559TALES FROM THE CITADEL CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
THE COMMISSIONERS DAUGHTER
CHAPTER NINE
Author's Note. Since this not a canon story I' taking liberties with birthdays Rick and Erin's birthdays are only one month and a day apart, same year. March and April respectively, same year Nikki's birthday is in July, Alexis in September
Rick handed the Cadillac sedan's keys to Erin. "I put the sedan in your name, Erin. I got the coupe and the SUV today. You'll just have to update the registration when we're married. Call it a pre-wedding gift, if you want to."
Erin threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"Thank you, Baby, but why? I don't need a car in my name. When we're married everything is both of ours, anyway."
"I know that, I just wanted to do something special for you."
"As if marrying me isn't special enough for any woman. I'm marrying the love of my life. I don't need possessions. She grinned. But I'm not giving it back."
To Ric and Erin's surprise, Alexis and Nikki had prepared a simple dinner of macaroni and cheese with ham and a garden salad. They were anxious to get dinner over with and get to Tiffany's. While the girls looked over the displays, Erin had warned them, nothing elaborate, she went straight to the sales person and asked her to have the one of the actual jewelers to come out. She already knew what she wanted. A round cut, flawless blue-white two carat diamond, flanked by a one carat ruby and a one carat sapphire all set in a platinum band engraved with Anamchara.
Her and Rick's wedding bands were simple rings of platinum with the same engraving the girl's rings were identical except for the stone. Filigreed platinum with a flawless one carat stone. The girl's wanted theirs so badly that the rest of the week seemed to drag by. Not so for Rick and Erin. There was a lot to do. Sending out invitations, arranging food and decorations. Erin, Alexis and Nikki shopped for new dresses and shoes, deciding for matching styles, differing only in color, Kelly green for Erin, celebrating her heritage, Scarlet for Nikki, sapphire blue for Alexis.
That might have been a dead give-away if anyone was paying attention to the girls. The night of the party finally arrived. A last-minute invitation had been to Erin's secretary, Ava and a plus one. Everyone was waiting for the guest of honor to arrive. Erin, Alexis and Nikki were already there. A little subterfuge. Of course, when Rick entered, he was met with a shout of welcome home and a round of hugs and kisses. "This calls for a drink," Frank said.
"Or two." Added Danny Reagan Frank allowed two drinks, then said;
"Supper time." Erin had chosen the menu. A garden salad, corned beef with roast potatoes and peas, Apple pie ala mode and coffee or soda.
After supper was over and everyone had moved to the living room, Rick stood and said; I'm afraid that we've gotten you all here on a little bit of false pretenses. Erin will you please stand." He went down on one knee. "Erin, will you marry me?" He opened the ring box so that everyone could see the ring."
"Yes Richard, my Anamchara I will marry you." He stood and slipped the ring on her finger. They indulged in a slightly over-long, passionate kiss. Then Rick said;
"Alexis, Nikki, come here please. The girls flanked Erin. Rick said;
"When we marry, Alexis becomes Erin's daughter, as well as mine. Nikki becomes my daughter as well as Erin's We have already begun formal adoption proceedings, It's really a double adoption I for Nikki, Erin for Alexis. There will be no step daughters. Simply our daughters. Just as if they were born to us. These are symbols of sealing our family within the Reagan clan.
Erin said; I" know that it's short time. But we want to be married by Christmas so we can start our own Christmas traditions. All the family in the loft for Christmas Eve dinner and the first exchange of presents And Christmas day dinner and second exchange. And since we have a story teller among us, the nativity story will be better than it usually is."
Frank said; "You don't have a lot of time to plan the wedding."
"There's not much to plan, Dad. We have the venue and the priest. Just close friends and the family attending. I've had the expansive, expensive wedding. For this one I am wearing a simple white sheath with white heels. I'll adda veil to go with the wedding traditions. Rick will wear a plain dark suit. We'd like Jan Van Walbeeck to be his best man, and his wife, Amanda to be my matron of honor. Alexis, Nikki and Audra will be my bride's maids, that is if Audra wants to."
