Chapter 18 - Bearing Gifts

"Yeah, ok sweetie… Mmm-hmm, we'll be heading back soon…"
Kate spotted her husband as she emerged from the ladies' bathroom for the third time in the space of an hour. He was talking to someone on his iPhone again and she, ever-the-detective, was starting to get suspicious. Kate narrowed her eyes and frowned as she slowly walked (or rather waddled) over to Rick who had his back turned to her; completely oblivious to her presence. When she got in an ear-shot distance, she heard him say:
"Just make sure that everything is ready-" Rick abruptly stopped mid-sentence when he turned around and came face-to-face with his wife who was arching a curious eyebrow at him.
"Uhhh," he stammered as he eyed her anxiously. "Ok Paula, yeah that's fine. Send it over. 'K bye." He hastily ended the call, ignoring the protesting voice at the other end of the line.
Kate tilted her head, narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms.
"Hey, you ready to go?" Rick asked as innocently as possible.
It didn't fool her.
"What was that about?" She asked, still with her arms crossed.
"Hmmm?" He was slightly nervous now. Kate, even an eight-months-pregnant Kate who was currently a head-and-a-half shorter than him without her power heels, was still extremely intimidating. Extremely.
"What were you talking about with Paula? Your next manuscript isn't due in like six months."
"Oh. Yeah. Uh, she just wanted to..." 'Shit, don't blow it Rick,' he thought, his Adam's apple bobbing anxiously.
Kate arched one of her perfectly sculpted eyebrows. "Well?"
"Uh, it was just about a- a few book signings." He smiled, relieved and slightly impressed with himself that he didn't break under his wife's intense interrogation-room stare. Which was scary, really scary. "You know, promotional stuff for the movie." He flashed Kate his boyish grin that often melted her resolve. "So are you ready to go home, Mrs. Castle?" He draped an arm around her shoulders as they started to make their way out of the Museum of Natural History.
Kate watched her husband for a few moments, not entirely convinced by his answer. But, deciding that she wanted to go home and clean out their fridge, she opted to end her interrogation. For now.
"Yeah, I wanna go home and have you make me something delicious and fattening… I, we-" She placed a hand on her stomach. "-are starving." He chuckled, pulling her closer and placing his other hand on her large stomach as they walked leisurely down the sidewalk.
"Daddy to the rescue then, huh Sweet Pea?"
"She's rolling her eyes at you now, you know that right?" Kate said with an amused grin.
"She would never do that to me," he brushed off her comment before turning his attention back to the baby bump. "We're going to make a mean team. Isn't that right, Lizzy?"
"You're going to expose her to laser tag and Star Wars, aren't you?"
"Well, you exposed Alexis to eye-rolls and Gone with the Wind and…" He shuddered. "Barbra Streisand."
"Hey, that wasn't just me. Your mom had a hand in that... From very early on, I might add." She grinned at him and his face fell slightly.
He narrowed his eyes. "What are you implying?"
"Let's just say that Alexis has 'Papa can you hear me?' on her iPod and she knows the lyrics by heart... And she has all, and I mean all, the movies. Funny Girl, What's up Doc? On a clear day you can see forever-"
He grimaced as if in physical pain. "Please don't say Yentl."
"-Yentl, A star is-"
"Please stop. I've heard enough!" He placed his hands over his ears. "You mean to tell me that my eldest has been exposed to that from an early age?"
Kate shrugged and nodded solemnly, continuing their silly verbal sparring game. "Yes, Castle, I'm afraid so."
"This is indeed a dark day," he mumbled. Suddenly he channeled a dramatic diva… or bad soap opera actor. "Why? Why Alexis, Kate? She's just a child. It's- it's just so... unfair."
She laughed at his silliness. "Shut up. I happen to love Babs. Do I seem damaged by her talents?" A slow grin spread across his face. "On second thought, don't answer that," Kate quickly said, placing a hand over his mouth. Rick removed her hand, still grinning.
"If you wanted me to shut up Mrs. Castle, you could've just kissed me." He shrugged and waggled his eyebrows.
Kate watched him for a few seconds. "Fine." She stood up and placed a chaste kiss on his lips before retreating mere sentimetres. "Shut." She pressed her lips to his again. "Up."
He smiled broadly. "What? No tongue?"
She slapped him playfully on the chest and chuckled.
"No nothing until you get me home and get me and lil' Castle-" She patted her baby bump. "-some food!"
"Aye, aye-" He grinned at her and winked. "-Mama Bear."

