Greetings! Have you ever had a story plot grab you? This has been so pressing that I've been unable to write anything else.
A couple of warnings: The contents of this story may be mildly disturbing. Every attempt has been made to handle them with sensitivity.
Their day had finally arrived, and Castle could hardly believe it. The church was tastefully adorned with Kate's favorite flowers. The musicians were seated in the corner, rehearsing before the guests started to arrive. The live symphony had been a compromise. Kate hadn't wanted a band, she'd wanted a DJ. However, Castle wanted live music. So in the end they'd decided that the ceremony would be filled with live music and the reception a DJ.
Violinists would play for their guests, would accompany the bridal procession and would play the couple's exit after their vows. After our vows, Castle thought to happily himself, reflecting once again on the long journey they'd taken to one another. He could hardly believe their day had arrived. He swallowed back the lump in his throat, straightening his tie once again as he turned to look at his two best men.
Both Ryan and Esposito sat beside him. They'd come to the church early, sitting in the front pew a solid 2 hours before the ceremony was set to begin. In his haste, Castle had arisen early, run errands and gotten dressed in full tuxedo, unable to stop himself from preparing for this moment. The result was that he was ready to go by 10am. The ceremony wasn't until 2.
Surprising all of them, Esposito reached into a bag he'd brought into the church, pulling out three beers.
"I thought the occasion called for a toast." He noted, smiling at his two best friends, one a father and the other about to become a husband. This may have been Castle's third time, but they all knew it was the only one that would matter. It was the last one, and it was the one that would last.
"Really, Javi? You brought beer into St. Michaels Church of the Holy Sacrament?" The Irish detective exclaimed with a mixture of guilt and amusement. He looked around them, as if expecting one of the nuns from his schooling days would jump out- ruler in hand and prepared to place the fear of god into the three of them.
Esposito simply shrugged, "Our boy could use a cold one, don't you think?" He suggested, noting how keyed up Castle really was in the moment. He was pacing the altar of the empty sanctuary.
For her part, Kate wasn't in any better condition. The butterflies in her stomach flapped wildly as she went about her morning routine. Except this was unlike any routine she'd been through before. Her girls were there, her family.
Alexis and Lanie, her bride's maid and maid of honor respectively, were with her. Martha was also there, offering support and encouragement as she imagined Kate's own mother would offer on this day if she could have been there.
She'd spent the night at her old apartment; the apartment that would soon be designated to Alexis considering her breakup with Pi and desire for independence. After an afternoon at the spa, of manicures and pedicures, the women had retired to Kate's apartment. As if some tradition, Kate wanted to spend her last night as a single woman apart from her future husband. In fact, it had been quite some time since she'd spent the night with Castle. She smiled, feeling a familiar and excited ache low in her belly, an ache that signified that it had been way too long since she'd been with her lover. She couldn't help but laugh. Afterall, it had been her fault.
"Castle, I've been thinking". She spoke to him one night as they worked in tandem to prepare their dinner. He prepared the stir-fry as she continued to chop vegetables to add to the mix.
"Hmmm." Castle leaned in to kiss her cheek, "I like it when you've been thinking. You're sexy when you think." He flirtatiously brushed his hand along her hip and skimmed her backside before returning to the skillet in front of him.
"Yeah, well… I'm not sure you're going to think this is too sexy. In fact, I'm not sure you'll enjoy it at all." Kate spoke with some hesitation.
Castle turned the flames on his gas stove down to low, "You have my attention now, Kate." He spoke, no small amount of trepidation in his voice.
"Nothing's wrong Rick," She began, "It's just that I've been thinking a lot lately about the wedding…about our honeymoon."
"Ahhh." He spoke dreamily, "Italy. I can't wait to take in the Amalfi Coast with you. One of the few places that I've never gone. Beach front hotel, black and sandy, smooth stones of the Mediterranean sea. Positano. God, I can't wait, Kate. I can't wait for so many things." He spoke with no small hint of lust in his voice as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"That's just it, Castle. I want our honeymoon to be special. I want our first time as a married couple to be meaningful." She suggested.
"Why, Katherine Beckett, are you speaking of our marital consummation?" He asked with a scandalous lilt to his voice, earning him a jab from her elbow. Still, she nodded to him.
"I think we should wait." She stated.
"Wait for what?" He countered, reaching around her to pluck a carrot from the cutting board and tossing it into his mouth.
"You, know. I want to build up some excitement, I want our first time as a married couple to be…highly anticipated."
"Oh, detective, I do anticipate it. Highly." He planted a kiss against the side of her neck and shifted his hips against her backside for effect. She smiled, flirtatiously pushing him back once more.
"I just mean- I think we would anticipate it more if we waited. You know, until we got married…build up some of that delicious tension." She spoke, remembering how hot they'd burned after their six week separation in DC; How they'd been insatiable in their first months as a couple. She wanted her honeymoon to have some of that, and worried that things would get mundane if they'd continued having sex up until the day.
