It's Kate's final day as an NYPD Captain. She woke with her wonderful husband warm and asleep next to her. Kate canceled her alarm to avoid it blaring in a few minutes. She slid closer to Rick in their bed. She had a few minutes before she needed to get up. Rick looks younger when he sleeps with his hair flopping onto his forehead and sticking up at strange angles. A warm flood of love filled her and brought a smile to her face. She never understood why the heart was considered the fount of love until she'd truly fallen in love. Before Rick, she'd never felt that heat bloom around her heart from a moment of just looking at another human and feeling absolute joy. Kate rolled her eyes at herself. She was being sappy, and Captain Beckett could not let emotions rule this day. She glanced at the clock and realized it was almost time to get out of bed. Rick was still sleeping. Lily would wake him up in a few minutes, so it would be fine to wake him with a kiss now. Kate gently slid her hand into Rick's hair. She finger-combed it back from his forehead. A little smile appeared on his face, and he blinked a few times as he woke. Kate kissed his cheek, and then shrieked as Rick pulled her into a bear hug. "Good morning, Captain Beckett," was followed by Rick peppering her face with kisses ending with a sensual, deep kiss to her mouth.
"Good morning, Babe. Had to get that Captain Beckett in there, didn't ya?"
"In a few hours, I'll be even happier to call you Mrs. Castle," Rick punctuated his joy with a kiss. "While you shower, I'll make your breakfast for your final day of employment with the NYPD."
"Make something warm and simple. Oatmeal with some toppings, maybe?"
"As you wish," Rick replied, but Kate detected a little disappointment in his tone.
Kate shook her head in amusement at her husband. "Tomorrow you can make the strawberry happy face pancakes, that I'm sure you had planned for this morning." Rick's expression confirmed she had guessed correctly. "We can have a lazy brunch."
"Wonderful idea. I'll…." The sound of Lily crying interrupted Rick. "I guess I'll change the princess's diaper, before I make your oatmeal."
"Bring her in here after the diaper change. She can watch me put my hair in a bun, since I have to wear my dress blues today. I'll wait until after we eat to get dressed."
Rick and Lily were sitting on the bed, when Kate emerged from the bathroom in her robe. Lily squealed when she saw Kate, "Mama, hi hi."
Kate scooped Lily up from the bed, "Good morning, little flower."
"I'll fix breakfast, while you ladies get pretty."
Kate stuck her tongue out at Rick, and he left the room laughing.
RCKB RCKB RCKB RCKB
It felt extravagant arriving at the 12th in a town car while wearing her Captain's uniform. Kate's police cruiser had been transferred to Lt. McCarthy the day before. She had one final box to pack in her office. McCarthy could handle the paperwork today. At 9 am the ceremony to transfer the 12th to McCarthy would occur. The night shift officers and detectives who wanted to say goodbye slowed her progress from the door of the precinct to her office. She reminded them about tonight's party at the Old Haunt and thanked them for the well wishes they gave her.
Rick and Jim arrived together at 8:45 am. Alexis had volunteered to have some sister time with Lily this morning. Martha and Alexis would be at the party tonight, while Jim had grandpa time with Lily. Kate greeted her Dad and husband with cheek kisses.
The many friends and acquaintances he'd made at the 12th quickly surrounded Rick. Before this moment, Kate hadn't fully realized how many members of the 12th would miss her husband. She walked into her office with her Dad. "Rick's been Mr. Mom for months, and I hadn't realized that the 12th would be losing him, too. I'm glad you got here a little early."
Jim chuckled, "Alexis shooed us out. She said she needed her Lily fix. I don't think I've seen you in uniform since you took over the Twelfth. You look official and in charge, Katie. I am overjoyed that you are making this change in your life. I'm hoping for another grandchild to spoil."
"That's the plan, Dad. I'm looking forward to no middle of the night phone calls."
Jim laughed. "You'll just have to deal with middle of the night wake up calls from Lily."
