Chapter 38 – 20 Weeks

Kate walked in to the kitchen to Rick dancing around with Alexis while simultaneously flipping pancakes.

"Good morning you two, and Happy Birthday booger face." She said as she walked around the counter, catching the little girls attention first, who ran over to her, reaching her arms out to Kate.

Kate picked the little girl up and sat her on the counter.

"I cant hold you today Lex, my back hurts a little, but you can sit up here to give me a hug and kiss."

The little girl puckered her lips up and Kate moved in and stole a kiss from her.

"Morning Kate."

"Good morning baby, what are you and your dad up to?"

"Making breakfast. I wanted birthday pancakes, but he is also making eggs for you."

"I'll actually take both if you're making them, babe." She swatted at his butt and he leaned over giving her a deep kiss. As he broke contact, he hovered in front of her face for a second, eyes still shut. "God I love you." he said as he turned back to the stove.

"Oh really?" She said, turning and wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Yeah, really." He turned in her arms giving her another kiss. "Especially in the morning, when you have the whole pregnancy glow going on and you're rested and happy."

"Pregnancy glow? I'm wearing an old tshirt of yours and granny panties."

"What are granny panties?" Alexis asked from the counter next to them.

"Nothing."

"Kate's underwear."

They answered simultaneously, receiving a confused look from the little girl.

"You two are weird." She said as she hopped off the counter, prancing towards the living room.

"You have her gift right Rick?" Kate whispered as she walked to the fridge to grab a bottle of water.

"Of course I have it. Her party is today, Kate. Mother is picking him up on her way over later for her party and we will hide him in our room until we give him to her."

"Don't get an attitude with me, I wasn't insinuating you forgot. I was just asking so that you would fill me in. You've kind of left me in the dark about all of it."

"Hey," he grabbed her wrist, pulling her towards him, "Sorry, I didn't mean to be snappy." He kissed her and she pulled away.

"You know better than to mess with a pregnant woman's emotions."

"I said I was sorry, and I am."

"I'm talking about that kiss. Don't kiss me like that unless you plan on doing something about it." She raised an eyebrow at him. He knew better than to tease her at this point in her pregnancy.

"I will do something about it, just not right this minute."

"I mean Lex is watching cartoons, I think you should make her a plate and then maybe meet me in our room."

"What?" his eyes shot over to her. "You serious? Right now?"

She walked closer to him, grabbing the waistband of his pants and pulling him into her and in a low, sultry voice, "I… am…. really…..really… horny."

He shoved his hands down over her butt, squeezing both sides of her cheeks tightly and shoving her hips into his own as he kissed her.

She pulled away quickly as things started to get out of hand, "Rick, I'm gonna go, before it happens right here." She stalked off towards the bedroom.

He threw a few pancakes on a plate and took them over to Alexis and sat them on the coffee table before running into his bedroom.

"Okay we have to be quick." He said as he came flying towards the bed. Kate was already undressed and laying under the covers.

He tore his pants off and jumped in under the covers, pulling Kate up over him.

"Slow down, I'm horny but gosh."

"Shut up and kiss me." He said as he drug her mouth to his.

She let out a laugh as she bit his bottom lip.

"Doggy style? It will be the quickest way for both of us." She said.

"Oh yeah Kate, because that's romantic."

Kate moved off of his lap and started to move to her knees.

"I don't need romantic, I need it now, and fast. Your daughter is in the next room."

Almost as soon as she finished her sentence a little knock came from their door.

"DADDY I SPILLED MY PANCAKES ON THE FLOOR!"

"Are you serious right now." He whispered to Kate.

"Hey, don't worry, we can sneak away later. Go." She shoved at his side, forcing him off the bed.

Rick threw his pants on while Kate pulled the blanket up over herself. Leaning in to give her a kiss before rushing towards the door. He opened the door and there Alexis stood, syrup down the front of her pajamas and all over her face.

"Did you go swimming on your plate, gosh kid." He said dragging his hand over the top of her hair and down her braids.

She stared down at her feet, trying not to make eye contact with her dad. "I wasn't paying attention, and I knocked it off the table onto myself."

"No worries, accidents happen pumpkin."

She looked up at him and have him a toothy smile and then took his hand and they walked back into the living room to clean up her mess.

Kate jumped out of the bed, running over and shutting the door behind the two of them and then went to the bathroom to take a shower. They had missed their chance for a quickie so she would have to wait until after the party.

She showered, dried and curled her hair in record time for her. Since she had been pregnant it took her forever to get ready so she hardly did it, but today had been a breeze. She felt lighter today, happier than she had in a while. Maybe everything was settling in, she was getting use to her life now. She had been so scared over the last few months, worrying constantly about her future. She knew that Castle would always be there to help but it still terrified her to think about being responsible for another persons life. Today, things felt different though, she didn't feel scared about having this baby and being a parent, or scared about her relationship falling apart once the baby came.

She was finishing up her make up when Rick appeared in the doorway leaning against the frame.

"You look beautiful."

