Again thanks, to my wonderful beta, Jo.

For Better or for Worse

Part Three

Rick and Kate, hands intertwined, ride comfortably in the back seat of the Rolls Royce to their house in the Hamptons, while Jim keeps company with the chauffeur in the front. When they pull into the driveway, Rick hops out of the car and goes around to the other side to open Kate's door, kissing his fiancée. She smiles at him, brushing a kiss against his cheek, before she hurries into the house to freshen up before the ceremony. Castle turns and sees Jim reaching out to shake his hand.

"Thank you, Rick," Kate's father says to him.

"For what?" Castle asks.

"For everything you done for Katie, for everything you've been for her. I really don't know where she'd be if you hadn't come into her life. She definitely wouldn't be this happy. I'm sure of it."

"Thank you," Castle replies. "But I feel the same way about Kate. I'm a better man because of her."

Jim smiles. "And thank you for standing by her all these years while she fought for justice for Johanna," he adds.

"It was my privilege to be by her side, Jim. I just wish her Mother could have been here to see how beautiful Kate looks in her wedding dress."

Jim takes a deep breath. "I do too, Rick. I do too." Castle's soon-to-be father-in-law takes him in a warm, quick embrace. "Well, I'd better go get your bride. You two have waited long enough."

Jim walks up the steps and inside the house just as Martha and Alexis are coming out.

"Dad!" Alexis exclaims, running down the steps to give him a huge hug. She looks up at him, brushing his hair aside to fully expose his injury. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, pumpkin," he replies and gives her a kiss on the top of her head. "Just a little bonk on the head."

"Richard, we were so worried about you," Martha says.

Castle releases his daughter and embraces his mother, who kisses him on the cheek, the warmth and affection from the two redheads in his life a gift he cherishes. "I know, Mother, and I'm sorry."

Castle keeps his arm around his mother and takes his daughter by the hand. The three of them walk around to the back of the house where two-hundred-ninety-seven wedding guests are patiently waiting for the ceremony to begin.

In the backyard, Castle observes the rows and rows of chairs that have been arranged to accommodate their wedding ceremony. Bouquets of pink and white roses, with accents of greenery, have been aesthetically arranged throughout the yard.

Earlier in the year, Castle had hired a contractor to design and construct a permanent gazebo, overlooking the ocean, as a place for him and Kate to deliver their vows. That structure is now complete and has been entirely decked-out with fragrant floral arbors, flowing white tulle, and a chandelier.

The ceremony was originally scheduled for five in the afternoon, but with the delay from Castle's accident, it was now beginning just as the sun sets. And what a glorious sunset it is: pinks, reds, yellows, and oranges create a breathtaking backdrop for their vows. It feels like the Universe has just given them a spectacular wedding gift.

"This is all so beautiful," he says to his mother and daughter. "Thank you," he tells them. "For everything."

"Oh, darling, I am so proud of you," his mother says, giving him another squeeze.

Castle escorts Martha and Alexis to their seats in the front row, before stepping up onto the gazebo and shaking the hand of his good friend and the officiator of the wedding, Mayor Robert Weldon.

"Thank you so much for taking the time to do this for us, Bob."

"My pleasure, Rick. I am so happy for you and Kate. I'm just glad you're okay."

Castle turns toward the audience to make a quick announcement. The majority of guests have already taken their seats. He looks over the crowd and sees so many wonderful friends who have come to support him and Kate: Javier Esposito, sitting in the second row, who is no doubt holding the place next to him for Lanie (who he is certain is at Kate's side); Kevin and Jenny Ryan, who are sitting right next to Espo, little Sarah Grace asleep in Ryan's arms; Captain Victoria Gates and her husband; the other officers from the precinct; Castle's literary friends. He feels an overwhelming sense of gratitude for everything and everyone in his life that has brought him to this moment.

"Friends," he begins, smiling. "Kate and I are so happy that you have chosen to celebrate this special day with us. I truly apologize for the delay. Thank you so much for your patience. I think we're finally ready to begin."

