A/N: Thanks for your reviews! Sorry for the delay; life has been crazy and sometimes it doesn't inspire a lot of writing much to my dismay as it's my favorite stress reliever.

Chapter 24

The crackers and ginger ale hadn't been enough to hold off a bout of sickness, leaving Kate in tears from the pain in her ribs and the embarrassment of having to have her mother hold a pan for her to get sick in. The nurse had come in and disposed of the mess before helping her into the bathroom to clean up with her mother's assistance.

"Shouldn't they be back by now?" Kate asked once she was clad in a fresh hospital gown and settled back into bed, another cup of ginger ale within reach. It seemed like her husband and father had gone off on their errand long ago.

"I'm sure they'll be along soon," Johanna replied as she opened another pack of crackers. "Sip some more of your drink."

"I'm sorry I got sick in front of you," she said softly.

Johanna gave a quiet laugh. "It's not like it's the first time, Katie. I've seen you get sick more times than you can imagine. You spit up on me on your second day home from the hospital…which made me a basket case. I thought I made you sick somehow or something was wrong with you. I tried to call my mother but she wasn't home…so in desperation, I called Elizabeth. After she got done laughing, she informed me that spit up was as common as dirty diapers and that as long as it wasn't excessive and constant, you were fine."

Kate's smile wobbled a little. "It's embarrassing in your thirties though."

"I'm your mother; it's fine, don't worry about it. I took it as the baby saying all was well."

"I hope so."

"Eat another cracker, sweetheart. How are your ribs?"

"They hurt like hell now."

"I don't doubt that. Maybe when we get another doctor in here he can give you something; Tylenol is supposed to be safe during pregnancy; maybe that would take the edge off."

"That would be nice," Kate admitted. "But only if they're sure it won't hurt her."

"They'll tell you what's safe to take. You're lucky; they have lists of safe over the counter medications now. When I was pregnant, I couldn't take anything…and that was a bitch when I had a headache," Johanna confessed.

"Did you get any of those migraines while you were pregnant?" her daughter asked.

"Honestly, I didn't," Johanna remarked; "And believe me, I prayed the whole time I wouldn't because I couldn't take anything and it would've been even more miserable than usual. I don't know what kept them at bay but I was glad. I just got the run of the mill headache from work."

"And Dad forgetting to come home."

"That too."

Kate breathed deeply, wincing a little as her bruised ribs protested. "Are you okay; are you going to be sick again?" her mother asked.

"No, I'm okay for the moment…I just feel like I've been here for days."

Johanna nodded. "Hospitals are good for that; they have a way of slowing down time."

"How long were you in the hospital when you had me?"

"Three days," she answered. "You'll most likely be home in two days when you have your baby. I remember my mother telling me I was lucky to go home after three days; she was in the hospital for a week after having Colleen."

"Why? Did she have complications?"

"No; that was just the norm back then. She was in the hospital for Easter; Grandma Sophia had to run to the store the night before and get me and Frankie a small Easter basket and a toy."

"You really remember when Colleen was born?"

"Yeah; I remember pieces of that time…it was a big to do in my world back then, I think it's why it's my earliest memories. Frankie and I were packed up and shipped off to Brooklyn to Grandma so she could take care of us. Dad had to work and didn't want to shuffle us back and forth…and even if he hadn't had to work; which being the boss he probably could've taken a few days off; he would've still sent us away."

"Why?"

"Because he couldn't handle us…he hated to be on his own with us. When Colleen got to be a toddler; Mom went back to teaching piano at times; so two evenings a week he was alone with us…and by the time she got home, more often than not, one of us had done had our ass smacked…or on rare occasions, all three of us. He'd put Colleen to bed at seven and let her scream her head off until she fell asleep. Even when we were teenagers he couldn't stand it."

"Was Grandpa a product of his time or of the way he was raised?"

"I think it was both," Johanna answered. "But at least the cycle didn't continue; Frankie wasn't like that to his kids and I wasn't like that to you…Colleen…well she never wanted kids in the first place so if she could get rid of them for awhile, she would."

"I wasn't sure I wanted to have kids for a long time," Kate admitted softly.

"Why?"

"I didn't want to do it without you…because I knew how much it would hurt not to have you to talk to about things…not to have you there to help me…I felt like the ache would be a hundred times greater."

"You know that I wouldn't have wanted that for you, don't you? That even if things were different, I'd want you to have a family of your own."

"I know…but it was hard to think about. I also thought about my job…how I didn't want to leave my kid without a mom. I still worry about that one…but now that you're home, the idea didn't seem so bad when I'd think about whether or not I wanted kids."

"Katie…nothing in life is guaranteed. I know you worry about your job causing you to be…absent," she said, not wanting to say the word they both knew she meant; "But that absence can result because of something outside the job."

"I know…it's just the way things have been for us."

Johanna took her hand. "We're still here…waiting on the next edition to join us in May."

Kate gave her a wobbly smile. "When I found out I was pregnant, I was happy…but a little part of me was still a little unsure if I wanted this…because I wasn't expecting it to happen so soon…I hadn't planned it; and I know it sounds terrible…"

"No," her mother said softly as she shook her head. "It's a natural reaction a lot of people have at first, Katie. It's okay."

