So this is the end of the story. Thanks for reading, following, favouritng and the reviews. Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to all.

Chapter 5: Reveal

Kate was woken by the alarm she had set to make sure that they were up for the arrival of Gates. "Castle, we gotta get up. Gates is going to be here soon."

"Do we have to? We've been asleep for two hours."

"Hopefully she won't stick around for a long time."

"No, would it really be that bad if we told her we've got a son and you'll not be in work for a while?"

"She's my boss, Castle, being rude is not an option."

"Fine. Do you want to shower first or shall I?"

"I will." Kate agreed, if Castle came out with wet hair it wouldn't look as bad. Gates was her boss and even if Kate had just had a baby she wanted to at least look a bit more presentable.

"Okay. We might just need to pick a few things up off of the floor."

"A few things?"

"We'll clear a path and ensure she has a seat on the sofa."

Both parents showered and dressed quickly knowing that Gates was never late and probably would be eager to get this over with until she had quite possibly the biggest shock in her professional life.

In the midst of Kate and Rick showering, Jim had appeared in the kitchen to apparently make breakfast. She knew her father was an early riser, something that she had inherited, but thought he might have had a lie in. He knew that Gates was coming so in reality he was probably going to be up anyway. Kate was happy to see juice, a cup of tea, fruit, and pancakes being cooked.

"Morning, Katie."

"Hey, Dad." Kate greeted as she approached the breakfast bar. "Thanks for making this. Are Martha or Alexis up yet?"

"No, they seemed dead to the world. I thought you would like some help before your Captain arrives."

"Yes, I can't believe how stressed I'm getting by just telling my boss that I was pregnant and now have Eddie. I hope she doesn't get angry, it is the last thing I need." Kate told her father who was able to understand her anxiety. No stranger to health and safety regs himself, however, this was something else entirely.

"She shouldn't. You didn't know, so how was she meant to?"

"She probably had a normal pregnancy and will keep asking me why I didn't know maybe even tell me how stupid I am. It will be worse if she doesn't believe me, I would never have put myself in a dangerous position if I had known. You know that, don't you?" Kate questioned, hoping to gain reassurance from her father. No matter what happens in your life, your parents - or parent- should be constants. Apart from in Jim's worst state as an alcoholic he had been a fantastic father who stuck by his wife and his daughter.

"Katie, I know you, and I know that you would have never put your child's life at risk and if your Captain knows you then she should know that. If she gets angry at you or belittles you in anyway, both Rick and I will chase her out of here." To which Kate laughs, she can just imagine her father and Rick defending her then making Gates feel uncomfortable. Both have had practice at defending their daughter and wife. "So don't worry, if you want me to disappear upstairs and not come down until she's gone then I will or if Eddie starts crying then I'll take him while you hash out the details."

"Thanks, Dad, you can stay here by all means, if you want to just sit on the chair and spend the whole time glaring at her then you're more than welcome to do so. Or if you'd rather just watch the news in the office than do that." Kate suggests as Jim serves her the first pancake.

"You know if you'd like a few more hours of uninterrupted sleep later then Alexis, Martha, and I could look after him for a few hours to give you two a break. We're here anyway so you may as well make use of us." Jim suggested as he started on the next pancake. He could see the dark rings under his daughter's eyes and knew that Rick would have matching ones.

"I just feel guilty is all. Your plans were to come here to rest and be with family this weekend not look after a baby. He's up every two hours and-"

"Katie, I do know this. Your mother and I looked after you from the minute you were born."

"Sorry." Kate mumbled with her mouth full of pancake.

"Don't worry, just at least say you'll think about it." Kate nods in response while thinking it over in her head. While more than two hours sounds wonderful part of her feels guilty she'll discuss it with her husband before deciding. "Ah, good morning, Rick."

"You're way too excited for this time." Rick comments still rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Dad is making us pancakes."

"Smiley face ones?"

"Er, no but I've got some chocolate chips out if you would like?"

"Please. So why are you up this early?"

"I was just up and didn't see the point in going back to sleep when I could be more useful down here."

"There are pancakes, Rick, don't question it."

"As for why I'm happy, it has just been such a memorable thanksgiving and I've got a grandson."

"Ah, memorable sure is one word for it." Rick agreed.

"Dad also asked if he could look after Eddie for a few hours while we get some more sleep. I thought I'd ask you before I said one way or the other."

"You'd do that, Jim? I'd really like more than two hours."

"Then it is settled, there's already some bottles in the fridge so we'll be good for at least two feeds." Jim commented serving a pancake to Rick.

"If it gets too much then wake us."

