"Do I?"
"I think you know what you have to do."
"I..."
He cuts her off, "You should have a slice of pie, my treat."
"Why? Are you trying to change the subject?"
"No," he smiles, "I thought we should celebrate."
"Celebrate what? My life is a disaster right now."
"My little girl is having a baby, that is something to celebrate, don't you think?"
"I guess."
"How far along are you?"
"A little over three months."
"Congratulations."
"Thanks," she replies, flatly.
"You don't sound excited."
"I am."
"Your facial expression tells a different story."
"There has been a lot of upheaval the past couple of months. I am just trying to sort through everything. I haven't had the chance to get excited about it."
"Are you going to find out what the gender is?"
"I wasn't planning on it."
"Oh, that's just as well, I guess. Surprises are nice, too."
"Rick has an uncanny ability to completely ruin surprises any chance he gets."
"So he isn't going to find out, either? I find that a little bit difficult to believe."
"He already knows."
"And he hasn't told you?"
"We found out together. I told him that I didn't want to know, and he tried to keep me from finding out, but it was right there in black and white."
"So what is it?"
"It's a girl."
He sits on a bar stool, with a cup of coffee in front of him, at the island in his kitchen. His elbow rests on the counter top. His hand is in a fist, and his head rests on top of it. He stares off into space. Martha enters the room, and notices the far off look in his eyes.
"Earth to Richard Castle."
He turns, and looks at her, "I didn't hear you come in."
"Are you okay?"
"Fine," he nods.
"So what were you so deep in thought about?"
"Nothing."
"A novel you're working on?"
He shakes his head, "Better than that."
"Would you care to fill in the blanks for me?"
"I was just thinking about my baby."
"About Alexis?"
"No," he shakes his head.
"I don't understand. You said your baby. You mean your car? Are you getting a new car?"
"No."
"Not your car?"
"I was thinking about my new baby."
"Your new baby? Richard what on earth are you talking about?"
"I am going to have a new baby."
She cocks an eyebrow, and doesn't miss a beat. She eyes his stomach, "You're pregnant?"
"Ha, ha. Very funny mother. I am not pregnant."
"And yet, you're having a baby?"
"With Beckett."
"What?! The last time I checked the two of you were no longer together."
"We're not."
"So, what you're saying, is that you are daydreaming about you getting back together with Beckett, and her having your baby?"
"No," he looks at her in disappointment.
"No?"
"She is having my baby."
"In the real world?"
"Yes mother, in the real world."
"When did this happen?"
"Months ago, before she left for D.C."
"The two of you planned to have a baby, and then she left for another city?"
"No. It wasn't planned."
"You're telling me that she's pregnant?"
"Yes," he nods in confirmation.
"With your baby?"
"Yep."
"And you're sure that it is your?"
"One hundred percent."
"Because..."
He cuts her off, "I know for certain. If you don't believe me I have test results."
"Why would you have test results?" She responds with a look of disgust.
"It is a long, deeply personal story, that you need to know nothing about. All you need to know is that you are going to have another grandchild."
"Okay."
"And, I haven't told Alexis yet, so please don't spill the beans."
"I won't."
"Have you seen my baby name book lately?"
"Richard, do you hear yourself right now?"
"It is a legitimate question. I want to find the perfect name for her."
"Her?"
"My daughter."
"It's a girl?"
"Yes."
"Why do you have a baby name book?"
"Because I am old fashioned and I prefer paper to the internet when it comes to reading material."
"That is not what I meant. Why do you own a book on baby names?"
"I am a writer. I like my characters to have strong names."
"Like Nikki Heat? Is this book on stripper names?"
"I will have you know that Nikki means victory of the people."
"I will have you know, that I have agreed with Detective Beckett since I first heard what you named her fictional character, it sounds like a stripper name."
"Thank you, so much for your vote of confidence."
"And don't name my granddaughter after a stripper," she warns.
"Please be reasonable."
"Need I remind you that you suggested we name Alexis, Sandy?"
"I happen to like that name," he argues.
"Sandy Castle? That, my dear son, is a stripper name."