Author's Note: And now for Martha's reaction…

Then Came Love

Chapter 13

On a normal morning, Castle would have left for the precinct not long after Alexis left for school, stopping to pick up tea for Beckett and himself (not coffee anymore, because of Beckett's condition and on his part, both out of solidarity and because he didn't want to risk the smell bothering her) along the way. Fortunately, the to-go cups for the tea looked the same as the ones for coffee. Castle knew the boys, at the very least, would notice if he'd started showing up to the precinct conspicuously empty-handed. And if he did something to make the boys suspicious or guess anything of Beckett's condition before she was ready to tell them, it wouldn't go well for him. It might not come naturally to him but for once in his life, Castle was determined to be discreet.

At least, he could tell the rest of his family now. With his concern over Alexis's reaction assuaged, he was able to relax as he waited for his mother to emerge from her room, finishing the daily crossword puzzle and then going into his office to retrieve the notebook in which he jotted down his vague ideas for future stories. Working with Beckett again had made some plot points start to germinate in his mind and he wanted to get them on paper.

It was well after 9 by the time his mother came downstairs, dressed in one of her trademark dresses in vivid, not to say garish, shades of turquoise, pink, and white. "Oh, Richard, what are you doing here?"

"Last I checked, I live here."

"I only meant that you've usually left for the precinct by now."

"I decided to stick around because I wanted to talk to you."

His mother made herself a cup of the special and expensive tea she swore by in the mornings (but which Castle always thought smelled rather like a toxic combination of mushrooms or something equally unappetizing) and gave him a curious look. "Goodness, you're looking very serious, Richard. Are you about to give me one of your scoldings?"

"When do I ever scold you?" he retorted automatically. "It would be a waste of breath anyway because it's not like you would listen."

His mother flapped a dismissive hand at him. "I'm your mother, Richard, it's not your place to scold me. Now, what is it you wanted to tell me?"

Well, it appeared now was the time. He might not be that worried over how his mother would react to this news but it didn't make it easy to tell her either. He inwardly grimaced and unconsciously squared his shoulders. "I, ah, well, I have some news. I've already told Alexis and you need to know it too because it will affect you as well."

"Well, get on with it then."

"It's about Beckett," he paused and then finally just blurted out, "She's pregnant and the baby's mine."

His mother choked on the sip she'd just taken of her disgusting tea. Oops, he hadn't meant for that to happen. She coughed for a few seconds and then fixed him with a rather minatory look. "But you said you weren't going to kiss Beckett, let alone anything else!"

"I meant, I didn't plan to be kissing her again," he hurriedly inserted. "It's not like that, mother. Beckett and I aren't together, not like that. What happened between us was only a one-time thing, just before she kicked me out of the precinct, and we never even talked about it until Beckett found out she's pregnant."

"I see," his mother said slowly and he was a little surprised how sober her expression was. He hadn't exactly been expecting immediate delight but he hadn't been expecting this either. "You and Detective Beckett slept together once but you are not dating and she's expecting your child."

He inwardly grimaced. He didn't know why the stark summary of the facts, accurate as they were, discomfited him. "That sums it up," he confirmed cautiously.

His mother only studied him for a long moment. He wasn't sure he could remember the last time his mother had reacted so… thoughtfully, so seriously, to some news of his. "Was this why you chose to start working with Beckett again?"

"No, that had nothing to do with the baby." It was true too. He might not have worked up the nerve to ask Beckett to allow him back into the precinct if she hadn't come to see him to tell him about the baby but he'd certainly missed working at the precinct—missed her—before then.

His mother nodded. "I thought so but I wanted to make sure. If you're hanging around the precinct only out of some wish to keep an eye on Beckett now that she's pregnant, that wouldn't be smart."

He made a face even at the thought of how Beckett would react at the suggestion of such a thing. Anyway, his wanting to spend more time with Beckett had nothing to do with the baby and everything to do with her. "Your confidence in me is inspiring," he responded ironically.

"Oh Richard," his mother sighed, "I hope you know what you're getting yourself into with Beckett and this baby."

"It's not like I planned for this to happen but now that it has, I can't say I'm sorry for it. This is a good thing for me. I'm happy about it."

