All's Well That Ends Well
A/N: I love AUs, and I love fix-it fics. In my head, this is kind of a merging of those, in a world where Castle actually makes it to his wedding. I hated the 'disappearance' storyline so much– it was such a cop out to not have him 'remember' and all that. So I wanted a world where they could have gotten what they deserved, what they fought for. I hope you enjoy this fluffy lil thing!
PS - Go read the lyrics to Taylor Swift's Lover. I feel like they're so apt!
—-
Can I go where you go?
Can we always be this close forever and ever?
…I've loved you three summers now, honey, but I want 'em all
Taylor Swift, Lover
—-
It's been too long.
Kate paced through the bedroom, wringing her hands, holding her breath. She was standing precariously close to the edge of a cliff, with only Martha's soft murmurings keeping her from completely tumbling over. He'll be here soon, she was saying. Richard would never leave you here alone.
If that was the case, then where the hell was he?
Kate glanced up at the clock, her attention snagging on Alexis looking nervously out the window. "I'm going to go keep the guests settled," she said, her voice trembling at the edges. She was worried too.
It had been almost an hour. He should have been here ages ago.
Kate reached for her cell phone, despite Martha's protests. She needed to contact the police, get a search team out, figure out–
Suddenly, Castle burst into the room, one hand over his eyes. "I'm here!" he wheezed, hair askew but a smile on his face.
"Dad!" Alexis shouted, hot on his heels. She must have seen him on her way outside.
Kate wasted no time. She lunged for him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He grunted, moved his hand to curve around her back, and let out an amused chuckle.
"I didn't miss the party, did I?"
"Where have you been!?" Kate heard herself screech. Distantly, she heard Martha tell Alexis to continue on to the party; the bride and groom would be ready momentarily. Frankly, she was surprised she could hear anything over the buzzing in her ears.
Castle pulled away, eyes still closed. "I can explain, I–"
"Why are you closing your eyes, dear?" Martha asked, and Castle grinned even more broadly.
"It's bad luck to see the bride, Mother!"
Kate rolled her eyes. "It's also bad luck to be late. So can you please just open them so we can have a normal conversation?"
"Can you at least put on a jacket or something first?"
Kate could have slapped him. She really could have. But wordlessly, Martha handed her a navy blue cardigan out of her duffel bag. She shrugged it on and crossed her arms across her chest to keep the fabric closed.
"Fine, okay. Seriously Rick. Where the hell have you been, and why do you smell like smoke?"
He opened his eyes one at a time, peeking at first to ensure she'd obliged his request. Once he was satisfied, Kate saw his face change. He looked her up and down, eyes twinkling in awe. It warmed her belly when he started to sway, and he cleared his throat before scratching at his already mussed hair.
"You look…"
"Not the time, babe."
"Right." He blinked a few times, resettled his gaze on Kate's face, and began his story: Apparently, he'd been almost run off the road by a black SUV. He'd braked hard, swerved, and clipped the corner of their vehicle. The SUV overcorrected and flipped into a ditch. His own car had spun out on the narrow road, but he was fine. When he noticed the SUV had caught on fire, he'd ditched his jacket in the front seat, rolled up his sleeves, and worked to get the people out. First responders came just as he was removing the second unconscious man.
"Castle, that's…" Kate didn't know what to say. Her fingers were trembling and she had started to sweat. He hadn't just been late. He'd been targeted.
"You were a hero, darling," Martha said, amazed, and sank down onto the bed. She looked pale, but proud, as she surveyed her son. "And you're sure you're not injured?"
Castle shook his head, and picked up one of Kate's hands in his. "It only took so long because the police were asking me for my statement. I had to give them everything short of my social security number for them to let me leave the scene." Then, he patted his coat pocket. "Marriage license really sealed the deal. And, of course, our address. They'll probably be stopping by later."
Kate's eyes were burning, her heart aching with both relief and the thought of what could have gone wrong. Had he not driven so defensively, they could have pushed him into the ditch. He was here because of sheer dumb luck, but someone out there had wanted him, and she needed to know why.
