So I know after all the quick updates it took me a while to upload chapter 8. Honestly the reason why is because I got a bit discouraged by readers. But I am over that now and I hope there are still people who enjoy this story. So enjoy!

"Female, late thirties, 36 weeks pregnant, complains about abdominal pain, doesn't show signs of labor" the paramedic said to the doctors that were standing ready after the ambulance backdoors had swung open. He had to shield his eyes from the blinding sun but easily pulled the gurney from the truck.

"The baby?" a young female doctor asked. She was the first to the scene and took immediate control.

"Did a quick ultrasound, doesn't seem in distress" the paramedic answered her, pulling on the gurney so the last of it exited the ambulance.

"Alright good, let's get her in" she said with a firm nod. Her blonde hair tied in a ponytail bouncing on her shoulders "so what's your name?"

"Kate Beckett, I'm with the NYPD" she answered. Not knowing if her naming her profession was relevant.

"This is your first?" she asked. Pressing her hands to her abdomen, trying to feel if something felt off.

Kate nodded "I first thought they were Braxton hicks contractions but it felt different. Wrong" The last few syllables of her sentence strained as she gritted her teeth from the searing pain in her lower belly.

Castle had hopped out of the ambulance and made a quick sprint so he was next to his fiancée again.

"And who are you?" the doctor asked, turning to him.

"Richard Castle. Her fiancé, and the father" he answered. Panic clear in his voice as he grabbed Kate's hand again. Needing to be in contact with her in all times.

The female doctor shot him a sympathetic smile "I'm doctor Radner, and I know this is really hard but we need to examine her but to properly do that we need you let go of her"

Castle hesitated as he looked at Kate. Conflict visible on his face.

"It's fine, Rick" she reassured him, squeezing his hand. Castle reluctantly let go of her. Their pinky's being the last to disconnect before he saw her disappear through the hospital doors. The scene was eerily familiar as he cursed to himself and leaned against the white walls of the hallway. Knowing that his future was now in doctor's hands.

It somehow felt so silly how just a half hour ago he was arguing with his daughter's fiancé and now he is here. Fast walking through the hospital trying to find that same person he had just fought with to hear how his daughter and future grandchild was doing. Dark thoughts clouding his brain with 'what if's' and regrets.

Finally he found the slumped over body that was Castle's. The bad lighting of the hospital made him look older as if the whole event had aged him ten years. He was looking down at his feet. His hands buried in his hair that was peeking in different directions. Probably from brushing with his fingers through it from stress. All the doubts Jim previously had about his future son-in-law evaporated and guilt struck. He loves her. But there was no time for that now. He needs to know how his little girl was doing

"Rick?" he called out and quickly walked up to him. "How is she?"

Castle looked up. His blue eyes clouded with worry. He just shrugged "no word yet, they are still examining her"

"Examining? I thought she was in labor?" Jim said shocked. Lowering himself in the chair next to him.

Castle shook his head "apparently not"

"But where did the pain come from?"

Castle shrugged again as he looked back at the ground "I don't know" he answered defeated. A cup of presumably disgusting hospital coffee clutched in his hand that was only serving as a hand warmer as he hadn't even tried to taste it yet.

"Family of Kate Beckett?" a voice called out.

Both men looked up and stood from their uncomfortable hospital chairs "yes, that's us, how is she?" Castle asked, his voice raspy from being silent for a long period of time.

The same doctor that had taken Kate into the hospital just smiled at the two of them "She is good, don't worry. She was indeed not in labor and after doing some tests we figured it's actually an acute form of appendicitis. Which is very painful so it's not weird that it was confused with labor pains. So we are prepping her for surgery right now"

"But the baby?" Castle asked concerned.

"The baby will be fine, she is in her third trimester and that reduces the risks of complications significantly. If she was in her first or even second trimester it could have been a problem"

Both men let out a relieved breath. A heavy weight had been lifted off their shoulders

"Can we see her?" Jim asked.

"I'm sorry but we really have to take her into surgery. But we'll let you know when we're done right away and then you can see her"

Castle nodded, still not very convinced

Doctor Radner could sense his hesitance "Don't worry sir, we are gonna take good care of her"

"Look. She's the love of my life" Castle pleaded as he had gently hold onto the doctor's arm. There was no aggression in his voice or hold and she didn't seem to intimidated by it.

Doctor Radner put her hand on his "I'll be with her the whole time, I promise, she is in great hands" and gave him a reassuring nod, pulling his hand from her arm and disappeared through the doors again.

Jim and Castle were sitting awkwardly next to each other. Kate had gotten out of surgery but she hadn't woken up yet. The rhythmic beeping of the machines hooked onto her being the only sound that filled the room.

Jim let out a sigh. Both not really wanting to bring up their previous argument but not talking about it was even worse.