The rest of the guests take their seats, and he notices Lanie slide into place next to Esposito. Castle quickly checks his pocket to make sure he still has Kate's ring. He smiles when his fingers come in contact with the warm metal band.

The audience rises and turns to face the back of the congregation where the bride is standing arm-in-arm with her father, ready to be escorted down the aisle, as the string quartet begins to play the wedding song.

Even though Castle has already seen her, the sight of Kate in Johanna's wedding dress still takes his breath away. Jim and Kate begin walking down the aisle toward him and Rick's eyes meet hers. She's smiling. No, not just smiling, she's glowing. He will remember this moment for the rest of his life. It doesn't matter how many people are here to witness this occasion, because right now it feels like they are the only two people in the Universe. He's pretty sure he's grinning like an idiot, but he doesn't care, because he knows he is the luckiest man on Earth. In just a few moments she will be his. Forever.

When Jim and Kate reach the front of the aisle, she kisses her father on the cheek before he takes his place in the front row. Then she hands her bouquet of pink and white roses to Alexis. Rick steps forward, takes her by the hand, and guides her up onto the platform to take her place across from him. They both smile at each other.

"Hi," she says to him.

"Hi," he replies back.

"Whenever you're ready," Mayor Weldon tells them.

"Yeah," Kate answers.

Jim steps forward and reaches up to give his daughter Rick's wedding band. Castle offers his hand to Kate as she takes the ring from her father and gently slides it onto his left hand before saying her vows.

"The moment that I met you," she begins, gazing into his eyes. "My life became extraordinary. You taught me to be my best self. To look forward to tomorrow's adventures. And when I was vulnerable, you were strong." She smiles. He can see the soft, unshed tears already forming in her eyes. "I love you, Richard Castle. And I want to live my life in the warmth of your smile and the strength of your embrace. I promise that I will love you, and be your friend, and your partner in crime, and in life. Always."

Castle removes Kate's wedding band from his pocket and glides it onto her finger where it nestles perfectly against her engagement ring.

"The moment we met," he begins his own vows, "my life became extraordinary. You taught me more about myself than I knew there was to learn. You are the joy in my heart. You're the last person I want to see when I close my eyes." He smiles. "I love you, Katherine Beckett. And the mystery of you is the one I want to spend the rest of my life exploring. I promise to love you, to be your friend, and your partner in crime, and in life. Till death do us part. And for the time of our lives."

She gives him a soft laugh.

"By the power vested in me by the state of New York," Mayor Weldon says. "I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Rick and Kate lunge toward each other, not needing the Mayor, or anyone else, to give them permission to kiss each other as husband and wife. He wraps his arms around her waist and she cradles his face in her hands. The kiss is gentle and tender and tastes like forever. They savor this sweet moment, kissing each other in a warm embrace. Castle has kissed Kate many times, but this is the first time he is kissing her as his wife.

As they break the kiss, their guests rise to their feet and applaud and cheer for the happy couple. Rick and Kate turn toward the audience and smile at all their friends. Castle has his arm wrapped around Kate's waist, but he tugs her closer still, and kisses her again on the cheek. This is the happiest day of his life.

The sun dipping below the horizon is turning the pastel pinks and yellows of the sunset into deep reds and dark purples, and daylight is quickly slipping away. The crickets have begun to sing their nightly melodies. It's fortunate they had prepared for the party to go well into the night. There are flickering lanterns hanging in the trees around the yard, and strands of glowing white lights have been strung above the dining area and over the dance floor to illuminate the festivities.

The guests make their way to the tables for the celebration. Rick, Kate, Martha, Alexis, Jim, and Lanie are all seated at the head table. The food has been kept warm and the caterers are ready to serve the wedding dinner. Champagne flutes have been filled with Dom Pérignon (and non-alcoholic for those, like Jim Beckett, who don't imbibe.) The guests give their attention to Alexis, who stands at the head table ready to give her toast.

"On behalf of Richard and Katherine," she begins. "I'd like to thank everyone for attending this beautiful wedding tonight. My name is Alexis Castle, and I am the Best Man."