She swallowed hard. "Every now and then that little piece of my brain that I hate reminds me of how unsure I felt when the lines appeared on the test…but when I fell, all I could think about was that I'd do anything, promise anything, give anything up just to keep her."

Johanna gently pulled her into an embrace. "That's how you know you're going to be a good mommy," she told her.

"I want her so badly," she murmured tearfully.

"You're going to have her, sweetheart."

"It still scares me though…she scares me. Babies always made me nervous…I wouldn't even babysit infants by myself; they had to be two and up unless it was an emergency."

"I know," Johanna said softly. "It's normal to be scared. I did babysit infants but I was still afraid of you when you were born."

"Why?"

"Because you were mine. It's always different when it's your own baby. The day we were being released from the hospital, the nurse brought you in for me to dress. She left us alone and I laid you on the bed and unwrapped your blanket. You were wearing your diaper and hospital undershirt…and suddenly you looked even smaller and more fragile than I thought. I stood there with that tiny sleeper in my hands wondering how I was going to get you into it; terrified I'd move and arm or a leg the wrong way and hurt you. My hands were shaking a little as I carefully finagled you into that sleeper, promising you the whole time that I'd get better at it…afraid that if I screwed up they wouldn't let me keep you and that just wasn't an option. Your hand curled around my finger while I was snapping up your sleeper and you looked at me like you had faith in me…despite my rambling and clumsy feeling fingers."

"I'm sure I had faith in you," Kate replied. "And they let you keep me."

She smiled. "They did. I got you into the sleeper and your little hat and sweater. I slipped those booties on your feet even though you had a sleeper on and I wrapped you in your receiving blanket and the pretty blanket your Grandma Lilly made for you. It wasn't a quick process…I was slow as a snail because I was trying to be so careful…but we got through it."

"You weren't afraid of me after that?"

"I didn't say that," Johanna laughed. "Once we were alone with you that first night home, we decided to bath you. I was nervous, your father was a basket case and you screamed your head off as soon as the first drop of water touched you. We panicked thinking we had the water too hot but it wasn't. We thought we hurt you when we undressed you but we didn't. Your father is saying we must be doing it wrong; I'm telling him I don't know how else we're supposed to do it; he's on the phone calling his mother…she's laughing and telling us that maybe we should move in with her for a week until we know what the hell we were doing. I told him to hang up and get the towel you were clean enough. Once I started drying you, you stopped crying…that's when we figured out that you didn't like to be bathed."

Kate laughed. "It's hard to believe I ever disliked baths."

"Oh you did the first few weeks of your life; you screamed your head off every time…until finally I took you to my mother's and told her I was going to bath you there so she could tell me what I was doing wrong."

"I'm sure you weren't doing anything wrong."

"Yes, I was," Johanna replied. "It wasn't just that you didn't like to be bathed; it was that I wasn't relaxed while bathing you and you sensed that. My mother told me I had to stop being so nervous about it; I wasn't going to break you. She also told me to talk to you while I was bathing you…I started doing those things and you settled down."

"Did Dad ever try to bath me to see if I wouldn't cry?"

"Hell no," her mother laughed. "He wasn't attempting that while you were a newborn; he just stood by holding the towel. Now when you got old enough to sit in the sink for your bath, he'd take a turn. When you were a newborn, he was more afraid of you than I was; if he was holding you and you'd let out a syllable of a cry; you were handed back. If you were crying in the bassinet, he needed to go make a call, he needed a shower, he needed to go the store; he always had to go do something. His favorite was going to the store for diapers…we had so many boxes of newborn sized diapers that you outgrew them before we got through them all."

She laughed. "What did you do with the rest of them?"

"Donated them to Elizabeth's church; they were starting a program to help families in need and they needed baby items so I gave them the diapers you outgrew and several packs of wipes because your father had us stockpiled on those too."

"At least they didn't go to waste."

"That's the good thing about it; other babies got to use them…on the other hand; I would've liked him to stay home and hold you while I made the bottle…and you know, maybe it would've soothed you a little."

Kate laughed softly. "Did he at least feed me at times?"

"Yes; he liked feeding you, he just couldn't do the crying part," Johanna said lightly.

"What about diaper changes; did he do his share of those?"

She nodded. "Yeah; he did…after awhile."

"After awhile?"

"Once he stopped being afraid of you."

Kate smiled. "How old was I when you stopped being afraid of me?"

"You still terrify me at times."

"Mom," she chastened lightly.

"Okay, your job terrifies me…as for you yourself…once I got the hang of things I was mainly only afraid when you were sick," Johanna replied. "And I was a little nervous when you were a baby and your father had to go out of town once in awhile…but that was more about feeling secure than really being afraid of you. I just always felt we were safer when he was home…I still do."

"I know," she replied. "I want to go home…maybe I'd feel better if I could go home."

"Hopefully it won't be much longer, sweetheart. Rick's getting you a different doctor; once you've been checked by whoever that ends up being, maybe they'll let you go. Rick can continue to monitor you at home for concussion signs…but I really don't think you're going to have one."

"I don't either…I just want to know the baby is fine."

"She's going to be fine," Johanna assured.

"Why is it taking them so long to get a different doctor?"

