Small Moments at a Wedding

"The flash took him by surprise - white light filling his peripheral vision without warning. He looked toward the source and couldn't help but smile at the sight. Beckett... his Beckett... notoriously tormented by the weight of the world's problems Beckett... was giddy. Was Katherine Beckett the kind of woman to get caught up in the magic of a wedding? She had always played it cool when the wedding was brought up at work, brushing it off as something she really didn't have much interest in... but seeing her now, genuinely buzzing with joy for her friends... well, this side of the complex Katherine Beckett had sure captured Castle's full attention.

"She embraced Ryan with a weightlessness he hadn't seen in her in too long. She was uninhibited, unaffected by the stresses of the world outside of this church. She was here for the now, focused solely on one thing... her brother's wedding. He felt nothing but admiration when he saw Jenny at the top of the stairs. The soon-to-be Mrs Ryan was a picture of beauty and elegance. Beckett reached out and held Ryan's shoulders, stopping him from turning to see his future wife too soon. She obviously believed in the superstitions surrounding wedding days - or, at the very least, went along with them. An unexpected discovery, but interesting.

"You know, I gotta say... I kinda envy him." He said after Esposito escorted Ryan to the front of the church, ready for the ceremony to begin.

"Well... who knows Castle, maybe third times a charm." She shrugged - a measured act of nonchalance - but the smile that crept through her facade spoke volumes. It urged him not to give up... not yet.

"Yeah. Could be." He held his arm out, bent at the elbow. "Shall we?" She looked down at his arm, but didn't hesitate to link hers. Together, they walked down the aisle before taking their place next to Lanie and Toby.

He tried to remain focused throughout the ceremony, but his mind couldn't help but wander... to daydream.

He couldn't help but notice the evident gap between Beckett and Lanie - enough that he could see the wooden pew peaking out from between them - and yet she was sitting firmly pressed against his side.

He couldn't help but pay attention to the careful movements of her fingers as they cautiously brushed against the edge of his thigh. Or that - occasionally - she would rest her head on his shoulder momentarily, only shifting to create distance between them when they caught Lanie's attention. He wasn't sure if that was a conscious decision she was making or not - but the amused looks the ME continued to send his way were confirmation enough that he was not imagining these tiny interactions.

The crowd cheered as the newlyweds walked down the aisle, hand in hand, looking happier than ever. For the first time since they had taken their seats, he felt the warmth of Beckett's body leave his side. Even as they stood, she was close enough to be felt. He turned to make sure she was okay - to make sure she hadn't suddenly regretted the closeness she had allowed - only to find her wiping her friends tears and laughing at the absurdity of them both weeping... as if they were the only ones. He offered them both a tissue, for this wasn't his first rodeo... having escorted his mother and daughter to a wedding earlier that year, he knew to come prepared.

The four of them turned, ready to exit the pew, but the aisles was crowded with the family members of two large Irish families, all eager to exit the church and catch up with the newlyweds. Castle turned back to face the rest of his newly formed group.

"Every man for himself... regroup outside." He tossed his hand in front of him, palm facing down toward the ground. They all looked on, confused. He placed his other hand on top. "In three... two... one... break!" He threw both hands up. Beckett and Lanie rolled their eyes, catching on to what he had intended on happening.

Feeling brave, castle reached down to grab Beckett's hand, intertwining their fingers. He stepped into the crowd of people, pulling Beckett along with him. She tightened her grab and pulled herself closer to him so that she wouldn't get left behind. Together, they weaved through the crowd of mingling families until they reached the edge of the crowd outside. They break away from the people and stand in the shade of a tree to the side of the church.

"Hey, if I were to get married again... please remind me of the benefits of a large, open space."

Beckett smiled and nodded. "I can do that."

"We should have made a break for it while the happy couple were still in there!" Lanie called out as she approached them, Toby in tow. She looked down, eying the two hands still firmly intertwined. Beckett pulled away, using that hand to tuck her hair behind her ear - an obvious excuse to create distance between them again but he would let that slide given their present, overly observant company.

