Chapter 4: I owe it all to you

I DONT OWN CASTLE... Though that last episode hit me hard. GG

HOSPITAL

The sun rose above the New York City skyline on another cool morning, as people went about their same daily routine in another day in the Big Apple. For Castle this wasn't his typical routine since he's in the hospital still. He sat up on the hospital bed looking out the window and thought to himself as he waited for the final check up with the doctor. He has been in the hospital for the past two and a half months slowly recuperating from his wounds. He has been going through the healing process of seeing physical therapists, psychiatrists, and of course seeing his wife and family. He even spend a good few holidays in the hospital but it was bearable with his family always present. In fact Castle's little "vacation" in this hospital will soon come to a close because he's being discharged today in a few hours since the doctors and nurses have seen no signs of infection and blood loss. After months of recuperation, physical pain, and boredom he's finally going home. Best news he heard in the months he has been here.

It's Castle's new favorite day. Actually it's his current favorite day, third to his wedding with Kate and the birth of Alexis. Plus the day will keep getting better, Kate is actually getting time off to go to the hospital to pick him up and they'll spend the rest of the day together. It's going to be a great day. Castle thought of Kate and smiled widely of all the good times and adventures they had been through. He shook his head with a smile, it's been one hell of a… His smile disappeared as he remembered all the pain he has caused for her. Let alone his family. He looked down ashamed at himself for all he has done to them. He shook his head, I didn't see it before. But now I do. All the pain I have cause to the people I care for the most. Maybe Kate is ashamed of me… The smiling doctor and nurse coming into his room interrupted his thoughts. They approached him and asked if he was ready for a final check up before being discharged from the hospital. He just nodded gently in response.

Kate walked into the hospital wearing a light brown overcoat with a soft belt tied around the middle, tight dark blue jeans, and her typical high heels. She got permission from Gates to take the day off to pick up her husband from the hospital. Besides the only thing they were doing today was paper work. There was no cases open or cases to solve so it was in her favor to get the rest of the day off. She walked over to the front desk smiling and checked in. They nodded and directed her to Castle's floor and room. She strolled over to the elevator feeling content and happy with life. She pushed the button to the floor her husband was on. It's going to be a good day; they're going to spend the whole day together. She smiled thinking of all the things they could be doing…naps could be something they could do. I'm sure Castle wouldn't mind naps at all. She smiled happily to herself. I'll be gentle…

The elevator ringed and the door opened to Castle's floor. She stepped out and headed straight to his room. His room door was open and she could see Castle sitting on the bed looking out to the widow. She paused and smiled seeing him all healthy; she was excited to finally take him out of the hospital. He was wearing the clothes she brought him the day before; a tight black shirt that was form fitting, a pair of blue jeans, and dress shoes. To be honest Kate brought the tight black shirt because she thought it made him look sexy in it. She thought he looked good in anything…or nothing. She smiled again and she took a step forward then stopped. She noticed Castle frowning and she even noticed he was crying a bit. Her smile faded and rushed toward him to see what was wrong.

Castle put his hands to his face and shook his head. He was beating himself up over the tremendous pain he caused many people especially to Kate. He knew he shouldn't be thinking this but the truth is still there. He caused the pain to the love of his life and to his family. Tears fell from his face into his hands. Then he felt gentle arms slowly wrap around his body and lips gently pressing against his head. Her gentle tone broke through his thoughts. She gently whispered, "Don't cry. I'm right here. Shhhhh" He knew who it was. It was Kate. She hugged him tightly refusing to let him go. Castle looked up from his hands to the window still crying. It seems to be his turn anyway.

Kate let go of him and turned his face toward hers and looked deeply into his eyes, "why are you crying?" she asked concerned.

Castle couldn't look at her. He dropped his head ashamed and said, "Because of me, you have gone through all this pain and heart ache. I caused you all this pain."

"Rick…" Kate tried to continue but Castle couldn't stop his venting. Everything that was bottled up was now coming out to the surface.

