Kate woke up the next morning with arms wrapped around her. She smiled when she felt Castle's hands resting on her bump it was like her was protecting it. She placed her hands over top of his and squeezed them. Castle started to wake up.
" Good morning beautiful." Castle said kissing her cheek.
" Good morning." Kate said smiling.
" Why are you up so early?" Castle asked.
" Because I have to pee! Will you let me go?" Kate asked trying to escape his hold.
" Will you come back after?" Castle asked.
" Yes Rick, I will come back." Kate promised.
" OK. Go ahead." Castle said letting her go.
When she was finished she climbed back into bed and turned face to face with Castle. He reached out cupped her face and kissed her. It wasn't a hot and heavy kiss, just a sweet good morning kiss.
" Are you hungry?" Castle asked when they pulled apart.
" Not right now I just want to lay her with you for a little bit longer." Kate said.
" Ok." Castle said he pulled her into a hug.
" Thanks." Kate said.
They stayed like that for a few minutes before Castle spoke.
" Can I ask you something?" Castle asked.
" Yes." Kate said.
" Do I get to call you my girlfriend now?" Castle asked.
" Are really sure you want to be in this? There will be a baby in five months." Kate said.
" Kate I want nothing more than to be in this with you. I love you and I love her." Castle said rubbing her belly lightly.
" I love you too. And yes you can call me your girlfriend." Kate said kissing him.
" Do you want to keep this a secret for now?" Castle asked.
" I don't want everyone knowing yet but we can tell Alexis and my dad." Kate said.
" Ok well how about we go make breakfast for us and Alexis?" Castle asked.
" That sounds great." Kate said getting out of bed.
They walked out to the kitchen and started making pancakes.
" Do you have any pickles?" Kate asked.
" Pickles what for?" Castle asked confused.
" To eat." Kate said.
" With pancakes? Isn't that gross?" Castle asked laughing.
" Please don't laugh at me! It's what I'm craving!" Kate cried.
" Oh Kate, I'm sorry I wasn't laughing at you I promise." Castle said pulling her into a hug.
" Why did you laugh?" Kate asked with tears.
" Because it was a funny choice, I'm sorry I'll get you your pickles." Castle said letting her go and getting her pickles.
" Thank you." Kate said as he put a plate of pancakes and pickles in front of her. Just then Alexis came down the stairs.
" Hey dad! Hey Kate!" Alexis said sitting next to Kate.
" Morning Lex." Kate said.
" Morning pumpkin would you like some pancakes?" Castle asked.
" Sure that sounds great." Alexis said.
" Lex how would you feel if your dad and I were a couple?" Kate asked.
" I would love that!" Alexis said.
" Great because your dad and I are together now." Kate said.
" Oh my god!" Alexis said getting up and hugging Kate and her father.
" I'm Glad you approve pumpkin." Castle said.
" Dad I more than approve, I have been waiting years for you two to get together." Alexis said.
" Thanks Lex that means a lot that you're ok with this." Kate said hugging her.
" No problem Kate. Well I have to go see lanie about a dead body." Alexis said heading out the door.
" Do you have to work today?" Castle asked Kate.
" No the captain gave me the day off because I've been working to hard." Kate said.
" That's good you deserve time off. What would you like to do today?" Castle asked.
" I was going to go see my dad, would you like to come?" Kate said.
" Of course! I would love to meet your father. You can shower first while I clean up." Castle said.
" Ok thanks." Kate said kissing his cheek and heading off to the bathroom.
The drive out to her dads place was quiet the talked about Alexis and how she has been working so well with Lanie. They talked about Martha moving out to live closer to her acting school and how they were going to have her over for dinner to tell her about their relationship. When they arrived at Jim's he was on the porch reading a book. Castle got out of the car and went around to give Kate a hand.
" Katie I didn't know you bringing someone." Jim said walking over to hug her.
" Dad this is Richard Castle." Kate said.
" Nice to meet you Mr. Beckett." Castle said.
" Please call me Jim." Jim said shaking his hand.
