband. There were no funny voices and sound effects, just the soft fluid tone that she had early on realized she only used when speaking to her children. It was a tone she hadn't known she possessed, but it somehow seemed appropriate that she use a new sound when saying new words like Mommy, Daddy, Sissy and babies. She couldn't help but notice that to her ears, she sounded just like her mother.

If there was one good thing to come out of Castle's absence it would be that Kate was bonding with her children in a different way. With Rick present they often talked about all the things they would do together. They discussed the logistics of her working and him staying at home. He suggested nursery motifs and weighed the pros and cons of cloth diapers versus disposable. He spent hours going on about different bottles and nipples even though they both agreed she would breast feed for as long as possible. That topic alone could send him into a thirty minute speech about how the Captain would be required to provide her with time and space at the precinct to pump, an activity Kate had no desire to think about right now.

But alone, Kate only thought of the actual babies themselves. Would they be healthy? Would they be identical? Would they look like him or her or a mix of them both? What would they smell like? What would they sound like? How would they feel snuggled in her arms? She imagined the feel of their tiny breath tickling her neck as they slept on her shoulder. She couldn't wait to feel their perfect little hands wrapped around her finger or fisted in her hair. She never thought it was possible to love anyone more than she did Richard Castle, but these two tiny souls were giving him a run for his money.

Kate dropped the book on the floor and reached for the ringing cell. She must have fallen asleep while reading. She glanced at the clock; it was after two in the morning. "Beckett."

"Kate?"

"Hey"

"Did I wake you up?" His voice sounded concerned.

"S'okay, I must have dozed off; late night?" It was an hour behind in Chicago, but still it was late for even him.

"Yeah, big signing tonight; remember the one with all of Black Pawn's authors, not just me?"

Kate stretched and yawned, "You didn't have to call if you're tired."

"No way, especially after getting Alexis's text."

Kate panicked for a moment. Had Alexis called her tonight? Was something wrong? Kate glanced at her phone and saw three missed calls. "Is she okay?"

Rick again sounded worried, "Yeah, but she's worried about you. She said you didn't answer, she called your cell three times and the house phone twice. Are you okay, really?"

"Rick, really I'm fine. Just haven't gotten a lot of sleep lately and it must've caught up with me." Kate slid down to lay on the couch. Her neck had a slight crick in it from falling asleep sitting up.

"Can't sleep without me, huh?" Rick's tone had quickly turned playful. Kate appreciated that he was trying not to hover.

"Yeah right, because the sound of your heavy breathing soothes me to sleep."

"Oh Detective, my heavy breathing is meant to do anything but induce sleep." She could hear the leer in his voice. "In fact, I was thinking."

"No, I am not having phone sex with you." Kate was only half joking.

Rick laughed, "That's very tempting, but I'm sitting in the bar of my hotel waiting for Paula to come back from the bathroom. I think that might be a little awkward, don't you?"

Kate felt a twinge of disappointment. He wouldn't be able to talk long. "So, what were you thinking?"

Rick hesitated, "I was hoping you might consider going away with me?"

Kate twinged a bit. She was already going to miss so much work this year with possible bed rest near the end of the pregnancy not to mention the maternity leave itself. Rick had already convinced her to take the whole twelve weeks her years of service entitled her to instead of the normal eight. However, she did have plenty of vacation days and she knew that he knew that.

"Kate?" Her husband's pleading voice interrupted her thoughts. "It'll be our last chance, just the two of us before…"

"Yes," Kate spoke before she could talk herself out of it. She had come to the same conclusions he had. Pretty soon they would be four instead of two. The chances of them just getting away together would soon become all but impossible.

"YES?" Rick sounded ecstatic.

"Don't get too excited. I have to ask the Captain first. Where are you taking me?"

"Leave that to me. Got to go, Paula's coming back." There was a second of silence; Kate knew he didn't want to hang up without knowing for sure.

"We're fine Rick, just come home to us soon. I love you." Kate struggled to keep her voice from cracking.

"'What a grand thing, to be loved! What a grander thing still, to love!'"

