Castle

He had gotten this award a few times now, but that didn't mean that each time he wasn't still nervous about making his speech. The first time he had received this award, it was the year him and Kate had gotten married. Now, they were married for ten years. They had two sons (twins) and a daughter in those ten years. Kate had become the senator of New York and he started writing more than just mystery novels, although those were still his favorite. He ended the Nikki Heat series two years ago, since he wanted to focus on other things and his family. He didn't kill her off, no he did that once before with his main character and he couldn't bare killing off a character that was based on his wife.

He looked in the mirror, as he straightened his tie, and saw Kate coming out of their bathroom in the reflection. She was wearing this beautiful black gown. It had lacy sleeves and a v-neck line. It didn't show too much, but just enough to drive him crazy.

"Wow," he said before he turned around and looked at her. "How is it after all these years, you grow more and more beautiful?"

She smiled as she walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Cause my husband's eye sight is going," she teased slightly. She pressed a kiss to his lips before he could say that he didn't need the glasses that his doctor prescribed him. "You ready for tonight?"

"Well, I have my lovely wife here and I have my speech in my pocket. Alexis and my mother are going to meet us there and the kids, I'm sure, are having a blast at their sleepover with their grandpa, so I think I'm more than ready. I was hoping that your dad would join us, but I can't really say I blame him. I'd rather build a blanket fort and roast marshmallows with our kids."

"Can you give me a little preview of your speech?"

"Katherine Castle, since when have you've been one for spoilers?"

"Since your last speech you made, when you thought you were on a Comedy Central roast."

"Alright, that might not have been my best speech, but I was trying something new."

"Apparently." She sat down on the edge of the bed. "Let me hear it, Castle."

He took out the fold piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. He looked at his wife before he started speaking. "I have made speeches like this many times, and I'm thankful for every award I have won in the past. However, I'd give up all the awards if it meant I was destined to spend another lifetime with my wife. It's no secret that I changed my middle and last name. I don't know why I picked the last name, Castle. That was, until I met my wife. I wanted to be her fortress, the one that she would go to when she needed to feel safe, the one that would protect her from harm. Even though she was a detective and was much more experienced with a gun than I was, I still wanted to protect her. Without my wife, I would have never had the inspiration to create the character Nikki Heat. Shadowing her partners Ryan and Esposito wouldn't have been the same, no offense to them of course. I wouldn't have expanded my writing to other works without her support and encouragement. She has been my strength, my heart, my joy, my inspiration, and my love for many years now and she will continue to be for many years to come. So tonight, this award goes to my wife, Katherine Castle. I love you. Always."

She got off the bed as she saw him folding up the speech. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. She let him know how much she loved him in her kiss as she parted his lips with her tongue, exploring every inch of his mouth before tangling her tongue with his. She knew that if she continued to kiss him like that, they'd never leave. However, she knew that one kiss wasn't going to hurt or make them late. She angled her head to deepen their kiss and as much as she wanted to run her fingers through his hair, she refrained. She only broke their kiss when the need to breathe became present.

He rested her forehead against hers. "I take it that's better than the roast speech?"

She laughed. "Yes, Castle. Much better. I love you, Richard Castle."

"I love you too and I meant every word."

"I know you do. I know whatever you write down, you always mean, especially if it's about me."

"When did you first figure that out?"

"Hmm, probably after the first dedication to me. I had an idea, but then the rest just made it more concrete."

"Didn't convince you with my quotes about you in that interview I did?"

"Nope. Just thought you were trying to get into my pants."

"Which I was, but that wasn't the intention of that interview. The sexual innuendos, that was me trying to get into your pants. If you don't believe me, I can prove it." He waggled his eyebrows.

She laughed before she kissed him lovingly. "Come on, Mr. Castle, you can get in my pants later. You have a speech to make and an award to accept. You make me very proud to be your wife."

She unwrapped her arms from around his neck and took his arm. "I'll be holding you to that and you make me very proud to be your husband. Before we go though, promise me that when you hear this speech, you'll pretend it's like the first time you're hearing it."

She smiled. "Oh don't worry, no matter how many times I hear you speak or read your words, it feels like the first time."

"Is that why the binding on Nikki Heat is wearing?"

"No, but that's why the binding on James Patterson's Zoo is wearing."

He grumbled. "That's not nice, Beckett."

She smiled before she opened the door to the loft. "I love you."

"I love you too...but keep those teasing comments to a minimum. Patterson might hear them and want to steal you away from me."

"That would never happen. After all, I am a one writer girl."

He smiled. "I know. And I love you even more for it."

They closed the door and walked towards the elevator. Kate glanced over to Castle and just looked at him for a bit. She really was proud of her husband. She knew that was something that would never change, just like she was never not going to be proud to have him as her husband.