I think it's safe to say that we were all shouting vulgar language towards our TVs at 10:59 last night. Glad we got the ending we did, when you consider the alternative.

2. Returning Home

The car service just picked them up from the airport. Beckett is tired and looking forward to sleeping in her own bed tonight, but she will definitely miss the beach bungalow in Bora Bora. Waking up every morning for two weeks to sunny skies, warm sand, and a landscape of sparkling blue water was heavenly. Her new husband probably had something to do with what made it so special, but she won't go inflating his ego any more right now. She did plenty of that during their honeymoon, especially during certain rather intimate moments.

Beckett is resting her head on Castle's shoulder. She has her eyes closed so she doesn't realize they've pulled up outside the loft. Castle whispers in her ear "Kate? You still with me?"

She slowly peels her eyes open. "Yeah, just resting my eyes."

They get their bags from the trunk of the car and make their way inside. It's only 5 o'clock in the evening, but they had an early morning so both are pretty tired. The elevator ride up to their floor is made in a comfortable silence. When the ding sounds announcing they're on the correct floor, Castle exits the elevator first, keys ready to unlock the loft door. He swings it open and waits for Beckett to go in first.

"Oh kiddos, you're home!" comes the voice of Martha. "Splendid! Dinner is just about ready."

Martha lays the wooden spoon she is using down on the counter top and rushes over to her son and daughter-in-law. Barely letting them deposit their bags on the floor, she wraps herself around Beckett and then Castle.

"Hi Martha. Hi Alexis," Beckett says, sending a wave to the young girl who is still doing something at the kitchen island.

"Hi guys!" Alexis responds with a smile.

Castle is hanging his jacket in the closet. "I didn't realize you two would be here tonight. I thought you would be too busy on a Saturday evening to worry about us."

"Nonsense, you two must be tired after two weeks in the sun and a long day of travelling," Martha states on her way back into the kitchen. Beckett follows Martha and takes a seat on one of the bar stools, Castle not far behind.

"That is so sweet you two, thank you," Beckett says gently, appreciating the kind gesture. She reaches over and takes Castle's hand in her own. She gives him a look that says "Your family is awesome."

"Plus, we want to know how your honeymoon was."

Beckett opens her mouth to say something, but before she gets a chance Alexis looks up at the newlyweds with serious eyes "And please don't forget your daughter is here, so keep it PG."

The three others laugh at the horrified expression on Alexis' face. Beckett, although she doesn't show any signs, is taken aback at how casually Alexis referred to herself as her daughter. It warms her heart.

"We had a lovely trip. The view from our bungalow was fabulous. The weather cooperated majority of the time, except for…maybe two days of rain, right Castle?"

"Yeah," and with a smug smile he added "and don't worry, we had no trouble occupying ourselves during that ti-"

"DAD!" "Castle!" Alexis and Beckett said simultaneously. Beckett smacked him on his shoulder, but he only grinned.

"Anyways…we fit in some activities like scuba diving, massages, parasailing. And the food was delicious. Oh and there was that cute little café with the best coffee. We went there most days, it was a nice walk from our room."

"Mhmm, it was all lovely. We didn't run into any problems like last time," added Castle.

"You mean breaking your knee cap mere weeks before your trip?" asks his mother with an accusatory stare.

"Yes yes, I know. I shouldn't have been trying to show off," replies Castle dryly, remembering his skiing accident clearly. "What is for dinner? It smells delicious."

"We are having chicken alfredo and garlic bread," says Alexis just as a timer goes off. "Looks like it's ready!"

Dinner was indeed delicious. The four people had settled into an easy conversation over dinner. They discussed what Martha and Alexis had done during the past two weeks. Alexis told the story of how she met a young man, Lucas, on campus while volunteering. He is a med student, incredibly smart and incredibly handsome, according to the smitten young girl. Castle tried to be supportive, but until he meets Lucas, Beckett knows he'll be worried about his daughter.

Martha has gone up to her room to continue packing. She says she wants to give them room for the other Castle's that are bound to make an appearance soon. She is moving out in a week, having found a perfect two bedroom apartment not far from the loft, so her grandchild (she really said grandchildren) can come visit her.

The other three inhabitants of the loft are sitting comfortably on the couch. Castle is in the middle with his daughter leaning into his right side and Beckett tucked into his left. He flips through channels until he sees The Dark Night, only twenty minutes into the film, so he settles for that. By the end of the movie, he and Alexis are whispering their comments as not to wake his sleeping wife.

"Alright, I'm off to bed. Goodnight dad, I love you." Alexis leans in to press a kiss to her father's cheek.

"Goodnight Pumpkin, I love you too." Castle says watching as Alexis makes her way to the stairs.

He sits there contently watching his wife sleep for a little while. Eventually, remembering that staring is creepy (not that it ever stops him), Castle decides it's bedtime. He debates whether he should wake his wife or carry her to bed, finally deciding to carry her. He lifts her up rather ungracefully and she stirs but settles back down in his arms, her head on his chest. When he lays her down on their bed, her eyes open and she smiles.

"Sorry, I hoped you wouldn't wake up"

"Mmm no worries, babe. Thank you."

Castle does his nightly routine, puts on boxers and a t-shirt and brushes his teeth. Then he crawls into his side of the bed and spoons Beckett, laying his arm around her middle. She scoots back into him a little and whispers "Goodnight Rick"

"Goodnight Kate, I love you."

"Love you too" she mumbles into her pillow.

And soon all four residents are sleeping soundly, awaiting the morning sun.