A/N: I'm sorry, I just can't write weddings. I am terrible at it so I avoid it at all costs, but I thought at leas this little bit was needed. I tried so hard. Even had some wedding party toasts written but I suppose I would just rather wait and see the wedding they have on the show than write my own. Enjoy!

"Darling, stop pulling on your hair."

Alexis looks up and finds her grandmother smirking lightly at her and she drops the strand of tightly curled hair back to her shoulder

"Is everything okay?" Martha asks, leaning over to touch up her lipstick. "You seem a little out of it, kiddo."

"Everything's fine, just tired I suppose."

"Don't lie to me, Alexis."

She sighs quietly, glancing around the room at all the festivities going on around her. Kate and Lanie are laughing loudly at something, the flower girl is spinning in happy circles and Alexis should be joining in the frivolity but something just seems off.

"I guess it's just weird that it's finally here," she explains after a moment, taking the tube of mascara off the counter and checking to make sure it's waterproof before she applies it. "Almost doesn't seem real."

Martha smiles and hugs her granddaughter tightly.

"Everything might change but the most important things will stay the same."

"Thanks Gram."

They share a smile and continue perfecting their make-up until Lanie comes over to join them.

"Kate needs you sweetie," she reports, swiping the can of hairspray off the counter and frowning because the hold isn't strong enough.

"Oh, okay," Alexis says, standing up from the bench and crossing the room to the couch Kate is sitting on, feet propped up on a folding chair.

"Are you supposed to be sitting in that?" Alexis questions with a smile. "Won't it wrinkle?"

"Nah, it's fine. Sit, I have something for you."

"For me?"

Kate nods and Alexis sits on the couch next to her, much more comfortable in her "best girl" outfit, though she would have liked a dress too. Kate hands her a small cardboard box and she looks it over curiously before sliding her thumbnail through the tape that holds the lid on. Resting on cotton padding is a gold bracelet with blue stones set all the way around. It glitters under the lights and Alexis picks it up gingerly.

"Kate, I can't…" she trails off, unsure of what to say.

"It belonged to my mom. She wasn't much for jewelry but she had a few pieces she loved. She gave this one to me when I went to college and she said it was to remember a new start. I thought it was time to pass it on, so you can remember a new start too."

Alexis isn't even aware that she's teared up until one makes its way warmly down her cheek. Kate reaches over and gently wipes the tear away, making sure not to smudge the make-up.

"Here, I'll put it on you."

Kate busies herself with doing the clasp, just so she has a moment to gather her own tears and keep them from falling. She doesn't know when it happened or even how, but somewhere along the way she's come to care for this girl as so much more than Castle's child, perhaps even more than just her step-daughter. The thoughts she's had in the past about passing things on to her own daughter have changed now, or rather, she's come to view Alexis as the one she wants to pass these things down to.

"Thank you, Kate."

"You're welcome sweetie," Kate smiles, pulling her in for a hug. "I love you, you know that right?"

"Yes. I love you too."

Alexis smiles as a kiss is pressed to the top of her head and her nerves settle a little. Change is good right now. Change is perfect.

"Ka-ate!" comes a frustrated whine from across the room. They both look up to find the flower girl, Kate's cousin's daughter, staring forlornly down into her empty basket.

"Wha-aat?" Kate mocks with a smile.

"Can't I please have flowers yet?"

"No, but thank you for the polite words Cassie."

"Please? Please? Puh-lease?"

Her brown eyes are wide and she crosses the room, getting on her knees and clasping her hands together dramatically.

"I will not spill even one. Please Kate?"

"Not just yet honey."

"But why?"

"Because if I give them to you now you'll eat them," Kate teases, saying the first thing that comes to mind. "And then you'll be pooping flowers for a week."

Cassie frowns and scrunches up her nose.

"I will not either! I am not a baby. I will not eat them."

She thinks for a minute, glancing down into the basket then back up.

