AN: This chapter wasn't specifically requested, but it's something I wanted to do - a description of how our beloved Caskett came to learn about the life of little Liam. There will be continuances of this further down the line for you guys too. Enjoy!

IBYL
xo

Disclaimer: Don't own it. Wish I did.

Kate sat in the nursery's rocking chair, swaying softly in the light of a dawning day. Sunlight was filtering through a tiny crack in the curtains, and Kate altered her position to ensure the intruding light didn't wake the 4-week-old baby in her arms.

Her son.

It still hit her at the most random of moments, the knowledge that she and Castle had made a baby, this baby. This perfect little human being. She'd carried him for 9 months, her little Liam, and now he'd been out in the big wide world for a month.

The time just flew.

Her little man was already recognising the sound of her voice, which pleased her no end. His bright blue eyes were open and alert, and so much like his father's. He was engaged with his surroundings, and he was such a happy little guy. She knew every sound, every cry that he made – and she took great pride in that. She had been so nervous, prior to his birth. Castle found it amusing, that she could stare down serial killers without a flinch but the thought of being responsible for a baby had her quaking in fear. But it did – she was responsible for this little person, for feeding him, changing him, caring for him and loving him. She was proud to say that she knew her son, now. And she had the pleasure of watching him grow – only a month had past but he was already so different.

As he snoozed in her arms, Kate smiled, thinking back to when she found out about her little man.

xxx

She knew something wasn't right. Really, she did. Her body was protesting – she'd been keeping long hours at the precinct since after the honeymoon, with her and Castle both pulled into a string of wacky cases – and there was no end in sight. She could feel herself fatiguing at the pace, and she knew Castle wasn't doing great, either. He wasn't sleeping fantastically right now. And she'd been feeling tired and sore for weeks.

Kate knew it was time for a break – for both of their sakes. So after a quick discussion with Gates, Kate arranged for 3 days off. More than enough time to run a few errands and just SLEEP. Play catch up. As the day passed, she finished off her paperwork before turning to the writer by her side.

"Ready to go?" She asked, as she filed the last report.

"Sure. Shall we get takeaway on the way home?"

"Sounds perfect, Rick."

"What time are we due back tomorrow?" He asked with a yawn and a glance at his watch.

"We're not back until Thursday." Kate said with a smile.

"Really?" Castle asked, surprised.

"I had a word to Gates. She knows we've been full speed ahead since we got back."

"I'm okay, Kate." He said, the exhaustion seeping into his voice. "You don't need to take time off for me."

"Rick, we're both not okay. Let's just relax, take an opportunity to enjoy some time together. I'm pretty sure our bed is calling – I'm feeling a bit off, lately." Kate said, and the worry appeared in Castle's eyes immediately.

"Are you sure it's just exhaustion, Kate? You look a bit… I don't know, green."

"I'm okay, Castle." Kate said, stroking a hand down his arm as they stepped into the precinct elevator.

"You sure? Because people get sick, Kate. It's alright, you know." He replied, the worry shining in his eyes. Such a sap, her husband.

"I honestly think I just need a solid 12 hour sleep – but I promise, if I feel worse I'll see a doctor."

"It's all I ask, oh lovely wife of mine." Castle said, with an acquiescent grin.

xxx

Two days later, after Kate had spent the better part of the evening vomiting, she relented and made a doctor's appointment, to figure out what was wrong, while Castle was due to attend a publisher's meeting.

"Kate, I can cancel and come with you." Rick said, clearly worried.

"Baby, I'm fine. I will meet you back here for lunch after you're done, okay? I swear."

"You just 'Baby'-ed me." Castle grinned.

"I did not." Kate said indignantly, before replaying her sentence and groaning. "Oh, I did."

"Katherine Houghton Beckett-sometimes-Castle, you are a sap. A total and utter marshmallow." Rick said gleefully.

"Shush. Go to your meeting. I'll meet you back home at 1, okay?"

"Okay. Love you, baby." He teased.

"Richard Edgar Castle, don't you even…" she growled, as her husband pecked her cheek and flitted out the door.

xxx

Kate's doctor's visit was mercifully quick – a few easy tests and a gentle reminder to rest and take it easy. She was just waiting for her blood test results, and then she'd be back to Castle for an easy afternoon.

Perhaps in bed.

