Forever and a Day
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: SEQUEL TO DROPPED CALL, READ THAT FIRST. Castle missed his going away party because something unexpected came up and the Castle/Gina/Hamptons thing didn't happen etc. Castle assumes Beckett is with Demming and goes off the grid for several months. Would our favorite couple ever reconnect? From a prompt from Kato769. NOTE: AU not canon
I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 4
Previously
He slowly opens the journal to the date Friday, May 28th, Start of Memorial Day weekend.
Well, here we are again, I really don't know why I do this, or if it helps, I guess it is helping since I am not plastered drunk falling down in my office, so I'll continue to do so till, well till you know.
It's been 3 weeks since I got the initial news from Gregg, Cancer, of all things who would have pegged that to take me out, I would have put shot by a jealous boyfriend far higher than Cancer, in fact, I never thought I would or could contract this damn disease.
Kate and Rick's Bedroom
Next Morning
Rick had finally carried Kate to their bed around 3:00 AM, even then she would not let go of her clutch on him, almost afraid that if she lost touch, she would lose him. Rick knew the hurt the journal had caused, and would cause, BUT he also thought there had been so many things left unsaid, it was adamant that the two communicate, if not verbally, at least in written form.
They had to stop the dance, the avoidance of the true feelings if their relationship were to grow to the next level as he hoped. He knew exactly what he wanted but wanted to give Kate time to form her opinion once she had gotten over the initial shock. He had not doubt she loved him, BUT he wanted to be sure it wasn't because of the cancer, which was something he would never be able to live with. He decided to let Kate take her time, once she was sure of the future she wanted, there was only one path for him, and that involved a chapel and a minister.
He watches her sleep, her slight hitch in her breath, as she tightens her grip, then she relaxes again once she knows he's there. She opens her eyes to find Rick looking lovingly at her, and without saying a word pulls him into a deep morning kiss.
"Hey, I haven't brushed my teeth yet, and I know morning breath*"
"Shut up and kiss me Rick, I don't care if you don't, I just need you to hold me a little longer, OK? Sorry to be so clingy, but Babe, it dawned on me last night that no matter how bad I thought my problems were, you were fighting for your life, alone if not for Trey, proving my selfishness."
"Hey, stop taking like that, we both messed up, the only thing that matters is we're here now, and I'm not going anywhere, OK?"
He brushes a stray tear from her beautiful eyes, and then kisses her sweetly, ending the kiss with a deep embrace just to assure her that he was indeed alive and here.
"Rick, can I ask you something, feel free to say no if this is too close to home, but Babe, reading your journal last night let me feel what you were going through, even though I wasn't there, I can remember the Hell you went through by reading it, I mean if that's too personal, I understand" she stammers,
Rick looks a little shocked at first, trying to interpret what she was asking, then it dawned on him, when she said she wanted to share his life, she meant all of it, good and bad.
"Kate are you sure, I mean I don't remember all what I wrote, and the last thing I want is for you to feel hurt, or like I betrayed you. I loved you, never could stop it, but I was so angry and hurt at you, I think I may not be proud of some of those entries. Are you sure this won't damage us, I would rather die than lose you now."
Tears come to his eyes, and it's Kate's turn to take her fingers and gently wipe them away,
"Rick, you aren't getting rid of me, just accept that. NOTHING you did is going to hurt me, other than reminding me that when you needed a friend, the one you had always been there for was too busy to be there for you.
That hurts more than I can put into words, but it also fuels my drive to take care of you, and to keep you safe the rest of our lives. I love you Richard Castle, the damn cancer made me realize just how fragile life is, and once we get the all clear from Gregg, there are some things I want to talk to you about, like kids, and future together. Don't panic Babe, I'm not asking for a ring, I don't need one as long as you tell me I'm your Always, or how did you put it, Forever and a day? I love that because that's what you are to me, my Always, my Forever and a day."
"Tell you what, let's take the journal a page or two at a time, when we are together in bed, where I can hold you, and remind you I'm here, I'm yours, and you are mine, sound OK?"
"Sounds perfect Rick, and remember Babe, YOU did nothing to hurt me, I brought this all on myself, and I know just how blessed I am to have you in my life today, speaking of do you want to meet with the boys and Lanie if they are free? I know they were concerned about you. Espo actually chewed my ass out royally about you, and Kevin came out like I had never seen him before in your defense."
"How about Brunch at the Old Haunt, say around 3:00, since they are all off of work today. I know I owe Roy a face to face, and Bob is going to spew a gasket when he gets the full story, so not looking forward to that,"
"Rick, that brings up a subject I wanted to talk to you about, you know I'm on FMLA leave for another 8 weeks, but after that, I will either have to resign or go back to my job. I want to know what you want for us, and I don't expect you to answer*"
"QUIT, and stay with me, I don't think I can take the stress worrying are you coming home to me tonight? I know I wouldn't be able to cope if something happened to you, that was the part of the life is too short speech and I know it's not fair to ask you to give up your Mothe*"
"Babe, shhh, Mom would want me to live my life for those still alive, not those who have passed. She'll get justice, it's inevitable that the killer will slip up, maybe not be in our lifetimes, but I'm OK with that now. I came close to losing someone I love even more than I did my Mother, and I'm not going to waste another minute living in the past."
