Genre: Drama, Crime, Romance, Family, Humor

Rating: M for violence, language and sexual situations

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: It was pretty interesting to see the feedback I had gotten for the last chapter, so will get to my thank yous right now. TORONTOSUN (I had to laugh a bit at the way you summarized the chapter, but you were right about everything, lol. And except for the fighting it would pretty much be a typical day for them), KB4RC (Your comments were a surprise to read but I did kind of expect someone or some readers to have problems with the last chapter. And there is a reason why they're acting as they are; uncertainty basically. As for your question, I don't have Castle carrying a gun as I see the rest of the Hamptons town council would not want a man who is in effect a civilian and also never had any law enforcement training carrying a gun in their city. Plus even as a civilian Castle couldn't get a gun, if you've seen the eppy Head Case back in season 4 he mentioned that so that's why… unless things warrant him getting a weapon. And really, I see Castle and Beckett as equal investigators, so Brad's words were basically a threat to get them to behave, sorry I didn't make that clearer), Beckett-Castle4ever (I'm not surprised you're worried about why Castle said what he did exactly, it'll be explained don't worry. And it was nice to see you could understand why Beckett wasn't talking to him yet, but not surprised either that with what happened to Castle at the creek you're wondering what she'll say or do. You'll find out of course, lol. Very nice to see that you thought the last chapter was really good!), Norman01 (I'm glad you've been enjoying my stories though I'm not surprised you're not enjoying this argument between them. And so you know, this is going to be the last time I have one to this degree between them because I don't particularly enjoy writing them like that. So this won't be going over into future stories), MichelleBell16 (Don't worry, I know people get busy and you did review now so I'm pleased, lol. Nice to see that you're eager to read more of this story already! And it's also nice that you find the case interesting. Not surprised to find you're wondering what the guy in the woods has to do with the killer, I had hoped for that. And I'm not too taken aback to see that you're hoping for more family time and time between Beckett and Julia since I know how much you like that!) and vetgirlmx (Great to see you thought it was a very nice chapter first off! I wasn't surprised to see you weren't sure if you should be amused or annoyed by how Castle and Beckett were acting. And I have to admit I smiled a bit to see you agreeing with Brad, that they were acting like kindergartners. But not surprised either that you're hoping they'll talk soon. Yeah, it was interesting to see you mentioning the reporter and yep, lol, wanted it to kind of be ironic that he'd come around while they're not exactly normal with one another. And I did laugh at you mentioning Castle getting in trouble so soon in the case, I figured you might point that out and I was right. Great to read that you can't wait to find out what's going to happen with the case, not you don't need to!). Thanks so much for the reviews, I definitely enjoyed reading them and appreciate the time taken to write them!

A/N #2: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Never Get Over You by George Harrison, from his album Brainwashed.

So Deep This Feeling I Have For You

Writing the last number of her math homework, Julia sighed deeply as she put the page away in her folder. Since that was the last of her assignments for the day she started to pack her backpack for the next morning. She began to walk to the door when she finished, since she usually left her backpack by the front door as it was easier having it there, but then hesitated. She frowned and set it down again on top of her bed before wrapping her arms around Macca who'd kept her company on top of the mattress.

"I wish I knew what was wrong," she told the dog. "Mommy and Daddy have never been like this before." When all Julia got as a lick to the chin in response to that, she smiled sadly and scratched behind one of his ears. The knock to her door startled her and she called, "You can come in."

"Hey," Beckett said, walking inside with Eliza in her arms. "Are you finished with homework?"

"Yeah, why?" Julia asked dully.

Not surprised at her daughter's tone of voice, Beckett tried to smile and said, "Your sister wants to play with you so I told her we'd check on you."

"I'll play," Julia said, smiling at her little sister and trying to make it genuine.

Leading the way out of her room, Beckett waited for Julia to take her backpack to the foyer. She glanced down the hall into the kitchen where Macca was walking to, seeing that her husband had his back turned to her. She bit her lower lip for a moment, recalling when she and Castle had finally reached home a short time before and how she'd tried to think of a way to speak to him. She wasn't sure if he was angry as he was acting like he was to her, so in her confusion she kept silent, trying to think but unable to since she needed to watch their daughters. "Ready?" she asked, turning and seeing that Julia was walking back to her.

"Yeah, what do you want to play?" the little girl asked Eliza. When the toddler shrugged she frowned for a moment and then said, "Why don't we just do something with art?"

"I have an idea," Beckett said then. When the two girls looked at her she smiled and said, "I had the idea before but this weekend we were enjoying the weather outside so I couldn't tell you." She led them over to the cabinet where they kept their games and a few other items, bringing out some paint and marbles. It took her a little time to get everything ready and then the girls ready as well as she covered their clothes. "Eliza," she said a little sternly to her youngest. "I'm letting you do this but you need to promise not to put the marbles into your mouth, okay?"

