If Only

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Thisis my AU version of an alternate ending to Love and Die in LA. Some Angst, some canon but mostly AU. All things are the same till the Gantz ending, Previously notes courtesy of Dust Jackets dot com.

I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only

Chapter 25

Previously

It was magical, how two people could feel the love each other had for the other, without anything more than hugs, gentle kisses and just looking into each other's eyes.

"Rick, this is the place, this is where I want to marry you, make love to you, make babies with you and live our lives till we get too old to walk the path from the house here. I love you and I can't wait to be your wife"

A good old fashioned make out session ended when they both began to feel the chill; the once roaring fire was down to embers as Rick picked Kate up Wedding Style and carried her to the house. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her head on his shoulder, and her heart in his hand, this was what all the love songs meant, she had found her one and done.

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JFK Airport

6 Weeks Later

Kate was accompanying Rick on the final trip to conclude the project he had started in Vegas with Darlene, everyone knew Rick was coming but Kate's visit was to be a surprise. This would be the last get away for the happy couple as single people, their wedding was 3 weeks away, and God Bless Alexis, she had been a God Send attending to details that would surely had slipped past both Rick and her. She had done such a great job, Rick actually let the Wedding Planner go, handing complete control to his daughter.

As they boarded the plane, each were lost in their thoughts about the last time they had flown together, Rick had been in First Class, and then upgraded Kate after she endured the middle seat for about 5 minutes. Kate seemed to realize what Rick was thinking about,

"Babe, I'm here, I'm yours, and those are only memories, I'm ready to make our own," as she kissed him gently.

He looked at her and smiled, "You always catch me and know exactly what I'm thinking, I'm ready to make new ones too Babe, I love you."

The flight went much smoother and didn't seem half as long when she was sitting by her husband to be, she leaned against him and just snuggled into his arm, as he drew her close. No words needed to be said, as each basked in the love from the other. The flight attendants only asked once, and then left the two alone in their own world.

Lost in her eyes, every time he looked at her, he couldn't believe he was the lucky man to capture the heart of this beautiful lady. She was already the Mom to his daughter who loved her more than the person who actually gave birth to her. If he thought back Martha was right about her, she hurt so much because her heart was capable of so much love.

Kate was lost in her own thoughts with those looks, she thanked the God above for Darlene, for Martha, and for the second chance that had been given her. The old songs all said when you find true love hang on and never let go, well that's what she was doing now. She couldn't think of her life before him, and truth be told she didn't want to. He was her life, her love, her all.

Kate had expected a car service or limo to meet them at the airport, but she heard a voice that sounded so familiar yelling her name.

"Kate, Kate, over here", then she caught sight of Darlene waving and yelling with a smile the size of Texas, with a tall gentlemen right behind her.

"Rick, did you know about this? Kate turns and smiles at her man, you were able to keep it a secret this long, I'm impressed" as she kissed him then ran to hug Darlene.

The two ladies stood hugging each other and laughing, crying and then hugging some more,

"Kate I can't tell you how happy we are to see you, and let me see, Oh WoW, Rick you did good" as she holds her ring finger. "Alexis sent us the Save the Date card, it was a special one from her, asking us if there were any way we could come to please do so, we'll be there."

Another round of hugs as Jim and Rick look at each other,

"Hi Rick, I'm Jim or Jimmy Barnes depending on which era of my life you hear about" he smiled.

"Glad to meet you Jim, or would you prefer Jimmy? I know I don't mind Richard, but I always hated being called Ricky, just me I guess."

"I got use to it a long time ago, so most call me Jimmy,"

The ladies have regrouped, and Jimmy smiled and said Hi Kate, I'm Jimmy and I 'm with Darlene,"

Kate took his hand shook it then gently hugged him, "I feel I know you, we have talked about you so much,"

"Did you check bags Rick?" Darlene asked

"Yeah, we didn't want to mess around with the carry-on routine,"

Kate then notices a driver standing nearby,

"Earl there's two bags marked Castle and Beckett can you get those for us please, Thank You." Darlene says sweetly

"Sure, thing Mam, if you would care to have a drink or coffee, I'll text you when I'm pulling the car around"

"That's so sweet thank you Earl"

Rick and Kate order a beer, while Darlene has a Soda and Jim drinks a black coffee, as they begin to catch up.

"I hope you don't mind Kate, I cancelled your reservations, Jimmy and I have plenty of room, a whole side of the house for you and Rick so we can wrap this up and let you guys get back to what's important."

"Darlene, ?"

"Yes Kate?

"Level with us, where's the ring?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know I'm a Detective, Duhh, your finger has a ring imprint"

Jimmy starts laughing and says "that's twenty bucks Darlene, told you she would spot it"

Darlene takes a chain from around her neck and places a beautiful diamond back on her finger,

"I didn't want to crowd your and Rick's day, Jimmy asked last Friday and it's all new to me."

Another round of hugs and squeals from the ladies

"Darlene I'm so happy for you both, God you both look happy"

"We are, like us all we're getting another chance at this and we're determined not to mess it up."

Kate looks up at Rick, and says, Yeah, "We are the luckiest 4 people on this earth, Congratulations"

The driver pulls up in limo and they talk all the way to Henderson, Rick not familiar with where they are going, finally remembers the new exclusive development Wayne was starting each street would have no more than 4 huge houses, no more than 4 streets to a community.