" Dad can we go inside and talk?" Kate asked.
" Of course, come on in." Jim said.
They sat down in the living room Kate and Castle on the couch and Jim on the chair across from them.
" Dad Castle and I are together now." Kate said taking Castles hand in her.
" That's great Katie I'm happy for you." Jim said.
" Thanks dad." Kate said.
" Rick can I talk to you outside for a minute?" Jim asked.
" Dad what are you doing? You can talk here." Kate said worried what her father would say to Castle.
" No it's fine Kate I'll be ok." Castle said getting up and following Jim outside.
Jim and Castle sat outside on the porch chairs Jim was looking very serious.
" Rick do you love my daughter?" Jim asked.
" More than anything." Castle said.
" What are you planning to do about the baby?" Jim asked.
" I plan to take care of her and Kate." Castle said.
" How involved are you going to be with the baby?" Jim asked.
" We haven't talked about all that yet but I'm planning to be as involved as she'll let me." Castle said.
" Ok you past my test. Lets go inside before Katie comes out looking for you." Jim said.
Kate was sitting on the couch playing on her phone when Castle and Jim walked back in. Castle looked a little uncomfortable but not as much as she would've expected.
" Dad what did you say to him?" Kate asked.
" I just asked him what his intentions were." Jim said.
" Dad why did you do that?" Kate said.
" Kate it was fine, no big deal." Castle said kissing her cheek.
" Would you guys like lunch?" Jim asked.
" Yeah that would be good dad but then we have to get going I have to work tomorrow and I would like to be back early." Kate said.
" Ok come to the kitchen." Jim said.
After lunch they headed back to the city Castle was driving while Kate was staring out the window.
" Castle can I spend the night at your place I again? I don't want to be alone." Kate said in a small voice he almost didn't hear her.
" Of course you don't even have to ask." Castle said holding her hand.
" Can we stop at my place so I can grab some clothes." Kate said.
" Sure." Castle said.
Castle pulled up in front of her apartment they walked up hand in hand. Kate packed a bag and then they headed over to Castles, when the got in the loft Alexis was making dinner and it smelled delicious.
" Hey pumpkin what are you making?" Castle asked.
" Hey, I'm making pasta with a creamy cheese sauce. Is that ok?" Alexis said.
" That sounds great Lex thank you for making it." Kate said.
" Not a problem. I love cooking." Alexis said.
After dinner Alexis headed out to the movies with her friends while Kate and Castle decided on an early night in bed. Castle striped down to his boxers again while Kate went to the bathroom and changed into a baggy t-shirt and boxers. She climbed in to bed next to Castle and faced him.
" What did my dad say to you?" Kate asked.
" It was nothing Kate no big deal." Castle said.
" Please Castle? I would like to know." Kate said grabbing his hand.
" He asked me if I love you I said yes." Castle said.
" What else?" Kate asked.
Castle sighed not knowing if he should tell her what her dad said. He didn't want to pressure her. He wasn't sure how involved she wanted him with the baby. Kate noticed he sighed she squeezed his hand.
" Rick you can tell me." Kate said.
" He asked how involved I was going to be with the baby. I couldn't answer very well because I don't know how involved you want me." Castle asked.
" Do you want to be involved?" Kate asked.
" More than anything. I want to be there with you for doctors appointments, the delivery, 2am feedings, changing diapers, all of it if you let me." Castle said.
" You would do all that for me?" Kate asked getting teary.
" Yes in a heartbeat." Castle said.
" Ok." Kate said.
" OK?" Castle asked.
" Yes I want you to be involved in everything." Kate said.
" I love you." Castle said pulling her in for a kiss.
" I love you too." Kate said as the pulled apart. " I'm tired let's go to sleep."
"Ok." Castle said.
He slid down the bed so his face was at her belly.
" Castle what are you doing?" Kate asked.
" We can't leave her out, I'm telling her a bedtime story." Castle said.
Kate laughed and put her head down on the pillow and listened as Castle told her daughter bedtime story.