A/N- Hope you're enjoying this little adventure! Thanks to Joanna and Janna for help and extra thanks for Joanna for making the cover image for the story!

Disclaimer- Castle is not mine nor is anything associated with it...never. Sadly...

If You Want the Happy Ending

"Well maybe it is a sign. A sign that ours is a great love story. Cause what's a great love story without obstacles to overcome? Every fairy tale has them. Terrible trials that only the worthy can transcend but you can't give up. That's the deal. We want the happy ending, we can't give up. " - Castle

Chapter 2

Tomorrow? How could this possibly happen tomorrow? Sure, she wanted to marry him more than anything. And she didn't need a big wedding, all she needed was him. However, the idea of tomorrow didn't even feel like it was feasible.

"Let me take care of everything, Kate. It's actually helping keep my mind off of things. Focusing on this, for us…I'm actually feeling better about things." He got off of his knee with a slight struggle and a wince, but pulled her into his arms. "Can I please do this for us?" She nodded her agreement and then brushed her lips against his. To be honest, the wedding never mattered to her; it was just a technicality to get to the marriage. The idea of being married to this amazing man; it left her without words to adequately describe her sheer happiness.

"Do you really think we can do it tomorrow? I mean, I guess we can always just go down to the courthouse. Castle, to be honest, I don't need a fancy wedding…a dream wedding is for another couple…as long as you're there; the location doesn't matter." Beckett hugged him tighter and nuzzled into his body.

"I am not marrying you at a courthouse, Beckett. This is it for me. Tyson robbed us of our first wedding, but he's not going to rob us of a wedding all together. I've called in a couple favors, talked to Gates so your schedule is free…" A small huff of annoyance fell out of her mouth, but she let it slide. Dr. Burke's idea seems to honestly be helping him for the moment. "Our guest list has been completely minimized, and I'm hoping you don't mind…"

"You…" She cut him off with another kiss. "As long as YOU are there, everything else will be absolutely perfect."

When she awoke this morning, he was already up, dressed and on the phone. The smell of bacon and eggs filled the loft, causing her to almost float to the kitchen. Castle ended his phone call when he saw her and greeted her with a longer than usual morning kiss.

"Hello soon to be Mrs. Castle…" His smiled lit up his entire face, creating the cutest little wrinkles by his eyes.

"Morning Castle." Her skin gave off a glowing radiance as she smiled back up to him. A woman in love, so much so, that her happiness couldn't be contained. She sat down at the bar in the kitchen, waving her hand with curiosity. "What is all this for?"

"Well...I didn't think I needed an excuse to make the woman I love, the future mother of my child, breakfast, but if you want me to come up with one… How about, it's a thank you for loving me and being so supportive this last month…and thank you for keeping our baby safe…" He laid a gentle hand on her abdomen and placed a quick kiss into her messy, bed head styled hair. "Eat up…I made plans for you and the girls today. We've already broke the whole, you can't see each other before the wedding, tradition…so let's at least not completely chance it by spending the entire day together…" He smirked at her, while preparing her plate of breakfast.

"What if I don't want you out of my sight today…" Their last wedding. She didn't want to bring it up, but spending time apart today made her uneasy. The mental scars from seeing his burning car, thinking he was inside…still too fresh in her mind. Reaching out for his hand, her thumb started making hypnotic circles on top of his skin.

"Kate…this is something we can control. He's not going to take this away from us again…I need this…" He almost repeated it again, before she agreed to go along with it. His optimism was just an act to keep one foot in front of another and her questioning it almost had him questioning his performance in his own mind. She couldn't be the one that did that to him, to bring him back into a downward spiral.

"Okay…I trust you. What's the plan?"

Castle insisted that she went with Alexis and Lanie for a mini-spa day until it was time to get ready for the wedding. It was a very sweet idea, but it almost seemed like he was just trying to keep her out of the loft; preventing her from seeing what he had planned. The only detail she had about the ceremony was the time…sunset.

Sensory overload. The loft seemed like grand central station. People were rushing around, putting the final touches on things. All the furniture was moved around, in the typical fashion in which was the loft was staged, for when Castle was entertaining. New to the room however, was a longer banquet style table. It was centered in the room, beautifully decorated with contemporary lines and trendy place settings. Flowers were everywhere, yet somehow it was still tasteful. Martha's previous idea of floral extravagance, while they were initially planning the wedding, was nothing like this. The room was beautiful and before she could fully take in the entire atmosphere, someone was whisking her away up the stairs into the guest room.

"Miss Beckett, I'm Ms. Riley and Mr. Castle requested that I help you with your hair and makeup for the ceremony along with any other assistance you may need." Kate looked back at the woman completely exasperated….

"He did what?" That man really thought of everything. Normally his overzealous planning would have driven her nuts, but now, knowing the daily struggle that Castle was going through; she gave him a pass.

"Mr. Castle said he wanted to make sure that everything would be completely stress-free for you today. He wanted you to feel like a princess," the young woman said absolutely beaming with joy. Kate smiled at the woman; Ms. Riley was obviously a bit of a romantic at heart and that definitely got her into the bridal frame of mind.

"Alright, let's do this…" Beckett giggled a bit. This was really happening today.

In almost no time at all her hair was curled and braided. The soft curls hung down her back, while the braided section pulled the hair away from her face. An ornate hair comb was then placed within the braided crown. She wanted it to be different…it couldn't be the same. No longer the brokenhearted bride watching the burning car, it had to be different.

