The case could finally be put aside eight weeks ago and the team was able to devote themselves to their work normally again.
The day had been relatively quiet, a rarity for the 12th Precinct. Beckett, ever the workhorse, insisted on staying busy despite being just days away from her due date. She was at her desk, reviewing a case file, when a sharp pain shot through her abdomen. She froze, hand instinctively moving to her belly.
"Beckett, you okay?" Esposito asked, noticing the way she stiffened in her chair.
She took a deep breath, brushing it off. "Yeah, I'm fine. Probably just Braxton Hicks."
Castle, who was perched on the edge of her desk, wasn't convinced. "Are you sure? You look—"
Before he could finish, another contraction gripped her, this one stronger. She sucked in a breath, her hand tightening on the edge of the desk.
"Okay, that didn't look like 'fine,'" Castle said, standing up. "How far apart are these?"
Beckett didn't respond immediately, instead glancing at her watch. "They just started," she admitted through gritted teeth.
Ryan's eyes widened. "Uh, Beckett, I'm no expert, but should you really be here right now?"
"Do you need an ambulance?!" Esposito asked, half-standing, already looking panicked.
"No! I'm not—" Beckett's protest was cut short as Gates appeared from her office, clipboard in hand. Her sharp eyes immediately took in the scene.
"What's going on?" Gates asked, her voice authoritative but tinged with concern.
"Uh, Sir," Ryan stammered, "I think Beckett might be—uh—having the baby?"
Castle was quick to clarify, "She's not having the baby right this second, but she is—definitely—starting labor."
Gates' eyebrows shot up. "Detective Beckett, why are you still at your desk? Shouldn't you be heading to the hospital?"
"I'm fine, Captain," Beckett insisted, though her body betrayed her as another contraction hit. This time, she couldn't stop the small groan that escaped.
Gates folded her arms, giving Beckett a stern look. "Detective, as much as I admire your dedication, this is not a time to be stubborn. Get out of here and go have that baby."
"See? Even Gates agrees," Castle chimed in, helping Beckett stand.
Esposito grabbed her coat while Ryan grabbed her bag. "We'll call ahead to the hospital," Ryan said, his voice slightly higher-pitched than usual.
As Castle supported Beckett, Gates stepped closer, her demeanor softening. "Take care of yourself, Beckett. And let us know once the baby's here."
Beckett gave a faint smile, nodding. "Thanks, Sir."
With Castle guiding her, they headed toward the elevator, Beckett pausing every few steps as another contraction hit. Gates watched them go, a rare smile tugging at her lips before she turned back to the others. "Make sure everything runs smoothly while she's out," she ordered, though there was a warmth in her tone.
Ryan and Esposito exchanged looks, both silently agreeing: they'd do whatever it took to keep things under control for Beckett's return—whenever that might be.