"Wants to? Of course, I want to. Audra said. Besides being fun, it might get my thick- headed boyfriend off the dime." Jamie blushed. He and Audra had been dating for almost two years
Rick said;
"Well Jan, Amanda, you're standing right there, Will you please do it? Both of the Van Walbeeck's smiled.
"We'd be honored." They chorused.
"Thank you. Danny, Jamie, will you be my groomsmen?"
"Did you have to ask? Danny said. Of course, we will."
Frank Reagan said; "Everybody fill your glasses. He paused long enough for that to happen. To Rick and Erin, a long and happy life and marriage. It's time for them to make each other happy. In fact, it's overdue, but finally here."
After the announcement a half hour was spent chatting and sipping drinks, when Linda Reagan said; There are more things to plan than you've talked about, Erin. We need to plan the wedding colors, pick the matron and maids' dresses, the cake and the venue for the reception. We've got all the women here, right now, let's start. You men go into the den and do men things." Erin said; It won't be a formal reception. Just a family and friends' dinner at Sarah's Serendipity. Sarah is an old friend and could use the business."
As there really wasn't that much to plan, the women had it nailed down in an hour, with the date set two weeks before Christmas day. The party ended around ten o'clock, at Erin's request. She wanted to get home and celebrate her engagement, privately, in the oldest way known to humankind. She didn't even min the grins and knowing looks.
Rick and Erin kissed Alexis and Nikki goodnight and sent them to bed, or at least to their rooms. Both girls went upstairs easily enough, snickering as they went. Rick and Erin might have been in bed by ten-thirty, but didn't sleep until two o'clock.
Monday morning, Erin called Mike Boyle and asked him to meet with her within the week. He tried to refuse, for no better reason than to give her a hard time. It didn't work. Erin's will be much stronger than his. She said;
"Since you want to be obstinate, I withdraw the within the week. My office, tomorrow at ten. Or in family court, take your pick." Boyle had been skimping on his child support payments. He didn't want that in open court. His Mafia friends set great store by family. They wouldn't appreciate an open scandal. Especially With the amount of money Boyle had.
Boyle arrived in Erin's office promptly at ten. Ava didn't even bother greeting him, she said;
"You're expected Mr. Boyle." Boyle entered and was surprised to see Rick, Nikki and Commissioner Reagan as well as Erin. Erin was icily formal.
"Please be seated, Mr. Boyle. This should not take long. All you have to do is sign a legal document. Mr. Rodgers an I am getting married. He is adopting Nikki as I am adopting Alexis. Not only do we intend to do this, Nikki wants it. All you have to do is sign the agreement."
Nikki spoke up. "I do want it. Although you are my biological father, you have never been "Dad" to me. You've never shown much interest in me. I've seen you three times in the last six months for a total of five hours and that's not a new thing. I've seen how Rick treats Alexis and how he treats me."
"Oh, now he's Rick and I'm a bad father? I won't sign the damn thing!"
"In one way, it doesn't matter if you do or not. In a couple of years, I'll be a legal adult and change my name, anyway. And I'll hate you for making me do it that way. I want a real dad and you're not it and never have been. If we have to go to court, I'll testify to that. Along with you cheating Mom on money."
'Your mother and that bastard writer have poisoned you against me!"
"No, they haven't. You did that all on your own. Did you really think that I didn't know that you were cheating on Mom? You weren't that good at hiding it. I heard rumors at school."
Frank Reagan spoke.
"Boyle, if you give my daughter and granddaughter a hard time, you will regret it. I can give perfectly legal orders without violating my oath of office. No one can drive for five minutes without committing a moving violation. Most of the small ones are ignored. My traffic officers can be instructed to enforce every letter of the law on you and your cronies. Furthermore, if you are even one minute over the limit, a parking citation will be issued. Your cronies own a number of restaurants. How do you think they'll like repeated health and safety inspections? Very thorough ones. All you have to do, to avoid all this, is do the right thing, for once."