"And you're sure you're okay?" she whispered.
Castle raised her knuckles to his lips, kissing each one. "I am now. And I'm more than ready to marry you, if you'll still have me."
Before she could answer, she felt Martha's hands on her back. "Let's get this show on the road, darlings! The guests have waited long enough!"
Kate and Castle both grinned as they were herded down the stairs, but the air between them was tight as a coiled spring. Who were those men? What did they want with Castle? Why did they pick today, of all days, to corner him?
Kate made eye contact with him when they stopped at the back terrace. She could see the determination plainly in his eyes: he didn't know what just happened and why, but he was going to find out.
—-
Kate always thought she'd experience butterflies walking down the aisle, the kind that felt like champagne bubbles popping in her chest. And even though the sight that awaited her - Castle in his rumpled tux, his hair only barely smoothed down - was adorable and breathtaking, Kate's mind was in detective mode. She smiled for the audience, for Castle, but inside she was analyzing every word he'd said, envisioning the scene in her mind.
She tried to shake it off, especially when she got to the end and she could see the way Castle's eyes were glowing at the sight of her - it made her feel warm and loved and safe - but he'd almost been taken, or killed, only an hour ago. Someone had almost ruined this for her, for them. Just what on earth could have been so important, it needed to interrupt the most important day of their lives?
"I'm okay," he murmured softly under his breath, and raised her hand up to his lips once more. The warmth of his reassurance sparked something inside her, and a wave of giddiness spread across her skin, giving her goosebumps.
He was here. He was okay. Whatever those men had been aiming for… they'd failed. All because of this cunning, resourceful man before her.
God, she wanted to marry him.
It was as if her anxiety was carried off in the breeze that tickled the back of her neck. His eyes, his beautiful blue eyes, were locked on hers, and peace finally washed over her.
She mouthed that she loved him, he mouthed that he knew - the most private of conversations in the most public of places.
She was patient as the officiant spoke through the scripted ceremony. She grinned at the jokes Castle had slipped in, and squeezed his hands at the more sentimental parts. And when it came time for their vows, Kate could barely contain her giddiness.
She didn't care that all eyes were on her. She simply looked up into the face of the love of her life, and said what was in her heart. "Rick. For so long I tried to deny my feelings for you. Looking back on it, I'd give almost anything for the chance to change things, if only to have more time with you by my side. More laughs, more passion, more connection. You have given me the gift of a lifetime without even trying to. Having you as my confidant, my best friend, my partner… you've completely changed my life in ways I never could have expected. And I vow to always be the very best partner I can be for you; to care for your needs before my own, to comfort you when you need someone to lean on, and to never take for granted the romance that comes so easily with you. You are the love of my life, and I am so proud to be standing here with you today."
Her voice wobbled, but she finished strong, and he squeezed her hands in affirmation. His face was aglow with the setting sun, and the tears that sparkled in his eyes were all the reassurance she needed. She took a deep breath, and nodded for him to say his part.
"Kate…" He cleared his throat, and then looked out at the audience as he chuckled nervously. "I'm a writer. I should be able to at least come close to topping that, but uh…" He cleared his throat again and Kate laughed. "I knew that my decision to kill off Derrick Storm would change my life, but I had no idea just how much. I never knew the true meaning of destiny until I first met you. You told me I 'had no idea,' and you were right. The last few years… there have been ups and downs. But you're wrong about one thing." He shook his head, looking at her earnestly. "I wouldn't change a thing. The heartbreak, the longing… it may have hurt at the time, but it led us here, didn't it? In this moment, with our family and friends. And I've never been more happy to be just where I am, right now." He licked his lips and sighed contentedly. "And I promise you, with every fiber of my being, that I will be the best partner I can possibly be to you. I will never stop comforting you, or confiding in you, or letting you in. I will prioritize the love that comes so easily between us, and cherish it until my dying day. You are the love of my life, and nothing will ever change that."
Kate felt a surprised stutter rising in her chest at the synchronicity of their vows. They'd discussed them, but hadn't rehearsed them, and she loved how they were on the same page about their promises. It felt like solving a case; the mind meld that she'd only ever had with him.
