A/N: Thanks all for the positive nods, follows, and messages for the fluffy previous wedding chapter! This is a bit of fun/fluff as the wedding winds down and familiar faces make appearances. I decided that this wasn't enough and am adding one very short (less than 1k words maybe?) Post script chapter that I just couldn't resist. Look for my companion future piece re: Shane and Caskett, a future-fic in the making!
Cheers again,
Adds aka AussieRulz32
Epilogue – A Hamptons Wedding Part 2
They didn't even hear the Mayor announce them as husband and wife as they kissed again and walked hand and arm down the aisle. Shaking hands and hugging guests. Kate's father, her friend Madison, several faces stood out as the couple made their way to the house and their eventual escape out a side entrance to the tented reception a little farther down their beachfront property. As the hand clasps and the rows began to end, Rick and Kate Castle saw a lone figure standing behind the last row. He wore a plain but well cut black suit with a black and gold tie. Numerous medals adorned his left-breast and he wore a black beret. Rick grabbed his friend from half the world away into a soul crushing hug and cried into his shoulder. "I can't believe you made it!"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world mate. Knew you and this stunning Princess would get here."
Several wedding guests were a little surprised at the newlyweds' quick detour to hug and speak with a stranger in black before immediately moving to the large tent attached to the Castle Estate's east entrance for the reception. As the bride and groom moved through the house and out the side entrance, the mélange of guests left their beachfront seats and walked down the shore to the large tent and to find their assigned seating for what all thought would be a fantastic reception and party. Several guests murmured that the Castle's mystery guest faded away and seemed to disappear as the ceremony broke up. A small bit of gossip ensued about the new arrival and quick disappearance.
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Rick held Kate's hand tightly as they were ushered through the house by guests and retainers. The happily married couple stopped in his study for a private moment, and a breather to take each other in, without an audience of 100 to pry. "Well Mrs. Castle we made it. Any regrets yet?" He smiled and waggled his eyebrows to his new bride.
Kate smirked, "Ask me in the morning handsome. Honestly, I've wanted this for longer than you probably realize. Am I crazy or was it perfect?"
Castle grinned widely, "Well you admitting you've been crazy about me since the beginning will always stick in my 'happy place' brain, but we haven't made it out scot-free yet there milady. We still have to struggle through the after party, the silly reception, and toasts before we can escape to a nice, warm, toasty, bed." His hand slid down the back of his stunning bride's back and lightly brushed across her backside, "I don't know if I can keep my hands off you that long...We should have eloped to Vegas or something."
Kate smacked his hand away and laughed, then caught his newly wedding-banded hand in her own and interlaced their fingers in a loving grasp. "Well too late for that now Castle. Besides if we would have done that our partners and our parents would have killed us. Almost home free, button up Kitten, time for smiles and cake." They laughed and shared another loving glance and kiss. Then they took a deep breath, as they walked out into the tented party. Everyone stood and applauded as the couple walked to the raised head table.
The champagne coloured tent was beautifully adorned in their wedding themed colours of white, aquamarine blue with champagne highlights. The 100 odd guests were positioned at roughly 10 tables in varying distance from the head table and the happy couple. The wedding not too big or small, but just the right level of intimate for bride, groom, and guests alike. Kate and Rick made their way to the position of honour at the head table. The rest of the wedding party on each side of the writer and his muse. To Kate's right sat Lanie, her father, Martha, Jenny, and an empty seat. The empty spot partly to balance the wedding party, but also to silently salute her mother's absence from the nuptials, a late suggestion from Rick that brought tears of happiness to Kate, cementing her knowledge of her endless love for her writer. To Rick's right sat Alexis, Ryan, Esposito, Mayor Weldon, and his wife. The pair looked out across the tables and smiled as they took in the faces of their numerous friends and family, whose applause was uninterrupted as everyone took their seats. The guests all clinking their champagne flutes with their cutlery, requesting a kiss from the pair, a request easily and quickly fulfilled from Mr. and Mrs. Castle.
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After a starry eyed moments and before any speeches could commence, Kate watched as her husband kept glancing around the crowded tables below, looking for a familiar face. She knew straight away who he was after. "Castle, I'm sure he's still here."
Rick looked to her and smiled, "I hope so, and I haven't seen him since the aisle. I wish he would have let me know he was coming! I had some stuff already in motion, but I could have used another groomsman and we could have made additional plans for something like this!"
Kate made placating soothing sounds and rubbed his forearm gently, "If I know Shane at all, he's hiding a bit for some silly reason of his own, but keep an eye on the bar. Those Australians can't keep away from a show like this with free beer for too long. He'll make an appearance again, that man doesn't know how to make an easy exit." They smiled and kissed briefly again.
