Chapter 15
The evening of the Mayor's Ball finally arrived. Since Kate had left the dress at Rick's she went over there to get dressed. When she let herself in, (because really, what was the point of ringing the doorbell anymore) she was stunned to find Lanie sitting on his couch.
"'Bout time you got here. You were gonna wait till the last minute, maybe?" Beside her was a big zippered bag. Peeking out of the bag was a curling iron. "Writer boy is in his den getting dressed. He thought you might want help getting ready," she said by way of explanation. "Now let's move it."
They headed upstairs. Lanie oohed and ahhhed over the gown once Kate was dressed. She helped with Kate's makeup and hair. Kate showed her the pocket feature of the dress, and demonstrated by stowing her cuffs and badge holder. As a final touch, she pulled out the necklace with the newly added diamond slides and clasped it around her neck.
By the time Kate descended the stairs, Rick was waiting for her in the living room. He grinned at her, but his smile faded when he saw the uncertain look on her face. "What's wrong, honey?"
"It suddenly occurred to me that I must be nuts. We could hardly have chosen a MORE public way of declaring our relationship. There's no way we're going to look like 'just partners' all night."
He took her by the shoulders. "Kate, relax. You will be the most beautiful woman there, and I will be the happiest man in New York tonight to be seen with you. Now come on, the car's waiting." They said their goodbyes to Lanie and went downstairs where a white Town Car waited. During the ride to the mansion, Castle seemed extra fidgety, and he was starting to get on Kate's nerves.
"Settle down, would ya?" she snapped. He asked to play with her cuffs, which astonished her at first, but for once he had left his phone in the apartment. Just like a child, needing something to keep his hands busy, she thought. When his hands started roaming toward her, she whipped out the cuffs. She hadn't spent all that time trying to look perfect just to have him mess it up before they even got there. She almost cuffed him to the door handle, but relented and just handed them to him.
He handed them back as they were pulling up to the mansion. The driver opened their door and Rick got out, then held his hand out to her. She looked with awe at the beautiful landscaping, the white lights dotting the trees and shrubs. She took the elbow Rick offered and let him guide her into the building. They went into the banquet hall, where more white lights were strung along the ceiling and snaking around the columns.
They spotted Captain Montgomery and his wife at the same time and moved toward their table, taking seats. They ordered cocktails and chatted easily with others at the table. In short time Judge Markway and his wife joined them. A parade of waiters and waitresses appeared, bearing large trays loaded with Cesar salads. When the salad plates were cleared, their entrées were served. Rick tasted his and let out a chuckle, startling Kate. "Rocco's pumpkin gnocchi!" he cried.
After dinner, the small orchestra started up. Rick stood and held his hand to Kate, who nodded and allowed him to escort her to the dance floor. They danced a waltz or two, his strong arms guiding her surely around the floor. He gazed lovingly into her eyes, and noticed the look he was getting back was more playful than usual. "What?" he asked.
"I just hope you realize that the dance floor is one of the few places you are ever going to be able to take the lead with me," she answered.
"My dear, I know that all too well, which is why I intend to take you dancing every chance I get. Oh, and by the way," his voice dropped to a husky, sultry rumble "the bedroom is the other place I get to take the lead. Sometimes. When you let me." He quickly added.
She squinted at him and was forming a reply when he was saved by Captain Montgomery asking to cut in. "I see you finally realized the best way to keep that man in check is to keep him close to you, eh?"
Kate's jaw dropped for a second, before she gave her boss a rueful smile. "Yes sir, I suppose so."
The judge tapped the captain's shoulder as the next song began, which made Kate nervous enough, but she nearly jumped out of her skin when Mayor "Bob" himself asked for the next dance. At one point she caught Castle's highly amused glance. At the end of the song he excused himself from his partner and made his way over to "rescue" her. They danced to one more song, and then dessert was brought out. The blackberry sorbet was delicious and cooling, and the best part was if she dripped it would never be noticed on her dress.
Rick led her out to the middle of the dance floor again, promising not to relinquish her hand to anyone but the governor. After two songs, someone appeared beside them. "Hello Kate, may I have this dance?"
Kate turned toward the voice. "No th…" the rest of the polite refusal died on her lips when she realized she was face-to-face with Brad Decker, the hunky fireman. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Thanks, but no."
"Oh come on, it's the least you owe me after ditching me for this clown." The man didn't seem to want to take NO for an answer.
"The lady said no, now please go before you cause a scene." Rick's voice was calm but deadly serious.
"You can't keep a gorgeous woman like this all to yourself," protested Brad. He tried to take Kate's arm, but before she could react, Rick shoved the man back. "You'll want to go cool down, buddy, before things get…"
The last word was cut off as Brad wound up and socked Rick in the jaw. Rick went down in a heap. Kate had had enough. She spun Brad around as he towered over the fallen author. "Have you lost your mind? You've got to be some kind of idiot." She reached into her dress and produced her badge. "NYPD, moron. You are under arrest for assault. With all these city employees as witnesses, I imagine you are in for a rough disciplinary hearing. She twisted the man's arm until he yelped, (no easy feat given his size) then reached for her cuffs, but she seemed to be having trouble getting them apart.
She looked at them closely and staggered back a step as she realized why. She let go of the troublemaker, now forgotten. Linking the two wrist cuffs was a diamond ring. She looked at Rick, who was no longer sitting on the floor, but kneeling before her.
"You?" she whispered. "You orchestrated this whole thing?" He nodded. He opened his hand, and laying on his palm was his master cuff key. She caught the naughty twinkle in his eye as she took the key and used it to unlock the cuffs, releasing the ring onto her palm. It was too perfect. One tiny gold circle (with a not-so-tiny diamond) binding the two stainless bracelets. The cuffs she had used on him when he had stolen her evidence, the key he kept since their first case, not to mention the creative uses of both during their first weekend away. She looked at him again. She'd seen virtually every possible expression on his face, save this one…he was on the verge of tears.
"Katherine Beckett, two years ago you walked into my life and shook it up. I've been following you ever since, and I want to keep following you until my dying day. I love you. Please marry me."
Wordlessly she nodded, then cleared her throat and said "Yes. Oh God yes." She offered the ring on her shaking palm. He delicately picked up the ring, placing a kiss in her hand. She held out her left hand so that he could place the ring on her finger. The applause was deafening. Kate glanced around and saw Lanie, Esposito, Ryan and Jenny standing there beaming. Rick stood up and took her in his arms. He kissed her and then whispered in her ear "You'll notice I didn't order any pockets for your gun, just in case you weren't shy about shooting me in front of all of these witnesses."
