Author's Note: I am reposting chapter seven after a reader pointed out some errors that I missed. It's been a while since I posted the original so I'm not sure that I can replace it in the fanfic site's records.

Chapter Seven

The reception was small and intimate only Martha, the few civilian friends Castle had, his captains and their ladies and of course Commodore and Mrs. Decatur. Completely defying convention, Alexis was seated between Castle and Kate, blissfully happy that she now had a mother to call her own. Kate had insisted that Alexis be included in every part of the celebration.

Just before the supper one of the Marines guarding the door entered. He approached Castle.

"Begging your pardon Commodore but there's an Irish gentleman asking to see your good lady. He says his name is Beckett."

Kate's mouth opens in an o, the surprise evident on her face. She looked at Castle and was hurt at the look of suspicion in his eyes. Hurt but she understood, the actions of his first wife still influenced him. She hated the coldness in his voice when he said;

"Allow him to enter I daresay I'm interested in why he wants to contact my wife."

The guard ushered a handsome young man dressed in a vaguely nautical looking dark blue, brass buttoned coat and white breeches. A bright smile broke over his face and he started to rush forward, exclaiming; "Katie girl." He stopped abruptly when Castle's sword slid from the scabbard. "Explain yourself sir!" Castle snapped. Kate snapped out of her daze and put a hand on Castle's arm. "Be calm Richard, he is my brother."

As Castle really looks at the man his anger and doubts fade away. His face is a masculine version of Kate's. The jaw and chin heavier of course but the same shape to the cheekbones and the same finely chiseled nose though it is larger. The same intense hazel eyes. He is only about an inch taller than Kate and is of slender build. Castle sheathes the sword and extends an apology.

"You have my apology but I didn't know who you were." He then smiled and extends his hand. The man takes it and smiles back. "I know that my sister is protected, no apology is necessary. I am Barry Beckett." Kate steps forward and hugs Barry. "Is Mary with you?

"Yes she's waiting outside we weren't sure that it was you."

Kate steps away from Barry and looks to Castle. "Darling shall we?" She doesn't even need to finish the sentence. Castle says; "Bring your wife in and join us in the wedding supper."

While Barry was going out to get his wife, Castle raised an eyebrow.

"Why haven't you told me that you had a brother? There are supposed to be no secrets between us."

"I am so sorry my Darling but I haven't seen him in more than eight years and have heard nothing from him in all that time. I didn't know if he was even alive. And we have had so much to do I simply had to leave things out. I promise you that I will tell you the whole story, soon."

Castle gave her a rather stern look. "Very well Kate but make it very soon."

Barry returned with his wife, a short, very pretty blond. She rushed forward to embrace Kate.

"Oh Katie thank God, Jesus and all the saints. When Barry saw the banns and thought that it might be you I could not believe it. But it is true." The woman's brogue gave a delightful lilt to her speech but was not so thick that Castle had to strain to understand her. Stepping away from Kate she looked up at Castle. "Faith, you picked a big one didn't you Katie, aye and the famous Commodore Castle at that. She curtsied. Honored I am to meet you sir."

Castle smiled and returned the curtsy with a slight inclination of his head. "And I am pleased to meet you as well, Castle said although it is certainly a surprise. But let's not stand on formality, please join the rest of the family at supper."

Barry and Mary were seated and proceeded to enjoy the dinner, keeping the conversation light and focusing, as it should on Castle and Kate. They promised to come to Castle's house in three days and tell their story.

The main part of the meal finished, Commodore Decatur stood. "Dear friends please raise your glasses to our newlyweds. I haven't had the pleasure of knowing them nearly as long as I would like but in that time I have come to know a couple so wonderfully in love that I can scarce believe it, yet it is obvious to any who see them. Susan and I were so honored and pleased when they asked us to stand with them. Richard Castle is as brave and honorable man as I've ever known. Fierce in battle, gentle and loving at home. Katheryn is not only beautiful but a dutiful and loving wife and mother. How many women would take another woman's child and call that child her own? Let us all join together to wish them many years of happiness, sons as strong as their father, daughters as lovely as their mother."

Despite the reception being small, it was very traditional with two cakes. The rich white bride's cake, cut and served at the reception and the dark equally rich groom's cake, cut and taken home with the guests. There was dancing but the bride and groom left as quickly as they respectfully could. Martha stayed to enjoy the party, Castle and Kate took Alexis with them.

Totally absorbed with their little family group neither Castle nor Kate noticed the woman in a hooded cloak watching from across the street. Colleen stared at the happy trio with a mixture of anger, longing and pain, the anger bordering on hatred. Unlike the classic stories, she didn't hate Castle she wanted him. Angry with him for choosing her sister and not giving her a chance. If she could win him she could forgive him. Her feelings for Kate were much darker. She was coming to hate her sister, forgetting the years that Kate had taken care of her. Damn you Kate, you had no right. I moved first I wanted him first I deserve him. You used his daughter to get to him. That wasn't fair. Just you wait. I will find a way. You'll be gone and I will have him with or without that damn brat. She watched the carriage pull away then turned and walked into the darkened street, a street no darker than her heart.

