Chapter 21

Rick stood in the courtyard of the 12th century fortress known as Edinburgh Castle. Behind him, a low wall provided a breath-taking panoramic view of the city and, far in the distance, the Atlantic Ocean. To his right stood Judge Markway. On his left were Javier and Kevin, fidgeting in their tuxes. Seated before him was a small collection of their friends and family. He was experiencing an odd sort of déjà vu.

"You ok, man?" Javier's question brought his focus back.

"Third time's the charm, right?"

The clip-clop of hooves on cobblestone drew his gaze down the ramp. He grinned as he saw the carriage coming into view. He sincerely hoped Kate didn't try to kill him on their wedding night for sending it. Two snow white horses pulled the gilded frame. The driver stopped the carriage and a footman descended from the rear and opened the door. On cue the violinist raised her bow, and the strains of Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' began to drift across the courtyard.

The footman extended his gloved hand to grasp the fair, delicate one of his daughter. Alexis was garbed in lavender, a floral head wreath adorning her strawberry blonde locks, with ribbons trailing from it and woven into her curls. She stepped onto the white runner that had been rolled out, exchanged an excited grin with her father, and traveled up to stand on the other side of the judge.

Next Lanie Parish appeared, dressed in a plum color more suited to her age and skin tone. She, too, made her way up and stood between Alexis and Markway, giving Castle a little wink on the way.

Jim Beckett, in a tuxedo and tails, strode forward to take the footman's place. He handed Kate out of the carriage and hugged her, before placing her hand in the crook of his elbow. Kate carried a bouquet of white and lavender roses.

Rick's breath caught in his throat. The memories of his two previous marriages vanished like tissue paper on the wind. His Kate was…stunning. He caught her eye as she approached with her father, and grinned like a fool. She smiled almost shyly and ducked her head, self conscious. She completed the walk with her father, who kissed her cheek and placed her hand in Rick's.

Now she looked up, meeting his gaze, a lovely blush on her cheeks. For a moment it seemed to be just the two of them. They faintly registered the "Dearly beloved" rigmarole. He saw the briefest moment of melancholy in her eyes as her father formally 'presented' her to him, and he knew it was because she was longing for her mother's presence. He squeezed her hand and made a silly face to break her out of it. He figured it was worth the risk of her getting mad at him for goofing off if it stopped her from being sad.

The judge spoke up. "It has been my pleasure to know these two since before they were engaged. The night she joined our poker game, we all watched the sparks fly back and forth, and we knew it was just a matter of time before she made an honest man out of him. Since our current surroundings are hardly traditional, it will come as no surprise that they opted to write their own vows. Rick?"

Castle nodded, swallowed and licked his lips. "Ever since you walked into my life, crashing my release party, nothing has been the same, and for that I will forever be grateful. I vow to bring as much variety to your life as you've brought to mine. I promise to keep saying and doing things to make your life fun, even at the risk of bodily harm if I cross the line. I give you my heart, and with it, the embrace of the loving arms of my family. I will spend the rest of our lives proving myself worthy of your love."

Kate smiled at him and blinked rapidly to banish the tears that were threatening to spill over. She began the speech she had been rehearsing for a week. "You have the right to remain silent…when it is likely you will put your foot in your mouth. When I am hurting, anything you say can and will strengthen the bonds of marriage. You have the right to have a florist and a chocolatier on retainer for when you screw up. If you cannot afford them, well, then, we're both in trouble. You have the right to expect my unwavering love and support through every struggle. You have the right to days filled with joy and nights filled with passion. You have the right to my heart, now and always. Do you understand these rights as I've told them to you?"

Rick's nod was solemn, but his eyes had the trademark twinkle and crinkle. They could both hear their guest chuckling quietly at her cleverness.

Judge Markway spoke again. "This is the time in the ceremony for the giving and receiving of rings."

As rehearsed, Rick accepted the band from Esposito. Unable to resist a bit of ad-libbing, he lifted Kate's hand to his lips for a kiss before sliding the ring on her finger. "With this ring I thee wed," he repeated after the Judge. He dropped his voice to a whisper. "Now you're stuck with me."

Kate grinned and turned to her maid of honor. Lanie slid the gold and platinum band off her thumb and handed it to Kate, who slipped it onto Rick's finger. She held his gaze as she softly said "With this ring, I…thee…wed."

"Having exchanged rings and having made your promises before God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss the bride." They stepped toward one another at the same time, closing the small gap between them. His hand came up to cup her face before sliding around to the back of her neck. His other hand found the small of her back, and as he kissed her, he twisted so that she dipped into his arms. She hooked the back of his neck for support. He broke the kiss, grinning, before finally setting her upright. A chorus of cheers and whistles erupted from their guests.

The judge had to raise his voice to be heard. "May I be the first to present: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Castle!