Good morning to all of you. Today I want to thank all of you who have been reading this fic from the beginning. Thank you all for believing in me and for your support.
This chapter is one that I promised to dedicate to someone when the time came, now it's time! So I want to dedicate it to Javier (jagorfe on twitter) for his support, his messages, and because I promised—so here goes, the long-awaited chapter for him and many of you. Thank you all for being there.
The characters are not mine ...
Idea from Lizcecilia6CECIFILLION
translator: Yes, I know, it's been a loooooong time since last posting. Thank you to everyone who sent a message or wrote a review to encourage me. Don't worry, I will certainly finish the translation. We're nearly there.
Chapter 50
KATE'S POV
SOME DAYS LATER…
The days had passed. They had done an enormous number of tests on Rick, and every time they had to take him away somewhere with them, I felt a tightness in my chest. I knew it was okay, but I couldn't avoid the memories of those bad days—the worst days of my life.
Whenever he returned from tests, I stuck to him like glue. I knew he was aware of this, but he didn't mention it because he didn't want to make me feel bad.
I was hoping for some good news; we were both really looking forward to his discharge.
"Well?"
"Hold your horses, Kate," the doctor laughed, and Rick joined in. "You know you're going to miss me."
"No offense, but I never want to see you again—at least not in the hospital."
"I understand completely. And you're going to have to see me, but not til later."
"And what does that mean?" I swallowed nervously.
"It means that you're going to have to come in for follow-up, but you can go home. See you in two weeks."
"Really?"
"Yes," he replied, and I threw myself into his arms, I was so happy.
"Don't forget he has to breathe, Kate," Rick teased. I could not help smiling, and drawing near him, I kissed him right on the lips.
"Better?"
"For now," he smirked, making me laugh.
I went with the doctor to get everything in order, to sign the discharge papers and receive instructions for Rick's care. When I returned to the room, I saw how happy he was, laughing with his niece and nephew. He definitely was going to be a great father.
"Hello, dear," greeted Martha, who had arrived in my absence.
"Hello, Martha," I said as I hugged her.
"Everything ready?" Rick asked.
"Ready. We can go any time," I smiled.
"Well then, let's all go home. We have so much to celebrate," Rick said, picking up his little niece, and hugging his nephew.
"Rick, you can't—"
"No, don't start. Let me, even though today I'm a little ..." he made an expressive face at me.
"Well, okay. But let's go now. I called the guys, and they're waiting for us at The Old Haunt, but we can't just—"
"Just for a little bit. Really, the truth is that just a small dose of you guys is as much as I can take right now—you understand," he joked, tugging me to him by the waist, and making everybody laugh.
"Go on and celebrate, lovebirds."
He looked so happy, so relaxed. Watching him interact with his new-found family, I knew that everything that had happened had helped him understand that you only live once, and you had to make the most of it. Seeing him at ease with his father, just chatting, made me feel quite proud.
I saw him approaching, and I couldn't help it—I broke out into a huge smile. When he got near, he hugged me, and together we swayed to the beat of the music and the rhythm of life.
"I love you."
"I know," I said embracing him with all my strength.
"You know what I'd like to do now?" he husked, and I couldn't help but giggle. "Mrs. Castle, your mind is in the gutter."
"Mmm. So, you gonna do something about it?"
"Yes, all I wanted was an innocent hug and kiss, nothing more. But since you brought it up—I guess I'll just have to make the effort," he said, making me laugh again.
"Before these efforts you mention—"
"What?"
"I have a surprise for you," I whispered in his ear, meanwhile signaling my accomplice with a look.
"I love surprises."
"Then I hope you'll love this one." My accomplice stood at the ready, signaling her knowledge of my intent.
"What is it?" he asked eagerly, all excitement and nerves.
"I just wanted to know ... if you'd like ..." The music fell silent, and everyone was looking at us. We were the center of attention.
"If I'd like what?" he repeated impatiently.
"Let me finish," I demanded, giving him a gentle tap on the chest. "I'm asking you if you will marry me again."
"What?"
"I want to do it right. I want to marry you again, now, knowing how I feel, knowing why I'm doing it."
"And why is that, Kate?" he asked, with a smile on his face.
"Because I love you," I said seriously, but seeing his smile, I also smiled like crazy.
"Did you all hear that? She loves me! She loves me! So sorry guys, but she's mine," he announced, making everyone laugh. "Is there someone here who can marry us? Because she wants to do it, you know, so I have to, since it makes her happy." He laughed as he babbled out this whole proclamation.
"You're such a clown," I said, laughing along with him, but he tugged me towards him with some force, spun me around, and surprised me by kissing me with enthusiasm, regardless of who was watching or where we were.
"I'd marry you one, two, three, a thousand times. As many times as you want, Kate. As many times as you want, I'd marry you, because it's a celebration of our love. It's the craziest way I have to tell you that I love you like I've never loved anyone before ... so ... of course I want to marry you again," he declared, smiling at me and wiping away the tears of joy that ran down my cheeks as I overflowed with emotion.
"I love you."
"I love you."
"Well, seeing as you're already legally married, and this is a declaration of your love, I'm sure you won't mind if I take it upon myself to officiate the wedding for you two," Lanie said with feeling.
