To all my readers THANK YOU ! THANK YOU ! THANK YOU !
The reviews you all posted made this story fun and easy to write
This is the final chapter of this piece of fiction. You can use your own imagination
as to what happens when they arrive back in NY. I wouldn't want to be
either one of them when they get home.
Until next time
CHAPTER 21
The manager shakes his head in affirmation of whatever Castle asked of him. "Mr. Castle everything will be taken care of"
"Thank you Shawn" Castle responds as he returns to the ballroom. He has to look around to find his lady.
Beckett has been cornered by the local book club president. She is asking Kate about how much of the Nikki Heat stories are based on actual cases from the police files And of course how much of the personal activities of Jamison Rook and Nikki Heat are from their own lives.
"Well, much of the stories Castle has written are grounded in actual crime stories. He has a very vivid imagination when it comes to the off duty escapades of the main characters" Kate responds while smiling over toward Rick.
Castle comes up to Kate just in time to save her from a more detailed question concerning her relationship with Castle away from work.
"Please may I steel my muse for just a few minutes?"
"Thanks Rick. I was afraid that the questions were getting ready to become a little more personal that I was willing to answer"
"Not a problem. Actually Paula said that the reporter from LVTV is around here and wanted to meet you" Castle is looking around for him "but he must have been called away. But he'll be back, I guarantee it"
"That's OK. Castle. I could use the break. I have to say that this trip has been an experience that I will never forget."
"I suppose not. Let's see now. Ex girlfriend flight attendant, room mix up. Dead bodies. Spies. Nikki Heat look alike. Killers with clubs. Kate I don't think I could have written anything better. And you know I am really sad that after tonight this all ends"
Beckett smiles then she gets a gleam in her eye "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo"
Rick has a very strange look on his face "What?"
"Oh. Nothing"
"Kate, that is not nothing. What are you talking about?"
"Do you remember the dress you bought for me to wear to the charity ball the first time you and I went undercover?"
"Of course I do. You were ravishing. Not as ravishing as tonight but close"
"The card you sent with the box said Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo and I knew it was from you. This is from Cinderella. I am looking at all this" as Kate waves her arms around "and I know that at exactly midnight my carriage will turn back into a police cruiser. The horses will become my fellow detectives and this dress will vanish and I will be back in civilian clothes and in my squad car."
Castle a little taken back by what she just said. He is just contemplating his answer to her when Roger Evans, the reporter from LVTV interrupts.
"Mr. Castle, I am so glad to catch back up with you."
"Oh, Hello Roger" Castle realizes that not only has the reporter appeared out of nowhere, but he has a cameraman and camera pointed at him and Kate.
"This lovely lady must be detective Beckett?"
"Yes, Roger this is my muse Katherine Beckett"
"It is great to meet you Ms. Beckett. So Rick, I must apologize over my little surprise with Natalie Rhodes the other day. I didn't realize that you really did have a real life Nikki Heat in this marvelous creature"
"Yes, Roger. I will tell you and everyone out there that this woman is the love I have searched for all my life"
Kate is looking at Castle with a big question mark on her face. What is he doing?
Rick looks into her eyes "I don't want you and me to be that missed opportunity we talked about earlier. We almost lost what we have. I don't want to take another chance"
Rick turns to Beckett and gets down on one knee.
Beckett covers her mouth and tears start to appear in her eyes
"Katherine Beckett. I know you were probably hoping for more romantic surroundings, but. Will you make me the happiest man on earth and become my wife?"
She chokes the answer out thru her tears "YES! YES! YES!"
Rick looks at the entertainment reporter. "Did you get your scoop?
Castle stands up and wraps his arms around Beckett and the room breaks out in applause.
He pulls back smiling into her face "I don't want to wait.
"What do you mean? How? What?"
"Well. The bride normally pays for the wedding. And you already have. The chapel is ready. A reception room is ready. I arranged for a minister to be here. Let's invite everyone to join us just down the hall."
In a few minutes Kate finds herself standing at the Alter of the chapel holding hands with her one and done. She is not real sure what she said. But neither is he. She thinks they promised to love, honor, protect and all that other stuff with each other. But after all the things they have already been thru together just being able to get here, these promises are going to be easy to keep.
The television reporter recorded the entire ceremony so these two can have proof they really did it. Also to show everyone back in the city. Oh they are going to be in such trouble for doing this, but Castle promised Beckett...uh! Excuse me Mrs. Castle that they will repeat the marriage ceremony with all their friends and family. But they know this way they are not missing an opportunity together.
After the ceremony they go into the reception hall next door. They have cake, toast each other, and then mingle with all the guests. Well, almost all the guests.
As the crowd begins to thin out, Paula comes up to them "Well Rick. You never cease to amaze and surprise me. Do you?"
"I try to keep everyone on their toes"
"Oh did. I tell you there was one of the guests that seemed to know you personally said he had to leave early but he left this" Paula gives Rick an envelope
Castle takes the envelope from Paula and opens it. Inside is a wedding card offering congratulations to Rick and Kate.
Handwritten at the bottom
"I am so pleased with your selection, son. I know you two will be very happy. Take care of her. She is special in more ways than you will ever know"
Signed Alexander Richardson
PS Tell your mother hello for me