Alexis made a light cough, and rose from her spot next to her beloved father. She lightly clinked her glass and the guests found a low murmured volume, and all eyes were on the young flame-haired beauty. "Hello everyone, if you don't know already I'm the daughter of the groom and 'new step-daughter' here. Don't worry Kate, you and I both know we'd never put that weird a label on our relationship. But what is our relationship? I was there the night you met my father almost 6 years ago. It was the book launch and farewell party for Derrick Storm. I know this guys mind, and I knew he was tired of the monotony of 'Sign Here' or 'I'm your biggest fan!' I looked into my Dad's eyes and he said something real and from the heart that night. And like serendipity when he said 'Just once I'd like someone to come up to me and say something new'. Right then he met the love of his life, and the lovely Detective to his right finished up a perfect meeting by arresting him. I thought that was quite new." Everyone present, including Rick and Kate, laughed loudly. "I've grown up watching this love story grow and change. I may have been watching from the bleachers sometimes, and I wondered after all the flirting, caring, patience, life-saving, occasional heartbreak, and more emotions that seem possible if it was worth it. Once a few years back, I asked my father if he loved Kate, and if it was enough. I knew before he even spoke where his heart was. So what is our relationship Kate? You're more than a step-mother, more than a sister, and a lot more than the Detective that arrested my Dad way back when. Your family Kate, I love you not just because you make my Dad happy, but because you complete this little circle of grown-up kids. I love you Kate, Welcome Home." With that Alexis moved over to the newlyweds who immediately rose and found themselves in a group-hug that said 'thank you, I love you' and a whole lot more. Not a dry eye in the house as everyone applauded the young student's words.
After eyes are dried and breaths taken, the microphone is passed to Lanie, who also stands and wipes away the occasional tear, "Well damn girl...that's my former intern everyone. I know there's no way I'll ever follow anything like that! Frankly, I know it's technically my turn to speak, but I've planned for awhile now to let the Father of the Bride take my place and say a few words...especially since we know those two Best Men over there have some sort of comedy bit that I want to be far away from!" Laughs spark out again across the reception, as Ryan and Espo share a guilty look to one another. Lanie passes the mic to a somewhat nervous looking Jim Beckett.
Jim stands and shares a loving glance to his only daughter before he begins his brief words, "Well I'm not one for speeches, but I had to get a few thoughts off my chest now that my Katie has taken the jump I've hoped she would for the past few years.
I've always said no one can tell my girl what to think or do; the only person who used to be able to influence her like that was her mother Johanna. I've tried my best through the years to be a guide, or someone Katie could reach out to for advice. I know I've helped sometimes, but I've also known for the past 6 years only one person could get through to her heart AND her brain like her mother could, and that's Rick. When we lost Johanna all those years ago I went to a very dark place, and my daughter saved me. She saved my life. Little did I know it, but my daughter suffered beside me in her own way. She built up defences around her heart, but in the meantime, she became the best damn Detective in New York. As much as I always wanted to help Katie become more, I don't think anyone could get through her defences she built to protect her emotions, until she met her favourite author in the flesh. Richard Castle, my new son, I've known for years, almost since the first time she mentioned your name to me Rick that you were the one to bring my daughter back to me whole. She'd come to me at first and complain about some insane shadow she had. Then she would only say that Rick was more than she expected. By the fifth time she brought you up to me and she had no witty pun or comeback I knew. I knew who you are, and will always be to my Katie. I know you've saved each other's lives several times, but your most important save Rick, was when you pulled her out of her rabbit hole. You saved her life Rick. You saved her, Thank You Son." There was near silence for a moment as tears flowed across the room, Castle stood and embraced his new father in a tight hug and everyone applauded to a crescendo.
Rick took the mic from Jim Beckett, "Not one for speeches my ass Jim! Now that my wife and every woman at this party has cried their eyes out it's time for the wine to flow and my dear friends, Detective's Kevin Ryan and Javier Esposito to put wider smiles on our faces with a Best-Men toast! For the love of peat guys, don't make anyone cry anymore, I don't think anyone could take it!" Everyone laughed as Rick passed the microphone to the up and coming comedy duo as they began a spiel that they hoped would bring the roof down.
"Hey everyone! Now we all have heard how much these two crazy kids love each other, but let us take a look at a couple of moments no one talks about of the love story that is Richard Castle and Detective Katherine Castle, our boss. Hey Javi, is this a good idea?"
"Probably not bro...But to hell with it, you only get to give a speech like this once in a lifetime right?"
They patted Rick on the shoulders, "Well were to begin with this guy...two quick stories come to mind. One involves a naked mystery writer being arrested for stealing a police horse and doing a Lone Ranger impression, the other is a fun trip the three of us took to Atlantic City where, somehow, we all ended up a little tipsy and dressed as Elvis...but I digress, Kate feel free to fill in the details. And don't think we haven't forgotten you..."
