I'll Still be Loving You
by Castlefan6
Authors Note: Thisis my AU version SEQUEL to Dinner Date, Please read that before starting this. This story picks up without any time lapse and continues with Kate and Rick as they forge ahead as a Couple and concludes the story arc started when Rick left suddenly.
I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only
Chapter 4
Previously
"Kate, Thank You, you'll never know just how much this has meant to me. I want to be the man you are proud to be with, and perhaps soon, call your husband, but I need to be sure I am OK. Do you think your doctor would see us as a couple? I mean if you want to, we, eh I*"
"Rick you would go to counseling with me. Seriously? Babe, I'm sure he would, and do you know what you just did?"
"Something good I hope, but tell me please" Rick smiled, and there it was the one he saved just for her.
"You just proved to me, that no matter how big a mess I think I am, I'm your mess and you love me anyway. I've never been accepted like that anywhere, and it just makes me fall in love with you all over. I don't care if you never write again, if you're happy, and I'm with you doing whatever you do, so get that out of your mind. I love Rick, not Rick the writer, just Rick, my soulmate, and don't you forget it."
*****************************************************************************/
Ricks New Hamptons House
Later Same Day
Kate couldn't explain how she felt, how do you put a label on a feeling that far exceeds Ecstatic? Every moment she spent with Rick got better and better, even the down times, like on the trip up, were soon discussed, resolved, without blame or fault. She knew this was the honeymoon phase every couple goes through, BUT she was determined to defer their first fight as a couple for as long as possible. If she paused to think, how could you fight with a man who just wanted to make your life better, in every way he knew how?
Rick must have picked up on her thoughts, out of the blue, he looked at her so sincerely,
"Kate, I know I have a tendency to drive you crazy, Babe, I really am trying not to, but for those times I derail and go back, I want you to stop me, in a gentle way."
"Rick, you've been driving me crazy for over two years now, why do you think it will bother me now?"
"Because you weren't my wife then" as he dropped to one knee in their new living room,
"Kate, You've been my world, since the day I met you, Everything I do, it's because you've made me a better man, wanting to do nothing but please, protect and love you. I know this may be quick, but Babe, I can't let another night pass without knowing, and showing you just how much you mean to me, you're not just my lady, you're the keeper of my heart and soul, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, if you'll have me.
Katherine Houghton Beckett would you marry me," as a tears pool in those beautiful blue eyes looking so pleading upon her.
"Rick, Yes, I told you, I found my one and done, and you were the one, so Yes Babe, I love you, even if you do drive me crazy sometimes" she laughs and cries at the same time.
Rick stood, looked into her eyes, then just held her close for a long moment,
"You've made me the happiest man on the earth, I'll try Kate, every day I'll try to get better for us, for you. I want both of us to talk to Dr. Burke, I know you went through hell, I know it's my fault, I have to know we have passed that hurdle, because, I'll do anything to make it up to you, anything.
The only thing I want to see on your face is this wonderful smile, your laugh is the sweetest music to my ears, your tears melt my soul so Love, Thank You, I love You, Now and Always," then he kissed her in a way he had never kissed her before.
She kissed him then fell into his arms as she wept with joy, perhaps the first time she understood the saying I'm just so happy I could cry. He quietly held her, rubbing her back, planting small kisses on her hairline,
They stayed in that position for a long time till he finally said,
"Well, don't you want to see your ring? "
"Yes, she smiled though her tears, and Rick, WE will work to get better Babe, the blame rests on us both, but we are where I always wanted to be now, Mrs. Castle has a great ring to it." Tears fill her eyes but her smile lights the room,
Rick pulled out a black ring box and there was a huge 4 carat diamond ring, identical to one she had casually made a comment about almost a year ago, from the outside of a jewelry store about the style she would want.
As he placed the ring on her shaking fingers, she whispered, "Rick, this is exactly like the one*"
"Yes, it is, the one you saw on the stakeout for the Candela case, I bought it when the case closed."
"But Rick, you, I mean we never had even dated then, why did you buy the ring then?"
"Well when I would get to the end of my rope and think that the dream of ever being with you was only that, a dream, I would look at this, and remember for one moment in time, you cared just a little. You probably don't remember bu*"
"I smoothed your coat, and told you to be careful in front of Will, then had to be a smart ass and finish it by saying mess this up and I'll shoot you." She tears as she looks like she is recalling the very moment,
"I knew you cared or hoped you did just a little. I knew by the end of the case that the ship with Sorenson had sailed so I tried to right my own but the damage had been done, you looked at me like I was Mr. Hollywood, just out for one thing. So, when things would get tough, I would take the ring out and just stare at it, then write a love scene for Rook."
"Rick, like I said we'll work on us together, with Dr. Burke. God I can't believe that you actually love me enough to want me, I mean Rick I*"
"Shhh, no more, you already said yes, can't take it back, next decision is how do we make this house our new get away home, just you and I, or maybe a little one if that's what you want eventually."
