100. Chapter 100

Chapter 100

Saturday morning was good family time; but very soon after lunch, Bradford and his crew descended on the beach house, touring inside and out in every part of the place that would require clearing, decoration, consideration, security, or use of any kind. He showed them everything they needed to see, assigned their tasks, and sent them off to the vans to gather materials for what could be done that afternoon. When his workers left that day, some of the preparation would be finished; and they would have a clear plan of action, as well as a strict deadline for their tasks to be completed.

JD and John joined Castle's family on the beach and at the pool that afternoon. JD's parents had been sent an invitation, but they answered that they couldn't get to the wedding; so he and John enjoyed time with their in-laws/new family. With all the family members involved in the entertainment, they managed to wear Jamie out sufficiently for him to take an afternoon nap in spite of the extra people working downstairs, hoping he'd be more likely to make it through the evening. The rest of the family planned to stay out of the way until it was time for them to prepare for the rehearsal dinner.

Meredith and Doug came by early in the afternoon and spent some time with them. Meredith behaved well for the most part. However, despite her many years as an actress, her name wasn't well known. Therefore, at any opportunity in front of Alexis's friends and the event planning staff, she was fawning over Doug and basking in the reflected glory and envious looks. Doug visited for a while longer before going back to the hotel after Meredith took Alexis and her bridesmaids for mani-pedis. She knew how to do that with them, and they all enjoyed the pampering. Martha and Kate opted to skip that and let Alexis enjoy the attention from her mother.

Bradford stayed for the rehearsal, but his crew was gone for the day. He walked and talked the wedding party through everything and then took them through the processions and the ceremony twice. The rehearsal dinner followed at a nice restaurant, and Alexis and JD later said goodbye until the next evening when they would meet again at the altar.

The morning of the wedding was non-stop preparation at the house. The day was beautiful and blessedly lacking humidity, and there was a very soft, pleasant breeze off the water…a perfect day for an outdoor wedding. Bradford had once again proven his worth. He was moving almost constantly, making sure that everything was in place and calmly handling the occasional mini crisis.

The photographer arrived and took candid shots of the decor and of people preparing for the big event. Video equipment was ready. Having captured pictures of preliminary makeup and hair efforts, he laughed as the women shooed him out and went to JD's hotel to encroach on the men for a short time. By the time he got back, he was able to catch the ladies in their gowns taking care of the final touches, and then he went to blend in and capture the wedding guests arriving.

Bradford had established a subtle decorated path to guide guests from the front door to the wide back porch and the seating on the lawn, and there were several places along the path where he had banked flowers that provided a perfect invitation for pictures to be taken there. There was a large, elegant looking tent set up for the reception on the side of the yard near the pool, a dance floor within it and another one on the grass in the open air for dancing under the stars later. It was a beautiful venue, polished and classy but softened by Bradford's imaginative touches to simultaneously make it warm and inviting. It was very much in the Castle family spirit.

About half an hour before they were to be in place for the wedding, Kate was wearing a long slip, and Castle was in his tuxedo pants with his shirt unbuttoned and hanging open. He and Kate had made sure Jamie was fed. They had done everything they could think of to be sure he could last through the ceremony without taking attention from the bride and groom. They were presently involved in what Jamie had apparently decided was a game and were trying to wrangle him into a tiny little tuxedo, from which he was actively trying to escape. Alexis and JD had insisted he should be their ring bearer. However, since he had only reached the ripe old age of eighteen months, it was also decided that Dad would have to assist, since Mom was in the wedding party. Castle, Alexis, and JD had all practiced with him at the loft the prior week and hoped for the best. The pillow had a big pocket below it that Jamie could put his arms in to hold it for them, and since John and Kate were the ones who would remove the rings, they reasoned that he would be okay with it. When he was finally dressed, both parents sighed in relief, and admired their handiwork.

Castle grinned as he walked to the window, buttoning his shirt and listening to his wife telling their son how adorable he looked. Then his mood changed. "He's already down there," he said sadly, watching JD and his groomsmen milling around edge of the grass near the sand, behind the altar. "He's waiting to take my baby away."

"She isn't a baby anymore, Rick." Kate moved closer to him and encouraged him to hurry and get dressed. She only had to slip her dress on and she was ready. She touched his arm and gave him a soothing speech about Alexis being nervous and needing him to be strong for her today.

Martha knocked on the door and asked, "Is Jamie ready for me to take him?"

Kate opened the door for her to come in and Martha immediately started making exclamations of wonder at how cute her grandson looked in his tiny tux.