She was squeezing his hands with a tight grip; Castle held back just as firmly. He mouthed that he loved her, and she breathed a relieved giggle before the officiant continued.
They exchanged rings, and then, awash in the orange glow of a beautiful spring sunset, they were pronounced man and wife.
Kate thought she might burst. She very well might explode in front of all these people, filled to the brim with a kind of joy and longing that made her head spin.
She felt her mother behind her. She felt her warm, encouraging hand as she stepped forward to launch herself into Castle's arms. She heard her laugh, along with the laughter of the rest of their guests, as she kissed him like a woman starved. And she felt the comfort of her arms as Castle set her back down on the ground, and looked deep into her eyes.
"I love you, Kate," he murmured, and she felt her mother's love too.
Tears escaped down her cheeks, despite her best efforts, and he wiped them away with his thumbs.
Together, they turned toward the audience and raised their conjoined hands. The crowd clapped and cheered, and Kate eyed Esposito wiping his eyes from his seat. Her father was standing and pounding his hands together, clapping with more vigor than Kate thought possible, and that was when it hit her.
This was the single greatest moment of her entire life.
And someone had come very close to taking it all away.
—-
Castle's arm was loose around her back as he redirected her toward the side of the house that looped around to the driveway. They'd just finished photos as the last of the sunlight dipped out of sight, and Kate was thanking her lucky stars they'd hired photographers who relished working in low light. (She was shown a quick sneak peek; the photos were going to be gorgeous.)
She saw two police officers hesitantly approaching the soiree, and it all came crashing back. Her arm snuck around Castle's lower back and she leaned into him, soaking up his warmth as she steeled herself for whatever was coming next.
"See? Told you they'd be back," he murmured. Kate put her detective hat back on, squared her shoulders, and approached the unfamiliar men with a hesitant smile.
"Any news?" she asked, direct and to the point.
"Nothing yet, Detective," one of the men replied. Ah, so Castle must've used her position to help get him out of there faster. Smart.
"How are they doing, at least?" Castle asked, an edge to his voice. Kate knew he must be torn between wanting to see these men pay for what they'd tried to do to him, and also come out of this alive so he could ask them himself. She could feel the tightness in his body as it pressed against the side of hers.
"Stable, but unconscious as far as we know. We were unable to get their statements before we were rushed out."
"By whom?" Kate inquired, panic elevating.
The second officer shrugged. "Not sure. There were no IDs on the guys from the SUV, but we got stiffed by a bunch of suits claiming this was federal business now."
"Federal?" Castle stammered, and the first officer sighed.
"Yeah. We thought we'd circle back around to you, now that you were more available to talk. See if you remembered anything else."
"I don't. It all happened so fast."
"And you have no idea who those men were?" Kate demanded, cutting Castle off, and the second officer scoffed.
"Wouldn't be here if we did."
"Well I can assure you, officers, I have no clue who they were or why they were chasing me. I'm just as confused as you are." His arm tightened around Kate. "And if it's all the same to you, I have a wedding I'd like to get back to."
The two men looked at one another, as if speaking mind to mind, and then the first relented. "Of course, Mr. Castle. But, we'd like to assign officers to the property to monitor the situation. Protect you, if anyone tries to return tonight."
Kate smiled gratefully, and said, "There are plenty of NYPD present this evening. I think we're covered."
"Your guests will certainly want to drink, partake in the festivities. Just - let us station two men out front. If anyone tries to enter the party after this point, they'll be detained and questioned."
She considered, lips pursed. One look at Castle and she could tell he was perhaps more concerned than she was that this threat might not be fully over yet.
After another moment, she nodded. "Okay. Couldn't hurt to have extra sets of eyes." No one seemed to know just what Castle had managed to avoid, but whoever was responsible very well might take another run at him.
But now he was with her. Where he went, she went, and she'd die before she let anyone take him away from her.
They bid the officers goodnight and turned to head back to the party.
"The Feds?" Castle whispered furtively, and Kate shrugged.
"I don't know. Could be people pretending to be Feds."
