Only Just Begun

by Castlefan6

A/N: This is the sequel to "Trying To Forget." Please read that first. This picks up immediately after that story ends and WILL BE A CASKETT ENDING. Now after they have talked and well talked in a different manner. What happens? This will be a love story between Caskett that also deals with the consequences of actions, righting wrongs, and how some past history for each of the love birds is revealed. AU.

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I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only.

A/N: Note, I've made better progress than I first anticipated, so by popular demand, I will be posting hopefully one chapter a day of the sequel to Trying to Forget, and it WILL BE CASKETT

Chapter 1

Rick's Loft

The Next Morning

Flashback to a few hours earlier,

"I'm suggesting that we keep doing what we're doing now, but…more so," Castle said carefully. "Maybe get dinner now and again, go to Central Park, or even you spend a weekend with me at the Hamptons…things like that."

Another smile crawled across Beckett's face. "Richard Castle, are you asking me out on a date?"

Castle chuckled. "It's the only way I can think of to move us forward without depending on the past," he said. What do you say?"

Beckett's smile stayed tacked in place as she said, "Sounds like a plan to me. Just one thing, Rick. The last time you invited me to the Hamptons, you promised NO Funny stuff. Can we amend that to Lots and Lots of Funny Stuff?" She giggled, took his face in her hands, cupped it, and said, "I love you, Richard Castle, and I always will.

Castle grinned at her and returned her kiss when they finally broke for air said. "Your wish is my command," and took her hand. It was Kate who led the way to his bedroom and finally got to show her man just how much she loved him.

CURRENT TIME

Rick rolled over to see the most beautiful sight in the world, Kate Beckett, gently purring in the bed next to him. He pinched himself. Was this a dream? He laid back on his pillow, and then it started to come back to him. The meeting at the Haunt, how she had followed him home, then the talk, yeah, then wait, did she take the lead?

Just as he was trying to remember, he felt her turn over and reach for him, drawing him into a deep, passionate kiss. "Stop overthinking it, Rick, it's real. I know I woke up a few times myself, and I couldn't believe that the "Universe," as you call it, had treated me so favorably.

"How else could I have gotten this lucky? Look, Babe. I know we've only just begun, but I think we need to talk about where we go from here. You said it last night, and I agree; no more talking in subtext; just come out and say what we mean." She said as she slipped out of bed, "Be right back." she leaned in, stole a short kiss, and walked out the door.

Two minutes later, she returned wearing only his white dress shirt and carrying two cups of coffee. She smiled and said, "I don't want to be crabby, so I started the coffee earlier. I hope that was OK."

His eyes lit up to a shade of blue Kate had longed to see for over four years; the smile on his face gave her the answer. "Um, let me see, the woman I just made love to, the woman I've been in love with for almost five years, leaves my bed to get me coffee? Yeah, I can see how any normal man would get upset." Then he started laughing as she kissed him again.

Kate broke away and had a puzzled look on her face; Rick picked up on it immediately.

"Did I say something wrong, Kate? I'm sorry. Tell me what I did." He pleaded

"You said the woman you had been in love with for almost five years, Rick. We've only been apart for four and a half years. I'm confused." She said, a worried look on her face. Was he substituting her for someone else? Heaven knows where he had been and with whom her mind raced.

"That's easy. I've been in love with you since the Candella case, and that is over five years ago now." he smiled as he saw the relief come over her face. "You see how easy this can be; you think something, you ask, and then I tell you the truth, and we both feel better. That's why I said we can never go back to just speaking in subtext and subtle hints, even for difficult discussions." He kissed her forehead where the wrinkles had been,

"I'm sorry, Babe, it's gonna take me a while; please be patient with me. I'll get there, I promise." She said as she stole another kiss,

"Can I tell you something that might help? I'm not going anywhere? I'll wait for as long as it takes each of US. I know we are going to have to work through a lot of baggage on both our parts. Please be patient with me as well. This mess we just got out of was not all your fault; we both own it, and both of us will make up for it, I know. Oh, by the way, I love it when you call me Babe." he smiled,

He saw that beautiful smile and heard her little giggle: "Thanks, Babe. Just for the record, you're the only one I have ever called that. It just seemed right."

He rolled over and accidentally hit the stereo remote. Suddenly, the room was full of Karen Carpenter's sweet voice.

We've only just begun to live
White lace and promises
A kiss for luck, and we're on our way
(We've only begun)

Before the risin' sun, we fly
So many roads to choose
We'll start out walkin' and learn to run
(And yes, we've just begun)

Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watchin the signs along the way
Talkin' it over, just the two of us
Workin' together day to day
Together

And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We'll find a place where there's room to grow
(And yes, we've just begun)

Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watchin' the signs along the way
Talkin' it over, just the two of us
Workin' together day to day
Together
Together

And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We'll find a place where there's room to grow
And yes, we've just begun.