"Well…depending on how smart he got; they might be taking turns punching him in some supply room somewhere," her mother replied. "If they're not here in the next ten minutes, I'll go find them, okay?"

Kate breathed deeply. "Alright."

"Drink some more of your Ginger Ale," Johanna coaxed; "Eat a few more crackers too…the baby's probably hungry."

Kate took a drink and then picked up a cracker as Johanna did her best not to worry about why it was taking her husband and son-in-law so long to get things straightened out. She hoped she wasn't going to have to bail anyone out of jail… the night was stressful enough.

A short while later, Castle and Jim entered Kate's hospital room. "What took so long?" Kate asked as her husband made his way to her side.

Castle sighed. "Well we had to wait to be seen by the head of the department…and then he had to go call the doctor in; I believe under the mistaken impression that he'd apologize and all would be well."

"But it wasn't?" Johanna asked.

"No," Jim said, slipping into place beside her. "The doctor was highly unapologetic and you'll be happy to know that he said that you are overbearing, dramatic and entitled."

"Is that right?" Johanna said, her brow rising.

"That's right…he said it must be where Katie gets it from."

"Did you punch him?" his wife asked.

"Believe me, sweetheart; I wanted to. I told him if he had said those things to your face; he would be a patient here and finding out first hand how the bedside manner is," Jim remarked. "That's when he was asked to leave and told that he'll be dealt with later."

"I wish I had punched him," Johanna muttered. "It would've been worth the bail money."

"Am I getting a new doctor?" Kate asked.

Castle nodded. "It's taken care of. You'll have a new doctor for your care and I've called your own doctor to come check things out in regard to the baby. The person we spoke to didn't think that was necessary but your father reminded him that it was your legal right to request your own doctor since she's affiliated with this hospital. She'll be here within a half hour."

Kate breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. At least I trust her. Did she have any problem with coming?"

"No, I explained everything to her and she said she'll examine you and do another sonogram."

"Is it safe to have two in one day?" she asked.

"I asked that question too," he assured; "She said there was no risk to you or the baby by having another one done."

"Okay…I would feel better having one done by her," she said quietly, her hand moving across her stomach.

Castle kissed her temple. "She's on her way; don't worry."

"Easier said than done."

"I know," he replied. "How have things been here?"

"She's had some morning sickness," Johanna told him. "I've been making her drink ginger ale and eat some crackers."

"Bet your ribs feel really good now," Castle said to his wife with a grimace.

"You don't know the half of it," Kate replied before glancing to her father. "I didn't mean to ignore you, Dad."

"It's alright, Katie; you've got things on your mind," he replied before carefully kissing her forehead. "Did your mother throw anyone else out?"

"No," she smiled. "She's been busy watching me be sick."

"Not the first time," Jim replied. "I remember one time when you were a baby, I got ready for work and came downstairs and got you out of the highchair to play with you for a minute before I had to leave and you threw up all over me."

"I told you not to bounce her," Johanna stated; "She had just ate."

Jim nodded as he held his daughter's gaze. "I thought that thing about babies throwing up if they're bounced soon after eating was a myth…it's not, so there's my parenting advice to you. Don't bounce that kid after it eats; it will throw up and you will be late to work…and people will laugh."

Kate gave a soft laugh despite the ache it caused in her ribs. "Thanks for the advice, Dad. I hope it wasn't one of your favorite suits."

"Better," Jim said; "It was a brand new one."

"Guess you learned the hard way," his daughter quipped.

"You could say that; that's why I'm passing that knowledge on to you…and I won't be going through that again with my grandchild."

"He'll make me pick her up after she eats," Johanna stated. "That's what he did with you for a few weeks."

Kate gave her a smile. "At least he didn't just flee the scene."

"He probably would have but he was afraid I'd tell his mother and she'd yell at him again," Johanna replied lightly.

"Is that true, Jim?" Castle asked.

"Partly," he replied with a laugh. "If you knew my mother you'd understand."

"Grandma was good at lectures," Kate remarked.

"Yes, she was," her father agreed. "I came home for lunch that one day and she starts shushing me as soon as I got in the door because she had just put you down for a nap. I asked where your mother was and she told me she put her down for a nap too and then I was summoned to the kitchen to be yelled at while you both slept peacefully."

"You got what you deserved," Johanna quipped.

Jim slipped his arm around her waist. "I guess that is true. It was definitely a time of adjustment and learning."

Kate reached for her father's hand and held it for a moment as she tried to stifle a yawn. "I'm so tired," she murmured. "I want to go home and go to bed."

"You can't go to sleep yet," Castle stated. "You have to stay awake awhile longer because of the bump on your head."

She sighed deeply. "I think my head is fine…I just need to know that the baby is fine and then I want to sleep."

"No sleep until the doctor says so," her husband said firmly; "And even then I'll probably have to wake you on and off to make sure there aren't any signs of a concussion."

"Yeah; I know the drill," she muttered.

Johanna subtly caught her husband's eye; the unspoken sentiment between them that they wished these things weren't a normal part of their daughter's life.

"What time is it?" Johanna asked as she and Jim sat in the waiting room while Kate was examined by her own doctor.

