The wind shifts, blowing the hair from Castle's face and rattling the chains of the nearby swings. Beckett blinks, her eyes dart from the ring to Castle's pained expression. Five seconds ago she had some semblance of a plan, but as usual, Castle deviates from said plan and decides to throw her for a loop. By now, she really should've seen something like this coming. When does Castle ever do exctly what she expects?

She knew what she was going to say, she was going to tell him that she was going to take the job in D.C. and they would either fight, or talk it out. Simple as that.

Of course, she had planned for other courses of action, hoped for them even, such as Castle compromising with her to keep their relationship intact, or maybe he would have successfully convinced her to stay. It wouldn't of been that difficult, not for him. He's alway been persistent when it comes to her. But a proposal? No, she hadn't seen that coming. That was not one of the scenarios she pictured when having this conversation.

"Kate?" Castle says, breaking through her thoughts. Right, she's keeping him waiting.

He's done far too much waiting for her sake.

Still, this isn't a decision that should be taken lightly. They need to talk about this first before she gives a definite yes or no. She knows what she's giving up if she says no, she's giving up a man who would stand by her in the face of anything. But if she were to say yes and lose him anyway...she's not sure if she could handle that. If she breaks it now, it won't hurt as much. At least that's what she's been telling herself these past few weeks. It's what she told herself when she put her foot down and decided she wanted the job.

She spares a glance to Castle once more, at the way his eyes are pleading and mouth turned down in worry. It's just now occurring to her just how much he wants this. It's clear in the way he leans towards her, in the way his hand holds the ring out to her. It's a beautiful delicate thing that she can imagine sliding on her finger. The mental image of it sitting on her finger doesn't send fear through her as it should. Instead she feels warm longing curl itself around her. Longing that trumps whatever else she had wanted a moment ago.

And she doesn't need to long for this, not when it's right in front of her, all she has to do it take it.

"Yes."