14. Spreading the News

(12 Weeks)

"Castle," Beckett said as she leaned on her side, placing an arm on his chest. "Castle, are you awake?"

"No."

"Then why'd you answer me?"

"It's called sleep talking. I do it when my eyes aren't open."

"Castle I think it's time."

Two little words but they were enough to make Castle's eyes pop open.

"Time for what?"

"Time to start telling people about the baby."

"Now, isn't it still a bit early for that?"

"I'm twelve weeks, just look at me Castle."

He did so and moved his eyes down to her belly which was clearly protruding.

"Aw," he said happily, "I don't remember that being there before."

"That's because it wasn't," Beckett said as she rubbed the right side of her belly, just as in awe as Castle was at her rapidly changed form. "Your son practically grew over night. The book says he's about the size of a plum now."

Castle placed his hand on Beckett's new belly and smiled, "That's my girl. Keep growing so we know you're okay in three."

"What makes you think it's a girl?"

Castle looked at Beckett, "What makes you think it's a boy?"

"Just a feeling," Beckett said with a smile.

"Well," said Castle, "I have feelings too and they're telling me that it's a girl." Castle turned serious for a moment, "Look, let's hold off on telling people at least until later tonight. We have our next appointment with Addison this afternoon so maybe after depending how things go we can have a family dinner here with my mother, Alexis, and your dad and we'll tell them tonight."

"I like that idea but Castle how am I gonna handle this at work. It's getting harder to cover up."

Castle smiled, "All ready got that taken care of," he said to her as he retreated to the closet.

He returned with a pair of black slacks, a very loose fitted light blue blouse and a red and black tunic.

"A poncho, really?"

"It's not a poncho," Castle corrected, "It's a tunic. The woman at the maternity store said this was very in and that it's a great way to conceal a pregnancy when you don't want people to know yet."

"I don't know, I'm just not sure I'm really ready for maternity clothes."

"Try telling that to the baby bump that's become your latest fashion accessory. I'm pretty sure it won't listen."

Castle placed the clothes on the bed and made his way to his girlfriend.

"Honey," he said to her as he rested a hand on her cheek and another on her belly, "Honey, this is a good thing. I know it's probably not how either of us had planned any of it to happen- a baby, us, but it's the unexpected things that make life worth living sometimes. I always fantasized about having kids with you someday so I wouldn't trade our night together for anything. Just watching you go through all of this, even the bad and uncomfortable stuff, getting to watch your skinny tummy grow to support and give our baby a home- that's a beautiful thing Kate, you're beautiful."

By this time tears were streaming down her face.

"You really know how to make a pregnant woman cry you know that?"

Castle reached up to brush away her tears, "Well I meant every word."

"You really imagined us having a baby together some day?"

"From the moment I met you," he said with a smile.

"Fine, I'll wear the poncho," she said to him.

"Tunic," Castle corrected.

Beckett smiled and leaned into him for a kiss.

"I love you too," he replied back placing his forehead on hers. "So what do you say to some breakfast?"

"Ice cream and banana pancakes?"

"Coming right up," he said placing another kiss on her lips.

Castle smiled as Beckett came from the bedroom a short time later.

"See, it's perfect," he said, "Can't even tell."

"Tell what," Alexis asked as she and Martha came downstairs.

Beckett's eyes widened as she looked at Castle.

"Can't tell the difference between these pancakes," said Castle, "I think I added too many bananas in some of them."

"Wow," said Beckett, "Weren't paying attention hu?"

"Are you kidding," Castle replied, "how could I when you look like that?"

Beckett couldn't help but blush at Castle's words.

"He's right," said Martha, "That tunic looks stunning on you."

"See, tunic," said Castle, "not poncho."

Beckett shot Castle another look and smiled at his mother, "Thank you Martha."

"Something new?" Martha asked.

"Just a gift from Castle."

Martha looked at her son, "My son has good taste."

"That he does," Beckett replied.

"So who's ready for breakfast," Castle asked.

"Sorry kiddo," said Martha, "big day today."

"Date," said Castle, "With who?" he teased.

"Cute. No, not a date, just some woman stuff I plan to do, no need to worry."

"That's what you always say before you so something that has me worried."

"Dad," said Alexis as she looked at the plates he was serving, "Chocolate caramel ice cream on pancakes, really?"

Beckett walked over to the counter and took a seat where the plate was placed.

"Those are mine actually," she said as if it were no big deal.

Martha gave Katherine an amused look and nodded. "Interesting breakfast choice," she said.

