Genre: Drama, Crime, Romance, Family, Humor

Rating: M for sexual situations and language

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC, and the others who do own them.

A/N #1: I was very happy getting the feedback for the last chapter that I did so let me get right to my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (Great reading that you thought the first half of the chapter was good writing. And of course, I was pleased to read that you thought the second half was good writing for Kate and Rick),

MsNYC (Great that who was the killer was a twist, and that you thought the first half was great writing as usual. And I wasn't surprised to see you said you were really waiting to see when Castle wakes up. Was very pleased reading that you thought the second half was great writing as well!) and

vetgirlmx (Great that you loved this chapter as I had no idea what the response to it would be considering what was in it. And true, not sure if a day is the shortest courtship either but yes it was quick, and I was waiting for readers to really protest that. So of course, I was really glad that you got what I was doing with that with them knowing each other for 20 years so there wasn't much of a point to have a courtship so I'm very happy you thought it was the logical step as you said! Very nice to read that you enjoyed the arrest a lot and I did have to laugh at how you said it was a mess with everyone there but fun for you. And yeah didn't want anyone to get hurt after Junior was murdered and of course needed just to happen for him so I definitely had no one getting away. I was very, very worried that readers would take offense as to how Lanie was in 1926 so of course I was really happy that you kinda enjoyed Kate taking her out. You're also right, it was Lanie but not really her, so I agree because she was evil she really deserved getting knocked out. I'm glad that you loved Julia's reaction to the news because you saw there what I was doing with 1926 Julia vs. present day Julia. I have her less shy and seeming to know and I think she basically did she was around them a lot, lol. I'm so, so happy that you said you'd love to see more of these characters 'cause they do show up in the future. I'm not surprised that you mentioned that he's due to wake up any minute now. Also, wasn't surprised that you're eager to see everyone's relief seeing him awake, him telling what he saw to them and their reactions to that. You made a very good point, about him being asleep for only about two days but it feeling like it's much longer. And yeah, for his family that's not going to make a difference in the end, it's still a long time with them still worried. I'm glad that you mentioned that that is about to stop now and you readers getting to see it since you want to read more and now you can!).

Thanks so much for the reviews, I loved reading them and definitely appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!

A/N #2: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Bye Bye Blackbird by Mort Dixon in 1926, the version I've taken the lyric from is sung by Paul McCartney from his album Kisses on the Bottom, released in 2012.

Where Somebody Waits For Me

"I'm glad you were here," Castle said.

"Of course I am," Beckett replied.

"This is it," Castle commented. "I can tell, what will I see? How much can I see?" He got no response and he knew it, but he'd still wanted to say it; just in case there would be a denial of that. When he got nothing he said, "How connected are we?"

"Very," Beckett's voice replied.

"Will she be aware of this?" Castle asked, meaning what he'd been seeing.

"I'm afraid not," Beckett replied. "She's too concerned about you; she's been remembering your relationship herself."

"Okay then I'm ready to go ahead and see what I can see," Castle replied.

"As you wish," the voice said.

Castle was startled when the voice no longer sounded like his wife but couldn't do anything as wherever he was began to change. He waited interestedly, wondering what he'd see of the life of the two since they were married, and he already knew she was carrying their first child.

June 5th, 1927
Mill Valley, Marin County, California

"Ma!" Julia cried eagerly as she ran through the house. "Ma, Da crashed the kite!"

"I told you it wouldn't be a good idea to fly it here Rick," Kate said, smiling at her husband as she pushed herself up from her chair. "Can you get it?" she asked.

"Of course, just need to grab the ladder," Rick replied. He leaned over and kissed her tenderly, touching her stomach which was six months gone with their child. He looked down at it when there was a gentle tap beneath his hand and said, "You're well?" in Irish.

"Of course," Kate replied. "Get the kite and come inside," she told him firmly.

"Alright, I'll be back," Rick replied. He thought he'd be on his own when he suddenly heard footsteps behind him. "You don't need to come with me," he told his wife.

"I've been sitting long enough," Kate said. "And I'd like to see how you do."

Rick frowned though he smiled quickly at her afterwards and he then went to the garage at the other end of the yard. Since there wasn't much inside except for his car; Junior's was theirs as well and parked behind it; he had the ladder and said, "Good thing we painted the house," when he was back out.