"Ten-thirty," Jim said with a sigh.

"It feels even later than that."

"I know; it feels like it should be the middle of the night."

"That's probably when we'll get home," Johanna said as she shifted in the uncomfortable chair that was making her back ache. "I promised Katie we wouldn't leave until she was released."

"We're not going anywhere," Jim replied; "Not with rude doctors running around here upsetting people. I'm going to make sure he doesn't get anywhere near her again."

"I'm glad he's been dealt with. You know all the money they charge just to walk in the door of this place; you'd think they could afford to buy more comfortable chairs."

"I think they buy uncomfortable ones on purpose," her husband remarked.

She smiled. "So people will leave?"

Jim shook his head. "No, I figure they don't want people to get comfortable…if they're too comfortable they might die in the waiting room during the hours long wait to be seen. If you're uncomfortable; you'll keep moving around, the blood keeps flowing, you keep breathing."

"Jim," she chastened with a quiet laugh.

"It's probably the truth…think about it; people might settle in and expire during the wait and that's bad for business. But if they're squirming, they're alive."

She laughed quietly as she rested her head against his shoulder. "I see you've given this theory some thought."

Jim smiled as he leaned his cheek against the top of her head. "Well we have spent our share of time in waiting rooms over the years…it gives you time to think about such things."

"That's true."

"Work is going to drag like hell tomorrow," he commented.

"Depending on when we get home, we're going to drag like hell tomorrow," she replied. "Even if we get out of here at midnight; we have to take in account the time it takes to get home and for us to settle down…by then it'll be after one maybe even close to two."

"I know…we're probably not going to be on our A game tomorrow."

She breathed deeply. "I could probably cancel my first class and post a notice about the chapter to read…but they're supposed to have a test tomorrow."

"I'm sure you wouldn't get any complaints about it being postponed."

"Oh I know," she said lightly; "But then I'd have to juggle my lesson plan and I hate doing that. I like to stay on schedule as much as possible."

"I understand that; it's like when courts delay cases and then you have to re-do the whole damn schedule."

"Yeah…I don't miss that," Johanna replied. "I sometimes miss the courtroom but I definitely don't miss the last minute delays, postponements and whatever else they like to throw at you."

Jim nodded. "That's what I like best about my work now; that issue is never my problem anymore."

"I like that if they want you to travel, I get to go with you…unlike before," his wife remarked, her fingers entwining with his.

"That is a definite perk," he replied; warmth in his tone.

She sighed deeply. "Do you think it's taking too long?"

"What?"

"The exam…the doctor's been in there for awhile."

"No," he soothed. "She's just being thorough for Katie's peace of mind…and Katie probably has questions that she's answering. Everything is fine."

"I hope so," she murmured.

"It is," he said confidently. "Don't worry."

"That's like telling me not to be Italian," Johanna replied.

"I know…and don't forget the Irish side; your father wouldn't want you to forget the Irish."

"I never forget the Irish."

Silence fell between them and Jim did his best to take his own advice and not worry…but that was impossible as his wife had noted. It did seem like it was taking a long time…how much examining could there possibly be? He had a knot in his stomach the size of a brick and it wasn't the first time that he found himself wishing that his daughter would give up this line of work.

In the course of her career, he had been called to hospitals several times for minor injuries…after which he'd beg her to return to law school and give up this line of work. The answer was always no of course. Then there had been her shooting; when he waited, wishing it had been him instead…and when she had recovered enough that he knew it wouldn't be a danger to her; he begged even more for her to give it up. He had been told no then too. Earlier in the year, a few months before her wedding; Katie had her run in with Vulcan Simmons and he and Johanna had been called to the hospital then too. There hadn't been time to make his usual plea; his daughter had shut him down as soon as he stepped into her room…and outside the room, Richard Castle had been laying the whole thing at Johanna's feet.

Jim breathed deeply; allowing the melee of that night to play through his mind along with the weeks that had followed. It hadn't been an easy time…and now they were back in a hospital waiting room once again. Katie would be fine; they knew that for sure…but now they had to worry about their grandchild being in peril now…and for however long Kate remained in the field before she was placed on desk duty. He couldn't say anything though; he couldn't make his usual plea…not this time. He couldn't upset Katie in her condition and he didn't want her to be mad. It seemed like she had spent the majority of the past two years being mad at him and her mother for one thing or another no matter what they did and it would spill over to Rick who always had to pick up the banner and another war would erupt. He faired better than Johanna did; but still, things seemed to be settling over the last few months and he didn't want to rock the boat. He would just keep his worries to himself.

But he did wish she'd give up this line of work…especially now that she was going to be a mother.

"What are you thinking about?" Johanna asked quietly.

"Nothing much," Jim replied. "Just hoping we hear something soon."

"Me too. The longer we wait the sicker I feel."

"It'll be alright," he assured. "Surely it won't be much longer."

"I hope not," she sighed; "If it is, I'm going back to that room and find out for myself…and I don't care who likes it and who doesn't."

He smiled, brushing a kiss against her hair. "I'll be your back up."

"Okay; we give them twenty more minutes and then we storm the place."

"With law degrees in hand?" Jim asked with a laugh.

"I think I'm going to start carrying mine in my purse," Johanna remarked.

