Nathan's cries on the baby monitor echo through our room, I hear Kate moan. "Please, Castle," she says tiredly.

"Yeah, yeah," I reply, as I pull myself out of bed. I walk down the hall into Nathan's bedroom. He stops crying as soon as he sees my face; I smile and lift him up. Nathan shows more and more personality every day. He gurgles words, eats a ton, and loves to be held. Unlike Hanna, he is a bit more reserved.

I feed him while sitting in the rocking chair. "Your mom and I, we met and I was so in awe of her immediately, it took her awhile, but who could not love a handsome best-selling mystery writer?" I whisper to him. Nathan looks at me like he knows what I'm saying. "After four years, some of my best years, your mommy and I got together, then we got married and had you and Hanna, so here I am, I'm here looking at you—somewhere I thought I would never be," I whisper to him while I swirl his dark hair. I kiss his tiny hand and lean back—closing my eyes.

I wake up in the rocker with Nathan still in my arms. I look down to find him awake and tugging at my shirt. It's still dark outside; the clock says its 6:30 am. I hear hacking coming from the master and with Nathan in my arms, I wobble sleepily towards the master. " W-w-hat's wrong?" I mumble.

Kate coughs loudly and clears her throat. "I'm sick," Kate croaks. "Get Nathan out so he does not get sick, call Ryan or my dad or Martha, the last thing we need is a sick baby and toddler.

"Okay, okay," I tell her as I head out of the room. "On it," I say to myself.

Turns out my mother would be "absolutely delighted" to take the kids for the day. She says she'll swing by as soon as she gets ready—which could be hours.

I hang up the phone and bounce Nathan up and down. I turn around and see Hanna standing in front of me with tears in her eyes. "Daddy, my throat hurts," she says between tears.

I put Nathan in his bouncer and feel Hanna's forehead. "You're burning up," I say, shaking my head.

"It hurts," she cries as if she is scared.

"I know sweetheart, it will be okay—listen, why don't you go lay with mommy?" I ask her softly. "I'll try and find something to make you feel better," I add with a slight smile. I don't even mention going to the doctors, because Hanna is absolutely terrified of going to the doctor's office—after the chicken pox shot a few years ago.

Hanna nods and pulls her stuffed elephant closer to her as she runs off to find Kate.

My mother arrives eventually and walks swiftly through the door. "This is just awful Richard, I do hope that the kids don't get sick," she says.

"About that, Hanna is sick but Nathan seems to be okay, so if you could just take him that would be great," I reply.

"Oh, dear, yes of course," my mother says immediatly.

"You can just take my car; it already has the car seat. The bottles are in this bag, he likes the pacifier, and he'll need a nap in an hour and maybe even another one in about four hours. He is starting to eat solids, so I chopped up some bananas and grapes…" I ramble as I go to get Nathan from his bouncer.

"Honey, honey, I raised you. I know how to take care of a child, plus this Nathan is not my first grandchild," she assures me.

"You're right, just call me if anything happens," I tell her.

"Of course," mother promises.

I turn to Nathan and put my forehead against his. "You be good for Grammy," I coo to him before kissing him on the head. Nathan rewards me with a smile.

"Nurse those girls back to health," mother demands as she takes Nathan.

"Of course," I tell her. "Have fun," I say to them with a wave.

It's only a few hours later when Kate is balled up in my arms while Hanna is fast asleep in her bed. Kate put in a movie called The Vow, and as the credits roll I find I'm crying. Kate looks to me and manages a laugh. "Wow, Castle," Kate says tiredly.

"What? She never regained her memory!" I say in my defense.

Kate simply rolls her eyes; she does not have the energy to fight back. Under her eyes her skin is puffy and her cheeks are unusually red—I can certainly tell she is running a fever. I cradle her face in my hand—she is burning up.

Kate puts her hand on mine, holding it to her face. "I hate being sick," she whispers.

I kiss her forehead and run my fingers through her hair tenderly. "It's quiet," she observes as she closes her eyes gracefully.

"Is this what having no kids is like?" I joke.

Kate gives a tiny laugh; I can certainly tell she is tired. "I want another one Castle," she says, barely audible.

"What? Kate?" I ask. I receive no answer though because she is already asleep. Maybe it was just crazy talk. She never wanted one kid in the beginning—let alone three.

I carry Kate to our bed and tuck her in. I then tiptoe to Hanna's room, her humidifier is on and I hear her light snore. I kiss her forehead lightly, and her eyes flutter. "Don't leave me," she mumbles to me.

I pick her up and carry her down the hall and into our master bedroom. I lay Hanna down next to Kate then I crawl into bed with them. Hanna wraps her arms around me tightly and I stroke her hair. "Feel better my baby," I tell Hanna. Maybe another baby would be a good thing. Maybe they could handle it. Maybe that's what Kate really wants. Maybe. The sounds of their breathing and overwhelming thoughts of a new baby then lure me into sleep.