Rick stares at the doctor, fresh green scrubs, bright young eyes, and he can't even – can he be serious?

Kate's fingers tighten around his, almost painful in their squeeze, and Rick continues to blink at the young man as he talks.

Did he just-?

But no.

Is he-?

He can't be.

Except that yeah, the guy looks serious. Fairly serious.

Rick reaches his free hand behind him until he feels the mattress and lets himself sink as Kate scoots her legs across to make room for him. Because he needs to – he needs to just sit. Just for a bit. Just for a second.

"Can you repeat that?"

The doctor pauses mid-sentence. "I'm sorry?"

"I don't think I understand what you're saying."

"Ah. That's all right." The doctor nods once. "This can be a lot to take in for a first time father."

Rick doesn't bother to correct him, he just waves his hand in a rolling motion, indicating the man should continue.

"It's considered high risk because of your wife's age-"

"No, no. I get that." He shoots Kate an apologetic look. She doesn't seem bothered so he continues. "Not that bit."

"I'm sorry?"

"Just, go back a bit further."

"Ah." The doctor considers, looks to Kate, and then, "I'll give you two a moment," as he beats a hasty retreat.

Rick watches him leave until he feels Kate's hand feather across his back. "Castle?"

She looks nervous when he glances at her, lip between her teeth and worry in her eyes. And he shakes his head because – no. No, this is good. This is a good thing.

This is better than good, it's great. Damn great. Just…

"Is this okay?"

Yes. Yes.

"Yes, of course it is." He leans over to cup her face, brush his nose against hers, press his lips in a kiss, high against her cheekbone. "It's just a surprise."

"A good one?"

"A very good one."

When she pulls back he lets the happy leak all over his face, the joy creep through and mask the worry. He sees her relax through crinkled eyes.

"You're happy?"

Rick nods his head and the smile blossoms on her face. An echo of his own. Because. God. Yeah, the more he thinks about it, the more it sinks in, the more he realises that this is maybe an amazing thing.

"You idiot." She smiles, her eyes still tender, even as she scolds him.

"What? This isn't my fault."

She laughs, rolls her eyes and he thinks, yeah, it probably is. But it's not just his fault. Takes two to tango and all.

"You looked like you were having a heart attack."

"I did not."

"You did."

"I wasn't even making my heart attack face."

She laughs, a soft chortle, as he lets his face go slack, eyes crossing until he sees two of her.

"You can't afford to."

"No?"

"No way. If you leave me to raise three babies, I'll bring you back, just so I can kill you myself."

And there it is again.

Three babies.

He can't help the grin that cracks his face because, yeah, it's well and truly sunk in now. The thought settles deep in his chest, the echo of three fast, delicate heartbeats warm against his own. Three babies. With Kate.

They're going to be in so much trouble.

And it's going to be so much fun.