Love's Journey
Originally by The Muse of Apollo, now carried forward from Chapter 8 by Castlefan6 with permission from author
Authors Note This is set before the end of season 2, but after Tick Tick/Boom. Chapters 1-7 are the work of the original author The Muse of Apollo, following chapters are work of Castlefan6
I don't own Castle, I only use the characters for amusement purposes only
A/N To clear up the timeline, it has been about 5 months since Castle left the precinct, 4 months together with Jess, Hollywood has seen engagements faster for those commenting on how fast it is moving Thanks for the input, I will work on making it clearer
To the reviewer who left the comment, "I wish Matt had left it unfinished" simple solution read the first 7 chapters and find a new fic, Most are enjoying sorry you are not.
Chapter 25
Previously
As Kate finished reading this, she realized she never once had asked anyone to forgive her, no wonder her "I'm sorry' s" were so easy to forget, no matter how sincere she was or made them sound. She made a to do list, based on what she had just read, she had been given another chance by everyone but Castle, even if he didn't come around she needed to fix herself for the future. This was going to be hard, but so is forgiveness as the book's last line stated. She had a lot of work to do, but tonight she hoped just to have one night without Castle invading her dreams, a girl could hope.
Sunday Morning,
Castle Loft
As the sun peaked through the curtains, Rick is sitting up in bed, stroking Jess's hair so softly as she purrs little breaths of sleep. God what a night, he always made it a habit not to compare sexual partners against each other, but in all reality, the depth of pure love between he and Jess, had never been felt before.
He finally understood his friends telling him there is a hell of a difference in Good Sex, and making love to someone that you love, and you would never be able to explain it till it happened. He thinks back to a couple's therapist case he worked with the gang at the 12th, and in the interview with the therapist, she had made the comment, "Animals have sex Mr. Castle, the goal of humans who love each other is to go to the next level and Make Love,"
A gentle pull oh his arm brings him down face to face with his vision of loveliness, Jess doesn't say a word verbally, but just made love to him all over again with her eyes and sealed it with such a sweet kiss. "Good Morning Rick, was it worth the wait? Before you say anything, I want you to know that this was my first, - my first time making love all the other times were just having sex. "
Rick smiles "I was just remembering a case we worked, and a counselor said the same thing, Animals have sex, Humans make love and now it all makes sense. I didn't hurt you did I, uh I mean we got a little wild there on our 3rd go," *** "It was our 4th go Rick, and no you didn't hurt me, although I think today is going to be a soak in a hot tub day," as she smiles up at him.
"Why don't you take your first soak, lie here for a few minutes and I will draw your bath, then start breakfast OK? Jess just raises up and kisses him gently "Thank You Rick, I am officially spoiled now."
They spent the remainder of the day alternating between Hot Tub sessions, Love Making and hot baths, neither were going to have trouble sleeping tonight for sure. They were safe till 5:00 PM when Alexis was being dropped off after her sleepover and took advantage of every minute.
Beckett's Apartment
7:30 AM Sunday
Kate is up and out for her run by 6:30AM not happy with herself for letting her workout go by the wayside when Demming had he mesmerized. Well, it was better, but she is still pissed at herself for having to work her way back up, today she got in almost 4 miles so still a ways to go.
She returns to her apartment and hits the shower letting the hot water pound on her sore aching muscles. After the shower and a quick breakfast, coffee and a bagel then more coffee, she decides to revisit he notes from the book last night. Checking her list who she needs to make amends to she decides to leave Castle for later, (she's not secretly hoping he has a change of heart, no not at all).
The easiest is her Dad, so she starts with him, carefully following the rules outlined by the author of Guide for Forgiveness, and actually does feel better with each line she writes, maybe there was something to this after all. When she completes Jim's letter, she starts working on Lanie's, since no matter what she does she is her person, always been there for her and always would be.
She breaks for lunch, Pizza delivered around 1:30 PM, but she seems to be getting into actually composing meaningful letters, not just going through the motions to each of those on her list, including Captain Montgomery. She will be working on this for a while, and the afternoon passes with a few more names on her list checked off.
By 10:00 PM she decides to call it a night, after a nice long bath. She settles into bed with a book by Pattison, or so she thinks till she begins to read, it winds up being A Rose for Ever After, but she is just too tired to get back out of bed and select another one. Biting the bullet, she begins to read it, paying attention to the details that Castle had put into what amounted to a long love letter to Kyra Blane. What surprises her the most is the deep sensitivity in his work, why had she not noticed that before? She falls asleep with the book lying beside her and sleeps peacefully for the first time in months.
