Genre: Drama, Crime, Romance, Family, Humor
Rating: M for sexual situations and language
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC, and the others who do own them.
A/N #1: The title of this story is a lyric from the song Mystical One by George Harrison, from his album Gone Troppo. The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Flying Hour by George Harrison and Mick Ralphs, from George's original rejected track listing for the album Somewhere in England.
The One Thing Real To Me
Feeling her husband's fingers gently running through her hair Beckett smiled at him and said, "Are you having fun?"
"I am," Castle said, studying her.
"What?" Beckett asked as his hand cupped the back of her head.
"Nothing just… enjoying this," Castle replied. He leaned over and gently kissed her on the lips before he pulled away. "Sorry I just felt like doing that," he explained.
"That's usually why," Beckett said. "Are you sure you want to come with us?"
"I'm sure," Castle said. "And I'm not sure why you keep asking me."
"To drive you crazy," Beckett said simply.
Castle laughed slightly and shook his head before he leaned over to her and kissed her tenderly before he started to pull away. He paused before he could do so fully and he leaned into her again and pulled her close to him as they kissed once more. He groaned as he tilted his head to the side and their tongues began to gently meet before rubbing together.
"We need to stop," Beckett breathed out when they parted.
"I know," Castle said, breathing heavily. "But I could close the door."
Beckett couldn't help smiling at his hopeful tone before she said, "You could but I think we should wait for tonight."
"Sure," Castle said. "But we could do that again."
Placing her hand on his chest Beckett said, "We could but you might want to wait."
Castle could hear what she had and he looked with her over to the doorway where their daughters soon came inside. "Good morning you two," he called.
"Good morning," Beckett said as well with a smile.
"Morning, are we gonna go?" Eliza asked happily.
"Not yet," Beckett replied. "We have to wait for your sister and Louis to get here."
"Why did they have to come so late?" Julia asked as she and her sister climbed onto the bed.
"Because that was the best flight they could get," Castle replied. "But they're here and-"
"They left already?" Beckett asked at the sound of his text alert and as it was only eight fifteen in the morning.
"They have," Castle replied as he read the text that she'd sent. "And Mother promises she'll be here at the end of the week to join us for Christmas."
"I wish she could come now," Julia said.
"She's almost done with her classes," Beckett said. "But at least your grandpapa is here."
"Yeah," Eliza said, sharing a smile with her sister.
"Did you two wake him up?" Castle said as he watched them.
"We just checked on him-" Julia began.
"He was already up-" Eliza continued.
"And he said we was gonna make breakfast," Julia finished.
"Okay," Beckett said, laughing as she spoke at the way they'd talked. "I guess that means we should get ready."
"Let me go ahead first," Castle told his wife as he got up. "And then I'll go down and get some orange juice."
"Aren't you gonna help Mommy?" Julia asked him.
"Well…" Castle said.
"Go Rick," Beckett said with a smile. "Sweetie you can get dressed on your own, right?"
"Yeah but will you brush my hair?" Julia asked a little shyly.
Pulling Julia over to her Beckett embraced her and said, "Of course." She then felt Eliza's hand on her stomach and she smiled saying, "What is it sweetie?"
"I'm saying good morning to the baby," Eliza commented with a smile.
"Can you feel it moving yet?" Julia asked.
"Not yet," Beckett replied. "But I know soon I will."
"You can see the baby a little bit," Eliza said.
"Slightly," Beckett said, trying not to laugh. "But that's just the start."
"Okay," Castle said as he stepped out. "I'll meet you downstairs," he told the three as he kissed the girls' cheeks and then kissed Beckett gently on the lips. He was going to step away when he hesitated and then paused before he leaned back in and kissed her again. He did so a little harder but kept it quick before he said, "Downstairs."
Trying not to laugh as he left Julia said, "I think he liked that."
"You can tell he did," Beckett commented before she got up. "Are you two going to stay?"
"Yeah do I need to close the door for you?" Julia asked.
"I can do it!" Eliza said, scrambling to get off the bed.
"What're you gonna wear for us going shopping?" Julia said to her mother as she got off the bed as well and followed her to the closet.
"A sweater it is cold," Beckett replied, looking at her clothes. She flipped through them and then stopped at a sweater she hadn't worn for a while. She took it and her jeans to the bed where Eliza was trying to do summersaults. "I'm glad you're not having any luck," she said to her.
"I know, I want to go shopping," Eliza replied. "Are you gonna get Mari's present today?"
"Yeah," Julia said since she'd directed the question to her.
"Do you know or no?" Eliza asked.
Giggling a little Julia said, "I really don't know but I was thinking about it."
"Remember what I tell you girls," Beckett said as she pulled on the pale blue turtleneck sweater. "It's the thought that matters the most."
"Yeah," Julia said absently.
"I'm sure you'll find something for her," Beckett replied. "I need to brush my hair so if you're staying do not do summersaults," she said, pretending to be stern as she pointed at Eliza.
"I'll be good but I wanna go Mommy," the little girl replied before she got off the bed and they walked to the bathroom. She looked at her mother and said, "I can see the baby better Mommy."