Before her anxieties about the failed wedding brought her spirits down, she was distracted by a knock at the door. Alexis stuck her head through the threshold, giving her a huge smile. "Beckett, you look gorgeous, but don't you think you need to get dressed?" Beckett's face fell for a moment, looking around in a panic. She hoped Castle didn't plan for her to wear her mother's dress…that was practically ruined from the smoke and dirt of the roadside. The dry cleaner did their best, but it wasn't salvageable to wear again. Now it was just boxed up for memories of her mom.

"Oh my God, Alexis. I don't have anything to wear…" Her head dropped for a moment, as Alexis walked completely into the room. She cleared her throat, as Beckett looked over at the red-head.

"You didn't think he'd overlook this part, did you?" In her hand was a garment bag, allowing Kate to release a huge sigh of relief. Alexis walked over to where Kate was getting ready and hung the dress on the closest hook. She carefully removed the dress, allowing the bride to see the dress that Castle picked out for her.

"This is gorgeous…it's perfect!" She nearly squeaked when she saw the dress. It was a white floor-length, one shoulder fitted dress with satin and lace. The dress was perfect for a New York City evening wedding. Completely different from her other dresses and frankly that's exactly what she needed.

"Wow, my Dad picked an awesome dress. I'll send Lanie in here to help you finish up. I think everything is pretty much ready for you. Your Dad is waiting downstairs. We'll see you out there." Alexis motioned to Ms. Riley to give Kate a moment and both women walked out of the room.

Kate ran her hand against the gown, smiling that her ruggedly handsome fiancé got this for her. She was going to really become Mrs. Richard Castle. Though, if anyone ever called her that, she'd probably punch them. Things wouldn't change at the precinct, she would still be Detective Beckett, but legally, she decided she wanted to be Kate Castle. It felt right to her, but she hadn't told Castle that she made that decision yet. Last he knew, she was still on the fence about the name change, but the abduction put things in perspective for her. She wanted to be a Castle in every way possible.

Walking slowly down the stairs with Lanie's assistance, the emotion of the situation finally hit her. Seeing her father with love and happiness in his expression, she almost started crying right then. "Katie, you look beautiful…"

"Thanks, Dad. You clean up pretty good yourself." She smiled and grabbed his hand for support. They started walking hand in hand, but then it hit her. Where were they walking to?

"It's time!" Lanie's voice practically sang out in giddiness. And then it hit her, they were heading toward the roof top terrace.

Magic. That was the only word to describe the day; to describe what he did. As they walked into the rooftop, she got choked up. Magic. The sun was setting on the city that she loved, with the man she loved smiling at her across the makeshift aisle. Hundreds of twinkling lights were strung across the entire garden area. All the people she loved were staring at her with huge smiles, but none of it mattered. Castle. Was. There.

She basically ran down the walkway, with her dad in tow. Kissing her cheek softly, he placed her hand into Castle's and the grin couldn't leave her face. Their eyes locked and everything else faded into the background.

The ceremony was over in a flash and before she knew it, they were Mr. & Mrs. Castle, officially! When it was announced that Castle could kiss the bride, no one had to tell them twice. In fact, a couple people, both clearing their throats and coughing, were needed to finally break the spell they were under. Applause mixed in with the nighttime sounds of the city. The city they loved and the city where they fell in love. Kate looked up at her newly pronounced husband in awe. He really pulled off the perfect wedding.

Everyone made their way from the terrace down into the loft to celebrate. The catering staff already had the salads plated, along with the first of many glasses of champagne for all except Kate. She walked with Castle, fingers interlaced, laying her head against his body. A sigh of contentment and then she pressed a kiss to his shoulder. "I can't believe you pulled this off, Writer-boy…"

"It's Writer-man…" her smirked down at her. "And believe it, because when it comes to you, I'll move mountains to make the impossible…possible. I would do anything for you, Mrs. Castle." Kissing the top of her head, he squeezed her hand before instructing the group to eat, drink and be merry.

The celebration continued well into the early morning hours. For being such a small wedding, it was more enjoyable than any they've ever attended. Jenny even whispered to Beckett, that 'her and Kevin were having more fun here than they had at their own' which caused a laugh to bubble from her chest. Along with the hours of dancing, most in attendance felt the need to give a speech of some sort; reciting their own personal story of when they knew that Castle and Beckett were meant to be with each other. Esposito mentioned in his speech that she was like a sister to him and he threatened bodily harm to Castle if he would ever hurt her. He followed that statement quickly with, 'but I know you would never intend to.'

When Beckett started to yawn after the weight of the day finally hit her, Ryan and Jenny were the first to head for the door. She walked them out, as Castle continued to entertain their guests. They gathered their personal items and opened the door. A brightly wrapped gift was sitting in the doorway.

"Looks like another wedding gift was delivered…" Jenny smiled at her, handing her the small box.

"Thanks!" Kate took the present from her friend, hugged them both and thanked them for coming before she shut the door behind her. "Babe, looks like we got another wedding gift."

"We got what?" Castle looked at her with a confused expression. "Kate, the only people that knew about the wedding today and would be sending us gifts of any sort, were here, with us. That doesn't make sense…" His confusion turned to fear and he rushed to where she was standing with the gift. Beckett had the card in her hand, as her eyes widened.

"It's from him…"

Congrats to the newlyweds… sorry I missed it this time. See you soon… XXX

She looked at her husband's face and watched as his false sense of security and control completely unraveled in front of her own eyes.

TBC

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