Story and A/N: I know it has been a long while for any post by me. Even though I have not finished some other stories, I needed to get this out during the summer hiatus. There have been many excellent post 6x23 fanfics. This is my version of how the wedding should have been. This one is different then most. I have tried to incorporate the story line, but have also added things from real life weddings I have been to. There will be a character death somewhere in this story. It was suggested to me after I read some comments about the season 6 finale. I took one of those scenario's along with bits and pieces of a lesser known story (about a certain British Secret Agent) and came up with this. I have made a promise to my self and now to you, my readers, that I will not post anything unless I have finished the story or have finished at least three chapters ahead or I have finished the other stories that have been posted.
The Castle characters are not mine. Their use, or the use of, or resemblance of any other characters, to any persons, living or dead, and the words and opinions they may speak are my creations just for the story and should not be attributed to them.
Castle awoke with a start. Sitting bolt upright in bed, he could not remember how he got back to the loft. He was on Beckett's side of the bed and she was no where to be found. The whole bed was rumpled so he figured that she was indisposed at the moment or making coffee. Then again, he could not smell coffee so that left the former. Castle's shoulders and ribs hurt and his legs were cramping. He was without a t-shirt but wearing his boxers. It was not uncommon that he would wake up a little achy. Ever since their first get together after the rain storm, when Beckett would show Castle just how nimble she was he would ache in new places and in new ways. A new top ten was born. He wished he could tell Espisito, but knew if he did, Beckett would hurt him just enough to take the joy out of their bedroom escapades for long time to come.
As Castle rubbed his eyes, he saw a book on the end table. It was "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". It was not unusual for him to have books about a "certain British secret agent." After all it was "Casino Royale" that got him into writing in the first place. When Castle was considering taking the writing job for that storied franchise, he bought all of the original books and read them again and again. Even though he passed on that opportunity, those books provided some inspiration for the Nikki Heat series (though he would never admit that to Beckett).
It was a little unnerving that Castle could not remember last night. The last time he had lost a chunk of time like this, was when he woke up handcuffed to Beckett. Since then, he and Beckett had been handcuffed to each other and alone many times, but he ALWAYS remembered them. Taking a deep breath, Castle closed his eyes and....
He is in the car, driving toward his destiny. The divorce was finalized and the wedding license in his pocket. Castle was not normally one to use his stature and money for personal gain. He instilled in Alexis that their good fortune does not make them better or worse then anyone else. Using the money in a careless and carefree manner would make more trouble for them then it was worth. Still, having it was handy on occasion. Without it he would never had occasion to make friends with the Mayor and Judge Markaway His charm, compassion and humor made them friends but his contributions gave him the introductions. " ... oh and Kate," he said as he finished his call, "I love you!"
"I love you too." was her response. Even though he knew it, Castle would never, ever get tired of hearing it.
Ryan and Esposito greeted him at the door. "Yo bro, got everything?"
"All in order." Castle replied.
"Ok, I will take the papers to Judge Markaway. He said he needs a minute to look them over and then we can start whenever your ready." Esposito went off to find the Judge.
"What are you more excited about, the wedding or the honeymoon?", Ryan asked.
"I guess the wedding."
Ryan looked puzzled, "Oh really, why?"
"I have been away with Beckett many times. We have relaxing vacations and working vacations. Don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to playing some Scrabble with Beckett and many games of our special type of poker. I am sure there will be midnight swims, suits optional. All without interruption from work, friends or family."
"And that is not worth getting excited about because...?"
Castle continued, "Because my good man, vacations are private moments, shared with a select group of people. Weddings are public. We are taking our vows in front of our friends, family, god and country. People we love. Our declaration of love for one another is now known to the universe. When things get difficult and we cannot work them out together, we have the 'universe' to help us, the universe to watch over us and the universe to answer to IF ... "
"IF?" Ryan quizzed.
"I do not want to think about it, this is for forever." Castle said.
"That's the way Jenny and I felt then and feel now."
Castle smiled, "Plus it doesn't hurt to let those others like Demming and motor-cycle boy that Kate is with me."
Ryan laughed and was about to say something else when a certain red headed Best "man" called out, "You both had better move it or no forever and always. The Judge has to leave soon."
Castle patted Ryan on the back and said, "Let's do this before the universe interferes again."
Jenny Ryan met her husband and Castle near the end of the house. She was about to say something when she looked up at the window and her mouth fell open. At first Kevin thought something had happened to Jenny. He was scared. Instinct took over and he rushed to Jenny and looked up too. He went slack jawed too. Now Castle was very concerned.
As he got closer to the Ryans, Castle saw them mouth to the window "You look amazing." Jenny started to tear. "What is going on?" he cried. Castle was about to look up when Kevin grabbed him. "Beckett is in the window in her wedding dress. She looks..."
"I know, amazing" Castle said as he turned around to gaze up at Kate.
