Another week passed since they foud out she is pregnant, and everyday Beckett returned to the precinct, keeping it to herself. The team knew something had shifted since last week but they hadn't pushed her to talk about it. They could sense she wasn't ready for more serious conversations about her abduction yet.

But today, things felt different. Beckett stood in the bullpen, her back straight as she looked at the cases laid out in front of her, trying to focus on anything other than the thoughts swirling in her mind. Her heart was racing as she knew she was going to have to tell them.

She had no choice anymore.

Castle was already there, leaning against the desk with his arms crossed, watching her quietly. He had been her rock through everything, but he knew this part of her journey was something only she could share with the team. He just hoped that when she was ready, she'd have the strength to face them—and that they'd have the same unwavering support they had given her from the very beginning.

Ryan and Esposito walked in together, their usual banter filling the room, but it faltered when they noticed Beckett standing so still, her eyes distant, almost lost. They exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them. Something was off. She'd been quieter than usual, her energy drained, and they had been worried about her.

Ryan, ever the sensitive one, was the first to approach. "Hey, Kate," he said softly, his eyes filled with concern. "How are you doing?"

Beckett forced a small smile, but the weight of the moment was too much for her to bear.

"I'm okay. Just... tired," she said, her voice sounding off even to her own ears.

Esposito walked closer, crossing his arms as he eyed her closely. "Look Kate," he said, his tone gentle but insistent, "we've been worried about you. You don't have to keep it all bottled up. You know we've got your back, right?"

She nodded but didn't answer immediately. Castle's presence at her side was a quiet reassurance, but she could feel the tension in the room. They were all waiting for her to speak.

After a long moment, Beckett's voice finally broke through the quiet. "There's something I need to tell you," she started, her gaze flicking between Ryan and Esposito. She could feel Castle's hand resting lightly on her shoulder, a comforting reminder that she wasn't alone, but this was still one of the hardest things she had ever had to say.

Ryan and Esposito both stopped, their eyes softening, and they exchanged a brief, worried look before turning back to her.

"Kate?" Ryan prompted, his voice low, urging her to go on.

Beckett took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment to steady herself. She hadn't known how to say it, hadn't known how they would react. But she couldn't keep it in any longer.

"I'm pregnant," she said, the words feeling heavy as they left her mouth. "It's... because of what happened to me."

The words hung in the air like a bomb, and for a moment, the precinct was completely silent. Ryan and Esposito stood frozen, processing what she had just shared.

Ryan's expression softened immediately, his eyes filled with empathy and pain. "Oh, Kate... I'm so sorry," he said quietly, stepping forward, as if to offer a hug, but he hesitated, not wanting to overstep.

"I didn't want this," Beckett added, her voice cracking despite her best efforts. "But it's... real."

Esposito stood at a distance, looking between her and Castle, his expression a mixture of shock and concern. He didn't know what to say, didn't know how to process the weight of it all. "Man, Kate," he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair. "This... this is a lot. Are you—do you know what you're gonna do?"

Beckett swallowed hard, her eyes meeting Esposito's with a vulnerability she rarely allowed anyone to see. "I don't know yet," she admitted, her voice small. "I don't even know how to feel about it. I'm... I'm just trying to take it one step at a time."

Ryan, still standing close, nodded in understanding. "You don't have to make any decisions now. And you don't have to go through it alone." He looked at Castle, who was standing beside her, his hand still on her shoulder. "We've got you, Beckett. Whatever you need."

Esposito let out a long breath, shaking his head slightly. "We'll be here for you, too. You don't have to keep it all in. Not with us."

Beckett felt a tightness in her chest as the weight of their support settled over her. It wasn't the easiest thing to admit, but hearing the sincerity in their voices, seeing the care in their eyes, made her realize she didn't have to carry this burden alone.

Castle finally spoke, his voice low and firm. "We're a team, Kate. We handle this like we've handled everything else—together."

Beckett nodded, grateful for their unwavering support, though a sense of fear still gripped her. She didn't know what the future held, what choices she would make in the coming weeks, but for the first time since the news had hit her, she felt like she could breathe.

The team stood around her, solid and strong, offering a silent but powerful promise that they were with her—no matter what. She wasn't alone. And maybe that was enough for now.