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Rick laughed into his champagne flute. After chuckles and silly toasts were conducted with the best-men's speeches, a sense of relaxation met the reception. Everyone enjoyed a relatively uneventful salad and appetizer course. Dinner proceeded with a few glasses clinking for the pair to kiss or smile to the assembled guests. Castle kept darting his glance around the tables looking for Shane, Fong Noy, or any of his friends from half the world away. His darting glance was easily picked up by Kate, he grasped her hand, "I know, I know. I'll leave it alone. I will say now though, I AM excited, because I think it's almost time for my first dance with my bride. You ready for this Mrs. Castle?"
Kate grinned and nodded, "Well I must admit I know you're a better dancer than I thought when I met you, so this audience doesn't upset me toooo much Mr. Castle. Let's go try and let me make you look graceful there Mr. White Whale."
The MC announced the couple's first dance to 'their song'. None of the wedding guests knew how much this silly song meant to Rick and Kate, but everyone smiled once they saw the knowingly loving glance between the pair. As Yaz 'Only You' belted out of the sound system, Rick swept his wife along the dance floor in slow happy circles. Martha and Jim almost didn't want to interrupt until they were called to dance as well. Then they were joined by Lanie and Javi, Ryan and Jenny, and then all takers as everyone laughed, and cried as the couple kissed again in the dance floors centre.
Jim Beckett smiled to Martha as they parted for the next set of dances. He tapped Rick on his shoulder, "Alright son, I think you'll have a few more dances with my Katie, but I'd like to cut in now." Rick smiled wide, kissed Kate chastely on her cheek, and guided her hand to her fathers.
Kate placed her hand on her father's shoulder and slowly moved across the dance floor, "Dad...your speech...I don't even know what to say."
Jim smirked as they moved, "I hope I didn't embarrass you much Katie, but I know I haven't said enough from the heart over the last few years. I just want you to know I love you and couldn't be happier now that you're where you are right now. Plus, I have to admit, I've always known Rick was your one. Since High School you've brought two men to 'meet' me. Rick Castle was the only one you talked about nonstop until I had to go 'meet' him myself. I knew then the ship had sailed. I love you Katie, now do me a favour and give me grandkids to teach baseball to." Kate's breath inhaled, but she laughed Jim's comments off and kissed him on the cheek as she floated about the bridal party, waiting for a dance with either Javi, Kevin, or both.
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After Castle broke dancing with his beloved mother (knowing she was on the grey-dar hunt), he smiled over to Alexis hoping for a dance. His beautiful daughter smiled and joined him in a relaxed move across the floor. "Well Pumpkin, not a bad shindig right?"
Alexis laughed and lightly bumped a fist to her father's chest, "Your best party ever. I just wanted you to know Dad...Kate and I, we worked through everything, and I'm okay with this now. I really am."
Rick grinned widely and stroked her hair, "I know Pumpkin, and I know it's been hard for you to see eye to eye with Kate sometimes, but I knew we'd end up here. I've had faith. It sounds corny, but I knew that our hearts would sort it out quick and easy."
Alexis looked into her father's eyes, "Your right, that is corny." They laughed together and hugged, "That doesn't make it any less true Daddy. I love you, and want you to know I love her too. Congratulations." They embraced again, and as they thought both the bride and groom would finish their father-daughter dances to the current slow music, the rhythm slowly faded out to a very poppy 80's and 70's feel.
Rick blinked and looked up to the DJ and realized what was happening, a wide smile passing his face that Alexis wouldn't understand. Kate had a very specific play and play-not list for the music of their reception. Castle thought the whole exercise hilarious but Kate took it seriously, even yelling at him 'I will not have chicken dancing on my special day Castle!' He saw Kate's eyes start to widen knowing these songs weren't on her 'approved' list. Castle gave her fast placating waves, because he was pretty sure he knew who was behind the change, and knew Kate (and himself) would be soft-sells soon enough.
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As Detective Esposito enjoyed his quick dance with his old friend and new bride, he heard the music change, and knew his time was almost up. Javi felt a light tap on the shoulder, and smiled. He was expecting a cut-in soon enough to pull away from the bride, so he smiled and turned around. Then he looked up, and up, and up again. A 7 foot tall bald giant, wearing a wedding colour aqua tuxedo, with a flaming red bowtie and matching flame-red shoes smiled to the Latin Detective. He spoke with a rich east-coast baritone, "Hey handsome, you mind if I borrow the bride for a red hot minute? I've missed my Princess."