Their chat was interrupted by the arrival of Gates, the Chief of Detectives, and Lt. McCarthy and his family. "Time to get this ceremony over with."
The ceremony was a short formality. For the new Captain McCarthy and his family, it was a proud moment. For Kate and her family, it was a weight lifted from their lives. There were two cakes and coffee to mark the occasion. One cake was to congratulate and celebrate McCarthy's promotion; the other cake wished Kate a happy future. Kevin and Javier proposed toasts with their coffee cups that teased Kate about her future life of luxury. Kate thanked everyone for their support while she was Captain. She also spoke about her confidence that Captain McCarthy would be a superb commanding officer for the 12th. The Chief of Detectives reminded Kate about the offer to do seminars. She told him she'd call him next week. Victoria Gates verified that she and her husband would be at the Old Haunt tonight. Rick reminded everyone about the party at the Old Haunt at 8 pm that night. Then it was over. Kate placed her parade of elephants in her last box, shook hands with the new Captain, and left with her husband and Dad.
It took a few minutes to exit the precinct. The Desk Sergeant wanted a last word of farewell and so did some other folks. Kevin and Javi followed them out, and Kate warned them not to hug her. Rick has a brunch planned for Sunday morning for their extended family, and the hugs can wait until then.
Kate was a little embarrassed by the limo that arrived to take them home. Rick caught Kate's quick frown and explained, "I love your Father, but the three of us in the back seat of a town car would be crowded."
Kate chuckled. "Let's go home, Babe."
RCKC RCKC RCKC
When they arrived home, Eduardo was smiling when he opened the door for them. "Welcome home, Mrs. Castle."
Kate laughed, "Did Rick bribe you to say that?"
"Mr. Castle might have clued me in that you're time as Captain Beckett would end this morning," Eduardo told her with a nod to her husband.
"Tis true. I shall be his trophy wife now." Kate pretended to fan herself as part of teasing the men. Everyone laughed.
When they arrived at the loft, the aroma of food greeted them. "Rick, what did you do?"
Before Rick could answer Kate, Martha greeted them with a smile and hugs. "Richard didn't order the food, I did. My granddaughters are upstairs playing. Katherine, change into something more comfortable. We need to have a family meal to celebrate this day. I know Richard is having a brunch on Sunday, but this will be just us."
"Thank you, Martha. We had cake at the precinct, but the food smells delicious."
"Lasagna and salad, darling. I didn't cook it, of course. Maria sent a tiny portion of penne cut into small pieces for Lily. She said that's what she gives her own grandchildren. We had a nice chat. She also said you need to bring the little one in to visit."
"I've been using delivery this winter. I didn't want to take Lily out since it's been so cold. We'll visit Maria and Joe soon, now that the weather is improving," Rick told his Mother.
"I'll change and be right out." Kate headed to the bedroom.
"Let me get the granddaughters. I haven't had the chance to hold Lily yet today," Jim told the others.
"Thank you, Mother, for arranging lunch." Rick kissed Martha's cheek.
"Of course, Darling. This entire weekend should be a celebration. Have you told Kate about your plans for next week?"
"Not yet. I plan to tell her tomorrow, when it's just us. It's time to spoil my wife."
"Exactly."
The family enjoyed their lunch together. Rolls and salad accompanied the lasagna. Martha had not ordered desert. If anyone wanted a sweet finish, she knew Richard had ice cream.
Lily was a happy baby all through lunch. Her Gam, Gamda and Is Is were all here. She babbled between mouthfuls and laughed whenever the adults did. Kate grabbed a few baby wipes to clean Lily's face and hands. She kept Lily in her lap while the adults sat around the table with cups of coffee and chatted. Lily sucked on her thumb and enjoyed her mother's lap. Within 10 minutes, Lily was sleeping. Rick offered to take Lily up to her bed, but Kate wanted to keep her in her lap. Rick just smiled.