They entered the reception venue and marvelled at the beauty. The modest ball room was decorated with crisp whites and rich golds. Where they entered had lead them to a large dance floor. To their left was the bar and a photo booth setup. Directly ahead of them, across the dance floor, was five rows of tables headed by the wedding party's table.

"Can you guys find our seats? We're gonna hit the ladies room." Lanie barely allowed any time for them to answer, before grabbing Beckett's wrist and pulling her toward the lavatories.

Together, Castle and Toby walked the length of the tables searching for their name cards. After a few minutes, they found them, at the back end of the centre table. Castle smiled when he noticed Alexis' card had already been swapped out for Beckett's. As the men sat at their respective seats, Castle looked toward the bar and noticed the girls had ended up there.

"Kate is... wonderful." Toby smiled when he gained the writer's attention. He was obviously making small talk, but Castle was confused as to why Beckett was his chosen topic.

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, she's great." Castle looked back to the women at the bar. Beckett was already looking his direction and offered him a smile and a small wave, before bringing an imaginary cup to her mouth and mouthing 'drink?'. He smiled and nodded. "Have you met her before today?" He asked when he returned his attention to Lanie's date.

"Yeah, earlier this year. My boyfriend and I did a little birthday get together for Lanie's birthday and she brought Kate. She's sweet." Castle couldn't help but think of the merciless teasing he had been subject to over the years... and yet, sweet is exactly how he would describe her. "How long have you been together?"

"We're not." He spat out, perhaps a little too quickly. "We... uh, no. We aren't -"

He was interrupted, distracted by Toby's chuckle. "Friends don't look at friends that way." He offered. "But I'm just an observer... I don't know your story, man."

Esposito took his seat beside Castle, his cousin sitting next to him. "What did we miss?"

"I was just making an ass of myself." Toby explained. Esposito offered no more than a raised eyebrow to indicate he required further information. "I mistook the nature of Rick's friendship with Kate."

The statement seemed to jog Esposito's memory. "Yeah, Castle... what's the go there? You two seemed pretty comfortable there, holding hands as you left the church." He waggled his eyebrows, jokingly.

"We we're just trying to push through the crowd." Castle defended.

He was sure Esposito was going to push for more information, but as he watched he saw his friends eyes flick up to behind him. Before he could turn to see what Esposito was looking at, a glass was placed in front of him and he heard Beckett's voice.

"I didn't know what you'd want..." she trailed off when she noticed all three men were looking at her, Castle seeming particularly tense. "What's going on?" She asked, smiling cautiously.

"Nothing." Castle answered, not giving anyone else a chance to speak up. He picked up the drink and sipped it, eager to change the subject. "This is great, thank you. Not the cheap stuff either... thank you Mr and Mrs Ryan."

Beckett took her seat next to Castle and leant closer to him. "Everything okay?" She whispered, trying not to show how concerned she was by Castle's sudden withdrawal.

"Absolutely perfect." He placed a hand on her knee, the physical contact cementing his notion that everything was fine.

"So what is it about weddings that you love so much?" Castle asked. Meals were finished and the other seats at their table were beginning to empty as guests began to mingle, dance and drink.

"Who said I love weddings?" She insisted, with a smile.

"Well, you've definitely worked hard to keep up the charade... but I can see right through you. You've been as giddy as a little girl on Christmas morning all day." In this moment, his face - adorned by a beaming smile - could light up a room.

"I don't know." She answered truthfully, looking around and taking in the scene around her. Everyone was happy, smiling and dancing. Family and friends coming together to celebrate the people they cherish... celebrating their love.

Her eyes found Ryan and Jenny on the dance floor - completely caught up in one another, as if the rest of the world didn't matter right now... just the two of them - and she couldn't help but smile. "There's just something beautiful about finding that... stability. We live in a world of chaos..." she looked back to Castle, holding his gaze. "What we do... we all need to find our Jenny... but not many of us do. So when it does happen... we celebrate."

