Stranger than Fiction, two years later.
from WAAAAY back when I asked for suggestions,
Here The brandy, Castle decided, was excellent. As was the cigar. Surprisingly, the company was as well. No one had died yet, but Castle supposed the evening was young. He eyed the two older gentlemen smoking cigars when a younger man, part of the wedding party, joined him on the veranda overlooking the Sanctuary's gardens.
Will Zimmerman looked rather dashing in his vest and button-down shirt. The bright blue tie that set off his eyes had been loosened, giving him a slightly rakish look. Castle approved. He'd ditched his tie as well as his coat. He cut quite the figure in his shirtsleeves and well tailored pants.
The two both eyed the older gentlemen critically.
"You know," Will said, pitching his voice low, "When I agreed to be Henry's best man, I thought my biggest challenge would be the speech."
"You did quite well," Castle said, holding up his glass.
Will smirked. "Thanks for the editing pass."
"It was a pleasure." He clinked his glass against Will's.
"But no. This is the Sanctuary. I can't have normal problems. Not only do I have to keep the bride's father from killing the groom," he said gesturing with his cigar to the taller, balder gentleman, "I have to keep the bride's uncle and father from killing one another." He gestured at the both of them.
Castle smirked. "I'm at the wedding of a vampire and a werewolf, and I'm having a cigar and brandy with Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes." The smirk became a grin. "I love my life right now."
Will scowled, but it didn't have any weight. "Okay, yeah, this is pretty cool," he admitted and Castle was certain that brandy was not the first drink Will had had today. They clinked glasses again.
Castle gestured at the two men. "They seem... civil."
Will frowned. "They shaped up yesterday. A week of trying to keep them, and Tesla, we can't forget Tesla, from actually throwing down and suddenly they're all sunshine and rainbows."
"Helen," John spoke up sardonically, "made it known that she would be exceedingly displeased were any of us to misbehave."
Will and Castle ducked their heads a bit in embarassment. Apparently they hadn't been as quiet as they'd thought.
Castle's father, James Watson, chuckled. "Ashley made it known that if we displeased her mother, she'd, ah..."
"She promised several things that are too impolite to repeat in good company," John reflected. "She was rather... specific on some points."
Watson's face grew serious. "Indeed." He sipped his drink.
John's thoughtful expression turned amused. "I believe she and Nikola had a rather extensive conversation about what precisely constituted proper behavior."
"Oh!" John's serious expression broke into a smile. "Oh, I'm sorry I missed that."
Castle arched a brow. "And what did she promise to do if you, ah, argued at her wedding?"
John frowned thoughtfully. "She didn't really say much about that. She was far more concerned with Helen and Henry being displeased."
"Yes, she- Oh. Hello, Henry."
"Hey guys," Henry said. He wore an outfit similar to Will's, his shirtsleeves rolled up and his tie tucked into a pocket. The thick wedding band glinted in the summer sunlight.
James and Castle offered their hands in congratulations again, Will thumping him on the back.
"Henry," John said with a curt nod of his head.
"Uhm." There was an awkward pause. "John."
There was a brief handshake. The tension rose around them, like a smothering mist. James' eyes narrowed almost at the same time as Will's did. Castle could practically see the hackles rise on Henry, the stillness of danger settle over Druitt like a well-worn mantle.
Druitt moved, a small gesture that still made everyone present jump back. "Brandy?" he offered, his tone exceedingly perhaps two shades warmer than flat neutral.
Henry's shoulders relaxed and the tension broke. "Yeah. Yes. Thank you."
Will let out a relieved breath. "Cigar?" he offered.
"No thanks," Henry declined, tapping his nose. "You enjoy."
"Where's Ash?" Will asked.
Henry scratched the back of his head and looked around. "Her mom pulled her aside for something." He shrugged. "Anyway," he looked around and grinned then motioned everyone close. "Okay, so, gameplan. Will, you know what to do?"
Will nodded, a huge grin on his face. "I'm on it."
"What are you planning?" Castle asked.
"I believe," James said, "they are attempting to set my protege up with the maid of honor."
"Isn't he former SAS?" John mused.
"I'm not worried about Declan," Henry said. The smile faded a bit. "Mildly concerned about Kate."
Will thumped him on the back. "She'll get over it."
"I am a bit surprised Ashley's letting you, well... " He made a vague gesture. "Frankly I'm surprised this is as traditional as it is."
