Chapter 10: Chapter 10
A/N: I get distracted so easily I swear to God. Sorry this took longer than usual, but I've been busy complaining about how much I hate school. I hope you guys like this chapter!
She watched as Castle dashed in and out of isles and isles of baby clothes with the happiest look on his face. She wondered if he ever got to do this for Alexis, or if Meredith took that all away from him. She couldn't help but to smile at his enthusiasm, it made this experience much easier for her.
He had woken her up this morning, practically jumping on the bed. She had rolled over and buried herself under the covers, she and her baby were not ready to wake up just yet, but Castle had other plans. He pulled the sheets off of her and stood beside the bed pouting as she peaked at him through one eye.
"It's time to go baby shopping." He pouted.
She smiled at the sight before, he was just so damn adorable sometimes, she couldn't resist him.
"What time is it Castle?" She mumbled, rolling on to her back, her hand coming up to rest on her belly.
"It is 10:49am." Castle announced after looking at his watch.
"Wow, I overslept." She opened her eyes, rubbing the sleep from them and trying to adjust to the bright light that shone through the curtains.
"Kate, you're the only human being I know who voluntarily wakes up at 7am." Castle told her, sitting on the edge of the bed. His hand came up to rub her exposed belly as her shirt, or rather, his shirt had ridden up.
Slowly, she pushed herself up to her elbows and paused, looking at Castle expectantly. Immediately, he stretched out his hand for her, helping her to sit up. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and leaned back on her hands.
"Give me a sec." She said, closing her eyes and exhaling sharply as she rubbed her stomach.
"She's moving?" He asked.
"She doesn't appreciate waking up so early." She opened an eye to look at Castle, as he lowered himself to his knees on the floor in front of her.
"Hey there girlie, I know you don't like to be awake so early, but we're going shopping, to get ready for your grand appearance, so take it easy on mommy today okay?" He pleaded with their unborn daughter, gently placing a kiss to her stomach.
It always moved her when he did this, no matter how many times he would do it. Her heart always swelled when he spoke to their unborn child and when he calls her mommy, she just finds it irresistible, so she threads her fingers through his hair and lightly tugs on it, pulling him up to her face.
"Stop being so damn cute." She whispered as she rubbed her nose against his.
"Makes you want me doesn't it?" He joked.
"Yes." She replied, before closing the distance between them, kissing his fiercely and taking him by surprise. It didn't take long for him to respond and he rose slowly to his feet, pushing her backwards onto the bed and climbing over her, never breaking their kiss.
He hovered above her, holding up his weight with his hands placed on either side of her. She smiled into the kiss as she felt his tongue sweep over her lips.
"Baby shopping can wait." He growled as he ducked his head and latched on to her neck, sucking gently.
Her eyes closed and rolled back in her head as she felt Castle begin to suck harder, biting ever so often. She gripped his back with her hands and tilted her head so he could get better access.
"But you were so excited." She managed to get out.
"You're more exciting." He mumbled into the crook of her neck.
Before he knew it, she flipped them over, so she was now on top of him, straddling his lap. Where she got the strength from, he had no idea. He watched with wide eyes as she ran her hands through her hair, watching him with dark, heated eyes that only made him crazier for her.
She leaned over him, as far as her belly would allow and whispered in his ear. Her voice sending chills down his spine.
"I guess we have a couple hours."
Now she watched him as she ran back to her, his hands full of tiny pieces of clothing. This was their fifth store and truthfully, they now had enough clothes for their child, but they just couldn't seem to pass by any baby store they saw.
"Kate! Kate, we have to get this one!" He presented the garment to her, with a pleased grin on his face.
"A TARDIS onesie Castle? Really?" She questioned, raising an eyebrow at her goofy fiancé, she didn't think she would ever get tired of calling him that.
"Come on Kate! It's totally cool! Look at it!" He was basically jumping up at down.
She looked down at the onesie in her hand. It was blue, with the TARDIS design on the front. It was cute, she'd give him that. Okay, maybe they'd buy it. What would it hurt? Just add it to the other collection of Marvel characters and Sci-fi inspired clothing he had convinced her to buy.
"Unless you really don't like it, I can put it back if you – "He started, reaching for the onesie. She cut him off, placing a soft kiss on his lips.
"I love it Castle, we can buy it." She said quietly, brushing her thumb over his cheek, watching his eyes once again light up with excitement. How she loved to watch his eyes light up with amusement, he was so childish sometimes, but she loved him for it.
"Really?" He grinned.
"Really." She smiled.
