October 1st, 1928
Mill Valley, Marin County, California
Rick never really noticed the rain as it beat down on him, only the fact that he needed to get inside the house. "How is she? Has-" he started to say when he saw Patrick was there to meet him.
"Not yet but she's been calling for you," the man replied, taking his coat and hat to hang up.
Clasping his brother in law's shoulder for a moment, Rick raced to the stairs and straight to his and Kate's bedroom. He gave a brief knock on the door before he went inside and directly to his wife's side. "Kate," he said as her eyes were closed.
"She's restin'," Johanna said; having been there with her daughter when her water had broken.
"Is she having a hard time of it?" Rick asked the doctor in concern.
"Oh no, she's just making sure she has the energy she needs," Rose said, sitting on the other side of the bed and holding her sister's hand.
"And the club?" Kate asked, opening her eyes. She smiled as her husband sat next to her and said, "Your child wants to be here sooner-"
When she began to cry out in pain Rick held her hands before he realized he had a problem. He grit his teeth together, waiting for her contraction to ease off before he said, "Your rings love."
"I'm sorry," Kate replied, breathing heavily as she recovered.
"No, no, I should have recalled from last time," Rick said quickly and reassuringly to her. He took off his wedding band as well and then kissed the top of her head before pressing another to her palm. "The club is fine; things are being readied for the tea," he said, directing the last to his sister in law.
Rose nodded and said, "I'll have to go."
"Your niece or nephew will be here," Kate said. She sighed and ran her hand over her abdomen and said, "Julia and Elizabeth are still with Mary, right?"
"Ab-so-lute-ly," Rick assured her. He was going to say something else when suddenly she clutched at his hand desperately and cried out in obvious pain as the doctor checked on her. When she had calmed down again he took the towel his mother in law gave him and wiped away the sweat on his wife's brow before he kissed it.
"Nearly there Mrs. O'Donovan," the doctor told her. "When you feel the pain begin to push."
Nodding Kate reached up to her husband; letting go of her twin's hand; and when he kissed her she hoped for a little more time so they could do that. Luckily the baby complied, and she didn't need to push until after they had parted.
Rick held her hand tightly, running his thumb a little absently over the back of it, as he watched her efforts and felt horrible at her struggles. He wasn't exactly sure, but he thought that things might have moved a little quicker that time as the doctor was telling them he could see the baby's head. "You're doing just ducky love," he told her seriously as they were waiting for her cue to make a last push.
"Your hand?" Kate whispered with a sigh.
"Just swell my love," Rick assured her. Shortly after that he watched as she began to push, and he was surprised she didn't crush his hand to bits as her cries were full of pain. But before he could be distraught the baby was in the doctor's arms and he looked over to it as it nearly screamed while it cried.
"It's a girl," the doctor replied, looking to Rick.
"My love," he said, turning to his wife and kissing her on the lips. Rick had intended that to be deep, but he felt her weak response to him and immediately calmed down before he told her, "I love you, and our baby girl."
"How is she?" Kate asked faintly.
"She looks perfect," Rick said as he looked over at their baby being cleaned up. Though he wanted to take a closer look at her he remained with his wife until she was sitting up fully and prepared to take their daughter in her arms.
"She looks almost like Elizabeth's twin," Rose said as she and her mother were looking at the baby as well.
Kate merely nodded and didn't say anything until the doctor and nurse had left though she was teary eyed as well and didn't trust herself to speak. "She's perfect," she told everyone, letting the baby wrap her tiny hand around her thumb.
"Should we tell them her name?" Rick asked his wife.
"Yes, tell them," Kate said.
Smiling as his wife was staring lovingly into the baby's eyes Rick leaned over and ran his hand over the back of her head before he said to Johanna and Rose, "We're naming her Alexandra Penelope."
"Thank you," Johanna said, as the baby's middle name was the same as her own. "I know you've always loved that name."
"Alexandra is beautiful too," Rose said with a smile. "Should I find Mary, so the sisters can see their sister?"
"Please," Kate said. She watched her mother and sister leave before she motioned to her husband and allowed him to take Alexandra. "Rick?" she said as she watched him cradling their youngest.
"Yes, my love?" he asked a little absently as he was studying the baby closely.
"I… if we have any more children I would like just one more," Kate told him.