"You may as well; seems like everything else is there."

"You appreciate that when you have a headache when we're out somewhere."

"That's true…I also appreciate the stash of candy and gum."

'That's what I thought," she replied. "I can't help it that I have to carry a lot of stuff with me; I'm a woman, it's what we do."

"I don't know, sweetheart; your purses have gotten bigger over the years…I think you're following in your grandmother's footsteps…a big purse with everything in it but the kitchen sink."

"It does not have as much in it as Grandma Sophia's did. I just have essentials; wallet, keys, phone, makeup, notepad, pens, hairbrush, some gum and candy, some pain relievers, band-aids and my glasses. The occasional book and sometimes my tablet…and you know, the papers proving I'm legally your wife since your brother likes to call that into question during emergencies," Johanna said, an edge of bitterness in her tone.

Jim wrapped his arm around her. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Jo," he said quietly. "Michael had no right to do that and I told him so once I finally found out about it."

"It wasn't your fault," she murmured. "You were in surgery; you didn't know what was going on."

"I know…but I still feel bad about it. Damn appendix."

"All I was worried about was you," she remarked.

"I know," he sighed. "And now we're here again worrying about Katie and the baby."

"I'm really surprised that she hasn't given me an ulcer by now," Johanna replied. "Wouldn't you think I'd have an ulcer by now? I mean I've been worrying about her since the day I found out we were having her…it's almost like it's my second career."

"Hey, I'm right there with you," Jim said with a laugh. "We should both have ulcers."

"We probably will by the time we become grandparents," she remarked. "We should stock up on antacids."

"We'll put it on the list," he replied as he gave her shoulder a squeeze; hoping that they'd get an answer about the baby soon and that Katie would be released so they could all go home and breathe a little easier while praying that this would be the last scare of Katie's pregnancy.

As the twenty minute deadline approached, Castle made his way to the waiting room to give his in-laws an update on the situation. He could see the worry on their faces that they had been doing their best to keep hidden from him and Kate…not that he had been fooled of course. It was hard not to notice Johanna's foot occasionally tapping when they had been waiting on the doctor…hard not to notice her habit of twisting her rings either. He picked up on the fact that his father-in-law had a habit of rubbing the back of his neck when he was stressed or worried. If Kate had noticed, she hadn't said anything…but then again she was preoccupied with her own worries.

Jim glanced up and caught sight of him as he moved through the room. "What did the doctor say?" he asked as Johanna pulled herself away from the circle of his arm.

Castle plopped down in the chair across from them. "The baby's fine. Heartbeat is steady and normal; the sonogram showed no signs of distress or anything suspicious. She said the baby was showing normal movements for this stage of pregnancy."

"Did she let Katie see the screen?" Johanna asked. "That's part of what made her so untrusting of the other doctor; he wouldn't let her see the screen."

"Dr Jensen showed us the screen," he confirmed. "The baby looked like it was wiggling around…it's probably going to be a night owl and we'll never sleep again."

"But the baby is fine and healthy?" Johanna said, needing the additional reassurance that her grandchild was fine.

"Yes, the baby is fine. She examined her and there's no bleeding or leaking of fluid. She doesn't feel there's any danger of a miscarriage due to this incident. As a precautionary measure she is ordering her to take several days off work so she can take it easy and won't be at risk for another accident so soon after this one. She'll also have her come in for a follow up appointment in a day or so to check on the baby just to be safe."

Johanna breathed deeply. "Good, I'm glad to hear all of that. Does Katie feel better about it? Is she more reassured about the baby now?"

Castle nodded. "I think so. I think a lot of tension eased in her once the doctor turned the screen around so she could see the baby. The doctor also explained that her vest did help protect the baby. She also said that at this stage of pregnancy, the womb is still protected by the pelvic bone…I admit I wasn't following along close to that explanation because I was watching the baby on the screen…it looks like a jellybean," he said with a smile. "A jellybean with appendages of course."

His mother-in-law smiled a little. "Is that going to be the baby's nickname now?"

"Probably."

"At least it's not weather related," she remarked lightly. "As for the doctor's explanation; I remember my sister-in-law saying something along those lines once; she's a nurse. It means that the womb hasn't expanded yet, which is why she isn't showing…I think if I understood correctly about what Valerie said that time is that sometimes the risk is greater when you're showing than when you're not; because when you're not, the uterus is still where it's supposed to be and protected by those bones."

Castle scrubbed his hand over his face. "That makes sense. I probably should've paid more attention to that part…but you know."

"I know," she assured.

"Maybe we should've called your sister-in-law hours ago for that bit of assurance," he commented. "It might've helped."

"I didn't think about it or I would have," Johanna replied. "It's a shame Claire doesn't work on this floor. Katie would've felt better with Claire being her nurse."

"There's that law about treating family members," Jim stated.

"As long as they don't know, that can be gotten around," she remarked. "I don't think it should count for cousins anyway."

"What floor does Claire work on?" Castle asked.

"Labor and delivery," his mother-in-law answered.

"Good, maybe we'll see her in May," he remarked. "I won't say a word about them being related."

"Me neither," she agreed.

"I'll be in the waiting room and oblivious," Jim stated.