"I don't understand…"
She frowned, and took his warm, smooth hand in hers. "Me either. But I promise you, we will find out." The crowd was boisterous and lively as dinner was finally served, and Kate's stomach grumbled at the enticing aroma. "Let's eat, okay? We can talk about it later." She turned to kiss him, but his eyes were already focused on the plates being handed out to guests. She settled for his cheek instead.
—-
After dinner, they made quick work of cutting the cake. Due to their delayed start, their timeline needed serious alterations, and Alexis and Martha were working with Efficiency as their number one goal of the evening.
Kate couldn't really say she minded though; it felt more private doing it this way. The photographers were the only true audience to their giggling antics as they tried to avoid making a mess of things. And when they were through and the caterers stepped in to hand out slices of the chocolate cake, Martha was ready with hand towels for them both (monogrammed with a golden C, of course).
Alexis alerted the DJ it would now be time for the couple's first dance. If it seemed rushed to their guests, Kate and Castle couldn't really tell. (Nor, quite frankly, did they really care.)
On cue, Castle held her hand and led her out to the dance floor just as the opening notes of their song began to play. A warmth washed over Kate, like the first hint of a really good buzz. It was love, she supposed, as she hadn't had a drop of alcohol all evening. She needed to be alert after the day's events, and couldn't afford to let her guard down.
It felt… wonderful, swaying in his arms under the twinkling garden lights above their heads. The air was warm, with a light breeze - a perfect day in May. It smelled like flowers and sea salt and him, which very well might be her new favorite combination. Everything was perfect. Outside of the deep-rooted unease that was unlikely to abate until they solved this, for now, she felt weightless.
He tipped his head down and murmured into her ear, "How are you?"
She rested her chin against his shoulder and pulled him close. "I'm wonderful."
He chuckled. "So why are you so tense?"
"I'm happy. You know that."
"I do. You haven't stopped smiling all evening." He kissed the side of her head through a grin of his own. "But that doesn't mean your brain isn't working overtime."
Well. He wasn't wrong, there.
She inhaled deeply through her nose. Despite the cologne, she could still smell a hint of smoke on him. "I just have a bad feeling about what happened before."
"Yeah," he sighed, "me too."
"Nothing… weird's happened the last few days?"
Castle shook his head gently as they continued to sway. "No. I took out that money for our honeymoon. Juggled some of the vendor issues that popped up last minute, like they usually do for weddings. Got the rush order on the license… nothing abnormal, outside of your rushed divorce."
Kate turned her head more outwards, so she could rest her cheek against his shoulder. "Yeah. I guess… despite how well everything has gone since then, I just wonder… Castle, I want answers."
"Believe me. I do too."
"And I don't even know where to start." It was more of a whisper, a reluctant admission lifted out of her on the exhale, but Castle gripped her tighter. He'd heard her.
"I… may have an idea."
Kate lifted her head and looked up into his lined face. He didn't look convicted in this supposed idea, but he was just as sober as she was. Whatever he was thinking, it was a start. It was something.
"Oh?"
He nodded. "Maybe… maybe my father might know."
Kate wanted to argue. They'd debated whether or not to even invite him today, knowing the man brought trouble with him everywhere he went. They'd eventually settled on an announcement, rather than an invitation, sent to a PO Box in Jersey. It was better than nothing, Castle had argued, and Kate had gone along with it.
"You know he's connected. Maybe he knows something," Castle muttered, but Kate knew him well enough to know this was a long shot, and even he thought so too.
After a moment though, she nodded. "It's certainly a start."
He kissed her forehead, his lips tender and warm, and they finished out the song in the comfort of the other's embrace.
When the song ended, he tipped up her chin with one hand. (Kate felt rather than saw the distant flash of a camera. She was glad for it. This felt like a moment she'd want captured forever.)
"I'm okay. And as long as we are together, I promise, everything will be just fine."
She grinned, feeling for all the world like a lovesick fool.
They kissed under the faux starry night, and Kate never wanted this moment to end.
