Stand by Me

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: By Request. Picks up where Better Part of Valor ends. Please read that before beginning this fic. We see the changes to the lives of a number of our favorite characters, including a few weddings, and other life events. This is for Kim, AKA txgal2015, another of my loyal readers I appreciate so much.

I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only, except the ones I create.

Also, we take MANY liberties with the timeline from Canon and use events from other Canon episodes to make this a more believable fiction, thanks.

Chapter 3

Three Weeks Later

Friday, The Loft

/_/

Rick and Kate had settled down to almost a routine, they were still working out some kinks, but Rick would do anything to make her happy. Martha had been banished to the only rooms on the main floor, kitchen, living room, and den, she wasn't allowed to even come into the hallway leading to Rick's office and well their bedroom.

He had explained to her about Black Pawn almost going under, his allegiance first to Georgette, who she never knew about, but listened as Rick told her the whole story. Perhaps it was the thought, or hope he could capture some of the happiness that he had found with Georgie as he called her, with Gina that had sparked him to pursue that disastrous relationship.

That and the need for a female to talk to for Alexis, about things she wasn't comfortable with talking about with her Dad, no matter how close they were. A thought and action he deeply regretted soon after it was too late, they may have been sisters, looked alike, but that's where the similarities ended.

"Kate, I should have told you this stuff before you said I do, I mean, I"

"Rick, you had others, so did I, BUT there aren't any more for either of us, no matter what. Remember I have a gun, and I know how to use it" she said, kiddingly, at least Rick thought it was kiddingly, as she closed that part of the conversation with a kiss.

Their first disagreement came later that day when Kate wanted a pre-nuptial prepared for her to sign, she didn't want anyone, to think, imply or even have the slightest inkling that she married Rick Castle for his money, hell she didn't even know how much he had.

Rick tried to explain to her that he didn't want her to feel that way, just because others might say something, "Kate, they're going to talk regardless of the pre-nuptial or not, so it will just make settling my estate all the more difficult if you insist Babe. Alexis told me flat out, to say no, I guess you mentioned to her you were afraid people would think" he said as he pulled her into his arms,

"Rick, I know it's stupid, but"

"Kate, you know you get half of everything, you can't change that now, don't you? New York is an Equitable Distribution State, so you could give whatever you felt you didn't deserve to any charity of your choice if that's what you're worried about. I'm not going anywhere, and I don't think you are either, so why are we discussing something that is never going to happen." He said, in a serious tone,

"You really don't give a damn about the money do you Rick? I mean, most guys are clamoring you sign or else, hell you don't want to discuss it, why Babe?" She asked,

"Well, I've been dirt poor, and through some luck, good fortune, and timing that fell into place I have more than I ever thought possible, Alexis and her kids and grandkids are taken care of by trust funds, so why worry about it, it's only money, Babe. I'd give it all up if I had to just to be with you." He said as tears came to her eyes, realizing that money wasn't the same thing to him as it was her. He had no desire to die wealthy, just happy.

"OK, Rick, I understand now, I just"

"I know Kate, and I love you for that, but Babe, why don't we see what good we can do with the money rather than worry about some legal paper neither of us is ever going to need. I do want you to look at these, I mean, please don't get angry, but I talked to your Dad"

"What did you talk to Dad about, Rick?" She asked as she started to review the paperwork on the table, it was a scholarship fund, not just any, but the Johanna Beckett Legal Scholarship Fund. It would provide an education for lawyers who would dedicate at least 5 years taking the cases that her mom had, sometimes, hell often, pro bono."

"Rick," was all she got out before she burst into tears and fell into her husband's arms. He just held her, rubbing gentle small circles on her back. She composed herself, "She would have loved you Babe, hell, she's probably bragging all over heaven right now about what a catch she got in a son-in-law. OK, if this is what we want to do, thank you, Rick, I'm sure it will help make a difference"

Well, that's the first thing Kate, can you look at this please?" he asked shyly,

"Rick this is a purchase offer to purchase Black Pawn, do you really want to do this, and Babe can you,"

"That's we Kate" he interrupted,

'OK, can WE afford to spend this? She asked,

"The short answer is yes, but Kate you need to know the financials the debts, equities, and some gifts that renew automatically, so I've set up an appointment with Walt Austin for tomorrow, look I know you hate this, but Babe, please, think of it as taking care of our future family, OK?" he had the little boy look on his face that she could never refuse,

"OK, Rick, let's buy Black Pawn then we'll talk to Walt, but if there is anything you don't want to do or something you do, please you worked hard for"

"For us, Kate, finally I can say I worked hard for us." You're my wife, my best friend, and now you need to be my partner in financials as well, OK?

"Can I ask a question Rick?" she looked at him as she unbuttoned his top button and bit his lower lip gently leading him back to their bedroom,

"I think I know what it is, Gina will be offered a job as a senior editor, not my books, but she takes that or her severance. I've already talked to someone about coming back as General Manager if you approve." Rick said,

"Me approve? What do I have to do with this Rick?" Kate asked,

"Because you're the CEO, and they would report to you, even if you need to hire assistants to do the daily routines, I thought we would change the name from Black Pawn to KBC Enterprises, for Kate Beckett Enterprises, what do you think?"