"So let me get this straight, you want to abstain from sex-altogether, until our wedding night?" He asked somewhat incredulously.
Kate nodded. "Yeah, why Castle? Don't think you can hold out?" She teased him.
"Oh, now-detective. Remember which one of us waited 4 years. It isn't me that I'm concerned about…I don't think YOU can manage." He ran his fingers teasingly up her side, caressing her breast as he went,
"afterall. Women have needs." He spoke in a low voice. She rolled her eyes at his obvious attempt to get under her skin.
"Me?" She spoke flatly. "Are you being serious?" She couldn't believe he was insinuating that he could go cold turkey, but she wouldn't.
"Well, let's face it, detective. You do have a tendency to rip my clothes off from time to time, and let's face it. I AM irresistible." She rolled her eyes, "the only thing I find irresistible is the urge to smack you from time to time." She threw back at him.
"Care to make this interesting?" He ventured.
"Are you betting me on who can abstain the longest?" Kate's interest was piqued.
He nodded, "Let's just say that I've been eyeing some potential…items…of lingerie for the honeymoon. If I win, and you cave first…you have to wear whatever I decide."
"If I win? What do I get WHEN you cave first?" Kate pushed him.
"You pick what you wear, of course." Kate smirked at him, already turned on by his proposition.
"What happens if we both abstain?" She pressed him, unconsciously gripping the sides of his shirt.
"Well, how about we go shopping together…we pick out some pieces that we both enjoy…we decide together…"
Kate smiled, biting her lip excitedly. "You've got yourself a deal, Mr. Castle."
"Indeed, I do, Future Mrs. Castle."
They'd made it, although the process of picking out lingerie together nearly did them both in. Hell, Kate was pretty sure that their behavior was dangerously close to resulting in a permanent ban from the boutique.
Nevertheless, both resisted and Kate was beyond excited to be with him once again. She ached for it in fact. They'd gone and picked out several items, and she was bound to one of their mutual choices. However, in the end it would be her choice of which item she'd wear. There would be some surprise for him.
She knew he would be surprised, as instead of going with the kinky black and red leather, she'd gone with the soft and flowing, lace topped chemise. All white, all bridal and terribly sexy. She blushed to herself as she sat in the bridal suite, the hair dresser working her hair into intricate curls that would surround her veil.
Lanie and Alexis were already dressed, matching lavender floor length gowns that accented both of their figures in a tasteful, yet beautiful manner. Martha was also adorned in purple, a darker shade but nevertheless in theme with the wedding colors. All light enough to accent the spring in New York, with a hint of whimsical that came with silver accents- much like Kate's wedding dress.
The Couture gown was hung against the door, waiting for her to step into it after hair and makeup was completed. Once her veil was placed she turned to look at the women in the room, standing from the chair to get a full glance of herself in the mirror.
It was odd to see herself in full hair and makeup, the veil now pinned in place and accented with small, silver-lined flowers that had been woven in for effect, yet still in yoga pants and a button up shirt. She couldn't help but laugh as Alexis snapped a photograph with her phone. Soon there would be a photographer, but Alexis was bound and determined to snap some candid shots of Kate getting ready.
"I think it's time." Martha whispered to her, looking at her watch and seeing that it was nearing 1pm.
Kate took a deep breath and nodded, it was time.
With the help of all three women, she stepped into her wedding dress, allowing Lanie to fasten the back while Martha supported her future daughter-in-law's balance and Alexis helped her to slip into her heels.
"I think your dad will be disappointed that I'm not wearing my usual, 6 inch heels." She spoke jokingly.
"I don't think it will be possible for my dad to be disappointed." Alexis stated with reverence as she leaned back from her position at Kate's feet to take the bride in. Beckett leaned down to take Alexis by the hands, pulling her to stand and kissing her softly on the cheek.
After a moment, Martha took Kate's hand and led her to the three-way mirror.
"You, my darling, are a vision." The older woman spoke, tears building in her eyes.
"Be careful of the veil", Lanie spoke, her voice laden with emotion as she adjusted the material with Kate's movements. Beckett couldn't help but smile, in awe that this day, her wedding day, had finally arrived.
"Ooh. One more thing." Martha added, coming to stand behind Kate as she pulled beautiful, crystal and diamond necklace across the detective's neck.
"Oh my goodness, Martha!" Kate was speechless.
"I wore this on the night I won my first Tony award. I thought that if I had a daughter…well, you know…"
Kate was touched, she pulled Martha in for a hug, never more grateful for waterproof mascara in her life.
A soft knock came at the door, alerting the four women at once. Alexis made her way over, cracking to take a peak, ensuring that her father was not there to break tradition. The young woman simply smiled as she pulled the door open, turning to Kate.
