Here is the epilogue. I am so very glad you've enjoyed this story, it most certainly had its highs and lows. Thanks again for coming along for the ride.

Kate stood in the empty room, watching the light of the late December afternoon filter in through the window and reflect off of the hardwood floors. Never in a million years, or in her wildest fantasies, did she imagine that one day she would permanently walk out of this apartment and to her new home; a home at Richard Castle's side. Yet, here she was, the last of her boxes on the truck and ready to go.

She fiddled the keys to her former home, feeling the grooves in the edges as she contemplated the events of the past weeks. Lost in her thoughts, she watched as the snow fell calmly outside, coating the city in the light, fluffy texture of newly fallen, early winter snow.

It had been a wonderful couple of weeks. Castle was recovered from his accident, and although he used a cane from time to time when his leg would take to bothering him. Life returned to normal, and Alexis was excited to learn that she was not the only Colombia Student in the family, as Kate had been accepted into law school.

She'd completed all of the undergraduate requirements through majoring in criminology, but had to re-take her LSATS in order to qualify for graduate training. She was thrilled to have been accepted, and eager to start a new chapter of her life.

Although most Law programs don't accept students in January, Colombia made an exception in Kate's case and she was going to start her basic coursework in just a few weeks.

With this weighing heavily on her mind, they spent Christmas together. The loft was decorated beautifully, with ambient white lights surrounding the rooms, holly strung about, and a beautiful tree covered with multi-colored lights featured predominantly in the center of the room.

Holiday music played, the scent of cookies baking filled the air, and everyone worked together to add their personal touches to the décor. It was the first real Christmas celebration that Kate had participated in since her mom died.

On Christmas eve, long after Martha and Alexis made their way to bed, Kate and Rick lay on the floor, their heads directly beneath the illuminated tree. It cast a glow on the both of them and gave an air of magic to the moment.

Kate sighed contentedly as she let herself be surrounded by the spirit of the season, to be filled with that sense of excitement that only the night before Christmas could provide. With a wide grin on her face, she turned her head to the side and reached her arm out to his.

Castle, who was already facing Beckett and watching her lovingly, sighed when she reached for him. He laced their fingers together and smiled at her. They simply gazed at one another in silence for a few moments, before Kate took a breath and began to speak.

"So much has changed this year, Castle." She rubbed his thumb with hers, gazing intently at him, "and It's going to continue to change."

"Are you doing ok with this, Kate?" He asked her.

She smiled at his words, after everything he'd been through, here he was asking her if she was ok.

"Yeah, I think I'm ok. I'm just getting used to the idea of being a student again, of starting a new chapter of my life." Kate fell silent then, squeezed his hand before adding, "but change is good, right?"

Castle smiled at her, "yes, change can be good." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her smooth skin.

"Kate, while you're thinking of change, I've got another to throw at you." Castle had a hint of anxiety in his voice, but forced himself to keep it as light as possible.

"What did you have in mind?" She asked him curiously.

"Don't leave." He simply stated.

"Don't leave? I'm not leaving, I told you that I was going to stay through the New Year and-" Her words were cutoff by his interruption.

"Kate, don't leave. Ever. Don't go back to your apartment. Move in with us. You practically live here anyhow, why not make it official?"

She thought about his words for a moment. They knew that they were engaged, although nobody else was going to know for a while. They weren't interested in rushing to the alter afterall. However, this step, moving in with him, seemed like a natural next step.

If she were completely honest with herself, she'd admit that the loft had replaced her own apartment as the place she considered home. Maybe it is time to make it official, she thought to herself.

With her hand still in his, their fingers caressing gently, she smiled brightly at him and nodded. "I want to come home to you every day for the rest of our lives, Rick."

Upon hearing those words, Castle pulled Beckett closer to her, completely embracing her underneath the Christmas tree. He lined her jaw with kisses, traveling to the back of her ear and stopping there to whisper, "I got everything I wanted for Christmas under the tree. Now all that's left is to unwrap my present." He spoke eagerly to her, fingers moving to the buttons on her top.

Kate couldn't help but giggle as she pulled him on top of her, mumbling between kisses, "If Santa Claus comes tonight, he's in for an eye full." They both laughed, but soon, they said nothing at all.

Standing in her empty apartment, Kate smiled as she thought back to Christmas eve, back to her decision to move in with him. It was the first time she'd ever agreed to move in with someone else, and she was surprised that she didn't feel more anxiety about it.

Instead, she felt excitement. She smiled and looked once more at her soon to be turned in key, driven from her thoughts by the feel of his arms wrapping around her waist and his chin on her shoulder blade.

"What are you doing?" He asked her kindly.

"Just taking a moment to say goodbye." Kate spoke wistfully. She was happier than she'd ever been, but that little apartment had been a place of healing for her and letting go was a bit tough.

"Think of all of the new memories that we're going to create together, Kate." He kissed her on the ear. She smiled and leaned her head against his as she laced her fingers into where his were resting on her stomach.

"I can't wait Castle. I can't wait."

Together, they walked out of the empty apartment, hand in hand, as they looked forward to the all of new beginnings that they were going to create with each other.

For Castle and Beckett, the future held endless possibility, and come what may, they were in it together.