A/N1: Hey everyone! Thanks so much for your feedback for the last chapter! I got three reviews within ten minutes of posting it and 7 in total, I think up there with the most I've ever gotten for one chapter in this story arc! Anyway welcome to Chapter 25 I have imaginatively titled 'Celebrating Pt2' (I'll admit not a lot of thought went into the naming of this chapter ha ha) I hope you like it!

Only a short time later when the majority of guests were back at their tables, Gates made her way up to the podium she had been working from all night.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention for a moment..."

Instantly the buzz of conversation died down.

"The time has come for the second official part of today's festivities the speeches and I would like to invite the father of the bride-Jim Beckett-up to the podium for his speech...Jim?'

The guests whooped, cheered and whistled as Jim left his seat and made his way up to the wooden podium. He took his glasses out of his trouser pocket and after taking a moment to compose himself he began.

"Good evening everyone, my name is Jim Beckett and I am the proud father of the most beautiful and radiant bride," he said, his voice wavering ever so slightly. "On behalf of myself and everyone from the Beckett family in attendance tonight, it is my pleasure to welcome you all here today as witnesses of a very special and beautiful event. No more perfect event could have been put together, I'm convinced of that."

There was a brief paused before he continued. "Katherine Houghton Beckett came into the world on the seventeenth of November nineteen seventy-eight. Her mother Johanna and I had not been expecting a girl seeing as all the babies born in either of our families in recent years had been boys, but she was a true surprise and delight and has been a shining light for our family all throughout her childhood and teen years, and now as a fully mature adult about to embark on creating her own family. Katie, honey...I have to say you look absolutely beautiful today and I have never seen a woman look as radiant as you do since your mother on our own wedding day thirty seven years ago."

There was another brief pause as the room filled with 'aawww's'.

"Katie has made her entire family proud of her throughout the course of her life. When she was made grade level Valedictorian at Stuyvesant High in her senior year in nineteen ninety seven and then when awarded a full scholarship to the Stanford University Law School in the following year. Tragedy struck both of us when Johanna was so cruelly taken from us in '99 and our whole lives changed. Katie left Stanford and transferred to Columbia to resume her studies this time in Criminal Justice and I descended into the hell that was alcoholism. Few people know the depths of despair both Katie and I went through, but once again she made me proud when she entered the NYPD academy at twenty one and passed the course with flying colours."

Jim looked down at his daughter, pride bursting inside him. "In March '09, Katie came home in a really foul mood and announced in her usual forthright manner that she had met 'The most infuriatingly arrogant, self absorbed, selfish, ignorant jackass' in all her life..."

An amused rumble of laughter fissured through the audience and Rick chuckled as Kate went bright red and buried her face in his shoulder.

Jim grinned and continued on. "Knowing better than to cut my daughter off mid rant I let her continue and eventually found out this "infuriating, arrogant, self absorbed, selfish, ignorant jackass' was none other than Rick Castle, the man whose books had taken my late wife then my daughter off into a fantasy land and had caused more than one lively discussion over the dinner table. I could tell despite never having met the man, he had ruffled Katie's feather's and messed up everything she knew which I know from thirty three years of experience would not have gone down well."

There were a few chuckles in the audience.

"But as the years went on I saw Katie's hard exterior and fastidious nature soften as this man who she often described as a 'pain in the ass' relaxed her, softened her hardened heart and opened her eyes to a new way of living, loving and experiencing life how it should have been experienced had Johanna not been taken from us. Bit by bit I saw Rick wiggle his way into my daughter's life and he went from being an annoying pain in the ass to her colleague, partner, best friend and eventually her closest confidant and soul mate. He's healed her heart, become her emotional support and comfort zone and because of Rick, she's blossomed into the most radiant, happy and carefree person I've ever had the pleasure to know..."

Jim's voice became thick and he swallowed noticeably as he gathered himself together in order to finish his speech. "Rick, I am so very glad you came into Katie's life," he said, looking sideways and into the Writer's eyes directly. "Without you I doubt she would have grown as much as she has when she's with you. You have included us in your life and treated us with love and respect from the beginning and brought us closure when you brought the men responsible for taking Johanna from us so suddenly-to justice. I would like to wholeheartedly welcome you into the Beckett family, you have made my baby girl the happiest I have ever seen her and to you I am forever grateful. The happiness of Katie has always been paramount; We are all indebted to you forever for making our Katie Bear the woman she is today...It's now time to finish off my second official part of today's festivities and I hope not to turn into a blubbering mess..."