His mother's expression softened a little. "I'm sure you are but my concern is for your heart."

"My heart will be fine." His mother meant well but…

"You and I both know that we can't control when or how our hearts get bruised or broken. You are crazy about Beckett and now she's having your child but don't even try to pretend you don't want more from Beckett than a simple place in her life as the father of her baby. I know you'll step up to do your part by the baby but you should at least go into this with eyes open to the risk."

He grimaced. "That had already occurred to me but thank you for the reminder." He knew his heart might get broken, was terrifyingly aware of that possibility. He trusted Beckett, trusted her sense of fairness, at the very least, not to deny him access to the baby, no matter what happened between the two of them, but he knew himself, how deeply and irrevocably he would fall in love with this baby the moment he saw it, and he knew, no matter how much Beckett might try, he would always want more, more time with the baby, more time with her, more… love as the happy, stable family he had always wanted. But he could not say any of that to his mother.

His mother fluttered her fingers. "Just making sure you're not letting your optimism blind you. And have you thought about the challenge of parenting?"

"The challenge of being a father? I've been a father for 15 years, in case you'd forgotten," he said with mild irony. Of all the challenges that lay ahead, at least taking care of a baby was something he knew how to do. It was everything else—like how to make Beckett love him—that he wasn't sure he had any idea how to do.

"Don't be dense, Richard. You've managed very well so far with Alexis, as you well know, but being a single parent on your own is a different thing from co-parenting with another involved party."

Oh. His mother had a point. He hadn't exactly thought of that. His experience of parenting Alexis had been a solitary one; he had made all the decisions and taken on all the responsibility almost from the moment Alexis had been born since Meredith had never been one for the day-to-day work that went into taking care of a baby.

Taking care of this baby would be different. Beckett would be closely involved and, knowing Beckett and her independence, she would likely try to take on most, if not all, the responsibility by herself, dirty diaper changes and all. Which wouldn't sit well with him. They were both going to need to learn to share the responsibility and the duties, weren't they?

All he knew was how to be a single parent; he actually did not know how to co-parent, did he? Gina had not acted as a mother to Alexis but it occurred to Castle that maybe, at least part of that was also because he hadn't known how to let her, or anyone, take on a parental role with Alexis. In those days too, he hadn't even had to adjust to the idea that Alexis might turn to anyone besides him for advice about anything since his mother had not been around as much then. It was only in the last year and half or so, since his mother had moved into the loft, that he'd had to accept that Alexis might confide in his mother rather than him and that had been an adjustment in itself.

He inwardly made a face. His mother might have a point but he didn't feel like admitting as much to her. "I think Beckett and I will be able to manage."

"If you say so, Richard." His mother paused and then straightened up, some of her usual energy returning to her expression. "Well, that's for the future but for now, how is Katherine feeling these days?" He opened his mouth to answer but before he could, his mother effectively cut him off with a wave of her hand as she went on. "Never mind, how much could you know of it anyway? No woman, let alone one like Katherine Beckett, is likely to be that honest with a man about if she's throwing up. That's a conversation to be had woman to woman."

Oh no, now it started, what he'd been afraid of. "Mother," he began, a warning in his voice.

His mother blinked at him innocently. "What, Richard?"

"You are not going to seek Beckett out at the precinct or anywhere else to question her about her health or anything else, understand?" He pinned his mother with a stern look, one he almost never used on his mother, one that indicated he meant what he said and was prepared to act on it.

His mother gave him a wide-eyed look, for all the world as if asking an indiscreet question was as foreign to her as the idea of climbing Mount Everest. He was immediately suspicious. "Nonsense, Richard. Why ever would I need to seek Katherine out anywhere when I'm sure I'll be seeing her here at home soon? You simply must invite Katherine to join us for dinner as soon as possible."

His lips parted and then closed. Damn, he hadn't thought his mother would suggest that so immediately.

His mother was going on blithely. "We don't know Katherine nearly well enough and after all, she is going to be part of the family."

He felt a quick stab of longing at the idea of Beckett becoming part of his family—oh, he wanted that—but quickly tried to subdue it. He had a more immediate concern. "If I invite Beckett over for dinner," he began, emphasizing the word, if, as if he might not actually do such a thing, "and if she accepts the invitation, you are not to pester her or otherwise try to interfere. My relationship with Beckett is my business."

