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Rick and Kate invited everyone to the loft on a Monday night, when Martha and Earl were off from My Fair Lady, but asked them, and Jim Beckett, to arrive half an hour before everyone else. Alexis and Lily were upstairs in Lily's room, and after their parents had arrived, Rick and Kate asked them to man the front door while they took care of something important upstairs.
Everyone arrived in dribs and drabs, and finally, in addition to Jim, Martha, and Earl, Javier; Kevin and Jenny minus Sarah Grace and Nick, who were with Jenny's parents, since Jenny had worked that afternoon and then met Kevin at the 12th Precinct before heading to the loft; Lanie and Alan with Will; Victoria and Gerald; and finally, Madison and Mark, who had gotten his cast off the previous Friday and was ready to look for a new place to live with Maddie.
Rick, hearing the buzz of conversation downstairs, looked at Kate, Alexis, and Lily. "Sounds like almost everyone is here," he said. "I'll just go check." He ducked out of Lily's room.
"Okay, Lily," Kate said, hunkering down so that she was eye to eye with her little girl. She straightened Lily's collar. "You know what to do, right?"
Lily nodded. "We're gonna surprise everybody!" she exclaimed.
"We sure are," Kate said, brushing her hand along the back of Lily's head, cradling the base of her skull for a moment. "Alexis, are you ready?"
"I'm all set," Alexis replied. She surprised Kate by hugging her quickly when Kate stood up. "Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this."
Kate hugged Alexis back, then said, as she released Alexis with a squeeze to her shoulder, "You're just as much my daughter as Lily is. Honestly, the idea for this announcement was mine. Your dad agreed to go along with it."
"Yeah, I figured that out when I realized the theme," Alexis said with a fond chuckle. "But I'm sure that's only because you told him putting it on the Jumbotron in Times Square or hiring a skywriter was out."
"You know us both so well," Kate replied.
Rick reappeared in the doorway to Lily's room then. "Okay, the gang's all here. Are we ready?"
"I'm ready," Kate said.
"I'm ready," Alexis echoed.
"I'm ready," Lily piped up. The others smiled at each other and then at Lily. Rick picked Lily up and perched her on his hip, but Lily said, "No, Daddy. I'm a big girl. I walk."
Rick and Kate exchanged a look. Lily was a very outspoken two-going-on-three now that it was early October. Rick remembered Alexis's insistence on walking when she was two, and knew that it was a good thing, and that there were still going to be plenty of opportunities for him to carry her around in the future.
"If you all don't come down here in the next ten seconds, we're gonna charge up the stairs!" Lanie shouted from the living room.
"That's a cue if I ever heard one," Earl said.
"Okay, we'll be right down!" Kate called back.
"Remember, Lily, they can't see our backs yet, not until Mom and Dad give us the signal," Alexis said as Lily jumped up and down excitedly.
"Okay!" Lily exclaimed.
Very few of the people gathered in the living room were thinking in the direction of an addition to the family. They were mostly thinking this was either about something involving Kate's work as a City Councilwoman, or about Rick's next book, since, while everyone, including Kate, was mum on the details, it was common knowledge within their family circle that the book was serious literature, and not a murder mystery, Nikki Heat or otherwise. Jim Beckett and Lanie had their suspicions, but they were the only ones.
Kate, Rick, Alexis, and Lily descended the stairs and entered the living room and said hello to everyone. The four of them were all dressed identically in jeans, sneakers, and...baseball warm-up jackets? New York Yankees warm-up jackets, to be exact.
Javier's first thought was that this had something to do with the upcoming World Series, assuming the Yankees held on to their playoff momentum and made it to the Series, but Alexis and Castle weren't baseball fans. Beckett, yes. Alexis and Castle went to the occasional game with him (Alexis) or with Beckett (Castle), but calling them fans would be stretching it a bit far.
Alexis removed Lily's jacket and her own. They were wearing baseball jerseys—white with blue pinstripes, but instead of the interlocked 'NY' logo of the New York Yankees, the letters 'B' and 'C' were interlocked on their jerseys.
Kate and Rick removed their own jackets, and they were wearing jerseys identical to Alexis and Lily.
Looks were exchanged around the room. The interlocked 'B' and 'C' obviously stood for 'Beckett' and 'Castle.' So this probably didn't have anything to do with either Kate's City Council work or Rick's new book after all.
Wheels were turning in most of the brains in the room. Jim was the first one to put it together. His eyes alight, a hopeful smile on his face, he exclaimed, "Katie, you're pregnant again!"
The beatific look on Kate's face was all the answer Lanie needed before she jumped to her feet and exclaimed, "I KNEW IT! Javi, Kevin, pay up!" She looked at Kate triumphantly as she accepted ten-dollar bills from both Javier and Kevin. "FINALLY, I win a bet about you guys!"
"Yes, I'm pregnant again," Kate confirmed.
"But there's a little more to it than that," Rick added.
Now everyone looked confused. "What more is there to being pregnant than being pregnant?" Madison asked.
"Okay, girls," Rick said as he and Kate shifted their gazes to their daughters.
"Now?" Lily asked.
