The Finale

Rick returned home from the Hamptons Friday evening to another cool reception. The girls were on the couch watching TV when he called out his greeting from the front door. He watched as his mother got up from the couch, gave him an icy stare and left the room. He approached Alexis with a perplexed look on his face and tried to lean in to kiss her on the cheek, only to have his motion blocked as she pushed her hand into his chest.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

She reached down to the coffee table and picked up the article she had cut out of Thursday's paper and shoved it into his face.

"This…she was only there for the weekend. The rest of the week I was by myself, so what's the problem?"

"You said you were going there to write."

"And I did, I fin…" Alexis cut him off.

"And what is this all about?" She asked waving the invitation he had sent her under his nose.

"I always like to celebrate when I finish one of my books, you know that."

"You said you were going to be alone, you promised." The look of disappointment in her eyes was almost too much for him.

"And I was alone…for the most part…and I finished my book, so it was a win, win for both of us"

"And just how is it a win for me?"

"I told you…trust me. Come Sunday night you'll see things differently, I promise."

"Why don't I believe you…oh yeah…because I don't," she sat back defiantly on the couch with her arms folded across her chest.

"Well you will come Sunday. I have a big announcement to make. So, you can stay mad at me till then. I love you," he said leaning down to kiss the top of her head since she wouldn't give him her cheek.

Alexis could only sit and wonder what his big announcement could be as she watched her dad grab his travel bag and saunter off to his room.

…

Rick and Kate were both a bundle of nerves on Sunday as they waited for six o'clock to arrive and the start of the party to commence. The number of texts and calls they had made to one another throughout the day had their fingers and ears hurting. Rick gave her one last call from the Old Haunt before people were set to arrive.

"Hey," she answered. "You ready?"

"Yeah, I'm ready. I can't tell if I'm more nervous or excited. I can't wait to see their faces. I'm glad you agreed to let me put in the camera's. This is going to be worth watching again and again."

"I don't ever want any of them to forget this. It'll teach them not to meddle in our lives," Kate replied.

'Don't forget, you guys don't need to arrive till around eight o'clock and I'll text you when it'd time to come in."

"You don't need to remind me…I know the drill."

"Sorry, it's the nerves. I can't help it," he apologized.

"Not a problem," she said. "Now go, do what you do best and entertain the pants off our friends and I'll see you soon."

"Have I told you I love you lately?" He asked.

"No."

"I love you lately," he said jokingly.

"I love you too, you big oaf."

…..

To make sure everyone would come, Rick stated in his invitations that a car would be sent to bring his guest to and from the Old Haunt, making it harder for anyone to back out at the last minute. Five minutes till six and no calls had come. Everything was in place. It was time for the fun to begin.

Sophia was there with him as they waited for the first of the cars to arrive, and she was on his arm as he greeted his guests at the front door. Ryan and Jenny arrived first, followed by the captain and his wife. His mother and daughter arrived the same time as Javier and Lanie. The last to arrive was Patterson with his wife Susan.

He invited everyone to partake of the open bar and he helped the bartender set up their initial drinks. Done, he made a drink for himself and Sophia. He returned to the front of the bar and stood before his friends.

"I know some of you are wondering why I invited you her tonight so I want to announce that I have just completed my third Nikki Heat book and it is on the way to the publishers first thing Monday morning. I wanted to share it's completion with all of you who made it possible," he lifted his glass. "To my family," he toasted. "Having to put up with my moods while I'm writing."

"Or not writing!" Alexis chimed in.

"Thank you so much for that." he said sarcastically as everyone laughed.

"And I especially wanted to thank you guys at the Twelfth, because without you there would be no book. So here's to all of you," he lifted his glass a second time and took a long drink.

"So why an I here?" Patterson asked.

"I invited you here just so I could gloat." Rick smirked before he tossed back the rest of his drink.

"Thanks, thanks a lot," he had to laugh at Rick's honesty and so did everyone else.

Everyone took their turn congratulating him and they all pestered him about the title. He told them all that it was under wraps by the publisher and that he couldn't tell them because they didn't want it leaking out.

As the initial conversation began to die down, Rick excused himself and went to check on the kitchen to see how dinner was progressing.

Sophia quickly became everyone's focus and they all began to pepper her with questions. She was beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed by the time Rick returned to her side. He slid his arm around her waist and kissed her on the cheek.

"You ready to kick some ass?" He asked her.

"Oh yeah," she smiled up at him.

"What's all this about ass kicking?" Javier asked as he witnessed the exchange between them.

"Sophia and I would like to challenge everyone to a game of darts." Rick spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.

I'll take that challenge," Ryan eagerly spoke up. "You should know better than to challenge an Irishman in a bar to his own game."

"This is a couple's game, so you'll be playing with Jenny."

"She can hold her own." Ryan replied stepping up to Castle.

"Then let's go honey milk."

Ryan was embarrassed as both Javier and Jenny laughed at Rick's remark.

