A/N: Here we go with chapter 2. I really hope you are all enjoying the story so far. I have enjoyed writing it for my friend LittleLizzieZentara for her birthday. Thank you, Natalie Elizabeth for being my sounding board. Happy birthday Mya!
Disclaimer: I do not own Castle.
Double Trouble
Chapter 2
On Christmas morning, Kate wakes early planning to make breakfast for her family. However, she wasn't the first one awake. When she sees that Castle is no longer in bed with her, she shakes her head and smiles. Kate has a good guess where her husband can be. She guesses that he is sitting in front of the Christmas tree with their daughter in his lap.
Kate climbs out of bed and grabs her robe. She walks out into the living room and sees her husband and daughter waiting impatiently in front of the tree. She walks over to them and gives them both a kiss on the head. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas". Castle becomes more impatient. "Can we open the presents now, please?"
Kate chuckles at his childishness. "No, babe. We should wait for everyone else to come down. I'm going to go start a pot of coffee and make breakfast. There are 6 of us to feed."
"6?"
"Uh, yes, Castle. We have the three of us, plus your mother, Alexis, and David are upstairs. Did you forget they stayed here last night?"
"Oh yeah. Alexis and David arrived late last night, didn't they?"
"Yeah. We were just getting ready for bed when they came in. They spent the day yesterday with his family, so they can spend Christmas Day with us."
"Is your dad still coming over?"
"Yes. I talked to him last night. He said he was going to come over this afternoon."
Kate walks into the kitchen and starts making the coffee. While the coffee is brewing, she goes to the fridge for a few things to make breakfast.
Lily comes running into the kitchen. "Mama, Mama!"
"Yes, Lily Pad."
"Pancakes?"
"You want pancakes for breakfast?"
"Yes, pease."
"Okay, sweetie. Go play with daddy while I make them."
"Yay!" Lily runs out of the kitchen and into Castle's arms. "Let's pay, daddy. Mama making pancakes."
Kate smiles to herself as she prepares breakfast. She loves the family she made with Castle.
A little while later, Martha comes walking down the stairs. "Good morning, darlings. Merry Christmas."
Castle looks up, from playing on the floor with Lily, to watch Martha walk down the stairs. "Merry Christmas, mother."
Martha walks into the kitchen to give Kate a hug. "Good morning, Katherine."
Kate returns Martha's hug. "Good morning, Martha. Would you like some coffee?"
"Oh, thank you, darling. I'll get it. You look like you've been busy in here all morning." Martha goes to the cupboard to grab a mug for her coffee and pours herself a cup.
"Uh, it hasn't been too bad. I wanted to make a special Christmas morning breakfast. Lily suggested pancakes, so that's what we're having."
"Sounds delicious, darling." Martha grabs her cup of coffee and walks into the living room to sit on the couch.
Just as Kate is about to put the first batch of pancakes on the gridle, Alexis and her husband David come down the stairs. "Merry Christmas family!"
Kate, Martha, and Castle all respond in unison. "Merry Christmas!"
Alexis and David go to the living room first to greet Castle, Lily, and Martha.
After giving her family, in the living room, good morning hugs and kisses, she walks into the kitchen to greet Kate. "Good morning, Kate." She gives Kate a good morning kiss on the cheek.
"Good morning, bud. If you want some coffee, there is some ready in the coffee pot over there." Kate uses her head to point in the direction of the fresh-brewed coffee.
"Thanks." Alexis grabs a mug from the cabinet and pours some coffee for David. She takes the coffee out to the living room to hand to her husband. Afterwards, she walks back to the kitchen. "Is there anything I can help with?"
"Sure. Do you mind getting the juice and fresh fruit out of the fridge?"
"Not at all."
Kate flips over the pancakes on the gridle. "Thank you."
As Alexis takes the items out of the fridge she asks Kate, "So, how have you been feeling? Dad said you were sick last week?"
"Oh, I've been doing better. Thank you."
"Are you still feeling sick?"
"Uh, not as bad as I was last week. It comes and goes."
"Have you gone to see the doctor?"