"Thanks, baby." She said, laying her mascara down and walking towards him, grabbing his shirt and pulling him close. "You need a shower."

"Oh gee, thanks." He said, leaning in and peppering her face with kisses.

"Just being honest." She teased, grabbing his jaw and pulling it down so she could press her lips against his.

"I need you to take Lex down to the corner store to get ice cream for the party. Mother is in the garage waiting to bring the dog up and I don't want Lex to see."

"Okay, you got it. What kind of ice cream?"

"Whatever you all want. Doesn't matter, get every kind."

Xx

When Kate and Alexis returned from the store they put the ice cream away and went upstairs to get Alexis ready for her party.

Alexis had a beautiful yellow sundress picked out for her party. Kate put her hair in matching french braids and tied white ribbons to the end of each braid.

They went back down to the kitchen, Kate needed to get the snacks ready for the party and Alexis had offered to help.

"Are you excited for your party?"

"Yeah, and I cant wait to see all my friends from school. I miss them."

They made their way to the pantry and Kate pulled out all the snack foods, and then pulled the fruit tray from the fridge and laying it on the counter.

"Well you'll be starting kindergarten in a few months and you'll get to see most of them every day at Marlowe."

"Kindergarten means I'll be there all day, right?"

"Yeah that's right baby girl."

"Well, who is going to watch my brother while I'm gone to school."

Kate let out a loud laugh, "I'll be at home with him every day, at least for a while, and then maybe daddy and I will take turns watching him."

"Isn't that my job? To watch my baby brother?"

"Well, you can definitely help watch him but you won't be alone, daddy and I will always be there to help.""

"My daddy watched me when I was a baby. My mommy," the little girl paused. Looking up at Kate. "Kate can I tell you something?"

"Well of course. You can tell me anything."

"My mommy scares me."

"Scares you?"

"When she comes to see me. She wants to hug me and kiss me and I don't want her to do that. I only like when you and my daddy and gram do that."

"Well she is your mommy, she just wants to show you how much she loves you, and adores you."

"I hope she isn't here today."

Kate hadn't thought about Meredith showing up, nor had Rick mentioned anything about the woman.

"Does she usually come to your birthday?"

"She came when I turned four, but I don't remember when I turned 3."

"Well if she does come you should be nice to her, but if you don't want her to hug and kiss on you, just ask her not to."

"Then she will cry, she always cries."

They finished laying the snacks out and Alexis made her way to her room to play before everyone showed up.

Kate entered the master bathroom to find Rick standing there dressed in a pair of fitted blue jeans and a black v-neck shirt. She made her way to stand beside him, staring at him in the mirror.

"What? Is something wrong, should I wear a different shirt?"

"Oh, no, no, no. You look," she took a second, looking him up and down and pulling her bottom lip in between her teeth.

"That good, eh?"

"So sexy. My baby daddy is so, so sexy."

"Fiancé"

"Yeah, that too." She teased, lifting up and giving him a peck on the cheek.

"How is my son doing today?"

"He's fine," her hand doing a protective sweep across her stomach. "Your girlfriend is a little worried though?"

"Fiancé"

"Yeah, that. Is Meredith coming?"

"I invited her but she never responded, why?'

"Alexis was talking about her and I just got to thinking. Didn't know if you had invited her or if she…you know, might call to wish her a Happy Birthday at least."

"Oh I wouldn't count on it."

"Does she not carry out any parental responsibilities?"

"Kate, we have been together for what? 7 months now, have you ever seen her call one time, or visit one time?"

"Well… No."

"Exactly, she isn't what I would call a present parent."

"I guess I just don't understand how she could totally neglect her child. My child isn't even here yet and I worry about him all the time."

"That's because you're a good mom." He placed his hand in the small of her back, applying a little pressure while he pulled her in tightly to his side.

"Well, thank you, but I'm not a mom yet."

"Yes you are. Bug might not be here yet but you are still his mom, and you're more of a mom to Alexis than she has ever had."

She gave his side a pinch and nuzzled her head into his chest. "You're sweet."

"I'm being honest. You're taking on a lot right now and you're doing pretty darn good if you ask me."

"Well, I couldn't survive if I didn't have you here to help me through this. You have been there to guide me through everything. I know I have driven you crazy over the last few months but you're always so patient and understanding and I don't deserve the kindness you show me sometimes."

"Well, that's what happens when you become a parent Kate. The well being of your children takes over your own well-being. Same with becoming a husband, my job is to protect my family and to do everything I can to make sure that they are happy and healthy."

"Well you're doing a great job, babe."

"Thank you."

She wrapped her arms tighter around him, pressing her nose into his chest and inhaling his scent.

"What are you doing, Kate?"

"Sniffing you."

"uh, yeah I can tell, why are you sniffing me?"

"I don't know, I just love you and…." She stopped, squeezing him tighter.

"I love you to babe, lets go out here and get the party started. Pretty soon our home will be swarmed with 4 & 5 year olds."

"Practice."

"Oh, do you plan on having a house full of kids, Kate Beckett?"

"Once I become a Castle, I can't promise that I wont want a house full of Castle babies."

