Through all their ups & downs they came out of this resilient. Loved even with all their hardships, they never gave up. Just love and devotion and humor with them. Now they're living together, and engaged.
What a beautiful love story.

I personally don't even like the idea of someone watching me sleep but I always found it endearing when he watched Beckett sleep.
Ugh! If only they were that open and considerate of each other on the show. Wish she would have included Castle and the boys in her search for her mom's killer. She usually shut him out, it so lovely to hear her promising not to go solo. What a difference that would of been for their relationship to deepen in canon.
They're both so raw, open and honest. I feel like they're finally heading down the right path together. They try to bring out the best in each other, they would both crumble if some thing split them apart.
You should have been a writer for the show (Especially S08). You just have to figure out a crafty way of having Alexis disappear ;-)

Disappointed Kate decided to have a drink. At least she stopped after one, threw it back up. She's back at square one but she's so upset and disgusted with herself. That's a really good thing. Hope she remembers that feeling.
He definitely didn't help her by lying (even if he had the best intentions) but he didn't force her to drink. Easier said than done, but she has to learn how to cope with things without reaching for the bottle. Thoroughly enjoyed the speech he gave about needing one another. How she has support from him, Emily and AA. Also, he believes she would have done the same thing if someone were targeting him.
Aside from Kate's setback, this chapter was extremely uncomfortable for me to read. I just feel like anything I might say would be overly personal. So I'll leave it at nice chapter.

I was going to sit on this for a bit. But I have the urge to strangle you! It was going so well for them. I know! I know! You warned me about this coming. But I still feel irritated. Such a lovely time in the Hamptons with the decadent hot chocolate she was making. What's wrong with Nestle's or Swiss Miss? Lol
Than I had the rug pulled out from under me . I was expecting the talk about her wanting to join the force again but not Maddox and Smith being brought up. She didn't like him keeping secrets the last time and this is so much worse.
I get her taking off. I really do. But I was really hoping she wasn't going to end up in a bar. I'm so annoyed I can even mention parts, I'm aggravated with the both of them.
You promised a happy ending. So you are safe. For now!

I often found their fights to be so enjoyable to watch on the show. Mainly, because it was nice to see a different side to Castle.
She clearly didn't take his news about lying to her very well. I get she was hurt, felt betrayed. But really how else was he going to find out where she was? They didn't exactly part on the best of terms.
Beckett wouldn't be Beckett if she wasn't maddening and frustrating at times. So glad she saw the light and realized he had her best interest at heart. Nice she actually made the effort and met him more than halfway.

You capture their ease, their closeness along with their silly banter so well. I thought that this was going to be a fun-filled, sex-filled chapter, and it was. But you put that paragraph in there with them taking a shower. She remembers with fragments of her memory that they took a shower together before. Only that time she was plastered, and had vomit and blood on her. Loved how she became weak in the knees with the memory and the shame of it. I literally sat and stared at that paragraph for a few minutes. For how much laughter there was in this chapter, that part was my takeaway for sure.
Loved the part with Castle at the diner, when they were discussing baseball and the whole oreos/Orioles conversation happened. That would totally be something he would say!
And the kinky talk between the them. Jeez, it wasn't even subtle. Lol
We finally got Lanie in a chapter. (I just loved her on the show).
Damn! Why does everyone keep bringing her booze? Dear God! No surprise Lanie was kind and took some of blame for not noticing her change in behavior.
She shared some JUICY tid-bits of their naughty times as well. But seriously SEVEN times! Should I contact the Guiness Book of World Records or something? Is Castle taking Viagra?

I'm more coherent this time around, shouldn't leave reviews when the words are a blur to me. She is like a moth to a flame, with Castle. Kind of happy that she gave him a tight hug, instead of a kiss.
Tremendously happy he told her about Al-Anon. And she was more then ok with it. She was so moved. The old Kate would have shut him out, and made him crawl back with his tail between his legs. He handled her news perfectly. He always tries to look for the positive things she did, points them out to her. She needs time and understanding and someone (especially Castle) to help her with that.
Hmmm. All say there were some Major Developments! Good to know he's even more silky than the boxers he had on. Lol
And what I sweet way Kate woke him up from his nap. Love a nice drive through Mville.

