Epilogue

Meredith had her baby. The little girl had beautiful red hair, bright blue shining eyes, the most beautiful alabaster skin, and lips. She was adorable. Meredith named her daughter Alexis Harper Lee. Meredith's parents took the baby home to look after her while Meredith finished serving her sentence for her crimes. Nick was still locked up in jail for his part in the crimes as were the rest of the gang.

Rick and Kate were awaiting the arrival of their daughter. She was to be named Lily Johanna Castle. They had gone for a scan to ensure everything was all right with the baby. Kate was on maternity leave from work. Her days filled with morning workouts to keep in shape, healthy breakfast made by Rick. Rick still did book signings in town for Black Pawn. He refused to leave town with Kate being so close to her due date.

Gina and Alex were still going strong. She had accepted his marriage proposal in December. They hadn't set a wedding date yet. Lanie and Javier were growing stronger in their relationship. They moved in together. Jenny and Kevin were engaged to be married in September. Tom and Josie had been dating for several months. Tom told Kate, "Thank you for introducing Josie and I."

Kate said, "I am so glad you two hit it off."

Tom replied, "She is a great woman and special to me."

"I can see that."

Doctor Josh Davidson gave Jana an engagement ring for her birthday. The diamond a pear shape two and a half carat blue diamond. The couple married three months later. Kate and Rick were attending the wedding. Kate looked lovely in a powder blue specially made dress. The bride was lovely in her one of a kind wedding dress.

Josh and Jana's vows were sweet and sincere. When the rings were placed on their fingers, they were pronounced husband and wife. Kissing each other gained several looks and whistles from the crowd. The reception was held at the Four Seasons Hotel. Josh and Jana had a four-tier wedding cake and a chocolate groom's cake.

Friends and family came around to congratulate the happy couple. Rick and Josh shook hands. Jana hugged Kate and told her,

"Thank you for everything and congratulations on the baby."

Kate smiled and said, "You are welcome, wishing you both lots of happiness and many years together."

Josh and Jana were preparing to leave for the honeymoon. Jana threw her bouquet to her sister, while Josh tossed the garter to his brother. The guests showered the couple with rose petals as they left.

Two months later Jenny and Kevin married having a lavish wedding. Kate, Rick, Javi, and Lanie were attendants in the wedding. Jenny's sister and brother were standing up for the bride and groom. The wedding colors were dark emerald green for the bridesmaid's and black tuxedos for the groomsmen. Jenny had a beautiful wedding gown with a long train. The vows were said by the bride and groom. The reception was filled with lots of music, laughter, dancing, and conversation.

While everyone danced with the bride and groom, the photographer was taking candid pictures of the guests. Rick and Kate were dancing to a slow number. Kate laid her head on Rick's shoulder. Lanie and Javi were busy sharing a toast with Kevin and Jenny. The cake was cut by Kevin and Jenny, the champagne toast was made by the maid of honor and the best man.

Jenny tossed her bouquet and Lanie was the lucky recipient, Kevin tossed the garter which Javier caught. Birdseed was tossed as the couple left for their honeymoon for two glorious weeks. Rick, Kate, Lanie, and Javier went to the Old Haunt for some drinks. Everyone except Kate had drinks. She was having sparkling grape juice. Laughter was ringing out for the group, when Kate started having pains. Rick noticed her making a face.

He asked, "Kate, are you ok?"

Kate responded, "I Think my water just broke."

Lanie said, "Rick go get the car. Javier, get some towels for me to use."

Kate was in pain and breathing fire now. Lanie was timing her contractions. Kate spoke, "Lanie call, my parents and Rick's mom. Tell them to meet us as the hospital."

"Will do."

Javi dialed Kate's mom and dad telling them to meet at the hospital. Then he dialed, Martha to tell her to meet them at the hospital. Rick rushed in the Old Haunt helping Kate walk to the car. He was telling her to breath while trying to keep her calm. Lanie was holding Kate's hand helping them get to the car.