All Beckett could do was smile. She wasn't ready to spill her secret this early in the day, not when she and Castle had all ready made plans to tell them all later.

"Alexis, pancakes," asked Castle as he placed a glass of milk in front of Beckett.

"Sure," the teenager replied, "but without the added sugar, just the bananas."

Castle got her a plate set.

"Oh that reminds me," said Castle, "Mother, Alexis, don't make any plans for this evening. I've got a family dinner set for tonight."

"A family dinner," said Martha, "must be serious."

"What's the occasion," Alexis asked, also interested.

Beckett's cell rang and she answered. After finishing the conversation she hung up.

Beckett smiled at Alexis and Martha. "We'll tell you both tonight," she told them. She then turned to Castle, "Babe, that was Espo, there's been a double homicide down at the New York stock exchange building."

"Double homicide, guess you can't stand between an angry broker and his money."

"Guess not," Beckett replied. She then smiled, "Thanks for breakfast."

"Anytime," Castle said as he leaned across the counter to kiss her.

It wasn't enough for Beckett though. She stood up and then said, "Wait, wait," walked around the counter and really kissed her boyfriend, "See you in a few," she said to him.

"Bye Alexis, bye Martha," she said to them.

"Goodbye dear," said Martha.

"Good morning, Castle's," Ryan said with a big smile on his face when the pair entered the first floor of the stock exchange.

"Excuse me," said Beckett.

"Sorry," said Ryan, "I meant to say Beckett and Castle but it came out as… never mind. Anyways about our bodies…"

Ryan did a rundown of the crime scene just as Esposito came up to them.

"What no coffee or tea or whatever it is you drink these days."

"I had breakfast thank you very much," Beckett said not that she had to justify her morning routine to them.

Espo nodded and smiled, "Yeah I'll bet you did."

"What is with you guys this morning," Beckett asked getting annoyed with them.

"Nothing," Esposito and Ryan said at the same time.

"Okay now I know something's going on," said Beckett, "Spill."

"Yeah," said Castle, "Have you two admitted your secret love affair yet?" Castle said smiling and raising his eyebrows to indicate a secret romance between Ryan Esposito.

"Have you," asked Esposito as he smiled.

"Can we please just all focus on our victims instead," Beckett asked.

"Fine," said Ryan, "but only because you said please."

And the four of them got down to work along with Lanie who was overlooking the bodies and just shook her head. She should have figured that the boys wouldn't let Beckett's personal life go without teasing her about it and teasing Castle as well. Heck yes she knew. She'd pretty much known since she noticed the glow in Beckett. No one had ever made her smile or glow the way Castle did and after Castle had challenged the boys about their own bromance, she was convinced more so that Castle was the secret guy her best friend was seeing.

Later during the day, around one, Beckett stood at the counter in the break room waiting for her tea to heat up.

Castle had a meeting with Gina to discuss the progress of his latest book. She had her eyes closed and a hand over her head and all ready she wanted this day to be over. She wanted to lie down on the couch like she'd done before but she was afraid of sleeping so long that she wouldn't wake up and miss her upcoming appointment. The case was running on empty: two middle aged victims with over fifty suspects, all of whom had motive for wanting the men dead.

To top that off, today was one of those days where she wasn't feeling all that comfortable with her body. The poncho…tunic… did a great job at hiding her belly but with the added growth, Beckett could feel it underneath her clothes. She could feel her baby pushing down on her bladder, making her go to the restroom more frequently. How it that a plum-shaped object could do so much strain to her body? She was tired and irritable.

There were only two more hours till her doctor's appointment which was scheduled for 3:15 PM.

"Kate," Montgomery said softly to her.

Beckett looked up and put on a smile. She realized she had forgotten about her tea so she reheated it.

"Sir," she said to him.

"Just wanted to check in, see how you were doing."

"I'm doing good sir," she said.

The microwave chimed and she took out her tea, grateful for the warmth and then made her way to a seat at the table.

"I haven't pressed the issue," said Montgomery, "but have you seen a doctor recently?"

Beckett looked at her boss. She was at the end of her third month. As it was early on in her pregnancy her boss had wanted her to get checked out. It must have seemed to him that she wasn't getting any better so he had wanted her to have another appointment or at least a follow up. Now felt like the right time to be honest and upfront with her boss especially with the boys gone.

Beckett nodded, "I have sir."

Montgomery took a seat in front of his finest detective. "So what'd they say?"

