A/N: I don't own any of this.
This is a long one, and a bit heavy. Thank you for the reviews, favorite and alerts!
...
Castle had a bad feeling.
He told her, no begged her over and over to put on her vest.
She had finally humored him, mostly just to shut him up. It was only an interview. Their suspect's sister kept an apartment near where the body was found and Beckett just needed to ask a couple questions. It was only supposed to take twenty minutes top. And then they were going to meet her dad for dinner.
Her dad...she needed to call him. Maybe Lanie could do it when she gets here.
She looked down at her hands, they were still dripping with blood. His blood. She shook her head willing herself not to think about it. If she closed her eyes she could see him slumped against the wall across from the woman's door. So much blood. So she kept her eyes open, staring at a spot on the opposite wall.
She knew why he did it. Why that idiot would throw himself in front of her when he wasn't wearing a vest. Tears ran freely down her face as she spread her palm over her abdomen. She knew why he did it and she loved him even more for it. They were supposed to tell her dad tonight...
"Kate!" She's pulled from her thoughts, her hand still resting on her stomach, by Lanie who is flanked by Ryan and Esposito. Their faces were paled and were frozen on her blood soaked hands and vest. Lanie dropped to her knees gently cradling Kate's chin. "Honey, what the hell happened?" she whispered.
"Rick..." She took a deep steadying breath. "...We were going to interview Marrick's sister," she said looking at the boys. "And when the door opened she pointed a gun at me, Ca-Castle jumped in front of me just as she pulled the trigger," she sobbed.
"Wasn't he wearing his vest too, Beckett?" Ryan asked. Kate looked at him and shook her head.
"He said he had a bad feeling. He made me put mine on. Guilted me into it really and..." She choked back more tears, trying to calm herself down.
She could see what they were thinking. Her story made no sense. Kate Beckett wouldn't listen, to Castle of all people tell her how to do her job, whether she was sleeping with him or not. She swallowed the lump in her throat and wiped the tears from her cheeks, steeling herself.
"I'm pregnant," she sighed. She watched as understanding fell upon each of their faces.
"Oh, honey..." Lanie whispered pulling her into a hug. "He's going to be all right. Everything's going to be fine."
Kate held onto that tightly, knowing full well screaming and crying and throwing things weren't going to help and could hurt the baby. Their baby. His baby.
She asked Lanie to call her dad. Kate had called Alexis as soon as they had gotten to the hospital. It was the hardest call she ever had to make. Alexis didn't stay on the line long. As soon as Kate had gotten out the name of the hospital the girl hung up.
She quickly stood, realizing she needed to clean herself up before Alexis got there. She excused herself to the restroom and started scrubbing her hands and arms. Then Kate removed her vest to find her shirt was mostly free of blood. Castle's blood. Oh God.
Alexis was the first to find out she was pregnant. They had talked about only telling immediate family initially and were going to wait to tell the the girl with Martha but Castle spilled the beans almost as soon as he saw her.
Rick and Kate had finally dragged themselves from bed and into the bathroom, where for once, they actually only showered. As Kate toweled off, her stomach made known its emptiness, protesting loudly.
"Someone's hungry. Did you forget to eat while I was gone?" he teased.
"No. But I am hungry. Feed me?" she asked, catching his gaze in the mirror.
"Pancakes?" She nodded with a small smile.
Castle finished dressing then left her to start breakfast. She pulled on a pair of skinny jeans (might as well wear them while she still can) and a v-neck white t-shirt, tying her hair back low on her neck.
She had worked almost non-stop while Rick was gone and was relieved to finally have a day off. When she entered the kitchen she found Alexis perched at the counter chatting with her father. A wave of nerves washed over her at the thought of having to tell Alexis she was going to have a sibling.
"Morning Kate," she smiled as Kate slid onto the stool next to her.
"Morning Lex," she replied. Before she could ask what the girl had planned for the day Alexis shrieked, grabbing Kate's left hand. Crap.
"Oh my God, Dad! You finally asked?" Kate looked at Castle who was concentrating especially hard on nothing.
