I'll Still be Loving You
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: Thisis my AU version SEQUEL to Dinner Date, Please read that before starting this. This story picks up without any time lapse and continues with Kate and Rick as they forge ahead as a Couple and concludes the story arc started when Rick left suddenly.
I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 13
Previously
She turned to Rick and put a finger on his lips just as he was about to ask, "Shhh Babe, it's girl talk, nothing you would be interested in", as she kissed him on the cheek.
That set the tone for a relaxed meal, Cricket bringing everyone up to speed just how pleased Lord Barrow was with the book, well both books, both remained on the best seller list. She also provided a breakdown of the funds raised for the human trafficking victims for rehabilitation, and education. The young lady teared up as she relayed a message of thanks from one of the victims to Rick and LB.
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The Loft
Seven Weeks Later
Final Week before Return to London
Rick couldn't believe that his time off was nearly at an end, the only thing making it bearable was the fact that both his girls, Kate and Alexis would be with him during this trip. He hadn't told Cricket, but he secretly had about half the last book done, it needed approvals by LB. and the board, but he wanted to end the part time residency, and return to New York full time as soon as he could.
There was very good reasons to complete the project early and get back to a permanent residency. He was getting too old to be travelling this much, and now that Kate was with him, there was nothing to run from. Alexis had surprised him and decided to attend Columbia University, a mere 5 miles away from the Loft, and his mother would be returning home in a few months after a very successful 18 month tour of her Broadway Production.
He was pondering these thoughts perhaps a little too loud as Kate would say, when she interrupted his venture into daydreams,
"Rick, RICK, Hey Babe you in there? As she kissed his cheek softly not to startle him. They had made great progress avoiding triggers as Doctor Burke called them, that would cause a flashbacks to other times.
"Oh, I'm So Sorry, Kate, got lost in my thoughts, I didn't even hear you,"
"So I see" she smiled, "care to share or were they the personal ones, and I will remind you we have a guest in the Loft as well as your daughter" she kissed his temple and locked onto his eyes with hers, "I do Love you, if that is what you're thinking about" she stole one last kiss,
Rick smiled, pulled her into his lap, never losing the lock on her eyes, kissed her sweetly,
"Well that's always on my mind, regardless of who is around or where, but that wasn't what had me in the trance.
I was thinking about the WHY I ran to London in the first place, and now, I have no reason to go back. I love New York, our home, and the Summer Home will be done by the time we get back, Howard is checking up on the contractors to make sure they are on schedule."
"I'm sure the last thing they want to see is a high-powered attorney coming in discussing delays or schedule variances, and the penalty clauses that he wrote into the contracts," Kate smiled,
"Not that I don't believe you Babe, BUT I know when there's more, is there something you aren't telling me, did I do something Sweetie, what's going on, we promised each other, no secrets, didn't we?" The concern in her eyes showed,
"Oh no Kate, you didn't do anything, in fact I was just thinking that I have almost everything I have ever wanted in my life, I'm really lucky, and how fate stepped in when I started this journey. I had no idea there would ever be an us, and now, you're my fiancé, my partner, and my best friend. Alexis is going to Columbia, and as much as it pains me Mother will be back near the Holidays after touring for 18 months, I have no idea where she gets the strength." He was reliving some of the Hell he had gone through to reach this point, she can see the pain in his eyes,
"Babe, no going back, remember what Dr. Burke said, we don't get do overs in life, just in our memories, and you have to know that I would die for you, I love you, our family and the life we live. Is there something else you need Rick, something lacking to make you complete?" Kate pleaded with tears in her eyes,
"I guess I still have the fear I am going to wake up one day and this, well you beside me, will be gone and it was all a dream. It's funny, I never fear ending up broke, or having my career end, the only thing that scares the living Hell out of me is losing you. Looking at my track record, it goes good, then great the*"
"Rick, No Do Overs, and like you said, "I'm not Them, Thank God they did what they did, it allowed me the time to get my priorities straight, and tell you what is really important to me, and That's You.
Working with the boys on the Paul and Paula case showed me how shallow my life really was before you. I thought I would miss it, or feel unfulfilled, but Babe, just playing some small role in your work, supporting those victims like you did, has given me that sense of accomplishment I was striving for." She interrupts him mid-sentence knowing he is once again going to point out past failed relationships.
He smiles, it starts slowly but finally the smile she has been waiting for, is there, and she is nose to nose with her man,
"I know where my place is now, that's by your side for as long as you'll have me" tears are almost falling from her eyes as she leans in and kisses Rick gently on the lips. The kiss was confirmation that this woman was in love with him, and she wasn't going anywhere, he just had to believe it.
He smiles, it starts slowly but finally the smile she has been waiting for, is there, and she is nose to nose with her man,
"Rick, can we talk, I mean it's something I would like to keep quiet, so can we go back to our room, I need to show you something." Kate asked with Rick showing sheer panic in his eyes.
"Sure," as he takes her hand and she leads him back to their bedroom.
"Babe, I know this is the absolute worse timing in the world, but I just got this back from Lanie, I mean I trust her to keep quiet, plus she has to under HIPPA laws."
"What, What's going on Kate, are you OK, God don't tell me you're sick, please"
She handed him her phone, open to a text back from Lanie,
"Girl got your results back from the lab, Congratulations, your three-day flu will be here in about 7 ½ months, you're pregnant Kate. PLEASE call me, I have a shipment of the vitamins you're going to need to start taking NOW, plus your new diet, tell Rick, SOON and Call me, you're carrying a little Castle so take good care of him/her."
