Chapter 6: Chapter 6
A/N: You are all awesome you know that? I love you guys and all your reviews and suggestions and I'll try to fulfil the ones I can. Thank you for everything! To show my appreciation, here's another chapter that I hope you'll like
She was up before her alarm went off, not by choice of course. The baby inside of her was restless could not find a good enough position to settle in.
"Hey there," She placed a hand on her belly, attempting to soothe her child, "Only four more months and I promise you'll have much more space out here."
She felt the restless tumbling cease and figured her baby heard her. "I can't wait to see you." She whispered, rubbing her belly, trying not to wake Castle.
"As much as I love carrying you around inside of me, feeling your every move, I'd much rather have you in my arms."
She grimaced as the baby kicked her bladder, "Hey, let's not damage my organs okay?"
She didn't realize the blue eyes that were gazing at her full of love and she kept talking to their baby, enjoying these moments she has with her unborn child.
"You scared us you know," She frowned, "We thought you left us. I don't know what I would have done. Luckily, I had your dad, because God knows where I'd be without him." She felt tears form in her eye and lifted a hand to wipe them away.
"Sorry, I'm such an emotional mess right now. I guess what I want to say is that… I love you… we love you... even though you're not born yet and never will we let anything happen to you." She sniffed.
"Never." She heard him confirm, his large palm coming to rest on her hand over her stomach.
"How long have you been awake?" She asked him, surprised.
"Somewhere around damaging organs," He smiled, "What are you doing up?"
"Your baby wouldn't sleep." She told him, settling back down in the mountain of pillows he had placed around her.
"My baby?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, she's restless, just like you." She rolled over to face him.
"I don't know, maybe she's practicing to be a future detective like her mother." He winked.
"Mmmm." She smiled as she snuggled against him.
He kissed her forehead, "Nothing's going to happen to her Kate." He promised.
"You can't be sure, Castle." She whispered against his chest.
"I know we had a scare earlier, but look how healthy and active she is. She's going to make it Kate. We only have four more months to go and you can see for yourself. I know she's gonna be okay." He whispered into her hair.
"I can't help but be nervous. I just love her so much already Castle and what if something happens to her after she's born?" She looked up at him, her face full of worry.
"Not on our watch." He said, his voice serious.
Still she couldn't help but feel anxious about his whole thing. Each month was a different experience for her and whole different beautiful experience, except for morning sickness, that she could do without.
She went through the sickness, the pain, the fatigue, the insecurity and now she was at wonder. The stage where she would just stare at her naked self in the mirror, turning at every angle to watch the growth of the miracle that was growing inside of her. She and Castle would read to her at night, calming her restless soul, of course the pain hadn't gone and the fatigue was worse as she got farther along, but she couldn't help but feel happy, she was glowing Castle often told her.
She just got herself into a comfortable position, snuggled close to Castle when her alarm went off.
"Ugh" She groaned as she rolled back to her back, rubbing her belly as she kicked again.
"I know, it's early, but mommy's gotta work." She said to her belly.
She leaned over to place a lazy kiss on Castle lips, she was smiling as she pulled away.
"Mmm, you go get ready, I'll fix breakfast." He told her.
"I want an –"She started, attempting to pull herself up into a sitting position.
"An omelette, I know." He smiled as he helped her sit up.
She smiled thankfully at him. That had been her current craving, omelette. Funny enough, now she found peanut butter nauseating.
She got out of bed and placed a hand on her lower back to support herself as she waddled over to the bathroom. He stared after her, completely captivated by her.
"Pregnancy suits you." He admired.
"Yea?" She looked over her shoulder.
"Yea." He nodded.
"You just like it cause my boobs are bigger." She joked.
"Well, those are just added benefits." He winked.
"I knew it." She threw over her shoulder as she stepped into the bathroom and closed the door.
He sat there for a good five minutes just watching the door, he heard the shower turn on and heard her as she started to sing. He was forever amazed at how his life had turned out. How he went from being some playboy, party loving wild child with two failed marriages, to being completely and overwhelmingly in love with a woman who was carrying his child. Of course it took them a while to get to this, but he wouldn't change any of it, he loved the way things turned out and he loved her.