"Finally? Rick how long have you had this?" She asked, her tone demanding.
Alexis looked back and forth between the two adults nervously.
"No comment," he said quickly, turning to the teenager. "Hey Alexis, do you remember what you asked me for at Christmas every year until you were twelve?" Kate glared at his blatant avoidance as Alexis pondered his question. The teen's eyes went wide as realization hit.
"Really?" she asked her father. He grinned and nodded. She jumped up from her seat and pulled Kate into a hug.
"What are you two talking about?" She asked Castle over Alexis' shoulder. Alexis released her and ran around the island to wrap her arms around her dad.
"You're pregnant?" She looked at Kate for confirmation. "Right? I used to ask him for a baby brother or sister for Christmas until I figured out just what that entailed."
Kate laughed at the look of disgust on Alexis' face.
"Yes. I am," she said softly.
Alexis beamed at her.
"Well, congratulations. Have you told Gram yet?" Castle shook his head.
"No, we'll tell her tonight. I only found out last night. And we're going to wait a little bit to tell anyone else...aside from Jim. So..."
"Yeah yeah. I won't say anything. You two and your secrets," she muttered.
"Actually, it's bad luck to tell anyone before twelve weeks," Kate said. "So I'm going to attempt to get him to keep his mouth shut," she teased.
"Hey! I can keep a secret," he pouted. She eyed him skeptically. "I can!"
And so far he had.
The only two people who knew before today were Martha and Alexis. Jim had been out of town and Kate wanted to tell him in person. She wanted to see his face at the news and maybe make Castle a little uncomfortable in the process.
Now they all knew.
She heard the doors of the waiting room open and found Alexis stumbling toward her.
"Kate!" Kate stood on her shaking legs just as Alexis caught her in a bone crushing hug.
"I'm so sorry Lex," she mumbled into the girl's hair.
"Is...is he?" Alexis choked out.
"He's in surgery. They haven't told me anything," she explained.
"Are..." Alexis looked around dropping her voice. "Are you OK?"
"It's OK, the cat's out of the bag. And I'm fine," she promised. She released the girl and they both sat down.
Lanie returned a few minutes later with coffee and a couple bottles of water.
"Your dad's on his way honey," she told Kate.
"Thanks Lane," she said squeezing her friend's hand.
They sat in silence for what felt like hours. The boys looked lost. Kate was sitting between Lanie and Alexis. The latter had her head resting on Kate's shoulder. At some point during their vigil Martha appeared, walking straight to Kate and her granddaughter kissing each of their cheeks.
Every little noise the doors made cause Kate's heart to leap into her throat. What was taking so long?
"Rick, baby, look at me. Rick," she sobbed. He's eyes were foggy but they eventually found their way to hers. "What were you thinking?" She cried.
"I love you," he horsed out, his eyes threatening to close.
"No. Rick, stay with me. Stay with us." She pleaded with him. His eyes shot open again. She leaned forward lightly pressing her mouth to his before whispering across his lips. "I love you. I love you. I love you."
A ghost of a smile flickered across his face before he lost consciousness.
Lanie nudged her, effectively snapping her out of her thoughts. All for the better, dwelling on the image of Rick bleeding out in front of her was making it hard to breathe.
"Richard Castle's family?" She jumped up, Alexis and Martha right beside her. The doctor looked at all three of them. "You're all three family?"
Martha took offense to this and quickly explained pointing first to herself, then Alexis and lastly Kate.
"Mother. Daughter. Fiancé," she said quickly.
Kate cringed and absently gripped her necklace, which now carried a second ring.
His ring.
She could hear Lanie, Esposito, and Ryan whispering...gossiping like little school girls. Rick and her had planned to tell them the very next night. They were trying to figure out how to let the public, well his public know so she had refrained, with much difficulty, from wearing the ring (on her finger) or telling anyone apart from Alexis and Martha. Castle had already invited everyone out for drinks the following evening so they could share the news.
"Mr. Castle suffered a gunshot wound to the right shoulder. We had to operate to remove the bullet fragments. You should know he did lose a lot of blood. But, barring any complications he should be just fine," he told them with a tired smile.
