Rick looks to Alexis then back to Kate. What is taking the EMS team taking so long to get to them? Kate is dealing well with the pain. To be honest with himself, he has never before been in this type of situation. When Alexis is born, he was late getting to Meredith. She had already been at the hospital when he arrived. She already has the effects of the painkillers running through her veins. So she endures little pain then. This is a whole new experience. He seriously thinks about taking Kate to the hospital himself.
Just as he is going to ask Alexis where they are again for the millionth time, there is a knock on the door. Alexis runs to the door to let them enter.
"Is this the Castle residence?" The first EMT asks as Alexis swings the entry door open.
"Yes please come this way." Alexis answers.
Without hesitation, Alexis escorts them to where Kate and her dad are which is near the couch. The younger EMT kneels beside Kate and makes his initial assessment of her condition. He takes a little time to come to the conclusion that Kate is somewhere in the neighborhood of being 7 centimeters dilated.
"Mr. Castle I presume?" The EMT asks.
"Yes and please call me Rick." Rick responds.
"Well, Rick here is the current situation with your wife." He says.
Rick does not have the heart to correct him. Since he and Kate are not yet married. He just looks at him waiting for him to continue.
"Your wife is dilated about 7 centimeters. We will need to move her quickly if we don't want her to deliver in the back of the ambulance." He states the urgency of this situation.
With that, the older EMT has already moved the stretcher into position near the couch. They transfer Kate then strap her to it. Covering her with a blanket then they are ready. Rick just stands there not knowing what else to do. Kate looks at him and notices that he is looking lost.
"Babe, everything will be fine." Kate reassures.
He looks down to her with a loving look. What she says has snapped him out of his current fog. She takes his hand in hers then holds it tightly.
"So are we good to go?" the EMT's said in unison.
"Yes, Please be careful you are transporting precious cargo…Kate, I will be following in the car." Rick says.
"Babe, I will be fine I love you and I will….Aughhh!" Kate screams in pain as the next contraction hits.
"Dad, go with Kate I think you are in no shape to drive. I'll follow you. Give me your car keys." Alexis warns as she runs towards the door to make sure that the way is clear.
"Mr. Castle you are welcome to ride with us." The first EMT says, "But we need to leave now!"
"Dad, just go I have this." Alexis says.
"Honey, are you sure?" Rick says hovering on indecision until Kate screams again.
"Dad, yes Kate needs you now! I am sure get going...NOW" Alexis says hoping to get her point across.
They exit as Rick holds Kate's hand. Alexis closes the door but not before they are out of sight.
"Excuse me which hospital are you taking her to?" she asks.
"Alexis it's Mt. Sinai" Kate responds in a rushed breath.
Alexis closes then locks the door. She decides to head back to where Kate was when her water broke. She cleans up the fluid and tidies up the loft too. She grabs everything they will need then exits.
Taking out the keys she rode the elevator down to the garage. Her Dad's Cadillac SUV with two baby seats having already been installed is waiting. She starts it and then places the behemoth into gear then eases into Manhattan traffic. Driving this monster is something that she will need to get used to. She follows the SUV's GPS mapping to Mt. Sinai. She arrives about 25 minutes later. Parking the SUV, she rushes inside. She approaches the nurse's station looking for the maternity ward.
"Excuse me…I am looking for my family…A young woman who is about to give birth along with a frantic tall man…Have you seen anyone like this arrive in the last few minutes? They would have arrived with EMT's." Alexis asks desperately trying to get information on her family.
"Let me see" says the nurse "What is the name?"
The name is Beckett…Katherine…wait I hear her! Nevermind...thanks…" Alexis says as she runs toward her screaming mom.
"Go ahead and go back to your mother." The nurse yells out to a disappearing Alexis with a smile.
Alexis is almost at a fast run down the hallway toward the birthing room. As she turns to enter the room she notices Kate already in stirrups pushing hard to deliver the first twin. She is sweating profusely and her dad sitting behind her is doing the same. She sets the bags she is carrying down in a chair then walks over to take Kate's hand. Kate looks up to see the concern in her eyes.
