Kate Beckett sighed and took a brief look at the man standing beside her. Today was supposed to be the day that she married the man of her dreams. However, she realized that she wasn't in love with him. And despite his declarations of love, she knew that he wasn't in love with her anymore. Maybe he never had been. So, she looked at the preacher and whispered, "I can't do this. I thought I could, but..."
Kate looked at her fiance and whispered, "I'm so sorry..."
Then Kate turned to face the people gathered to witness their happy union. She put her hand on her rounded stomach and told them, "There isn't going to be a wedding tonight. Please feel free to attend the reception."
With that, Kate Beckett turned and ran out of the church. Leaving behind a room of confused people. She walked out into the bright sunlight and took a deep breath. The baby she carried gave her a swift kick and she smiled and whispered to her unborn child, "I know. I'm probably crazy, but I couldn't marry your father. Not when I'm in love with another man..."
So, Kate rushed to the curb and hailed a taxi. Giving the driver the address,she hoped that she would be welcome at the house of the man who's heart she broke in two...
Meanwhile, across town, Richard Castle sat in his uptown loft getting drunk. He didn't think he had ever had this much to drink. The reason for it was because the woman he loved was getting married to another man today. A man who just happened to be the father of her unborn child.
Castle had made the mistake of telling Kate how much he loved her. Told her that he would love her unborn child. That had been enough for Kate. No,Kate at decided that they would be better off with a man that she didn't love. Damn her!
Castle threw his glass across the room. It shattered into a million pieces. Just like his heart had when Kate had told him about her engagement.
So, here is was,getting drunk in his loft while his mother and daughter were attending her wedding. Martha had tried to back out, but Castle had lied to her and told her that he would be fine. That as long as Kate was happy,he would be happy for her.
Kate knocked on the door in front of her and took a deep breath. It was then that she the baby kick softly. She smiled and whispered, "I know little one. Mommy needs to be brave." The baby kicked again and Kate whispered, "What if he won't answer the door?" Another kick and Kate finally raised her hand and knocked lightly.
Inside the loft, Castle heard the knock and for a split second,he thought about ignoring it. However, when he heard the knock again,he finally pushed himself up from the couch and walked towards the door. He was surprised at the sight that awaited him. Kate stood in front of him in her wedding dress. His mouth opened and closed and he finally asked, "What do you want?"
Instead of saying anything, Kate took his hand and pressed it to her stomach. He closed his eyes and whispered, "Kate..."
Kate had tears in her eyes and she whispered, "Can I come in?"
For a moment, Kate wondered if he would say no. She honestly wouldn't blame him. She had hurt him terribly and for no other reason than she was afraid of being hurt.
When Castle stepped aside and let her into the loft, she took a deep breath and whispered, "Thanks."
Castle felt the tears spring to his eyes and he whispered, "It's your wedding day. Why are you here?"
Kate swallowed hard and whispered, "I couldn't marry him."
"Why?"
She looked Castle straight in the eyes and told him softly, "Because we are in love with you."
"We?"
Kate put both her hands on her stomach and whispered, "Yeah. Peanut and I... He's always more active when you're around us. And Tom told me that he didn't want to be a father. That he was only doing the right thing and marrying me. To keep up appearances. I don't want to be in that kind of marriage."
"So you ran to me?"
"You told me once that you loved me."
Castle simply nodded and then whispered, "I still do..."
Kate took her partners hand and pressed it against her stomach. Then she whispered, "I have no idea if we will work,but I want to try."
"What about Demming?"
"He didn't try to stop me when I ran out of the church. He doesn't love me. Not really."
Castle nodded and led Kate over to the couch. She sat down and whispered, "I really should get changed. I hate this dress."
Castle laughed and ran into his room and grabbed his clothes. He was sure that they would fit her. He handed them over to her and she smiled at him and walked into the bathroom to change. She knew that they needed to talk and this was simply the beginning...
