ScrapbookChapter ElevenKate had decided against a limo. It seemed too showy, and she was perfectly content to go in her Dad's car. They pulled up outside the small church they'd agreed on having the wedding in, and Jim hopped out of the car. He opened the door for Kate and held out his hand. He was smiling broadly, and in turn, Kate smiled back. She took his hand and stepped carefully out of the car. While she was used to wearing chunky heals at work, she was wearing a pair that were a little more delicate and strappy, and as a result, she had to walk slower and more cautiously than she would otherwise. She tightly held her dad's arm, and they made their way to the door.
"Well, Katie. This is it." Jim said. "Not gonna back out are you?"
Kate leant up and gently kissed him on the cheek. "No." She said with a smile.
"Well then, shall we?"
"We shall." Kate replied.
Martha poked her head out the door, and smiled at Kate. "Ready?"
Kate nodded.
"Fantastic." Martha ducked back inside, and a few moments later the doors opened. Music began to play. Alexis walked down the aisle first. Kate had insisted upon Alexis being a bridesmaid too. Alexis, of course, was thrilled. She walked slowly and deliberately, smiling at her dad. Rick smiled back at her, pride shining through behind it. He had also insisted that Alexis be his best man. 'Or, best girl, or whatever.' as he had put it. Alexis went to stand next to him.
Lanie went next, and with a quick wink to Kate, she walked down the aisle, and took her place up the front.
It was Kate's turn now. She and Jim walked slowly, as everyone marvelled at her. Kate's dress was relatively simple, nothing too extravagant. It hugged her figure nicely, flaring out slightly from the waist. It was bunched up on one side, creating texture, and it swept up to where there was one strip of fabric created a strap over the opposing shoulder. There was a very small train out the back, not too long, Kate hadn't wanted a long train, otherwise she figured she'd probably trip over it. She felt a bit self conscious, but the look on Rick's face as he gazed at her made her forget about the guests. It was all she could do to stop herself running down the aisle and into his arms.
She and Jim stopped next to Rick, and Kate grinned up at him. He grinned back.
Their celebrant, Daniel, began. "We are gathered here today to, finally, join Richard Castle and Katherine Beckett in matrimony." He smiled at them, and then looked around. "I assume no-one objects?"
No-one said anything.
"Good." He turned his attention to Jim. "Do you give your daughter to be married?"
"I do." Jim said, and he gave Kate a quick hug, before passing her hand to Rick. "I love you." He whispered.
"I love you, too, Dad." Kate replied.
Jim went and sat down.
"Well, then, Richard Castle, do you take Katherine Beckett to be your lawful wedded wife? Will you honour her, cherish her, and love her from this day forward?"
"I do, and I will." Rick replied, smiling tenderly at Kate.
"Katherine Beckett, do you take Richard Castle to be you lawful wedded husband? Will you honour him, cherish him, and love him from this day forward?"
"I do. And I definitely will." Kate said.
"Now, I believe Rick and Kate have written their own vows." Said Daniel. He looked at them.
Rick took one of Kate's hands. "Kate. Today is the day I take you to be my wife. I promise to love you, to care for you, to give you space when you need it. I promise to be your friend, and your constant support. I promise to laugh with you, to cry with you, to grow old with you. I love you, Kate. I always will."
Kate blinked back a tear. "Rick. Ricky." She smiled. "Sometimes I wonder how we got to this point. Other times I thought we wouldn't get to this point. But we did, thankfully. So today I marry you, and you marry me. So I promise to you that I won't kill you, no matter how badly you get on my nerves. I promise that I will love you, always, and I'll take care of you, if you need taking care of. I'll be there for you, whenever you need me. I love you."
"Now, can I have the rings?" Daniel asked.
Alexis dived into her purse, and produced the two rings. She passed them to Daniel. He blessed them, and held one out to Rick.
Rick took it. "Kate, with this ring, I thee wed." He'd wanted the traditional words, just 'cos they sound cool.' "Wear it as a symbol of our love and devotion."
He slid the band onto Kate's finger, where it sat next to her engagement ring. She smiled down at it, then took the other ring. She tenderly held Rick's had.
"Rick, with this ring, I thee wed." She slid it onto his finger. "Wear it as a symbol of our love and devotion."
