More than Expected

Part 42

December 24, 2013
"Look, Bubba, look at the lights." Kate coos as she holds her bundled up infant against her chest. Rick stands to her side as their parents stand behind them. "Want me to get a picture, Katie?" Johanna asks, "Yeah, the would be great, Mom." Kate nods. She and Rick turn around in front of the tree at Rockefeller Center and smile as Martha and Jim try to get Royce's attention. Rick looks down at his son whose gaze is locked on his mother, "I know, Buddy, Mommy is gorgeous." He whispers, "Oh shush." Kate giggles and blushes.
They eventually get the photo and then walk around for a little while longer before heading back to the Beckett residence. Martha is staying the guest room so they can all be with Royce for his first Christmas morning. When they get home, they all put on pajamas and settle on the couch to watch Miracle on 34th Street. "Oh, Katherine, how adorable!" Martha exclaims when she sees her grandson in a white onesie that says My First Christmas on it and little plaid pants to go with it, "Thank you, Martha, but your son picked it out." Kate says.
"Babe, did you grab my nursing cover cause he's going to be hungry soon?" She asks her boyfriend who nods, "Yeah, it's on the back of the couch." Rick answers her as he helps Johanna prepare popcorn and hot chocolate for everyone. The movie starts and they all cuddle up. Surely enough, a half hour into the film, Royce begins howling for food. Rick helps his girlfriend get situated before they settle back into the couch as she nurses their son. Once the movie is over, they put him down in the bassinet next to Kate's bed and turn the monitor on.
"Ready Santa?" Kate asks as she raises her eyebrows, "Let's do this, Mrs. Clause." He throws back at her. They grab the bin of Royce's presents and carry them downstairs, "Oh my goodness. You guys got him gifts! How cute!" Johanna says, "Making memories, Mom." Kate says as she places the bin down and she and Rick begin unloading the presents. Jim, Martha, and Johanna help them place the gifts under the tree, "Okay, you two, now shoo! Santa still has to deliver your gifts." Jim says. The couple smiles, "Goodnight." They say in unison as the parents usher them upstairs.

December 25, 2013
They could hardly believe it when they woke up to find Royce had slept for seven hours. They hadn't woken up once last night. "It's a Christmas miracle." Rick whispers. Kate chuckles and turns in his arms, "Merry Christmas." She whispers and leans in for a kiss. He quickly returns the greeting, "Merry Christmas." They share a few more kisses before Royce begins to rustle next to them, "I guess the miracle is over." Rick jokes. She rolls her eyes and turns over before lifting their baby boy out of his bassinet.
"Merry first Christmas, Royce." She coos as she settles him on his back in between her and Rick in their bed. "Merry Christmas, Baby Boy." Rick whispers. They both take a large amount of time to love on the baby and smother him in kisses before he begins crying for his breakfast. Kate lowers her shirt until her breast is free and offers it to her son, "I'll get his diaper ready to go." Rick whispers and kisses his girlfriend's cheek before slipping out of bed and getting the diaper changing supplies. Once Royce is done nursing, she passes him off to his father and goes into the bathroom to brush her hair and teeth.
Once they're all presentable, they make their way downstairs. "Merry Christmas!" Everyone greets each other before they settle in front of the tree. Royce is settled in his father's arms while Kate opens his presents for him and makes sure to show the baby boy all of the neat toys and outfits he got. After opening Royce's presents, Rick passed Kate a long thin box. She unwraps it to find a gold necklace with an 'R' pendant on it. "I love it. For both of my boys." She says.
She passes him his gift which is a tumbler that says "Papa Bear" on it. "I can bring it to work!" He exclaims as he examines the tumbler. "There's more." Kate says. He looks further into the bag where he finds a picture frame that holds a picture of her and Royce in it, "For when you're in North Carolina." She tells him. He smiles and doesn't say anything, just kisses her. They finish exchanging and opening gifts while Jim and Rick settle on the couch to watch the Christmas Day football game, Martha goes home to get ready for dinner, and Johanna and Kate make breakfast while prepping dinner.
Once breakfast is ready, they all sit at the table and enjoy the spread of Christmas tree shaped pancakes and waffles along with eggs, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, coffee, and juice. After breakfast, Rick and Kate tag team giving Royce a bath before getting him dressed for dinner and Christmas night mass before they get themselves ready. Martha returns for dinner where they all enjoy ham, stuffing, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and more. After dinner, they gather into cars and make their way to the church.
This tradition was started by Johanna's side of the family who were devout Catholics. Johanna has raised Kate in the church every Sunday while Jim only really joined them for Christmas and Easter mass. They sit in the pews and Kate shoots a silent prayer up to God that Royce will remain asleep for the whole service. Luckily, her prayer is answered. Their well into their fifth family friend Johanna is mingling with when Royce begins to grow fussy. "Hey, Mom, we're gonna take him home and get him settled down for the night." Kate notifies her parents.
"Okay, Katie, we'll be home in an hour or two. Love you. Love you too, baby boy." Johanna says as she presses a kiss to both of their cheeks. They part ways with Martha in the parking lot as she catches a cab back to her apartment and they get settled in Rick's car before he drives them home. "It's crazy how this time last year I wasn't even pregnant and now we're a family." Kate says, "I know. I love our little family." Rick says, "I do too. I can't wait to expand it." She tells him before leaning over the console and kissing his cheek. A Merry Christmas it is indeed.
Part 42! Rick's move to North Carolina is getting close so just prepare yourselves for that! Please also go check out my other Caskett story: Woman in White. I would love to hear your thoughts on that story too!