Hey guys, welcome back! I've had some reviews from the last fic about my mistake with Lily's age! She changed from eight to ten years old very quickly haha, so I am sorry about that, she was actually eight years old not ten. I think I went wrong as I wrote the second part of that story quite a bit later than the first part. Happy Sunday though and happy reading!
"Hey babe, you still up?" Kate said, covering her mouth with the back of her hand as she stifled the yawn that threatened to overpower her question, before lazily running her fingers through her mess of curls on her head.
Castle looked up from his screen and gave her a tight-lipped smile. She was clad in a loose fitting shirt of his and a bathrobe that was carelessly tied above her belly "I can ask you the same question," he retorted as he set the screen down and turned more fully to face his wife.
Kate shrugged "I can't fall asleep without you next to me," she said, and realizing how whiney it sounded, offerend him a smile that was only partly embarrassed.
Castle didn't answer, just gestured for her to come closer and took her hand; gently tugging at it to get her sitting on his lap, "Now tell me the real reason you're up?" he requested.
She sighed before placing her hand to the side of her rounded belly "The scars, they tug pretty bad. So I put some cream on it."
Castle looked worried "Are you okay? I mean are you in a lot of pain?"
Kate smiled and moved her hand off her belly and cupped the side of his face, relishing in the feel of his growing stubble tickling against the palm of her hand. "I'm fine, Rick. The doctor told us about some of the discomfort that was expected as the baby continues to grow, the scars will start to stretch, its normal."
Castle slowly nodded "I just don't like seeing you in pain. That's all."
Kate grinned, "Then don't come to the birth. I've heard it can hurt a bit."
"Really?" He murmured, before placing a soft kiss against her lips.
Kate just hummed as their conversation got lost in their kiss. "I must say," Kate said as she slowly backed away from their kiss "that I am glad you're writing again."
Castle sighed, "Don't be too glad, it's all awful. Since the shooting I just haven't been able to," he let out a grunt "to put something on paper I am actually happy with."
Kate used her fingers to brush through his hair "I haven't been the greatest muse huh, unless you want Nikki to be pregnant too."
Castle moved his hand to steady his wife before placing his hand on her belly "it's not that," he said with a nostalgic, almost nervous smile in his voice "I, uh, and don't get me wrong I've loved everything about these books. But it might be time for me to... pursue other stories, genres even, outside of Nikki Heat."
Kate raised her eyebrows "Really? I haven't heard you mention it before..."
"I'm just sick of people not taking mystery novels seriously and I want to try something new. And after the shooting and this little girl here, I think it's time."
Kate nodded, "I think it's a good idea."
"Really?"
"Yes, of course. And I'll be here to support you. But does this mean you're not going to continue this one?" she asked, gesturing to the discarded tablet sitting on the table, the bright backlight of the document illuminating the most recent adventures of Nikki Heat.
Castle shook his head "No, I'll finish it, give Nikki and Rook the end they deserve but first..." Castle said as he promptly stood up, carrying his wife in his arms with him "I am going to take my very pregnant wife to bed."
I hope you've enjoyed this little fic and I want to thank my Beta Rebecca as always.
Constructive criticism is always welcome, I am just uploading these fics for fun as I am sad the fandom is slowly dying and there are still people (like me) who are holding on and love reading about Caskett. But I am also not from an English speaking country (I'm Dutch) so it will never be perfect and when people are completely rude (not everyone of course! Most of you are lovely!) in the comments I feel so disheartened to keep uploading or to change the mistakes i've made. So again, I love hearing from you guys and keep the constructive criticism going! But if you're too bothered you're welcome to stop reading! Sorry for the rant!