"New home Jim, this looks great, there really is enough room for two houses"

"Yeah we like it, Wayne built it, and it's kind of nice we can take a shortcut and be at the Vets complex in 15 minutes if needed, and Rick Thank You for all your support in this, it means a lot to us all."

The next 4 days are a whirlwind of meetings, permits, and sign offs and finally, the Grand Opening of the Vets Next Step Homes is ready. There were speeches, and many tributes perhaps the most moving was from a Drug Counselor who shared his story how he had been homeless, and through Rick's clinic had gotten off the drugs, and turned his life around. He was scheduled to graduate with his BA in Nursing and was volunteering 10 hours a week at the Veterans Hospital to pay it forward. His heartfelt story brought them all to tears.

He then asked everyone to stand as he called Darlene and Rick to the stage and asked the Mayor to come out, where they were presented with the Humanitarian Award of the year. Darlene couldn't speak so Rick fought through his emotions thanking each and everyone involved in the project. He also challenged them to act when they saw something, change starts with just one person.

"There's a lot of people Darlene and I must thank but three stand out more off the top of my head, Jimmy, Kate and Wayne I see you hiding back there, please join us. These two are our fiancés who have allowed us to do this labor of love.

Wayne will never tell you, but he has donated almost a million dollars of supplies, land and labor, without him we would not be here. Today we open, dedicate and name the first phase as the Todd Marzano Buildings, to honor Wayne's brother who served so gallantly, thank you all for your service,"

Wayne crosses the stage to applause, and shakes Rick's hand, hugs Darlene and Kate and shakes Jim's hand as he whispered," take care of her, she never stopped loving you". Jim nodded, and gripped his hand firmly acknowledging he would do so.

There was a reception for the grand opening with light snacks and beverages, all non-alcoholic and then the day was over before they knew it. As they are riding back to Jim and Darlene's home, Kate is snuggled into Rick, so very proud that he cared to stop, help and make a difference in so many lives. Jim must be reading her thoughts,

"Kate, if you're thinking what I think you are, I agree, we're very lucky to be marrying such kind compassionate people. Neither one had to do this, or work so hard, but I'm so darn proud of them both, and if I'm right that look on your face confirms you feel the same way"

"OK Mind Reader, you're spot on," as Kate smiled, "I am especially proud of them since they started this when they were absolute emotional wrecks, through no fault of yours, but I sure had a hand in making a mess. They fought through it and look at the beautiful result. I know both have changed my life, I don't know where any of us would be if they hadn't met on that flight that day."

"Well Kate, you'll never know just how much you influenced us both, we talked for hours about you, and Jimmy, don't get a big head but you were a hot topic as well, you see you can run from anything but a memory, so make sure they're good."

Jim smiled apparently, he and Darlene had discussed how the whole situation came about, and nothing mattered now but the right people were together.

"Well when you guys fly in for the wedding, please let Alexis know your details and we'll either be there or have made arrangements, OK?"

"You know we will Rick, I can't believe it, three weeks. Rick you know you promised so Jimmy and I are planning ours now, probably in 3 or 4 months and I'll need you to walk me down the aisle, and Kate to be my Matron of Honor, that is if she will"

"Darlene, it would be an honor, but are you sure you want me?"

In her usual direct self, "Now Kate would I have asked you if I didn't, then she softened, who else but my best friend would I ask."

"Then Yes, we'll be here as soon as you set the date, let us know and we'll block anything we have going on. I'm sure Alexis will come, not sure if she'll have a guest or not," as Rick grimaces, "Yes babe, I know she's our little girl but she's of age now, she's a young lady now."

The rest of the evening was spent just relaxing and talking about possible ideas for Darlene's wedding, Kate sharing some things she would have done different. Rick and Kate had the limo set for a 5:00 AM departure to be home mid-day so this was the last chance to see Darlene and Jim till the wedding.

Jim asked they all join hands and then said a short prayer, asking for safe travels for Rick and Kate, and thanking God for good friends, and the path that led them to their true loves. It was a touching moment for them, concerning the history in the room. Kate and Darlene hugged, cried and hugged some more, then Kate stepped back as Darlene and Jim said goodbye to Rick. We'll see you in three weeks, be good to each other and thanks for your hospitality,

Kate had never been happier in her life, she never even thought about the time Darlene was with Rick, that was a lifetime ago, and through Darlene she was blessed to be marrying the love of her life. The flight home again, was made so much shorter when you shared it with the love of your life.

She was so proud of all the good two people could initiate that made life changes to so many. She thought perhaps when we're settled, we could start a program in New York.

"Babe what do you think about me starting something like this for New York once we get established, I mean I don't want to go to the precinct, now that you're not in the field. I'll come take you to lunch every day, but I think I would like to do something like this once we are home."

"Well as long as I could work with you, I really don't know how much longer I want to be away from you and Lexi, or how soon the little ones may be on their way. I could work from home,"

"That's a deal Mrs. Castle, well soon to be"

It was sealed with a kiss at 33,000 feet over Ohio, home state of the hairdresser that helped make this day possible, yes there is a God,

TBC

Perhaps one, two chapters till we call this complete. Thanks to those who stuck it out with me.