Disclaimer: I do not own Castle

Chapter 13

it was a bright new day. Birds were chirping outside, soft winds were blowing, and that wind chime hanging in the window was singing with the breeze.

Little Jo opened her tiny little mouth to yawn, and by mistake her hand hit her little brothers side.
And he stirred awake too. Jo's eyes opened to find her mommy and daddy looking over both of them with a huge grin on their faces.

"How'd you know when they were going to wake up?" Rick asked Kate.

"Mothers know these things"

"What? Is it like some sixth sense or something?"

Kate laughed and then reached out and carried Jo in her arms.

"Happy birthday baby girl! You're a year older today" she kissed her little baby and put her forehead to hers, and Jo put her tiny hands on her mommy's cheeks.

"I know, I love you too" she said. Knowing just what she meant by that gesture.

Rick then carried Nate out of the cradle and said
"hey big guy! Happy birthday" Nate still seemed sleepy. He put his head down on his daddy's shoulder and closed his eyes again.
Rick chuckled. "Looks like he's not ready to be a year older yet"

"Shut up" Kate pinched his arm playfully, she then softly touched his tiny head and he opened his eyes to look at his mommy and baby sister in her arms.

"Happy birthday honey." She leaned in and kissed the top of his head. Letting her lips linger on his skin. Nate simply giggled and reached out to her.

"Rick, let me hold both of them" Kate adjusted Jo in her arm, so that she could carry Nate too. When they were both in her arms, she looked at both of them and said

"Promise me, you two will always stay this innocent. And don't grow old too soon okay. I want to be able to hold both of you this way for a few years more."

Rick laughed at the way she was talking to them; he then took his phone put and clicked a quick picture of the three of them.

"You know how heavy they're both going to get by the time they're hallway through the next year?"

"With the way you feed them, I won't be surprised"

"Hey, they love eating."

"Come on, let's get you both changed and ready for the day"

They went about with their morning chores, giving the kids a bath and then getting them changed and ready for a fun day.

They were seated in their high chairs at the kitchen counter now, and Kate was feeding them breakfast.
Castle was on the phone, for quite a while now, and he seemed to be engrossed in a serious conversation.

When she was done feeding the kids, she stepped behind them and took off their bibs. Just then Castle looked at them. She mouthed the words "Everything alright?"

He just nodded and continued talking on the phone.
Kate heard the door open. She carried Nate out of the high chair first and put him down and then Jo. "Looks like your big sister's home"

just that moment Alexis came into view.
"Heyyy!"She ran to where the kids were, got down on the ground and kissed both of them
"Happy birthday you two!"

"Oooo" Nate said.
She laughed.

"Yea... we gonna party hard tonight"

she carried him up in her arms, and Kate picked Jo up too and they took them into the living room.
She put her bag down and said
"I've bought you guys so many gifts and toys"

They put the kids down on the couch and Alexis pulled out a bunch of new toys for them to play with. They became so happy at the sight of the new shiny colourful toys. Jo started clapping excitedly and Kate couldn't help but laugh.

"You didn't have to get them all this stuff Alexis"

"I wanted to. Look how happy they are"

"They're always happy to see you"

Alexis stood up and came and hugged Kate.
"I didn't even get to greet you properly Kate."

Kate chuckled. "That's alright. The kids tend to catch your attention easily. How are you?"

"I'm doing great."

"Where's Jake? I thought he was coming along with you."

"Yea, he'll be here in the evening. He had to go drop his sister off at the airport. Where's dad?"

"He's on a call; I think he's gone to his study. He'll be out soon"

They both sat down to play with the kids.
Jo came over to Kate with a doll in her arms.
"B..." she tried to say.

"Baby..." Kate said to her.
She smiled.

"That's a baby you're holding there honey."

She held it close to her.
"Yes, she wants to be loved just like I love you"

Alexis smiled. "I'm so glad they loved the gifts"

"Oh, they'll love anything that's new and shiny."

"Dad!" Alexis squealed and got up from the couch, running to where Castle was walking out from the study.

"Hey, you're home!" he opened his arms for her and she ran into her father's arms. Kate watched with delight from the couch.

Even Jo and Nate got up and stood to look over the backrest to see Castle hugging his eldest daughter so tight to him.

Jo put her arms out and called out "Aaaa" Kate laughed and said "Don't worry baby, he's still yours too"

"How have you been doing pumpkin?" he kissed her on the head, "god I missed you so much"

"I'm great dad, college is going great. I'm just so glad to be home again, so glad to see you.
"Where's grams?"

Rick was about to tell her, but Kate began "Your grams will be coming over in the afternoon, to help get the place ready for the evening"

"Awesome." Alexis said.

"That reminds me, I better call dad up" Kate said to herself, looking around for her phone.

"Kate, can I talk to you for a second?" Rick said.

She looked over at him.
"What's wrong?"

"Alexi's honey, you mind watching the kids for a second?"

Kate went over to where Rick was, and he led them into his study.
"What? What is it Rick?"

Kate seemed worried. Firstly, Rick had been on the phone for half of the morning, and now he looked so serious.

"It's nothing to worry about... it's just…"