Change of Heart

by Castlefan6

Authors Note: Thisis my SEQUEL to AU version to a different outcome from the RISE episode in Canon COURSE CORRECTION and UNEXPECTED DETOUR, you will need to read those first to understand this work. This picks up exactly where we left off, no time jumps longer than a few months.

I don't own Castle; I use the characters for amusement purposes only

Chapter 3

Previously

"Well she wants you Mandy and I to help her with her dress and arrangements, Rick is calling in a favor if needed from a senator to get permission for Shane, he's accepted that she wants, no needs to be with him till he ships out. Can you come over, I know you have the party tonight, so when can you make it?" Kate asked

"The hell with the party, someone else can babysit those idiots, I'll be over in 45 minutes, would that be OK?" She asked

"You know it would be Gina, you may want to bring your sleep clothes I have a feeling none of us are going to bed anytime soon tonight, not because we're celebrating." Kate whispered

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Castle's Loft

New Year's Eve

Thursday, December 31st

6:42 PM

Gina arrived with a small bag less than 30 minutes after Kate called her, as Kate opened the door, she was greeted with a hug,

"How upset is our girl Kate?" Gina asked, it was very apparent that she had been crying.

"She's with Daddy now, like you told me, no one else will do but her Dad, they've been in his office almost twenty minutes now, "Kate replied, as Gina made her way through the living room, hugging Mandy and Gary. Poor Shane sat on the window sill looking out into space, Gina crossed the room, pulled him into a hug.

"I know you are worried about her Shane, but once she gets this out of her system, her and her Dad talk it out, well she'll be right here for you. She's strong, so don't worry, you didn't hurt her, it's part of life, and your job, it sucks, but still part of life." Gina whispered into Shane's ear so only he could hear,

He nodded, hugged her back, then returned to his position, staring out the window. He knew his job, he had counted on this when he enlisted, he hadn't counted on leaving anyone behind when he deployed, especially not a wife. He loved her, but was struggling, what if he met the same fate of his Dad?

Mandy could sense what he was thinking, she took his hand, and gently pulled him into a hug,

"Son, can you and I talk, just the two of us? I know you're grown, you don't need advice, but I think I know what's going through your mind. I just want to give you the perspective Alexis is coming from if I may, OK?" she asked

Shane rose, pulled his Mom into a hug as they walked into a guest room and closed the door, it seemed like Alexis may have needed Daddy, Shane wasn't to big or too proud to know that Mom was the one person who could tell him how to make this all better.

"OK Mom, you wanted to talk, and before you start, Thanks for all you have done all my life, and thanks for being here now, we both need you now."

"I know Son, I was thinking, your Dad and I had this conversation before his first deployment, he was hell bent on not getting married and leaving a young widow. Well we fought like hell, wasted two good days of his R&R before your Grandmother, rest her soul, even though she didn't like me gave your Dad the advice I am about to give you.

She asked Johnny if he thought I loved him. He of course knew it and told her, just like we all know you and Alexis love each other. The next question floored your Dad, she came right out, "if the situation were reversed would you trade one moment with Mandy as your wife, knowing you would lose her or would you make every second count, and don't tell me it's different. I don't buy that bullshit."

"NaNa was a terror; I remember that even as young as I was" Shane laughed

"Yeah, well as a Mother-in-Law, I will say this, she kept her nose out of our marriage, as for raising you well," Mandy laughed,

"So, Shane, what's your issue, do you love Alexis enough to marry her someday?"

"Of course, Mom, you know I do, I wouldn't have asked her if I didn't"

"Do you understand why she wants to marry you before you deploy, forget the outcomes, just do you understand? As a wife she would be able to know what's going on, as a fiancé she would be at the mercy of your next of kin, and Son, who do you want making life or death decisions for you at this point in your life? Do you trust her with your life? She's trusting hers to you, so what is the objection son?"

"I understand Mom, but I don't want her to end up…..." he paused when he realized what he was about to say,

"It's OK Son, you can say it, you don't want her to end up like me, with a flag folded three corners, old letters, just a picture on the table, and some silver medals and sweet memories. She doesn't either Shane, BUT if God forbid it happens, she will have the time you spent together to sustain her.

The memory of your Dad, and you, that's what kept me going, some days I cried when you were asleep, but you would always wake up and put your little arm around me the way you saw your Dad do, and I felt him there all over. Son don't cheat Alexis out of this part of your life, she would die if she lost you, and regardless of your marital status, the hurt is the same.

I know that all too well Son, if you love her, marry her and make as many memories as you can in the time you have. Hold on to those memories to get you home, then make a lifetime more" Mandy gets out before her tears begin,

"OK Mom, you're right, it was stupid, I just hope Alexis didn't think I was putting it off because I didn't love her, I mean*"

"She didn't, she's having a Daddy moment, sometimes even when you two are married you are going to have to realize just how much she loves her Dad. Don't get jealous Son, sometimes daughters need their dads."

"And sometimes boys, no matter now big or tough they think they are, still need their Mom's. I need you Mom and I love you so much, just be happy with Gary. I'm so sorry I was an idi*"

"Shhh no more, Gary loves you too, no one will ever take Johnny's place, but there is room in my heart to love Gary as well. I know he still loves Grace, even though she's gone, I will still be second, and that's OK. At this stage of our lives, we are what each other need."

Mandy and Shane walk out of their talk just as Alexis comes out of Rick's office, they hold hands, kiss, and then silently go sit down, lost in each other's eyes.

