Here is the final chapter to this fic. I wanted to get it out last weekend as a little anniversary present to baterista9. Happy 29thby the way, albeit a little late. However, a slight family emergency came up and all my plans were shot to you know where. Don't worry nothing too serious and it is all cleared up now. Anyway this one is M rated, I mean it is their wedding night and all. I have decided to do a sequel to this one so keep an eye out in the next couple of days. I promised to give a shout out to a few special reviewers, but also want to say thank you to everyone that read this even if you didn't respond.

Actually, I am kind of glad I didn't have this written last week like I planned, after watching the short clip of Stana Katic singing in Zlin this week, I decided that Kate should do the same.

Anyway, a special thanks to the following:

shelshel14 – For the excessive use of emotocons ; )

phnxgrl – Just because that's a lot of love

Temp4Booth – For the many ego boosting compliments

baterista9 – For affirming that there are still good marriages out there

Amybf19 – For always being a step ahead of me

SunshinyKate – For the best use of metaphors

Now on with the show, that I don't own by the way

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"Rick," the word was barely audible between the heated kisses and attempts to take in oxygen.

"Hmmm," he tried to respond?

They had barely crossed the threshold before the passion they had been holding at bay all day flooded over. After kicking the front door shut behind him, Rick pinned Kate between himself and the nearest wall. The initial frantic movements had eventually melted into soft lingering affectionate motions as they, for the first time, savored their new relationship. They were no longer just best friends, no longer just partners, no longer just lovers; they were now husband and wife.

"My dress," she managed to squeak out before his tongue silenced the rest of her sentence.

Again, he tried to respond, "Beautiful."

Kate needed them to stop, needed to take a step back but her brain wasn't currently in charge of her actions. She finally conjured up the one word that would snap them both out of it. "Alexis"

That did the trick. Rick's head snapped to attention leaving her sucking in some much needed air. She had to laugh at the frustrated looked on his face. She could see the whine forming on his red puffy lips, "Ka-te!"

"I'm sorry… It's just," She was still having trouble putting two words together. It was as if his tongue had ripped them from hers. "Alexis wants to wear this dress some day and I can't very well tell her she can't have it because her father practically ripped it off of me on our wedding night."

Rick's hands left her hips immediately to cover his ears, "La la la la la la la."

Kate shoved his large body from hers and headed for the stairs. "I wouldn't want to deny her the chance to have it ripped off on her wedding night?"

Rick's forehead met the wall in frustration and he mockingly grabbed at his chest, "Seriously Kate, keep that up and you'll be a widow before you've really had the chance to be a wife." He watched her climb the steps out of the corner of his eye before calling up after her. "Hurry back!"

Kate zipped the garment bag and hung it up. She would make sure to have it cleaned and preserved properly once they returned from their honeymoon. She enjoyed teasing Rick, but much like him, she too hoped the dress wouldn't be used anytime soon. Alexis was so young and had a lot to experience before considering marriage. On her way out of the walk-in she spotted it. She didn't know when he had had the time, but Rick had snuck in another gift. If she didn't know better she would have thought that elves were involved somehow. She picked up the box, unlike the earlier blue one; this was larger and wrapped in bright red paper with a black bow. Just like the earlier blue one; there was a card dangling from the ribbon. She slid it off and laughed.

'If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular? ~Author Unknown

Since my eyesight is 20/20 I can think of a few reasons. ~Richard Castle'

She unwrapped the box expecting to find something very lacy or very small, for lack of a better word. Actually she expected it to be both. To her surprise she found a plum colored nightgown. It had spaghetti straps and the hem would fall to her mid-thigh. There was also a long robe with flowing sleeves and large pockets. Before she slipped them on she stepped into the tub and rinsed the sand from her feet and legs. She also shook out her hair hoping to get rid of any grains that the wind may have blown in. Finally she lathered on some body lotion; she chose his favorite.

On her way back downstairs she noticed the crackling of the flame before she saw the glow. Rick had started a fire in the fireplace and had moved the coffee table to the side. The living room floor was now covered in pillows and blankets. She also caught a glimpse of a picnic basket.

