This is Beckett's response to the proposal. My beta reader is asleep next to me so has not read this. All mistakes are my own. Honest feedback is always appreciated.
Doses of Reality
By TR
Beckett's heart clenched in her chest, crouched and ready for the words that threatened to break it in two. He'd said he wanted more, that they both deserved more. She knew what was coming next, anyone would know it. The words. Those words, 'it's over'. They never came. Instead she'd seen him move from the swing to his knee and ask her to share her life with him. No matter what she decides…no matter what? Is that what he'd really said? She'd imagined every possible scenario on the way to the park. She actually had imagined him saying this to her, and that she would fly into his arms and everything would be okay. That she could have both of her dreams. That she wouldn't have to give up one love for another. Was it possible that he did know her, did understand her that well? She'd wondered where they were going, why he felt so comfortable with the status quo, was it because he wanted a future with her, or because he didn't? Now she knew. In an instant she knew it was always going to be this way. He would never quit surprising her with the strength of his love, his loyalty. The depth of his understanding. Hadn't he known, understood, loved her enough to be willing to die with her while she was standing on that bomb? How had she thought he wouldn't support her?
She looked down into his earnest face, his features hard, almost angry. Looking closer she recognized it as love and determination. He came to fight. To fight for her. It was the least she could do to fight for him right back. Isn't that what she'd always done?
Willing her legs to move, she stood from the swing and dropped down to her knees, meeting him eye to eye. He was still holding the ring, but her focus was on his face. She saw him try to smile, knew he was waiting for the answer. She smiled right back, full and bright, and saw him visibly relax.
She took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "Castle, before I…" she gestured toward the ring. "I want to know, how is this going to work?"
He frowned in confusion. "You've seen weddings before, attended one with me in fact. I assumed you'd remember…" He stopped when he saw her nostrils flare. "Right," he said on a sigh. "I don't know. The more important answer is, I don't care! I don't care how it's going to work, I just know that whatever obstacles we face, I want to face them together like we always have. You have to do what's right for you. You have to build the life that's true for you. I've already been able to do that. I can work from anywhere, but I can't live without you. When I said, whatever you decide, I meant it. I love you, I belong with you. That's what's true for me."
The tears that had been waiting in her eyes since she'd believed he was done with her threatened to spill down her cheeks. She held them back, if only for a moment. "You'd move to DC with me?"
He scoffed. "I'd stand on a bomb with you. Moving to another state isn't really that big of a deal after that."
She laughed. Amused at how hard she'd made it; much harder than it needed to be. Lesson learned, next time, when he was her husband, she would just talk to him. Smiling once more, she focused on the ring. It sparkled in the sun. Three stones, past, present, future. Her favorite design. He'd chosen well. Closing her eyes, she let out a slow breath punctuating the moment, then raising her eyes to his, she said, "Yes."
End of scene. Good? Bad? Cat breath? Let me know.
