I'm so sorry for the delay with this chapter, everyone! I hope I'm able to make up for the wait.
Out of the Blue - Chapter 13
He's never seen Beckett spend so much time in her pajamas.
Overall, she made the right choice and they both know it, but that doesn't mean she isn't still reeling from the impulsive way she told the task force to shove it. That doesn't mean she hasn't spent the last two weeks mulling over her decision and her professional future.
It also doesn't help that she's on edge, uncomfortable, hasn't seen her feet in at least three weeks other than to stretch them out in front of her, and her doctor has requested she stay close since she's officially in the home stretch of her pregnancy. Less than three weeks to go. He just hopes this baby has Kate's sense of timing, and not his love of procrastination; neither of them want her to go past her due date.
To mitigate the cabin fever, they're planning to head to the Hamptons for a few days. It's just far enough away that they'll feel like they're taking a break, but close enough that Kate won't be too uncomfortable sitting in the car and the doctor is still nearby.
The fresh air will help, he's sure.
"You're sure you don't mind?"
"Don't mind what?" he asks, lifting his eyes from his painting. He's promised her a salon-quality pedicure, complete with lotion and a massage that (hopefully) won't stimulate the wrong pressure point and send her into labor early. That's a job he takes seriously.
Beckett's toes curl against his palm. Not enough to upset his artwork, but enough to make him glower. Her lips curl a little bit, clearly amused at his protectiveness.
She exhales, leaning her cheek against the back of the couch. "Going back to DC and grabbing more stuff, Castle. The thing we talked about last night."
Right. The thing she woke him at two o'clock this morning and asked him to take care of soon. Most of the items on her list are things she'd been intending to bring with her before McCord dragged her along for the Reynolds case. The rest are things she's decided they need from the nursery and their room. The homey touches they'd added to the house in DC.
Staying in New York for the duration of her maternity leave had always been the plan. Now they have the freedom to stay wherever they want for however long they want. Another perk of being rich, he'd murmured into her hair last night. She just wants some more of their stuff while they decide where they're going to go and what they're going to do.
"Uh huh," he agrees absently. "Don't squirm, you're going to mess me up."
"Sorry to upset your work, mister artist."
"I'll have you know, Beckett, that I take my pedicure prowess very seriously."
"Uh huh, I can tell."
Lifting her foot, he kisses one lavender and sage scented arch. The move earns him a peal of laughter and he can't help but do it again.
"Castle!" she giggles. "That tickles. Stop, stop, stop. Or I'll have to go to the bathroom and that'll screw up all your hard work."
She has a point there. Still, it's nice to hear her laugh instead of her silent worrying over what's next for them.
Lowering her foot to his leg, he fixes the cotton between her toes. Time for the second coat.
"Better?"
"Much," she hums. "But you didn't answer me."
The brush makes a slow swipe around her big toenail. "About DC?"
"Mhmm."
"I'll drive down tomorrow morning," he promises, using his thumbnail to make a clean line at the tip of her nail. "I would fly, but I think I'll be bringing back a little too much to handle, even with my frequent flyer privileges."
"Thank you. I'll feed you dinner for making that long drive twice in one day."
Dipping his head, he kisses her knee. "Best wife-to-be ever."
Kate mhmms again, brushing the tips of her fingers through his hair before he sits up to continue his pedicure masterpiece.
"Should we get married?" she asks a few moments after he finishes his toenail design and puts the quick-drying top coat on her nails.
"What?" he squeaks. It's not a manly sound at all, but he can't help it. A sliver of panic licks at his heart. "What… do you mean? Should we get married at all? Are you breaking …? Do you not want to get married?"
Confusion blanks her face. "What? No! No, no, of course we're getting married Castle. I'm not… that didn't come out right. I meant should we get married sooner? Since I'm unemployed now and I have a lot of free time?" She struggles to get closer, smoothing her hand over his cheek as soon as she's near enough to touch him.
Beckett apologizes for her gaff quietly, sliding her other hand through his hair.
Jeez, she scared him. He waits to speak until his heart rate drops closer to normal, turning his face against her hand in the meantime.
"We are getting married, Castle," she promises fiercely. "It's just a matter of when. Is there a reason to wait?"
"Don't hit me for this, but you said you didn't want to waddle at your wedding. Though personally I find your penguin walk adorable, isn't that a reason to wait?"
Kate laughs, the sound breathy against his ear, brushing her fingertips against his temple. It's her move when he's riled up.
"I did say that. And I don't want it to seem like we're only getting married because I'm about to pop, either. I just wondered if we should. If you wanted to, we have the time."
