Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.
Kate's mind was reeling at this surprise. Damn it, Castle! What were you thinking?
"What's …," she began, but quickly stopped when Alexis grabbed her hand and dragged her away.
"Come on, Kate, we need to get you ready," Alexis said as she took Kates hand and pulled her into her bedroom again, with Lanie close behind.
"You knew about this," she looked at both of them, accusation in her tone, "both of you?"
"Kate, honey, we thought it would be sweet," Lanie said.
"I haven't gotten anything ready," Kate began, her eyes filling with tears. "I don't have a dress, I don't have my mom, I'm not ready for this." What kind of a grownup am I? Crying for my mother? Well I'm going to blame Rick for this! He made me face this wedding right now – pregnant!
"Kate?" Alexis sounded worried and a little apprehensive, "we, uhm, talked to your dad and we have your dress." She pulled out a garment bag and opened it, pulling out her mother's dress.
"Oh," was all she could muster.
"When we went dress shopping the other day, I checked your size and estimated your measurements," Alexis stated, "I had your mother's dress altered to fit you."
"Wow, he really thought this through, didn't he?" Kate said, finding her inner fierceness. "Lanie, did you get the bridesmaids dress we had picked out?"
"Yes, I went there the next day and I have it in Alexis' room." Lanie spoke calmly, adding, "I'll just go get ready, will you be OK?"
"Yeah, we'll be fine," Alexis answered.
Kate took off her engagement dress and put on her wedding dress. This is crazy, how is this happening today?
She looked at herself in the mirror and was in awe, the dress fit perfectly. "Thank you, sweetie, for getting my dress ready."
"Your welcome," Alexis smiled. "So, do you want your hair up or down?" Alexis asked, looking at the tiara.
"I think up is better," they both turned around and saw Martha in the doorway.
"Martha? Thank you, I am just so grateful for all you and Alexis have done to make this happen." Kate knew that Martha had put a great deal of work into this wedding and was honestly grateful for it.
"Alexis, would you give us a minute?" Martha said calmly.
"Uhm, sure grams, I'll just go change."
"Katherine, I would like to thank you for making my son so very happy. I also brought you this, in case you didn't have something blue," Martha looked at her lovingly.
Kate opened the jewelry box and looked at stunning earrings with a blue gem, surrounded by little diamonds.
"These were given to me by my mother to wear on my wedding day, and her mother before that. They have only been worn by women of substance, they have been waiting for you," Martha said frankly.
"Thank you, Martha," Kate breathed, "I am so honored." She hugged her soon to be mother-in-law.
Jim walked in, wearing a tux with a tie and pocket square in the same color as Lanie's dress.
"Hi, dad," Kates eyes started to fill again. "You look great."
"You look beautiful, Katie," Jim smiled, but it faltered a little, before he was all smiles again. "She would be so proud," he stated simply.
"Thanks, dad." Kate wiped away a tear or two before fixing her makeup again.
Alexis was back, she was wearing a tux, with her tie loose around her neck. She instantly started getting Kates hair ready, fitting the tiara nicely on a loose bun, and a few loose waves coming down from it.
"You are ready," Alexis announced.
I can't believe that it's only taken us half an hour to get ready, we deserve an award or something.
Kate looked at herself in the full-length mirror, "you look just like her, you know", Jim Beckett really knew how to tug at her heartstrings.
"You think?" Kate said, wishing her mother was there to celebrate with her, to see her get married.
"No," he said, "I know, I remember when she wore that dress," he gave a sad smile, "I remember it like it was yesterday." He squeezed her hand, "I always thought she was the most beautiful bride I'd ever seen, until now."
Kate carefully dried her tear before it fell.
"You ready Katie?" Jim asked, offering her his arm.
"Yes, let's get me married." Kate smiled and headed for the door.
