A/N: I don't own any of this.

After this chapter I'll be skipping ahead in time quite a bit. If you haven't noticed there's a trend with this fic. I'm bringing back characters who have previously interacted with Castle and Beckett. This will continue. If you have any that you'd like to see return let me know. I have scenarios for a few already outlined in my head. Thanks for all the reviews, alerts and favorites. I love them all!

Also, how great was Ryan in tonight's episode?

...

About a half dozen people fidgeted nervously in the waiting room. They had all been waiting rather impatiently for several hours. Alexis Castle sat quietly beside her grandmother as her leg bounced uncontrollably. Finally Martha gently placed a hand on the girl's knee to stop the distraction.

"Sorry," Alexis mumbled. "What's taking so long? Do you think something went wrong?" The worry was thick in her voice.

"These things take time dear, I'm sure we'll hear something soon." And all though the older woman's voice was steady her hands were not.

Jim Beckett sat with his head back against the wall with his eyes shut tight. His lips were moving wordlessly in silent prayer. He would open his eyes every few minutes and give the room a quick sweep before settling on the double doors to his right. Then he would sigh heavily and lean back against the wall, his eyes slipping shut again.

Detectives Ryan and Esposito sat across from the rest of the group flanked by their significant others. Lanie's head had settled onto Javier's shoulder hours ago, while Jenny's fingers were tangled tightly with her husband's.

The elevator dinged to their right. Nobody paid any attention to the tall and handsome doctor who emerged from the lift. They didn't notice how his confident stride faltered as he took in the room's occupants. Or how he quickly surveyed the room searching for something or more accurately, someone. They completely missed the color draining from his face when he didn't find her.

"Ryan. Esposito," he choked out. The detectives looked up both of their eyebrows high on their foreheads.

"Josh," Esposito stated simply. "What are you doing here?" The hispanic detective hadn't meant for it to come out so short and cold.

"I work here. Where's Kate? Did something happen? Was she shot-" Before anyone could say anything the doors they had all been watching finally flew open.

"I was right! It's a boy!" Richard Castle said beaming. His mother and daughter quickly jumped up to hug him. Everyone else had all but forgotten about Josh as he stood awkwardly off to the side. Esposito clapped a hand on Castle's shoulder.

"Congrats bro," he said smiling. "How many times?" He added seriously. Castle paused for a moment looking between his two friends.

"She threatened to shoot me six times," he said still smiling. Esposito grinned holding his hand out to Kevin.

"Pay up bro," he said. Ryan grumbled as he slapped a twenty dollar bill into his partner's hand.

As Josh tried to turn and leave the most uncomfortable moment of his life Castle finally noticed him.

"Josh?" Castle asked confused. The room stilled as the two men looked at each other.

"Hey Castle," Josh said clearing hit throat. "I was just walking by and noticed everyone sitting here. Congratulations." he said sincerely reaching his hand out to the author.

"Thanks," Rick replied tentatively before shaking the doctor's hand.

"And tell Kate I said congrats as well," Josh said through a mostly honest smile as he waited for Castle to confirm that it was indeed his ex-girlfriend who had just given birth.

"I will," Castle said smiling brightly. Nothing could dampen his elation. He had a son. A perfect, healthy little boy that he already missed. Josh nodded and continued through the doors Castle had emerged from.

"Well that was awkward," Lanie quipped easily. Castle laughed and nodded in agreement. "How's my girl doing?"

"Great, they're moving them into a room right now so I better get back in there. I'll come get you when we're ready for you to meet him." He said before hugging his mother and daughter again.

As he walked away Alexis called after him.

"Wait!" Castle paused and looked over his shoulder. "What's his name?" She asked.

"Uh, we're still negotiating." He said as they all laughed behind him.

...

He paused in the doorway taking in the sight before him. Kate was sitting up in the bed staring in awe at their son cradled in her arms. He watched as she lightly ran her fingers over the tiny baby's cheeks. Castle felt his chest tighten at the pure joy radiating from his wife.

"He's perfect Castle," she said startling him. She hadn't given any indication that she knew he was watching. He made a noise of agreement as he crossed the room to her side.

