One of Kate's favorite morning tasks was waking the kids up and getting them ready for school (well, preschool for Reece and Jake). Usually, that task just meant making sure the boys were actually getting dressed. Lily loved school, so she almost always was up and getting dressed when they went upstairs.

This morning, it was Kate's job because Rick had an early morning meeting at Black Pawn with Gina. So he was getting himself ready and then he'd make breakfast for them. Kate would drive the kids to school – Rick usually walked the boys to preschool while she drove Lily – and then head off to work. Rick's meeting would end in time for him to pick up the boys and then later, all three Castle men would go pick up Lily.

As expected, when she went into Lily's room, she was dressed and was brushing her hair. "Morning, Lilypad!" Kate called out. Lily turned around and gave her mother a big smile. "Morning, Mommy!" Kate kissed her daughter's cheek as she took the brush and finished the job. She missed making pigtails for Lily, but she had wanted her hair short like Alexis, and it did make things a little easier in the morning. Lily kissed her mother, and went downstairs to get her breakfast. "Daddy should have your eggs ready by now, sweetheart. And he signed the permission slip for the trip – make sure he put it in your backpack!" Lily nodded and left the room.

But things were not normal when she went into the boys' room. Jake was up and he did have his underwear on – which Kate was glad to see, since every once in a while, he forgot to put it on! But Reece was still in bed, looking very sad. "Reece, what's the matter? Have a bad dream?" Kate asked. Reece nodded "no". Kate got a closer look, and saw his flushed cheeks. Oh no, was he sick? She went to his side, and as mothers have done forever, put her hand on his forehead – and felt how warm he was. "Oh, baby, do you feel sick?"

"Yes, Mommy!" Reece answered. Jake nodded his head too.

"Okay, Jake please finish getting dressed, and go downstairs for breakfast. I'll be down in a minute." Kate watched Jake as he finished – helping him get into his pants – and kissed his cheek when he left. He looked back at Reece and they seemed to be sharing a moment. (Kate had read about twins and silent communication, and even after seeing it a few times, it still seemed surreal. Rick just called them the magic twins.) He left and Kate went to get the thermometer. Yes, Reece had a slight fever – no school for him today. And as parents have done for ages, she went through their schedules in her head. Rick's meeting couldn't be cancelled – he'd been putting it off for a while, so Gina would not be happy if he postponed again. She had a light schedule today – no meetings at 1 PP or with the DA – so she'd call Sully and have him run the precinct today. (He and Anne Hastings were her invaluable seconds-in-command. Anne was on maternity leave or she'd be in charge) So she'd be the one to stay home. Rick could drop off both kids on his way to his meeting, and either he or her dad would pick Jake up. Things settled in her mind, she helped Reece get under his covers and went downstairs to get Rick up to speed.

After Lily, Jake and Rick left, she went upstairs to check on Reece. He was awake, and he didn't look so flushed. She offered to let him make a little "nest" downstairs so they could watch television or do whatever he wanted to do. He quickly agreed, so she helped him change his pajamas and had him put a soft pair of socks on his feet. After he had a breakfast of toast and juice, they set up camp on the comfortable couch in Rick's office. He wanted to play a game, and chose Candyland. Since she became a mom, Kate had learned to be less competitive. She used to hate to lose any game, but now she didn't like to see her kids lose. So when she turned over the princess card – the one that put her almost at the finish line – at the very beginning of their game, she had to do something.

Soon she had her chance. Reece, like most three year olds, was easily distracted. When his back was turned, she quickly put the card back in to the pile so he would get it. She got his attention back, and their game continued. Luckily, her draws did not bring her to the finish line yet. And then, Reece turned the card over and saw the Princess. He got a quizzical look on his face and said, "I didn't know there were two of them!" Kate laughed to herself. Of course, she forgot how smart and observant their kids were. (With a detective mother and a mystery writer father, of course they were!) She diverted his attention from the game so she didn't have to answer his questions, and when she suggested they watch a movie, he abandoned the game and requested "Toy Story", his current favorite.

After a post movie nap, and a special bowl of Mommy's chicken soup, Reece was feeling much better when Daddy came home from his meeting. And when Jake came home from preschool with cards from their classmates, and Lily came home with a clay model of Luke, the family dog, made especially for him in art class, he was really feeling better. And when Mommy took his temperature that night, it was back to normal. And when he threw his arms around her neck, and said "Thank you for making me feel better, Mama!" Kate's heart melted. She loved her babies with all her heart, and knowing her love could make them feel better when they were sick was a wonderful thing.

A/N: The part of the story when Kate and Reece play Candyland is taken from real life. Many years ago, I was playing Candyland with one of my nieces, who was then three years old. I got the card that put me almost all the way to the finish, and I did what Kate did. My niece had the reaction that Reece did. I had forgotten how smart that girl was (and is). Oh, and I tried to research what the character's name is, but I don't have a Candyland game here and all my research didn't help. I thought it was a princess; if it isn't, I apologize.

Thanks to all for the wonderful thoughts/reviews on my last story. I wanted to write a Mother's Day story, but since I'm not a mom, I don't really know how moms feel about the day. So I figured a story about Kate the mom would be almost as good. Happy Mother's Day to all who celebrate!