"Of course," Rick said seriously as what she'd said jolted him quickly from his gaze at their youngest. "It is not easy for you and I'm no sap to make you keep doing this."
"What will we do?" Kate asked him.
"I'll be diligent," Rick replied. "It kills me to see you in pain."
"Rick?" Kate said again. When he looked over at her questioningly she motioned him to her before he hurried to hand her back the baby and sit on the bed. She wrapped her free arm around him the best she could and then kissed him, deeply, before they were jolted apart by a soft knock on the door.
"Girls," Rick said with a smile to the two as they appeared with their aunt. "Did they tell you what the baby is?"
When they shook their heads, Kate smiled as her husband nudged her and she told them, "Come meet your sister."
"Another?" Julia asked in complete excitement.
"Baby!" Elizabeth; thirteen months old that same day; exclaimed when her aunt neared the bed holding her.
"This is your sister honey," Rick said to her.
"What's her name?" Julia asked.
"Alexandra Penelope," Kate said.
"Mama," Elizabeth said, staring at the baby.
"I can't let you hold her yet Elizabeth," Kate told her apologetically. "Why don't you hold her hand?"
"Careful honey," Rick said, helping her hold out her hand.
"My baby," Elizabeth said after studying Alexandra for a while.
"Your baby sister," Julia corrected.
"Where's everyone else?" Kate asked as she was then handing Julia the baby, being very careful.
"Downstairs," Rose said. "Patrick said he can see his new niece later when you've had a chance for rest."
"And Mary," Kate said, smiling at her twin when she mouthed a thank you to her.
"Dada," Elizabeth said, reaching for him.
"I'll join the others," Rose said, smiling at the little family. "Unless you'll want something to drink?"
"Water," Kate said simply.
"I'll be back," Rose replied as she got up and gently ran her fingers over Alexandra's feathery locks. "She's beautiful; just like your other daughters."
"Thank you Rose," Rick called to her as she left. He looked at his wife before he sat down and said, "This is our family love."
"It is," Kate said, reaching over to run her fingers gently through Elizabeth's hair. "We'll be busy."
"Do you want to give up the club?" Rick asked.
"Not yet," Kate said. "It's our legacy from Da…"
"Dada," Elizabeth said with a wide smile.
"Yes, it is," Rick replied with a nod. "We'll need to make sure we keep it for them," he said, nodding to them.
Kate was beaming at him before she said, "Give me Elizabeth." Once she had their second youngest in her arms she kissed at her temple and said, "You are all orchids."
"Are we Ma?" Julia asked.
"You are, to us both," Rick replied, a wide smile on his face. "And to the rest of your family of course."
"Are they gonna stay?" Julia asked as she handed Alexandra to her mother while Elizabeth crawled around toward the bottom.
Going after the toddler as Julia was doing the same Rick said, "Your grandma will of course, to help your mama out. But I'm sure your aunts and uncle will want to stay in the city."
"Here's your water," Rose said, knocking and then coming inside. She had a tray and then said to her twin as she was pouring out the water into glasses, "Ma is making her soup."
"I knew," Kate said with a smile. "Tell Patrick and Mary they can see Alexandra after dinner."
"Of course," Rose replied. "Ma wants to hold her too."
"And you will too; after her," Kate said. When her sister laughed and left them she was about to speak when Alexandra began to fuss in her arms. "Rick," she told him.
Taking the baby Rick waited for her to prepare herself, though she wasn't exactly fast enough as Alexandra was crying soon after. He gave his wife the baby rapidly as soon as she was ready, going to Elizabeth who was covering her ears. "It's alright," he told her, kissing her temple. "She's just a little hungry."
Watching her mother nursing her little sister Julia said, "You did the same thing Elizabeth."
"She's right," Rick told her with a smile, kissing her cheek as the baby looked up at him. "You did."
"And you were very greedy," Kate said jokingly, smiling over at Elizabeth. "As is your sister."
With a slight smile Rick watched their baby nursing for a moment before he felt their second youngest leaning against him and he said, "It's been a day."
"It has," Kate replied. "And I've never been happier."
"Me neither," Julia said. "Is the baby gonna stay here with you?" she then asked.
"Oh of course, she needs your mother very much," Rick replied. "We all do," he said in Irish for his wife specifically.
