Kate was sitting on the bed, listening to music when it happened. She felt the wet, semi-sticky feeling and knew exactly what was going on.
"Rick!"
"What?," he asked, poking his head in from the study. "Are you okay?" He saw the wet spot. "Oh, honey, it's okay. I told you, peeing your pants isn't sad and pathetic. You have two babies weighing down on that bladder.."
Kate shook her head and was hit with an excruciating pain, just from moving her body.
"My water broke," she growled, teeth clenched. "But I appreciate you reminding me that I have two babies to push out, not just one."
Rick's eyes widened. "Oh my… Oh my god. Shit. Okay, let me grab the bag and call Alexis." His face broke out into a huge grin. "Honey, it's finally here! We get to meet our twins."
Kate smiled sarcastically. "Sure. I bet they can't wait til they hear the story about how mommy gave birth to them on the carpet of the bedroom because daddy didn't take me to the hospital!"
"Right. Sorry," Rick said, still grinning. He took Kate's hand and gently walked her to the front door. Her overnight bag was sitting in the hall closet, so he grabbed it and then kissed her forehead.
"Let's go do this."
Rick called a cab in the elevator, and in the cab he called the hospital and Alexis, who was in the middle of class. She promised to rush to the hospital the second her class ended and Rick turned his attention back to Kate. He smiled at her.
"How are you feeling, baby?"
Kate sighed. "Right now, fine. But I'm scared."
Rick nodded. "It's okay, I'll be right beside you."
Kate nodded, tears collecting in the corners of her eyes. "What if I suck?"
"What do you mean?," he asked gently. She shook her head.
"I don't know! Breastfeeding, changing diapers, being a mom. What if I'm a miserable failure?"
"Oh, sweetheart," Rick pulled her into his arms awkwardly, as they were both wearing seatbelts and Kate's stomach was enormous. "I've never worried about that. I still remember one of our first cases together, with that little girl who was kidnapped by her own mother, do you remember that? You were so sweet and gentle with the little girl when we found her, and I remember thinking about how lucky your future kids would be. Because they have a mom who cares about people, and who truly loves her own family more than anything in the world."
Kate smiled and she started to cry a little.
"Shut up," she said, smiling. "You're going to make me all weepy." Rick grinned and kissed the top of her head, then wiped some of her tears away with his thumb. She took his hand and squeezed it, feeling a contraction coming on.
"Owww," she said, biting her lip. She squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her teeth to keep from screaming and scaring the cabbie. Rick stroked her cheek with his free hand.
"It's okay, baby, just a few more minutes."
A nurse with a wheelchair for Kate was waiting at Lennox Hill when they got dropped off. Rick slung the overnight bag strap over his shoulder and pushed Kate down the hall to the check-in desk. He signed a few forms and then he and Kate were lead to a room. The nurse asked how many centimeters Kate was dilated, and she didn't know, so she was given a hospital gown and a few minutes of privacy.
Rick helped Kate take off her clothes and put on the gown. She was unusually quiet, so once she was sitting on the bed, Rick gently asked what was wrong.
"I don't know… I just feel strange. Like I shouldn't be here, like this isn't my life," Kate frowned and looked at him with her beautiful green eyes. "I mean, getting pregnant and thinking about the day we finally meet these kids and bring them into the world is all good and well, but… I never actually thought past the water breaking."
"Well, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it," Rick said, taking her hands. "It's gonna hurt like hell. It will feel awful, and excruciatingly painful, like you're pushing a watermelon out of you-know-where… well, 2 watermelons."
Kate groaned. "Great. It's not bad enough that it's the first time I've done this, but I have double the pain to go through."
"With me right by your side," Rick reminded her. "When Alexis was born, it was proved my hands are incredibly strong, so squeeze away. Scream at me, spit in my face, whatever. I will stay right here, and you can stare into my eyes and know that I'm here for you."
Kate nodded. "And stay north of the sheet."
"Absolutely," Rick nodded. He winked. "I want to enjoy sex after this, you know."
"Gross!," Kate said, freeing her hand to punch his shoulder. They both laughed, but Kate's laughed turned to a moan of pain as she was hit with yet another contraction.
"Kate? Are you ready for me to check on you?," A nurse asked, poking her head in the door. Kate nodded, and they began the uncomfortable process of sitting in the right position, etc.
"Well, it looks like you're ready to go," the nurse said. Kate widened her eyes, automatically feeling panic and worry. Rick looked at her.
"Hey, it's okay. I'm here."
"Let me just go get your doctor, and we'll move you to a labor room," the nurse said. She stood up and looked at Rick. He nodded.
"Thank you."
While they prepped Kate for labor, Rick quickly stepped out into the hallway to call Jim. Alexis had already told Lanie, who told the boys, and they were in waiting room down the hall. He hadn't seen them yet, but Alexis had texted him saying they were there. Once Jim was on his way, Rick went back into the room.
Kate was sweating, so it was hard to tell if there were tears running down her face or just sweat. Probably a mix of both. The pain conveyed on her face was less than he knew she was feeling. Kate was strong, and Rick knew that she was holding back as much as she could. But to have these babies, she needed to let it all go.
He rushed to her side. "Hey, baby, how's it going?"
Kate just moaned. The nurse looked at her sympathetically, lying a damp cloth on her forehead.
"Her epidural hasn't kicked in quite yet," she said. "But I don't think these babies care. She needs to push harder."
Rick nodded. The other nurse and the doctor were waiting at the foot of the bed.
"Kate, honey?," he said, taking her hand. She looked at him, breathing heavily. "I need you to let go and push, okay? I know it's hard, and yes, it's going to hurt. But it will be so worth it."
Kate nodded. "I'm scared," she whispered. Rick nodded and leaned his forehead against Kate's.
