Note: Wow! You guys never fail to amaze me! Thank you so much for your kind words! And to the person who wrote, "I WANT MORE," don't worry, more is coming! I'm sorry I didn't get to update yesterday. I had every intention of writing, but spent a good portion of the afternoon/evening in the ER. I'm okay, but it wasn't fun. So needless to say all of the smiles you brought me were greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to write a review, they really do mean the world to me!

I still don't own Castle.

Chapter 25.

Rick walked out of the bathroom and grinned to himself. Kate was perched on the edge of their bed, the boxes with their wedding bands open on her lap. She was holding his ring, her thumb rubbing softly over the inscription.

"You're supposed to be admiring your ring, it's the one with the pretty diamonds on it," Rick teased as he wrapped his arms around her from behind.

Kate turned to look up at him and smiled. "I know, but this is the ring I'm going to be giving you. This is the ring that is going to be a symbol of our commitment to one another." She paused and grinned devilishly at him. "This is the ring that's going to show all of your fans that you are my husband."

"And to think I thought you were going soft on me babe," he winked. "Now I know the truth. You just want to stake your claim on your ruggedly handsome husband."

She turned and swatted him across the chest. "So what if I do?"

Rick just smirked.

"So you're telling me that there's not a part of you that will be glad to be able to tell people I'm your wife?" she said as she swatted him again.

Rick pulled her closer and planted a kiss on her head. "Of course I can't wait for that." He glanced over at her countdown clock. Wedding Countdown: 3 Days Until You Are Mrs. Rick Castle! "Three days until it's official!"

Kate beamed at him. "I can't wait! I wish it was today."

"Well, I think people would be mad if we decided to elope now," he joked.

"You're probably right," Kate sighed. "I guess I can wait three days."

"I can't tell you how glad I was to make our honeymoon reservations under Mr. and Mrs. Rick Castle," Rick grinned as Kate turned around to stare him in the eye.

"Where might those reservations be?" she asked as she batted her eyelashes at him.

"That won't work on me Missy," he said as he squeezed his eyes shut so he couldn't look at her.

"If you opened your eyes it might…"

"Nope. Not gonna happen!" Rick turned away so he wouldn't be tempted to give in. "Nice try though!"

Kate grumbled and went to stand up but shrieked as Rick turned and pulled her back, tickling her with reckless abandon.

"Rick! Stop!" Kate screamed through her laughter.

"What? Keep going?"

She lost all ability to talk as their laughter filled the room. Kate's arms and legs flailed around and Rick was careful to keep himself out of harms way.

"Okay, okay. You win, I'll stop," Rick finally said as he attempted to catch his breath. He looked down at his hand, which was still wrapped heavily. "Look! It doesn't even hurt or anything. I think I can take my bandage off."

Kate narrowed her eyes at him in an attempt to assess his condition. She bit her bottom lip without realizing it and watched as his eyes darkened with arousal. Rick reached out and pulled Kate to him and crushed her mouth to his. She lost her train of thought. All she could think about was getting him out of his clothes as quickly as possible, that is until she felt rather than saw him wince in pain. Kate pulled back quickly.

"Liar! Your hand hurts. So that's a no, you can't take the bandage off," she said, still breathless from their kiss.

"But Kaaaate," Rick whined as he jutted his lip out rather pathetically.

"No buts! You can take it off Saturday morning like the doctor said, not before." Kate stood up and put her hands on her hips in an attempt to make herself appear strict. It seemed to work.

"Fine," he pouted.

Kate leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. "As much as I'd like to stay and finish what we started, I have to go meet my dad for lunch."

Rick frowned and pulled her to him before he buried his head in her chest. "Do you have to go?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, it'll just be for an hour or two."

"But I'll miss you," he whined again.

"You're pretty pathetic when you're in pain," she teased him. Kate wouldn't admit it, but she would miss him too, which was why she needed to hurry things along. "Go write for a bit and I'll be back before you know it," she said as she wiggled her hips for his benefit.

"Fine," Rick grumbled as he got up. She thought he was going to go straight to the office, so she was surprised when he came up behind her and whirled her around. He kissed her so passionately that when he pulled away she swayed and felt herself go weak in the knees. "One for the road," Rick said huskily as he sauntered out of the room.

Kate turned and gaped at him. That was usually her trick! After a moment, when she was finally able to move, she walked to the office door and poked her head in. Rick was trying to appear busy, but she knew better.

"Tease!"

Rick smirked over the top of his laptop. "I just thought you might like a taste of your own medicine!"

"You'll be in trouble later, Mister," Kate said firmly.

"Can't wait," he grinned. "Love you, say hi to your dad for me."

"Love you too," she told him as she turned and made her way out of the room.

When Kate walked into the diner she saw her dad sitting in their usual booth. He smiled and waved as she made her way down the aisle.

"Hi Dad," she smiled as she leaned across the table to give him a peck on the cheek.

"Hi Katie Bug, are you getting cold feet yet?" Jim winked at her.

Kate laughed. "Nope. My feet are nice and toasty."

"I'm glad, you've got yourself a good man."

"I really do. I'm so happy."

"I know," Jim paused. "I was worried you wouldn't ever get there."

Kate looked down at her hands.

"After your mom died, I know I wasn't there for you like I should have been."

She opened her mouth to speak, but her father just shook his head.