"I think I need a break from talking," she kissed him leaving no doubt in his mind what his wife wanted, and he was more than happy to provide. Hell, he could make love to her night and day and never get tired she was just that special to him.

His actions, knowing exactly where, how fast, slow, or how much pressure to apply sent her over the moon in no time, and he wouldn't let her try to reciprocate until he had sent her over the edge three more times, God he knew how to make love.

She gained a little payback as she was losing some of her shyness, and her ice cube trick always drove him crazy. She loved to see his face when she knew she had made him feel as special as he had made her feel. His facial expressions, as well as some of his sounds, let her know she was getting her payback,

After an hour of back and forth, they lay in each other's arms, drained, physically and so much love had been poured out, completely satisfied. "Mrs. Castle, you don't know what you do to me, or you do and enjoy every second."

"Just as you do to me, God Rick, I feel almost like our two bodies are one after our lovemaking, I never ever came close to this before," Kate said shyly as she nuzzled his neck,

"I know, someone told me once there was a huge difference in having sex and making love, I asked him what, he just said, Ricky, you'll know it when it happens. I know what he was talking about now, we make love, and Babe, no matter how often or how long you always leave me wanting the next time." Rick whispered as he kissed her brow,

"You're going to start this all over, and I don't think either of us has the physical strength now, give me an hour Babe, and I'm all yours." She smiled,

"Deal, if I still can walk in an hour" Rick laughed, I'll be right back, turning on the hot tub for us, I got a feeling we both need it,

She looked at the ceiling just thinking how courteous he was, always thinking about her, then he appeared with a tray of hot towels for her immediate cleanup, and to reduce swelling. That man, God she couldn't love him anymore, or so she thought,

He laid down beside her, covering her from the air conditioning, holding her in his arms and she felt so safe, so secure, almost like she had died and gone to heaven.

"Rick, promise me something, please?" she asked,

"Anything he whispered"

"Promise me that we'll still be doing this when we've been married 30 years, that I'll still be just as attractive to you then as I apparently am now, God knows why, but"

He turned her head and gently kissed her, "Hey that's my wife you're talking about no one, not even you gets to say those things. Yes Babe, I will want you right here till the day I die. I've never said that before to anyone" he kissed her again,

She snuggled into him, all aglow with lovemaking joy, and asked, "Rick, you said you had someone in mind for Black Pawn, forgive me love, but it's not your Georgie is it?" she asked,

"Well, Kate Beckett Castle, if I didn't know better, I would swear I heard a little jealousy there", he laughed,

"Well, Richard Rogers Castle, you didn't hear a little, you heard a lot of jealousy, I don't share you with anyone, especially from the past." She whimpered,

"I'm sorry Babe, I shouldn't tease, no it's not Georgie, it's a professor I taught night classes with at NYU when I first got back and well when things hadn't exactly taken off for me yet." He said, "His name is John, John Fogel. I think you'd like him. He's a disabled vet but sharp as a tack, too many places just see his wheelchair, not the man, so when you interview him, let me know what you think."

"Rick, you do know I'm a cop, not a business mogul like you are, don't you? I mean what if I mess it up?" She said fear in her voice,

"What's to mess up John will be running things, your only job is to check in from time to time, at your schedule just to be sure they are doing as you wish. That includes Gina, and if she isn't then fire her ass, plain and simple. Look I know you know how to manage people, hell you've been coddling Esposito for a few years, so manage them like they were one of the Cop teams you manage." He smiled,

"But if I mess up as a cop, I have backup, and plenty of people looking over my shoulder second-guessing my decisions," She whined,

"I know, isn't nice to have an outlet where you don't have anyone to answer to, no one Kate? Look Black Pawn has been going down the tubes for years, first Paul, Gina's uncle insisted on keeping senior management in the family. That worked well when Georgette was there, but Gina, she's an editor, she doesn't know or care to learn about the people side of the business." Rick laughed,

"Rick are you sure, I mean"

"Yes, I'm sure, I figure you have about 3 to 6 years left as a cop to get your full pension, and well, if little ones come along, you will still want to work, what better than at this job?" he smiled,

"You were really serious about having more kids, Rick? It wasn't just something to appease me at that moment in time?" Kate's eyes filled with tears as she reached for her husband and embraced him,

He guided her gently to the bed, and sat her down with him, reached in the middle drawer of his nightstand and pulled out a book, "So You're Having a Baby, a guide for new parents from conception to delivery", as he handed it to her,

"Hell, yes I was serious, were you, Kate, I mean I"

She kissed him as he felt her tears fall, on his face, her arms felt like she couldn't hold him tight enough, then she gasped,

"Rick, what if I can't conceive, I mean, I'm not the youngest and" she stopped talking as he opened the third drawer, and pulled out another book, "Joys of Adoption, how you can make a difference in one child's life"

He smiled, "then we adopt if that's what you want to do, I don't care, Kate, whatever we can do physically, or if not then we have options, either way as long as I have you, I'll be happy.

