They didn't really know what to expect of the photo session. They had only met literally two hours ago, and were still so unsure. However, the photographer was so understanding and so patient with them. She led them outside the hotel into the bustling streets of New York City; it seemed strange to Kate and Rick that everyone seemed as normal despite what had happened. Of course, these people hadn't just married a stranger.
The photographer first posed them with Rick standing behind Kate, his hands around her waist. Kate only felt slightly awkward as she slid her hands on top of his. They both smiled for the camera. After the first couple of clicks, Rick whispered in Kate's ear: "If this is what being a model is like, I'm no longer interested."
Kate looked up at him as she laughed, a melodious sound, he notes, and they both hear a few more clicks. Their conversation is interrupted as the photographer repositions them. They're now facing one another, standing close, hands laced together at shoulder level. "Actually," Kate continues, "I used to model in high school for some extra cash and it wasn't quite like this."
Rick's eyes widened as his smile grew. Kate became suddenly shy as their arms twisted down to their sides and her gaze dropped to the sidewalk, her own smile spreading like a drop of oil on a pond. More clicks.
After a pause, Rick said, "You know, that doesn't even surprise me." Kate's eyes shot up to meet his, her expression shy and grinning. Rick leaned in to whisper against Kate's ear. "You're beautiful." Kate's face flushed a lovely shade of pink as she smiled at his shoulder. More clicks.
As Rick pulled back, both their eyes were sparkling as she said, "You aren't so bad yourself, Mr. Castle."
He laughed as the photographer made her way to the couple, most likely to reposition them again, clicking all the while. "Thank you, Mrs. Castle."
Another furious blush overtook Kate's face as she looked at her wedding ring. Shit, she was married! To Richard Castle! Richard Castle, who had a daughter. . .and a mother, both of whom lived with him.
Kate's face was overcome with a look of near panic. She grabbed his hand, stopping in her tracks, jerking him back with her. "Your family!" she nearly shouts at him.
Rick turns around, confusion flooding his once happy face. "What?" he asks, genuinely confused.
Kate doesn't let go of his hand; in fact she squeezes it as she blurts out, "Don't you want some wedding pictures with your daughter? This is a big day for her, too."
Rick beamed down at her for a soft moment before cupping one of her cheeks with his hand and kissing her slowly. They heard clicks in the background; neither paid it any attention. Pulling away, Rick smoothed his thumb over the skin over her cheek bone. "I don't think that's necessary, Kate."
She knew that Rick was trying to keep her from feeling uncomfortable, trying to make an awkward situation worse, but she just looked at him with the most serious expression he'd seen her in all day. "But we're a family now."
Rick looked at the woman he had just married and was in awe. She cared about his daughter and she hadn't even met her yet. He tried to blink back the hot tears that sprang to his eyes; his hands floated to her waist. Seeing him this affected by her words and what was in her heart must have affected her pretty deeply, too, because tears sprang to her eyes as well. She laughed softly and placed her hand on his cheek, forcing eye contact as he sniffed and shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.
"Thank you, Kate," he said as he pulled her in for a hug, "that means so much to me."
She rubbed his back before pulling away just enough to rest her forehead against his and smiling. "Come on," she said, "I wanna meet your kid."
Rick explained to the photographer what they were doing and she nodded her assent. Minutes later, they were back on the sidewalk with a red-haired teenager in tow.
"Dad, what's going on?" Alexis asked as they stopped a few feet away from the photographer.
Rick looked at Kate before beginning. "Alexis, this is Kate."
The younger woman huffed a laugh and said, "I know, Dad, I was at the wedding." Then, turning to Kate, she offered her hand. "Kate, it's so nice to meet you."
A little taken aback, Kate shook Alexis' hand. "It's nice to meet you, too, Alexis, really." Things might just be okay with them.
Alexis eyed them both. "I'm still not sure why I'm here, though."
Rick turned to Kate and just beamed at her. He grabbed her hand as Kate's stomach dropped, the realization of what he was wanting her to do washing over her. "You want me to tell her?"
Rick simply nodded, so Kate turned her attention to the young woman. "Well, your dad and I were having our pictures taken, obviously," she adds a little nervously, "and I asked if he wanted you or your mom to be in any of them." Alexis nodded, still unsure. "Anyway, he assumed I would just want the pictures to be the two of us, but I really don't. I wanted you to have a chance to be in these pictures, too, because, well. . ." she faltered, embarrassment flooding her once again.
Feeling Rick's thumb graze her knuckles, she finished after taking a deep breath. "I wanted you to be in the pictures because we're a family now. All three of us."
Alexis' face softened immediately, tears welling up in her eyes, causing tears in the other two as well. Alexis pulled Kate into a tight hug while Rick beamed down at the both of them, wondering how he got so lucky to be blessed with a perfect daughter and a perfect (so far) wife.
The three of them posed for a few more pictures, took a few including his mother, some with all of his family, then some with her father. The family members watched as Rick and Kate took a final few photos together before walking into the reception.
Just before Kate could walk through the doors, though, Rick held her back. "Thank you," he said, staring deeply into her eyes, trying to convey to her how deeply he meant it.
She leaned into his chest, kissing him softly and slowly, then grabbing his hand as she heard the DJ announce, for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Castle!