Read chapter 20 & 21. Wish I could continue but I'm so tired, I'm becoming cross-eyed. Loved Castle's fumbling attempt at trying to be cool and not show how "excited" he was that Beckett stayed the night and part of the morning.
Wasn't expecting the issues with her not being a cop anymore. What's he suppose to say to that? Liked he thoughts, What's truthful but not hurtful. What's realistic? He has to tread carefully with this conversation. I don't think she's well enough to go back to her job, at least not yet.
Then he left, I wasn't expecting him to leave so soon. To be honest, I'm very concerned that she can't function without him there. Even with all her distractions, she isn't doing very well. She can barely do day-to-day things. And she wants her job back? She's just getting herself back on her feet. Using her training wheels to keep her steady. She just wants too much, too soon.
At least she had enough sense to call Emily. Her sponsor, I'm assuming? You end it with Beckett going back home. Is she going to tell Castle, she wanted to drink? I do think it's for the best she's out of the cabin. She needs her support system, somebody she can lean on. Just one day at a time. She'll get there. She's her own worst enemy. I have serious highs & lows from one paragraph to the next with this story.

That went better then I thought it would. Loved the line, "Not here just for the fun times, Beckett." He is so understanding and wonderful and almost saintly with her.
Christ! Her dad bought her sake. So much for easing into the conversation. The poor thing is ashamed and is in downright agony. Jim could not have been more perfect and patient. Who better to understand, then someone's who's been down that road and recovered? Really, really loved the line, "You're not a disappointment to me. You never will be." Perfect words. So touching.
Glad to know, that Jim feels the love between them. Even if she didn't fully admit it.
Love how emotionally open she is becoming. Especially with Castle at the loft. I really don't know what would've happened if he wasn't around anymore. She probably would have continued to spiral out of control and isolate herself further.
I completely forgot that they aren't intimate yet. It just seemed so natural when she crawled into bed with him. This time I'm sure he'll get to actually wake up with her.
I feel at ease. For now.

Loved the description of how Castle felt, when he couldn't find Kate after they "slept together." God, there is nothing worse than the feeling of hopelessness and fear. Then him making breakfast for her and their talk about him being more than a comfort blanket and who started the hand-holding was just so sweet. Him telling her it was okay to want and need comfort.
My absolute favorite part was the talk about Castle being her best friend. And him hugging her from behind, just so he can be close to her. It was just so breathtaking, so exquisite. I would mention lines, but I would basically be writing out 3 paragraphs, if not more.
This is one of my favorite chapters so far. It's so relatable, so honest and I just love an old-fashioned romance sometimes.
Then it quickly dampens with Kate's fears of telling her father she's drinking.
I was feeling so good too. Thought it was ending on a high note. Damn!
Bravo!

Do you make notes to yourself about what you mentioned in previous chapters? The Safari Strength Bug Mace. lol Also, her love for birds and bird calls? You actually mentioned that in two separate stories. Your interest or your imagination of what Beckett's interests are? Enjoyed Castle's avian amigos joke too.
Now onto the story. Loved her thoughts on the cabin feeling like home to her. Thanks to Castle being there. How she is very much attached to him. Awww.
Loved her thoughts on having a drink vs. not having one. Don't have an issue with alcohol but I felt like that whole part was written painstakingly beautiful.
Castle has the patience of a saint. He waits and waits for her to open up. And when she does, and tells him about her AA meeting and he tells her he's proud, takes her hand and kisses it, I swear I turned into liquid and slid off the couch.
I'm afraid Beckett is wrong. Speedos are disgusting. Even Castle couldn't make that work. 10 points if you can tell me the show where, Princess Consuela Banana Hammock came from?
Then at the end how she shyly asked him to stay. And how he wanted to be close to her, so he didn't change the sheets. Jeepers, then she went into the bed with him. Not at all sexual but still so intimate.
I have to get up before the roosters. So lucky you, you get to rest your eyes now. Just a phenomenal chapter.