Beckett took a deep breath and shook her head, smiling, trying to find a way to tell him. She then paused for a moment. "Captain, I'm pregnant," she said to him.

Montgomery's eyes widened. It was rare to see him at a loss of words but he was.

"One of my detectives is having a baby," he said with a tone of amazement. "Yours and Castle's," he stated.

"Yes sir," Beckett answered. "I have that appointment later. Castle's coming with me."

"I'm glad it's worked out between you two."

"Thank you sir," said Beckett, "I'm glad it's worked too. Sir, I want you to know that I won't let this affect my work. I'll do it as effectively as I can until…"

Montgomery waved her off, "Don't worry about your job Beckett, we'll get it all worked out. I want you to do your job as long as you can but if it gets to that point where I need to pull you out of the field and put you on desk duty then I'm gonna need you to not fight me on it. We all need to do what's best for you and your tiny sidekick there."

"Yes sir."

"So how far along are you?"

"Twelve weeks."

"So you've just completed the first trimester. That's good. You know I suspected something was up. I recognized the signs."

"You did sir?"

"I do have two girls of my own, detective."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

Montgomery shrugged, "I wanted to give you some time. I figured you'd make the announcement when you felt right about it. At the same time though I figured I would offer a little push since I didn't want you to wait too long."

Beckett smiled as she remembered his words from earlier when he said he hadn't pressed the issue.

"Permission to give my detective a hug," Montgomery asked.

Beckett smiled, "Yes sir," she said as she stood and Montgomery came over and hugged her, feeling the belly between them as the tunic tightened around her.

When they pulled away, Montgomery smiled.

"Congratulations, Kate."

"Thank you Roy," Beckett said feeling comfortable enough in their conversation to call him by his first name.

"Castle," Beckett said as he sat by her desk around 2:15 PM, "You should probably get going. Don't want anyone to see us leaving together. It's bad enough the guys have been riding us all day. Don't need them to hurl more ammunition at us."

"Okay I'm going," Castle said as he stood, "See you around the block in five minutes?"

"You know you will."

"Castle," said Montgomery as he came out of his office, "Glad I caught you before you two left."

"Us two," Castle asked a little confused.

Beckett smiled, "He knows you're coming to my doctor's appointment with me."

"You do?"

Montgomery smiled also, "Beckett told me the great news."

Castle looked at Beckett, "You did?"

"I figured it was time to at least tell our boss," said Beckett.

"Congratulations Castle."

"Thank you sir. So um…what does this mean for me and Beckett now that we're not just… but that we're…"

Montgomery laughed, "One step at a time Rick, we'll deal with that when we need to. And since Ryan and Esposito don't know we don't have to worry about it now. What you need to worry about now is not being late to that appointment. Trust me, Rick, you won't want to miss any of them if you can help it."

Beckett stood and grabbed her coat, "On our way sir."

"And you'd better go now before the boys get back," said Montgomery.

"Too late," Ryan said with a smile.

Esposito smiled too, "So you two finally going on that date yet?"

"No," Castle and Beckett replied at the same time.

Ryan and Esposito smiled at their friends shared response.

"Believe it or not," said Castle, "It's just coincidence that Beckett and I are leaving at the same time."

"No such thing as coincidence," said Ryan.

Castle ignored the comment and added, "Some of us have real work to do."

"Ha," laughed Espo, "like what?"

"Like trying to find a way to kill off Raley and Ochoa in the third book so that way Rook and Heat won't have to deal with their pestering antics," Castle shot with a smile.

"Not cool bro," said Espo.

"And while some of us are playing in the fictional realm," said Beckett, "in this real world I've got a doctor's appointment."

"Another one," Ryan complained, "Haven't they figured out what's wrong with you yet?"

Beckett shook her head and smiled. Considering how much the boys had been messing with her all day she figured that she would give them one more thing but on her terms.

She looked at Castle, "Since you're not staying can I walk you out, Castle?" she asked.

Castle smiled knowing exactly what Beckett was thinking, "I'd love that, lead the way detective," he said to her as they both made their leave.

"You're not fooling anyone you know, Esposito called out.

Beckett was pleased with how her appointment had gone. Addison was happy to see that Beckett's belly had grown. It wasn't as long an appointment as her first one had been. This one was more of a routine: checking the size of the uterus checking the height of the fundus, which was the top of the uterus, and then it got to the emotional part.

Addison ran the instrument over Beckett's belly for the ultrasound. This time not only were the parents able to see their baby, which had clearly grown but they also got to hear its heartbeat for the first time which was like a new song to Beckett's ears that she had never heard before.

