Within seconds of being pronounced husband and wife, Phase Three, as Kate thought of it, had begun as they were wrapped in the loving and laughing embrace of their family. Three people – one percent of their original guest list – had witnessed their wedding, and it was all they needed. Hugs, compliments, and congratulations were exchanged all around. Jim did not mince words when he told Castle, "I have never seen my daughter happier than since she's been with you. Thank you for making her smile."
At the same time, Alexis was very earnestly telling Kate, "No one has ever loved him like you do."
And then Martha was ushering Jim, Alexis, and the officiant off the dais and toward the champagne. "Let us away, friends, and give them some time."
Rick and Kate watched as the champagne was uncorked and flutes were filled, while they stood in the fading light of the setting sun and let it all sink in. Then they danced, swaying contentedly to their song and holding each other close.
There was so much to say, but none of it more important than what had already been said. And so they remained silent, letting the moment envelope them.
Finally, Castle felt at tap on his shoulder, and turned to find Jim looking at him kindly. "May I?"
Though no part of him wanted to let Kate go, Castle could hardly deny a father's request to dance with his daughter at her wedding. A kiss to her cheek, and then he stepped away to take hold of his mother's hand. "Shall we?"
"But of course," she exclaimed, dramatically dropping into a formal curtsy.
And so the traditional dances commenced, thanks to the modern technology of an iPhone. There were no twinkling disco lights, no DJ announcing the bridal party, and no formal cake to cut, bouquet to toss, or speech to give. But none of it mattered. They were married, and their family was happy for them. What else could they possible ask for?
Castle noted the tears in Alexis' eyes when he drew her onto the makeshift dancefloor. "What's wrong, sweetie?" he asked with a voice full of concern.
The young woman shook her head dismissively, wanting to assure him it was nothing serious. "Nothing's wrong, nothing at all. I'm just so happy for you. There were times I didn't know if I'd ever get to see you this happy."
He pulled her into a fierce hug. "I haven't given you much reason to trust my judgment when it comes to relationships," he admitted.
Alexis chuckled through her tears, "No, not really," she admitted, "but I trust you this time, Dad. You two love each other in a way I can't fathom yet. But I hope one day I can."
"Not too soon," he murmured, fully aware he was already on borrowed time when it came to being first in her life.
A few moments later, Martha announced the limo had arrived to take them to town, which was news to Castle.
"You're leaving?" he asked, surprised.
"Of course we are, dear. You and your stunning bride deserve time alone on your wedding night, and the master suite here is far more luxurious than any hotel room. So we'll be roughing it at The Excelsior, in town."
Of course a part of him felt guilty for what he saw as kicking his family from their home, but he was also touched by their consideration. He decided to focus on that, because really, he couldn't bring himself to argue with having Kate all to himself at the house.
"Thank you, Mother."
"Oh, don't thank me too much – I used your credit card to book the rooms," she tossed over her shoulder as she walked toward the house to gather her things.
"Of course she did," he muttered, hearing Kate, Alexis, and Jim chuckling behind him.
And with the departure of their family, the final phase was upon them. When it ended, they would pack their meager things and return to the city and their new life together.
But first, they had their wedding night.
"It was perfect, Castle, everything about the whole night was perfect."
"Even the cheesy gazebo set my mother pilfered from The Sound of Music and had reassembled on our property?"
"Yes, even that. And it wasn't cheesy. Maybe a little campy, but a lot better than having our portraits in gardenias." They smiled at the memory of that closely averted disaster before Kate continued, "Besides, she wanted to be part of the planning, and you gave her the chance to do something special for us. It was sweet. And the view really was spectacular."
"Yes, it was," he agreed, as he looked directly at her.
Once inside the house, they both stood in the foyer and absorbed the silence. The windows were dark, and only a few strategic lights illuminated the expansive first floor. The dim light cast an amber glow to Kate's outfit, drawing Castle's gaze once again to the alluring lace and silk.
"It's so quiet," she whispered.
"We don't get to enjoy much of that," Castle replied with a smile, skimming his hands over her shoulders.
"I'm enjoying it now," she said, turning into him and meeting his lips with her own. "Thank you for making this happen tonight."
"It was time," he said solemnly.
"I think I kept putting it off because I was afraid of disaster striking again. I'm sorry."
He looked into her hazel eyes and saw the pain his disappearance had caused. And he felt it, too.
"You went through hell, Kate. You remember the agony of every day I was gone. There is nothing you need to feel sorry for. Today, I got just a small taste of my life without you, and it's not a life I ever want to live."
"Do you really think you traveled to a parallel dimension?" Her expression indicated she was less than convinced.
But he just shrugged, "Even if it was only a dream, it felt real enough to make me not want to wait another second to marry you."
"I'm glad we didn't wait any longer, either."
With that, she pushed up on tip toes and wrapped her arms around his neck as she pressed her mouth to his, holding him tight with no intention of letting go. Then, abruptly, he pulled back and looked down at her quizzically. "Did you ever come to one of my book signings, before we met, I mean?"
Her eyes widened slightly, giving away her surprise at the question. "Yes, once," she admitted very slowly and cautiously. "A few years before, maybe 2005 or so," she confessed. "You signed my copy of In a Hail of Bullets."
"My first book," he murmured softly.
"The first one I read," she returned. "How did you know that?"
He didn't answer her, just crushed her to him and swept her in his arms as he made his way toward the master suite.
Adrenaline and champagne coursed through her as he carried her through the house, seeking their bedroom. A fire blazed in the hearth, creating an alluring and stimulating contrast to the cool breeze coming in from the window.
He laid her gently on the bed and followed her down. Keeping their mouths joined, hands tugged at buttons and sashed until piece by piece, their wedding clothes, so casual and elegant, fell away. In the firelight, they found each other all over again.