Boyle glared around the room, but caved and signed the document. Then Erin said;
"Look on the bright side, Boyle. You'll save the child support. And the bright side for us, is that we never have to see you again." Immediately after Boyle left, Erin, Nikki, Alexis and Rick went directly to a friendly judge. In a closed session, he reviewed the paperwork, interviewed Nikki and Alexis approved the adoptions and Nikki's application for a change of last name.
The next weeks passed, rapidly and on a sunny Saturday afternoon, Erin Reagan Boyle walked down the aisle. The atmosphere in the chapel was as perfect as it could possibly be.
Sunlight poured through the stained- glass windows lighting the chapel with a soft warm glow. The candles gave off a scent of beeswax. As she'd said, Erin wore a simple white sheath dress, white heels and a veil, held in place by a diamond tiara, a gift from Rick. The old was her mother's diamond pendent, the new, her dress. The borrowed was a bracelet borrowed from Linda Reagan and the blue, her garter. The Matron of honor and bridesmaids wore Kelley green dresses and golden colored heels, matching the wedding colors of green and gold.
The men all wore black suit's with green ties with golden tie tacks and cuff links, gifts from Rick.
The attendance wasn't large, just the family and close friends. Erin's side much larger than Rick's. But unlike most weddings, they didn't sit in separate groups. All rose as the prelude music swelled into the classic wedding march. Erin started down the aisle on her father's arm, a soft, yet somehow triumphant smile on her face. Frank's face held a proud smile. Proud that two people he loved were finally getting the happiness that they both richly deserved.
Erin didn't look to either side, her gaze solely on Rick. His was fixed on her. Frank took Erin's hand and placed it in Rick's. After the traditional opening phrases, the priest sad;
"Who giveth this woman to this man?" Frank replied;
"Her mother and I do." The couple knelt at the altar and recited the traditional, sacred vows. One's that would never be broken. They then stood, exchanged rings and a kiss. Reveling in the phrase; "I know pronounce you husband and wife." The kiss went on, a little longer than was strictly decorous.
The reception, also small was held a t Sarah's Serendipity. A quietly elegant establishment, not far from the church. The entrees being prime rib, salmon, chicken or vegetarian. After the meal was eaten, Jan Van Walbeeck stood. "Friends, I've been Rick's friend since our army days. And I don't think I ever saw him happy until Erin came back into his life. Ever since then, I haven't seen him less than very happy. It warms my heart to see my friend happy and we all owe that to Erin. I don't know that much about Erin, but that she makes Rick happy, is all I need to know. To Erin and Rick, luck, love and a long life and may all your troubles be little ones." Laughter followed the last line and all the glasses raised in toast.
Then Frank Reagan rose. "Well, I've known Erin all her life. And I can say, truthfully that she is truly, fully happy only when she is with Rick. In all the years he was gone, we all knew that a part of Erin was missing. Nothing is missing now. My little girl is whole. Thank you, Rick."
Then, to everyone's surprise, Alexis and Nikki rose, together. Nikki said;
"All her life, my sister never really had a mom. And I never really had a caring dad. Now, Alexis is my sister and I am hers. We both have a mom and a dad. Finally, a whole, loving family. Thank you, Mom and Dad." At Erin's gesture, the two girls came over. The new family engaged in a group hug and kisses.
After the cutting and serving of the cake t was time for the festivities.
"Gather up, girls, Erin said, it's bouquet tossing time." She snuck a peek over her shoulder, then tossed it straight at Audra, who gleefully caught it. Erin then sat as Rick slid her skirt up and her garter off. He didn't6 bother with any subterfuge, but shot it straight at Jamie. Everyone laughed at the expression on Jamie's face.
