I just wanted to say thank you for all the support that you have shown my little story. It really does mean so much.
I hope that you enjoy chapter two..

Part Two

They found themselves fallen into a strange and ethereal world that felt completely new and utterly familiar all at the same time. The electric buzz of anticipation thick in the air, nerves transformed to expectations as Castle held open the door to the restaurant; the gentle curve of her body pressed close to his own and the twilight alive with their shared wishes for the night that they had both waited such a very long time to experience.

Their conversation melded effortlessly with the easy chatter that filled the little beachside restaurant that had been a favourite of Castles for longer than he could remember, the carefree laughter and silly flirtation of two people who knew each other better than they did themselves fluttering between them as if nothing had changed. And yet, everything was so beautifully different to how it used to be; the soft brush of her skin against his own and the sloppy kisses stolen between sips of wine a thrilling reminder of the love that was undeniable to anyone who glanced their way.
He had imagined this moment so many times since stumbling into the life of Kate Beckett; had dreamt of it, longed for it with ever molecule of his being, but nothing could compare to the reality. Every second a perfect moment in time; fleeting and barely there at all, captured by his heart, his memories, and tucked safely away to be told as stories in the years to come.

He loves that he is allowed to watch her now, to gently nudge the last mouthfuls of lemon cheesecake towards her and settle against the warm wooden back of his chair as she finishes eating without a care in the world.
A little while ago she would have shied away from his eyes; feared the love that she found reflected within them, squirmed and wriggled and distracted his attention somewhere else as quickly as she possibly could. But now all of that is gone; the terror and the hiding replaced with bright smiles that say he is allowed to watch, allowed to study every movement, every thought, every flicker of light that dances over her satin skin. And he does, he watches because he loves her, all of her, and every day he learns something new, something more, something once hidden behind walls that he has patiently helped her to bring down.

It's later now, much later, and the doors to the restaurant have been flung open, its ornately tiled floors and the crystal white sand of the beach melded together like the couples who dance across them; this quirky little corner of the world still every ounce as wonderful as Castle remembered it to be, even better now that he is able to share it with Kate.

Sitting with her cuddled close to his side, head woozy with love and cherry wine, he dips his lips to the soft curve of her neck before asking the question that has always haunted his dreams of this night,

"Dance with me?"

Her reply is an echo of his question; laden with lust and hazy with tipsy midnight promises,

"Lead the way."

Taking Kate's hand once more in his own, Castle pulls her effortlessly to her feet and walks them through the maze of sun kissed lovers who have come to dance beneath the moonlight.
Reaching an open space on the dance floor, she kisses him with lips that still taste of crumbling biscuits and sharp lemon sauce, the room around them disappearing as they dance to the music that plays in time to the drumming beat of their hearts.

Castle doesn't know how long they have been dancing; it feels like it could have been minutes, or hours, or entire lifetimes for all he knows. Not that it matters, not when he is so completely taken over by the magic of the music and flickering lights, the tight grip of warm hands and the ghost of her hair as they spin and twirl and kiss under the blanket of glimmering stars that shine high above them.

He knows that he is watching her again, entranced by all that she is and all that she does; but he can't bear to look away. He wants to remember Kate exactly as she is now; to remember the freedom with which she dances, head thrown back and girlish laughter escaping at each unexpected turn, beautiful and pure. To know that no matter what happens in the future, they had this night; their perfect night of hopes and dreams.
A night that had only just begun.

To be continued..

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I would love to know what you think?

Thank you for reading,
Katie