Knowing You

a "The Time Of Our Lives" story

10. Epilogue – A Life With You

It was just past 7 AM, and they laid curled up in bed, completely and utterly sated after an early morning round of lovemaking. Castle rested his head back against the pillows and took several deep breaths as he tried to calm his rapidly beating heart. Snuggled up against his side, Kate tenderly ran her hand up and down his heaving chest, tracing her fingers over the long faded scars that had once marred his skin. It had been some years since they'd been able to really go at it like that, at least not since the kids had moved out.

It felt good to have the place to themselves, but at the same time, Castle did miss their children—playing video games with Sam and helping Laurie with discovering the wonders and joy of creating her own story. The brownstone was quiet without Laurie and Sam. The nest was empty. But their children were off at college now, starting exciting new phases of their lives. As it should be.

He did still wonder, at times, if their counterparts in the other universe had the same fortune as they had. Despite all the ups and downs that their marriage went through—the joy of Laurie's birth, the depressing sadness of a tragic miscarriage, the brief separation that followed, Alexis falling in love and getting married, and then the unexpected arrival of Sam, the joy and happiness he had brought—it had been a happy and fulfilling life. It hadn't always been sunshine and roses, but it had been worth all those bumps in the road. It was the journey that made it all worthwhile.

"You okay?" his wife asked him, smoothing her palm over his rapidly beating heart.

"Yeah, yeah," he bobbed his head, offering her a reassuring smile. He shifted, bringing up his hand to clasp hers over his chest. "Just thinking."

"About?"

"The journey life has taken us on," he answered.

Kate moved closer, slinking one leg over his, burrowing further into his side. "A happy journey, I hope," she said.

"Yes, a very happy journey," he chuckled softly, tilting his head down to playfully nip at her lips with his, teasing her with prospects of a second round. She hummed in approval. His stamina wasn't like it used to be, but a naked Kate Beckett still did things to him. Always would.

The years had been kind to them. The firmness of youth had faded, as it always would, but their love never did. The depth of their love had remained strong, growing stronger with each passing year. In his eyes, despite the wrinkles and gray hairs, Kate was as beautiful as she was the day he first woke up in that hospital bed and saw her gazing down at him with a mixture of concern and tentative hope. And judging by the way she looked at him now, he was positive his wife thought the same of him, her ruggedly handsome husband.

"I love you, Kate," Castle said, tugging her closer and relishing the feel of her warm body pressed flush to his. He brushed his nose against hers, before capturing her mouth in a soaring kiss, filling it with all the passion and love he had for her. "I always have. And I always will."

"I wish I had your way with words," Kate mumbled, blinking back tears as she melted into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his torso and hooking her leg over his hip. "I never thought my life would have ever turned out this way. For the longest time, I thought I didn't deserve such happiness. But then I met you through him. He loved a different version of me, and in doing so, brought me to you, the love of my life. I wouldn't change it for anything." She paused for a beat, stealing another kiss from him. "Knowing you, being your wife, being mother to our children, has been the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I love you, Richard Castle. Always."

Her smile made the wrinkles of age and time fade, making her bright and glorious. She placed a hand along the side of his face and pushed up to kiss him lazily, letting them both savor the rightness of their union.

"It has been great, hasn't it?" he asked when they were forced to pull back for air.

"Yes, it has… a life with you… the best," she concurred

"So… what's next?"

Kate smiled, and curled her fingers around his neck. "The start of another adventure?" she offered.

Castle smiled, and arched his neck to stare down at the woman he loved. "Yes," he echoed with a soft smile. "The start of another adventure."

THE END