Jim paused and wiped at his glistening eyes.

"To both of you-Katie and Rick-congratulations on a wonderful, wonderful wedding. It gladdens my heart that a pair so perfectly made for each other have tied the knot. You two have something few couples have, the indefinable it, the one indescribable factor that drew you together in the first place. Call it fate, call it destiny or divine intervention. All that I know is that I am the happiest man in the world to see you two together. I can't give you much but after a flash of inspiration, I sat down at the computer and scoured the world wide web for some inspiration and during which time I found the following poem which describes how I feel as my only child and the journey she begins today."

He paused for a moment before he continued. "It is called 'My Little Girl'...,

My Little Girl, you came into this world,
So small and soft. I held you in my arms,
I knew then what love was,

I watched you grow,
Wiping your tears,
Laughing and playing,
for what seems like such short years.

Now I have but one last job to do,
walking down the alley beside you,
letting you go is so very hard to do,
But I know that he too loves you.

Soon you will also know,
what it is to hold one so small and soft,
then you will know what my love was."

As Jim finished reciting the poem, the tears finally fell dripping down his wrinkled cheeks and onto his shirt. He hastily wiped them away with a tissue before raising his glass of mineral water. "I would like to propose a toast," he announced, holding his mineral water aloft. "To the guests here, I ask you to rise and charge your glasses to my Daughter and new son in law...To Rick and Kate!'

"To Rick and Kate!"

There was polite applause and Jim quickly returned to his seat his brown eyes shining with barely contained tears, blowing Kate a kiss as he went.

Gates stepped up to the lectern again to introduce Rick for his speech. "Ladies and gentlemen, now is the time to hear from Rick for the Grooms speech!" she announced.

Enthusiastic whooping and cheering erupted from the guests (Ryan and Esposito stuck their fingers in their mouths and let out shrill whistles) as Rick rose to his feet and retrieved a small handful of cards from his trouser pocket. He took a nervous breath then began speaking.

"Most of you know that words are my thing. I love them," he began "I'm good with them and they have been very good to me over the years. Of all the words I've written, none seem anywhere near as important as the ones I'm going to share with you all now. I know some of you have waited a long time for this and your patience is not only appreciated but also a little awe-inspiring, so I'm sure you'll bear with me while I tell you a story. I feel like I should begin with 'Once Upon a Time' because ladies and gentleman...this is my fairy tale."

Rick looked from the lectern across to Kate whose face was the expression of total adoration; she winked at him and flashed her thousand-watt smile.

"The first time we met I was a jackass–her words not mine, but I am ashamed to admit extremely accurate. I was asked, no make that ordered to accompany her and quite frankly, I would have followed her anywhere, even then; but I wasn't letting her in on that little secret."

Soft laughter rumbled around the room and Rick smiled before he continued.

"Here was a tough, smart and confident woman taking me on at my cocky and irritating best." he continued "I had met my match and she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I was absolutely besotted and when I asked her out and she turned me down, I think I fell a little bit in love with her on the spot. I pulled a few strings so I could spend more time with her, all in the name of research and I got to be part of her amazing team–a dedicated, selfless, fearless and loyal group of people who I am now blessed to call my friends."

From the bridal table Ryan and Esposito whistled and cheered enthusiastically.

"We became partners and eventually friends. I learned to trust her with my life, and she eventually trusted me with her story; something that, to this day I feel honoured and privileged to have been given. And then she gave me her heart; a gift I will treasure and promise to keep safe until the day I die."

Blue eyes met hazel-green then, and there was an unspoken exchange that everyone in the room witnessed, but only the two of them understood–gratitude, love, wonder. They'd always had it, the ability to communicate more with their eyes than many people manage with words. To the uninitiated it's confusing, to their friends and family it's just something they do, to the people who love them, and it's breathtaking.

"Sometimes people ask me if I regret that it took us so long for us to get here," Rick said "but if the universe hadn't unfolded the way it did, if we hadn't gone through everything we went through, we might not have ended up here at all. My only regret is that there are people missing who should be a part of this. Namely Kate's beautiful Mom Johanna, and our great friend and old Boss Roy Montgomery."

Rick turned to Kate then and their eyes connected again, her damp eyes silently thanked him for remembering her Mom, for including her in this; as he stood before their family and closest friends telling them of his deep admiration love and respect for her.

