lol, inspired by Ellie A.K.A. closing doors. Everyone ships Rim, right?
Castle raises his fist hesitantly, ready to knock on the door his other hand behind his back holding a small box. It was square, edged with gold colored satin ribbon. Inside was a symbol of love. A band that represented eternity and a jewel that was what he thought portrayed his one and only accurately.
Three knocks. One long, two short. Their special knock.
There was the scraping of chairs across the floor and the clutter of cutlery onto plates. The door opened.
"Castle? What are you doing here?" asked Kate.
She stood in the doorway, her hair flowing past her shoulders like a golden waterfall and her eyes glistening the way they did everytime she saw him. Behind her was her father. A small man but with the face of age and wisdom. It wasn't rugged, or old but calm and handsome. A kind face. He simply nodded in the vague direct of Castle and continued to eat.
"Castle?" asked Kate again, her voice carrying the slightest trace of worry.
"Kate." He said, his voice level and serious.
"Rick," she whispered but with sharp undertone, "seriously, what are you doing here?"
"I have a question to ask."
The volume of his voice has risen considerably and was now booming around the room as if he were talking through a megaphone.
Kate's father looked up, set his cutlery down and began to rise from his seat.
"Dad, sit down. It's okay. He's just playing around," Kate said, walking quickly over to him and patting his shoulder, "Castle, what's this about? What question?"
"A question I need both of you present for." His voice was a little quieter but more serious.
His eyes looked dark, brooding almost. He walked through the door and towards Kate and father. He got down on one knee and he took his hand from behind his back and opened it, revealing the small box.
"Castle n-"
"Shhhhhh," Rick put the index finger of his free hand to his lips, "don't talk."
He took in a deep breath bracing himself, gathering the courage to finish what he had started.
"I feel like in the short time we have been together, we have really gotten to know and love each other. I could describe every inch of you and none of it would be an exaggeration. The way you move your lips with mine and the way my hands feel on your bare ches-"
"Castle!" exclaimed Kate, shocked that he would such a thing in front of her dad.
"Chest. It is simply divine and I could not ask for anything more perfect. The bond we have, the love we share. It means everything to me, Beckett. I will always love you and to prove that, I am here today to ask for your hand in marriage."
"R-Rick..." squeaked Kate.
"I know it's not technically officially legal yet but we can wait. I know we can."
"Wait, what?"
Castle looked into Jim Beckett's eyes and smiled. It was goofy but gloriously happy.
"Jim Beckett, will you marry me?"