Castle didn't speak. He absorbed her words, their heaviness weighing on him. He wanted to hold her, to tell her that he could be hers. That he was right here, waiting for her. That he could help her bring light into the darkness of their world. But he had heard her - loud and clear - when she had told him she needed time. And so time is what he would give her.

She could feel the tenderness that exuded from him, the intimacy in this moment, the love lurking behind his eyes. The sting of betrayal tugged at her - she never should have lied to him. She never should have told him she didn't remember his confession... but it was too late now. What's done is done, there's no going back... only forward. And going forward, she was going to make things right.

He held his hand out and cleared his throat. "May I have this dance?" She looked to his palm - open and ready for hers - then to meet his eyes. She could feel curious eyes from across the table on her. "Come on... it's your favourite song."

Her heart fluttered at his statement. She loved that he remembered the small things. She bit her lower lip as she contemplated the potential ramifications of a simple dance - but ultimately, she did not care. She smiled as she took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor.

He placed a hand delicately on her waist and pulled her in closer. Her hands found their home on his shoulders as he settled his other hand on her lower back, her body pressing against his. Chest to chest and face to face, they began to sway to the music. An unfamiliar nervousness settled in him, brought on by how willing she was to let him hold her close. But nervous wasn't his style... and he wasn't about to let that feeling settle for too long. Mustering whatever confidence he could, he cautiously gave himself permission to test the waters. Slowly, he allowed his hands to traipse across her hips and waist, memorising the feel of whatever parts of her body she would allow. He knew he was playing a dangerous game - that there was a good chance that allowing himself to think like this would end in him carrying the broken pieces of his heart home - but anything felt possible right now. And this... this felt right.

Her arms snaked around his neck and they felt impossibly close. He could feel her relax into his arms as she buried her face into the crook of his neck. He could feel the swell of his heart in his chest as he savoured a moment he could have only dreamed of before now. If he had it his way, he would hold her like this all night long. The world around them, be damned.

He could feel her pulling away from him as the song came to an end, and he had to beg himself not to ruin the moment by holding her too tight and refusing to let her go. He readied his game face - he wouldn't show her how much he was already missing her in his arms - but the best he could achieve was a weak smile. He could mentally kick himself... he should have been more convincing than that. He'd been playing this game for too long now - this should have been second nature by now.

"I could use a bit of fresh air." Her eyes drifted to the door, then back to him. "Want to go for a walk?"

He subconsciously sought out Lanie. Once he had visual and could see she had taken a break from her unnecessary supervision duties, he looked back to Beckett's wide eyes. "That sounds like a great idea."

"They exited the ballroom and were met by a comforting quietness. The music and laughter echoed into the hallway, but it was muffled and distant. They walked the length of the hallway slowly and in silence, occasionally bumping shoulders or grazing their pinky fingers. Once they reached the gardens, they stopped to take in the scenery - luxurious green lawn and a canopy of twinkle lights bordered by white rose bushes - and breathe in the garden-fresh air.

As they stood side-by-side, the silence between them was broken by her voice, soft and wary, "you were uncomfortable, earlier." She doesn't ask again - everything okay? but he knows the question lingers.

"It's nothing." He assured her, but she was anything but convinced. She turned to face him, to make sure she had an unobstructed view of his face... to make sure she could read him. The glow of twinkle lights reflected in her eyes, making them glisten. Her genuine concern made his facade melt away. "Toby thought we were together."

She nodded, but she was confused. They had been fending off remarks about the exact nature of their relationship pretty much their entire partnership. He could see that she didn't fully understand, and so he continued.

"Espo had questions... apparently. Made a comment about me holding your hand. You know, just usual Espo stuff... but I didn't want you to feel, I don't know... put on the spot, I guess."

