A/N: GeekMom, hfce, TORONTOSUN, alwayscastle2, jellybean96, htbuzz and the anonymous reviewer, as always thank you. Second thanks go to GeekMom for inspiring part of this chapter.
It was pointed out to me that a lot of the previous chapter involved Kate's side of things. I apologise for that. When I wrote the chapter, I was largely going off my own experience of being a bridesmaid for my sister earlier this year and what happened whilst we were getting ready, so I don't really know much of what my brother-in-law and his ushers got up to. In light of that, I tried to make this chapter include more from Rick's perspective. It was a hard chapter to write, but hopefully I've done it justice and you all enjoy.
He could still see the flashes from Nick's business partner, Finn's camera every time he closed his eyes for just a moment. Beside him the boys were chatting and laughing, adjusting their tuxedos every so often, both of them visibly relaxed whilst he waited nervously. He didn't remember being so anxious when he was waiting for Meredith or Gina to make their appearances at the end of the aisle. The fact that he was supposed to be facing the vicar made it so much worse and he was forced to stand stiffly with his muscles locked in place.
When the music started, the first notes of Pachelbel's Canon echoing around the lofty church, the urge to turn was greater than ever and when the gasps and mutters began, and he knew Kate had made her entrance, he had to see.
He didn't even hear Reverend Green call out, "All rise for the bride." He was too focused on her.
Instantly she took his breath away. With her dress hanging below her ankles and shielding her feet from view, she moved so smoothly she seemed to glide towards him. Beside him Esposito gave a low, quiet whistle, but Castle didn't even have the ability to make a sound. She was simply stunning. The word didn't give a good enough description, and even if he just focused on single things like the perfect way her face was made up or how the cut of her dress accentuated her natural beauty, it still didn't do her justice.
For him it seemed like an age until she and Jim had traversed the length of the aisle and reached him; for her it felt like seconds.
When they were reunited before the vicar and Jim placed her hand in his, the smile on his face was mirrored on hers. He managed to tear his gaze away from her for a few precious seconds – just long enough to nod his thanks to Jim.
"Kate."
"Hey," she whispered back, swiping her thumb of the back of his hand.
He was about to tell her how beautiful she looked, or rather stutter over the words, when she quietly shushed him with a small grin as Reverend Green cleared his throat.
"Before the ceremony begins, I believe Katherine would like to take a moment to light a candle in memory of her mother." He looked to Kate for confirmation before continuing to speak whilst Kate dropped Rick's hand and moved away to the altar to light one of the candles whilst Reverend Green delivered a prayer. Although Rick bowed his head, he kept his eyes open, watching for her return. "At this time we remember Johanna Beckett, a kind and generous woman, the bride's mother, taken from her family before her time. Those of you who knew Johanna, know what an inspiration she was and will continue to be both through her surviving husband and daughter, and through the law scholarship in her name. I have no doubt that Johanna's spirit is still with us and that she has given this union her blessing. We light this candle in acknowledgment of her presence and to honour her. She is missed. She will always remain in the hearts of those who love her, in the minds of those who were privileged to have known her. Amen."
"Amen," Rick murmured in union with their wedding guests.
When Kate returned and slipped her hand inside his again, he gave her fingers a gentle squeeze and a soft, apologetic smile that warmed her heart from the inside out. It was times like that when sometimes she thought he was too good for her.
Rick and Kate were peaceful through the call to worship and the opening prayer, stood comfortably side by side with Lanie and the boys around them, as much their family as Jim, Alexis and Martha were. Although Jim had already placed Kate's hand in Rick's, he was still present at the front of the church.
"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
"I do," Jim replied, squeezing Kate's shoulder and smiling as she flashed him a grateful look. With his most important part of the ceremony over, Jim retreated to Kate's side of the church and sat down in the first pew to watch. He found his eyes drawn to his daughter and son-in-law. He had seen them together before, noticed how good Rick was for Kate, how happy he made her, but he didn't think there was a better example than how they looked then, unable to keep their eyes off of one another even through the hymns they had chosen for the ceremony. They were so absorbed by one another, Jim doubted they really paid any attention to the words about their responsibilities Reverend Green spoke before it came to their vows.