"Mommy you're not having twins, are you?" Julia asked.
"No," Beckett said with a smile as she glanced at them while brushing her hair. "Since this isn't my first pregnancy I'm going to show sooner."
"When do you go to see the baby?" Eliza asked as her mother was putting on makeup.
"Next Monday," Beckett replied.
"I wish you could have gone when we weren't in school," Julia said as they were leaving and holding her hands.
"Me too but that was when I needed to go again," Beckett said.
As they were stopped at the doorway to her room Julia quickly said, "Will you get a picture?"
"Of course," Beckett replied with a nod. "Get dressed or else breakfast will be ready before we are." She took Eliza into her room and helped her dress before they went together to Julia's room with the little girls' brush.
"How do I look?" Julia asked with a smile.
"You look great," Beckett told her with a smile. "Are you ready?"
"Yep," Julia said, glad that it was cold enough for her to wear her Ravenclaw sweater vest; that looked like part of the school uniform in the movies; that she'd gotten for her birthday earlier in the year; with a long-sleeved shirt under it. As she watched her mother brushing Eliza's hair she said, "Do you think the baby will like Harry Potter too?"
"Most likely," Beckett said, putting the little girl's hair up into a ponytail. "But they might not for a while."
"I know, I remember how long Mari's waiting for Dani to be able to play with her like I do with Lizzy," Julia replied. "What about The Beatles."
"Oh," Beckett said with a slight laugh. "Your daddy already wants to get Beatles shirts for it."
"I want the baby to like them too," Julia said.
"You'll have a chance to play their music for it," Beckett told her as she was having her sit in front of her.
As her mother brushed out her hair Julia sighed deeply and said, "I should have done my homework yesterday."
"I don't blame you sweetie," Beckett told her, kissing the back of her head as she paused in braiding the pigtails. "But we were very busy and having a lot of fun."
"When can we go see the lights?" Eliza asked, leaning against Rita that was next to her.
"Maybe this week," Beckett replied. "But I was thinking of waiting until your cousins and Patrick and his family come for that."
"So we have to wait for Christmas?" Eliza said, sounding horrified. "How long is that?"
Since her mother finished with her hair Julia went to look at her calendar and she said, "Seventeen days," after she had counted.
"Christmas will come," Beckett said as Eliza opened her mouth to speak. "Now though we need to shop for it."
"How long until 'lexis gets here?" the little girl asked.
"Another half hour, so let's go eat before then," Beckett said before she led the girls and the dogs down to the kitchen.
"Hey just in time, we're ready," Castle commented. "And apparently having your dad's scramble hash."
"He's good at that," Beckett said with a smile as she let the girls start setting the table since the utensils were already there. "They were asking about the baby."
"I know, next week," Castle said with a smile, placing his hand again on her abdomen.
"Breakfast is ready," Jim said, coming up to the two with a pan in hand.
"Girls get in your chairs," Beckett told them as she went to help them before they gathered together. She watched her father serve what was essentially a breakfast casserole and she was about to ask him if he remembered eating it with her mother when Julia was asking a question.
"Did you make this when Mommy was little?" the girl said.
"I did but not that often," Jim replied as they began to eat. "Your grandmama was a fantastic cook so I left it to her most of the time."
"He did," Beckett said with a smile as the girls looked at her. "But he did help during the holidays."
"Mommy-" Eliza started to say before she stopped abruptly.
"What is it sweetie?" Beckett asked, gently wiping her mouth.
"Was it just you and Grandmama and Grandpapa for Christmas and Thanksgiving?" Eliza finally asked.
"We did have your Great-Grandmama over sometimes," Beckett answered.
"Grandmama's mom?" Julia asked interestedly.
"Yes, but for the most part it was the three of us," Beckett said. "Why do you ask?" she said to her youngest.
"I wonder what it's like," Eliza said.
"If it's family it's the same," Castle told her. "Trust me."
Eliza nodded and went back to her food, listening to the others talking before she tried to feed Macca and Rita some of the hash browns with the scrambled eggs and sausage.
"Eliza," Castle said warningly as he could see what she was trying to do.
The little girl giggled heavily and she said, "Sorry."
"Are you finished?" Beckett asked. She took away the plate with her own and once Eliza was off her chair she told the girls, "Go ahead and play with the dogs."
"Are we gonna wait for 'lexis?" Julia asked. "And Louis?"
"Yes," Beckett said as both her daughters looked anxious. "As soon as they get here we'll go."
"They won't need to unpack or anything?" Jim said.
"Yes, after that," Beckett said, smiling as she knew her father was kidding. "Play with them, we'll clean up."
With a nod Jim went over to the entry to the kitchen and paused there, turning back to see his daughter and son in law talking together as they cleaned up. He smiled as they were speaking Irish, leaving them to their discussion before he joined the girls and the dogs to play.
As she watched Rita race down the hall to get her toy a bit later, Eliza looked up at her grandfather and was about to ask him what time it was when she heard the chime for the gate. "'lexis is here!" she squealed loudly, making the dogs bark.
