Okay, despite being super upset last night, I've decided to carry on with this story. I will ignore all of the negative reviews and focus on the positive. So, if you have something negative to say, I won't respond to it going forward.

I want to thank all of you that PM'ed me to ask me to continue with this story. That means more to me that you can ever know. This story is near and dear to my heart so I will continue. If you feel the need to be negative, so be it.

I want to thank those of you that love this story and take the time to leave positive reviews. As one reviewer said, this is fan fiction not real life. So, I can play with it however I want. Don't like it, don't read...

Rick smiled as he watched Kate and Noah with each other. This trip hadn't turned out the way either of them expected. Once Noah was better, they were going to take a nice long trip someplace. When none of them had to worry about sickness or health and they could concentrate on simply having fun.

Kate caught his eye and she smiled at him softly. He smiled back at her and they both noticed that Noah was falling asleep. Kate motioned with her head and they walked out of the room together. Rick noticed how exhausted she appeared. So, he gathered her in his arms and hugged her tightly. Then she whispered, "I don't know if I'm strong enough for this Rick. How can I be strong for him? Especially when I feel like I'm falling apart."

Rick kissed the top of her head and then whispered, "You are the strongest woman I know Katherine Beckett. You raised two children all by yourself and..."

Kate led him over to the chairs in the hallway and then took his hands. She whispered softly, "I should have let you in. I will always be sorry for that. I know that this trip isn't what you wanted, but..."

Rick shook his head and whispered, "Life rarely goes as planned Kate."

Kate looked into his eyes and what she saw there surprised him. She saw a look of undying love. How could he still love her after everything she'd done? After all of the lies and not telling him about Noah for so long. If anyone had a reason to hate someone, Rick had every reason to hate her. He took her hands and she whispered, "I've loved you for so long Rick. I wanted this trip to change things between us. I wanted so many things Rick. I had no idea that Noah would end up here. Fighting for his life. I..."

Not sure how to silence her, Rick leaned forward and kissed her softly. It had the desired effect. She was rendered speechless and after a few minutes, he felt her lips move underneath his own. When they pulled apart, Kate looked at him and he whispered, "I'm sorry..."

Kate shook her head and then leaned forward and kissed him again. This time the kiss was so very sweet and intimate. They only separated when the need for air became a necessity. They looked into each others eyes and then Kate whispered, "That was amazing..."

Rick leaned his forehead against hers and they simply looked at each other. Then Rick whispered, "It was. I love you Kate. So very much. I know that I should hate you, but God I love you. I've always loved you." When Kate didn't say anything, he whispered, "Please say something..."

"H-how can you love me still? I hurt you and..."

Rick shook his head, "That was in the past Kate. It doesn't matter to me what happened. I want you... I wanted you back then. Tell me you want me."

Kate nodded, "I've always wanted you. Always."

"When Noah is better..."

"What?"

"I want us to be a family. Me, you and the kids."

Kate smiled and nodded, "I'd love that."

They sat together in the hallway holding each others hands silently. Kate finally whispered, "Tell me that he's going to be okay Rick."

Rick smiled, "He's going to be just fine. When he grows up, he's going to be the most amazing son a mother could ask for. He might be a doctor, police detective or a lawyer."

Kate smiled and interjected, "Or he might be a writer just like his father."

"Or that. He will protect his sister's and his mother."

"And he will keep his father out of trouble."

"I see so many things in his future. I also see another brother or sister."

That shocked Kate into silence. She looked into his eyes and asked, "You want more children?"

Rick smiled, "I wouldn't say no to more children." Then he lowered his voice and continued, "Especially with you Kate."

She had never been more shocked that she was at that moment. If you had asked her how Rick had felt about her a few days ago, she would have said that he hated her, but hearing him say that he would love to have more children with her was shocking. It was a pleasant shock however. She found that that was a wonderful promise for the future.

Kate whispered, "I just want Noah to get better and then we can focus on us."

"That's all I want Kate. I really, really want there to be an us in our future."

"Me to. But we have to worry about Noah and then our future..."

"Then our future is all out in front of us. So are we really going to give us a shot?"

Kate nodded, "If you can forgive me for screwing everything up all those years ago. Then who am I to deny what's destined to be. I love you Richard Castle."

"And I love you Katherine Beckett. Forever and always..."

And just like that, their futures seemed so much clearer. There would still be hurdles to overcome, but somehow, none of that mattered. Family was the only thing that mattered and the rest would work itself out eventually.

Kate smiled when she saw Beth walking towards them. She knew that the girl had come to bring Noah downstairs and she found herself excited to see what was in store for their little boy.

Beth walked into Noah's room and smiled when she saw the little boy sitting up in his bed. Beth held out her hand and asked, "Are you ready to see the club?"

Noah looked a bit shy, but he nodded and asked, "Can my mommy come?"

Beth smiled, "Of course! And you dad can come to."

Noah's smile lit up the room and Beth helped him out of the bed. She put him in the wheelchair and started pushing him out of the room. Rick and Kate followed close behind them. They both knew that this was something that Beth and Noah could do together.

Kate held out her hand and Rick took it and gave it a sot squeeze. Kate had never been more thankful for Rick being back in her life than she was in this moment. She knew that she couldn't have done this alone. It was almost as if fate had brought them together again for this reason. She knew that she would do anything and everything she could to keep him in her life forever...