Ok, ladies and gentlemen, this is IT. This is the final chapter of Bridges. I have been playing with the idea of a fourth story, continuing the arc. Please leave me your feedback and let me know if you'd be interested...

Happy Reading!

The carriage that had transported Kate and the girls to the ceremony now held only the newly married couple. Chauffer driven cars would carry the rest of the bridal party back to the Balmoral, where there would be a small dinner reception.

Kate found that she was actually giddy. She recognized the feeling from the days of her youth, when life was simpler. She kissed her new husband (how long before that stopped sounding weird?) for the second, third and fourth time on the short ride back to the hotel. They broke apart only to wave when they heard appreciative cheers and whistles from pedestrians.

Though she'd naturally been pre-occupied on the way over, and was certainly distracted now, she had enough presence of mind to notice her surroundings, or, more to the point the fact that they looked unfamiliar. With that she felt the carriage tilt backward as they ascended a large hill. She threw a questioning glance Rick's way.

"Just another little surprise." When they reached the top he gestured out the window and she gasped.

They were on another of the city's highest points, and the view was spectacular in every direction. As she turned in a circle she noticed the photographer emerging from a car near them. "Rick thought this would be a good spot for some of your photos."

"What about the rest of the party?" Kate asked.

Rick held up one finger to the photographer and pulled Kate aside. "We can have all of the standard formal poses with them during the reception. This is about us. Call me selfish, but I just married the most incredible woman in the world, and I'm not quite ready to share her yet. Ok?"

Speechless, Kate nodded and wound her fingers around his. She pulled him in for a tender kiss. "You do have to share me with her…" she whispered in his ear, noting that he got the same little shiver that his whispers gave her. When he pulled back and furrowed his brow at her, she tilted her head toward the photographer waiting discretely. He grinned and they made their way back over.

They were captured in various 'candid' shots, just walking around. They posed for others with the city as a backdrop, the photographer pausing now and then to artfully arrange the train of Kate's dress.

Checking his watch, Rick regretfully extended his hand to Kate and guided her to the carriage so that they could make their entrance at the reception. He sent a text to Javier when they pulled up in front of the hotel.

The doors to the ballroom swept open as if by magic as they approached. Lively music heralded their arrival, followed by a robust round of applause. Never had any red-carpet walk felt a tenth as good to him as entering the throng of their friends and family with his wife beside him.

Kate felt his warm, strong hand wrapped around hers. If anyone had told her 3 years ago that the author she'd idolized would become her husband she'd have told them they were certifiable. She could actually feel herself glowing.

They took their places at the head table, where a small appetizer plate had been assembled from the snacks their guests had been munching on in their absence. After that they enjoyed their main course, during which champagne was poured for the toast, to be given by Esposito. He rose and cleared his throat nervously.

"Kate and Ryan and I tease one another, but when it comes down to it, we have one another's backs. That's what we do, that's the job. We're sorta like family. So when Richard Castle came along and schmoozed his way into our investigation, into our precinct, onto our team, we" he indicated Kevin and himself "didn't know what to think, other than that there was going to be some entertainment. To our amazement, he fit with the team like he was made to be there. Then, something else started happening. The little looks, the finishing one another's sentences, the interest in one another's personal lives." He turned to regard the newlyweds with mock sternness. "For two brilliant people, you were damned stupid when it came to your partner." Lanie nodded enthusiastically at that. "Fortunately, with a little help, you smartened up, allowing us all to have this amazing party. So here's to Beckett and Castle! Or is it Castle and Castle now?"

"We're still negotiating about that." Kate laughed. She looked deeply into Rick's eyes over her glass, causing him to gently remove the flute from her hand andclose the distance for a kiss. She felt a tug at her elbow and turned to find Lanie staring at her impatiently.

"Girl, I hate to interrupt you while you're playing kissy face, but we've got to bustle up that train before you start dancing, or else the two of you are going to get tangled in it and I don't have my medical bag here to fix sprained ankles."

Kate excused herself and let Lanie drag her off into the corner, where Alexis, his mother, and even Jenny were waiting. Rick watched, trying not to let his jaw go slack, as the female entourage clustered around Kate like some demented pit crew. It occurred to him to wonder what was going on, but he'd decided long ago that some things should remain part of the feminine mystique. After plucking at the fabric of her dress one more time, they let her return to his side. He caught the DJ's eye and nodded.

