AN: "Time of our Lives" was exactly the reason I didn't want to write a wedding fic. The perfect vows for the perfect couple. But now that we have them, I couldn't help myself to do this.

And I have to say, it's one of the most heart-wrenching things I've ever written. So here we go...

'Till Death Do Us Part

*Beckett places her mother's ring back in its rightful place*

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. It's time… It's almost here. You ready?"

"I've never been more ready. How 'bout you?"

"I can't wait"

-Rick Castle and Kate Beckett "Veritas", Castle S6 extended ending.

It's a bright, beautiful morning in New York, and even if it wasn't, it wouldn't be nearly enough to ruin the happy soon-to-be-married couple's mood.

Today is the day. Today they finally get their happy ending.

He was up first, butterflies flying in his stomach, his excitement level through the roof. But when he looks at Kate's peaceful sunbathed features by his side, all his anxiousness drifts away. Doing this just feels right. He needs to spend the rest of his life waking up to this beautiful sight.

Suddenly, her eyes flutter open, and her breathtaking green eyes stare back at her husband's deep blue ones. A soft smile lights her features before she lazily stretches her arms over her head.

"Hey, handsome," she says, her voice adorably hoarse with sleep.

"Hey, beautiful," he smiles. "Ready to get married?"

She gives him that stunning smile that takes his breath away. "I've never been more ready for anything in my entire life."

"Everything's going to be perfect," he says, his eyes bright. "You'll walk down that aisle looking ravishing, and we'll get married, and we'll live happily ever after."

"You don't know that," she throws him a skeptical look. She can't help the dread that sneaks up on her in that moment. They've been through so much... Who says it'll get better?

"I do," he tells her certainly. "After everything we've been through it's the least we deserve. We deserve this. We deserve to be happy."

She throws him an uncertain look, and he needs to remedy that. She needs to believe in them. They've been through so much… But they've made it through. They'll always make it through, together.

"Everything's going to be perfect. I promise. We'll have each other and everything's going to be alright."

And right then and there, she believes him.

He gives her the bright smile that makes her go crazy before leaning over her for a kiss.

She won't mind waking up to that hopeful, bright smile for the rest of her life.

She doesn't want to get up. Ever.

Today, if she gets up, she'll have to face once again that her husband is gone for good, but this time, in front of their family and friends.

Today's the funeral, and even though the sun's shinning bright outside, it'll be a while until her body's able to find warmth again.

Today's also her birthday.

How fucked up is that?

So she doesn't want to get up. But, to her dismay, her bladder has other ideas.

This just feels like a dream. A blissful dream she never ever wants to wake up from.

She's wearing her mother's dress and almost ready. Just a couple of hours before, she was whisked away by Martha, Lanie and Jenny to her apartment, while Rick, Alexis and the boys stayed back at the loft.

The air is light with excitement and joy as the girls –who are already dressed– wait for the bride to come out of her room.

Once Beckett is finally ready, she comes out of the room beaming, and the other women's jaws drop before they all smile.

"Wow," Jenny says as they all stand from the couch they were sitting on.

"You look like an angel," Lanie walks closer to Kate.

"Really?" she drops her gaze to the floor shyly, without being able to take the smile off her face.

"Yeah! For a second there I wanted to marry you!" Lanie reassures her as she takes her hands and chuckles.

"Oh, just stop Lanie" Beckett says in a way that makes Martha see them just as two excited little girls.

Jenny joins the two women and takes a closer look at the dress. "I must say, your mother had great taste."

"Yes, she did," Martha agrees. "Just… Look at you," she says proudly, walking toward them. "I believe you're the most beautiful bride I've ever seen," she continues sincerely.

"Thank you, Martha"

"Girls… Would you just give us a minute, please?" the redhead tells Lanie and Jenny, who are quick to do so.

Kate and Martha remain looking at each other. Today, they'll officially become family, and they couldn't be happier about it.

After dragging her feet through the bathroom and the room, she manages to get ready.

She stands in front of her dresser, already clad in the customary black clothes and she can barely get herself to do what usually goes next in her morning routine.

Finally after sucking in a breath, she painstakingly takes her hand up to retrieve her father's watch and put it on.

For the life that she saved.

After that, she stares at the box in which her mother's ring lays and softly runs a finger over the top.