As he was getting into his own tux, Castle was still grumbling about his first baby leaving him when Martha said, "For God's sake, Richard. Today isn't about you. It's about Alexis and her wedding. She has as much right to be happily married to the man she loves as you do to be married to Kate. You expected her to share her father, and now you have to share your daughter. So just suck it up and get over yourself."

In something of a pout, he answered, "Kate told me pretty much the same thing, but she was a lot nicer about it."

"Well, she's your wife. I'm your mother. Have I ever minced words with you? Now, we don't have time for this, so pull yourself together. There's a beautiful, happy bride waiting for her father to walk her down the aisle. And you couldn't ask for a better husband for her." Modulating her voice to be more inviting to Jamie, she held out her arms, and said, "Now give me my handsome little grandson, and we'll be waiting for you on the front row."

Jamie smiled at her and went to her willingly, and she took him to show him to Alexis and her friends before taking him downstairs.

Kate and Castle went to Alexis's room a few minutes later, both of them ready for a wedding. The photographer had taken a small break from the wedding guests to slip upstairs for a few pictures of the bride and her entourage. He caught Meredith giving Alexis a hug just before she went downstairs to meet Doug to be escorted to her seat. Then there were shots of the bridesmaids talking to Alexis as Paige adjusted the hem of her dress. Kate held out her arms, and Alexis hugged her harder than she had hugged her mother. Kate moved a small lock of hair to make her stepchild look even more perfect than a second before, brushed her fingers lovingly over Alexis's cheek, and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, and the photographer caught a couple of pictures of the moment.

Kate's dress was made of fabric similar to Alexis's wedding dress, in a similar cut but a different style. She looked beautiful and very appropriate for the style of the wedding, and Castle looked as good as always in his tuxedo. Alexis's three bridesmaids all complimented her parents' appearance, and it expanded into a mutual admiration moment. Then Alexis moved toward Castle from where she stood in front of her dresser, and the room went quiet. Kate broke the silence by telling the bridesmaids they should get downstairs and line up for the wedding procession, but it was obvious that she was trying to give Castle and Alexis some time to themselves before the ceremony.

After the others left, Castle told his daughter, "I've always thought you were the most beautiful thing in the world, but today you've exceeded all expectations. JD will be speechless."

"That's what I'm hoping, but only at first. I still expect to hear those vows."

"I hate to give you up, but I want you to be happy…and I know he's going to do his best to make that happen."

"You're not giving me up…just sharing me."

"Everybody keeps telling me that today," he answered with a small smile. "Are you ready? Do you need anything?"

"Just my dad to walk me down the aisle."

"Well, you have that. It must be time to go."

Alexis went down the stairs first and Castle followed. They stopped at the bottom of the stairs; and he stood beside her a moment, then he sang quietly, as he had when she was little, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine…"

Alexis picked it up from there, the way they had done since she could remember. "You make me happy when skies are gray."

He leaned and kissed her forehead, saying, "I don't think that damaged your makeup.

"I don't think I care if it did," she answered. Then she asked, "Will you help me with my veil? I need it down, but I don't have a mirror to straighten it. Walking down the stairs with it over my face didn't seem to be a good plan."

Castle smiled, bigger this time. "I taught you well, Grasshopper." He pulled the veil over her face and straightened it to his satisfaction. "There. You look perfect." He stood beside her and offered her his arm. "Let's get you married."

"I love you, Daddy."

"I love you, too, Baby Bird."

JD and his groomsmen were waiting with the minister, and the guests were all seated, Meagan and Jim were next, then Meredith was seated, and Doug took his place beside her. Slightly out of the usual order, Martha was seated last with Jamie so he would be where Castle could help him perform his ring bearer duties. JD's and John's friends were seated in the front on the groom's side, serving as his family for the evening.

The music for the wedding party started, and the bridesmaids processed in, followed by Kate; and when they were all in place, the wedding march Alexis had chosen began. Castle looked at his daughter and asked, "Ready?" When she nodded, he opened the door, walked her down the steps from the porch, and down the aisle. JD had the same look on his face that Castle imagined he wore when he saw Kate at their wedding, and he looked at Kate and smiled. Taking Alexis's hand from his arm, he placed it in JD's, placed his hands around theirs, and said quietly, "I'm trusting you with my daughter. Love her and take care of her."

"I will, Sir," JD answered.

