A/N: I don't own any of , this season is so good. There's nothing better than a jealous Beckett. :) Anywho, here's another chapter. Hope you guys like it. Thanks for reading. And thank you for all the reviews, alerts and favorites. You're the best!

...

"Oh my God Rick. It's not that big of a deal," Kate said exasperated. Her assurances did not seem to be helping. Her husband still looked pissed off.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked through his teeth. "Why did I have to hear about it from Esposito last night?

Damnit Espo. She was going to kick his ass.

"Castle, you worked with me for almost five years, you know how interrogations can go. Yesterday was just a bad one," she all but yelled back. "I'm fine," she added softly. He paced back and forth in their bedroom, while she waited for him to calm down so she could get ready for work.

"What happened?" he asked, the edge still present in his voice.

"I thought Esposito told you..." she started teasing but the look on his face stopped her. He wasn't even close to joking about any of this. She prepared her self as she went to take off her t-shirt. The air whooshing from Castle's lungs was deafening. It must have looked worse than she thought.

"Kate..." he breathed as he rushed to her side. She steeled herself and looked down. Sure enough, there was a large hand print shaped bruise on her hip. Damnit. "I'm going to kill him," Rick said, his hands shaking. She sighed, letting her shirt fall to the floor, leaving her standing there in only a bra and Castle's sweats.

"Rick..." She reached out pulling on the waistband of his sweatpants until he was close enough. "I'm fine," she said resulting in a scoff from her husband. "I am," she continued while toying with the drawstring on his sweats. "He grabbed me and..." she paused taking a breath. "...Groped my ass," Rick tensed. "Then I broke his arm and now he's in a cell for assaulting a police officer."

Castle didn't move or even breath as far as she could tell.

"I'm fine, baby." She whispered snaking her arms around his waist. The pet named had the desired affect as he relaxed against her. "I'm sorry, I should have told you."

"Damn straight," he mumbled into her hair. Raising up onto her tip toes she kissed him soundly.

"I gotta get ready for work," she said as Liam stuck his head through their bedroom door. "Morning baby boy,"she said kissing his cheek.

"Hi Momma."

"Come on kid, let's go make some breakfast." Castle said as he pulled Liam up onto his shoulders. "To the kitchen!" he exclaimed dramatically.

...

Kate found her boys in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on a massive breakfast.

"Mmm, smells good." She said sliding onto a stool next to her son. Castle smiled at her, most of his anger gone, as he slid a plate of eggs, bacon, and pancakes in front of her. "Thanks," she said holding his eyes a second longer than usual.

She unbuckled Liam's chair and pulled him out for a hug before she left for work. His foot pressed into the bruise on her side and she couldn't help but wince. The shadow that flashed across Rick's face told her he saw it. She squeezed Liam kissing both his cheeks.

"Bye baby, have a good day with Daddy. I love you and I'll see you tonight."

"Love you Momma," replied Liam planting a sloppy kiss on his mother's mouth. She set him down on the floor and watched as he ran straight for his toys. When she turned around Rick was only inches away. She jumped slightly at his sudden proximity. He silently wrapped his arms around her shoulders tightly.

"Be safe today. I love you," he said after kissing her temple. She squeezed him back then kissed the corner of his mouth.

"I will be. And I love you too."

...

Castle had just put Liam down for a nap when he heard the front door open.

"Kate?" he called out as he descended the stairs.

"Nope, it's your long lost daughter," replied a smiling Alexis.

"Lex!" He yelped, skipping the last two steps. He pulled his daughter into a tight hug. "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't coming home until Friday?"

"Surprise! Where's my brother?" she asked. He faked a pout.

"Oh I see how it is..." he grumbled.

"You're just jealous because you're no longer the most charming Castle man," she teased. Castle sighed dramatically.

"True," he said smiling. "But the little man just went down for a nap so you're stuck with me."

"Fine," she sighed. "I suppose you'll do." Rick elbowed her lightly before hugging her again.

"Ugh, I miss you baby bird," he whispered into her hair. "Lunch?"

She nodded and went to put her suitcase in her room.

Castle was pulling sandwich fixings out of the fridge when his cell phone rang. He answered without looking at the caller I.D.

"Castle," he said smoothly unable to wipe the grin off his face. Alexis was home. Only for Christmas break, but still home.

"Yo, Castle. It's Esposito..."

"What's up Espo?" He said lightly.

"It's Beckett..." Esposito choked out, his tone finally registering with felt like he couldn't breathe. His heart was slamming against his ribcage like it was trying to break free.

"What happened?" he demanded, experiencing a slight bought of déjà vu from he and Kate's argument that morning.

"I'm not sure. She was out canvassing and passed out. Ryan caught her before she hit the pavement. We're at New York Presbyterian, in the ER," Esposito explained.

"I'm on my way," he said. He couldn't help but feel a little relieved, at least she hadn't been shot. Still, it was unlike Kate to faint. He had his keys in hand and was half way to the door when he remembered Liam and Alexis.

"Shit," he muttered.