Her daydreaming was broken by a nurse calling her name.

"Kate Castle?"

"Yes?" She responded after a second, still not used to her married name.

"The doctor wants to see you for just a moment." The nurse said, and panic fluttered in her chest. Again? What was wrong?

Kate walked into the office, her doctor greeting her with a smile.

"Sorry to call you back so quickly, Kate."

"That's okay – is everything alright?" Kate asked, heart in her mouth.

"Everything is more than okay, Kate. I've just discovered why you've been feeling ill."

"Oh, really?" Kate said, bracing herself.

"Kate, you're pregnant."

Kate felt the world spin a little as she took a deep breath.

"I… really? Pregnant?"

"Your tests are conclusive, Kate. You and your husband weren't trying?" Her doctor questioned, and she shook her head.

"No. I'm on the pill." They'd discussed it, of course. They both wanted kids – but specifics were never decided upon. They just hoped it would happen eventually – but apparently eventually had arrived earlier than intended.

"Well it's not 100 percent effective, Kate. At the risk of sounding patronising, these things do happen. Did you have any questions for me at all?" He asked, and Kate shook her head.

"No. I think I'd best go talk to my husband first. Thank you for your time, doctor."

"No problems, Kate. If you need me at any point, feel free to contact me through the clinic."

Kate left the room, and started the walk back to the loft, her most recent conversation playing in her mind. Pregnant. She's pregnant. There's a little life growing inside her right now.

With every step, her grin grew.

They were having a baby.

Castle was going to be thrilled to be a father again.

xxx

Rick wandered through the door, just past 1 o'clock. Tossing his jacket over the lounge, he smiled when he saw Kate perched on his favourite armchair.

"Kate." He murmured, the novelty of arriving home to her still not gone after 18 months living together. It's the little things. "What did the doctor say?"

"Funny story about that." She said with a sly smile.

"You've got a funny story from the doctors?" He asked, perplexed.

"What were your last words to me before you left today?" Kate prompted.

"Trick question?"

"Think about it, memory man. What did you say?"

"I said 'Love you, baby'" Castle replied, proud of his memory. "So? I know you hate pet names Kate but you started it. And what does that have to do" He whined, before pausing, eyes wide, "with anything… Kate?"

"That 'baby' comment may have been more accurate than you or I thought." She said, watching as tears began to shine in his eyes.

"Kate, are you serious?"

"Tired, mood swings, losing my lunch…" Kate continued, and Rick beamed.

"You're pregnant?"

"Yeah." Kate said.

"Really?" He asked, dumbfounded.

"Congratulations, Daddy." Kate murmured, tears filling her own eyes as Castle hoisted her out of the armchair, pulling her into a hug and kissing her soundly.

"Kate, we're having a baby." Rick said, awed.

"So the doctor says. We need to find an obstetrician, get an ultrasound. But yes. I'm pregnant."

"At the risk of being indelicate… how?" He asked, his eyes wide and ecstatic.

"Luck, I guess. The pill's not 100% effective – these things happen. Apparently our schedule of 'eventually' was too slow for mother nature." Kate said, and Rick chuckled.

"Apparently. I… Crap, Kate, I thought it wasn't possible to beat the happiness level I was at on our wedding day and then you go and tell me something like this." Rick grinned. "I love you so much, baby. And you too, baby." He said cheekily, running a hand along her abdomen.

"Love you too, Castle." Kate murmured against his lips.

xxx

Kate smiled as she thought of his reaction. It truly was beautiful – he was such a loving, caring man, always had been, but to see him as a father, as an excited new father, watching his imagination run wild with ideas and dreams for their child? It was beyond anything she'd imagined.

"He asleep?" Castle asked, leaning against the doorjamb with a sleepy smile. Kate flicked her eyes to the clock, saw she'd been reminiscing for an hour, just cuddling her boy close to her chest – a thought which made her smile.

"Yeah, he's asleep. He'll wake soon though, for a feed." She said, and Rick grinned.

"Well then, I'll get Mommy's breakfast organised while she feeds the little one." Rick said, walking over to kiss his wife's forehead and stroke a gentle hand over Liam's skull.

"Thanks, Rick."

"Always." He grinned, just as the youngster began to stir and whine for his mother.

Apparently, it was breakfast time.

Reviews? I'd love to know what you think!