There really was a tiny being inside of her and it was hers. Yes Castle had helped in creating it but she was the one whose body was changing to fit the needs of their baby. No longer was she going to be responsible for herself, she was going to be responsible for the little one whose heart she heard, an actual beating heart who had found a home within the baby and the baby within her. Beckett smiled through her tears wondering how often she would be surprised, probably not ever.

Like she had done during the first appointment, Addison made print out copies of the ultrasound so that Beckett and Castle could keep, making five copies since part of their earlier small talk had included mention of their family dinner in which they were going to share their news about the baby.

"You ready for this," Castle asked Beckett as the two of them stood in the kitchen.

"Not really," Beckett admitted, "but it's not like we can continue to hide this any longer and it's too late to cancel."

"It'll be fine," Castle said placing a kiss on the top of his girlfriend's head, "You'll see."

Alexis smiled as she watched her dad interact with Beckett.

"That was Mr. Beckett on the phone," said Alexis, "He's on his way. Should be here within twenty minutes."

"No turning back now," said Castle.

"Never was a turnaround point to begin with Castle," replied Beckett.

"True but there could have been had we not planned this tonight."

"Admit it," Beckett said to him, "despite my reservations you're just as excited about tonight as I am especially after what we saw today."

Castle smiled, "Well how could I not be? It's only one of the best things out of nine from our story.

Beckett wrapped her arms around Castle's neck. He smiled. He would never get tired of feeling the baby bump between them.

"One of nine, hu," said Beckett, "which ones are they?"

"Well four have all ready happened and the other five will happen soon. One of which is obviously happening tonight."

"Oh you're sure about that?"

"Absolutely."

Beckett smiled. She liked his mysteries and really wanted to know what Castle's top nine list was but she could see in his eyes that knowing about them would have to wait.

She could be patient for now but later she was determined to find out what they were.

As she continued to smile, Beckett reached up for his lips which Castle gladly reciprocated.

"God do you guys have to do that now," Alexis grumbled, "I'd hate for my appetite to be ruined."

The couple pulled back. Beckett moved her tongue inside her mouth and smiled.

"I'll start setting the table," said Beckett as she went to get some plates.

Overall the dinner with Castle's family and Beckett's dad went smoothly. There were some disagreements when it came to topics such as sports, baseball in particular, and what were considered noble professions but nothing that couldn't easily be resolved.

"Okay Richard," Martha said as the evening was coming to a close, "You gather us all here for a fancy meal and you still have not hinted as to what this all about."

"Yeah dad," said Alexis, "What's going on?"

Castle smiled at Beckett and took her hand. The two of them looked at their family.

"Beckett and I have an announcement to make," said Castle. "You'll notice there at the end of the table are three envelopes. We'd like for you three to take one. It doesn't matter which, there are no designated names to them."

Alexis who was closest to the stack of envelopes got them, took one for herself, then handed the others to her grams and Beckett's dad.

"Go ahead and open them," Beckett said.

They did so and the surprise in the envelopes revealed a black and white photo.

"Katie," Jim said with a stunned expression, "is this, what I think it is?"

Beckett looked at him, "It is." She turned her attention to all three of them, "We're pregnant!"

Martha smiled and raised her hands in the air, surprising Jim with her reaction.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Martha said over and over, "I just knew it, we both did."

Now Castle and Beckett looked surprised.

"You knew," said Beckett. She looked at Alexis, "You both knew?"

Alexis smiled, "It wasn't hard to figure out."

"The constant naps," said Martha, "the constant bathroom breaks."

"Not to mention," Alexis added, "No one voluntarily eats dad's s'more-lets if they can help it."

Everyone laughed.

Beckett smiled, "Guess that was a dead give-away."

"What about you Mr. Beckett," said Alexis, "are you excited to be a grandpa?

Jim smiled at the new description for himself. "Grandpa, it's gonna take a while to get used to that."

"Don't worry dad, you've got time," Beckett said with a smile.

Martha smiled at Jim, "You don't seem all that surprised by the news, more so the picture of our grandchild," she said to him.

"Truthfully I'm not," Jim replied, "Katie told me six weeks into her pregnancy."

"And I told Castle a week later," Beckett said feeling the need to justify why she told her father before anyone else. "And we didn't want to tell anyone until I got past the first trimester in case something went wrong."

Martha waved her off, "Oh Katherine, you don't need to explain anything. I get it, believe me. I had my fair share of scares with Richard during my first couple of months."