She smiled, holding back the threat of a laugh. In response, he cocked his head and raised an eyebrow.

"Lanie missed that memo. She made a similar comment and bombarded me with questions of her own."

"She's your best friend... wouldn't she already be in the loop if something had happened here?"

There was logic behind his assumptions - Lanie, more often than not, was not only privy to the events of her day to day life, but also a sounding board of sorts. The ME had guided her through many of her toughest decisions. But there was a protective border around her relationship with Castle... one that even her most trusted companion was yet to be invited in to.

"Maybe." She says, before suddenly finding something of apparent importance in the grass. "Maybe not at first." She continues, refusing to meet his eyes again.

"No?"

"Maybe I'd be compelled to keep it secret... just for a little bit. Keep it... just us."

Her answer made him think that this wasn't a comment made 'on the spot'. That this was something she had actually thought about. He studied her, waiting for the punchline... waiting for her to laugh and confess to it all being a joke. But she didn't.

A gentle breeze flowed through the air and a shiver jolted through her. He sprung into action, shrugging his jacket off of his shoulders and wrapping it around hers. She smiled as she threaded her arms through.

"Sorry to be such a cliché... but I can't have you freezing on me... again." He joked, laughing at his throwback. She rolled her eyes but he caught the slight chuckle that escaped before she could turn away.

"It's okay, Castle." She turned to face him again, inching closer. "I really don't mind a cliché every now and then."

The twinkle lights swayed in the breeze. The gentle white light danced across her face and flickered in her eyes - in his opinion, she was the most beautiful thing in this world. Her eyes drifted to his lips, before flicking back up to meet his. His heart beat was strong, urging him that it was now or never... don't miss the moment. He took a small step toward her and she shifted into him. There were mere inches in between them and he knew that she would have pulled away by now if she didn't want this. He was breathing her air, feeling the heat of each breath against his face. He got distracted by her fingers tracing across the material covering his bicep, and looked down. When he looked back to her face, he was met by a beaming smile that wiped away all lingering traces of hesitation. She wants this... just as much as he does.

His hands came to rest either side of her jaw, guiding her as their lips collide. He could feel her hands firm against his chest - but she doesn't push him away. After a split second, she balled her fists around the material of his shirt and pulls her body into his, deepening the kiss as his hands fall to her lower back, holding her against him.

They had controlled themselves during the too long cab ride back to his loft - a decision made on proximity alone. They had controlled themselves during the seemingly never-ending elevator ride to his level. But now they were at his door - it swinging open before their eyes - and they couldn't control themselves any longer.

He grabbed her waist as his mouth captured hers, and pushed her into the loft. He felt around clumsily until he found the door, swinging it shut once they had stumbled through. It slammed shut and - oh dear god he hoped Alexis and his mother hadn't come home early.

He unenthusiastically pulled himself from their kiss, listening carefully. They had made enough noise that, if someone was home, they would have rushed downstairs by now to see what was happening. Her hands stayed firm on his biceps while she waited patiently. Not hearing anything, he was satisfied that they were, indeed, alone.

He kissed her again, ferociously. If he had been lost in the desert, her lips were water - a life source that he so desperately needed. Her fingers combed through his hair as she breathed him in like oxygen. They were both fuelled by passion and need.

She pulled his jacket from her shoulders, tossing it to the accent chair to the left. She went to pull away when she heard the gentle thud of the material slipping to the floor.

"Leave it." He growled against her lips, not wanting to feel the loss of her warmth against him. She nodded into him before making a start on his buttons.

One... two... three... she expertly manoeuvred them through their holes, one after the other, with ease. Four... five... Once they were all undone, she tugged the material out from where it was tucked into his pants. She lightly grazed her fingernails up his abdomen, across his chest and shoulders, sending shivers up his spine. She pushed the material back off his shoulders and let it drop. He tugged where it clung to his wrists until it fell to the floor.

