Beckett sat quietly in their loft, her newborn son Alexander cradled in her arms. The soft hum of the city outside the window was a distant lullaby, but inside, the loft felt peaceful.
The morning sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting gentle shadows over the room, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Beckett felt calm.
Castle sat beside her on the couch, his gaze flicking from the baby to her.
He reached over and gently brushed a strand of hair from Beckett's forehead. "He looks just like you," he said softly, his voice filled with tenderness.
Beckett glanced at him, her smile small but genuine. "I'm not sure whether that's a compliment or a warning." Castle chuckled, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder.
"Definitely a compliment."
Beckett's heart swelled with emotion. She looked down at her son, the tiny face so perfect, so fragile. "I don't know if I'm ready to be a mother. There's so much I still need to figure out."
Castle leaned in a little closer, his voice soft but steady. "You're more ready than you think. You've always had this strength, Kate. You've been through hell and come out the other side. And now… you have everything you need right here." He nodded toward the baby, then gave her a gentle smile. "You're not alone in this."
Beckett's eyes met his, her heart heavy with the weight of the truth in his words. She had spent so much of her life believing she had to carry the world on her own, but now, with Castle by her side, and the baby in her arms, she finally allowed herself to believe that it was okay to let others in.
Looking down at her son again, she knew it wasn't going to be easy, but in this moment, she felt that she could do it. They would do it together.
Beckett closed her eyes, the weight of everything she'd gone through fading, if only for a moment. She wasn't where she'd planned to be yet, but she felt like she was finally heading in the right direction. The future was uncertain, but she had her family now—Castle, her baby, and a love that had quietly, steadily built its foundation.
And in that moment, she realized that she wasn't just surviving. She was living.
Thanks for reading everyone :)