Espo almost didn't know what to say until Kate squealed with a happy laugh, "Phil! Your here!" The reunited friends laughed and hugged as the giant spun the bride about the floor. All the guests surprised by their reaction, and the sheer presence of this giant pilot. The large man smiled to the bride, and whispered something in her ear, which she laughed at immediately. He then took her hand and glided her across the dance floor more gracefully than any man of that size had any normal method of doing. The reception was now in full swing.
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Rick kissed his darling daughter on the temple and told her to mingle and have fun. He knew now that his wedding was infiltrated by his dodgy overseas friends and he wasn't even angry. He just wanted to see their faces. This was the happiest day of his life and he intended to share it with everyone he cared about, one damn way or another.
Taking Kate's earlier advice he made his way to the bar. Castle almost expected to look across the bar and see Yoda himself standing there, Hawaiian shirt and all. As his guests and friends parted for the guest of honour to stand before the bar top, he instead saw a teenage pimply kid there. He exhaled strongly. "Hey kid, can I get a..."
The childlike bartender held up a hand in pause, "Actually Mr. Castle, I've been ordered to give you one of these first. Congratulations." The kid pulled up two Victoria Bitter (VB) beers, especially imported from overseas for the occasion. The first beer he ever shared with his shaman-friend on the far side of the world. He grinned wide and looked about the bar. A few people stepped away and Castle heard a vocal argument from Detective Slaughter that he knew had only one origin.
Slaughter was laughing and slapping his drinking friend on the shoulder, "Snake Venom!? You gave me Snake Venom?"
"Well kind of mate, more to it than that, but yeah, kinda. What a Detective named 'Slaughter' can't hack it? Thought you Yanks' were made of tougher stuff!" Shane smiling to his new tough detective friend as they shared an icy stare that melted into laughter.
Castle met eyes with Captain Shane Carter. And the veteran nodded for the groom to join them. The half-drunken Slaughter smiled, "Sherlock! Congrats buddy! Way to finally man-up with that partner of yours! Would have hated to step in for you and take her to real-man-land, but you got there eventually."
Castle laughed, "Well Detective, looks like you've got your hands full with your own new lady from the 9th, and to be honest looks like you've been hanging at the bar too long. Looks like she's on the warpath, better run over there and make nice pronto Slaughter. Any sexy cop like that who can tolerate you? Wouldn't let her escape." Castle looked to Slaughter, who gave a Pin-yin addled look to Shane who gave a confirming nod, as both men laughed watching Slaughter shuffle across the party to makeup to his lovely new lady.
Shane joined his friend and took one of the beers in hand, and tapped his friends beer, "A hard earned thirst deserves a cold beer mate...Congrats you idiot!"
They both laughed and shared a massive brotherly hug. "Sorry I disappeared for a bit after the ceremony. I didn't want to make a fuss, and I had to slip past your security at the front gate. It normally wouldn't be a problem, but I had to get a fairly large giant through security and whatnot here." Shane nodded toward the dance floor and Castle saw his wife, his daughter, and his mother doing a line dance shuffle with a brightly suited Disco Phil. "As you can see, he's a lovely pilot, but he's not too keen on camouflage."
Rick laughed and drank with his old friend that he hadn't seen in ages, "Of course Shane, but seriously! You know we wanted you here! I sent a package ages ago that had your wedding invite and heaps of stuff for Fong Noy, Flash Gordon, and yourself. Didn't you get it?"
Shane smiled, "Oh we got it, trust me I got it. The bloody package was so big and full of contraband I had to bribe two army officers to bring it to the pub! No harm though, Flash loves the old school jeans something fierce my friend. Fong's watched the Star Wars' trilogy like a hundred times and read the Nikki Heat series just as often. I also have a handful of wedding presents for you and your stunning bride there mate. Turnabout is always fair play." They laughed and hugged again, he pointed to a familiar red bottle on top of the bar between them, "I brought a couple bottles of the fun stuff, which I introduced Slaughter to by the way. Not that you need it Rick, your path is clear now. No more guides needed, smooth sailing ahead, right?"
Shane gave rick another of his soul penetrating stairs that both unnerved him, yet made him feel safe. Castle knew he was checking on his studenten, and also taking care of his 'Princess'. He met his eye line and nodded, "Full sails ahead Shane. This is it for me; she's all I've ever needed. Thanks again for helping me realize what I had in front of me all along."
Shane's eyes looked into Rick's own blue windows and knew it was the truth, he laughed again and grasped his shoulder, "It was easy enough mate, you just had some dirty glasses on, all I did was take those sunnies off and clean them for you. Now before we shoot the shit more, and get too deep in the cups, I think I have a bride to dance with." They hugged again, more and more of the attendees curious as to the wedding crashers identities, especially since the bride and groom were so taken with them.