Henry blushed a little and didn't quite meet Watson's eyes. Will laughed into his drink.
"What's so funny?" Castle asked.
"Henry and Magnus did most of this," Will said.
Castle and James both arched speculative eyebrows at the young werewolf. Henry sent Will a fond glare.
"What?" Henry asked.
Castle smirked. "I didn't say anything."
Henry stuffed his free hand into a pocket. "We didn't want something too big. Magnus wanted something larger. Ash got fed up with the whole thing and decided she got to pick the clothing, the music, the cake, and rule there would be no stupid dancing. Her picks weren't negotiable, but beyond that she said it was up to me and she'd back me up with Magnus."
"Wow." Castle blinked. "That's... Oddly familiar." He looked around and found his Kate chatting with his mother and some of the folks from the New York Sanctuary.
Henry smiled. "Yeah. I think she would have been fine with something simpler than this. Or maybe more of an after-party vibe."
Castle smiled and saluted him with his drink, which Henry returned. The younger man had a romantic soul and had clearly wanted something a little more formal and a little more traditional than a raucous party. It was wonderful he'd found someone accepting and willing to compromise. Castle hadn't had a hand in either of his first two weddings. The last (and final) one was exactly what he wanted and it had been perfect.
"Is there an after-party?" Castle asked, wondering if the kids were gonna have a shindig after the formalities were done. The music thus far was tasteful, but it wasn't what he expected from the bride.
Henry blushed. "Uh-" His eyes slid fearfully toward Druitt.
Castle's eyes widened. "Not what I meant! This, uh, doesn't seem like Ashley's style of music," he gestured vaguely to the air.
"Oh," Henry said relaxing. "Ash picked out what her mother could stand for before dinner. After nine the DJ gets to put on real music." He grinned. "Magnus wouldn't let her do anything before then so they compromised."
"That should be fun then," James commented.
Henry's grin got larger. "She got a permit from the city to be noisy and informed the neighbors."
James cleared his throat. "Perhaps I'll join Helen inside."
"Come on, dad. If it's too loud, you're too old." Castle chuckled.
Druitt snorted a laugh.
James rolled his eyes at the both of them. He shook his head. "Back to the previous topic if I may, what precisely are you planning on doing to poor Declan?"
"Garter and bouquet," Will answered.
"Ah, yes."
"You going to take it off with your teeth?" Will asked, elbowing Henry in the side.
"Dude!" Henry sputtered. He took a step back from Druitt.
The older gentleman sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Hey, Dad!"
"Alexis!"
Alexis smiled at them all. Having been more or less adopted by Kate F. and Ashley, she was one of the bridesmaids. She looked far too grown up in the black cocktail dress and white sash at the waist. It was a sleeveless fitted bodice with a flowing skirt in the opposite colors the bride was wearing. Ms. Freelander was sporting the same outfit over by the bar where she was doing shots with bigfoot and a lizard-man.
"Look what Ash gave us!" She held up a locked case and set it on one of the high tables scattered around the lawn and patio. She unlocked it revealing a silver 9mm. It was etched all over in elegant scrollwork. Little gems had been embedded in some of the details.
"She gave you a gun." Castle wasn't sure how he felt about that.
"It works with the tranq rounds," Henry said, chest puffing with pride.
"It's bedazzled," Will stated, frowning.
"She got you a gun," Castle repeated. "I never got one of those." He might have been pouting. A little.
"We both know Alexis is far more responsible," Kate Beckett said, joining the conversation. She winked to take out any sting in her comment. Castle pouted more because he knew it'd make her roll her eyes and smile at him. Which she did. Win.
Kate leaned in conspiratorially and winked at Alexis. "Ashley says it's go time." She held out her hands. Alexis locked the gun again and handed it to Kate before sashaying off in the direction of Kate Freelander.
Will slapped Henry on the back again, downed the last of his brandy like a shot, and wandered off to find Declan, coughing a little. Henry looked around and found Ashley had returned from speaking with her mother. He grinned at them all and made a beeline for the patio.
Castle gave Kate puppy eyes. She arched a brow. "No." She tucked the gun under one arm and looped his elbow through the other. "Come on, this should be fun."