"Alexis, don't worry. The doctor says that everything is going well. The first twin should be here quickly." Kate pants as the next painful contract hits.
"Kate, what I need you to do right now is push, at the count of 3. 1...2...3. push." The doctor commands.
With that final push the first baby's head crowns. The doctor gently guides its head out of the womb. Before long the doctor is guiding the baby's shoulders through the birth canal. Then at 1:22 pm they welcome the first baby. It is a boy. He is beautiful and weighing in at 5 pounds 9 ounces. He has ten fingers and toes. He is 19 inches long and healthy. Rick looks at the doctor who has just delivered his son and notices that he is alarmed.
The seated doctor swivels his chair back to the task at hand.
"Doctor Reily, what's wrong?" Rick asks worriedly.
"Rick we might have a problem here." The doctor grimly says.
"How, what's wrong?" Rick asks fearing the worst case.
"Okay here is the issue. The sonogram never shows us that there is only one umbilical cord. This might be a problem because it is generally longer in length due to the fact that it is supporting life for two babies." The doctor explains.
"So what could happen?" Rick asks not quite understand the doctor's grimness.
"Don't be alarmed, there might be a possibility that the cord could wrap around the baby's neck or other parts causing distress. I will do all my power to prevent that from happening." The doctor assures.
Alexis gasps at this news.
"So far I see no sign of distress on the fetal monitor. Everything looks fine. So Kate what do you say let's bring your second baby into this world?" The doctor asks.
Kate nods
"Okay, Kate I'm going to count to ten. Then I want you to push hard.
Okay?" He says.
"Kate I now it is hard sweetheart but please try to do what he says" Rick coaxes.
"You can do it, Kate." Alexis says from the sidelines.
"Okay, 10, 9, 8…2, 1…Now push Kate!" The doctor says
She pushes hard then the second baby comes out in one fluid movement. Giving blessed relief to Kate. She is here. She has the prettiest blue eyes. She weighs 5 pounds and 3 ounces. She is 20 inches long. The doctor untangles the umbilical cord.
"Rick, you need to cut the umbilical cord from your daughter." He says.
"Please cut here" the nurse instructs after clamping the cord off in two places.
He happily takes the surgical scissors and completes the task. The nurse takes their daughter to be cleaned up. The doctor separates the umbilical cord from his son too.
Rick moves to Kate's side then leans down and kisses her softly.
"We're parents! Kate, you did it. I love you so much" Rick says continuing to kiss her.
Alexis just beams on seeing the delivery of her new siblings. She pulls the bag off the chair.
"Which room will she be taken to?" Alexis asks the nurse.
"We are going to set her up in room 12. She will need a couple of minutes to recover." The nurse replies.
"Okay, I will place their things in there and wait." Alexis says leaving but not before snapping a few pics on her phone of her mother, father and her new siblings.
Rick oblivious pulls the chair over to her then sits down. As he watches the nurses busily rushing around the delivery room taking care of his children his mind goes to a question he needs to talk to Kate about.
"Excuse Me…We need to get the afterbirth out…Kate, we need you to push just one more time." The nurse says interrupting.
Kate complies then all was finished. Kate is cleaned up then wheeled into her private room. Alexis stands to make room for the bed.
Rick hovers waiting for the monitors to be attached then after the nurses were finished he sits down in the chair just vacated by Alexis.
"Has anyone informed the world of the new arrivals?" Alexis asks.
Kate looks at Rick…
"No, I guess we haven't…" Rick says guiltily.
"Okay I'll handle this," Alexis says as she walks out of the room to the waiting area.
After Alexis leaves the nurses bring the babies in for their first feeding. Rick looks lovingly at both of them.
The nurse helps Kate get the hang of nursing her children. Once the fussy tot latches on Rick broaches the question.
"Kate, now that they are here we need to name them." He says looking down on his son.