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Kate was laughing her head off. A surprise session of spinning around the dance floor with Martha, Alexis, and Disco Phil has made the early part of her night and some of the craziness of a reception truly fun. Phil looked over the bride's shoulder and saw the approaching man, knowing immediately what to do. The disco-loving giant pointed to the DJ (whom a 2,500 cash tip usurped any of Kate's trump on Phil's playlist calls) and the dance music faded out to give way to a slower dance. Kate felt initially upset, hoping she could find her husband for another dance, when she felt a finger tap her shoulder.
"Hello Princess, may I have this dance?"
The smiling Aussie looked like a new man to Kate. Gone was the hardened soldier of Rick's rescue, or the haggard barkeep who had lost too much. His suit was perfect, his beard closely cropped and clean. Kate smiled broadly, "Remember Wanda, I promised I'd dance with you at my wedding, thanks for not making me a liar." They smiled together and swept out onto the floor to the dulcet tones of When in Rome's 'Promise'.
"You look good Princess...Well, like a Princess. Disco Phil nailed that one on the head, I must say. Sorry I didn't RSVP but it was a bit wonky getting here. Just know that I wouldn't have missed this for the world."
She smiled and patted him on the chest, "Please Shane, we are just excited you're here at all. You should have seen Rick after we saw you after the ceremony."
He laughed, "I'm sure, you give that dog a bone he'll run with it for a bit. I love ya Princess and am happy I could be there when you realized where this story would end, or rather begin. I just wanted to say Kate; I know it was hard for you to get to this place now. Trust a fellow hard-nosed runner like myself. But I've known since damn near the moment I met Rick half the world away, you two were meant to be here, and to go beyond."
Kate smiled and laughed, kissing the rugged soldier on the cheek, "Thank you Shane, for more than you know. Now that I've said that, ENOUGH with the damn philosophic shaman Yoda lines! It's my wedding Wanda! Have a drink and make some poor choices." They laughed together hard, as she slapped his face lightly, "Now one thing that would have helped if you RSVP'd is that I could have invited some single friends. It's all family and slim pickings here tough guy."
Shane knew that newlywed drive to hitch-up every single man and woman around them and knew it was his time to depart for a bit, "We'll see Princess. Who knows, it's a party right? If you can remember have Rick and yourself meet me at the bar in 20 or so, I want to give you a wedding gift." They hugged, laughed and smiled. Sharing chaste kisses on the cheek they separated from the dance floor.
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Kate swept around the tables thanking everyone and giving out numerous hugs and salutations. Soon Lanie ran up to her side, grabbing her hand and dragged her to a table surrounded with several of the ladies of the party. Alexis, Martha, Lanie, Jenny, Maddie, Mrs. Wheldon, Castle's publicist Paula Hass, even Captain Gates was curiously in attendance.
Lanie drew the circle in a little tighter (with Paula & Gates leaning slightly back) and asked Kate in hushed tones, "Alright Girl, spill. Who was the hunky soldier-boy you were dancing so nicely with out there? Some high school ex, or better yet, some cousin we don't know about?" Nods all around the table, as Kate laughed.
Mrs. Castle was in such great post-wedding bliss she was happy for a little girl-talk with the group, "Well, he basically saved my life with Castle. He saved both our lives and then saved our relationship. A lot of you know the Burma story right? Well that's the guy from the bar. That's Shane. Captain Shane Carter." Lights went on for several of the ladies, but a few tablemates had to have the story laid out for them. Kate and Lanie puzzled out bits and pieces for the ladies. Several of the girls muttered how handsome a single accented soldier was at a wedding until Kate put her hand up, "Hang on girls! He's had a rough go. He's kind of a widower I think. That and, Martha he's too young. Alexis, he's too old. Maddie, if you want to try go for it, but thought you were dating that chef. Everyone else here is spoken for right? Thought so, leave the poor guy alone, unless anyone else has a better idea?" The lights had already clicked for Paula.
Super Agent Paula Hass shouted, "Wait a minute a key character in Rick's new book is actually here!? And he's real? No one tells me anything! This could be a major scoop for the trades! How your husband never tells me these things Kate I'll never know. I have to try and set up an interview with RoboCop over there. Enjoy the gossip fest girls." She ran off to the bar hoping to corner Rick's friend, seeing royalty rights and dollar signs in her eyes.
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After several rounds of partying, dancing, hugs, and all around fun, Kate and Rick finally got to rejoin each other on the dance floor.
Rick felt a little tipsy, but nothing crazy. His tie already loosened, he clasped hands together, and smiled to his stunning bride, "Hey."
"Hey yourself handsome, you trying out for the Rat Pack there?" She laughed fidgeting with his tie, as he took her hand in his own, his other arm wrapping tightly behind her back.
