A new chapter! I finalized this as quickly as I could. I didn't want to leave you guys hanging on that cliffhanger for too long. :)
—
"Kate," he murmured, his voice choked. "What happened?"
She shook her head slightly and tried to swallow past the thickness in her throat. "I, um…" She didn't even know where to start.
He took a step towards her. He seemed unsure of how to approach her. She wished he would touch her. Any part of her. Grab her and crush her to his chest. "Are you okay?" he breathed.
His voice was heavy. He looked so afraid.
"I'm okay," she told him, grateful to be able to give him at least that one, concrete answer. "But, Castle—"
"The baby." His face was dark and shuttered, like she'd already told him yes, we lost it, like he was already mourning. "Oh, God, Kate—"
He moved closer, reaching for her, but she lifted a hand to stop him. Pressed her palm to his chest. His heart was beating wildly beneath her fingertips. She lifted her watery, blurry eyes to his. "We didn't lose it," she breathed. "It's fine."
Her words brought him instant relief. His face lifted with it, lightening, but her chest still felt tight, because they'd come so close, too close…
"Castle, I'm sorry," she said, breathless and rushed. Urgent. "I should've told you, I should've…" Her voice wobbled; her mouth puckered. She couldn't seem to stop crying. "I was so scared. This morning I…There was blood, Castle, and I…I didn't know what to do. I—"
She closed her mouth abruptly, scared of what she might say. She felt broken up, torn apart, and she didn't want too many things to fall through the cracks. She glanced at him briefly, afraid to hold his gaze. She crossed her arms over her chest. Pressed a hand over her eyes, wishing she could curl in on herself, disappear for a moment, but then he was right there, all around her, and there was no hiding.
He wrapped his strong arms around her trembling frame and he was so sturdy and warm and the feel of his body against her was almost too good. She gave in immediately. Pressed her face to his neck and cried, let herself weep, because he loved her so completely and she didn't deserve it.
"You're okay," he whispered, his lips at her ear. "You're okay now. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
His voice was low and comforting and she was so desperately in love with him. She felt the tension begin to drift out of her tired body. Her shoulders drooped, her neck eased. She closed her eyes, feeling the tears drip down her cheeks and soak into the fabric of his shirt.
"I should've told you," she choked out, her breath catching. "I ran away."
"But you stopped. Came back. That's all that matters."
"But—"
"Kate, you can't expect yourself to change overnight. It's okay to get scared sometimes. It's okay to run. As long as you stop. Stand still long enough for me to catch up to you."
She smiled, secure in his arms, face pressed to his neck. "I think I can do that."
He let himself smile, too. He pressed his lips to her forehead and the soft, smooth skin at her temple. "I'm just glad you're okay," he told her. "Both of you."
—
"Dude, what if they're, like, having a moment," Ryan said, following Esposito as he hurried down the hallway towards Beckett's room.
Esposito threw him a look over his shoulder. "You think I care?"
"The doctor said she'd be alright," Ryan pointed out, but Esposito knew he wanted to see her just as much as he did. Look at her. Know she was okay. They were cops; they liked having proof.
"Castle got here like twenty minutes ago. We gave them time to do their…thing. She'll understand."
Ryan nodded, still looking uncertain, but also eager to see her. They reached her room and paused outside the door. Esposito peeked through the little window and grinned at the sight before him.
Beckett was lying on the hospital bed under the covers, turned on her side, eyes closed. Castle lay behind her, his body curled around hers, his hand splayed across her stomach protectively. His eyes were open, tired and relieved. They looked peaceful and Esposito was loath to disturb them.
He motioned for Ryan to come over and the other detective immediately sidled up close, peering through the window as well. "That's pretty adorable," he commented matter-of-factly.
Esposito nodded, smiling, before catching himself and taking a step away, puffing out his chest a little. "I mean, if you like that kind of thing," he muttered.
Ryan rolled his eyes indulgently—as if the guy was actually fooling anybody. Esposito, despite what he liked to think and say, was full of soft spots. Especially when it came to Beckett.
They stepped forward. Knocked on the door a couple of times.
Castle glanced up at the sound, then back at Beckett, who had barely stirred at the disruption. "Uh, come in!" he called, sitting up slightly as the door opened, smiling when he saw who it was. "Hey, guys," he greeted the detectives as they filed into the room.
"Hey, Castle," Ryan said. Esposito just gave him a quick nod, and then all three men turned to Beckett.