"Let's do it!" Rick exclaimed, and took my hand to orient us in the proper position, facing each other, ready to say our vows again, to declare our love to the world, to celebrate life, our life together.
"Alright then, are you ready for your vows?"
"Yes," we answered in synch, smiling.
"Then go right ahead. I'm ready to officiate," Lanie laughed.
"I'll go first," I said, taking hold of his hand. "Richard Castle, I love you. I love you because you're the most amazing person I've ever met. I love you because thanks to you I have known true love, the kind of love I'd always dreamed of but had not yet discovered. I love you because you make me happy ... thanks to you and only you, I know how to smile. I love you because now, more than ever before, I know that together we can overcome anything. So Richard Castle, I want to marry you, because I love you," I declared with tears of emotion running down my cheeks.
"Well, I'm so touched," he gulped. "Katherine Beckett, you're the love of my life. I always knew it, but now I have complete confirmation. You're the most amazing woman in the world. You've saved me so many times I lost count. It's thanks to you that I'm here at all today, surrounded by everyone who cares about us. I love you, Katherine Beckett. Thanks to you I'm a stronger, better person, and a much happier one. I love you, Kate, as I've never loved anyone before in my life. And I know that all ... this ... was fated somehow to happen this way so that we would be together. I—we have suffered a lot, but now I know it was all worth it. I love you, Kate, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy." When he finished, I just couldn't help myself, and kissed him on the lips with all the force of my love.
"Hey! I haven't yet said that you may kiss the bride—or groom," Lanie exclaimed, a bit put out.
"Sorry." We again spoke in unison, causing laughter from the rest.
"Well then ... Katherine Beckett and Richard Castle, by power vested in me by the State of Myself and by virtue of the Power of Love that Fills the Air, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may—" but before she could even finish the sentence Rick was kissing me again with all his might. "Fine. Don't stop on my account," Lanie huffed, leaving us to it.
"I love you."
"And I love you."
We celebrated with everyone, and finally, both exhausted, ended up in our bed after a great wedding night. We couldn't have had such a night the first time around, even if we'd been in a position to take full advantage of it.
"What plans do you have?"
"Well, I want to go back to work soon."
"But—"
"I have to talk to Gates. I really can't extend my leave any longer."
"But if you'll let me ... I also want to go back."
"Rick, you have to take it easy. You're not ready—"
"Fine. I'll do paperwork. Speaking of which, I think you should too."
"What are you saying?"
"Kate, you're pregnant."
"Yes, I know. But that's no reason to stop doing my job."
"It's just ... I don't want you to be in any danger."
"It's my job," I said, angrily.
"I know it. I'm also a cop, remember?"
"Sorry."
"I just worry about about you. Both of you, Kate."
"We'll be fine. When I'm not up to the task anymore, I'll back off."
"Okay, but ... let's just enjoy this a little bit longer," he said with sadness in his eyes, and that was something I could not bear to see.
"I ... I'll wait a few days. Maybe a week, just to celebrate that nothing bad has come our way."
"All right. And what do you want to do with these few days?"
"I thought we could return to the Hamptons."
"Yes?"
"Yeah, I think we still have a few items to check off your list," I said raising my eyebrows.
"Oh! You're right, we absolutely have to go back," he agreed, rising over me and kissing my neck sensually, driving me crazy.
"Right, because we need to take care of our tree," I said, eliciting a growl from him, before bursting into laughter.
"I can think of other things I'd rather do," he said, then dotted kisses on my neck as his hands caressed me, awaking my desire with every touch, desire for his entire body, and the union of two.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Thank you all for making it this far with me. There are only two chapters left, that I'm sure you will like—it's a gift for those of you who have been with me from the beginning, enjoying and suffering through this story, so thank you.
The next chapter will be on Friday, but tomorrow I'll post the first chapter of my new story, so you can see if you like it. I'll give you a short summary as I said. But now the important thing is to enjoy the little bit of this story that remains. : '(
Escondidos (Hidden):
Richard Rodgers is a prestigious private detective. He's taken some very important cases in recent times and has made a big impact in the PI world. Even the NYPD has asked for his help. Now he faces a case that could change his life completely. A husband asks him to find his wife and son who disappeared a month ago without a trace. The husband believes they ran away, and he wants above all to recover his child. His object is to locate Katherine Beckett and little Lucas.
I hope to hear your opinions XXOO
Twitter: tamyalways
translator: I want to thank all of you who are still reading for your patience. Summer is always a busy time of year for me, and this summer has been much crazier than usual. On top of the usual summer activities—kids home from school, family travel to remote places, and my more intense work schedule—this summer my husband had to work out of town for a while, my mother had unexpected emergency surgery, and to cap it all, we got hit by a tornado (not kidding) and we spent many weeks cleaning up the mess. This didn't leave a whole lot of time for fanfiction. My work schedule hasn't yet subsided back to normal, but I still expect I'll be able to finish the last two chapters of this fic by the end of September. I'll be continuing to beta for Revelations by GotchaYouLilDirtbag (if you haven't read that one, I recommend it!), and maybe even get back to writing my own fic again—more Firefly, probably.
