Disclaimer: 'Castle' is the property of Andrew W. Marlowe and ABC Studio Productions. No copyright infringement is intended. The story is the property of the author and may not be archived without her permission.
A/N #1: I am giving full story credit on this story to Jen Kus, one of my followers on FanFiction dot net and on Facebook. She was looking for a story where Castle and Beckett had the wedding that was supposed to have taken place in the Season 6 finale. When we couldn't find one, I told her that I would write one. I explained that I haven't had writer's block lately as much as I've just been uninspired. And coincidentally, one of my muses (The Baby Muse) had texted me yesterday wanting me to write something. Great minds think alike and all that stuff. So, Jen, I hope that I do this story justice. And thank you for the nudge.
A/N #2: This story is going to include the awful marriage to Rogan O'Leary, but just the tail end of it. It's the only way that I could make everything in this chapter work. There will be dialogue from both 'For Better or Worse' from Season 6 and 'The Time of Our Lives' from Season 7.
A/N #3: Thank you, Gina, for being a great beta reader and making suggestions and dialog changes.
In My Veins
Chapter 1: Get Us to the Altar on Time
Lanie Parrish ended the call with Kate and put her cellphone down on the counter before once again wiping her wet eyes. Looking over at Kate's ruined wedding dress, she burst into tears once again. She didn't understand why Kate's super hadn't contacted her regarding the broken pipe in her neighbor's apartment. But she also found herself wondering why Kate hadn't placed the gown in a garment bag and just hidden it somewhere in Castle's loft. Somewhere where the curious Writer-Boy wouldn't find it. Her best friend was getting married at sunset the next day. What kind of a best friend would she be if she didn't fix this somehow? The question was, how?
Lanie knew that when things were at their absolute worst for her, she had always called her dad. Her dad had always fixed everything. Lanie had only called Kate's father when there had been an emergency. 'If ever there was an emergency, this would be it," she picked up her phone and scrolled through her contacts until she found Jim Beckett's number.
The older gentleman answered on the first ring. "Lanie? Is everything all right? Has something happened to Katie?"
"Not exactly," Lanie choked back tears. "Kate had to go out of town for an emergency. She asked me to pick up her dress. The dress is ruined, and I don't know what to do! The wedding is tomorrow and now Kate doesn't even have a dress—"
"Lanie, take a breath and calm down. Are you sure that Katie's dress is ruined? Have you tried taking it to a shop? An alteration shop or a tailor?"
"Mr. Beckett, it's gone! There was a broken pipe in the apartment above Kate's and her closet was damaged by water. I don't know what to do," Lanie began crying harder than ever.
"Lanie, please stop crying. Believe it or not, I might have a solution. In fact, I think I might have the perfect solution. When is Katie returning to town?"
"I'm not sure."
"Is anyone at the house in the Hamptons right now?"
"Martha and Alexis are out there getting everything ready for the ceremony."
"Okay. Go and wash your face. Everything is going to be okay."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive."
"Thank you, Mr. Beckett."
"You're quite welcome, Lanie."
Ending the call, Jim Beckett walked to the bedroom that he had shared with Johanna for so many years and opened the closet door. His eyes briefly filled with tears as he carefully removed the large garment bag from the far end of the rack and carried it over to the bed. It had always been Johanna's wish that her daughter would someday want to wear her wedding dress. He had been disappointed when Kate had told him about the designer dress that she had received as a gift from Matilda King, but his pride had refused to allow him to say anything. Maybe the burst water pipe was a sign from up above.
He took out his cellphone and made a call to Martha. "Jim, it's lovely to hear from you," Martha's voice sounded cheerful, as always.
"I just received a call from a very distraught Lanie. It appears that there was some sort of disaster with Katie's dress."
"Yes, she told me. The poor girl was absolutely beside herself. I'm sure that we will be able to find something that Kate will look beautiful in."
"That's why I'm calling. I have the dress that Johanna wore when she married me. Do you have anyone that can do alterations quickly? I'm not sure when Katie is returning from her emergency, but I know that time is of the essence here."
"I'm sure that Richard knows someone. I'll find out and get someone out here."
"Terrific. I'll see you soon."
Martha ended the call and looked at Alexis. "Thank God that poor man doesn't know that his daughter's 'emergency' was getting her husband to sign divorce papers."
"Have you talked to her or dad?"
"Not since yesterday. It appears that Rogan is being quite the scoundrel, according to your father."
"They have to get this done, Gram. We've got 300 people arriving for their wedding."
"They'll get it done, kiddo. Have some faith."
"Oh, I have a lot of faith in dad and Kate. In Rogan? Not so much."