"Rick, I have been thinking about this for quite some time." Kate says moving a bit to get her daughter into a more comfortable position.
"You have? And you never mentioned this little fact to me?" He said smiling at her.
She returned his smile with a smile of her own.
"I didn't know how to bring it up." Kate confesses.
"Well then no time like the present, what names did you choose?" Rick asks excitedly.
"Okay for our son, I was thinking Ayden Ethan Castle." Kate says pointing at her son in the basket waiting to be fed.
"Kate, I actually love it. So it's agreed?" Rick says.
"Yes." Kate said timidly.
Alexis has returned then overhears the conversation about naming her siblings.
"Dad, while I am not actually qualified to name your daughter I do have a suggestion for you." Alexis shyly says.
Kate and Rick look at her with concern.
"Alexis, why would you think that you are not qualified to make a suggestion? She will be your sister." Rick says as Kate nods in agreement.
"Well here is my thought Johanna Rose Castle." Alexis adds.
Kate grips Rick's hand just a little too tight. He looks down at her he sees that she is quietly crying then whispering to her new daughter.
"That is your name little one…Johanna Rose Castle." Kate whispers as Johanna pushes away.
"Oh, is she done? Let me burp her?" Alexis coos as Kate hands off Johanna to her then have Rick hand her their son Ayden Ethan Castle.
He has no problem latching on to nurse. Alexis burps Johanna as Rick and Kate look at her.
"Rick, she is a natural…It won't be too long before she will be doing this for her own child." Kate says.
"Please don't remind me" Rick grimaces.
Kate laughs which disturbs Ayden who squawks.
"Oh did I upset your meal Adyen? Well, mommy is so sorry." Kate says as Ayden looking mollify resumes his meal.
Alexis places Johanna back in her bassinet.
Ayden was finished so she handed him off to a waiting Alexis. She makes quick work of burping him.
Rick is so proud of both his girls. He wraps his arm around Kate then kisses her.
"You did very well today Kate. I love you so much" Rick says with another kiss.
"No Rick we did great!…and I love you too." Kate says.
The nurses have reappeared then one takes Ayden away from Alexis then places him in the bassinet. The other starts to wheel the baby out of the room.
"Where are you taking them?" Rick asks concerned.
"The doctor has ordered some more tests. They will not be gone long." The nurse replies.
Rick looks at Kate then gets up.
"I don't think it is anything Kate. I'll find out what is the doctor's concern." Rick says kissing her on more time.
Rick leaves the room then finds the doctor.
"Oh, Mr. Castle I was coming to see you." The doctor says.
"Yes, Doctor as I am you. So what is the need for these further tests?" Rick asks.
"Well as you are aware both children were sharing the same umbilical cord. In these cases, we like to perform extra tests to find more information. The children's health is in no danger." He says with a smile "…Matter of fact they are quite healthy you should be proud…Now excuse me I have other patients to attend."
Rick excuses the doctor then returns to the room.
"Well, Rick what's wrong?" Kate asks anxiously.
"Kate nothing is wrong…The way the twins shared an umbilical cord is a bit rare. Extra tests are being ordered. So they can contribute to science. Imagine that Kate our children are already special in this world." Rick says kissing her again.
"Rick we already know they are special." Kate says.
A few minutes later the twins are returned.
"Oh, would you do us a favor?" Rick asks the nurse before she left.
"What would you like?" The nurse asks.
"Would you please take our picture as a family? I want our older daughter in this picture." Rick requests.
"It would be my pleasure," the nurse says as Alexis' hands over her phone then gets into the frame.
The nurse takes several pictures then hands the phone back to Alexis. She departs as Alexis excitedly shows everyone the pic with her and her family.
"Alexis, I don't think we have told you that the name you gave to your sister is inspired…thank you for that suggestion Pumpkin." Rick says.
"Alexis please come over here." Kate requests.
As Alexis approaches Rick moves to the other side of the bed. Kate pulls Alexis into a very loving and meaningful embrace.
"Honey, thanks for the name it means so much to me, more than you would ever know." Kate says.