Relief flooded Kate's body and a laugh even managed to work its way free.
Thank God.
"Can we see him, please?" She begged.
"Yes, of course. Follow me," he motioned with his hand, turning back toward the double swinging doors. Kate looked back at her friends. Lanie had a mix of irritation and relief on her face. She shook her head at Kate, while Kate tried her best to look apologetic.
"Go on, we'll be here waiting," Lanie called after her.
"We were going to tell you tomorrow, I swear." Kate said right before she disappeared through the doors.
As they made their way down the hall the doctor explained that he wasn't awake yet, but should be soon. She paused at the door as Martha and Alexis walked right in and straight to his side. Her breath hitched when she saw him. He was pale, so pale. She was glad to see there weren't very many tubes sticking out of him. As far as she could tell he only had an IV attached. She watched as his mother and daughter pressed kisses to his cheeks and forehead, whispering their affection and relief in his ear.
She leaned against the door jamb, her hand resting once again on her stomach. She sighed and threw a silent prayer of thanks upwards, hoping whatever it was up there heard it. He was going to be OK. They were going to be OK.
By the time Kate made her way over to the bed both redheads had moved toward the window to make room for her. She smiled softly at them then sat carefully on the edge of Rick's bed, drinking in the sight of his chest rising and falling of its own accord. She reached a hand to his hair brushing it off his forehead. She leaned forward kissing his forehead first, then the corner of his mouth.
"God, Rick..." she breathed against his cheek. "You can't do this to me ever again. We need you," she whispered. She leaned back tucking her hand into his, while running her other hand up and down his forearm. "Wake up baby," she mumbled.
She sighed closing her eyes. He was going to be alright. She kept repeating it to herself over and over until she almost believed it. He just needed to open his eyes. As she thought this she felt her hand being squeezed. It was faint, but there.
Her eyes flew open and looking down she saw his beautiful blue eyes looking back at her.
"Hey," she said laughing, happy tears running down her face. "Welcome back." Alexis and Martha heard the commotion and were instantly by his bedside.
"Dad!"
"Hey, pumpkin," his smiled. His voice was horse, but working. Alexis leaned down to kiss his cheek.
"I'm so glad you're OK," Alexis mumbled. Kate sat back, still clutching his good arm while both Martha and Alexis spoke with Rick. She couldn't take her eyes off his face. Every few minutes he'd catch her eye holding it for a few seconds before turning back to his daughter and mother.
After about twenty minutes Martha suggested she and Alexis go find something to eat for the three of them. Kate shot Martha a smile, grateful to get a few minutes alone with him. Just before they walked out the door Kate turned back to Martha.
"Martha, could you let everyone know he's awake please?" Martha nodded and left the room.
"Everyone?" Rick asked.
"Lanie, Ryan, Esposito and probably my dad by now," she replied, moving closer to him on the bed. His good arm snaked around her waist pulling her close.
"Are you OK?" he asked seriously.
"Me? God, Rick. I'm fine. You're the one in the hospital bed. I'm sorry," she said as tears started falling again. "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you."
"Hey, hey. I'm good. You're good," he glanced at her stomach and she nodded smiling. "Everything is going to be fine. Come here..." he motioned her closer. She smiled leaning all the way into his side pressing her lips to his neck. "Get up here," he begged. She smiled and carefully pulled her feet up onto the bed so that she was stretched out along his left side.
"I love you," she mumbled into his neck. He pulled back, wincing slightly, so he could see her face.
"Love you too," he said before dropping his lips to hers, kissing her slowly but thoroughly. They were interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing. Kate reluctantly pulled away to find her dad standing in the doorway. She mentally cringed as she was practically laying on top of Castle, carefully avoiding his right shoulder.
"Hey Dad," she said. "Come on in." She untangled herself from Rick who's color had gone from pale to a deep red. Jim made his way into the room pulling Kate into a tight hug.
"Katie," he breathed. "What happened?" Kate squeezed her father's hand then moved back to sit on the edge of the bed. She then told him the gist of what had gone down. Jim was already a big fan of Castle's from the first time he tried to throw himself in front of a bullet that was meant for her. Now that Rick had actually taken one, the man had never been so grateful in his life.
