a.n. I'm a newcomer to the Castle fandom. In fact, I spent the last month binge watching the entire series to prepare for the new season next week. I got hooked on it and have spent the last week reading some of the fics for the series on this site. I have read many that I've thoroughly enjoyed and for that, I thank all the various authors for their wonderful writing.

That being said, this is the first thing I've ever written for the series, so I hope it does the characters justice. I shouldn't be starting any new fics, but I couldn't help myself. I will try to update quickly, but there are no promises. There should only be about nine chapters of this fic and I hope you all enjoy each and everyone. I would appreciate any feedback you may have. So please, read, review, and enjoy!

Nine Months

Month One

"Hey Kate, what's wrong?" Kate was startled out of her internal musings and looked up at her husband from her place on their bed. She watched as he moved towards her from the bathroom, his eyes full of concern. She had been hoping that he wouldn't notice her contemplation just yet. Why did the man have to be so good at reading her?

"What makes you think there's something wrong?" As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she winced. Damn it. Good job Kate. Now he knows there's something you're not telling him. Rookie mistake. She looked up at his face, his ruggedly handsome face that only projected concern and love for her. She knew he wanted to ask a thousand more questions but he would wait patiently for her, not pushing her until she was ready to talk. If there was one thing they had learned in all of their years together, it was to have faith that their partner would never keep anything important bottled up inside for long. They had learned that the hard way. Several times.

Signing, she patted the bed next to her and it was only a split second later that she felt the bed dip as he crawled in and took his place by her side. Placing herself as close to his side as she could, she interlaced his fingers with his. Her nerves calmed instantly when his large hand gently squeezed her smaller one in reassurance. With that small measure of comfort, she breathed in deeply and looked up at him. She drew comfort from the loving look she saw in his blue eyes.

"I've been thinking…"

"Kate Beckett thinking? That's never good." She glared at him, though the fierce image she was trying to portray was broken by the slight upturn of her lips and his adorable smirk.

"Joke all you want, writer-boy, but we both know that it's the crazy thoughts you and your writer's mind come up with that always get us into trouble." He scoffed at her words and she interrupted before he had a chance to say anything. "I'm not the one who tries to solve cases by coming up with wild theories involving the CIA, the mob, conspiracies, cover-ups, aliens, ninjas, ghosts…"

"I was right with the ninja thing, if you recall. And some of those other so-called 'wild theories' ended up being on the nose as well." She only shrugged in dismissal. He really is cute when he gets riled up.

"If you say so, babe." She grew quiet and was glad that Castle had at least the sense to remain silent while she contemplated her next words. She pulled their joined hands into her lap and used her thumb to rub soothing circles on his. She was glad that Rick knew her well enough to know that she just needed some time to collect her thoughts. He must have sensed that whatever she was going to say, it was going to be big and he wanted to give her the time to sort everything out.

"As you know, there have been a lot of major life changes that have happened to us in the last couple of years. You disappearing, us getting married, my promotion, your mom moving out, Alexis graduating and getting her own place. Plus all of the cases we've closed together." She couldn't say it, but she knew that he was thinking the same thing she was.

Tyson and Neiman.

Bracken.

Enemies who had hunted them, who had harmed them, who had threatened their lives and those of their loved ones over and over again, and who had ultimately been brought to justice by their combined efforts.

Always a team, the two of them. There had never been a case too terrible or too difficult to solve when brought against their collective forces. They were of one mind sometimes and his stunning wit and intellect perfectly complemented her fierce determination and will power. Together, they were nearly unstoppable. These musings gave her the courage to continue.

"Rick, there have been a lot of changes in our lives, some good and some bad, but no matter what has happened, we've always stood by each other, leaned on one another, gave each other advice and encouragement whenever we needed it. We make a good team, you and I, and we've overcome whatever challenge has been thrown our way. But there's one challenge we've yet to face, one life changing moment we've yet to experience." She melted at the adorably befuddled expression on her husband's face. She took a deep breath.

"What would you say if our team gained a new member?" She paused and watched his face for any reaction to her words. It took a moment for what she said to sink in and she was fascinated by the array of emotions that played across her husband's face. First was the confusion, then the comprehension. Then came the shock and, finally, what looked like elation as his face broke out in a gloriously charming smile.

"Kate…are you…did you just say…?" His stammering tugged at her heartstrings and she nodded slowly. She felt a big grin make its way to her face as she shared in his enthusiasm. He startled her when he let out a whoop of joy and jumped out of the bed, flitting to and fro about the room. She watched, amused as his antics continued for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, he returned to his spot on the bed beside her and pulled her to him, arms wrapped tight around her. She rested her head on his shoulder and placed one arm on his chest. She could feel his heart beating in excitement and hers responded in earnest.

"I can't…how…when…" His voice was reverent, still in awe at her announcement and she took the moment to tease him.

"You're a big boy, Castle. I don't think I have to explain the 'how' to you." She grinned up at him and she hummed in pleasure as he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her lip. They broke apart too soon for her liking, and she continued with a smile on her face as he stared down at her. "As for the 'when', a few weeks ago at the most."

"And you're sure?" She couldn't help her tender smile as he turned serious. She reached one arm up to cup his cheek and his head turned into her touch.

"Yes Castle, I'm sure. I have about half a dozen tests to prove it too. And I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow to get it confirmed." She hesitated just slightly. "Would you like to come?" The look on his face told her that he felt as if his wildest dreams had just come true.

"Nothing would make me happier, Kate." They both reached over to turn off their bedside lamps before returning to their loving embrace. He pulled them both down to lay side by side, still holding her close to him, and pulled the covers over them. She snuggled into his side as he squeezed her closer and dropped a kiss to her head.

She had almost drifted off to sleep when the sound of his voice pulled her back.

"We're having a baby, Kate."

"We're having a baby, Castle," she confirmed, "now go to sleep."

"Yes dear."

As Rick settled in next to her, she closed her eyes. Just before her mind drifted off to dreamland, she felt the gentle touch of his hand splay across her abdomen, tenderly cupping the tiny life now growing inside.

She smiled.