Castle looked at his mother, "You never told me that."

Martha shrugged it off like it was no big deal. "We'll you're here, Richard, no point in bringing it up."

"Then why did you?"

"To offer the mother of your child some of my old tales. Speaking of that child…" Martha said as she motioned to Alexis.

The young girl excused herself from the table and went upstairs for a moment.

Martha smiled at Beckett, "Now do us all a favor Katherine, and remove that tunic you're wearing. We know Richard got it for you to cover up your baby belly but good-god girl, you're among family. You don't have to hide anything from us any longer."

Beckett blushed a little bit and excused herself. Though she had a blouse underneath, she felt more comfortable retreating to the bedroom and taking it off there.

She returned a couple minutes later.

Martha gushed at the woman. "Oh absolutely perfect," she said.

Jim smiled at seeing his daughter and the bump that accompanied her, "Your little side kick suits you, Katie," he said to her.

Beckett smiled, "Thanks dad. Thanks Martha."

Martha motioned to Alexis who smiled and handed Beckett a gift bag as she took her seat beside Castle.

"This is for you," said Alexis, "more specifically for the baby."

Beckett was surprised by the gift as took it. She took out the tissue paper and revealed three packages of five set onesies. They were all different themed.

One of the themes was law enforcement which had sayings like FBI: famously beautiful infant, when I grow up I want to be a police officer, mommy's best back up, some heroes wear capes mine wear Kevlar, and one that actually looked like a cop uniform. The second package contained five onesies that were superhero themed: Superman, Robin, Batman, the Flash and Green Lantern. The last package of five was more generic with various animals ranging from bears, tigers, giraffes, elephants and lions.

Castle took the superhero ones, "Oh our girl is totally wearing the Batman one first!" he said all excited.

"No, our son," Beckett said putting emphasis on her word choice, "is starting off with the cop uniform and then we'll work out way to Superman."

"Aw that's no fun," said Castle, "and Superman really?"

"Not my fault you chose to be with a cop," Beckett teased, "And yes Superman."

"Why when Batman is so much cooler?"

"Uh-oh," Alexis said with a smile,

Castle looked at his girlfriend, "You even said this place looked like the Bat Cave the first time you dropped by."

"I did say that but I never said I liked Batman."

"But Superman really?"

"I thought you would be a fan."

"I'm a fan of good superheroes with intriguing back stories: Bruce Wayne's parents are killed in front of him and then goes on to become the caped crusader. Oliver Queen was a millionaire playboy like Bruce Wayne and after a tragic accident he was stranded on a deserted island for five years and became Green Arrow."

"How long can he go on like this," Jim whispered to Martha and Alexis.

"Oh you'd be surprised," said Martha, "I once took him into a comic book store once and would go down every isle more than once and even then he had a hard time deciding and didn't want to leave. He was twenty-eight.

"Hal Jordan," Castle continued, "is chosen by the Lantern ring and then later on becomes the Spectre, Barry Allen is struck by lightning and can cross multiple time frames using the Speed Force. Even Braniac is more interesting since he started off as Superman's enemy and then became a hero with the Legion of Superheroes."

"What's so bad about Superman?"

"One word: Kryptonite."

Beckett smirked at him, "Technicality. And besides Superman has never officially died from Kryptonite poisoning."

"Uh-hem," said Martha. "As interesting as all this superhero talk is, boring for my taste, Katherine, there's still one more bag you need to open. Alexis chose the baby clothes, I chose these."

Castle smiled at his mother, "So that's what you meant when you said you had women stuff to do today."

Martha smiled back, "Well you had your secret, we had ours."

Beckett removed the tissue paper and revealed some maternity t-shirts specifically for her also with various sayings: Police Baby in Progress, Back Up is on the Way with a police badge and an arrow pointing down to the belly, and a third one in blue with white and yellow lettering that said Baby Bump issued by my Writer.

The clothes made Beckett feel a little awkward. She was still getting used to the blouse she was wearing but she smiled. Part of her was bothered by the fact that she was now at that point in her pregnancy where she would have to wear the cute type maternity clothes. Hopefully when she went shopping on her own she could find some that were more fitting toward her style.

"They're great Martha, I love them," Beckett told her and in part she did.

As awkward as the experience was, it was also new and different and exciting. Beckett actually liked feeling both sides of the coin at the same time there was still something off about it and she knew exactly what it was.

"I am so glad we told my mother and Alexis," Castle said as he got ready for bed.

