Two years. It had been exactly two years since he had proposed to her. And a lot of things had happened during those two years. Alexis had gone to France for a year. She absolutely loved it and once she got home she decided to study French at university to become a teacher. She had also brought home a boyfriend. A really serious boyfriend. He was a language assistant in a high school near the university Alexis attended. This year abroad had really changed her, to Rick's dismay. She left as a child and came back as a woman planning to move in with her three-years-older boyfriend.

In those two years, the dream team of the 12th precinct had changed too. Lea had become a permanent and much appreciated member of the team. Ryan was partnered with her when Esposito had been appointed lead detective.

Ryan and Jenny had welcome little Angela in September. Of course, she was spoiled rotten by her godparents, who were regularly planning dates for Kevin and Jenny just to have the occasion to babysit her. She was the perfect baby. Always calm and quiet but joyful and happy when people were paying attention to her. She had everyone wrapped around her little finger.

Javier and Lanie had gotten engaged at New Year's Eve during Rick's annual party. This had been a surprise for everyone. Javier had planned everything on his own, not wanting anyone to know about it. Lanie had literally thrown herself at him when he proposed, knocking the both of them on the floor, making the other guests laugh and tear up a bit. They planned a long engagement because the had just bought an apartment together and were a bit low on money at the time, but they didn't seem to care.

Lisa and Brian had also got married soon after he came back from Iraq. Kate was the maid of honor and she had been proud when her dad walked Lisa down the aisle. When Jim first announced it to her, Kate didn't know how to react. But when she had really needed Claire, she realized that Lisa needed a father figure just as much as she needed a mother figure. Andy was growing up too fast for everyone's liking and was coming to visit the Castles for a few days during some school breaks. Claire had moved in with Jim, just before her daughter's wedding and had given her house to the newly weds and her grandchild.

Now, it was Rick and Kate's turn to tie the knot. Exactly two years after Rick's proposal. They had not particularly planned on a long engagement. In fact, they had started planning the best day of their lives right after she had said yes, Kate declaring that she wanted to get married in the Hamptons. At first, they decided to wait until she passed her exams but life had gotten in the way. Everything started on the Monday they got back from their weekend away. As it appeared, Kate was already pregnant at the time of her first appointment, which was the reason why they needed to do some more tests. However, the pregnancy did not go smoothly. Kate was hospitalized several times for several cramping and some bleeding. At four month of pregnancy, she was ordered to stay on bed rest until the birth. When she was told that, Rick feared she would go crazy. But she wanted this baby so much she did not complain once. She had studied for her written exam in bed. She took the exam from her bed, supervised by Internal Affairs Inspector Victoria Gates. It had been a really weird two-hour session. She passes the test with the highest scores, just as Rick had predicted. For obvious reasons, she had to postpone her training session until after she gave birth and got back into shape. Rick was really surprised by her strength and courage during this bed rest period. Noah Alexander Castle came into the world on February 14th 2013, the best Valentine's Day present his parents could have hoped for. After four months of maternity leave and weeks off works, Kate took the training session and passed the exam without any trouble. She became the youngest female Captain of the NYPD.

Once she started working as Captain of the 12th precinct, they really started to plan their wedding. And here they were, only a few minutes before the big moment, in the Hamptons, surrounded by their families. Rick had rented a manor with a huge park and a sort of balcony which gave a perfect view of the sea. This was where the ceremony would take place in a few minutes. Kate was still in the room where she had got ready with the girls but she was alone now. Looking at herself in the mirror. She imagined how her mother would be crying about how beautiful she was in that dress if she could be there.

"No, she is here." Kate said out loud. "She is here and she's looking at me, looking after me, after Noah and Rick. She's happy for me."

She was tron from her thoughts when her father came knocking at the door.

"You're ready Katie? It's time." Jim said, passing his head in the opening of the door.

"I'm ready." she said, taking one last look in the mirror before walking to her father. "Let's go get me married." she laughed.

"You don't seem nervous Katie." Jim noticed.

"I'm not. In fact, I've never felt better in my life. He's the one Dad, I know it. There's no reason to be nervous."

"You are so much like your mother. I swear, she was super calm when we got married. I don't know how she did it. I knew she was the one but I've never been so scared in my entire life." Jim laughed at the memory.

By the end of their conversation, they had arrived outside. As they started walking down the stairs leading to the park, the music started and all the guests stood up and turned around to look at her. She was not intimidated. Simply because she did not see them. Her eyes were stuck on her soon-to-be husband. He had seemed nervous when she first saw him with the priest but as soon as he saw her he calmed down. She could see the smile growing on his face even from the distance. She didn't come out of her trance until she heard her fifteen-month old son clapping his hands and saying "pweety Mommy" as she passed by Alexis who was carrying him.

"Thank you baby." she answered, blowing him a kiss.

Once she was in front of Rick, she went back to her I-don't-hear-or-see-anyone-but-you state. She knew the priest must be talking but she didn't care. All she needed was to look in Rick's blue eyes and she knew everything would be fine. At one point, Rick was talking. She assumed it was his vows but she still couldn't hear a thing. She was captivated by his eyes. She could read everything she needed to know in them. Before she knew it, it was her turn. Right. She could do this.

"Richard, I love you. And everyone present here today will agree when I say it took me some time to realize it. It was not love at first sight. To be honest, the first time I met you, I just couldn't stand you. You were annoying, proud, stubborn … But you made your way to my heart without me even realizing it. It didn't take a grand gesture of love, it took a lot of little things. You broke down my walls brick by brick with you little things. You brought me delicious coffee every morning. You made sure I ate every meal. You made sure I didn't stay at work too late. You gave me your books before they hit the stores. You made me go to the butterfly section of the Natural History Museum again. You made me go in a Ferris wheel again. You trusted me with your daughter. You offered my dad a place to stay when he couldn't go home. You made me feel useful when I had to stay in bed waiting for Noah. You helped me study for my exams. You gave me the most perfect son. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you do everything to make me happy and you succeeded. Today, I promise to give you as much as you gave be. I promise to love you forever. I promise to love you always."

At the end of her speech, she felt a tear roll down her cheek. Rick brought his hand to her face to stop it, not bothering about his own tears. She vaguely heard the priest pronounce them husband and wife before Rick kissed her.

A kiss full of life, full of love, full of promises.

THE END

Here you go, Little Things is over. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it ;-)

so, what did you think of the chapter? Of the whole story? Let me know ...