More than Expected

Part 51

May 7, 2014
      Jim and Johanna weren't blind to their daughter's sadness, but they also couldn't talk about it or else they would spill a very big secret. "Bug, Mom and I were thinking we could go down to the beach for the day and get dinner." Jim offers his daughter over breakfast. "Um, I have school." Kate says, "What's the harm of you play hookie for the day, Sweetie?" Johanna asks her. Kate looks at them suspiciously, "Is there something you two would like to tell me?" Kate asks. This isn't the first suspicious stunt they've pulled this week.
      On Saturday, her mother took her to get her nails done which is something they haven't done in years. "No, we just want to spend some time with our daughter before she and our grandson move eight and a half hours away." Johanna insists. "Okay, I'll get me and the baby ready and then we can go." Kate smiles as she continues eating her breakfast. Once she's done eating, she takes Royce upstairs and nurses him until he's fast asleep. She grabs the monitor once he's in the bassinet and goes to take a shower. For some reason, she feels the need to look presentable.
      She showers, dries and curls her hair, and does her makeup before slipping into a white summer dress with ruffled sleeves and sandals. By the time she's ready, Royce is up from his nap, but is content. She changes his diaper and dresses him in a little white button down polo and khaki pants. "Are we gonna go to the beach, handsome?" She coos as she lifts him in her arms. She restocks the diaper bag and then carries him downstairs where her parents are patiently waiting, "We're ready." Kate says.
       They load up in the car and then set out on the two hour drive to the Hampton's. "Have you heard from Rick today, Katie?" Johanna asks. "No. He had a night rotation so he's probably still sleeping." Kate explains. She looks over in the car seat at her son whose fast asleep. "He enjoys long car rides." Kate observes out loud. "That will be good for in a few weeks." Jim assures her. "Yeah. Did I tell you that I think more teeth are cutting through?" Kate asks. So far Royce has three teeth: two on the bottom and one on the top.
      "No. Which ones?" Johanna asks, "The two next to his bottom front." Kate says, "Enjoy this teething cause once he gets to the molars it'll be ten times worse." Johanna says. "Hopefully he'll be done nursing by then so Rick can help soothe him too." Kate wishes. They continue this type of small talk for the remainder of the drive until they make it to the beach. "Can I hold him, Katie? I want as much time with my Nonna's boy as I can get." Johanna asks. Kate nods and passes her son to her mother before they walk up the pier.
      When they get to the end, Kate stops in her tracks at the sight. Standing before her, on the shore is Rick. He's in a white button down polo similar to Royce's and a pair of jeans. "Go, Katie, go." Jim encourages his daughter. She hurries down the stairs as tears fill her eyes and rushes into his arms. "What're you doing here?" She asks him. "Happy anniversary, beautiful." He whispers in her ear. He sets her down and pulls her in for a kiss. "I missed you." Rick says. "I missed you too. Happy anniversary." Kate smiles.
      "I wanted to make this anniversary special." He tells her. "Well, mission accomplished." She laughs. "Well, you see, I wanted to make this anniversary even more special." He says. She looks at him with a questioning look. "Kate, I think it's safe to say we've been through a lot these last few years: death, pregnancy, raising our boy, and then being separated numerous times. But, through it all, I never stopped loving you or wanting to be by your side. I want to experience everything with you, Kate. I want to give you everything." Her breathing stutters.
      Both of their eyes become watery when he pulls out a ring box and drops to one knee. She whispers his name. "This was my grandmother's," He begins, "She gave it to my mother on her death bed and my mother told me she would only let me use this ring when she knew I was with the one. She knows you're the one, Kate, and so do I. So, I guess I'll just ask. Katherine Houghton Beckett, will you marry me?" The tears are streaming down her cheeks now as she nods. "Yes." She finally gets out.
     Rick smiles as she begins giggling. He stands and pulls her into his arms and kisses her. It just dawns on her that this is the first time they've kissed since they've been standing on the beach. They pull back and Rick grabs her left hand, slipping the ring on her ring finger. "Perfect fit." He says. "It's beautiful, Rick." "You're beautiful, fiancée." He tests her new title out for the first time. She pulls him down for one more kiss, "I love you so much." "I love you too." She is pulled into his arms and rests her head against his chest.
      She watches her parents, who have been joined by Martha, make their way over to them. Rick quickly takes his son from Johanna and holds him in his arms. "Let's see it!" Martha exclaims. Rick and Kate chuckle as Kate holds out her hand to show off the ring. "Oh, Rick, it's gorgeous." Johanna says, "It's a good match, Katherine. I'm honored that you're wearing it." Martha says. Kate hugs the older redhead, "Thank you for trusting me with it." Kate says. They all exchange hugs and congratulations, "Let's go eat!" Rick suggests. He holds Royce in one arm and reaches his other down to grab Kate's hand.
       "We're gonna get married." Kate says, "We're getting married." He echos and pulls her hand up to kiss the back of it. "How long are you here for?" Kate asks. "That's your other surprise: I'm taking you to prom." He says. She looks at him completely stunned, "ARE YOU SERIOUS!?" She asks. He nods and kisses her temple, "Couldn't have you going with another date." He tells her. "I love you so much, Richard Castle." She states, "I love you so much more, Future Katherine Castle." He says and kisses his fiancée once more.
They're engaged! Caskett is getting hitched! Here is Kate's ring:

Remember, it's his grandmother's ring! I know there is probably a lot of questions about pricing and affordability, so I just wanted to remind everyone that he didn't pay for it! What are your visions of this Beckett-Castle wedding?