Italics is Castle.

Regular is what's happening in reality.

Alone we were broken. Together we were a force, a hurricane. We solved murders, one after another, putting hundreds of criminals behind bars. It seemed we could do the impossible. But the months after we put an end to her mother's murder were the beginning of our tragedy.

"Happy Birthday Dad!" The group exclaimed. One by one they filed into the hospital room, bringing balloons and knick-knacks for the special occasion.

"How is he doing?" A man asked the nurse.

"Hasn't moved. He still just sits there, staring out the window until it's time to sleep." The nurse replied. She leaned in a little closer to the man, as he met her half way. "Is he really the famous crime novelist Richard Castle?" She whispered into his ear.

"In his younger years." The man said. She smiled, quickly leaving the family to their business.

"Alex, what did she say?" Alexis asked. She sat by her father's bedside, holding in her arms his grandson, Bennet. Alexis now heading into her late 40's still contained her immense beauty.

"No progress." Alex replied.

We were married on April 7th 2015. It was a beautiful wedding involving only our closest family and friends. On our honeymoon we went to the small island of Kauai. It was Kate's idea. She was never one for making a big skeptical, but that island was perfect, remote and intimate without losing its magnificence. Never had we been so in love.

"It's been a while since you've seen them all right dad?" Alexis said. She tried to get his attention. "You remember Henry. He's going to graduate this year." She said, referring to her eldest son. He just sat politely, not knowing what else to do. "And this is my daughter Amelia. She's only a freshman but she's already a nationally ranked fencer." Amelia mimicked her older brother. Being introduced to someone who wouldn't look at you felt a little awkward. "And finally Bennet, who reminds me so much of you."

On August 24th the following year, our first child was born. Our beautiful boy at 6 pounds 7 ounces became a symbol of our love, our precious Alexander.

"And dad, this is my son Roy." Alex said. He looked over at his 12-year-old son who kept himself reserved.

"Sorry I'm late." Johanna said.

Three years later was another hallmark moment for us. We decided that Alex shouldn't grow up alone, so on January 17th, Kate gave birth to a baby girl. I suggested the name Johanna.

"I brought you a surprise dad." Johanna said. An old retriever came running through, and hopped onto Richard's bed. The dog nestled itself onto Rick's lap, where it laid content, but he received no reaction from his master. "I'm guessing no progress."

Her siblings shook their heads. "Where's Daniel?" Alexis asked.

"He's with his father. They both caught a cold." Johanna said. "Oh my goodness, look how big you are." She said kissing Bennet on his cheek.

"Hi Aunt Johanna." Her niece and nephews chimed. They went on, each discussing what has happened in their lives since their last visit. One by one they told stories while the others followed along. They had lunch and by the end of the day, the words of happy birthday rang throughout the halls of the care home. Not once did their father look away from the window. No matter what they did, he wouldn't respond.

"I'm sorry, but visiting hours are over." The nurse said. She quickly left, leaving them to their goodbyes.

"Wait for me outside son." Alex said. Roy quickly said goodbye and went outside, closing the door behind him. He had hoped for a reaction from his father. Anything would be good, a noise, a snicker, a cough, but there was only silence. "You have to let her go, she's not coming back. We're your only family now and we are still here, don't ignore us." His efforts were in vein. "I'll be back tomorrow for Kevin."

On December 25th, horror struck our family when our son's godfather and dear friend Kevin Ryan was killed during a police raid. It was the same day we had bought a golden retriever pup for our children. Out of respect we named him Kevin. Johanna's godfather and Detective Ryan's partner, Javier Esposito was never quite the same. He fell into a depression, mourning the loss of his best friend. Eventually he sought the comfort of alcohol and got behind the wheel of his car. He died before he could marry his fiancé Lanie Parish. It was a great loss to us all.

"Dad I'm back." Alex said. He arrived early the next morning with a leash in hand. "Did you think about what I said?" There was still only silence. Alex seemed disappointed. "How did you sleep?" It was no use. Alex sat there for hours, only leaving once to take Kevin on a walk. He had hoped to break through to his father. "I heard you're taking depression medication now. Your therapist seems to think that our family visits help. Do they?" Alex breathed a heavy sigh. He had had enough. "You need to get over yourself. Mom is dead, and she's not coming back."

That following year, we had met up with a ghost from our past. The man convicted for orchestrating the death of Johanna Beckett, along with several other civilians, federal officials, and officers, was to be publically executed by electric chair. But on that fateful day, he escaped from prison and exacted his revenge by planting a bomb in our summer home.

"Dad you can't stare out that window forever." Alex said, but he was having no luck. He decided to try another tactic. "Dr. Hoyt thinks that you haven't given up, and that's why you look out that window, because you're still looking for her. But you have to stop. She's gone, but we're not and we need you. We need you to come back to us!" Alex said.

There was a giant explosion that sent me flying onto the shore. It had knocked me out cold. By the time I had awakened I was in the hospital. Police explained that they found DNA matching my wife in the remnants of our burned home. They later pronounced her dead while I, on the other hand, remained paralyzed from the waist down. The man behind it was captured and executed later that year. But it wasn't enough for me, so I kept digging.

"You know what, fine! Sit here for the rest of your life moping and wallowing in your own sadness. I've had enough of your pity party." Alex said. He got up to leave, but something made him turn back. He paused slightly before releasing his wrath. "You were my hero. The way mom used to talk about you, I thought you could do anything. But you can't even be man enough to snap out of it and be there for your grandchildren. Amelia is gifted. She'll be in the next Olympics. Your daughter Johanna made partner at her firm, and Alexis is going to be Senator. I'm a cardiac surgeon. We're all grown up and successful, and you won't even look at us." Alex yelled. He grabbed his father, forcing him to look. A tear strayed from Rick's eyes, but no words. "I give up on you." He left. Kevin began to whimper in his Master's lap as Castle began to pet him. He captured the retriever's face with his hands, wanting him to listen.

"Kevin, you understand don't you." Rick said. The dog licked his nose in response. "How am I supposed to look at them in the eyes? I've been lying to them for so long… the guilt is eating me alive." Castle swallowed hard, knowing he was about to admit things he had never before. "How am I supposed to tell them their mother is alive… and that she has no idea who they are?" He let go of the dogs face as he began to bark at the window, but Castle settled him down. "You recognize her don't you boy? She sits on that park bench everyday, and I stare out this window at her, hoping she'll see me and remember. Remember our love, our children, our everything, but it was too late by the time I found her. On top of her amnesia, she's in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Even if they knew, it wouldn't change a thing." He took a hard look at the woman outside his window.

It was the one tragedy I could not re-write.

I hope everyone enjoyed. This is supposed to be a one shot

but if you want me to continue, let me know.

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