"Sorry, we didn't make it to dinner," Rick quipped easily breaking the tension that had settled in the room.
Kate was trying to think of a way to bring up both the engagement and pregnancy but was at a loss. And though taking a bullet for Kate should have eased Castle's fears of Jim's reaction, he still looked nervous.
"That's alright," Jim laughed. "What was it you guys wanted to tell me?" he asked not so subtly eyeing Kate's left hand. Kate opened her mouth to speak but Rick beat her to it.
"Just remember, I've already been shot once today..." Castle tried to joke, but it came out a little flat. Jim looked at him eyebrows raised, and then turned to Kate. She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding in as she tried in vain to remember what she originally planned to say to him. Castle, God bless him, helped her out.
"I asked Kate to marry me," he said smiling. Jim clapped his hands together laughing.
"That's great! Congratulations." He wrapped his arms around Kate again and gently squeezed Rick's good shoulder.
"Why would you think I'd want to shoot you?" he asked Castle, an amused expression on his face. Rick glanced at
Kate, telling her with his eyes she had to drop this bomb.
"I'm pregnant, Dad." She whispered, all of a sudden extremely nervous. His grin widened, overtaking his face.
"I'm going to be grandfather?" He said beaming. Kate nodded smiling and Castle had never look more relieved. Jim hugged Kate again. He turned to his future son in-law and Kate could almost see him re-evaluating the days events. "Thank you Rick," the older man said. "And congratulations to both of you."
He stayed for a few minutes before taking his leave. Kate walked him to the door hugging him one more time.
"I'm so happy for you Katie. He's a good one," he said quietly so only she could hear.
"I know. We'll have you over for dinner once Rick's back on his feet. Sound good?" Jim smiled at his daughter.
"Sounds great."
When she turned back toward the bed Rick was grinning at her.
"He didn't kill me!" He beamed.
"Nope. He did not. He actually took it pretty well," she laughed. "You looked like you were about to throw up," she teased.
"Hey, come on! I just took a bullet for you," he said with an exaggerated pout. She knew he was just teasing her right back but the comment brought reality crashing back down.
They were in a hospital.
Castle had been shot. She swallowed the lump in her throat and made her way back to his left side, climbing back up on the bed.
"Thank you. Even with the vest, if I'd been hit..." she shuddered at the thought of what that could have meant. He squeezed her closer, dropping to her temple.
"Anytime," he winked, trying to lighten the mood a little bit.
She didn't find it funny.
"Everything is OK, Kate. Although...I may need you to give me a sponge bath," he said, eyebrows waggling. She tried to bite back a laugh but fell short.
"That can be arranged," she said grinning up at him. He brought his lips back down to her.
These kisses were frantic as they both realized how close of a call today really was. Kate certainly knew. Even though she'd washed it away, she could still feel his blood on her hands. When things started getting a little too hot Kate broke the kiss and rested her head against his chest. He tightened his arm around her waist, running his finger tips up and down her side. Just as both their eyes began to shut Martha, Alexis, Lanie, Esposito and Ryan came in.
Kate realized how hungry she was when the enticing aroma of Chinese hit her nose. On cue her stomach grumbled, but she made no move away from Rick. She sat up a little bit trying to avoid Lanie's glare.
"What's Lanie so mad at you about?" Rick stage whispered to her.
"Lanie's mad because she only found out today that you two are getting hitched and having a baby and she only found out because you got your dumbass shot," Lanie replied to Castle.
"Lanie! We were going to tell you tomorrow, jeez. My dad only just found out," Kate said exasperated. Lanie studied her friend for a moment, deciding whether or not to believe her.
"Fine. You're forgiven," she said to Kate. "Why in the hell didn't you buy my girl a ring, Castle?" Kate rolled her eyes and pulled her necklace from underneath her shirt, taking it off and quickly unclasping the chain. She removed Castle's ring from it, then put it back on. She then held up the ring for Lanie to see before sliding it onto her left hand.