"Are you sure, I mean this is the biggest step you have made since she passed, and I don't want you to give up, or settle just on my account, nor do I want you to stay with me because of the Cancer. I wanted to know that you love me as I love you, and Kate, you proved that to me over and over the last few weeks. Let's see where the next 8 weeks take us, I think by that time, you'll know for sure if you can walk away without regrets and we can plan the rest of our lives.
This isn't a test drive or anything like that, I just want you to be as sure as I am what you want the rest of your life before you make changes that you could regret someday. I want to be the reason you want to come home to, not the reason you would rather stay away." As he kisses her sweetly.
Kate returns the kiss, thanking God above and a lady named Trey for allowing her to be held in these two arms now, no matter what may come, she is in it for the long haul and will do whatever it takes to make Rick's life as enjoyable as he has made so many others.
Old Haunt
3:00 PM Same Day
Rick and Kate walk into the Old Haunt exactly at 3:00 PM, and Rick is mobbed by many of the staff, and regular customers. She hadn't realized just how loved this man truly was by his community, and how many people he had helped along the way, quietly, never saying a word.
Brian comes from behind the bar and pulls Rick into a big Man Hug, holds it for a few seconds, and then with tears in his eyes as he breaks, "Melony wanted me to kiss you, I told her I drew the line at hugging, and Kate might kick my ass if I did that. Seriously Boss, how did you know, I never even mentioned she was pregnant and then all of a sudden, all these presents appear out of nowhere, when I brought her and little Lehi home.
I went to plan to pay the bill at the hospital, and the cashier told me there was no bill, I broke down in tears right there. You'll never know just how much comfort you gave my family, then when I come to work, Ralph has my spot and told me to go home for two weeks, be with the family, Bosses orders and he gave me the bonus and advanced paycheck. We can't thank you enough Rick, God Bless You."
"Brian, you're welcome, but when Lehi is old enough, she has her college fund paid for, check your mail for the details and when you and Melony feel up to it, there is a cruise with your names on it, just arrange with Ralph and get out of here for a well needed vacation. Consider it a gift from Kate and I for all the hell we put you through," as he breaks out in the first real laugh Kate has heard in what seems forever.
They finally make it back to the booth that Rick had designated Reserved for the 12th Homicide, and Lanie almost knocks Rick over with her hug. "Rick Castle if I weren't so glad to see you, I'd smack you, you had us worried sick. Don't ever do that again, you hear?"
Rick smiles as he is still holding Kate's hand, "Don't plan on it Lanie, I'm sorry I worried so many people, but I was trying to shield you from anything bad."
"Well let us decide if we need shields or not in the future Bro," as Espo grabs him in a hug, very out of ordinary for him. "We hear you had quite a battle but came out on top, happy for you, Kate and us. Thanks for the tickets, they weren't necessary, but they were enjoyed,"
"Thank God you're back Rick, I don't know how you put up with this crew, no one wants to think outside the box, so when you weren't here I tried to fill in, Shish the ridicule I got, you're a better man than I Sir, I couldn't take all the barbs, so that's why I started texting you for help, you were a life saver with those theories you built."
"Babe, I didn't know you were still helping Ryan with cases, When?"
"One thing about this whole experience, my sleep never really comes so some nights when I had watched you as long as I dared, I helped out a bit with texts to Paula to Kevin. I didn't want to risk you waking with me staring at you when you think it's creepy."
"Well, I was wrong, Stare away, in fact I better not catch you staring at anyone but me," as she smiles and kisses him deeply, a dramatic change from the no PDA Kate Beckett of the past.
The Brunch was just what Rick needed to get him back in the groove, and his spirits seemed to improve tremendously, all too soon it was now dinner time or later, and the group began to break up. Everyone felt much better, it was one thing to hear Rick was well, but to see him, and outside of a few pounds he had lost he looked the same took the stress from all of his friends.
"Kate, do you mind if we stay just a bit longer, I want to show you something downstairs."
"Sure Babe, we can stay as long as you want, I just don't want you to get over tired, OK?"
His smile was all the answer Kate needed as he led her down the new staircase and the remodeled basement office, one side he had retained all of the old, and on the other he had opened up and built a small but modern office, but what struck Kate the most was the gallery of pictures behind, and on his desk.
There were a few of Alexis, but the majority were candid shots of her, caught when she was unaware. In the middle of his desk was a larger one of her, Captain Montgomery, the boys, and Rick, had to be at a publicity shot after he first came, with the saying FAMILY around the frame, she burst into tears at once.
Once again, how wrong she could have been about this wonderful man, she was amazed constantly by him, now that she was taking the time to get to know him.
TBC