Castle and The Originals

Chapter 39

Within seconds of entering the room Jenny practically assaulted Rick.

"Hand her over, Castle." The petite blonde confidently scooped baby Madeline from his arms.

As if tethered to the infant by more than just his heart, Rick followed close behind Jenny. They joined Ryan, Lanie, and Esposito on the other side of the room.

"She's beautiful." Jenny cooed. "Wait? You haven't told us their names, yet."

Rick beamed.

Well, this little heartbreaker here is Madeline Katherine and that..." Turning, he gestured to the dark head barely visible from behind a cover of purple. "Is - uh - Madison Johanna."

He stammered; not because her name had suddenly escaped him, but because he was momentarily breathless; it was all just too amazing, too wonderful. The way Kate's slender fingers stroked the dark mane of hair, the way her eyes widened with absolute adoration as Madison's wobbly head lifted from her chest. Even the what the baby seemed to be mesmerized by her grandmother who had taken Rick's vacated seat, facing Kate on the bed, had him momentarily stunned.

Martha stroked the soft arm of her youngest granddaughter before bending forward to give Kate a kiss on the cheek. "You look wonderful, Dear."

Kate huffed. "Yeah right."

With the hand that wasn't currently cupping her newborn she smoothed down all the hair that had come loose from her braid.

Martha still insisted with a dramatic wave of hands, but the clanging together of all the baubles around her wrists startled the baby. "Oh, little one, it's all just too much for your first day isn't it?"

Martha covered her daughter-in-law's hand at Madison's back. She took an extra second to straighten the bands on Kate's left ring finger; aligning the large diamond studded one with its simple silver mate, just so. It was something the older woman had done a few times since her son had said 'I do' for his third and final time. At first it had made Kate self-conscious; she always made sure her wedding set hadn't rotated too far around her finger in either direction whenever Martha was present. However, the elder redhead still managed to slip her slim fingers over the warm metal from time to time. It wasn't until she noticed Martha fiddling with Rick's wedding band in a similar manner that Kate figured it out. This was just Martha's way of staying connected to what had once been, and was once again, a symbol of her family.

"Well, I think your Gram is going to take her leave until tomorrow then."

"Oh no Martha..." Kate shook her head and tried to hold onto Martha's retreating hand.

"Nonsense Katherine, I am well acquainted with the battle you just fought. I only needed to get a quick peek. I'll come back in the morning when I can spend some quality time with them. Besides, I see an anxious first-time Grandpa over there." Rising from the bed Martha nodded toward Jim who had settled near the window to take it all in.

She leaned in one last time to take another long look at Madison, who was now sleeping soundly.

"'Babies are such nice ways to start people.'" With a wink she turned, her voice lifted through the air. "Richard!"

Having been beckoned, Rick responded. "Yes?"

"Come say goodbye to your Mother."

Rick reluctantly walked away from his friends, who had been passing his new daughter from one set of awaiting arms to the next.

"You're leaving already?" He kissed Martha's cheek.

"Yes, Alexis and I are going out for a celebratory dinner, she's waiting in the lobby. Pesky nurse at the desk was none too happy about letting so many people in here at one time. I'll come back tomorrow once your wife has had a chance to up." She held firmly to her son's upper arms; gives a quick squeeze. "You done good kiddo. Again."