Smart and considerate of Castle not to ask what her session with Dr. Burke was about. He's learning and adjusting to her. She's a little bit delicate at the moment. (Don't like the word damaged) She needs a friend, a support system ahead of any thing else right now.
These people aren't real but the line, "Not as good as bourbon, but good." It was just crushing to me. I know she hasn't drank anything, appreciate her honestly. But how could that not sting, for Castle? I just felt the sadness of how much further she has to go.
Then when they went out to eat. And she was sort of talking about her session with Dr. Burke. She told Castle, "If I said I were going to discuss it with anyone it would be you." I think my heart grew like the grinch at the end. Lol
Just LOVED the speech she gives to him on the porch at the end of this chapter. About him staying by her side, and starting to feel hopeful and how she really cherished him.
I'm doing this 1 chapter at a time. It's easier that way and probably easier for you and me to follow.
Yes! I got my tortellini. I'm like a village idiot, when it comes to grocery shopping.

Finished 15 chapters now. I feel like a deserve a gold star! I wish I could have read this new, it makes it difficult to mention lines when it isn't fresh in your mind anymore.
I kept thinking how rare it is to find somebody who really respects and supports you. Like they do for each other. Castle picking her up and showering her off, and trying his best to not make her feel ashamed was just so loving, kind. I definitely think she'd do the same for him.
The part with her shutting him out. And hiding out in her bedroom, staring at that water mark, instead of focusing on her problem. Who hasn't been there? Being so distraught, so lost that you become fixated on anything and everything but would you should be thinking about.
Also, loved him talking about visiting Montgomery's grave and leaving flowers for him and Beckett's spot where she was shot, trying to say goodbye. Wondering how she could forgive Montgomery but he couldn't forgive her. I honestly couldn't come up with a reason either. (I'm not that forgiving) But maybe you try to bend & forgive for the right people. Or sometimes good people do bad things. There are exceptions. But very rare.
Oh, he told her he loved her. Yes! She needed that. I needed that lol. They are gingerly opening up to each other. So glad it's that way. It's more real more relatable, they are striving towards the same thing.
So glad she's seeing Dr. Burke again. (I wish they would have used him more in canon). After these last few chapters, I feel like I should call him for an appointment. I'm sure there are other parts I'm forgetting at the moment, other parts I'm still trying to wrap my head around.
This is so, so great. I'd say I'm speechless but based on my review that would be ridiculous :-)

I'm 6 chapters in now! I really do love Carol Ann no E (made me think of Poltergeist lol) Poor lady working long shifts, especially at that age. This country takes care of the wrong people.
Anyway, I actually had to take a breather when Ryan called Castle back, telling him how Beckett was yelling for him to save her when she was on the ledge. (He was always there to support her. SIGH!) And he cried & then threw up. Oh, poor guy.
That lawyer really knew his shit. Are you a lawyer by day, funny ass Castle writer by night?
Just loved the sternness, the hard-ass and gritting his teeth behavior with Beckett. How he struggled to be tough with her, while trying to be patient. He knows she's sick but doesn't know or fully understand what's going on. Surprised he confronted her on the empty liquor bottles. (I actually said, DAMN!)
I knew he still cared but grateful he told her he still cared. She needs to know that more than he'll ever know.
I should be well into starting dinner. But here I am :-D
By the way I LOVE glazed donuts too. Wish Castle would bring me some along with his sexy ass.
Intense, beyond sensitive story.

Okay, so you forced me to read this story lol. So it's now 2:30 and I'm 3 chapters in. I'm just at a loss for words for how incredible this story is. It's a little depressing, a lot angst filled but I'm so relieved it's not overly DARK. I was worried I wouldn't hear the characters with the route this story was taking. It's definitely not the case with this!
I knew Castle would come to her rescue. He's very much in love her but he isn't a lovesick fool or a doormat. (So glad he's written where he still has his wits about him). I really feel for Beckett as well, she's very ashamed and very much alone. (I agree, I think she has an addictive side as well). She just seems like she's stunted emotionally, mentally since her mother passed. I'm totally putting way too much thought into this. This is Castle fan fiction not Dr. Phil.
You were right, I was wrong :-(