Forever and a Day

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: SEQUEL TO DROPPED CALL, READ THAT FIRST. Castle missed his going away party because something unexpected came up and the Castle/Gina/Hamptons thing didn't happen etc. Castle assumes Beckett is with Demming and goes off the grid for several months. Would our favorite couple ever reconnect? From a prompt from Kato769. NOTE: AU not canon

I don't own Castle, I use the characters for amusement purposes only

A/N This will pick up on the next chapter of our hero's lives after Kate has fought her way back to Rick, and they have bonded over their love for each other. Thanks again to the prompt supplied by Kato769 and suggestions by other readers to carry the story forward. Marlowe always said this was a love story, and for the first 5-6 years I believed it was. So many opportunities to develop life away from the precinct were missed, (IMHO) and this is just one scenario as I saw it.

Chapter 1

Previously (From Dropped Call Chap. 17)

A few minutes later the Doctor hit's play and there are the final numbers, Ricks are over the chart, almost as if he never had Cancer to begin with, his PSA numbers were those of a man with indications to watch for, not recovering from Prostate Cancer.

As they view the numbers, it Rick who sobs this time, he just can't believe that four short weeks ago his life was in shambles and he had been handed life's cruelest blows ever.

"Rick, we won't have the definitive results for 3-4 months, but I am betting you come back as completely Cancer Free, Congratulations and PLEASE continue regular checkups with Dr. DeLeaver,"

"That's taken care of Doctor, thank you, I've made his appointments with Gregg personally for the next 4 months and I will drag him there if needed," Kate smiles through tear stained face, tears of joy, of love, and of thankfulness for second chances for both of them.

At the same time Rick was getting his results, Trey was receiving similar news with Gregg by her side, he had been there the entire week and from an outsider's point of view he was getting very serious about her.

As they enter the Lobby, Rick see's Trey first, as she runs and jumps into his arms throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek, "I'm good how are you Rick?"

"The same Trey, but I think you better let me go before Gregg or Kate or both kick our asses" he laughs.

Kate smiles at him, "Rick of all the people in the world, I would never be jealous of Trey, she's been your partner in a fight that no one should ever have to go through, I'm glad you had each other. But Sister, let go of my man" and laughter fills the room,

It wasn't a final verdict, BUT it was the second chance, and this time life didn't drop the call, in fact it became a conference call among the closest of friends.

Castle's Loft

The Following Monday

Kate and Rick had driven back to New York, after a fond farewell from Trey and Gregg, well at least for the time being. It seemed that when Gregg found something he wanted he went after it, and the couple were busy planning Trey's relocation to New York where she would have not only Gregg, but Rick and Kate to support her and each other through the next phase of this journey.

A lot had happened since Kate had tracked Rick down, not only had Rick forgiven her, but also asked her to move in with him at the Loft. Kate had agreed under one condition, that Alexis was consulted and agreed first. Rick made it clear, that they were a couple, regardless of where they lived, and Alexis, or anyone else would NOT come between them ever again. As he held her hand on the trip home, she shyly asked,

"Rick, can I ask you how long you have been in love with me?"

"I've loved you from the day you walked into the book signing to question me on the first case. If you want to know how long I'll love you, well that's easy, Forever and a day, my love, you are my Always."

Kate lifted his hand that was interlaced with hers and gently kissed his knuckles,

"You know Rick, I have no idea of what I was afraid of, the way you make me feel every minute we're together, well I just can't describe it" as a tear falls from her eye,

"I'm really sorry for all the hurt, the wasted time, and for not being here when you needed me most, that's something I'll never forgive myself for. I'm glad Trey was there, and I'm even more glad that she's an honorable woman who treated your feelings for me with such respect. I really hope her, and Gregg are happy, they are so good together."

"That's funny, because she said the same thing about you and I, that once she heard me talk of Kate, she knew no other woman could stand a chance, I'm glad Gregg has finally found a good woman too, he deserves to be happy."

"What time did you call the family meeting for Babe? Is Martha joining us via Skype since she lives in the home as well, she should know what the plan is."

"We're meeting at 7:30 PM after you and I stop for a dinner for two at Remy's and Alexis makes it home from her study group. Mother is on a three week break so she will be there anxious for me to say what's on my mind so she can head out with her friends, I swear I don't know how she can keep such an active social life," as he chuckles

"Have you told them anything at all Rick, I mean a lot has happened, do you want to dump it all on them at once?"

"Relax Babe, Alexis already told me to "get my head out of ass and make a move on Kate before you lose her forever" and Mother loves you so that won't be an issue. What happened between us stays between us, Sweetheart, no one needs to know anything else and Paula will keep her mouth shut. She knew that you were hurting, she has left a few of those zingers herself in the past, so that's over and done with, OK?"

"How do you do it? I mean you forgive me over and over and I don't know why, I mean I really don't know if I could be that way had the conditions been reversed? Don't get me wrong Rick, I thank God that you have such a big heart, but I wonder what I did to deserve you."

