Chapter Thirteen: A Mother's Love

Epilogue

The Castle-Beckett wedding was to be a glittering affair. As much as Kate wanting to keep it small and private, that just wasn't happening. Both she and her fiancé were simply too well known. They did manage to limit the guest list to one hundred people. His family, Martha and Alexis and his agent Paula Haas. Her family, Jim Becket, her aunt Theresa and three cousins and of course, her precinct family, Lanie, Javier Esposito, Kevin Ryan and his wife, Jenny, Captain Montgomery, his wife and daughters and LT. The governor and his wife, Mayor Weldon and his wife, Commissioner Reagan and the whole Reagan family, less Erin and Nikki.

Major General Tillson and his wife would attend, as would several of his officers from the ninth. Many of the luminaries of New York had RSVP'd. A single reporter and camera man would be allowed inside with the proviso that they share with the legitimate news sources. Rick had private security, but they were hardly needed because of the large numbers of volunteers from both NYPD and the National Guard. One of the big surprises was the requests for invitations from the Israeli Embassy, for the ambassador and his wife, the New York consul general and his wife

When planning the wedding, Rick had said;

"If you want to keep it private, family and close friends only, we can do that, it's your day."

Kate replied: No, Babe, it's our day. We have to get along here, and we can't afford to offend powerful people, but I won't go above one hundred for the wedding itself.

"Okay, if that's what you want, we'll do it, but the reception will be a bitch, so I've hired an event planner to handle it but I don't think that we can get away with less than three hundred people. The reception line is something I don't want to think about."

"So, don't think about it, Babe. You've shaken more hands than that at one of your book signing."

"Yeah, but they were my fans. I appreciate my fans."

"Then think of them as your fans, which they are, in a way, just in a different genre. Think about it. You are the only non -Israeli, let alone non- Jew to ever be awarded Israel's medals of courage and valor. You are a hero in Israel. Yes, I've heard it. General Richard Rodgers, The Desert Lion.

"That should have stayed in Israel, Kate."

"No, my Love, it shouldn't. There are so many Jews in this country who see Israel constantly denigrated in the media, that they begin to lose hope. And then they hear and see the story of The Desert Lion. A heroic man who fought for Israel and is not Israeli, or even a Jew. An American General. And their hope and even a faith in justice is reborn. So no, that story must not stay in Israel.

As impatient as she was, even Kate was surprised how quickly the days passed until the day of the wedding arrived. It was held in the same small church that Kate's parents were married in.

Kate was shocked as she looked out the window of the limo. For a solid half mile, the streets were lined with NYPD cruisers. The limo was preceded and followed by a pair of cruisers

Neither Kate nor Rick believed in the tradition that the bride and groom not see each other for 24 hours before the wedding. They rode in the limo together. To Rick's surprise, Kate asked that Rick wear his evening mess dress uniform with all his medals. She wanted to show the whole world to know the kind of man her soon to be husband was. She even requested the honor guard and arch of sabers.

As they exited the limo, they were spared the harassment of the paparazzi. The NYPD had set up such a tight ring of security a mouse couldn't have gotten through with a camera. Kate wore her mother's wedding dress and veil, a simple, classic design. The veil held in place by a diamond and amethyst tiara, a wedding gift from Rick. (Another was a customized Corvette.)

The church was small, barely able to accommodate the number of family and friends here. Small, but classically lovely and serene. The soft lighting, accented by flickering candles, the late afternoon sun shining through a stained-glass window, the mixed scents of incense and candle wax, created the perfect mood for the life and love affirming event about to take place.

Kate had been a little sad and disappointed that neither Esposito or Ryan had been chosen as Rick's best man. Although friends, they hadn't done anything to stop the horrible treatment Rick had received from Demming and Kate just before he left. He'd forgiven them, but the deep affection and trust weren't there. They were serving as ushers.

Rick's best man was Colonel Gary Calvert, a long- time friend. They'd met as young officers in Afghanistan, and both were assigned to the ninth when they joined the National Guard. They'd served together ever since.

The two men now stood at the altar, awaiting Kate. Both men in evening mess dress. Gary had joked that if they fastened one more medal to his jacket, the lapel would fall off. The two men looked very much alike. Not close enough to be brothers, cousins maybe. Both tall and broad-shouldered, the same height. Gary was a blond with cool gray eyes, a little heavier than Rick.

The whole chapel came alert as the prelude music began, all rising as the doors opened, and the organ began playing the majestic music of the bridal march. There seemed to be an aura around Kate as she glided down the aisle, on her father's arm. She didn't notice anything around her, as her eyes were fixed on her groom. Most of the guests in the chapel thought that they'd never seen a more beautiful woman. Rick was certain of it.

