AN: It's finally done. Here is the last chapter of A Night to Forget - A Life to Remember. I honestly thought I would never get it done, but I promised and I know how much I hate unfinished stories myself. So it took me forever, but I did finish it.

Thank you so much to everyone who came along for this ride. For every review, for every thought you left me. THANK YOU. SO MUCH.

I don't think I will come back to writing Castle fan fiction. So much has happened since they very beginning. I don't feel it anymore, which is part of the reason why it took so long to finish this. I still hope I didn't ruin the ending. :-)

Wishing you all the best! Take care, wherever you are!

All typos are mine ... there might be a few.


They had just hung up the phone, after wishing everyone at the loft a happy New Year, when Kate felt the first contraction that she considered to be serious.

Turning toward Castle, who was currently rummaging through her bag in search of a chocolate bar he was sure he had put in there, she said, "I think it's time."

His head shot up, his eyes going large as if he had never done this before and had no clue what was going to happen next, "Really?"

"I think so," she nodded, "this one felt much stronger than all the other ones before."

"Okay, okay," he let a hand run over his face. "I got this. I'm going to get the doctor," he said but didn't move to the door but instead kept pacing in front of her bed.

Kate laughed, "Would you please relax? It's not like this is the first time we're doing this."

"I know, but still … it's so exciting," he half shrieked, causing Kate to chuckle.

She married a sweet man, but right now she needed him to keep his cool. Because despite her relaxed demeanor she felt her heart beating wildly in her chest.

"Go," she finally demanded and watched him hurry off to inform the doctor and nurses of the situation.


It was four hours later when the big moment had finally arrived and the doctor encouraged Kate that she was only one more push away from holding their new baby in her arms. By now Kate was exhausted, not that giving birth had ever been a piece of cake, but apparently it wasn't getting any easier the older you got.

"Okay," she nodded at her husband who gave her an encouraging smile.

"Almost there, Babe," he whispered and gave her hand in his a tight squeeze. "You're amazing. I love you."

"I love you," she replied before taking a deep breath to prepare for the final push.

And then they heard their baby scream for the very first time, a strong cry that made tears well up in both of their eyes as they smiled at each other.

"Mr. and Mrs. Castle," the doctor smiled brightly at them, "you have a beautiful baby boy."

"A boy?" Castle's eyes widened in awe, "are you sure?"

The doctor laughed, "Yes, pretty sure."

The small boy was placed into Kate's arms, instantly quieting down as he blinked up at his parents.

"Hey baby," Kate sighed happily, cuddling the little boy closer to her chest, "I'm your mommy and this is your daddy. We love you so much."

"Yeah, we do," Castle agreed, leaning down and placing a soft kiss on his son's head before his lips met Kate's. When they broke apart he couldn't help but repeat the fact that still had his mind spinning. "A boy."

Kate chuckled, her fingers running over her son's head, "Happy?"

"I would be either way, you know that," he grinned. "But a boy … I was so sure it was going to be a girl."

Kate stayed silent, a grin spreading across her lips, causing her husband to give her a suspicious look.

"You knew?" he accused, a little over dramatic, but Kate just shrugged.

"I had a feeling."

"But you never said anything," he frowned.

"Would you have listened to me?" she chuckled. "You were so sure that we were going to have another girl, I don't think I could have convinced you otherwise, even if I showed you hard evidence."

"Yeah," he admitted. "You're probably right."

"Now come on," she carefully lifted the little bundle up, holding him out to Castle, "come hold your

son."

"He's perfect," Castle sighed after a moment, before looking over to Kate. "They're all perfect. Thank you."

"I love you," she replied with a tired but happy smile. "But let this one be our last. I'm getting too old for this."

He chuckled, "Whatever you want, Love."


November, 16th 2020

"Hey Rick, where are you?" Kate called out as she walked through the door of the loft. Sam running ahead of her with Sherlock who immediately jumped up on the couch, his tail wagging.

"No! Down Sherlock," she commanded and the Golden Retriever quickly obliged, knowing exactly with whom in the Castle household he could mess and with whom not.

"Daddy!" Sam called out as well, when his father didn't answer. "Mommy and I bought cupcakes."

"Cupcakes?!" came Ellie's eager answer from up the stairs. "Can we have them now?"

"In a minute," Kate's words slowed her daughter's descent down the stairs. "Where's your father?"

"In the study," Ellie shrugged. "Didn't come out all day."

"Again?" Kate frowned as she passed her daughter who had now joined them in the living room."

"He's in that mood again," Ellie went on, while trying to grab a cupcake without Kate noticing.

"I said in a minute," Kate pushed the box out of the way and rolled her eyes. "Just like your father."

"Jamie says it's midlife crisis," Ellie said, helping Sam up on one of the bar stools.

"What's a midlife crisis?" Sam asked, turning curious eyes, that were the exact same color as his father's, to his sister.

"Jamie says, when men reach a certain age they want to feel young again and buy a Ferrari," Ellie explained.

"Cool," Sam grinned from ear to ear, "Mommy? When will Daddy get the Ferrari?"

Kate groaned, "First of all, your dad already owns a Ferrari and second he doesn't have a midlife crisis. Your sisters really needs to stop telling you this nonsense."

"Alexis said so too," Ellie pouted.

"Well both of your sisters are going to hear from me," Kate muttered as she walked past her two youngest toward the study. Sherlock hot on her heels. "Don't eat all the cupcakes while I'll talk to your dad," she warned before knocking against the closed door of her husband's hide-out.


"Hey what's wrong?" Kate asked without beating around the bush as she sat down in front of his desk. "Ellie said you've been in here all day."

"Yeah, sorry," he sighed, lifting tired eyes to meet hers. "I lost track of time."

"Did you get anything done?", she asked before noticing his strained look. "Still nothing?"