He loved her and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her and now that they were having a baby, it just made his feelings stronger. He couldn't breathe without her, didn't want to. Didn't want to be away from her, she was his everything, his always and he was going to marry her. He was going to ask her to be his or in the case of Kate Beckett, he was going to ask her to him to be hers. He would go shopping for a ring today even. He smiled to himself feeling confident and happy as he got out of bed to prepare his future wife's breakfast.
"Kate Beckett what do you think you're doing down here?" Lanie questioned, staring at her pregnant friend who had just waddled through the morgue doors.
"What? You don't want to see me? Cause I can go –"Kate suggested.
Lanie rolled her eyes, "No, I mean, you're pregnant, this is no place to be."
"What? Why?" she asked confused.
"Who wants to bring a child around a bunch of dead people and doesn't the smell bother you? Few months ago, you threw up all over the place." Lanie said with a raise of her eyebrow.
Kate ducked her head, feeling embarrassed as she remembered that unflattering moment that month, when she had come down for some results from an investigation. One whiff of the place and she was throwing up everywhere.
"So," Lanie broke her out of her flashback, "Again I ask, what brings you down here?"
She shrugged and moved to sit on a stool, getting off of her pained feet.
"Paper work got boring, I figured I'd come look for you."
Lanie looked at her with gentle eyes, "How you feeling?"
"Great actually," She smiled softly, "I mean, my back hurts, my feet hurt, she won't stay still like… ever, I'm as tired as hell but … I'm happy."
"I'm glad. You look happy." Lanie grinned.
"I can't wait to see her Lanie, I feel like these four months are going to take forever, I just want to hold her." She told her friend, "Could you do us the honour and be her God mother?"
"Oh Kate, I thought you'd never ask. Of course!" She shrieked as she pulled her friend into a hug.
"Was that a kick I just felt?" Lanie asked, backing up.
"It was." Kate confirmed with a frown, right in her ribs that kick went.
"I don't know how you do it." Lanie shook her head.
"You get used to it I guess, you look past it when it hits you that you've created a life."
"Look at you, sounding so optimistic."
"Yea well, my life has taken a turn for the best now."
"How's Castle?" She asked.
"Oh Lanie, he's the best I swear. He's so patient and understanding, it's perfect."
"I'm glad."
"Me too. Wouldn't have it any other way."
"Whoa there Beckett! I'll get those for you." Esposito came running to take the boxes she was carrying out of her hands.
"Thanks Espo." She panted, she hadn't even walked that far and she was already out of breath.
"What's all this?" He asked, as he placed the boxes on her desk.
"Files, files and …. More files." She sighed.
"Desk duty sucks huh?" He smiled sympathetically.
"It really does," She frowned at the boxes, "But if it's what I have to do to keep this little one safe then I'll do paperwork 'til my eyes bleed."
"You're gonna make a great mom." He told her.
"Thanks Javi, I really hope so." She thanked him and she plopped down in her chair and got started on the first box.
"Hey, where's Mr. Beckett?" He asked, grinning.
The boys had taken to calling Castle, "Mr. Beckett" since they found out she was pregnant as she had him wrapped around her little finger, although she found it kind of weird as Mr. Beckett was her father's name, but she let it slide.
"He went to get something to eat, he should have been back a half hour ago though." She frowned as she looked at her watch, "His child is hungry."
"Well, I hope she likes Burgers." Esposito nodded to the elevator. She turned to see her boyfriend hustling off of the elevator, his hands full of bags from Remy's. Her stomach growled, just what she wanted.
"Hey! I hope there's one for me and Ryan in there!"
"I couldn't let you hard working detective starve in my presence." Castle said, handing over two bags to Epsosito.
"You're off the hook this time." Espo told him as he shared a look with Beckett and walked over to Ryan to give him his food.
"What took you so long?" She asked as she pulled her burger from the bag.
"I uuhh – had a little errand to run." He told her simply.
She knew there was something he wasn't telling her, but she decided to make it slide as she bit into her burger. They ate in silence and when they finished, she got started on her load of paperwork, while Castle went over to play with the boys.
It was an hour later when she felt the pain rip through her, causing her to drop her pen shut her eyes tightly. She focused on breathing through the pain. Castle had noticed her sudden actions and rushed over to her.
"Kate? Are you okay?" He asked, his hands rubbing her stomach.
"I – " She started as another bout of pain ran through her, making her hunch forward, wrapping her arms around her stomach.
"Kate?" He called, panicking, "Kate are you in labour? What's going on?"