"I'll get it," Jim said to Castle and Beckett who were walking from the kitchen.
"You don't want to check?" Julia asked.
"I know it's your sister," Jim replied, reaching for the door.
"Leave it closed Dad," Beckett said as they reached the three and the dogs.
"But Mommy-" the girls said at the same time.
"It's too cold for that girls," Beckett replied as her husband slipped out to help the two with their luggage. She wasn't surprised when they looked annoyed but tried not to smile as they didn't say anything.
Jim, able to see out of the window to the right of the door, opened it as Alexis was soon coming in. "Welcome home," he said slightly laughingly as the girls had thrown their arms around her, keeping her from coming much more than a step into the house.
"Thank you," Alexis said. "And I'm glad to see you all; I just wish I could move."
"Sorry 'lexis," Eliza said as she and her sister let go of her at the same time. "We missed you."
"A lot," Julia said.
"Even though it's only been a week since I last saw you?" Alexis asked.
"Still," Julia said, her sister nodding firmly next to her.
"Are you alright?" Alexis asked her stepmother as they exchanged an embrace.
"I'm good and I'm sure your father said that once you saw him," Beckett said when they'd parted.
"He may have," Alexis said before she took off her coat once she'd given a quick hug to Jim. Her boyfriend and father were coming inside and said, "Are you still planning on going out?"
"We have shopping to do," Eliza said firmly.
"But you can unpack first," Beckett said quickly.
"And that means you can fully unpack," Castle told them.
"We'll hurry," Alexis said before she and her boyfriend took the stairs there in the foyer.
"Let them unpack on their own," Castle said as he was quick to grab the girls before they could follow.
"What do we do now?" Eliza asked.
"Wash your hands and we'll get your things ready to put on once they come down," Beckett said. When her father left with the girls she said to her husband, "How many times are we splitting up?"
"I think you mean how many ways," Castle told her.
Beckett laughed softly and said, "I guess so."
"No idea," Castle replied honestly. "We'll just have to see what the girls need."
Beckett nodded and with her husband grabbed the coats, scarves and mittens the girls would need. When they had their own things, the girls were with them but they soon started to run around a little with the dogs before Alexis and Louis were coming down the stairs.
"We're not walking, are we?" Alexis asked as she watched her father and stepmother put the coats on the girls.
"It's a good day for it," Castle commented.
"It was my suggestion," Beckett said before glancing at her husband.
"It's been cold," Castle said defensively.
"Let's go," Beckett replied after the girls had pet the dogs goodbye. They stepped out into the front and made their way down the driveway to the gate, the girls chasing after each other.
"Why do they have cabin fever?" Alexis asked with a smile as she watched them.
"I think it's just in general," Castle replied.
"He's right, it's been too cold to let them out after school," Jim commented.
"That and they've had homework," Castle added. "Well, Julia has but not so much Eliza."
"I have homework tonight," Julia said, she and Eliza coming back to them as they were walking on the sidewalk.
"Today sweetie, you'll do it when we get home," Beckett corrected her.
"But I want to play outside," Julia complained. "I haven't been able to play with my bow and arrows in… forever."
"You don't have that much," Castle reminded her. "Just a worksheet for math."
"I-" Julia started to say angrily.
"Julia," Beckett interrupted her, her tone of voice firm.
"I still want to play," Julia replied.
"I know but you need to finish your homework first," Castle said.
"I'll wait," Eliza told her sister, grabbing her hand tightly.
"That's okay," Julia said, feeling some of her irritation going away at how earnest her sister was. "You can play with 'lexis and Louis if you want."
"Kay," Eliza said though she was a little doubtful.
When they had reached downtown they stood near the gazebo that was at one of the roundabouts and discussed for a while what they were going to do.
"I told you not to get any gifts for the baby yet right?" Beckett asked her stepdaughter.
"And Gram too," Alexis replied with a nod.
"Please don't get anything," Beckett said. "I'm serious we-"
"It's alright, we're not," Alexis said. "Well… I'm not."
"I told you about Mother," Castle told his wife. "I guess we'll just meet for lunch. Are you sure you want to take them Jim?"
"I'm very sure, have fun," Beckett's father replied before taking their hands. "What did you two want to do first?"
"Well… Mommy said to wait to paint anything so we can't get those presents yet," Julia said.
"What about the presents for them?" Eliza asked.
"Yeah, we can do that," Julia said eagerly. "We know what we're gonna get all of them already."
"Then which store is first?" Jim asked. He was momentarily startled when his granddaughters pulled him over to one of the boutiques there were but he smiled as they talked to him enthusiastically about their idea for their mother.
"I hope they still have it," Julia told her sister as they went straight to the item they had seen when their father had taken them as he'd searched for Christmas gifts for Beckett.
"There!" Eliza gasped quietly as she spotted it.
"This?" Jim asked as he caught up to them. "When did you see this?"
"Daddy went shopping with us," Eliza answered.
"He took us to look with him," Julia explained further. "And we saw this, Mommy's gonna love it."
"I think so," Jim said when the girls looked at him anxiously. He took the maternity tunic and said, "She wore something like this when she was pregnant with you Eliza."