For the justice she brought to herself.

Then, she has to take a few deep breaths before taking the next step. She grabs the wedding band –which she hasn't been able to wear since his death– and places it around her finger.

For the love of her life.

Finally, she takes the chain from which hangs her engagement ring and puts it around her neck, where it lies right beside her heart.

For the life that she lost.

"Martha…" Beckett begins. "I just wanted to thank you and Alexis for… Taking me into your family. You guys have never been anything but welcoming, and I couldn't be more grateful."

"And I want to thank you for making my son so very happy," she pauses before lifting the box in her hand. "I brought you something," Martha hands it to Kate. "In case you didn't have something blue."

Kate's eyes narrow in wonder and they widen when she sees the contents of the box. "Oh, wow," she gazes at the stunning blue earrings. "They're… Beautiful," she doesn't know what else to say.

She walks to her room as she puts them on followed by Martha.

"They were given to me by my mother to wear on my wedding day and by her mother before," the redhead narrates as the brunette reaches the mirror. She stands behind her as the younger woman tries them on. "Only women of substance have worn these gems. They've been waiting, Katherine. For you"

Beckett glances at herself in the mirror and is amazed by the beauty of the simple yet elegant earrings. She also watches Martha behind her, and is able to read between the lines. None of Rick's wives before her were considered good enough for her son. Just her.

"I'm incredibly honored, Martha," she says, turning around. "Thank you," she wraps her arms around the other woman in a hug.

"Oh, darling, they're exquisite on you," and you're the only woman who's even been enough for Richard, she finishes to herself.

Of course Kate misses her mother, especially today, but this… She wouldn't trade it for the world.

All the black clad family members and friends, gather around Richard Castle's casket to say the last goodbye.

They air at the cemetery is heavy with pain as they all listen to some man say something about new beginnings and shit.

Alexis and Beckett sit side by side and remain stone-faced, not ready for the display of emotions that they both know is soon to come. Martha is at the younger woman's left and has already broken out her tissues.

A three-hundred-and-sixty degrees view of Manhattan... The stars above them and the world at their feet… That's what they wanted and that's what they got. Actually, they got that and much more. Today, they're tying the knot the same place where they first met no less than six and a half years ago. Well, where they officially met.

3 dozen chairs sit in neat rows at both sides of the aisle. All the decorations and details are in white, and they look beautiful in the glow of the afternoon.

The altar consists of an arch simply draped in white and covered with a few flowers.

It all looks simple and pristine, but at the same time elaborate and romantic. The whole place just screams 'Caskett'.

Right before the ceremony begins, the guests anxiously wait for the bride come down the aisle to finally consummate 6 years of sexual tension and 'will-they-won't-they' that were oh-so-very-not-subtle and they all witnessed carefully and painstakingly.

Castle stands proudly at the altar flanked by his best "man", Alexis, and the solemn-looking officiant. The novelist's so excited he's sure his grin will split his face in two. His eyes travels around the crowd they assembled after finally being able to cut down the guest list.

On his side, notably sit the people from the precinct and his mother, who all look as excited as he feels. On Beckett's side are some of her closest family members.

Soon, two of Kate's nieces –daughters of one of her cousins– walk down the aisle wearing cute white dresses dropping white petals, followed by Lanie, announcing the impending arrival of the bride. As they make their way to the altar, the wind starts picking up.

When the kids sit down and the bridesmaid takes her place at the altar, Castle stands a little straighter and the guests rise to their feet.

They wait for a few seconds until finally the novelist's beautiful bride appears at the end of the aisle. She's wearing the simple, yet stunning dress Johanna wore for her own wedding and is holding her father's arm proudly.

As soon as Kate catches Castle's eye, the world stops, even the wind stills. He feels like his heart will beat itself out of his chest. She's so beautiful, so breathtaking and amazing… And she's his.

He'll make sure to do his best to live up to this woman until the day he dies.

"Words…" Kate begins unsteadily. She's standing in front of black-clad friends and family members at whom she's looking at through her dark sunglasses, trying to conceal the pain that still manages to make its way to her voice.

"Words were his thing, but I thought I wouldn't be honoring him if I didn't stand here today before you to in some way try to convey all the happiness he brought to all of our lives," she continues through the first paragraph, barely managing to keep her voice steady.

