Chapter 1

Richard Castle sat alone in one of his favorite diners. His face was contorted with worry and anxiety, his palms so sweaty he could almost see puddles forming around where he had place them on the table. He had made sure to dress his best and even had Alexis comb his hair for him this morning. She had told him not to worry, everything would be fine. She was right; he knew she was, that girl was always right. It shocked him that he could have created such a beautiful human being.

"Shit, he's here." Castle thought as his guest walked through the doors of the surprisingly empty diner.

Castle raised his hand letting the man know where he was and then stood to greet him with a grin that reached from ear to ear.

"It really is a pleasure to have lunch with you sir." He told him as the man shook his hand.

"What a firm hand shake he has? I really am in for it. I hope I know what I got myself into." Castle thought as he tried his hardest not to sound nervous in anyway.

"I have told you before Rick, to I will always be known as Jim. Unless you have plans to change that?" Jim Beckett said with that knowing tone he used when he had seen right through all your defenses.

Things had been speeding along with Kate over the past couple of months. It had been nearly a year since they had left the Hamptons together after a two week hiatus from the city. They had taken it slow for a little while so that everyone at the precinct could get used to them being a couple. Nobody had had any reservations as to them being a couple, so after about a month back, they began to get serious. She moved into his apartment on the 24th of December and ever since, she has been the happiest anyone could remember seeing her. Castle was the main reason for her happiness. Since she had given into her feelings, she had realized that the love she had for him was actually a lot stronger than anyone could have guessed. Knowing that Kate was this happy sent Rick into a writing frenzy and he was able to push out two more Nikki Heat novels since she had moved in. He decided that it was about time he made his move to have Katherine Beckett attached to him forever. So, that is why he had decided to meet with one, Jim Beckett. He was going to ask for his permission to marry Kate.

Sensing why he was there, Jim initiated the conversation.

"So, I hear you are making my daughter one happy lady. Every time that she calls I have an impossible time getting her to tell me anything that doesn't include how wonderful you are. I am really happy that she met you Rick, you really are a special man, and a gentlemen if I might add."

"What do you mean Jim?"

"Rick, I know why you met with me today. I looked exactly as you do now when I met with Johanna's father. That man could sense how nervous I was and before I had even asked the question, he had given me his full permission. I have seen, first-hand, how you treat my daughter Rick. I see how no matter what, everything that you do is to make her happy. Knowing that she has found such a special guy makes it that much easier for me to say what I have to say next."

Jim paused for time to collect himself. Tears of joy were streaming down his face as he began to speak again.

"Richard Castle, I give you permission to ask for my daughter's hand in marriage."

Castle didn't know what to say. He smiled as he joined his future father-in-law with tears of joy. They both stood up at the same time and embraced each other in giant bear hugs. Castle was the happiest he had ever been. He hadn't even said nigh a word and Kate Beckett was his. The two sat down and ordered their meals.

"Jim, I have to tell you; you have the most amazing daughter a man could ask for. She is the first woman I have ever met that makes me feel alive while she scolds me. Her beautiful, fierce, green eyes pierce deep into my soul and nobody has ever been able to do that before. I love how she does her job; she is so good at it. She actually cares about the families of the victims, which is saying a lot because most cops just ignore the loved ones of the dead. I love everything about her, Jim. I can honestly say with all my heart, that Katherine Beckett is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. My ex-wives didn't even get the satisfaction of me thinking that about them. I knew they wouldn't last, but Kate, she really is different, in every spectacular way."

Jim looked into Castle's eyes when he had finished, just as his daughter did. What he saw made him smile, and he knew that Castle was telling the truth.

"Rick, be good to her. Make her wedding day as special as possible. She has been through so much and now she has a man who is willing to stop the world for her. She's needed you in her life for the longest time; her knight in shining armor, and you finally came."

Jim and Rick just smiled at each other as they finished their meals. At the end, Castle paid for both meals, and as they were walking out, he showed Jim the ring he had picked out.

"Rick, she is going to love that. It is plain, but it shows all the love that you have for her perfectly. She never has been one for the bells and whistles. You know her perfectly."

"Thanks, Dad." Rick said. Those words felt odd, it was the first time in his life they were directed at an actual father figure.

"Your welcome, son." Jim said, and smiling, the both left the diner.

Rick needed to hurry home, he needed to be there before Kate got home. He was finally ready to make the request that would change his life forever.