"I couldn't handle your mom not being there. I left you for a while, and I'm sorry. But we found our way back, and for that I am so grateful. Not only have I watched you grow as a cop, which I knew you could do, I have watched you grow as a woman. You've made a life for yourself, Katie. One your mom would be so proud of. I'm so excited to watch you start this new chapter of your life. Marriage, kids, you're going to be such a wonderful mom. I just wish she was here to see you." A tear made its way down her father's cheek.

Kate reached across the table and squeezed his hand. She really wanted to tell him their news, but she wanted to do so with Rick. The moment they got back from their honeymoon they were going to take Martha and her father to dinner to tell them. "I wish she was here too, Dad." She felt the tears run down her face. "She's watching though. I know she is."

Jim smiled at her and nodded. "I can feel it."

She looked down as the waitress stepped over carrying a tray. Kate lifted an eyebrow at her father who shrugged and said, "I ordered your usual."

"Thanks, Dad, I'm starving," she told him as she dug into her burger.

Jim took a bite of his own burger before he exclaimed, "Oh! I almost forgot!" He reached under the table and pulled out a large box. "I found it."

"You did?" Kate had asked her dad to help her with Rick's wedding present. She had racked her brain trying to figure out the perfect gift for her fiancé when she remembered something he had told Captain Montgomery before. The best gift is one she said she wanted when she thought you weren't listening. Kate figured that could work on him too.

After much deliberation because, lets face it, the man had everything, she remembered he had mentioned wanting a certain vintage typewriter for his collection. He had been frustrated because there was a model he couldn't track down, even with all of his connections. It was a Vintage Yost Typewriter, cica 1894, and according to Rick, it was just beautiful.

When her father pulled it out of the box, Kate had to agree. It was in pristine condition, and even though she didn't know typewriters, she could tell this was a gem.

"How did you find this?" she asked with barely contained excitement.

"I know a guy," Jim shrugged stealing Rick's line. He laughed at the surprised expression on his daughter's face. "I do know people too, you know."

"I know you do," Kate told him as she examined the machine in front of her. "This is incredible. He's going to love it."

"He'd love it if you gave him a handmade card Kate, as long as it came from you," he dad reminded her.

She laughed. "You're probably right."

They spent the rest of their meal discussing details of the wedding, but when Kate started to throw around possible honeymoon locations, her father fell silent.

Kate gaped at him. "You know, don't you?"

Jim avoided her gaze.

"Dad!"

"Sorry Katie Bug, I told Rick I'd keep it a secret. Just know that you'll enjoy yourself."

She scowled a moment before giving in and grinning at her dad. "He's gone to a lot of trouble to keep this a secret, it must be amazing."

He nodded. "He loves you."

"I love him too."

Jim left Kate with the promise that he would take care of wrapping the typewriter and bringing it to the wedding so she didn't have to hide it from Rick. He would have no idea. Kate loved surprising Rick. As much as she teased him about acting like a little boy, one of her favorite things was to watch his face light up like a kid on Christmas. She hoped this would do the trick.

When Kate opened the door to the loft she expected to hear Rick typing from his office, but was surprised when all she heard was silence. She went from room to room but he wasn't anywhere to be seen. Just when she was starting to get worried she walked int their bathroom to find him asleep in the tub. She smiled to herself and knelt down next to his head and swept the hair out of his eyes.

Rick blinked sleepily up at her. "Hey, you just get home?"

"Yeah. Did you eat?"

"I'm sitting here naked in the tub and you ask if I've eaten?" he asked incredulously.

Kate laughed. "Priorities! I've got to make sure you keep your strength up. You know, for later," she winked at him.

"In that case, no I haven't eaten yet," Rick grinned up at her.

"I'll go fix you something." Kate leaned down and kissed his brow before she left the room.

By the time Rick got out of the tub and changed, Kate had finished preparing a mozzarella, tomato, basil Panini for him. She was just putting it on a plate when he walked in, wearing a pair of jeans with the blue shirt that she loved, still unbuttoned. When he smirked in her direction, she knew he had done it on purpose. Just for that she was going to have to pretend she hadn't noticed. She could do that. Hopefully.

"Made you a Panini," Kate said as she set the plate down in front of him.

"Smells delicious." He took a bite. "Tastes delicious. Thanks." Rick leaned forward and kissed her across the counter. "What did I do to deserve such treatment?"

"You're just you," she said simply, which earned her a grin in response.

"Sap," Rick teased.

"What can I say, Mr. Castle? You bring out the sap in me." Kate moved around the counter and wrapped her arms around him from behind.

"I love you," he told her as he took another bite.

"I love you - " Kate started but was interrupted by a sharp pain in her stomach. She inhaled deeply and Rick swiveled around.

"Kate?" he asked, worry etched across his face.

The pain subsided. "I'm okay," she said as she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. But when she went to stand up straight the pain shot through her stomach once more.

"What's wrong?" Rick tried his best to keep his face calm, but inside he was panicking.

"It's my stomach. I keep - " she was interrupted by the pain again. After a moment it subsided again. "It's okay again."

"Why don't we go over to the hospital?" he suggested as he led her to the door. "Just to get things checked out."

Kate nodded and looked up at him. "Rick, I'm scared. What if something's wrong with Peanut?"

Rick paused and placed his hands on her cheeks. He traced his thumbs in circles before he kissed her brow. "It's going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay." Rick hoped he was right.

I don't know if that typewriter is actually really hard to find or if it just expensive. But I loved it when I was researching and found it on eBay, so I couldn't resist putting it in here! Also I know I'm leaving you on a cliffhanger, but please trust me and stick with it! Thanks for reading, please share your thoughts! xoKristen