Rick looks at his two girls and smiles. He then looks over to the twins. They have been wrapped in gender specific blankets.
"They are so beautiful." Kate says about the pictures and the twins sleeping beside her bed.
"And it's all because of you babe." Rick says.
"Well, I'd like to think that I had a little help." Kate replies.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Two months have passed since Kate and the twins have come back home. Alexis has been a godsend. Rick has been terrific taking care of the twins and Kate. She wonders for a second, if he were to leave them due to his disease there would be no way on gods green earth that she and Alexis would be able to handle the twins by themselves alone.
Rick has gone to the clinic for his last check up earlier in the morning. Kate and Alexis have their hands full. He meets with Dr. Cho.
"Well, Rick I am happy to report you are still free from this disease congratulations. Remember to keep disease free…you must adhere to your diet regimen." Dr. Cho reminds him.
"I will Doctor and thanks so much for everything." Rick says getting up to leave.
"Please remember, I need you back here in 6 months." She says.
"Yes, I'll remember to schedule it with the receptionist." Rick replies leaving.
He left the clinic sometime around 11:00 am. On his way back he has a thought. It is a good plan, but he needs desperately to speak to Alexis. He needs to get her help if he was ever going to pull it off this was going to be huge!
The plan is simple…marry Kate! He already asked her and she did say yes. So he gets to work making plans to do just that. Arriving home at the loft he enters to hear nothing. What he sees is a picture that warms his heart. Kate and Alexis are both asleep on the couch with each twin resting comfortably on their chests. Empty nursing bottles are at each others sides. Dirty diapers are thrown onto the floor.
They are exhausted he could tell. The twins are a very active pair. He walks over to Alexis. She had Ayden on her chest. He gently picks up the boy and before he moves even 1 inch away Alexis awoke with a start. She instinctively makes a move to grab back the baby.
"Alexis it's fine. It's only me I will put him down in the bassinet." He says in a whisper.
Alexis gets off the couch then goes to where Kate and Johanna are. She quickly and gently removes the sleeping Johanna from Kate's chest. She joins her dad in the nursery. He has just laid Ayden down and is waiting for Johanna when Alexis enters the nursery. She lays Johanna down. They turn on the baby monitor then slip out quietly.
Heading back out to the living room to where Kate was fast asleep. Rick covers her with a blanket. She moves a little but stays asleep. Rick walks back into his office and motions for Alexis to follow.
"So Dad, why all the cloak and dagger stuff…what's going on now?" Alexis whispers not wanting to wake Kate.
"Alexis…don't you think it's time I married Kate?" Rick asks.
"Dad if you ask me I think it is way past that time…So what can I do to help?" she asks.
Rick tells Alexis about his plans. Kate still had just about 4 months of maternity leave left. It would be enough time to complete his plan.
"Alexis I will need your help with the arrangements." He replies
"Dad, what do you have in mind?" Alexis asks.
"Alexis I need your help with setting up this wedding. The way I see it Kate still has about four months of maternity leave left and I want her to be my wife within the next two months. Do you think we can pull it off?" Rick asks.
Alexis thinks about what an undertaking this would be in such a short time. There are flowers, dresses, a decent venue, not to mention the twins themselves to contend with.
"Dad I will be honest with you. This will be a monumental feat to pull off, but with your connections and the cash to throw around, I think it's a possibility." Alexis replies.
"That's my girl, so where do you want to start?" Rick says with a hug.
"Well the first place I think we should start is finding the perfect venue and the guest list." Alexis suggests.
"Okay, I will get started on the phone calling venues." Rick offers.
"Actually Dad it is more important for you to started on the guest list. You need to make a very short list of guests you want to invite. And I really mean short not over the top by inviting everyone you know. Let's keep it a small affair say about 150 people. I'll handle the venue" Alexis says.
Rick's face frowned at that statement. He wants to invite everyone to share in their joy.
"Okay, Alexis we'll switch. Let's see how far we can get now before Kate wakes up." Rick says.