—-
They waited until guests were well underway with their late evening revelry before sneaking away to the patio by the back door. Kate avoided the urge to bite her thumbnail as Castle deftly typed out a text to the last number he had saved for his father.
He pressed send, and they both waited under the cover of darkness, staring at the brightly lit screen for a reply. Seconds passed and they heard nothing but the crickets and party-goers in the distance, until finally his cell chirped twice.
Beach. Ten minutes.
Castle blanched, staring down at his phone in dismay. He showed Kate the screen but she'd already seen it.
"Ten minutes? Wait, he's here?" she asked warily. "But you asked him for a phone call!"
Castle shrugged. "I guess he didn't like the announcement?"
Kate rolled her eyes. "How come we haven't seen him?"
Castle opened and closed his mouth. "I've got nothin'. Your guess is as good as mine."
She looked out over the party, mulling over their game plan. "We can't just go down there alone. If something happens… we need people to know where we are."
"Agreed. So what do you suggest?"
"Talk to Martha. Tell her we're going to take a quick walk on the beach, just us. If we're not back in fifteen minutes, she can send Espo or Ryan after us."
"And if she asks why?"
Kate licked her lips. They still tasted like chocolate cake and sweet buttercream. "It's our wedding day. Get creative with your tone. She won't question you."
Castle grinned and took Kate's hand in his. "She is pretty tipsy."
"Which makes her very amenable."
Castle walked off to find Martha, and Kate skirted around the edge of the property, headed toward the stairs that led to the beach. She waited only a moment before Castle caught up to her and gave her a thumbs up.
Hand in hand, with the other holding up her dress, they walked down to the beach. They arrived right on time, and looked left and right, trying to see signs of life. Besides the party still going on from above and behind them, they heard nothing but the ocean.
"Did he say where?" Kate asked, even though she knew the answer. He'd been vague, and she had no idea where to go next.
"Just give it time," Castle murmured, and pulled her toward the ocean itself.
"What if it's a trap?"
"It's not. He'll be here."
Minutes passed before they felt, rather than saw, someone approach them from behind. It made Kate's spine tingle with unease. When they turned, they came face to face with none other than the infamous Jackson Hunt, wearing khakis and a white button up shirt. To anyone else, he looked like he belonged here.
"Congrats, kid," the man said, grinning genuinely from ear to ear. He stuck out a hand which Castle hesitantly grasped, and they shook. "Detective, you look lovely. But of course you do. I'd expect nothing less."
"Thank you," she smiled in return, feeling just the tiniest twinges of regret for not formally inviting him. He was Castle's father after all, spy or not.
"I'm surprised you're here," Castle announced after a moment, and suddenly the air felt thick again.
"Well, I had to make sure everything worked out all right."
"What - the wedding, or the attempted kidnapping? Or was it attempted murder? I'm a little fuzzy on the details."
Kate's stomach bottomed out. God, Castle could really be blunt. "Babe," she tried to say, but he squeezed her hand in warning.
"No, really, Dad. I'd like to know."
Surprisingly, Jackson… didn't look surprised. It felt like a swift kick to Kate's gut.
"I'd heard rumors."
"Sure. Rumors. Yeah."
Jackson sighed, clearly not in the mood for Castle's antics. "What can I do for you, kid?"
"Where have you been all evening?" Kate asked before Castle could get the chance. It wasn't where he wanted to start, she knew, but she was too curious to let it go. Details for the 'when' and 'where' were not on the announcement they'd sent him.
"Around," he replied casually, stance open and yet, body language completely closed off. It didn't sit well with her.
"And somehow you knew we'd be here in the Hamptons and not in the city?"
"Rumors, like I said."
Kate's fury was threatening to bubble over. They didn't have time for these games. "We made the change last minute. Only the guests and vendors were informed."
Jackson just nodded. He was agreeing with her.
"So who told you?"
"Does it matter?"
Castle scoffed. "Yes, it matters. My life was threatened today, and it shouldn't have been."
"So that's what you're here about then. Not why I'm here."
"Unless you're a part of it. Unless you're keeping something from us, something that you don't want us to know."