Castle's Loft
4:00 PM
Rick and Jess where just waking up from another recharge session when they decided it might be best if they were dressed to meet Alexis in about an hour. As they are dressing Rick remembers about the idea of a small party for Lanie and the boys to introduce Jess, and to review the points he needed clarification for in Final Heat. His goal was to have it completed in a month or less, aggressive, but he had met tougher goals, besides his incentive was sitting 50 steps from his desk.
"Hey Jess, could I ask you something and you can say no if you aren't comfortable OK?"
"What is it Rick, you know you can ask me anything right?"
"Well I talked to Esposito and Ryan after I finished the Outline of Final Heat, I have six cases that I need to be sure are vetted to insure no liability because of my cases being too close to actual cases, and the guys offered to help out. I know you haven't met them and I would like to have a small party and invite Ryan Espo and Lanie over to meet you, and to keep the ball moving for Final Heat."
"Why would that be a problem Sweetie, they are your friends and I want to meet them too. Why aren't you inviting Kate, or is it too soon", Jess sees the panic on Ricks face "sorry Hun that isn't my business." "I think it's a great idea and I am fine with whoever is invited, OK?"
"Jess I know you aren't jealous, but there is still a lot of hurt there that I am not sure I am ready to deal with just yet, especially in a group setting" Jess eases up and kisses him on the cheek, "I understand Rick, but don't hold grudges, they cheat us out of love we could be sharing OK?" "I had to see a shrink when I got dumped and found out who he had been cheating with, well a lot of therapy and money could have been avoided if I had just done what my Mom told me"
"Really what was that?" Rick asks,
"You aren't going to believe me, because I didn't believe at first either, you forgive the other person, and wish them well, and I don't mean that half ass court demanded apology, I mean true forgiveness is the only way to move forward Love."
"Thanks Jess, that sounds like a voice of experience, and I would like to at least talk to her, BUT" ***
"She tore your heart out and stomped on it without a thought," Jess interrupts Rick, who just hangs his head as she finishes,
"Yea she did, more than once Jess, I was dying because of her, I even let Alexis see me drinking something I swore I would never do, but I hurt so damn bad"
"Rick, forgiveness takes time, it took me almost seven years, but if I hadn't I wouldn't be here, not physically or certainly not the person that you deserve, like we say we have time, invite the boys and Lanie and maybe we can meet Kate later, not for me, but for you, OK?"
Suddenly the front door pops open and Alexis rushes in, straight at Jess with a big hug, then to her Dad, "Hi Jess, Dad Did you have a good day?" Rick is smiling, and Jess is in a bit of shock,
"We sure did pumpkin, how was your sleepover, did you tell the ghost stories and scare the other girls?"
"DAD, we are past that we aren't little girls anymore. I showed the pictures Jess took of me in my new dress, and boy were they jealous"
"Jealous of the dress Lexi?" Jess gently probes,
"No, of me having a Bestie like you who took me shopping to cool places" Jess blushes as Alexis comes over to her and hugs her again, Thanks again Jess, we have to go again soon OK?"
"You bet Lexi, anytime you want to go" Jess assures her.
"Hey how about a movie night Ladies? I can get the popcorn started while you pick out the DVD you want to see OK?"
Jess and Alexis answer in unison YES, so they head over to the DVD Case to pick out a movie they wanted to watch, some gentle kidding, and they finally settle on Blindside with Sandra Bullock.
About 20 minutes into the movie, Alexis is out like a light, and Jess is fading fast. Rick picks his little girl up and carries her to bed, he thinks he better enjoy this she won't let you do it much longer no matter how tired she is. After placing her gently on her bed, he gently wakes her to put on her pajamas and brush her teeth. She turns over and says "Good Night Dad, love you, tell Jess Love her too"
What she misses is Jess standing in the doorway, smiling, so proud of the little Bestie she just made.
Rick turns to her, "Come on Angel time for sleep, and I mean Sleep you wore me out"
"Rick, keep your voice down, Lexi will hear" she gently swats him.
Less than 20 minutes later the Castle household is quiet, with Jess curled into Rick listening to him breathe till the rhythm of his breath lulls her to sleep
A/N Healing takes time, it all starts with one step, stay tuned to see who shows up at the party. Thanks for reading, favoring, and reviewing, Tim