A/N: Hello guys...so this is the final chapter...I hope you enjoyed my story as much as I enjoyed writing it...THANK YOU SOO MUCH FOR THE AMAZING SUPPORT I RECEIVED...it was incredible to see all the people that read it...all the people that reviewed...I will point out some guys who sticked and bared with me until the very end...and will be forever grateful...
rickkate3
phnxgrl
PrettyLittleThingsSamantha
Southerngirl1
Newsies73
always-as-you-wish-love
rikita
I know there's other people but these guys were amazing and I just wanted to dedicate this last chapter to them because even though I don't know them I feel them as part of my friends...THANK YOU SOO MUCH GUYS!
As usual please ENJOY AND REVIEW this last chapter of "I won't give up"
It's been two weeks since the incident at the Precinct. The case was closed, the Chief of Detectives was convicted and Castle was released from the hospital, after his stab wound and gunshot wound healed properly. The things between Beckett and him were going quite well, since she accepted moving in with him completely the night he was back at the loft. Although they hadn't really talked about the next step in their relationship, Castle knew she was ready to commit, so he bought her a ring. Now, he just had to wait for the perfect time, because even though he wanted something very big, he knew Beckett and for her he just had to pick the perfect time so that it could be Kate's dreamed proposal.
This morning however, both Castle and Beckett had to dress formal, since the NYPD and New York's mayor decided to give Castle a medal for his actions and the ceremony was at noon. Not that he didn't feel flattered about it, but he felt odd inside. He had been kidnapped, tortured, shot, stab and because of his own recklessness and stupidity, he almost got himself killed, putting other lives in danger. He knew everything in his egotistical personality was shouting at him that he was the hero, but actually it was quite the opposite.
He didn't feel like a hero at all. Instead he felt betrayed, but mostly he felt like a fool. Deep in his own thoughts, he limped out of the bathroom and started putting on his pants, when he felt two arms around his bare waist. He looked at the mirror and saw Beckett behind him, already dressed in her NYPD uniform. She was smiling at him, but when he tried to return the smile and couldn't, her smile turned into a slightly concerned look.
"What's wrong?" She asked. He took some seconds to respond.
"I...they shouldn't be giving me a medal." he said.
"Castle...what you did..."
"Was not heroic." he interrupted. "Or something to be proud of, Kate...if anything it was foolish and arrogant...heroes are not arrogant, fools are." Beckett gently moved her hand towards the stab wound scar and started tracing it with her fingers ever so gentle.
"Yes, you are a fool, maybe sometimes arrogant and egotistical, self-centered..."
"Are you trying to cheer me up? Because you are doing an amazing job at it." Castle said sarcastically.
"I haven't finish." he stopped talking immediately. "You saved a girl Castle. She's someone's daughter, or someone's girlfriend and you saved her from dying and as foolish as it was to get out of the hospital against medical advice and go to the precinct unarmed, where a bomb was set up and the bad guys were, was the stupidest thing most selfless thing you did." He still didn't believe it, so she turned to him and took his face with her hands, which made him look at her in the eyes. "Castle, you are a hero because no one asked you to save that girl, or the precinct for that matter...but you did it anyway, risking your life for others...that makes you worth a medal." Beckett knew he wasn't very convinced, but he took his white shirt and kept on getting dressed. Beckett took his black tie and started doing the knot. "You protect the things you love and is the thing I love about you the most."
"Not my charming sense of humor, or the fact that I'm ruggedly handsome and a best-selling author?" He managed to joke and smile.
"Yeah I love that too, but that is how everybody see you. I love how you are with me, with Alexis, with your mother and with the boys. You're sweet, caring, goofy, kind with us. It's your true self and you keep it just for your family." Then, she kissed him, full of love and adoration.
"Thank you, Kate."
"Not a problem." she smiled.
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The ceremony happened at the Precinct. Every cop from the 12th was there, dressed in uniform. During the event they appointed a new Chief of Detectives and gave medals to the bomb squad and Captain Gates for saving the Precinct from blowing up. The boys, Castle and Beckett were sitting in the front watching it all. Gates was now on the podium ready to talk.
"I didn't like Richard Castle when I first met him." Gates started looking at her audience. "I still don't like him very much, mainly because he is reckless, immature, self-centered, a total playboy with absolutely no experience in dangerous situations. That's the kind of attitude that gets other people killed. However, after getting to know Mr. Castle for the past few years, I knew I made a good decision in allowing him stay. The unconventional partnership he has with Detective Beckett is an example of deep loyalty, care and respect among those of the 12th Precinct. Castle makes the 12th Precinct a better place to work. He has shown deep care for everyone that works here, and has proven to be a honorable man." She looked at Castle and noticed that Beckett was holding his hand. "Not so long ago, Richard Castle went through something no one wants to get through. In this horrible experience he saved a young woman, as well as the entire 12th Precinct and almost lost his life doing it. That's why today, I'm honored to give Richard Castle this medal, for his heroism and deep care for others." Everyone was clapping, while Castle limped towards the stage. When Gates approached him to put the medal on his chest she smiled at him, encouraging him to say a few words. Everyone was on their feet. His heart swelled so much he thought it was gonna explode. He cleared his throat and the audience sat back down.
"Thank you Captain Gates." He started. "As a writer I'm usually good with words. Today however, words fail to describe what I'm feeling right now. The truth is I don't see myself as a hero. At least not as all of you, who risked your lives everyday, so that we can be safe in this city and to that I say thank you." There was more clapping. "On my way over here I kept thinking how in the hell I did what I did. What or who gave me the strength to keep going when I was bleeding out in an alley. It was my family and I don't just mean my mother and my daughter Alexis, but the family I found here at the 12th. They are the real heroes here. Detectives Ryan, Esposito, Dr. Lanie Parish and of course Detective Kate Beckett." In that moment the only thing that mattered was his family, and he was looking at them and how the tears were forming in their eyes. "Kate, you are my north star, you are the missing piece in my little family. You have become an essential part of my existence, along with Alexis and Martha you are the one thing that kept me from dying. This medal is for everyone in my family, because without them I wouldn't be here." He made a small pause. This was it, it was now or never. "Kate, this morning I left something in your pocket. I just wanna say that I'm ready Kate. I'm ready for Always." and with that the whole Precinct exploded in applause. Castle limped of the stage and a second later, Alexis, Martha, Lanie, Ryan and Esposito were over him hugging him tightly.
Kate froze. She moved her hand into her left pocket and she felt it. it was a little envelope. She took it out and opened it. The air suddenly left her lungs and time stopped passing by. Inside there was a ring. It was simple but classy and beautiful. She had always dreamed of a big yet intimate proposal and Castle certainly didn't let her down. There was a small note attached to the ring. It read.
Katherine Houghton Beckett, will you marry me?
Rick
When she looked up, Castle was looking directly in her eyes watery eyes expecting her answer. She nodded. They were finally gonna get their Always.
A/N: Thank you...