"He really is," he said smiling. "And I was totally right," he teased.

"Yeah, you were" she said sighing. She would never tell him this but she also had a feeling he was a boy. Castle slipped his shoes off causing Kate to raise an eyebrow.

"Scoot over," he asked.

"Rick, this bed is not wide enough for both of us and I'm the one who just squeezed out the kid. Who we really need to name."

"Please?" Castle said whining. Kate sighed and shuffled forward.

"C'mon." He smiled and climbed in behind her carefully. Once he was settled, she leaned back into him, his chin resting on her shoulder. Kate's free hand found it's way up to his neck pulling him closer to her. He turned his head slightly kissing her jaw.

"You were amazing today," he whispered against her cheek as their son gripped his finger.

"Thank you," she replied. "Now stop procrastinating. He needs a name," she admonished. Castle chuckled softly and nodded.

"Yes he does. You still want James as the middle for your dad?" He asked. She nodded. "Ok. Zalman?" Kate laughed.

"No."

"Wasn't your grandfather, the magician, wasn't his name William?"

"Yes, he went by Bill though. I'm not naming my son Bill." It was Castle's turn to laugh. They'd been arguing over names, both boys and girls, since they found out Kate was pregnant. Naturally they couldn't agree on anything. Finally during her sixth month Kate banned all name talk until he was born. Castle had been saving this one ever since.

"I was thinking Liam. Which is a derivative of William," he said.

"Liam James Castle," Kate said testing it out. A smile spread across her face. "I like it."

"Yeah?" Castle said excitedly.

"How long have you been holding onto that one?"

"Since about two seconds after you banned any talk of baby names."

"Is it because I said you reminded me of him? My grandfather?" She asked her curiosity peeked.

"Uh, no. Not exactly. It was more about the case in general. I had an epiphany of sorts."

"That's when you broke up with Gina," Kate stated evenly. His brow furrowed as he nodded. She must of been able to sense his confusion. "I overheard your phone call," she added sheepishly.

"Ah. Yes. I broke up with her because I realized, during that case, that I was never going to want anyone but you. And that wasn't fair to Gina." He said shyly. Kate wasn't sure how to respond to this huge admission of his without admitting a few things of her own. And now wasn't the time dwell on all the what-ifs of their relationship. So instead she turned her head and captured his mouth in a hot kiss. She poured everything she was feeling into the kiss. Before today she didn't think she could be more in love with this man. Her husband. She felt the tears begin their descent down her cheeks. She pulled back and looked into his eyes.

"God, I love you." She said a bit breathless. His lips twitched.

"I love you too." Liam made a gurgling noise bringing their attention back to him. "And I love you Liam," he whispered reverently. They sat wrapped around each other for several minutes just staring at their son.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot..." Castle started, "Dr. Motorcycle Boy sends his congratulations." Castle's expression was smug. He wasn't going to pretend Josh knowing about he and Kate was a bad thing.

"Josh?" Kate said surprised. "You saw Josh?"

"Yeah, he was in the waiting room when I went out there. You should've seen the look on his face," Castle chuckled. Kate pushed one of her elbows firmly into his ribs, not letting up until a grunt slipped out.

"Be nice," she scolded. "Was he upset?" She asked.

"No, he was actually very polite and borderline sincere. Why?"

"Your name came up at least twenty times while I was breaking up with him. He was pretty sure there was something going on between us," she explained.

"Yeah you came up a few times with Gina too," he said sheepishly. "Anyways, none of that matters. We're here now." He wrapped his arms around his wife and son holding them tightly. "Are you up for some visitors? I think Alexis is a little anxious to meet her brother."

"Oh, yeah of course." Kate said nodding. "I think got a little caught up in him," she murmured, her eyes never leaving Liam's face.

"Understandable," Castle agreed. He dug his phone from his pocket and sent a text to his daughter. "Do you want me to move?" Kate shook her head and turned pressing her mouth to his pulse point.

"Thanks for knocking me up," she teased. A laugh from Castle sent vibrations from his chest through to her back.

"Anytime, Kate. Anytime."

...

A/N: Thoughts?