"I hear you, kid."
The following morning, Kate finally managed to get Rogan to sign the divorce papers, freeing her and Rick to return to the Hamptons for their sunset wedding ceremony. "Will we make it?" Kate asked, as they walked to their nearby vehicles.
"Yes. Having separate vehicles will help. I can head into the city to give your divorce papers to my lawyer and to get our marriage license from Judge Markway. I'm just glad to be getting out of Mayberry," he teased, referring to Rogan's hometown of Willow Creek, New York. "I do have a question, though, before we head our separate ways."
"What's that?"
"Do you have any other husbands that I don't know about conveniently lying in wait?"
"Very funny. We should head out. Drive carefully and I'll see you in a few hours."
"You won't see me until sunset when I see you walking down the aisle on your father's arm. We've had enough bad luck. I'm not chancing more."
"Well, will you call me when you're close to the house?"
"I'll call you," he bent down and kissed her. "I love you."
"I love you, too. Thank you for helping me sort this mess out."
"Always," his grin was huge.
Kate got in her car and put the key in the ignition. She placed her phone in the holder in the console. "Siri, call Martha," she instructed the phone.
"Katherine, we were getting worried," Martha's voice came over the line. "Please tell me that you and Richard are on your way."
"I am. Castle has to make a stop in the city, but he shouldn't be too far behind me. I'm leaving Willow Creek now. I should be at the house in about an hour or so."
"Thank heavens," Martha heaved a sigh of relief. "Drive safely and we'll see you soon." She ended the call and went in search of Lanie and Alexis. "Kate just called! She'll be here in about an hour. Richard is on his way to the city, but he won't be too long."
"So, they got her scumbag husband to sign the papers?" Lanie wanted to know.
"I'm assuming so. The tailor that Richard recommended is also on her way, so everything is finally falling into place."
"I just want to tell you ladies that what you have managed to pull off in such a short period of time is nothing short of remarkable," Lanie complimented them.
"I am something of an expert of throwing things together quickly. But I will admit that this was a bit more of a challenge than tearing down a theater set."
"Everything is just beautiful."
"The challenge was in calling everyone to tell them that the venue had been changed. That was harder than putting everything else together," Alexis said. "My throat is sore from having to explain why everything had been moved."
"When the time comes, I'm putting you two in charge of my wedding," Lanie teased.
When Kate walked into the house a short time later, she stopped in shock at the transformation that had taken place in just a couple of days. She decided that her future mother-in-law and stepdaughter were miracle workers. Her exploration was interrupted by a very excited Alexis. "Kate! Thank goodness! We need you upstairs now!"
"Alexis, we have hours—"
"No, we don't! Upstairs, now!"
"Alexis, I don't even know what I'm going to wear. It might take me hours just to make that decision."
"Believe me, we don't have hours. Bea's on a very tight schedule."
"Who is Bea?"
"I'll explain everything in one minute. This is a very long, multi-part story."
Alexis led Kate into her bedroom, where she was taken aback by three things. A short woman with hair dyed a brilliant purple, her father, and most shocking of all, her mother's wedding dress on a dressmaker's mannequin.
"Kate, this is Bea. She's my dad's tailor. His other tailor. Not the one who botched Ryan's tux, but his other one."
"Hi," Kate managed to choke out before she made a nodding motion toward her father.
"I'll let your dad explain why he's here. Are you hungry? Because I can go downstairs and make you a plate," Alexis offered.
"Can I just get a glass of orange juice?"
"Sure. I'll be right back."
"I need for you to try the dress on," Bea began unbuttoning the dress from the mannequin.
"One second. Dad?"
"Lanie called me and told me about your wedding dress," he paused when he saw the emotion on Kate's face. "Katie, your mom always wanted you to wear her dress. But then you called me, and you told me about this fabulous dress that you had gotten from Matilda King. I didn't have the heart to tell you—"
"Dad, I'm sorry."
"Don't be. How many women get the gift of a designer wedding gown? But maybe the pipe bursting was your mother sending her own sign."
"Maybe," she smiled before hugging her father tightly. "Castle is going to be gob smacked."
"I certainly hope so. Now, go try it on, so Bea can get it altered, if need be."
Alexis was pouring Kate her glass of juice when her grandmother walked into the kitchen. "Did I hear Katherine?"
"Yes. She's upstairs right now with Bea. I'm taking her a glass of juice."
"I have to get something. Tell her that I will see her soon."
"Okay."
Jim was exiting Alexis' bedroom as Alexis was walking upstairs. She could see the emotions swirling in his eyes. "Jim? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Alexis," he smiled. "I'm sure that the same things will be going through your dad's eyes on your wedding day."