Rick looked up to see Kate's tears falling, "Rick like I said I know it's absolutely the worse timing in the world, but Babe," as her sobs deepened.
Rick is in front of her, picking her up gently and placing her on the bed, as he kissed her with such love, and tenderness, "Are you kidding me? Worse time? It's the best day of my life, you're positive, I mean with Lanie, you'd have to be, but what happened to make you take a blood test?" Rick asked with a smile he couldn't stop smiling
"Well, I was late, and I thought back when we stayed at the original Beach House, and you pointed out all the new furniture, well I had been on antibiotics, so I guess it knocked my Birth Control out of whack and we did have a weekend to remember, one I will never forget. That's when the little Castle growing inside me was conceived, so it was definitely night, or nights of love for sure. I took a home test, then when it showed positive, I went to see Lanes."
"Well we need to get you into see your OB/GYN and get the instructions and even if you can travel, Babe, I love you but nothing is going to put you or this little one in danger, OK? Are we in agreement, you'll come to London, but only till or if things are not right and you're more comfortable with your Doctor here, "He is talking so fast and excited,
"So, you're not upset, Rick, I mean it's a shock, but*"
He kissed her so sweetly and gently, "Never upset, I just want you and the little bundle to be healthy, no matter if I have to go alone this last time, I want to be with you, but not at the risk of this little blessing. He leaned down and kissed Kate's stomach, "Daddy's going to take care of you and Mommy, so just grow, and don't make Mommy too sick, OK?"
That brought out the tears in full force, as he just held her, "Oh Rick, I was so afraid you would be upset, I'm sorry, it's stupid, these stupid hormones have already kicked in, " as she said through teary eyes, as Rick just smiled and handed her his handkerchief,
"Kate, look at me please, he cups her tear stoked face in his hands gently, No matter what happens, ever, I will never be upset with you as long as you stay with me and don't shut me out, I love you, and I want to tell the world. Do you mind if we tell Alexis, at least?"
"I guess we should, I see Dr. Manning tomorrow at 9:00 AM, do you want to come?" she asked shyly
"Just try to stop me, I'm going to be here for you no matter what it takes. I'll still be loving you when we are both being pushed around by our Grand-kids in our wheelchairs," he smiles
"Well, maybe we should let Cricket know as well, that way Alexis who by the way can't keep a secret any better than you, won't have to try," Kate laughed,
"Why don't you call them down for a quick meeting, and swear them to secrecy, Cricket may have some good ideas for your care in London, and Babe, I am already over half way through the book, as long as they accept it. I've been writing the nights I couldn't sleep so I could get back home to stay as soon as I can."
"Rick, why didn't you tell me Babe? What kept you up nights?" She asked deep concern showing on her face
"Seriously, it was leaving you, I thought of all those nights I wasted, running away from rather than facing our problems. I didn't want to disturb you, so I wrote."
There's a knock on the door, and Rick replies, "It's open girls, come on in,"
Alexis and Cricket look shyly, almost like they didn't want to interrupt anything as they shyly made their way into the room, "Dad, Kate, you wanted to see us, is everything OK?"
Rick looked at Kate and nodded to her to tell, "Well Alexis, Cricket, we didn't plan it but you're going to have a brother or sister in about 7 months and a few weeks" she got out with tears in her eyes,
She just had time to compose herself slightly before she felt two set of arms wrap around her tightly, and Alexis crying.
"Are you OK Pumpkin, you know you'll always be our number one daughter right?" Rick said as he noticed the tears,
"Am I OK? You want to know if I'm OK? NO I'm not OK, I'm over the moon, I've prayed for a sibling for years, I had almost given up and now I'm getting Kate and a sister or brother, I couldn't be happier. These tears are happy tears Dad. Are you two happy Kate?"
Kate let out a loud breath, "I'm happy Alexis, scared out of my mind, but so very happy"
Rick is sitting there with a grin that he couldn't fake if he tried, "Does it look like we're happy Baby? I'm just worried that Kate will be able to travel, and if she is will you be sure to stay with her while Cricket and I finish the last book? We go to Dr. Manning tomorrow morning to get all her restrictions,"
"Great, We're coming with you, I mean Cricket knows all the healthcare professionals in London, and I'll be with Kate while you work, so I need to know how to be sure her and my little brother or sister are OK?" Alexis said in a tone that Rick knew there was no use arguing with her.
"Alexis, I'm thrilled you want to come with me, but I mean don't waste the last days of your stay here to come with me, I mean,"
"MOM, can I call you that to because, it would confuse the baby if I called you Kate and they called you Mommy, Alexis said as she turned Red, "Get used to it Mom, you're going to get taken care of, it's final, We'll be back later as they started to leave the room.
Cricket whispered, "Congratulations Kate, Alexis has a great point and I'd love to help anyway I can" as Kate whispered, "Thank you" and smiled,
"Well, I guess you got that straightened out didn't you Mom, and you thought Lanie was bossy, just wait" as Rick laughed and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I know she called me Mom, then she explained why, I love it Rick, I really do, God, how did I get so lucky" Kate smiled
Thoughts turned to how it could have been, her still chasing a phantom, coming home all hours to a cold dark apartment, lonely, and many nights afraid, to what she had been blessed with. Rick's comment, "I'll still be loving you when our Grand kids are pushing us around in our wheelchairs" well, now they would have a chance at Grand kids.