Hi guys! I am pretty sure this is the longest chapter i've ever written for this story. And like I promised it's finally the birth! Enjoy!

She knew childbirth hurt, she wasn't naïve but she was not prepared for this kind of excruciating pain. Sweat drops had mixed with silent tears as they rolled down her cheeks. Castle grabbed her hand in his as she squeezed trying to relieve herself from the pain by inflicting some to her husband. Castle winced but didn't make a sound. If breaking a few fingers was what it took to bring comfort to his wife he was willing the sacrifice.

"Kate," Castle said as he saw her slump down in the bed again and simultaneously let go of the strong grip on his hand, knowing that her contraction had momentarily subsided.

She didn't answer him, just hummed and turned her head to look at him, taking deep breaths to collect herself again.

"I wouldn't think less of you if you the epidural," he said in a soothing voice "I hate seeing you in this much pain"

Kate managed a smile and massaged his soar hand with her thumb and shook her head "I can't explain it but…" she answered him with a raspy voice "I just need to be fully present for this and I don't want to take any risks with this baby" as she followed the curve of her stomach with her hands.

Castle slowly nodded and kissed on top of her head "you are extraordinary"

Before Kate could answer, her doctor walked in "how are you doing?" she asked with a sympathetic smile as she checked her patient's files and got updated by a nurse. She was a brunette, her hair color slightly darker than Kate's with big black rimmed glasses and friendly eyes.

"I'm doing ok, for now" Kate breathed out.

Her doctor, doctor Michaels, slowly nodded "Look if the pain is getting too much – "

"No, no drugs" she interrupted her doctor as she shook her head.

"No, don't worry Mrs. Castle you've made that very clear but we can try other methods of relieving the pain"

Kate blinked "what are you suggesting?"

"We could try the tub, it relieves a lot of the pressure you're feeling"

Kate groaned, she herself wouldn't have described it as pressure more like almost numbing agonizing pain.

She frowned in thought "I don't know…"

"Come on Kate, I didn't pay this price for nothing" Castle said jokingly, he was willing to try anything to not see his wife in this much pain.

As she contemplated she soon felt another contraction take over her body, feeling like she was being ripped apart from the inside. "Ok, ok let's try the tub" she breathed out. Fingers clawing into the bed sheets.

The new room she was taken to smelled pleasant. The light had been dimmed so it wasn't as bright as the previous room. Castle insisted on paying for the best private room that was available to them. Kate was very grateful he did.

"This is already so much better" she said with a faint smile as Castle helped her towards the specially made birth bathtub and out of her current clothes.

She was stripped of her clothes until she was only wearing a simple black sports bra that gave her a sense of modesty even though she was naked from the bottom down. Castle helped her step over the edge with some help of a nurse by supporting her weight with his arms and chest as she slowly set foot in the warm, perfectly heated, water. Her hand holding onto him tight as she was lowered into the tub.

Kate breathed out relieved as her tensed muscles seemed to finally able to relax. "God, I should have done this hours ago" she groaned, feeling so much lighter by the water and took a moment as she closed her eyes, taking in her new environment.

The nurse smiled "many women love the feeling of being in the water, you can also choose to give birth in there if you want"

Kate looked up at the smiling nurse and bit her lip "I don't- I don't know," she contemplated. Kate suddenly realized she didn't know the name of the nurse that had helped her from the start "um I'm sorry what's your name?"

The nurse removed the fabric that was hanging over her name tag "my name's Johanna" she said with the same everlasting smile on her face.

Kate swallowed and eyed her husband

"Well thank you… Johanna, we'll let you know" Castle answered.

Johanna nodded and left the room.

"It's a sign" Castle said smiling as he could visibly see his wife relax in the water.

Kate smirked "it's a very common name"

"still…"

"yeah it's a bit – oh god" she said gritting her teeth again as she was unable to mutter another word feeling the burning sensation spread through her body as another contraction hit her. This time it felt more manageable though. Not that it didn't hurt like hell, but at least she didn't feel like dying anymore.

Castle spoke soothing words to her, she didn't really know what he was saying to her and frankly she didn't care, but his voice was nice and deep and it helped her concentrate on something else than the pain.

"I swear," she said panting after her contraction had subsided "being shot in the chest hurt less"

Castle grunted as the image of her lying on the grass bleeding out in front of him formed in his mind "at least the outcome will be a lot nicer"

Kate faintly smiled "yeah, true" as she massaged her faded bullet wound between her breasts.

"So," Castle said as he removed a wet strand of hair from her face and pushed it behind her ear "do you want to give birth here or back on the bed?"

Kate sighed "I feel the bath is a bit awkward but… the thought of getting out of here seems impossible"

"if it's too much I can climb in there with you?"