"No," he shook his head, scratching Sherlock behind the ears when the dog laid his head down on his knee.

"It'll come," she tried to reassure him, but knew she wouldn't have much luck. "Now come on. Sam and I got cupcakes on our way home and if we're lucky our kids left us one."

That brought a small smile to his face and he nodded as he got up, "I'm sorry I'm in such a bad mood with your birthday coming up tomorrow."

"Don't worry about it," she squeezed his arm and placed a kiss against his cheek and then added with a smirk. "According to Jamie and Alexis it's just midlife crisis."

"Excuse me!" he sputtered. "I think I gotta have a word with those two tomorrow."

"You'll do that," Kate patted his chest. "By the way, did they tell you when they'll be here?"

"Yes, Jamie called this morning. She's coming over right after class and Alexis will try to get out of work early and our parents will be here for brunch."

"Perfect," she smiled.

"Everything set at the precinct?"

"Yes, Ryan's taking over for me tomorrow. I think he's a bit nervous, but he'll be fine." she said, while they made their way over to the kitchen.

"I'm sure he will be, after all he learned from the best," he said sincerely.

"Thank you," she replied, a slight blush tainting her cheeks.

"You're welcome, Captain."


Later that evening, with Sam and Ellie already in bed, Kate found her husband staring out the window, a far-away look on his face and not for the first time she wondered if there was more that bothered him than just his writer's block.

"Are you alright?" she asked, stepping up behind him and slipping her arms around his waist from behind.

"I don't know," he sighed.

That made Kate move around him, so she could see his face. Reaching up she traced a hand over his cheek, "You're worrying me."

"I'm sorry."

"No," she shook her head, "don't apologize, Babe. Tell me what's wrong."

He tried to move away from her, but she stopped him, "Rick?"

"I don't want you to hate me," he pleaded and she could feel her heart tighten.

"Now you're really worrying me," she said with a nervous chuckle, while her eyes were filled with uncertainty.

He took a deep breath, knowing he had to tell her. She would find out anyway sooner or later.

"Kate, I'm … I think …," he stopped, searching for the right words.

"Just say it," Kate started to get agitated.

"I think I don't want to write Nikki Heat any longer," he got out and held his breath.

"What?" she stared at him wide-eyed.

"I'm sorry Kate, but I think it's done. Please don't hate me."

Kate took a deep breath and then les her husband over to the couch, signaling him to sit down, "How could you even think that I'd hate you?" She asked softly.

"I don't know. It's our story," he shrugged helplessly.

"No," she shook her head and reached for his hand, "this here is our story. Our children, our life at the loft, our parents, our friends. Nikki Heat has been a wonderful love letter, one I will always go back to and yes, I will miss her. But Nikki Heat is not our story. Nikki Heat does not define us. And I would never want you to feel obligated to keep writing something you don't feel any longer, that doesn't fulfill you. Maybe you'll get back to her someday, maybe not. It's not important. I want you to do what makes you happy, just like you want the same for me."

Rick let out a sigh of relief, "God, I love you."

She leaned over and placed a sweet kiss against his lips, "And I love you. No matter what you write or don't write. Okay?"

"Okay," he smiled and then looked unsure again.

"Is there something else?" she frowned.

"No … yes," he looked nervous, but also a bit excited. "I've written something. Something else."

"Yeah?"

He nodded, "It's not much - yet - but would you read it? Tell me what you think about it?"

"Of course," she nodded eagerly, curious what he had come up with. "Is it a crime story?"

"Uhm no," he shook his head and then got up to walk into his study with Kate hot on his heels.

"No?" she replied surprised.

"No, I think one could say it's serious literature," he said almost shyly.


Hours later, way past midnight, Kate found her way into bed, where Castle had been sleeping peacefully for hours. His heart so much lighter after his conversation with his wife. He really should have known that she wouldn't be upset with him. Nikki would always be a part of them, but it was time for something new.

He had handed her the first chapters of what he had been working on for the past months and left her to read in peace. When he had asked her to come to bed as it was getting late, she had told him she would follow him shortly, only wanting to finish the page, now when he felt the mattress dip beside him, he knew she hadn't stopped after that one page.

"Hey," he mumbled, sleepily reaching for her. " 's late."

"I know. I couldn't put it down," she replied softly, not wanting to rouse him any more.

"You like it?"

She grinned, pressing her lips against his nose, "I love it."

"Mmmh," he tried to stay awake, but her warmth as she snuggled closer pulled him back under and so all he could get out was a slurred, "Night."

"Goodnight, my Love," Kate whispered softly, her eyes falling shut as well.


He slid down next to his wife on the couch, who was watching all of their children play a round of Twister, while Martha and Jim were cheering them on from the kitchen counter.

"Did you have a good day?" he asked quietly as the both watched Alexis' toppling over with a shriek.

"The best," she affirmed with a bright smile. Her birthday had been truly wonderful.

"Good."

Kate kept smiling as she watched her family and then reached for her husband's arm to pull him closer. Rick didn't need to be told twice as he wrapped his arm around her and let her snuggle in.

"We're really lucky," she sighed after a while, kissing his neck.

"Yeah," he agreed. "It's pretty damn perfect."

Sam, Ellie, Jamie and Alexis had stopped playing and watched their parents who seemed to be in their own world and they all felt it too, that their lives were pretty damn near perfect.

And they knew the night would end with their father telling them the story of their family and as every year they would listen as if they were hearing it for the very first time.


When Kate walked into their bedroom that night, she found his manuscript still on her nightstand and couldn't help but let her fingers caress the first page with a wistful smile.

A Life to Remember

by Richard Castle

Dedicated to

Kate, Alexis, Jamie, Ellie, Sam and Sherlock

ALWAYS

THE END