"Flatterer," Kate said before her husband was leaning over to her to kiss her. They did so deeply and when they parted she told him seriously, "I love you Rick."
"I love you too Kate. I adore you," he said as somberly as she had, adding the last in Irish. "Always?"
"Always," Kate said in agreement.
Sharing another kiss with her Rick pulled away and as he looked at their three children together he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. He was happy and content and he promised himself he would spend the rest of his life protecting them all, loving them as there was nothing else he could really do but that as they were his absolute joy.
December 25th, 1928
Mill Valley, Marin County, California
"Alright, I think that's all the gifts," Rick said to his family as he looked at them.
"Why couldn't Aunt Rose come?" Julia asked.
"We've told you," Kate said to the little girl gently but firmly. "They're going to Paris again."
"Now is the best time to go," Johanna said.
"Are you still disapproving Ma?" Kate asked in Irish.
With a sigh Johanna said, "No I suppose not but I still wish they could have waited."
"It was the best time," Rick said as he was picking up the discarded wrapping paper. "Especially since the club is closed for now."
"Until the New Year," Kate said, helping her husband after handing over a nearly three-month-old Alexandra to her mother. She kissed Julia and Elizabeth's foreheads in passing; the latter almost sixteen months; and said to her husband, "What should we do now?"
"It's a beautiful day," Rick said. "We have the pram and can bundle Alexandra up well."
"Alright," Kate said after thinking that idea over for a moment. "But we must dress before we go," she said as Julia had gasped in joy.
"I can help Elizabeth," the little girl said eagerly.
"You can help us by getting dressed yourself," Rick said as he was hurriedly blowing out the candles on their Christmas tree so they wouldn't get too low. "And be ready to put on your coat."
"My new one?" Julia asked interestedly.
"We'll all wear our new coats," Kate said. "Will you come with us Ma?"
"Of course," Johanna replied. "I could use a promenade and the day is lovely."
The family left the room together once the children's toys were put away to the sides and it was relatively clear. They changed; Rick and Kate both helping the girls before they all gathered in the foyer to put on their coats.
Carrying the pram down the steps to the path in front of the house so Alexandra could be put into it there Rick asked his wife, "Want me to push?"
"I'll take her, Julia come with me," Johanna said with a smile.
"I will," the little girl said.
Taking Elizabeth from his mother in law Rick watched as Kate set Alexandra down into the pram before Johanna took hold of the handle and she and Julia were setting off. "She doesn't even know where we're going," he said to his wife as they walked together and he held his arm out for her to loop her own through it. They walked together over to the creek but went past it and he realized they were going to the main street. "Perfect," he told his wife.
Kate laughed softly and squeezed his arm gently before they hurried to catch up with the other three.
When they'd reached the main street soon after Rick wasn't surprised to find others from town walking up and down it as well and he smiled as Julia waved to her friends from school she saw. He wasn't surprised either to see the shops along the road were closed except for one which Johanna soon stopped at. When he saw which one it was he looked at his wife to see what her reaction would be before she was smiling at him and answering his question he hadn't spoken aloud.
"Go on inside Ma," Kate told her, looking at her husband with a smile. "It is cold," she told him.
"It is," Rick replied as the café was open and selling coffee and cocoa. He went to get cups for them all and he stood next to the pram as they sipped their drinks near the windows at the front as they watched everyone walking by.
"How far are we gonna go Da?" Julia asked, walking over to her father as her mother and grandmother were talking to a neighbor.
"Why?" Rick asked, looking at her.
"I want to see the sea," Julia replied.
"Oh, we'd have to go in the car for that honey," Rick said, placing his hand on her shoulder. "And your ma would want us to stay around home."
"Tomorrow?" Julia asked hopefully. "I don't have to go to school."
"We'll see," Rick replied as Kate walked over to them. He watched her check on Alexandra and he told her, "She's alright."
"I know," Kate said. "But Ma wants to go home."
"But Ma-" Julia started to say.
"She's going to take Alexandra with her," Kate replied. "And she wants to take Elizabeth too."
"Can she?" Rick asked in surprise.
"She can," Kate said before she watched her husband kiss Elizabeth; on her hip; goodbye. She did the same and said to her mother who walked over to them, "We won't be much longer, just to the bookstore and back."