Soon everyone was jeering and cheering the playing couples. As the game progressed everyone couldn't help but notice how well Rick and Sophia got along. They were hysterical together and they soon had everyone in tears with laughter. They seemed like a couple who'd been together years not weeks.

Lanie pulled Javier over to one of the side tables after they lost their game.

"I hate to say this, but I like her," Lanie sighed as she watched them together.

"Me too," Javier replied.

"And I haven't seen him look so happy in a long time. I just hate the way things went with Kate. The girls gonna be kicking herself for letting him get away. Hell, I should kick her for letting him get away," she reached next to her and took hold of Javier's hand.

"Yeah," he agreed giving her hand a squeeze.

Rick and Sophia quickly made short work of their challengers and were down to playing their last couple, James and Susan when Rudy the bartender sidled up to Rick and announced that dinner was ready.

"You heard the man," Rick announced. "Let's eat!"

They returned to the main area of the Old Haunt where a large circular table had been set up just for the party. It was beautifully decorated with a white linen tablecloth, ornate silverware and decoratively folded napkins surrounded a set of fine porcelain plates with a decorative gold inlay around the edge. Gold embossed placards in front of each crystal water glass announced the seating arrangements. Sophia sat to Rick's right and his mother and daughter to his left. A bounty of appetizers awaited them on a large lazy susan in the center of the table. It quickly became quiet as everyone began loading their plates with samples of artichoke stuffed mushrooms, crab cakes, cheese sticks, stuffed jalapenos and pot stickers. When the conversation returned it was all about the food. Rick announced that the main course was to be surf and turf and that if anyone wanted just surf they should speak up. Alexis, Susan and Martha chose to have only seafood.

Beer and wine were offered along with the appetizers and soon everyone was in a jovial mood. The arrival of the main course was applauded and compliments were made. The four inch bacon wrapped center cut sirloin was tender and juicy and accompanied by sautéed jumbo shrimp, scallops and steamed crab legs. The sides consisted of spicy sesame green beans and a rice pilaf. The conversations began to slow as their bellies filled. Rick glanced at his watch. Only ten more minutes till eight o'clock. Not wanting the mood to die down too much he took a chance and made a quick exit to the bathroom to call Kate.

"You here?" He asked.

"Yeah, we've been outside about five minutes. Are you ready for us to come in?"

"Yeah, I don't want anyone too drunk on sleepy to miss out on this." He hung up and returned to the table for their arrival.

She hung up and turned to the others in the back of the limo. "Time to go," she said opening the door to escort them inside.

No one seemed to notice the three people enter, so Rick stood and invited them over.

"Hi guys, glad you could make it, better late than never I always say."

Everyone looked over at the front door and saw Kate and her dad standing there with an unknown woman. Everyone was shocked. Kate, dressed to the nines, escorted her father over to the table and the unknown woman brought up the rear. Rick moved to his right, grabbed an empty chair and put it in between Sophie and Ryan as Sophie moved her chair closer to Ricks.

"Tina, you can sit here," he said waving her over. He embraced her and kissed her cheek before he helped her into her seat.

He then moved his own chair over and motioned for Kate.

"You can sit here," he said to her while Kate's father grabbed an empty chair for himself.

"Thanks again for coming," Rick said, shaking her fathers hand before he sat down in his chair just behind Kate.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world," he replied as a large grin spread across his face.

Everyone at the table watched what was happening with rapt confusion. He could tell they were all wondering what was going on. Their confusion turned to whispers and murmurings among one another. He clanged his empty wineglass with his steak knife to get their attention.

"May I have your attention please? I have a confession to make. The completion of my book was not the only reason you all were invited here tonight. I have a second more important announcement to make tonight and I am glad everyone could make it here in time to hear it." He had their attention now.

"Well, where to begin," he said rubbing his hands together nervously. "As you all know I have been married twice before and you'd think I'd be hesitant to do it a third time, but I suddenly found myself in love with the most amazing woman in the world," he smiled down at Sophie and took her hand in his. "She's smart, beautiful…funny, and best of all I know she loves me. So…I did something the other day that may or may not surprise some of you…and it is the reason I brought you all here tonight." He paused for effect and he could see the speculation in their eyes.

"I would like to introduce you all to my new wife. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you…Mrs. Richard Castle."

All eyes were on Sophie, so it took a moment before anyone noticed that Kate was standing at Rick's side. As he leaned in to kiss her on the lips, the entire table erupted at once. They broke from their kiss laughing. Kate's dad, Sophie and Tina were laughing and applauding while the rest of the table looked on dumbfounded, vocally questioning what just happened. They just looked back at their confused friends and held up their hands displaying their gold wedding bands. Rick could contain his joy no more. He pulled Kate into a hug and twirled her around once and dipped her into a long and passionate kiss. When they came up for air, they returned to the table to answer the barrage of questions being thrown at them.

Rick held up his hands to try and quiet them down. When that didn't work he put two fingers in his mouth and let out a piercing whistle. That did it, everyone quieted down, everyone except Lanie.

