A special thank you to my Beta Robert Nielsen, he is the best!
I don't own anything. If I did they would be married already. Did anyone like the way season 6 ended?
Thank you for reading.
Kate sent Rick into the bedroom, to prepare for bed. Truth was she needed a moment to process the events of the evening. She stayed behind and loaded the dishes from dessert into the dishwasher, as she wiped the counter it dawned on her how at home she felt in the loft. She knew her dad watched her the entire night, and he couldn't help but notice how content she was being here with the Castles. She was comforted, to see her dad relaxed and that he enjoyed dinner and spending time with the family as she did.
Kate was about to shut off the light, she glanced around to make sure everything was in place and then lowered the switch, officially ending the evening, she felt an important milestone had been crossed.
Alexis had gone upstairs earlier, it was a school night. Rick never imposed a bedtime for his daughter. He didn't need to. Alexis habitually checked herself. Kate noticed Rick left her a trail of light to the bedroom. She smiled as she shut off each one on the short trek to the master bedroom. She smiled when she saw him.
Rick was leaned up against the padded headboard, his laptop opened, his fingers flying across the keyboard. Kate walked past the bed, leaving him to it and walked into the ensuite bath. She heard the rapid fire clicking of the keys as she passed, she wondered what inspired him to write so fast and furious.
Kate completed her nightly ritual as she prepared for bed, coming out of the bath rubbing lotion over her slender fingers and onto her forearms. She completed the task rubbing the remaining lotion on the back of her hand. She'd used her elbow to shut off the light in the bath.
Rick looked up just as she slid into the bed. He saved his file and closed the laptop, in an instant he reached for Kate.
"Rook and Nikki off on another great adventure?" the hint of mint escaped from her freshly brushed teeth. They were lying face to face.
Rick inhaled; he loved the scent of her. It was one of the many things he loved about this woman. Having her here in his home, felt right. She belonged. Tonight was the first step in his plan. He answered Kate "They are about to embark of the adventure of a lifetime."
"That's g- ," Kate's response was silenced when Rick's warm lips captured hers. She didn't mind, she kissed him right back, matching his desire she pressed closer and felt his desire pressed against her. Rick tugged her panties down with one hand. Kate rolled atop his nude body and crossed her arms she lifted her sleep shirt over her head in one quick motion.
Rick watched her, he'd never tire of watching. She possessed such grace. Her movements were almost lyrical. He rolled them over, tonight he wanted to show his partner just how much she influenced him, and then he did-.
Kate noticed Rick was getting stronger everyday. His stamina was improving.
Afterward, they lay in each others arms. Their lovemaking leaving them in a warm afterglow.
"Lanie sent me a text today," Kate paused and then continued "she asked how you were feeling." Kate chuckled, it seems the boy's wanted to know how you were, so they put Lanie up to recon for them.
Rick rolled over to his side and propped his head on his elbow. He wanted to see Kate as they talked. These moments he cherished, after making love Kate was open to sharing. Rick loved it. "So, what did you tell her?"
"I told her you were getting your strength back, you were almost ready to be on your own again." Kate watched his face fall, as he realized she might be going to her place soon.
"Kate-I…I don't want you to go-I…have you thought any more about staying? Moving in?" Rick voice squeaked higher than he intended for it to.
Kate had thought about it, in fact that's all she'd thought about, she loved being with him. Spending her nights alone while he was touring, were torture. She didn't want to give up her apartment if this wasn't -permanent. She knew when he'd asked her to move-in it was a big step. He didn't subject his family to casual girlfriends, but Kate wanted to know his definition of their relationship. Where did he see them going? They were exclusive, that much they'd discussed, but the cop in her needed the facts. "I've thought about it, but I.."
Rick's eyes pleaded, as he raised his hand, "Kate let's sleep on it. I know this is a big step for us. Tonight was wonderful, let's enjoy this moment, and tomorrow we can talk about where we go from here." The writer paused, thankful she couldn't hear his thundering heart, "If that-will that be alright?"
Kate nodded, she felt him sense her fears. He was right they needed to take things a step at a time, enjoy each moment. Rick embraced her. They held each other.
Rick kissed the top of her head let's get some sleep love. Kate nodded and they repositioned, once they were settled, it didn't take long before Kate heard the rhythmic breathing of her partner, which lulled her into a blissful night's sleep. Subconsciously she knew he was getting stronger. Decisions would have to be made.
The next morning Alexis brewed coffee, as she waited for her bagel to pop from the toaster. She was curious the smell of coffee didn't bring her dad and Kate out of the bedroom. She tapped lightly on the door, then she cracked it open and peeked in. The shades were still drawn, the couple slept. Alexis quietly close the door and returned to the kitchen. She shut off the coffee, grabbed her to-go cup and breakfast as she headed out to school.