He always managed to cheer her up somehow. "Goodnight Daddy."

Kate assumed Paula must have finally made her way back to the table because Rick whispered his final words, "Goodnight Mommy, goodnight babies, goodnight John Boy."

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God he was tired. His flight had been delayed, it was after midnight. He should have been home hours ago. He just wanted to get to her. He just wanted to feel her in his arms and breathe in the scent of her.

"Never again"

"What?" Paula was walking up the ramp beside him. She wasn't even fazed by the late hour. She had been texting her assistant since the plane landed and the Captain had given permission to once again use electronic devices.

"I'm not doing any more of these?"

Paula caught on quickly, "Richard, book tours are a large part of the reason you are so famous."

"No, my books are why I'm famous. I have a pretty good fan base, I don't need to go out and sell myself anymore." Rick was being stern, something he rarely was concerning his fans.

"Yes, and it's just those fans that have come to expect you to do book signings."

Rick shook his head. His breathing was becoming labored as he was almost sprinting. "If they are truly my fans they will understand when you put out another press release."

Paula had no problem keeping up with her client, "And what exactly am I saying in said release?" Her lisp became more pronounced when she was angry.

They had stepped out of the tunnel and into the main area of the gate. He allowed enough space for the other passengers to pass by before stopping and turning to face her. She needed to see that he was serious. "I don't care how you say it, but I will not be traveling until my children are in school. I will not leave them or their mother for this long again."

"But Richard that could be five or six years."

"Assuming we don't have more after these two." He watched Paula clench her jaw and tap her foot. She crossed her arms over her chest. She was clearly ready for a fight, but he wasn't in any mood. "This conversation is over Paula. I pay you remember?"

Paula softened, she knew he was right. His books sold whether or not he did tours and talk shows. She had seen this Richard Castle before. It was the same Richard Castle that had appeared seventeen years ago with the birth of his daughter. The same one that showed up again a few years later when Meredith left them both. She had known she would see him again. Had known from the day he called to tell her that Kate was pregnant. Actually, she was surprised it took him this long, but she had to at least pretend to put up a fight. "Don't you think you're getting a little old to play Suzy Homemaker?"

Rick just smiled, "Never, have you seen what I get to go home to?"

Paula just walked away and made her way to baggage claim. Rick packed lightly for this trip and only had a carry on. He quickly made his way past security. He flipped open his cell to call for a cab but was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Hey handsome"

Kate was leaning against the wall just a few feet from him. She was wearing a pair of faded jeans and athletic shoes. Her coat hung open loosely and he could see she was wearing a tight fitting black sweater beneath. Her hair was up in a messy bun. Her hands were tucked in her pockets; she licked her lips and gave him a sexy wink. His heart almost stopped. She was more beautiful than he could ever remember her looking before. Her face was slightly plumper than he had ever seen it, but he was sure the change was not enough for anyone but him to notice. He closed the distance and dropped his bag from his shoulder. He placed his hands on either side of her face. She slid her hands from her pockets and wrapped them around his waist resting them in the back pockets of his jeans. He felt her fingers dig in a bit.

"Hey beautiful"

He returned the compliment then tilted his head slightly as their mouths met. There was no teasing or biting. Their mouths opened upon contact. Her tongue tasted like sunshine, her skin smelled like forever and her embrace felt like home. She was his home. He ran his fingers thru her hair then down her back. He pulled her body in close and she melted against him. That's when he noticed just how much he had actually missed.

For Kate the world faded away. All she knew was his face, his arms and his mouth. She couldn't help but moan as his hands ran the length of her body. He felt so solid beneath hers. She had missed him and never wanted him to be gone again. She didn't want him to miss another minute.

He pulled back and ran his hands from her back to her front. The sweater had done a lot to conceal just how much she had grown in a relatively short period of time. However, she couldn't hide it from his hands.

"My god, they've gotten so big!" His eyes lit up.

Kate placed her hand on his cheek, "Take me home and I'll show you just how big."

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I forget that not all of my readers are from America. I hope everyone understood the John Boy reference?