Rick and Erin shared their first dance as man and wife. Then Rick danced with Martha and Frank with Erin. Then Rick danced with each of his daughters. Rick laughed and said;
"The rest of you stay and party. Erin and I are out of here." Alexis and Nikki were staying the night at Frank's house.
At the loft, Rick went to open a bottle of Champaign, but Erin said;
"Wine later, Love I want to work up a thirst, first." She took his hand and led him to the bedroom. There would be nothing rushed this time. Erin slipped out of her heels and put them neatly away. Then she removed Rick's suit coat and tie, hanging them up.
"Unzip me, please." He did and she slipped out of her dress, hanging it up, too. She turned back to Rick, clad now, only in her panties, bra and stockings.
"Just stand there for a moment, please." Rick said, admiring his wife's graceful beauty. It was, somehow more intense, for him now She only paused for a moment then stepped to him and said; "Just stand there, Love and let me undress you." She unbuttoned his shirt took it off and laid it aside. She had hi suit on the bed, then removed his shoes and socks. Had him stand, unbuckled his belt, and unfastened the waist button, lowered the zipper and slid his trousers off and has she had everything else hung up his trousers. Shirt and socks going into the hamper. She was stretching things out, growing the anticipation. She moved into his arms and sought his mouth, hers already open t9ongue seeking entrance to his. The kiss was slow and intense, tongues twining and untwining, exploring, tasting. No matter how many times they'd done this, each time was new. They broke the kiss, long enough to breathe then went right back too it. Erin already feeling the fire start to ignite in her belly. Rick kissed her jaw, the sensitive spot just under her ear and slowly down the silky skin of her neck. She returned the favor until they were both panting. Erin pulled Rick's t-shirt over his head and he unclasped ger bra and removed it. The sank, to the bed, Rick laid her down and kissed her breasts, the nipples already engorged and begging for attention, He took each nipple into his mouth, in turn, gently nipping, then soothing with his tongue before suckling them. Erin was moaning softly and whispering; "Yes Love, yes, more baby, more please." He hooked his thumbs under the waistband of her panties and slid them down her long legs and off.
HE began to kiss down her stomach and slid a finger lightly over her labia. She was already wet. She said; "That later, Love, I'm so ready, I need you inside me, now."
He pulled his boxers off. She grasped his erection and guided him home, sighing as they were fully joined. They kept up a slow tempo, at first gradually increasing, prolonging the pleasure as long as possible. Finally, she whispered I'm coming, Rick, come with me." He felt her inner muscles clench and she shrieked as she came, feeling the jets inside her as he followed her over.
Erin lay, contentedly snuggled up against her husband, in the afterglow of the best love-making of her life. Three times tonight! And there was something that she'd never expected. There was a feeling of reverence as well as permanence. She would never spend a lonely night again.
The girls returned to the loft in the morning, early enough to prepare breakfast for their parents, breakfast in bed, in fact. They went all out. Bacon, eggs, ham, sausage waffles with fruit and of course, Blue Mountain coffee. They hoped, naughtily to catch their parents En dishabille, but unfortunately for their plan, Rick as up for the bathroom and heard them come in.
When the girls opened the door, they found Rick and Erin grinning at them, Erin wearing a demure bed-jacket and Rick a smoking jacket ala Hefner. They laughed at the girl's indignant faces. Rick and Erin didn't go on a honeymoon. She didn't want one. She'd had one with Mike, to Hawaii. It was supposed to be a time when they were totally immersed in each other, but it didn't work out that way. Mike was too interested in the vacation aspect of it and also spent a lot of time ogling bikini clad women hen he should have been ogling her.