"Daddy and Jules said," Eliza said, nodding her head. "It's pretty."
"Is your father getting clothes for her to wear right now?" Jim asked.
"Yeah but she said she doesn't want too much of that stuff," Julia said.
"I see," Jim replied, handing it back to her as she held her hands out for it. "And her favorite color too."
"She likes any blue," Julia said.
"You can pay for it?" Jim asked.
"Yep, I have my purse," Julia said. She smiled when her grandfather looked startled but she went over to the register to pay for it. "Now we can go to the bookstore," she said when she went back to her grandfather and sister.
"What if someone is there?" Eliza asked in concern.
"We can look," Jim said. "But hold on before we leave."
Watching him go Julia asked, "What did he find?"
"A regular shirt for Mommy," Eliza said, pointing at the others on a rack.
"Oh, she'll like that," Julia said with a nod as it was a deep green blouse. "We're gonna get Daddy's book now and should we look for 'lexis?"
"Yeah, maybe there's a book for her," Eliza said.
"We would have to see," Julia replied.
"Okay now we can go," Jim said to his granddaughters when he walked back to them. "Who can't be at the bookstore?"
"Daddy and 'lexis," Eliza answered first.
"Then let's see if they're there," Jim replied, taking the bag that Julia was holding.
At the same time Castle and Beckett were in the toy store, looking over what they had for babies and having a small argument.
"Rick, I said nothing for the baby and you're-" Beckett started to say.
"I know but I don't want to buy it, I just want to look," Castle said. He saw the look his wife was giving him and he asked, "What?"
"You say look but you eventually buy; you can't help yourself," Beckett told him sternly.
"That's why you're here," Castle replied.
"You still manage to buy," Beckett protested.
Looking around the toys Castle finally sighed as he couldn't deny she was right and he finally walked with her over to the kits saying, "I'd love to get something though."
"Let's wait until we know what we're having this time and get the room finished," Beckett said, looking around at what there was for sale.
"At least we've got the bed ready," Castle said, watching her.
"We'll keep working on it," Beckett said, smiling at him. "We should this week in fact."
"Great, so the same store as last time?" Castle asked.
"Of course," Beckett said. "They'll be surprised to see us there again."
"I'm sure they'll know it's the last time," Castle commented with a smile before he watched her take down a box. "Crochet?" he asked.
"Eliza might be interested," Beckett said before she looked at the age. "When she's older."
"Try this one," Castle said, showing her a set to learn how to mold animals out of clay.
"That reminds me," Beckett began.
"They need more Play-doh? I'd thought of that myself but that can be their shared gift under the tree," Castle replied. "And I already bought it."
"I should have known," Beckett said with a smile. "Anything else?"
"Just that," Castle replied. "Julia?" he asked.
"It is," Beckett said as she'd found a kit to make a small robot.
"Really?" Castle asked.
"You can help her but please let her do most of the work," Beckett replied as she allowed him to take the box.
"I'll try my best," Castle said slowly.
"Rick," Beckett said simply.
"Okay, okay I will but I'm there if she needs help," Castle replied.
"Which she'd ask you to do," Beckett replied with a smile before she led him away then.
"Why- we're going back?" Castle asked.
"One thing," Beckett replied.
"Oh, you saw that?" Castle said with a smile as he followed her.
"It was hard to miss," Beckett said. "Which is probably what you were hoping for."
"I was," Castle said simply before he waited for her to pick up one of the stuffed horses there were. He wasn't too surprised when she chose the one that had darker brown fur and said, "They'll go crazy when they see this."
"I don't want to hide it," Beckett replied as she knew that was an unasked question.
"So that'll be the only thing they can see," Castle commented.
"It is," Beckett said before he left her to pay. She heard her text alert and checked the message, seeing that it was from her father.
"Hey, what is it?" Castle asked, watching her.
"It's my dad, the girls want to switch now," Beckett replied.
"With us?" Castle asked.
"No," Beckett said as she shook her head quickly. "With me."
Castle raised his eyebrows and said, "I think I know what that means."
"You could but you might not be right," Beckett said, trying not to roll her eyes at his tone. "Come on, they're waiting down the street," she said before they left together and walked down to where they could see their family was waiting for them.
"Looks like you were successful too," Jim said, seeing the bag Castle was holding.
"We were and want to see what we got for the baby?" Castle couldn't help saying.
"Baby?" Eliza said. "I thought you were gonna wait?"
"Not for this," Beckett said, nodding to her husband with a smile.
Taking the stuffed horse out Castle was smiling himself when the girls gasped at the sight of it and he said, "Nice huh?"
"It's perfect," Julia said.
"Yeah, the baby can have their own horsie," Eliza said eagerly. "But where are you gonna put it?"
"Until the baby is born it'll stay on its bed," Castle answered. "But that's all you can see. So, we're switching?" he asked.
"Yeah, what will we do now?" Eliza asked.
"Do you mean after this?" Julia said, not surprised everyone else looked confused. When her little sister nodded she said, "She means after."