xxx

'Big Eagle and Mama Hen have landed. I repeat we have landed. Be ready.' Rick smiled as he covertly sent the text message, careful not to alert Kate to his actions. They had just entered the building, hand-in-hand, and were walking towards the elevator. When they got in, Rick's phone chimed for the second time in ten minutes. His wife again grew suspicious.
'Big Eagle and Mama Hen? Seriously Dad, you're losing your touch. Anyway, we're ready. Little Bird.'
A chuckle escaped his lips before he could help it. Kate watched him closely and narrowed her eyes.
"Something you want to share with the class, Castle?"
His head snapped up and he stared at her for a few moments.
"Uh, no." He let out a nervous laugh. "Just a dirty joke from Esposito." The elevator dinged and the doors opened.
Kate rolled her eyes and shook her head as they stepped out of the elevator and started to walk down the hallway. He took her small, slender hand in his and smiled broadly for no apparent reason, Kate had noticed. They reached the door of the loft and Rick went about unlocking it.
"You know what I'm in the mood for?"
"Mmmm?" Rick replied absent-mindedly as he opened the door. He gestured for her to walk in, suddenly grinning again.
She stepped into the loft, her head still turned towards him. "I was thinking a movie and piz-" Before Kate could finish she was met by a loud chorus of "Surprise!"
She snapped her head around and gasped. And then let out a surprised laugh. There were balloons and banners and a lot of friendly faces - all female of course since this was a baby shower. She immediately spotted two familiar redheads at the front of the small crowd. A bright smile engulfed her features.
"Lex! Martha!" The young woman was grinning from ear-to-ear, the very likeness of her father, as she bounced over towards Kate. Martha was smiling broadly as she elegantly made her way to her daughter-in-law whom she came to adore as a daughter. No one could ever fill the void Johanna Beckett's death left, but in Martha Rogers, Kate found an unlikely mother figure. Someone who she relied on. Respected. Loved. Yes, Martha Rogers was her mother now, just as Alexis Castle was her daughter. Kate had fallen in love with the two women just as much as she had fallen in love with Rick. They, with Rick and Baby Castle, were her family. And she was theirs. She belonged with them and they belonged with her.
"Hey Kate!," Alexis greeted as she hugged the dark-haired woman.
"Hello Darling," Martha greeted as she stepped in for an embrace once Alexis released Kate. "I hope Richard has been treating you and my grandchild well," she added, glancing at her son and putting a hand tenderly on Kate's baby bump.
"What- how- what are you all doing here?" Kate asked, not able to rid herself of the smile that had encased her lips.
"What does it look like, girl?" Lanie spoke, stepping out from behind Karpowski. "We're all here for a baby shower. So get your pregnant booty upstairs, 'cause there are some diapers and fairy wings that have your name on it." The ME smirked at her best friend who seemed a little flustered.
"Uh... okay."
Rick came up beside her. She had momentarily forgotten that he was still there. "Well ladies, I'll take this as my cue to leave. Enjoy yourselves... and call me if my daughter decides to come early." He pressed a kiss against Kate's cheek and disappeared out the door before she could respond. A few moments later she was being hauled up the stairs by her diminutive and feisty friend.
Five minutes later, Alexis' phone vibrated and chimed with a new text message.
'Good job Little Bird, I'm proud of you. We make a good team, don't we? Anyway, enjoy the party and call me if anything happens in relation to Baby Bird. Or anything for that matter. I'll be at the Haunt with the boys. Love you with jelly tots on top, Big Eagle. ;-)'