His fingers tingle with relief. "I say we stick with the plan. There's no reason to rush. We get married on our anniversary. But, if you want, we can use the free time we have left before the baby gets here to plan it."
"Kay," she agrees, bumping her forehead against his arm. "Sorry again for scaring you. Baby's given me the Castle flair for drama, I guess."
Scoffing, he arranges her knees more comfortably, wedging himself between her belly and the back of the couch to get close enough to kiss her.
"Well, I guess I deserved that for being too serious when I actually proposed."
Beckett's nails tease his scalp. "I like when you're serious, babe. Just not so serious I think you're leaving me."
"You couldn't get rid of me if you tried."
"And I have before,' she drawls teasingly, lifting her eyebrows.
Bussing her lips, he shakes his head. "You didn't mean it, I know. You were just frightened by how badly you wanted me."
He sputters when the throw pillow connects with his temple.
Kate giggles, rubbing her hand down her belly. "Little one thinks you're crazy."
"He does, huh?" His hand joins hers, feeling a press from his son in return. "He's fidgety today."
"Tell me about it. He's pushing the envelope just like his dad. Only the envelope in this case is me."
That's normal, he knows. He's brushed up on these things over the last few months, reading over Kate's shoulder as she learned what to expect for the latter months of her pregnancy. Still, he asks if she's okay.
"Yeah," she breathes, knocking her head against his gently. "It feels weird, but there hasn't been much in this process that hasn't."
His thumb brushes her belly button through her shirt. It's cute as an outie, even if she insists it looks strange.
"Almost there, Beckett."
"Yeah we are. I just wish we could get there without the practice pains."
"Braxton-Hicks?"
"Mhmm," she hums, squirming under his palm. "Little ones, more annoying than anything else. I'm okay."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure. I've felt them before and these aren't any worse."
"Kay." He kisses her chin quickly. "You hungry?"
His fiancée lights up, beaming at him as if he's just given her something precious. "Starving. Are you cooking?"
"I could be. What am I cooking?"
Kate licks her lips. "Mmm, pizza. With the oregano and basil and olive oil crust. Please?" She turns wide, hopeful eyes on him.
He'll have to go to the store for the mozzarella she likes, but she knows he'll do it. It's a short walk anyway.
"Toppings?" His hand slides over her calf, squeezing gently. She gave in and let him help her shave yesterday, not that he was complaining before, but now her leg is smooth under his fingers.
"The usual?"
"Done."
Beckett pulls him down, kissing him gratefully. "I love you."
"You only say that 'cause I make you pizza from scratch whenever you ask," he teases, sliding from underneath her legs.
Her nose crinkles happily. "Not just because you make me pizza from scratch at the drop of a hat; you do excellent work on my toes, too. Plus," she adds, reaching for the drawstring on his pajama pants to tug him back to her. "You wear those pjs so well."
Cupping her face, Rick grins against her lips. "I do, don't I?"
She smacks his ass gently. "Humble."
"I know." He grins. "I'm gonna change and I'll be back. Let me know if there's anything else I need to pick up while I'm there."
"Thanks, babe."
She meets him at the door when he comes in, eager to help carry in the extra treats he'd grabbed at her behest.
"I think I got everything," he starts, grinning triumphantly. "I'll start the dough and we can do the sauce while it rises?"
"Perfect."
Beckett waits until they settle their bags on the bar to slide her arms around his waist, fitting her belly against him. They've managed to find just the right way to shift to make it work and he loves that the last few weeks have made her cuddly like this.
"I made the right choice, didn't I? Quitting?" she asks, her voice muffled with her cheek against his shoulder.
And there's the question that's been on the tip of her tongue. He's honestly surprised she hasn't asked before now; they both know it's been on her mind for two weeks.
His hands make broad sweeps up and down her back.
"My honest opinion?"
"No, lie to me," she drawls, squeezing him.
"You made the right decision, Kate." He cups her ear. "You fought for the victim and you fought for the family of the victim. Quitting was you taking a stand."
"And what if it was a stupid stand? It won't change how they operate. The task force doesn't take anything away from me leaving, other than maybe the idea that I'm difficult to work with. I didn't change them when I made my stand."
"Do you believe in it, Beckett?"
She nods, thumbing his back gently. "Yeah I do. I still do."
"Then you made the right choice," he says simply. "And if you're worried about working, don't be. You don't have to go back to work immediately, but if – when you do," he corrects based on her look, "there will be another job for you. One that challenges you the way the task force challenged you without making you feel like you need to compromise what makes you the best cop I've ever seen."
Kate smiles into his shoulder, lips puckering gently. "Thanks, Castle."
"No need to thank me for telling you the truth." He smiles. "Now, if you'd like to take a seat, I will begin making my award-winning pizza dough."