"Hey," She whispered in his ear as she leaned over the back of the couch to kiss his cheek. She crossed her arms on his chest and he covered them with his hands. "Pretty presumptuous don't you think?" She nodded to the items laid out on the floor.

"What? That you're going to sleep with me or that you're going to sleep with me on the floor?" He turned and kissed her cheek.

She took advantage of his move and pinched his bottom lip between her teeth before soothing it with her tongue. "That we're going to sleep at all." She did a little double eyebrow waggle to drive home the insinuation before she stood up and made her way around to sit next to him. He naturally wrapped her in his arms and peppered her head with kisses. They watched the fire in silence for a while. It was Kate that spoke first. "It was a beautiful day."

"Best ever"

"I got you one too."

"Somehow I don't think I would look so good in spaghetti straps but you know I like a quality robe."

She always appreciated the humor, but ignored it, "a song." She sat up and faced him, "I wanted to wait until we were alone."

Rick's eyes brightened, "That kinky huh?"

She slapped his chest before standing and returning to the back of the couch to retrieve the guitar she had placed there a few minutes earlier. He watched with wonder as she pulled the leather ottoman across the room and sat it directly in front of him. He knew she could sing, he suspected it the night he bought The Old Haunt and it had since been confirmed. She sang in the shower, on car rides when not working and when she thought she was alone in the kitchen. Rick would stand in the doorway of the study and watch her flit around the room chopping veggies or scooping ice cream all the while belting out the most heartwarming songs. It often took all the resolve he could muster not to give her a standing ovation. When he came across the guitar the day he unpacked her things he wondered, maybe even assumed she played but had never seen any evidence to that fact so he never thought to ask.

She could see the questioning look on his face, "My dad taught me, he's a pretty good musician. He was in a band in college. That's how he and my mom met. His band played at some sorority event." Kate's head ducked slightly, "I haven't heard him play since my mom died. I'm not sure he even does anymore." Then she looked into his eyes, "When I was young I would sit on her lap and he would sing loves songs. Most of the time they were to her but sometimes he would come up with one suited for a little girl and he would sing to me." She began to finger the strings, "I'm a little rusty so don't laugh."

Rick leaned forward on the couch and with elbows to knees he ran his fingers through her hair. When she looked to his face he gave her a wink, "Never."

Kate took a deep breath and turned her head to the left to watch her hand as she began to pluck at the strings. He followed her lead; watching her feminine but strong hand as it fingered out the chords. He knew he was grinning like a fool, but he had never heard anything so beautiful. That was until she began to sing. He had gotten so caught up in watching her strum the strings that he hadn't realized she was going to play and sing. She kept her head turned; he couldn't see her face.

"How can I believe that my heart would find someone like you
You see me, the real me no in bewteens, I had nowhere to hide
You took away the walls around me made me feel safe to share my truth

Kate's eyes shifted from her hand; apparently feeling comfortable enough in her ability to trust that her fingers no longer needed surveillance. She lifted her head but still did not meet his eyes. He watched as she closed hers. She didn't just sing the words; he could tell she was feeling them too. She began to move her foot and head to the beat as the tempo picked up slightly.

I see the heavens open, a heart that once was broken Is holding nothing back now that I found you
You hold me like a prayer, you touch me everywhere
A lifetime just ain't enough to love you true
Now that I found you
Now that I found you

After the chorus Kate opened her eyes and watched her husband watch her. She had been on his side of the table as a child. She could see the same look in his eyes that had been in her mother's all those years ago. Suddenly she realized that her life had come full circle. She couldn't contain the smile that over took her face.