Kate takes the first batch of pancakes off the gridle and onto the platter. "I have gone to the doctor. They said I'm fine."
"Well, that's good. I'm glad you're okay."
"Thanks, me too."
Alexis takes the fruit bowl and juice and sets them on the dining table. "What else can I do?"
"Would you like to fry up some bacon?"
"Sure."
"The bacon should be in the meat drawer."
"Okay, great. I'll start frying them up right now."
Kate has the next batch of pancakes cooking on the gridle. "How have you been doing?"
"I've been doing well. School has been something else though."
"Oh yeah? More difficult than you thought?"
Alexis has the pack of bacon in hand and gets the frying pan. "Yeah, but I know it'll be worth it. It's not supposed to be easy. It's law school."
Kate flips the pancakes over to grill the other side. "Yeah. I remember when I was pre-law at Stanford. It was difficult, but I enjoyed it."
Alexis puts the first several strips of bacon onto the frying pan. "Was it hard for you to transition from Stanford to NYU?"
"No. Most people think it would have been, but my mind was set. I knew what I needed to do. I was determined. After graduation, I went straight into the police academy. I've been with the NYPD ever since."
Kate and Alexis continue talking while they finish cooking breakfast for their family.
A little while later, breakfast has finished cooking. Alexis and Kate bring the food over to the table and call their family over. Castle takes Lily to the kitchen sink so they can wash their hands. After everyone is all washed up and ready for breakfast, they all sit down to eat together. The Castle family, together for a delicious Christmas morning breakfast.
After breakfast, the Castle family works together to clean up the dishes. Any leftovers went into the fridge, the dishes were hand-washed, dried, and neatly put away, so they would be ready to use for Christmas dinner.
While the adults are in the kitchen cleaning up, Lily is out in the living room by the Christmas tree. She is about to lose her patience. Lily is pacing back in forth in front of the tree, just waiting to see what presents she got.
"Mama! Presents now?" Lily can no longer wait to open her Christmas presents.
Kate calls out to her daughter. "Just a minute Lily Pad. We're almost done. We'll be right there."
"Hurry up, pease!"
All the adults in the kitchen laugh. They laugh because they know how much Lily is like her father, even though she's the spitting image of Kate.
Castle dries his hands as he has washed the last of the dishes. He hangs the towel to dry, grabs a cup of coffee, and goes into the living room. "Okay, sweetie. Daddy's here. We just have to wait a little bit longer for the others."
"Why daddy?"
Castle sits on the floor next to the Christmas tree. How does he answer that? He's basically a child himself. He ponders for a moment. He really doesn't know what to say, so he turns toward the direction of the kitchen and calls out to his family. "Come on guys. Let's open presents!"
The family in the kitchen cleaned up as quickly as possible, so the two in the living room don't have to wait any longer. As soon as the kitchen was clean, they walked out into the living room. Martha, Alexis, and David sat on the couch.
Just as Kate gets ready to grab her presents for everyone there is a knock on the door. She is the only one standing and offers to answer it. Kate opens the door and sees that it's her dad standing there. "Dad? Hi, Merry Christmas! You're early."
"Hi Katie. Merry Christmas! I am early, I apologize. I should have called first."
"It's okay, dad. Glad you're here. Come on in." Kate steps aside to let her father into the loft.
Jim greets the Castle family as he enters the loft. "Merry Christmas everyone!"
The Castle family greets Jim in unison. "Merry Christmas Jim!"
Jim walks over to the Christmas tree and places the gifts he brought under the tree. Before finding a place to sit, he gives Lily a kiss and a hug. "Merry Christmas Lily!"
"Merry Kwismas, Grampa!" Lily returns her grandfather's hug.
As soon as Jim takes a seat in the armchair, Kate walks around the coffee table and heads for the Christmas tree. She reaches behind the tree to retrieve the presents she hid the night before. She holds the six presents in her hands and turns to face her family.
Kate nervously says, "okay, everybody. I have a present for each one of you. HOWEVER, you cannot open them until I say. Got it? They're not all identical, but they have the same theme… which is why I want you all to open them at the same time."
