Summary: An addition to Till Death Do Us Part
A/N: Apologies for this being so extremely long in posting. It's been on my drive for a while, but I haven't had the motivation or time to give it proper attention. I gave it a try tonight and hope it worked - Enjoy!
Castle stared at his phone, trying to get up the nerve to call. It was silly, if he was honest with himself. How often did he call Kate? It wasn't like he hadn't called her before, but this was different.
He watched Alexis, again, as she floated through the loft. It was nice, seeing her so free and in love again, and there was no way going with him to a wedding could compete with a Lady Gaga concert.
So, back to the phone.
He tapped Kate's picture and sat still, listening to the ring at the other end of the line. Before the third chime, she picked up.
"Hey, Castle, how's it going?"
"Oh, it's going all right," he answered, and couldn't help but smile. "Do you mind if I ask a question?"
"That's twice you've asked today, and you never do that," Kate replied, "What's up?"
"It's about Ryan's wedding." Rick took a deep breath and let it out slowly. They had gone out on a 'date' almost a week ago, but it was all still so new. Things were progressing slowly, like it should, and he didn't want to kill what they had gained. It almost felt like this could be too much.
Or maybe he was nervous.
"Alexis has a date and won't be able to go with me. I know you said you needed more time, and I don't want to be presumptuous, but-"
"I'd love to."
"I, uh, what?" He had to hear it again. She didn't even hear the entire question and it sounded like she had agreed to go with him.
"Castle? Are you still there?" Kate's voice pulled him out of his inability to breathe. "I said I would love to go with you to Ryan and Jenny's wedding."
"Yeah, I'm... well, amazed." His heart filled with all the possibilities in his future. "Thank you, Kate. You saved me from having to sit at the Single's Table."
Her laughter was musical as she replied, "That goes for both of us, you know. Thank you for asking me to be your plus-one."
"I can't wait to see you." Again, the words fell out of his mouth before he could stop them, and for a split second, wished he hadn't spoken.
"Same here," she said, and he could hear the smile in her voice. "I'll see you tomorrow, Castle."
"Until tomorrow," he answered, and ended the call.
Rick looked at his watch. Fifteen hours and forty-seven minutes until Kate would be walking arm-in-arm with him. Sleep would be hard to find tonight, but it would be worth it.