"It'll likely be time for lunch," Beckett said. "We'll see; text me when you guys are done," she said to her husband.
"I think you mean you text us," Castle replied. "Who knows what's going on in their minds?"
"Hey!" Julia said in annoyance though she was smiling after.
"You'll find out on Christmas," Beckett told him. "Go." When he and her father had left them, she turned to the girls and said, "Where are we going?"
"To the store for boys," Eliza said.
"I had a feeling, let's go," Beckett told them before they hurried to take her hands. The shop with men's clothing wasn't far and when they got close to it she told the two, "I'm glad you wanted to come here, I needed to myself."
"You're gonna get something for Daddy?" Julia asked.
"I am but I'm picking it up," Beckett said as she opened the door for them. She wasn't surprised when the two were looking at her in surprise and she said with a smile, "You were at school and your daddy was golfing."
"Ms. Beckett," a man with tailor's tape around his neck said. "How are you? I have your items ready and wrapped."
"Thank you, Morgan," Beckett said with a smile. "I'm wondering if my daughters and I can look around first?"
"Of course," Morgan replied with a smile and nod. "Let me know if you need any help." Beckett was about to turn and leave when he quickly said, "Oh and congratulations."
"You heard?" Beckett asked. When the man nodded she told him a quick thank you before she followed the girls hurriedly over to some ties. She and Castle had announced their baby on his site on the second of the month and it had been picked up by the media shortly after.
"You didn't get one for Daddy or Grandpapa, did you?" Julia asked, turning to her when she had reached them.
"No," Beckett said with a smile. "I got your daddy something else but I haven't gotten anything for mine yet."
"Can we get this one for Daddy?" Eliza asked, pointing out a tie.
"I think so," Beckett said, studying the tie that was a solid color and had a textural pattern of diamonds.
"Is it close to his eyes?" Eliza said.
"The color?" Julia said quickly.
"Mmm-hmm," Beckett replied. "Try and find one for your grandpapa now."
The girls looked at each other before they began to study the ties that were available in many different colors. They soon began to realize it wasn't going to be as easy as it was picking the tie for their father and they turned to their mother at the same time.
"Having trouble?" Beckett said with a smile as she'd been watching them and could see their difficulty.
"Yeah," Julia replied. "Which one would Grandpapa like?"
"Did either of you see any that you really liked?" Beckett said to them.
"I liked this one," Julia replied, pointing to a grey-green one.
"This one," Eliza said as she pointed to one that was black and maroon striped.
"I think," Beckett said. "This one will work better."
"Oh," Eliza said as her mother was pointing to the one that her sister had picked. "That's pretty too."
"It is and your grandpapa likes simpler ties," Beckett said. "But you made an interesting choice."
"Thank you," Eliza said, watching her pick up the two ties.
"Mommy I'm gonna pay," Julia said quickly.
"Are you sure?" Beckett asked though she'd known her husband had given the two money in exchange for chores so they could buy gifts themselves. When her oldest nodded she handed them over and said, "Let's go ahead and pay."
"Can we see what you got Daddy?" Eliza asked as they were walking over to the register.
"Yes, because I need to see how it looks," Beckett replied.
Julia wanted to ask her mother what exactly she'd gotten when the man that had greeted them came over to them with something in his hands.
"Here you are," Morgan told Beckett as he set the blazer and trousers on the counter for her to see.
Beckett nodded and picked up the blazer to make sure it would fit Castle by eye before she ran her hand over the sleeve. "You do great work," she said to the man.
"We do our best," Morgan said with a smile. "I'll put it back into its wrapping," he told her. "Will you be adding those ties?" he said, nodding to Julia.
"They'll be buying it themselves," Beckett replied.
"It's for Christmas," Julia said, trying not to blush too deeply.
"You have good tastes," Morgan said.
After they had both purchased the gifts; the girls thanking the man for his compliment; Beckett took the ties in their packages from Julia and tucked them into the bag. "What do you want for lunch?" she asked the girls as they stepped out onto the street.
"Not yet," the girls said at the same time.
Beckett looked at them in surprise before her daughters were giggling and taking her hands, pulling her down the street.
"There's… oh my wife is going to kill me," Castle said, pretending to be scared before he ducked behind Louis.
"Why him?" Alexis asked laughingly.
"He handles horses," Castle said.
"Rick, stand up," Beckett said with a sigh. When her husband did so immediately she went to him and dragged him over at first to an alcove before she kissed him. Since they could still be seen she had to make it quick but she didn't regret it as she said, "Thank you."
"Even just one flower?" Castle asked though he was smiling.
"Even with just one," Beckett said, shaking her head. "Any reason?"
"Just because," Castle said with a shrug.
Beckett leaned over and gently brushed her lips to his before she pulled away and then said, "Bribery?"
"When have I ever done that?" Castle replied seriously.
"Dad, Kate they're showing us our table," Alexis said, walking over to them.
Though she wanted to respond to what her husband had said Beckett squeezed his hand before they started to walk after his daughter to their table. "I'm glad you guys are okay with this."
"I was almost going to protest, I was going to make tacos tonight," Castle said, looking at their usual Mexican restaurant's menu.
