A/N - Wow! So here's the end. Thank you to all the readers for sticking with me. Thanks to the reviewers - you're awesome as always. A special shout out to CFPromoter who hosted this Castle Halloween Bash and also never fails to promote fics on twitter. I honestly believe readers have found my fics because of your help. Thanks so much!

If you have enjoyed this, please check out my other stories.

Enjoy!

~GeekMom

P.S.

To the readers of my in-progress fics: Breaching, Martha's Heart and Courtship - thank you so much for your patience and indulgence.

The Mysteries of Crystal Cove

Chapter 10

Epilogue

After Carter had ushered his prisoners out of the house, the three detectives, the doctor, the wife, and the writer stood in the 1950s kitchen, looking at each other, speechless. Abe and Carrie still sat at the table. Ryan intervened when Carter tried to take Abe in for his kidnapping. He said he wouldn't press charges, although his methods were questionable, his motive was pure.

"That was amazing," Jenny said, finally breaking the silence. "Kev, I get why you do this. I didn't even help and I still feel this…"

"Euphoria?" Castle asked.

"Yeah, I mean we broke up the drug thing and solved a thirty year old murder. That's amazing."

"I know, right?" He smiled at Jenny's childlike wonder. He envied her that. There was a time when he was more childlike, but he and Beckett, the boys and Lanie had been through too much to really have retained it. He worked at it though. This weekend was a prime example of that.

Castle watched Abe and Carrie. They had just discovered that they were related. He was her great uncle. She was sole heir to the McAllister legacy. It was a lot to take in.

He caught Beckett's eye and nodded toward the door. She agreed. Soon, Castle held the door open for his friends and was about to follow. He was stopped by Abe's voice.

"Mr. Castle?" He turned to the older man who had walked to him extending his hand. Castle shook it and smiled. "I want to thank you. I'm sure both Robert and Enid are resting peacefully now, knowing that the people responsible have been arrested."

"And…and I have family. I didn't know who my grandfather was. Thank you." Carrie added shyly.

Castle leaned down to kiss Carrie's cheek. "You watch over your uncle, okay?" She nodded. Castle smiled and then followed his friends out of the door

They were waiting by the truck. "Do you think I could talk any of you into going home a day early?"

He was answered by a chorus of yesses. He drove them back to the B and B to collect their things and check out.

After loading their bags and his friends into the truck, he glanced at Kate. She smiled. It had been a great anything but a run of the mill weekend getaway. He pulled onto the highway and everyone settled in.

Kate reached over the center console and placed her hand on his thigh and squeezed. Castle glanced to his right. She sweetly asked, "So, what will Hal be playing for us on the way home?"

Castle frowned. She called it Hal because it bugged him. He jabbed at a playlist and then grinned wickedly at her.

Beckett scowled but then laughed as 'Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you, we've got some work to do now…' blasted from the speakers. Castle smiled, crinkling his eyes; maybe that childlike feeling wasn't lost after all.