"Katherine Beckett, you took my breath away the first time I saw you." he said speaking her directly "In the beginning you barely tolerated me, and then you managed me, challenged me, and inspired me. You changed me Kate and eventually you loved me and for that I am more grateful than anyone will ever know. You make all the songs make sense, you are my best friend, my always, and I love you."

Rick's speech brought the house down and every single person in the ballroom leapt to their feet and roared their approval. Feet stomped the ground, glasses were banged on tables and many of the guests-most under the influence of more than one celebratory champagne-whooped and cheered. Rick pocketed his speech cards then made his way back over to the bridal table.

Kate reached out for his hands and gently pressed her lips to his. "Love you too, Writer Man," she murmured, resting her ear against his chest and listening to the comforting thump thump thump of his heart.

"Love you too, sweetheart"

Gates stepped up to the lectern once again. "Now it is time to hear from the Best Man, or the Best Men in this case," she announced. "Please give a hand to Javier Esposito and Kevin Ryan!"

The two male detectives left their seats and made their way over to the lectern both wearing identical mischievous grins.

"Boys, you behave yourselves!" Lanie called cheekily, wiggling an index finger at her husband and his partner.

The audience chuckled appreciatively then Ryan began speaking.

"Good evening everyone, as you know I'm Kevin Ryan," he began. "On behalf of Rick and Kate I would like to thank you for attending this long overdue event today. I am privileged to have served as one of Rick's best men today and am thrilled to see these two wonderful people as they begin this new chapter in their lives. This is an especially eventful day because it finally offers Rick and Kate their chance at happiness. What a wonderful day of hope and joy, peace and contentment! Rick and Kate have each walked many miles to be here together today and this wedding is a joy to behold. I can speak for everyone in this room, when I say we all wish you the happiness that you deserve. We are so glad that you have found one another, and this day is a reminder that the best is yet to come. Each of you has worked hard to get here today, and when life handed you difficulties, it did not make you bitter, it made you better. Your marriage to each other is a true triumph of hope over tragedy. It's been said that if marriage is to be a success, one should begin by marrying the right person. It's obvious that each of you is indeed marrying the right person today."

Esposito adjusted the microphone then began his part of the speech.

"As Rick has touched on, he and Kate met at one of his book launches just less than five years ago, in a waterside function centre on the Hudson River," he said. "Our team were on night shift and had been called out to the scene. Not that Kevin and I knew it at the time but Kate was an avid reader of Rick's books and immediately knew he had a copycat, mirroring the cases him some of his earlier books. We made our way into town and were there at the precise moment these two met. And I knew within an hour for however long Castle stuck around, it would be more fun than shark week."

There was laughter in the audience.

Javier turned his eyes onto the beautiful brunette and wink. Kate rolled her eyes, but couldn't stop the smile that twitched at the corner of her lips.

"Personally, I think it was fate Kate and Rick came together as they did," he continued "despite the morbid way that led to their first meeting, God meant for these two to meet and for four and a bit years later to have them here today. In any case I think two main people to thank for the beginning and that is Mayor Robert Weldon who pulled strings with the top brass of the NYPD for Rick to shadow Kate and our late but great boss Roy Montgomery who I think saw the spark there and knew these two could be the greatest partnership the service had ever seen. Those closest to them have Roy and Robert to thank for allowing them to work together. Had they not it's doubtful their paths would've crossed and it's unlikely you would all be here today to witness them joining in matrimony."

"It is said anything that is going to last a long time must be built on a good foundation," Ryan said, projecting his voice for the enthralled guests. "Keeping this rule in mind, it is already clear that the foundation Rick and Kate have created for their life together is sturdy, and will withstand all the storms and sunny days ahead. I don't think I've ever seen a couple who compliment each other as much as these two do. Rick is an intelligent, soft-spoken and witty man; yeah I know, Writer Boy. Now your secret is out..."

Rick rolled his eyes as the guests tittered in amusement.

Ryan grinned and continued on. "He is very well respected wherever he goes, and he's just a generally all round nice guy, too. Kate is like my little sister who makes the lives of everyone who crosses her path just that little bit better whether it's in a personal or professional capacity, her family and friends will attest to that. I enjoy watching her and Rick challenge each other to continuously be better. They are very supportive of each other professionally and personally and are there to pick each other up if anything goes wrong."

