Jackson Hunt's Wedding Toast

By

UCSBdad

Disclaimer: Please see all of my prior disclaimers in which I say I don't own any of this. Rating: K. Time: Just after Caskett's wedding.

Rick and Kate managed to separate themselves from the crowd of well-wishers and head off on their honeymoon.

"And we have "Just married" painted all over the car now." Kate said, but with a smile.

"I hope you don't regret marrying me already." Rick teased.

"Not a chance. In fact…"

Kate was interrupted by Rick's phone. "Damn it!" He said, pulling the phone from his pocket. "I should ignore this."

"No, it could be important."

Rick smiled at his wife. "If there's been a murder and they want us back, I'm going to tell them we never heard of anyone named Castle or Beckett."

"I'll tell them in Russian." Kate added.

"Castle." Rick said grumpily.

"Son, is that you?"

"Dad! Oh my God! Are you calling us?" Rick hit the brakes and pulled to the side of the road.

"Of course I'm calling you! Did you think I was hiding in the phone?"

"No, of course not. Where are you? Are you anywhere near us?" As if by way of an answer, they heard a long burst of automatic fire over the phone, followed by the bark of single shots.

"No, I'm nowhere near you, I'm afraid. I wanted to sneak into the country and come to your wedding, but…Well, you know, things happen with me."

"Dad, are you in danger? Look, if you need me, I can be on my way in minutes."

"We can be on our way in minutes." Kate added softly.

"No, no. Those are my people doing the firing. We're just about done here, just mopping up."

"Is there any way…" Rick began.

"That I can see you?" Jackson Hunt said. "No. You know that I'd love to." There was a brief pause, then Hunt spoke again. "Son, you know that I've always wanted you to have the things I wasn't able to have. The love of a good woman, the chance to raise your children together, to experience all the joys and heartaches of growing old together. I'll admit I was disappointed, but not particularly surprised, when your first two marriages didn't work out, but I know that what you have with Kate is different. As you've said so many times, she's truly remarkable."

"Thanks, dad. She really is."

Another voice screamed over the phone in a foreign language.

"Dad! Is everything okay?" Rick yelled.

"Sure. That was just Mansour. He gets a little excited at times. Mansour wants me to congratulate you on your marriage and he hopes your next three wives are as good as this one."

"Mansour is living dangerously." Kate muttered.

"Kate, can you hear me?" Hunt asked.

"Yes, Mr. Hunt. Rick has you on speakerphone."

"Kate, do you think you could call me dad?"

"I'm sorry, of course I can, Dad."

"Thanks. I have managed to get to New York a few times and I've caught a few glimpses of you, as well as Rick and your team. I wish I could have gotten to know you personally instead of through briefings and reports. I want you to know that you're the best thing that could possibly have happened to Rick, and I'm proud and honored to have you as a daughter-in-law."

"I'm your daughter, Dad." Kate said softly.

"Thank you so much, Kate." In the background they could hear what sounded like the beat of helicopter rotors. "Look, I have to go now, but I'm drinking a toast in your honor. It's non-alcoholic due to my host's religious beliefs, but it's heartfelt none the less. I have a wedding present for you as well. I know you've had some problems back there, so I've made some arrangements."

"Arrangements?" Rick and Kate asked together.

"Just remember that one way or another, I'll be watching over you two…Always."

The call ended and Castle got back on the road. "Turn the radio on and see if we can get any traffic news."

Kate turned the radio on.

"…Bracken, 56, was considered a front runner for the 2016 Presidential nomination. In other news, stocks closed moderately higher…"

"What? Bracken? Was considered?" Castle said.

Kate's fingers were already searching for the all-news station.

"In Washington, Senator William Bracken was found dead in his home earlier today. Bracken, a possible Presidential candidate, apparently fell on the stairs and broke his neck. He was pronounced dead at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. A spokesperson for the FBI released the following." The two were surprised to hear the voice of Rachel McCord. "A thorough investigation by the FBI has ruled out any chance of foul play. Senator Bracken's death was an unfortunate accident."

"He'll be watching over us." Castle whispered.

Kate added. "Always."

This is the last of the Caskett wedding vignettes. I left Captain Gates out since I see Rick and Kate's wedding as being just family and close friends and Gate's isn't a close friend. I thought about including Mrs. Montgomery and Castle's agent, Paula, but there is so little known about those characters that I couldn't come up with anything for them to say that sounded right to me. I was definitely not going to have Gina show up, but I did briefly think of having Meredith show up uninvited and unannounced. I was pretty sure that would upset Kate and I didn't want to write that.

I was initially unable to figure out how to publish a second chapter, but I'll try to add the prior wedding vignettes that were published here as stand alones.