RCKC RCKC RCKC
Martha and Alexis left after lunch with assurances they would be at the Old Haunt no later than 8:30pm. Rick reminded them that he had reserved a town car for them. Jim had a bag in the guest room, because he planned to spend the night after babysitting Lily. He went upstairs to change out of the suit he had worn to the precinct. After he changed, he pulled a picture of Johanna from his wallet. "She'll be safe now, Jo. Our Katie is going to have a happy life with Rick and Lily. And someday soon, I'm hoping for a grandson." He kissed Jo's picture and tucked it back in his wallet.
RCKC RCKC RCKC
After a leisurely afternoon including a short nap, they ate a light dinner of sandwiches before Kate and Rick dressed for the party. It wasn't a formal affair, so Kate didn't wear a dress. Rick wore dark jeans, Kate's favorite of his blue button down shirts and a leather jacket. Kate wore a burgundy blouse, black dress pants and a black leather jacket. When Rick saw her he asked, "Is that the same blouse you wore, when you pulled me out of my book party?"
Kate shook her head, "Not exactly. That blouse didn't survive my apartment blowing up. I bought this one for tonight, so I could dress close to what I wore that night. It is the anniversary of that night after all. I was hoping you'd notice."
"Of course. That moment is burned into my brain. I like your hair better now."
"If your daughter doesn't lose her habit of pulling Mommy's hair, I may revert to that style."
"I will buy you some lovely clips to hold your hair back."
Kate laughed, "Let's kiss our daughter good night and go party, Writer Man."
"An excellent idea."
RCKC RCKC RCKC
As the host of the party, Rick thought it was important to be there before 8 pm. He had the food catered, and the entire staff of The Old Haunt would be serving. He would be giving each of them a bonus for working that night. There was a bouncer at the top of the stairs leading down to the bar, in case any uninvited guests tried to crash the party. Espo had created a schedule of volunteers to help the bouncer easily identify members of the 12th and other guests.
Since Kate hadn't truly retired from the NYPD, Rick didn't have The Old Haunt decorated. It was a private party with lots of food, drinks and people. Lanie arrived with Alan Masters. Kevin and Jenny came in with Javi and Marisa Aragon. Captain McCarthy and his wife dropped by. Victoria and Gerald Gates stayed for a short visit. There was a bit of a stir when James Patterson arrived. His Alex Cross books and movies were popular with cops. Espo had passed the word at the precinct that some VIPs might show up, and he advised his fellow cops to play it cool. Patterson enjoyed chatting with the members of NYPD. Just like Rick, everything could be research. Plus he was eating and drinking on Rick's dime. Maddie, Paula, Judge Markway, former Mayor Bob Weldon….Rick had invited not just the 12th, but also their friends. It was a fun evening. Martha sang a few songs. Alexis flirted with some lucky young cops. Hayley stopped by. Kate and Rick mingled and chatted and laughed. The staff of the Old Haunt normally closed at 2 am, but Rick had posted a closing time of 1 am for the party. Since it was a private party, the clean up would be after the guests left. He wanted his staff to be able to go home at their regular time. By midnight the crowd was thinning. Kate and Rick reminded Javi, Kevin, Jenny and Lanie that they are invited for brunch at the loft on Sunday. There was a feeling of loss for the group. The team was no more, but the friendships would continue.
Rick and Kate thanked his staff and walked up the stairs to the waiting town car. Before they got to the car, Rick halted Kate's steps. "Let's go home, Mrs. Castle."
Kate laughed, "You started the day calling me Captain Beckett. I should have known you'd slip the Mrs. Castle in at the end of the day. Take me home, Mr. Castle." She kissed him before she pulled him toward the car.
A/N: I had mentally planned this to be the last chapter followed by an epilogue. However, Rick decided to have the Sunday brunch and a surprise for Kate, so now I'm expecting a couple more chapters.