She stopped by the double doors so that Alexis and Martha could take their places, to Kates surprise, Martha was officiating the ceremony. So that was the information she was looking for online. Everything was starting to make sense, all the hushed conversations behind closed doors, it was all about this. Well at least we are not in space, or at a theme park.
Lanie looked her over again, making sure everything was perfect. "This is it, Kate. You are getting married." Lanie shook her head, bemused. "I still can't believe he managed to surprise you," Lanie laughed.
"I knew that something was up, I just never imagined it to be so over the top," Kate laughed too, "guess I should have expected it."
"Well it is Richard Castle," Lanie said, still laughing.
Suddenly there was music and Kates head shot up, Lanie straightened her back and walked down the aisle. The music changed into the wedding march and everyone stood up to watch Kate.
As soon as she started down the aisle, she gripped her father's arm tighter. She caught Ricks eyes and they were gleaming with joy, he had the biggest smile on his face. She knew her smile matched his, she wanted to be mad at him for springing a surprise wedding at her, but all she could feel was pure joy. Each step was bringing her closer to becoming Mrs. Richard Castle.
If someone had told me 10 years ago that Richard Castle, famed author of the Derek Storm novels, would be my one and done. Well, I would probably have put them in the psych ward of the nearest hospital. But here I am, meeting him at the altar.
She had made it to the altar without tripping or doing anything awkward or embarrassing, though Kate was known for her fierceness and self-assuredness, she still sighed a breath of relieve to have made it.
Martha smiled at her as Jim went to his seat.
"Dearly beloved, and all that jazz," Martha began, "This is a wonderful time for my family, my son is getting married, again."
"Mother," Rick warned teasingly, as he smiled at Kate.
"Ah, yes, well, third times the charm, as they say," Martha said, with the wave of her hands. "What I feel makes this marriage different from his previous ones, is that Rick and Kate are partners, they are equals and push each other to do better, to be better."
"Katherine, it's time for your vows." Martha said and looked at her.
"The moment I met you, my life became extraordinary. Having you as a partner in crime, saved my life in more ways than one." Kate wiped a stray tear from her eye, "you helped me see that there was more to life than the job. Having you as a partner in life, you have taught so much about myself, and about family." She glanced at Alexis, "I am so proud to become your wife, and the mother of your children. I love you, Richard Castle, always."
She blew out her breath, trying to regain her composure.
"Richard," Martha said, with tears in her eyes.
"The moment I met you, my life became extraordinary. Ever since I met you I have been inspired, not just in my writing, but in my life." Rick took a deep breath, "you have made happier than I thought possible, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life trying to unravel the mystery that is you." He held her gaze, "I love you, Katherine Beckett, always."
Martha was wiping her tears on a handkerchief.
"The show must go on," Martha exclaimed as she looked at Alexis, "do you have the rings?"
Alexis nodded and handed them to her father, who in turn handed one to Kate.
"These rings represent the unity of your marriage, the infinity of the love you two share." Martha said, making small circles with her finger, "it will tell everyone you meet that you have found your truest of loves."
Kate looked at Rick, tears in both of their eyes, and smiled at him as she whispered, "love you."
"Richard, do you take Katherine to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold through all of lives ups and downs?" Martha looked at her son and smiled, handkerchief still clutched between her fingers.
"I do," he stated simply and Kate put the wedding band on his finger, then kissed it.
"Katherine dear, do you take Richard to be lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold through …"
"I do," Kate interrupted her, to soft laughter from the crowd. Rick put the gold band on her finger, then interlaced his with hers.
"Can I kiss her now?" He asked, not taking his eyes of Kate.
"Yes, yes, kiss," Martha said with the wave of her hands, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."
I would just like to thank you for the nice reviews, they make my heart swell.
Next chapter will be up soon.
I would also like to say that, I along with all of the Castle fandom was shocked when the news of a Stana-less season 9. That I am grateful for the time she had with the show and would like to thank Andrew Marlowe for giving us Caskett.