"Yes, though I'm sure we would have gotten one anyways," Kate replied, following him with Julia holding her hand. It wasn't until they were in the front of the house that she saw how high up the kite had gotten and she said worriedly, "Oh Rick, be careful."

"I'm a big six; you said so yourself," he replied after he'd set the ladder in place. Rick went over to her then and gently brushed his lips against hers and said, "I will be," as he didn't want her to be concerned and possibly hurt the baby. He turned to the tree and climbed up before he grabbed the kite and threw it down to the ground. He managed to get back to it himself perfectly fine and he said, "See?"

"Thank you Da," Julia said with a smile. She then peered up at her mother and asked, "Can I fly it again?"

"No," Kate said. "Come inside, both of you; dinner will be ready."

"Ah, I'm starving," Rick told the little girl with a smile. "A roast too this will be a swell dinner."

"Yeah… what about Grandma?" Julia asked them.

"No need to worry," Kate said as they were walking into the kitchen then. "She's awake; did you have a good nap Ma?"

"I did, how are you Katie dear?" Johanna said, cutting into the roast. "No, no, sit I'll take care of everything."

Though she didn't want to leave everything to her mother Kate allowed her husband to have her sit at the kitchen table and she said, "I'm alright, but I wish I wasn't like this during summer."

"But it's not summer yet," Julia said.

"No it is, just the beginning of summer," Rick said as he was getting plates. "And I'll have to see about getting some ice for your ma."

"And for all of you as well," Kate said.

"As I remember though," Johanna said as she watched her son in law take the plates and cutlery to the dining room. "Your da said that it wasn't so hot here."

"But more than the city," Kate replied. "I remember Da saying the same too."

"Well I know he'll make sure you're comfortable," Johanna said as her daughter stood up. "And if you're going to help then please just get our drinks."

"Yes Ma," Kate said as they were alone. She went over to her and hugged her tightly saying, "I'm so glad you're here."

"Well your sister and Patrick are getting along fine," Johanna replied as she'd arrived the day before to remain with her oldest daughter through the rest of her pregnancy. "And I want to make sure you're well."

"As does Rick," Kate said with a smile. She hugged her mother again and then said, "But I'll get through this, you did. And with twins."

"You're not having twins," Johanna said with a smile. "I would be able to tell. Now, let's eat I'm sure Julia is starving."

The family gathered together around the table and after they'd eaten for a bit; Rick making sure he complimented his wife and mother in law on the meal; he said, "Tomorrow I'll be going to the club."

"Oh Da can I go?" Julia asked.

"I need you here to help your ma and grandma," Rick said. "I can't trust anyone else to do that."

"We'll walk through town Julia," Johanna told her granddaughter. "Your ma wants to walk around and see the creeks."

Smiling, as there was one just steps to the west from their home, Julia said, "Can I see the fishies?"

"Of course, I'm going to wade myself," Kate said. "My ankles will love it."

"I'll have to give them a cool bath tonight love," Rick told her.

"Thank you," Kate said, knowing she couldn't tell him he didn't need to as he would anyway. "Finish your vegetables honey," she told Julia.

"I will; Ma can we go outside after?" the little girl asked.

"We'll read tonight on the porch," Rick said, knowing she would be alright with that.

"From your story?" Julia asked interestedly.

"No, that's not going to be done for some time," Rick said as he thought about how his wife had urged him to go back to something he'd done as a child. Ever since grade school he'd written short stories and poems though he'd stopped with the war. Since he wasn't a detective anymore he'd written a bit and when his wife had discovered it after the New Year she urged him to write more since he'd drawn from his time in the Army and his different investigations. At that moment it was only a hobby and kept him occupied while he and Kate were waiting for their baby to arrive.

Rick tried to keep himself from smiling as he was helping them clear the table when he thought of how she had told him she was expecting three months before. He wasn't sure, but he knew they had made that baby either their first night together or during their honeymoon in the cottage. He was ecstatic about it, though he couldn't help worrying about his wife as they neared September when it was expected. She would be giving birth at home, but a very respectable doctor was their neighbor and was going to help her when it came to that.

"Love," Kate said, touching his arm as he was looking into his glass of wine. "Come on, Julia's waiting for her story tonight."

"So am I," Rick replied with a smile before they walked together hand in hand over to the porch where Julia and Johanna were waiting for them.

Sighing deeply Kate told her husband as he walked up to her, "You're a sweetheart."

