A/N- I definitely appreciate all of the wonderful reviews. I'm truly thankful for each and every one. I wasn't sure about the last chapter. I just thought that Castle asking Beckett's dad for his permission was a nice touch.

When Castle got home that afternoon he cooked a wonderful dinner for her. He was extremely nervous. He knew that she had hinted at this. That she wanted this. Part of him wondered if it wasn't simply hormones again.

He knew that he had one final person to ask about marrying her. One very important person. So, when he picked Alexis up from school, he made her a special snack. His daughter was smart, so she knew something was up. Alexis looked at her father and asked, "What did you do daddy?"

"What makes you think I did something wrong?"

"Because you look nervous. And Kate's not here."

Castle smiled, "She's not here because she's working Miss Smarty Pants."

Alexis turned her head to the side and looked at her dad. Even at six, she knew that her dad was nervous about something. Alexis' eyes grew wide and she said, "Is Kate moving out?"

"W-what would make you think that?"

Alexis looked at her father and shrugged her shoulders, "She's been crying a lot lately daddy."

"She has?" That was something that Castle didn't know.

Alexis nodded, "Yeah. I asked her about it, but she said she was fine. But she didn't look fine daddy. She was smiling, but..."

Castle smiled at his little girl and smiled at her, "I think the baby is making her sad."

"Why?"

"It's hard to explain Pumpkin. I can promise you that she isn't moving out. In fact, I wanted to ask you something. Something that effects us all."

"What daddy?"

"Well, you know that I love Kate and her baby right?" Alexis nodded and he continued, "Well, what would you think about me asking Kate to marry me? Marry us?"

Alexis was quiet for a few seconds. Then, a smile came to her face and she said, "I really love her daddy. She cuts the crust off of the bread when she makes me sandwiches. And she doesn't mind reading me bedtime stories. And she makes you happy daddy."

"So. Is that a yes?"

Alexis nodded, "She's good for you."

Castle smiled, "She's good for us pumpkin."

Alexis definitely thought that she was. Even since Kate had moved into the loft, she noticed that her dad smiled a lot more. He was a lot happier now. Happier than he had been since her mom had left. She was good for them and Alexis was looking forward to being a big sister.

Castle could see that his daughter was wanting to ask him something. She finally looked at her dad and said, "Do yo think Kate would be mad if I called her mommy?" At her dad's surprised look she said, "I know that she's not really my mommy, but I never see my mother and.. Well, the baby isn't yours but..."

"But what pumpkin?"

"I know you love her. And I think it would confuse the baby if I call her Kate and she calls her mommy. I..."

Castle had never heard anything sweeter in his life. He smiled and nodded, "I think it would be okay. I can ask her if you want and..."

"No daddy. I will do it. Please?"

Castle nodded and hugged his daughter tightly, "I love you pumpkin."

He felt her wiggling to get free and told him, "You're squishing me daddy."

"Sorry pumpkin. How about helping me with dinner?"

So, with that taken care of, Alexis and Castle made dinner for them that night. Castle had a very special job for Alexis when he asked Kate to marry him. Then, Alexis set the table and everything was perfect by the time Kate got home. She was met at the door by a very excited Alexis. The little girl hurried her to the bedroom and told her, "You need to get dressed for dinner Kate. Daddy and I made spaghetti for you. With the meatballs you love."

Kate smiled, "You did? What's the special occasion?"

Alexis shook her head and told her, "Daddy had a surprise for you."

"A surprise? What kind of surprise?"

Alexis shook her head, "I'm not telling. Daddy said to take a shower and put on the dress that's hanging on the closet door."

Before Kate could say anything else, Alexis ran out of the bedroom. She knew that Castle was up to something. She shook her head and smiled and headed for the shower.

Castle was waiting for Alexis in the guestroom. She came into the room and smiled. Then she gave him a thumbs up and she went to get dressed for dinner.

All three of them met in the living room nearly an hour later. Kate looked at the two Castle's and smiled. She was in love with both of them. She realized that this was what she wanted from life. To come home to Castle, Alexis and soon, their daughter. She was anxious to meet her. She just wished that this baby was Castle's.