They had accomplished a great amount in a short time. They had been at it for about 2 hours. Then Kate starts to stir on the couch. They have been prepared for her movements. The baby monitor is placed in a position in the hallway between the twin's room and the living room. They hear Kate starting to awake. They toss everything they are working on into the top desk draw. They walk out of the office. Kate has not fully awoken yet. So there is no need to explain why they were in Rick's office.
"There she is. How is your nap, Kate?" Rick asks.
"It was much needed. So Rick, where are the twins?" Kate asks with a yawn.
"I put them down about 2 hours ago. When I got home the two of you were sleeping with them doing the same on your chests. I have pics too." Rick teases.
Rick pulls out his phone then scrolls to the picture he has taken of his sleeping beauties. He shows it to Kate and she smiles widely at the image.
"They should be up any time now Kate" Alexis states.
"What were you guys doing while I was asleep?" Kate asks.
"What do you mean Kate?" Rick says as he looks away from her.
"In your office, the two of you were just in there." Kate says again with another yawn.
It is Alexis who saves the day.
"Kate we were just going over the details for the twins christening. We hoped to have it done by the time you awoke, but there are just a couple of details to finish up." Alexis says allying Kate's suspicions.
"Oh okay." Kate says.
Rick thinks how close that was. If it isn't for Alexis' quick thinking they would have been sunk. Just then his stomach rumbles.
"Kate, what do you say to us having our first family outing?" Rick asks hopefully.
"What do you have in mind?" Kate asks.
"A family dinner out..." he replies.
"Are you sure we can handle it?" Kate asks.
"Well, I'm sure. We may we have to have Alexis' help, though." Rick says looking at his eldest.
"Alright, then that's the plan." Kate says as she hears the twins stirring as if on cue.
They fed them then retrieve all they would need for a couple of hours out. When they were ready to leave they looked like they were moving to another state. They had double of everything. Diaper bags, bottles, baby food, spare changes of clothes just in case. They had a double stroller which helps. Rick still has to carry most of the items. During dinner, the twins slept soundly. They actually had a great meal. During dinner, the conversation moved to the topic of shopping.
"Kate I was wondering if you would want to come with me for a half day of shopping?" Alexis asks.
"I'm not too sure Alexis I really don't think it's a good idea to leave the twins."
"Nonsense Kate, I can take care of the children while you get out and spend some money for just half of the day." Rick says.
Rick knows where Alexis is going with this idea. He hopes Kate will bite and say yes.
"Alexis, if you think your dad can handle the twins then I'm game." Kate says
"Well look at how I turned out, he must know something about taking care of babies." Alexis comments.
They all laugh at that then get ready to leave. Rick takes care of the bill then they leave. After they get back to the loft Kate settles the babies and Rick pulls Alexis off and away from Kate's all seeing eyes.
"Okay, I will get everything done on the list before you come back. I think we should be set. I can't wait until these next two weeks are up. She will be so surprised." Rick tells Alexis in a whisper.
"Don't worry dad she will love it, just don't screw this up okay?" Alexis warns.
"I won't" Rick promises wondering why she would think that.
The next day arrives. Alexis and Kate have finally left the loft. Kate would not stop giving Rick instructions about the twins even while exiting the loft. Rick has much to do in a very little amount of time. He would get texts from Alexis during the day informing him of their whereabouts.
After about 5 texts from Alexis reporting where they are in the city her final text arrives and she informs him that they are heading home. And it is a good thing because he has just finished up with all the details for a great wedding.
Kate and Alexis arrive back at the loft with their arms full of the day's purchases.
"It is amazing how much you can get accomplished with an Amex black card." Rick quips surveying all the bags.
Alexis looks at her father as she takes most of the bags to put them away. He winks at her to let her know that everything was set for the wedding.
The next two weeks flew by. The way that Alexis and her dad have set it up they are all going to go to the church under the guise of the christening. At the loft things are moving along quickly. They are all ready to leave for the church and the twins were in their christening gowns looking great. The limo is waiting to take them to the church.
