Epilogue

Six months later…

Spring. She loved spring. Everything that had been essentially dead all winter long, suddenly sprang back to life. The trees had leaf buds and some were blooming colors of white and pink tiny flowers, filling the air with the most delicious scent. The tulip bulbs had poked through the leftover snow piles and had now opened in colors of red, purple and yellow. Spring reminded her to hope. Though things appeared bleak over a long winter, the mystery of life always came back year after year.

Spring also brought a joyous sense of love. Rick and Kate were no strangers to that feeling. Their relationship had only grown over the winter months. It was a rare night that they spent apart now. Kate more a stranger in her own apartment than in Rick's. It felt wonderful.

The Wild Flower was flourishing after the semi-remodel that had been done to fix the damage from the previous fall. It was better than new and this time the shop not only reminded her of her mother, but of Castle, Alexis and Martha. Her new family. They had been alongside her every step of the way, from days of sweeping up debris with Castle, to Martha helping pick new paint colors and to Alexis helping her change the setup of the back room.

She had often thought about going back to being a detective and she still might some day, but for now this is where she wanted to be. This is what made her happy. Castle had made it abundantly clear that he would cheer her on and support any decision that she made he just wanted her to be happy.

Today she'd rose early, earlier than normal to put the final touches on the bouquets for a wedding that would be picked up this morning.

She was so engrossed in putting the final pearl pin to secure the ribbon on the bride's bouquet that she didn't hear the little bell on the door ring.

"Kate," he called walking in, holding the familiar to go cups from their coffee shop. She startled momentarily at his voice before turning to see him and breaking into a smile. He still made her insides melt.

"Hey, babe," she replied as she came around the counter to greet him with a kiss. "Good morning."

"Good morning gorgeous," he smiled. Kate paused to look at him. Something was going on, he looked...was he nervous?

"Everything ok?" she asked reaching for the coffee cup she assumed was hers. He surprised her by taking a step back from her and taking both coffees with him. "Rick, what gives?"

He took a deep breath, and was obviously thinking of what to say.

"Kate," he said face suddenly very serious and a little flushed, "before I give you this coffee I have to tell you something."

"Uh-oh, that doesn't sound good."

"No, it-it is, I mean I think-I hope it is," he rambled in a very unCastle like way. He was normally so good with words.

He composed himself and tried again.

"Kate,"

"Yes, Rick," she semi-teased him with a smile.

She watched him put the coffees down on the counter before looking deep into her eyes and taking a breath.

"I love you. You are, well after Alexis, the best thing that has ever happened to me."

She could feel her heart rate start to race. Is what I think happening, really happening?

"Being with you has made me a better man," he reached forward to take one of her hands, "You have filled my heart with joy, with love, with belonging, Kate."

He picked up one of the coffee cups and knelt down on one knee before her. That is when she saw the thin white string tied around the cup. He turned the cup so she could see that thread through it was a beautiful, antique style diamond ring. It was the perfect not too big, not too small size and was complemented with two small sapphires, one gracing each side of the diamond. Her free hand flew to her mouth of its own volition, awe filling her.

"Will you spend the rest of your life with me? Will you marry me, Kate?" he asked, his heart on his sleeve as he lifted the cup up to her.

She felt the tears instantly forming in her eyes. Pure joy that had to escape as she answered with an enthusiastic, "Yes! Rick, yes!" As he stood she threw her arms around him and he returned the embrace, trying his best not to spill the coffee in his hand as they kissed.

When they stopped for air, he set the cup down, untied the ring and slipped it onto her finger. It was a perfect fit. He knew her so well.

"Rick, it's perfect. It is so beautiful. I love you," she said reaching to cup his face with her hands. "I love you so much. You make me so happy, you make me a better woman. I love the way you love me Castle. I am so happy I get to be your wife."

He beamed at her words and with that they kissed again, delighting in the perfection of the moment. They were engaged, in the place where they met, with the same coffee he'd brought her that morning he first asked her out so many months earlier, in the shop they rebuilt together.

Several years later…

It never ceased to amaze her, just how wonderful a book felt in her hands. The weight of the paper, the hardback cover adding such substance. The smell as the pages were turned and the coarseness of the paper as she ran her fingers down the page. Nothing modern, no electronic version could ever compare to that feeling of opening a new book. Of course this book was special, extra special, because it was his.

Her amazing husband had finished his fifth Nikki Heat book and just presented it to her. Sitting side by side on their bed, he was fidgeting, waiting for her to open it and go to the page he knew she'd go to first. The dedication.

The first Nikki Heat was of course dedicated to her; he'd called her extraordinary. The second to his 'brothers' at the 12th for all their help and stories of real cases. The next dedicated to both her and Alexis and the fourth again to Kate, each dedication expressing its own special message.

She had an idea that this one would be dedicated to the newest member of the family, their baby daughter who was now nearing seven months old.

She quickly found the page and smiled at the words. He always knew just what to say.

For Lily,

My heart overflows.

May our love help you to bloom, always.

"Rick it's perfect. I'm so proud of you," she smiled, running her hand over the book again before leaning in to kiss him.

A cry was heard throughout the loft as they were mid-kiss. Lily was awake.

"I've got her!" Alexis shouted from the other room. They could hear Alexis talking to her little sister as she climbed the stairs, assuring her that she was coming to get her.

Rick and Kate looked back at each other. Rick took her hand and they smiled, love beaming in each of their faces. They had a beautiful life, a wonderful family. It was better than either could have ever imagined.

A/N: So we have reached the end. I thank you for reading along and for the lovely comments which encouraged me. I had fun writing this version of them. I hope to have another story ready soon.