"Richard and Katherine have decided to write their own vows. Rick will be going first."
Reverend Green nodded to Rick. Castle took a few breaths as he let go of Kate's hand to pull out the folded sheet of paper he had written his vows on, seeing again the numerous lines through the page where he had searched again and again for the perfect words.
"Kate," he began, pausing again to collect himself. "When I met you, you were a splash of colour in the dark, or maybe I should call you the dark in a room of bright Hollywood colours, walking in to my book launch in that suit." Around the church, Rick and Kate's colleagues, including Lanie, Espo and Ryan, chuckled. "You stood out then, the most beautiful person in the room, and you still stand out now. I think everyone probably knows our story now, a disadvantage of being a famous author, but I'd like to tell it to you again. When you met me, I'm sure you thought I was an ass – in fact, I know you thought I was an ass." Again, he paused to let the laughter in the church die down.
"But even though I tried it on with you, and was astounded when you turned me down, I might add, I was always in awe of your conviction, your strength and your honour, even more so after I began following you around. In that first year, I never once thought we'd be standing here today, but I am so glad we are. You read about love at first sight, or love that hits you like a blinding light. I don't know when I fell in love with you, Kate. It could have been that very first day, it could have been when you told me about your mom, when you trusted me, I just know that I do. I know I'm not being very eloquent here, but I've still got a few years yet before I have to start writing serious literature." From the corner of his eye as he read, he caught sight of Kate rolling her eyes, no doubt thinking about Doyle's claims as he'd wanted her to. "And where you're concerned, Kate, I'm not sure I will ever be able to be funny enough, clever enough or articulate enough."
"For a long time now, perhaps longer than you or anybody else knows, I've been thinking of this day. What can I say? I've got a writer's imagination. I've already pictured all those 'Castle babies' you and Maddie apparently discuss at great length." He didn't have to look to know it was Maddie who was roaring with laughter, or that Kate was blushing. "All I can say, Kate, is that I'm looking forward to our future more than anything."
"From this day on I promise to stop paying more attention to video games and I vow to always make you laugh, really laugh – you know, a proper belly laugh – not just a roll of your eyes. I don't know what I can seriously promise you, Kate, that I haven't already given you except to always let you drive and take point," he said, earning another laugh. "You've had my respect from the day we met and every day since. You've had my love for years, even if you didn't acknowledge it at first. All I can promise you is that I will never stop loving you. I mean it when I tell you always."
He folded the paper back and lifted his eyes to Kate's slowly, finding them watery and shining. In the pews, his mother wiped her own eyes with a handkerchief.
Smiling, Revered Green turned to Kate and gave her an encouraging nod.
"I'm not sure how I'm supposed to follow that, Rick, but I'll give it a go," she said shakily before accepting her own sheet of paper from Lanie who had been keeping it safe in her handbag. "You must be able to read my mind, Rick, because when I sat down to write these vows, I couldn't stop going over those same memories you have." She shot him a wry grin and looked down at her words again, lest she mess up. "I've had the best six years of my life with you following me around, Rick, and I don't regret it for a moment, even if you were an ass at times. I probably wouldn't be here now if you hadn't been my bomb buddy or pulled me from my burning apartment or pulled all the wires on that dirty bomb or done a thousand other things that saved my life. And, Rick, I will never stop being glad you carried on following me into all those creepy places, that you put up with my baggage and you never gave up on me. You're my partner at work, and occasionally my partner in crime. My partner in love and in life. You're my partner in every way."
She swallowed nervously at the murmur of a collective 'aw' from their guests.
"Rick, I never thought I would be standing here with you of all people. You've seen me at my best and you've seen me at my worst, and it still amazes me that you've chosen both. I've done things I'm not proud of, made decisions that were questionable at best, but the day I chose you was my best decision, the one I will never be able to bring myself to regret. So I promise that I will love you faithfully through the good and the bad, even when things are difficult and I feel like I might strangle you. I will continue to cherish our friendship and always be there for you. I vow to never run, but to trust you because building a life with you these last two years has been my greatest joy and I hope that joy never ends."
Her hands were shaking as she handed the piece of paper back to Lanie, grateful for her supportive smile.
"The bride and groom will now exchange the rings. Kate, you'll go first."