"Would I be meeting with you if that was the case?" His tone was sharp but quiet, like the blade of a deadly assassin. It was hard for Kate sometimes to reconcile that; Jackson was, in fact, an assassin.
"Clearly you have sources. Clearly you're keeping tabs on Rick. We get that. And if you don't wanna reveal your source, then fine. But we need to know what happened earlier today. Why Castle was targeted by that black SUV on his way to the wedding."
"Who were those men, Dad?"
Jackson was quiet. His eyes, which should have been warm and friendly as a father's, were cold and calculating, flitting back and forth between them.
"You know. Don't you," Kate accused softly. She tightened her grip on Castle's hand.
Jackson sighed. "I know some, yes."
"Care to share with the class?" Castle jerked his free hand through the air. "We do have a wedding to get back to. Your guys failed. No harm in telling us now."
His father scoffed. "Those weren't my guys."
"Then who were they?" he practically screeched. Kate looked around. No one else was in sight.
"Look, all I know is that there is something bigger than the two of you at stake here. Richard is needed for something, I don't know all the details."
"I'm not CIA! I'm not even a real cop! What could I possibly do to help with something so 'big,' as you say?"
Jackson glared at him. "Not sure. But it had to be you, son."
Castle scoffed and rolled his eyes dramatically toward the sky. "How about they call me then, huh? Talk to me! I'm a reasonable guy. If someone wanted my help, all they had to do was ask!"
"It's not that simple."
"It's always that simple!"
Kate gripped Castle's hand, hard. He was starting to spiral. She could feel it.
"Why today, of all days?" she asked Jackson. It still tore her apart, thinking of how horribly this day could have ended.
He looked at her, without really looking at her. It made her feel uneasy. "Need-to-know basis, I'm afraid."
"Well, we need to know." Castle glared hard at his father. For a moment, neither of them spoke. And then Castle continued, clearly overwhelmed and fed up with all the secrecy, all the non-answers. (Kate sure was.) "Were you sent here to make sure the job got done? You don't care about the wedding going well. You just needed to report back to someone, right? That the mission was a success?"
Jackson frowned. "No, I'm –"
Castle laughed mirthlessly. "Well, you can tell your bosses I'm still here, and I'm not going anywhere. They failed, and whatever happens next is on them. Had they just included me in whatever's going on, maybe they wouldn't have a bunch of their men fighting for their lives in the ICU."
"Richard!" Jackson finally snapped. "This is a matter of national security. You shouldn't speak so glibly about doing a service for your country!"
"I don't care! I do plenty for this city, and that's enough for me. Kidnapping is never the answer!"
"There wasn't time!"
Castle hooted, riled up beyond anything Kate could try to reason him down from. "There never is, is there? There must certainly be no time left now, if I'm still here. It all sounds like one big fat excuse to me."
Slightly revolted at everything Jackson had hinted at, Kate faced him. "You'd really do this to your son? On his wedding day?"
He looked chagrined, saddened. "It wasn't up to me. I know you won't believe me, but I'm not involved like you think I am." It was quiet for a long moment, save for the heavy sounds of Castle breathing, when finally Jackson added, "Look, you're right. I'm not disagreein' with you. You should have been given a choice. But you weren't."
Kate looked up at Castle, who looked too stoic to be read. She rested her other hand on his forearm, brushed against his skin. I'm here, she was trying to say.
"I wasn't in charge of this mission. I only heard bits and pieces because I was keeping tabs on you. Someone wants you for something important, that's all I know. It was imperative they get to you before this - threat - goes down. It was just a coincidence that it happened today."
Jackson paced, running a hand roughly through his hair. "There's still time to do the right thing. The wedding's over. I can call some guys, arrange a pick up. Maybe it's not too late."
Castle and Kate said nothing, just stared at Jackson in disbelief. At their silence, he continued again. "You'd be gone a couple weeks tops, I'm sure. And you'd be saving a hell of a lot of lives."
Castle shook his head, and Kate could feel his body begin to tremble. "I save lives everyday. We save lives everyday."
"I know. That's because you have that instinct - to help the greater good. Now's your time to shine, son. On a global scale. So… what's it gonna be?"