"Nonsense, Richard," his mother scoffed a little. "I'm your mother. I should think it's my duty to try to help my son out."

"Not when it comes to my private life," he contradicted. "Remember what happened the last time you set me up with someone." Which had been Meredith. His mother had thought he'd moped over Kyra for long enough and had introduced him to the young aspiring actress playing a small part in her then-show.

His mother didn't gasp or otherwise make a sound in reaction but the lines around her mouth deepened, abruptly aging her, as something like hurt flashed across her face before she controlled her expression.

Shit, he hadn't meant it to sound like he blamed his mother for anything that had happened with Meredith. His mother hadn't known Meredith's character; all she'd known was that Meredith was young and pretty and outgoing, which had been recommendation enough at the time since his mother had only intended to distract him, get him back to dating. His mother certainly hadn't planned on Meredith getting pregnant.

He sighed and moved around the island to drape an arm around her shoulder, giving her a half-hug, conscious in a way he normally wasn't of how much smaller and more delicate his mother was, at least physically. His mother had such an outsized personality and, yes, often exasperated him so he didn't usually think of his mother as being delicate in any way. "I'm sorry, mother. I didn't mean it like that. Meredith and I are both adults and responsible for our own actions." And sometimes, when Meredith hurt Alexis with her self-centeredness and flightiness, he thought he might never forgive himself for his own carelessness in getting Meredith pregnant, even if he could never regret having Alexis.

"I'm well aware of that," his mother said rather tartly, straightening her shoulders and lifting her chin with a little flourish of her head. No, his mother was not about to admit having been wounded or troubled at all. Maybe his mother was more like Beckett than he'd ever realized—which was a startling thought.

"And I have no intention of interfering," his mother continued.

He suppressed a snort.

"I simply think we should get to know Katherine better and it can only help your cause to have Katherine spend more time with you in our home."

Lord help him. "Just please don't try to push or somehow influence Beckett, mother. I'll manage my relationship with Beckett in my own way."

"And I'm sure you'll manage your relationship very well," his mother agreed and he decided to ignore the tinge of sarcasm in her tone.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

His mother patted his cheek. "Well, congratulations to you and to Katherine."

"Thank you, mother."

His mother brightened up. "It will be fun to have another grandchild. Having a baby around will be wonderful."

A grin he couldn't quite help broke free. The baby. His baby with Beckett. He was never getting over those words, the mental image. "Yes, I think so too."

He felt a surge of optimism inside him and maybe it was entirely silly of him but he couldn't seem to help it, this belief that this situation, the baby, might be a sign from the universe that he and Beckett were somehow meant to be. He made a mental note not to mention any such thing to Beckett but he, at least, would cling to that hope. Because at the very least, he did think that Beckett, of all the woman he'd ever met, might be his best hope for his dream of a real, lasting love to come true.


Kate felt an entirely unbidden jolt of relief and something that felt a lot like joy when she heard the sound of the elevator door opening and some sixth sense made her look up to see Castle. A cheerful Castle, more specifically. The familiar little bounce was back in his step, an easy smile curving his lips as he greeted the boys before his eyes found hers, his smile shifting in a way she couldn't describe and was subtle enough she wasn't sure if she might be imagining it.

"Good morning, Detective," he greeted her with all his characteristic insouciance.

She returned his smile unthinkingly and accepted the to-go cup he offered her, knowing it would be herbal tea, instead of coffee. It was one of those little thoughtful changes that had surprised her. The first morning when he'd shown up bearing two to-go cups just like old times she'd felt a stab of something like irritation and apprehension that he'd bring her coffee when she'd told him she was avoiding it these days and she hadn't liked the prospect of the smell making her stomach turn either but then when she'd accepted the cup rather grudgingly, she'd realized it didn't smell like coffee at all and then on a cautious sip, had realized it was tea instead. Tea which she could actually drink and found she liked, rather surprisingly. This morning, just as she had on the first morning, she thanked him with a smile and sipped her tea. It wasn't the same as coffee, of course, but as substitutes went, it was a pretty good one.

He placed a small white paper bag on her desk. "I know it's a little late for breakfast but I also brought you a muffin as a morning snack."

