Here is chapter 23, enjoy!

Kate Beckett was a happy woman. And it was clear to everyone around her. It was the 4th of July and all her closest friends and family were at Rick's Hamptons house. She was observing everyone from the swing-seat, which had become her favorite nap-time spot. And she really needed a nap. The previous day had been exhausting, welcoming and settling everyone in the house. The fact that she didn't sleep much the night before definitely didn't help either. But it was so worth it!

That date night with Rick, she would never forget it. First, he had taken her to a really nice and intimate Italian restaurant. The place was so romantic with candles everywhere, it looked as if it had been taken out of a movie. And the food was delicious. Kate had never been so glad not to be having any nausea problems during her first months of pregnancy. It would have been a shame not to eat everything she was presented with. And particularly that chocolate cake! Then he had taken her to the movies, like she had – well, let's be honest – ordered him to. She didn't even know what movie they went to see, she couldn't even tell the story, she had been too busy making out with her fiancé at the back of the room. Then, they went to jazz club where they spent almost two hours dancing slowly, sensually and kissing lovingly. When they arrived at the hotel, Kate discovered that Rick had booked the nuptial suite. "Consider it as a rehearsal" he had said, kissing her neck and unzipping her little black dress.

Kate sighed, a smile on her face as she rolled on her side on the swing seat, looking for Rick. He was talking with the boys around the barbecue where her father was managing the grill. She stared at him for a while before he noticed her. He excused himself and walked towards her, her smile growing with every step he took.

"No one told you that staring was creepy, Detective?" Rick asked, sitting by her waist and rocking the seat.

"It's only creepy when you do it." she replied, her smile growing even more.

"You look happy." Rick said, caressing her cheek tenderly.

"I am happy." she said, taking his hand in her own. "I could not have asked for a better life Rick. I have everything I need right here. And you gave me most of it. I seriously don't know what I would have become if that crazy hadn't killed his sister and staged it like in your books." she continued, a lone tear rolling down her cheek.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Rick asked, catching it with his thumb.

"Yeah. It's just my hormones. They're making me kind of clingy today." she answered, sitting next to him, cuddling into his side as soon as he put his arm around her shoulders.

"They were making you quite horny the other night." Rick remarked, laughing lightly.

"I didn't hear you complain."

"Oh don't worry. You'll never hear me complain. I love pregnant and hormone-full Kate." he said, kissing her.

"I'll remind you you said that when I'm in a horrible mood and hating you for putting me through this. My dad told me my mother was really mean and unbearable when she was pregnant with me at the end."

"Well, it'll be worth it in the end. You're going to give me a beautiful baby."

They were staring in each other's eyes, having one of their famous we-don't-need-words-to-speak moments.

"Hey, when you're done being cute, the food's ready!" Esposito yelled from the dining table they had settled on the beach.

This reflection earned him a slap on the back of the head by both Lanie and Ryan, one coming from each side.

O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O

The group was finishing their meal and was waiting a bit for desert when the doorbell rang. Rick asked Martha to go and answer it, wanting to surprise her but also give her some privacy before introducing Angela to everyone. Has he had expected, Martha had red-rimmed eyes when she led them to the table, Katie running towards Kate and giving her a picture she had drawn. Kate couldn't help but laugh when she recognized the scene: Kate, Rick and Katie were at the market, except that Rick was a horse but still had his actual man face.

After Angela had been introduced as a long lost family friend along with Mark and Katie, everyone had desert and enjoyed the afternoon, waiting for the picnic on the beach for dinner and fireworks.

Jackson, Ryan, Esposito and Mark were playing football on the beach, Martha and Angela were catching up on the lounge chairs, Jim, Rick and Jenny seemed to be engrossed in a very serious conversation, if their facial expressions were any indication, and Kate, Alexis and Lanie were playing with Katie. Sometimes in the pool, sometimes on the porch with the dolls she had brought and some of Alexis's old ones she had dug up from a storage room. After a while, Kate and Lanie laid down on towels on the beach, leaving Katie with Alexis to play dress up.

"You're really good with Katie." Lanie said, looking at Kate with a smile on her face.

"Yeah? You really think so? I'm not really sure. I don't really know what to do with kids."

"You're kidding right? You're a natural, girl!" Lanie exclaimed. "And let me tell you, you're going to be a great mom. If you're like that with someone else's child, imagine how it's going to be with your own!"

"It's the only thing I can think about Lanie." Kate confessed. "Every time I close my eyes, I see a mini-Rick running around. I just can't wait. I never thought I'd be one of those women but I can't help it." she laughed, hiding her face in her towel.

"It totally suits you." Lanie told her.

"I'm really happy right now Lanie. I didn't even think it was possible to be that happy. I only wish my mother could be here with us. Then my life would be absolutely perfect."

"She is here Kate. She's in you. You are a part of her. And after having talked with your father during lunch, it seems that you behave exactly like her too." Lanie said, smiling.

Just as Kate was going to answer, a shadow fell on the girls.

"Everything's ok here?" Rick asked, sitting down on the sand at the girls' heads.

"It's great Rick. Thank you for inviting all of us to come here. It feels like a real vacation even if it's just a long weekend." Lanie said, smiling at him.

"You're very welcome. It's nice to have all of you here. Spend some time together far away from work. Do you girls need anything?" he asked.

"Would you mind putting some sunscreen on my back?" Kate asked, smiling at him.

"I'd be more than happy to." he said, grinning as he reached for the sunscreen bottle.

"Keep it PG Rick, we have guests and an actual child around." Kate laughed.

On her towel, Lanie couldn't help but smile. The two of them were perfect for each other. She had never seen her friend so happy and she had Richard Castle to thank for that.