"If I get too hot this summer I'll ask for the same," Rick told her jokingly. He had her pull her right foot from the tub he'd set up for her and gently wiped her feet dry. He'd been doing that since her ankles had begun to slightly swell with her pregnancy and he knew how much she appreciated it as every time afterwards they would be incredibly passionate with their lovemaking. He tried not to think of that and instead dried off both her feet before he helped her over to the bed while he cleaned up. He finished up by setting the towel aside in their bathroom before he went out to her, seeing that she was standing next to the bed, looking at him intensely. He was about to speak when she beat him suddenly to it as she stepped up to him, leaving him breathless while she did that.

"I could help you right now," Kate said in a sultry voice.

Shuddering; as his wife had been swift to become a passionate woman when it came to him; Rick shook his head and said, "I can bathe on my own."

"I can help you," Kate said before she pushed him playfully to the bathroom.

Though he wanted to protest Rick kept quiet about that, undressing while she got his bath ready. "You're alright?" he asked once his clothes were set aside.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Kate asked as she waited for him to get inside the water. She sat on the chair he'd brought for them to use when they helped each other bathe, watching him immerse himself.

"I'm just making sure," Rick told her seriously, looking up at her. "Don't help me," he then said. "Next time alright?"

"Okay," Kate replied with a smile as she was looking on while he cleaned up.

After he'd wiped the water away from his eyes Rick said, "Wait for me?"

"No," Kate said simply as she knew he meant for her to go out to their bed.

Feeling his wife's eyes on him as he stepped out, dried and then dressed Rick tried to go as fast as he could to clean up everything. When he'd finished he said, "Alright, come on love."

"I'm already gone," Kate told him, walking away.

Shaking his head; though he was smiling as he followed her back out into their bedroom; Rick watched her get onto the bed and he hurried to follow her. As soon as he was on the bed he leaned over, kissing her deeply before Kate was snaking her arms around his neck. As her nails raked down his back he shuddered and murmured that he loved her before she said the same. The second she'd finished speaking he then kissed her hungrily again and they began to undress eagerly so they could finally make love.

September 1st, 1927
Mill Valley, Marin County, California

Hearing another yell of pain Rick flinched and looked at Patrick who squeezed his shoulder. "Don't say it," he told his brother in law.

"I wouldn't dream… of it," Patrick said as they heard another yell.

"Da?" Julia said. When her father looked up at her she rushed over to him and wrapped her arms around him tightly. "Is Ma gonna be okay?"

"She will," Rick said, kissing her temple. He looked up at the doorway to the hall and said, "She got away from you."

"I'm afraid so," Mary replied. "Julia, you didn't hear what I said, don't you want to make a bouquet for your ma?"

"Go," Rick said, hoping Kate wouldn't yell while their oldest was in the house. He watched Rose's sweetheart pick the little girl up before rushing to the back of the house. He breathed out as he heard a slightly fainter yell from his wife and said, "This is taking too long."

"I know," Patrick replied looking at his pocket watch. When he put it away he saw his brother in law looking at him and said, "You don't want to know."

"I need to," Rick replied seriously. When Patrick said, "Six hours," he groaned and cursed before a louder scream seemed to echo through the house at that moment. He jumped up and when his brother in law tried to hold him back he shrugged him off, rushing to the stairs which he tried to take two at a time before he met his sister in law at the bottom of the short flight of stairs to his and Kate's room.

"Thank goodness, she's been calling for you," Rose said before she turned around and led him upstairs into the bedroom.

"Love," Rick said as he hurried to his wife and sat on the edge of the bed.

"I should have just… had you here with me," Kate said while he took her hand. "How is Julia?"

"She's fine," Rick assured her, kissing the back of her hand. "Mary is taking her around to the flowers."

Nodding Kate began to shift on the bed before she began to cry out and then proceeded to scream while the doctor calmly instructed her to push. She did so, clutching tightly to her husband's hand until the pain subsided. "Rick…" she breathed, looking up at him.

"It's alright love," he told her, taking the damp towel from his mother in law.

"You're nearly there," the doctor said. "Another few pushes, and you'll have your baby with us."

"Stay with me?" Kate asked her husband.

"Of course," Rick said, trying not to panic at the weakness of her voice as he knew it was the pain from labor that was making her talk like that. He leaned over and tenderly kissed her forehead before he stood up as she began to struggle on the bed once more. As she continued to push he had no way to keep track of time and he was glad he couldn't as he had a feeling it was longer than a few minutes. But finally, the doctor was saying he could see the head and he held Kate's hand tighter, looking over at the man as his wife began to push again.

