Here we are, Crumbsian fans! Wedding number four for the Crumbsverse!

'Thanks again, Castle, for everything.'

'It's what we do for our friends, Dave.'

Castle smiled as Gideon Meyers, barber extraordinaire attended to the nervous groom. He didn't blame the guy at all, he'd been through it himself, as had Esposito.

'Excuse me.' A rotund man of about forty dressed in his priestly vestments came into Castle's office. 'May I join you for a moment?'

'Of course, Father.' Esposito smiled at Jorge Delgado, the priest at his sister's church in the West Village who'd agreed to perform the ceremony for his friends. 'You remember Richard Castle and the groom is getting the last of his shave there.'

'Excellent, David, I just wanted to let you know, I'm set in the area you've chosen for the altar and we've arranged the guests for the aisle as well. Are you sure I can't read anything for you from the book?'

'I'm sure Father, Lanie's not religious and I'm not either, but my mother would disown me if I had a justice of the peace or a judge do it.'

'I understand. We'll be ready shortly.'

The priest ducked out, just as Gideon swiped a hot towel over Dave's face and sat him upright. 'There, fresh as a daisy waiting for his honey-bee.'

'Oh man.' Dave blushed a little as Gideon packed up his things. 'I...' He stood up, getting a head rush and sank weakly back into the chair. 'I'm feeling a little dizzy.'

'Hey, it's cool man, take a breath.' Esposito put a supportive hand on Dave's shoulder. 'Just remember, the only person watching you when Lanie walks down the aisle is Lanie, okay?'

'Okay.' Dave took one last look in the mirror. He was getting married to a wonderful woman and as nervous as he was, it was nothing compared to his happiness. 'I better go see my folks before this thing gets started.'

The trio of men left Castle's office, went into the small crowd of people to find his parents. He saw his mother first, who of course had been crying. Claudia Robbins could be accused of many things, but being able to hold her water during happy times was not one of them.

'Oh, David, you look so handsome,' Claudia gushed, fussing at his lapels. 'Lanie's a lucky, lucky lady.'

'I'm the lucky one, Mama. She's sensational.'

'David, good luck son.' Angelo had appeared beside his wife. 'Your sisters are here somewhere, but they can see you later, the priest has said it's time to take your places.'

'Thanks.'

With a blown out breath, Dave made his way over to the place where they'd selected to hold the ceremony - in front of Castle's roaring fireplace, the light casting dreamily over the walls. Twinkle lights had been strung through the area to add to the romance of it, but all Dave could truly think of was seeing Lanie. Anxious, he checked his watch. Eleven-twenty seven. Half an hour to go to a new year and a new life. He watched as Esposito approached, having checked on Tessi who was with Lili, Cam and Rosie, looking like a little princess in a pale purple dress.

He waited until Esposito was beside him, and focused all his energy on trying not to fidget. 'Is this what you felt like when you were married?'

'Like hurry up and get here ?'

'Yeah.'

'Yes. But I also wanted to make that moment when I saw Meredeth in her dress last forever.'

'You guys wrote your own vows, right? Is it lazy that we didn't?'

'Not at all. My sister and her husband, they did the traditional thing and they had a lovely wedding.'

'Tell me about it, keep me from going insane.'

'Lili was all in white and had pearl earrings, and Cam wore his dress uniform. Their wedding song was 'So Close' from that movie, Enchanted, because that's what they saw on their first date.'

'Seriously?'

'Yep. Lili said the scene with that song was when he held her hand and it made her cry, though it was partly because of her stitches.'

'Stitches,' Dave repeated.

'It's how they met. Lili sliced her hand on a letter opener and Cam stitched her up.'

'How Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks of them.'

The lights dimmed to signal to everyone they were ready to start, and on the speakers some floaty piano music played as Meredeth descended the staircase, and walked up the aisle; she was in purple and her hands were full of gardenias. Everyone turned to see Alexis walking Carey, so daper in his pint-sized tux, up to the altar to stand beside Meredeth. He smiled and waved at his father.

