Disclaimer: If I owned them I wouldn't be working my way through college :(
The question plagued her mind, niggled and ate at the sheer ecstasy the day had left behind. Kate tried to quell the thoughts, tried to push back the curiosity. She bit her lip, hiding beneath a cascade of hair as his puppy-like gaze sought her own. She could just see his kind blue eyes studying her as he shuffled in closer, his head squashing the edge of his pillow. She closed her eyes and curled more tightly in on herself as his gentle hand guided the tuft of locks from her face. His palm came to rest lightly on her cheek, his thumb softly stroking the flesh. His lips met her brow, their tender touch easing the tension from her fears.
"Rick," She managed to squeak out, her eyes opening to find his watching her intently, their soft gentle patience and curiosity steeling her resolve. She focused on the warmth of his palm upon her cheek, focused on the caresses of his thumb, letting the seconds tick by quietly. She felt him nuzzle her nose, pulling her back to the present. Kate bit her lip for a second and forced herself to meet him eye for eye. "When," she began. "When... did you decide…how long did you have?"
Kate looked away, unable to finish her question, her heart suddenly heavy. She felt his hand leave her cheek as he took in a deep breath. She waited for his response, waited for any sign she had not blown it. The fingers of her left hand curled in on themselves, preventing the removal of the ring without force. She hadn't meant to doubt his sincerity but—
"You have every right to wonder." His words rang stiff and broken, as if she had deflated him on the inside. "And I won't lie to you, circumstances prompted me to act." He reached for her hand forcing her to retract her arm close to her chest. Castle's fingers gently gripped her wrist, tugging her hand free of its hiding place. "But, Kate," he continued, pressing a kiss upon her ring finger. She looked up at the touch, finding his gentle features watching her. "From the very first moment I met you, a part of me knew I had to have you with me for the rest of my life."
Castle shifted closer until he rested face to face with her, his arm wrapping around to pull her in, his hand tangling in the hairs at the nape of her neck. "I didn't know it then," he continued. "I just knew I had to win you over, whatever it took." He leaned in, his whispered words caressing her ear. "The moment I realized I loved you, I saw my future staring back at me and it took my breath away." He nuzzled her hair, tightening his hold. "I was afraid, Kate. I've had that ring for awhile but, I was so afraid. I can't lose you."
Kate could hear the break in his voice, the raw words of a man on the edge of tears. She felt her heart squeeze tightly, his emotions rising up in her eyes. She reached out a hand to guide his lips to hers, kissing him gently, urging him to claim all that belonged to him. His response began strong and tapered to a tender need. "You won't. I said yes and I meant it," she said against the soft flesh of his mouth. "And when I say 'I do,' it will mean forever and always." She found his gaze once more and let her words sink in, running her own thumb over his cheek, eventually winning a relieved smile in return. She snuggled into his chest, resting her head beneath his chin and closed her eyes. She felt the kiss to the top of her head as he snuggled in with her and drifted off as his breathing slowed to the gentle rhythm of sleep.
A/N: So it seems the series of one shots has won out. I don't know how many there will be other then I can assume the last would be the wedding but, you never know. Another big thank you to my Beta and my readers, without which none of this is possible. So thank you an thousand times over :) You rock :)