xxx

The Old Haunt was a hub of activity as Rick Castle, owner and not-so-regular customer, walked in. He heard happy laughter, loud chatter and the jovial chimes of the piano as he made his way to the '12th'.
"Hey, it's Papa Castle!" Montgomery greeted to loud cheers from the other men as Rick approached the three men sitting at 'their' booth.
"Hey fellas," Rick greeted, taking off his coat and sliding in next to the Captain. He turned to a waiter close to him. "Mike! A round of scotch here for everyone." He turned his attention back to the men. "How's it hanging?"
"Good, man, good," Ryan replied with a smile before taking a sip of his beer. "And you? How's Beckett?"
"Yeah, how's your baby mama?" Esposito chipped in with a wide grin.
"Stubborn, tired, a little pissed about not being able to work and did I mention stubborn?" Rick replied with a wry smile.
The other men chuckled in response.
"Well, why am I not surprised?" Montgomery commented with a smile.
"Yep, that pretty much sounds like her," Esposito added.
"So, did it work? Was she surprised?" Ryan asked, referring to the baby shower.
"Yeah, she was." Rick smiled smugly before his expression sobered up. "Luckily not enough for her water break, though."

xxx

Meanwhile back at the loft...
"Oh this is adorable!" Kate exclaimed for about the tenth time to a chorus of "aawwwweess" as she held up a cute pair of tiny pink slippers and a white onesie that had 'Mommy & Daddy's Little Trouble Maker' written across the front. She was seated in front of the small group of friends which included Martha, Alexis, Lanie, Karpowski and a few other female friends she had made over the years.
"So, Kate, do you think Rick's going to help you change nappies?" Susan, Kate's yoga instructor and friend of the last five years, asked with a broad smile.
Kate let out a chuckle and glanced at her step-daughter. "Definitely. Besides, he raised Alexis, so I'm sure he knows how to change a nappy."
"I wouldn't be so sure, Kiddo. The few times I saw him change Alexis, it was a disaster," Martha chipped in, returning to her seat with a refilled glass of punch; the one with the alcohol in it. "This one time when she was about a year old-" She turned her attention to the rest of the women. "-the prospect of changing a dirty nappy almost had him in tears. So what does Richard decide to do? You've guessed it, he opts for a hosepipe. Mind you it was the first time he had to take care of her on his own." The women laughed heartily at this.
Alexis' eyes grew wide. "Grams, you're not serious!"
"Oh don't worry, Darling. Luckily, I was around that time and stopped him before he traumatized you." She turned her attention back to Kate.
"I'll shoot him if he tries to pull a stunt like that," Kate said, shaking her head with a smile.
"If he's not willing to help you, Kate, dear, just tell me. I'll set him straight," Martha said with a wink and the women smiled at each other.
"Alright, this one is from... Madison," Lanie said, handing Kate another bag. "There's a card in there too."
Kate pulled out the card and flipped it open.
'See? I told you. You wanted to have Castle babies and now here you are, Becks.' Kate laughed heartily at this. 'Congratulations, I know you're going to be a great mom. Just like Johanna.' She smiled sadly reading the last line and felt her eyes becoming moist. Everyone she wanted to be involved in this journey was there, except the one person that she needed there the most - her mother. Johanna Beckett would have been over the moon and would have fussed and hovered and hurried her grandchild along. She briefly closed her eyes as she toyed with the ring around her neck before going back to reading the note. 'I'm sorry I couldn't be there today, but we'll catch up soon. Lots of love, Maddy.'
She opened the bag and pulled out another item of miniature clothing to a fresh chorus of "awweesss".