Silence fell for a moment before Johanna spoke once more. "Katie already said that the Captain will be sent a report about her injuries…and she's assuming the baby secret will be exposed in that…but I'm guessing it's going to be even more exposed by her doctor ordering her to take some time off."

"Yeah," Castle said with a nod; "The note from an OB-GYN is going to pretty much seal her fate in regard to Gates. Of course I figure the doctor here at the hospital is probably going to order a few days off too for the bump on the head and the sore ribs….but yeah; she's definitely going to know by morning."

"Any idea how that's going to blow up for Katie?" Jim asked. "Is there a risk for suspension for withholding the information given her line of work?"

"I don't know," he said honestly. "I hope not…but Gates is…well…she's…."

"Tough," Jim offered.

"Yes…and while she likes Kate; she also hates it when she keeps her in the dark on things…so this could be very not pretty."

"It might blowback on you too, Rick," Johanna said. "I have no doubt that Katie's going to get her ass chewed out but don't be surprised if the Captain doesn't take a swipe at you for not reporting it as well…since you do work there in a manner of speaking."

He grimaced a little. "Believe me, Johanna; that thought has already crossed my mind. She's isn't all that crazy about me in the first place."

"Maybe you should be taking her to lunch instead of me," she quipped.

"Ha ha," he replied. "If I thought that would work, I'd try it."

"I don't mind giving up my timeslot if you want to give it a shot."

He shook his head. "Nope; you're still on the hook. Nice try though."

She sighed a little. "When will Katie be released?"

"I don't know; the emergency room doctor we're being given still has to assess her in regard to her bump on the head and then he'll be the one to release her. I don't know when they'll get around to sending him in. If you two want to head home, you can; I'll text you updates."

Johanna shook her head. "I promised her we'd stay until she was sent home. I'm not going to break that promise. Can we go back in with her?"

"Yeah," he told them. "We probably should anyway to keep her awake. She's getting sleepy."

"Adrenalin is crashing," Jim said as they rose from their chairs. "She'll be getting cranky."

"Seems like she's cranky quite a bit lately," Castle replied; "But that will be our little secret."

"I'm not saying a word," Jim remarked as Johanna's hand slipped into his.

It was close to twelve-thirty when Kate was finally released that night. "How do you feel, Katie?" Johanna asked as she stood on the opposite side of the curtain while her daughter dressed.

"Tired," her daughter answered; "And I'm throwing these damn jeans in the garbage when I get home."

"Why?"

"Because they've been a pain in the ass to button all day," she said in exasperation. "I shouldn't be having this problem yet."

"Who told you that?" Johanna asked.

"No one; it's just common sense. I'm not even showing yet."

"That doesn't mean anything," her mother replied. "You retain water in the early months…and you do start to gain weight; not a lot but enough that some clothes start to feel uncomfortable. You do tend to wear your jeans snug…they're going to be the first to go, sweetheart."

Kate sighed deeply. "I'm not ready for this part. I'm not ready to buy maternity clothes especially before you can even tell I'm pregnant."

"You don't have to; just size up in regular clothes. That's mainly what I did; especially for work clothes."

"Guess I have to go buy some new jeans soon," she muttered as she tried once again to get her jeans buttoned without taking a deep breath.

"Do yourself a favor and go ahead and buy some bras in the next size up too…you'll notice soon enough that you'll need them. That was the first thing to go for me."

Another sigh crossed Kate's lips. "I can't get these buttoned again. What am I supposed to do? It was easier this morning when I could take a deep breath and suck it in without hurting my ribs."

"Are they zipped?"

"Yeah."

"Put your shirt on."

"It's on."

Johanna rounded the curtain and made her way to her daughter, tugging at the hem of her top to make sure it covered the waistband of her jeans. She think picked up Kate's jacket and held it out for her to slip into. Once she had, she zipped it up before Kate had the chance to and she made sure the bottom of the jacket covered the top of her jeans as well. "There," she said; "You can't tell they're unbuttoned with your jacket on; it'll do to get you home."

Kate nodded. "I can't wait to get home and put on pajamas."

"According to all the paperwork Rick is out there gathering, you'll be able to spend several days in your pajamas."

"Yeah…I'm sure I'll be hearing from Gates some time tomorrow," she said softly.

"I'm sure you will," Johanna replied. "I wish I could tell you that it won't be as bad as you think but I'm not sure it won't be…you're going to have to take your lumps for leaving her uninformed."

"I already have a lump," she said, gesturing to her head as she collected the rest of her belongings; "And I feel like I had an emotional breakdown…so you know; it could be said I've been punished enough…factor in my worries about the baby that I'll have for days and that increases my personal punishment."

"I'm not so sure she's going to see it that way," her mother replied as they made their way to the door. "But however she takes it; it'll be okay…maybe not right away but eventually."

"I know," she murmured. "I might be put on desk duty starting sooner than I expected because of this and I'll make my peace with that and not fight it or complain if that's what she chooses."

"Smart choice," Johanna agreed.

Kate paused before opening the door, turning to hug her mother for a moment. "Thanks for staying here all this time. I know you and Dad are tired and have to work tomorrow."

"It's not a problem, Katie," she replied; hugging her carefully. "We're just glad that you and the baby are fine."