They all nod in understanding. Once the other six agree, she goes around and hands out the presents to each of them. When she has finished passing out all the presents, she returns to the other side of the coffee table and faces them. "Okay. Open!"
Kate nervously waits as her five family members tear into their presents. Everyone has their presents open, but they don't understand. Martha has a coffee mug that says, "Best Grandma Ever". Alexis has a sweatshirt that says, "Best Big Sister Ever". David has a shirt that says, "Best Big Brother Ever". Castle has a coffee mug and a shirt that says, "Best Writer Dad Ever". Jim has a baseball cap that says, "Best Grandpa Ever". It isn't until they see what Lily has, that everything clicks. Lily has a shirt that says, "Promoted to Big Sister".
When everyone sees Lily's shirt, they all jump at yell, "No way! Are you serious?"
Kate nods and says, "I'm pregnant."
Her family quickly, but carefully walk around the coffee table to give her hugs and kisses. They offer her their congratulations.
Castle stands in front of Kate, unable to control his excitement, with his hands on her shoulders. "We're really having another baby?"
"Yes. I got a call from the doctor's office a few days ago, confirming my pregnancy."
"Wow! I can't believe it. This is so exciting. I know this wasn't planned, but how do you feel about it?"
Kate goes on her tip toes and gives Castle a tender kiss on the lips. "It may not have been planned, but I'm happy. Lily will have someone to grow up and play with. You and I didn't have that… and neither did Alexis. It'll be a new experience for us, but I look forward to seeing what happens."
Castle kisses her again. "A baby! We're having another baby." He gives her another quick peck on the lips before he puts his hand on her stomach and bends down to give the belly a kiss.
Kate goes to sit on the couch, while Castle sits back down on the floor with Lily. Alexis stands up and grabs David's hand. David and Alexis go to the Christmas tree where they put their presents to the family.
Alexis takes two in her hands, while David takes the other two. They hand out their presents and as they hand the gift to each person, they tell them not to open it yet. David and Alexis sit back down on the couch before they give the go-ahead for everyone to open the presents. Alexis didn't do any speech, she just let them dig into their presents.
Martha is the first to get hers open and lets out an audible gasp.
Castle looks up to find out what's happening. "What's wrong mother? What happened?"
"Alexis, darling! Oh, my goodness. Is this really happening?" Martha is in disbelief.
Kate and Castle get theirs open, before Alexis can say anything, and realize why Martha reacted the way she did.
Martha is holding a certificate that says, "The Best Grandmas Get Promoted to Great-Grandmas". Kate has a shirt that says, "Promoted to Grandma" and Castle has a sign for his desk that says, "Grandpa Castle". Lily has a gift too. Lily has a toy doll and a blanket that says, "The Best Sisters Get Promoted to Aunts".
Everyone stands up to hug each other again and offer their congratulations to both Alexis and David.
Later that night, after everyone has gone to bed, Castle lays awake. He can't seem to sleep. He's thinking about how he's going to be a dad again, but also that he's expecting his first grandchild. It's all very good and exciting news for him, but he's struggling to comprehend it all.
Kate is trying to sleep next to him, but she senses something is on his mind. She rolls over to look at him. "Babe? Are you okay?"
Castle pushes himself up to lean against the headboard and looks at his wife. "I think so. I just can't fathom the fact that you and Alexis are both pregnant. I mean, first you tell me we're having another baby. THEN Alexis drops the news on us that she's pregnant too."
"It is a lot of information to get in such a very short amount of time."
"Yeah, that's for sure. I mean, if I'm having a hard time with this, what about you? You seemed to be perfectly calm the whole day."
Kate pushes herself up, so she's leaning against the headboard, side by side, with Castle. "Well, I don't know. I suppose I never really thought about it. I think the thing that surprised me, well scared me the most was my title."
Castle's brows furrow. "Your title? What do you mean?"
Kate takes a deep breath and sighs. How is she going to phrase this? "Well, it's the title Alexis is giving me. I'll be a grandma. A GRANDMA, Castle! It just doesn't make sense to me."