"And now the bride and groom will have their first dance."

Rick wiped his mouth and rose from his seat. He held his hand down to Kate. "Tansevai so'mnoi? Dance with me?"

Kate gaped at him, but wordlessly lifted her hand and allowed him to help her out of her seat and guide her to the dance floor. The opening strains of their chosen song rose from the speakers. Rick took her into his arms and lead her around the floor, his eyes never leaving her face. From their tables the others watched, overjoyed at the sight, so long overdue.

As Rick held Kate close to him, his eyes swept over her again. He took note of the pearls and the bracelet, and his heart swelled just a bit more as he came to a full understanding of the actions his mother and his daughter had taken to show their acceptance of her.

Their song was just ending when they both became aware of a presence at their elbows. Jim Beckett stood there with a warm smile on his face. "Mind if I cut in?"

Rick nodded graciously and backed away to watch the scene. After Kate and her father finished their dance to 'I Loved Her First', Kate's tears barely restrained, Rick took his turn with Martha to 'Because You Loved Me'. He addressed her with a knowing grin. "Grandmother's pearls were a nice touch. Glad to know Kate's the one who's NOT going to break my heart."

Once these three traditional dances were complete, it was time for the cutting of the cake. To everyone's utter shock, Rick behaved himself and fed Kate daintily. His bride, on the other hand, executed a messy cake smushing that could only have been born of two years of pent up revenge for his antics. Once he cleaned up, the photographer rounded the party up for some group formals, while the kitchen staff was plating out the cake. After the decadent pastry had been consumed, it was time for more dancing.

At the opening strains of "Daddy's Little Girl", Castle fetched Alexis from where she was chatting with a cute young waiter. "Come on, Miss Heartbreaker, dance with your old man." He offered his elbow and escorted her to the center of the floor. He led her through a few turns and she followed his lead flawlessly. Wistfully he gazed at her.

"Guess you don't need to stand on my shoes anymore, eh? My little girl, all grown up. And just think, in September you're off to NYU, and maybe you'll meet someone, and in a few years we'll be back on a dance floor, only then you'll be all in white…" he trailed off.

Alexis shook her head, laughing a little at his dejected expression. "Relax, Dad, I'm not rushing anything."

Her smile was infectious, and cheered him instantly. "That was a very sweet thing you did for Kate, by the way."

His daughter feigned ignorance. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure you don't. The bracelet? I'm not so distracted, or senile, that I wouldn't notice."

Later that evening, Kate and Rick danced their final dance of the evening, then exited the ballroom, promising to see everyone at brunch the following morning. They made their way up to the bridal suite, where Kate began fishing in her purse. Rick gently stilled her hand. His hand disappeared into his jacket pocket and reappeared with a key card between the first two fingers.

"Allow me." At her confused look, he explained. "Alexis gave me her key. It's not as though she will be needing it, now will she?" He opened the door and pocketed the card, holding up his index finger when she stepped toward the room. Before she could register his intent, he swept her into his arms and carried her into the suite. The bedside lamps glowed softly. Rather than put her back on her feet, he strode to the bed and placed her there with as much care as he would an infant.

Kate raised herself up to rest on her elbows. She regarded him as his hands slid along her body to her feet. "Cutting right to the chase, are we?" she asked.

"It is my intention to take your breath away, as you have done to me…" he said smoothly, slipping her shoes off. While one hand massaged her foot, the other slid up the outside of her leg. He gave her a delighted grin when his fingers found the edge of the thigh high stocking. He deftly unclipped it from the garter belt and eased it down her leg. He repeated the same process on the other leg.

He realized that although romantic and gallant, there was a drawback to laying her on the bed as he had. Now he couldn't access the zipper of the dress. A solution came to mind, but first….

He kicked his shoes off, then slid the suspenders off his shoulders and removed his pants, watching Kate the whole time. Was it his imagination, or did she look disappointed that she wasn't helping him out of his clothes?

He crawled up on the bed beside her and rolled her to her side so that she lay facing him. He kissed her and stroked her back, easing the zipper down. Finally, practicality won out over his misguided attempt at horizontal seduction, as he realized he should get her out of the dress so as not to rumple it too much. He broke off the kiss and brought her to a stand. The dress dropped to her feet, and with it, his jaw. Underneath the gown, she'd worn a pure white satin corset with embroidery and lace trim. He looked up when he heard her chuckling.