Worry flicked across Kate's face. "I just hope it stays that way…I'm already looking forward to my follow up appointment with Dr. Jensen so the baby can be checked again."

"I don't blame you for feeling that way but I'm sure she's going to stay fine. My phone will be on at all times; I won't even silence it at work tomorrow so if you need me, you'll be able to reach me. I don't care what time it is, I don't care if I'm at work; if you need me you call," Johanna told her.

"I will," she promised.

Johanna gave her a reassuring smile and rubbed her arm as she released her. "Let's go collect our husbands and get the hell out of here."

"Believe me, I'm more than ready," Kate replied. "It feels like it's been days."

"I know; time will resume it's usual pace when you get home."

Kate gave her a small smile. "For you that will mean you will go to bed and feel like your alarm is going off five minutes later."

"It won't be the first time," she remarked.

"Are you girls ready?" Jim asked.

"We're ready," Johanna replied.

"Where's Castle?" Kate asked; her eyes scanning the hallway.

"He wanted to pull the car around so you wouldn't have so far to walk, Katie," her father replied. "I assured him that I could get you to the door without incident."

She nodded, her arm looping through his as Johanna stayed on her opposite side. "We didn't park all that far away but I'm not going to complain about being picked up at the door."

"You shouldn't," Jim stated; "He's had a long night too…so just let him do what he needs to do. He feels guilty that he couldn't grab you in time to keep you from falling."

"It wasn't his fault," she said as they made their way to the elevator.

"It doesn't matter…husbands always blame themselves when they can't prevent something. Trust me I know," he told her. "Your mother has that little scar on the palm of her hand from cutting herself with a knife I had left in the sink for her to wash and I still feel badly about it…and that's just a minor example."

"I understand, Dad," Kate replied as Johanna hit the button for the elevator.

"Remember what we talked about, Katie," Johanna told her while they waited. "Pregnancy is a happy time in a marriage but it can also be a difficult one too."

"I remember…I just hope someone told him the same thing so I'm not the only one trying to remember it."

Jim gave her a smile as the doors slid open. "I have it on good authority that the bug has been put in his ear; at least hopefully it registered well."

"I guess time will tell," Kate remarked; "All I want right now is to go home and go to sleep and let everything else take care of itself tomorrow."

"You're almost home," her father assured her; "Tomorrow might still be a little bumpy but it'll be fine."

"That's what you both keep telling me."

"Lucky for you," Jim said; "We're never wrong."

"I don't know about that," she replied.

"Jo; are we ever wrong?"

"No; especially about the stuff we already learned the hard way," Johanna answered.

"See," Jim said; "We're not wrong."

Kate gave him a smile. "I love you so I'll pretend to believe that you're never wrong…and I'm going to hope that you're right about all of this."

"We will be," Johanna assured. "And then I'll say I told you so."

"This might be the one time I look forward to that," Kate replied as she squeezed her mother's hand.

"You feel okay?" Castle asked for what he was sure was the hundredth time since they had gotten home.

"I'm fine," Kate replied. "I don't know why showers feel so good after leaving a hospital but they do…I needed that shower."

He smiled a little as he watched her toss her robe on the chair; her pink pajama top hanging off her shoulder a little. "I think it makes you feel normal again," he remarked.

"That's probably true," she said as he pulled back the covers for her to slip under. "Thank you," she murmured as she slipped into her spot.

"You're welcome. Can I get you anything else?"

"Is my Sprite still cold?"

"Yes, it is," he said, handing her the glass he had placed on the nightstand while she was in the shower.

Kate took a long drink of it and handed it back to him. "I'm good now."

Castle perched on the edge of the bed next to her. "You know I have to wake you up every so often…I'm setting the alarm to wake me if I doze off…so don't get mad."

"I won't," she promised; her fingers finding his and curling around them. "I'm sorry for the last few days, Castle. I know I've been crazy…I don't mean to be."

"I know," he assured. "It's okay…sometimes I forget not to take your mood swings personally…and sometimes I can't keep myself from being frustrated by some of them and I snap back at you."

"It's okay; I get it," she told him. "I'm sorry for tonight too; getting mad that you called my Mom and for the things I said. I didn't mean any of them…and I'm glad you called her."

"Neither one of us were at our best tonight," Castle replied. "We were worried and we were scared and we both lashed out a little. It's okay…I know you were just upset and I'm not holding any grudges over it."

"Me neither," she assured.

"I'm glad I called your mom too," he admitted. "She was able to do what I couldn't this time…she calmed you down…and she didn't get offended on your behalf when I said I needed to stay out in the waiting room for awhile and have some space."

"She understands those things," Kate replied quietly. "So does Dad…they've done been there and done all this."

He nodded. "Yeah; your Dad told me a few stories…it made me feel a little better about these little bumps in the road we've been having."

"I heard some stories too," she told him. "I think maybe if we just accept that we're going to have those moments, they won't seem so bad…at least when I'm thinking rationally," she said with a small smile.

"We'll both try to keep it in mind," he agreed. "I'm not always very rational myself and I don't have pregnancy hormones to blame."

"Maybe there's a male form," Kate teased.