Kate said, "Rick, don't rush me. I can get to the car with you and Lanie helping me."

Rick was speaking so fast that Lanie told him to slow down. The contractions were coming every second. Kate got in the back seat of the car. Rick was driving fast trying to arrive at the hospital in one piece. Javi escorted them with the siren to the hospital. Lanie was holding Kate's hand while talking to her.

Upon arrival at the hospital, Kate was wheeled into the birthing suite. She was hooked up to monitors, while waiting on Doctor Maria Santos to arrive. Rick went to find her parents and his mother. Seeing everyone gathered in the waiting room. He took them to Kate's room. Lanie and Javi were talking to Kate keeping her calm.

Kate yelled in pain, "Give me some damn drugs for this pain. Rick, don't you ever think of touching me again after Lily is born."

Rick answered, "Why? What did I do?"

Kate was ready to kill him. "You are the reason I am in this condition."

"I believe it takes two to make a baby, Sweetheart."

Jim, Jo, Martha, Lanie, and Javi enjoyed watching them bickering back and forth. Doctor Santos watched the scene between them. She knew Kate would eventually want him to touch her again. Jim whistled to get their attention. "Katie, I do believe you told Rick you wanted a child right after you married him."

"Daddy, I am hurting right NOW!"

"Katie, the pain will ease after Lily is born."

Doctor Santos checked to see how far Kate was dilated. "Kate, you are seven centimeters, three more centimeters and you will be ready to deliver your baby daughter."

Jo and Martha had washcloths with cool water wiping Kate's forehead to keep the sweat down. She told both her mother and mother-in-law "I love you, both."

Both smiled, "We know you do honey."

"When is, she going to come out so I won't hurt anymore?"

"Soon."

The nurse gave Kate the epidural for the pain. The doctor checked to see if it was time to deliver the baby.

"Kate, it is time for you to meet your beautiful daughter."

Rick put on the scrubs so he could go into the delivery suite. Holding Kate's hand while she pushed through the contractions, breathing, and crushing his hand. He kept wiping her forehead with the cool damp washcloth. Sweat dripped down Kate's forehead from the pushing of the baby.

"Rick, I can't do this anymore. I am tired. I just need to rest."

"Baby, you are half way there. A few more pushes and Lily will be here."

Doctor Santos said, "Kate, I see her beautiful head, on the count of three push. One…two…three…push!"

Kate pushed with all her might, tired and exhausted from pushing, she heard the yell of her baby, Lily. The nurse wrapped her in a pink blanket handing her to Kate. Kate and Rick had tears of joy in their eyes. Rick texted Jenny and Kevin to tell them Lily Johanna Castle has arrived. Kevin texted back, give Kate and Lily our love. We can't wait to meet her. Rick smiled.

Rick took Lily Johanna Castle to meet her grandparents, aunt, and uncle. Johanna was handed Lily. Lily cooed, at her grandmother. Martha was next to hold her lovely grandchild, Lanie kissed, Lily's forehead whispering you will grow up to be strong like your mother. Jim was proud of his grandchild. Javi said, "I am you uncle Javi. I will always protect you."

Lily Johanna Castle had beautiful golden chestnut hair like Kate, piercing deep ocean blue eyes like Rick, soft olive complexed skin like Kate. Everything was joyful that wonderful September morning.

Rick took Lily to Kate so she could feed her and snuggle with her child. While Lily latched onto her mother's breast for feeding, Rick sat in awe of the situation. He knew that love was Kate, but, pure love was Kate and Lily.

The flowers started to arrive after the announcement of Lily's birth. Family and friends gathered together to meet the newest Castle famiy member. Lily started to yawn, squirm, and fuss in her mother's arms. Rick placed her in the bassinet to sleep. Kate tired from giving birth to Lily slipped into a deep sleep.

Rick watched her and Lily sleep. His eyes began to get heavy with sleep. The day had been long and hard on both. Family was the most important thing to him. He would always remember this wonderful joyous day of Lily being born.

The End

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