His fiancée smiles, squeezing him once before backing away and sliding onto one of the bar stools.
"Award-winning, huh? What contest?"
"The Pregnant Partner's Frequently Requested Meals Challenge," he retorts, grinning.
Kate rubs her belly. "Oh, you've entered the contest before?"
"Only over the last nine months, Beckett." He flours the counter, stretching over to steal a kiss from her lips. "I never cooked from scratch before Alexis came along. You are the first – and the last, the only – pregnant partner to benefit from my stellar culinary abilities."
"Mhmm," she hums, brushing her fingers across his chin. "Good answer. Even if you did kind of steal it from a song."
"Calling my originality into question now, too? A guy can't catch a break."
She kisses him slowly, holding a fistful of his shirt to keep him from moving. "Keeping you honest, that's all."
His floured fingers leave dusty trails over her knuckles. "You always do."
They share a grin as he starts mixing his ingredients.
"Can I ask you something else?" she murmurs, waiting until his hands are coated with sticky pizza dough.
"I can't go back to the store yet, honey." He flours his hands and the dough a little bit more.
"No, no it's not that," she sits up a little bit, cradling her belly. "Just… from your perspective, do you think it was a waste? DC? Do you regret it?"
He pushes the ball of dough her way. "Here, smack it." Off her look, he adds, "Knead it some more, I'm going to make a couple more batches to stockpile for next time."
She does, and he watches some of her tension drain away with the action. "That didn't answer my question."
"I don't. No regrets. And I don't feel like any of it was a waste."
Her head tilts. "Not even the house? That was… a lot of money to put into something we might not even see very often."
"God no. I love that house. I love that it's ours. We own a piece of DC, Beckett. Both of us. It's not a house in the Hamptons I've had since Alexis was little, or this place, it's ours. It's something we're making together."
A smile blooms on her lips. "Yeah, I love it, too."
"I want to have places with you all over the world. I'll pick the next city, then the one after that'll be your choice. We'll take Mother and Alexis and the kids on ridiculously awesome vacations, and leave everyone here with babysitters – especially Mother – when we need to get away on our own."
Ignoring his sticky fingers, he cups her chin to kiss her slowly. Her body cants toward him, hand curling around the wrist bracing him against the counter.
"And," he continues, pulling back before his words can desert him. "If we hadn't had DC, we wouldn't have taken that trip to the Hamptons that exact weekend, and we wouldn't have made a baby. I wouldn't be making you pizza right now."
Kate sniffs, turning her face into his arm. Since he can't brush her hair, he settles for dropping a gentle kiss against the top of her head.
"I didn't even think about it that way. That we wouldn't have him if I hadn't put all of this in motion. You really think that?"
"Do you remember where we were last year, Kate? Both of us wanted the same things but neither of us wanted to say so and upset it all. Now where are we?"
"Having this conversation?" she offers, clearing her throat.
"Yeah. I think DC did that for us. Yeah, it sucked not being your partner at work, and being underneath the cone of silence, but it made us work harder at home. And I know the job wasn't everything you expected it to be, but it made you think, didn't it? It challenged you and took you out of the rut you were starting to feel like you were in professionally?"
She nods. "Yeah it did. And that was what I needed at the time. Professionally."
"Then it's not a waste." He smiles into her hair. "It made you happy, which made you happier in our relationship, which made – makes – me happy. You got federal job experience – which will have the world knocking on the door when you start job-hunting again – we have a house in an awesome city we can continue exploring whenever we're free to, and we're having a baby. Those sound like pretty good results to me."
"Me too," Beckett breathes, sitting back. "And I think baby agrees."
"Well, R2 does always like to let his opinion be known."
Kate laughs, going back to folding the dough over itself. "R2?"
"D2. It fits. He's little, full of personality, and don't piss him off or he'll mess you up."
This time when she laughs, it echoes through the house. "R2D2," she muses, lifting amused eyes to his. "You nicknamed this child R2D2."
"Yep." He pops his lips.
Her tongue pokes out from between her teeth. "I like it."
She's already awake when his alarm goes off in the morning, running slow circles over her belly with careful fingers. He wouldn't know if it weren't for the fact that the only comfortable position for her to sleep in is on her side facing him, pillow underneath her stomach.
"Hey," he greets mid-yawn, pressing the heel of his hand against his eye. "Did the 'larm wake you?"
Closing the space between them as much as he can, his arm wraps around her back. She shivers, curling her foot around his ankle.
"No, needed to pee a few minutes ago and then I couldn't go back to sleep." Her lips pucker in annoyance, but he knows it's not at him.