"Now," Alexis told her, and the sisters spun around, showing off their backs of their jerseys.
The back of Alexis's jersey had a big number 1 on it.
The back of Lily's jersey had a big number 2 on it.
And then Rick and Kate reached under the couch, where they had stashed the onesies that matched Alexis and Lily's jerseys, unfurled them to reveal that they were identical to Lily and Alexis's jerseys—white with blue pinstripes, the interlocked 'B' and 'C' on the front left side...and then, in a move they had practiced repeatedly, Rick and Kate turned the jerseys around to show everyone the backs.
The onesie jersey in Kate's hands had a number 3 on the back.
The onesie jersey in Rick's hands had a number 4 on the back.
Kevin put it together first, as he had with the announcement about Lily. "Twins!" he exclaimed.
"Twins," Kate confirmed. "Identical twins."
"And they're boys," Rick concluded. He and Kate gently laid the onesies aside and took off their own jackets, revealing jerseys that matched all four of their childrens' jerseys. Then they turned around, revealing that the backs of their jerseys said MOM and DAD.
Everyone was silent for one long, surprised moment as the revelation that Rick and Kate were having twins sunk in. Kate swept Lily up in her arms, knowing that the further along she got in her pregnancy, the more difficult it would be for her to carry Lily around, and wanting to savor every moment with Lily as her only baby. This was more new territory for Kate, being the mother to more than one little child. She knew the twins would be demanding beyond anything she or Rick had experienced with Lily or Alexis, if only because there would be two of them at the same time. But she also knew that she and Rick could and would be able to do this, and that they would have the love and support and, when they truly needed it, the help of every person in the room with them.
Then, all at once, Kate's reverie was broken when a wave of family came rushing at her, Rick, Alexis, and Lily.
"Two little Castles? Kate, do you have any idea what you're getting yourself into?" Lanie asked, only half-jokingly.
"I'm looking forward to it, Lanie," Kate replied. Lanie gave Kate a careful hug, because of Lily, perched on Kate's hip, her arms wrapped around her mommy's neck. "And you bet with Javi and Kevin?"
"Those two clowns honestly didn't think there was even a chance you were having a baby," Lanie scoffed. "Besides, after all the money I lost on you and Castle before you ever got together, I was about due to make some money off of you guys! And you, Miss Lily, you're gonna be a big sister."
"Like Alexis, and like Sarah Grace," Lily replied.
Alan approached then, holding Will. "Congratulations!" he exclaimed. "And if you ever want some practical experience, Will here is more than happy to be of assistance!" He kissed Kate's cheek, then moved over to Rick. "Two boys!" he exclaimed. He leaned in. "Just so you're aware, they pee on you. Like, all the time. But somehow, you don't mind."
"You don't mind," Lanie said. "I've heard you laughing when Will gets you, Alan. Don't deny it."
"It's the sleep deprivation," Alan said. Then he added in a stage whisper to Rick, "Most of the time."
Madison was practically squealing. "You're having two more little Castle babies!" she exclaimed excitedly as she gave Kate and Lily a big bear hug. "I knew you wanted little Castle babies all those years ago! And two little boys now. Wow."
"Wonderful news," Mark said with a smile as he shook hands with Rick and nodded at Kate.
"Heaven help you, Kate," Victoria said, but she was grinning as she said it. "Two more like Castle?"
"I thought you liked me now, Victoria," Rick said, mock-wounded.
"I do," Victoria replied. "But Martha has told me some stories about what you were like as a little boy. Kate, I recommend you have a long chat with her before these boys make their debut."
"When will they be making their debut?" Jim asked as he approached with a misty-eyed smile.
"February," Kate replied. She gave her father a wistful smile.
Jim's hand flew to his mouth. He was unable to speak at this news. He engulfed Kate and Lily in a bigger bear hug than Madison had a couple of minutes earlier. Then, after recovering himself, he took Lily from Kate. "You're gonna be a big sister, Lily Jo! What do you think about that?"
"I have little brothers, Grandpa," Lily replied.
"'Snips and snails and puppy dog tails' times two!" Earl exclaimed. "Congratulations, Rick, Kate, and to the big sisters as well—Alexis and Lily."
Martha was laughing. "I knew this would be your reaction, Mother," Rick said as she hugged him.
"Oh, I'm not laughing only because you're going to know what it's like to have sons like you, Richard," Martha replied. "I truly am happy for you and Katherine. And if these boys are anything like you, not only will they keep you on your toes, they will ultimately bring you the joy that comes from raising your sons to be good men."
"Well, you certainly did that, Mother," Rick replied.
"I do feel I should share a few stories from Richard's youth with you, though, Katherine," Martha said.
"Stories, or peccadillos?" Kate asked.
"A mix of both," Martha said. After hugging Kate, she said, "You and Richard are wonderful parents to Alexis and Lily. I know you'll be wonderful parents to these lucky little boys."
"It's the merry-hearted boys that make the best men," Kevin piped up then. "That's an old Irish proverb, and since these little guys are gonna be half Castle, this is one proverb I'm absolutely certain will be coming true." He hugged Rick and Kate, and Jenny followed suit. Then Kevin cleared his throat and said, "And if you're looking for names-"
"Yeah if you're looking for names-" Javier piped up then.
