This is the last and final chapter if this story. I hope you enjoyed it, as much as I liked writing it. Hoping that we get the beautiful wedding at the finale this year, and for once there isn't drama attached to it. I'd love a stress free hiatus. If you have reviewed this story, thank you so much. the reviews keep me motivated to write. If you've favorited or put it on alert, please let me know what your final thoughts are. Feedback is so important when you are trying to learn and get better at something. I hope you enjoyed! Check out my other fanfics!

It's been so long since she has spent anytime in her apartment. She opens the windows to let in some fresh air. By the time Castle had asked her to move in with him, she really already had. It had taken just a few hours to wrap up and move the few things she had left here that she wanted at the loft.

On the coffee table in front of her lies two large hat boxes and a photo album. The boxes had been replaced when her apartment blown up they original ones had been water damaged, but miraculously the contents had sustained very little damage at all. The photo album was a different story. Hers had been totally destroyed, this one was a reproduction she had painstakingly put together from pictures her aunt and father had.

She opens the album first and slowly goes through each page. Occasionally stopping to run a finger over the image as she remembers a particular memory or event. There isn't a day where she doesn't think of her mom and miss her, though the memories aren't as painful anymore. Now she can look back and remember the good times without the pain, mainly because of Castle and his family. Before they entered her life, looking at these caused so much pain for what she had lost, for what she would never have. Him and his crazy family taught her that those empty holes in her heart could be filled with not what she lost, but with something that could make her happy.

She flips through a few more pages, before she hears the knock on her door. She closes the album and answers the door.

"Martha, thank you for coming. Come on in, please." Kate leads Martha in. "Please take a seat, would you like something to drink? Wine perhaps?"

"I never say no to a good glass of wine, Katherine. Now what's this all about. We could have spoken at the loft, there's no one there today."

"I wanted to talk to you about something, and I needed some stuff I still have here. I hope I didn't pull you away from anything important." Kate's definitely nervous and Martha has picked up on it. She sits next to Martha on the sofa, placing the wine glass on a coaster on the coffee table.

"Nothing that can't wait, my dear. Is something wrong?" Martha instantly reaching out to grab Kate's hands.

"No, no, nothing like that. I'm not doing this right. Castle would have just the right words." Kate says frustrated at herself, but the thought of Castle calms her.

"Martha, I want to share these with you. In this," she points to everything at the table. "Is all I have left of my mom. These are the good memories I have of her."

Kate looks at Martha with tears in her eyes. "It hurts that she's not going to be there. She's not going to help me with my hair, or to pin my veil. She's not going to hand me something old that means something to her, or give me last minute words of wisdom."

Martha wraps her arm around Kate's shoulder drawing her in. "I want her there with me. Castle and I have decided we'll have an empty chair with a white rose at the ceremony and reception in her honor."

Martha leans her head on Kate's. "Your mother will be there Kate. She'll be in your heart, and she'll be proud of the woman you've become. Of everything you've accomplished." The grand dame of the theater knows better than to feel sorry for Katherine Beckett, that's not what she'd ever want. She runs her hand over the younger woman's hair.

Kate's reaction is unexpected as she wraps her arms around Martha. "Sometimes I miss her so much it hurts. When I was shot I wanted her to be there. When I was so confused about Castle I needed her advice. So many times in the past, I needed my mother."

"Katherine, even when they are gone we never stop needing those we love. Especially those taken away from us so young."Martha answers as she tries to comfort her.

"In the last year I've found that I've gained more than just a future husband. I've gained a family, something I thought I'd lost when she died." Kate pulls away but draws both of Martha's hands into hers.

"Martha on my wedding day, she's won't be present. I can't ask her questions, she can't straighten my train, but I'd like you to, if it's not a burden?" Kate's voice is full of emotion, her eyes brim with tears, but a soft sweet smile graces her lips. "I think my mother would be happier if I wasn't alone on that day. I think she'd be proud of the family we're making, and I would love you with me."

There have been few moments in Martha Rogers life where she has been made speechless. Overwhelmed with more emotion than she thought possible to have with anyone except Alexis or Richard the grand dame of the theater cries for her new daughter in law. The tears sweep down the diva's cheeks unchecked as she finally is able to nod yes.

The two women embrace and finally bring their emotions into check. Kate offering Martha tissues.

"Since the night you walked into that book launch, I've kept my eye on you, Katherine. You were the first woman to make Richard want to be more. You challenged him to be better man. It hasn't been easy for either of you, and I haven't always agreed with the way either of you treated each other, but it was always obvious to me that you were meant for each other. I can't be happier for the two of you. So, now that we've both had a good cry, show me what you have here."

Kate gingerly picks up the album first and holds it to her chest. She smiles and places it open on top of the boxes.

"Martha, meet my mom Johanna..."

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