"It's not open is it Ma?" Julia asked after her grandmother had left with her sisters.
"No, I thought the same," Rick answered before his wife could. "But we should continue love."
"We will," Kate said, looping her arm through his once more.
"Go in front of us honey," Rick told their daughter.
"Thanks," Julia said with a smile as they left the café.
Holding Kate close Rick tipped his hat to the women they passed as they walked south on the street again before they came to the bookstore and stopped to look at the display in the window.
"They're not open," Kate said, trying not to smile as he peered at the books inside.
"I know but you can't blame me for hoping," Rick replied before he turned to see where Julia was. When he saw she was at the door, cupping her hands to see through the glass there, he smiled at his wife and said, "Perhaps I am bad news."
"No, just a sap," Kate told him teasingly. "Julia?"
"Sorry Ma," the little girl said, turning to look at them. "Do we have to go back?"
"We do, it's cold and I'm sure you and your ma are as well," Rick told her. He held his free hand out to her and once he was holding it he walked with the two back towards their home.
"Ma?" Julia asked as they were nearing the street they would need to turn down.
"Yes honey?" Kate said with a smile as she looked over at her.
"Can I play with my toys now?" Julia said.
"You can," Kate replied. "But you should play with your sister."
"Not Alexandra?" Julia asked.
"I think she'll be taking a nap," Kate answered. "But Elizabeth will be awake for a bit longer."
"Then can I play with Alexandra until she sleeps?" Julia said as she and her mother walked into the front of their home after Rick had opened the gate there.
"If she's awake now," Rick said, following them to the front door.
"I hope so," Julia said.
"Oh, thank goodness Katie," Johanna said as the three came inside.
"Come here my little one," Kate said with a smile as she took Alexandra, who was crying, from her mother. She went to the living room and sat on the rocking chair that was there, nursing the baby quickly as she pushed the chair gently with her foot.
"I'll get started on dinner," Johanna said.
"I'll be in to help soon Ma," Kate told her though she was keeping her eye on the baby.
Sitting on the couch next to the chair Rick said, "I had wondered when she would need you."
"I knew it would be soon, but I suppose she knew I was returning already," Kate said before she smiled at him and then leaned down, kissing Alexandra's head.
"Ma," Julia said, having been looking through her presents with Elizabeth. "Can we play with our dolls?"
"Think she won't rip those?" Rick asked as the little girl was holding her paper dolls that they'd given her.
"I won't let her," Julia told him with a wide smile.
"Then go ahead," Kate said. She glanced up at her husband when he reached over and gently ran his hand down Alexandra's arm before he moved up to cup her cheek. She turned her head and pressed a kiss to his palm focusing her attention on Alexandra as the baby needed to be moved.
Taking their youngest when Kate had finished nursing Rick let the baby lean against his shoulder and he said with a smile, "Wonderful Christmas."
"It has been," Kate said, moving around to sit next to him. She leaned her head against his shoulder; as Alexandra was sleeping against the other; and said, "But there's more still to come."
"There is," Rick said as he followed her gaze to their other two daughters who were playing with the paper dolls together. He turned back to his wife and leaned down, kissing her tenderly on the lips before she began to respond. Though he knew he needed to allow her to go to prepare the meal he kissed her a second time when they'd shortly after parted. He couldn't stop himself and didn't want to as he felt the need for one more kiss before they went back to celebrating the holiday with their family again.
November 28th, 1929
Mill Valley, Marin County, California
"A wonderful dinner," Patrick said as he cut the last piece of turkey he was eating.
"He's right, that was swell," Rick added as he was getting the last of his sweet potatoes.
"And the parade," Rose said.
"Thank you," Julia said with a smile as her class had gotten to march in the Thanksgiving Day parade. "I wish I could do that again."
"Who knows, you might," Rick said, ruffling the seven-year old's hair as she was sitting on the other side of him. He heard giggling and saw that it was Elizabeth who was on the other side of her little sister and eating with her grandmother's help. He smiled at his wife and their two youngest daughters; Elizabeth two and Alexandra one. They both resembled their mother heavily in their looks already; which had delighted him; though Alexandra had ended up with his eyes. He then looked at Kate, who was attempting to discreetly rub the small of her back. She was six months pregnant with their fourth; and last; child and would have the baby around February the next year. "You, your ma and sister did a wonderful job," he said as he gently rubbed her back himself.
