A/N- Part 1 of the wedding.

Two weeks later, Kate was getting dressed for their wedding. She had never been quite so nervous in her life. She felt the butterflies in her stomach and for a brief moment, wondered if she was going to be sick. However, when Lanie put a hand on her shoulder and whispered, "You're beautiful sweetie."

Looking at herself in the full length mirror, she realized that she was, indeed, beautiful. Her hair was done up in a bun and the veil was placed on it. She had never felt more beautiful that she did that day.

Soon, she heard the music start up and she whispered, "It's really happening."

Lanie smiled, "Of course it's happening. That man out there loves you. He would do anything to make you happy."

She knew that and she smiled. Castle was the one person in her life that she could count on to be there for her. No matter what. No matter if it would put his life in danger. Since the day they met, his goal in life had been to protect her. Even when she thought that she didn't need it. He was always there. In the beginning, she had resented him. Hated him even. But little by little, she had grown to like him and then eventually, love him.

She was brought out of her thoughts when she heard her father say, "Katie, it's time."

When she turned around, her father gasped. Then he told her, "You are so beautiful Katie. You remind me so much of your mother. She would be so proud of you and what you've made of your life."

Kate had to shake her head to keep from crying. She hugged her father and whispered, "I wish she was here dad."

"I know Katie, but I believe that she's here with us and smiling down on you."

Kate smiled and hugged him again. Then she heard Lanie say, "We need to go."

Kate nodded and took her father's hand. She smiled and whispered, "I'm ready."

Castle was standing in the very room where she had arrested him all those years ago. The room where he had fallen head over heels in love with her. He watched the door and when he saw her walking towards him, he had to remember how to breathe. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Mayor Wheldon whispered, "She's beautiful Rick."

All Castle could do was nod. When she finally reached him, she smiled and he whispered, "So worth the wait."

Since the Mayor was marrying them, he smiled at the gathered crowd and said, "They have decided to make my job a lot easier today. They have written their own vows. Richard?"

Castle smiled and started out, "I, , Richard Castle love you, Katherine Beckett, with all my heart. You are my best friend, my one and only true love.

Since the day we met there has never been a doubt in my mind that one day I will make you my wife, and today here we stand.

Over the past four years we have learned a lot about each other. We grew apart for a time, but we eventually found our way back to each other. You've taught me more about love and life than I could ever have hoped to learn on my own and I look forward to spending the rest of my life learning more with you.

I promise to always be there for you, support you, to always make your life fun and never boring, to show you love, to tell you everyday just how beautiful you are.

I love you so much it is hard to put into words.

I looked forward to raising our children together. Teaching them about love and happiness through our love. I looked forward to having a house full of laughter and love.

You have changed me in ways that I never thought possible. When we met, I was this immature bachelor looking for a woman to share my life with. The moment I met you, something changed in me. I wanted to be a better man for you. Someone that deserves the love of an incredible woman like you.

When you kiss me, I am the happiest man in the world. Because I know that you love me and I've made it. I'm a better person because of you.

I am completely happy with you and the love that you have brought into my life. You love me and that's all I need to be happy.

So I stand here today in front of these witnesses, our friends and family, staring into your amazing brown eyes, to ask you a very important question.

Will you, Katherine Beckett, my best friend, my lover, my soul mate and my partner-in-crime be my lawful wedded wife?

Kate looked into Castle's eyes and whispered, "I will."

Then, Mayor Wheldon turned to Kate and said, "Now Katherine will recite her vows."

Kate smiled at Castle and started, "When we first met, I didn't like you. I thought you were arrogant, self-centered and most of all a pompous ass. You barged into my life with the force of a freight train. I didn't want to be your muse. I didn't want to have to worry about you getting hurt every time I turned around. I wasn't prepared for all of the changes you brought into my life and into my heart.

I'm not sure when it happened, but I slowly felt in love with you. I got used to you being around me every day. And when you weren't, I was lonely. You became a friend. A partner and eventually, my lover.

You loved me even when I didn't deserve it. You have been there for me in the darkest times of my life. You gave me hope when everything looked hopeless. I don't think I will ever be able to repay you for everything you've brought into my life.

We made a lot of mistakes along the way. Mistakes that seemed to drive us apart, but in the end, we managed to overcome everything.

So, I stand here today, in front of our family and friends and look into your beautiful blue eyes. To ask you a very important question.

