Here be Dragons!
Chapter 43
Jim was already dressed in the best suit he had as he knocked first then opened the door to find Kate and Lanie standing there. He was ready to start crying. "You look exactly like how I remember your mother looked when I married her." He could tell the difference but the similarities were uncanny.
Her old room at least had a mirror so she could see herself. Lanie had done a really number on her hair while she had done her own makeup.
"Thank you, Daddy." Kate couldn't take it and walked across to hug him. She was getting married today! Even just talking about her mother on this day had tears beginning to well up as she tried to blink them away.
"And you!" Jim looked at Lanie who was equally amazing.
"This old thing," Lanie smiled. "Actually Castle bought it. I'm pretty sure he bought all of us dresses." Lanie had had only a short conversation with Madison.
"Seriously?" Kate started to be angry then thought it was wonderfully kind of him. Still he was spending far too much on this marriage.
"If you're ready we need to get started." Jim offered his arm and waited for Katie to take it. Jim drove and found someone was waiting for them and told them where to park.
"I've never seen so many rich people in my life," Espo commented as he and Ryan were watching everyone entering, signing the guest book, and wandering around after taking a program.
"Have you noticed there isn't just one photographer but three and since when did any band play bagpipes?" Ryan looked at the band tucked away in one corner. "They're even all wearing kilts."
"I wonder if it's true what they say about what they wear under those things?" Espo mused.
Ryan shuddered. "Don't make me lose my appetite, Javi." He got a smile from Espo in return. "Where's Castle?"
Espo rolled his eyes. "Restroom, throwing up again."
"So he can look at a dead body but can't handle getting married," Ryan joked knowing that he was safe since Castle wasn't nearby.
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"Alexis." Jordan had found her. "My husband, Philip, and our daughter, Karen. This is Alexis Castle or is it soon to be Alexis Beckett?" Jordan gently teased her. "So where's the groom?"
"Dad's around here somewhere. Kate should be arriving just about now. Excuse me, I need to check on Madison and see how the food is coming. It was nice to meet you." Only Alexis didn't make it to Madison. Instead she spotted someone she recognized based on a picture her dad had dug up from somewhere and hustled over to Espo and Ryan.
"Find Dad, now. Someone just walked in." Alexis tried to point without actually pointing then she left them to find Madison.
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Rick had spotted him with Espo and Ryan's help and waited for him to sign the book and gather up a program before walking toward him. He was close enough to tell that he was also a shifter and that he was a Wolf. He also watched as he turned quickly and saw him.
"Mr. Castle." Cullen shook Rick's hand and looked him over. He was taller than he thought, handsome in his tux, and the very first Dragon he'd ever encountered or even heard of before.
"Thank you for coming, Mr. Cullen," Rick nodded.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world. It was a bit of a surprise at first, however, it just might be a good one." Cullen was looking forward to some time with him and his soon-to-be wife.
"We need to talk to you about Joanne Delgado and a certain Mr. Smith," Rick informed him quietly. It was why he'd gotten an invitation.
Cullen knew there had to be a catch to him getting an invitation to this since he hadn't actually heard much about Richard Castle until Smith had sent in his last report. "I look forward to it. I'm spending the night so I'm at your disposal." He nodded his head slightly and wandered off to look this place over since there were flowers everywhere and people he didn't know.
Rick heard his name and a familiar voice. "Richard Castle!"
"Patterson!" They shook hands and hugged. "So does the wife show up at our card game now?" He could use a fresh sucker.
"I'll have to ask her." Rick didn't even know if Kate wanted to play poker.
"Rick!" A different man had found him.
"Sir Walter." Rick shook his hand then hugged him briefly.
"There shouldn't be any trouble with Gina, we had a short talk. I'm still not sure just what she's thinking, but who can ever figure out women 100% of the time? So did the books not show up?" He had his program but that was all.
"Every seat has a signed book, even yours," Rick assured him.
"So I'm curious, who's the caterer?" He couldn't not ask.
"Q3," Rick replied with a smile.
"The new restaurant. The one where you need a reservation just to get a reservation. I'm impressed. I should find the wife before she finds me. Congratulations, Rick, and looking forward to your next book." The president of Black Pawn walked off.
Rick rejoined Espo and Ryan as they watched everyone enter, sign, and pick up a program.
Alexis found him, much to her relief. "Dad, Kate has arrived along with Jim and Lanie, and Madison is short two people so she's a little behind." Alexis watched people enter. She had names but not many faces to attach to those names. "How are you doing?" He looked really nervous to her trained eye.
"Fine, I think. Cullen is here," Rick informed the three of them.
"Dang, I missed him." Alexis really wanted to see who knew so many shifters let alone find out just how much power he actually had. Besides being filthy rich that is.
Rick offered a consolation prize. "You may get your chance when Kate and I talk to him later."
Alexis took out her phone. "Forty-five minutes. I'm going to go check on the tables." She had chosen to take it upon herself to make sure this wedding went smoothly before walking down the aisle in front of Kate and Jim.