"Now, I think we have enough clothes here to clothe an orphanage." She said, looking down at the basket full of clothing, "What do you say we cash this and go pick out a crib?"
"Sounds good." He smiled and leaned forward, kissing her softly, humming as he pulled away.
"I can't wait until she's born." He said quietly, looking down at her belly with complete adoration.
She took his hand in hers as they headed for the check-out line, letting him pay for all of their items. She had gotten used to him wanting to pay for all these things now, not that he didn't let her pay for things, she would never allow that, but this was a big moment for him, so she let him get away with it.
They grabbed their bags and headed to go pick out a crib for their child. They had decided they were going to paint her room purple, with little animals and flowers and superheroes on the wall, it was an odd combination, but then again, they were an odd combination, but they worked.
They stepped into the store, immediately greeted by a crowd of expecting parents, gazing at cribs or arguing over cribs or criticizing the safety of the crib to the poor store clerk. Castle placed his hands on Kate's shoulders and guided her over to a corner of the store that wasn't quiet as crowded.
"Hey what about this one?" She called his attention to a medium size mahogany crib. The wood was carved beautifully, it wasn't too high or too low, it was perfect.
"It's perfect." Castle agreed.
"Well that was easy." She commented.
"You don't wanna look at others?" Castle asked.
She looked around the place, the other cribs were nice, but none caught her eye like this one this. It was just meant for a little Castle/Beckett baby.
"No, this is the one. Beside, my feet hurt and I'm hungry." She told him, leaning on the crib.
"Okay, let me just call someone to ship this to my place, then we can go grab a bite to eat okay?" He said.
She nodded and turned her attention back to the crib, tracing her fingers over the delicate carving of the crib, waiting for him to return.
She closed her eyes and imagined her baby lying there, staring back at her with eyes of blue, endless blue. A face round and rosy, with an adorable nose and a smiling mouth. Kicking around her little limbs, her floppy hair falling into her face with the movement, sounds of a baby's laughter filled the room. She rested her hand on her belly and whispered.
"I can't wait to meet you little one, I love you so much already." She spoke to her child.
She stood there for a bit longer until Castle returned.
"Okay, so everything's taken care of. Now it's time to feed the two loves of my life." He wrapped his arm around her waist, helping her to stand and support some of her weight as he led her of the store and into the food court, seating her before going off to get them some sandwiches.
She looked around the food court and was struck with a feeling of sadness as she watched the occupants of the room. There were young women, pregnant women, seemingly with their mothers. Young children, running around the place, while their mothers tried to get them under control as the fathers looked stressed out and completely out of place.
She felt like something was missing as she looked at all of these people, she dropped her head and tried to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.
"Kate?" She heard Castle call, "Kate honey, you okay?"
She took a deep breath and raised her head, meeting Castle's concerned eyes. She smiled a watery smile, trying to ease his concerns, but she knew it wouldn't work, but she also knew he wouldn't push.
"Yeah just … just the hormones, I'm fine." She wiped her eyes.
He eyed her curiously, taking a seat. "You sure?"
She nodded, "Mmhm. So what'd you bring me?"
He watched her for a couples seconds longer before placing a sandwich in front of her. "Pastrami sandwich."
"Just what I was feeling for, how did you know?" She asked, reaching for it.
"Cause I know you Kate." He said, trying for light, but there was a serious undertone.
She looked up at him, he was still watching her carefully. She took a bite of her sandwich, wanting to actually get some food in her before she opened up this discussion, she was eating for two after all. She finished her sandwich and stole the other half of his, much to his amusement. He silently slid his milkshake in her direction, watching as she drank it all.
"You were hungry. Didn't I feed you a feast this morning?" He asked, amused.
She shrugged, "Yea, well that was five hours ago, a woman's gotta eat."
"And for some reason I find that attractive." He said, grinning at her.
"Why? Because I'm eating like a pig because I'm carrying your offspring?" She rolled her eyes.
"Even if you weren't, everything you do is sexy to me." He waggled his eyebrows, earning a playful smack from her.
She looked around the room again, the smile dropping off of her face as she saw what looked like a bride to be, with her friends and mother, excited after just finding a wedding dress.
"Kate?" He reached for her, holding her hand in his, waiting for her to look at him.
"I need to talk to her Castle." She whispered, staring after the group.
Castle nodded, understanding what she needed and stood, pulling her to her feet and wrapping her in his arms, tucking her head underneath his chin.
"Let's go." He murmured, placing a kiss in her hair.
They loaded their bags into his car and got in, Castle behind the wheel, taking her to where she needed to go.
"Can you stop at the pharmacy? I wanna bring her something." She asked.
