Another new Castle fic to make up for not being around for a while.
This one takes place a few months after the events of the S7 finale, assuming S8 never happened.
Disclaimer - I don't own Castle.
"Can't sleep?"
The words cause the young woman to look up, blinking in surprise. A blanket wraps around her shoulders and a pair of lips gently press themselves to her forehead as her husband joins her by the railing of their beach house's porch, and together they stare out at the sky and the dark sea beneath it. "Not as well as I'd like. The last few weeks... well, they've been crazy, Rick. For both of us. It's just nice to have time to take it all in."
Rick nods. He disappears for a couple of minutes after there's a whistling sound from inside, and then there's a warm mug being pressed into Kate's hands. She smiles appreciatively at her husband. She takes a sip of the liquid in her cup while she gathers her thoughts and realizes to her surprise that it's not her usual coffee, but instead tea. She tilts her head slightly to look up at him, and he smiles back. "I thought some tea might help you get to sleep."
It might be helpful for other reasons, too she thinks briefly, before opening her mouth again and letting the words just come tumbling out. "Rick, there's something else I have to tell you... I'm pregnant. I've known for a couple of days now. That's what I've been trying to process. I'm pregnant and I have no idea how to be a good mother and honestly it scares me."
"Oh, Kate..."
Warm lips press against hers for a few seconds before pulling away again. "Kate. You're going to be an extraordinary mother, okay? You're so good with Alexis already... I know that's a completely different situation, but you are amazing with her. If it makes you feel any better, I had no idea what I was doing for the first few years after she was born. Being a parent... It's a scary thing. Suddenly this little person is depending on you for support and nourishment, and it's crazy scary because you have no idea what you're doing. There's no instruction manual for being a parent, Kate. I wish there was, but there isn't and yes, it's scary but when you get it right it's like the best feeling in the world."
Kate looks thoughtful, digesting what her husband has just said. "Thank you. That does help, I think."
"You're welcome."
There's silence for a few minutes while the couple stare out at the horizon. then Rick speaks again. "It's funny. Alexis used to ask for a sibling for Christmas every year. She stopped when she realized just what that involved, but, if I'm honest, I never gave up on the idea. Being a parent again is something I think I've always wanted, Kate. I just never found the person I could imagine having a family with until I met you, even if neither of us knew it at first."
The mental picture that her husband's words give Kate, of a young red-haired girl asking her father for a sibling for Christmas, makes her laugh. She finishes her drink and snuggles back into her husband's embrace, letting his warm arms support her. After a few minutes of silence, she smiles widely at the writer. "I don't think there's anyone else I'd rather have this opportunity with, Rick. I love you so damn much and yes, I'm still so scared of screwing this up, but I know that as long as I have you by my side, I can tackle any challenge that comes my way"
"I love you so much too, Kate" Rick smiles back before leaning in for a gentle kiss, and as their lips meet, Kate's sure she's never felt happier in her entire life.