"Remember, fight like hell, Katie."
She smiled and nodded to her father, swallowing back the lump of in her throat as they began the long walk down the aisle.
Kate looked at their friends and family as she slowly moved forward. She made eye contact with Gates, who gave her a nod of encouragement. Finally, she took a deep breath and braced herself for him.
Their eyes met, and the room disappeared. For a few brief moments they were completely alone, taking in one another as she moved up the aisle toward him. Kate could tell by the honest love and vulnerability in his eyes that in the moment, this was real for him. It was real for them.
It wasn't until she felt the gentle tug from her father that Kate realized she'd stopped walking. The sense of love and desire was so overwhelming that she needed to remind herself to breathe. She wanted time to stop, for them to exist in this bubble of certainty they'd found. She wanted to keep him there, to show him that she would do whatever she needed to do to show him that they would be in it together.
Soon she was at the altar, and with a kiss on her cheek, Kate's dad placed her hand in Rick's; they continued to stare at one another. It was as if a million conversations were spoken in the span of seconds, she could see her past, present and future in his eyes. Kate Beckett knew in that moment that her future was with this man. Then the officiator began to speak and the spell was broken.
Castle was startled out of his daze, looked around the room to get his bearings and slid back into the role he was playing. The blinds of numbness came back down into his eyes and the real Castle was hidden once again. The officiator spoke for quite some time about the sanctity of marriage, then came the part that made Kate's heart rate speed. Castle went first.
Richard Castle, Speak after me:
I Richard Castle, Take You Katherine Beckett,
to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish;
from this day forward until death do us part.
Beckett listened as he spoke those words to her, knowing he wouldn't allow himself to dig too deeply, the pain was barely hidden as it was. She sighed as he slid the band on her finger. She had to fight back tears once again, but this time she was also filled with hope, that just maybe she could make him understand.
Next was her turn, and once handed the ring she was asked to slide it on his hand.
"Katherine Beckett, Speak after me..." He gave her the words to repeat, to complete the ceremony.
" I Katherine Beckett…"
She stopped, unable to find the words that had just been spoken. Castle looked at her with confusion and she gazed back into his eyes, desperate to make him understand. She briefly looked to her loved ones, all watching and supporting her. In that moment, Kate found that she couldn't wait anymore.
"I can't do this, Castle." She spoke blatantly, much to the surprise of everyone in the chapel.
"They caught them. Gates just told me a few seconds ago, they are in custody." For a moment he was stunned, but soon found his words of protest.
"Then why are we up here?" He asked, confused as to why this had been allowed to continue.
"Because, Castle. I love you." He looked at her, shocked that she would admit such a thing in front of all of their friends and family, in front of Gates. She placed her palm against his cheek and tilted his face back toward her, bringing their gazes back into alignment.
"Richard Castle, I love you", she reiterated before dropping her hands to take both of his.
"Kate, I don't.." He began to speak but was abruptly cutoff, unable to formulate a single word as he witnessed what Kate did next.
With fingers still intertwined with his, Kate Beckett dropped to her knees at the altar.
"Richard Castle, I love you… and I want to marry you." His jaw dropped. "Marry me, Castle."
He was simply stunned, watching her as she pleaded for his hand in front of their friends and family.
"Rick. You've fought for me, for us, for the last 5 years. You've believed in us and carried us. You've loved me through my worst and asked for so little in return. Rick, it's my turn now. It's my turn to fight for you, and if you let me, I want to spend the rest of our lives proving to you that I'm in this. I'm completely committed." With a slight pull from him she stood back up, their hands still entwined.
"Castle, I just want you. I'm so sorry it took me such a long time to figure it out." She searched his eyes meaningfully, looking for some clue that the walls were coming back down. Gradually, he allowed himself to believe this all was happening and a sweet smile spread across his features.
He simply leaned his head against hers, lacing their fingers together "I thought you'd never ask." She couldn't help but laugh with relief.
"I love you, Castle. You're it for me. I just want to be your wife, we can figure out the rest together."
He laughed, joy erupting from him as tears slipped from both their eyes. He cupped her cheeks and kissed her tears away "You maddening woman. Yes, I'll marry you." After several moments in one another's arms, they took a step back and were greeted by cheers from Lanie and the boys, as well as Jim, Alexis and Martha; while everyone else looked on in confusion.
"Let's do this then." She smiled and turned to the officiator.
"What, now?" Rick asked incredulously.
"No time like the present. I don't want to wait another moment, Castle. I want to marry you now." He smiled and nodded, kissing the back of her hand and taking his place across from her once again at the altar. This time it was different because the smile on his face was real, and it came from a joy within.
"Where were we?" Kate asked the master of ceremonies eagerly.
"I believe we were on the part about man and wife. You may kiss your bride, I suppose." He replied somewhat confusedly, unsure of what had just transpired.
This time the entire room cheered as they wrapped themselves in one another, kissing until need for air forced them apart.
"We still need to sign the marriage license, you know. One that is legal." He whispered to her as they made their way down the aisle.
"Well get right on that." She replied happily. He squeezed her hand and they both laughed as they exited the church, faced with an array congratulations and seed tossed at them as they passed.
Once out of their guests' views, they leaned against the back of the building. Castle couldn't wipe the grin from his face and Kate wasn't much better.
"Did that just happen?" He asked, somewhat dazed.
"I think it did." Came her dreamy reply.
She leaned up to kiss him on the lips chastely, "Now, how about we go and celebrate at our wedding reception, complements of the NYPD?"
He couldn't help but laugh, "That sounds great to me, Ms. Castle."
For those who are interested, I've tweeted a photograph of the dress she's wearing in this scene. (Addison Sperry on twitter). :)