"You want me to make you some tea? I'm gonna head to DC in about an hour."
Beckett nods. "Tea sounds good, but in a minute."
He tucks his knee between hers, carefully skimming his fingers up her back.
"Everything okay?"
She smiles tiredly, kissing his chin. "Yeah, he's just stretching in there."
"R2's ready to get to the Hamptons and experience the fresh sea air."
"And freeze," she shoots back, grinning.
Nuzzling her neck, he hums. "Oh I have plenty of plans to keep you warm, Beckett. Blankets, cozy fires, my body…"
"Mmm, cute."
He feels her tense, but she exhales just seconds later.
"You okay?" he asks again, a frown pulling at his lips.
"Yeah, muscle cramp. S'all."
"Where?"
Her hand slides over her belly again. "Here. It's okay, it's normal. The books say so, the doctor says so."
"You're sure you want me to drive today? I could stay home in case it gets worse."
"Mhmm, I want that stuff. I'm fine, I promise. It's just uncomfortable." She pecks his lips lightly. "Come on, let's get moving. I'll get the tea and stuff started, you get dressed."
He nods. The sooner he leaves, the sooner he can come back, and he knows she will tell him if it gets to be more than just uncomfortable.
They sit together while he nurses his coffee and Beckett her tea. Words are few and far between, but the silence is comfortable.
Finally, he checks his watch and declares it time for him to go. As badly as she wants their stuff, the announcement still makes her groan. They're both comfy.
"Sorry," he rubs her shin, moving her legs off his lap to stand. "But the sooner I leave, the sooner I get back."
He hauls her to her feet, kissing her knuckles. Once she's steady, he heads to their bedroom to grab his shoes.
"You want a travel mug?" she calls to his back, heading to the kitchen.
"Please?"
She walks him to the door when he returns, trading the mug for a quick kiss after he's shrugged into his coat.
"I'll start packing for our trip while you're on the road?" she offers, smoothing his lapel down while he makes sure he has his phone and his keys.
"Perfect, Beckett." He steals a kiss, pressing a hand to her belly. "That way we can toss everything I bring back into the nursery tonight and leave straight from the doctor tomorrow."
She nods. "Sounds like a plan. I might nap between now and then. If junior lets me."
"Good." He steals another kiss. "Let your mom rest, R2."
Laughing, his partner nudges him away. "Go, Castle."
He comes back once more, for no reason other than because he can, cupping the back of her head to pull her in for a slow kiss. Beckett sways against him, fingers curling against his jacket.
"You're not playing fair," she grumbles.
Tucking her hair behind her ear, he grins. "See you in a few hours."
His drive is spent drumming on the steering wheel and singing along with a playlist he'll swear he stole from Alexis if he's ever asked. Each time he reaches for his phone, Kate's voice warns him to put it back and drive. He'll have to figure out the Bluetooth before the next time he makes a solo drive. Then he can have the car text Kate ridiculous things to make her laugh.
It'll be great.
Said phone is in his hands as soon as he puts the car in park in the driveway. There's nothing urgent; a couple of retweet notifications (he was especially witty the other day) and an email from his editor with a few more suggestions on his latest chapters. He's only a couple weeks behind – he's just been having too much fun with Beckett to write, except when she's napping – but he'll catch up quickly.
He sends Beckett a quick text, too, letting her know he's arrived and he's going to grab the stuff and get ready to head home – with a stop for food somewhere in there. This way if she's thought of anything else she's desperate to have between now and her next trip down here, he can grab it. She must be napping, though, because he doesn't get a response for almost an hour.
Grab the elephant you bought, too. I didn't have a chance to pack it.
Right. The stuffed toy he'd bought in the airport gift shop on their way home from his book tour. Their kid's first toy. He can grab that.
It goes into the front seat, buckled in and everything. He sends Kate a picture of that, knowing she'll roll her eyes and call him a dork.
Cute, Castle.
Yeah, she loves it.
He sends her a picture of the car once he's finished packing, only to receive silence in response. Hmm, she must be asleep again. That's okay, she needs the rest.
They've already arranged for a housekeeping crew to come through to keep everything fresh, so there isn't much he has to do to prep the house. Still, he walks the place to be sure everything is in order before setting the alarm and closing the door.
He gets a burger to go and eats it one-handed as he merges onto the freeway to head home.
It's only when he stops at a rest area outside of Philly that he realizes his notifications have practically exploded.
Besides twitter, email, and the Words with Friends reminders, there are three texts from Beckett, four from Alexis, and two missed calls from each of them. Crap. Crap, crap, crap. Something has to be wrong for them to have tried that many times to get ahold of him.