"I believe you," Castle told him and removed his own hands. When the minister asked, "Who gives this woman to be wed," Castle answered, "I do." And he sat down with Martha, taking his son from her and holding him close.

Vows were exchanged, then Castle tucked Jamie's hands into the pocket of the pillow with the rings tied on it and hoped their efforts would work out. He stood and walked to the altar with Jamie and whispered to him to hold the pillow for Grandpa John. Jamie turned toward John with his hands out, and John took the ring and handed it to JD. He did the same when it was time for Kate to give the ring to Alexis; but, seeing the big smile on Jamie's face when Kate turned to take the ring from him, Castle held on a little tighter to keep him from trying to get to Mommy. When he sat back down with his son in his lap, Jamie leaned against him waiting; and Castle kissed his head and whispered what a good boy he had been. Martha and Kate were both smiling. The pronouncement of man and wife was made, JD kissed his bride, and the recessional played as they walked back down the aisle, he and Alexis both smiling shyly but looking happy enough light up the beach even if the sun failed them. The groomsmen walked with the bridesmaids, and John proudly offered his arm to Kate.

"Don't think that's going to last long," Castle quietly teased John as they walked past him. John just smiled at him and patted Kate's hand.

Family and bridal party pictures were taken as the guests mingled on the grounds, then they moved to the tent for the first dances. Alexis and JD danced together to the applause of the guests. Then Castle danced with Alexis, and in lieu of his own mother, JD danced with Kate. Castle gave in and danced one dance with Meredith, but he didn't allow her to get as close as she tried to. Both Jim and John danced with Alexis, and Martha, Meagan and Meredith all insisted on their turns around the floor with JD. While Castle danced with his mother, Kate danced with their little boy, which brought smiles all around the room as they swayed and spun around now and then. Both mother and son obviously enjoyed every minute. The next song was slower, and Castle joined them, sandwiching Jamie between them where they could both play with him as they danced. Jamie wandered around the room in his tux and was seen doing his own eighteen month old's version of dancing to the faster music. Gabe, being the only other young child at the party, stuck close to Jamie and joined him sometimes, laughing with his younger companion at his attempts to dance. Everyone danced with a variety of partners, blending easily with even the guests they didn't know.

Some of Castle's writer friends who had known Alexis as she grew up were there. The mayor and Judge Markaway came with their spouses, Lanie and the team from the twelfth were there with their guests, and friends of JD and Alexis were there with assorted others who had gained importance in the young couple's lives. It was a friendly and eclectic group.

In spite of their concerns, Meredith's behavior wasn't too over the top. After a while, Kate and Castle realized that every time she got too involved in presenting herself as mother-of-the-bride or too pushy about her temporary role on Family Secrets with Doug, or giving overblown introductions of the well-known television star to others...generally calling attention to herself... he would steer her away from the subject and bring it back to the bride and groom or the wedding. If someone asked a question that might elicit a less than happy response from Meredith, he would distract with conversation or sometimes ask someone else to dance and promise Meredith he'd be right back. The Castle family seemed to have had an accurate impression of him; and with his apparent awareness of her behavior, they had serious doubts Doug would see enough in Meredith to extend the relationship beyond the weekend. However, they were beyond grateful that he had escorted her to the wedding.

When Alexis and JD left and the party began to wind down, Meredith came and kissed Castle on the cheek and said, "Our daughter is married. She looked happy."

"JD is a good man, and he loves her. They're good friends as well as in love. She'll be happy."

"I thought you'd be all teary eyed."

"I did that before the wedding."

"And he'll probably do it again after this is all over," Kate said, walking up beside him and handing him a drink. "Doug is a nice guy. We're glad you brought him," she added.

"He is," Meredith agreed. "We had a good time on set; but considering the mini lecture he gave me before we left the hotel, I doubt I'll see much of him after my role on the show is over."

"Lecture?" Castle asked.

"It seems you and Alexis aren't the only ones who think I make everything about me." She sighed deeply, leaving Kate and Castle stunned that she would ever admit such a thing. And then she said, looking sincere, "Thank you for giving Alexis such a lovely wedding, Richard. You've been a really good father. I do love her, you know. I'm just not as good at it as you are".

"Looks like this wedding has you thinking, too," he answered.

"I know I'm not likely to see you after this," Meredith answered. I just wanted you to know our daughter was lucky to have you. I thought we should part on civil terms."

"I like that idea," he answered.

"We're leaving in a few minutes. Doug enjoyed meeting you. He'll probably look you up before we go. Bye, Kitten."