Was she? She couldn't be. She still had three months left, but with the pain she was feeling she couldn't be sure. Her water hadn't broke, she noticed, but still, better safe than sorry.
"Call, Dr. Addison." She instructed him through gritted teeth.
Flustered, he pulled out his phone, hitting #6 on his speed dial.
"Mr. Castle, how may I help you?" Dr. Addison answered warmly.
"Umm, I don't know, Kate's in pain, but she won't tell me what – " He began to explain when Kate grabbed the phone from him.
"Dr. Hi," She breathed out.
"Kate? What's wrong?" Dr. Addison asked, her voice filled with concern.
"Well, I was just sitting here and suddenly these pains like never before just rips through me and oh – there it goes again." She choked out.
"Okay, Kate, calm down and breathe. Listen to me, while I'm most certain these are just Braxton Hicks, I would like to be sure, so why don't you come down to the office so I can check?"
"Yea, I'll be right there." She gasped, handing the phone back to Castle.
"Doctor?" He spoke into the phone, watching Kate breathe deeply.
"Mr. Castle, I need you to get Kate down here as quickly as you can. No need for alarm, I just want to make sure everything is running smoothly, so don't panic." She told him and he nodded, before he realized she couldn't see him.
"Yes, yes, okay doctor, I'll bring her down." He said quickly, disconnecting the call as he helped her stand.
"Dude, she okay?" Ryan called from where he and Esposito were watching.
"Just, gonna run down to the doctor's office for a bit." Castle told them as he walked her over to the elevator and hitting the button for the garage.
"You okay?" He asked once they were moving.
She opened her eyes and exhaled sharply, "This pain, is unreal."
"If this is what contractions feel like, I can't imagine what labour would feel like." She closed her eyes and leaned into him as he wrapped his hand around her waist, holding her up.
"If I could take the pain from you, I would." He whispered.
"I know." She looked up at him, bringing up a hand to cup his cheek, "That's why I love you."
He leaned forward to press a gentle kiss to her lips, pulling back as her face contorted in pain.
"What are you doing little one?" She asked her unborn child, "You can't come yet."
He smiled as he watched her talking to their baby, something he found so attractive about her. She was going to be a great mother, he thought as the elevator came to a stop.
"Let's go see what's going on."
"Just as I suspected. What you're experiencing is Braxton Hicks contractions. Most women don't usually feel them, but it's normal." Dr. Addison informed them.
"If these are just Braxton Hicks contractions, I'm afraid to feel the real thing." She groaned, letting her head drop back on the bed she lay on.
"Please Kate, you? Those contractions should be afraid of you." Castle retorted, squeezing her hand.
"You're all talk aren't you, you should experience these yourself." She scoffed.
"Never undermine a woman and contractions Mr. Castle, you'll end up getting hurt." Dr. Addison advised with a wink in Castle's direction.
"Noted." Castle nodded.
"So, if there are no complications, due date's still set for April 4th."
"I can't wait." Castle beamed at Kate, who was smiling down at her belly.
"Me either." She whispered, "April 4th, you'll be daddy's late birthday present."
"And I love my present already." He smiled as he kissed her sweetly, moving his hand over her belly.
"You better. I put a lot of work into it." She joked.
"I appreciate your work detective."
"Good."
It was late when she returned home, not as late as if would have been if she were working on a case instead of paperwork, but it was a little after 8. She was tired and her body was sore, she wanted to take a hot bath and wrap herself up in the silk sheets on their bed and just sleep.
She put her key in the lock and opened the door. She stepped into the dark loft, closing the door and placing her keys on the table. She wished Castle were here with her, she could really use a back massage. She smiled as she remembered the last back massage he gave her, which quickly turned into a massage of… other places. Damn Black Pawn for always taking him away from her.
She flipped on the lights and nearly had a heart attack as the loft filled with people.
"Surprise!"
"What the – "She stammered, her heart beating fast. She spotted Lanie, Alexis and Martha off to one side grinning like mad.
"Guys, what?" She asked, confused.
"It's your baby shower silly." Lanie beamed.
"Must you frighten a pregnant woman?" Kate scolded.
"Oh right, sorry 'bout that" Lanie shrugged sheepishly, "can't you be normal and say thank you for all your hard work Lanie?"
"Thank you for all your hard work Lanie," she mocked, "And thank you everyone."