She smiled when her daughter gave her a tiny kick. A kick to remind her not to overthink things. Castle loved her and that was all that mattered. So, she walked into his arms and kissed him softly. She felt Alexis tugging at her dress and Kate smiled when the little girl wrapped her arms around her legs. She smiled as Alexis took her hand to lead her over to the table.

When Kate sat down, Alexis smiled and said, "Night Kate." She turned and ran out of the room. Before leaving however, she turned down the lights.

Kate was confused now and asked, "Isn't she eating with us?"

Smiling, Castle lit the candles in the middle of the table. The he whispered, "No. She already had dinner. This night is just for us."

"What are you up to Richard Castle? First you tell me that you had something to do today so you can't come to the precinct and then this."

"You will see my dear. For now, lets eat."

She gave him a sideways glance, but she knew that she wouldn't get anything out of him. Even if she pushed. So, she nodded and smiled as he went to get their food. It was a wonderful meal. Once they finished, they walked into the living room. That was when Castle decided to ask her. She was sitting on the couch and gave him a funny look when he got down on his knees in front of her. She saw the love shining in his eyes.

He took her hand and whispered, "Katherine Beckett, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to make you happy. I want to raise your daughter and eventually want to have a houseful of kids. You love me and you love my daughter. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

Kate was speechless. She looked at him and then looked at the ring. Then she asked, "You want to marry me?"

"Yes."

Kate put her hand on his cheek and whispered, "Richard Castle. You are a dear, sweet, loving man. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. You've loved me even when I didn't deserve it. You love my daughter and want to raise her as your own. You've given us a home and you've given us love. I can't ask for anything more than that Rick."

Castle watched as she smiled at him and for a brief moment, he thought that she was going to say no. That she only wanted to live with him and nothing more. However, when she smiled a bit brighter he knew. She finally whispered, "Yes. I will marry you Richard Castle. In fact, nothing would make me happier..."

Castle put the ring on her finger and then he sat beside her on the couch. It was then that they heard an excited, "Yes!"

Both Castle and Kate laughed at Alexis' excitement. Then, Castle whispered, "I love you Katherine Beckett."

"The feeling is mutual Richard Castle."

They smiled at each other and kissed softly in the living room.

Then they laughed when Alexis ran down the stairs and threw herself between them. Castle and Kate kissed her and then they both started tickling her. The sound of laughter filled the room and Kate swore she had never heard anything more lovely in her entire life.

Alexis cried out, "Stop mommy! Stop daddy! I give up!"

Kate stopped tickling her immediately and put her hand to her mouth. Kate wasn't sure that Alexis realized what she said. She was surprised that Alexis called her mommy. She had never done that before. Castle turned to look at her. She had tears in her eyes. So, Castle picked Alexis up and threw her over her shoulder. She cried out, "Stop it daddy!"

He smiled, "It's time for bed young lady. Tell Kate goodnight."

Smiling at Kate, Alexis said, "Night mommy."

Kate stood up and kissed Alexis on the cheek. Kate's eyes were shining brightly with unshed tears. It seemed as if she cried all the time lately. Ever since getting pregnant she seemed to cry at the drop of a hat. She went to stare out the window and she jumped a little when he wrapped his arms around her. She felt him rest his cheek on her shoulder. Then he kissed her neck and whispered, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Come on Kate. I know somethings wrong. You might as well tell me. You know that I will find out anyway."

"Alexis."

"What about Alexis?"

She swallowed hard and then closed her eyes. She loved Alexis like she was her own daughter. Hearing her call her mommy was so unexpected, but beautiful at the same time. She finally whispered, "She called me mommy."

"Are you mad?"

Kate shook her head, "I love her. Couldn't love her more if she was my daughter."

Castle smiled and then whispered, "She loves you."

"I understand now."

Castle raised an eyebrow, "Understand what?"

"I understand how you feel about this baby I'm carrying. Alexis isn't mine. I didn't carry her under my heart, but I don't love her any less."

Castle smiled at her. She smiled back and she knew what he had done. He had made her see that it doesn't take biology to love a child. It comes naturally. Just like breathing. Love means never having to explain why you are in love. Sometimes it just happens. One step at a time and one heartbeat at a time. Love just is...