Beckett was all ready lying down on her side with her right ear on her pillow, facing away from Castle. She could feel as Castle slipped into the covers beside her.

"Now," said Castle, "We just need to find the right way of telling Ryan and Esposito." No reply. "Beckett?"

"Yeah Castle?" she said softly.

"You okay?"

"Sure great."

"Okay what is it, what'd I do?"

Beckett shook her head and turned over to her other side. It was getting increasingly uncomfortable to lie on her back and she was only twelve weeks. She could only imagine what things would be like as the pregnancy progressed and there would be no comfort in any kind of position she was in.

She looked at her boyfriend for a moment. How could she tell him without hurting him, how could she get him to understand? He had grown up without a father but it wasn't quite the same. For all he knew, his father was still alive out there somewhere and could be anything or anyone.

Castle took her hand and ran circles over the top. "Talk to me, Kate."

Beckett took a deep breath and looked at him. There would be no secrets. She had to be honest with him. After all they'd been through that was their relationship now.

"This evening just hit me a lot harder than I thought it would."

"How so?"

"When Alexis gave us those gifts for the baby and your mother gave me those maternity t-shirts. It wasn't just emotional for the pregnancy-," Beckett paused trying to gather her thoughts. "This evening when I was opening the presents I couldn't help but think about my mom. I half expected her to be at the table seated next to my dad and she wasn't there."

Castle intently listened.

"She would have loved all of this, Castle. She would have loved have been there with my dad when I told him I was pregnant, she would have loved showering me with maternity clothes, taking me shopping, getting onsies and diapers and all of that stuff that a baby needs. And she really would have loved being a grandma. She's missing out on so much, Castle and it hurts that she isn't here for what should be one of the happiest times in our lives. And part of me wonders how I'm supposed to do this without her. Part of me wonders how I'm supposed to go on living my life and raising this baby when they won't even know who she was."

Castle wiped away Beckett's tears and moved some of her hair back from her face. "You're one of the strongest people I know. You can do this. We'll do it together. Your dad will help and my mother. I know it doesn't make up for not having your mom here but from what you've just told me, she would want you to do this. She might not be here but I guarantee wherever she is, she's watching. She's smiling down at you as she sees the baby growing inside of you. Your mom won't truly be gone Kate. When our baby is old enough we'll tell stories about his or her amazing grandma Johanna Beckett and they'll know that she loved them as much as grandpa Jim and grandma Martha love them. And hey maybe this baby," Castle said placing a hand on her belly, "is a gift from her, letting you know that she's looking after you and that she wants you to be happy."

Beckett smiled, "I like that theory. It's probably one of your best ones yet. But you know if it's a gift from her then you know what else that means?"

Castle smiled, "What?"

"That she approves of you and that she loves you just as much as I do."

Castle smiled at that notion and leaned in for a kiss on Beckett's lips.

"As long as we keep on believing that, everything will be okay, Kate, I promise."

Beckett nodded. "If it's a girl that's what we should name her: Johanna. Johanna Nichole."

"I like that name. Why 'Nichole'?"

"Well your books did bring us together, sort of."

"Naming our daughter after Nikki Heat hu and you said it was a stripper name."

"I've changed my mind, it's definitely a cop name," Beckett teased, "but Nichole goes better with Johanna I think and I'd like our daughter to know where she comes from."

"And if it's a boy?"

Beckett smiled, "I've got one in mind but I'll hold off on it. In the mean time I'm tired of calling our baby 'the baby' or an 'it'. For now let's just call our baby 'Baby Castle,' since we don't know yet if it's a boy or a girl."

"Baby Castle it is," Castle said with a smile. He lifted up Beckett's shirt to reveal her twelve week belly. "Hey Baby Castle, it's me, Rick, your daddy. I'm sure you're all safe and warm in there. Just know that you're loved by so many people. Your big sister loves you, your grandparents love you, even your grandma who's flying around in the sky somewhere and your mommy and I love you so very much. Just keep on cooking in there and we'll see you soon okay?"

Castle placed a kiss on Beckett's belly and she enjoyed the sensation. Remaining on her left side, Castle wrapped an arm around her and the two drifted off to sleep for the night.

Author's Note:

Hope this chapter made up for the lack of updating this week.

It was very long and I didn't want to splice any of it and add it to a new chapter.

Things will be heating up soon so get ready. I've all ready got several scenes on

the back burner but now I need to focus on where chapter 15 will go since the scenes

I have written are more like puzzle pieces- just have to fit them all together.