"You want to have kids? I mean you have a grown daughter; would you want to go through all the nights without sleep, and all the other things,"
"Not unless you do, but Babe, if you do Nothing would make me happier, let's just let you think about that for a while, I love you, with or without little Castles running around." He waggled his eyebrows, then smiled,
It was out of her mouth before she knew it, "I want kids, Rick, I want your kids and Babe, I don't want to wait long after we're married OK? I know we have to get better together, but Rick, nothing would make me happier than to have children with the love of my life.
"You sure, I love you and I want what you want when the time is right, just not yet if I am hearing you right? *"
Her lips on his, "Shut up, you talk too much," She pulls back with a panicked look in her eyes,
"Rick one thought just hit me, does Alexis know how serious we are, I mean I don't want to come between you two, or cause any hardships"
"Well Alexis and I talked, I told her I was going to ask you this week, and she knew how you would feel, she even prepared a response for you," as he forwarded a file to her phone.
Kate opened it, to say she was nervous, would be an understatement, but she opened the file with Rick holding her from behind. The young girl with the red hair came on,
"Kate if you're watching this, then Dad didn't chicken out again, he finally got the nerve and asked you. I know you want to be sure that I'm comfortable with it, truth is I'm thrilled. I've talked a great deal to Gina, she is fine, and is also happy for you both. Welcome to the family Kate, to me it seems like you've always been one of us anyway. I'm glad you said yes, I need help taking care of him, as she laughed, Love to you both" and the file ended.
Kate stood shaking for a moment, then turned and just held Rick, "Oh Babe, this just keeps getting better and better. I was so afraid she was going to hate me."
"Kate, Gina talked to you, I know she did, and I know what she told you, she was telling the truth. She told Alexis the same thing, that it never would have worked for her and I, no matter how hard we tried, she was in love with Bob, and I with you.
Alexis wanted us to get together right after she met you, then I mucked things up, I mean I*"
Another kiss stopped him, "Rick, no more Babe, we've both done enough of that for a lifetime, OK?"
"OK we have our life to discuss, starting with seeing Doctor Burke. I don't want any buried resentments, hurt, or anger to fester, this is it Kate, you are my Done, for sure," he said so sincerely,
"Babe, I know. I agree, I want to take away all of the obstacles I can, God knows life will throw enough at us, but I want you to know this, I love you, I've loved you for longer than I can remember and nothing is more important than my husband and family.
Just as they were locked on each other's eyes, lost in the glory of love, the doorbell sounded with the tone of Love Theme from the Godfather One movie,
They laughed, as Kate said, "That's the first thing we are changing" as they made their way to the front door to see a smiling Alexis and Gina standing in the doorway.
"Wow, Dad, Kate, this looks nice, I was never allowed to come here with Dad, so I had to check out what the big mystery was." She laughed as Kate welcomed both her and Gina in to the house.
"Did the song from the Doorbell give you a clue Alexis, we have to change that quick" as they all laughed.
"We just got here a little while ago, and rather than call or text, I thought it would be better if Alexis asked in person Rick, Kate, and if you say no I will understand." Gina said politely.
"Ask what Pumpkin?" as Rick's face tightens with worry,
"It's just I'd like to spend time with Gina while she's up here for the rest of this week, before she returns to the city, so I'd like to spend some nights there" Alexis rushed out in one breath, aware that this could put an awkward position between the parent and step parent.
"Alexis you know you can have any guests that I know stay at the Beach house, why do you ask about Gina, she's your Stepmom?" Rick asked with a puzzled look on his face,
"Actually Rick, it's not at your house, it's Bob's and mine we purchased a few weeks ago, and given the circumstance, I mean I*"
"Gina, I'm glad you and Bob are moving forward, and really Rick, why shouldn't Lexi stay with her Mom, regardless of the house, it is here isn't it Gina, you didn't purchase one in France did You?" Kate asked drawing a huge laugh from all,
"No, I can assure you Kate, it's here, in fact it's on the opposite side of town, near the ocean side. We picked that location since I know Rick would never venture from the Bay side, and well, privacy is something that we all appreciate from time to time, besides that was Meredith who pulled that stunt" Gina smiles, trying to lighten the first meeting between the three adults face to face.
Rick looked at Kate, who gently nodded, "Sure, just give me the address if you will Gina, I know the cell tower isn't always so reliable out here."
Gina pulled out her phone and group texted Rick, Kate, and Alexis, "Hey kiddo you should know the house address as well, who knows,'' she laughed and then they were off, with Alexis calling back,
"Call you later guys, Love you" then they were in Gina's Golf Cart and off to explore.
"Rick, do you know what I really really want right now?" Kate said in her most seductive voice.
"Mmh can I guess, does it involve our bedroom," Rick said in his sexy tone,
"No Babe, We have to change that damn doorbell tone" as they both fell against the couch laughing, even the household chores were fun with him she thought.
"OK but I'll get even, you know, that right?"
Kate smiled, kissed him and ran to get the ladder from the garage, she was changing that tone if she had to destroy the doorbell,