Then, she looks up and that tragic day comes rushing back to her brain, the images as clear as if she were living it right now. The searing pain that ripped through her body is back with full force, making it difficult for her to breathe. She has to grip the podium to stay upright.

Get it together, Kate. You're safe.

No you're not.

She's back to that day in a flash, only this time's worse. This time Castle's strong arms are not there to try to save her.

Suddenly, Kate feels her father's strong embrace is holding her up.

The first thing Beckett does when she makes it to the venue is look for her father. She finds him in the area where they'll have the reception.

"Hey, dad," she says quietly when she walks in.

Jim turns around and remains perplexed for a second when he sees his daughter in Johanna's dress looking absolutely breathtaking. He slowly makes her way toward her and he feels how his heart swells with pride at the same nostalgia takes hold of him.

She looks just like her mother.

The tears start welling in his eyes and he takes his daughter into a strong embrace. "Oh, Katie. You look so beautiful."

"Thank you, dad," she says her arms wrapped firmly around him and she doesn't even try to stop the tears from falling.

"Your mother would be so proud," he says quietly.

All she can do is hug him as the tears flow freely down her face. "I miss her so much."

"I know, dear. I know," he rubs soothing circles on his daughter's back. "I miss her too."

They remain like that for a while, until they've both stopped crying.

They both needed this moment to remember her. Now they can go back to being excited.

Now, with a smile back on her face, she breaks apart and looks at her father with hopeful, happy eyes that remind him of when she opened her Christmas presents when she was little. "I'm getting married."

"You are," he chuckles and nods with a smile. "And I couldn't be prouder," he finishes with all the sincerity in his heart, earning another, quicker hug from his daughter.

Soon, it's time for Jim to give his daughter off to another man. And he's glad that man is Castle.

He's seen how happy he makes her. He wants her to be happy like that for the rest of her life. It's the least she deserves.

Her father gently guides her to the far end of the aisle. When she gets there, she takes a moment to look at everybody in the crowd, until her eyes lay on her husband. As soon as their eyes lock on each other's, they feel like they're the only people left in the world. It even feels like the wind suddenly stopped blowing for them.

They're just that perfect together.

Her heart starts beating like crazy as she goes down the aisle, and Jim's hold becomes stronger, reassuring her.

When Jim leaves Kate at the altar and goes back to his place, before she goes to her soon-to-be-husband she looks back and her gaze stays on the empty chair at her father's right. If only her mother could be there…

Castle reaches her and bows her head at Jim, acknowledging Johanna's place. He grabs Kate's shoulders, telling her he's there, but also to take the time she needs.

A soft smile lights her features feeling Castle's hands on her shoulders. She takes a fraction of a second to turn and meet Rick's eyes, showing her how grateful she is for… Everything. Her mother will always be there with her. It's time to move forward and take the next step. She deserves to be happy.

Their eyes remain locked on each other for another moment before she motions for him to lower his head closer to her so that she can whisper in his ear, "We getting married, or what?"

He smiles and takes her hand, bringing her to the altar.

"Are you okay?" he whispers over her shoulder. "You don't have to-"

"I do," she cuts him off after taking a few deep breaths. "I do have to do this," she adds with new found strength.

He keeps her in his arms for a few more seconds, as if holding her like that could shield her from all the pain in the world. If only he could take her place he would do it in a heartbeat. If only…

"Alright," Jim finally nods, and after seeing she seems better, he places a light kiss on her forehead before returning to his seat.

"Richard Edgar Alexander Rodgers Castle was the man of my life" she stops to try to swallow the lump that's starting to form in her throat. "He barged into my life against my will and saved me from myself. I was drowning and he saved me. He showed me how great life can be. He was a child at heart, but he was also the sanest of us all.

"He made my life magical again, and even if his death is hurting me to no end right now, I'll never let it bring me down. He- We worked too hard for me to let myself die with him. I will not let everything he worked for and everything he taught me, die with him. That just wouldn't be fair.

"The moment that I met him, my life became extraordinary. He taught me to be my best self, to look forward to tomorrow's adventures. And when I was vulnerable, he was strong."