I do believe we're meant to be our chemistry will

last forever And through the years we'll see some tears we'll conquer fears
And together we will grow
Looking in your eyes they tell me
I no longer have to feel alone

I see the heavens open, a heart that once was broken
Is holding nothing back now that I found you
You hold me like

a prayer, you touch me everywhere
A lifetime just ain't enough to love you true
Now that I found you
Now that I found you

You see me, the real me you believe in me

I see the heavens open, a heart that once was broken
Is holding nothing back now that I found you
You hold me like a prayer, you touch me everywhere
A lifetime just ain't enough to love you true
Now that I found you
Now that I found you

Rick watched the nerves melt away and memories flood her eyes. Kate often shared stories of her childhood with him but usually, as she did, her eyes would be filled with sadness and regret. Now however, she was grinning from ear to ear. His heart soared to see her remember what was without thinking of what would never be again. His heart began to race with all the things he wanted to do. He could barely stay seated, he wanted her in his arms, wanted to hold her forever, wanted to whisper in her ear, wanted to shout from the rooftops, wanted to kiss her lips, wanted to make love to her perfect body. When her fingers stopped strumming he was on the move. He took the instrument from her hands and laid it on the couch beside him. He slipped off the cushion and knelt in front of her grabbing her hands in his.

"One day we were brought into the world, knowing love only as being what we had for our toys, family, and friends. Then, you meet someone who alters your conception of love, and you never know how you loved anything before because this kind of love is…" He had never really understood the quotation he just recited to her, until now. It always seemed incomplete somehow. He always felt the need to stick an adjective on the end of it. Now he knew what had always been missing, it wasn't an adjective it was her; Kate was the completion it required.

She understood and responded simply, "I love you too."

With that his resolve was gone; he needed to feel her more desperately than he ever had. He slipped his hands up her thighs and greedily grabbed her by the waist. Her legs naturally opened to allow his body access to hers. Their lips found each other with a fierce hunger that neither was sure they could quench. Kate was glad that he had already unbuttoned his shirt; otherwise she would have had to rip them off in haste. She pulled his undershirt from his waistband and groaned when she couldn't lift it over his head.

"Kate?" Rick pulled back and gave her a wry smile. "I think we need to get rid of the dress shirt before we can remove this one." He started to shrug the button down off his shoulders but she was too quick. Before he could blink she had his top half stripped and was working on his lower. She was having as much trouble with his belt as she had with the shirts. Her impatience got the better of her so she just groped him through the fabric. His hands immediately grabbed her wrists and she looked confused. He was surprised by the lusty look in her eyes. He almost felt like prey staring into the eyes of a predator. "Oh god, you will be the death of me won't you?"

"But what a wonderful way to go," Kate plastered her body to his grinding her hips into his erection. "Come on big Rick, show me what you can do with that." She reached between their bodies and grabbed him again.

"Oh, that's the way you want to play it, huh?" He was elated that Kate was in a playful mood tonight. It only seemed appropriate; playful was what they did best.

He grabbed the belt of her robe and yanked it off feverishly. The robe and the nightgown quickly followed. Kate's hands seemed to have figured out how to undo his belt; it and his pants joined her clothes on the floor. Rick pushed her back onto the ottoman and shoved her knees apart once again and she willing spread herself for him. He sat back on his heels and just took her in. Unhappy with his hesitation Kate lifted her right foot and planted it firmly between his legs. He immediately saw stars; his body took over and he ground into the exquisite pressure she was providing.

"Kate?"

"Uh-uh Babe, you're going first tonight."

With the position she had him in; he was in no shape to argue. After a few more strokes she slid off the ottoman and in the same motion kicked it out of the way. The blankets and pillows were now the only items between them and the roaring fire. Kate took him by the shoulders encouraging him to stand. She slid his boxers down and he stepped out of them. She then steered him to the floor. Once lying flat on his back with a few pillows propped under his head Kate moved to his feet. He watched as she clawed the arches of each foot with her nails. The sensation caused his toes to curl and his arousal to jerk. She then ran her nails up his legs stopping just below his hip bones. She was straddling one of his thighs with one knee planted between his. Rick's mischievousness got the best of him and he bent his leg until his knee met the juncture between hers. She hadn't seen it coming, she was concentrating on the hair trailing from his naval to his pelvis, and she gasped with pleasure and moved her hips in a circular motion allowing his hard joint contact with her softness.

"Kate, please?" He begged and she knew what he wanted.

"No Rick, you always make it about me, let me do something for you."

