A/N: Well... It's been a while. I know I said I'd do a sequel but honestly I'm not too sure right now. I did, however, write an epilogue of sorts. Sorry it took so long but real life's a bitch...

1... 2... 3...

I'm counting the ceiling tiles. There really isn't all that much else to do. No one else is here right now. I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned how uncomfortable hospital chairs are. Honestly, if I never see another one for as long as I live I'll be happy.

This is strange. It doesn't seem like all that long ago when I would sit here, writing for hours. Just letting the thoughts in my head assemble themselves on a page, no reason or rhyme other than to let you know I'm here. I'm a master of words but somehow, when I'm face-to-face with someone I panic, all these ideas and things I want to say with no way to articulate myself. I remember how long it took me to tell Kate how I felt and even then I had to do it twice. She is stubborn like that.

I wouldn't change her for the world though. She's as tough as nails, doesn't take crap from anyone. She's stronger than most and doesn't even realize. She's the smartest person I know and I've never, in all my years on this Earth, met anyone with a bigger heart. She's the first person to stand up for what's right, and the last one to back down.

I'm also in love with her so that helps.

I think you'll like her.

I used to send her letters, much like this, when I went away on tours and such. She would laugh at me, called me a hopeless romantic and other names, smiling all the time; The corners of her eyes creasing just a little, one side rising higher than the other. All that time she would mock me for this but she kept them, every single letter I sent. Even the little post-it notes I often left her.

All of them, kept in a shoe box at the back of her wardrobe, ordered by date along with other little trinkets, ticket stubs from a fundraiser we went to years before we were even dating. An old coffee sleeve with some stupid poem I'd written on it before running off on some pointless errand that she'd laugh at later. A small stuffed kitten I bought her one year for Valentines that she hid in her desk, blushing every time I walked past. Silly things, sentimental things. And she says I'm the romantic!

I wasn't even supposed to find it, it was when she was moving into the apartment. She kicked up such as fuss, chased me around the sitting room to grab the box away from me, of course that just made me all the more determined to see what was inside. I don't think I said anything, I just starred. At the box. At her, sat cross-legged on the floor, cheeks blazing red and playing with a strand of hair.

These past few months haven't been easy on any of us, especially Kate.

You might not know it but she used to be one of the finest detectives in New York, probably still would be if she wasn't stuck behind a desk all day. She's the captain of the 12th precinct now, youngest female to make it. She just can't help breaking all these records.

Gate's, that's the captain before Kate, decided to leave. Said that the cops up here were too soft, personally I think she just wanted a change of pace. Everyone here was busy starting up families or settling down and I think she missed that. She finally adopted that nephew of hers, got him out of the system and I believe they're living out in the suburbs together.

Alexis is out travelling the world, took a year out of college for it. I'm so proud of her, my little girl isn't so little anymore. I get the ocassional phone call and every so often a postcard arrives; she's taking about coming back next year to study psychology. Can you imagine? All these years living with me and my mother, she'll have an anecdote ready for any situation! She seems to be enjoying herself though so I'm happy. That's all any father really wants for his child, for them to be loved and safe and happy.

Jenny's pregnant with twins, I'm not sure how Ryan's handling that though. One minute he's bouncing off the walls, telling everyone about the latest sonogram and the next he's panicking. I dread to see what will happen if he has two girls, God knows he two steps from the edge. I shouldn't joke. He's going to be a great father, he's already got a framed picture on his desk and they aren't even born yet!

Javi and Lanie got back together, you probably don't know but there was a time where I honestly thought they wouldn't work it all out... They're happy now, they just work well together, probably talk of a wedding in the future.

Speaking of weddings, I was thinking about asking Kate. I know it's only been a year that we've actually dated for but when you think about it, I've known her for five years. That's longer than both my previous marriages. I just think it'd be nice, that last little piece of the puzzle falling into place, you know?

God, I've been sitting here for hours. I know I shouldn't complain, I have it pretty easy compared to some. Kate just fell asleep, bless her. She's exhausted and even if she wont admit it she fell pretty hard. We're both a little worried, she doesn't bounce back as fast as she'd like to anymore.

I hate hospitals. Always have and probably always will. The 'gang' should be arriving soon, waiting for this show to get on the road...

Kate's waking up, I should probably go.

Well hello! Everything's pretty quiet now; Kate's fallen asleep and everyone else has gone home. She did so well, eighteen hours but you're here now. It's a rainy Tuesday here in the wonderful city of New York and your just like your mother, already trying to get out of here.

You won't get this letter for many years, maybe I'll write more, maybe I'll save them all for you to read. Who knows?

I never knew my father growing up, never got the chance. I don't want that to happen to you. I guess that's why I'm writing this, noting every little thing about you, writing it all down and keeping it safe so you don't ever forget how much I loved you, how much I still love you and always will and so you don't forget me. So you know I wasn't always the grumpy man scaring away your dates but the man who wants to show you Disney movies until your mom is mad at us. Who wants to take you to the park and teach you about dinosaurs and have tea parties and spoil you. So that you remember me as the man who loved you more with every breath he took. Each and every day.

This is for you, my littlest girl, Johanna Emily Castle. This is to remind you, to remind me, of the moments that lead to this, that lead to you.

You are loved by so many and I just wanted you to know that.

All my love, hugs, kisses and best wishes for the future,

Your daddy.

Always.

A/N2: So? Thoughts? Liked it hated it? Wanted to reach through the screen and attack me?

I hope you liked it, since finishing ABC I've had this in mind. It didn't turn out quite as planned but, let's be honest, nothing ever does.

I'm not sure where the whole Gate's thing caame from, I've always loved PJJ and have been rewatching Star Trek: DS9 so I'll blame it on that.

Anyway, hopefully there'll be more writing coming in the next few weeks, not necessarily for Castle though. I've lost my Castle muse.

Please review, it helps me grow as a writer and it's always nice to hear what you liked/didn't so I know what to improve/expand on in future work. Thank guys!

~FallenOutTheWindow