Going It Alone

Chapter 14 – Putting Matters To Rest

Dinner at Ruth Chris

As they follow the Hostess to their table, they see that Greg and Kyra are already there and have ordered wine. Greetings are exchanged in the form of handshakes and hugs. They all seat themselves and Kyra is the first to speak.

"We are so glad you agreed to have dinner we thought it appropriate to do this in person," she says, "I just hope that my request did not cause strain on your relationship Kate and Rick."

She gives an apologetic look to Kate that simply says it all.

Then Greg speaks, "There is a change here that may have caused us to request too soon Rick's help. Had we waited, we could have avoided any stress for all of us".

"Yes, I acted too impulsively and for that we, I, want to apologize face to face. It seems that Greg's first cousin is willing to be a sperm donor here. Greg had asked him without my knowledge,"

"And that is my fault for not telling Kyra, but I was trying not to disappoint her again with false hope if my cousin did not agree. This development is the best for us. The child will share our DNA's. Something I had wanted in our child, even if it turned out it would only be Kyra's DNA. But this is more than I had hoped for. The child will have Murphy DNA!"

By the look on both Kate and Rick's faces, you can tell they are truly relieved. Both of them had not wanted to disappoint the couple.

"Honestly," responds Kate, "we are truly happy for you. When Rick told me of your request, I was conflicted. Knowing how Rick felt about you, Kyra, I could tell he was torn between helping you without causing me angst. And as I told Rick, I wanted to be the only woman to bear his next child."

"I completely understand, and that is why we wanted to talk to both of you, face to face. We owed that much to you for whatever anxiety and stress my request may have caused", Kyra tells them.

"We hope you can accept our apologies", Greg says, backing up Kyra's statement.

"No apologies needed, we are happy for you.", Rick replies, "This whole situation has shown to me how much Kate loves me and how much I want her to be with me. So, to ease Kate's mind on this matter, I want to do something here to put her anxieties to rest".

Rick stands up from his chair, and as he does, he pulls a velvet clad box from his pocket. He stands in front of Kate, and then goes down on one knee, and opens the small box.

"Katherine Beckett, make me the happiest man in the world, marry me and accept my ring".

Kate is completely stunned and surprised. She stands up from her chair. Her mouth is open in sheer shock, and her one hand is covering her mouth. She is speechless. There is a couple seconds of silence from her, she is trying to find her voice. Then in the background, she hears Kyra's voice.

"Say yes Kate, Rick is what you deserve. And you are what Rick deserves."

Kyra's suggestion brings Kate out of her silence, "Yes, yes, what Kyra said, yes, a million times yes".

Rick places the ring on Kate's finger.

"It is so big", Kate says as she admires the ring on her finger.

"That is because you fingers are so small", Rick replies humorously.

The couple kiss in a passion filled embrace.

The serving staff had brought out their dinners, and were all standing around, holding the dinner plates, as they observed the whole marriage proposal. The other diners in the restaurant were clapping along with the other restaurant staff not serving, and Kyra and Greg had also embraced out of sheer joy for Rick and Kate. When the excitement settles, they sit down for their dinner. The dinner is lively, filled with happy talks all during the meal.

Flash Forward, Six Months

Their Hampton Beach house was dress in full regalia for the wedding of the year. They had tried to keep the guest list down to just 150 guests, but it had grown to almost 240 guests.

Heading all the bride's maid was Lanie Parish, as Maid of Honor. In an unusual move, there was a joint Best Man, Javi carried Kate's Ring, and Ryan carried Rick's ring.

As Jim Beckett came up to walk his daughter down the Isle and present her to Rick , he tells Kate, "Your mother would have loved this, but know that she is here Katie. She sees you and is happy for you".

"Thank you dad for being here for me and for Mom."

The couple exchanges vows and then commence with the wedding dinner after being announced as husband and wife. It is the social event of the year for their Hampton neighborhood.

After the Reception and Dinner

Most of the guest had already left. Remaining behind for the 'after dinner' events were relatives and close friends. They had decided to open the gifts so they could inventory and record who gave what for the Thank You letters that Paula would created for the couple.

After all the gifts are opened, Rick stands to rejoin the group, but is pulled back to his seat by Kate.

"Where are you heading Mr. Castle without your wife?", she teases Rick.

"Really Mrs. Castle., I thought you were right behind me as my faithful wife."

"What! Just hours married and you expect me to be the obedient Stepford wife!"

"Why not, I followed you around for years."

"In your dreams Writer Man."

"Yeah, but I'm your writer man."

"That you are, and I don't share, besides there is one more gift you haven't open."

She pulls out a small rectangular box and gives it to Rick.

"A wedding gift from my wife. Is that not unusual for this traditional event?" Rick asks.

"Since when have we ever been a traditional couple Rick?"

"Touché", he replies, and then looks at the small box that is so elegantly wrapped, "I wonder what this could be?"

Rick shakes the box and then perks up his ears trying to hear any sound coming from the box, " It is really small, oh", he says, "This isn't your wedding night sleep wear contained in such a small box, that would make the attire really small and tiny".

Rick's look is lustful as he thinks what type of sleep wear his new wife might have chosen for their wedding night celebrations that could fit in such a small box.

"Mind out of the gutter Rick", she tells him while giving him her patented Beckett look.

"Oh, I know what it is, handcuffs, NYPD issued. Remember my safe word is Apples", he teases back at her.

"Castle!", she says as she twists his ear.

"Ouch, Okay, okay, Apples, already, opening the box", says Rick rubbing his ear.

When the box is open, Rick pulls out a test strip that is reading 'positive'.

"No,…..are we?", Rick says in surprised shock!

"Yes, we are", replies Kate happily to her new husband.

"Best! Wedding! Gift! Ever!"

The wedding guests remaining during this whole reveal are clapping for them.

The Wedding NIght

Rick is sitting on the ottoman at the foot of their bed, waiting for his wife to join him. She exits their bathroom wearing her kimono robe that Rick enjoyed so much because it showed off their beautiful long legs.

"Rick," I know you wanted your wedding gift from me to be some really skimpy night wear, but I could not gift it, and have you open it for everyone to see. So I am wearing it now."

Rick swallows hard, "you mean it is under your robe?"

"Yes", she says as she undoes the cloth tie and lets the robe fall to the floor.

"Oh", he says, "you're…..wearing…ah… your birthday suit, which is my favorite sleep wear for you!"

"It comes with accessories, check out the drawer to your night stand."

Rick excitedly goes to his night stand, opens the drawer and then pulls out a pair of NYPD cuffs.

"Well, are you going to read me my rights."

"Oh yes, I forgot", says Rick clearing his throat, "you have the right to not be silent, whatever you say or scream out, will be held against you in this bed. You have the right to a climax, should one not happen, I will continue to provide for one, or more. Do you understand these rights as I have stated."

"Yes, I do officer."

"Assume the position."

Kate gets in bed, and sitting up, leans against the headboard. She raises her arms up in a cross like manner, resting them on the top of the headboard. Rick takes her right hand and cuffs it to the bed post. He does the same to her left hand. He loves this role play as much as his wife does. They are often playful in bed, but tonight, it is an extra special and memorable wedding night for the Castles.

"Remember", she says, "my safe word is Cherries."