Well that was another very satisfying (re)read. Such a great story. Confident Kate patiently brings brokenhearted Castle back from the depths. Perfection. Now the tough decision, which of your other great stories to a reread next? Thanks for all the treasures you've written for Castle that still hit the mark even all these years later.

Oh god yes, I'd much rather have the tree scene than a Mr. Smith scene. Now I remember why I love this story so much. The angst doesn't keep coming back and pulling us under when we have just caught our breaths.

"She might never have to go to a movie alone again, she realizes, and that's a really good feeling." Having a plus one for everything in life is such a joy. But Castle's point about open communication is key.
But I feel the shadow of doom of the Mr. Smith talk approaching. Please no!

"If anyone sounds panicked right now, it might just be Kate." Somehow in this story, I don't like it when panicked Kate appears. Glad they got that sorted.

"Should we have a go at making up?" great line, and "our brains have been wrecked by sex." LA confession right in the middle of having sex is probably the only time the scene has been written like that.

I for one always have trouble reviewing a chapter like this. What does one say? Great description of an orgasm? I really could never go into detail about my thoughts, but suffice to say it was an excellent chapter.

love the strip tease, love hesitant Castle. The journal was such a terrific vehicle for telling Castle beyond any doubt that Kate wished he was with her that summer. If she just told him that was the case he would always wonder if she was just rewriting the past. Oh, and everyone needs a bomb buddy.

best Beckett line "And you want to take a nap? Really?" Gates moving up their timeline all of a sudden makes things a little more urgent. on to the bath...

Breakfast in bed while reading the paper. I see them doing that for years. Eventually with little ones piled in the bed with them.

two other favorite scenes - Kate telling about attending one of Castle's book signings, and her coming clean about Memorial Day. Making up for lost time, starting now, seems like a good plan.

Ryan the cock-blocker. A common occurrence for these two. one of my favorite what if? scenarios. What if Ryan hadn't interrupted? But that's a different story. This one is awesome just as it is. I think what I like the most about it is how steady and caring Kate is. Typically she's the emotional mess. Or both of them. Best quote of the chapter "We were never not something, Rick."

love Castle's internal debate when he wakes up and has to pee. relaxing in bed on a Saturday morning - terrific idea - they have to start somewhere indeed.

love the letter. love that Kate is being so calm and supportive and persistent. love that she invites him to share her bed.

love the box of photos and mementos

love

I remember why I enjoyed this story so much. I love that Kate is taking charge here, pulling a reluctant Castle slowly into her reality and out of his alcohol-laced misery. You do slow better than anyone. I look forward to the chapters to come, seeing Kate's patience and understanding, while getting a clear view of what her life was like during her recovery. I am not sure I can come up with something profound to say for every chapter, but suffice to say if I had read this while you were writing it, I would have been begging for the next installment at the end of every chapter.