Out of the Keep

Epilogue

"Kate and Rick Castle," Melissa Mancuso gushed. "We are so excited to have you here on Book Chat. Rick, I know sword and sorcery is a new genre for you, but your book is flying off the shelves and the number one download. I understand there is an amazing story behind it. Can you tell me about it?"

"Well Melissa," Rick began, "as you know, I work as a private detective and last year Kate left the NYPD to join me. We were tracking down memorabilia that had been stolen from a client."

"A famous client, I've heard," Melissa interjected.

"Our clientele is confidential," Kate quickly put in.

"Absolutely," Rick agreed. "Anyway, we had an officer from the NYPD robbery squad with us and when he showed the perp his badge, the guy freaked and shot Kate and me. The doctors tell us that we were on the edge of death and did in fact die at exactly the same time, for about a minute. Then in what has been described by all the medical personnel involved as a miracle, we came back."

"And the two of you shared a dream?" Melissa prompted.

"We did," Kate continued. "We both dreamed about a magical medieval world and the people in it. It was as if people from that world gave us a second chance. That's why Rick and I wrote the book together, and we're working on another one."

"Well that is an amazing story," Melissa commented. "Thank you for sharing it with us. When we return, the autobiography of pop singer Mandy Marshall."

Rick and Kate shook hands with Melissa, making their way back to the green room where Alexis waited with four week old Richard Rodgers Castle, already nicknamed "Dub," for "Double R." "He's been good," Alexis reported. "He slept the whole time you were on camera."

"Then we should probably get out of here before he wakes up," Kate suggested. "He'll be hungry when he wakes up and I'd rather feed him at the loft."

"My study group is having a little party at school," Alexis said. "See you later?"

Kate nodded. "Thanks Alexis. I appreciate you watching him."

Rick lovingly loaded his son into the top of the line infant seat in his Mercedes. "Do you think Melissa believed us?" Rick asked as he slid behind the wheel.

Kate laughed. "About the dream? I wouldn't. I don't think even Ryan believed it and he believes almost as much strange stuff as you do. But she liked it as a story."

"You know," Rick mused, "sometimes I feel like we were there, as if I was Richard of Rodgers Keep in some past life."

"I know," Kate agreed, "I feel the same way about Katherine. It may be from working on the books, but sometimes I find myself talking like her."

"I know, right?" Rick confided. "But whatever happened, Richard and Katherine have opened a whole new door for us. The public likes Richard and Katherine even better than they liked Nikki and Rook and we get to do the writing together. It's easier since Ryan and Esposito quit the force to come to work with us. We've had more time to work on it. I think our next book will surpass even the incredible heights this one is hitting."

"Speaking of Ryan and Esposito," Kate said, smirking at Rick's hyperbole, "I got a call from Jenny. She and Kevin will be coming over for the pre-Christmas Eve celebration this afternoon. Espo is coming too and he's bringing a date."

"Who?" Rick asked.

"I don't know," Kate confessed. "It's supposed to be a surprise." Impatient infant noises began to issue from the back seat. "Uh oh. Better make it home quick."

"Milady," Rick replied. "I will urge my steed onward apace."

Kate smiled and rolled her eyes.

The loft was awash in light. Kate and Rick had instantly agreed on a theme of glowing gold and it was everywhere, from balls on the tree to garlands, and even streamers of gold silk suspended from the high ceiling. Twinkling golden lights threw patterns on Kate's hair like little sparks as she settled comfortably into the couch to nurse Dub. Rick gazed at the tableau, still amazed at the beauty of mother and child. Even as Dub burped breast milk on the diaper on Kate's shoulder, the perfection remained.

"Are you going to stand there staring with a dumb grin on your face or start getting things ready for the party?" Kate asked, the light in her eyes belying her tone.

"Getting ready," Rick responded, heading for the kitchen. Rick started work on his signature seven layer dip, as Kate placed a drowsy Dub in a nearby bassinet and began to assemble bowls of chips. They both arranged multitudes of Christmas cookies on platters, and Kate prepared a warm spicy cider while Rick spiked the egg nog.

Alexis arrived with best friend Sara in tow and greeted Jenny and Kevin Ryan. Esposito brought a stunning woman Rick and Kate had never met. On three inch heels she topped him in height, with blue-black hair, almond eyes, and tightly muscled limbs. Esposito introduced her as Tina Chu, a badass bodyguard. Jenny and Tina cooed over Dub who happily accepted the attention.

As the evening wore on, Rick summoned Kate to a quiet corner and caressed her cheek. "You know, this is the day," he whispered softly, "when the doctor said we could..."

Kate touched her fingertips to his lips. "I know what the doctor said. So how do we get everyone out of here?"

"I know just what to do," Rick answered, mouth quirking in a mischievous smile. Inserting his phone into a dock, he began to loudly play a selection of Christmas novelty songs including Jingle Bells as barked by dogs and Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. The Ryans suddenly remembered that they had to relieve Jenny's sister who was sitting for Sara Grace. Esposito said he and Tina were going to catch a movie and Sara accompanied Alexis in rapid retreat to her room. Unfortunately, Dub demanded another feeding, delaying Rick and Kate's retreat to their own refuge. Kate nursed Dub while Rick began party clean-up. Then Rick changed the now satisfied baby and walked the floor with him until he snoozed quietly. With the baby once again in his bassinet, which had been moved to the newly constructed nursery, Rick held out a hand to Kate, leading her to their welcoming bed. Slowly, as if relearning each others' ways, their mouths met. Searching fingers founded places neglected over a month of baby care and healing, bringing surprise and delight. Rick held Kate against him, his words breathy in her ear. "Let me know if anything... I can stop..."

It's fine. I'm fine," Kate reassured him. Their joining was tentative, but desire grew with every touch. Energy pulsed through their bodies and urgency pulled them inexorably together as the need exploded outward, flooding from within to enfold them in its thrall. The taste of Kate intoxicated Rick, as his lips on her sensitive skin made frissons of sensation leap within her. They moved desperately in the dance both ancient and ever new, struggling towards the soul rending finish. The explosion overtook them and shuddering in the final shock waves, they clung together in each others' arms, surrounded by guardian streams of golden light.

Finis

This is the end of my entry for the Castle Ficathon Winter 2014. Some of you have asked for a continuation of Wrong Place Wrong Time. I'll be doing that. Love, Sally