"I think between Martha, Alexis, and I we can figure it out."

"If you're absolutely sure then we'd really appreciate it." Rick tells Jim, just like Kate he feels a bit guilty but loves the idea of sleep.

"C'mon finish your pancakes before Iron Gates arrives." Jim's knowledge of the Captain's nickname is a shock to Rick, not Kate because she told him once but knows that he's in a good mood when he's using nicknames like that. Rick's face matches his reaction until his brain reminds him to speak.

"You know about 'Iron Gates'?"

"I told him when he rang me after my first day back and I moaned about her not letting her have my gun back. Now whenever I'm frustrated with her he says it again. Makes me chuckle."

"Just don't say it when she might hear." Rick tells his father in law. "I saw the reaction once after she heard a uniform say it and sheesh she looked like she was about to explode."

"I don't doubt it, son, even though Montgomery did what he did, he was a much better Captain and person than she is."

"Yeah, he was always so supportive not that she wasn't, especially with DC, but even though I'm only a detective he saw me as more. He thought a damn sight better of you than she does. He knew you were what I needed and fought to keep you not have an argument with everyone to try to get rid of you."

"You, son, were exactly what she needed and more." Kate's father tells Rick, Kate has heard it many times probably Rick has been told too but who knows. Rick likes hearing it and Jim doesn't mind saying it on occasion. Rick kisses Kate on the cheek even though Jim is there. It's only quick but sweet enough to convey all they need.

A quick look at his watch after serving Kate her third pancake he notices that it is just twenty five past seven so Kate's boss will be here any minute. "Eat up you two, she'll be here anytime."

Kate makes quick work of her pancake and takes a swig of her tea. She can't wait for coffee again. "How do we do this? I can't think of anything."

"Get Eddie." Rick mumbles through his latest pancake. Kate's indecisive to whether to get Eddie, he looks like he's about to wake up well he's moving a bit.

It's then when there's a knock at the door. Both Rick and Kate freeze momentarily, how did this become such a scary task? When was she so scared of her boss?

"Rick, answer the door!"

Rick walks to indeed open the front door, gathering himself before pulling open the door to find his wife's boss stood there. She's never been to the loft, first time for everything though.

"Yes, Mister Castle?"

"Come in, Sir." Rick invites her in.

"Would you like a drink?" Jim asks from his position in the kitchen. He's the only one enjoying this, or finding it funny.

"No, I'm quite alright thank you." Gates tells Jim. She only ever met the man once, at Kate and Rick's wedding. "So, Mister Castle, why am I here?" It's then when Kate walks into the lounge carrying her son close to her chest. She'd gone with the 'a picture paints a thousand words' philosophy, a baby half asleep against his mother's chest.

"Captain Gates, this is our son." Beckett simply states. She could say all sorts of things but stuck with simplicity.

"Your son?" Gates questions while taking steps towards her detective. Her mind had come up with different things since the phone call yesterday but not this.

"Yeah, his name is Eddie and I gave birth to him on Wednesday." All the thoughts run around her head like nothing before.

"You did what now?"

"The reason I left on Wednesday was because I went into labour. I didn't know, all the signs I should have been given by my body failed. I would have never done my job like I have if I knew that I was pregnant."

"I know that, Kate." Kate noticed that she had used her first name, something that she could probably count on her fingers the amount of time that Gates had called her Kate. "I don't think I would have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes."

"That's part of the reason I wanted to do it this way and not tell you over the phone. I know that it is short notice, in fact no notice, but I need to arrange maternity leave."

"Yes, yes, of course. I'll send you the forms and try to ward off HR."

"Thank you." Kate pauses for a moment, looking between her son and her boss who had come to stand next to them. "Would you like to hold him?" She asks.

"Are you sure?" To which Kate nods, shifting Eddie so that Gates can easily take him from her.

All three of the adults look on at Gates who is cooing at Eddie, who would have thought that Gates would have a soft spot for a Castle baby? Or maybe she just likes babies. After a few minutes Gates sees that the baby is falling back to sleep so she passes him gently back to his mother. Bidding farewell, promising to send over all the forms for Kate to sign then finishing with "Congratulations."

Once Castle has closed the door he turns to Kate to say "Well, that went well."

"Better than expected that is for sure." Kate replied as Castle carefully encases his wife and son in a hug.

Their family will be just fine; the parents, the surprise addition, the grandparents and Alexis will enjoy the rest of the weekend. Then look forward to Christmas where Castle will have a battle on his hands to regain control of the cooking since Thanksgiving dinner went well.

A Thanksgiving to remember for all.

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Merry Christmas :)