Reaching the house, Kate proved, again, what an extraordinary woman she truly was. As eager as she was for her wedding night, she had established a bedtime routine with Alexis that she would not change. She watched Alexis wash her hands and face then undressed her and put her nightgown on her.

Braided the girl's hair, said her prayers with her, kissed her goodnight and sang her to sleep.

Castle came in and kissed Alexis goodnight then sat with them during the lullaby. Once Alexis was asleep, the couple went to their bedroom. They had made love before but this night was special. Although she'd been a wife before, she'd never felt like a bride. This was her true bridal night. Tonight she was eager, more so than she'd ever been. The rush of emotion washed over her in warm, uplifting waves. The fear that most brides felt simply wasn't there. She laughed as she felt Castle's arms go around her from behind and she turned in his embrace, circling his neck with her arms. She didn't wait for him to kiss her, pulling his head down and kissing him almost wantonly, thrusting her tongue into his mouth, tasting, exploring then withdrawing, inviting him to taste her sweetness. Their tongues dueled and danced until they had to break apart to breathe. He placed hot open mouthed kisses down the slender column of her neck, stopping at and sucking on her pulse point, eliciting breathy little moans.

His large fingers should have been clumsy with the tiny buttons on the back of her dress. They weren't, deft and sure they made short work of the closure, sliding the bodice off her shoulders. She let the dress pool at her feet and stepped out of it. Shoes, stockings, petticoat and slip quickly followed, leaving her in her chemise and a pair of silky drawers, a fashion just coming into vogue.

Castle had shed his uniform coat and vest as soon as they'd entered the house. He sat on a chair and reached for the boot jack. Kate smiled and knelt. "Please let me do that for you, my love."

It was not, in any way an act of subservience. It was an act of love. She rose after removing his boots and began undressing him caressing his body as she did so. By the time he was down to his drawers, his arousal was obvious.

She lifted the chemise over her head and shimmied out of her drawers then lay on the bed, holding her arms up to him. He joined her and started kissing her again, repeating the earlier process until he reached her breast sucking the already erect nipple into his mouth, grazing it lightly with his teeth, circling the areole with his tongue, while teasing the other breast with his fingers. She mewled with pleasure, already feeling the warmth pooling in her core, her hips were already twitching a little in anticipation.

He switched breasts, suckling and caressing. Kate's eyes opened wide and her body arched in her first orgasm and Castle hadn't even touched her center yet. She grabbed the waistband of his drawers and yanked them off him, not even noticing that she ripped them.

"Please my Darling, don't tease me any more I need you in me now." Castle was more than happy to comply, sliding slowly into the tight, warmth of her waiting for her to adjust. She moaned, louder and grasped his hips pulling him in deeper and lifting her legs. Rested them on his shoulders. Castle established a slow but deep rhythm, wanting it to last as long as possible for her. It was a good thing that the walls of the hose were thick, Kate screamed out his name as she climaxed, drawing him with her. Castle rolled them over, keeping them joined, with her body resting atop his. She panted for nearly two minutes, riding out the aftershocks of her orgasm, then lay, happily in the afterglow.

She snuggled against him, completely sated. Finally, thank God I'm finally where I've always been meant to be. With my husband, my real, loving husband and with my family. I wish Mama could see me now. How happy I am. I wish she could meet my husband and my daughter. I know that she would love them. Kate closed her eyes for a few minutes, not really sleeping just resting a little until her eyes flew open. Oh my God, it's only been half an hour and I want him again. Well, we're married I can have him as much as I want. She smiled then slid up till she could claim his mouth.

Despite only a few hours of sleep Kate awoke feeling more alive than she'd ever had before. She watched her husband sleep for a few minutes before she began her day. She definitely needed to bathe after last night's activities. Singing softly to herself. She went to the kitchen to fetch the buckets of hot water already there. The maids and cook might think their master's routines odd but never commented on them. They were the best paid servants in the city.

One of the maids smiled when Kate came into the kitchen. "Good mornin' Me Lady, yer not to be carry'n those heavy pails up those stairs. Yer the lady o' the house." The girl's brogue was so thick you could almost cut it with a knife.

"Thank you Sinead but I think I can handle two pails of water."

"Aye ye can but would ye want the commodore to think I'm not doing me work?"

Kate relented and let Sinead help prepare the bath. "Please prepare some more water my husband will be wanting his bath."

Kate finished her bath and went to get Alexis and bathe her. She dressed Alexis and went back to her bedroom. To finish her own dressing for the day. Castle was still asleep. He still hadn't recovered his full strength and stamina. Kate fixed her hair and donned a simple day dress before waking Castle.

