You know, at first I didn't think that I was going to continue this story. But then one of my online best friends mentioned it was her birthday coming up, and I knew I wanted to write her something, so this happened.

Review responses:

PrecoBeco - Sure.

Princess of Imagination - Thank you. I hope you enjoy this Chapter just as much.

Guest - I can't help but agree with you. Enjoy.

Guest - Yup. And, as revealed in this Chapter, Rick's not the only one getting a surprise.

Disneynut - Suggestion received, considered, and approved.

hfce - Thank you, I hope you think this Chapter is just as sweet.

Bianca(Guest) - I had a feeling you would.

Caskettlover always41319 - Yup, pretty much!

For Bianca. There are no words to describe how much your friendship means to me. Happy Birthday.

Disclaimer - I don't own Castle.

The moment that the couple walked through the door into the loft, Rick turned slightly, pressing a gentle kiss to his wife's forehead. "Why don't you find us a movie or something to watch? I'm going to go unpack, and then I'll be right back out".

Kate smiled in response, her hazel-green eyes sparkling with happiness as she looked at her husband. "Alright, sounds good. See you in a few minutes then"

"See you then" the writer replied, before easing himself gently away from her side and walking towards the door that led from the main room of the loft into their bedroom.

Once inside the room, and after making sure the door was closed firmly behind him, he smiled to himself, pulling a long rectangular box from his bag and setting it down on the bed. I'm not the only one who's going to be pleasantly surprised today… he thought idly, before starting to rummage through his bag, eager to finish getting unpacked so that he could rejoin his wife as soon as possible and they could make the most of the rest of the day.

~20 to 30 minutes later~

Smiling gently to himself as he picked up the box and slid it into his pocket, he left the room, rejoining his wife on the couch in front of the TV. She snuggled into his side immediately, resting her head on his shoulder. "You didn't choose a movie" he observed quietly, idly playing with a lock of her hair with one hand.

She gave a soft laugh, the sound making Rick fall even more in love with her. "No. I meant to, but then I remembered how crazy the last couple of months have been, and long it's been since the two of us just spent a few hours just sitting here, doing nothing but enjoying each other's presence".

"Is that what you want to do, Kate?"

Hazel-green eyes met blue, and the woman nodded. "Honestly, yes"

"Sounds good to me. But first, I have a surprise of my own for you… Would you mind sitting up for a minute please?"

Though his wife was clearly surprised by his request, she did so, turning in her seat so that she was facing him. Reaching into his pocket, he took out the box he'd put in there just a minute or so before, holding it out to her. She looked at the box in surprise, and then back at him, and he could see the unspoken question in her eyes. "Go ahead, open it".

She gingerly took the box from him and cradled it in her own lap, hesitating for a few seconds before carefully lifting the lid. Rick's watching eyes registered the exact moment that Kate saw the contents. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she alternated between staring down at the contents of the box and back up at him. "Rick?"

He smiled softly, knowing that she wanted an explanation. "Do you remember how, when we talked over the phone a couple of days ago, I said that I had a couple of signings to do and then I had the rest of the day to myself?"

His wife nodded. He smiled, pausing briefly to brush a strand of her hair away from her face before continuing. "Well, I was wandering around relatively aimlessly, and a small jewellery store caught my eye. I entered, planning just to look around for a few minutes and leave again, but that one caught my eye and I immediately knew that it would look amazing on you. And I remembered that you mentioned you've been looking for something new to wear when we go out for dinner or to book launch parties ever since we got engaged and you barely wear the chain with your mother's ring on it now that you've solved her case, so I thought I'd buy this for you".

Kate looked down at the box in her lap again, admiring the heart-shaped diamond necklace with two hearts entwined inside it. "I don't really want to know how expensive this was, do I?" she queried, her tone serious, though the way in which her eyes sparkled happily as she looked at the necklace betrayed the fact that she was sincerely touched by the gift.

Wrapping his arms around her, Rick pulled the younger woman into a hug, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Honestly? No, you definitely don't want to know. But Kate, the price isn't important. I know you're not a really big fan of extravagance, or flashy jewellery, and that is just one of the many things that I love about you. I just think you're the most incredible, stubborn, stunning, inspiring, woman that I've ever met, and I wanted to buy you something truly special"

She smiled, leaning in and giving him a quick, though tender, kiss. As she pulled away, she reached down with one hand, carefully removing the necklace from the box, and held it out to him. "Thank you, Rick. It's beautiful, it really is"

He smiled. "Just like the woman whose neck it'll be hanging around, then".

She blushed brilliantly, before giving the necklace to him and turning away, brushing her hair away from her neck to allow him access. "Help me put it on?" she queried.

"Always"

Undoing the necklace's long chain, he slipped it around her neck before refastening it, being careful to ensure that his wife's long hair didn't get snagged by the clasp as he did so. "Done"

Turning back to him, Kate smiled at her husband warmly. "It really is absolutely gorgeous, Rick. And so fitting, too. Two hearts entwined… Doesn't that sound at all familiar?"

"Of course. It reminds me of our marriage, Kate. Two hearts as one".

Nodding, Kate pressed a soft kiss to her husband's lips. "That's exactly what I was thinking. Now, if you don't mind, I think that's more than enough symbolism for one day already, and I want to show you just how much I missed you".

"As you wish" Rick replied, pressing a soft, chaste, kiss to his wife's forehead before standing, helping her up, and leading her in the direction of their bedroom.

They had some celebrating to do.

So there we go. I hope you guys enjoyed this Chapter.

If you're interested in seeing a picture of the necklace that Rick gave Kate, there's a link to it on my profile.

Leave a Review? I'd love to know what you all think!