Life Happens

A few days after Kate had been discharged from the hospital following Kayley and Carsyn's birth; Kate had returned to work. Much to Rick and Montgomery's dismay; Kate returned to work. She still had a case and she wasn't going to stop now. If she stopped now, Kate felt that she would lose all that she had keeping her steady.

"Kate; you need time to recuperate, time to get back to what you were." Rick said.

"Babe; if I stop then I'll lose it. I'll just start crying again."

They both knew that Kate was blaming herself for Kayley and Carsyn coming early. Everyone around them could tell. They all saw it in Kate's eyes. No matter how hard they tried to convince Kate that it wasn't her fault she still blamed herself.

Even the police commissioner was telling Kate that she had to take it slow. But Kate was beyond adamant that she was fine and that she would take it slow when Kayley and Carsyn came home.

On her first day back to work after the delivery, Kate walked in to the bull pen where she got a warm welcome back. There was also a little something on her desk for the twins. Kate was doing her best to fight back the tears that were starting to form in her eyes. Rick took Kate's hand in his once he sensed her mood change and squeezed.

Before them on Kate's desk were two blankets and two teddy bears. The blankets were a double diamond style and they were crocheted. Kayley's blanket was white, pale pink and pink; the teddy bear was also pink so that it matched the blanket. Carsyn's blanket also had white in it along with a pale blue and blue in it. And just like the teddy bear that accompanied his sister's blanket, Carsyn's teddy bear also matched his blanket.

To: Miss Kayley Rose Castle & Mr. Carsyn Jamie Castle

Welcome to the Family

- Capt. Roy Montgomery & the 12th Precinct

Kate couldn't fight the tears anymore after she read the card.

"Thank you all for these gifts. They're absolutely beautiful and the twins will love it."

"Why don't you take some time and bring the gifts down to the twins. Ryan and Esposito will keep you informed on the case." Montgomery said.

Kate nodded as she and Rick picked up the gifts to bring to their kids.

"How are they doing today?" Kate asked the NICU nurse when she and Rick had walked in.

"They're doing wonderfully; Mrs. Castle."

Kate smiled.

"We have a few things for them. From their precinct family." Rick said.

It was then that the NICU nurse noticed the blankets and teddy bears that the twins' parents had with them.

"Why don't you two give them the blankets and bears while I go get the doctor."

"Okay."

"Thank you."

Awhile later the NICU nurse came back with the doctor who checked on Kayley and Carsyn while their parents waited.

"I've got some good news for you…" the doctor said afterwards.

"What's the news; doc?" Rick asked.

"Kayley and Carsyn are doing well enough to go home."

Rick watched as a smile came to his wife's face for the first time since the twins were born.

"Thanks doc."

With that Rick called his mother to ask her to bring over the car seats for the twins while Kate called Montgomery to tell him that she was starting her maternity leave but she could consult over the phone if the boys needed help.