She took a step back, grabbing his hands and leading him toward his bedroom. Once they walked through the door, he brought his hands to either side of her neck. He brought her lips back to his as he tangled his fingers in her hair. He balled his fist, gently tugging on the entangled hair, causing a small moan to escape her throat. He used the leverage to pull her face away from his - to look into her eyes - and she offered a small, reassuring smile.

He slid the zip down the length of her back, pulling the material forward. She released her grip of his waist so that she could pull her arms out of her sleeves. Her dress stayed firm at her waist and he took a moment to admire the black lace bralette before helping her wriggle the dress over her hips, eager to see more of her. As she stepped out of her dress - leaving it in a pile on his floor - he placed a hand on each hip and held her at an arms distance. He brushed his thumb along her hipbone, tracing the edge of the matching black lace panties as he admired the sight.

She intertwined her fingers with his, bringing his hands to her back and closing the distance between them so that she could whisper in his ear. "You can keep them, if you like them so much."

Her breath against his neck and the sultry husk of her voice fuelled the fire within and his jaw tightened - no more teasing. His mouth pressed against hers and his hands roamed her bare skin, discovering her... learning her... cherishing her.

Tonight would be all about her - about loving her, pleasing her, proving to her that they connect in a way that is totally unique to them... that they have something that cannot be replicated or replaced.

He was sure that tonight would be the start of something beautiful...

He didn't expect to see her - for her to still be here once he woke up - but here she was, still wrapped securely in his arms. He knew they had a lot to talk about - that the events of last night had opened a can of worms that could not be ignored - but for now, he just wanted to savour this moment. He placed a kiss on the top of her head, inadvertently waking her. As she stirred in his arms, his heart began to race. He wasn't sure how she would feel about last night - neither of them were drunk but he couldn't deny that there was a chance alcohol was a factor in what had happened.

"Stop staring... it's creepy." She mumbled, not opening her eyes yet. Her fight or flight mode hadn't been triggered, which could only be a good sign. He held her tighter and she buried her head into his chest. She wasn't in any hurry to leave. After a moments embrace she tilts her head, placing a kiss on his neck and pushing herself out of his arms. Once free she stretched and moaned, and he seized an opportunity, pulling down the sheets and taking in her full form.

"Are you right, Castle?" She grabbed the sheet and covered herself.

"Better than alright... but you're ruining the view." He tugged at the sheet again, playfully, but she didn't relent her grip. She sat up, shuffling back so that she could lean back against the headboard.

She rubbed her eyes, trying to erase the sleepiness of a long night. "Alexis and Martha are home." She stifled a yawn. "They got in around 4am."

"You didn't sleep?" He asked, concerned about the possibility that she was awake and overthinking.

She shook her head. "Light sleeper... I heard the door." She reached out and grabbed his hand, lazily tracing the lines of his palm with her thumb. "How long do you think they'll sleep? I'd like to get out of here unseen, if possible."

"You mean you don't want my daughter and mother to witness this walk of shame?" He grimaced at the thought. He had an unspoken rule not to bring dates home when Alexis was going to be there - there was no need for her to bare witness to his romantic life... not unless it was serious, anyway. He wondered where exactly this would fall on that spectrum... something else they would inevitably have to discuss.

"Yeah, well, maybe next time we will make it to my apartment and I won't have to worry about a walk of shame." She leant down, placing a quick but tender kiss on his lips. Next time... that sure was reassuring.

"You know..." he sat upright, shuffling closer to her side. "They'll probably be asleep for a while yet..." he lifted his brows up and down, comedically suggestive.

"I was hoping to shower..."

"Perfect, so was I." He pulled himself out of bed and started walking to his en suite. He stopped by the end of the bed, picking something up from the ground. "Oh, and I'm keeping these. I earned them."

She pressed her teeth into her lower lip in attempt to stop her smile, but did not succeed. She shook her head as he disappeared through the door, waiting a beat before sliding out from the sheets and joining him. They could talk later... for now, they would just enjoy each other.