Confession Chapter 74

Pastor Aurora faces the filled pews with a beatific smile. "We are gathered here today in the spirit of love to celebrate the joining of Katherine and Richard. They come before us with a unique set of promises, hopes, and dreams. At this time, they will speak them to each other so that all assembled may hear. Katherine.

Lanie pulls a sheet of paper from a pocket disguised by the folds of her dress and hands it to Kate. The page is for security, as Kate knows the words by heart and can look at Castle as she says them. "Richard Edgar Castle, you are my partner in all ways. When the burden of work becomes too heavy, you lighten it. When the walls of fear and pain close in on me, you breach them. You offer closeness when I crave it and space when I need it. You are the person with whom I can share my joys and can turn to in my sorrows. You are my rock in a sea of uncertainty. I love you with all my heart and want nothing more than to be at your side as long as we live."

Aurora turns to Castle. He withdraws cards from his pocket but keeps his gaze locked with Kate's. "Katherine Houghton Beckett, I never knew how incomplete I was until I met you. You fill the empty corners, the jagged edges, the barren wastelands in my heart and soul. You ease my pain, increase my joy, and bring meaning amid confusion. You shine light through my darkness and calm the whirlwinds of my doubt. Whatever challenges the future may bring, I love you with all my heart and want nothing more than to be at your side as long as we live."

Her smile continuing to glow, Aurora nods. "Do you have rings?" Lanie hands a thick gold band to Kate and Alexis passes a more delicate version to Castle. "You may exchange them now."

Kate struggles a moment to get a ring over Castle's knuckle but puts it in place. He easily slides the circlet of gold over her slim finger.

Aurora raises her hands over the couple. "May the spirit of love embrace you and dwell in you always. As Katherine and Richard have confirmed their desire to enter into marriage with the exchanging of vows and rings, by the power granted to me by the City and State of New York, I declare them to be husband and wife. You may kiss each other." The couple comes together in a relieved embrace.

To the strains of Handel's Allegro Maestoso, Castle turns to the applauding guests. "Let's get the party started!"


Urged by Lanie and Alexis, the wedding guests file into the church's vast social hall. A DJ is already set up in one corner, feeding "I Finally Found Someone," through large speakers. A loaded buffet along one side of the room holds an array of selections more than sufficient to feed the merrymakers and also, as Alexis insisted, address any special dietary needs. The tables are set with colorful linens and pots of African Violets serving as centerpieces. The arrangement sets aside a third of the floor space for dancing.

Kate and Castle enter to another round of applause and take seats at a table on a dais, along with Lanie, Alexis, Martha, and Jim. Alexis scans the crowd. "No one wants to be the first at the buffet table."

"Well I do," Martha declares. "I've been fasting for clarity and I'm starved. Martha descends and grabs a plate, trailed by the rest of the wedding party. Castle gestures at Ryan and Esposito and a few other cops from the 12th Precinct to follow, and as an enthusiastic queue forms, the DJ plays "Popcorn" by Hot Butter.

"I remember that song!" Martha exclaims, "I heard it at one of those avant-garde concerts in Central Park. They were demonstrating this strange thing called a synthesizer. The composer, Gershon Kingsley, played it. It must have been 1969, because I was pregnant with you, Richard. The way you were kicking I thought you were going to force your way out right then. You were still a little boy when the 45 by Hot Butter was released in 1972, and when I played it, you couldn't stop jumping around. You insisted you were the popcorn popping, knocked into the table, and broke my favorite glass."

"Mother, if you're still obsessing over it, I can buy you a new one," Castle offers. "I can buy you a whole set."

Martha waves his offer away. "No need. Such are the losses a mother suffers through with an overactive child. By the way, Katherine, have you given any thought to little ones – hopefully better behaved than Richard was."

Kate's fingers tighten around her plate. "Martha, we just got married."

"Ryan did warn us this would happen," Castle whispers in Kate's ear.

"Well if you're going to do it, you'd best get at it," Martha goes on. "The clock is ticking."

"Sorry about that," Castle says as he and Kate return to their table. "I understand you just started your new career and everything."

"It's all right, Castle. My Aunt Theresa called a couple of days ago and asked me the same thing. And after I settle in more as an investigator, I can think about it."

"I get it," Castle says. "And this is our time to rejoice and be merry." He points to his plate. "And the lemon sauce on this salmon can make us very merry indeed."


As the clatter of silverware on plates dies down, the DJ looks up for a signal from Alexis. She turns to her father and Kate. "Are you two going to start the dancing?"

Castle holds out his hand to Kate. "Ready for our first turn around the floor as husband and wife?"

"You mean wife and husband?" she teases.

"Whatever. But if we're waltzing, I get to lead. I can't dance backward."

Kate giggles and takes his hand. "Let's go."

As the opening notes of Billy Joel's Piano Man fill the air, Castle takes Kate in his arms. Every eye in the room looks on as they whirl into the future in three-quarter time. Anderson Cross gazes at his iPad and smiles.

Finis

A/N I hope you've enjoyed the story and will join me for the next one. It's probably pretty obvious what it will be: "Kate Beckett, Investigator." As to what Martha and Aunt Theresa may want, we'll just have to see. Unless I get hit by a bus or something, I will continue putting out a chapter a day. I hope you can come along for Kate and Rick's new adventures. Love, Sally