TAKING THE NEXT STEP: RICHARD CASTLE PROPOSES, "SHE SAID YES"
Huffington Post.
September 29, 2013

When we learned that no reporters were going to be allowed into Richard Castle's launch party for his newest book, Heat of the Moment, we were suspicious. The author and his publicist claimed that there was no reason to be: they simply decided that the party was going to be a small, intimate affair at an undisclosed location, celebrating the hard work that went into writing this book and the very people who inspired the story.

And they had reason to celebrate – The critics have nothing but wonderful things to say about Heat of the Moment, claiming that it's Richard Castle's "greatest book to date" and it will "leave readers desperately waiting for more" and "when people think of 'Richard Castle' 20 years from now, this is the book they'll remember". The book is set to debut at number one on the New York Times Best Seller list, knocking fellow mystery writer James Patterson out of the top spot, and it is believed that the book will stay there for many weeks to come.

Richard Castle had been particularly elusive about the content of this next book in every interview he's had about it, simply smiling and saying that he "has a feeling this book would take the series to the next level" and he was very proud of how it turned out.

When the party started two nights, we dejected reporters who had been cut from the guest list sat at home on our couches, sipping some wine and editing stories that were not nearly as exciting as a book party would have been, going to bed at a reasonable hour and trying to sleep off our disappointment.

At approximately 10 AM yesterday morning, "Richard Castle" started trending on Twitter in the U.S. Unsurprising, with the new book being released, but a quick glance at the tag would quickly prove that this went beyond a book release. The author was being flooded with questions about the dedication, what did it mean, what is the answer?

The dedication?

"To Kate.
Always?"

The questions continued throughout the day and Richard Castle remained tight lipped until approximately 8:30 last night when he tweeted a picture.

"This was the question:"

It was a photograph taken the night before at his book party, Richard Castle down on one knee in front of his visibly emotional and surprised inspiration of over 5 years and girlfriend of nearly a year, Kate Beckett, her left hand in his, her other pressing Heat of the Moment tightly against her stomach.

Only a few minutes passed before another tweet was posted.

Attached was another picture, Richard Castle standing up bent slightly backwards, his arms wrapped around Detective Beckett, lifting her off the ground as he kissed her, the friends and family around them smiling and clapping.

"She said yes."

Almost immediately after those tweets were sent, a statement was released on Richard Castle's official website.

"With all of our family's and friends' blessing, I finally worked up the courage and asked the one and only Detective Katherine Beckett to marry me. For the first time since I met her over five years ago, I think I managed to truly surprise her, and she (thankfully) said yes. We are both incredibly happy and look forward to our future together. As I look at her sitting beside me, reading Heat of the Moment for the first time as I write this, my ring on her finger, I feel so lucky that I was given the chance to meet her, know her, and fall hopelessly in love with her, and even more blessed that this beautiful woman, for all that I've put her through, miraculously loves me back.

She just rolled her eyes at me and told me to take that out because it's "too sappy". I told her to get used to it.

After all… she said yes."

This will be the third marriage for the best-selling author, and the first for the Detective, but this plot seems to be shaping up to be happily ever after for the both of them.

After all… she did say yes.

I've been informed by a reviewer that you all were just waiting for this to happen...
I really hope I did it justice.