"Rick," Kate sing-songed from the doorway of their newly painted nursery. His silhouette was dark against pastel hues. He turned around, a muted yellow smudged across his cheek, blue and pink caked his fingers. Each wall was a different pigment, soft green colored the fourth wall.

"It looks good, huh?" he asked, proud of his work. Kate had been disappointed when she heard that it was unsafe to paint during pregnancy, but at least it was finally finished. They'd spent days contemplating which colors to paint the room, hours picking each exact shade. It'd come together nicely. Most of the furniture had been picked out and was packed in boxes dotting their living room and bedroom. Their houses and lives already taken over by the little twins. They wouldn't want it any other way.

Dim light cast shadows across her face as she nodded. "It really does. You did a nice job," she said. Her feet dodged buckets of paint speckling the newspaper covered floor as she made her way toward him. Straight tendrils of hair had escaped her ponytail, framing her face. Her hazel eyes were bright.

"I'm hungry," she admitted, pulling apart from a hug she'd engulfed him in.

Rick laughed, "Then to the kitchen we shall go." He loosely interlaced their fingers, neither of them willing to surrender the contact they shared. The warmth, the electricity conveyed by a single touch. It just felt right, whole, complete.

"What do you want to eat?" Rick asked once Kate was seated at the counter. Her head titled to the left, resting on her hand as her lips pursed slightly. Caught in thought. "Hmm, all right," she began, raising her head, eyes sparkling. "May I have a waffle with peanut butter and chocolate…"

"That's it? Nothing crazy this time?" he teased as he shuffled around the kitchen, pulling a pan from a drawer.

Kate straightened up and leaned closer to him. "I'm not finished yet," she rolled her eyes, her lips materializing the playful curve of a smirk. "I was also hoping for a pickle with whipped cream… and bacon."

She looked up at him, satisfied with her request. Mouth grinning, "It'll be right up," he said. "The three of you must be hungry." Brows wiggling, eyes shining.

"Always, Castle," she deadpanned. "We're always hungry."

"Christmas is tomorrow," he said, sliding into the seat next to Kate after making her "snack." She took a bite of her miscellaneous meal, nodding in approval before snuggling against Rick's side. "I know," she said as he bent an arm around her waist. "I'm excited."

Once their late night snacking had been completed, they moved to the couch. A candy cane striped blanket covered them. She curled against him, her head on his shoulder as the TV played an old Christmas movie in the background. Neither paid much attention, each lost in thought.

To their left, stood a Christmas tree. A few presents were under its branches, a motely of metallic and vibrant wrapping paper. Some gifts were for Martha and Alexis. The others were for the twins. Rather than getting presents for each other, Kate and Rick had decided to separately pick out presents for the babies. On Christmas they would open each other's gifts for the twins. The swirling combination of Christmas and the babies' impending birth escalated Kate and Rick's anticipation.

Moonlight glimmered through the loft windows, colorful ornaments scattering the glow throughout the room. Christmas lights framed the doorways and lined the ceilings. Beyond the building, snow gathered in the streets, blanketing the bustling sidewalks. Golden windows sprouted from dark contours of surrounding apartments.

"Castle?" she murmured softly as he snaked an arm around her side, pulling her closer.

"Yeah?"

"What do you think our kids are going to be like?"

He pondered the thought, running it through his mind, searching possibilities.

"I think they're going to be so much better than we can imagine. Our daughter will be smart like you, our son ruggedly handsome like me."

He waggled his eyebrows, prompting Kate to press her face against his neck, groaning softly in frustration. "I'm serious, Rick."

He hid his smile in her hair. "I know," he whispered. "It's just hard to predict. I think our kids will like to read."

"We're going to read to them every night. They have to like reading."

"It's a Castle requirement. However, I think it's unlikely that there will be any athletic talent… I mean they're getting our genes."

Kate's head bolted up. "What are you saying, Castle? I ran track, and before that I even played soccer and softball."

"Hmm," Rick mused, "Beckett the athlete… that's hot and impressive."

She rolled her eyes. "What about you, Castle? Any secret athletic talents?"

"I tried out for my school's football team once. It was to impress a girl, although the only person I did end up impressing was the coach."

"You made the team?" Kate asked, astonished.

"No, no," Rick said, shaking his head, "I broke my nose within twenty minutes of try outs. Apparently it's a school record."

Kate laughed and nestled impossibly closer to him.

"You've been so cuddly lately," he said, toying gently with her hair. "I love it."

"I think it's just the twins wanting to get closer to their dad," she smiled. "They're so ready to meet you."

"And I'm so ready to meet the twins. I think they're in the Christmas spirit."

Kate nodded. "Yeah, I think you're right. They-" She stopped speaking, her body going rigid. Her eyes squinted for a moment. "Oh my God," she breathed, her lips breaking into a smile. Her whole body followed, relaxation settling back. A giggle preceded an enthusiastic 'whoa.'

Rick moved to the edge of the couch. "What? Are you okay?"

Tears sprung in her eyes. She nodded vigorously. "They're moving. I feel them moving, Castle."

He stood up and Kate followed, burying her face against his chest. A watery laugh escaped her lips. "I don't know why I'm crying," she said, briefly pulling away to wipe her eyes.

"I love you so much," Rick said, drawing her back into a tight hug, averse to give up any contact, too content with the feeling of two bodies pressed together in most innocent of ways.

A/N: I'm so sorry for the long wait. School's been pretty intense lately and I've been busy with that as well as a couple of other things. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Also, I can't thank you guys enough for your reviews, follows, and favorites. If you have any suggestions for future chapters/events please feel free to send them in a PM or review. Otherwise, I think the next chapter might be the birth... we'll see! Anyway, thanks again!