"Okay, but I may have a taste, just because of curiosity."

"That's what killed the cat, my dear."

"Well then we're okay because I'm not a cat! So I think I could have flowers now."

"Kindly unwrap me from your finger."

Cassie lifts an eyebrow and looks down at her hands.

"What?"

"Never mind."

"So can I have them?"

"Go tell your mom I said it was okay, she knows where they are."

"Oh thank you Kate! Thank you so much!" Cassie hops up from the floor and runs to find her mother while Alexis laughs.

"Do you think I could take her home with me or am I going to have to settle for pinching her cheeks all day long?"

"You'd better stick to the cheeks. She's cute but she's too smart for her own good."

There's a knock on the door and Cassie runs to open it.

"Davey, guess what? I got flowers and you do not!" she says, jabbing her finger into her big brother's chest.

"Well I don't want flowers. I'm not a girl."

Cassie makes a face and lets him into the room, where he walks over to the couch.

"Hey Mister Man," Kate greets. "You look like 007."

"I do? Awesome! I knew ma was right when she said fancy clothes aren't all bad."

"Do your shoes fit okay?"

"Yeah, they're fine. Papa Jim tied 'em too tight but Rick fixed 'em."

"Good."

"Alexis, your dad wants to see you in the other room. He sent me to get you because a ring-bearer is also an errand boy."

"Oh I see," Alexis chuckles. "I'll be right there."

He nods, duty completed, and rushes back out of the room.

"I'm sure he just needs his tie done and had too much pride to ask one of the guys," Alexis guesses. "I'll be back in a bit."

She starts to stand but Kate grabs her arm, pulling her in for another hug.

"You look beautiful honey."

"So do you. By the way you and dad should think about producing some excruciatingly cute children of your own, and soon."

"There's been a talk," Kate confesses, glad the two of them are whispering because Lanie and Martha could overhear and neither one of them would drop the subject.

"Good. I'll be back."

Light on her feet she leaves the room and heads down the hallway, finding the door to the men's dressing room open. She wonders where the guys have gone but a quick glance at the clock tells her that it's almost time to go and they're probably out receiving guests.

"Hey dad."

He turns from where he'd been standing at the window and smiles widely at her.

"Hey baby."

"What's up?"

"I just wanted to see you real quick," he answers, making his way towards her and pulling her into one of his tight hugs. She smiles and relaxes into it, happy for the changes coming but glad there are things that stay the same no matter what.

"Are you happy dad?"

"So happy. I think I might bust open."

"Don't do that. We'll all remember this day as is, we don't need a medical emergency."

"Are you happy?" he asks her, making sure for what seems like the hundredth time.

"Yeah. I'm really happy. I'm glad that it's finally… that everything is finally right."

"Me too."

"I love you, dad. And even though you always think I'm taking Kate's side over yours lately, you're my favorite."

He laughs and kisses her forehead.

"So you knew what I called you in here for?"

"Surprised?"

"No."

"Dad, I know you love me, no matter what. I don't think anyone has been loved by their dad the way I'm loved by you and I know nothing will ever change that. No marriage, no other babies, nothing. We've been a team my whole life and we always will be. Doesn't mean we don't let other players onto the field from time to time."

"When did you get so smart?"

"I think when I was seven or so."

"Thanks for being my best girl."

"Thanks for being my dad."

He hugs her just a little tighter and lifts her feet off of the ground.

"Save a dance for me?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe? What is this?"

"There's some really cute guys my age on Kate's side of the family. And since we won't be blood related…"

"You're not funny."

"Dad, I'll always have a dance for you. Even at my own wedding someday."

"Okay, now I'm going to start crying."

"Someday, not soon. Okay?"

"Alright."

"It's about time to go," she says after a moment, feeling a butterfly in her stomach, but just one. "You all set?"

"I am. You?"

"Let's do this thing."

They join hands before walking out of the room, together no matter what.