"someone's here to see you." She stated as she allowed Jim Beckett to enter into the room.
He stepped in but was soon frozen in place, taking in the sight of his only daughter, his little girl, in her wedding dress.
"Katie. You look so beautiful." He found his feet again and moved quickly across the room, embracing his daughter while using care to not alter her veil.
"So much like your mother." He whispered into her ear, causing Kate's eyes to water as she once again thought about her mother. She had never been far from Kate's mind that day.
"She wore this." He produced a simple yet elegant bracelet from his pocket, causing Kate's eyes to swell once again. How am I going to walk down the aisle and recite my vows without losing it if every ten seconds I'm crying? She wondered to herself, a bit overwhelmed by the moment.
"It is stunning, dad."
"It's perfect." Lanie added, helping Kate to slide the light-weight silver and crystal jewels onto her wrist.
"Now." Martha began, "Something Old-" She motioned to the bracelet, "Something New." She caressed the sleeve of Kate's wedding dress, "Something borrowed," She ran her fingers across the necklace she'd placed on the detective's neck…"and…"
"And something blue." Alexis jumped in, handing her future step-mother the bouquet of flowers, accented with tiny blue buds."
Kate smiled at all of them, entirely overwhelmed by their love and support.
"If you don't mind, may I just have a few minutes?" She asked them all kindly. She felt the need to be alone with her mom, just one last time before the ceremony.
They all nodded in understanding, stepping out of the room one at a time and making their way to the entrance of the church where they would all line up.
"I'll be waiting for you Katie." Her dad motioned, "ready to walk you down that aisle." She smiled and nodded to him.
Once alone, Kate breathed a sigh, closing her eyes and trying to bring her emotions-her nerves into check. She once again took in her reflection, feeling that similar sensation, as if her mom was right behind her.
Kate closed her eyes, the familiar feelings of doubt and panic setting in. I don't know that I can do this without you. She thought to herself, speaking to her mother really. She tried to take it in stride, but was grappling with the sadness that had threatened to take hold all day.
It wasn't until Kate opened her eyes again that the real panic set in.
The guests had arrived and were seated, equal attendees on Kate and Castle's sides. They'd agreed to keep it an intimate affair, only inviting those that were truly near and dear to them. The priest, the same who had baptized Kate as an infant was present. He'd agreed to perform the ceremony when they'd assured him that they were living in separate apartments.
It wasn't a lie in all honesty, as they'd soon found that their no sex arrangement would never work if they slept in the same bed. Although the priest was under no impression that he was marrying two virgins, he was happy enough that Katie was finally at peace and readily agreed to perform the ceremony.
The music started and soon Martha was escorted to her seat in the front row. She stopped to kiss her son on the cheek, "finally got it right, kiddo." She whispered lovingly.
"I love you too." He mouthed to her as she took her seat. He watched next as Ryan escorted his little girl down the aisle, taken aback by how beautiful she looked. He was amazed by how grown up she was. It filled him with a twinge of sadness, yet a sense of excitement. There was a new life, a bright future in store for all of them, and he couldn't see what changes would come to their family.
Next he watched as Esposito escorted Lanie down the aisle. They really were a beautiful couple, and now that they appeared closer than ever, Castle hoped this wedding would do the trick and finally allow them to stop denying the inevitable. He couldn't help but laugh at himself, as he and Kate weren't exactly ideal role models for giving in to the inevitable. Afterall, it had taken 6 years to get to this place.
Still, as he waited for his bride to appear, he couldn't help but think back on everything. He thought of every smile, every touch, all the tears and the yelling, the heartbreak, the near misses, the soft caresses and passionate kisses. He wouldn't change a thing, as long as it meant that he would end up here…with her.
The wedding music began to play and he took a deep breath…waiting.
Nothing happened.
The processional continued to play, the violinists looking to one another in confusion as the music continued but no bride appeared.
Castle swallowed nervously. Where is she? He looked to Ryan and Esposito, then to Lanie and Alexis. All had equal looks of concern and confusion.
Finally the door opened to reveal Jim Beckett standing alone. He shook his head sadly.
"I'm sorry." He mouthed to Rick.
Then the music stopped.
First, don't shoot. Just Wait.
Second, I'm really excited to write this story, and oddly terrified that writers are going to pull something exactly like this….or at least like what is to come in the next few chapters. In fact, I imagine it is such a possibility that a lot of you have already guessed what will come.
This entire season feels like a false lull, we're being taken along on this flawless wedding planning (although I don't like the dress and find the song, while lovely, isn't what I would picture for a wedding). Nevertheless, this plot has been haunting me- so I thought I would write it down.
Please feel free to review as long as it is a review for THIS STORY.
Finally, if anyone wants to take the * C&B vow to abstain before their wedding plot and have some fun, feel free!