Epilogue – 6 months later

Kate opened the front door, happy to see her fiancée and their little firecracker standing on the other side.

"There's my baby girl." Kate said, bending down and swinging Lilly into her arms, pressing a loud smacking kiss on the little girl's cheek. Lilly laughed with delight and bounced happily in Kate's arms.

"What about me?" Pouting, Rick puckered his lips as he draped his coat over his arm, the other holding an incredibly large, lavishly wrapped birthday present. Letting out an exaggerated sigh, Kate placed a chaste kiss to his lips, grinning when he whined in protest. Ignoring her tall, ruggedly handsome shadow, Kate focused on the little girl squirming in her arms.

"Did daddy dress you, sweetie?

Lilly shook her head no and Kate's eyebrows rose. That explained the mismatched outfit then. Though, she did look incredibly adorable in her tiny red knit cardigan, blue and white striped sailor style dress, pink and purple polka dot tights and sparkly sneakers. Lilly was a little Miss Independent and preferred to dress herself. She was also officially a Castle. The papers had been signed a week ago.

"So, have you women been baking up a storm?" Hanging his coat in the closet and placing the present by his feet, Rick eyed the living room belonging to the young Ryan family. There was pink everywhere. Streamers and balloons and confetti and presents were draped all over the furniture and hanging from the ceiling. There was no sign of the birthday girl though, little Emma Ryan, who was turning one.

"You know I don't bake anything other than Christmas cookies and gingerbread men." Kate replied, rolling her eyes when she saw Lilly's shoes were on the wrong feet. She didn't bother to scold Rick for not changing them; she knew from previous experience Lilly would have stubbornly refused to believe she'd put them on the wrong way round.

"But I thought that's why you and Lanie were coming over early, to help bake!" She knew his petulant whine was because she'd left so early, before he'd woken, and therefore he hadn't been able to share a shower and have his usual wicked way with her. Kate let Lilly slide to the ground, watching in amusement as she oohed and aahed over all the decorations, before turning back to Rick, giving him a proper, hungry kiss that left him breathless when she finally pulled away.

"Lanie can't bake without poisoning someone and my specialty is not with cupcakes. Jenny knows this, she just wanted the company. Apparently it's a thing. Mother's club and all that, helping prepare...you know?" Kate hoped Rick did, because it was still a learning curve for her. Lilly's fourth birthday was approaching rapidly and Kate was beginning to panic over how the heck she was supposed to put together a kid's birthday party.

Rick smiled softly at her, before tugging her into a tight embrace and kissing her gently. "You're a fantastic mom." He reassured her, using one arm to swing Lilly up onto his hip, pulling her into their little group hug. "Isn't she, Lilly? Your mommy is the best."

"Yep. Mommy, you slays the monsters and keep all the peoples safe." Lilly agreed, her eyebrows arched knowingly, daring either of her parents to oppose.

"And who keeps mommy safe, baby?" Rick asked, loving this little game they played.

"Daddy keeps mommy safe. And mommy and daddy keep me safe."

"You're so smart." Kate said, nuzzling her head against Lilly's riot of silky brown curls. Her hair was more than halfway down her back now and Lilly absolutely refused to let them cut it. This, of course, caused distressing crying jags after bath time when it was knotted and tangled and had to be brushed out. But then, Lilly had a flare for the dramatic, and her tantrums where mostly for show, which her grandmother completely loved. According to Martha, Lilly was going to be her little protégée.

"Lexi always tells me that." Lilly giggled, tugging at the lock of hair curving over her daddy's eyebrow.

"Your big sister is smart, too."

Alexis had transferred to NYU from Princeton almost five months earlier and was in much better spirits now that she was living with her family. She was grown up and mature and smart, but just not quite ready to leave the nest yet. Rick was beyond euphoric. The loft was alwys buzzing and never quiet; between his two daughters and Kate, Jim Beckett (who visited so frequently he had his own key) and his own mother who sailed in and out just as often. With only a few weeks left until he said I do to Kate, Rick was preparing himself to start trying to sway her that maybe, in the not too distant future, they could add another little person to their family. Even if she wasn't quite ready now, or ever, as Rick watched her whispering to their little girl, her cheeks glowing, he wasn't worried. He loved her, she loved him, and they were happy.

Sensing his gaze, Kate drew her attention away from Lilly. "You're staring. I've told you a million times it's creepy."

Rick leered. "Creepy for you, pleasurable for me."

She glared, but it was a half hearted effort and eventually turned into a soft smile, which he matched.

"C'mon guys, no need to spoil Em's birthday with your mushy faces." Proudly carrying his little niece, Esposito grinned when the detective and her writer reluctantly split apart, Lilly resting on her mommy's hip. Lanie came in behind him, followed by Ryan, and Jenny who was carrying a tray with champagne glasses.