Castle didn't correct her that time. "Thank you for Alexis, and thank you for being here with her for this. She enjoyed having you be a part of it."

"Me, too."

Meredith didn't say anything to Kate. She just smiled sadly, waved, and turned and walked away. Kate waved back and sighed as Castle's ex walked out the front door.

"Is that a sigh of relief, M'Lady?" Castle asked, draping an arm around Kate's shoulders.

"I'm pleading the fifth."

Castle chuckled. "I'm not ashamed to say that I'm relieved. There's no good reason for her to show up at our door again. The bad memories there definitely outweigh the good. Alexis is the only bright spot in that relationship. This one, on the other hand…" He leaned in and kissed her. They had gone in the house and were trying to hide out in the kitchen for a few minutes when Meredith found them. Doug found them next.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt," he apologized.

"It's okay," Kate answered. "We just forgot where we were for a minute."

"Surprisingly, Meredith mentioned the lecture before the wedding," Castle told him. "And we saw what you were doing at the reception. We appreciate it more than we can say."

"She does get carried away with herself now and then, doesn't she?" he asked, running his hand through his hair and chuckling.

"And a cross country plane trip and a weekend in the same room is a lot different from enjoying each other's company on set?"

"Something like that," Doug agreed diplomatically. Castle reached to shake his hand, and Kate gave him a quick hug. "We're leaving now," Doug told them. "Early flight in the morning. It was a beautiful wedding. Your daughter and her husband are both impressive. I know you're proud."

"We are," he answered, pulling Kate closer to indicate which 'we' he meant.

Doug gave Castle a friendly slap on the arm before leaving. "It was a pleasure meeting all of you. Give Martha a hug for me."

"Next time you're in New York, feel free to give us a call," Castle said as Doug left.

"I might do that," the other man responded as he walked out the door.

After they were alone in the kitchen again, Castle noted quietly, "Two more down. How many more are still here?"

"Too many?" Kate asked mischievously, giving him another kiss. "We should probably get back to the ones who are left. We're being bad hosts."

When the last guests were gone and Bradford's staff had done most of the clean-up, promising to be back first thing in the morning to take care of removing anything that was left, Castle locked up and led Kate upstairs. The two of them had tucked Jamie in much earlier, and various other adults checked in on him regularly and reported. Kate and Rick stopped in the nursery before going to their room, and each of them stroked their son's back softly enough not to wake him. They checked to be sure the baby monitor was on and went to get out of their wedding clothes.

Kate turned to Castle as they both stood removing their clothes in the large walk-in closet. With only her dress off, she wrapped her arms around his neck and asked, "How are you holding out?"

"My baby is married." He buried his face in her neck and held her tight.

"What do you need from me tonight, Rick? Do you want me to love you hard enough to forget, or do you want to forget that people make love and try not to think about it?"

"Will you just hold me…maybe make out a little bit…let me pout without teasing me…rub each other's backs…easy, dumb stuff that tells me you still love me in spite of having to watch me be such a baby over this?

"None of that sounds dumb to me. I'll enjoy it as much as you will…'cause I do still love you. Always will."

xxxxx

Monday morning Bradford's crew was back to remove everything that remained from the night before. Castle had told him he didn't mind, as long as the family had easy use of the necessary parts of their home the next morning. He had paid Bradford the night before…enough to cover the agreed fee in the contract as well as a good bonus for Bradford and generous tips for his staff.

"I don't know how you do it, Bradford; but next time we need an expensive miracle, we'll call. Thank you for this. You made my daughter happy."

Bradford laughed and said, "Two weddings planned in less than two months in the same family, just because two people can't wait to be married. I don't think I've ever planned a wedding that fast when there wasn't a pregnancy and the proverbial shotgun involved. And your son-in-law assured me that was not the case as soon as I met him. I think he has a protective streak like yours. I hope the young ones take to marriage as well as you and your wife have." He paused for a moment and said, "I'll see that the crew members get their tips today, and I feel sure I can convey their appreciation in advance."

"All of you earned it," Castle assured him, and Kate added her agreement.

"I'll miss seeing Jamie. He's a little ray of sunshine." Bradford grinned at the couple and told them, "Well, you know where to find me if anybody else falls in love and just can't wait to make it legal." Then he went outside, gave his workers a few instructions, and they got into their vehicles and drove away.

Castle turned and kissed his wife and said, "Our house is our own again. Aaaand you are officially on vacation…no big schedule for the rest of the week. What would you like to do? There are four other adults available who would probably be willing to babysit now and then if we want to go out."