Will you, Richard Castle, my best friend, my lover, my soul mate and my partner-in-crime and in life, be my lawful wedded husband?"

Castle smiled at her and said, "I will."

Mayor Wheldon smiled and announced, "By the power invested in me, by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Castle put his hand on her stomach and then kissed her softly. She laughed when the baby kicked and Castle whispered, "She knows that her mommy is happy."

Kate smiled, "And so is her daddy."

It was then that Alexis ran over to them and Castle pulled her into his arms. Kate and Castle kissed her on each of her cheeks, causing the little girl to giggle. Then, the happy family walked down the carpet and out the door. Alexis could be heard giggling the entire way.

The reception was being held in the atrium of the library. Kate looked at Castle and asked, "How much did you have to donate for this?"

Castle laughed and told her, "You really don't want to know."

She shook her head and laughed, "I love you."

"I love you to. Thank you."

"For what?"

"For making me the happiest man in the entire world. I never thought I could be so happy. You've made me the happiest man in the world."

Soon, it was time for their first dance as husband and wife. They had picked, All About Loving You by Bon Jovi

Looking at the pages of my life
Faded memories of me and you
Mistakes you know I've made a few
I took some shots and fell from time to time
Baby, you were there to pull me through
We've been around the block a time or two
I'm gonna lay it on the line
Ask me how we've come this far
The answer's written in my eyes

Castle whispered to her, "You have made me the happiest man in the world Katherine Beckett."

She shook her head, "No."

"No?"

Kate laughed, "I'm not Katherine Beckett. I'm Katherine Castle. As of today."

Castle leaned down and kissed her so very softly. Then, he whispered, You are an amazing woman. Do you know that?"

"Just as amazing as you are. You waited for me even though I didn't deserve it. I never gave you any hope..."

"But I knew. Deep in my heart. I knew that we would be together one day. And that's why I never gave up hope and I couldn't simply walk away from our partnership and everything we were and could be to each other."

Every time I look at you, baby, I see something new
That takes me higher than before and makes me want you more
I don't wanna sleep tonight, dreamin's just a waste of time
When I look at what my life's been comin' to
I'm all about lovin' you

Kate smiled at him and then whispered, "I think I knew to. That's why I never asked you to leave." When Castle started to protest, she smiled and said, "And I could have. Montgomery asked me more than once if I wanted you out of the precinct."

Castle raised his eyebrows and asked, "He did?"

Kate laughed, "Yeah. I told him that I would handle it. That I could deal with us working together."

Castle twirled her around and she laughed, "You loved me. Even back then. Even though you married Josh."

Kate laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. She hated to admit it, but he was right. At the time she had thought that it was friendship, but she knows that deep in the back of her mind, what she felt for him was love.

I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've paid some dues, baby
We've been to hell and back again
Through it all you're always my best friend
For all the words I didn't say and all the things I didn't do
Tonight I'm gonna find a way

He kissed her softly and whispered, "I can't believe that we are finally married. I thought for sure something was going to stop it. After all these years..."

He dipped her and she laughed. She knew that their friends and family were watching them, but she didn't care. The only thing that mattered to her was this man that was holding her. The man that loved her even when all hope was lost.

You can take this world away
You're everything I am
Just read the lines upon my face
I'm all about lovin' you

She put her hand on his cheek and whispered, "This day has been a dream. This wedding has been beautiful. It makes me remember the first time I met you and it was perfect. I hate to admit it, but you were right. This was perfect."

Castle laughed, "Can I get that in writing?"

He twirled her around again and brought her back into him, "Have I told you how beautiful you are?"

She laughed, "Yes, but I never get tired of hearing it."

"Good. Because I won't ever get tired of saying it."

Lanie watched as her best friend danced with the man that she loved. This was how it should have been. She should have married him years ago. That baby should be his. But, she admired the man for stepping up and being willing to raise Kate's daughter as his own. The smile on her friends face told Lanie how happy Kate was. She never thought she would say this, but Richard Castle was good for her.

Seeing how in love they were made her wish for someone to love. Maybe, just maybe she would find it one day soon.

They finished the dance and all of their guests clapped. Kate rolled her eyes and they walked back to their table. Soon, it was time for the friends to give their toasts. And it would make them realize how loved each of them were in the lives of their friends and family...

A/N Wedding toasts to follow...