As they reached the altar, the priest intoned;

"Who giveth this woman to this man?" Jim said;

"Her Mother and I do." He then placed Kate's hand in Rick's and stepped back.

Their wedding vows were almost the traditional ones except for the until death do us part, they changed that part to: We never shall part. Our souls are united for eternity.

They exchanged rings and after the priest's announcement; "You may kiss your bride" It was a moot point, who kissed who. But the kiss lasted long enough to raise more than a few eyebrows.

They exited the chapel under the traditional arch of sabers, the honor guard commanded by General Tillson, the other seven members either colonels or lieutenant colonels. Kate didn't even mind the playful swat on the rump with a saber and the words; "Welcome to the army." To both their surprise, there was a police honor guard as well, commanded by Commissioner Reagan. No sabers, of course, but all hands at the salute.

The limo took them to the reception at the Plaza Hotel, a prestigious and historic hotel. It's grand ballroom literally glittering this night. The security was even tighter than it had been at the church. Not only outside, but several senior NYPD detectives in evening wear, inside and a number of armed private security in dinner jackets. None of the civilian guests had any idea of the plain clothes officers.

Kate and Rick exited the limo and walked up to the hotel's entrance, the paparazzi kept at a distance. One of them, with even less brains than most, managed to breach security just long enough to raise his camera, not that it did him any good. He was tackled by a burly NYPD patrolman, whose partner accidently stepped on the camera. The one official photographer, smiled rather nastily at the paparazzo's unfortunate accident.

Once inside the grand ballroom, Kate stared in awe. She had never imagined that her wedding reception would be anything as lavish as this and she was almost overwhelmed by the number of dignitaries and luminaries present, including the mayor and his wife. the governor of New York, and his wife General Tillson and several senior army officers and their wives, a couple of popular actors and singers. But the most startling to her, were the Israeli ambassador, the consul general and their wives.

As each person passed, smiled and shook her hand, (or in a couple of cases, kissed it) her discomfort faded and she began to enjoy the sensation of becoming a celebrity, if only in the reflection of her new husband. She didn't then realize that her own story had become well known and that she was a celebrity in her own right. Her eyes sparkled and her bright smile flashed, every man in the room envying Richard Rodgers.

The reception line finally ended. She and Rick proceeded to the head table and took their seats, signaling the real start of the festivities. Colonel Calvert rose to his feet and clinked a knife against his glass.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please charge your glasses and join me in a toast to the newlyweds.'

He waited a moment, until the waiters had filled everyone's glasses then said;

"I've known Richard Rodgers many years, since we both a couple of bright eyed and bushy tailed young lieutenants. He's been a wild-ass warrior both on and off the battle field. But I've never seen him truly happy until Kate Beckett came permanently into his life. She tamed the wild man. I wish them, many happy years together and to quote an old phrase, may all their troubles be little ones." Everyone laughed at Kate's blush. Jim Beckett stood next.

"For the first time since she was nineteen years old, I have seen my daughter smile and laugh without reservation. I now see her happiness and the reason for it, at her side. To Kate and Rick, I wholeheartedly give my blessing." Martha stood and said much the same thing about her son.

Lanie stood and cracked the place up when she said;

"Kate, you go girl and give Aunt Lanie a bunch of nephews and nieces."

The toasts ended with the Israeli ambassador offering his toast.

"To General Richard Rodgers and his lovely bride Katherine. All of Israel wishes them many years of happiness and prosperity. The Desert Lion has found his lioness, his life's mate. Israel rejoices with them this night."

A sumptuous dinner was eaten, the cake was cut and served, then the dancing began. Kate and Rick first of course, then Kate danced with Jim and Rick with Martha and then Alexis. Then the "Dollar dances began. There were so many bills pinned to Kate's dress, the fabric could not be seen, except across her bosom. The women couldn't pin bills to Rick's uniform so they simply placed them in a bowl, watched over by Alexis. They laughed about it later. The smallest bill pinned to Kate's dress was a twenty.

The newlyweds left the reception as quickly as they decently could, exiting by a discreet and heavily guarded back exit, going directly to the loft, for a night of intense love making. Martha and Alexis stayed at the hotel, making it seem that Kate and Rick were there. Rick and Kate left two days later for a month-. long honeymoon, spent in Scotland, Ireland and Italy.

In Israel, Leah Winegard read about the wedding and lavish reception in the Tel Aviv issue of the New York Times. Her heart breaking at the irrevocable loss of the only man she had ever truly loved. Yet, she loved him enough and she was a big enough person to be happy for him.