Later that morning, Kate's bladder woke her, and her need for coffee. She tried slipping out of bed, but as soon as her feet hit the floor. Rick woke. He looked adorable with bed hair. His eyes weren't even focused when he declared he was awake.
Kate shook her head and headed into the bathroom. She emerged wearing his robe she'd snagged from the hook on the door. Rick was gone from the bedroom. She headed into the kitchen, following her nose. She smelled coffee.
Rick met her around the bar with a cup of coffee in his hand. He brushed his lips over hers lightly and whispered good morning, His blue eyes were twinkling. Kate noticed he looked a little more awake.
He'd snagged a pair of boxers, his feet were bare and his hair was mussed from their activities last night. Kate took a sip of the nectar-of-the-gods. It was so good, and she didn't mind the view.
Rick poured himself a cup, and placed the decanter back on the warmer. "I'd like to go out today." Rick looked over his cup. He was trying hard not to give away how nervous he was as he held back his hidden agenda. He wanted to take her to their special place and get down on one knee. It was time. She needed to know, he was committed. He would marry her today, but he wanted her to have her moment walking down the aisle with her dad. He didn't care where, city hall, the beach, space-ooh that would be so cool, nah he didn't think she would go for that one. He didn't care where, as long as she said yes.
Later that day.
Kate was curious, Rick wanted to go for a walk after lunch. That in its self didn't raise a red flag, it was where they ended up that piqued her interest. They sat on the swings and he told her, this place held a special meaning for him. He told her how much it meant to him, when she'd opened up and shared her feelings with him at this very location.
Kate listened and tucked her hair behind her ears. A light breeze blew, and covered part of her face, she wanted to see his face, she was having a hard time reading him, he seemed so serious. She was getting nervous. What if he's changed his mind, what if he tells her he wants to take things slower, what if he tells her…..oh please don't let him break-up with me. Kate's heart was pounding. She closed her eyes. She heard the rattle of the chain as he got up from the swing. Kate kept her eyes closed for another minute.
"Kate," Rick's voice was low and ominously quiet.
She opened her eyes. Rick was down on one knee. He held out his hands and placed hers into his.
Kate swallowed, she couldn't get the lump out of her throat. Her eyes were tearing. She was terrified.
"I think you are the most amazing person I've ever met, and I can't imagine what it would have been if I hadn't met you." Rick paused.
Kate's heart clenched she frantically searched his face for clues, as to what was about to transpire.
"I've thought about us, and I've reached a decision, I want more. " Rick paused again
Here we go, she thought. He's breaking up with me. Kate was crushed, her body sagged in defeat. She knew in that moment, she would never recover, he held her heart her whole heart. She didn't know how she was going to….wait he was getting something. Her heart pounded in her ears.
Rick reached in his jacket and pulled out a box. He opened it, and placed the box in her trembling hands. His were rock steady.
"You are the last person I'll ever make love to. You are the first person I want to see when I wake up. You are the only person, to capture my heart, I can't bear to wait any longer, Katherine Houghton Beckett, will you share the rest of your life with me, will you honor me by becoming my wife. I vow to love you until I take my last breath, will you marry me?
Kate looked at him and the box that held his promise to her, a huge diamond surrounded by smaller stones set in platinum stared up at her.
Kate was in shock, her hands flew up to cover her mouth, she didn't know whether to curse, or to cry. Rick caught the box as it went flying thru the air, as her hands covered her mouth. When he saw the tears spill over her hand. He started to worry. It was only then he felt the earth digging into his knee, the one that held him up, he was starting to wobble.
Kate saw, he struggled to balance, she removed her hands from her mouth and helped him up. When they were standing she launched herself into his arms. Just as quickly she stood back. "Don't ever do that to me again." She poked him in the chest. "Geez, I thought you were breaking up with me." Kate admitted
"No!-why….Kate why would you think that?" Rick was confused. "So…..just to be clear that was a proposal-which typically...
"Oh! Yes, " she leapt back into his arms.
This time he held on tight. When he did release her, he stepped back and removed the ring from the box, and placed it on her finger. "We can get married tomorrow or next week, or in a few months. I want you to be with me forever Kate."
Kate looked at the ring, it was beautiful, the promise it represented, was the most important thing to her. She wondered how he knew her ring size, it fit perfectly.
The newly engaged couple headed to the loft. Walking and talking along the way. Kate learned her dad, and Martha and Alexis already knew. He answered her many questions.
Kate insisted Rick lay down when they reached the loft. He was tired, but he didn't want to go to sleep. They compromised. He lay on the couch, and she sat beside him. She sent a text to Lanie and the boys. She invited them to the Old Haunt on Friday. Rick wanted to announce their engagement there.
Rick couldn't stop smiling, she said yes. He didn't want to drift off, but he woke up when Alexis came home from school. His daughter assured him, she and Gram would handle the details for the party Friday. She went upstairs to change out of her school uniform.