"Love."

"I'm sorry Babe, Love what?"

"You want to know how I can forgive you and others; the answer is Love. I have never loved anyone the way I love you, and I KNOW you love me in return. Don't think for a minute I know you broke more than a few departmental rules to track me down, and I'm sure you attacked it like a murder board, digging each clue till you found a connection and then you got on a airplane, flew to Toronto, and made yourself vulnerable to my retaliation.

If you didn't love me, you would have been in the Hamptons with Tom, and I would have been an after thought at best, not chasing down clues to find me. I know how hard it was for you to take that leap, it was all I needed to know my love for you was being returned, and that nothing was more important than each other. As I saw you place pillows behind my head, encourage Trey to eat, cover me with warm blankets I was convinced that you care for me, more than anyone ever has before, and Kate, nothing is going to destroy that ever again, nothing."

Kates eyes pool with tears, letting her relief show through. She had stepped out on faith and showed Rick how much she loved him, her reward was the love of a man who would move heaven and earth to make her happy.

They reach Remy's and it was a welcome sight to see familiar faces, as they are escorted back to their booth, with a sign, Welcome Home Rick and Kate hung above it.

"How, did they know we were coming, and that it would just be you and I, and I mean they saved our booth, well what I always called our booth even before there was an us,"

"I called Marcy Rick, they were all worried about you when you hadn't made an appearance in over two weeks, so when I knew we were stopping here, I texted her, then when you paid for gas, I called her quickly, I hope that was OK?"

"Well, I don't know but, (long pause) then he turns Kate to his face and kisses her like he had wanted to do since the last time they kissed. She responded and initiated the tongue, lots of it, pouring her love into each kiss, and nibble, till finally she had to pull apart,"

"Babe, if we don't stop now, we never will and the last I heard that was still a crime, making love on a table at a diner" she laughs as his blue eyes sparkle.

They enjoyed the meal, shakes, and the well wishes it seemed like came from everyone of the staff, just saying "Hey Rick we're glad you're back, tips have been really lousy since you've been gone" as they laugh, and kid for almost an hour.

"Rick, it's almost 6:45 PM, we better go so we're not late for the family meeting."

"You're right, as always," he smiles, and they are off for the Loft in Rick's car. The minute Eduardo sees Kate he starts to make his way towards her then he see's Rick give the two thumbs up sign and he smiles and returns the sign. He understood that all was back to normal without saying a word.

Rick and Kate slowly make it to the Loft Door, there may have been some deep kissing going on, and as Rick opens the door, he stops for a moment to realize just how fortunate he was. A little over four weeks ago he left, without the promise or hope that he would ever return to his beloved home, and certainly never dreamed it would be with the Love of his life with him.

Kate takes his hand, and simply says, "We're home Rick, I'm not going anywhere, and you are going to be fine, I love you Babe, so much it scares me."

Rick turns to her, and as he does a tear falls from those beautiful blue eyes, "I never thought I would see home like this again, and I really never had any hope that you would be with me, my Always, my Forever and a Day, I love you so much it scares me as well. I just want to make you happy, no matter what that means. We'll talk about what you want after the family meeting, OK?"

"Sure Babe, I'll be here. I just hope Alexis doesn't hurt you for not telling her, I know I wanted to kick your ass, and I was the only one that knew I loved you then," she smiles, just as the door opens and in walks Martha and Alexis.

"Hey Grams, look whose home" as she rushes to her father and hugs him like the little girl, he still pictured her to be, then she see's Kate and her smile grew even wider.

"Hi Kate, did he finally get his head, *"

"Yes, Sweetie we both did, and yes we are a couple, I just hope I have your blessing"

"You're kidding Right? I've been on him for over a year, Are you moving in Kate, is this what the meeting is about?" she smiles at her Dad, Kate, and Martha has a smile so wide it would light up Broadway.

"Well Pumpkin, that's one topic we need to discuss. Kate and I are a couple in love, yes we are serious, and yes I asked her to move in, the only condition she set was your permission Alexis, so do we have it?"

The redhead flies across the room engulfs Kate in a bear hug squealing with delight, "yes, yes, yes, Welcome home Kate,"

Rick looks at Kate, and asks "may I ask you once again, Kate will you live with us, to be my Always,"

"YES, a thousand times Yes, as she and Alexis are still squealing with delight."

Kate turns and see's Martha, "Rick we need to be sure that Martha is OK with this?"

"Darling I told him a year ago, go kiss you while you were still young, Of Course it's our pleasure," as Kate breathes a sigh of relief.

"Well, that was one topic for the family meeting, and since we have all agreed I think it's safe to say time to move to the other topic. Pumpkin, Mother what I'm about to tell you is very hard, so please, no questions till I have time to explain it all, agreed?" Getting worried looks and nods, Rick plows right into it,

"A little of 5 weeks ago I was diagnosed with Cancer****

TBC