She cuddled into him, "I couldn't think of a better song to start this relationship off with, Babe. Were you listening to it for a special reason?" She asked,

"When Mike and Alexis were talking about music, they asked what song I liked that would signify a new beginning for the two of them, so I remembered this song," he replied, as Kate's face had the and then look on it waiting on him to give the verdict from the young couple. "Lucky for us, they didn't like it, but I'm glad my lady does," he smiled and held her tight.

"I guess it would be too old-fashioned for someone of Alexis's and Mike's age, but it's perfect for us. It sounds like the writer was looking directly at us when he penned those words," Kate said

"I played it before we had our conversation, but you're right. I was thinking when I heard the words,

"Talkin' it over, just the two of us. Workin' together day to day." If only we could have done this. We did work together every day, but.

"We didn't talk, really talk, Rick. That's mostly my fault, but I've been working with Dr. Burke, and I think I have made great progress; you will have to be the judge of that.

"Kate, do you realize you told me more last night than you had in the five-plus years we worked side by side, together? So, I don't need to judge you. I know you're a stronger person and in this to win it. I'll say the words that I longed to say for so long: not only am I in love with you, Katherine Beckett, I trust you with my heart and my very being." She let a few tears fall, and quickly a tissue appeared. "I'm sorry I keep making you cry," Rick said,

She took his face in her small hands and said, "One thing you are gonna have to learn, Babe, is women cry when they are happy; these are tears of joy, not sadness.

Just then, her stomach rumbled, and they laughed, "Guess we better get out of bed and get the day started with breakfast. Is there anything you would like to do today?" Rick asked,

"More of this, Babe, we don't have to be in the bed; in fact, it might be a good idea if we weren't. I mean, I have trouble controlling myself around you," she laughed, the sweetest laugh he had missed that sound for over four years. "Oh, and don't even think about a shower together. We both know we would never get the day started; I'm headed to the guest bathroom," she laughed,

His face showed a pouty look, but he knew she was right, "OK, but only because I know you need a little rest; I don't want to hurt you and put you out of commission," he laughed as he slipped into his shower.

Twenty minutes later, Rick was busy cooking omelets just the way Kate loved them and was preparing to plate them when he felt her arms slip around him and kiss his neck. "If you keep that up, neither of us is going to eat much," he laughed as he turned to kiss her. She smelled like cherries. Gosh, had he missed that smell, that face, the laugh, he had missed Kate.

Just as they were lost in each other's eyes, forgetting about the toast that had popped out of the toaster, there was a noise at the front door that jolted them back into reality. Rick mouthed silently, "It's Mother trying to do her walk of shame," and smiled.

"Hello, Mother, you're either very late or very early," he said from the kitchen as she popped around the wall, "Oh Richard, why are you such a smart ass, I swear," then she looked up and saw Kate.

"Oh…my. Kate Beckett?" she asked almost incredulously.

"Hello, Martha," Beckett greeted her with a warm smile. "It's nice to see you again."

Martha hurried over to her and wrapped her in a giant hug. "Oh, you have no idea, my dear. Hold on, let me look at you. " She stepped back and dabbed her eyes as she asked, "How long has it been Darling? It seems like forever since we've seen you."

"It's been too long, Martha, far too long, but I'm here now, and you'll be seeing a lot of me; I hope you don't get tired of it," Kate said and lowered her head,

"Oh? Darling, that's the best news I have heard in years. I take it by that."

"Yes, Mother, we were just beginning to discuss our next steps, but we are a couple now," Rick interrupted her, knowing she would be asking everything right down to the time of her first meeting with him.

He wasn't comfortable and wasn't sure how comfortable Kate would be with the world, knowing just yet about them; besides, he needed to speak to Alexis. The quickest way to let the world know what was going on was to tell his mother that something was a secret.

"Oh, to look like you do at your age! I already looked about ten years older, and you look about ten years younger than the last time I laid eyes on you. Granted, I was busy trying to keep up with a demanding child as well as a career," she cast a pointed glance over her shoulder at Castle, never able to resist the opportunity of a barb towards her son.

"Yes, I've heard hiring a nanny can give one some wicked crow's feet; in fact, it's the leading cause of aging for actresses," Rick quickly quipped without looking up.

Martha waved a hand at him and turned back to Beckett, saying, "The point is, my dear, you look marvelous. It's so good to see you back in the loft. We have missed you terribly."

Beckett smiled back at her. "Martha, you look wonderful yourself, as always."

"Oh, you're too kind, my dear. You're too kind," Martha patted her hand and then pointed a finger at Castle. "Richard, You're not letting her leave again, you hear me?" Her voice suddenly became that of a stern mother lecturing a child.

"If you must know, Mother, WE were actually in the middle of discussing that before you interrupted us," Rick informed her.

A look of realization passed over Martha's face. "Ah," she said, looking a bit awkward. "Well, I…I've just remembered that I have to read a script that I was asked to look at by a valued student. I want to get it to her by Monday, so perhaps I'll go do that," she turned back to Beckett a final time. "It really was delightful to see you again. I do hope to see you again soon." She leaned in and hugged her tightly once again,

"It was good to see you too," Beckett said genuinely. "I'm sure I'll be seeing you."

