no secret anymore

"That's the worst, I think. When the secret stays locked within not for want of a teller, but for want of an understanding ear." – Stephen King

He's done this three times now.

It's the first time it's felt right. The first time that it wasn't as a duty or convenience. The first time that he had to wipe tears off of his cheeks when he saw the bride, ignoring the quiet snickers from their friends in the front row. The first time the priest couldn't finish talking before he was pulling her a few steps closer to kiss her. The first time that his new wife grabbed his ears to bring him back for a second and a third kiss.

The first time that the silver band around his finger hasn't felt like a shackle.

She's hanging up her dress, brushing out the wrinkles that had formed as he had wiggled it off of her, tossing it onto the ground. Her protests about needing to put it on the hanger had died off when his lips peppered kisses along her skin as he revealed each inch.

"You're beautiful," he blurts out, getting up off the bed to wrap his arms around her waist.

"It's the make-up," she teases, zipping the garment bag up. "Gotta go take it all off and brush my teeth."

He follows, his fingers hooked into the waistband of her underwear. She swats at him good-naturedly, smiling as she hands over his toothbrush. She's got her own brush in her mouth when he settles a finger under her chin, turning her head to face him.

"What?" she mumbles around the brush.

"I love you," he says, voice as strong and clear as it was hours before during the vows. "I love you so much, Beckett."

His stomach flips when she ducks her head, just the hint of her grin peeking from between the strands of her hair. "I should hope so. You're stuck with me. You know why?"

He hums as she spits out the toothpaste and rinses her mouth, starting to brush his own teeth.

"I don't quit." She takes one of the make-up removal clothes from the container and wipes it over her eyes, getting rid of the mascara and eye shadow. "Especially not on this."

He hides his grin by spitting out the toothpaste.

"Oh. And Castle?" she says as she bumps his butt with her hip. He turns, catching her eye in the mirror before she tugs on his ear to look right into his eyes. "I love you too."

And once again, it's like it's the first time. His heart stutters to a stop. His hands start to sweat. His mouth drops open.

She pushes up on her toes to kiss him, smiling mouth to smiling mouth. "Take me to bed, Mr. Beckett," she murmurs.

He lifts her up, her legs around his waist as he walks back to the bedroom, laughing into her mouth. "As you wish, Mrs. Castle."

Note from Logan: In case anyone was wondering, the bit of lyrics in the summary is from "Calamity Jane," a song titled "Secret Love." The quotes at the beginning of the majority of chapters come from The Body by Stephen King. This series was prompted by Morgan (thejetsetgirl on tumblr) based on an article found in Thought Catalog on December 1, 2012 by R. Mckinley titled "8 Ways to Say I Love You."

I wish you all a happy and bright holiday.