"Is this some kind of a joke!" She demanded.

"Oh it's no joke," Kate replied.

"And why am I supposed to believe you?"

"If you don't believe us you can read our marriage license, we had it framed and it's been hanging behind the bar all evening." Rick replied, he waved to the barman. "Hey Rudy, you wanna hand me that?"

The bartender took the framed document off the wall and brought it over to Rick.

"Thanks," he said as he handed it down to his stunned mother. She stared at it for ages before Alexis pulled it from her hands. She looked at it in disbelief before she passed it on. No one said a word till it had made its way around the table. Once again Lanie spoke for the group.

"Then who the hell is Sophia?"

Rick moved to stand between Tina and Sophie. He knelt down and put his arms around their shoulders.

"Sophie and her partner Tina here were my best friends in college. We've been hanging out the last two weeks catching up on old times. Why? You didn't think we were a couple did you?" He kissed Sophia on the cheek.

Lanie angrily narrowed her eyes at Rick as she punched Javier in the arm.

"Ow…why are you hitting me? He played us," Lanie glared at him this time. "I mean me…and Ryan," he changed his reply, quickly throwing Ryan under the bus with him.

"Why all the subterfuge?" Patterson piped up.

"You don't play a player Jim, we know all about the scenario you orchestrated for us two weeks ago." Rick replied as he stood up and returned to Kate's side, sliding his arm around her waist.

"So…you two are really married? My plan worked?"

"Yes!" they replied in unison.

The table erupted again. Martha stood up and embraced Kate. Crying as she hugged her.

"I'm so happy, and so mad. How could you do this to us?" She asked her son as she looked over Kate's shoulder.

"How could we…mother how could you…how could all of you?" He asked as he turned to confront his friends. "We almost did end it that weekend, but once we managed to get through the rough spot we realized we loved each other and that wanted to be together. I figured I'd better hurry up and marry her before she could change her mind."

It was Alexis' turn to stand and there were tears in her eyes as she approached her father.

"Do you believe me now, or are you still mad at me?" He asked.

"Yes, and No!" she cried. "I'm so happy for you dad." She hugged him tightly and he did the same as tears came to his eyes. Alexis pulled back from his embrace.

"Dad, why are you crying?"

"I guess I'm happy too," He replied wiping a tear away.

Alexis turned to Kate. "Make him stop Kate, he's embarrassing me."

"It's ok Alexis, he can cry. Only one of us can wear the pants in this family," she said hitching up her dress. Laughter and more questions ensued.

Martha brought up the fact that Kate was missing out on her wedding day, and that she should have a proper wedding.

"We've already planned to have a formal wedding mother because we figure you guys won't really believe we're married till you see us walk down the aisle and of course my public will demand it." Rick said with a quick wink and a twinkle in his eye.

"Don't remind me." Kate loathed the idea of being the center of a media circus.

"It'll die down soon enough," he reassured her.

"So when is the big day?" Lanie asked.

"We'll set a date once we get back. Maybe a couple of months from now, if I can make all the arrangements" Kate replied.

"Get back from where? Lanie didn't miss a thing.

"From our honeymoon!" Rick jumped back into the conversation. "I'm taking my wife on a six day seven night trip to the Bahamas, we leave tonight."

"Did you put in a vacation request that I don't know about detective?" Montgomery piped up.

"No," she replied. "But if you choose not to approve it, I will just have to resign…for the week." She put her hands on her hips to emphasis her defiance.

"You know I'm always trying to encourage you to take your vacation," he replied, flustered by the glares from everyone. "So go ahead…take two weeks."

More laughter ensued and Rick shook the Captains hand and thanked him for being so agreeable.

"So when are you guys leaving?" Alexis asked.

"Let's see," Rick said looking at his watch.

"Crap! Five minutes ago!" He looked over to Kate.

"What…are we running late?"

"Yes…we better go…now!"

They made quick hugs and handshakes all around with promises to call everyone when they arrived safely on the island. Rick had to pry Kate from Lanie's grip as Lanie cried happily for her best friend.

"He just can't wait to see me in my bikini." Kate spoke over her shoulder as Rick pulled her towards the door. Everyone watched as they walked and talked their way out.

"What you don't realize Mr. Castle is that everyone else on the beach will see me too."

"Did I say bikini…I meant muumuu."

"I am not going to the beach dressed in a muumuu!"

"That's ok; I'll just change our flight to Alaska when we get to the airport. I'm sure you'll look cute in a parka."

He protested loudly with "apples" as she grabbed his ear and pulled him out the door. Their friend's laughter followed them to their waiting limo.

Back inside a slightly tipsy Kevin Ryan grabbed his beer from the table and held it up high.

"A toast!" He announced. "To Rick and Kate!"

"To Rick and Kate!" They all replied in unison.

Ryan threw his arm around Javier's shoulders.

"Dude," he said with tears shimmering in his eyes. "This was the best party ever!"