We have now reached the end of our little journey. I want to thank all of you who reviewed, alerted, and favorited this little story. I've been walking around with a smile on my face all week because of you guys. I really can't thank you enough. I hope this chapter makes up for the way I ended the last one. This is my favorite by far, and was the best to write. Okay, I'm going to let you guys read now. Enjoy! :)

Epilogue

Kate paced up and down the front hallway of the loft. And yes, the word was paced. Katherine Beckett Castle did not waddle, no matter how much Rick said otherwise. Eight months into her pregnancy and she'd concede to waddling, but not at just five.

She wasn't really sure what she was so nervous about. It's not like this was going to go badly. He was going to be happy too, right? Kate groaned. "You're being ridiculous. Everything is going to be fine."

A key sliding in the lock startled her out of her pep talk and Kate nearly screamed. She cursed her hormones for making her so out of whack.

"Lucy, I'm home!" Rick called in a horrible impression of Ricky Ricardo as he walked in the door. Kate rushed over to meet him. He dropped his small carry on and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her soundly on the mouth. "I missed you."

"We missed you, too." Kate smiled. "I still don't understand why you wouldn't let me pick you up at the airport."

"But, you're pregnant," said Rick by way of explanation.

"Yes," Kate nodded. "Pregnant, not fragile. I can pick up my husband from the airport without causing any lasting damage."

Castle headed for their bedroom to drop off his bag and change into different clothes. "I know, but—"

"You just worry about me unnecessarily. Really, Rick, I'm not going to break." She leaned against the doorway to their closet. "How was your flight?"

"Not nearly as bad as the book signing that took place beforehand." He tossed his shirt on the floor and searched for a clean one. "You're a fan," Kate raised an eyebrow at that one. "Tell me," he continued. "What exactly makes them all go completely insane?"

This sounded interesting. "What happened?"

"One woman accused another of cutting her in line. Their little argument ended in hand cuffs and half the bookstore destroyed."

"Half the bookstore? Really?" Kate's gaze drifted down to her husband's boxer clad behind as he thumbed through his jeans.

"Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration, but they did cause a lot of damage." He pulled on his pants before moving to stand in front her. "I really don't understand what comes over them."

Kate pretended to think for a moment. "Well you're not ruggedly handsome, so that can't be it." Rick sent her a mock scowl. "And it's not like your writing is that good either…" She trailed off, repressing a grin as Rick folded his arms across his chest. "I don't know, Rick, they must have had you confused with an actual writer."

"Cute. You think you're cute, don't you?" He advanced towards her.

She shrugged. "If the shoe fits." She giggled as Rick wrapped her in a bear hug and attacked her neck.

"Oh the realtor called," Kate said when she calmed down a little bit. "She found a house she wants us to see. Says it's perfect."

"You know," Rick dragged his lips from her neck. "I was trying to start something here."

Kate laughed. "I know, but we don't have time. You have to help me cook for tonight. Speaking of, Alexis called as well. She was wondering if she could bring her new boyfriend for dinner. Jaime, I think his name was."

Rick released her, but kept one hand on the small of her back as they walked toward the kitchen. "Mood killer, bringing my daughter into this." He shook his head in disbelief and Kate chuckled. "But yeah, tell her that's fine."

"You have to be nice to him now."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Rick, I mean it. No bloody lab coats and severed heads, okay?'

Castle groaned dramatically. "Fun sucker." He watched as Kate sat on one of the stools. "This is your idea of me helping you make dinner?"

"I'm pregnant remember? Cooking is too dangerous," she said mockingly and smiled at the look on his face. "And I'm just trying to save your relationship with your daughter."

"But I might be having another one soon, so she can take Alexis's place," he joked.

Kate swatted at him but stiffened slightly when he mentioned the baby. He noticed the change and set the pot on the counter, coming to stand next to her.

"What's wrong?" He asked. "Is this because I missed the ultrasound on Friday? You know I would've been there if I could."

"I know," Kate told him. "And it's not that…"

"Is it because I didn't wish you happy Mother's Day yet? Because I was going to. I even got you a present."

"No, it's not—" Kate stopped. "You got me a present?"

"Of course," Castle replied.

"Rick, I'm not exactly a mother yet. I still have few months to go."

"Still counts," he assured her. "Besides, you've been like Alexis's mother for a while now, with Meredith always out in California."

"Fine, but I want my present."

"Tell me what's up first," Rick countered.

Kate took a deep breath. "Well, the doctor noticed something on the ultrasound that they didn't pick up before."

"What was it?" Rick panicked. "Is the baby alright?"

She ran a hand soothingly down his arm. "Yes," she reassured him. Then paused. "They both are, actually."

Rick froze. "Did you just say 'both'?"

Kate bit her lip and nodded. "We're having twins," she confirmed.

"Twins?" A smile grin was forming on his face.

"Twins." She smiled back. "So this is good news?"

"This is great news!" Rick exclaimed. "Do we know yet if they're identical or…"

Kate shook her head. "From what she could see, it looks like we're having a boy and a girl."

"A boy and a girl," he said in disbelief. "What are we going to name them? Michael and Michelle? Gabriel and Gabrielle?"

He kept running through the male and female forms of different names, but Kate stopped listening. Instead, she focused on a memory. A memory that she hadn't thought of in a long, long time, of a dream she'd had in the early years of their partnership. Suddenly, a wide smile appeared on her face. "I think I know just the names."

The End