Castle gaped at him. Kate could tell his knees were failing him; he leaned heavily on her from the weight of the shock. He mouthed nonsense words but nothing came out, just squawks of disbelief that his father would ask such a thing from him.
Kate was terrified. Whatever this was, it sounded dangerous. They knew absolutely nothing of what exactly he was being asked to do, and yet, until Castle blatantly said 'no,' it seemed as though he might be considering it. She wanted to intervene, to demand that Jackson leave and tell whoever would listen that Castle wasn't interested, but it technically wasn't her decision to make. It was his. And just because they were married now didn't mean she could make this kind of call for him.
Castle turned to look at her. His eyes, which only a little while ago had been so bright and full of love and wonder it had made her weak, were now a stormy grey, wrestling with the weight of an impossible decision.
"No. I made my vows and nothing on this earth can make me break them."
Kate didn't turn to see if Jackson looked disappointed. She didn't care. Her heart was beating wildly, erratically, and she couldn't tear her gaze away from her husband even if she wanted to.
Castle continued, "We do enough. Surely there is someone else more qualified for whatever this is." He turned back to his father. "But if not, then I will consult. I can speak to whomever on the phone, or they can come to me. But I'm not going anywhere."
"What if I told you that you were personally requested? That the person knows you, trusts you. What then?"
Castle shrugged. "Everyone I love and trust most in this world is up there, waiting for me. As for everyone else…" He sighed, regretfully. "I'm sorry but there has to be someone else."
Kate let go of Castle's hand in order to weave her arm around his lower back inside his coat. She was so proud of him. She knew it was an impossible decision, and she honestly couldn't say if she would have made the same call if she were in his shoes. But he was right - Alexis, his mother, their friends… they were all here. They were his priority.
Jackson sighed, but finally nodded. He looked at them each for a long, lingering moment before his gaze settled on Kate. "You do make a beautiful bride, detective."
"Thank you."
"I wish you both a lifetime of happiness. You've definitely earned it." He offered a peaceful smile, and Kate detected no malice from his tone. It was genuine. He meant it.
When he finally turned to walk away, Kate called out, "Is it over? Or will more people come for him?"
Jackson shook his head. "I'm not sure. But I will relay that Richard has made his choice. And I'll do my best to keep you safe."
"Thanks," Castle murmured, and Jackson nodded once more before finally heading back to where he'd come from.
"Yo!" Javi called out, and pointed to Jackson's retreating figure. "Who's that guy? You've been talkin' to him a while now."
Castle put on a friendly smile, the kind his actress mother would approve of. "My neighbor. Just congratulating us is all."
"That's all?" Javi looked at Kate, who confirmed. It was so dark, clearly Javi hadn't recognized him. She was grateful for that.
"Chatty guy." He looked suspicious, but only for a moment before relenting. "Alright then. You good?"
"Yep. We're right behind you."
Javi gave a tipsy thumbs-up and led the way back up the stairs, Kate and Castle lagging slightly behind.
"You okay?" she asked him, and Castle nodded.
"I meant what I said, Kate. You are my family now. You three will always come first."
She felt overcome. Each step just a little heavier than the last. Perhaps it was guilt, though how could that be? He'd made the decision, not her. But he'd made it because of her, her subconscious whispered. He'd given up the chance to play spy and save the world because of her. Because he knew she wouldn't want him to leave her alone so soon after getting married. Because for the first time in maybe her whole life, she needed him in a way she'd only ever needed two people before now.
She felt vulnerable, maybe even a little disjointed. But she also felt joyous and proud of him and so very loved.
Javi went back to the dance floor and Kate gave Martha a little wave, signaling their return. The woman looked like she couldn't care less as she tipped back yet another glass of champagne, and regaled a group of guests with what looked like quite an embellished story.
Then, Kate turned to look at Castle. She tugged on his sleeve, skirting the edge of the party. "Follow me," she said quietly, and shot him a conspiratorial glance over her shoulder. "I need your help."
"With what?"
Kate grinned to herself, biting her lip. "You'll see."