"I know, baby. Trust me. Just do it for me, okay?"
Kate nodded, and Rick flexed his hand, preparing for some serious damage.
xxxx
Four hours later, at exactly 3:17 pm on July 20, 2012, Adrienne Johanna Castle and Stephen Roy Castle were born. Mother and twins were both doing well, resting under the watchful eye of Rick. He had already told Jim, Alexis, Martha, Lanie, Javi, Ryan, and Jenny, who were all in the waiting room. Once Kate and the twins woke up, everyone could meet the babies. But for now, Rick wanted the three of them to enjoy their sleep. He knew that it was rare both babies and Kate would all be asleep at the same time.
"Rick."
He looked over and saw Kate smiling at him. The twins were lying in her arms, still both asleep. He came over to the bed and sat next to Kate, taking Stephen in his arms. Kate scooted over to make room for him, and they each held a baby, marveling at their tiny eyelids and perfectly smooth skin.
"They're so beautiful," Kate whispered, her voice hoarse from all the screaming. She kissed Adrienne's head. "You were right, the last couple hours were worth it."
Rick nodded. "Yeah," he agreed. "You know, I think we're gonna kick a-s-s at this."
Kate laughed quietly. "Rick, they're asleep."
Rick just smiled. "Hey, I think I'm going to go get everyone. They've been here for 5 hours, waiting to see you three."
Kate smiled. "Okay." She shifted Adrienne in her arms so Rick could slip Stephen back where he had been sleeping.
Rick entered the waiting room and immediately Alexis jumped up. Like dominoes falling, their little group came to, one by one. Jenny shook Ryan, who had been napping, and Javi tapped Lanie, who was reading Us Weekly. Martha and Jim stood up, both looking very anxious, in a good way.
"Who wants to meet Stephen and Adrienne?"
They all grinned and pretty soon, Rick was at the core of a large group hug. Kate could only have a few visitors at a time, so Rick started with family. He quietly brought Alexis, Martha, and Jim into Kate's room. Kate smiled when she saw her dad.
"Daddy," she whispered. Jim smiled and kissed his daughter's forehead.
"Look at you, Katie. Your mom would be proud."
Kate winked at Rick before raising her voice slightly above a whisper and addressing Jim, Martha, and Alexis.
'Their full names are Stephen Roy and Adrienne Johanna," she said. She looked at Jim, her eyes sparkling with tears. Jim nodded.
"A fantastic honor."
"Oh, Kate, they are precious," Martha breathed. She smiled at her son. "Nice job, kiddo."
They all laughed, trying to keep it quiet. Alexis crouched down next to the bed do her face was next to Kate's.
"How are you doing, mom?," she asked softly, for only Kate to hear. Kate smiled.
"Good. Better now that you guys are all here."
They gave Martha and Jim a chance to each hold a twin - Stephen for Martha, Adrienne for Jim. After a half an hour of hushed conversation and adoring looks, Rick settled Adrienne back in Kate's arms and Stephen in his.
"Will you tell them to come in?," he asked Alexis, referring to Lanie, Javi, and the Ryans. "I want them to see the twins before they go to the nursery for the night."
Alexis nodded and kissed her dad's cheek. She bent down to place a kiss on Kate's cheek as well before taking Martha's hand and putting her arm on Jim's shoulder. Rick watched the three of them leave with a huge smile on his face.
Just moments after the family left, Javi, Lanie, and the Ryans entered. Jennny and Lanie were cooing, while Javi tried to look manly, like he didn't want to make kissy faces at the twins.
Ryan, however, was more emotional, because about a year ago, he had gone through this.
"Wow, Becks," he breathed, stroking Adrienne's tiny cheek. 'She's incredible. Stephen too."
She smiled. "Thanks, Ryan."
Rick laughed at Javi from the bed. "Yo, man, come here."
Javi shuffled over uncomfortably and Lanie just sighed.
"Honestly, Javi. They're just babies."
"I know," he said. He stared at Stephen. "They just look kind of… squishy."
Kate mock-gaped. "Espo, these are my children." She winked at him.
"You want to hold her?," she asked, nodding her head at Adrienne. Javi shook his head, but he smiled.
"Nah, I don't want to wake her up. But she'll get lots of quality time with her Uncle Javi. I gotta keep the boys away til she's at least 45, right Castle?"
Rick, who had handed Stephen to Jenny, fist-bumped Javi. "Yup."
Jenny, Kate, and Lanie laughed, and then the nurse came back in.
"Rick, Kate? I'm sorry, but the twins need to be taken to the nursery for the night. Providing everyone passes their tests, you can all go home tomorrow afternoon."
Rick smiled. "Thank you."
He turned to their friends. 'We'll call you guys as soon as we get home." They all nodded and left the room. Kate and Rick kissed each babe's head before placing them in the baby carrier the nurse had brought with her.
When everyone was gone, Rick slipped under the hospital blanket and pulled Kate into his arms.
"You did it, baby. I'm so proud of you."
Kate smiled and closed her eyes, relaxing into Rick's body.
"Thanks," she murmured. "I'm really happy, but mostly tired. Like, pushed out two babies tired."
Rick chuckled softly. "I can't even imagine. Sleep tight, Kate. I love you."
Kate managed to whisper, "I love you, too," before drifting off. Rick could feel her breathing against his chest, and it didn't take long for him to fall asleep, too.
Yay! Even I've been anxiously awaiting this chapter :) Okay, so I love babies, but I don't want to think abut what happens behind the closed doors, of I won't want to have one anymore. So sorry for parts that are inaccurate or skipped. And that the scene with Kate's water breaking is written like every movie & tv show ever made.
I hope you all loved it! Please review :)