"Come my Darling, your bath is ready and breakfast will be late if you don't come now. Castle groaned but climbed out of bed and hugged Kate before following her to the bathroom. Kate helped him into the tub, he still had trouble lifting his wounded leg over the edge. She stayed to wash his back and help him out of the tub. She did want to help but it was partly an excuse. She loved seeing her husband naked. What woman wouldn't?

After breakfast they went into the parlor and while Alexis played with her doll, Kate told Castle about her brother.

"Barry is five years older than me, the first born. My father wanted him to marry a viscount's daughter to improve our family's standing. Barry loved Mary and didn't care for the other girl who although very pretty was also vain and not very intelligent. Barry refused father's wishes. Father threatened to disown him if he didn't obey. Barry was nineteen at the time.

Barry took what money that was rightfully his, married Mary and fled Ireland. I did not know where they went. That was over eight years ago. I'd heard nothing from him until yesterday. By all the saints, I thought he was dead. That's why I didn't talk about him. It was another hurt I didn't want to relive. But now that he's here in Boston I can see my brother and his family."

Seeing the joy on her face at that comment any residual resentment faded away. He understood but still admonished her that there could be no secrets in the future. After the discussion, Kate took Alexis into the music room to practice the piano. Her teacher came once a week but Kate practiced with her every day. Castle sits quietly and watches them at the piano, a sense of ease, of love, of rightness that he would have never believed could be his again just a few months ago. A time that he was now labeling BK. Before Katherine.

He muses about that time. After Meredith and before Kate. Bold and daring at sea, guarded and reserved at home. There had been no lack of women available to him, a handsome wealthy man. Some introduced by hopeful mothers, others openly throwing themselves at him. He let none of them in. A couple had come close but couldn't deal with the reality of Alexis and her needs.

Castle had his own needs but he suppressed the emotional ones and satisfied the physical ones with the most expensive, exclusive courtesans. Now there was Kate. Magnificent Kate. He was at a complete loss at how to explain the fact that this beautiful woman who had been so betrayed and damaged had been able to move past so much of that so quickly. To be able to give not just her body but her love and trust to him and her unconditional love to Alexis.

He would probably never fully understand it but it really didn't have to. All he had to do was accept it and return that same love and devotion all the rest of their lives. Equally surprising was the relationship that had developed between Kate and Martha. Martha had never liked Meredith and did little to disguise it. Fortunately for Castle's relationship with his mother, he was so often at sea that he missed most of it. With Kate, it was totally opposite. The two women had taken to each other from the very start. By now, it was pretty much a mother-daughter relationship.

For the first time since her mother's death Kate had someone that she could confess the fears and uncertainties to that only a mother would understand and only a mother could comfort.

Martha came into the music room and sat down beside Castle, smiling at the picture that Kate and Alexis made at the piano. Kate stood behind Alexis as the girl played a simple melody. Totally focused on Alexis and the music she probably wasn't even aware of Castle and Martha.

"Alexis has made tremendous strides in her music and in her confidence since Kate's been here." Castle said.

Martha nodded. "It's very simple my son, it's what a mother's love does for her."

Three days passed rapidly and it was time for Colin Beckett and his family to come to the house. They arrived in the early afternoon and would stay for supper. Castle was pleasantly surprised that Alexis' usual shyness with strangers didn't appear. Kate had sat her down and explained just who the strangers were and the fact that although Alexis had never met them, they weren't strangers, they were family. Alexis simply followed Kate's lead.

Colin and Mary brought their two children, Sean and Bridgid. Sean was seven, almost a complete miniature version of his father, except that his dark hair was curly. Bridgid was five, a blend of her parents, with her mother's blonde hair and face shape but the Beckett nose and hazel eyes.

Kate spoke first, after the welcome. "Alexis I want you to meet your Uncle Colin and Aunt Mary and your cousins Sean and Bridgid. Colin, Mary, Sean, Bridgid this is our daughter Alexis your niece and cousin. Sean and Bridgid this is your Uncle Richard and your Great Aunt Martha.

Mary immediately engulfed Alexis in a hug. "Ah and it's a lovely little colleen you are, I'm so happy to know you." Kate had to explain that colleen was Irish for girl where Colleen was a name. The children took a little longer, of course but were soon happily playing in the yard, under Martha's care.

Colin told the whole story of leaving Ireland with but two hundred pounds to his name, his wife and their clothes. He'd gone to work in a chandlery and two years ago bought the owner out when the old man wanted to retire. His wasn't the biggest chandlery in Boston but had a solid reputation. Castle thought that this might work out very well with his future plans. Having a chandlery at his disposal that would have a very good reason to keep any purchases confidential.

Kate in turn told Colin and Mary about all that had happened to her and Colleen, including Colleen's actions. She warned them that sooner or later Colleen would probably make contact with them and try to turn them against her and her husband. Kate also emphasized that despite all that had happened, she still loved her sister and was ready to forgive her if Colleen wanted to become part of the family again.

Author's note: Although this chapter has been focused on the Castle's personal life, rest assured that this is still a story of fighting sail and Commodore Castle will be sailing into harm's way again.

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Swordwriter