I lied. Yes, it took me a bit to flush out this chapter... and it's so short too! This is un-beta'd and not really edited either :/ If there are glaring mistakes please let me know. (EDIT: I found some blaring mistakes, so I fixed them... and changed the last sentence a bit.)

I do not own Castle :(

ooOOoo

"Look you can almost see his cute little nose," Rick gushed to Kate as they both looked at the slew of ultrasound pictures. The baby was so tiny, but it was developing and that was a marvelous thing.

Kate looked over to Rick, he was only paying attention to the little one in the picture. "Really, Castle? Already hoping it's a boy?" She smirked.

"Well… I, uh… I guess it just slipped out." He was honest about his confession, but in his heart he really wanted a son. Someone to play catch with… even if he had to learn to throw and catch at the same time as the boy. "I mean, even though I do have Fortune Tellers in my family tree, it's not like I can sense that it's going to be a boy. I do want one though." He paused and then on a second thought, "How cool would it be… Rick Jr., he can be our little RJ!"

"No way."

"Okay, well we can come up with more names. We've got plenty of time."

"Did you ever think that I might not want a boy?" Kate teased. "What if I want a girl?" She had thought about it before many, many times. A little girl that she could play dress up with and have tea parties. Kate smiled at the thought. Even though she has Alexis, she never got to do the Mommy/Daughter things with her when Alexis was young. Sure they go out shopping and have Chick Flick nights now, but it's not the same.

"I'm perfectly happy with having another daughter. Alexis was so adorable growing up." Unbeknownst to both Rick and Kate, Alexis and Martha chose this exact time to quietly sneak into the room. Rick just bent down closer to Kate and in a hushed tone continued, "But just so you know, if it's a girl then we have to have another. I need a boy at some point!"

"Don't push it, buster."

Alexis and Martha just stood solitaire near the door; both mouths agape. It wasn't until Martha dropped her purse in surprise that Kate and Rick noticed they had arrived. Everyone was now just staring at each other. No words were formed, no congratulations were issued, just pure shock.

This was not how they had planned to spread the news.

Alexis was the first to move. She slowly stepped forward until she hit the edge of Kate's bed. "Kate, are- are you pregnant?" Her question started out hesitant, but ended enthusiastically.

Kate nodded, not taking her eyes off the girl. "Yes, there is going to be a new member added to the Castle family."

"Or two!" Rick added.

"Castle!"

"How long? I mean… how far?"

Kate smiled at her step daughter's curiosity. "8 weeks."

"And you just found out?"

Kate and Rick both nodded.

Suddenly all the hesitancy vanished, "This is great! I'm so excited!" Alexis screamed. "I'm going to have a little brother or sister. Granted he or she will be a lot younger, but I will be able to help all the time!" After she finished she jumped into Kate's arms.

Kate winced from the girl's sudden response, but did not let go.

"Alexis, be careful," Rick stepped in. He didn't want to see Kate in anymore pain. Ever.

Alexis backed away gently, but quickly. "Oh, sorry." She looked hurt and apologetic for her actions.

Kate felt her heartstrings tug at the way Alexis looked. "Rick, it's fine. She is not going to hurt me."

"I know, I just-"

Kate just turned back to Alexis and grabbed her hand, tugging her to sit beside her on the bed, essentially cutting Rick off. "Alexis, sweetheart, I know that you are probably much too old for sibling jealously, but I want you to know that I love you so much, just as much as I will love this baby. Nothing will ever change that. Okay?"

Alexis nodded, her eyes not meeting Kate's though.

"And even though I didn't give birth to you, I still think of you as my own daughter," Kate finished.

Kate's words hit Alexis deeply and she raised her head to look at Kate. "Really?" Alexis never had anyone say such nice things to her before. She loved Kate and had felt the same way for awhile. Tears gathered in the corner of her eyes.

"Of course."

For a moment there was silence until Alexis spoke up again in a happier tone. "Does this mean I can call you Mom?"

Kate was definitely not expecting that kind of reaction and was immediately taken aback. She cupped the girl's cheeks in both hands, "Only if you want to."

Alexis smiled brightly and tears fell down her face. "I love you, Mom," she whispered.

Now it's Kate's turn for tears to fall. "I love you too, Alexis," she responded and drew Alexis in for a big hug. As Alexis buried her face in Kate's neck, Kate felt a hand rest on her shoulder. It's Rick, he was also smiling with tear tracks down his face.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Alexis mumbled.

Martha, stood off to the side and took in her family's reactions. When Rick finally looked over to her with a goofy smile on his face she walked up to him and took him into her arms, whispering words of congratulations and love into his ear.

ooOOoo

Soooo, what did you think?

I'm not quite sure where I am going to go from here. If you have suggestions, let me know! Or I might just write an epilogue and call it a day...

Review and make my day shiny ;)

TBC...