"They are two people with a wonderful amount of synergy and they are a joy to know, an opinion I'm sure all gathered here would agree on," Esposito voiced. "They say that there is no surprise as magical as finding your life's mate, whether it be early or later in life. You two must feel the magic, because it seems as if your happiness emanates from you on this very special day. During the course of writing this speech I have gone to several people in my circle of family and friends who are married and have come up with several pieces of advice and I really feel that I would be remiss if I did not pass them along. Primarily, though, Castle, these are directed at you. Never go to bed angry...always stay up and argue. Always remember the three little words...'You're right dear' Keep the lid down, and the best way to remember your anniversary is to forget it once."

The guests tittered in amusement as both Ryan and Esposito lifted their champagne flutes.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we would like to now propose a toast to my...our two best friends..." Ryan announced.

"Marriage has many ups and downs, may all of yours be between the sheets!" Esposito declared with a barely withheld snort of laughter. "May you both live as long as you want."

"And never want as long as you live." "

"To Kate and Rick!" the two detectives called

"To Kate and Rick!" the guests echoed.

"Alright ladies and gentlemen, that is all for the time being and the wedding cake will come out shortly then we'll get on with the garter throw and bouquet toss. But for the time being feel free to help yourself to the coffee and bar." Gates announced

There was polite applause and soon the buzz of conversation broke out as the guests turned to the one next to them and began chatting.

"Not long now til we head off on our own," Rick murmured in Kate's ear, kissing her neck surreptitiously as the lively buzz of conversation broke out amongst the guests. "I don't know about you Mrs Castle but I am just about ready for some alone time with you."

"Oh I'm ready, trust me...I am ready," Kate said with a giggle as the Writer ran his index finger down the bare skin of her arm. "Rick behave yourself. I know you're excited about getting married but have some decency."

Rick laughed heartily. "I suppose I can wait," he said in amusement. "When we're behind closed doors, will you let me be indecent?"

Kate grinned. "You can be as indecent as much as you like." she granted.

An hour after the end of the speeches, two chefs in black trousers and white double breasted chef's shirts rolled out a trolley with an enormous six tiered wedding cake upon it. The gusts 'oohed' and 'ahhed' as the magnificent fondant and marzipan decorated confection was wheeled to the side of the dance floor

Neither Kate nor Rick liked the wedding staple of fruitcake and decided early on in the planning of their wedding to choose a white and dark chocolate raspberry swirl marble mud cake with fondant icing and marzipan decorations. Each tier was decorated with realistic red roses and atop the topmost tier was a bride figurine wearing an elaborate white gown and a vest with 'NYPD' and the groom was in a black and white tux wearing a 'Writer' vest. The whole creation gave of an alluring smell of vanilla and cocoa. An audible murmur of admiration ran through the crowd as the chefs rolled the trolley over to the side of the stage.

Rick and Kate made their way over to the cake as the guests began whooping and cheering. "Shall we, Mrs Castle?' Rick asked with a grin as the photographer began snapping more pictures.

Kate laced her fingers through Rick's and together they picked up the silver knife engraved with 'Kate and Rick 05/04/2013'' on the handle. Together they pressed the tip of the knife into the white chocolate fondant icing and kissed. They held the pose for a full minute totally losing themselves in the kiss before Esposito broke the atmosphere.

"Oh come on guys, get a room!" he called cheekily. "It's rude to start the honeymoon in front of your guests!"

Rick and Kate pulled apart their faces magnificent shades of scarlet. "Shut up," Rick shot back as he and Kate cut a slice for themselves "I didn't say anything when you and Lanie did the same thing a couple of weeks back."

"Ha ha!"

Rick and Kate each picked up a chunk of the cake and held it out to the other. Then without warning Kate smooshed her handful into Rick's face, rubbing the confection all over his lips and cheeks. He laughed heartily and returned the action. The photographer madly snapped pictures at the laughing pair til they reached for a linen napkin and wiped their faces clean.

"If I wasn't wearing white, I'd have started a food fight," Rick declared with a laugh.

"Oh bull, you would not have," Kate said with a giggle as the chefs came back out from the kitchens and began cutting up the cake so each of the guests could have a slice.

"Maybe that's something we can leave til the honeymoon," Rick whispered in her ear as they headed back to the bridal table.

"Oh brother!"

After the cake and even more coffee and alcohol were consumed, the time came for Kate to throw her bouquet. She kicked off her flats and got up on the chair that Gates had placed in the centre of the dance floor and all the single women on the guest list swarmed around her.