They turned back to Daniel, who beamed at them. "As you've all been witness to today, Rick and Kate have pledged themselves to each other. I hope you will all support them in their journey. And without further ado, I pronounce you husband and wife." He turned to Rick. "You may kiss the bride." He turned to Kate. "And you may kiss the groom."
Kate wrapped her arms around Rick's neck, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. They leant close, and kissed gently.
"I love you." Rick whispered against Kate's lips.
"I love you more." Kate replied.
"Nuh uh." Rick answered.
Kate giggled, and they pulled apart to face their audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr and Mrs Rick and Kate Castle."
There was a loud outpouring of applause, wolf whistles, and general cheering.
Kate turned to smile at her husband. "Well..."
"Well..." Rick replied. He was giving her one of his special, reserved-only-for-Kate smiles.
Kate couldn't help herself. She reached up and kissed him again.
The reception was a small affair, a sit down dinner in the hall adjoining the church. Everyone crowded around Kate and Rick to offer their congratulations and to wish the couple all the best, and many years to come.
For their part, Kate and Rick were polite and thankful towards their friends, but deep down, they just wanted to get out of there.
Eventually, the guests started to leave, and soon it was just Rick, Kate, Alexis, Martha, Jim, Ryan and his girlfriend Jenny, Esposito, Lanie and Montgomery. The group helped to tidy up the hall, and were soon departing themselves.
"Today was really nice." Ryan said to Kate just before he left. "And congratulations."
"Thanks, Ryan." Kate replied, giving him a hug. "And thank you for coming."
"Wouldn't have missed it for the world." Ryan replied.
Kate watched him leave with Jenny, and then turned to Esposito.
He grinned at her. "It was a good day."
"It was, wasn't it?"
Esposito pulled Kate into a hug, and said, "I'm really happy for you, Kate."
Kate hugged him back. "Thank you." She whispered.
Esposito pulled back, and gave Kate a quick kiss on the cheek. "Well, thank you. And have a good honeymoon."
"I'm sure we will." Kate replied with a smile.
It was at this point that Lanie sidled up to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Well, I think today was perfect."
"So do I." Kate replied. She smiled at her friend. "Thank you for everything. I really couldn't have done it without you."
"I know." Lanie replied with a slight grin. "Now, have a great honeymoon. I want all the details when you get home."
"You know you'll get them."
"Yes, I do. So enjoy your time away from work."
Kate hugged Lanie tightly. "I will."
"Good. Anyway, I'll leave you to it."
And she was gone.
Captain Montgomery left next. He gave Kate a hug. She'd been giving and receiving a lot of those today. "You did good." He said. "Castle is a fine man. Treat him right."
"Sure thing, Captain." Kate answered. "Just so long as he treats me right, too."
They both glanced at Rick, who was talking to Jim across the hall. He noticed them looking at him, and raised an eyebrow. Kate smiled.
"Somehow I don't think that's going to be a problem." Montgomery said.
"Neither do I." Kate said. "Thank you for coming today, Sir. It means a lot to me."
"Well, you are a very important part of the NYPD. Not to mention you and your team are like family. So thank you for inviting me."
"You're welcome."
"And so are you."
Montgomery gave Kate's hand a brief squeeze, and then he left.
It was just family, now. Kate wandered over to her husband and her father.
Rick immediately pulled her close, laying a kiss on the top of her head.
Kate wrapped her arms around him as she pressed against his side.
Jim smiled down at his daughter. "You really look beautiful today, Kate." He said. "I am so proud of you."
Kate smiled back up at her father. "Thank you."
"But I really should be going."
"Thanks, Dad. For everything."
"No worries, Katie."
Kate let go of Rick so she could hug Jim. They embraced for a while, until he eventually pulled away. He kissed her gently on the cheek.
"Have a wonderful honeymoon. And stay safe."
"We will." Kate promised.
Satisfied, Jim smiled again, and left.
"Well, then." Rick said. He pulled Kate close, and nuzzled her hair. "What do you say we go home, Mrs Castle?"
A/N: So, happy? I am. I love writing fluffy stuff. :D Of course, it's not finished quite yet. I'm thinking maybe one more chapter. I have more ideas, so if you want to hear more stories from this world, let me know. I think I could easily write another one for this series. As always, I love getting your reviews. Thanks to all of you who faithfully review. You guys are the best! Am currently in the process of downloading Tick, Tick, Tick. So hopefully not too much longer before I can watch that. I can't wait!