"Kate. I reopened your mothers case all those years ago without your permission, I went missing for two months on OUR wedding day, I lost you to that psychopath and almost lost you forever to him…" He couldn't stop cause he knew that he should've been better, "And on top of that I got shot and almost died on you…" He leaned on her and puts his head down to her chest and cries, "I should've been a better man for you… I hope you're not ashamed of me."

Kate kissed the top of his head and said gently, "shh it's alright babe. I'm never ashamed of you. You are the best man for me. You are the best." She kissed the top of his head and again and rested her chin on it, "I remember you saying once, 'if things have to difficult then we'll figure them out.'" She smiled, "we'll always bounce back up. We'll face them together like we always do. We'll always face them together. We're a team." Castle raised his head from her chest and looked deeply into her eyes and smiled gently, not being able to say anything. Kate took hold of his right hand and caressed his hand with her thumb, "Rick I love you. I'll always love you. And I'm not leaving your side." Castle smiled and nodded. Kate continued again, "I do not blame you for any of it. You helped me find my mothers killer. Actually. You were the one who DID find my mother's killer." She kissed him gently then continued, "You saved my life multiple times and it wasn't your fault for going missing. It wasn't your fault." Kate just raised her eyebrow and smiled slyly, "If we are apologizing for the past then… I'm sorry I waited for so long to be with you." They both smile happily at each other then kiss gently. They held the kiss until the need for air overwhelmed them.

Castle smiled at her, he wasn't crying anymore, "I love you Kate."

Kate smiled and kissed him gently, "And I love you." She brushed his hair gently, "Don't worry about that anymore ok? I'll always be with you." She and Castle smiled happily at each other. She fixed his collar then kissed his cheek happily, "Now. You ready to get out of here?"

Castle smiled happily, "Yes!" He got up from the bed and slowly walked over to a small table next to his hospital bed and picked up his belongings. He turned to Kate and smiled, "got the day off?"

Kate smiled happily and stood up from the bed, "Gates gave me the WHOLE day off."

Castle smiled happily and offered his arm to Kate. She linked her arm around his and they began their trip out of the hospital. As they got to the elevator Castle voiced his plan for the day, "I got a nice surprise for you. You'll love it. It'll be just me and you."

As the elevator door opened up for the couple, Kate tightened her grip on his arm and smiled happily, "I like your surprises." She stood up on to her toes and kissed the side of his head lovingly. Their day together begins here.

Kate drove to their loft so Castle could pick up a few things and say hi to Alexis and Martha, they'd be excited to see him home after his hiatus in the hospital. They walked down the hallway arm in arm to their front door, once they got there Castle unlocked the door and stepped in to a surprise his family set up for him. Martha and Alexis were smiling under a banner hanging from the ceiling that read, "Welcome Home!" To Castle's surprise there were a few "get well" gifts for him on the table. Castle stepped in with a huge smile. Kate kissed his cheek and said lovingly, "Welcome home."

Martha rushed over to her son and hugged him tightly, "Welcome home hero!" Castle reciprocated the hug with a questioning look.

Martha released him as Alexis rushed over and hugged her father. She hugged him tightly, "God Dad, when are you not going to get into trouble."

Castle hugged her back and looked over at Kate smiling, "As soon as Kate stops getting into danger."

Kate laughed, "Oh really? I'm the one who gets into trouble more? Yeah right."

Everyone laughed. Castle grabbed everyone into a group hug, "You have no idea Kate." Everyone laughed again.

Martha smiled excitedly, "Now. Katherine has the day off. What is your plan darling?"

Castle smiled slyly at Martha and Alexis, "I have a surprise for her. Care to come along for the ride?" He winked and Martha and Alexis smiled and nodded. Understanding the code that was said. Kate stood their smiling to herself wondering about the surprise. Castle clapped his hands, "Ladies. Let us go then!" They all gathered their things and went out to his Mercedes.

