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 8
Previously
Well, longer story shortened a bit, we, well I finally realized I had developed feelings for my best friend, but I was worried that it would ruin the relationship we had. I didn't know but she felt the same way, till one night, I guess it was after one of my friends died unexpectedly, I blurted out how I felt about her.
We were together on the downlow for almost two years before I proposed, she accepted and I returned to UCLA to complete some graduate work, planning our wedding when I returned in 4 months. She visited me without warning two weeks before I was scheduled to come home to tell me she was pregnant by another man. Apparently, she went to a party, had too much to drink, and a lapse of judgment.
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Summer Home Hamptons
Later Same Week
Rick and Kate had retreated back to the Hamptons, wanting to enjoy every minute of time at home he could before he had to return to England to complete the series of books. He was down to a little over 9 weeks left of his vacation, and Cricket would be flying in next week. He had to be certain that he and Kate were in a good place before any insecurities could sneak in and bomb the relationship to bits.
The priority work for the inside had been completed by the contractors, the remainder would wait for an empty home so no one would be injured or interrupted. Kate was thrilled to be taking an active part in the remodel, redecoration of the Summer Home as they agreed to call it.
She had even designed the office, with his and her spaces, so when she wanted to be near him, regardless if he were writing, she could sit at her desk and just watch her husband, God Husband, that sounded so sweet to her ears, perform his magic with the characters.
Alexis would spend part of their days with them, then either retreat to her friends, or visit Gina and Bob if they were home. She seldom spent the night, leaving as much room for her Dad and Kate to work out two plus years of misunderstandings. She knew they loved each other but couldn't understand why they just didn't talk.
That was one of her Dad's best qualities, he could talk, and talk, and talk, she smiled to herself as she kissed them both Goodbye on her way to yet another party, she would be going back to the City soon for her last year, well 4 months actually till she graduated and either went to Oxford, Harvard, UCLA, or Stanford.
Rick looked at his little pumpkin, almost out the door now, his heart full and happy, his little girl and Kate had bridged the hurt and now it seemed like all that both were concerned with was the happiness of one certain writer. He had no idea of what was said, only that Kate and Alexis met and had a girl to girl, when they first got together, and since that time, things couldn't have been better.
He must have been lost in thought, suddenly he felt a gentle pull on his arm, and Kate standing with a worried look on her face,
"Babe are you OK, I was talking, and you just zoned out, did I say something to hurt you, or upset you?"
"No, not at all Kate, I was just thinking about how different things are now, you're with me and I'm not competing with solving a murder, or worse another Detective. You really meant it when you said nothing was more important than me." He smiled at her and pulled her into his lap.
She looked deep into his eyes, "Rick, I told a lot of lies, I let you believe things when I shouldn't have, but Babe, NOTHING is or will ever be more important in my life than you, Alexis and Martha. I love my new family, and now that I have got my head out of ass, I see how much they all love me as well." She kissed him gently, but it grew with heat and passion.
"Wow Kate, maybe I should get distracted more often if that's your cure" he smiled.
"Mmmmh" she mumbled as she laid her head on his chest and played with the hair on the back of his neck.
"Rick?" came her voice so soft and sweet, "Can we talk about what happened in Doctor Burke's office? I mean only if it won't upset you" she said so shyly, almost like she was afraid it would hurt him.
"Sure, what do you want to know about Erin and me, or is there something else that you want to discuss, just ask?" He smiled at her, as he kissed her hair line that he could reach finally kissing her neck gently.
She shivered, "Keep that up, and I'll forget how to talk, much less want to discuss something" she laughed, "You sure you don't mind Rick, I mean it's just that it was a surprise, and even if it was before me, I never had a clue all the time I worked around her or her Dad"
"Well her Dad and I got along great, probably why I was successful in getting to shadow you at first. What do you want to know, just ask?" he said gently,
"Well, I know you said you were best friends first, and the only concern I have is I know you were my best friend, before we started to admit our feelings, I just don*"
"You don't want a repeat of the Erin and Rick show? Well unless you step out, two weeks before we are scheduled to get married, and wind up pregnant, then there's absolutely no chance of that happening.
In fact, I'm not sure if even that would prevent me from loving you with all my heart. I know that I would still love you just as much, even if you were bringing little ones to our family, just more to love" He smiled but Kate knew he was serious, that man of hers. His capacity to love was just unbelievable.
