Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or story of Castle
"Here, go in here!" gasped Alexis as she swung open the door to a side room in the back of the church. Lanie ushered Kate into the small room to avoid being seen by Rick, who stood joking with Esposito and Ryan right outside the side door to the church.
"Good, I don't think they saw us!" said Lanie as she gently laid Kate's train on the ground.
"They never would, they are guys. Totally blind to the outside world…..I wonder if they know that they should be at the altar, not joking the day away outside. I'm gona go check." Replied Alexis. She hurried out the door, her powder blue dress flowing as she walked out of the room.
Kate took a deep breath and sat down on a folding chair.
"Hey, are you ok? You haven't said a word since we left the salon." Lanie asked.
"Ya ya, I'm just super nervous, wouldn't you be?" replied Kate.
" For sure if I was marrying Castle. That man would make me more than nervous with some of the stunts he pulls!" retorted Lanie.
Kate laughed out loud. She couldn't help but think about all the times Castle has gotten himself kidnapped and almost killed. She loved the man but he drove her crazy sometimes.
"Well at least he proposed on his own…..You had to practically spell it out for Espo. But I'm glad you two finally decided to settle down. You are going to be great together!" Kate said. After months of back and forth, Lanie and Javier finally started dating again and recently got engaged.
"Yeah well he caught the fever. With Ryan already married and you and Castle engaged, he felt like he was getting left behind I guess." Lanie replied. As much as she joked, Lanie knew that it was more than that. Espo loved her and she wanted to share her life with him. It just happened at a suspicious time to the others.
Lanie and Kate turned as there was a soft knock on the opened door. It was Beckett's dad.
"Hey are you girls ready? Because I it's almost time." He said, a fatherly grin slowly coming across his face. "My little girl is all grown up. Kate, you look stunning. Exactly like your mother."
Kate smiled. She loved it when her dad told her that she looked like her mother. It made it feel closer to her in some way, even if she was gone. "Thanks Daddy. You don't look so bad yourself!" She teased back.
"I'm going to go out and find Alexis, Jenny, and Charlie." Said Lanie as she got up from where she was sitting and headed out the door. Charlie was Jenny and Kevin's son. He was only a couple months old but he was going to be the ring bearer.
Beckett also was about to get up when her Dad stopped her and sat down in Lanie's seat. He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes. "Katie, I know if your mother was here she would be so happy. You have grown into such an accomplished woman. You have always taken care of me, even through the rough times. I know it has been tough for you over the years to come into your own without your mother here to guide you. But if she was here, she would tell you what a great man you found. I think so too. I have full confidence in you two and the life you are going to have together. I love you so much Katie."
Beckett swallowed hard. The tears were coming. Her dad wasn't much good at expressing his emotions. "I love you too, Daddy." She replied with a trembling lip.
Just then Lanie peeked in. "Are you ready? It's time!" she said with a grin.
"Yes, we are coming." Kate replied. Her dad got up to go and turned to take her hand.
"Shall we?" he asked.
"Ya I just need a minute. I will meet you out there, okay?" Kate replied. Lanie left and Beckett's dad turned as he left the room and said, " Yes, but don't you run away! I'm expecting grand babies out of this marriage!" with that he left with a smile.
Kated smiled too. She got up and pulled a photo of her mom out of her handbag.
"Well Mom, this is it. Wish me luck." Kate said a short prayer and headed out to meet everyone.