"Mommy," Eliza said. "What does the name mean?"
"Sierra? Mountain range," Beckett answered as she saw that her daughter was pointing out the name of the restaurant on the menu. "I don't know why they called it that."
"Cool," Eliza said before she giggled. She then turned to her father and said eagerly, "Tacos?"
"Get them now," Castle said with a laugh. "I'll make something else for dinner. By the way love; I need to stop at the market."
"What did you have in mind?" Beckett said in surprise.
"Pasties," Castle replied.
"Cornish?" Beckett said.
"Yes, but you can't call them that remember," Castle said. "Now though we should focus on this food."
With the girls laughing they turned their attention back to the menu so they could order and eat. After they had left the restaurant some time later Castle tried to get his wife to walk back home.
"It's not that far Rick," Beckett said, trying not to snap at her husband though she'd wanted to. "And you need someone to help you carry everything."
Breathing out Castle heard the slight annoyance in her tone and knew he was being a little too protective. Though he was unsure he knew she was aware of her own capabilities and said, "Alright but if you get tired I'll call one of them to bring the car."
"Fine but I'm not going to be, let's go," Beckett said.
"We wanna go!" Eliza said quickly.
"Yeah, we want to walk," Julia said. "And we won't get tired."
Sighing Castle told Alexis, Jim and Louis, "I guess we'll see you back at home."
"You're sure you don't want to get the car?" Alexis asked.
"His concern is spreading," Beckett said in amusement as she knew her stepdaughter was talking about her. "And we're sure, we'll see you."
As they walked to the market Julia held her mother's hand and said, "Why is everyone so scared?"
"Because they don't want anything to happen to the baby or your mother," Castle said, carrying Eliza on his shoulders.
"But I'm fine," Beckett said firmly. "And I'm being careful, I don't want anything to happen to the baby either. And I need exercise still; especially after everything we ate."
"The food isn't spicy for the baby?" Eliza asked.
"No, I ate the same thing when I was carrying you," Beckett said, smiling up at her. "Tacos and no salsa of any kind."
"Was it still good?" Eliza said curiously.
"It was," Beckett said, softly laughing. "Rick?"
"Yes love?" Castle asked, looking at her.
"I think they can help you," Beckett replied.
Castle smiled widely and said, "I think so."
"We can? But… don't you have to make pastry and stuff?" Julia asked.
"You can help me with cutting the potatoes and then you Eliza can help assemble the potatoes in every pasty," Castle replied.
"Kay," Eliza said eagerly. She groaned in disappointment when her father set her down and she asked, "Are you gonna put neeps?"
"I am, but I'll cut those since they're a little harder than turnips," Castle replied.
"I can cut it," Julia said in protest. "I know how to do it."
"Then I'll let you try it out," Castle replied with a nod. "So love, can you take them to get the veggies?"
"Skirt steak?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"Yeah, I'll meet you in the front," Castle told her, ruffling Eliza's hair playfully before he made his way to the deli in the back.
"Mommy?" Eliza asked as she and Julia watched her picking out some turnips.
"What's wrong sweetie?" Beckett said, looking at her.
"No, will the baby like the pasty?" Eliza said.
"It will," Beckett replied. She couldn't help smiling at the questions concerning the baby; trying to remind herself that for a long time she would be getting them especially from Eliza. "Okay, now some potatoes. Your daddy always uses regular ones but I think we should have him try out another kind."
"Would sweet potatoes be good?" Julia suggested.
"I don't think so," Castle said, walking back to them. He hugged Eliza when she hugged him and said, "What were you saying about the potatoes?"
"I think we should try out different ones," Beckett said.
"Okay, I'll let you pick," Castle told them.
"What about these ones?" Eliza said, pointing to red potatoes.
"I think so," Castle said as he looked them over. He picked enough for the pasties and as they walked to the register he felt Julia sliding her hand into his.
"Are you gonna make them really big?" the girl asked.
"No, I'll make them according to how much I know everyone will eat," Castle said. "Though your mom will help me eyeball how big the pasty will be for your grandfather."
"Are you gonna put your eye on it?" Eliza asked. She giggled when her father ruffled her hair before Beckett went to go pay. "We got lots of good presents today Daddy."
"I did too," Castle replied.
"What did you get for Mommy?" Julia asked interestedly.
"You'll see, but your grandfather pointed out what you got for your mother, very pretty and I know she'll love it," Castle told them.
"Ready?" Beckett asked, letting her husband take the bag she held.
"Yep, time for homework and then playing," Castle said, glancing at Julia.
With her groaning playfully, the family left the market laughing together and went down the parking lot to the street so they could make their way back home.
"It looks nice," Alexis said. She smiled at her stepmother as Beckett turned rapidly to where she was standing in the doorway and she said, "Sorry, I was looking for you."
"It's alright, once we get more of the furniture in here we'll keep the door closed," Beckett replied. "What can I help you with?"
"I wanted to let you know; I did get a gift for the baby," Alexis replied, picking up the stuffed horse her stepmother had placed on the bed.