"Sure." He said, pulling up to the pharmacy. He got out and went around to the passenger side, helping her out of the car. He leaned against the car, watching her make her way into the store, figuring, she wanted to do this on her own.
When she exited the store, she held a bouquet of white roses, her mother's favourite. He smiled sadly, this was something he didn't think she'd ever get over, losing her mother, not having her here for such milestones in her life. His heart broke for her and he wished he could take away all her pain, but he knew he couldn't, so he would have to settle for loving her unconditionally, that, he had no problem doing.
They got back into the car and he continued driving, allowing the silence that fell to be until they reached their destination. He shut off the car and turned to look at her. This was the first time he was here, he knew where she was buried, but she had never let him come with her for this. She was staring down at the ring that always hung around her neck, twirling it between her fingers. She took a deep breath before turning to him.
"Come with me?" She asked, her eyes finding his.
"You sure?" He asked, not wanting her to feel obligated to have him come along. He understood that some things she had to do on her own and didn't want to push her into anything.
"I'm sure." She confirmed, taking his hand.
"I think she'd want to officially meet you anyways." She smiled.
"Okay." He smiled back, letting go of her hand to exit the car, circling round to help her up and grabbing her hand again.
He let her lead him through the cemetery, nothing but the sound of the gravel beneath their feet filling the air. She led him up a small hill and to a little clearing, where her mother's grave lay just beyond. He felt her grip on his hand tighten as she stood before her mother's grave.
She slowly bent down to place the flowers by the headstone, before leaning into Castle's side.
"Hi mom, it's been a while." She started, letting go of Castle and moving to sit, cross legged in front of the grave. Castle remained where he was, waiting for her instructions.
"A lot has happened these past months, I don't even know where to begin." She laughed, and looked around.
"I'm pregnant mom, almost nine months now, pretty sure she's gonna be early, like I was."
Castle smiled at the thought of that, Kate Beckett was always an impatient woman, it was no surprise she couldn't wait until her due date to be born.
"You remember Castle…. Rick? I talk about him every time I come here, I don't think you'd forget." She turned to look at him, reaching her hand out to him, pulling him down beside her when he took it. Instantly, she leaned against him, taking in the feelings comfort and warmth and protection that came from him.
"Well, I thought it was time you met him. We're engaged now, engaged and expecting. I love him so much mom and he loves me and I couldn't be happier. Especially now that we're starting a family. I can't wait." She turned her head, burying it in his shoulder as his arm came around her.
"I so wish you could be here for this, to see your grandchild, watch her grow. She'd have been lucky to meet someone like you. I can only hope I'll be as good a mother to her as you were to me." She let the tears that were gathering in her eyes fall over.
Castle reached for her, wiping away her tears with his thumb, tenderly placing a kiss on her temple. He was absolutely honoured Kate allowed him to be with her for this and did all he could to offer her the comfort he knew she went so long without. He knew she was going to be an extraordinary mother and silently thanked Johanna Beckett for raising such an extraordinary daughter while she could.
He watched as she continued to pour out her feeling to her mother, holding her tightly until she was out of words. She reached out and traced the words carved into the stone.
"I miss you mom, so much and I love you. You don't have to worry about me now, I've got the best fiancé in the world and you can trust him to take care of me."
She closed her eyes and exhaled as she stood slowly, bringing Castle up with her. She wrapped her arms around his torso, burying her head in his chest. She loved this best, their height difference when she wasn't wearing heels. They fit so perfectly together and she loved it, took comfort in it.
His arms were tight around her as she softly cried into his chest. He ran his fingers through her hair soothingly, he knew that was one of the things that would always calm her.
She leaned back, wiping her eyes and looked up at him, placing a hand on his jaw.
"Thank you Castle, for being there." She smiled.
"Always." He responded.
"Thank you, for letting me come with you, I know how much this means to you." He said, looking down at her.
"You're family now, it's something I'm willing to share with you now." She said, looking into his eyes, seeing nothing but love and acceptance there.
"Let's go home." He said, taking her hand and leading her back to the car.
"Wait," She said, tugging on his hand.
He turned around to face her as she stretched up on her toes, kissing him tenderly, running her hands through his hair.
"I love you." She murmured against his lips.
He placed a small kiss on the tip of her nose, smiling.
"I love you too Kate, always will." He said with all the conviction in the world.
"Let's go." She said, after placing another kiss on his lips.
He turned and they walked hand in hand to his car, ready to face whatever life threw their way. He loved her, she loved him, they were creating a family and that's all that mattered right now.
End A/N: Review? Thanks!