"You have to understand Babe, my happiness starts with you, Alexis, and most times Mother's, other than that, I'm a pretty simple guy with simple tastes." He laughed as another kiss, and his handkerchief wiped her tears away,

Kate showed him how much she loved him, not allowing him to take control, this session was all for him, and paybacks were truly a B. She enjoyed her husband as she thought, the man thinks of everything, how can I ever surprise him. An evil smile crossed her lips as then she did and it was very fortunate that their bedroom door was closed and the room soundproofed.

XxX

Next Morning

The Loft

Rick had let his bride sleep in, she was exhausted from, well from the day before activities. He made her breakfast in bed and allowed her enough time to prepare for the attorney Walt Austin to arrive at 11:00 AM.

He kissed her as she pulled his head down, then sat up, "What time is it, Rick? Don't we have to leave for the lawyer's office?" she panicked,

"Relax love, no, Walt is coming here, actually he is going to explain to Alexis and you how this entire mess fits together, and the trust funds for her and her future kids, as well as how it will work for you, Mrs. Castle. Don't worry, it was Alexis's idea to combine the sessions so as she put it, "the brains of the family could run things just in case" he laughed.

Then she noticed the breakfast tray behind him as he propped her up with the wedge pillow behind her back and sat the tray across her legs, "You have to eat Kate, no more skipping meals, for me and Cosmo" he said, smiling,

She kissed him, and whispered, "Thanks babe, I love you," two bites into her toast and eggs she looked at him with a puzzled look on her face, "Who is Cosmo?" she asked

"Oh, I thought that would be a good name for our child if it's a boy, or Cosmos if it's a girl," as he was greeted with her eyes, the one she used to stare down killers, "unless you don't like the names, of course, we could always change them" he backtracked,

"Rick, I love you, I truly do, but that's the last time I want to hear of our potential future child by that name, it's horrible, where did you come up with it at?" she asked, as he smiled,

"It's from the last comic-con I went to, I overheard two zealots of a certain show that was canceled after only thirteen episodes, that they were going to name their child that" He laughed,

"Oh my God, you have to be kidding, was she pregnant?" Kate asked, a horrified look on her face,

"Not from what I could tell, but who knows, I just overheard the name and thought I could use it someday, never dreaming of it being in this way" he laughed, and ducked from a throw pillow almost hitting him in the face.

"Don't do that, don't ever do that, it's bad luck. You're not supposed to name the baby before it's born, it's considered very bad luck." Kate said, almost fearful, "Rick, I'm already fighting older than normal for the first time, who knows, if it's true, but please, for me, just humor me" she was almost in tears,

"Of course, Kate, I'm sorry, I won't mess with you like that again, I really am sorry." Rick had thought something funny had really rattled his wife, almost made her physically afraid. She must really want to give me a child, he thought, as he adjusted the pillow,

She kissed him, "I have to get a shower, ALONE, she turned to look at him before he opened his mouth, so I will be ready when Walt gets here." She said, but Rick knew when to leave it alone.

XxX

11:59 AM, Same Day

Loft

Kate had her mouth open in wonder almost the entire time of Walt's explanation of community property, property in trust, both named and blind, and the ROI of Rick's portfolio furnished by his investment banking firms. She knew Castle was rich, but she never dreamed of the figures being tossed around almost like they were just money in change form in a penny ani poker game.

"Kate, you'll get used to it, I used to be in awe as well, but Dad told me, it's only money, we could lose it all tomorrow, not to use it to guide our lives by" Alexis patted her hand as Walt started to wrap up the overview of RCE, or Richard Castle Enterprises and it's the financial blueprint.

"Alexis, the figures are beyond my wildest expectations, maybe I should force Rick to allow me to sign a pre-nuptial agreement, even if it's after the fact," she said sadly,

"Don't you dare Kate, I told daddy not to allow you to do that, I was the one who was forced him to have one with Gina. I heard her comments before they got married and I know one reason was he thought I needed a woman to help me through the tough years. Truth was, I learned more from Paige's mom than either Gina or God forbid Meredith, so NO, please don't do that." Alexis pleaded,

"Alexis, why are you so confident in me, when, I'm just a cop, I mean,"

"Please stop saying that as well Kate, you're my Dad's love of his life, more than he's ever loved anyone before, so you make daddy happy, you make me happy. Sorry, I know I'm still just a kid, but"

"Oh no Alexis, never apologize for defending your beliefs, especially about your family. Honey, you're not a little girl anymore, well to everyone but your Dad, and you've grown into a wonderful, kind young lady. I'm really looking forward to getting to know you better, and if you want to know anything about me, please ask, OK?" Kate said as she hugged her new step-daughter,

"Deal, Mom, I hope I can call you that, Kate, seems just too formal," Alexis said,

"Honey you can call me whatever you're comfortable with, to me, it's an honor to be your step-mother, now how about we go shopping for that dress for the dance I overheard you tell Martha about?" Kate asked,

"Really? You would go with me?

"Of course, let me tell my husband we're leaving,"

"I'm right with you Mom, I need his back AMEX anyway," Alexis laughed, "Now maybe you'll stop looking at the sale rack of clothes, OK?" she smiled, and they were off,

TBC