Once again, I'd like to apologize for taking so long between chapters of this story. Thank you all for your kind words on the previous chapter (and all of the chapters, really)!

Out of the Blue - Chapter 5

This is not how he expected coming home to go. When he and Kate got on the plane in DC, he'd expected to have almost three days to prepare for his daughter's return from Costa Rica. Instead, they carry their bags into the loft, ready to get a little bit frisky on the couch, only to find a pile of his daughter's luggage at the base of the stairs, and his mother breezing through the living room. Even as she asks about the tour and Kate's work, her face says she has a secret.

That's pretty much confirmed when his daughter comes bounding downstairs, cheerfully calling him "Daddy" in a way that says she either wants something, or she's setting him up to tell him she's done something and he's probably not going to like it.

He doesn't.

Even Kate looks surprised when the floppy haired boy joins them downstairs. And just what the hell was he doing upstairs, anyway?

Alexis brought a boy home. Not just any boy. A boy named Pi. P-I, no E, because he finds spelling stifling.

Kate's hand clenches in the fabric of his shirt, taming the sarcastic response he feels building in his chest. "We're going to put our stuff in our room. Grab your pictures and meet us back here in a few minutes?"

It's a diplomatic suggestion, and a way of keeping his daughter and her… whatever he might be, out of her room. God, his fiancée is smart.

Still, he sputters as soon as they're within their bedroom walls.

"She's – he's – Beckett!"

Kate rolls her eyes at him, he knows she does, but she pats his chest anyway. The move might be half-patronizing, but he'll take it.

"Castle, she just spent a summer in another country, she's grown up enough to bring a boyfriend home. Besides, he could just be a friend she made who needs a place to stay for a while."

The amused look on Beckett's face suggests she thinks otherwise, but she's offering the possibility to appease him.

"Well I don't want him in her bedroom with her."

"Uh huh, so you're going to put up with him sleeping on your couch, separated from our room by just a few feet and those bookshelves?"

"Well knowing what we do, I'm definitely not letting him stay near my daughter."

Kate laughs at him, cupping his cheek indulgently. Her lips slide over his chin. "Why don't you talk to them both before assuming the worst?"

"Aren't you in law enforcement? You're paid to assume the worst."

"Yes, well, I don't think your daughter brought a murderer home from Costa Rica."

"But we don't know. Can you check on that? Get one of your guys at work to run a background check on this Pi?"

"I could, but I'm not going to." She pecks his cheek, sliding around him to hoist her bag onto their bed and begin unpacking. She's only staying for the weekend, but seeing her settling in again makes him feel better.

"But why?" he whines.

"Because, Castle. I save my abuse of power favors for when you get yourself into trouble."

She grins, tugging the top drawer of the dresser open to deposit a small pile of socks and underwear inside. His reply gets stuck in his throat as he watches the lines of her body, the grace of her movements, his eyes sliding over her side and down to the skin of her belly that's peeking out from the bottom of her shirt.

The change stops him short. Gone is the near solid flatness, in its place is a gentle, nearly undetectable roundness. If he didn't know every millimeter of her body it wouldn't even catch his eye. To the untrained eye, it probably looks like she's changed her workout routine or eaten a few too many cheeseburgers while they were on vacation, but he knows her, and he knows what it means.

She's starting to show.

"What? No chest grabbing? No whining about being wounded?" She teases, looking over her shoulder at him only to frown. "What's wrong?"

He shakes his head.

"Call Ryan if you're really that concerned about Alexis, Rick; he'll indulge your overprotectiveness. But I think you should probably try talking to her first."

"It's not that. I mean, I will… talk to her."

"But?" Beckett's eyebrow lifts.

He just smiles, stepping closer.

"But I just noticed something about you."

"About me, huh? What about me?"

His fingers trace the waistband of her pants. "You're showing. Not a lot, but I just noticed it."

His fiancée bites her lip, leaning into him a little bit more. "Saw it this morning when I got dressed. Why do you think I chose the stretchy waistband?"

"Nothing fits?" he murmurs, wincing at how thoughtless it sounds. "Sorry. Not saying…"

Kate laughs. "Baby liked vacation food, I guess."

