Summary: 'you and i have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead' Ten years. Two partners. One car. A series of drabbles.
Disclaimer: I am one of billions of people who do not own Castle. I am one of millions of people who trust Andrew Marlowe and co. to treat my babies well. I am one of one people who is currently wishing I was curled up in bed watching the episode of Morecambe and Wise that had The Beatles on it. That last point isn't, admittedly, very important except to add that title and lyrics were written by Sir Thumbs Aloft himself.
Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews, follows, etc. They're very much appreciated and treasured. I would frame them and hang them on my wall if I didn't think it would further encourage my parents to think I'm properly insane.
you and i have memories
longer than the road that stretches out ahead
Year Six
[ in which Castle cannot stop asking Kate (and it's totally her fault, he insists) ]
Castle opens his mouth and Kate glares. This is becoming a predictable pattern rather quickly. They're on their way home from the precinct and she is tired, grumpy and for god's sake, Castle, stop bringing it up. She hadn't meant to blurt it out like that at all but her partner had latched on to the meaning implied in her words and now was trying to talk about it more. Adams had killed his wife, apparently because she'd wanted a divorce. Such 'logical' reasoning had finally been admitted after almost half an hours of wracking sobs and tears and shaking that had seemingly rattled her boyfriend... She had leant slightly over to Castle, resting her hand on his arm as she saw him flinch.
"Rick, you can leave if you want," she'd whispered. He'd just shaken his head and she'd tried to comfort him as best she could. Maybe divert him with humor? "Hey, I can at least promise you that I won't kill you if you ever want a divorce. How do you feel about me being cliché and just serving you with papers instead?"
He had turned, eyes wide, shocked. "You'd divorce me?"
"It's not exactly on my to-do list, no..."
His eyes had suddenly lit up. "What about marriage, is that on your to-do list, then? I'd rather we didn't jump over the assumed prospect of our marriage in the rush to analyze how violent you'd be if we divorced...'
Now, they're nearly back at the loft and Castle has asked (to her oh so accurate count) Beckett nine times whether she does want to get married at some point. Even though they've been living together for months now, she's cleverly (yeah, right, she scoffs to herself) avoided the big discussion about potential marriage and children. He doesn't appear to be letting go now, though, and she side-eyes him as he ventures into the mine-field yet again as they reach the turn-off to their street. "Kaaaate, would you be terribly upset if I chose the ring myself?" he asks, entirely too seriously for the nervous butterflies in her stomach.
Oh my god. What is she meant to say? If she says yes, that's a blatant lie (she's always longed for the romantic surprise proposal over one where she knows everything in advance) but if she says no doesn't that give him a green light to propose whenever he wants? Her hesitancy in answering apparently makes him even bolder and he reaches over, puts his large hand just above her knee, brushing lightly against her own fingers which are resting there. He rubs his thumb over her bare ring finger and she almost jumps out of her seat at the anticipatory shock that runs through her body. He keeps his hand there until they get out the car and continues to stay close at her back as they go inside the loft. She tries in vain to put aside the whole topic of conversation to the back of her mind.
That night he cooks dinner and she's thankful that he's being sensitive enough not to push her. As they lay in bed, his strong arm wrapped lovingly around her as they drift off to sleep he kisses her lips before bringing it up again. And she can't tamp down the joy at his words.
"Kate, I love you and one day, when you're ready and I work up the courage, I'm going to ask you to marry me. I've dreamt of it, Kate, that day when you say I do, when I have the privilege of kissing my bride, when I get to show everyone how very much I'm yours forever."
She raises a hand and strokes his cheek, lightly, unable to stop gazing at his earnest expression, his bright, shining eyes. Unable to be dishonest with this man she knows she'll always love. "Me too, Castle, me too."