The baby shower was not something that had really seemed like a big deal to me, but to Alexis and Martha it seemed to be the most important thing in the world. Lanie kept telling me that I was in denial; Jenny kept telling her that I would change my tune when the baby was finally here.

I wasn't in denial about anything; it was just easier to try not to think about how out of control I felt. I wasn't allowed to eat anything good, and I was crying over the silliest things and facing all of my friends was not on the top of my to do list.

I was sitting in the living room in the loft when Lanie and Alexis came in with huge bags. "Oh, Kate! I didn't think you'd be here."

Alexis smiled knowingly and went to put the bags away knowing she could trust me not to look.

"Where else would I be?" I said moping.

Alexis tucked the bags into the closet so that I wouldn't see them. "She's just upset that she's only working part time."

I hadn't taken very many days off since I started working as a detective so I had collected a lot of time off. Castle had some how convinced me it would do me good to relax for a while before the baby was born.

I looked guiltily at Lanie. "Girl, you know there are other things to do besides work."

I looked down at my huge belly. "Like what?"

"Um…" Lanie looked at Alexis for help.

"We could go to a movie, or a play, or post anonymous comments on websites about Dad and see if he notices!"

I smiled at the last one. That did sound like fun, especially since he tried to keep us off the fan sites. For about a half hour we posted comments about him and his books trying to leave subtle hints that only he would understand.

Alexis laughed when she saw what I was writing.

"To my dearest Rook, not much of a "magnetic shadow" if you ask me." –Heat theTwelfth.

Martha leaned in over my shoulder to look and smiled. "Right off Wikipedia. He'll love that and he'll know it's you."

Alexis twisted her lips into a slight pout like she did when she was thinking. "He really needs to stick around the house a little more, especially since he convinced you to take time off."

I rested my hand on my belly, "He thinks he's doing me a favor by letting me rest."

Martha rolled her eyes, "He should know better by now. A classy girl like you can take care of herself." She came over and started to talk to my stomach. "Even if she is carrying my grandchild."

Alexis looked at Martha like she was crazy.

"What? That little one can hear everything we say. The more we talk the more she will like us once she's born."

Alexis sighed.

"She is sort of right Alexis."

Martha waved her hands through the air. "Sort of? I am right!"

She leaned down again and placed a hand on my swollen belly. "You know I'm right don't you?"

Then we were all laughing and the baby started kicking like crazy.