She looks deep into his eyes, so that he can see that she'll carry her promise with all her heart. And that she means every single word. "I love you, Richard Castle. And I want to live my life in the warmth of your smile and the strength of your embrace. I promise you I will love you. I will be your friend and your partner in crime, and in life, always."

At this very moment, they're the only people in the world. Against the romantic orange and pink sunset backdrop of New York, they assure each other that the last 6 years have been the best of their lives, but they promise that the best is yet to come.

He smiles to her, and places the wedding band on her finger. "The moment we met my life became extraordinary. You taught me more about myself than I knew there was to learn. You are the joy in my heart. You are the last person I want to see at night when I close my eyes."

Castle also reaches into her eyes, making sure she knows he'll do everything in his power to keep her safe and happy for the rest of his life.

"I love you, Katherine Beckett. And the mystery of you is the one I want to spend my life exploring. I promise to love you, to be your friend, and your partner in crime, and in life… 'Till death do us part, and for the time of our lives."

"And he'll stay with me," one of her hands goes up to touch the ring on her necklace, and the other one, behind the podium discretely travels to her stomach, where it rests for a few seconds. "Always."

By the time she finishes, there are a lot more people crying and Kate is absolutely exhausted.

But this helped, somehow. As if putting it all into words in a way unburdened her. And maybe he heard her. That's enough to hold her together for now.

Right when she's going back to her place, Beckett notices a white-haired man in a green jumpsuit wearing dark sunglasses and a hat way behind the gathering. He's several feet away from them but close enough for her to able to guess who that is.

She stares at him closely and he lowers his sunglasses, confirming her suspicions. Their eyes stay locked for a while before he puts his shades back on and signals for her to go meet him near a great tree closer to the entrance.

Kate thinks about following him for a second before deciding against it. She'll find him later, once the service is over.

After saying "I do", the party moves downstairs, where the reception venue is already set up and ready for the celebration.

The floor-to-ceiling windows make for a breathtaking view of Manhattan below them, and the elegant and simple decorations across the room, on the tables and at the dance floor make the ambience a little more magical than it already is.

After eating, and once the newlyweds have had their first dance to Andrew Belle's "In My Veins", Castle and Beckett get some time to go to their friends.

As soon as they reach the table where Alexis, Lanie, Martha, Esposito and Ryan are, they're congratulated and hugged by all of them, not for the first time. Once they're done, and before Kate and Rick can sit down, the boys walk over to them.

"Bro, can we have a second with your wife?" Espo asks Castle, making Beckett roll her eyes.

He looks at her and as soon as he does that, Ryan makes a whipping sound.

The boys burst out laughing and the novelist narrows his eyes at them. Beckett shoots them a disapproving look, but she can't help smirking.

"You haven't been married for two hours and we can already see who wears the pants in the relationship," Espo snickers.

"Yeah, well, when she also happens to be the one who wears the gun…" Castle plays along.

"Shut up, boys," Beckett rolls her eyes, joining them.

"Don't worry, we'll bring her back," Ryan reassures him with a smile before they walk away.

"What's up?" she asks them.

"You got hitched!" Ryan announces proudly.

"I did," she nods, everything still feeling a little surreal.

"You have no idea how happy we are for you," Esposito says, almost solemnly.

"Especially since it took you both so long," Kevin adds with a shrug, making Beckett shake her head.

"Yeah. The only thing more annoying than putting up with you two making love eyeballs at each other every other minute," Javi starts pointedly, making her purse her lips. "Was watching you deny your feelings for each other," he finishes more softly.

"We're glad you finally found what you deserve," Ryan nods.

"Oh, thank you, guys," Kate grins hugging them both. She's so grateful for her family. Her whole family. If it weren't for them, she's not sure she'd be here today.

"Now, if he ever gives you trouble…" Espo says, in a big brotherly manner.

"Don't worry, boys. I'm pretty sure I can take care of myself."

Once it's over, a few people approach Kate, Martha and Alexis to offer their condolences, but they only thing they want to do is go home and live through their own hell alone.

But they still say thank you and I appreciate it because that's the right thing to do, even if this whole thing shouldn't be happening in the first place. But they hide that pain behind dark sunglasses, only letting the world see that they're hanging in there. That alone should be enough.

Martha and Alexis leave to talk to some people, and Kate is left behind with Lanie, Ryan and Esposito.

