A/N #1: They say that all good things must come to an end. Such is the case for this story. I want to thank everybody for the wonderful reviews; the kind words when I thought a chapter wasn't as good as it could've been and for welcoming me back. I do have another story in the works. However, it is a long story so I'm not sure when it will be completed.

FULL CIRCLE

EPILOGUE

May 16, 2017

Kate unlocked the loft door and stepped inside to the most wonderful sound in the world. The delightful giggles of her four-month-old daughter. "Hey," Castle looked up from the sofa where he was bouncing Lily, much to his daughter's obvious delight. "Lily, look who's home."

He turned the baby around so she could see her mother. Lily began instantly flailing her arms and chortling in excitement. "Hello, Baby Girl," Kate dropped her bag on the floor and rushed over to take Lily from her father. "I missed you so much today. Have you and daddy had a good day?"

Lily grinned and placed one tiny hand on Kate's cheek. Maybe she was prejudiced, but Kate was convinced that she and Castle had produced the most perfect baby ever. She was always happy, crying only when she was very tired or very hungry. She was adored by everybody who came in contact with her. "She helped me get two whole chapters finished today."

"Wow, that will make Gina very happy. I hope Lily hasn't replaced me as your muse," she smiled at him.

"Never," he stood up and walked over to where she was cradling Lily. "You will always be my muse."

"You take her while I go and change clothes," she expertly handed the baby back over to him, smoothing her hand down her back when Lily began to fuss. "I'll be right back, Sweet Girl."

Changing clothes, Kate thought back to when they'd been caring for Cosmo. She had made a promise to Castle that she would never leave him to raise their children alone. They made a perfect team with Lily, just as they had with everything else in their relationship. For someone who had been afraid to even hold baby Cosmo, she was all hands-on deck when it came to Lily. She still couldn't get over how natural everything had come to her from the very first moment she'd held Lily to her chest right after her birth. She couldn't remember being nervous about any aspect of childcare.

She had returned to work when Lily was three months old, 11 months after the shooting. At first it had been hard leaving the baby alone. She had cried the entire morning her first day back. But several chats with Castle during the course of the day had instantly reassured her that Castle still knew what he was doing, even after 23 years. Lily was well-cared for and, best of all, she was happy. That was all Kate could ever hope for or ask for.

Now their home was a place of organized chaos. Baby toys were everywhere she looked as well as clothes, diapers, every infant gadget imaginable. Walking back through Castle's office, she almost stepped on one of Lily's teething rings.

Castle was just placing Lily in her baby swing when Kate walked into the kitchen with the teething ring, washing it in hot water before putting it aside to dry. "I was looking for that earlier."

"It was in your office."

"I knew I'd dropped it somewhere."

After drying her hands, Kate walked back into the living room and scooped Lily up out of her swing before walking over to the couch. "I just put her in that," Castle protested, sitting beside his wife and baby on the sofa.

"You've had Lily all day," Kate pouted. "Now it's my turn. I can't believe how big she's getting."

"I know. Soon she'll be going away to college," he teased.

"Would you stop? Lily, tell daddy that he's soooo silly," she made a face at Lily, who grinned from ear to ear. "A year ago, Castle."

"I know. I was thinking about that earlier. Not only did we both survive, but we got an incredible bonus," he touched Lily's silky dark hair.

"I know I've told you this a dozen times but thank you."

"For what?"

"For this," she nodded toward Lily, who was now resting her head on her mother's breast. "I never dreamed that my heart could be this full. Thank you. For loving me and for giving us Lily."

"Always," he kissed her, laughing when Lily grabbed his nose.

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