"Here we are," the doctor said as he got the baby. He quickly handed it over to the nurse who was attending with him and told Rick, "It's a girl."

"Kate," he told his wife. "Did you hear my love? We have a girl."

Opening her eyes slowly Kate looked up at him and smiled before saying, "Is she okay."

"She is," Johanna assured her daughter as she was watching the nurse finish with her granddaughter.

Rick was impatient to see their baby, but he knew they needed to finish with his wife and the baby before that could be done. But the doctor was eventually coming over to them, carrying the newborn which he placed in Kate's arms as she was cleaned up and sitting up as well. "She's beautiful love," he told his wife.

"She is," Kate replied, tears in her eyes as she studied their daughter. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead before she saw her husband's hand appearing. She smiled up at him as he reached down to cup the back of the baby's head and said, "Ma?"

"I can take her," Rick said quickly.

"Let him," Johanna told her daughter with a smile though she went over to stand next to him.

Though he was a little nervous Rick did the best he could to take the baby into his arms. Once she was set he held her close and breathed to his mother in law, "Is it crass if I thank my wife?"

"No, no," Johanna said with a smile. "Her father said the same to me after our three were born."

"Then thank you Kate, I've never been so happy since after our wedding," Rick said. He paused and then looked up before saying, "I mean I'm as happy as I was when Julia became my daughter."

With a smile Kate wanted to reply to that though she had to listen to the doctor instructing her about what she needed to do with the baby born. When he and the nurse had left; with her husband's profuse thanks as well as the rest of theirs; she said to him, "You're welcome Rick. Now we should give her her name."

"I'll leave that up to you," Rick said as he handed the baby back to her.

"Elizabeth," Kate said. "But she needs another name."

Breathing out Rick said, "Cassia."

With a smile, as that had been his mother's middle name, Kate nodded and said, "Perfect. Can someone get Julia? I want her to see her sister."

"We will," Rose said, leaning over and looking at her niece. "She's adorable Katie."

"Thank you," she replied before her sister went to the door.

"Wait," Johanna called to her youngest. She turned to Kate and the baby and leaned down, kissing the top of the baby's head. "I'm so happy you're both doing well Katie. And I love her already."

"Do you want to hold her?" Rick asked.

"After Julia has," Johanna said firmly before she and Rose left.

Going immediately to the bed Rick sat down on the edge and kissed his wife on the lips deeply, feeling her beginning to respond. They did that for a little longer before he knew they needed to stop so he pulled away and said, "I love you Kate."

"I love you Rick," she told him before the baby made a cooing noise. When her husband kissed the top of Elizabeth's head she said, "You didn't want to name her after your mother?"

"Oh no," Rick replied. "My mother never liked her first name, she preferred Cassia," he let her know.

"Okay," Kate said before they both looked to the doorway. "Hello honey," she called as Julia appeared suddenly.

"Mama," the little girl said in relief as she rushed over to the bed. "Oh…" she said, stopping when she saw the baby.

"Come meet your sister," Rick told her, reaching to her to lead her the rest of the way.

"I have a sister?" Julia asked happily.

"You do," Kate replied. She tilted the baby a little so her oldest could see her and she saw that Julia was studying her closely.

"Can I hold her?" Julia asked hopefully.

"Yes," Kate said before her husband was helping their oldest up onto the bed. She gave Elizabeth to her then and smiled when Julia kissed the baby's forehead before she said, "You didn't even ask her name."

"Oh… what is it?" Julia asked, looking up at her parents as she realized she hadn't.

"Elizabeth Cassia," Rick supplied when his wife looked to him for him to answer.

"Ooh, pretty," Julia said. She smiled and then handed her little sister back to her mother before she said, "Can Uncle Patrick see her?"

"Yes, have them come in," Kate told her husband.

"I'll be back," Rick said with a smile, kissing Julia's cheek before he brushed his lips to his wife's. As he left them to get the rest of their family he stopped at the doorway, looking at the three on the bed. He couldn't help smiling even wider and he felt contentment in that moment knowing his and his wife's love had added to their family. He pushed himself to go, rushing down the stairs so he could hurry back to them and spend more time with them all.