However, she was soon back. "Have you checked you phone lately? I think all the wedding gifts are arriving today." Now Alexis left him to check on the tables.
Rick pulled out his phone to look at a picture. "Holy crap!" He wasn't sure how they were even going to reach the front door.
Espo shook his head. "I'm not picking all that up." He stepped back before Castle could hit him or something.
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"Let's go, you three," Alexis herded them toward the front to wait. Then she left them and hurried down the aisle and saw that most if not all of the chairs were occupied. Since they didn't know just who was coming in time to make cards for seating arrangements it was a first come first served sort of deal. Hopefully it all worked out.
Alexis saw Kate, Jim, Lanie, and Madison waiting for her. "I gave the signal, the program should be starting."
Kate had been holding it together rather well until now. But now she needed that Kleenex Lanie had given her or she would ruin her makeup. She also had the shakes. She was getting married.
"Jo is here, Katie, right up front. Don't ever doubt it," Jim whispered to her.
At first Alexis thought he was talking about Joanne Delgado since she was here, Alexis had seen her. Then her mind finally landed on Kate's mother.
"No mother would miss her daughter's wedding no matter what it took," Alexis murmured and got a hug from her.
Alexis heard the music start. "I think that's our cue, ladies."
Lanie went first, followed by Madison, then Alexis. Each was momentarily blinded by all the flashes from the three photographers. Alexis knew it was overkill but her dad had handled it and in typical fashion he had gotten three instead of just one.
Alexis had never in her life had had so many eyes on her as she walked and smiled until she saw her dad, Espo, and Ryan. Then she was beaming.
Kate and Jim heard the music. "Ready, Katie? It's time to go see your husband."
Kate didn't know how it came to her but she suddenly remembered Martha catching her before going off to get dressed for her wedding.
"And I want to thank you for making my son so very happy. I brought you something. In case you didn't have something blue.
Kate opened the case, revealing a pair of earrings. "Oh, Martha. They're beautiful."
"They were given to me by my mother to wear on my wedding day, and by her mother for her wedding day. Only women of substance have worn these gems. They've been waiting, Katherine, for you." Martha caressed her cheek lovingly. "Welcome to our family, my dear."
Maybe it was the hormones, maybe it was this moment in time, or maybe because she saw a touch of her mother in Martha. In any case she was blinking her eyes fast and not just because of all the camera flashes.
Her life until now had never had this much love in it.
Kate saw Martha sitting up front and for some reason there was actually an empty chair next to her. It was too much, blinking back tears wasn't working.
Though the tears she saw Rick, as handsome as ever. Felt more than saw her dad kiss her and leave her behind. Javi and Kevin were standing just behind him off to one side.
It was only then that Kate saw who was officiating their wedding. She actually mouthed his name since it was a shock to her. Rick had handled this part and she didn't really know anything about it. "Judge Markway?"
Markway began and it was formal up to the point where he was supposed to ask if anyone had any objections to this couple being married. "Since there are enough police officers in this building to stop anyone who has objections we will dispense with that part," Markway said, his glare defying anyone to say a word. Then he smiled. Kate almost laughed as Rick grinned wide and a little laughter escaped the people attending.
"If the bride has a few words?" Markway looked at Kate, waiting for her to say something.
Kate actually did have something planned but suddenly most of it escaped her mind, so she pieced it back together.
"Richard Castle, I never really knew just how empty my heart really was until I found you. I still don't know how I did, but I swear if it takes me another one thousand worlds or 10,000 lifetimes, I will find you again. I love you with all my soul and want so very much to be married to you." Kate watched his tears fall which had Kate finally allowing hers to fall.
Markway blinked back his own tears. "If the groom has a few words?"
"Katherine Beckett, I truly wish we had found each other long before now. You're the most beautiful woman with a heart of gold I had never seen before. The life we are going to build, and are building, will be amazing. I love you with every fiber of my being. I will be proud to have you call me husband," Rick told her.
Rings came next along with the promises that needed to be made.
"By the powers entrusted to me by the State of New York, it is my great pleasure to officially announce that you are now husband and wife. May your lives be filled with all the love and joy each of you can provide," Markway announced to everyone.
"I believe you're supposed to kiss the bride now," Markway pointed out since these two were busy gazing at each other.
They both came out of it and kissed with the passion of a newly married couple. This was when finally those in attendance could erupt with clapping and whistles.
Alexis, Lanie, Madison, Espo, Ryan, and Markway watched as the couple walked the gauntlet of flower pedals that each person had a bowl of to throw at them as they walked back down the way Kate had just come just moments ago.
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Rick and Kate were sitting at one of the long tables along with their friends, eating what Madison and her crew were now serving one course at a time along with everyone else that had attended.
The photographers were still taking pictures after taking a recording of the entire event while the band had moved and was now back to playing.
Kate finally got to question him. "Bagpipes, Castle?"
"Didn't want it to be boring," Rick grinned.