"Alexis!" He called out. She appeared a few seconds at the top of the stairs. She must have read the panic on his face.

"What happened?"

"Kate's at the hospital," he started. "She fainted," he added quickly.

"Oh God," she whispered.

"Can you get Liam up and meet me New York Presbyterian?"

"Yeah, yeah of course," she said nodding her head.

"Thank you pumpkin," he said as he raced out the door.

...

Castle burst through the doors of the ER looking around frantically for any sign of the boys.

"Castle," Ryan called from some chairs along the wall.

"Where is she?" He demanded.

"She with the doctor right now..." Esposito started, but Castle was already at the nurses station. A nurse nodded as he gave Kate's name.

"Yes Mr. Castle, right this way. She's been asking for you," she said with a smile. His eyes slid shut. His chest felt tight and a lump had formed in his throat. She was awake. Thank God. When he saw her sitting up in the bed talking with the doctor, he let out the breath he had been holding in.

"Rick," she said interrupting the doctor.

"Hey," he choked out, rushing to her free side. "What happened?" he asked looking only at her.

"I was out canvassing with Ryan and I passed out," she explained.

"Mr. Castle, I'm Dr. Wasson," said the middle aged man. Rick smiled and shook his hand.

"Why did she faint?" He asked. Dr. Wasson looked at Kate and then back to Castle.

"I'll let her tell you," he said smiling. He then turned and left the room. Castle looked back at his wife waiting for an explanation.

"What's going on Kate?" His voice shook slightly from left over adrenaline. The corner of her mouth twitched.

"I'm pregnant, she said softly. "That's why I fainted." She looked up at Rick through her eyelashes. It took him a minute to wrap his head around her words. When he finally realized what she had said his face broke in two with a brilliant smile.

"Really?" He laughed.

"Really," she said smiling along with him. He laughed again before kissing her hard on the mouth.

"I love you," Castle said, his words thick with emotion.

"I love you too."

"God, you scared the shit out of me." He sighed sitting on the bed next to her hip.

"Sorry babe," she murmured tracing his eyebrow with her thumb. She smiled when he, very seriously, placed a palm on her stomach. He looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully for a few seconds before declaring the baby was going to be a girl. She just shook her head at his little guessing game. He kissed her mouth again and then whispered across her lips.

"Man, you and I are really good at making babies when we aren't trying," Rick teased. Kate pushed lightly at his shoulder laughing.

"Speaking of which, where is our son?" She asked. He was brought crashing back to reality.

"Oh, yes. Alexis decided to surprise us and got home this afternoon!"

"Really?" Kate asked sitting up a little straighter, a smile on her lips.

"Yup, he was sleeping when I got the call so I asked her to wake him and bring him down," he explained. Kate nodded and then dropped a hand to her abdomen. "Thank God Ryan caught you," he whispered. "I'm buying that man a drink, or maybe a bar." Kate looked up at him with a watery smile. He couldn't help himself, he leaned in again for another kiss. This one he deepened, cradling her face in his hands and pouring all his relief into his effort. They were interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing. Castle twisted and found his daughter with his son on her hip shaking her head at them.

"Ew Liam, Mom and Dad are making out," she teased. Alexis let Liam slip down to the floor. He climbed up onto the bed and threw himself into his mom's arms. "Momma," he whimpered.

"I'm OK baby," she promised. "Alexis, get over here." The red head smiled and leaned down to hug her stepmom.

"Are you sure you're OK?" she asked as she ran her eyes over Kate. "Why did you faint?"

"I'm sure. Actually..." she looked at Rick and he nodded his approval. "It turns out that I fainted because...I'm pregnant."

Alexis beamed.

"Really?"

Kate and Rick both nodded smiling. She quickly hugged both of them and laid a smacking kiss on Liam's cheek. The boy was sitting on his mom's lap looking confused.

"You're going to be a big brother little man," Rick explained ruffling his hair. Liam eyes grew wide before he looked at his mom and then down at her stomach. He carefully scooted back so that he was no longer leaning on her.

"There's a baby there?" He asked gently poking Kate's belly button. All three adults laughed softly at his awe.

"Yup," Kate confirmed.

"Whoa," Liam whispered.

They all watched the toddler amused as he ran a hand across Kate's stomach. Rick caught Kate's eyes and they shared a face splitting grin. They had talked about having another kid but hadn't actually started trying. She hadn't had any symptoms either. With Liam she was vomiting every morning for a week straight before she finally gave in and took the test. When the doctor had told her she was pregnant today she almost didn't believe him.

"How'd it get in there?" Liam wondered aloud

...

After Alexis stopped laughing at the shocked expressions on Rick and Kate's faces, her dad explained it was complicated and promised to tell him someday. Taking pity on her parents, Alexis suggested she get Liam a snack while her dad worked on getting Kate discharged. Kate squeezed her stepdaughter's hand before Liam leaped from the bed and into his sister's arms. Castle was about to go ask about breaking Kate out when Dr. Wasson returned pulling a machine behind him.

"You guys want a picture before you go?"