UPDATE!

Castle was still in shock that Kate would choose the babies over her own life, in a way that made him love her more. The fact that she would choose their lives over hers showed how selfless and loving she was. He wasn't angry with her; he was frustrated with her because she couldn't see how much this would destroy him.

Rick walked over to the room and opened the door. Kate was lying down, she looked weak. He slowly shut the door and walked over to her. He sat on the edge of the bed and gently nudged her awake. Kate woke up and gave him a weak smile.

"Hey." She slowly took his hands in hers. Castle noticed that her hands were cold.

"Are you cold?" He looked at her concerned.

She squeezed his hand with all the strength she could muster. "You know my hands have always been cold. Don't worry about it."

Castle looked at her sunken eyes. "Why do you always tell me not to worry? I know you want me to be calm and just wait for the news but I can't. I can't help it. I'm scared of losing you." He put his unoccupied hand on her stomach. "I'm scared of losing them."

She tried to get up to hug him but she fell right back on the bed. Instead, she put her hands on top of the hands that was on her stomach. "You won't lose them. I promise you that much. You won't lose them."

"So I've heard." He didn't mean to sound curt but he couldn't help it.

She looked at him knowing. "The Doctor told you," She stated.

"No, the nurse told me." He stated right back.

"I'm sorry. I should've told you myself but I just…I'm sorry. I thought if something should happen it would be better to have the children. I wouldn't be able to deal with losing one of them at this point. I've bonded with them. You've bonded with them. I know when they kick too much that it means that they are awake and probably hungry. That listening to "colors of the wind" calms them down. I know these are small things and that I haven't met them yet but I love them so much and I can't lose them. None of them. So if it comes down to it, I want them to save them over me. I know you'll be a great dad. You are a great dad. You did an incredible job with Alexis and I know you'll do a great job with them too."

Rick looked at the now teary eyed Kate. He wanted to hug her and kiss her and tell her that it was all going to work out but he couldn't because deep down he didn't know that it would all be okay. Instead he kissed the back of her hand. "I love them too. I know they like the sound of the ocean and rock music. I know they mostly kick during the afternoon. I know how much you love them, but I…I can't do it alone. I refuse to do it alone. I already did it alone once and I don't want to do it again. I barely made it with Alexis and I am terrified of doing it alone with three kids. So please, if it comes down to it, choose your own life." He was pleading now. "Tell them to choose you. Don't leave...don't leave me." He was upset with himself for falling apart when he was supposed to comfort her.

"Rick…I Can't. I love you and I want to be with you always, but we have to think about them too. I hope it doesn't come down to the wire and I hope we all make it through because I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to leave you. I want to stay with you until I turn old and grey." She was trying to be strong for both of them. "Listen, how about we do this. I'll go in there and fight like hell to keep all of us alive and you stay here and keep our families sane. It will be alright. I promise." She knew that promise had no sustenance but she made it anyway because she felt helpless at the moment.

Rick caught on at what she was trying to do and he quickly wiped away the tears. "Okay. You fight like hell and I keep them sane. But no matter what, you come back to me okay?"

"Okay. I will." He moved down to kiss her tenderly and she spoke into his mouth. "I want to see the rest of them before I go in. I know Lanie is ready to berate my ass for not calling her as soon as I was feeling pain." She smiled at him and watched him walk away to call the rest in.

Kate spent 10 minutes or so talking to the rest of them. She received a dozen well wishes and sent them on their way. She knew they weren't actually going to leave but she hoped they would eat and try to get some rest at some point. They looked exhausted. Once they all left the nurse came back and walked over to her bed and helped her get in the wheelchair.

"Are you ready?" The nurse spoke with a calm and steady voice.

"As ready as I will ever be." She placed her hands on her lap.

"No wait!" Rick walked over and planted a passionate yet loving kiss on her lips. "Go fight like hell." He smiled down at her.

"Go keep them sane and go eat something and shower. When I get out I want to have you all dressed up and clean and smelling good. You don't want to scare the babies away with that smell." She joked.

"Hey! I'll have you know that you love this smell." He teased. "This smell is what helped make these babies in the first place." He winked at her and pinched her nose.

She laughed along with him and placed a hand on his chest. "I do love your every smell. But seriously, go shower and eat Rick. I'll still be here when you come back."

"Alright, as you wish." He let go of the hand he had captured in his and opened the door for them.

He watched as she was wheeled away. He had this huge knot in his throat but he forced it down and moved towards the waiting room to go keep the family 'sane.'

AN: Thoughts? xo