"Could be; that will be something to Google while I'm waiting to wake you once you fall asleep."

She smiled, her hand caressing his cheek before her features turned serious. "I know you tried to grab me when I started to fall," she told him. "It wasn't your fault…I know that if you could've prevented it, you would have…I don't want you to feel bad but I know you will anyway just like I'm going to feel bad for being in that situation that could've caused harm to our baby…but I know you tried…I know you'd always try…so please don't think that I blame you in any way. It was an accident and neither one of us was able to stop it from happening."

Castle breathed deeply. "I do feel guilty for not being able to get a hold of you to keep it from happening…and I know you feel guilty too. But I guess we just have to keep reminding ourselves that it didn't end up being as bad as it could've been and that you're fine and so is our little jellybean."

"Jellybean?" she said with a soft laugh.

"Yeah," he replied, his fingers brushing against her stomach. "It looked like a jellybean with appendages on the screen…it's my jellybean."

Kate leaned forward and kissed him. "That's a cute nickname."

"I'm glad you approve of it because it's embedded in my brain now and I won't be able to think of it as any other nickname," he said lightly.

"It's perfect; I like it," she replied; drawing him closer for a hug. "I love you."

"I love you too," Castle replied; capturing her lips in a soft kiss. "Don't worry; the baby's fine and it's going to stay that way…it's tough like its mother."

She gave him a wobbly smile. "I'll still worry."

"I know…but just rest and follow the orders the doctor gave and everything will be okay. I won't let anything happen…I promise."

It wasn't that simple, Kate thought to herself; the universe might not care about his promises…but she did and she'd believe it would be fine because it was his will.

"Lay down," he coaxed. "Get some sleep. I'll wake you in a little while."

"Okay…you'll stay here with me the whole time, won't you?"

"Yes; I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here beside you the whole time."

Kate made herself comfortable and kept hold of his hand as she allowed her eyes to close and the edges of sleep to wash over her.

"Did you set the alarm?" Johanna asked tiredly as she crawled into bed and settled next to her husband.

"Unfortunately," he replied. "I say we call in sick."

"You can…I can't; that would really blow my lesson plan," she muttered. "If it was earlier in the semester I would've considered it more but not in November. There's going to be time off for Thanksgiving and then only a couple weeks of December are used so time is tight at this point."

"I understand," Jim said as he tried to stifle a yawn. "I'm going to work too…I just wish I wasn't."

"I know; we're not going to get much sleep."

"We didn't get to have our movie night either," he commented.

"Tomorrow night…we'll do it tomorrow," his wife replied softly; "And we'll order pizza because I'm not cooking."

"Fine with me," Jim remarked. "We can use paper plates so you don't have to wash dishes if you want."

"Even better," she murmured.

"Did Katie let you know if she got home okay?" he asked.

"Yeah; they're home. She's fine…still nervous but fine."

"I think we'll all probably be on edge for a few days."

"You've got that right," Johanna replied. "I'll flinch every time the phone rings for a few days…but we've just got to keep reassuring her that the baby is going to be fine just like the doctor said."

"Any ideas of how to do that without sounding like a broken record to her?"

"After work I'm going to go buy her some jeans."

Jim glanced down at his wife in puzzlement, wondering if she was falling asleep and just not making sense. "Run that by me again."

"She couldn't get her jeans buttoned…I told her to just size up so she'll be more comfortable. I'll run to Macy's and get her a pair or two and take them to her…if I'm buying her bigger jeans that should show her that I'm confident that she'll need them."

"Okay, I'm with you now…I thought maybe that was one of those half asleep ideas I didn't understand."

She gave a soft huff of a laugh. "No; it's just the only thing I can think of right now that goes beyond words. I know she can afford to do her own shopping but maybe if I get her a pair or two it will show that confidence and she can take it from there."

"I think it's a good plan," he said, patting her hip. "Maybe it'll bring back a little excitement for her thinking about getting new clothes to accommodate the baby…maybe then she'll be thinking about the baby growing and not the bad things she's thinking about tonight."

"That's what I'm hoping…you check on her too through the day so she knows you're not just relying on information from me," Johanna told him. "I'm sure she knows that we think about her every day and all the time but she might need a little extra assurance of that and that we're sensitive to her concerns and not thinking of her as just hormonal."

"Already planned to text her a few times through the day," Jim replied. "I don't want her to think I'm not thinking about her or the baby because I will be…except for maybe when I'm falling asleep at my desk before lunch."

Johanna laughed softly. "I'll text you in between classes to see how you're faring."

"Please do."

"It's going to be a long day," she sighed.

"I know, sweetheart; but at least it'll be Friday…we can recover over the weekend."

"Thank God," Johanna muttered, raising up enough to kiss him goodnight. "I love you."

"I love you too," he replied. "Go to sleep; everything will be alright."

She breathed deeply; her eyes closing as she snuggled close to him. It would be alright…she believed that with all her heart because she couldn't believe for a moment that the universe would be so cruel to their family a second time. No; it would be fine…her grandchild would stay put and be born in May, healthy and perfect just like her own baby had been. She just hoped Katie would keep herself convinced of that as well.

A/N: We'll find out how Kate fares with Gates in the next chapter and we'll see Johanna's visit as well.