'Okay...here are the rules," Kate said with a giggle as the women on the floor jostled for position. "No pushing, no tripping no hair pulling and definitely no yanking the bouquet of the catcher's hands. This is a great bouquet of flowers and needs to stay intact as long as possible for whoever catches it...Got it?"

There was a murmur of agreement. Kate then turned around and steadying herself on the stool threw her bouquet over her shoulder. There was the sound of jostling and cried of effort before a familiar voice rang out.

"I got it!" Alexis exclaimed incredulously as Kate turned around to see the youngest Castle clutching at the flowers. "I got it!"

"Congratulations 'Lexis I look forward to the shoe being on the other foot," Kate informed the blushing younger woman in amusement as she jumped down off the chair. "Looks you and Noah are next."

"Oh...don't you start," Alexis retorted dryly, returning Kate's hug fiercely. "Grams was hinting that earlier, I think it's totally because she's had too much champagne."

Kate chuckled. "Maybe so," she responded. "Or maybe because she can recognize a cute couple when she sees one."

Alexis just rolled her eyes.

The women left the dance floor but Kate remained behind taking her seat on the chair she had just stood on and Rick approached grinning like a loon as he prepared to partake in the tradition of removing the Bride's garter with his teeth.

"You've got 'that' look in your eye, you deviant," Kate said with a grin as all the single men in the room swarmed onto the dance floor

"Me?" Rick exclaimed with feigned innocence. "Your accusations wound me, wifey."

"Shut up with the wifey, Rick."

Once all the men were gathered in a semi circle around Rick and Kate, they started with a rhythmic chant as Rick knelt down on the floor and hitched up the skirt of Kate's gown.

"Keep it decent!" Esposito called from the bridal table called cheekily.

"Shut up Espo!" Rick shot back.

And with a grin, the Writer leaned down and with a wink at Kate ran his thick fingers up her muscular leg and grabbed the lacy edge of her garter in his teeth. Then running his fingers back down her leg pulled it off and stood up throwing it over his left shoulder with a theatrical heave. Kate let out a snort of laughter as all the men rushed for the scrap of lace and satin but the lucky one to catch it was Noah. He grabbed the scrap of material and thrust it into the air with a triumphant grin.

"It pays having long arms, guys!" he announced with a snort on laughter. "Better luck next time."

"Nice catch," Rick said to the younger Special Agent, chuckling as his daughter's boyfriend went a magnificent shade of scarlet. "Look after it."

"Yes Si-of course." The younger man stuttered.

All the festivities for the reception were now over and all the guests followed Rick and Kate outside to their limo where someone had tied empty coke cans, feather boas, streamers and cellophane to the bumper and written 'JUST MARRIED' in shaving cream on the rear window.

"Have the best fun on your honeymoon, guys," Lanie informed her friends and she hugged them both fiercely. "See you back at the precinct in a month."

"Thanks," Kate replied, leaning into her friends embrace. "Thank you so much for everything today, Lanes. You, Maddie and Alexis have been the biggest help."

"It was a pleasure to help out Becks...you look gorgeous," Maddie informed her friend in a thick voice. "Oh go on, both of you go away before I start blubbing!"

Alexis came forward for a hug next. "It was a privilege to stand with you today, Kate," she murmured. "It's a privilege to call you my Stepmom."

Tears sprang to Kate's eyes and she returned the youngest Castle's hug enthusiastically. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thanks for standing with me today, you did a brilliant job."

"I was happy to."

After farewelling all their friends and family Rick helped Kate into the limousine the slid in after her then with a rousing cheer from all the guests the sleek black vehicle moved off down the paved drive.

"Wow...it's finally over," Rick said with a sigh. "God, there was all the build up and planning, the waiting and wondering and now it's over...now what?"

Kate giggled. "What do you think, Mr Castle?" she asked, snuggling up to him. "Now we have a whole month to make a start on making babies, I'm sure we can create the same drama and anticipation as the lead up to today. What do you think?"

Rick laced his fingers through hers and kissed her hungrily. "I reckon that's an extraordinarily sensible idea, Mrs Castle," he whispered huskily, nipping and the nape of her neck. "Extraordinarily sensible."

A/N2: See that little box down there? Yep just there. Well it likes to be filled with nice long words telling me how wonderful you think I am. And although it sounds dirty I like to be filled with nice long words telling me how wonderful you think I am too LMAO!