Disclaimer: The only part of Castle that I own is the TV on which I watch the show.

A/N A few reviewers have very nicely said that this story reminds them of the old movie Look Who's Talking. I've never seen it and certainly won't watch it until the summer hiatus ficathon is over, but it will go on my Netflix list then!

It's Sunday afternoon, and Beckett has just woken up from an hour-long snooze. She wanders into the kitchen, where last week's sonogram photo is now posted on the freezer door. Castle is installed at the counter, eating an alarmingly large bowl of ice cream in colors that make her wish she were wearing sunglasses.

"Wmpf sum, Buckt? Shdlsh." He waves his spoon at her and licks an unidentifiable smudge of something from his chin.

"What?"

He swallows. "I said, 'Want some, Beckett? It's delicious'."

"Well, what exactly is it that you're eating?"

"Ice cream!"

"Got it, Castle, thanks to my many years of experience as a detective. Finely-honed skills. I meant, what flavors are those?"

He examines the bowl closely, as if he were on the witness stand and needed to refresh his memory. "Lemme see. Bubblegum Bonanza, Key Lime Dream, Bavarian Chocolate Surprise, and PB&J Swirl." He beams, proud that he identified everything properly without having to consult any of the packages which he had already returned to the freezer.

"You know," Beckett says, plopping down on the stool next to him, "it's a good thing my morning-afternoon-and-evening sickness is a thing of the past, or I'd have fled the room by now. Where did you get these, anyway? I've never heard of them."

"Boutique ice cream service online. They have about a zillion flavors, but you can custom-order anything you want. Brilliant, right?"

"I agree, Dad, but I bet you five bucks Mom doesn't."

Beckett looks seriously at him, and grasps his elbow. "Oh, yes, Castle. It's an incredible public service." When he looks crestfallen, she has to laugh. "Okay, bud, pass me a spoon, please, and your bowl. I have to look at something." She pokes and prods, and shoves the mottled, reddish-pink scoop to one side. "Is this the Bubblegum Bonanza?"

"Yup."

"I'm going to make a guess, based on my extensive knowledge of your palate, that you invented that one."

"We have a winner!" He gives her a sticky kiss. "I'm proud to say that that one's mine."

"I'm trying to figure out what's in here, besides"—she lifts a glob for closer inspection—"bubblegum. There appear to be freeze-dried strawberries, chopped maraschino cherries, and bits of cinnamon hots." He starts to say something, but she puts her hand up to stop him. "Wait. I have to taste this." She puts a tiny bit on the end of her tongue. "And, oh, of course, a soupçon of pink marshmallow." She grimaces.

"Mom! That was gross! Don't eat any more of that. What was the lime one? You know I like citrus. Ask Dad for some of that."

"Castle, that Key Lime thing looks pretty good. May I have a bowl?"

He's halfway to the freezer when he stops and turns back to her. "It has macadamia nuts in it. You hate macadamia nuts."

"I've never had them, though. Please try that. I like the sound of it, mah-cuh-day-me-uh."

"I know, but for some reason it seems appealing. Just give me a little and I'll see."

Castle's idea of little is a serving the size of a softball, but she accepts it. She takes a bite from the neon-green mass and rolls it around on her tongue. "Hmm. Not bad."

"Not bad? I love this! More, please."

She takes another taste. "Wow, this really is good."

"You go, Mom! I know you can't feel it yet, but I'm clapping my hands."

Beckett polishes off the entire helping. She's even considering licking the bowl. "Huh."

"Yes? Huh, what?"

"Why do I like this all of a sudden? I've never been able to stand macadamia nuts."

"But I love them," Castle says, as if that explained anything.

"So?"

"Must be the kid, Kate. 's got half my genes, you know. Half my taste buds."

"Ha! Good one, Dad."

TBC