Then Dave felt his breath catch in his chest; the music switched to Bolly Joel's 'She's Got a Way' and with a pounding heart, he saw the most beautiful woman in the world walk towards him, in an ivory-white satin sheath and a bouquet of gardenias and white orchids in one hand, the other looped through her father's arm. Her hair was a dark cascade over her shoulders, and above her right ear was pinned a single snow-white orchid to match the ones she held.

She was, as she always had been, his lovely Elenia.

'Who presents this woman?' Father Jorge asked.

'I do,' Oscar said, then turned to Lanie to kiss her cheek; he unwound her arm from his and put her hand in Dave's.

Lanie smiled at him as she passed her flowers than turned to Dave, blinked when she felt a tug on her dress. Looking down, she saw her son.

'Mama go-jus.'

'Thanks baby.'

'Let anyone who knows of sound reason why this man and woman should not be joined together speak now,' the priest declared; not a single person so much as coughed, and he continued, 'Friends, family, we've gathered here tonight to bear witness to the marriage of Elenia Sophia Parrish and David Angelo Robbins, two people who have built a life together and made life together in the form of their beautiful son, Carey. Now they will make promises to each other to keep that love strong and beautiful.'

The music played in an instrumental of the song as Lanie and Dave signed their wedding registry, and their friends witnessed it. Once signed, the book was closed and the priest placed a white pillar candle in front of it. He passed Alexis a child-safe candle, then to Lanie and Dave each a long slim taper.

'The flame which lights this candle of unity is a symbol of the loving respect and commitment you bring to this marriage, for each other, and for Carey. The flame Carey presents to you both is his love for his family, for as long as there is love, no one shall be alone.'

Alexis set the rings pillow down gently, then put Carey on her hip as they lit his candle and leaning close to his mother, touched the wick at the same time as his parents. 'Pidy,' he said, cuddling against Alexis as he started to yawn.

'It is,' the young woman murmured back.

'At this time, Lanie and Dave will exchange vows of marriage. Lanie, put your left hand in Dave's please.'

Lanie smiled, caffeinated butterflies doing a polka in her stomach as she took his hand; she saw the same feeling of nervous anticipation in his eyes. Father Jorge took the white silk scarf from around his neck and wound it three times around their hands.

'Lanie repeat after me.'

'I Lanie...take you Dave...as my partner in marriage...to love and honour...to laugh with and cry with...for better or worse...for richer or poorer...to make more children with...as long as we live.'

'Dave, repeat after me.'

'I Dave...take you Lanie...as my partner in marriage...to love and honour...to laugh with and cry with...for better or worse...for richer or poorer...to make more children with...as long as we live.'

The priest nodded, then unwound his scarf; when it was back around his shoulders, he smiled at Carey. 'It is now time for the blessing and exchange of rings. May I have them please.'

Alexis brought Carey forward to stand between his parents, and crouching, helped him hold up the pillow. 'Mama, I help,' he said to Lanie.

'Yes, baby,' Lanie murmured, trying not to cry.

'Daddy? Moosh Mama?'

'In a minute big guy,' Dave added with a little laugh.

'Dave, take Lanie's ring and place it on her finger.'

He picked up the band, a braid of wires to match her engagement ring and slipped it onto her waiting finger.

'Lanie, take Dave's ring and place it on his finger.'

With a smile, she took the band with its braid etching, and slid it on. She felt her insides go mushy when he gave her a little wink.

'By the power vested in me by the holy church and state of New York, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.'

'Moosh!' Carey declared loudly, making everyone laugh.

With his wedding band shining on his finger, Dave held both of Lanie's hands in his and drew her in to kiss his wife for the first time.

Lanie sighed as she kissed her husband. Her husband, she thought. She felt like a princess and was married to her prince.

Around them, someone yelled it was one minute to midnight and as everyone began to count down, Lanie stayed locked in the passionate kiss with her husband until she heard the words 'Happy New Year!' yelled out and everyone cheered and kissed. There was nothing so private as a crowd and when she was certain everyone else was wrapped up in their own sweetheart as well, she broke the kiss and leaned her forehead against her husband's.

'Guess what, Mr. Robbins?'

'What, Mrs Doctor Parrish-Robbins?'

'I'm pregnant.'

R&R&Enjoy!