"Don't get me wrong Mrs. Sinatra. I'm having a blast with our friends but we've been apart too long."
"Castle we've been mingling for like half an hour! Are you that insatiable?" She smiled kissing his neck gently, already knowing his answer.
"All this time and you need to even ask that question? Of course, I've had it bad for years Beckett!"
She smiled and continued the feather-light kisses, "That makes two of us, and the name's Castle now. Thanks Kitten."
Rick swallowed back a laugh, "Alright enough already. I'd call you Katie-Bug but that's your Dad's thing, and some lines I will not cross." They smirked and kissed again. "Common, Shane said he had a surprise for us at the bar, and I don't want to give him a chance to run away again."
The couple made their way from the dance floor to the bar, shaking hands with numerous well wishers as they approached Shane and Disco Phil reminiscing on the adventure they shared with the newlyweds. Shane smiled and said, "Well then, Wedding gift number one, here." He handed an iPad to the couple, who just looked at him strangely.
"Err...not to look a gift horse in the mouth friend but I have like four of these already." Rick smirked and Kate bit her lip, not wanting to insult their friend who came from so far away to celebrate with them. Shane smirked, one that said, 'give me some credit' as he swiped the screen alive, and a smiling Fong Noy was revealed to them via FaceTime.
Fong Noy was standing behind the bar of the Dagobah System Pub in Shane's normal place, wearing a Nikki Heat promotional T-shirt Castle had sent him in their care package. His face light up as his own screen became active too. "Honourable Castle! Beautiful Kate! I am so happy to see you both, you look amazing! Detective Kate, you look, what is word, radiant!"
The newlyweds fought back tears seeing their close former sailor friend that, much like Shane, had played an instrumental part in their reuniting. Kate smiled, "Fong Noy, you look great, and so much taller! You're going to break a lot of hearts mister!" The Castles' were shocked with the vast improvement of both his dietary needs (he looked healthy for once) and his almost flawless English, which now had an almost Australian twang to it.
Rick laughed, "I wish you could be here Fong Noy! But this is great, definitely the next best thing, you look great kid!"
Shane cut in quickly, "I didn't feel comfortable forging a passport for a 16 year old with living parents for the occasion. Figured this would be okay. Maybe next year I'll send him up for a face to face visit, but I needed someone to run the bar, and frankly I couldn't think of anyone else I could trust then my new partner. Take a few minutes, as long as you need, and catch up. Then let me know when you are ready for gift #2."
Kate and Rick beamed to both the soldier and the former young sailor, "Partner eh? Looks like you're coming up in the world Fong Noy! Hope you liked the stuff I sent you a few months back." The married couple chatted amiably catching up with Fong Noy for quite awhile. They learned he loved his DVD gifts, the fact that Shane had finally gave the old pub Wi-Fi. After Fong Noy had abandoned his birth on the junk trader ship, Shane had taken him under his wing and was teaching the boy all about the bar business, education, languages, and even a few espionage and self defence classes. He had even flown a tutor up from Australia to work daily with the teenager on English, maths, sciences, and everything you would need to apply to University. They couldn't be happier with where their young friend was in life and laughed happily as he told stories of the old gang back in Burma. Castle smiled, "Alright buddy, I'd talk with you all night, but I have to get back to shindig! I will buy you a ticket up here soon, and we'll get to show you New York my friend, you'll love it!" Kate kissed the screen and waves were all exchanged as Shane smiled to the pair.
"I wouldn't have felt right if you couldn't have seen the kid in one way or another tonight." They all nodded firm agreement to each other, and exchanged another round of hugs. "Well then, for gift number 2. The team that bailed your arse out wanted to be here in one way or another Rick-o. But, let's be honest, most of them are mercenaries, wanted in the US, or something else that held them back. So we had a little impromptu party again at the pub. Call it your overseas pre-wedding bash. They wanted to give you this." Shane motioned to Disco Phil who pulled a fairly large 34"W X 24"H picture gift wrapped. Rick and Kate smiled to each other and unwrapped the picture to reveal a large group shot from outside of the Dagobah pub.
Fong Noy was in the foreground, dancing and waving to the camera. Shane and his friend Warrick were waving as well from behind the oil drum BBQ, a beer and cooking utensils in each Australians hand as they waved. Also in the midground was an Adonis-looking Flash Gordon, his overly-tanned body oiled up and was wearing only a pair of ragged cut Lee jeans shorts and a New York Jets faded tank top singlet. He was laughing and waving, standing arm and arm with Disco Phil and Kiwi Mike. Disco Phil half scooping up the shorter red-haired Kiwi as they waved. Finally in the background you could clearly see the waterfront and the swift boat speeding through the frame. Freebird and her bright red hair waiving in the wind at the obvious high speed, the boat was pulling the French Twins on water skis in rather unconventional clothes. One Frenchie was garbed in a wedding tuxedo, while the other was in a white wedding dress, the drag look even including a veil.
