Life Goes On

Chapter 55

It was Easter, not a day Kate had often enjoyed as an adult. When she was a little girl, he father had taken her to sunrise services. She'd received Easter baskets with the requisite chocolate bunnies and peeps, but also new additions to her growing library. Then her mother had served one of her famous brunches, made even more special with the addition of colored egg studded Italian Easter bread. After that, there was often a visit with her Nona or her Aunt Theresa. As she got older, the baskets were a memory, as was her Nona, but her mother still made fabulous brunches and there were still visits with her aunt and her cousin Sophia. All of that had stopped abruptly with her mother's death. By the time Easter rolled around there would be no more sunrise services for Jim Beckett. With his retreat into a bottle, it would be lucky if he'd rise by noon. Kate would usually hide from the world and watch movies, the more distracting and action packed the better. When she joined the N.Y.P.D., she always volunteered for duty on Easter, as she did on Christmas.

This Easter would be different. As she opened her eyes she could almost feel the sense of renewal in the air. She could also detect the enticing scent of vanilla drifting in from the kitchen. At least Castle hadn't chosen to make s'morelets. She looked forward to both marshmallow and chocolate before the day was over, just not wrapped in an omelet. As she became more awake, she realized that her panties were a little wet. She'd never leaked before, but then she'd never been this huge before either. She supposed during the night her bladder might have given into the pressure a little. She changed them, pulled on a robe and went to find out exactly what Castle was cooking up.

Fat circles of dough sizzled in hot oil. "You're making donuts! From scratch! The doughnut store starts these in the middle of the night. How long have you been up?"

"Not that long," Castle explained. "I was writing last night, but I needed to clear my head, so I made the dough and cut them out. I shoved them in the fridge, then I let them rise this morning. There's a glaze on the counter. It would be great if you could put it on while they're still hot."

"Sure," Kate agreed. "Oh damn!"

"What's the matter?" inquired anxiously.

"I'm wet. I just changed and I didn't even feel like I had to go."

"Oh God, Kate! Did your water break? At the class we took, they said that whoosh you see on TV is just for drama. It can happen, leaking a little bit at a time. I should take you to the hospital. Do you feel any contractions?"

"Castle, watch those doughnuts!" Kate cautioned. "Your oil is smoking! And no I'm not having contractions. I had some Braxton Hicks a week ago but Mrs. Burgemeister said that was normal."

"Well Maybe I should go get her now," Castle worried, turning off the stove and ignoring the half fried pastries.

"You can't, Castle. She decided to treat herself to a cruise."

"Then we are going to the hospital!" Castle declared.


"Your husband was right," the OB nurse examining Kate announced. "Your water broke. Your labor will probably start all by itself before long, but if it doesn't, the doctor will probably want to induce, to prevent infection. From the look of things you're pretty close to your due date anyway, aren't you?"

"Dr. Gershon thought I had a few more days," Kate replied, but she wasn't positive," Kate confided.

"I'll call her for any special instructions, but we'll get you settled in a room and see what happens. It wouldn't be a bad idea to try and get as much rest as you can, while you can," Nurse Kerry advised, "but if you like, your husband can keep you company."

"Just try and keep him away!" Kate quipped. "He's a lot more prepared for this than I am. I'm still having a hard time believing I'm actually going to have this baby."

"Oh you're going to have the baby. And believe me," Nurse Kerry counseled, "before long there won't be a doubt in your mind."

Kate was surprised that she actually could sleep, but she did. Castle alternately paced the hall and worked on his laptop while she drowsed. Her eyes flew open several hours later as a contraction hit. Castle anxiously called Nurse Kerry, who after a quick but thorough check, assured Kate that everything was fine, but that she was only two centimeters dilated and had a long way to go.

Doctor Gershon walked in the room a few moments later and re-checked what Kerry had reported, nodding in satisfaction. "Looking good Kate. I can start an epidural now, but it could slow things down a bit and you won't be able to move around. If you want to speed this along, you can walk. When your labor had progressed farther, we'll put you on a monitor and start it then. It's up to you."

"I think I'll walk," Kate decided.

"I'll walk with you," Castle piped up.


"So," Castle proposed, as they strode up and down the hall together, stopping as ever intensifying contractions hit, "don't you think it's time we came up with a real name to replace BG? I have a list."

"I'm sure you do Castle," Kate responded. "so keeping in mind Cosmina is still off the table, what are your top picks?"

"How about Beatrix?" Castle suggested. "It means she who brings happiness."

"Makes me think about she who writes about rabbits. Ooh wait a minute," Kate grabbed on to Castle's arm as another contraction hit, and did her best to breathe. "Oh man. Jesus!"

"You want to name her Jesus?" Castle teased. "Wouldn't Jess or Jessie be better?"

"Castle!" Kate gritted out.

"Okay, next suggestion," Castle offered, "Diana, Amazon princess."

"It's a thought, Castle, but I'm really more of a Marvel girl," Kate decided.

"Natasha, then," Castle offered. "Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, arguably the best butt kicker around. But then, I don't know if I'd want my daughter hanging out with some hulk."

Kate grabbed Castle's arm again, her nails digging into his flesh through the fabric of his sleeve. "Fuck!"

Castle winced. "I'm sorry Kate, no more comic book jokes."

"No, it's not the jokes, Castle. "BG, or whatever we end up calling her, is getting serious. I think it's time for Dr. Gershon to do her thing."


Kate need not have worried about the anesthetic slowing things down. BG was in a major hurry. In the delivery room two hours later, Dr. Gershon triumphantly announced an Apgar of nine and gently put the baby in her mother's arms, while Castle beamed. "You've got quite a contingent gathered in the waiting area," a nurse announced to the couple. "When Kate gets through recovery and into a regular room, they can see her and the baby. Right now, you might want to give them the news, Mr. Castle."

Castle was torn. He didn't want to leave Kate and the baby, even for a few minutes, but he also knew Alexis and his mother would be furious if he kept them on pins and needles. Jim Beckett wouldn't be happy either, nor would any of the Castles' friends, especially Lanie. He smoothed Kate's hair back and kissed her forehead. "I'll be right back," he promised and went to deal with the expectant visitors.


Courtesy of Castle's bank account, Kate had a private room. Lanie rushed in with Alexis and Martha at her heels. Jim Beckett followed, carrying a plant. He placed the perfect white flower on the table next to Kate. "I wanted you to have something symbolic of the day," he explained.

Kate and Castle looked at each other, sharing a thought, as they gazed down at the child Kate held. The beauty and promise of Easter," Castle murmured. "Our Easter Lily. Her name is Lily."

Kate smiled up at him and nodded her assent.