Arriving at the church Alexis and Kate make their way to a small room off the main part of the church. Alexis nods to her dad. He and Lanie took each twin into the church.
"Alexis why are we here? Don't you think that we should be in there with the twins?" Kate asks.
"Kate, there is a special type of dress you need to wear for the christening." Alexis fibs.
"Oh really so where is this dress?" Kate asks now very suspicious.
"It's right over here hanging in the wardrobe." Alexis points out.
Kate walks over to Alexis then taps her on the shoulder just as she was about to open the door to the wardrobe.
"Honey, do you think I don't know what's going on here?" Kate asks as she pulls the wardrobe and Kate instantly becomes misty eyed and is so silent at what she sees in front of her.
"Kate what are you talking about!" Alexis exclaims with a nervous giggle knowing why Kate is now so quiet.
Kate tries to recover as if nothing has happened "Alexis come on, I have known about your plans for this wedding today for a while now. You need to come clean." Kate softly says turning her vast interrogation skills upon her.
Alexis looks worried then breaks as Kate smiles. She pulls her mother's wedding dress out of the wardrobe and sees that it has been altered to fit her.
"Kate, please don't let it on to dad. It would break his heart. Yeah, this is a wedding too." Alexis admits.
"Don't worry Pumpkin, I know you and he did much to make this happen. I won't ruin it for him." Kate says kissing her on the forehead then gives her a hug. "So is this the special dress you want me to wear?"
Kate looks at the dress that Alexis has somehow got her hands on and she loves it. She will need to talk to her dad about boundaries though!
"Alexis this dress is beautiful…You have outdone yourself!" Kate gushes. "Help me with it would you please?"
Alexis helps her with the dress, make-up, and hair. Alexis takes a step back and admires Kate. She is stunning to say the least.
"Kate, are you ready?" Alexis asks.
"Yes, I am. Let's go." Kate says as her father dressed in his finest appears.
"Kate, your mom would be so proud of you!"
Alexis quickly removes herself as father and daughter talk quietly.
"I'm so happy for you…Rick is a very lucky man. You look just like your mother Katie. She would have been so proud." He says with almost tears in his eyes.
"Yes, I miss her too Dad. She should have been here." Kate says.
"Now, now no tears yet leave them for Rick. I hear the odds are that even he cries." Jim says as Kate laughs then wipes the few tears that fell away.
They left the room together on her father's arm. Kate notices that all her friends are sitting in the pews. As she walks towards the altar she notices Rick standing there wearing his black Armani tuxedo. The twins are sleeping in bassinets right where they would be finally be standing. She walks down the aisle then watches as Rick nervously tugged at the sleeve of his tux. He is adorable.
Reaching the altar Jim hands Kate over to Rick then sits down next to Martha. Everyone is seated. Kate looks to Rick with a look of kindness and awe for what he had done here today. The ceremony starts as they both turn to face the priest.
They say their vows in front of all their friends and family. Martha had made back from Australia just in time. Her dad looks on as their vows were almost complete. He is happy that he was able to give her away on her special day. The fact Rick has promised to love her unconditionally. It makes the day even more special for him.
The ceremony has ended and they kiss each other in front of the altar. After the kiss and the cheering, the children are christened. Kate kisses him again as both babies let their presence be known. During the kiss, he thinks back on everything they have been through together. They have a new family with lots of friends. He realizes that they had survived everything and are now looking forward to a future together...
A/N: And this brings us to the end of this story. I would love to thank everyone who sent me a review about this story. While most of this story is fictional, I was able to draw from some events in my life and add them to this story. My sister was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away in 2011. I am one to always accept what people have to say. But I am not going to read reviews about how these reviewers can bash my sister who is not here to defend herself and like it. There were only a couple of reviewers who did this, but the hurt is there. I might be back to write but with the way that this season of Castle is headed and the negative reviews for this story... I'm not too sure that it's such a good idea.
P2P