Mr. and Mrs. Castle burst out laughing and kept pointing out little nuances of the picture over and over again. Shane smiled, "Thought you'd like it. Took three ruddy takes to get the boat properly in the frame, plus to stop Phil and Mike to stop eye-humping Flash Gordon. Thought if you ever missed the old team you could put this somewhere in your loft here, and would save you the airfare." They all hugged again.
Kate squeezed Rick's hand tightly, "Thanks Shane and Phil, we love it. It's amazing. What did you have to do to get the Frenchies in those getups?"
They all laughed and Disco Phil cut in, "Took free booze and food to even get them there. Then when Shane offered a bribe for the photo, and a bonus for whomever wore the dress, they were literally fighting for the privilege. Was hysterical." They all laughed at the fond memories of the bickering French twins and all their friends in Burma.
Shane pulled them away from the group with a wave, as the happy couple drew closer to him. "Last present for you crazy kids. This one's just from me." He winked as they opened the small box to reveal an early print of Rick's newest book, Tropical Heat.
Castle blinked to Shane, "How the hell did you get this? I've sent out a handful of writers drafts."
Shane gave him a don't be stupid glance, "I have my ways writer-monkey. Open to the first page."
Kate was holding her breath, hoping to see a sneak of the dedication, which she did. On the backing page was Shane's autograph and a quick note complimenting the dedication. Kate remembered he said he would inscribe the first copy, apparently the soldier could never break his word, and her smile froze as she looked on the adjoining page and the dedication. On the first page was the simple script,
"To Captain Shane Carter, Australian SAS (ret.) for helping me find my way back to what I thought I lost forever and the last person I will ever dedicate a book to...To My darling wife, My soul mate, the love of my life, Katherine Castle."
She shook slowly, brushing the heavy tears from her eyes and kissed him fiercely, the rest of the crowd seemed to fade away as she knew that this was the one and only man for her. How she denied it to herself for so long was beyond her now. She could let those fears fall away now with the moniker Kate Beckett, as she knew she was entering the best chapter of her life as Kate Castle.
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After a long moment with Kate, Rick looked back to the book and noticed a small orange card in the binding. He pulled at the card and recognized it as a game piece from the famous Monopoly game. On the back of the card was an International exchange telephone number, and nothing else. He looked up to Shane with an enquiring look. The Captain rejoined the couple and simply stated, "Its part of the gift. A get out of jail free card for a couple of people I know may need it later. If your ever truly at your wits end. Stuck in a bunker in Moscow, or kidnapped in New Jersey, or something like with what happened to your daughter in Paris. Anything you need that the wonder twins and the NYPD can't take care of, you call that number and I'll sort it out." He simply nodded and smirked. The newlyweds were almost in shock and started to sputter out more thanks, when Shane put his hand up. "Enough blubbering you two, I've monopolized enough of your time. Go see your family and guests!" They hugged again and Kate gave him another soft kiss to the cheek as they parted. Shane fought back a tear and bellied up to the bar again ordering a glass of his snake venom sake he brought for the occasion.
A white haired older man, with a light southern drawl came up next to him. "Make that two barkeep, with a couple a cold ones back if you don't mind." Shane noticed a passing resemblance to Castle, but there was something else there also, a presence he hadn't felt or seen since...
"I know you. NATO conference, Helsinki '98 right?" The older man nodded, and smiled.
"Don't miss much do you Captain? Yeah I was there. Your analysis and presentation impressed a few of the big boys in the room, hell, even impressed me. Hell of a couple gifts you gave my son back there."
Shane blinked, truly surprised for the first time at this wedding. "Your son? Ha! That explains a lot. Having an intelligence asset as a father would create some of his daddy issues. You going to go say G'day to the newlyweds Mr. Castle, or is it Rogers?"
He smiled, "Actually it's Hunt, Jackson Hunt."
Shane barked a laugh and toasted the older man's shot glass, swigging one back, "Wow, thought you Agency boys put a bit more work into your cover names. Must be the worst made up name I've heard in awhile."
Hunt laughed and took the drink with his new friend, "It is. Rick said the same thing when I met him in Paris; I'm the one that got them out."
Shane smirked, "Thought the Police nationale report on Alexis Castle's kidnapping sounded fishy. Well done Gamps, looks like you earned a bit of family solidarity with that one."
The older man laughed and patted him on the back, "I don't want the kids to see me, just wanted to be here for the big day. Listen, you did a hell of a thing for them in Myanmar. I've checked you out a bit Captain Carter, and I realize you must have some moral code, and frankly I could use a bit of that in my line of work. You ever get tired of sitting around in that rinky-dink pub, you give me a call." He slid a slip of paper with an e-mail address to his new comrade-in-arms.
