Sorry this has been a long wait, so far 2015 for me has been non-stop. I tried hard to get this right and give it the right ending.

I hope you've enjoyed the story, and thank you for the follows, favourites and reviews.

Chapter 10: Together

It was another ten days before James could be taken home, ten days which consisted of spending as much time as Kate was able to at the hospital. She tired easily and although she could stay longer there were some days that she just needed to go home to rest. It helped that they knew the staff now and were assured that if anything happened then they would be called.

The first time she held their child it was magical, at first it seemed as if the whole world fell away and it was just them in that moment. She ran her finger over her son's head, the soft skin of their baby that was so delicate. She didn't know she was crying until she saw a tear fall onto her son's chest. She was so in love with the little person in her arms, a feeling which was unimaginable a year ago. She didn't know that it was possible to love a child so much. Eventually Castle was able to hold their son, having allowed Kate her time to have with their son. The same feeling came over him as when he first held Alexis. He loved his son who was just days old, only sad that it took so long until he was able to hold him for the first time.

The first time Kate was able to feed him was nothing like she had ever experienced. It felt so weird, different, and yet normal at the same time. It was a natural process after all but after the initial sucking and pulling it became somewhat an enjoyable experience as crazy as it sounded. She knew how lucky they were because they could easily not have been in this situation, so the soothing sound of her son feeding was music to their ears.

There was no definite day that they would be able to take their son home but it didn't stop the new parents hoping each day that tomorrow would be the day that they could bring him home. The car seat and baby bag was sat by the front door of the loft ready for that day to come.

Less than a week later, the paediatrician told them that the next day they would be able to take James home both Castle and Kate were so excited. Only the need for sleep made them go to sleep that night. Kate was still experiencing some discomfort following her surgery but it didn't deter her from wanting their son home. She hated her check-up appointment, it took time away that could have been spent with their son but knew it was important. The last thing she wanted was her health to deteriorate and then not be able to take care of her son.

On the day itself the two parents arrived as soon as they were able to, knowing that today was the day that James could come home with them. They both took note of the advice the paediatrician had given them and also the other information provided by the staff. However eager they may be to take James home his long run health was most important.

As Castle carried a sound asleep James in the carry seat out to the car Kate could only think of how lucky they had been. Without the skilled medical that treated her initially and then operated on her while delivering their son she could easily not be here, as could James. Now, though, they were both going home with each of them in good health given what had happened.

The relationship between Beckett and Castle had improved significantly, they had been talking about James and their plans also about what happened in the past months. Some wounds had been healed so they were well on their way to having a normal relationship again. Well what they would consider normal. Nothing between Castle and Beckett could be considered normal.

When they entered the loft with their son for the first time, they both showed him around as if he was a normal visitor. The fact that James had no clue what was going on also was solely interested in sleeping and eating didn't deter either of the parents. James was still small for his age which had meant new clothes had to be found to fit their premature son. While it wasn't one hundred per cent certain that there would be no long lasting implications of being premature, everything seemed to be going well.

Their first evening at home together wasn't as bad as they had both expected, perhaps it had helped that James was in fact a few weeks older than when a new baby would be brought home but as both parents fell asleep looking on at their son in the basinet beside the bed, they weirdly looked forward to the cries for food.

As the weeks passed, they both settled into a new unfamiliar routine. Kate had put to the back of her mind that she would soon have to return to work. She had gained a lot of her mobility back even with the scar still pulling on occasion. The topic had only been raised once, with Kate letting her family know that she would be maxing out her permitted leave. Even Gates understood that, she was thankful to her Captain who had similarly been appreciative for the updates on her detective's condition as well as that of James.

Kate's return to work was hard on her, having been used to spending all day with James, Castle and the rest of their family. She was now back at the twelfth with Ryan, Espo, and co. Even so, when she arrived at the desk on her first day not only did she see more congratulation cards but also a framed picture with her, Castle, and James on. She knew that the boys and Castle had been behind it. Her first half an hour seemed to be spent showing people pictures that she had on her phone. Who knew that her colleagues could be so excited by her return and pictures of her son.

The day of the anniversary of Castle's abduction and return were full painful memories, especially for Kate who tried to focus each of them by spending time with their family making new more joyful memories.

By November, the family were having fun and seemed to be getting by happily. They had a routine but Kate would come home as soon as she could each night to spend time with their incredibly active son. Since learning to crawl, James seemed to be on the move a lot. He laughed and clapped at almost anything which was of much relief to his parents because he seemed to be developing at the right stages. Soon James would be talking and walking which everyone was excited about.

It had taken lots of courage from Castle and bravery for his plan on Kate's birthday. Their relationship was much improved and time really had been a healer. They'd been out together on date nights as often as would be expected with new parents so were acting like a normal couple. This was to delight of their friends and family who only wanted the best for them.

Instead of going out for a meal, they spent the evening in; Castle having cooked a lovely meal while Kate helped a bit and spent time with their son. After James had been put to bed, they spent time talking about what had happened in the past year which consisted mainly of James and avoided the sad times. As the conversation came to a natural pause, Castle stood from the sofa so he could bend down on one knee, "Kate, we've been through a lot together and I believe that everything we have been through has made us stronger. You, James, and Alexis are the three most important people in my life and I don't want to live a day without you. So, Katherine Houghton Becket, will you marry me?" He asked.

Kate was shocked, she didn't expect anything like this on her birthday. They hadn't really discussed marriage in any seriousness. Even so, everything they had been through had made them stronger and she knew that making the decision to come back to the loft after James was born was the correct one. She couldn't have done it on her own.

"Yes, Richard Edgar Alexander Rodgers Castle, I will marry you."

Thank you for reading :)

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