"It was mostly them," Kate replied with a shrug before she smiled. "But this has been a very nice one."
"And next year you'll have your youngest with you," Mary said.
"I've been thinking of that all day myself," Kate said with a smile to her twin's sweetheart.
"When can we have the pie Ma?" Julia asked.
"Pie!" Elizabeth cried before Alexandra made a slight cooing noise.
"Not just yet," Rick told them firmly. "But we will because those I know your ma made with her own hands."
"The least I could do of course," Kate said. "What will you all be doing tomorrow?"
"I imagine resting," Patrick said.
"He's right, we've been busy with the club," Rose said, looking pointedly at her brother in law.
"I want to make sure I'm here," Rick said.
"He needs to be here to write for the Chronicle too," Kate said, covering his hand with her own.
"Oh… alright," Rose said before she and her twin began to laugh together.
"We should let them play before they need to go to bed, so I guess we need to clean up," Kate commented, looking at the girls.
"Alright, you should rest," Rick said, watching her closely as they began to stand up.
Sighing Kate said, "I'm just a little tired."
"Mama," Alexandra said, going to her and raising her arms up to her.
"Hold on little one," Rick said as he scooped her up. Kissing her cheek, he said, "Better let your ma rest. Come on and we'll take you to your horse."
As they all gathered together in the family room Kate sat down gratefully on the couch and watched her husband set Alexandra down on the rocking horse that was their daughters'. "She'll be a great rider," she commented.
"Just like her mother," Rick said, sitting next to the horse as the baby began to rock. He looked up at his wife and smiled as she was smirking slightly at him before he turned his attention to Alexandra to make sure she was alright as he moved the horse for her to her cry of laughter.
When her husband brought their youngest with him to sit next to her she asked him, "Will you be going across the bay?"
"I don't need to," Rick said, looking at Alexandra. "Are you continuing the café?" he asked his sister in law.
"Until we leave," Rose replied as that had been directed to her. "I wish you could join us Katie."
"So do I," Kate replied with a smile. "But I'll be lucky if I can even walk next month, let alone see the snow."
"Mama," Elizabeth said, walking over to her.
"Are you going to just let them play?" Johanna asked her daughter.
"I think it's best," Kate said.
"Oh, I agree," Rick said when she looked at him. "Did you want to join them?"
"I don't see how I can," Kate replied, glancing at her abdomen. "But you can."
"I'll stay with you," Rick replied before Julia was coming over to them and grabbing his hand.
"I don't believe they want you to," Patrick commented laughingly. "Or me either, what do you girls have in mind?"
"We want to play Hokum," Julia replied.
"Alright," Rick said. "Just us?"
"Yeah but Elizabeth must play with you," Julia said.
"I'll get the game for you," Patrick told them as he'd been listening to them.
Watching him go Rick said, "Do you want to let anyone else play?"
Looking thoughtful for a moment Julia said, "Okay, but no one cheat."
"We won't honey," Kate called from the couch.
After Patrick returned with the game the family began to play though the two youngest were doing so with their mother and father. When they'd finished the first game; which Rose won; the family saw that Alexandra was asleep and Rick and Kate took her upstairs to her room.
"Amazing to know that will be in use again come February," Rick commented as he waited for his wife to change the baby into her nightgown, looking at the second crib in the room that was waiting to be moved to the new baby's room.
"I know," Kate said, keeping her voice down as he was for the baby. "Are you still thinking we shouldn't have her sharing?"
"We have one other bedroom," Rick replied.
"We've talked over this and we can't move the girls," Kate reminded him.
"I know," Rick said, going over to her quickly to kiss the baby's temple gently. He took Alexandra from her and placed her inside the crib before he allowed Kate to cover their youngest. He stood with her for a moment, watching to make sure their daughter slept, and once they were they went back down to where the rest of the family was waiting for them. "How kind of you," he said jokingly and with a smile.
"It's a little unfair to keep playing," Rose pointed out.
"That and we're going to see if you'd like to play something else," Mary told them.
"That we'll leave up to Julia," Kate said before she sat down on the couch.
"What about our Wizard of Oz game?" the little girl asked hopefully.
