Chapter 9

A huge collection of suitcases was lined up by the door. Castle didn't know that his mother had that much luggage. "Don't you think you ought to take more clothes, Mother?" Castle asked.

"I can some back for the rest later," Martha told him, either missing or ignoring the sarcasm. Castle wasn't sure.

A key clicked in the lock and Alexis came in, almost tripping over the array of luggage. "Are you ready Gram? I have four guys downstairs with a truck."

"Yes, I'm always glad to help students earn some money," Martha replied.

"Especially when I'm paying," Castle quipped.

The truck was loaded quickly with Alexis, Castle, and Beckett pitching in to help the four students. Martha gloried in supervising the operation. Martha, Alexis and Beckett piled into Castle's Mercedes to lead the truck the twenty blocks to Beckett's soon to be former apartment. As Martha's things were stowed, Beckett gave her a careful tour, explaining the extra twist of the faucet needed to turn off the hot water in the bathroom and how to pull out the drawers in the kitchen without having them hit the floor. "I wish she'd told me that," Castle said, looking on. "I had one land on my foot - and I was barefoot."

Beckett smiled. "I seem to remember I did something about that - with ice cubes."

Castle grinned.

Martha shook her head. "I'm sure I don't want to know."

Castle glanced at his watch. "They have an order waiting for me at the deli. We can feed these guys before they go. No college student ever turns down a free meal and the leftovers can fill up that yawning gulf that Beckett calls a refrigerator."

As usual, Castle went overboard. The table was loaded with cold cuts, side dishes and desserts. There wasn't room for everyone to sit around it. A couple of the students and Alexis were on the floor. Beckett got up to leave in the middle of the meal, inviting one of the boys to take her spot. "Where are you going?" Castle asked.

"I'm going to help Aunt Theresa get ready. She's nervous." Beckett answered."I'll see you later."

"I wouldn't miss it," Castle told her.


Theresa was covered in black leather and her Magenta hair stood in spikes. She held a small bouquet of roses and baby's breath. Rory was resplendent in a silk shirt and riding breeches. His boots were polished to a high sheen and he nervously ran his fingers through his hair. They stood in front of the clerk at City Hall, with Jim Beckett, Kate, and Rick standing as witnesses.

The clerk read the simple ceremony. "Marriage is a solemn commitment between two people. It is not to be entered into lightly. Will you Theresa Katherine Beckett and Rory Ian McCleod, take each other in marriage?"

Theresa grasped Rory's hand and they answered together, "We will."

"You may exchange rings."

Theresa handed her bouquet to Kate and Rory slipped a gold band on Theresa's finger. With a slightly shaky hand, Theresa slipped one on his. When she finished, Rory dipped her for a long and heartfelt kiss while Rick started the applause.

The wedding party proceeded down the courthouse steps to the parking area and Theresa's waiting Harley. As they donned their helmets and Theresa straddled the cycle with Rory behind her, Theresa threw her bouquet over her shoulder to Kate.

Rick laughed and applauded again. "That's twice you've done that," he said, "first with Kyra and now with Theresa. There's no way we can't get married."

"You better believe it," Kate told him, wrapping her arms around his neck,"because there's no way I'm letting you out of it!"


The party at Theresa's Public House, closed to regular business for the day, was in full swing. The band was playing and all the employees were there, as well as Ryan, Jenny, and Esposito who had brought Lanie. Jim Beckett rose. That his glass was filled only with grape juice was known only to a few, and he was as celebratory as if it had been filled with fine champagne. "To Theresa and Rory! May your lives be long and full of love. And to Rory, good luck!"

As the assembly watched Theresa and Rory cavort on the dance floor, Kate slid into a chair beside her father. "Are you OK, Dad?" she asked.

"Jim Beckett took her hand. "I'm fine, Katie. I never thought I'd see this and I'm really happy for Theresa. I know I'm going to be really happy for you and Rick too."

Kate kissed her father's cheek. Esposito, Lanie, Jenny, and a slightly dorkish Ryan had joined Theresa and Rory in front of the band. Kate took Rick's hand to bring him to the floor as well. The celebration lasted well past closing time for any pub, but the bride and groom had disappeared hours before it ended.


The first rays of the sun were peaking through the windows of the loft when Rick and Kate finally returned. Rick looked around, almost as a reflex.

Kate followed his gaze. "There's no one else here now. No juice extractors, no martial arts for actors classes, just you and me. Do you think you can get used to that?"

"I know I can," Rick said, "at least until we decide to have a little Cosmo."

"When we have a little one, it will definitely not be a Cosmo," Kate insisted. "You are definitely going to have to get used to that."

"Can you get used to the idea of your aunt being married?" Rick asked.

Kate smiled. "Yeah, I think its great. What did you think of the wedding?"

"That was something," Rick said. "I don't think I've ever seen a bride like Theresa. But I think they're going to be happy. They make a great couple."

Kate grabbed at the back of Rick's well filled pants. "Speaking of great couples."

"Something you need?" Rick asked, his arms encircling her waist.

Kate framed his face in her hands, bring her lips toward his. "Always."

Finis

A/N That's it for Aunt Theresa for now. It may be fun to bring her back in a future story. The next story will be "Death of a Show-runner." It will be just for fun, as much as any murder can be just for fun. Would someone really be killed for refusing to show 15 seconds of a love scene, or is something else going on? You may find the characters strangely familiar. Thank you so much for all the reviews. Love, Sally