xxx

The Haunt... a few hours and quite few drinks later.
Their rambunctious laughter reverberated throughout the confines of the booth, melting with all the other loud noises of The Haunt. An array of glasses and bottles adorned the table, along with a pack of cards and cashew nuts. Currently the men were swapping horror boys-meet-dad and dad-meets-boys stories.
"Cap, you didn't really do that, did you?" Ryan asked, a residual chuckle escaping his throat.
"Ryan, I most certainly did. That little sucker was scared shitless. It took him a year to go from calling me Captain Montgomery to addressing me as Mister Montgomery," Roy replied with an amused grin and a twinkle in his eyes.
Rick grinned wildly as he imagined a stern-looking Roy Montgomery slowly cleaning his shotgun while his teenage daughter's teenage boyfriend watched on, gulping nervously. "Classic... Did it work?"
"No, he's my son-in-law now," Roy deadpanned and the others burst out laughing.
Rick smiled and grew thoughtful. "You know I never got to make Alexis' boyfriends squirm. I mean really squirm. I wanted to do the whole severed head and blood-soaked maniac-routine with one of her dates once, but she stopped me before I could... Such a killjoy." He sighed, shook his head and took a sip from his now watery whiskey.
"Don't worry Castle, you'll get another shot at it again with Elizabeth," Montgomery smirked.
Rick groaned. "Well if she looks anything like her mother and inherits my natural charm, I'm gonna have my hands full."
"Don't worry, bro. She has uncles who will help you out," Ryan said, clinking his beer bottle with Castle's glass.
"And a mother who owns a gun and handcuffs," Montgomery added, also clinking his glass with Rick's.
"And an aunt who will help you get rid of the body and evidence if anything unfortunate happens to a frisky young teenage boy," Esposito finished doing what the other two did.
"Good to know, thanks." Rick grinned and raised his glass. "I would like to take this opportunity and make a toast to my unborn daughter. So gentleman, please raise your glasses to... Elizabeth Castle!"
"Elizabeth Castle!" The others echoed his sentiments and raised their glasses.
"To the little heartbreaker who's gonna give her ol' man a real hard time!" Roy quipped with a broad grin.
"Hear! Hear!" Esposito and Ryan added, laughing.
Rick groaned and dropped his head.
He knew that if Elizabeth Castle looked anything like her mother, that they were going to have their hands full. Right then and there, Rick decided first thing tomorrow that he was going to buy a shotgun.
As that thought crossed his mind, he lifted his hand and ordered another round of drinks.
He needed it.

xxx

The loft... an hour after the baby shower.
The three (and a three quarter) Castle women were bundled together on the large leather couch with Martha in the middle and Alexis and Kate on either side of the matriarch. The two younger women were sipping carefully from their cups of hot chocolate while the older woman periodically took a sip from her glass of red wine. The loft was still recovering from the baby shower as balloons still floated around and banners still hung from the walls. Currently the three women's attention were focused on a photo album. More specifically, Richard Rogers' photo album.
"Wow, I can't believe Dad was blonde when he was little!" Alexis exclaimed as she held up a yellowing photo of her father when he was toddler.
"Aww, he was so adorable, Martha," Kate commented with a broad smile before her expression fell slightly. "Just don't tell him I said that."
The older woman grinned and patted Kate's hand. "Your secret is safe with me, Dear."
"How old was he here, Grams?" Martha took the photo from her granddaughter and carefully perused it.
"Oh he was just a toddler. Maybe about two." Her face softened as a sentimental smile tugged her mouth upwards. "He was such a good boy. Lively, mind you, but good." Her expression, however, sobered and she sighed. "But, before I knew it he was all grown up and getting into all sorts of trouble."
Kate chuckled softly as she continued to page through the album. "Mmmm, I can only imagine all the trouble he got in to."
"He still gets into trouble," Alexis pointed out with a laugh. The other two women nodded and smiled in acknowledgement.
They grew quiet for a few moments as they continued to slowly page through the album before the young redhead spoke. "Kate?"
"Mmmm?"
"What type of kid were you?"
Kate smiled and sat back. "Uhmmm, well I was pretty good when I was young. My mom used to say that I was 'Daddy's little girl' and that I had my dad wrapped around my little finger."
"Sounds familiar," Martha commented, giving her granddaughter a sideways glance. The two redheads smiled at each other.
"But then the hormonal teenager years started and well, I kinda entered a wild-child phase much to my parents dismay."
Alexis' eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really?"
Kate grinned and nodded slowly. "Oh yeah. I wasn't you, Lex. I was rebellious and drove my parents, especially my dad, nuts. My mom was a little more laid-back. She understood that it was just a phase."
"What did you do?" Alexis asked.
Kate diverted her gaze to her hands in her lap and smiled, slightly biting her lip. "Let's just say that by the time I turned eighteen, my dad owned about three shotguns," she answered, looking back up. Alexis laughed and shook her head.
"Well, Darling, I think you better get yourself armed then," Martha commented with an amused smirk. Kate only frowned in confusion.
"Between you and Richard's genes, this little one-" She placed a hand on Kate's stomach. "-is likely to be a little trouble maker."
"And a real heartbreaker," Alexis added with a broad smile.
Kate laughed nervously. "Uh, maybe- maybe not. I mean look at Lex, she was practically raised by a man-child and look how well she turned out. You have none of your father ormother's wild-child tendencies."
Alexis shrugged and fought to keep an amused smile off her lips. "True, but maybe Lizzy is going to be Dad's punishment for his many, many sins."
Kate's face dropped. "Please don't say that."
"Oh don't worry, Kiddo," Martha said, wrapping an arm around the younger woman's shoulder. "We'll be here to help you out." Kate returned a warm smile and nodded. "Who knows, maybe she'll take after her good old Grams."
Kate groaned and dropped her head.