"Did it fit?"
"Oh, I left before I saw her in it. I don't want to see her in the dress until it's time for me to walk her down the aisle. I think I'll be less likely to burst into tears that way."
Alexis tapped on the door before turning the knob and walking in. "Oh, Kate," Alexis found it hard to breathe. "You look amazing."
"I just need to tuck it in a bit in the waist," Bea told the two women.
"I don't agree," Kate admired the dress in the mirror. "I don't want it fitting too tightly."
"Very well, then. Congratulations."
"Thank you," Kate smiled as she watched Bea gather her belongings.
"Kate, you look amazing," Alexis walked forward with the glass of juice.
"Let me change out of this before I drink that," Kate quickly disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. "The house looks great!"
"Thank you," Alexis smiled when Kate opened the bathroom door, placing the dress on a hook on the door. "It's a good thing that you and your mom were about the same height. It feels like everything is finally clicking into place. The last two days have been a nightmare."
"Tell me about it," Kate walked over and sat beside Alexis on her bed, taking the glass of orange juice from her.
"Did it take you a long time to find Rogan?"
"No, I found Rogan fast enough. It just took time to jump through his hoops and rescue him."
"Rescue him?"
"Don't ask. Ever. The important thing is that I got him to sign the papers and your dad is on his way to the city to file them with his lawyer."
"Did you see the Rolls?"
"The what?"
"Look," Alexis got up and led Kate to her bedroom window. "I guess dad has arranged a car and driver to take the two of you to the airport later tonight."
"He said that he had hired a driver, but a Rolls?"
"Kate, I'm glad that you're marrying my dad. I don't think I've ever seen him so happy."
"Thank you," Kate enfolded Alexis in a tight hug. "I need to take a bath, so that you guys can start getting me ready. Is Lanie here?"
"Of course. You can use my bath. That way, if dad gets here while you're in the tub, he won't see you."
"Thank you, Alexis."
Two Hours Later
"Girl, when are you going to let me see you?" Lanie called out from the bedroom.
"Soon. I should've got my hair cut!"
"Would you stop worrying about your hair and get out here already!" Lanie walked over to the window, smiling when she saw the guests beginning to take seats on the back lawn. "People are starting to arrive! Are you ready?"
"Almost. How did you manage to pull this off?"
"Are you talking about the dress?"
"Of course, I'm talking about the dress, Lanie!"
Well, you know, I called your dad and he said that he had a dress that you could wear."
"When I was a little girl, I got busted by my mother looking at this dress. I won't repeat what she told me would happen if I touched it with what she referred to as 'my grubby little hands.' I just never imagined wearing it," Kate stepped out of the bathroom, causing Lanie to catch her breath.
"Wow," Lanie breathed. "You look like an angel."
"Really?"
"I must say, your mother had great taste."
"Yes, she did," both women turned when they heard Martha's voice. "Look at you. I believe that you are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen."
"Thank you, Martha."
"Lanie, darling, can you give us a moment?"
"Oh, sure. Kate, I'll tell your dad that it's perfect."
"Thank you, Lanie. Martha, I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am to you and Alexis for . . . for putting this all together."
"And I want to thank you, for making my son so happy."
"Alexis said the same thing. I love him, Martha. I feel like I have been waiting all my life for him."
Martha held a box out toward Kate. "I brought you something. Just in case you didn't have something blue."
Kate opened the box, revealing a beautiful pair of sapphire earrings. "Oh, wow. Martha, they're . . . beautiful."
"They were given to me by my mother to wear on my wedding day, and by her mother before. Only women of substance have worn these gems. They've been waiting, Katherine. For you."
Kate stepped up to the mirror and put in the earrings before turning and embracing Martha. "I'm so honored, Martha. Thank you."
"They look exquisite on you."
They were interrupted by the ringing of Kate's cellphone. She walked over and picked up the phone, smiling when she saw Castle's face lighting up the screen. "It's him!" She squealed in excitement to Martha.
"I will leave you to talk to your groom. I'll see you shortly."
Kate slid her finger across the bottom of her cellphone screen to answer. "Hey, lover. How close are you?"
"Twenty minutes. And you'll be happy to know things went smoothly with both my lawyer and Judge Markway. You are a free woman. But not for long." Kate beamed when she heard the news. "I've got our marriage license in my pocket, and I will be there soon. And Kate?"
"What?"
"I love you."
"I love you, too. I'll see you soon."
