A/N: Sorry for not updating any sooner... been busy and lazy all together! No excuse, but just saying... Thanks for your wonderful reviews as usual! They mean the world to me! Last but not least I'd like to wish all of you a wonderful year! Hopefully it will be filled with lots of Caskett moments in both TV show and fanfiction. Here's some more cute moments to fill the gap until Monday's episode! Woohoo!

Chapter 37

"He looks more and more like you" Castle whispered against her neck as the happy couple stood at the foot of Charlie's crib.

"Maybe… and he's growing so fast. I don't want him to." Beckett pouted, sounding a little bit like Jamie.

Castle softly chuckled at her cuteness, "But he will…" he stopped briefly as they remained in silence without moving an inch until he added, "What do you think is she going to be like? How do think will the boys react to their little baby sister?"

Beckett shrugged, as both pair of hands rubbed lovingly across her huge belly. The baby was going to be with them any day now. It seems like she was comfortable in there and didn't want to come out.

"Matt's going to be the big brother… all protective, just like he is with Charlie. Jamie might be a little apprehensive at first, he also was when his younger brother was born. He will come around eventually, even if it means that he would have to share his car collection with her. I know he can be a sweet person. And Charlie, I'm not quite sure. I guess like every toddler and youngest of the family, he will have to adjust as to no longer being the smallest in the family. He will be surprised, but Charlie has that bubbling personality. He will do just fine. Jamie will be the hardest one.

And to what she is going to be like… I don't know. I think I would really love her to be part you and part me. Contrary to what I might have said before" Beckett said and turned around to be face to face with Castle, her hands joining at the back of his neck, "I wouldn't mind if she were to be a mini version of you. I know how stressful it might get, but having her all bouncy and quite energetic with light brown hair and blue eyes… yes, I could live with that."

She finished her words with a smile and peck onto his lips. Castle had to smile too. He was aware how much they kept teasing each other about it, but the truth was that either of them was really looking forward to that little baby girl, no matter whom she might look more alike.

"I love you, Katherine Beckett."

"I love you too."

He kissed her sweetly once more, "Hey, we still haven't settled on a name and a nickname."

Beckett rolled her eyes, "I understand the name but why a nickname?"

"What? Why not? I've got my pumpkin, my big man, my little man and my cheeky monkey. I have got to find a nickname for my little girl. I guess I'll figure that one out once we actually agree on a name for her. What are the boys' full names?"

"Oh…" Beckett exclaimed realising that Castle didn't even know them. "You're right. I didn't even… I…"

"It's okay… It's not like you were hiding them from me. The subject just never came up." Castle reasoned.

Beckett gazed down at her sleeping baby one last time before grabbing Castle's hand and pulling him out of the nursery. They both strolled down the hallway and cosily nestled themselves into the cushions of the couch

"Well, all three of them go by the name Beckett Cullen as you know already. Mattie's full name is Matthew Scott. Jamie's name is James Tyler and Charlie's name is Charles Aiden. I…." Beckett stopped and started playing with the sparkling ring adorning her finger.

"What is it?"

"I'm wearing this ring with the prospect of marrying you some day… soon…" She added to reassure him. Castle gave her a supportive smile. When the time was right, they would get married. Or better, when Beckett was ready she would let him know. They were already a family in his heart, the rest was just all a formality. A formality he wanted to have, simply because he was in love with her and marrying her was the natural thing to do to complete their bond. They were already having a baby, so marriage was the last step they needed to fulfil. "I've been thinking about changing my name too…"

"Really?"

"Yeah…" she said with half a smile.

"But…"

"However…"

"Well, that's a fancy but…"

Beckett groaned as he mimicked locking his mouth and throwing the key away, "The boys… I don't know… I… I mean, I don't know what's best for them… Beckett Cullen Castle sounds like an awful lot. Besides I don't even know if you'd want that… I…"

"Kate…" Castle felt privileged that she had been thinking about changing their names. Not only hers, but also the boys' name.

"I don't want to take their father's name away from them. He was and always – biologically speaking – will be their father. I can't change that. I mean… What if I take it away? They will hate me. I wouldn't want that to happen."

"They won't hate you, Kate. Those boys adore you. You're their mother."

"But, what if?"

Castle noted the tears springing to her eyes. Her hormones were getting the better out of her once again, so he wrapped his left arm around her shoulder and pulled her head closer to his chest.

"The question is, are you willing to change your name to just Castle or Beckett Castle? Or Castle Beckett?" he enquired.

"I was thinking about Beckett Castle"

Castle gave it a thought, "Why not change – that is if you want to – to Cullen Castle for the boys? That way they'd have both their father's name. Not that I'm…"

"You are their father, Rick." Beckett declared staring straight into his eyes. She wasn't flinching the slightest little bit, and the tone in her voice was so sincere.

"Kate…" he hushed, sensing her at the verge of shedding endless tears. Unfortunately that was exactly what happened next. "Kate… sweetheart… I love you so very much." He added while showering her face with many gently touches and kisses, wiping the rolling wet droplets out of her face. He slid down at the food of the couch where he knelt down so he could be face to face with her. "Look at me, Kate… I know you only want what is best for these boys. I love being a father to them, Kate. I could no longer imagine my life without them."

"What if something happens to me, will you…?"