"Look, I just wanted to say –" Jim said, finally breaking the silence "Seeing you react to my Katie today I can only apologize for behaving the way I did. I can see now how much you love my daughter as much as I loved – and still love - my wife. And I know you don't need it, but you two have my blessing" and stuck out his hand for Castle to shake.

Castle's worried frown momentarily changed into a faint smile and took his future father-in-law's hand and shook it "thank you, that means a lot"

"I have to have an appendicitis before you two make up?" Kate said out of nowhere, her voice still raspy with sleep and medication.

Castle jumped up from his chair and grabbed her hand "I am so glad you are awake"

Kate tried to sit up but was met with exhaustion and quickly gave up "the surge-?"

"Went well, no complications"

"And -"

"The baby is just fine" Castle answered her. Knowing where she was heading with her questions and kissed on top of her head. Feeling more than relieved.

Kate's hand slowly moved to her belly where she could feel her baby kick and stir inside of her and let out a relieved breath. He was still the little rib kicker he was before she got into surgery.

"You scared us" Jim said as he had joined Castle at her bedside after he had just informed the nurses his daughter had woken up.

"I scared myself too" she answered honest.

It only took a few seconds before Kate already felt her eyes droop again. Exhaustion and heavy medication took over.

"Are you ok?" Castle softly asked, stroking her hand that was hooked onto one of the machines.

"m'tired" she answered.

Castle looked at Jim, who gave him a nod "we'll let you rest"

Kate's sleepy eyes shot open "no, wait Castle!" as she held onto his hand.

Castle looked up surprised "don't worry! I am not leaving I'll be right here, so is your father"

"It's not that. I wanna get married" she said with conviction.

Castle frowned "now?"

"No, not now" she answered him with a smile. If she weren't as tired as she was she would have rolled her eyes at him.

"But when?"

"As soon as I can leave the hospital. I don't want to wait anymore. I love you and this hospital stint has shown me that waiting is just a waste of time. I wanna be married to you as soon as I can"

Castle's face lit up "are you sure? Lanie is-"

"I don't care about any of the party anymore, I just need you, I mean if you are ok with that?"

Castle bent over and softly kissed her lips. Kate moved her hand to the back of his head so he couldn't back away before her arm felt too heavy and had to let go of him.

"I love you"

"I love you too, now go sleep, I'll take care of it"

"Dad, dad! Where's Kate?" Alexis exclaimed followed by her grandmother into the hospital.

Castle shushed them and faintly smiled "don't worry, she's ok"

"Oh thank god… what happened?" Martha asked worried as she watched Alexis embrace her father

"She suddenly felt a lot of pain and we were worried she had gone into labor"

Martha nodded "of course, yes"

"Turns out it was an acute appendicitis, she's just out of surgery and asleep"

"And what about my little brother?" Alexis asked, her blue eyes panicked.

Castle smiled at Alexis calling the baby her little brother "he's fine, thank god, they are both fine"

The two redheads let out a relieved breath.

"Who's with her now?" Martha asked. Not liking the idea of Kate being by herself

"Jim" Castle answered and rested his hand on his mother's shoulder. Happy to have his family's support.

Martha slowly nodded "and you are?"

"We're fine now"

"Ok, good, good… The last thing Katherine needs right now is for her father to fight with her fiancé"

"Dad, can I see her?" Alexis asked carefully after Martha and Castle had talked through some details.

"Soon, I think it's best if we let her sleep right now. She's still weak from the surgery besides I need you both right now"

The two looked at him with a questioning expression on their faces

"You do?" they answered in unison.

"Yes, the doctor told Kate, if everything goes well, that she can leave the hospital in three days"

"Oh that's great" Martha smiled.

Castle nodded "Yes, yes it is"

"But why do you need us?" Alexis asked.

"Well, I already called Lanie who is on her way up right now. I need your help to set up the wedding"

"Weren't we already doing that?"

"Yes. But after this whole hospital scare Kate and I agreed to… just get married as soon as we can"

Martha gasped, "Are you saying you want to get married next week?"

Castle shook his head "no, not next week, but as soon as Kate is able to leave the hospital"

"In three days?!" Alexis gasped

"I know, I know… it's a lot. Kate told me she was fine to just go to the courthouse and get a license but after all we have gone through I need - we need it to be special you know"

A big smile formed on Martha's face

"You think you are going to be able to get something together? It really doesn't have to be fancy but-"

"Do not worry my son, I have been born to do this, we'll get you guys your dream wedding"

"Agreed" suddenly a familiar voice said behind them. They all turned around and were faced with Lanie who gave them a nod "let's give my girl her happy ending"

It's a little shorter than normal. For the people who have been looking forward to the birth I promise it's soon! (probably next chapter). Also it's kind of weird to write a fic that is in like season 6/7 but the series is currently in season 8 haha.