A/N
Bewared, you may want to get some tissues, because here be an angst fest! Special thanks to my pastor! If not for him, this funeral would have started 'Dearly beloved…' o.O
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The mood was somber. No one could really believe that Kate Beckett and Richard Castle were really dead, let alone that they were at their funeral. The service had yet to start and the room was silent, save for the sound of people sobbing. Alexis, Martha, Gina, Meredith, and Beckett's father, Jim Beckett, were all sitting up front. Behind them was Ryan, Esposito, Lanie, Captain Montgomery and the rest of the guys from the precinct. They had all tried to keep the funeral private, but because of Castle's famousness, and the fact that Kate had been his inspiration for Nikki Heat, it had turned into a media circus. Most of the reporters they had managed to keep outside, but for a few representatives that were silently filming the proceedings. Up front, Alexis turned and buried her face into Martha's shoulder. She couldn't imagine life with out her dad. Martha turned and enveloped her in a huge hug.
"Oh, sweetheart." She whispered. "I know." Their lives would be empty without Richard in them. Up on the platform, the pastor approached to pulpit.
"We have gathered here to thank God for the lives of Richard Castle and Katherine Beckett., to find comfort in time of need, and to place ourselves in the presence of God whose love knows no end, in time or eternity." He continued to speak for several moments about the hope of life after death and during that time, Kate's father broke down. He sat there silently sobbing, tears running down his cheeks, his shoulders shaking. This was too much. First he had lost his wife, now his only child. It wasn't fair! No parent should have to outlive their child! Ryan leaned forward and place a hand on Jim's shoulder, silently trying to comfort and at the same time, sharing his grief. The whole team was mourning the loss of Kate. It wasn't going to be the same without her around. Even Castle was missed, always following Kate around. He had made all of their jobs a bit more fun. The whole service seemed to go by in a blur. Alexis got up to talk about her dad, as did Jim. Neither of them could make it trough though and broke down in tears. Finally it was over, and everyone walked out to the graveside. Since there were no bodies, it was a closed casket filled with pictures and memories from family and friends. They were being buried beside one another. It had just seemed right that way. Castle's tombstone read
"Richard Alexander Castle. 1971 – 2010. Loving son, father, and friend." Beside him, Kate's read,
"Katherine Beckett. 1978 – 2010. Loving Daughter. She made a difference." As they stood around the graves, it began to rain, farther darkening the mood. Alexis was huddled against Martha, freely crying, her tears mixing with the rain, as they ran down her cheeks.
"Seeing that the early lives of Richard and Katherine have come to an end, we commit them to be buried. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust." The pastor said as the two caskets were lowered into the ground. Then, one by one, they all stepped forward to throw some dirt in the graves and say their goodbyes. It was raining steadily now and everyone was soaked. Finally, it was over, and everyone began drifting back towards their cars. Captain Montgomery placed is hand on Jim, Alexis and Martha as he left, followed by Ryan and Esposito.
"I'm so sorry." He said. "This shouldn't have happened…." He trailed off unsure of what else to say. They just nodded, too numb to say anything. Finally, it was just the three of them left. Jim looked too out of it to be able to move. Martha looked at Alexis who nodded through her tears. She had viewed Kate as a surrogate mother at times, and that made Jim family. Martha went back and touched him on the shoulder. He looked up blindly, not really seeing her.
"Come on. Come home with us. No one should be alone right now." Jim just nodded, and Martha led him back to their car, followed by Alexis.
A/N
Thanks for reading! I hope you liked it! Just a note, I have no idea whether Castle or Beckett are religious or not. I tired to keep it in character but I don't know. Let me know what you think! And I don't own Castle. :( Oh, and extra credit to those who spot the LOTR reference! :) (I don't own that either!)