"Well who wouldn't? It was delicious." He's really just glad the morning sickness is mild, or that they manage it well. She manages to keep most of her food down most of the time.

"Mhmm." Her face lands against his throat. "Can't believe we left the beignets on the table at home."

He swallows. Home. Not just her place, or 'in DC,' home. It has felt more like home recently, hasn't it? With both of them there and their ever present hum of energy. He'd unpacked a few more boxes while she was at work, taking care to make it feel like a place they could live instead of an extended stay hotel.

He makes his home where she is. Even if it's foreign to think of another table in another dining area in another place as home, his home will always be where she is, no question.

"That's okay; they should hold until you get back."

Kate hums, rubbing his side quickly. "I'll save you a couple. Promise."

Smiling into her hair, he nods. His palm slides over her belly again, reveling in its new curvature. He doesn't want to think about how much it'll change in the couple weeks he won't be able to see her every day.

He's been excited to see Alexis again, of course, to welcome his daughter home from her trip, but a part of him still wishes all of them could be in the same place for more than a few days at a time.

Beckett kisses his neck gently. "Hey, it's not ideal but we're working on it, right?"

"Right," he agrees, turning his cheek to brush against hers. He doesn't even question how she knows what he's thinking.

"Dad, Kate, I set up my compute – oh, sorry. Sorry."

Kate twists in his arms, pushing his hand off her belly and out from under her shirt. He sees her smile easily at his daughter and tries to make his cheeks lift too.

"Sorry, I should've knocked."

"You're fine, Alexis," Kate assures, her smile never wavering.

"Don't worry about it, pumpkin." He waves off her apology, drawing her into a hug. This time she feels like his little girl, the one who woke him at 5:45 in the morning on her first day of kindergarten to make sure they wouldn't be late. "I'm the one slowing Beckett down."

Beckett winks at them on her way back to her bag. "Is there ever a time when you're not, Castle?"

Alexis giggles against his shoulder. She and Kate just love ganging up on him. The two of them had spent the majority of the impromptu engagement party he'd organized before she left for the summer giggling like hyenas, no doubt at his expense. That's okay, he'd rather they laugh at him than be at odds with each other for any reason.

Hopefully their news won't change that.

He sees the blurry corner of the pile of ultrasound pictures, but Kate closes the bag before Alexis can spy them. The message is clear: Alexis's pictures come first, then theirs.

"So, Katie, how's work? When you called you said you'd had some time off?"

Well, Jim just cuts right to it, doesn't he? Although, he doesn't quite blame him. Making conversation means at least two of them don't have to be eating for a few minutes.

After seeing his daughter (and Pi)'s pictures the previous day, Alexis had grabbed her new friend's hand and they'd departed – "To show Pi the city, Dad." It had left the loft empty for him and Kate – and he had no complaints about that – but it also meant the two of them were asleep when the younger pair returned and he hadn't been able to ensure their guest found the pile of pillows and blankets they'd laid out for him.

Still, he'd been pleased when Beckett woke him with coffee and soft kisses this morning, murmuring that Pi had, in fact, spent at least some time on the couch the night before. His good mood had been short-lived when said young man started making smoothies and they emerged to find the kitchen covered in foliage. Complete with banana peels on the floor.

As Kate and Alexis talked about their plans for the day, somehow Pi had volunteered to "make" dinner. Steaks, he'd said.

Both he and Alexis neglected to mention that said steaks were papaya steaks, and not actual beef. Now they all sit around the table – Beckett's father included – probably longing for a heartier meal.

Beckett smiles beside him, sliding her thumb over his knuckles quickly.

"Yeah I did. I was able to take a couple weeks off so I surprised Castle and we went on his book tour together."

Jim nods encouragingly. "That must've been fun."

"It was. It was also nice to see him doing some work for a change," she teases, reaching for her water glass.

Castle laughs, shaking his head. "I'll have you know, Beckett, that I do plenty of work. Being this handsome is hard work."

Beckett shakes her head. "So is your modesty."

Jim chuckles. "Where'd you go for your tour, Rick?"

He tells him easily, giving Kate the opportunity to gather her thoughts. This is their only chance to tell her dad in person this trip, but neither of them want to simply blurt it out.