Ryan tried to grab him to stop him from seeing her as he yelled, "Stop! it is bad luck to see her before she walks down the isle, you told me so yourself." he said. Too late, Castle was transfixed on his bride. She saw him and flashed a smile so full of joy, brightness and love that it could light the Atlantic from the Hamptons, NY to Southampton, England.
Castle thought, 'memory is a funny thing. It is a bag which is always filling, but never gets full. It is an unorganized jumble of thoughts, feelings, sights, sounds and smells that gets co-mingled with new memories every second. Mostly then, to try and retrieve a single memory or related group of memories, is a Herculean task, especially as one gets older.' Castle knew that this memory and the rest of this day would be one of the easiest memories to retrieve. Each sound, sight, smell and feeling would be as vivid in the future as it was at this moment. It couldn't be any other way.
Lanie and Martha appeared at the window and gently moved Kate away. At the same time, Esposito called to Ryan and Castle, "Yo, I was told by Alexis to get you guys to the stand right away, or she will have me in a vice." Castle just nodded and started walking toward Esposito.
Ryan laughed, "Javi, good natured, gentle Alexis scares you?"
"Are you kidding, bro? With her flaming red hair and the look she gave me, I know the torments of Hell await if I do not do her bidding. She looks scarier then Beckett when Beckett is mad and you know that is pretty scary."
Castle concurred, "I know that look. Just the thought..." he shook his head and grimaced as he thought more about his encounter's with Determined Alexis. His pace quickened to his spot.
The day was perfect. Mostly blue skies, with a smattering of bright white, puffy clouds, a gentle chop in the water below making for a nice contrast to the still sky. A gentle wind gathered up the wisps of hair from all the women's finely coiffed heads. This added an appealing sensuality to their otherwise formal dress and manner. Castle was entranced.
Judge Markaway gave a nod to Alexis that he was ready. Alexis signaled the band to begin playing the processional. Castle had a twinge of regret about the band. He should have reminded Alexis and his mother to get a DJ because that is what Beckett really wanted. As they were waiting a minute or two to walk down the aisle so everyone could be seated, Castle thought he had the sound of feedback. It did not come from the direction of the band. He turned and saw a large DJ stand on the porch, setting up for later. There was no way he could thank his mother and Alexis for this detail.
As Castle began to walk down the aisle, with a red head on each arm, he felt a very satisfying warmth in his soul, like when he slowly savored a good scotch. With that gesture, Castle knew that Beckett was fully accepted into the Castle clan as no other woman ever was or ever could be.
When Castle neared the stand, he stopped, turned to his mother gave her a kiss and hug like never before. "I really love her," he whispered to his mother, "but if not for you and your special words that day two years ago, I would not be here. Thank you!"
"Richard, I knew early on that Katherine was special. I am just glad that I could make you see it before it was too late. You and Alexis mean the world to me and now, so does Katherine. I love you both very much. Now do this thing kiddo." Martha tried to sneak a tissue from her purse as she went to her seat. As she down, one of the wait staff handed her a hankershiff. He looked very familiar, but when Martha looked for him after she wiped her eyes, he was gone.
Castle and Alexis reached Judge Markaway's side and turned around as the rest of the wedding party came up the aisle. Castle turned to the judge and whispered, "Our vows are not to long judge, I know you want to get in 9 if you can before sundown." Markaway and Castle laughed until Alexis poked her father to stop.
Following Castle and Alexis were Esposito and Lanie. They looked so good together as they walked down the path. Each was thrilled that Beckett and Castle had finally reached this point. Each thought to themselves that the other looked great too and both wondered whether they would be doing this together soon. About halfway, Lanie switched her bouquet to her hand farthest from Javi. Instinctively then he reached for her hand and they held hands till they reached the wedding podium. Javier squeezed her hand just a bit and gave Lanie a kiss on the cheek before they took their positions. Castle smiled.
Next came Ryan and Jenny. They looked as giddy as they did on their wedding day. Ryan took his place next to Javier, while Jenny took her seat. Castle overheard Alexis whisper to Ryan, "I was so busy with everything I forgot to ask about Sarah Grace. Who is taking care of her?"
Ryan smiled, "Alexis, with an Irish family there is never a lack of babysitters. In fact Jenny and I had to limit the group, what with her parents, my parents, her brothers and my sisters, I thought a civil war would break out with each side trying to babysit Sarah Grace. She is more secure with them then if she were at the 12th." Both smiled.
Maddie and Carly followed Jenny and Ryan. Besides being old friends of Beckett, they were needed to balance out the wedding party. Carly came with her 'boring' husband and Maddie was there with a date. Both men were already seated. When Carly and Maddie took their place next to Lanie, Alexis nodded at the band leader. The traditional processional started to play and all stood up and turned to watch Beckett come down the aisle.
End Note: The next chapter will be up in a day or so to give you all time to ruminate and let me know what you think it. Rest assured, the story will be finished and fully posted before season 7. Thanks to everybody who takes the time to write reviews. I love them. Remember 'Reviews feed the Muse.' Keep them coming, good, bad or indifferent.