He met her eyes and added quietly, "It's made out of oats so it's healthy as muffins go."

She blinked a little. She hadn't thought of that but it occurred to her again that Castle was proving to be surprisingly thoughtful. "Oh, thanks." She didn't mention that the snack would be all the more welcome because she hadn't managed to eat much breakfast, had only had a banana. She'd been feeling vaguely nauseous, her stomach unsettled, that morning and had decided to forgo a real breakfast for that reason since she really did not want to throw up again.

She opened the bag and broke off a small piece of the muffin to take a cautious bite, relieved when her stomach remained calm and, even better, the muffin tasted good too. "You look more cheerful," she observed unnecessarily. "I take it you and Alexis made up?"

His expression softened as it always did at the mention of his daughter. "We did. We talked more this morning and she was her usual self again, apologizing for how she reacted to the news. And she said to tell you congratulations and that she hopes you're feeling okay."

Kate wouldn't have admitted it to anyone else but she realized in the rush of relief she felt just how concerned she'd been, even a little guilty, since their phone conversation the night before. She'd heard in Castle's voice how upset he was at Alexis's reaction and his upset had bothered her more than she cared to admit, especially because she couldn't quite help but feel responsible for it too. Before, Alexis had been upset with Castle for something that was unrelated to Beckett but this latest continuation of their disagreement had been directly caused by her and her pregnancy. She might tell herself that rationally, she wasn't really to blame but it had been hard not to feel responsible.

She relaxed and smiled. "Thank Alexis for me and I hope you assured her that I'm fine, really."

"I'll tell her."

She expected him to smile but his expression remained a little distracted. "Is something else going on with Alexis?"

"See, you have to be telepathic."

She rolled her eyes a little. "Nope, it's still not telepathy. You just have a bad poker face."

He bridled in exaggerated offense. "I do not. I have a great poker face! Just ask the Mayor."

She hid a smile. "Good idea. I'll do that," she agreed equably.

He blinked and stared. "You will?" He paused, his eyes narrowing on her expression. "No, you won't."

She smirked. "You really make it too easy sometimes."

"Fine, you got me. Happy now?" He tried to appear disgruntled but his eyes were bright, betraying him.

"Yup," she grinned, deliberately popping the 'p' sound before sobering. "Now, what's up with Alexis? You did say she apologized, right?"

"Oh, she did. It's not that. It's just… I think part of the reason she reacted badly is because she's having some issues with her boyfriend."

"Oh. What's going on with Owen?" Kate hadn't expected that but she supposed it made sense that if Alexis was preoccupied with boyfriend issues, she might react badly to being blindsided by big news from her dad.

He gave her a small smile. "You remember his name?"

What was such a big deal about that? "It's not complicated, Castle, just answer the question."

"Alexis insisted it's not a big deal but she would say that and I think it's probably bothering her more than she admits. She says he's been distracted lately, like something's on his mind, and he's not talking to her about it."

Hmm, if Alexis was concerned over her boyfriend possibly keeping something from her, it was little wonder that the news that her dad had also been keeping a big piece of news from her would bother Alexis more. Kate supposed it helped, seemed more in line with what she knew of Alexis, to have such an explanation for how Alexis had reacted. Still not Alexis's finest moment but it was understandable.

He sighed a little. "I just didn't know what to tell her except to give it time." He made a face. "It was so much easier when she was little and all her problems could be solved with an extra scoop of ice cream for dessert or something."

She suppressed a smile. "Oh, you might be surprised how comforting ice cream can still be; it does make great break-up comfort food."

He grimaced and shuddered. "While part of me still thinks Alexis shouldn't be dating at all, I dread to think of having to deal with a break-up so don't even suggest that."

"Just keep it in mind for the future," she suggested gently, taking pity on his dismay. "But for now, I'm not sure what else you could have told her. She can't force Owen to talk to her and maybe he is just going through something right now but will be able to talk to her about it later."

He looked resigned, his expression like the facial equivalent of a sigh, before he looked up at her hopefully. "Beckett, don't you have some brilliant ideas on how I can fix this for Alexis?"

Fix this? "You mean, you want to interfere in Alexis's relationship with her boyfriend?" she clarified.