They'd had a plan, but he's not sure they're going to stick to it, considering it's just a little awkward, knowing this Pi kid is going to hear them tell their family that they're having a baby.

"We brought presents, too," Kate adds, looking at him and lifting an eyebrow. Oh, that's his cue. Guess they are sticking to the plan.

"We did!" He stands, swiping his napkin over his mouth. "And I will get them right now." His fingertips slide over Kate's shoulder.

They came up with the idea to tell people like this while they were still on the road. Everyone in the family – even Ryan and Esposito, though he'll deliver those presents during the week – gets a present, and with that gift, they're including the ultrasound picture.

Kate's the one who picked out a gold bracelet and clutch for his mother, and the earrings and handbag for Alexis. He'd chosen Jim's vintage leather bound score book and the trinkets for the boys. It was fun, picking things out; they'd laughed over some of the possibilities before settling on their eventual choices. Now, though, his hands shake – some combination of nerves and excitement – as he slides the photographs into each of the gifts. A deep breath isn't enough to compose himself, but he tries it anyway before he scoops everything up.

It'll be great.

Beckett smiles, standing to help him distribute everything. He tries to ignore the awkwardness of not having something for his daughter's new friend, but Pi just shrugs.

"No worries, Mr. C. I'm good just watching."

Well, good.

Something in his face must belie his calm exterior, because his fiancée leans into him as soon as everyone is looking over their treasures. Her hand makes a slow sweep up and down his back before she murmurs for him to relax.

"Dad, Kate, this is gorgeous. Is it handmade?"

"Yeah it is." Kate pulls away, squeezing his waist quickly. "I got to talk to the woman who made it, too. She told me all about how she works with the fabric and decides which type of bag to make. I thought you'd like this one because of all the pockets."

She's clever, his fiancée, encouraging Alexis to look inside the bag where he stashed the photo.

Smiling, he nods to Jim. "We saw yours after a signing one day and it made me think of you. I thought it'd be good for next season. It looked like it's laid out nicely, what do you think?"

"Thank you, Rick." His future father-in-law takes the bait, too, cracking the book open curiously. He watches recognition wash over Jim, but the older man doesn't speak. Instead, he waits for the others to discover the hidden gift.

His mother's sharp intake of breath tells him she's discovered the photo, too. He turns to her, offering a broad smile and she stands to cup his cheeks and declare her gift wonderful.

"Beckett picked it out," he explains, tilting his head in Beckett's direction. Kate smiles over her shoulder at him, subtly nudging Alexis to look in the proper pocket.

Jim stands, too, coming around the table to clap him on the back and kiss Beckett's cheek. He hears him murmur, "Congratulations, Katie."

"Oh my god, Dad. Are you guys – really?" Alexis squeaks, holding the purse to her chest. "This isn't a trick, right? You're not tricking me?"

Kate laughs softly, shaking her head. "No, no tricks. I am, uh, I'm pregnant. It's why I took the time off from work. And we wanted to tell you all together, so that's why we waited."

His arm slides around his daughter. "We thought it'd be easier than breaking the news over the phone. Then we figured why not bribe everyone to listen with presents."

Alexis laughs softly, holding onto his shoulders tightly. "This is… wow. I wasn't expecting that. Congratulations."

"Thanks," he and Kate murmur as one. "We were surprised, too," he adds into Alexis' hair. "But we're excited."

His daughter nods, pressing her face into his neck quickly. "Congratulations, Daddy."

Squeezing her, he makes a mental note to talk to her privately later on. Things might be different now and they might've spent a summer apart, but she's still his first born – his only born for the next few months – and she's going to get his attention.

He sways, smiling at Jim over his daughter's head. Somehow, his mother has stolen Kate, but the older man doesn't look too offended. His future father-in-law plays things close to the vest just like Kate, but he can tell by his eyes that he's happy right now.

"You know, Katie," Jim murmurs, reaching back for the ultrasound picture. "I think this little one has your nose."

"Thank god," Rick finds himself saying, kissing Alexis' forehead quickly.