"We were gonna do it at the Old Haunt, but since you can't drink, we decided to do it here." Alexis piped up.
"Was Castle in one this?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.
Lanie nodded, "Took Esposito and Ryan to some game…Boys."
"The night is yours Katherine! Enjoy it!" Martha exclaimed with a wave of her hand as she went off and disappeared into the crowed.
Kate looked around at all the people in her home, all of her friends she hadn't seen in the longest while.
"Kbex!" She heard a familiar voice yell.
She turned to find her high school friend grinning at her.
"Maddie!" She walked over to her to give her a hug.
Maddie looked down at her pregnant belly and back up at her knowingly, "I told you you wanted to have little Castle babies."
"You were right, although I would never have believed it then." She grinned.
"I'm so happy for you Kate, you deserve this. Rick Castle is by far the best guy you've ever dated.
"Don't I know it." She laughed, shaking her head.
"If you'll excuse me, I'd like to change into something more comfortable." Kate said as Maddie nodded and went off to talk to some of her other friends. Kate smiled at the scene before her, before turning towards their room.
When she returned, everyone was chatting animatedly with each other, sipping apple juice from expensive cups. She found it thoughtful that because she couldn't drink, the rest of her guest didn't either.
"You're just in time Kate! Time to open presents" Alexis grabbed her arm and steered her over to a table she hadn't noticed before that was filled with presents.
She pulled up a chair and got to work on opening them, smiling and laughing at some. There were some diapers, baby bottles, usual baby stuff. Amongst all that were the cutest onesies she had ever seen, some worthy of Castle's approval. By the time she was done pulling all of her gifts, she figured she and Castle didn't even have to go shopping, although she knew they still would.
"Thank you guys, all of you, this means a lot to me." She thanked everyone, tearing up a bit.
The rest of the party went on successfully, with everyone gushing over how great she looked and how great of a mother she would be. Sometime around 11, Lanie noticed her starting to sway on her feet and called the party to an end, ushering everyone out, thanking them for coming.
"Thanks again guys, this was fun, I never even thought about having a baby shower." She said, as she folded up the pile of baby clothes wondering where to put them.
"That's what we're here for. Now you look dog tired, let me help you pack these stuff away." Lanie said coming over to help her.
"Thanks Lanie." She sighed as they worked to pack away the gifts she had gotten. When they finished, it was after 12 and Lanie bid her goodnight and it was just her, Alexis and Martha left.
They both excused themselves to head off to bed, as Kate did the same, forgoing the bath tonight, she was just too tired.
She was just about to fall asleep when she heard Castle enter the Loft. She opened her eyes and waited for him.
'Kate, you're still up?" He asked, crossing the room to kiss her.
"Hey to you too." She smiled into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck to deepen the kiss. She moaned into his mouth as his hand trailed up her bare thigh.
"I love when you wear my clothes." He growled into her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
"I thought you liked it when I wore nothing at all?" She teased, drawing her nails lightly across his neck.
"Always." He rasped as he latched on to her neck, her head falling back to give him more access.
"Castle.." She breathed.
"Mmmm." He mumbled against her skin, sending vibrations through her, arousing her instantly.
"As much as I love where this is going, I'm probably going to fall asleep on you." She breathed as she continued kissing up and down her jaw.
He pulled back and placed a final kiss on her lips, "There's always tomorrow." He said with a sly grin.
"I'll be right back." He whispered as he made his way to the bathroom to get ready for bed.
"So, how was your baby shower?" He asked as he returned.
"Fun, with all the things we got, I don't think we need to go shopping." She said.
"But we're still going to right?" She pouted.
She laughed, "Definitely."
"Good. We need to start decorating the nursery too, maybe we can start tomorrow?" He suggested, sounding excited.
"That sounds good." She agreed, snuggling up to him.
"I can't wait!" He squealed.
She laughed, he was such a little boy sometimes. Her laugh turned into a gasp as she felt a hard kick, looking down, she could see an imprint of a tiny foot poking out of her stomach.
"Kate?" Castle sounded shocked as his eyes were trained on that spot of her belly.
She shrugged, "She decided to take up Karate."
End A/N: So there's that … How'd it go? Thanks to gloriajv for letting me use the whole foot thing at the end And everyone else for their suggestions and kind words, without you I'd never update this. Also, I apologize for any inaccuracies in relation to her pregnancy...
Ashley