"How long ago did this happen Rick? You don't have to answer that, I'm sorry" as she laid her head back on his chest.
"Well, Nicky is 10 months older than Alexis, Erin was two months pregnant when she told me, so a little over 18 years ago. Nicky and Alexis are friends, yet neither know their parents were ever anything more than just family friends, I'd like to keep it that way if we can, at least a while longer." He said gently, almost void of emotion.
"And you haven't spoken to her since, even with all of the Social Gatherings you both were at during the same time period, I mean well I guess I should just ask the question and let you tell me what you wish, I'm sorry Babe"
"Well, it's an honest question. Once Nicky was born, we spoke for a few minutes at the Christening, her Dad tried to bring us together for an intervention, but he forgot, I don't work for him and have enough high powered attorneys I don't cave at his threats.
She said she went to a party, the punch was spiked, and she got a little drunk. All plausible and reasonable causes for her behavior, EXCEPT she told me she was out of town with her Mom visiting her Aunt. One lie led to another and the truth came out, it wasn't the first time they had been together, just the first time she wound up pregnant." Rick recounted with the hurt still showing in his deep blue eyes,
"I'm sorry Rick, I didn't mean to bring up old wounds, I should have left it alone." Kate could see the hurt still in Rick's eyes as he had faced lies, betrayal, and then more lies to attempt to cover it up.
"No, No we need to be able to discuss my past; I mean I know it was a lot to lay on you at one time. Erin was a great best friend, but she was a terrible girlfriend, even worse as a fiancé, so what hope would I have that a marriage with her would have worked out. He spoke in that even no emotion tone that Kate knew he had buried his true feeling deep inside to avoid more hurt.
"Rick, I think I have a way to show you how a good girlfriend, and better fiancé should treat you, if you're interested" she flirts, exposing just enough skin to get him out of his funk.
"I think you read my mind" as he takes her hand and heads toward their bedroom, but before they reach their sacred place, the doorbell rings, furiously.
"All Right already, I'm coming, what the hell is the fire about?" Rick asks the Construction Foreman angrily,
"You better look for yourself Mr. C, the police are on the way, "
Kate has heard the commotion and at the mention of police she is out front and center,
"Show me, NOW!" she commands,
They make their way to a site where the crew were digging a new foundation for the Gazebo she had designed, there in the hole were two large masses wrapped in what appeared to be at one time blankets,
"Stand Back, All of you, tell the police to bring me Crime Scene tape the moment they get here," Kate screamed,
One worker hadn't heeded her orders, so she calmly said "if you want to be able to walk out of here, turn around and obey my command, or I could blow your knee cap off, your choice."
She didn't need to repeat the order,
"Babe, this is a crime scene, so keep this locals away from it, I'm calling Roy to send out Espo and Ryan, this could get ugly if those remains are human" she whispered to Rick, who nodded his head
She took out her Cell phone, placed a quick call to Roy, and within ten minutes Ryan and Esposito were on their way to take over the investigation.
The local police chief wasn't as cooperative, that is until Mayor Weldon called the Mayor and he had his ass handed to him on a platter. He was informed he was not in charge, he was to obey the orders of the NYPD, which included Detective Kate Beckett, even if she were on leave.
Kate directed the patrol officer and Chief Brady where to place the tape, and what areas to stay out of, then told them to go get coffee and she would call them when the Detectives arrived.
About and hour later Espo and Ryan arrived with the cherry lit, but no sirens, they had cut that when they entered the township by order of Mayor Weldon.
"Nice to see you again Kate, hate for it to be like this, What do we have", asked Ryan
Espo had a similar exchange with Rick, except his focused more on personal issues, "So you're the reason we lost Beckett, what the hell is she thinking?"
"I don't know Espo maybe when you grow a pair you can ask her directly?" Rick popped right back,
"What did you say, You didn't say what I think you did, I know Writer Boy?" Espo is seething now
"I said you were too much of a wus to ask her, and when you found your manhood you could ask Kate yourself, instead of walking around like the arrogant, cocky asshole you always do" Rick wasn't holding back,
"Tell you what Espo, when this is wrapped what say you and I go a few rounds, pick your poison, but get ready to get your Ass kicked regardless of what you choose, boxing, street fighting, whatever,"
"You're on, you better call your life insurance to make sure it's paid."
"We'll see Espo, We'll see,