Castle was driving his Mercedes on I-478 S from Broadway and West Street heading down to his little surprise trip for Kate. Kate was sitting in the front passenger seat smiling happily while conversing with the other two most important women in his life. He was silently smiling at this wonderful life he had managed with Kate. It's been quite an adventure. Then all of a sudden...

One of his random songs came onto the speakers from his playlist. "Shout" by the Isley Brothers. Kate was surprised by a sudden silence then a burst from Castle singing, "wee-eee-eell… You know you make me wanna SHOUT!" Alexis and Martha started to sing along as well snapping their fingers to the beat. Kate laughed and shook her head to their shenanigans, then joined in the sing along. It was a very energetic song she couldn't resist. The good vibes Castle produced were contagious she could never resist.

Castle turned the car left onto Surf Ave and Kate then realized where they were heading. Coney Island. She smiled excitedly at where they were going, "we're going to Coney Island!"

Castle looked over at her and nodded happily, "you better believe it." He smiled and looked into the rear view mirror to Martha and Alexis, "You guys can talk about it now."

Alexis exaggerated a sigh of relief, "oh thank God. I wanted to tell her so bad!" Kate and Castle laughed.

Martha leaned forward in between Kate and Castle and said, "don't worry darlings. Alexis and I won't bother you too much if you want some alone time. If you know what I mean?" Castle and Kate laughed and shook their heads.

They were at Coney Island the whole day. The Castle's for the first half of their adventure had a blast taking funny pictures, eating carney food, and riding roller coasters till Alexis almost puked her guts out, a typical Castle thing to do. Martha didn't want to go on the roller coasters because she has a fear of heights and that falling sensation they produced. The Castle's even went through one of those photo shops that dressed their guests as certain themes like 1920s Gangsters, Cowboys, and even civil war soldiers. They took multiple pictures as a family. First couples of photos were of the Wild West for example. Castle had a 19th century suit, slick smile, eyebrow raised, and hands in his pockets, and was at the center in front of a bar. To his right there was Kate with a dirty smile dressed as a barmaid with her arm draped over his shoulder and another hand caressing his collar. To his left there was Alexis dressed like a barmaid as well (to Castle's questioning approval) doing roughly the same thing as Kate. Martha was dressed in a big puffy dress of that era and was standing to the side of Alexis. After taking photos as a family, Kate and Castle took some just as a couple. They were dressed as a 1940s couple. The picture was quite hilarious. Castle was wearing a 1940 suit with suspenders, and had lip stick on his collar and on his cheek, his hair was messed up, and he had a funky grin like he just got hit with one too many shots of whiskey. Kate was wearing a green dress and had a surprised look on her face, and her hand was covering her lips like she was caught doing something naughty. Making memories.

As the sun set the nightlife of Coney Island awoke. The Castle's were strolling through the park heading back to the car satisfied with their day in Coney Island. Castle draped his arm over Kate's shoulder as they continued to walk happily to the exit of the park. He brought her close and kissed the top of her head lovingly as they walked. Kate looked up and kissed his lips passionately caressing his chest lovingly.

Kate smiled at Castle, "I owe it all to you."

Castle looked at her, "hm?"

She looked around, "All this." She focused back on Castle, "This wonderful life. Everything." She nestled her head under his chin, "for being there."

Castle smiled and held her tightly, "Always." The family walked happily and silently to the exit of the park. "Ready to go home ladies?" He said happily. Everyone nodded. It has been a good long day. He reached with his free arm to hug Alexis lovingly as they walked out.

For Kate, being married to Castle presented a nice chance for her to experience something new everyday.

Not a very long chapter. Had a bunch of feels and fluff in it. It's to link the events of what is coming up next in their crazy adventure. Hope you enjoy it.

Castle is a pretty strong guy. I believe he could heal in the 2.5 months he's been in the hospital. Important to note that he spent that much time in the hospital to heal.

And P.S.

3XK SUCKS!

Burn in hell 3XK

sincerely,

me