Chapter 3: The Boys

(Takes place a day after Castle proposes)

"Yo Beckett," said Esposito outside of Beckett's apartment, "Open up."

Beckett stopped with some of her packing and went to the door. It wasn't just Esposito standing there but Ryan too.

"Where's Castle," Ryan asked as he and Espo entered the apartment.

"He had a meeting with his publisher why?"

"Were you ever gonna tell us?" Esposito feeling like a knife had been stabbed in his chest.

"We had to hear it from someone else before we heard it from you," said Ryan.

"Yeah Beckett," said Espo, "how could you do that to us?"

"I'm sorry guys, Castle just proposed yesterday and-,"

"Castle proposed," Esposito asked.

"Yeah what did you think we were talking about," asked Beckett.

"What are you talking about?" asked Ryan.

"We were talking about your new job," said Espo.

"Yeah Gates told us but hey you're getting married," Ryan said hugging his best friend, "Congratulations."

"I gotta tell you Beckett," said Espo, "It's about time. Let's face it we all knew you two would be together forever."

"You did not."

"Sure we did I even told you the guy liked you when he helped us out the first time he came in. It's a good thing Montgomery kept him around."

"Yeah," said Ryan, "Funny how he ended up being the one to play match-maker." Ryan looked at Beckett, "Let's face it Beckett, you were his work wife before you guys even started dating and now you guys are gonna make it official."

The boys gleamed their cheesy smiles, the smiles that were reserved only when they found Beckett or Castle or the two of them adorable.

"Okay," Beckett said with a smile at them, "Are you boys done?"

She would miss the guys teasing her.

"So you're really going to DC?" asked Ryan.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Beckett, "I have to see if I can do this."

"You can," Espo said with a smile.

Ryan smiled to, "It's okay we get it."

"Just do us a favor," asked Espo, "Don't forget us while you're kicking some major government ass up there."

"Promise," Beckett said glad to have their blessing.

"Again congratulations," Ryan said going to Beckett for another hug and afterwards heading for the door.

"You must really love the guy to make things work long distance," Espo said as he too hugged Beckett.

"I do."

The boys giggled knowing that soon those words would be more permanent. Beckett just shook her head and smiled at them.

"Don't you guys have work to do or something?"

"We're going," said Espo.