A/N A small filler chapter...
At eight month pregnant there was only one word to describe the way that Kate felt. Huge. She couldn't get out of bed by herself anymore. She felt like a turtle that had been turned on it's back. She hated depending on Castle to get her out of bed. She couldn't see her feet. Forget about her trying to tie her shoes. Everything she did was so much harder lately.
She would stand in the bathroom for the longest time looking at herself in the mirror. She would hang her head and sigh. That was where Castle found her one morning.
He whispered softly, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure? You don't seem fine. I..."
"I'm fine Castle. I..."
He stood behind her and kissed her neck. Then he asked, "Are you sure?"
Kate shook her head, "No. I'm not sure about anything anymore."
"Talk to me Kate."
Resting her head on his chest she sighed softly, "I'm huge."
Kissing the top of her head, he whispered, "No. No you're not."
Kate laughed harshly, "You must be blind then. My stomach is huge. My legs look like they are twice the size and don't even get me started on my arms and hands." Castle laughed and she whispered, "Don't laugh at me Castle. I'm so ugly."
That simple statement caused Castle's eyes to grow bigger. Then he whispered to her, "You my love are anything but ugly."
"You're just saying that to make me feel better."
"I am, but do you want to know what I see?"
"What?"
Castle turned her around to look into the mirror. She closed her eyes, but he whispered, "Open your eyes Kate." When she opened her eyes, he continued, "I see a beautiful, remarkable, intelligent woman. More than that though, I see a miracle. A miracle happening right before my eyes. You're growing more beautiful every single day. I look at you and I'm constantly amazed. You're doing something that no one else can. You're making sure that our baby girl has everything she needs to grow strong before she makes her appearance. Our baby girl. I can't wait to see what she looks like."
Castle kissed her neck and she moaned softly and whispered, "You're just saying that because you love me."
He turned her around to look her in the eyes and whispered, "No. I'm saying it because it's true. Your body has changed, but in the most remarkable ways. Your hips are growing wider to make room for her birth. Your breasts are making milk to nourish her. It's mysterious, but it's centuries old. The miracle of the human body getting ready for the birth of a child."
Kate watched as he shivered and she smiled, "You're serious about this."
Castle smiled, "Serious as a heart attack."
Leaning forward, Kate kissed him softly and whispered, "I love you Richard Castle."
"So you feel better about yourself?"
Kate shook her head, "No, but you make me feel a little bit better about it."
He pulled her towards their bed and he sat down and raised her shirt a bit. He let his lips brush against the skin on her stomach. He felt her shiver and she whispered, "How do you always manage to do that?"
Castle smiled, "It's easy. I love you..."
Kate took his hands and put them on her stomach. She could stand here like this all day. Basking in his love and attentive gaze. She had never felt more beautiful than she did when he looked at her. She let her hands run through his hair and she sighed. So many emotions went through her while she was standing there with him. She knew that she would always love him. Always.
After standing there together for what seemed like forever, Castle looked up at her and whispered, "How about if we go meet Lanie and the boys for lunch? Then, we will get Alexis from school. Together."
Kate nodded and whispered, "That sounds like fun. I haven't seen them in awhile."
Castle hoped that seeing their friends would help cheer her up. He pulled her to her feet and kissed her softly. Then she smiled and asked, "Help me with my shoes. Please?"
Castle nodded softly and smiled, "My pleasure."
After helping her with her shoes, they walked to the door. She pushed him up against the door and kissed him softly. Then, she whispered, "You are an amazing man Richard Castle. What I ever did to deserve you I will never know."
Castle kissed her nose and whispered, "It's simple."
Kate raised her eyebrows and asked, "Oh really?"
He nodded and whispered, "You loved me and you love my daughter. There's nothing more I could ever ask for."
Kate stared into his eyes and saw the truth shining bright there. She finally whispered, "You are an amazing man..."
"No more amazing than you my wonderful wife."
She hugged him tightly and then they turned to head out the door. She held his hand tightly and they walked to the elevator together. She grabbed onto her stomach and let out a gasp of pain. Then she whispered, "That hurt..."
"Braxton-Hicks contraction?"
She nodded, "I think so."
Castle put a hand on her back and asked, "Are you okay?"
Taking a few deep breaths, she finally nodded, "Yeah. Lets go."
He guided her to the elevator and they hurried to the precinct. Kate was blissfully unaware of the surprise that awaited her there...