He doesn't bother reading the texts or listening to the voicemails, he just calls. Beckett's phone rings almost endlessly before she invites him to leave a message. He hangs up, calling Alexis immediately.
She picks up. And on the second ring, no less. "Dad, did you get our messages?"
"I, ah, I just stopped to stretch my legs and checked my notifications. I didn't listen. What's wrong?"
Alexis takes a deep breath. "Okay, don't freak out."
Yes, because that's the best way to keep him from freaking out. "What's wrong, pumpkin?" he repeats.
"Beckett called me. She was…feeling weird, so I came to get her and we're at the hospital. Mount Sinai, 'cause that's where Kate said to go. They're examining her now."
Shit.
"Weird? Weird how?" He scrambles back to the car, forgetting all about the Snickers bar he'd been about to buy.
"She thought she might be in labor? She was having those contractions and she said they got stronger, so she called me. Her dad's in court, Gram wasn't answering, and you're driving, so I skipped class and –"
"You did great, Alexis. You did great. I'm on my way. I'll be there in… two hours. Maybe sooner if I drive fast. Is the doctor there?"
"She's on her way, too, Dad. Just… drive safe and don't freak out the entire way. I'm here with Kate and everything's good. I'll let you know if… I'll let you know. Just answer your phone next time, please?"
Shit, he hadn't even heard it because he'd been acting ridiculous.
"I will, I will. I'm sorry, I didn't even hear. I'll turn up my ringer, I'll answer next time."
"Good," his daughter exhales. "Take a deep breath, Dad. It's okay. Beckett's okay, the baby's okay, you need to be okay, too."
He breathes quickly, following her orders. "Okay, I'm starting the engine now. I'll be there soon." Even if he has to speed and beg for a police escort to do it.
"Good. I'll tell Beckett when they let me back in. They're checking her out now and getting her settled. She'll call you then."
"Thanks, sweetheart."
The radio stays at a normal level – below normal, really – to make sure he hears his phone when Beckett finally calls. He snatches it up at the first buzz, checking his mirrors to make sure he won't be pulled over for grabbing it.
"Hey, Castle," she murmurs. She sounds tired, strained.
"Hey, Beckett. How're you feeling? What'd the doctor say?"
"They've got me hooked up to about fifteen different machines and they're monitoring me to see if this is the real thing. Doctor Halley's here and she's keeping an eye on things."
"Good, that's good. Are you still having contractions?"
"Yeah, but so far no movement. Halley said it could take some time."
He exhales. That might mean it's not the real thing at all, too. Either way, he shouldn't have left her. "I'm sorry I didn't hear the phone before."
Kate laughs softly. "That's okay; I know you were having your Miley concert."
"Never."
She snorts. "Sure, Castle. Where are you now?"
"Uh," he checks the signs around him, continuing as soon as he sees one, "just outside of East Windsor, New Jersey. GPS is telling me another hour at least until I get there."
"Kay, okay. Just be careful. I'm not going anywhere."
"They got you in the gown huh?" he teases, changing lanes to get around the slowest tanker truck known to humankind.
"Yes," his fiancée huffs. "I flashed Alexis accidentally."
The laugh that spills from his lips zaps the rest of his tension and hopefully Kate's as well. "Better you than me, Beckett."
She laughs softly. "Probably, yeah. It wasn't that bad anyway. Little bit of ass, that's all."
He laughs again, wishing he could be beside her. "Alexis has seen your butt before, Beckett. Remember that time we –"
"Yes," she interrupts. "Yes, I remember. All too well."
Mhmm, yeah, his first days post-knee brace last year got a little bit frenzied. Though that was entirely his fault and Alexis had insisted they'd never talk about it again.
"People are going to see more if this is the real deal," he reminds her, hoping she doesn't think he's rebuking her.
Her inhale is shaky. "I just thought we had more time, Castle. I'm not ready."
"Hey, it'll be okay. Everything looked great at your last appointment; it'll be fine. Whether he comes today or tomorrow or next week, it'll be fine. You are ready. We're ready. You got this, Beckett."
"Okay," she agrees quietly. "Okay. You're right. We're ready."
It would be easy to bask in being right, in knowing he's managed to calm her down a little bit, even from miles away, but he just exhales with her.
"Castle?"
"Yeah?" he answers immediately, checking his mirrors again. Damn, he's boxed in. There's no getting around this slow sedan. What is this person? Amish? They might as well be driving a horse and buggy instead of an actual car.
"Get here soon, okay? But be safe. Don't drive like a crazy person."
"I will. I'll be there. No crazy driving necessary."
A/N: I'll try to have the next chapter out soon! Thanks for sticking with me, everyone.