He grimaced. "Put like that, I suppose not. It was a dumb idea. I just… it feels wrong to know something's bothering Alexis and not doing anything to try to fix whatever is wrong."

She softened almost in spite of herself. It was, she was coming to see, very like Castle, to always want to help people he cared about and certainly, his daughter would be at the top of that list. "I can understand that but meddling in Alexis's relationships isn't something you can do. All you can do is what you're already doing, be there for her if she wants to talk and support her. She's going to have to learn how to handle the ups and downs in her relationships with boyfriends on her own."

"You're right, as usual. I still don't know when Alexis became old enough even to have a boyfriend," he groused mildly, "but that's another issue."

She hid a smile. "As I think Alexis reminded you recently, she isn't a little kid anymore."

His expression became rather petulant, like a little boy. Adorably so. (Wait, what?) "Yes, yes, rub it in, why don't you?"

"Sorry." Her tone softened. "She might be growing up but she still needs you, Castle, and that's not going to change any time soon."

He brightened. "Thanks, Beckett."

The words were simple, commonplace, but the look in his eyes was not and she abruptly turned her eyes back to her computer, pretending a need to check her email, trying to quell the absurd flutter in her chest.

And since when had she become the person Castle talked to about his troubles with Alexis? It didn't take a genius to realize Castle was hardly likely to confide in many people about his daughter but somehow, apparently, she had become one of those trusted few. Maybe it had started because of the way Alexis had reacted to the news of the baby since Kate was involved in that—but then no, even before Castle had told Alexis, Kate had somehow involved herself after witnessing Alexis's dressing-down of Castle the day before. But what else could she have done?

She hadn't planned it or thought it but it occurred to her that even aside from the baby—although she supposed that had been the start of it—she was involved now in Castle's life, involved with his family even. And because of the baby, he was involved in her life too. As was his family.

Oh god. The repercussions just never ended.

It wasn't a bad thing, it was just a lot to process.

"Oh, and I should tell you," Castle began after a moment with a change in tone.

She looked back at him. "Hmm?"

"I told my mother the news this morning."

Oh, right, Martha. Kate tensed a little, absurdly. "Oh."

"She was surprised but happy about it once she got over the surprise. She said congratulations."

She managed a rather weak smile. "Thanks." So now both their respective families knew. Which meant…

She glanced involuntarily over to Captain Montgomery's office, where she could see him gesturing as he talked on the phone. She would have to tell the Captain soon, in the next week or so probably. And the boys. And Lanie. Oh god.

"Oh, and I did warn my mother not to bother you but," Castle lifted his hands in a gesture of helplessness, "there's only so much I can do, especially since someone discouraged me from chaining her to her room."

A huff of a laugh escaped her, as she guessed he intended. "Don't worry, Castle. I can handle your mom and I won't even shoot her, I promise," she assured facetiously. She didn't imagine she would really be offended by Martha in any case. Martha might be exuberant but from what Kate knew of her, she was kind too and meant well. And in any event, being a cop had meant Kate had developed a thick skin.

"Spoilsport." He made a face of mock disappointment at the idea of her not shooting his mother and she had to smile. Ridiculous man.

He brightened. "My mother is excited at the thought of having another grandchild," he added, his voice lowering to ensure no one else could hear him, although thanks to the usual bustle in the bullpen, their whole conversation had been about as private as it could be.

A grandchild. Oh. It occurred to Kate all over again that this baby would be lucky, was lucky, would be starting out with a family and a loving one at that. An older sister in Alexis, a grandmother in Martha, a grandfather in her own dad. And Castle of course. And herself.

She didn't know how this nontraditional, patched-together arrangement of a family would work, all these adjustments to make. Becoming involved in Alexis's and Martha's—and Castle's—lives as she had never been before… it was a little terrifying and a lot unexpected but for all that, it would be a good thing, wouldn't it?

If she and Castle could somehow keep things amicable and, well, settled, for lack of a better word, between them. As friends and fine, yes, partners at work and in co-parenting. It could work. She and Castle were friends, after all. Real friends, as surprising as the thought somehow was. It was enough. It had to be enough.

~To be continued…~

A/N 2: As always, thank you to all readers and reviewers.