"Hey, there's the birthday girl!" Rick clapped his hands excitedly, dancing towards Esposito. "Hand her over, pal."

"Not a chance, bro."

Emma shrieked happily as her Uncles and Aunts crowded around, all fighting over who was going to hold her. Jenny handed the full glasses out and passed a plastic sippy cup to Lilly.

"I know it's not even midday, but I thought we could have one drink before my family arrive with all their kids." Jenny said sheepishly. Now smugly holding the birthday girl, Rick raised his glass with one hand.

"To the beautiful Emma Ryan!"

Everyone followed suit, Jenny's eyes watering nostalgically as her baby giggled along with the chorus of cheers. After a few minutes later of idle chit chat, Kate let a wriggling Lilly out of her arms, watching as she shot towards Rick and Emma. Kate glanced down at her still full glass of champagne, not particularly enthusiastic about drinking any. Turning to Esposito, she interrupted his boasting recount of how he'd beaten Ryan and Castle at Halo a few nights earlier.

"Hey, sorry Esposito, I'll be back in a sec."

Esposito shrugged, not surprised that she wasn't all that interested, and moved over to his buddy, slapping Ryan on the back. Making sure Rick was still occupied; Kate left the living area and walked into the messy kitchen where food was spread out over every surface. The vanilla cupcakes with pink icing had her stomach rumbling in anticipation. Jenny baked a mean cupcake. Kate stopped just inside the doorway, surprised to see her best friend by the sink, champagne pouring from her glass into the drain. It seemed they'd had the same idea, only Kate was infinitely glad she'd caught Lanie out, not the other way round.

"Lanie Parish, this is a sight I never thought I'd see."

Squeaking in startled surprise, Kate's best friend span around, empty champagne glass in one hand and guilt etched across her face.

"Kate, you scared the-"

"Don't try and throw me off. I saw what you were doing." Kate interrupted, putting on her best no-nonsense face. She took a step towards Lanie, eyeing the sink behind her.

"Kate-"

"Tell me, Dr. Parish, why on earth would you be tipping your alcoholic beverage down the sink?" Kate queried, her eyes glinting playfully, but knowingly. Lanie's anxious expression disappeared and she smacked Kate's arm.

"It can be a real pain having a best friend who's a detective, you know?"

"You love it. So, when were you gonna share with the class?"

Lanie smoothed a hand over her still flat stomach and shrugged. "Not today. It's Emma's big day and I don't want to steal her thunder."

Kate nodded in agreement, watching affectionately as her friend's face softened and went gooey. "I told Javi a few days ago. I'd never seen him cry before that."

Well, that explained the man's impish grin and excited mood the past few days, Kate thought vaguely.

"Don't worry, Lanie. Your secret is safe with me."

Lanie smiled gratefully and pulled Kate into a quick, bone crushing hug.

"I'm kinda scared about the whole thing."

Kate remembered when Lilly had joined their family and how freaked she'd been with the new responsibility of a child. Lanie had continuously managed to ease those fears. Now, it was role reversal time.

"Lanie, you're gonna be an awesome mom. And you know I'm always right."

Lanie smirked at her best friend, completely ready to challenge that statement. But before she could, Kate opened the refrigerator and pulled out a jug of apple juice.

"At least this way it won't look suspicious." Kate murmured, filling Lanie's glass up. Lanie's eyes filled with appreciative tears which she was more than happy to blame on hormones.

"Thank you, Kate."

Kate handed Lanie the glass and gave her shoulder a quick squeeze. "Go on; get back in there before Esposito sends out a search party."

"You comin'?" Lanie asked as she made her way to the door. Kate hovered, her eyes zoning in on the cupcakes.

"In a second, I'm just gonna-" She waved a hand to the cupcakes and Lanie laughed in understanding. You couldn't pry one of Jenny's cupcakes away from Kate if you threatened bodily harm.

Lanie saunteredout of the kitchen, the door swinging shut behind her, and Kate waited a few seconds before moving back to the sink. Quickly doing the same as what she'd just done for her best friend, she tipped her full glass of champagne down the sink and then refilled it with apple juice. If Lanie didn't want to ruin Emma's big day, neither did Kate.

She'd keep her secret to herself, she thought, caressing a hand across her belly. For just a little while longer.

So, that's it folks! THE END! (Yes, I know, it was a cheesy ending, but oh well! Maybe I'll do some little future one-shots?)

I need to say a big thank you to my beta, Tycho77, for her always wonderful input and help!

And, of course, to all of you who read, alert and review. Without you guys this would still be sitting on my laptop, never to be posted! It means the world that you take a few moments to read the story, to leave a review. Thank you.

I'm taking the risk of mentioning that I have another something in the works, not related to this series, so stay tuned! (Carolina17, yes, I'm aware that by saying this you will nag me!)

Stay happy and healthy, Caskett lovers. I'll see you soon!

Jess