Chapter 8: Wedding Bells
Disclaimer: Although I wish I was AM, and with that hiatus there it may seem like I am, but I promise you all I am not. All I own of Castle is some DVDs, a gorgeous poster and a soon to be ordered t-shirt.
Kate and Lanie walked into the ballroom that had been turned into the extremely elegant hall where the wedding would be held. It was covered in whites, blacks, silvers, and gold's, simple yet extraordinary. Numerous guests were already seated, and Kate and Lanie grabbed seats on the groom's side of the hall towards the front. The hall was extravagant looking and Ryan and his groomsman stood at the alter looking amazing in their tuxedos. You could see the nerves written across Ryan's face, Kate knew him well enough to tell, even through the laughing he was doing with his side of the wedding party. Kate noticed Rick almost as soon as she entered the hall. He looked nothing less than amazing in his tux, and all she wanted to do was smooth her fingers over the lapels of the jacket and through his hair. He looked to be in place at the wedding alter; he was calm and collective and trying to feed a lot of that to Ryan. Kate was sure that he too had picked up on Ryan's nerves.
It was nearly 2:30pm on the dot when the band began to play and the wedding party began to proceed down the aisle. The bridesmaids wore long simple, yet gorgeous black silver and gold dresses. They all had their hair in light curls, and they looked amazing along with the decorations of the wedding. Kate was sure that this was all Jenny's doing. She knew that she had put a lot into planning the wedding, and she was glad that it turned out to look as amazing as it did. Jenny and Ryan deserved to have an amazing day. They were the fairytale couple, and the 12th had got to watch it all happen, so being here today to finally say "I Do" was the cherry on top of the sundae.
The crowd rose, and Kate watched Ryan's face light up as Jenny came through the double doors into the hall. Her dress was gorgeous, and Kate couldn't help a smile also spread across her face. Jenny looked nothing less than amazing, and the large smile that graced her lips could not be missed. The white ball gown embedded with silver beads and flowed from an empire waste could not look more amazing on Jenny. She looked gorgeous, and the short veil hit the middle of her back and her ringlet blonde curls peaked from beneath it. The small silver beads adorning the entire gown sparkled in the light along with her eyes as she continued down the aisle toward Ryan. Their eyes had met the moment she walked in the room and they had yet to leave each other. It was clear to anyone in the room that Ryan and Jenny could not be more in love.
Jenny and her father reached the end of the aisle where Ryan met them. Her dad gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and Ryan a stern handshake, before Ryan took her hand a lead her up to where the minister stood.
As the ceremony continued on, and the minister spoke his words about the happy couple Kate couldn't help but notice Castle out of the corner of her eye. As she did a blush rose across her cheeks, noticing that the last thing Castle was paying attention to was the ceremony. His eyes were glued to her, a soft smile played upon his lips and his hands folded neatly in front of him. She could tell he was listening to that minister's words, his eyes, though focused on her, had that concentrated look in them. Kate couldn't help but meet his eyes and give him a smile as she did.
"You know Beckett," Lanie whispered to her, "Most people pay attention to the wedding ceremony instead of having eye sex with their partners," she finished nudging Kate with her elbow pulling her out the moment Castle and her were sharing.
"Shut it, Lanie." Kate whispered back. "There was no 'eye sex' as you put it."
"Whatever, girl." Lanie replied with an eye roll before both women turned their attention back to the ceremony.
"The couple has prepared their own vows," The minister announced, as both Jenny and Ryan turned to get their rings.
As Kevin finished his speech you could see the tears in his eyes threatening to spill, much like those which had already done so in Jenny's. But he held it together as his soon to be wife began her vows.
"Kevin Ryan, there is no man I would rather wake up to each and every morning, or fall asleep with every single night. I meant it when I said you were the best thing to ever happen to me. I can't wait for our lives to continue together, to have kids and grow old together, and everything in between. Kevin Ryan, you make me the happiest woman alive and there is nothing I want more than to be your wife and be able to tell our friends and family members here today that you are the love of my life. There's no one for me but you, Kevin. I love you with all my heart, and I cannot wait any longer to be Mrs. Jenny Ryan." She finished wiping the tear that escaped from her eye off her cheek as they both turned to the minister, hand in hand, for him to finish the ceremony.
"Do you, Kevin Ryan, take Jenny O'Malley to be your wife? Will you love, comfort and keep her, and forsaking all others, remain true to her as long as you both shall live?" The minister asked.
"I do." Kevin answered, slipping the ring on Jenny's finger.
"And do you, Jenny O'Malley, take Kevin Ryan to be your husband? Will you love, comfort and keep him, and forsaking all others, remain true to him as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Jenny answered as well, placing Kevin's ring on his finger just as he had done to her before.
"With the power invested in me, and the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The minister finished as Kevin wrapped his arms around Jenny and pulled her in for their first kiss as husband and wife.
The kiss was short and sweet before the two walked happily arm in arm down the aisle, followed by the wedding party.
Kate wiped her eyes, tears still there threatening to fall after the beautiful wedding ceremony that just took place. When it came to weddings she really was a hopeless romantic, but after seeing her parents love and hearing all about their wedding she always would be. She wanted that one day. She wanted the big wedding party and all the guests and the big white gown and the celebration. But that would have to wait, she was still a one and done type of girl, and although she was thinking more and more like she may be done these days, wedding plans were no where in her near future.
"Hey there, gorgeous," She heard whispered into her ear as she was lead away from the crowd of wedding guests headed to the lounge so the main banquet hall could be transformed for the dinner and reception.
"Castle, where are you taking me?" She asked, his hand at the small of her back, his skin on hers thanks to the cut out at the back of her dress. It set her entire body on fire, but she had to act normal, the last thing she wanted Castle to know was that a simple touch could have her this much control on her.