Alexis giggles, pushing whatever else she might be feeling aside. "Hey, we like your nose, Dad." She tweaks it for emphasis, glancing quickly at Pi.

The boy looks uncomfortable for a split second before he smiles again. "This is great. Congrats Mr. C, Mrs. C-to-be. Who wants a celebratory smoothie for dessert? Everything I picked is great for the baby."

Alexis pulls away, rounding to her friend's side. "Sounds delicious, Pi. I'll help you."

"I, ah," Kate stutters, looking to him like he'll manage to talk the kid out of this. When he comes up empty, she just smiles, "That sounds great, Pi, Alexis. Thanks. I'll come watch you make it; that way I can make my own when I'm back in DC."

Rick sees Alexis cut her eyes to him. Oh. Oh. Yeah, he'll have to talk to his daughter. And then he and Kate will have a talk with her, too.

He'll just need Kate to distract Pi.

Wonderful woman that she is, his fiancée does exactly that a few hours later, plunking herself down on the couch beside the boy and picking his brain about something while he gestures to Alexis.

"Hey, pumpkin, c'mere. I feel like I've barely seen you since you got home."

"Well, it's been busy," Alexis hedges, following him anyway. "Is something wrong?"

He smiles, perching on the corner of his desk. "Of course not. I just feel like we haven't had a chance to catch up."

"Dad, is this about the baby? Because it's okay, really. I'm not upset or feeling replaced; I'm excited for you."

Her careful wording doesn't escape his notice. "I'm excited for all of us."

Alexis smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "So… DC huh?"

Leave it to his daughter to get right to the point. He fidgets, rubbing his hands together. "For now."

"Babies need more than a 'for now' home, Dad," she chides, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I know that, honey. And we're going to look for a place in DC with enough room for you and Gram and everyone. Even if DC isn't permanent, we're going to have a place."

"So you're moving? Just like that?"

"Hey," he murmurs, tugging her closer. "Not 'just like that,' Alexis. We're still trying to figure out all the logistics. But no matter how long we stay in DC, I want you to have a home there, too. Not instead of this one, in addition to it."

Alexis slumps against him, wrapping her arms around his waist. His chin falls onto her head; she's so tall now, his baby girl. She might not be a child anymore, but this is still big for her. Hell, it's big for them all.

"It's a little bit crazy right now, I know, but we're going to figure it all out."

"I know."

"Haven't we always? Now we just figure it out with Beckett, too."

"Yeah, we have." Alexis murmurs, pressing her cheek tighter against him. "It's just a lot to think about. You getting married, Beckett having a baby, you maybe moving, school starting again soon for me…"

"And Pi?" he adds, lifting an eyebrow.

"Pi's sweet, Dad. And he's funny and smart," she bristles. "There's nothing wrong with him."

"And I didn't say there was. He's just a change, something new and different added to the routine. A surprise, really. Just not what I was expecting to come home to."

"Makes us even," she mumbles. He has to bite his tongue to avoid asking when it became a competition.

"Will you help us look at places in DC?"

"Dad, I'm not going to DC with you for that. It's rude to Pi."

He frowns. "Well, no, I wasn't asking you to do that just yet. I was going to look online. We can do it from here. It'll be fun. Beckett trusts us. You probably more than me, since I remember something about not needing a secret lair in a second house. All houses need a secret lair."

That earns him a small smile. "We'll just have to find one with a secret secret lair then."

"Atta girl," he murmurs, squeezing her tightly. He kisses her cheek. "I love you, pumpkin."

"Love you, too, Dad. Now, come on, I left my smoothie out there."

He nods. "Go on. I'm right behind you."

His daughter smiles again, this one a little more genuine. "Kay."

Alexis glances over her shoulder before scooting into the living room. He waves, sinking back onto the corner of his desk.

Digging his already worn copy of the ultrasound picture out of his pocket, he props it up beside a framed photo of his daughter. She's gap-toothed and grinning in the picture, and even though Alexis hates it, he won't move it into his bedroom for anything. He can't help but want to hold onto that girl for a little longer, instead of the grown woman who just left his office.

It isn't the worst talk they've ever had, but it's definitely not the best, either. He'll have to try again.

But first, he needs to rescue his fiancée.