Six weeks after Rick's departure from Israel, Leah began to worry. Her period was two weeks overdue. Two days later, she became nauseous at work. A trip to the pharmacy and a visit to the doctor confirmed it. She was pregnant. She went through a storm of mixed emotions. Elated that she would bear Rick's child, terrified that she had to bear it without his support but totally unwilling to disrupt his new marriage.

Her parents urged her to tell Rick, but she adamantly refused. After all that he'd endured, Rick deserved to be happy and he was happy with Kate. Back in New York, the days passed so quickly that Rick could hardly believe that a month had passed since his and Kate's wedding day. Rick had been released from active duty and reassigned to the New York National Guard as deputy commander. Alt6hough now in reserve status, he found himself spending a lot of time in Albany.

This particular afternoon, a Friday he was sitting in his home office, considering where he was going to take Kate to dinner. Friday night dinner out had quickly become a tradition with them. Kate entered the room, came over and kissed Rick. Long, soft and sweet. Then she sat in his lap and asked;

"What are you thinking about, Babe?"

"Where I'm going to take you to dinner. Why?

Kate smiled and said;

"Then it can be a celebration."

"What are we celebrating?"

Shyly, Kate said;

"I'm pregnant. Doctor Kenly confirmed it today. I didn't say anything, earlier because I didn't want to give you false hope. But now I'm sure. I'm so happy, but I'm terrified. What if I'm not a good mother?"

Rick stood, picking Kate up and spun her around, kissing her soundly.

"Kate, I'm not just happy, I'm ecstatic. You have nothing to worry about, you'll be a great mother. In these past few months, I've seen how you've been with Alexis. All the right instincts are there. Alexis considers you her mother. She told me that she wants to call you mom, but isn't sure how you'd take it

"How I'd take it? I 'd love it. I already love Alexis as my own. If Meredith ever pulls another one of her stunts and hurts Alexis, I'll kick her ass so hard it will end up between her shoulders!"

Rick broke into laughter, getting a cartoon image in his mind of Meredith trying to walk with her ass between her shoulders. He told Kate and she too laughed. When they calmed down, Rick said;

"Seriously, Sweetheart, every new mother worry. Fathers too. It's a normal part of the process. But we're together in this and we'll get through it just fine."

Kate relaxed and snuggled into Rick. She looked up at him, grinned and said;

"I want a celebration before the celebration. Make love to me."

Kate had that weekend off and she made the most of. She didn't know if the pregnancy hormones could kick in this early or not. All she knew that she didn't want to get out of bed or let Rick out of bed, except to attend to necessities. Two weeks later, they made the formal announcement. It appeared in the society page. Brigadier General Richard Rodgers and his wife, Katherine, the former Katherine Beckett have announced that they are expecting a child. Congratulations are in order.

In Israel, Leah read that too and her heart broke a little more. Adding to her worries, she'd been feeling unusually tired and weak lately. At first, she'd attributed it to her pregnancy, but it was getting worse and she'd been nauseated more often than was normal. She finally gave up and went to her doctor, who told her that they had to run some tests, both blood work and ultrasound.

Three days later, they ordered another series of tests. Then came the awful verdict. The hospital's staff oncologist said;

"I am terribly sorry to tell you, MS Winegard, you have a serious form of cancer. We can probably beat it, with chemotherapy and radiation, but it will certainly kill the fetus.

You can have a few days to think about this, not more than a week but then we must begin an aggressive therapy. It comes down to this. We can save you, or the baby, but not both. I am sorry." They gave her some medication to help with the pain and nausea and sent her home.

She prayed and talked with her parents and her rabbi but there never was any real choice in her mind. Her life may be cut short, but at least she'd had a life to live and love. Her baby must have that same chance. She also knew that her child must be with his father. They hadn't confirmed it, but she knew, in her heart, that it was a boy after another two weeks of intense thought and struggle, she knew what she must do. she wrote a letter, addressed to Katherine Rodgers, to be delivered by messenger to Kate only.

Dear Mrs. Rodgers, may I address you as Katherine? I am Leah Winegard. You do not know me, but you know about me and what I was to Richard. I am writing you to ask an incredible favor of you. You see, I know that you are soon to be a mother. Something I never will be. You see, I too am carrying Richard's child. Something he does not know and if you cannot grant me this favor, he must never know. I have cancer. Without chemotherapy and radiation, it will be terminal, but therapy would kill my baby. I won't, I can't allow that. The baby is a boy. I want him named David Alexander. He must be with his father. What I am asking of you, is to take him and raise him as your own. He must always know you and only you as his mother. The baby's first bonding, is the smell and taste of his mother when he is laid on her naked breast. He will be delivered by caesarian section. I want you to be there and it be your breast he is laid on. As I said, I have terminal cancer and the pain is constant. I do not expect or want to awaken from the anesthetic. I beg of you to find enough love in your heart to love this child, as your own, for he is the result of a real love, although a love not as great and true as the love Richard has for you. I have talked long with my parents and they have said that they will give you their blessing and I know that God's blessing will also be upon you for doing such a noble thing.