"Hell yes, Kate… of course!" Castle hadn't given her the time to even finish her thoughts. "Nothing's gonna happen to you, Kate. Please don't say that…"

"Yeah, but what if… will you really? 'Cause I got no family… Oh my god they would go to foster homes and they would be separated. I…"

"Kate…" Castle slowed her down, grabbing either side of her face. He needed her to look at him. "Boy, those hormones really know how to kick right in, don't they?" Castle laughed and Beckett sniffled, mumbling an apology. "I love them, Kate…" A few tears were now welling his eyes too. This conversation was slowly getting out of hands. The mere thought of having to give those three boys up was unbearable. "I am not giving them up, Kate. Only over my dead body. I… God, look what you did to me. I'm bawling like a baby"

Beckett sniggered sweetly, "I'm sorry" she whispered softly against his lips as they melted against one another. "I love you, Rick. I want you to look out for my babies, if… "

"I'm there, Kate… all the way. I promise they won't be left alone. They mean the world to me, just like they do to you. I consider them as my sons. I bring them to school and pick them up when you can't. I make them breakfast, lunch and dinner. I read them a story when I bring them to bed every evening. I kiss them good night and wish them sweet dreams. I'm there for every head bump and I'm there for every single scratched and bloody knee or nose. I'm there when they need a hug and I'm there when they need someone to talk to.

They are so alive. They keep me young, making me chase them around the park, roll around on the floor. I love to finger paint with them. I love to throw the entire house upside down with a pillow fight just so I can see a smile on their faces. I love them for who they are. I love them for they are yours…all yours, Kate. And the thought of not having them near me… is… killing me. I love you, Kate. We're having this baby together and even though her big brothers aren't part of me, they still are part of you, the woman I love. I'd never give them up, Kate. Never. I want you to know that."

"I want this legally done, Rick. You know… just in case… I want to be sure. I'm not doubting you. It's just… you know. And I know it's a lot to ask you for…"

"I know, I understand… come here. And it's not something you have to ask me. I want to do that." Castle pulled her in a loving embrace as if he never wanted to let go of her ever again. "In fact I'd been wanting to ask you this myself… you know, when we get married… I'd love nothing more than to become legally their father."

Tears kept spilling down her face, as she secretly wondered how amazing he could be.

"Ouch!" Beckett yelped painfully, grasping her upper side of her round belly. She breathed out long and slowly to get the pain shooting currently through her body under control.

"Are you all right?" his tone was submerged with worry.

"Your daughter just kicked me in the ribs…. Oh God!"

"What? Is it time?"

Beckett regulated her breathing.

"I don't think so… not quite yet. This might take a while first…" she reassured him with a smile holding her back.

In fact, she wasn't quite sure what was her hurting most, the pain shooting through her lower back or her daughter's feet continuously pressing up against her ribs. Upon Beckett's sign, Castle helped her up onto her feet and both headed for the bedroom. It was getting late and most likely the bed would be more cosy than the couch. Despite the ache Beckett couldn't help from thinking how adorable Castle was getting all excited and worried at the same time. He was genuinely concerned about her well being.

"Do you need anything at all? Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital?"

"Rick…" she called out with a soothing voice. He reluctantly slowed down and eventually laid down next to her. "Hey… I've had three babies, Rick. Yes, I think this is the beginning… but let's just wait and see, okay? She needs some time to settle down… And me too…"

"I'm so nervous!" Castle admitted. "I mean, what am I supposed to do? I don't know anything! Meredith had a c-section. I really don't know. This scares me a little. Why did I not prepare for this?" His voice pitched up a bit and Beckett was having a hard time not laughing at him.

"You're cute…", she sighed with a beam and pulled his head down onto hers for a kiss. "I love you" She fetched his hand and held it close to her chest, "Everything will be just fine. As long as you're there with me… hold me… support me… help me… guide me… that's all I need. I know I have to do it… all by myself. And I also know you wish you could take some of that excruciating pain away from me, and trust me when I say I wish you could too, but sadly enough that's not possible. All you have to do is to be there for me, just like we trained this a couple of times. All right?"

For once it was her words that were soothing him, reassuring him and giving him the strength he needed through this difficult time. He was impatiently waiting for this day to arrive and now that it was there, he was loosing control. Why?

His eyes met hers and a smile crept on each face. They knew that soon their baby girl was going to be there with them and neither could await that moment.

"I love you, Kate." Castle said without breaking eye contact with her. She felt his hand caress over her belly in the mere hope to calm their quite active daughter's kicks. Beckett felt another pain shoot through her spine and she knew she was in labour. The contractions were still mild and far apart. They still had a couple of hours ahead of them.

"Try to get some sleep." She told him.

"You're in pain, Kate. How do you want me to go to sleep?"

"We talked about this, Rick. At least try… I'm going to try to get some rest before the big run… If this baby plans on coming in the middle of the night, I want you fully there for me, so you need to rest. I'm here and I'm okay… I have a fair idea of what is awaiting me. I know I won't get any sleep and the pain is nothing I can't handle alone. When it's time, I'll let you know… Come here…"

Beckett rolled herself onto the right side with the large pillow to hold onto and Castle pressing up against her, his arms protectively resting over their still unborn child. He really wished for this to go faster, because frankly he had no idea, in spite of the many books he had read, what a natural birth was like. Meredith's c-section had been planned well in advance. The date of birth was given, they drove to hospital and the next day at 10 A.M. Alexis was born. End of the story. This was a whole knew territory to experience and he felt so lost and confused.

tbc

A/N: OMG, are you guys ready?