Kate pressed his leg back down with a firm hand to his thigh. She moved up his body on her hands and knees. She took a nipple onto her mouth and sucked much like he normally did hers. She tickled the tender spot on the inside of his hip bone and he wiggled beneath her. Eventually she let up and made her way to his mouth. She placed her hands on each side of his face and stroked his cheek bones with her thumbs. They smiled at each other like idiots for what seemed like hours before she completely devoured his face. Her open mouth covered his lips and her tongue darted between his. Before he could respond in kind she was gone; moving down his body she again straddled his thighs and took in the length of him. He held his breath the second she took him into her hand. She slowly stroked from the base to the tip squeezing ever so gently before releasing him and repeating the action. Rick's head flew back in ecstasy and he choked out her name.

"Just tell me when you're ready Rick."

The way she was touching and stroking him was almost more than he could handle. He wanted to feel her around him now. Needed to feel the warmth, her softness, her heat. The act of pleasing him was having a similar effect on Kate. He could see the darkness of desire in her eyes while she used her free hand to touch her own erect nipple. She knew it made him crazy when she touched herself; almost as crazy as it drove him to touch her himself. He raised his hand and covered hers on her chest as she squeezed and flicked the engorged flesh. His hips jumped off the floor letting her know he was close.

"So close Kate."

He wasn't sure if he had spoken or merely grunted but she clearly understood either way. She released him from her grasp and shifted above him. She leaned forward placing her hands flat to the floor on either side of his head. Hovering just above his face she gave him one of her enchanting smiles and then eased down over his erection. She encapsulated his length slower than she ever had before. He was sure he could feel every millimeter of her as she stretched to accommodate his hardened bulk. Her pursed lips opened and she blew out a small breath as he entered her. He took pride on knowing that he filled her so completely she didn't even have room for the air in her lungs. Finally she moved above him. Her hips rotated and she sat back on her heels as she rode him. When he grabbed her hips she knew he was there and she sank down even farther. Her hands rested on his abdomen and she combed her fingers through the fine hairs once again. That final tickle sent him over and he arched into her with such force that she was lifted off the ground momentarily. Once he had emptied himself into her his weakened muscles gave out and his backside slammed against the floor. He struggled to breathe for a few minutes before he realized she was smiling down at him.

Kate watched has he came down from the peak she had brought him to. The look of shear abandonment on his face caused her heart rate to speed beyond its already rapid pace. She was still raring to go, having held out while she did for him what he always insisted he do for her first. She needed the same release but wasn't sure he would be up for it quite yet. She needed a distraction before she took matters into her own hands. Kate leaned forward and wiped the perspiration from his brow. He was coming out of the haze and his breathing was slowing. She kissed his cheeks and his chest before resting her head in the place she had just kissed. When he shifted slightly beneath her she moaned at the friction.

Without a word said Rick grabbed her around the waist and slid her off rolling her onto her side. He propped himself on his elbow and watched her a moment before he slid his hand between her thighs and slung her long leg over his hip. He ran his fingers along the inside of her leg and saw her suck her bottom lip behind her teeth in anticipation of his touch. She held her breath expecting it at any moment but he denied her; leaving it to rest just inches from the sweet spot. Instead he leaned in and took her breast into his mouth. She bent her knee trying to pull his hip closer. Her hands kneaded the back of his head holding him to her chest. His tongue played games with her nipples; soothing them only seconds after inflicting pain with his teeth. However, the ache between her legs far outweighed anything he could do to her breasts at the moment. She thought he was finally going to give her what she was begging for as she arched against him. His fingers moved on her inner thigh, but then she saw him bring them to his lips; he licked them before pressing his lips to hers. He tasted like he often did after he licked her into spasms, but he hadn't even…

"Oh, god Rick, I'm so ready." She knew he knew that already.

He teased, "When a woman is talking to you, listen to what she says with her eyes."

Kate gave him the glare that she usually reserved for only the hardest of criminals, "Castle!"