Sincerely, Leah Winegard.

The tears ran freely down Kate's face as she read the letter. She couldn't hold any resentment against either Rick or Leah as she knew about and accepted the situation. It was just a horrible fate that this could happen. As soon as she got her emotions under control, she called Rick and asked him to come home immediately. He could hear the stress in her voice and knew that whatever had happened was serious and he needed to be home, ASAP. Coming through the door, Rick saw Kate's tear- stained face and his fears went through the roof.

"Kate, what's wrong? Did something happen with the baby?"

"Something happened with a baby, Rick, but not our baby."

She showed him the letter.

"Are you angry Kate?"

"Yes, I am, but not at you, or Leah. After all, I accepted that you were going to be with her before you came home to me. I am angry at the cruel fate that caused this. We need to talk about this, but there really is only one right thing to do. That baby is yours. And because he is yours, he will be mine, too. We are together in everything, my love. I want to do this. Please start making the arrangements tomorrow. There will be a lot of legal issues to settle."

Kate's heart was big enough to freely grant this request and love the child as her own. After all, she loved Alexis that way. The discussion that followed was a long one, but it was never about whether or not to do it, but rather the logistics of the whole thing, and how to keep the paparazzi from finding out about it before everything was settled. Alexis was deeply shocked when they told her, but rallied and said that she completely supported their decision.

Kate requested and was granted a temporary leave of absence from the NYPD. She and Rick flew to Israel a month before Leah's due date, it would take that long to deal with Israeli legal and religious issues. They met with Leah's parents. Kate was surprised that there were no recriminations with either Rick or Her. They simply accepted the situation as God's will and thanked Kate for granting Leah's final wishes.

Leah was completely bed-ridden now. She talked to Rick over skype with her end blanked. "Rick, love, I wanted to look on your face, one last time, to say goodbye, but I don't want you to see me, as I am now. I want you to remember me as I was when we were together. I will love you always. Good bye my love."

Kate and Rick were both in the hospital, when the time came. As she predicted and wished, Leah never woke up from the anesthetic.

As requested, Kat lay in a hospital bed, when David Alexander Rodgers was laid on her breast. The bonding was instantaneous in both directions. Rick and Kate stayed in Israel until David was strong enough to travel and his grandparents had some time with him.

James, Richard Rodgers decided to come along, a little early too. And Kate gave birth in Israel, which worked out well for everyone concerned. Leah had said that she wanted David to always know Kate as his mother, it would be so much easier for him. The Israeli authorities agreed to record a later birthdate for David. It was easily accomplished with the prime minister pushing it, and it wasn't something of earth-shaking importance. David was a small baby, and James a large one. It was easy to make them appear to be fraternal twins. Both boy's hair and eye color and nose shape were their father's.

IN the years that followed, David was loved just as much, and never treated any different than his siblings. Kate would be the only mother he ever knew or knew about.

Two years later, Johanna, Martha Rodgers joined the family. She would have been overt-indulged if her mother hadn't put her foot down. With three children to raise, another failed attempt on her life. and Jim Beckett's strong encouragement, Kate finally resigned from the NYPD, but not before arresting Senator William Bracken.

That failed attempt was the worst mistake of Bracken's life. The sniper missed Kate, but the bullet grazed Ricks head, giving him a concussion. The second bullet also missed Kate, but shattered Ryan's shoulder so badly, it ended his days as a detective. He went to work at 1PP. Bracken never considered the amount of rage engendered by his actions. Probably the worst was the Mossad. As far as they were concerned, the Desert Lion was one of their own. The Defense Intelligence agency got into it as did NYPD's intelligence unit and the FBI. Even Bracken's money, power and connections couldn't save him this time.

The shooter was found first. He wasn't as tough as he thought he was. Granted, the interrogation techniques were a bit invasive, but he would live to stand trial. He gave up the name of his contact, who, in turn gave up his employer, Bracken's chief of staff.

Facing the possibility of the death penalty, he confessed, giving solid evidence on both Bracken and his wife as well as the drug lord Vulcan Simmons. Kate personally arrested Bracken, FBI agents arrested his wife. Vulcan Simmons and his top lieutenant were killed in a gun battle with DEA agents.

Time jump: Ten years later.

Katherine Rodgers and her four children watched, proudly as the troops passed in review at the retirement ceremony of Major General Richard Rodgers.

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