Kate Castle took her father's arm, feet moving forward as she heard the sound of the music. It was the day that they had been had been planning for, the thought of it filling her with excitement for the past six months.

They had made a decision that night at the cemetery. She and Castle would spend one year completing intensive therapy, working together to learn how to navigate their marriage. One year after that moment, they would stand up with close family and friends and renew their vows, have the wedding that they never got in the first place.

Kate's eyes crinkled as her eyes met her husband's, a renewed depth in their exchange. For over the last year, their relationship had been tried by the deepest form of fire. They had ventured into areas of pain and agony, ways that they had hurt each other even before becoming a couple.

For Castle, learning that he had been enabling Katie's behavior was the lightbulb moment, the time when he understood that while Kate had issues to work through in her addiction, he had been giving her a free pass by chasing after her rather than confronting her. Castle spent hours working with Dr. Montoya individually and in marriage therapy with Kate, learning how to stand up for himself, to be strong for their family.

Kate had to learn to let Castle into all aspects of her life. Both Dr. Burke and Dr. Montoya had also firmly suggested that they create a circle of support with their closest friends, to discuss how to be kept accountable with what they were learning.

Eight months ago, they sat down with Jim, Alexis, Martha, Esposito, Ryan, and Lanie. They discussed triggers and warning signs for both of them. They gave their friends and family permission to hold them accountable when they weren't seeing what was right in front of them.

At the end of the conversation, Jim approached Kate individually and wrapped his arms around her, tears threatening to fall down his cheeks.

"I'm sooo proud of you, Katie." Jim moved back and then shook Castle's hand. "I'm glad you decided that she was worth it."

"She's always going to be worth it," Castle smiled at Kate, a look of admiration in his eyes.

The breakthrough happened six months ago, when Vikram approached Kate, telling her that he had figured out who ordered the hit on her AG Team. She momentarily felt that rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. But then she looked down at the "Always" bracelet that she had decided to wear every day, a constant reminder of what she really wanted.

She shook her head,

"No."

Kate pointed Vikram towards Rita with the information and to this day, has no idea what came of it.

Later that night when she told Castle what happened; he intertwined his fingers with hers and met her gaze.

"Kate, I'm so proud of you. I think we should start planning our vow renewal ceremony."

So here they stood, in the Hamptons, surrounded by their closest family and friends. Even Gates was able to take some time off from her busy position at 1PP. Early on in this process, Kate had found herself confiding in Gates about her rehabilitation. Gates confided in Kate that she, too, had once dealt with difficulty in her marriage over her job.

"But no job or case is worth throwing away the person that has your heart."

From that point forward, Gate's and Kate had gone out to lunch a couple of times a month. Kate had found surprising strength in Gate's friendship.

As Kate moved closer to her husband, she let go of her father's arms. Her hands reached for the man that had been her light in the darkness, a second chance when she didn't deserve one.

She had spent ample time writing and rewriting her vows for the renewal. She wanted her vows to reflect all that they had been and were becoming. When asked to start, she had to swallow to keep the tears from falling down her face.

"Rick Castle, you are my second chance of life. Without you, I'm not sure that I would be here. Because of your unwavering love, you have set me free. You took a journey with me that you didn't have to take. When it would have been easier to walk away, you remained and fought with me. You fought for me."

Drops streamed down her face as she continued, "I love you with a depth that I didn't even know I had. I promise that when life becomes too difficult to manage, I will run towards you instead of away. I now believe that the best is yet to come. Always."

As Castle began his vows, she noticed him swallow, as if always trying to hold back tears.

"Kate Castle, I never knew that I could love someone with the depth that I have experienced with you. It takes a person of great strength to admit their weaknesses and get help. I have observed you fighting for us every day for the last year. In your weaknesses, I have seen the amount of strength that you possess. But I've also seen how deeply you want us. In your vulnerability, you have allowed me the profound privilege of knowing the hidden depths of your soul. I promise that when life becomes too difficult to manage, I will run towards you instead of giving you space. I know now that the best is yet to come. Always."

As Kate stared into her husband's beautiful eyes, she couldn't believe that they had gotten here. For all her mistakes, this man next to her was the greatest blessing that she didn't deserve.

She looked down at the dark red dress she had chosen for the occasion. The beautiful tea length gown was questioned by several people. But she knew that this was the color she wanted to wear to her vow renewal. For after researching what different colors meant, she had chosen this to represent the next fifty years of their journey. For the dark red represented only one thing.

The color of redemption.