Year in Time

Part 16

April 1, 2015 — Castle's 46th Birthday
     He heard rustling in the kitchen about a half hour ago, but decided to stay in bed with his eyes shut so he didn't ruin his wife's surprise. She wasn't super discrete about it since three days ago she asked what his favorite breakfast food was. Their bedroom door opens and he feels a weight on his chest. He opens his eyes to see Avery's face in front of his, "Good morning, baby." He whispers and kisses her cheek. "We know you've been awake, Dada." His wife says from her spot next to the bed.
     He chuckles, "I didn't want to ruin your surprise." He says. She smiles before leaning down for a kiss, "Happy birthday." She whispers against his mouth. "Thank you." She stands straight up and turns to grab the tray that's on his nightstand, "Here is your birthday breakfast." She says before walking around and settling in her side of the bed. "My two girls. I just wish my third one was here." He says before kissing his wife's forehead. "She'll be here tonight and in a month she'll be home for the summer." She points out. He smiles and nods.
      He knows his time with Alexis under his roof is coming to an end. She turns 22 this year. She's studying for the LSAT and will graduate in a year. After graduation, a bunch of her friends and her are planning on moving into an off-campus apartment. He's got a year left with her living at home. He tries not to think about it a lot. Tries to focus on the time he does get to spend with her along with watching Avery grow. But he would be lying if he said the idea didn't make him sad every once in awhile.
     "What are you thinking?" Kate asks him. He hums and stares down at her. "What are you thinking?" She asks again. He doesn't want to make her upset and he'll discuss it with her later; for now, he wants the happiness to remain. "How happy I am. I don't think I say it enough, but you've really made my dreams come true, Kate." She's slightly taken aback by his sudden sentimentalism. "You've made mine come true too. Dreams I didn't even know I had, you made possible." She says as she runs her hand over Avery's hair.

April 18, 2015 — The Unexpected
     A part of her felt like she was tricking herself. But a much bigger part knew that she wasn't. She's experienced these symptoms before. The tiredness, nausea, headaches, mood swings. They're all familiar. They were the symptoms she had a few weeks before the wedding when she discovered she was pregnant with Avery. And now, here she sits in a stall in the precinct bathroom holding a plastic white and blue stick waiting for the digital screen to tell her what she already knows. Castle really had mastered the art of the oops. She smiles.
    This wasn't planned. At all. But that doesn't mean unplanned is unwanted. Would it be a lot? Yes. After all, it wasn't that long ago that Avery was born. Hell, this time last year Beckett was pregnant with her. This would mean they would have two under two. But, she knows they'll love this little one as much as they love Avery. She never was a fan of believing in the supernatural. She liked to think she had control over her own life. Except, being with Castle continued to show her that what's meant to be will be.
      Even though she knew the result, when the word "pregnant" actually appears on the tiny screen, she gasps. She's pregnant. Again. She can't take her eyes off the test. She's really going to have another baby. Avery's going to be a big sister and she and Castle will be parents again. Her hand slides down to her flat stomach which once again is holding a life inside. "I'm pregnant." She whispers. She knew the first thing she would do when she got in the car was schedule an appointment with her OB/GYN and she wanted to wait to tell Rick. She wanted to surprise him.

April 28, 2015 — Avery's 9 Months Old
     She can't believe her baby girl is nine months old today. She's three quarters of a year old. Almost one. And just as quickly as Avery turns one, they'll be preparing to have another one. She still hasn't told Rick yet. Her first appointment is Friday and then she figured she would surprise him on Mother's Day. He wouldn't be expecting it since the day is supposed to be about her. She sits with her daughter in her nursery as she rocks her to sleep. She presses a kiss to her forehead and lays her down in her crib and just stares. Her time as their baby is coming to an end and it saddens her a little but she can't wait to see the big sister she'll become.
Part 16! Comment please!