This isn't edited by anyone other than me, but it's only a few hundred words. My beta is very busy right now and I don't want to bother her with my last installment so all mistakes are my own.

Two weeks later…

Bases loaded, two outs and NYPD are behind by three runs. Kevin grinds his teeth as he looks over to the FDNY's dugout. Of course, Saladino is staring right back with a smug grin. Kevin refuses to lose to him.

"Javi," Kevin says turning back around, "You need to go up there and hit one out of the park. I know you can."

Javier shifts in his seat and hesitates before making a face. "I don't think that's a good idea, Kev. I think I pulled a muscle sliding into home base before. I won't be able to play."

Kevin's eyes widen. "You're hurt? Are you okay?"

Javier rolls his eyes with a smile. "I'll be fine, Kev."

Kevin falls to the empty spot on the bench beside him. "I should have never made this deal with Saladino. I'm not a better coach."

Javier's hand is immediately holding his. "Don't say that. You're better at everything than that asswipe."

Kevin sighs but doesn't argue because he knows it will be no use. Javier will never give up insisting that Kevin is the best.

Before the game, Kevin took Castle's advice and challenged Saladino: the winner helped coach the team in the fall. Kevin thought they were going to win, but now Kevin doesn't think so. He doesn't know why he even tried.

Just about to give up, Kevin drops his head into his hands. Suddenly, there's a small hand on his arm and Kevin hears his daughter say, "Daddy, I can help you win. Uncle Javi has been showing me how to play."

Kevin looks up to see Sarah Grace smiling widely at him. She's dressed the same uniform all the other NYPD players are wearing and under each eye is a painted black line. He looks over to Javier and sees him smiling proudly. He looks back to Sarah and feels the weights lifted from his shoulders. Who cares if he loses? He's going to enjoy this game with his family.

"Go on, baby girl, show them what you've got."

Sarah smiles even brighter -if that's possible- and runs out to the home plate. Saladino actually laughs when he sees her out there. "That desperate, huh?"

Kevin doesn't even give him the satisfaction of saying anything back. He'll let Sarah put him in his place. As Sarah sets up with her own bat in an impressive stance for a little kid, Kevin turns to Javier. "You've been teaching her?"

"We've been going to the park here and there." Javier shrugs his shoulders. "She's a fast learner."

Kevin leans closer to Javier. "Which is why now I'm okay with losing...Even if I can't teach her team, we can teach her at home."

"As good as that sounds, babe, I don't think that'll be an issue." Javier tilts his head over to where Sarah swings at the ball thrown to her. Her bat connects to the ball and a loud pop explodes in the air as the ball sails past the pitcher. It doesn't go much farther, but it's unexpected from everyone around them.

Kevin jumps to his feet. "Run, Sarah!"

She laughs and runs to first base as the other player run as well. The outfielders purposely avoid the ball so Sarah can run. Saladino doesn't like that. "What are you idiots doing? She's a five-year-old girl! Get someone out!"

But no one pays heed to him as Sarah runs past them. One of them even gives her a high five as she passes third base. The NYPD gets three runs in and Sarah's running to home. The outfielders have already given up chasing the ball in to let her get the run, but she doesn't realize this and continues to run.

Kevin hurries to home plate and holds out his arms for her to run into his arms. She pushes her little legs to carry her to the home plate and the minute her foot touches the base, Kevin has her in his arms. The crowd is cheering around them, not for the winner of the game, but for Sarah.

"Did you see me?" Sarah asks between gasps of air, but there's still a smile on her face.

Kevin kisses her cheek. "Yes, I did. You were great."

Sarah laughs and when her gaze catches someone over Kevin's shoulder, her eyes light up. "I did it! Papa, I did it!"

Kevin turns his head to face Javier and can see the shock on Javier's face. But quickly he regains his posture and pulls Kevin and Sarah into his arms. He gives her a kiss on the top of her head. "Yes, you did, princess."

Kevin can see some tears welling up in the corner of his eyes, but doesn't say anything. He just holds his little family tighter.

Javier looks over to Kevin and their eyes meet. Kevin has never seen him so happy.

With a watery smile, Javier whispers to Kevin, "Told you I'd be Papa."

Kevin lets out a surprised laugh. "I thought your ankle was hurt."

"That's our little secret," Javier says with a wink.

Of course, Javier would do that: give up the game to give his- their daughter the glory of defeating that asswipe.

And there would be a lot of other asswipes and bullies and problems that would try to cause them hell. But Kevin welcomes every single one of them his way because he has his family right here in his arms and that's all that really feels so weird to be wrapping this up over a year later. This story took so many hours to write and edit and re-write. But I loved every single step of the way and I hope you all enjoyed it as well! I've never completed a story like this of this length and it feels good to finally close it up. It's time for new stories to come.

I want to thank TXMedic for beta-ing this for me and making it readable. This would be close to garbage without you, so thank you so much again!

A big thanks to Lilablassblau for always being there. Whether it's writer's block or just everyday life. You're there for me through thick and thin and I'll never be abe to put it into words how important you've become to me.

And thank you all for continuing to read each update. Even after weeks when I didn't update. Thank you for sticking by me! I am so happy to see some of you still here and I hope this was a satisfying ending.

Now, I know you all still probably have many questions about the series. Maybe I forgot to address something...(I do that sometimes in long fics) I apologize, just leave a comment and I'll answer it the best I can. But I also have other installments/mini-fics planned for this series so keep your eyes out for those too.

And maybe just leave a comment telling me if you like my story or not. What were your favorite parts? What can I improve n? This is your last chance to comment on this fic. Thank you so much again!