Scrapbook

Chapter Ten

When Kate woke up later that morning, Rick was gone. She rolled over to check the time. 9:32 am. She rolled back onto her back and rubbed her eyes. Her gaze strayed and landed on Rick's side of the bed. Lying there was a newspaper. Kate picked it up, and smiled. They had made the front cover again. While she knew she should be upset for having more photos taken of herself when she wasn't aware, this photo wasn't so bad. It had obviously been taken the morning that she and Rick had woken up in Central Park. This was taken while they were still asleep, with Kate curled up against Rick's chest, his arms protectively around her.
'Today's the day' the title proclaimed. Kate read on.

The hugely anticipated wedding of crime novelist Richard Castle and NYPD Detective Kate Beckett is finally here! This afternoon the pair will finally be wed in a small ceremony. The couple, who have been together for just under two years now, were engaged nine months ago, and have been the subject of many rumours. Stories of separation, and of trouble between the two have been proven to be just that – stories. We here, at the newspaper HQ, wish Richard and Kate all the best; and endeavour to bring you, the public, exclusive pictures of the wedding as soon as they become available.

There was a handwritten note on the bottom of the paper; "Morning, beautiful. Can't wait to see you later. Enjoy your morning of preparations. I love you so much, Kate." Followed by a scrawled love heart, and "Rick." Kate smiled at the thoughtfulness of the note. She was marrying this man today, and she was excited! She couldn't wait. She could hear movement throughout the apartment, so she figured Lanie must've arrived. That was her cue to get out of bed. She pulled on a robe, and made her way out into the living room.
"Good morning!" Martha said happily when she saw Kate. "How are you feeling?"
"Great." Kate replied with a smile. "I'm getting married today!"
Martha beamed back.
"Girl, it is about time you got out of bed." Lanie walked into the living room. "Your dress is hanging in Alexis' room, along with our dresses as well. All your makeup and hair stuff is there, too. You ready for us to transform you?" She asked with a grin.
Kate smiled back. "Sure. I'll just have a quick shower, then I'm all yours."
Lanie pulled Kate into a hug. "I'm so happy for you, Kate."
"Thanks, Lanie." Kate replied, hugging her friend.
"Now, you go have that shower, and then we'll get started." Lanie ordered.
"Yes, ma'am." Kate replied, and she went to have a shower.

The apartment was abuzz when Kate exited the bathroom. Lanie, Martha and Alexis were with the lady they'd hired to do Kate's hair and makeup. They were busy organising hair products and cosmetics on the kitchen bed.
"Kate!" Alexis jumped up and wrapped her arms around Kate, hugging her tightly.
Kate smiled, and hugged the girl back. "Good morning, Alexis." She said.
"You're getting married today!" Alexis pulled back and grinned at Kate.
"I know!"
Alexis couldn't stop smiling. "You are going to look beautiful."
"As are you, I'm sure." Kate replied.
"Thanks. But you are going to more beautiful than anyone else." Alexis lead Kate to a stool, and sat her down.
"Kate, this is going to take awhile." Said the beautician, Amanda, with a smile. "But it will definitely be worth it."
Kate nodded. "Thank you."
"Oh, don't thank me yet." Amanda said, as she began with Kate's hair.

Kate had let her hair grow a bit over the almost two years she'd been with Rick, so it was currently sitting a little below her shoulders, which gave Amanda quite a bit to work with. By the time she was done, Kate's hair was completely different. She had a small braid across the front, pulling her fringe off her face. The braid was tucked in underneath more hair on the side, where the rest tumbled gently in curls down the side of Kate's face. Kate stared at herself in the mirror in her bedroom for a few moments.
"Wow." She murmured.
"Kate?" Alexis' voice interrupted Kate's thoughts.
"Yeah?" Kate asked, turning around.
Alexis smiled as she looked at Kate. Her hair had been done too, by Martha. "You ready for your makeup?"
"Sure." Kate replied. She crosses the room to where Alexis stood, and smiled at her almost stepdaughter. "Only a few hours to go." She said.
Alexis grinned. "Yep." She wrapped an arm around Kate's waist. "And finally Dad will have the perfect wife."
"Oh, I wouldn't say I'm perfect." Kate said, as they walked back into the living area.
"You're perfect for him, and that's what matters the most." Alexis replied, with a gentle squeeze. She let Kate go, and carefully sat down on the couch, as not to disturb her hair.
Kate sat back down on her stool, and smiled at Amanda. "Okay, make me up." She said.
And so Amanda did.

Kate's father, Jim, had arrived just as Amanda was putting the finishing touches on Kate's face. He stood, and stared at his daughter.
"Hey, Dad." Kate said, when she was finally allowed to move her face.
"Hey, Sweetheart." He replied. "You look beautiful."
"Don't even have my dress on, yet." Kate said with a small smile.
"You still look beautiful." Jim walked closer, and carefully gave Kate a hug. "If only your mother could be here for this." He whispered.
"I know, Dad, I wish she was, too."
Jim pulled back to stare at his daughter again. He smiled. "She would be so proud of you. Just like I am."
Kate smiled back at her father. "Thanks, Dad." She said quietly.
Jim checked the time. "So, how long 'til we leave?"
Kate automatically looked down at her wrist, then realised she wasn't wearing her watch. Instead she glanced at the kitchen clock. "An hour." She replied.
"Well, in that case, do you want to go and start getting dressed?" Jim suggested.
Kate chuckled, and carefully gave Jim a kiss on the cheek. "I love you, Dad."
"I love you, too, Katie."

Kate and Lanie carefully removed the dress from its protective covering, and lay it on the bed.
"Wow." Lanie said. "It really is beautiful." She smiled down at the dress, and then up at Kate.
"It is, isn't it?" Kate bit her lip, suddenly looking shy. "This is it." She said. "I'm getting married in just over an hour. Wow."
"Don't go freaking out on me now, girl." Lanie replied. "I don't want to be the bridesmaid who has to stand there saying 'uh, sorry, shouldn't be too much longer,' while the groom gets more and more worried." She gave Kate a stern look. "You're not going to leave him at the altar, are you?"
"God, no." Kate said adamantly. "It's just... wow. Suddenly it's here, and... well, truthfully, nothing's ever felt more right."
Lanie smiled in satisfaction. "Good. Now let's get you into this dress."

A/N: Well, this was going to be the wedding chapter, but then it kinda expanded out. Next chapter will definitely be the wedding. Yay :D

As always, thanks for the reviews, and I always appreciate more. I'm glad you all seem to be enjoying this story. I'm certainly enjoying writing it.