Castle had thought she'd fallen asleep, but now he saw that her eyes were open. He was relieved to see that green he loved so much, gold-flecked and bright, shining out at the world. The shadows were gradually lifting from her weary face. Castle slipped out of the bed as she sat up, crossing her legs and turning to face her little audience.
Ryan and Esposito still hovered uncertainly near the door and she threw them a reassuring smile. "Hey, guys."
Her voice was throaty and warm and it suddenly struck Castle how beautiful she was. Even now, sitting the middle of the little bed, with a certain weariness still lingering in her face and eyes, she was stunning. Not even the bland, whitewashed, hospital walls could detract from her loveliness.
"So," Esposito said, breaking the silence. "Castle knocked you up, huh?"
They all laughed and it was relieved sound. Castle watched as Kate bowed her head forward, a slight blush blooming in her cheeks. "Seems that way," she agreed, good-natured and game as always. She lifted her head and caught his eye, smiling. He winked at her, smiling too.
"It's about damn time," Esposito said. He looked like a grudgingly approving parent, standing at the foot of the bed with his arms crossed over his chest, regarding Castle with slightly suspicious eyes. "You better not mess this up," he told him.
Castle just grinned. "I won't. And I know you'll find lots of creative ways to hurt me if I do, so you can save the macho, I'll-mess-you-up-bad talk."
"Damn right I'll find ways," Esposito confirmed, a little peeved at having his thunder stolen. "I've got my eye on you. If you hurt her, there will be pain, bro."
Kate rolled her eyes. "Alright, Espo. Calm down."
"I have to say, this is pretty awesome, you guys," Ryan said, cheerfully joining the conversation in the wake of his partner's death threats. "I mean, like, really awesome."
Esposito shot him a look. "You're just happy 'cause you won the bet."
"What bet?" Kate asked, narrowing her eyes at them.
Ryan dropped his eyes to the ground, looking immediately guilty. Esposito, on the other hand, was unfazed. "We had a pool going betting on when you and Writer Boy here would seal the deal."
"Seal the deal?" She sighed. "You guys are shameless, aren't you?"
Ryan shrugged. "Pretty much. Sorry, boss."
"So what was your guess, Ryan?" Castle asked, curious despite himself.
"The exact date was a couple months ago," Ryan said, shrugging.
"Not that it really matters," huffed Esposito. "Mister Romance over here guessed a date months earlier than anybody else."
"What can I say?" Ryan chirped, looking pleased. "I'm an optimist."
Esposito frowned. "Show off."
Ryan just grinned. Castle came over and shook his hand, giving him a friendly slap on the back. "Thanks for believing in us, my man."
"No problem."
Beckett was just about to ask how much money was actually invested in their hypothetical love life when a knock sounded on the door and the doctor stepped inside.
"We were just heading out," Esposito announced. "I'll see you guys later." He looked at Kate and Castle watched as his face softened with true concern. "I'm glad you're okay."
"Thanks, Javi," Kate said softly.
The doctor stepped aside as the two men walked outside and disappeared around the corner. Kate sat up a little straighter on the bed. She reached a hand towards Castle and he immediately took it, stepping closer.
"Detective Beckett," he greeted her. "I've come to grant your freedom."
"You make it sound like prison," Castle said.
The doctor just shrugged non-committally and as Castle glanced around at the drab, depressing décor, the complete lack of color, he could see where the comparison would be an apt one.
"So everything's okay then?" Kate asked.
"Yup, you're fine," the doctor confirmed, smiling reassuringly. "It's always a good idea to come in with things like this, just to be sure. Based on the severity of your cramps and the slight spotting, I'm going to put you on bed rest for a couple days. Mostly as a precaution. Better safe than sorry, right?"
"Absolutely," Castle agreed heartily. He'd tie Kate to a bed for the next seven months if he thought it would help.
"Thank you, doctor," Kate said, her voice soft.
The doctor gave a quick nod and went to leave. "You're very welcome."
Once he was gone, Castle turned to Kate and lifted a hand to her cheek. Leaned down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her lips. "I love you," he said simply.
"I love you, too," she breathed.
—
They were both quiet on the drive home. Beckett leaned her head back against the headrest and closed her eyes, letting the gentle ebb and flow of traffic and stoplights lull her. She was just hovering on the edge of sleep when Castle pulled up to his apartment.