Shane really hadn't considered it one way or the other, but he was intrigued. "I'll think about it mate. Congrats to your family." They toasted again, and with that Jackson Hunt walked off before anyone else could spot him. Then a rather attractive brunette, with fierce blue eyes approached Shane next. Not particularly in the mood to be hit on by some brash New Yorker, he almost wished he hadn't made a spectacle of himself at this wedding so far. After she poked him quickly in the chest, almost staccato like that reminded Shane of another strong-willed brunette from years ago, he was regretting the interruption less and less.
Paula almost barked out her words, her Brooklyn accent showing in her rage, "So you're the famous soldier that the book is based on? You saved Nikki and Rook, err I mean, Rick and Kate, in real life?"
Shane grinned, his bright blue eyes meeting Paula's, some of her fire extinguished as their eyes met. "Guilty as charged. Shane's the name, saving insane New Yorker's is apparently my game, and you are?"
Paula blinked a few times, "Don't try to charm me soldier-boy. Names Paula Haas, I'm Ricky's publicist, literary agent and scheduler. I'm still really pissed at the man he didn't let me know who you are, and that you were coming to this wedding! I'll deal with him later, but for right now I need at least 5 minutes of your time. Maybe 10, to get your background, maybe tape a quick interview and the like. Some trick you pulled with showing up and not showing up on my radar. Now listen here Mr. Tough guy Aussie RoboCop, I won't take No for an answer Captain."
Shane was fascinated; he finished his beer, and smiled wider to the publicist, "Well...maybe I could give you more than 10."
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The happy couple had cut the cake and made a mess of it as predicted. After Kate and Rick cleaned their faces off, they decided that they would open each other's gifts here at the reception. All the others would have to wait for their return from a two week honeymoon in Bora Bora. Castle passed the first box to his smiling bride. "There is no way you will top what I got you Mrs. Castle, the gift ninja strikes again!"
She laughed and rolled her eyes at her silly husband, slapping him playfully as she opened the box, her eyes grew wide, "Oh Castle." In the large black velvet sat a diamond tennis bracelet and a pair of single teardrop diamond earrings,
Castle grinned, "I wanted to give you the four elements for our wedding, first Earth or Stone. I always wanted to give you a diamond bracelet, so that's step one. Next Air, we are flying private round-trip for the honeymoon to Bora Bora." He grinned, "Apparently a very skilled pilot is available for the trip too." She laughed and squeezed his hand tighter. "Next Water, a scuba diving package for when we get to Bora Bora. We may not even use it, but thought I'd plan ahead." He waggled his eyebrows to his wife; she knew full well what he would rather do with his time than swim. "And for Fire, I thought this would suffice." Castle held up a simple pendent that hel karat stone, the brilliant coloured stone was a vibrant colour, one she had never seen before. "It's a Red Diamond. One of the rarest gems in the world. It's not really red per se. It's hazel, golden brown with flecks of green and black. It reminded me of your eyes so much. I thought we could affix it in a ring for yourself...or add it to your mother's ring, that way I'd have something that reminded of the Beckett woman near me for the rest of my life." Everyone clapped and cried as the couple firmly embraced.
Castle grinned and kissed his wife again, "Well am I a gift ninja or what? How can you compete with that Kate? Victory achieved!"
She laughed, and caressed his jawline slowly, "Well it's pretty damn good Castle, but I may have you. But you should also know I have to reject your water gift." Before he can launch into a million counter-arguments, she quickly placed a finger on his lips, silencing him. "Open your gift and you'll get it Writer-Boy."
Castle looked mysteriously at the small package as if it was a time bomb, he ripped open the package and his eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. He met his wife's gaze, tears pouring down his cheeks. "Kate...Really?"
She cried with him still caressing his jaw, "Really, I found out about a week ago." He kissed her fiercely and then fell to his knees in front of her, holding a hand lightly to her belly. The light dawned on all the guests faces. Lanie reached over to the box forgotten by Castle, and held up the contents for the guests to see. A small silver Tiffany rattle and a dark blue onsie with BABY stencilled across the chest in imitation of their POLICE and WRITER vests. The entire crowed erupted in applause as Mr. and Mrs. Castle continued to cry and hold each other.
Castle looked up to stare into his brides eyes, "Alright Kate...You win."
A/N Well that's my take on the fluffy wedding and reception! A 1,000 word Post Script of the honeymoon and possibly a birth announcement to follow and I can finally close the book on this labour of love I started at season finale time. Thanks for everyone on Twitter, the reviews, etc. For the help and encouragements! Cheers,
Adam
aka AussieRulz32