Epilogue.) Song for a Winter's Night

The time came to cut the cake. In the background the song 'Dearest' by the Black Keys was playing. Castle placed a piece of cake in Beckett's mouth elegantly but Beckett accidentally made a mess of his to which everyone laughed, Castle too. Rather than Castle cleaning his face with a napkin Beckett went in and caressed the frosting off his face with her fingers and then kissed off the rest.

As the evening had progressed Castle and Beckett had taken their seats at the front of the room near the Christmas tree.

Ryan tapped his glass. "Excuse me everyone, I'd like to make a toast."

"Bro, I was supposed to make the first toast," said Esposito.

"You can go after," said Ryan.

"Screw that," said Esposito taking his glass and standing next to Ryan.

"Dude what are you doing," Ryan asked.

"Just shut up and talk," said Esposito.

"Fine," said Ryan turning his attention to the newlyweds, "When we first heard that Castle would be working with us," said Ryan. "We knew it could be one of two things. One, it would be a complete and total disaster."

"Or two," said Esposito, "It would drive Beckett crazy."

"You can pretty much guess which one it was."

"FYI," said Esposito, "It was both."

The group of family and friends laughed.

"We got to see firsthand the relationship unfold between two unlikely people." Ryan pulled out a piece of paper from his jacket. "From the library of Katherine Beckett," he quoted.

Beckett's face turned red as she placed her head in her hands. Castle looked over at her curiously.

"Bro," said Ryan, "We must have teased her for what five minutes when she brought us his books."

"Ha ha yeah," replied Esposito. "You see when we teased Beckett about being a fan of Castle's novels she claimed she was only a fan of the genre but we could tell it was more than that."

"Yeah cause she was blushing just like she is now," added Ryan. "So Castle I think you finally have the answer you two once asked us. I think it's a fair bet to say you both fell for each other right around the time you met."

"Or maybe Beckett a little longer since she did have his books all ready and did sort of have a crush on him."

"Didn't she even stay in line for an hour or something during a few of his book releases?"

"Okay," said Beckett. "Who have you two been talking too," knowing full well that the boys must have had some private chats with the men in her life, particularly Will Sorenson.

"Sorry," said Esposito, "We've got our sources."

"Who prefer to remain anonymous," said Ryan.

"The point is," said Esposito, "I don't believe in much but I don't believe in coincidence either. As cops we're trained not to so it's not a coincidence that you two came into each other's lives."

"And Castle whether you like it or not you're not only stuck with Beckett but-,"

"You're also stuck with us," Esposito said with a smile. "Oh yeah and Lanie too."

"So to Castle and Beckett, may fate ever shine upon you."

"Nice," said Esposito.

"Thanks."

"To Castle and Beckett," everyone said.

"Why you got to steal my thunder like that," Ryan asked when they were seated.

"Dude, you got to hand Castle the ring," said Esposito, "Why are you complaining?"

Beckett and Castle were shaking their heads. Castle had loved the boys like best friends but it was clear now that they were brothers. They had been part of Beckett's life for years and they always treated her like a sister and she in turn had treated them like brothers too. Castle was honored to have them as brother-in-laws.

"As the daughter of the groom and step-daughter of the bride," said Alexis as she took her turn. "I think it's only fitting that I say something about my parents. When my dad first told me he was going to be working with the cops I thought to myself he's out of his mind but then I thought well he's done crazier things before so how bad could it really be? Turns out we were all in for a big surprise. My dad always has an act for getting into trouble so oddly it just made sense that his trouble would follow him to the 12th Precinct. What I don't think any of us could have predicted though was how that world would inspire him, inspire him to write again, and how he would get that inspiration from Detective Beckett.

I've known Detective Beckett for just as long as my dad has and though we've had our ups and downs there have also been a lot of positive moments too. You have given me advice when I've needed, you let me volunteer at the station and I've had the kind of relationship that I haven't had with another person before so before I end this speech Grams and dad have all ready heard what I have to say next but I want you to hear it too. I've revised it a little bit to make it more relevant for tonight:

Yesterday you said goodbye to everything that was familiar, your lives as single individuals, working together but apart, everything that was comfortable. You're moving on but just because you're leaving one world for another and that hurts, there are some people who are so much a part of us they'll be with us no matter what. They are our solid ground, our north star, and the small clear voices in our hearts that will be with us, always. Detective Beckett, Kate," Alexis smiled, "Mom. You are my dad's north star, the one he's been searching for his whole life and I'm glad he finally found you."

Beckett's eyes were filled with tears and Alexis smiled. She walked over to the table and Beckett came around, the two embracing for the first time as step-mother and step-daughter.

"I love you Alexis," Beckett whispered.

"I love you too mom."

"Are you sure," Castle asked.

Beckett squeezed his hand, "Absolutely."

Castle leaned over and kissed his bride and then stood up. "Excuse me everyone," Castle said getting the groups attention. "I don't have a speech or anything it's more of a kind of announcement. As if tonight wasn't magical enough what with Beckett actually marrying me, a little while ago I just found out that my wife is pregnant. I get to be an RHD again!"

The boys and Beckett shook their heads and Castle saw some confused looks on their faces.

"Oh right, for those of you who don't know I meant 'ruggedly handsome dad'. Beckett has made me the luckiest man on the planet tonight. I love you."

"I love you too Rick."

The room clapped and cheered. The couple stood as their family and friends offered their congratulations.

It had turned into quite a Christmas Eve and quite a Christmas day. In a few hours as the day would rise, their guests would leave to begin their own Christmas plans and the Castle's plus Meredith and Jim would remain in the Hamptons to celebrate Christmas day as an official family.