Martha smiled at her, showed her fingers crossed with a huge smile, and then departed from the room.

"Well, I guess you can see how the subtle Martha feels about you, Kate. Does that surprise you?" Rick asked,

"Surprise, I would say no. I mean, I always looked to Martha to step in for my Mom when there were things, well, things ladies talk to ladies about; she was never too busy for me. I am delighted to know that she is in my corner, actually our corner, " she said with a smile as she sipped a glass of orange juice.

"Well, Alexis is going to surprise you. One of the reasons I wasn't comfortable with telling Mother anything more was that I wanted Alexis to hear it from both of us and have a chance to ask any questions she may have. Would that bother you?" Rick asked, knowing he was placing her in front of a potential firing squad unless he stopped anything if it got out of hand.

He saw her face grimace and then added, "Would it help you to know that it was Alexis who suggested we get together after having lunch with Lanie? She didn't know how to tell me that you weren't married. I think her engagement has shown her that relationships are much more complicated once you get past eighteen," He laughed.

"Really, Rick, Alexis suggested it? Kate was almost knocked off her feet.

"I swear on James Patterson winning the Edgar Allen Poe award every year I'm alive. Now you know how I hate to lose but to Patterson?" He smiled, and there was her laugh, that sweet laugh that meant all was well with the world, at least his world.

"Then, if Alexis wants to ask me my intentions, I will be more than happy to meet with her. Hell, I will tell the world if you let me; you're mine."

She saw the smile come out, and she didn't want to push it too hard. This was all brand new, but she had to know,

"Well, speaking of lunch with Lanie, I know Alexis had lunch with her, but I also know a certain writer took her to dinner at LeCerq, of all places, a few years ago. My God, Javi walked around talking to himself in Spanish for a month after he found out. You wouldn't be willing to share any of those details now, would you?" She asked as he blushed slightly and then smiled.

"Well, it was Lanie's way of letting me know about your wedding coming up. She wanted to be sure I was OK and that I didn't hear about it on Social Media or worse, Social Martha. I wanted to thank her, and let her I knew about how many times she had pulled you aside to give you that shape up or you're gonna lose him girl talk," Rick blushed, but Kate was almost completely red.

"That she did, Rick, and I was a fool, I mean."

"None of that, Kate, shhhh, you see how easy this is going. You ask me about something that has made you uncomfortable. I give you my explanation, and then we continue to discuss the next steps. It's communicating; we just won't allow each other to blame ourselves or anyone else. Deal?"

"That's a Deal. I'm sorry, Rick. I had no right to ask about you taking Lanie to dinner. Hell, I was months away from a planned wedding. I had zero right to be jealous, but honestly, even though I knew she wouldn't hurt me, I still was. I was jealous that it was her in her arms dancing and not me." Tears came to her eyes, and the magical handkerchief suddenly appeared.

"Let's agree we both hurt each other, but we also never stopped loving one another. People do crazy things, and if you were jealous of Lanie and me at dinner while planning your wedding, I have a pretty good idea of who owns your heart." He said with a smile,

She smiled, "For a lot longer than you even know, Rick, you said you fell in love with me while working the Candella case? That night when you told me about Monkey Bunky, crawling around on the floor with your thousand-dollar suit, with a flashlight in your mouth to let me rest, well, that was the moment I knew for sure. I loved you then, and I love you now, Richard Castle," she said as she embraced him deeply and kissed him like she had never before.

Just as they broke the kiss and stared into each other's eyes for at least three minutes without saying a word, Rick's phone rang with Alexis's ringtone.

He didn't hesitate to put it on speaker and kept Kate pulled close to him.

"Good morning, Alexis. How's it going with you and Mike today?" He asked in his cheery Dad tone.

"We're doing great, but from the sound of your voice, I'm guessing you're not alone, and Kate is with you. Congratulations, Daddy, you did it; you swallowed your pride, and well, I don't know what you did, and no, I don't want to know. She giggled, "I'm just glad Kate is with you," She is with you, isn't she, Daddy?" A panic-stricken voice came over the phone.

"Good morning, Alexis, I'm with him, and I will be until he chases me away," Kate said, as Alexis let out a whoop,

"Kate's with Daddy, Mike." She heard Mike say Congratulations in the background and the next thing she told her dad they would be over in an hour. She couldn't wait to see Kate again and hung up the phone.

"I don't think you have to worry about how Alexis is going to take us, now do you?" he asked, she laughed and said, "Shut up and kiss me."

TBC

A/N": We had such a positive response to Trying to Forget that I thought I would continue the story for a brief sequel to show how things were after they had finally talked. I am always open to suggestions and corrective criticism. Thank you all for such an outpouring. This will be CASKETT, not that anyone was in doubt. Thx * Tim