Rick beamed at her when she agreed to move in with him. How smile however dropped a little when Kate asked, "Why did you propose so suddenly Castle?"

"I've had the ring for a while Kate. It's been sitting in my desk for a while now, I was just waiting for the right time to ask."

"But why now Castle? Why today? Was it just to get me to stay?"

"No," Rick answered quickly, "I meant what I said, even if you had taken the job in DC I still would have asked you and I still would have meant it. I asked today because my mother got me thinking, she said that the way I could truly show you I was committed to you was to propose, show you I was serious. I was planned on waiting for you Kate, you told me two years ago on our swings that you couldn't have the sort of relationship you wanted until your mothers case was put to rest and even though you chose me last year I was waiting, making sure you wouldn't run because I went too fast for you." Kate was a little shocked by his words; it was almost he knew her better than yes knew herself sometimes. Before she could say anything however Rick continued, "But then Vaughn happened and I realised that I couldn't wait anymore Kate because it was making you unsure of us, of how much I loved you."

"I am sorry Castle, I really am. I know what happened with Vaughn never should have but he said everything right and it made me stupid," Kate replied in a soft voice.

"What did he say to you Kate that I never did?" Rick asked in a low voice.

"It wasn't what he said Castle, it was never what he said," Kate answered honestly, "You spent four years breaking down my walls, brick by brick, bit by painful bit, and then he said a few words that made me question everything we were and everything we could be. It's you I love Rick, not some smarmy fool who thinks he's Gods' gift to women."

Rick smiled, "Good word smarmy."

Kate returned the smile and then lent forward, so her face was only millimetres from his. "I love you Castle and I know that you love me, I don't need a ring to prove that, we just have to learn to communicate better and not rely on subtext."

Rick actually laughed at that. "That could take some doing Beckett," he whispered, reaching up and brushing a thumb across her check, "Subtext has always been the way we communicated."

Kate smiled again and leant into his hand and he continued to caress her check gently. "We have the rest of our lives Castle," she said gently, moving closer, "I'm not going anywhere." As she finished speaking she closed the gap between them completely and kissed him.

She felt his lips curl into a smile before he returned the kiss, filling it with passion, and pushing her back so she lay against the arm rest. They only separated when Kate's phone began to ring. Rick pulled away slightly and whispered, "Don't answer it."

Kate however just smiled and reached into her pocket and pulled it out. She looked at the caller ID before saying, "It's the precinct Castle; could be important."

Rick sighed but gave her another quick but love filled kiss before he sat up and moved away slightly, giving Kate some space so she could do the same. As she sat up she answered the phone with her customary, "Beckett." She listened for a minute before saying, "Good job Espo. Do you need me back in?"

She listened for a moment before nodding to herself and giving Rick a smile. "Ok Espo, I'll see you tomorrow."

She hung up and then put the phone onto the table. "Our guy is going away for a long time," she said.

Rick smiled, "Well that's good. Do they need you back at the precinct?"

Kate shook her head, "No. Espo said he and Ryan have it covered."

Rick smiled again. There was a moment of silence before Rick asked hesitantly, "Are you sure you're not going to take the job in DC Kate?"

Kate nodded, "I'm sure Castle. Everything I love is here. My dad, the boys, my job, Lanie, Martha, Alexis and most of all you. DC would be an amazing opportunity but I don't think I could do it. I couldn't be like Agent Stack Castle; I honestly don't think he had anyone waiting for him. Before maybe I could have done it but now I want more. I want you and I want us to have a life together."

Rick couldn't help the surge of pride and love he felt as Kate included his mother and his daughter in her list of reasons for staying. Kate obviously saw the effect her words had on his face as she smiled and said, "I love them Castle, as if they were actually flesh and blood."

Rick smiled, "I know they feel the same way about you Kate. Mother calls you Katherine for goodness sake so she must really like you."

Kate smiled, "Very few people have called me Katherine since my mom died and I usually hate it but when Martha says it it sounds right."

Rick beamed at her and then took her hand and brought it to his lips. "Just think," he whispered against her knuckles as he stroked his thumb along them, "You agree to marry me and they will be your family."

Kate laughed and shook her head. "That better be you trying to trick me into saying yes Castle," she teased, "I want a proper proposal, just not quite yet."

Rick shrugged, "No tricks, I promise."

Kate smiled and then looked at her phone. "I need to ring DC Castle, I got the offer and I need to tell them I'm not taking it."

"Do it tomorrow Kate," Rick wedeled, "Make sure this is what you really want to do."

Kate smiled softly, "I'm already sure Castle, but I'll wait till tomorrow morning if that will make you happy."

Rick smiled, "All I need to be happy is you."

Kate scrunched up her nose at his words. "Wow that was cheesy Castle."

Rick winced, "I know, I'm so ashamed."

Kate laughed before looking around her apartment and saying, "Were you serious about me moving in with you?"

Rick nodded quickly, "As serious as I can be yes."

Kate smiled, "Good. Well we might as well at least do a little bit of packing now Castle. I can tell the land lord that I want to terminate my lease at the end of the month."

Rick smiled again, "Sounds like a plan Beckett."

Kate shook her head. "Most of the clothes I wear a lot are already at yours, the only stuff left here really is all my winter coats and some of my shoes, aside from the obvious stuff like furniture and books and ornamants."

"You have more shoes!" Rick teased, "But they've already taken over half my wardrobe, I don't think I can take many more."

Kate laughed and reached behind her for the pillow there. She threw it at Rick and he laughed before he returned fire and then hit her with the cushion he was leaning on.

Ten breathless minutes later, as they got their laughter under control, they stopped with the pillow fight and Kate moved from where she was hiding behind the sofa to where Rick was leant against the wall, still holding his pillow like a shield. She reached out and pulled the pillow out of his hands before she placed her arms around his neck and kissed him so hard that they both felt as his knees buckled.

"Packing is going to have to wait," he muttered into her mouth even as he wrapped his arms around her waist and hoisted her onto his hips.

"Mmmm," was all Kate replied as she wrapped her legs around him and kissed him again.