"I had a feeling," Beckett said. "Clothes?"
"No, I'm waiting to find out what it is," Alexis replied. "It's something else but I think you might be okay with it."
"Alright," Beckett said with a smile.
"Mommy!" Julia called before Alexis could say anything. "Mommy I finished…"
"We're still working on the room," Beckett said with a smile at her oldest's surprise.
"It's nice so far," Julia replied, turning from the sky blue walls and the white bed that had four slight posts in the corners with spheres on them and like hers and Eliza's beds had drawers on the bottom. "What else are you going to get?"
"We'll try and shop for the crib this week," Beckett replied. "Can I see your worksheet since you said you finished?"
Julia handed it over before she looked outside and said, "It's still day time."
"Yes, you can play," Beckett replied with a smile as she finished checking the problems. "You got them all right; but put this away before you run out."
"Okay," Julia said, unable to contain her joy at being able to play outside. She rushed to her room, put away her homework and took her backpack to the foyer for the next day. With all that done she threw on her coat and went out back where her sister was with their grandparents; Martha having surprised them by arriving earlier for the holidays as most of her students were either busy with school or leaving already for vacation themselves; and the dogs.
"Rick?" Beckett asked.
"Hey, so Julia finished up with her homework?" Castle asked, looking up from his recipe for the pasties in the kitchen.
"She did, I don't know why she protested since she didn't have that much," Beckett commented as she leaned against the side of the island.
"That's how kids are," Castle replied.
"Are you having trouble?" Beckett asked as she watched him.
"No, just making sure I got everything I needed…" Castle said before trailing off absently.
"And do you?" Beckett said as she was smiling as she watched him.
"Yeah," Castle said, shaking himself and then smiling. "Just to double check. Any idea what they're doing?" When his wife shook her head, he went over to the door to the patio and said, "Bows and arrows, I should have known."
Walking up to him Beckett placed her hand on his shoulder and said, "Think I can ask you something?"
"Sure," Castle said before he looked at her from the sight of Eliza shooting one of her play arrows.
"Would you want to go back?" Beckett asked.
It took Castle a moment before he realized what his wife was talking about before he said, "To how I was before I met you?" to make sure. When she gave a slight nod of her head he said, "No, I think I'm happier now. Actually, take out the I think, I am. I wouldn't change this for anything."
Beckett, watching him, was a little startled by the smile on his face before she looked outside as he was and saw Eliza was waving at them, standing in front of the door. "We're going to come outside," she said as he opened the door.
"Good, Jules wants to play with the real bow," Eliza said rapidly before she left to go back to the yard and the others.
"Think we should?" Castle asked.
"She should practice a little," Beckett replied, smiling at him. She was about to turn to go over to where their coats were by the door closer to the steps when her husband grabbed her hand and pulled her up against him. She didn't have very much chance to prepare for his kiss but she still took it, responding a second after he had begun. When they slowly parted she smiled at him and said, "I get your point."
"Would you?" Castle asked.
Shaking her head Beckett said, "My life wasn't nearly as interesting as it is now."
"Mine either," Castle said. They leaned into each other and kissed tenderly before they slowly parted. "I think we should have a contest," he told her.
"Oh?" Beckett asked as they were walking over to the other door to get their coats.
"Just us," Castle replied.
"And what are we playing for?" Beckett asked.
"Tonight," Castle replied.
"That's it?" Beckett asked.
"Either positions or what we do for foreplay," Castle said seriously.
Beckett laughed softly as she buttoned her coat and said, "That'll be nice but you know what I would rather do?"
"What?" Castle replied, watching her put on her gloves last.
"Play for both," Beckett said simply.
Shuddering Castle nodded and walked outside with her before they joined their daughters, parents, Louis and the dogs after they'd grabbed their bows and arrows and targets. "Watch out, we have some practicing to do," he called playfully as he brought over the target.
"What are you practicing for?" Julia asked her mother as she stood with her.
"We're not; you are," Beckett said.
"I did that already," Julia replied.
"With your toy set," Beckett said. "But now you can try it out with mine."
"I… can?" Julia said, startled.
"Yep," Castle said, coming back to them after setting up the target. "We heard that you wanted to try out a real bow and arrow."
"Sorry," Eliza said, giggling as her sister turned to look at her.
"No that's okay, at least I get to," Julia said. "What about Lizzy?"
"She's a little too young still," Beckett replied. "She needs to be a bit taller before she can handle the bow."
As her mother was handing over hers at that moment Julia took it reverently and breathed out before saying, "Are you gonna show me?"
Beckett merely smiled before she began to tell her daughter how to hold the bow and draw back the string. "It's better if you rest it against your lips, you'll be able to hold it steady, or your cheek if that's more comfortable," she told Julia when the girl looked at her in surprise at her instruction.
"Remember they did that during the Olympics with their lips," Castle said as three years before they'd watched the events with her.
Though she had her doubts Julia tried holding it as she said and then drew the string until it pressed against her lips. She let go as her mother instructed and said, "What about aiming?"
"That's next, I just wanted to see how you did that," Beckett replied with a smile. "Okay, again but this time pretend to aim an arrow."