May 12th, 1928
Mill Valley, Marin County, California

"Julia," Kate said, walking outside. "What are you doing with your sister?"

"Nothing Ma," the little girl said with a wide smile. "I was just showing her my new bike."

"Which you'll need to wait to ride," Rick said.

"Having any luck?" Kate asked, walking over to her husband.

"I think so," Rick replied as he turned the pedal on the smaller bike. "Alright she's ready for you honey."

"Yay," Julia said, handing her mother Elizabeth.

Watching Kate place the eight month old on her hip Rick asked, "Are you alright?"

"I believe I am," she replied. She wasn't surprised when her husband placed his hand on the slight curve of her stomach and she said, "Can you wait for October?"

"I'll have to, won't I?" Rick asked.

"Da," Julia said to get his attention.

"Oh, right," Rick replied as he turned to her. "Going to follow us?"

"I will," Kate said. "Was that a good surprise?" she asked her daughter.

"Yes," Julia said firmly. "The best Birthday, it's been swell."

"So far," Rick said, waiting for her to come over to him. "If you see your aunts, uncle and grandma coming get back home."

"Why?" Julia asked with a grin.

"I don't want to run after you," Rick replied easily. He laughed when she laughed, and he was going to help her onto her bicycle when Kate called for him to stop.

"Your hands love," she reminded him.

"Right, can you get up on your own?" Rick asked the little girl.

"I think so," Julia said before she turned her attention to the bicycle. She got onto it carefully and got onto the seat before she attempted to ride it out to the street. She was a little wobbly at first but since she had already practiced on her best friend's bike she was able to go. "Bye!" she called.

"Be careful," Kate said as she and Rick stood on the sidewalk in front of their home.

"And don't take any wooden nickels," Rick added. When his wife looked at him he smiled before they were about to turn, and he stopped abruptly when he heard the horn from a car. "That might be them," he said when Kate looked concerned. Going back to look down the street he saw Julia riding back to them with a Model T following her. "It's them," he said in amusement.

"I hope she won't mind," Kate commented with a smile.

"My hands," Rick said. "I'll be back out." He rushed into the house and began to wash his hands as quickly as he could before he went out into the front through the foyer.

"He's here," Kate said, looking over and seeing him coming down the steps.

"I'm sorry, I needed to make sure she could ride her bicycle," Rick said as he shook Patrick's hand first and briefly embraced Rose and Mary. "Johanna, how are you?" he asked as he then embraced his mother in law.

"Well," the woman said as she'd been unable to visit them the week before as she'd been suffering from a cold. "Katie's doing well?"

"Ma I told you I was," Kate said in a mock complaint.

"Yes, but I want to hear from him as well," Johanna replied as they made their way up the stairs into the house. "He's observant."

"What should we do now?" Rose said.

Glancing at her mother when she sighed Kate asked, "Something wrong?"

"There's a dance," Mary said. "Rosie learned it and she wants to show Julia."

"That is if Julia wants to learn it," Rose said to her niece.

"Yes, please Aunt Rosie," Julia replied eagerly.

"You can," Kate said in amusement as her twin looked to her.

"Now that she knows she wouldn't let you not teach her," Rick commented as he took Elizabeth from his mother in law.

"Then let's get started," Rose told her niece. She took her hands and together they began to dance the Charleston with her showing her the foot movements.

"Has she been dancing that in the club?" Kate asked her husband when Rose was teaching Julia the steps much more slowly.

"She has," Rick said. "Every time I've been there."

"Twice," Kate told him.

Rick smiled at her before they turned their attention to their daughter as she was attempting the steps on her own. He was working at the club but as time had gone on; and he and Kate were expecting their third child; they'd given more responsibilities to Patrick and Rose though he and Kate still owned it. He went every so often when they would have their parties, but Rose had begun turning the Blue Bay into a tea parlor on Wednesday afternoons which had brought in more money though that had gone to Rose and Patrick. He wondered how long they would be there at the club; both him and Kate; as their children took up their time. And he had written for the Chronicle in the city, just a few articles relating his experiences during the war as it was almost ten years since the end of the Great War, but he was still writing his other projects as well though he had no clue where they would be going in the end.

Shaking himself from his thoughts Rick applauded Julia's efforts though he needed to do it around Elizabeth. "So, should we show you to your rooms?" he asked his and his wife's guests. When they agreed he gave Elizabeth to Julia and together they walked over to the downstairs bedroom where Patrick would be staying that time, the others asking the birthday girl what she wanted to do next.