Kate laughed and kissed him again. "It will never be that." Kate was sure of that, not with Rick around for the rest of her life.
"This is really, really good!" Kate stuffed her mouth with her next forkful. Madison had out done herself with this meal.
"You think we could get reservations whenever we like?" Rick asked her since it was her friend and he had to agree, it was so far really delicious.
"Mads does have a small table in the kitchen." Kate was betting that was where Mads ate, but who knew.
"SOLD!" Rick proclaimed.
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Rick, Kate, Alexis, Espo, and Ryan with Jenny next to him greeted each and every person who had attended for coming and handed over thank you packages from the boxes behind them as one of them handed to Kate and Rick. What was in each wasn't much but it was from the heart.
Rick stopped Mayor Weldon on his way out. "We may need your help getting me back in the precinct," Rick warned him.
"Consider it done." Bob took his parting gift and left to go home.
"Commissioner Malone, thank you and your wife for attending," Kate smiled.
"It was our pleasure," he said graciously.
"You were beautiful, Kate. I'm told you did all this in two months. Amazing!" His wife was quite impressed.
"We had help, lots of help." Kate looked at Alexis who was getting another package out of a box. "We may need your help getting Rick back into the precinct, sir."
"I will inform Captain Gates. We need to keep that closure rate and keep the citizens of this magnificent city happy." He smiled, nodded briefly, and walked off with his wife.
Then Kate felt him. There was a shifter in the line and he was a Wolf this time. She didn't remember Castle or anyone else telling her about this.
"Mr. Cullen, thank you for coming." Rick shook his hand and slipped him a card that had his name, address, and phone number on it.
"It was one of the most lovely weddings I've ever had the privilege of attending. Perhaps if you're ever in New Mexico you will drop by for a visit. We have horses if you two like to ride," Cullen offered.
"We would like that, sir," Kate said and smiled.
"I've already ordered a team to pick up Delgado, she'll be staying with me for a while until we get this sorted out. I protect our own. We will talk later." Cullen left them with his parting gift.
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Kate and Rick caught up to Madison as she and her team were picking up what they need but not actually cleaning up. That was someone else's problem.
"You were amazing, Mads. That food was to die for." Kate hugged her.
Madison tooted her own horn just a little. "Since I have none left, I'm inclined to agree."
Kate hugged her again. "So when is it your turn to get married?" Kate teased her.
"Bite your tongue, Becks! Besides, I didn't catch the bouquet so don't look at me," Madison shot right back at her.
Kate knew she had a point since Alexis was the one that caught it. If she didn't know better she would think it was a setup on Lanie's part since she had stepped out of the way, opening up Alexis to catch it.
"Even the cake is all gone. Save for the top that's all yours." Madison handed over a plastic container that had the six inch top including the bride and groom at the top. "I do birthdays too, as well as welcome home for babies, and bridal showers even if they are after the wedding."
Kate laughed since with only two months to plan Lanie couldn't get any kind of party set up in time.
"So where is the honeymoon?" Madison asked them.
"I'm still working on that part. I've got it narrowed down to two. We just need to pick one and set the date, if Kate can get the time off," Rick said.
"If I have any time off remaining after this," Kate added since that wasn't a given.
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In the end it was just Rick, Kate, Alexis, and Martha left standing in what was their wedding looking at the people cleaning up the mess.
"It was beautiful, Katherine. Even your mother loved it." Martha's heart was full of joy for her son and his bride.
That had Kate turning to look at her. Had she actually really seen her? It was impossible of course, but then she had found Rick.
"I left her a space to watch it from. You don't really think it was always empty, did you?" Martha questioned her.
Kate huffed out a partial laugh and part choked cry and hugged Martha. "Thank you, Martha. For everything."
"No need, dear. You've made my son and granddaughter happy. What more could a mother ask for?" Martha didn't need thanks.
"Do I get to call you Mom now?" Alexis asked softly.
"You can call me anything you like, sweetheart, right after I sign the adoption papers." Kate hugged her.
"You mean these papers?" Rick produced a set of folded up papers from a pocket inside his tux then produced out a pen. After Kate took both, Rick turned his back so she could sign.
"There, I'm now officially someone's stepmother. …or Mom." Kate was still holding both when Alexis hugged her.
"I love you," Alexis said, her eyes brimming with tears.
"I love you too, sweetheart." Kate did her best to hug her back. "And thank you for my wedding." Kate knew who had done most of the work and it wasn't her.
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"I wonder just how Cullen is," Rick said to Kate as they finally entered their bedroom in the loft since it was only a couple of hours until the sun came up.
Technically they were married on the 2nd of November and not the 1st as was planned. Things just took longer to accomplish than was planned.
"We'll find out later today. For now, I want you to make love to me, Mr. Castle." Kate bit her bottom lip since this was going to be a first.
"Anything you say, Mrs. Castle," Rick replied as he embraced and kissed her before trying to figure out how to get her wedding dress off of her without damaging it.