Kate let out a stifled laugh "yeah no, thank you, it's cramped enough in here"

"I thought you liked seeing me naked?" Castle teased

"not when I am trying to push out our melon sized son"

"Hmm, point taken"

Before they could continue their banter doctor Michaels walked in with a smile on her face "better?" she asked as she walked closer to her patient. Seeing how she had visibly relaxed in the water.

"Much, much better" Kate breathed out and gave the doctor a faint smile.

"Good I'm glad, I just wanted to check how far you are dilated"

Kate nodded "yes, of course" as she silently prayed that it would soon be over and she could hold that tiny baby in her arms.

"Ok Kate, you are doing amazing, keep breathing and push, push, push!" doctor Michaels spoke encouraging at her patient.

Kate had remained in the tub after she got the clear that she was allowed to finally push. She had tried to get out, wanting to go for the more 'traditional' way of giving birth, but the pain was too overwhelming, besides the water soothed her and the burning sensation feeling herself stretch was a lot less intense.

Castle's face was full of wonder, excitement and panic. He held her hand as she pushed as hard as she could before falling back down. Her wet sweaty hair clung to her face that was red from exertion. "you hear that? You're doing amazing!"

Kate grunted, her eyes closed as she tried to recover from a very strong contraction "I don't feel amazing" she muttered. Preparing herself for the next one.

"Don't worry Kate, I promise you are very close," Doctor Michaels said with a encouraging smile "I can see the top of his head! He has a full head of dark hair"

"You hear that?" Castle gasped as he smiled at his wife. "I would have been worried if he was a blonde though" he joked.

Kate closed her eyes again but a faint smile appeared on her face. He was always able to lift her spirits when she most needed it, that was one of the things she loves about him.

"Can dad take a look?" the doctor asked Kate. Not wanting her to feel uncomfortable.

Castle looked at her "if you don't want me too, I-"

"It's fine, it's fine," she whispered "just keep holding my hand ok"

Castle gave her a nod and maneuvered to doctor Michaels "oh my god Kate, she wasn't kidding you are so far! He's almost here!"

Kate felt tears roll down her cheeks "Castle please join me"

"in the water? I thought you -"

"just… please I need you to hold me" she whimpered.

"is it ok?" he asked their doctor

"it's fine, just go sit behind her"

Castle quickly stripped except for his shirt and boxers and moved in behind her so her back was against his chest as he got used to the water. Kate leaned her head against his shoulder "thank you" she whispered

"we're partners, remember?"

Kate nodded as she felt another contraction take over her body "no Castle, thank you for," as she took a deep breath nearly ready to push again "coming back" she muttered.

"wouldn't miss it for the world" he answered as he held her body as she started to push again with all of her strength. Castle couldn't believe the energy and willpower she possessed to keep doing this without the painkillers. Feeling more and more grateful by the second.

Kate slumped back against his chest again "Castle I'm sorry, I can't – I just…" she sobbed.

"almost there," he whispered in her ear as he brushed the sticky hair from her face "we can almost hold our son, our baby boy"

"I know you're exhausted Kate, just one more strong push and you're there" she vaguely heard her doctor say from the other end.

Kate nodded. Ignoring once again the exhaustion and pain that had taken over her body as she gave her all while doing that last strong push. She felt instant relieve as the head was finally out.

"He's here! Just one little push for the shoulders and you can hold your son!"

Kate pushed once again, a lot less strong this time as she was still recovering from the previous one but it did the trick and she felt her baby slip from her body. He was quickly held up by doctor Michaels and started wailing once he was lifted from the water and placed onto his mother's chest.

"Good job, Kate!" she vaguely heard saying as her whole surrounding seemed to disappear. Everything was a haze except for her beautiful baby boy cradled in her arms and her husband solid frame behind her as they cooed and said nonsensical words towards the wailing little boy. Like doctor Michaels had said he had a poof of dark brown hair on top of his head. His face was scrunched from crying and he was still covered with goo but he was the most beautiful creature she has ever seen in her life. Not even noticing as she was being delivered from the after birth and the umbilical cord was cut. So fully entranced by her son.

"He's amazing, you're amazing, I-" Castle commented with a lump in his throat as he felt tears roll down his cheek. Gently stroking his newborn son's head.

Their son finally calmed down as he opened his eyes and observed his parents "hi baby boy" Kate cooed. "I'm your mommy" as she let out a sob. Realizing the weight of the statement "I'm a mom" she said in awe as she held her newborn closer.

"Kate?" she heard nurse Johanna speak "Kate? Can we take him for a second, we just want to check if he's alright and we can get you dried and cleaned up" she said softly as she held out her arms. Kate didn't feel like letting go but she knew it was the right thing as she hesitantly handed over her precious baby.