"Stay with me?" he asked when he saw her gazing up at his building.
She turned towards him, nothing but sleepiness and quiet acceptance in her eyes. "Okay," she agreed.
He held her hand as they walked into the building and across the lobby. On the ride up in the elevator she leaned close to him, tucking herself into the side of his body. When she wasn't in heels she fit against him perfectly. He rested his cheek against her hair.
When he opened the door to his apartment, Alexis and Martha were both seated on stools in the kitchen.
"Good afternoon, darling," his mother greeted him, before giving Beckett a fond smile. "Detective—it's a surprise and pleasure to see you."
"Hi, Martha, Alexis," Kate said, smiling back, though he could see the exhaustion in her face.
He leaned close to her. "Wanna go lie down?"
She glanced up at him. Nodded gratefully. Then surprised the hell out of him by leaning up on her tiptoes and pressing a quick kiss to his lips. "Tell them," she murmured.
"You sure?"
She smiled. "I'm sure."
He let go of her hand with one last squeeze and watched as she disappeared in the direction of his bedroom. When he turned back to his mother and daughter, they were both regarding with similarly stunned faces.
"Well, Richard, it seems you have some explaining to do," Martha said, but he could see she was pleased.
Alexis seemed to be as well, he noted with relief, as he made his way over and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his side for a quick, fierce hug. "I don't even know where to start."
Alexis rolled her eyes and gave him a look brimming with impatience. "You could start by telling us when exactly you and Detective Beckett started kissing each other."
Castle winced, because, actually, that was one of the hardest things to explain. "Um. About four months ago?"
Martha's jaw sagged a little at the answer and, despite himself, Castle felt a little pride in the fact that he was able to render his mother speechless. "Why didn't you tell us?" his daughter demanded.
"It was…complicated," he hedged uncertainly, wracking his brain for a tactful way to tell his daughter he'd basically been a booty call for three months. "We weren't exactly…defining anything."
Alexis just looked at him blankly, uncomprehending, but Martha seemed to catch on to his dilemma, because she came to his rescue. Kind of. "You know that movie Friends With Benefits?"
"Yeah," Alexis said. "Oh. Ew." She lifted a hand to stop any further explanations. "Spare me the details, please."
He chuckled. "Well, we're definitely more than just friends now." He paused. Felt the grin bloom on his face as he thought of Kate, lying in his bed, asleep. Kate, who would be the mother of his child. "I'm in love with her," he all but sighed, knowing he probably sounded like a pre-pubescent girl, but not really caring.
"Well, that's not exactly a news flash, dad," his daughter said, but she was kind of grinning too.
He nodded and glanced at his mother, who was watching him knowingly. He knew she'd been suspecting for a while that there was a little more to the story. "She's pregnant," he told them, his voice soft.
Alexis froze. "What?"
He turned to his daughter. "Kate is pregnant." He paused, took in her face. She didn't look mad, just a little overwhelmed. "Sweetie, are you okay?"
She swallowed. Nodded slightly. "Yeah, I…I think I am."
"You know this isn't going to change anything about our relationship, right?" he said. "You'll always be my little girl."
She smiled, her face softening. "I know, dad. Anyway, I've always wanted a sibling. And Kate is wonderful, really." She took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm happy for you guys."
Castle held his daughter—his kind, beautiful, practically grownup daughter and willed himself not to cry, because this was just…so good. Too good. How could he have gotten so lucky? "I love you," he told her.
"I love you, too," she said.
His mother had been keeping quiet, but now she burst out, her voice brimming with emotion, her arms open wide. "Oh, Richard!" she exclaimed, pulling him into a smothering hug. "I'm so glad this all worked out. I had a feeling it would."
"Of course you did, mother," Castle said.
"You are a lucky man," she told him. "And Kate is a lucky woman."
He nodded, his face brightening, opening up at the mention of her name. He wanted to go to her. "I'm going to go check on her."
"Go, go!" Martha agreed, shooing him away.
He smiled at the two of them, his heart so full, so grateful, it almost ached. Then he turned and headed into the bedroom to find Kate.
—
So the baby is fine! Yay! I could never actually bring myself to make Beckett have a miscarriage. Way too sad. I apologize to anyone who was freaking out.
Let me know what you thought of the scenes with Ryan and Esposito, and Martha and Alexis. I always find group scenes like that a little tricky to write, so I'd love to hear what you guys thought!