Castle is starting to understand where Kate is coming from. He reaches over to take her hand in his. "Oh, honey. I think I understand."
"You do?"
"Sure. Alexis has given you the title of "Grandma", when you don't feel like you deserve that title. Alexis isn't biologically yours, so you don't think of yourself as becoming a first-time grandma. You think that you'll earn that title when Lily or this baby has a baby."
"You do understand. That's how I feel. I'm not going to be a grandma. It doesn't feel right."
Castle lifts Kate's hand to his mouth and gives it a gentle kiss. "I do understand that's how you feel. However, this is how I see it. I think you should be flattered that Alexis is giving you that title."
Kate was about to protest, but Castle put his hand up to stop her from saying anything.
"Let me explain, Kate. Think of it this way. Think of it as Alexis no longer sees you as her stepmom. You have earned your rightful place in this family. You are a mother… not only to Lily and this new baby, but to Alexis as well. You have been more of a mother to Alexis than Meredith ever has. To Meredith, Alexis was just a younger sister or best friend that she could shopping and travel with. You never pressured Alexis. You allowed Alexis to determine what your relationship to each other would be. You let her know that you aren't trying to take Meredith's place as her mother. All you did was let Alexis know that she can come to you, and that you would be there for her no matter what."
Kate sat there for a minute, think about what Castle said. She never thought to look at it that way.
Castle gives her a little more time to think about what he said, before he says something else.
"Kate, you were there when Alexis was kidnapped. Where was Meredith? You helped me look for her. You helped look for Alexis because you care about her, but also because you wanted me to be happy. What did Meredith do?"
Kate quietly says, "nothing."
"Exactly. Meredith was not there, but YOU were. You were there to help find her. You were there when she came home. You were there for all of us. Like I said, you are more of a mother to Alexis than Meredith ever will be. I wouldn't be surprised if Alexis' kids call you grandma instead of Meredith."
Kate leans in to give Castle a kiss. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For helping me see things differently. The way you put it into perspective for me was helpful. Alexis may not be biologically mine, but it certainly has solidified my place in this wonderful family. I feel more welcome than ever before."
"Kate, you have always been a part of this family. You were a part of this family long before we got together. You officially become part of our family when we got engaged and legally when we got married. You have been and always will be a part of this amazing family."
"Thank you."
"Always."
"Merry Christmas, Babe."
"Best Christmas ever." He leans in to give Kate a kiss before they lay back down to go to sleep.
A few months have gone by since Kate told her family that she and Castle are expecting. It's a week after Castle's 51st birthday. Kate has a doctor's appointment for her 20-week scan. This is the scan where they can find out the gender, IF the baby cooperates.
Martha stays at the loft with Lily, while Kate and Castle go to the doctor's appointment.
Kate and Castle arrive to their appointment 10 minutes early. Castle finds a seat in the waiting room, while Kate goes to the receptionist and checks in. After checking in, Kate finds where her husband is sitting and takes a seat next to him. While they wait to be called back, Castle plays a game on his phone and Kate skims through a magazine.
A nurse opens the door that leads to the exam rooms. "Katherine Castle?"
When they hear Kate's name being called, Kate and Castle stand up to walk towards the nurse. Kate and Castle follow the nurse down the hallway toward the exam room. Once inside the exam room, the nurse asks Kate a few questions, and takes her blood pressure. When the nurse has completed her tasks, she informs Kate and Castle the doctor will be in with them shortly.
The room is filled with nervous energy. Castle can't stand how quiet it is. He's the first to speak.
"What's taking the doctor so long?"
Kate, while sitting on the exam table, reaches out for Castle's arm to try and calm him. "Babe, relax. The nurse just left. The doctor has other patients to see."
Castle keeps pacing the room. "I know. I just don't want to wait any longer. I want to know how and what the baby is."
Kate shakes her head and sighs. He is such a child, but she's loves him anyway. "I'm sure the baby is fine. But I need you to relax because you're making me more anxious than I already am. So, PLEASE calm down."
