Monday 2:52 pm

The Loft

Kate slipped out of the conservative black dress and hung it up in their walk-in closet. The loft was still filled with their family and closest friends, but she couldn't remain in the dress she'd just buried Castle in one more second. As she scouted for her pair of black jeans, she thought back to the day she'd just experienced.

Alexis, Martha, and Kate had assumed that there would be some sort of official, formal send-off for Rick, considering who Castle was and how he'd met his heroic end. The new police commissioner, however, had adamantly refused permission for a police funeral for a civilian consultant. The mayor had tried to intervene, only to be blocked by his enemies on the city council. A huge backlash of public outrage had not swayed their decision. There was to be no caisson, no parade, no bagpipes.

So, on an overcast and misty morning, her immediate family and some very close friends assembled at the little chapel just inside the cemetery gates. A small but poignant service was highlighted by most everyone in attendance lighting a candle and sharing a 'Castle' story. To say it was illuminating was a huge understatement. There were lots of tears, but even more laughter. Ryan chose to share the 'Curse of the Mummy' story, while Lanie described her five year campaign to get her own expresso machine installed outside the ME's office. Kate's Dad, Castle's poker buddies, Meredith, Paula, even Captain Gates shared stories. Kate could not yet bring herself to talk about her Rick, but she found everyone else's stories incredibly therapeutic, like a salve on an open wound.

Kate had only really wept once. As she left the chapel for that long walk to the gravesite, she chanced to look up. She was greeted by a sea of blue, on every hillside and lining Castle's last road. Seemingly every police officer in the tri-state area had showed up on their own, taking precious vacation time, in their dress blues, to lend their support and say goodbye to one of their own. As they walked up the lane behind Castle and the pall bearers, countless white gloves snapped off perfect salutes, honoring her Castle. It was one of the most emotional and poignant moments in her life, and she was moved to tears with gratitude.

At the gravesite, Kevin Ryan stood tall, and paid tribute to his partner and friend. Obviously, six years of Castle influence had rubbed off on the detective, as he painted picture after picture in rich prose. The Irishman definitely had the gift of blarney, and held the entire congregation in thrall for over half an hour. A closing prayer by the minister, one last kiss of the coffin lid, one last final goodbye, and it was time to leave.

Beckett slipped on her jeans, buttoned up her blouse, and slipped on a pair of comfortable flats. As she exited the closet she spied one of Rick's scarfs, one that he'd worn just last week. On a whim, she wrapped it around her neck, inhaling his unique incense. She passed through the office, and paused in the doorway to take in the scene.

Alexis was over at the far end of the loft. She stood amid a large group of her friends, including both Paige and Ashley (now in the status of 'best male friend') who had both been flown in from their respective colleges. They were busy with one of their countless drinking games, something involving red solo cups and ping pong balls. Kate had made sure that none of them were driving, then basically left them to their own devices. Alexis' occasional ring of laughter went a long way to healing Kate's heart.

Beckett was most concerned about Martha, who'd lost her only son, and her Dad, who'd lost a large piece of his family once again. In what she thought an inspired move, she had confidentially asked each of them to 'look out' for the other. The result was an in-house support group, as they both stayed together, and lent each other their strength. So far, so good. They were currently kibitzing at the poker game, where the poker buddies battled. There were now two empty chairs, Cannell's and Castle's.

Lanie was over on the couch talking to Kevin and Jenny. She'd had an i-pad with her all day, allowing Esposito to view the day's events from his hospital bed via i-chat. So, Esposito saw remotely everything that Lanie could see, and everyone who saw Lanie also saw Esposito's face on the screen. More often than not, she'd hold it up on her shoulder, which made her look like a very creepy two-headed monster. This wasn't without some very amusing moments, as Esposito and the ME were inundated with Sesame Street jokes, short jokes, and even the legend of Orthros (apparently Paige was a big fan of Greek mythology). Esposito, trapped in his hospital bed, had no choice but to grin and bear it or turn it off. Lanie took all the ribbing with as much good humor as she could.

Kate slipped out, bypassing the couch, and lowered herself into Castle's easy chair, sitting back with a sigh. She turned to see little Sara Grace Ryan standing at her side. Kate smiled at the cute youngster and said "Hi, Sweetie."

"Hi Aunt Katie".

"Did you enjoy your daddy's speech today, Honey?"

"I guess. It was really long, and everybody kept laughing at him."

Kate reached down and scooped up the little girl, depositing her on her lap. "They weren't laughing AT him, Sarah Grace. They were laughing because your Dad was very funny." She thought back to Ryan's graveside address, which had been nothing short of superb. She still had no words to express her thanks to Kevin for the spectacular job he had done on Castle's eulogy. She was looking forward to watching the video of his tribute to his partner again and again.

"Aunt Katie?"

"Yeah, Sweetie?"

"Are you sad because Uncle Rick is gone?"

"Yes, Sweetie, I am."

"Would you tell me a story about Uncle Rick?"

So, to Kate's profound astonishment, she did. For the first time since the warehouse, she opened her memories of her life with Castle. It came in a spate, when it came; a rush of warm recollections and colorful anecdotes. To speak easily of Rick at last, to repossess such a wealth of memory from the far side of pain, was as beyond all expectations as claiming a stolen treasure thought lost forever. As miraculous as a sunset. As precious as a flower petal.

And her tears, when they fell, were not of sorrow, but grace.

FINIS - Deo Gratias

A/N: If you'd like an 'epilogue', I highly recommend 'The Chair' by ThePossibiltyofMagic. It helped inspire this story.