"Sorry, guys," Kate interjected. "We've already named them. We want you to be godfathers again, but you won't have any namesakes."
"And you're set on these names?" Kevin asked.
"We are," Rick said.
"So who will we be formally meeting come February?" Jenny asked.
Kate rested one hand on her belly, and Rick covered Kate's hand with his. "Reece Alexander Castle," Kate said. She looked at Rick.
"And Jacob Rodgers Castle," Rick said. "Reece and Jake."
"'Reece'?" Jim asked, at the same time Martha said, "'Rodgers'?"
"Yeah, we want to name one of the boys after you, if that's okay with you, Dad," Kate began.
"Do I look like it's not okay with me?" Jim asked, not even bothering to hide the tears welling in his eyes again.
Martha was just staring at Rick with one hand over her heart. "I know I didn't keep the name," Rick began, "but I am the man I am because of you, Mother. I wanted to honor you by giving one of the boys your surname."
"Richard, I..." Martha swallowed hard. "I am so honored."
Then there were more tears and hugs.
"You got all the grandparents in there," Javier said before hugging Kate and slapping Rick on the back. "That's the way it should be."
"So, Javi, Kevin, are you guys up for two godsons?" Kate asked him.
"Absolutely," Javier replied.
"So am I," Kevin piped up.
"Do Victoria and I get to be godmothers again?" Lanie asked.
Rick and Kate looked at Jenny and Madison carefully and saw only smiles on their faces. They hadn't actually discussed whether Reece and Jake would have different godmothers than Lily, but it felt right for the kids to have all the same godparents. "Yes," Kate and Rick replied in unison.
"I accept," Victoria replied with a big smile. "And if you ever need help keeping them in line, I'll be happy to have a godmotherly talk with one or both of the boys."
"Our kids are all gonna grow up together!" Lanie exclaimed then, realizing it for the first time. "And the boys will outnumber the girls once Reece and Jake get here, with Will and Nick."
"Well, after this, we're done," Rick said. He and Kate had already made the decision. In fact, Rick was going to ask Dr. Elliott for a referral to a urologist for a vasectomy; that was how done he and Kate were.
"So are we," Jenny said as Kevin nodded. They had already taken care of birth control permanently as well.
"Well, we're not done yet, but we're not ready for another one yet either," Lanie said.
Javier and Alexis looked at each other, but said nothing.
"So the girls might still outnumber the boys eventually," Victoria said.
"And even if they don't," Gerald Gates said, "this is a room full of strong women. All of these boys are going to grow up knowing and respecting strong women, because we'll all see to that."
The impromptu celebration broke up when it was time for Lily to go to bed, with one more round of hugs and congratulations and then good nights as everyone took their leave.
Javier drove Alexis home. "So, two little brothers," he said.
Alexis beamed. "It's going to be amazing," she said. "It's going to be a lot of work, but Mom and Dad have a built-in village with all of us to help them." She paused, then said, "You're not upset that they're not naming one of the boys after you?"
"Nah," Javier replied. "Nick's named after me. I didn't really expect Beckett and your dad to name one of their kids after me, although it would've been nice. And Ryan doesn't have a namesake."
"Yet," Alexis said. "I figured that's something we'd do. Someday."
Javier looked over at Alexis. "You want kids? With me?" he asked. They hadn't talked about that yet in any kind of depth or detail.
"Of course I do," Alexis replied. "Eventually. I'm just old-fashioned enough that I'd like to be married first, and married for a while. At least a year, maybe two. And I want to finish law school and get a job, but yeah. You don't see us with kids?"
They had reached Alexis's apartment building now, and Javier parked the car and turned off the ignition before turning to look at her. "I absolutely see us with kids. Married, and with kids," he said. "I don't know much about dominant versus recessive genes, but I keep picturing a redheaded little girl."
"You do?" Alexis asked.
"Yeah," Javier replied.
"I, um, sort of have names picked out," Alexis admitted.
"'Sort of'?" Javier asked with a knowing smile.
"Okay, I definitely have names picked out. One for a girl, one for a boy," she replied somewhat sheepishly.
"Feel like sharing them?" he asked. After Alexis told him the names, his smile grew wider and he said, "Yeah. I really like those."
"Really?" Alexis asked.
"Really," Javier replied. He moved closer to her, framing her face in his hands. "I'm going to propose to you, Lex. But I want to surprise you with it. I want it to be special, and memorable, because that's what you deserve."
"Well, whenever you propose, I promise I'll say 'yes,'" Alexis replied, her arms going around him. "I want a life and a family with you, Javier."
"I didn't think I'd have a life and a family until you, Alexis," Javier replied. "I mean, my life was going along okay, but you changed everything for me. You brought the color and the laughter and the magic that I didn't even know I was missing into my life. I want to grow old with you."
"That's sounding a lot like a proposal," Alexis said, only half-teasing.
"Trust me, you'll know when I propose," Javier replied before they kissed.