"I'm gonna have to get out a few more best sellers to afford this aren't I?"

"They can wear hand me downs."

"College, Kate, I'm gonna have to send," he paused. "How many kids are we talking?"

"Rick, calm down, lets get this one out first and then we will talk about how many more I'm willing to pop out."

"I say one more, that's all, three kids is already a lot."

The doorbell rang and they could hear Alexis yelling for them

"Castle! Stop worrying about something that is years down the road. Let's go welcome everyone."

They opened the door to find two of Alexis pre school classmates and their mothers.

"Hi guys, come on in." Kate said, welcoming the girls and their mothers.

"Hi, I'm Stephanie, and this is Megan. Noelle is mine and Anna is hers."

"Hi." Kate extended her hand, "Kate Beckett, I'm the step mom."

"You look too young to be a mom." Stephanie said.

"Well clearly not too young," Kate said petting her stomach. A nervous smile spreading across her face.

"Oh, I didn't mean anything by it. Sorry that came out rude, I just meant you look very young and pretty. I wish I still looked as good as you. Kids ruined my body."

"Oh you're fine, I wasn't offended, I've heard worse from the tabloids about myself."

"Really, I am so sorry."

"Like I said it's fine. "

Rick approached the women, running his hand around Kate's waist to rest on the small of her back.

"This is Rick, Alexis' father."

Rick extended his hand, "Hi, Rick Castle."

"Oh no introduction necessary, we are quite aware of who you are." Stephanie said, standing up straighter and sticking out her chest.

Kate made a mental note not to trust any of these young moms around her fiancé.

"Hey babe, I am gonna go check on the pup upstairs, you got this for a minute?" She whispered, he kissed her temple and shooed her up the stairs.

She went into the spare bedroom at the end of the hall, opened the bathroom door and there lay the little golden retriever puppy.

"Oh my gosh you are so cute."

Kate picked the small puppy up off the ground, cuddling it into her chest.

"Lex is going to love you, little pup."

He licked her neck and Kate let out a giggle. He was surprisingly calm and loving. She lay the pup back on the ground and made her way back to the party.

The moms had all congregated together, away from Rick thankfully. He stood in the kitchen getting the table ready for the kids. Placing the cake in the middle and putting 5 candles in it.

"Hey babe, everything good?"

"Yeah, round up the kids and bring them in here. We can go ahead and do cake and ice cream and then presents."

"Hey boys and girls, lets make our way to the table so we can have some cake and ice cream."

The kids all shrieked with excitement and started running to the table, fighting over seats. Some wanted to sit next to Alexis, others wanted to sit by each other. Once they were all settled, Castle lit the candles on the cake and they all sang happy birthday.

"Make a wish Lex." Kate said as she made eye contact with the little girl.

She closed her eyes really tight and blew out her candles.

Once the cake and ice cream were done they all made their way to the living room, Alexis opened her presents, the kids all played for a while and then the party was over and everyone was clearing out pretty quickly. Mothers were noticing their kids were on overload so they cleared them out quicker than expected.

Alexis lay on her back on the floor in front of the couch.

"Hey kid, you tired already?" Rick asked, walking over and sitting on the couch next to where she lay.

"So much cake, so much ice cream, dad."

"Are you in a sugar-coma?"

"Yes."

"Got enough energy for one more gift?"

She sat up immediately, "Gift, where?"

As soon as Alexis stood up to grab her dads hand she saw Kate walking down the stairs, with a tiny puppy wrapped in her arms.

"Daddy… Is that a puppy?"

"Yeah baby, it is."

She flung her arms around his neck, and the tears started to fall. He had never seen Alexis so excited about any gift he had given her before. She broke away and ran towards Kate, reaching for the puppy immediately. Kate handed the small puppy over and Alexis peppered kisses all over its face.

"I love it daddy."

"What do you want to name him."

"Him? It's a boy?"

Rick nodded, with a smile on his face.

"I want to name him Elmo."

"What is it with the name Elmo?" Kate said from behind the two of them.

"Elmo sounds great kiddo." Rick said, patting her head.

Alexis ran off up the stairs with her puppy, she said she wanted to play with him in her room.

Rick and Kate sat on the couch, cuddled up after their long day. Rick ran circles over the small of her back, massaging the place she had been complaining about all day.

"Well we have one very happy five year old."

"Yes we do, I think the puppy is great for her, teach her some responsibility before the baby gets here."

"Yeah, I think she is going to be a good mom, just like you."

Kate ran her hand down over Ricks chest and stomach. As her hand went further south she could hear his deep panting breaths.

"Kate, not yet."

"I really want to though."

"Let me tuck her in first, then we can do anything you want?"

"Oh, anything?"

"I'll be to bed in less than 20." He said as he got up and ran up the stairs.

When he came down the stairs less than 20 minutes later, Kate was sprawled across the couch asleep. Instead of waking her to walk to bed he picked her up and carried her. Tucking her in on her side and crawling in behind her.

This one was a long one.

Enjoy.

Review :)