Year in Time

Part 5

September 12, 2014 — Beckett's Six Week Postnatal Exam
    "Alright, Kate, everything looks great." Dr. Chasefield says as she stands from where she was just examining Beckett. She was nervous about this appointment, mainly because this was the appointment where she'd be notified if she and Castle could remain their intimate life after weeks of waiting for the all clear. And, even though she seemed excited to her husband to resume sex, she was nervous from the things she had read on the internet last night when she couldn't sleep. "So, that means sex can resume?" Kate asks as she sits up on the exam table.
"Yes, that is if you're ready." The doctor assures her and Kate nods, "I guess this means I should talk to you about birth control." Beckett says. Dr. Chasefield pulls out a pamphlet of birth control options and hands it to Beckett, "Of course. Your options are up to you. Did you use any methods of birth control before you got pregnant?" Dr. Chasefield asks, "I was on the pill." Kate answers, "Well, you could resume the pill if you like or try one of the other options." "I think I'll just stick with the pill." Kate tells her doctor.
Dr. Chasefield nods and writes down the prescription on a piece of paper, "Alright, I'll have a pack ready for when you check out today and you can come back in a few days to pick up the rest of your six month supply." Dr. Chasefield says before continuing, "Now, there are some things I should let you know before you resume sexual activity with your husband. First, there tends to be some soreness — about the same amount of discomfort you experienced when you lost your virginity." Dr. Chasefield explains. That makes Kate feel a little panicky. Losing her virginity was probably her worst sexual experience.
"Also, especially with mother's who breastfeed, vaginal dryness does occur. So, I would recommend lube the first few times you're intimate." Dr. Chasefield says. "Really? That's never been a problem for us." Beckett says, "Yes, but you've never pushed a seven pound human out of your body." She reminds her. Kate nods in agreement, "My last piece of advice would be to nurse Avery before you and Rick become intimate to avoid a let down." She says. Kate nods before Dr. Chasefield leaves and she gets dressed to sign out and go home.
When she walks into the loft she smiles at the sight of her husband swaying their baby girl to sleep in the living room. She sets her purse down and removes her shoes as she walks over to them. "She sleeping?" Beckett asks, "Yeah, she just went down after I gave her a bottle." Rick tells her. They've slowly worked a bottle into Avery's feeding schedule over the last week, "Well, can Mama have some snuggles before we put her down?" Kate asks. Rick chuckles and turns to pass their daughter to his wife. He watches as she beams as she accepts their little girl.
Beckett gently bounces the baby as she presses a kiss to Avery's cheek. "How was your appointment?" Castle asks. He notices her suddenly get tense, "Let me go put Avery down." She tells him and disappears into the office where she settles Avery down into her bassinet. She keeps her eyes on her daughter for a minute or two before going back out to the living room to join her husband whose finishing up a phone call, "Who was that?" "Alexis. I was wondering if she could babysit because I was going to ask you if you'd like to go out to dinner tonight." He says.
He steps closer to his wife as he wraps an arm around her waist. She wraps one of hers around his neck, "Oh really?" She asks, "Yep, managed to get us last minute reservations at Drago." He says, "So we would have like a date night?" "It's been a while since we had one." He points out and he can feel her tense again, "Um, yeah, could we take a rain check? Maybe once Avery's a little bit older." She wonders as she backs out of his arms.
"Kate, what's going on?" "Hm? Nothing. I just would like to soak in these moments before she's all grown up." "Honey, she's not going to grow in a few hours and, besides, Alexis practically raised both of us, I think we can trust her with Avery." He assures her, "I know. I'm not worried about leaving Avery with Alexis." She defends. "Okay, so then what are you worried about?" She bites her lip, her telltale sign that soemthing is bothering her. "Sex." She answers, "I'm worried about sex." She clarifies, but his quizzical look is still present in his eyes.
She takes a deep breath, "Dr. Chasefield cleared me for all physical activity today and I got a prescription for birth control." She tells him, "Well, that all sounds great, love. So, what's got you all tense?" "It's just — she told me that sex after having a baby is different." She tells him, "Like painful?" "Yeah, painful, and sometimes there will be dryness and there's a lot more I have to do to prepare for so we can't be as spontaneous as we once were." She begins to rattle off the specifics of what her doctor gave her at the appointment today.
"Kate, that's just for now. Once Avery is a little older, spontaneous can happen again." "But it's not just that, Rick. What if I don't look turned on? I don't want you to think that I'm not attracted to you in that way anymore." "I wouldn't think that." He tries, "And what if it hurts? My body's never had a baby before. What if things feel different? I know I already look different." "Hey, hey, is that what this is all about? You're scared of how I think you'll look?" He questions her. She sighs and diverts her gaze.
"Kate, did I do something to make you think how you look right now puts me off?" "No, no you've been great, it's just — my stomach isn't flat anymore and my skin isn't the same there either. My boobs are huge which I know probably makes you happier, but they're veiny and they don't look like attractive boobs. Plus my thighs are fatter and my hips are wider —," He cuts her off by cupping her cheeks, "All because you grew our daughter." He reminds her. He sweeps a curl behind her ear, "Kate, I'll admit you were hot before having Avery."
"But, your body right now, I think is way sexier than it was before." He lowers his voice as he kisses her forehead, "You really mean that?" She asks, "Babe, your body just went through one of the most miraculous transformations of our existence. And, as for the other stuff, I'm willing to put in the work to get you there. I know it may not happen as quickly as before, but you know I like to draw things out. And, I'm sure everything will feel as amazing as it did before. If not better." He says. "I don't know if it can get any better." She argues.
"Oh, it can, because now we have proof of what our love can do and that makes our connection even stronger." He says. She looks up at him with tears in her eyes. "How long will Alexis be able to babysit for?" "Four hours." "Sounds like enough time for you to woo me with a fancy dinner." She says. He smiles and leans down to kiss her, "I don't plan to woo you, Kate. I plan to romance you. All. Night. Long."
Part 5! Let me know what you think!