"It's alright Kate" Castle whispered. Kate nodded as her arms felt eerily empty. Already missing the weight that is her son as she just realized that this was the first time in over 9-months that she was separated from her baby.

It took a few tries but he finally latched on. Suckling happily as his starfish like hands pawed at the swell of her breast. Kate looked down in awe, unable to explain how she felt.

"So we agree on the name?" Castle asked with a permanent smile on his face as he sat beside her on the hospital bed.

Kate smiled and nodded "yes, Xander James Castle"

Castle's face lit up "I just love it"

With a smile Kate looked at her husband before returning her focus to her little boy that was slowly falling asleep. "You know, I wanted to name him after you when you were still…" and shook her head. Not wanting to say it out loud "and I am glad we still sort of do"

Castle raised his eyebrows "you wanted to name him Richard?"

"Richard junior" she said and blushed "or RJ, so he had a piece of you if you'd never return to us"

Castle closed his eyes and took a deep breath before planting a kiss on the top of her head "I'm sorry, so sorry Kate. I wish I knew what happened, I wish…"

"No, Castle, stop. We're here. We are together and we have this beautiful, amazing and healthy little baby. That is all that matters"

Castle smiled proudly "he is perfect, isn't he?"

Kate nodded as she slowly removed her son from her breast as he had fallen asleep on her "Castle could you help my top back on? I want to look at least a bit modest before the family visits"

Castle laughed and nodded as he tied the hospital garment behind her back. Kate snuggled baby Xander to her chest again as she watched him sleep. Leaning in closer so she could smell that precious and intoxicating scent of a newborn, her newborn.

"you ready? I mean, for our family to come in?"

Kate looked up and gave him a beaming smile "more than, I want Xander to meet his new family"

Castle jumped up from the bed and walked towards the door, turning around for a second to mentally save the picture before him of his wife with their newborn son before walking through the door to fetch his family and friends.

"God, Richard, he looks just like you when you were a baby," Martha cooed with her new grandson in her arms "and a name starting with an X, I just love it!"

"He is gorgeous, Katie" Jim said as he squeezed his daughter's shoulder. The moment they told her father that his grandson was named after him he was barely able to contain his tears "you didn't have to, you, I- he had muttered as he held his grandson for the first time. "God, I wish your mom was here to witness this" he eventually said. Kate nodded, still feeling very emotional from the hormones rushing through her body "I know dad, me too"

Alexis took over her new baby brother from her grandmother and smiled "I can't believe after so many years of wanting to have a sibling I finally have a brother" she said elated and gently swayed him in her arms. Nurses had changed baby Xander in one of the onesies that Alexis had brought with her which was pale blue with little grey elephants. They agreed it was the most perfect first outfit for him to wear, especially combined with the matching little hat that covered most of the dark tuft of hair.

Castle could see his wife giving in to the exhaustion, unable to keep her eyes open "are you ok? I can ask them to leave" he whispered to her, leaning into the bed.

Kate let out a yawn and shook her head "where are Lanie and the boys?"

"They decided to come tomorrow so you can rest and have time with the family"

"but they are family" she muttered half asleep.

"it's ok, they know" he said before clearing his throat "I am sorry you guys but the new mom here needs her rest"

They all nodded

"Of course, of course" Jim said as walked over to his daughter and kissed on top of her head "I am so proud of you"

"thank you dad"

"Get your rest sweetheart, you'll need it" Martha said warmly as Alexis walked over and handed over her little brother to his mom "there you go"

"thank you Alexis" Kate said as she felt the comforting weight of her son back in her arms as her family silently left, elated with the news of their new family member "we'll be back tomorrow" Martha quickly added before closing the door behind her.

Kate breathed out and looked at her sleeping son "I love him so much, Rick. I now understand what you meant when you told me about the day Alexis was born. Nothing prepares you"

"It's quite a lot huh"

"It's everything" she yawned again.

"Here give him to me, I'll let you get some sleep"

Kate nodded as she let him take her son from her. She felt so light and even though she was still very sore from child birth she was more than relieved that she was able to move her body again without the weight of having her child inside.

Her eyes started to droop "I don't want to sleep, I just want to look at him" she sighed "but I am so tired"

"he'll be here when you wake up, let me have some one-on-one time with my boy" Castle said and winked at her.

Kate slowly nodded "ok you guys bond I am just gonna-" and fell asleep before she could even finish her own sentence.

I hope you like the name. I thought it was a cute combination of his father's and his sister's name :) I am not sure how long this story will be and how many chapters will be added. Let me know if you guys still read and are interested. If not i'll just write one more and call it quits. Thanks for reading! x