"Nice to know I can still surprise you," she said, stepping out of the dress and relocating it safely on a chair. "The look on your face was well worth the effort it took to get into this thing. Now you get to help me out of it." She turned her back to him and gestured. There were at least twenty hook-and-eye closures holding the garment together.

"Yes, ma'am" he replied eagerly. He crossed to her and began working on the hooks, placing a kiss on each inch of skin that he bared. Finally the corset fell away, and Kate sighed gratefully, running her hands over her torso.

"The things we women do…" She trailed off as he continued his attention. She groaned when he brought his hands around to cup her breasts, while dropping hot wet kisses on her neck. One hand left her breast to slide down over her stomach and into her lacy panties. When his finger delved into the wet crevice, she was nearly overcome with sensation. She tried to turn in his embrace, but he held her firmly, murmuring in her ear.

"Let this moment be about you." Far beyond rational thought, she simply relaxed against him. He moved his head around to kiss the other side of her neck but otherwise continued his attention, working her toward her climax. He felt her tensing, knew what was coming, but was still not prepared for the scream she released.

He slowly withdrew his hands, needing them now to hold her up as she sagged against him. Chuckling, he turned her around and walked her backward to the bed, where he lay down with her. When her eyes could focus again, she began undoing his shirt buttons, trailing kisses downward as he had. When she got to the waistband of his boxers, she realized that he was more than ready for round two. She slipped her underwear off and assisted him with his. Laying on her back, she pulled him down to her and hooked her calf behind his back. With a growl he entered her, panting as he swiftly drove them both to oblivion. Exhaustion from their loving and the fullness of the day sent them both into blissful slumber.

When Kate woke the next morning, she discovered that Rick was staring at her goofily. "Good morning Wife. Time for presents?" he asked, sounding for all the world like a kid at Christmas. When she nodded, he bounded off the bed for his luggage.

Kate reached into the nightstand where she had concealed his gift, knowing that this would likely be the first order of the day. He returned holding another Tiffany box. Really, did he not know of any other places to shop? Watching for his reaction, she extended her hand to reveal a long flat box in the same Tiffany blue paper. "You first, Husband…" she said softly.

He lifted the lid and examined the pen set he'd revealed. There was engraving. 'Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart'. "Wordsworth, excellent choice. But…?" Only Rick could make a single word sound like a question.

"For all the gadgets you own, you still prefer good old pen and paper from time to time…" she observed.

He smiled at her, for once at a complete loss for words. She really never ceased to amaze him. He swallowed around an unfamiliar lump in his throat. "Open yours…" he said hoarsely.

She opened her box to reveal another platinum slide for her choker, this one heart shaped and encrusted with diamonds. He'd had engraving done, too, in the essence of simplicity. 'Love, Me'.

Kate Beckett Castle smiled at her new husband, and he, back at her. They gazed at one another for a few moments, before the ringing of the telephone penetrated their little bubble. It was the hotel desk with their wake-up call, so that they could attend the farewell brunch, before they winged off on their honeymoon.

After dressing and packing, they headed downstairs. This time all of the tables were arranged in a big horse shoe. "So, you still haven't told me where you're going on your honeymoon." Lanie asked her best friend.

Kate darted a look in Rick's direction before responding, reluctantly. "That's because…I don't know."

"What do you mean, you don't know? How does a woman pack for 'I don't know'?" the M.E. demanded.

Rick spoke up. "What she's trying not to tell you, because it totally KILLS her reputation as having top notch interrogation skills, is that I have refused to reveal our destination. She's just going to have to be surprised. And I think we've established that whatever clothing she might not have packed, I can acquire for her." He raised one eyebrow, challenging either woman to contradict him.

Hearing that Kate still hadn't been able to wheedle the honeymoon location out of him, Esposito and Ryan regarded Castle with matching grumpy looks. "Pay up, guys." Castle said softly, once Kate was again distracted by Lanie. They each handed over a twenty.

"I can't believe it, man. I've seen hardened criminals crack under her questioning."

"I had two things going for me. One, my desire to see the surprised look trumped any threats she was making. Two, I have a tube of numbing cream handy when I think she might go for my nose or my ears!"

Well? What did you think? Please Please Please Review, and thank you so much for reading.