(One and a half weeks later)
"Bye, Daddy!" Alexis gave him a brief kiss on the cheek and rushed out the door.
"How the youth of today gets along with this stress, I'll never understand," Martha sighed.
"It's no stress for her, she's just on her way to get the food for this evening."
"Oh. Maybe I should have accompanied her." Martha was always someone to test five-star-food for a party with.
"No, Mother, she can do this, she's not a little girl anymore."
"Why, Richard Castle, did you finally realize that she's a grown woman."
"She's my daughter and already moved out. What about you? It makes a bad impression on my girlfriend if she could say I live with my mother."
"Oh, now I'm your girlfriend? Can I assume that you don't want to marry me anymore?"
Rick lifted his hands, gesturing to give up. "I have no chance against any of you, do I?"
"No." Martha and Kate said unison, latter rubbing her wet hair with a towel.
"Good morning, Martha."
She took the coffee from the counter next to the woman.
"Good morning, boyfriend."
She smiled and seated herself next to his lying form on the couch, leaning her back over his legs against the headrest.
"Do I have to propose again or is an apology enough?" He looked up at her.
"Hmm, I guess that depends on what we do today."
"Do you have anything special in mind?" Seductively he let his hand glide up her leg.
"I do. What about we go to my new workplace?"
He furrowed a brow.
"I've heard an espresso-machine is calling for me."
Rick understood and smiled.
"Solving new crimes in New York City?"
"Just looking in, saying hello and maybe peek at the boys' latest case."
"Sounds good. Gimme just a second."
"Ohh," she mocked. "Are we getting old?"
"Old and wrinkled and rheumatic and all of that together with you." Rick sat up. "I love you."
"I love you too," Kate whispered and leaned in to kiss him.
w-_-w
"Sent over to you."
"Thanks, now get a hold on that man. If he killed his boss, I want to have him in the interrogation room before lunch."
"As long as you take us with you."
"Bring him here, Ryan, and then we'll talk."
"Dude, you really wanna go out with our official lovebirds? That would be somewhat awkward."
"As if we've ever been indecent around you two."
"Well Castle, does that mean, you're being indecent with Beckett around someone else?"
"Haha, what a joke."
"Do you plan on bringing the suspect in today, or do I have to send your distraction away from his inspiration?"
"No, Sir."
It was everything like Beckett'd never been a day away. Ryan and Esposito were having their fun with them now that they could talk about the relationship between the two lovebirds and Gates was shoving them back to work.
After the boys were out of the bullpen and Gates back in her office, Kate rolled her eyes and took a sip of the coffee Castle had just brought her.
" 'Think I have to hang them upside-down on their toes to get back my respect?" She asked only half-joking.
"If you do, let a bunch of kindergarten-kids have a piñata-party."
"I'm only sadistic, not cruel." She furrowed a brow. He lifted one of his. "Okay, but we both know they would just make fun of their own situation, and see who blushes less when the blood shoots in their heads."
"Blood's something special, isn't it." He drew little circles on the back of her hand, lost in the horrible events they've been through in DC.
"Hey," she said softly, taking his hand and waiting for him to look her in the eyes. "See this," she lifted her left sleeve. "It is the most special scar I'll ever have. It means I'm not only part, but somehow," she rolled her eyes and smiled. "Related by blood to your family."
Rick chuckled.
"Don't say this out loud, some may forbid me to marry you then."
"Shall they come, we'll fight them. Together."
"Like everything?"
"Everything life throws at us, fiancé." Kate leaned in. "Maybe even a new generation you have to share me with."
Rick's eyes widened. His jaw dropped figuratively to the floor as he looked at her belly.
"Are you…?"
Instead of an answer she stood up and strode to the break-room.
It took some seconds for him to will his feet to follow her.
"Kate!"
He turned her around, away from the coffee-machine.
"Are you…I mean, do we…are we?"
"If you want to have kids with me, Castle, then," she placed her hands on his chest and stood on her toes to whisper into his ear, "I guess we have to work on it." She laughed at the face he made.
"So you're not…"
"No. But I have a trainee, who will look over my shoulder. You think you can handle sharing me with her?"
He was still struck by the thought of being the father of Kate Beckett's children. He liked it.
"As long as you promise me one thing."
She tilted her head and slung her arms around his shoulders, leaning back in his embrace. "And that would be?
"Tell her that I'm the plucky sidekick who'll never leave your side."
"Promised."
x-_-x
Here you go, the last chapter of my story, ended with a nice and fluffy Castle&Beckett scene.
I decided against writing "Always" as the last word, because imo it's in enough stories already. And a promise is forever and always, isn't it? ;-)
I'd be happy to read your reviews and promise to upload my countdown on the wedding, if you want me to.
Thanks to all reviewers, favers and followers. You kept me going with your patience and faith!
Till soon,
Sunny