Kate accepted from Lanie Rick's ring, a wide, gold band and held it at the end of his finger, ready to push it down to his knuckle as soon as Reverend Green gave her the go ahead.
"The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love. And now as a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united in heart and soul, you Kate, may place a ring on Rick's finger."
"Rick, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you." She slid the ring over the end of Rick's finger and down, her own fingers caressing and brushing over his knuckles before she let go of his hand.
"By the same token Rick, you may place a ring on the finger of your bride."
"Kate, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you." Rick took hold of Kate's left hand in his right and teased her own ring, the thin silver band with just a single diamond, down her slender finger and the bony protrusions of her joints, smiling at the perfect fit.
The reverend smiled and closed both his prayer book and guide to the service. "Now that Richard and Katherine have given themselves to each other by the promises they have exchanged, I am happy to pronounce them husband and wife in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." With the closing prayer kept short, Reverend Green then told Rick, "You may now kiss the bride."
The claps and cheers started slow until Rick dipped Kate under him and then people were clearing their throats instead and they were pulling apart.
"It's my privilege and pleasure to present to you Mr and Mrs Castle."
Taking hold of each others' hands, they led the way out of the church, Lanie and Esposito linking arms behind them to form the procession. Alexis came next in the middle before Ryan and Maddie came at the back. During their journey down the aisle, the confetti from the buckets attached the end of each pew was thrown up into the air over them, Rick tripping as his one of his polished shoes slid on a large cluster of paper hand-cuff shaped confetti, his odd shuffle bring a laugh out of Kate.
By the time they were out of the church they were almost sprinting as their guests followed them out, trying to lob confetti over them for as long as possible. From the corner of his eye, Rick could have sworn his saw Jackson Hunt lurking in the back of the church, but the sight was fleeting as they hurried past.
There were a few more photos from Nick and Finn before Kate and Rick were allowed to pile into their police car and the custom painted limo was given to the rest of the wedding party – their parents, the bridesmaids and the best men (along with Jenny).
In the back seat of the car, their hands were still linked. In the midst of kissing Kate, Rick managed to mumble, "God, Kate, how are you real? You're too beautiful."
"Rick," she muttered against his lips disbelievingly.
He pulled back to make eye contact. "I'm being serious. There are no words for how you look tonight. I'm the luckiest man in the world."
Kate didn't know how to respond and spent the rest of the journey back to the Plaza Hotel looking at him with a mixture of love and wonder, whilst he pulled her in tight to his side, finding his hands addicted to running up and down the smooth satin parts of her dress and the lace additions to the bodice.
When they pulled up outside and saw the spectators waiting, though thankfully without camera flashes – most of the people there obviously fans of theirs – it finally hit her.
"We're married." A laugh bubbled out of her. "We're actually married, Castle."
"You got that right. I'm never letting you go now, Kate." He grinned and kissed her again. "Did you think we wouldn't make it or something?"
"Castle, it's us. I was convinced there'd be a murder in the church or some nut-job disturbing the ceremony."
"That does sound like the kind of thing I should have been expecting," Castle admitted. "I'm glad it all went off without a hitch though. Ready for the reception? Wanna make bets on the drunkest guest?"
Kate's musical laughter filled his ears. "Who's your money on?"
"It's a toss-up between my mother and Alex. Although, thinking on it, maybe he'll be taking things easier since he was even worse than me at the bachelor party."
Kate thought carefully before answering. "If the evening goes right, I'm thinking more along the lines of a certain medical professional."
"Perlmutter?"
Kate shook her head. "You'll just have to wait and see if I'm right, Castle."
A/N: I decided to end it here and keep the bulk of the reception scenes together in the next chapter, where there'll be speeches and Caskett memories galore.
This chapter took a lot of research. I am in no way religious, so some of the prayer stuff I looked up online to find an example that I could use. Similarly, I looked up typical inclusions in personal vows. I tried to include as many references as possible to episodes in the vows. All I can say is that when it comes to my own wedding, writing my vows will be a doddle. Thanks for reading everybody. Let me know what you think, especially about the vows!
P.S. I hope everyone noticed the nod to Cluedo in this chapter if you didn't notice it the first time I mentioned Reverend Green in chapter 9.