Julia quickly did so and when she finished said, "Can I try it with an arrow now?"
Handing it to her Beckett watched the girl effortlessly notch it on her bow and didn't say a word as she drew the string and took aim. "Steady," she said softly as there was a breeze.
Waiting for the wind to stop Julia finally let go and cried out when she hit the black ring. "I made it," she said, beaming at her mother.
"I know, I hit almost the same spot that you did," Beckett replied, rubbing her back gently. "Try another."
"Do I only get three shots?" Julia asked.
"No, you can go ahead the full ten," Castle said. "Your mom and I will use three though."
"Oh, we will?" Beckett asked in amusement.
"For what?" Martha asked, looking between them.
"We're having a tournament," Castle said as Julia was getting another arrow ready.
"Really?" Eliza said eagerly.
"Just for fun," Beckett said without a problem. "After we need to get started on dinner." She looked at her stepdaughter and Louis and asked them, "Did you try at all?"
"We can do that after," Louis said.
Though Alexis was going to protest that they should watch the girls she realized why he said after and she smiled saying, "We can," before they turned their attention to Julia who'd been shooting off arrows as they'd spoken.
"Very nice for your first time," Jim said first as they looked where her arrows had gone.
"Even getting them on the outside of the cir-" Castle began.
"No that's okay," Julia said quickly and with a smile. "At least I got all of them on the target."
"That's true," Martha said. "And I'm glad to see your first attempt kiddo."
"You're going inside?" Julia asked her with a smile.
"Yes, but let me know how this tournament goes," Martha told the others before she left them.
"We should start love, it's getting late," Castle said.
"Go first," Beckett said, since Louis was getting her arrows for her.
"Ladies first," Castle said simply.
Shaking her head Beckett took her arrows with a thank you before she notched the first and put the rest away in the box Julia held for her then. She aimed and waited for the wind until she sensed it was in the best place. Letting go of her arrow she smiled when the girls gasped as she got it to the 10 circle on the target. She fired off the next two and said, "Twenty-eight," looking at her husband.
"This is going to be close," Castle said.
"I'll keep score," Alexis said.
Nodding to his daughter Castle began aiming his first arrow and shot them off, not surprised when he managed the same as his wife. "Are we doing this as they do in the Olympics?" he asked her.
"I guess," Beckett said with a smile, getting ready to go next.
The two shot three arrows five times and looked to Alexis who said, "You're going to have to go to a shoot off."
"Ohh, those are cool," Eliza said eagerly.
"Alright, get those magnifying glasses ready," Castle said jokingly as his wife prepared her arrow.
Beckett let the arrow go and nodded when it hit the center circle with a satisfying thwack and she stepped aside for her husband.
As soon as Castle shot his arrow he was cursing in his mind, he'd taken too long and the wind had picked up right when he let go so he was right on the line between the nine and ten. Sighing he said, "I'll concede."
"Mainly because we can all see that she won," Alexis told her father teasingly.
"Louis, have fun," Castle said as he handed the young man his bow.
"Thanks, I'll do that," Louis replied with a smile before he and Alexis were alone.
"Now we get to make dinner?" Eliza asked hopefully.
"Now we do," Castle replied. "After we wash our hands," he said before they made it to the kitchen and went to the sink.
Watching as he prepared the dough first Julia said, "What about the potatoes."
"Hold on," Beckett said as she was drying off her hands at the sink. She went over to them and began peeling the potatoes with Julia's help before she let her start cutting them. She got the turnips ready and said, "I'll cut these sweetie or else we're not going to have any time to play after dinner."
"Okay," Julia replied before she and Eliza watched their mother rapidly cutting.
"Are you ready?" Castle asked them since he had all the pasties ready. "I made extra," he told his wife as he knew she could see how many he had ready. "The rest for lunch tomorrow."
"Even me?" Julia asked as she got onto the step stool she used and her sister was set on a chair with Beckett standing next to her.
"Even you, luckily you don't mind if it's cold," Castle replied before he watched the girls; with Beckett's help; put the potatoes and turnips in before he placed the steak he'd cut in it and waited for his wife to add the salt and pepper last. Once it was ready he washed his hands and set the two pans into the oven.
"What do we do now?" Eliza asked her mother as Castle was getting a salad ready next.
"Set the table," Beckett said, going to get their smaller plates and salad bowls. She helped the girls do so before she went over to her husband.
"Are you going to exact a high price?" Castle asked his wife.
With a smile Beckett said simply, "Ficheall."
For a moment Castle paused in mixing the salad as he wondered what kind of chess she wanted to play before he shook himself and said, "What kind?"
"Stiall," Becket said, trying not to laugh as he froze yet again.
"We haven't done that for a while," Castle almost wheezed out.
"If you want to," Beckett replied since they hadn't played their strip chess after they'd been trying to conceive.
"Are you kidding?" Castle asked. He heard the door open down the hall as his father in law was walking over to them and said, "Of course but… later."
Beckett nodded before they turned their attention to the pasties and their family as they sat around the table together with them and began to eat.
