So I've been working on this chapter for four days straight! I've been writing practically non-stop, even through school, to get this right, and I really like it! I hope you do too!

Sad to say, Castle and Train belong to others.

Enjoy!

When I Look To the Sky

When it rains it pours and opens doors
And floods the floors we thought would always, keep us safe and dry

Kate Beckett lay alone in her suite. Outside the sun was lazily creeping over the horizon, and the city was beginning to wake. Eyes closed, she dreamily fingered with the ring on her neck, her thoughts drifting to the ring on her hand.

These were her last hours as Kate Beckett. Later this afternoon she would become Kate Castle. She couldn't believe it. She never really thought she'd get married – let alone to Richard Castle. "Kate Castle," she whispered to herself. The name seemed to echo through the room.

Today was her wedding day! Kate stretched out in the bed and sat up. Twisting her neck and back she felt the relief of the cracking joints. She looked around the room and saw all the signs of a wedding – her wedding dress hanging in the closet, the bouquets resting in water on the table, multiple cards and gifts – it felt so surreal.

Then she remembered that her mother's jewelry box was sitting on the dresser. She moved from the bed and walked over to it. Carefully, she lifted the lid and listened to the soft melody that she knew all too well, and began to remove Alexis', Lanie's, and her own jewelry from the box. At the bottom of the box she spied a tiny blue post-it note.

Turn around. Look on the table. – R, A, and M

Confused, she turned around and noticed an envelope. Kate picked it up, recognizing Rick's handwriting and read - To our extraordinary KB. As she sat in a nearby chair she slowly opened the envelope, and removed a single piece of stationary that she remembered seeing in a kitchen drawer one day. Leaning back, she began to read:

Kate,

No amount of words can express what you mean to us. You caught us all Kate, without a doubt, no questions asked. Sent directly to you from us…A rose for our happily ever after. We're so lucky to have you in our lives.

With buckets of love,

Rick, Alexis, and Martha

PS (from Rick only) – I hope my biggest fan caught my wordplay!

Kate smiled as she returned the letter to its envelope and put it in her bag. Glancing at the clock she saw that it was almost seven; she had just enough time for a run before her appointment with Lanie and Alexis at 9:30. But she had to send a text first. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick message to her favorite author:

I think I'm the lucky one.

K

She then pulled on her sweats, laced her sneakers and left her room, thinking about her day ahead.


At 8:57 Kate reentered her room to find Lanie and Alexis waiting.

"Jesus girl, where in the world have you been?" Lanie questioned accusingly.

"Calm down Lanie. I just woke up early and decided to go for a run. In case you haven't noticed I'm getting married! I've kind of got a lot on my mind!"

Alexis was quick to jump in. "Exactly Kate," she said putting a hand on Lanie's shoulder, "it's your wedding day." The girl stopped and moved to put her hands on Kate's back, pushing her towards the bathroom. "And while you should get to do whatever you want, we're going to miss our appointments if you don't hurry up and shower!"

After being shoved full force into the bathroom Kate turned around, mouth ajar. She had never seen Alexis be so assertive – Lanie on the other hand was another story. However, the only responses she got from the two were towels being thrown and a door shut in her face.

Not five minutes later a clean and fully dressed Kate emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in steam. She proceeded to look for her tormentors, finding them grinning from the couch in the lounge area. Lanie was the first who dared to speak.

"There, now was that so hard?"

"Oh, just shut up so we can go."

And in the midst of sailing ships we sink our lips into the ones we love
That has to say goodbye

It was now hours later as Kate watched her bridesmaids get dressed. She was touching up her own make up as she observed them in the mirror.

"Kate these dresses are perfect!" Alexis exclaimed.

Several months ago the trio had gone shopping and, after hours of searching, finally agreed on light blue, thin-strapped dresses that had just enough beading to be classy, yet not too flashy, and a smooth skirt that flared the tiniest bit and ended just past the knees.

"Yea Kate, Definitely the right choice." Lanie said as she admired herself in the mirror.

"Who knows," Kate said standing behind her friend, "maybe a certain guy will get lucky tonight." She was referring to a close friend of Rick's who seemed quite enthralled with the medical examiner at the rehearsal dinner.

Lanie turned back at her reflection rolling her eyes. "For once I'm going to keep my mouth shut…but only 'cause it's your wedding day."

The two turned and blushed at the sound of Alexis giggling. "I'm sorry, but you guys are too funny!"

Lanie sighed and turned to Kate. "Look, the two of us should really go start greeting guests." She leaned in and gave the bride a hug. "Lex, I'm gonna go snag the elevator." She said to the girl, who was struggling to put on her silver heels. Alexis nodded in return.

"I still can't believe those are the shoes you picked! I wouldn't be able to stand twenty minutes in heels like those, let alone the whole wedding!" Kate turned to go get her dress from the closet.

"Well, I figure I just have to make it though the ceremony and pictures. They are so coming off for the reception!"

Kate laughed as she reached up to get her dress down. Suddenly, she felt Alexis' arms wrap around her waist. She turned to return the embrace.

