A/N: So we are all done. Hope you enjoy this last little bit - and I hope to see you all again next time.
EPILOGUE.
They married three months later in the same tiny Connecticut church that Kate's parents did. The idea was Castle's – his way of gifting Kate with a tiny piece of her mother on her wedding day. A sunny spring Saturday, they packed the century old white wooden church to capacity and beyond with family, friends and co-workers. Lanie and Alexis were bridesmaids and Maddy catered, Javier and Kevin both stood up for Castle – and everything about it was perfect.
Beckett is always beautiful – it's impossible for her not to be – just the combination of her height, build and facial features is enough. But on the day she actually became Kate Castle, she was more radiantly stunning than he'd seen her at any point before – and it wasn't the dress – as beautiful as it was. It wasn't the hair and flawless make-up, the difference was all in her eyes – and her smile. In her demeanor, and the relaxed set of her shoulders, the confident line of her jaw. Jim Beckett said it best – 'Katie's no longer afraid to be happy'. And it was the truth – she wasn't.
'Everlasting Heat' hit the bookstores on the same day – amid stunning reviews and record sales it made the bestseller list instantly and never looked back. Black Pawn practically begged Rick to extend the 'Nikki Heat' series with another three book deal worth double the original one – so the newly-weds discussed it and Castle agreed. After all – he now lived and worked with his muse so it was a no-brainer in the end. He began work on 'Heat Kills' right after the honeymoon and ended up with an even larger novel than the prior one.
A year after the wedding Kate was promoted to Lieutenant, and then discovered she was pregnant six months later.
James Malcolm Castle was born in the fall – or as Rick likes to call him 'Mini-Me'.
Jamie was followed by Johanna the following year, and then two years passed before finally baby Richard – known always as 'Richie' made three.
To say motherhood suited Kate would be an insult to understatements, the same statement applies with regards to the Castle's being a happy family – and they made it look effortless. When asked, Rick would simply say it was because of the foundation they stood upon – his love for Kate and hers for him. From there all rivers flowed, and as that love was bottomless the river never ran dry.
They were sickening to witness really – except that all those watching them knew what it had taken for them to get there, and instead of being jealous they found a source of inspiration. If Kate and Rick could do it – so could they – it was like their contentment was a seriously infectious disease – and if they came into contact with you – so it spread.
Kate made Captain – and got handed the Twelfth no less - the same week Rick turned fifty – so he took her to Paris – for lunch – to celebrate, and on the top of the Eiffel Tower they renewed their vows. It was cheesy and romantic and they did what they always do when they are together – they had FUN!
Alexis married a Detective from Kate's precinct in the summer of the following year – Castle always did say 'like father like daughter' – and Kate's noticed over their years together that her husband has a freaky way of being right.