At some point, Javier breaks the heavy silence.

"What can we do for you?" he says quietly, putting a hand on her shoulder. He's standing behind the chair she's sitting on, and Lanie and Ryan sit at her sides.

"Bring my husband back," she says, her voice unwavering, but her gaze on the floor. By now, she's completely drained. She just wants to go home.

All of their hearts break in that instant.

"If it were in our power you know we would," Kevin says.

After a long silence, she speaks, this time unsteadily. "Tell me it's gonna be alright."

"Kate…" Lanie sighs. They can't tell her that. Not when they're not sure it will.

"Just- Just tell me," she pleads quietly, finally looking at Lanie. "Please?"

Lanie can't see her friend's eyes, but she can't possibly say no. Not with her like that. "Everything's gonna be alright."

And the three of them will make sure to at least try to make it better.

Soon, everyone else has reached the group, and Kate remembers she still has something to do today. "Would… Would you wait for me for a second?" she tells Martha, Alexis, her father, the boys and Lanie. "I need a walk"

They all nod silently before continuing their conversation.

She casually starts walking toward the tree. She scans the area and is unable to find the man in the green jumpsuit. Too late.

She still makes it to the tree and rests against it before sighing. She takes her sunglasses off and covers her hands with her face, everything she's kept inside the whole day threatening to spill through her eyes.

But before the waterworks can start, a strong embrace is taking hold of her frame.

She's hardly surprised when she sees Castle's father pressed against her tenderly.

"I'm sorry. I came as soon as I heard," he breaks apart, giving his daughter in law a pained look.

"I'm sorry too," she says to the ground. After all, he was his son. He lost someone too.

"How are you holding up?"

"As well as can be expected, I guess," she sighs.

"And… Martha and Alexis?"

"We're all hanging in there. Trying not to let go… We all miss him terribly," she finally looks up at him and his heart breaks at the sight of the pain in her red-rimmed eyes.

He nods slowly. "Well, if there's anything I can do…"

"Thanks," she half-smiles, though they both know it's an empty promise. She has no way to reach him and he's a busy man. Besides, staying there for too long would probably be deadly.

"Do you really believe it was an accident?" he turns serious. If there's even a small possibility that someone did this to his son…

"Yes," she nods convinced. She believes in her people. But that won't stop her from digging up the file and learning it by heart when she's back to work.

He nods. He trusts her. She wouldn't let the son of a bitch that did this get away if there was someone to blame.

"Well…" he says after a few seconds, still unsure if he should be bringing this up. "I know it's not the best timing, but… Congratulations," he flashes a sincere smile, which leaves her stunned for a second. He takes that as his cue to leave and walks away from her.

Beckett lowers her gaze for a second and when she looks back up, he's disappeared into thin air, just like she expected him to. She's also not really surprised that he knew about the pregnancy…

She should probably expect her father in law to pop up in her life every once in a while now.

Kate remains leaning against the tree for a few more seconds before she pulls herself up to go back to her family.

In a fit of giggles and wearing enormous smiles, the newly-weds make it to the door of their honeymoon suite at one of New York's most luxurious hotels to spend the night before embarking on a three-week island getaway.

They stand looking at each other for a second, both threatening to burst with happiness at any second.

Deep within their eyes, beyond the euphoria, there's a deep seeded passion and unwavering, unconditional love. They also can't wait to rip each other's clothes off for the first time as a married couple.

"We're married, Mrs. Castle" God, he loves the sound of that!

"We sure are, Mr. Beckett" she raises an eyebrow, shooting him a playful look.

He acts confused for a second before scooping her up bridal style.

He catches her by surprise and she squeals before bursting into another fit of giggles. He gives her a second to settle into his embrace before carrying her across the threshold.

Laying alone that night in the darkness of her room, she's glad this day's finally over. But her mind's also somewhere else.

Her heart speeds up and her body ignites with the memories of that night. It was most certainly not the first time they'd been together, but it was their first as a married couple. And what a night it was.

But her heart also longs for those strong arms that held her all night long, and for the sweet words they whispered to each other… Which ended being nothing more than empty promises.

Always. 'Till death do us part, and for the time of our lives. His words ring in her brain.

And when death does do them part… What's supposed to go next?