xxx

The door clicked open and a slightly intoxicated mystery writer stumbled in before shutting the large door as softly as possible. He almost tripped over his own feet as he gingerly walked into his home. He attempted to check his watch, trying very hard not to fall over in the process and coming to the conclusion that it wasn't very late. The light in the kitchen and TV were still on, indicating that there was still life.
"Hey Dad." Rick jumped as his daughter's voice startled him.
"Shit! Alexis... you *hic* scared me!" He exclaimed, slurring slightly. His eldest sat up from her spot on the couch and raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
"Did you have fun?"
"Uh, yeaaahh. *hic* Lots and lots *hic* of fun." He gave her a sheepish grin while swaying slightly.
Alexis bit the inside of her cheek in an attempt not to laugh. "Mmm-hmm, I can see that."
"How was *hic* the baby *hic* shower?"
Alexis pursed her lips. "Great, it was also a lot of fun."
He nodded slowly and blinked his eyes as he looked around the living room. "Where's *hic* Grams?"
"She went out with some of her thespian friends." He nodded and smiled.
"And Kate?"
"I think she went to bed."
"'Kay, I think *hic* Imma do that *hic* too." He turned and staggered towards the stairs. "Night *hic* Pumpkin."
Alexis shook her head and chuckled. "Okay, Dad. Night."
XXX
He slowly and carefully walked up the stairs. Once he reached the hallway, he kept his body close to the wall.
"Ka-tie, Ka-tie," Rick sing-songed quietly as he opened their bedroom door. Kate was sitting on top of their bed, legs crossed, unpacking all the gifts from the baby shower.
Rick grinned widely when he saw his beautiful wife on the bed in comfortable shorts and one of his dress shirts, her hair pulled back into a casual pontytail. Kate looked up and raised her eyebrows in amusement when she saw him staggering unsteadily in the doorway.
"Hi," she greeted, biting her lower lip in an effort not to laugh at her obviously intoxicated husband.
He smiled sheepishly at her as he walked over a little wobbly. "Heeyyy Katie." He fell onto the bed next to her and propped himself up onto his forearms and looked up at her; his blue eyes a little duller than usual.
She let out a laugh. "Katie, huh?"
"Mmm-hmm... my beeaauutiffuul Katie," he slurred pushing himself up towards her.
"Oh really? Sounds like someone had fun." She giggled when he nuzzled her neck.
"Mmmm... I sure did." He placed a kiss on her cheek before plopping down onto the bed, lying on his back.
"A little too much fun it seems." Kate looked down at him and grinned. "You know you're going to have a hangover tomorrow, right?"
His eyes were closed and his speech slurry. "Nah-uh," he mumbled, turning on his side and draping an arm loosely over her lap.
Kate lifted her hands. "O-kay, just don't expect any sympathy from me when you wake up with one hellavu headache."
"Mmmm" Was his only reply. After a few moments he stirred and turned look at what she was doing.
"What's all this?"
"Gifts from the baby shower. Our little girl got a lot of great presents. Didn't you, Lizzy?" Kate patted her baby bump.
Rick had a vacant expression as he perused the items on the bed; intoxication and weariness clouding his usually sharp and attentive mind. "Huh, that's nice." He laid back down, draped an arm around his wife and closed his eyes before mumbling. "Remind me to buy a shotgun tomorrow."
She looked down at him, her brow furrowing in sudden confusion. "What?" But before she could get an answer, her husband was already snoring. She shook her head, rolled her eyes and smiled sardonically.
"Lizzy, your daddy can be very silly." A wide grin split her lips as she leaned down to place a soft kiss on top of his head and affectionately run a hand through his hair. "But, we love him for it."


Next chapter - baby Lizzy's arrival!