Hello dear readers!

Thank you for all of your love and support through out this story! I am sad to say that this is the last chapter of Shop Til You Drop :( I just think that it's time to start a new story. It has been such a blast going on this journey with you guys! I am blown away by how much y'all liked it! I couldn't ask for better readers!

But this is not the end! lol. I've been considering doing a sequel to my fic Richard Castle's Guide to Camping (I know y'all have been asking me to do one, so keep an eye out for it in the near future) I have a few other little one-shots that I'm considering, but I also want to know what y'all would like to see. Just let me know & I'll see what I can do! :)

Disclaimer: Castle is not mine :/

[Chapter 25]

"Here we are," Kate grunted, turning the motorcycle off, kicking the kick stand up, and taking her helmet off.

Rick took off his helmet and stood up, looking at the small diner. "How did you know about this place?" He asked, setting the helmet on the back of the bike and running his fingers through his hair.

Kate mimicked him and placed her helmet on the bike, leading the way inside. "My parents took me here whenever we went to the cabin over the summer. It's been about fifteen years since I was here last," she mused, grabbing a stool at the counter. "I'm surprised it's still up and running actually. The Davis' own it, they're old family friends."

Rick sat next to her, spinning a bit on the red stool as he sat down. "It reminds me a bit of an old fashioned Remy's..."

"Yeah, I guess it does," she chuckled. The memories flooding back as she looked around.

"Katie? Katie Beckett is that really you?" An older man in an dirty apron asked as he rounded the counter and gave Kate a bone crushing hug. "I haven't seen you ages, kiddo!"

She chuckled, returning the hug with the same amount of force, if not more. "It's me, Mr. Davis! How has business been?"

"Swell, just swell," he grinned. "My, my, my. You've certainly grown up. Last time I saw you, you were about this tall," Mr. Davis motioned with a raise of his hand as he compared it to his own height.

"It has been a long time," Kate agreed. "Oh, where are my manners? I would like you to meet Rick Castle, my boyfriend."

Rick stuck out his hand, shaking hands with the older man. "A pleasure to meet you, sir."

"Wait, Rick Castle as in Rick Castle the author?" Mr. Davis asked, returning the handshake.

"On my better days," he shrugged, laughing a bit.

Mr. Davis was grinning like no other, his smile reached his eyes. "Becky will flip out when she finds out you're here." At that, he yelled out toward double doors that must have led to the kitchen. "Becky! Would you please come here for a minute?" Mr. Davis turned back to Rick and Kate. "The misses and I have both read your books, Mr. Castle. We're huge fans!"

"It's always a pleasure meeting fans."

Just then a woman with graying hair emerged from the double doors, she also had on an apron. "What is it, Jimmy?" Upon seeing Kate and Rick, she froze. "Katie?"

Kate smiled, "Hi, Mrs. Davis."

The older woman made it over to the counter and gave Kate a huge hug. "It's so good to see you, dear. You look absolutely gorgeous."

"Thank you." A blush warming her cheeks.

Jimmy placed an arm around Becky's shoulders. "And this is Katie's boyfriend, Rick Castle."

At her husband's words, Becky's jaw dropped. "The author?"

"The one and the same. It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Davis." Rick stuck a hand out and shook her hand.

"Please call me Becky," she offered, grinning like no other. She fanned herself, trying to calm down. It wasn't every day that you get to meet your favorite author. "So what brings you two here?"

Kate gave Rick a knowing look and smiled at the older couple. "Well, I had today off so I thought it be fun to take Rick for a little ride down memory lane." As Kate said all this she placed a hand on Rick's knee and squeezed it.

"Oh," Jimmy sighed. "I thought it was because you wanted to see us. I see how it is." He frowned, earning a slap on the arm from his wife. Jimmy gasped in pain, acting like he was going to lose his arm. He was definitely dramatic.

"You're such a drama queen sometimes. Don't mind him, Rick, he thinks he's funny," Becky informed the writer while shooting daggers at her husband, who just smiled at Rick.

"So," Jimmy began, clapping his hands once together before placing them on his hips. "What can we get you two lovebirds for lunch?"

Kate and Rick gave their orders, Jimmy heading to the back to fix their burgers. Becky stayed behind, hopping up on a stool and chatting with Rick and Kate. Becky shared stories of when Kate was a little girl and how she'd come in with her parents every so often. Rick was beaming as he listened, excited to hear how rambunctious and adventurous Kate was when she was younger.