"Alright," Kate said to her husband. "Will you light these?"

"Of course," Rick said, taking the matches they kept in the kitchen and using one to light their oldest's birthday cake. "Are you taking it?"

"I'll let you," Kate replied with a smile before she preceded him into the dining room. She began singing Happy Birthday; as Julia looked over at her; smiling when the little girl gasped in amazement at the sight of her cake.

As the song was finishing Castle set the dessert in front of Julia and kissed the top of her head before he told her, "Make a wish honey."

The little girl nodded and then blew out the candle, smiling at her family when she was able to do that all at once. "Will it come true?" she asked while her mother was cutting into the cake.

"I'm sure it will," Kate told her before she put the slice on the plate. She served everyone and once she was sitting her with slice she told her husband, "Don't you think?"

"Of course," Rick said, smiling reassuringly at Julia. "Just remember not to tell anyone."

"I won't," Julia said around her mouthful of cake, not minding when her grandmother gently scolded her for eating with her mouth full. She just smiled at everyone until the cake was taken back to the kitchen to be put in their refrigerator. "Now what?" she asked eagerly once her parents had come to where they were waiting for the two in the family room.

"It's someone's birthday," Patrick said, nodding to the blanket covering an odd shape on the table against the wall.

"For me?" Julia asked.

"Come on, I'll help you," Rick told her before he grabbed the blanket. When she nodded for him to take it off he then tugged it carefully, showing her the gifts; four of them.

"So dramatic, are you sure you should spoil her like that?" Johanna asked her daughter.

"It's not spoiling, if we were she'd protest just four of them Ma," Kate told her.

"Shh Ma, she's opening your gift first," Rose said.

"Oh Grandma!" Julia cried in joy as she pulled a doll from the box it was in. She looked at it closely and said, "She's so pretty." She then beamed up at her mother and said, "She looks like you Ma."

"It's why I bought it," Johanna said, smiling at her daughter.

"It is beautiful," Kate said, knowing her mother had bought the doll not because it had an elaborate blue and beaded children's dress but because it had brunette hair like the little girl.

"It's perfect," Julia said, hugging the doll gently so she wouldn't wrinkle the dress.

"Open ours next Julia," Patrick said after the little girl had hugged her grandmother.

Taking the smaller box Julia read the names on the tag and said, "Thank you," looking at her aunt, uncle and Mary. She tore off the paper around it and revealed what the three had given her. "Look Ma, Da," she told them. "Toys!"

"Games," Rose told her twin with a smile. "Jacks, some marbles for you and other little things you can save to do with your sister when she wakes up." She glanced at Kate and said, "And your other sibling."

"Yeah," Julia said. "Thank you, Aunt Rosie, Uncle Patrick, Aunt Mary." She hugged each of them in turn and then came to her last two gifts.

"This one," Rick told the little girl after handing her the one wrapped with blue patterned paper.

Kate took her husband's hand as their daughter unwrapped the gift between them and watched for her reaction to what they'd given her.

"Oh! Croquet!" Julia gasped in joy when she caught sight of the set. "Thank you, Ma! Da!"

"You're welcome," Rick said first. "We knew you enjoyed playing it with your friends."

"We decided to get your own set as well," Kate finished. "And now your very last."

Nodding Julia watched her father set down the largest of the gifts and she set to tearing it open as soon as she could. "A sled?" she asked in surprise.

"We're going to begin going into the mountains come winter," Rose said.

"A home around Lake Tahoe," Patrick said. "A friend at my bank is allowing us to use it; you're all invited of course."

"And that's where you'll use it honey," Rick told Julia.

"Thank you," she said with a wide smile before she jumped up and hugged her parents tightly.

Taking Julia onto his lap Rick kissed her temple before she slipped away to begin playing jacks with her aunt and uncle as the rest of them watched. As they were he wrapped his arm around Kate and pressed his lips to her temple before he allowed Elizabeth; on her lap; to take his free hand. He looked around the room and was gratified, thinking again how lucky he was that his wife had pushed him to reveal his feelings for her two years before. And he murmured that he loved her in her ear before she turned and they kissed each other's cheeks. After she told him the same they watched their oldest, the reminder of their children made him move his hand around her so it lay against their third child and making him anxious for the baby to join them once more.