Castle quickly stepped in front of her and grabbed her hand, pulling her into a small hallway off the back end of the hotel. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a crushing kiss, her hands quickly moving to the lapels of his jacket to pull herself closer to him, as if that were possible. One of his hands moved slowly up her back, traced her shoulder blades before burying itself in her curls, his tongue fighting for dominance with her own before she pulled away and took a step back from him, his hand leaving her hair and other moving to her hip.
"Castle! Are you crazy?" She asked him, raising her voice enough to let him know she was serious, but not enough that she could be overheard if anyone was in close proximity to the two of them.
"I have been dying to do that since I saw you walk into the wedding hall. I had to Kate, I couldn't resist any longer. You're just lucky I pulled you away and didn't grab you and kiss you, as soon as you walked through the double doors into the hallway." He said, a smirk plastered on his face the entire time and ending it with a small peck on her pursed lips.
"You are insatiable Castle," She said, rolling her eyes. "How do you plan to keep yourself in control all night?"
"Oh, don't worry detective. I have plenty of things up my sleeve for tonight." He replied, completely with an eyebrow gesture and his famous 'I've got a plan' face as Kate liked to call it.
"As long as you aren't like this all night and keep your hands to yourself for the reception Castle." She said beginning to make her way back to the hotel's main lobby.
"I make no such promises Beckett," He called after her, jogging up next to her, his hand claiming its spot on the small of her back again. "You know I can't keep my hands to myself." He finished in her ear, nipping on it gently for the added effect.
"I'm serious, Castle. Hands. To. Yourself." She said in the same stern voice she had used earlier.
"Or what Detective? Finally going to use those cuffs on me?" He said tracing his hand up her back to her should and gently squeezing it.
"Don't even think about it Castle. Because not only will I not be cuffing you, I will be using that extra bed in out room tonight." She said, keeping her face completely straight.
"Oh, come on Kate, I was joking and you know that. I promise I'll behave."
A smile broke out on her face as he raised his hands up in innocence.
"You really are an easy mark Castle. But you still better behave." She said looking around quickly, noting that they were still on their own in the back of the hotel, before giving him a quick kiss and turning to join the rest of the wedding guests.
"And just where exactly have you two been?" Lanie asked. Eyeing both Kate and Rick as they returned to the hotel lobby in search of their friends after grabbing some champagne and snacks that were out for the guests at the moment.
"We were just mingling." Kate replied, diverting her eyes from both Esposito and Lanie. She should have known that those two would notice Castle and hers disappearance.
"Actually Kate needed to freshen up and I wanted to make sure she made it up to the room alright." Castle said with a smile, hoping that he could get a little bit of the heat off of himself and Kate.
"And I'll believe that when pigs fly," Lanie snickered.
"Good try Castle, but I'm with Lanie on this one." Esposito added with an elbow jab to Rick.
"Believe what you want you two." Kate said with an eye roll. "Castle and I, got nothing to hide."
"Nothing to hide at all." Castle added. "But excuse me while I take my wedding date to get another drink." He informed Lanie and Esposito before placing his hand on Kate's back guiding her toward the bar.
"We are never going to make it through the night with those two watching us like hawks." Kate said with a laugh when they were far enough to not be overheard.
"You've got that one right Kate." Castle replied. "But don't think for a second I'm going to stop being my gentleman self. You are my date tonight, I ought to show you some romance." Kate simply laughed at Castle's statement and smoothed his tie down with her hand after placing her champagne glass on the bar to be refilled.
"Those two can't hide anything from us," Lanie said to Javier as Castle and Beckett made their way to the bar.
"You've got that right," Esposito agreed, they watched as Kate placed her glass on the counter and smoothed Castle's tie down his chest while biting her lip. Castle's hand was not to be missed placed on her hip, which moved to her back as she turned to grab her filled glass. They stood there for a few minutes, lost within each other, small conversation that could not be heard across the room following between them.
"I remember when we were like that." Lanie said turning to give Esposito a small kiss. He smiled at her afterwards, silently agreeing to her comment.
"Nothing happened this weekend, my ass." She finished. "I will get it out of her by the end of the night. She's already on drink three, some more where that came from and she'll be gushing everything that happened this weekend."
"You are crazy, mama." He replied, placing a soft kiss on her cheek. "Don't be too hard on Beckett. I haven't seen her this happy in a long time, and as long as it's Castle, I don't have to threaten anyone, because he already knows I'd kill him if he ever hurt our girl."
The two smiled at their friends across the room. They both knew it was bound to happen with the amount of time Kate and Rick had been spending together, and how close that had gotten lately. Neither of them wanted anything more than Beckett to be happy and as they watched her laugh, slapping Castle's chest lightly and sipping at her drink, Lanie and Esposito knew they didn't need to worry any longer, because Kate Beckett was clearly more happy than either of them had ever seen her.
Now here is where I apologize profusely for making you all wait an insane amount of time for this chapter. I was moving and starting a new school year and it just proved very little time to write while I got into the swing of things. It also didn't help that every time I found time to write this chapter didn't want to work with me. But here it is in all it's glorious-ness and I really am super happy with how it turned out. Now you all should thank my Plucky Sidekick for her assistance with the hard decisions in this one and for her encouragement for me to get this chapter done and up. As always I hope you all enjoyed it and if you are still reading this extremely long ramble from me please send me a review to let me know what you think.
I make no promises as to when Chapter 9 will be up, but I have started it and if it comes along as quickly and nicely as it's looking it shouldn't be long! Thank you guys for all your patience and kind reviews and keep them coming, because they really do brighten up my life!
