Life Isn't About Waiting For The Storm To Pass, But About Learning To Dance In The Rain: A Caskett Story
Kate stood in their bedroom, looking at herself in the mirror; she couldn't quite believe that was her reflection looking back at her. She heard the door creep open & her best friend slowly walk in. "Kate, the car is here sweetie" Laine was grinning from ear to ear, this was an amazing day, her best friend was finally getting the happily ever after she deserved and with a man who loved her more than life itself. In fact Kate was his life.
Kate smiled; she was wearing a floor length A-line dress, with straps that crossed over at the back. It was white silk with a gathered bust adorned with crystals. Simple yet elegant. Many a shopping trip had taken place with Laine, Alexis & Martha before Kate finally decided that the only way she was going to get the dress of her dreams was to have it custom made for her. It was unique to her and it was one of kind. She didn't want to share this most important aspect of her day with anyone else.
She looked across at Laine who was still standing by the door "I'm ready. Where is everyone else?" she asked "Martha & Jenny have left for the venue already, Jenny feared leaving Mattie alone in the company of his father & Uncles for too long, who knows what the four of them might get up to without adult supervision!" The ME said with a chuckle. Kate chuckled too. Mattie had arrived into the world with a very big extended family. Uncle Javi & Uncle Rick along with Daddy were never far away to help him get into mischief, at only 3 years old he was already most certainly one of the boys.
"Alexis?" Kate asked "Here!" came the red head's voice as she entered the room, she gasped as she entered, looking ahead at the brunette "Kate, you look stunning, wow. Should we take bets on how soon dad will start to cry? I'm sure there is already a pool going at the precinct if past experiences are anything to go on!" The three women all laughed, everything was betted on at the 12th, if you couldn't bet on it, it wasn't worth it. Alexis crossed the room to her stepmom and gently hugged her, Kate pulled her stepdaughter in close to her and embraced her tightly "I love you Lex, thank you for being the best daughter anyone could ever wish for. You're as essential in my life as the air I breathe" she told the girl as she kissed her forehead. Alexis blinked back the tears, Kate regularly referred to her as her daughter had done for years but still it took Alexis by surprise sometimes that Kate had dropped the step in her introductions over her. Now it was her turn to prove to the older woman just how important she was to her & just how much of the sentiment she shared over their relationship. She pulled away from Kate, looked her in the eye & began to speak, both of them forgetting that Laine was still standing in the doorway. She stood in awe of them, the bond between them had grown deeper & stronger in the years Kate had been with Rick, had been part of the Castle family. Alexis' voice bought her out of her daydream "Thank you for accepting me as your daughter and opening your heart to me. I'm so very lucky to have you as a mother, I couldn't ask for a better one. I love you, mom" Kate was sure her heart skipped a beat, Alexis never called her mom, she referred to her as Kate. "Oh Lex" was all she said as she held the girl tight, never wanting to let her go.
Laine hated to interrupt but they really needed to go, she knocked on the bedroom door to get their attention "we really need to be going"
Rick nervously paced up and down, hands dug in his pockets. Javi on one side of him, Kevin the other. "Bro, you'll wear away the floor if you don't stop pacing. She's on her way, word from Laine is the car has just left the loft carrying all three of them" Rick let out a sigh of relief he didn't know he was holding. Ryan chuckled "I still can't believe you're getting married here, it's like you're bringing your story full circle. No pun intended there" Espo groaned "of course not" Rick grinned at the two men he regarded as brothers not only in arms but in life. "It was Kate's suggestion, when I asked her where she wanted the wedding; she said it had to be a place that meant something to us both. I did mention Central Park Zoo but that didn't go down too well, I couldn't think why" Espo & Ryan laughed at the man who had waltzed into their lives many years ago and never left. However they wouldn't change anything that had happened since he arrived.
The car slowly pulled up to the venue. Kate had been warned that the media would be there, everyone wanting to see her, the dress & be the first to get a photo that would break hearts across the world, the photo of the new Mr & Mrs Richard Castle. Alexis squeezed Kate's hand. She hated the media & this side of her life as much as her mom did. The car door opened and they were greeted by Gina. In the years previously, Gina & Kate had become maybe not friends but certainly allies. Kate knew she could turn to Gina about the public side of her new found life & Gina did her best to keep parts of Kate's private life private. They had reached an unspoken truce that worked for them both.
Laine stepped out the car first, followed by Alexis. They stepped away from the car allowing Gina to lean into Kate "Kate, wow. Rick won't know what's hit him when you walk in" she said with a grin, Kate smiled back "Thank you Gina, I really mean that, thank you for everything you do, You do so much for us & I'm so grateful we have you" Gina wasn't expecting that, Kate continued to surprise her "Maybe you could tell Richard that" she said with an eye roll & chuckle. Kate reached out & squeezed Gina's hand "When today is over, I will ensure he knows just how much of an asset you are to us all" And again Kate knocked the wind out of her sails by proving herself to truly be extraordinary. Gina squeezed her hand back "Today going to plan & you having the perfect wedding day of your dreams is all the thanks I need" The two women regarded each other with mutual respect & understanding that had increased tenfold in the past 5 minutes. Gina broke the silence "When you leave the car, expect flashing lights and shouts. Do your best to ignore them, they can't reach you; they are all fenced in behind barriers with security watching their every move. You'll have security follow you, Laine & Alexis at a reasonable distance up to the entrance, where they will ensure the doors are closed and secure once you are inside. Your father is waiting just inside the entrance doors for you. Once inside, I will walk ahead to inform everyone that you're in the building & after that the rest is down to you & Richard" She said smiling, Kate nodded. Gina turned away from the car & nodded to Laine, Alexis & the security guys that Kate was about to leave the car.
Inside the car, Kate took a deep breath and swung her legs out of the car and stepped out to a frenzy of flashing lights. She took hold of her Alexis' and Laine's offered arms. Gina took her position behind them, ensuring Kate was protected from every angle, she respected and admired her too much to allow anything to ruin this day for her.
A/N: This idea has been wandering around my head for a while now. So I just wrote out my thoughts. I hope its ok and a good read. Any advice on it will be taken and worked on. Thank you.