"Go on and get it and we'll play," Rick told her.
"Thank you Da," Julia said, kissing his cheek.
Rick smiled before the little girl was coming back and they played until after dessert and when Julia and Elizabeth needed to go bed and then separated to go to their own rooms for the night.
"Kate?" Rick called out to the bedroom. "The bath is ready."
"Good," she said as she walked inside. "I hope you are too."
"Oh?" Rick asked her.
"You're joining me you sap," Kate replied simply as she removed her robe. She smiled when her husband's gaze lingered on her body and then motioned to him.
Realizing she might be cold Rick pulled off his clothes and went over to the tub, slipping inside first before he held her hand while she stepped in. "Are you ready?" he asked when she was leaning back against him.
"I may be, this won't be my first time," Kate said since her husband was rubbing his hand around her abdomen.
"I didn't forget," Rick told her. "But I can't help but worry," he said while he was kissing her shoulder gently.
Sighing Kate pressed back a little harder against her husband and closed her eyes as his hands reached up to her breasts. She moaned softly when he began to caress her tenderly there and continued to until she stopped him. "Not yet," she said pressing back against him, her voice soft though she hadn't meant it to be.
"Are you sure?" Rick asked her as he reached down in between her legs.
"Hmm, I think so," Kate replied as he tried to rub her there. She carefully pulled away his hand before she kissed the back of it and told him, "When we get out of here I promise."
"I might make sure of that," Rick told her.
Laughing softly Kate turned to her husband to look at him and said, "I thought you would."
"That's why you said it?" Rick asked though he already knew the answer. When she merely smiled at him he leaned down and kissed at the side of her neck before he laughed and said, "You're a Sheba you know."
"Also, yours," Kate replied with a smile as she looked back at him again.
"Oh… to the law," Rick replied.
Kate laughed softly before she reached back to him and gently cupped his cheek before she said, "Help me."
At first Rick was a little startled that she was ready to get out but didn't argue and immediately got up to help her step out. He dried her off gently before she could do so herself, watching her while he was doing that as he wanted to see her reactions to him. He couldn't help himself and was a little more meticulous where he knew she liked to be touched or caressed the most. He did his best not to smile as she moaned and just managed it before he realized he wanted her and badly. But he had to dry himself off when he shook himself as his wife was taking the towel.
"I won't stand for it Rick," Kate told him teasingly. "I should be able to do the same."
"Alright but not everywhere," he replied.
"I'll be careful," Kate said as she knew that was what he meant.
Waiting for her to finish with his upper body Rick quickly took the towel from her and tossed it aside, not even letting her grab her robe before he was picking her up. Taking her into their bedroom and to their bed he sat down with her on his lap, kissing her as deeply as he possibly could. When they slowly parted some time later he smiled up at her before she spoke.
"Rick?"
Shaking his head as her voice was distant Rick looked at her again but saw she was smiling at him. He breathed out heavily before he said, "Can I lay you down?"
"Of course," Kate replied, caressing his cheek.
"Rick, wake up. Please."
At the voice Rick tried to ignore it leaning over before he kissed his wife deeply as she began to respond to him eagerly. He pulled back from her and smiled widely before he murmured into her ear. When she nodded immediately he began to lay her down on the bed, making sure he was careful of the baby before
"Rick," Beckett said when she saw her husband's eyes focusing. She stood next to him, cupping his cheek tenderly she looked into his blue pools that turned to her. "Oh love, thank god," she breathed, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. "You're back."
"Kate," Castle replied a bit hoarsely with a brief smile that really only upturned the corners of his lips. "I love you."
"I love you too Rick," Beckett said, leaning over and brushing her lips against his. "Welcome back." She squeezed his hand tightly as he sighed and settled back against the bed telling him, "I'll get the nurse." She pressed the nurse call button and once Liam was in the doorway she told him, "He's awake."
"I'll get Dr. Bell, you'll have to wait in the-" the nurse started to say.
"Of course," Beckett replied. "Rick I'll be back." She smiled when he raised his hand slightly and then turned, going to the waiting room quickly before she took out her phone. "Martha?" she said when her mother in law had answered. "Your son is awake, come to the hospital as soon as you and everyone else can," she continued unable to help the wide smile on her face at her relief seeing her husband conscious once more.