Epilogue By Moments

The First Date

"Here's the list of phone numbers...of course call your dad or I first or 911 if it's an emergency but there's numbers for Lainie and the Pediatrician, my dad, Espo and Ryan and the 12th precinct...and the restaurant...and Eduardo, the driver's cell is on here too..."

Alexis is looking at her like she's crazy. Probably because she is.

"I JUST fed him so he should be good for at least 2 hours, maybe 3 if he sleeps. We'll probably be back by the time he has to feed again but in the case we aren't, the bottle is on the top shelf of the fridge and here are instructions on warming it up...Alexis...are you listening?"

She nods and moves closer to the counter where there are at least 4 sheets of instructions spread out. Kate couldn't help herself. Every horrible scenario kept crossing her mind and she wanted Alexis to be as prepared as possible in the case something happens.

"Kate, you're just going to dinner...I promise we'll be OK..."

Rationally, she knows that. Alexis is a highly intelligent, ridiculously mature college student. She's capable of babysitting a one month old baby who will probably sleep the entire time.

But she's never left him for this long. Not even with Castle.

"Come on Kate, we're going to be late for the reservation..."

Castle is jingling his keys by the door, practically ecstatic that they get to leave the house. Together. It's the only thing he's talked about all day.

"Do you have any questions? There's no such thing as a stupid question...you can ask anything!"

She trusts Alexis and she's been over to the loft countless time since Beck's birth so she knows their routine and his cries and he's comfortable with her.

Alexis smiles and wraps her arm around Kate's shoulders, pushing her towards Castle and the door.

"Kate, we're going to be fine...now go...enjoy some fresh air..."

Castle scoops her into his arm from Alexis', squeezing her gently, knowing she's a panicked mess. As much as he's talked about getting out of the house, she's aired her worries and hesitation.

"Kate, he's sleeping...he's fed...he's bathed and changed...he's going to drool and make those cute little purring sounds and he'll probably still be out cold when we get back...Alexis, eat all the ice cream you want while we're gone!"

Castle winks at his daughter and grabs Kate's hand, tugging her towards the door.

She can do this. One foot in front of the other. The baby will be fine.

"We're so close, just keep walking...cross your body over the threshold..."

Castle is on the other side of the door, pulling her along. This is crazy. She's a fricking detective. A smart woman. And yet her heart is beating loudly in her chest, she's holding back tears and she can barely force herself to walk out of the door.

"Two hours Kate...just give me two hours of Beckett time and then we can come back...it'll be good for you..."

She nods. Knowing he's exactly right. They need time to reconnect. Have adult conversation. Do anything really other than feed and change and burp a newborn.

She contemplates just checking on the baby one last time to make sure he's settled but she knows once she sees that little sleeping face with his fists balled up to his cheeks, she'll never leave. So she throws herself across the door frame and walks quickly to the elevator before she can change her mind.

"Ok...good job...we made it out of the loft...it's already a successful night!"

Castle nudges her and she can't help but find him cute and charming, in his jeans and Batman tshirt and Mets hat. They decided to go casual and just head to Remy's for a burger and shake.

She can finally squeeze back into regular jeans, although they are a little tight, so she threw on a dark grey flowy top to cover her much softer stomach. She keeps telling herself she needs to get back to sparring a few days a week.

"Mr. Castle, Detective Beckett...it's so good to see you both out and about!"

Eduardo greets them with a large smile. Kate requested they use the car and driver so if something goes wrong at home, they won't have to worry about hailing a cab.

"Are you going to jump my bones like you did the last time we were in this backseat?"

Castle grins, raising his eyebrows at her.

She can't help but laugh, shaking her head and rolling her eyes at her handsome, sweet man.

"You look just like Beck when you do that..."

He is smiling, reaching out and tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Do what?"

He mimics her eye roll and nose scrunch.

"That. That eye and nose thing...he does that..."

She knows exactly what he's talking about.

"He does do that...especially when he's mad that his bottle is empty!..."

Well, even though they end up talking all about Beck for two hours at least she makes it through dinner. And even a stop for ice cream on the way home.

Progress.