Castle stops pacing and sits in the chair in the corner of the room. As soon as Castle sits in the chair, a wave of nausea comes over Kate. She brings her hand up to her mouth and Castle notices.
"Kate?"
"I'm fine. Just a bit nauseous."
"Do you need to throw up?"
Kate shakes her head. "No, no. I'll be fine. I just got hit with a wave of nausea. It comes and goes. But I'm fine."
Castle stands up and stands next to Kate to rub circles on her back for comfort. A few minutes late the doctor comes in.
"Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Castle. How are we doing today."
Both Kate and Castle greet the doctor with smiles. They respond to the doctor in unison. "Fine."
Castle goes to sit in the corner, staying out of the way as best as he can, so the doctor can do what he needs to do. Castle sits in the chair bouncing his knee up and down. He can't sit still. He wants to be by his wife's side. Staying out of the way is not Castle's forte, but he's managing to stay clear so far.
It is time for the doctor to do the ultrasound. The doctor tells an impatient Castle that he can stand next to his wife.
Just as Castle stands next to Kate's side, she rolls the bottom of her shirt up above her growing bump. The doctor puts the cold gel on her belly. Then the doctor takes the transducer, or the ultrasound wand, and moves it around Kate's belly to see how things are going. The screen is facing the doctor, so neither Castle nor Kate can see anything.
"Things are looking good Mr. and Mrs. Castle." The doctor tells them that things are fine, but then the doctor's expression changes.
Castle notices the change in the doctor's expression first. "What is it? Is there anything wrong?"
The doctor moves the want around some more to confirm what they just saw. "Everything is fine Mr. Castle." There is a slight pause before the doctor continues. "Congratulations! You're having twins."
Kate and Castle look at each other with shocked expressions. "Twins?!" They reply at the same time.
The doctor smiles. "Yes. Twins. And it looks like they're going to boys."
Kate squeezes Castle's hand as the doctor turns the screen toward them so they can see the ultrasound. The doctor points out the babies to them.
"They're looking good Mr. and Mrs. Castle. Keep doing what you're doing." The doctor freezes the image and has it sent to be printed.
The doctor finishes up and grabs a towel to wipe the gel off Kate's stomach. Kate pulls her shirt back down as soon as the gel is wiped off. Castle helps Kate down off the table. Both Kate and Castle keep their composure while remaining in the doctor's office. They follow the doctor down the hall toward the front desk where they get the date for their next appointment and their sonogram photo.
The Castles arrive back in the car after the appointment. They both close their doors and at the same time say, "twins."
Castle said his more excitedly, where Kate says it in complete shock.
"Kate! We're having twins! Twin boys! Can you believe it?"
Kate buckles her seatbelt and looks at her husband. She does not look happy. "Richard Castle… I swear I will hurt you."
The smile on Castle's face quickly disappears. He makes an audible gulp. "Why? What's wrong?"
"What's wrong?! Castle, I'll tell you what's wrong…. TWINS! Twins! That's what's wrong. Not only that but they're boys."
Castle reaches over the middle console to grab Kate's hand, but she quickly pulls away. "Kate, honey, what's wrong with boys? I'm no longer going to be outnumbered… don't get me wrong, I LOVE all the women in my life, but I finally get to have a son. Not just one, but TWO!"
"First of all, Castle, this pregnancy wasn't planned. Second, we're now expecting TWIN BOYS! If they're going to be anything like their father… I'm going to have my hands full."
Castle is taken aback. "What's wrong with me?"
"Babe, I love you, but you are a handful a lot of the time. Now, I've got two more boys on the way. I'll have double the trouble."
Castle smiles to himself. He knows that once the boys arrive, Kate will be singing a different tune. For now, he'll let her feel whatever she wants and needs to feel. Right now, he feels utterly and completely happy. He has everything he has ever wanted.
As Castle buckles his seatbelt and starts the car, he whispers to himself, "best life ever."
The End
A/N: Thank you all for taking time to read this story. I hope you all liked it. Once again, I'd like to wish my dear friend, LittleLizzieZentara, a Happy Birthday!