"I won't ask if you're OK, but are you better baby? I just have to wait for permission then we can plan our wedding, and for the record, I can't wait to have you as Mrs. Reynolds." Shane tried to smile,

"I know, but I promise you we will be married, Dad has already called Uncle Bob and he's standing by to call the Senator and a few other friends. You better start planning your part, the Vows, I mean if you want to write our own?" She looked up at her future husband through her tear-filled eyes,

He gently took her face kissed her softly on the lips then kissed below each eye, as if he were kissing away her tears. Mandy sat and watched fighting back her tears, as he said, "Mom used to kiss away my tears, she never told me not to cry, just that she would always be there to kiss them away, and so will I Alexis, I love you more than life itself."

"That sounds like a perfect part of vows to me, I'm going to hold you too it," Alexis tried to smile,

The men gathered in Rick's office, Gina took charge and sequestered the Den, closing it off to anyone but the ladies. She had called in her designer, the one Black Pawn did a hefty business with, and he was on his way over with ideas for Alexis's wedding gown, who needed to go to a party anyway.

Gary asked Shane, "Are you using your Blues, or should we round up a Tux for your big day Shane?"

"I don't know Gary, I'm torn, in one way I would love to be in my blues, in another I am fearful what it would mean, well, if eh," He stumbled

"You mean what would Alexis think should something happen to you, would she have good or bad memories, Son, ask her, don't assume. I can tell you when we guess we're wrong more times than we are right, but I'm betting she says wear the Blues" Rick said smiling.

Shane didn't have any chance of seeing his fiancé now that Mom Gina, Mandy and Kate had secured the area, so he sent her a text.

"Dearest Wife to be, I have a question but you are in a secure location, and the security is to tough for me to breach, so this will have to do. Would you prefer I wear a Tuxedo or my Dress Blues the day I change your name to Mrs. Shane Reynolds? I love you, if I haven't said that in the last hour, I am good with whatever you want for our wedding. The only thing I want is to walk away with you, officially my other half. God knows you complete me, so sorry, Blues or Tux? Love Hubby to be, Shane in case you couldn't figure which of the men madly in love with you sent this", and then two lines were filled with heart emojis.

The phone pinged in the Den, Alexis opened her phone to see a text from Shane, and though that was odd why was he texting her. Then she saw Gina directing the staff, and the large piece of blue tape on the carpet telling everyone to stay clear of that line, Mom had set up her zone.

She opened the text and giggled as she read Shane's note, she debated internally for a moment, then typed

"I'm marrying a U.S. Marine who I am so very proud of, and would be honored to stand next to him in his dress blues as we become one. Those other men don't have a chance when I think of you, which is always. I can't wait to change my name to Mrs. Shane Reynolds as well, and I love you too." She added smiley, angels and three rows of heart emojis.

Shane opened his text, and simply said, "Alexis wants Dress Blues so I am all set, in the clothing department. I just have to find a way to get to a jewelry store to buy the bands that will go will her engagement ring." He stated proudly.

"Don't worry about that, I have my jeweler coming up, and once we decide our three choices, he can show Alexis, that way she will know she'll like the design, BUT it will still be a surprise, will that work Son?" Shane didn't miss the fact that now Rick was calling him Son, so he replied,

"Thanks Dad, we really don't know what we would do without the support of all of you. I know this is huge for you, but I promise you, I will treat your little girl, the way I want my Mom and someday, we pray my own little girl to be treated." He smiled at Rick and Gary both.

"That's why I'm fine with this Shane, you may not know what you're getting yourself into but I can tell you, Alexis was going to marry you before you left one way or another. I know her, and she won't quit till she meets or exceeds her goal. I had two choices, help and make our kids happy, or pitch a fit and run the risk of damaging a relationship that I am so proud of with my girl."

A few hours later, Shane received permission from his CO, and the Chaplain. Rick had arranged to rent the entire Chapel and receiving area of St. Charles Episcopal Church, for the following Friday January 8th. Alexis would have her gown late Wednesday, final fitting early Thursday morning, along with her shoes, Gina had seen to everything.

Shane and Alexis had picked out each's top three choices for wedding bands, and unknown to anyone but Harold, Rick's jeweler, choices 1 and 2 were identical to each other. Kate had started working on ideas for the Vows, Mandy contacted the florist, Gina the caterer, so everything was coming together quickly.

Martha was not going to be able to get back in time, so Rick arranged for a camera feed and it be sent via Skype to her in Paris. She was in tears, when Alexis called her with the news but understood the urgency of having the wedding now.

Finally, 5 hours after the first command of Get out of here, came the smoke had cleared. Gina took the barricade down, satisfied that her girl would have the gown, shoes and accessories she wanted. The entire group realized it had been a long time since they had eaten, and that they were only minutes away from the New Year.

Rick called and ordered Chinese food as they all gathered around the TV with Dick Clark, spending the last 15 minutes of the old year, locked in their thoughts, emotions, and regrets from the year just passed. In a few minutes the slate would be wiped clean, everyone got a new chance for new dreams, resolutions, and changes.

This family was going to experience changes that no one could anticipate, but at this time of year looked forward to with fresh eyes. New young love was in bloom with Alexis and Shane, Gina found someone who loved her just as she was, lost love regained with Gary and Mandy, and two less lonely people in the world now that Kate had gotten her priorities straight and found her one and done with Rick. No one could see the storms of life coming, but were confident in their love that they would survive, time would tell.