Kate walked over and sat on the edge of Alexis' bed and began toying with the pearl bracelet that she was wearing on her right wrist. Another gift from her late mother. "I miss you, mom," she whispered. "Thank you for the dress and the bracelet."
She was once again interrupted by a tap on the door. She looked up when Lanie stepped back into the room. "Your dad is going to come up in a moment. Where's Writer-Boy . . . Writer-Man, I mean?"
"He just called. He's on his way. I'm really going to do this, Lanie," Kate began to feel a thousand emotions all at once.
"Girl, you are going to be great! You two are so insanely crazy about each other."
"Yeah, we kind of are, aren't we? Why do I suddenly feel like I'm going to throw up?"
"It's nerves, sweetie. Just get through the next hour and you'll be fine. Soon you'll be dancing the night away and listening to a bunch of corny speeches."
They could hear a faint commotion from downstairs. "He's here," Kate began heading for the door only for Lanie to stop her.
"No! You're going to be seeing him soon enough. Sit down and I'll go get your dad."
Kate began pacing the room nervously after Lanie left the room. She walked to the window and looked out, hoping to catch a glimpse of Castle, but she couldn't see anybody at the altar.
Downstairs, Castle was in the master bedroom straightening his tux with the help of his best man. "I think you might be the world's best best man," he complimented Alexis. "Is my tie straight?"
"No, but they never are. I read somewhere that a bow tie is supposed to be somewhat asymmetrical. Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"I just wanted you to know that I'm so happy for you and Kate. You both make each other so happy. You deserve happy. Both of you do."
"Thank you, pumpkin," he wrapped his arms around Alexis and hugged her tight.
"Excuse me, Rick?" They turned to see Jim standing in the doorway. "Am I interrupting something?"
"No, not at all. My best man was just helping me adjust my tux. I got dressed at the loft so I wouldn't have to waste time getting ready here. But apparently tuxes don't take well to long car trips."
"I'll let the judge know that you're almost ready," Alexis said, excusing herself from the room.
"So, is this the 'if you hurt my daughter, I'll kill you' speech?" Castle teased.
"No, because I know that you'll never hurt Katie. You brought back her joy, Rick. For a long time after her mom was killed, she rarely smiled or laughed. You gave that back to her. I know that she loves you, and I know that you love her. Thank you."
"No problem," Castle smiled, hugging the older man. "I guess that I'd better get out there so that you can walk your daughter down the aisle. Uh, did she find something nice to wear?"
"You'll see soon enough," Jim smiled before leaving the room.
Castle walked across the lawn to the altar that had been set up on the pergola. He shook hands with the judge who he had hired to officiate the ceremony, and then stood beside Alexis, praying that his legs would stop shaking so badly.
Inside the house, Jim's breath caught in his throat when he saw Kate walking down the stairs with Lanie right behind her. "Katie, you look even more beautiful than your mother did. I wish—" his words cut off as he fought with his emotions.
"I know, dad. I wish that she were here, too. But I know that she's still watching over me."
Outside the guests got to their feet when the wedding music began. Castle's heart almost stopped when he saw Kate in her dress. "Alexis, where—"
"Her mom's," Alexis whispered back. "Jim came to the rescue."
Walking in between the chairs, Kate's focus wasn't on anything but Castle. Her future husband never looked sexier than when he was wearing a tuxedo and that was especially true today. When she reached the pergola, she handed her bouquet to Lanie as Alexis handed her Castle's ring.
"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" The judge asked.
"Her mother and I do," Jim answered.
Kate glanced over and saw her father standing with a framed picture of her mother in his hands. She took a deep breath to stop herself from bursting into tears. "I understand that Richard and Katherine have written their own vows. So, Katherine, whenever you're ready."
"The moment that I met you, my life became extraordinary," Kate began, sliding Castle's wedding ring onto his finger. "You taught me to be my best self, to look forward to tomorrow's adventures. And when I was vulnerable, you were strong. 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."
Castle slid Kate's ring onto her finger, over her engagement ring, before taking her fingers in his. "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're the last person I want to see at night when I close my eyes. I love you, Katherine Beckett. And the mystery of you is the one I wanna spend the rest of 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."
"By the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
The judge had barely got the words past his lips when Kate was kissing Castle as their guests clapped.
A/N #4: The reception will be in the next chapter. There will be a lot of people from the past attending.
A/N #5: I Googled the distance between Willow Creek and The Hamptons. It's approximately a 54 minute drive.
A/N #6: The bit about the bow tie being asymmetrical came from 'The Big Bang Theory.'
A/N #7: I'm not sure how long this story is going to be. I'm going to shoot for 10 chapters, but it might be longer.
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