Castle waggled his eyebrows at her and let himself be led to the side where the small crowd was gathering. They exchanged a quiet greeting with Magnus and his mother who were watching the whole thing with wise, bemused expressions. The bride was now standing on one of the chairs and Henry had an entirely unnecessary hand on Ashley's hip to steady her.
Alexis had maneuvered Kate Freelander front and center and looked like she was out for the bouquet. Kate had a hand on one hip and looked for all the world like she had no intention of actually attempting to catch the flowers. Henry gave Ashley some last minute instructions and the blonde woman corrected her throwing angle. The crowd counted down and she tossed the bouquet over her shoulder.
Castle watched as Alexis' face got that focused look, the one he'd come to associate with her making rapid mental calculations. She suddenly nudged Kate to the side with a loud "Oops!". The bouquet hit her in the upper chest and landed in her hands as she staggered to the side. Freelander stared at the flowers with a mixture of disgust and confusion, as if some sort of ugly alien had just landed in her arms and she wasn't sure what it was or what to do with it. The good-natured jibes started and Kate glared at everyone.
The chair was transferred to a table and the more brave (or drunken) men of the party made several catcalls as Ashley sat and Henry skimmed a hand playfully up her leg. Ashley said something and smirked at him. His hand disappeared under her dress and an expression of confusion crossed his face. Frowning he withdrew, hand holding a dainty .22. Magnus made an exasperated noise somewhere to his left.
"Honestly. Her wedding."
"To be fair, doctor," Castle said, clearing his throat. "This is..." He trailed off and gestured around. "This is you."
Magnus rolled her eyes, but didn't deny anything.
Ashley grinned at Henry. "Told you that was the wrong leg," she said, loud enough for those closest to hear.
Henry handed her the gun. "Yes, dear."
She smiled primly, double checked the safety, and handed it down to Alexis.
The garter was removed, to more catcalls, which, Castle realized, were more to tease Henry than anything else. He looked over the friendly crowd and found Declan in the middle of the pack. Ashley gave Henry some corrections and fired the garter over his shoulder like a frilly rubberband. The gentlemen in the crowd suddenly all stepped away and Will, deciding he didn't need subtlety, shoved Declan forward. The garter hit him in the nose. Like Kate, he reflexively caught it as it fell.
Kate stormed in, holding the bouquet like a battle axe. She pointed it at Ashley threateningly. "Just because two people have amazing shower sex is no reason to go chucking posies at their head, Blondie!"
Declan wiped a hand over his face and Henry looked like he hadn't wanted to hear that. Ashley laughed and gently shoved the irate, protesting bridesmaid toward Declan and the photographer. Both men looked a bit nervous.
Grinning, Ashley looped an arm around Henry and led him over to where her mother was. Alexis appeared at her side and handed back the .22.
"Honestly," Magnus said, crossing her arms. "Why would you need to be armed at your wedding."
Ashley checked the weapon then tucked the weapon back into the thigh holster. "My father. Uncle James. Tesla," she answered succinctly. She frowned in thought. "I thought Claudia and Tesla were going to throw down during the appetizer. Penelope stepped in or I'd have had to stun them both." She said referring to a couple of the guests, agents for some agencies or other. Castle had only met them briefly. Ashley shook her head at her mother.. "I'm surprised you're not armed." She turned to Alexis. "You disarm Kate?"
"Yup," she said. "Already locked it in the armory."
Magnus sighed.
After nine the music got louder. The wedding party changed into more casual clothing. Ms. Freelander and Mr. McRae were conspicuously absent. Castle was sure they'd be catching hell for it later. Some people went home, but many stayed and a number of people who hadn't been invited to the fancier dinner, arrived for what was shaping up to look like more of a block party than anything else. The crowd was... colorful to say the least. Castle couldn't tell if some of the things he saw were natural or if they were some form of body-mod. After a few hours of enjoyment he took a breather on the raised patio. He was mildly surprised to find his father taking in the view.
"I thought this was too loud?" he joked.
James smiled. "Helen and John was having a rather tense conversation. I thought it best to remove myself, and Nikola, from the area." He nodded generally towards a table to the side where Tesla was holding court. The two agents, the blonde and the redhead, were there as well as a man with short hair and glasses and a tall black man who'd immediately started talking in some sort of techie code with Henry.
"Hmm," Castle mused as he observed the collection of geeks, "Are they could to do Science to the party?"
James chuckled. "Let's hope not. I don't think we need this to be any more interesting."