Kate Castle's Wedding Present

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: I disclaim, we disclaim, he/she/it disclaims. Okay? Rating: K. Time: Just after Caskett's wedding.

"Do you have the plane tickets and our passports?" Kate asked as she pulled her jacket on.

Rick checked his coat pocket. "I had them here thirty seconds ago, the last time you asked. Aha! They're still here." Rick smiled at his wife." You're all packed?"

"Javi and Ryan put all of our luggage into the car."

"Okay then. We'll say goodbye to the folks downstairs, let them continue partying until the wee hours and we'll head off for our honeymoon, Mrs. Castle."

Kate smiled at being called Mrs. Castle. "I have one thing left to do?"

Rick shook his head slowly. "Don't tell me. That dress doesn't go with that purse?"

Kate shook her head. "No, I have to give you my wedding present."

"That's not the way…" Rick began.

Kate shushed him and pulled a small white box out of her purse. "For most of the time we've known each other, I've had a wall around me to keep anyone from getting close enough for their loss to hurt me. That has caused us more trouble than I can measure."

"When you were asked to write three new James Bond novels, and you were saying goodbye to me in that hotel lobby, I should have told you that I loved Nikki Heat, that I was proud to be the inspiration for her, and that I would miss you terribly if you left. Instead I said something stupid."

Rick opened his mouth to speak, but Kate shook her head, silencing him.

"You asked me to go to the Hamptons with you. I should have said yes at once. I wanted to go with you so badly. But I waited too long and missed my chance."

"When I found out you had broken up with Gina, I should have told you how I felt. I didn't."

"After I was shot, I should have admitted that I heard you say that you loved me. We should have talked to each other. I should have told you I loved you too."

"When you told me about your deal with Michael Smith, I was outraged. I should have realized that you did what you did because you loved me. We should have talked about what to do next. But I didn't think of that."

"I left you to confront Bracken by myself. I should have talked to you first. You must have been terrified that I was about to do something stupid and ruin our lives together."

"I never should have kept the job in Washington from you. It was your decision as much as mine. I know that if we'd talked about it, everything would have worked out. You have no idea how terrified I was when we met at the swings that you were going to tell me it was over between us. I can't describe the joy I felt when you asked me to marry you."

"And so, I went to the jewelers and had these made." Late opened the box and held it out. "They're matching gold key chains with a fob. "This is mine. Read it, please."

Rick took the key chain and read from the rectangular fob. "Always talk to Rick before doing anything."

"Now read yours."

"Kate loves you…Always."