The audience laughs.

"I have to tell you, once my dad met Kate, I knew it was all over for him. He was completely smitten." Alexis looks over at her father. "I knew my dad loved Kate even before he realized it, or was willing to admit it, even to himself. He walked around in a daze with a goofy look on his face and seemed to spend a lot of time on the phone. But that was because Kate had been calling him to crime scenes, or as I liked to call them…dates."

The crowd laughs again. Castle smiles. He couldn't be more proud of his daughter. She truly is the most adorable best man a groom could hope for.

"But seriously, I have never seen my dad so happy and content. They've had a very long, rough road to get to this day, and I wish them both the best of luck and a life together filled with health, happiness, and joy."

Alexis raises her glass and turns toward the happy couple, smiling. "Congratulations, Rick and Kate!"

The audience clinks their glasses and then takes a drink. Alexis gently taps her glass against her grandmother's champagne flute and then takes a sip of her non-alcoholic beverage. Rick and Kate's glasses meet with a soft clink and they also partake of the bubbly, sealing the toast with a kiss.

Alexis makes another announcement. "And now we will hear from Kate's father, Jim Beckett."

As Castle's daughter takes her seat, Kate's father stands up. He looks out over the sea of guests and then focuses his gaze on his daughter and her new husband. It's obvious that he is choked up and it takes him a few minutes to compose himself before he can speak.

"As I look at my daughter, Katie," he begins, voice breaking. "I can't help but reflect on all the years I was lucky enough to watch her grow and become the beautiful woman she is today." Rick reaches over and takes his wife's hand as Jim continues his speech. Kate smiles at her husband.

"She captured my heart on the day she was born, and I became more and more in awe of her as the years passed by. She's my little girl, my princess, and my ray of sunlight. And no matter what her age, she'll always be those things to me."

Jim pauses for a moment.

"But today, as I watch her marry a wonderful man, I'm filled with pride, and am confident that she and Rick are about to embark on a wonderful journey, filled with the love and happiness that can only come as husband and wife. May the two of you always treat each other with love, compassion, and kindness."

Jim raises his glass and the guests lift theirs again as well.

"I ask you to join me to today in congratulating the bride and groom and wishing them all the best for a long and happy life together."

Everyone takes another drink.

After his speech, Jim sets down his glass on the table and comes over to give Kate a kiss. Rick hears him whisper in her ear. "I love you, Katie." Jim turns and shakes Rick's hand. "Congratulations, son," he tells Rick with a gentle pat to his back and then returns to his seat.

Castle takes his handkerchief out of his pants pocket and hands it to his wife. "That was beautiful," he whispers to her.

"Yeah," she agrees, blotting the tears from her eyes.

The celebration continues. The caterers bring out the food and the wedding guests enjoy the smorgasbord. Before the dancing begins, Ryan and Esposito sing and dance their musical tribute to Castle and Beckett, which is so hilarious, it brings the audience to tears.

Throughout the evening, the DJ plays various genres of music including Frank Sinatra's Witchcraft and Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark. But it's when Andrew Belle's In My Veins begins to play that Castle makes his move. He turns to his wife.

"Mrs. Castle, may I have this dance?"

Kate smiles and takes his hand and they make their way to the dance floor. The guests clear the area so the newlyweds can have it all to themselves. Kate grins as she wraps her arms around her husband's neck and they begin swaying to the music.

Oh, you're in my veins

And I cannot get you out

Oh, you're all I taste

At night inside of my mouth

Castle loves feeling the warmth of his wife in his arms; she nestles perfectly in his embrace. They dance quietly for a few minutes, just enjoying the music and this moment together. Kate presses her cheek against his and whispers in his ear. "This is perfect."

Rick smiles and kisses her. "I love you, Mrs. Castle."

Kate smiles back. "I love you, too, Mr. Castle."

To Be Continued

A/N We're just about there. One more chapter to go. Thank you for reading, following, favoriting, and reviewing. Your reviews make me smile.