Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.

Prompt: A wonderful anon on tumblr suggested – "What if Castle proposes to Beckett with a dedication in a Nikki Heat or other character novel".

Kate sighed for the umpteenth time.

Castle looked up from the books he was pre-signing, "I did say that you didn't have to come this early, that it would be boring."

"It wouldn't be so boring if you would let me have a copy of the book to read."

"Not a chance."

Kate crossed her legs, smoothing the skirt of her lilac dress, "I just wanted to be the supportive girlfriend, to be here for you." That, and Gina was here...somewhere. Kate wanted to be the only one hanging off of Richard Castle's arm. She knew she had nothing to worry about but it was the principle of it all.

"Awww, how sweet... What do you want?" he raised his eyebrows suggestively.

You know what I want..." She said, equally as suggestively, "... A cup of coffee."

He gestured to the last stack of books, "Let me finish these and we'll search some out."

He went back to signing and she went back to sighing.

The party for the final Nikki Heat book was more classy versus the flashy final party for Derek Storm. The chandeliers glittered overhead and candles cast warm glows over the snowy white table cloths that where covered in sparkling crystal and fancy dishes. Kate and Castle sat at a table at the front of the room with Gina, Paula, Martha and Alexis while Ryan, Esposito, Jenny and Lanie at another table close by.

Castle stood up, taking the microphone, and a hush fell over the crowd. "Welcome everyone. I'd like to thank you all for coming to help celebrate my next book, and the last in the Nikki Heat series, Final Heat."

Everyone clapped politely and a few women wiped away their flowing tears.

"I hope that you enjoy your evening – the company, the entertainment and your meal."

Servers were dishing out the first course as he spoke, "We'll get started with the entertainment portion of the evening shortly."

Gina got started with a moving speech between the salad and the main course. The crowd gave him a standing ovation and he pulled Kate to her feet as well, kissing her cheek, much to her embarrassment.

After the main course, Castle took back the microphone. He gave a brief speech; introducing the next book, speaking of plans for the future and thanked his publicist, agent and family. Finally he turned to Kate, "Without this wonderful woman, I would not be here today. She has saved me in more ways than one. This book is dedicated to Kate..." He picked up his copy of the book and people followed suit, flipping to the dedication page.

"To Kate, With every ending there is a new beginning."

With his words and the dedication Kate felt tears welling up and her throat ached with her attempts not to cry.

"I'd like to read an excerpt now from page three hundred and eighty-six. Now you all have complimentary signed copies of Final Heat, so feel free to follow along."

Kate turned to the page, the last page, and she focused her attention of the man beside her.

He started reading.

Everyone was hypnotized by the sound of his voice and the words that fell from his lips.

He cleared his throat and finished;

"Rook turned to Nikki, getting down on one knee, and asked, 'Will you marry me?'"

He paused dramatically and Kate flipped the pages of her copy, but it ended there. She blurted, "But what did she say? Did she say yes?"

Castle put down the book and the microphone and pulled a velvet box from his coat pocket. "I don't know Kate what did she say?" He got down on one knee, "Will you marry me?"

She gasped and choked out, "She said yes." Tears escaped then, it was so unlike herself but she couldn't help it. She brushed them hurriedly away to kiss him in front of the eagerly awaiting crowd, without any embarrassment. She spoke louder; she wanted to shout, "Yes. Yes I'll marry you."

The crowd erupted in applause and a tinkling of cutlery on crystal as Castle slipped the ring on her finger and pulled her in for another crowd pleasing kiss. They stood in the circle of each other's arms for a few seconds and Castle whispered, "We'll be on page six tomorrow, I'm sorry."

Kate whispered back, "I don't care...but what I do want is a real copy of the book so that I can read the end!"

A/N: I hope that was somewhat satisfactory... The dedication does lead to the proposal but I feel like I failed at actually following the request...Sorry! I had fun writing it anyway, so thank you anon. (P.S. If you poked anyone else, point me in the direction as I would love to read them : ) )