Always.

Fourteen.

"Jim, we're pregnant."

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I immediately started fidgeting, anxiously awaiting his reaction. Which was taking a while to come, he was in shock. I feared for his answer, and I grabbed Castle's hand, seeking comfort. Which he delivered with a tight squeeze.

After a minute, my dad finally answered. "You're pregnant?"

"Yeah." I said as a smile grew on my face. "We are. We're really excited, dad."

"Wow, my baby's having a baby!" he said as he smiled. I let out a breath of relief.

"Yeah, and your going to be a grandpa!" We all giggled.

"Well I would say I was going to be a grandma, but I already having proof of that!" Martha said, glancing at Alexis. We all looked at Alexis, and I froze when I saw the look on her face. I sucked back in my breath of relief, knowing the worst was still to come.

"Dad, is this true?"

"Yes, 100% true. Why would I joke about something like this? It's one of the happiest, most important things to ever happen to me!" Castle immediately cringed, seeing his poor choice in words.

"Well, if you're so happy with your new life, why don't you just completely obliterate the old?!?" Alexis yelled, as she ran into the other room, slamming the door behind her.

We were all awkwardly standing around, in complete shock. When my mind was finally able to comprehend what had just happened, I burst into tears.

"Baby, it's alright." Castle said, trying to soothe me. "It's just all really shocking to her right now, and my poor choice of words." he said quietly.

"Oh, we should've told her sooner! So she would've had more time to cope!" I really felt like it was all my fault. I didn't know why, since really when it came right down to it, it was nobody's fault, just overwhelming feelings. It seemed like those were in my life a lot right now.

"I'll go talk to her in a little bit. But right now I'll stay with you."

"No, go talk to your daughter. She needs it right now more than I do." I said, still crying, but managing to get it under control.

"Maybe, I will call you later, Katie?" my dad said. I turned around I face him, suddenly realizing how awkward he must feel right now.

"Yeah." I said as I hugged him, and I walked him out.

A few minutes later, I walked back in, and saw Castle sitting in the exact same spot, with his head in his hands. When he heard me come in, his head flicked back up to me.

"Kate..."

"Go, go talk to her. She needs it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I'll be fine."

"Okay..." he said, as he hesitantly got up, and walked to Alexis's room. He waited a few seconds, and knocked on the door. I could hear a muffled voice come from behind the locked door.

"Alexis, honey, can I come in?"

"Why? So you can coon over your new favorite to me?" I grimaced as I made out a few words.

"Honey, that's not what I meant! Please let me in." Alexis paused for a few minutes, but eventually let Castle in. I turned away, and tried to busy myself with cleaning up with dinner to give them some privacy.

"You know, I've always loved babies!" Martha noted, as she came over to help me clean up, trying to put a cheerful spin on the moment.

"Yes, Castle told me how you were when Alexis was a baby." I said, smiling.

"I hope you understand that I will always be available to help out when you need it. Whether you are busy with work, or you and Richard are... busy with other stuff..." I cut her off there, hoping to avoid an awkward conversation.

"Yes, thank you, Martha." I said, smiling and finishing cleaning up.

A few minutes later, Castle came out if Alexis's room. I was going to go up to him, but then I paused when I saw Alexis following him. But, to my surprise, she came up and hugged me.

"I'm so sorry, Beckett!" she said, looking at me with tears welling up in her eyes.

"Hey, no! It's okay! I understand."

"No, it's not okay. I was acting completely out of place, and, to be honest with you, I'm actually excited."

"I'm glad." I said, smiling at her, hugging her again.

"Well, I have to get ready for bed. I have school tomorrow."

"Okay. Goodnight Alexis."

"Goodnight, sweetheart." Castle said, as he kissed her head as she walked past him.