"Let's just stay home today…maybe take a nap when Jamie does? I think I'm ready to take a day just to be lazy."

Castle put the backs of his fingers to her forehead. "Are you sick? Oh, or are you an alien who body snatched my wife?"

Kate laughed at his foolishness. "I take days off, Goofball. It's not that rare…anymore."

Castle smiled and kissed her forehead. "A day at home with just the family sounds great. It's been pretty hectic lately."

"We should get busy. John will be here for breakfast any time now, and we haven't even started."

As they took things they needed from the refrigerator and the cabinets, Castle mentioned, "I told John he was welcome to stay here, but he said he was already settled in his hotel room and didn't want to spend that much time on suitcases."

"He and Martha might just want to have somewhere to spend some time togeth… Mmmff."

Castle clamped his hand over Kate's mouth. "Are you trying to ruin my mind, Woman? I'm already trying not to remember that my daughter is on her honeymoon, and I definitely do not need to add my mother's escapades to the mental mix."

"Sorry," Kate's muffled voice responded from behind his large palm, but there was a definite amused twinkle in her eyes.

"And we will not speak of this again?" he asked dramatically. Kate shook her head to indicate she wouldn't, and he removed his hand. "Think breakfast," he ordered, handing her a carton of eggs.

Jamie was on the back porch with Jim and Meagan, and Martha was sleeping in. John knocked on the door when they had the meal nearly ready, but Martha was still missing.

When the reason was mentioned, John offered mischievously, "I'll get her down here. Which room is hers?"

"Second door on the left," Castle told him.

John went upstairs and pounded heavily on Martha's door, shouting, "Good morning, Sunshine! Breakfast is ready. Hurry up. We'll all be looking for you in five minutes!"

Kate and Rick were laughing as they started putting the food in serving dishes. "That man's gonna be lucky to live until breakfast is on the table," Castle predicted.

John stopped at the top of the stairs and shouted again over his shoulder, "Five minutes!" Then he came back to the kitchen looking immensely pleased with himself. "I think I got her attention."

Both of the others laughed out loud at the understatement, and Kate asked, "How did she take it? What did she say?"

"Well, I heard my whole name, including 'Senior', and a few choice curses. I didn't quite catch all the rest." he answered as he stole a piece of bacon and grinned again. "But I think she's awake now."

Having heard the commotion, Jim and Meagan came into the kitchen with Jamie while John was in mid-explanation, and all of them were laughing when Martha came down the stairs glowering.

"You, John Farnsworth, are a dead man," she announced in true diva fashion, "and I know people who will willingly help me dispose of your body." Smacking him hard with a backhand to the chest as she moved, she swanned past him to the other end of the kitchen where Castle was already preparing her coffee. He handed it to her when she reached him, and she said pointedly, "It's nice to know that somebody is being civilized this morning."

"Everybody take something with them, and let's eat breakfast on the porch this morning," Kate suggested.

As they all gathered around the table, John went to help Martha with her chair.

"Still a dead man, John. Don't think this helps."

It looked like everyone around the table was suppressing the urge to either grin or blatantly laugh at the picture before them…John grinning widely and Martha glowering with equal energy. By the time breakfast was over, though, Martha had softened and John had apologized…sort of.

The rest of the week was enjoyable for all of them, filled with silliness and the feeling of family. All the older adults had managed some time for themselves, Jamie had all the attention he needed, and Kate and Rick had been able to get away on their own for a dinner out and for a couple of little jaunts into town. The family left on Sunday afternoon, Martha riding back with John so he had company. Jim had driven Castle's SUV up on the Saturday before the wedding, so the other five rode home together in that.

"Bradford said that if we wanted another month and a half or less wedding planned to call him," Castle teased during the drive back. "Meagan's been wearing that ring for a while now, Jim. Do we need to make a phone call?"

"We've been talking about it," Jim answered. "It won't be much longer."

"I don't think we'll need that much, though. I think we might want to find a church, even though neither of us has been to church for quite a while," Meagan added. "I guess at our ages, a wedding in a church is sort of built into our expectations for ourselves."

"Well, let me know if you want Bradford to help. He certainly takes away a lot of the pressure."

They dropped the subject after that, and sporadic, idle conversations and short dozes among them accompanied them back home.

The week at the beach house had provided a nice respite to bridge the gap between wedding preparations and going back to the city. And Castle was glad he could furnish it, especially knowing Kate would soon be walking into a new work situation that would likely be difficult, at least for a while.