Any more words fell from her brain instantly as he slid two fingers into her body and pumped them a few times before slowing the pace and rubbing circles inside. His thumb covered the bundle of nerves and he felt her body respond to his touch. Kate's head dropped forward, resting it just above his heart. The build-up he was creating with such slow and deliberate movements completely zapped her ability to do anything else. Her hands lay on either side of her head. Had he been wearing a shirt it would have been bunched in the fists she was currently making against his chest. She could feel her hot breath bounce off of him and pour back over her own face. Eventually he curled his fingers forward and trapped the erect flesh between his fingers and thumb. Her whole body began to quiver and she felt him kiss the top of her head.

"Let go Kate, I've got you. I'll always be here to catch you when you fall."

With his words the tension exploded into a white hot heat that radiated from the center of her body. Every inch of flesh burned and she was covered in sweat.

Rick continued to work his fingers even as she tried to clamp her thighs tightly closed. She pulsed around his digits time and time again. She seemed to be going longer than normal so he pressed his thumb into her even more and she pressed back against him. Eventually; and much to his surprise she slipped her hand down with his and guided him. With each grind she blew air out against his chest then each blow became a tiny grunt. Suddenly he found himself ready for another round and was hoping she was up for a continuation. He didn't have to ask, she felt the evidence of his readiness pressed firmly against her hip bone.

As always it only took one word, "Castle!"

He loved it when she said his last name in bed. She grunted a few more times asking for more between each sound. She had never been shy about telling him how and when but as some taboo suggestions passed her tightened lips, he was shocked. He had never heard her use such a word. He blushed slightly but didn't hesitate to force her onto her back. He shifted his weight until he was settled over her. Naturally she wrapped her legs around his waist and he plunged in hard and fast. They were now face to face and he stroked her hair back from her eyes. She again wiped the sweat from his forehead and just below his bottom lip. Their mouths met again and his tongue mimicked the rest of him thrusting in and out.

As Rick filled her over and over she squeezed his body tighter each time. She was grateful for the thick blankets beneath her. She couldn't imagine the rug burn that would be forming with each thrust had Rick not had the forethought he did. Even so, rug burn would have been a small price to pay for the heaven she was experience at the moment. Rick had done something different tonight, she wasn't sure what but she wasn't going to question it. She savored every inch of his erection as he slid in and out. She enjoyed every flick of his tongue as he licked and tasted. Finally every nerve in her body tingled with anticipation and she clamped down around him again. Rick's own will power gave in and he collapsed on top of her has he spilled into her for the second time.

Both completely spent physically they just laid there in each other's arms. Eventually he rolled them slightly so he wouldn't crush her under his weight. They stayed wrapped in each other, completely lost in the other's touch, in the other's eyes, the other's love. At some point Rick began to caress her face and head. Kate drew circles on his chest with her fingertips. Suddenly a thought hit her.

"Hey," Her voice was soft and hoarse. "What's in the picnic basket?"

His voice sounded just as rough as hers, "Breakfast." When he saw the questioning look he explained. "I'm not tearing myself away from you any sooner than I have to; I figured making breakfast the night before would solve that problem.'

Kate smiled and tucked her head under his chin. After another twenty minutes or so she thought maybe he had fallen asleep. She looked up and saw that he was still awake. "You know you're in love when you don't want to fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams."

Rick just chuckled and kissed her forehead and pulled her in tighter. He didn't bother answering her. They were both well aware that she had quoted Dr. Seuss. He and Kate had stopped that part of their game long ago. What had started as a game of wits was now just another form of communication to them. "I think I know how we can get some sleep but still be together."

Kate snuggled in closer, "Enlighten me."

"I think we dream so we don't have to be apart so long. If we're in each other's dreams, we can play together all night."

Kate thought about it for a second, "You've already made all my dreams come true."

"Well, then we will just have to play in mine." He tickled her side, "I have a feeling mine are better than yours anyway. After all I have made quite a good living using my imagination. Who do you want to be in my dream tonight?"

"There is this one thing that I have wanted to be for quite a while now," She could feel him holding his breath in anticipation, "Your wife."

"Katherine Beckett, I think I can handle that, in fact it won't be hard to imagine at all."

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Thank you!