Jimmy returned some time later, holding two plates with their burgers on them; Rick had gotten some fries, too. "Here you go," Jimmy smiled, setting them down in front of Rick and Kate.

Rick rubbed his hands together before diving in. "Oh, this is delicious!" He complimented, a low moan rumbling in his throat.

Kate shook her head and smiled at him as she began to eat her own burger. A hand on Kate's shoulder tore her attention away from her food. "We'll just leave you two alone," Becky said, standing up and motioning to her husband to follow her.

Jimmy nodded and followed his wife, but not before telling Rick and Kate, "And don't worry about paying for anything, it's all on the house."

"Oh, uh...th- thanks, Jimmy! We appreciate it!" Rick called.

Once the older couple reached the back of the diner, they observed the younger couple from afar. "They're so cute together," Becky smiled.

Jimmy put his arm around Becky's shoulders. "They remind me a bit of Jim and Johanna."

"Yeah they do," she agreed as they watched Kate press a kiss to Rick's cheek after he fed her a fry.

"Let's give them some privacy, huh?" Jimmy asked. Becky nodded as they headed back into the kitchen, leaving Kate and Rick alone.

Rick and Kate finished theirs meals, bidding goodbye to Jimmy and Becky and thanking them for their generosity.

"Kate?" Rick asked as they walked outside to her Harley.

"Hmm?"

He grabbed her by the hand, stopping her and turning her around to face him. Rick took her hands in his larger ones, squeezing them. "Thank you for bringing me here, Kate. I feel even closer to you now that I've been here, somewhere you used to come with your parents. And that means everything to me. I feel honored that you shared this place with me and I-"

He was cut short by Kate's lips crashing down on his in a fierce kiss. Her hands cupped his cheeks, holding him still as she attacked his mouth. Rick returned the kiss with as much love and adoration as Kate. Eventually, they had to break apart with the need for oxygen rising.

"Wh-what was that for?" Rick questioned, breathless. "Not that I'm complaining," he added with a laugh.

Kate's brown-green eyes never strayed from his, her hands were still on either side of his face. She gently swiped her thumb across his cheeks. "For being you. For loving me and accepting me with all of my flaws. You never gave up on me, Rick and I am so glad you didn't because I can't imagine my life without you in it. I have a lot of fond memories here from when I was little and there is nobody else I'd rather share it with."

Rick's heart was swelling at her words. "God. I love you, Kate. And I don't want to ever let you go. I'm sorry to tell you, sweetheart, but you're stuck with me for a long time."

"Darn, I was already planning an escape route. Foiled again," she joked, smiling up at Rick. Rick laughed before he kissed her, his lips ghosting over hers in a tender kiss. Kate smiled into their kiss, her love pouring out with every swipe of her lips across his. "I love you, too, Rick," she mumbled against his mouth.

After they broke apart the couple got on the bike and headed back to the city. Rick hugged Kate close to him, his hands splayed across her stomach. It was a pretty quiet ride neither feeling the need to talk; they just enjoyed being with the other. They reached the city in record time, hitting all of the afternoon traffic.

"Hey, Rick?" Kate asked as they came up to a red light, her feet resting on the ground to keep the bike balanced.

Rick kissed her on the cheek. "Yes, beautiful?"

She smiled at that. "Can we stop by the store? I have some things to pick up."

"Of course we can," he smiled. "Going back to where it all started, huh? I like that," Rick mused, peppering her cheek and neck with kisses. "Can I ride the shopping cart again?" He asked hopeful and giddy.

Kate grinned, biting her lip. "Nice try, but we won't be having any more races with the carts. Sorry. No matter how fun it was."

Rick pouted, "Fine."

"Stop pouting," Kate chided. She took a deep breath, seeing that he was still upset. "Alright, here's the deal. If you behave I'll get you some candy, okay? That means no riding on the shopping cart. Deal?"

Rick's frown left his lips and was replaced by a huge grin. "Deal!"

"You're such a child sometimes," Kate chuckled with a shake of her head.

"But you still love me..."

"That I do. That I do." The light turned green and she twisted the throttle. "Hold on, stud. Here we go!" They pulled up to the grocery store ten minutes later, shutting off the bike and walking hand-in-hand inside. Kate grabbed a shopping cart, "You ready to shop til you drop, Ricky?"

The writer grinned, keeping in stride with the detective. "I was born ready, Kate."

And there you go! :)

I am so so thankful that y'all liked it! As a writer, that is all I can ask for. Please leave a review with your thoughts and comments. Until next time!

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