"I wonder if Jamie's in bed yet," Kate Beckett said to her husband as they exited the elevator and walked down the hall to their loft. They were coming home from a "last" dinner out before their daughter was born. "It is kind of early, so maybe he talked Gram into letting him stay up a bit."
"Honestly, I kind of doubt he had to talk her into anything. Those two are thick as thieves when it comes to avoiding any kind of rules," Rick Castle chuckled as he put the key into the lock. "And listen - I hear the piano!"
Kate grinned at her husband. "Oh, Grams and her protégé! Wonder what show they're putting on tonight. Last time, it was The Little Mermaid, remember? And Jamie was singing "Under the Sea" for days after that, too! Hey, let's not tell them we're home. I just want to watch the show."
"Sounds like a plan. Let's do it." As they got closer, they could see Jamie listening intently. Martha was waving her arms in the air, and he just nodded. Martha sat back down at the piano, and started to play. Rick and Kate looked at each other and mouthed Aladdin, which was currently James' favorite Disney movie.
He was attempting to sing "Friend Like Me", but it wasn't easy. He did okay with "Ali Baba" in the first line, but "Scheherazade" was a mouthful for anyone but Robin Williams. But Jamie sang with so much gusto, they knew it didn't matter. And when he added some dance moves, it totally didn't matter. "Director" Martha just smiled, played the piano and encouraged her little singing star.
"That's it, James! Broadway's newest sensation, James Richard Castle!" she sang out with glee. Jamie grinned at his grandmother, and bowed as he reached the end of the song. Rick and Kate couldn't hold it in any longer; they clapped their appreciation for the little show. Jamie turned his head and then ran over to them.
"Mama, Daddy! Did you see me dance? Grams and I are singing!" he called out to them as he ran over to hug their knees. Rick leaned over to pick him up.
"Yes, we saw and we heard you! Great job, little man," Rick replied. Kate kissed their son's cheek.
"You really did a nice job on that song," she told the three year old. "I guess you and Grams had fun tonight?"
"Yes we did, Katherine. James is a wonderful companion for his grandmother," Martha replied. "Now, I must be off. Early morning class for me, so I need to go home and prepare." She leaned in to kiss the two Castle guys on their cheeks. "Thank you, my darling grandson. We must do this again sometime!"
"Oh yes, Grams. I love when you come over. I love to sing with you!" Jamie kissed his grandmother goodbye.
Rick said, "Thank you, Mother. And thank you for the show; it ended our evening on a lovely note. Come on, I'll walk you out," he said.
Martha hugged Kate and then Kate took Jamie from his father, and walked with him to the door as Rick helped Martha with her coat. She and Jamie waved good bye as mother and son walked out. "You know, Mother, you and Jamie are quite a team," Rick teased her. "And I love watching you guys together. I'm glad he's got you in his life," he quietly said.
"Oh, Richard, that is one of the sweetest things you've ever said to me. You know your children have been the joys in my life too. Alexis and James have always made me so happy. And soon we'll have Hannah in our lives." Martha's eyes were moist. "You are a wonderful father, and this time, you're lucky to have Katherine by your side."
"Don't I know it!" Rick replied as they stepped on the elevator. They discussed a few things as they rode down to the lobby together and as Rick helped her into the cab. "See you soon, Mother. Good night!"
He rode back up, wondering what he would find when he got inside. As he opened the door, he was greeted with the sight of his naked son running away from his mother. Ah yes, he thought. Dinner, and a show. Life with a three year old!