She knew that Rick would never be like that, but it was a silly tradition, she didn't need or want, a second time. it was too close to Christmas. They wanted their first Christmas as a family to be special
She needed was right here at home. Besides, it was too close to Christmas. They wanted their first Christmas as a family to be special. After the holidays, they could take a family trip, the four of them. They planned the decorations, together, Erin restraining Rick's tendency to go overboard with decorations. In fact, Erin asked Rick to get rid of all the glitzy, flashy decorations and vetoed a huge tree. A nice, seven foot, fresh-cut Douglas fir, not flocked. If they wanted to see a snow- covered tree, they could go to the park. The kept the ornaments that Alexis and Nikki had made in school, but otherwise bought new ornaments to signify a new start.
Erin wanted a creche set so Rick took to the internet and by selective shopping found a magnificent one. The stable was a cave, the figures accurately depicted as middle easterners, rather than the ones that looked like northern Europeans. Rick even rigged a "star" to shine on the creche. Erin said;
"I really want our family to remember the true reason for gift giving at Christmas. The Magi bore only three gifts to the. Christ-child. So, each of us can receive only three gifts. Rick gets one from me and one from each of you. You both receive one from each other, one from Rick and one from me. I receive one from Rick and one from each of you. There won't be a shower of gifts, so choose carefully."
The next day, Erin took the girls shopping and Rick went on his own mission. The loft was beautifully, but simply decorated in soft green, white and gold. The days passed swiftly and Christmas Eve arrived. Erin and the girls cooked a simple dinner of ham and sweet potatoes. Peas and a salad, warm rolls with apple pie for dessert. Martha joined them. After dinner they sang carols and Rick read the nativity story. He then made eggnog and they opened their presents. Erin received a Diamond and emerald necklace with matching earrings from Rick, a simple gold bracelet from Alexis and a pair of Jimmy Choo heels from Nikki. The girls both got new I phones from Rick, dresses from Erin. The girls had talked and came up with a special idea. They each got the other a silver filigree bracelet with the word sister engraved. Erin's gift to Rick was a Rolex Seamaster chronograph. Alexis gave him a pair of Luchese western boots and Nikki gave him a leather bomber jacket. After a round of hugs and kisses, Erin said;
"This, our first Christmas s so very special that the lavish gifts are good, but after this, simple gifts only. One hundred dollars top limit. That goes for birthdays too."
Christmas day and dinner were spent with the rest of the family, at Franks house.
On New Years day, Jamie finally manned up and proposed to Audra. The wedding was set for June.
Kate Beckett spent four sessions a week with her therapist, working through her anger issues and realizing that the whole debacle was mostly her fault and that her anger with and mistreatment of Rick where unjustified. She also had to understand what underlay her anger with him. It was not easy to face her demons. Of course, she couldn't banish all her demons in just three months of therapy, that would probably take years but she did manage to get over her anger with Ric and realize that somehow, she would have to make amends with him, or at least 'd spent the three months of her suspension working as armed security. It wasn't much and it galled her, but she had to do something. By the time she returned to the precinct, she'd had made enough progress that she could accept her demotion and bust her ass to restore her reputation and get her rank and team lead back.
It wasn't easy or comfortable, for the first few weeks. There seemed to be a faint air of hostility from some members of the precinct. Nothing overt, but the tension was present. There was something else that felt wrong, but she couldn't quite place it, or didn't want to admit it.. What it was, became evident, a few days before Christmas. Roz Karpowski, dropped an article on Kate's desk and said;
"You really screwed the pooch, Becket. You could have had it all." Kate read the article
The commissioner's daughter marries.
Erin Reagan Boyle changed her name last weekend. The daughter of Police Commissioner Frank Reagan tied the knot with Richard Rodgers. Better known under his pen name of Richard Castle. The handsome author was rated, last year, as number six on New York's most eligible bachelors list. Read em' and weep ladies, rumor has it that the third time's the charm, this one's for keeps.
It finally, six months too late, hit Kate Beckett just how much she had lost and could never get back. A couple of lyrics that she'd heard in an old song. All the burning bridges that are falling after me. Burning bridges burned forever more
She fled to the women's bathroom, locked herself into a stall and cried.
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