"I just wanted to tell you that I'm really glad that you're part of our family now." She looked up at Kate with those eyes that seemed to see through to your soul. Gee, Kate thought, I wonder where she got that from. "I love you."

Kate pulled the girl into a tighter hug. "Alexis, I am so happy to hear you say that. I love you too."

They separated before either could start to cry. "Okay," Alexis said, "I guess I better catch up with Lanie."

"Yea, I'll be down in a few."

"Take your time," Alexis said as she reached for the door, "we can't start without the bride anyway!"


With glassy eyes Kate stared at herself in the mirror. She was getting married in half an hour, to the most wonderful man she had ever met, and her mother wasn't here. She should be here. Kate thought. She had always pictured her mother helping her get dressed for her wedding - doing her hair and makeup, teasing her about her honeymoon, and just being…her mom. It almost felt wrong to be doing this without her.

At the sound of the door opening Kate's inner cop surfaced. She jumped around to see who had entered.

"Martha! You startled me. Shouldn't you be downstairs?"

"Well, well, my dear! Don't you look stunning?" She ignored Kate's question. Martha took her hand and gave her a little spin.

"Thanks." Kate said with a sigh of relief, reaching for a bottle of water. She downed nearly half the bottle before coming up for air.

"Kate, Kate," Martha said taking the bottle away, "trust me, you don't want to fill up on liquids. I seriously doubt you'll have the time or desire to use a restroom. Now, I was just coming up to see how you were doing."

"I'm doing great! I was just…uh…going to get my jewelry and head down."

"Here, darling, let me do that for you." Kate turned around as Martha went to clasp the necklace with Johanna's ring around her neck. After she was finished she turned Kate back around to look at her. "You know, I really wish I could've met your mother." Martha said as she moved the ring back and forth between her fingers. "I bet she was an amazing woman."

"Hmm. She certainly was." Kate said smiling.

"She was so blessed to have you Kate. But don't think she's gone forever. She's still here, and I bet she's watching you right now, waiting to see you walk down the aisle."

Kate struggled to hold back tears. Noticing this, Martha reached out and took her soon-to-be daughter-in-law in one of her signature hugs. "Now, I don't want to see you crying. You'll make your mascara run!" She laughed, but secretly Martha was having an equally hard time with her emotions. "Here, I brought you something."

Martha reached in her purse and took out a small velvet bag, and emptied its contents out into her hand, revealing a pair of earrings. They were simple silver drop earrings, maybe an inch or so long, each with a blue stone dangling from the very end of the strand. They looked extremely worn, and loved. Kate's eyes widened in amazement.

"These," Martha started, "were my grandmother's gift to my mother when she got married and hers to me at my wedding…the first one." She smiled at her own craziness. "Now, I am giving them to you, and maybe one day you'll give them to Alexis, or…another granddaughter I may have…" Kate laughed.

"There now, that's better. Let's get these on you." Kate took the earrings and pinned them in here ears. They really were a perfect fit.

"Martha," she started, "thank you, so, so much, for just everything you've done for me."

"Not a problem, my love. Now there is one very nervous groom down there, and I'm sure he is jumping out of his skin waiting for his bride." She turned to grab her purse from where she had put it down as Kate slipped on her shoes. The pair joined arm in arm as they walked into the elevator.

"Hey Martha," Kate turned to look at the woman.

"Yes dear?"

"Since my mom's not here…I'm glad you are."

Martha leaned in a kissed Kate on the head. "Me too Kate, me too."

And as I float along this ocean,
I can feel you like a notion that won't seem to let me go

The doors opened right in front of the hall where the ceremony was being held. Kate and Martha exited the elevator and found the entire bridal party waiting for them - except for Rick, of course, who was waiting inside.

"Alright!" Kate said with a smile. "Let's get going!"

Martha quickly walked inside to cue the musicians while everyone lined up to walk in. Rightfully so, Kate took her place on her father's arm.

"Katie, you look beautiful." Jim said to his daughter. "Just like your mother."

Kate smiled and gazed down at the floor. "Thanks Dad." She whispered. He reached out and turned her face to meet his. "She would be so proud of you, just like I am." And just like he did when she was a little girl he kissed his index finger and tapped it on her nose, making her giggle.

Before they even noticed, the doors had shut again, giving everyone time to assemble in front before they let Kate and her father in.

"Well Katie? Are you ready?"

Kate smiled and turned towards the doors. She could hear the violinist and flautist begin to play, and the shifting of the guests' clothes as they stood. Slowly, the doors opened, and her father guided her into the room.

The rest of the room faded away as she gazed down the aisle at Rick. Martha was right - he was clearly nervous. And despite everything he had put her through; she was totally and completely in love with him. More than he would ever know. And now he was hers, and she was his, forever. In her heart she knew that her mother was with her, and that she would love her choice for a family.

"Yeah," Kate whispered to her dad, "I'm really ready."

Cause when I look to the sky, something tells me you're here with me
And you make everything alright
And when I feel like I'm lost something tells me you're here with me
and I can always find my way when you are here.


Thanks for reading! Please review! I would love to know what you think of it!