"Kay," the toddler replied. "Do we play?"

"Hold on," Beckett said as she was getting paint into some bowls she'd brought over earlier; having had the idea in mind when she realized Castle didn't want her help with dinner. "Now you're going to put the marble into the color you want," and there she put the one she held into some dark green paint and started to roll it around a few times. "And then put it here," she said setting it into the box she'd made with a piece of paper underneath.

"It paints!" Eliza cried, seeing the streaks of green on the paper at the bottom.

"I did that before," Julia said, already taking a blue covered marble and rolling it around. "It's a lot of fun. But don't use too much paint, or else it's gonna look like a mess."

Smiling as Eliza nodded seriously to that; and relieved Julia sounded a little happier; Beckett kissed her youngest's temple and watched the two for a moment. She would have forgotten about her own paper if Julia hadn't spoken suddenly, breaking her from her observation of them.

"Are you going to make a picture too?" the little girl asked.

"Of course," Beckett said quickly. She mimicked her daughters in covering the marbles in paint, rolling them around the paper before they'd finished. "Okay, I'll take off the boxes but can you take Eliza to the bathroom and wash her hands?"

At that same moment Castle quickly left his spot watching the three inside the room. He hadn't really needed to be in the kitchen anymore and after doing something quickly he had gone to the doorway of the family room. He'd wanted to join them but didn't feel like he could; not wanting to ruin the moment Beckett was having with their daughters. He turned then, seeing that Julia was leading Eliza by the hand the other way down the hall. He smiled when he could hear that they were both talking about their paintings they'd made but his wife came out, following them.

Watching her somberly, there was something in Castle that wanted to call out to her, to finally talk. But another part of him didn't think he'd be listened to, so he simply went back to the meal, getting everything ready before Julia was hurrying down the hall to him.

"Are you okay Daddy?" the little girl asked.

"Yeah, how was homework?" Castle asked, setting some plates on the table for her.

"It was okay," Julia replied with a shrug. "It was just homework."

"At least you got it done," Castle said.

"Yeah," Julia replied softly before she started to set the table. She smiled as Eliza came over to her, not wanting her little sister to realize that anything was wrong with their parents. "Are you gonna help me?"

"Yeah," the toddler said eagerly before she took the napkins, letting Julia take them to set them down. She then glanced over at Beckett, who was walking into the kitchen, and studied her and Castle who nearly bumped into each other.

Unable to help the frown on her face as their parents merely murmured an apology, Julia said to her sister, "Let's get our drinks."

"Kay," Eliza said, looking slightly perplexed as she'd never seen their parents like that.

After everyone had a drink and was sitting down at the table, Beckett started the conversation over the turkey slices and mashed sweet potato they were passing around to each other. But it soon faltered and the family ate in silence, though before long Julia was merely picking at her food.

Watching her parents, the little girl wondered when one of them had placed Eliza's high chair between them. The high chair was only moved to be next to Castle or Beckett; they always sat next to each other except during holiday dinners in the living room. She studied them and finally a fire started to build in her chest, along with an indescribable rage that made her think she wasn't going to be able to breathe.

The slam of a fork on a plate made Castle, Beckett and Eliza look at Julia, who jumped up as they stared at her with wide eyes.

"Why don't you just get a divorce, if you can't even stand to say more than a word to each other?" Julia shouted at her parents. When her little sister burst into tears at her tone a sob escaped her own throat and she ran out of the breakfast nook, not caring that she was being called to as she raced upstairs to her room.

"I'll talk to her," Beckett said, not looking at Castle though before she picked up Eliza. She tried to soothe the toddler as she went to the stairs, not surprised when it didn't really seem like it was helping as she headed up.

Looking after her, Castle sighed deeply and poked at the mashed sweet potatoes still on his plate, not quite sure what to do. He knew that neither of the girls had really eaten much but didn't know if they'd want to come down again after that. He stood up; putting everything from the table into the oven before settling down to wash what was in the sink, hoping Beckett would be able to calm down their daughters. But as he was working he wasn't able to shake the guilt still inside him and he attacked the pot that he was scrubbing, surprised he wasn't punching through the metal as he got the sweet potato off of it.

"Julia-" Beckett started to say as she entered the little girl's room.

"Don't say I'm in trouble," Julia blurted out, sitting up on the edge of her bed as her mother came in. "You know I'm right, you're gonna get a divorce and then we have to spend time between you and Daddy. But you can't Mommy; you're going to always be sad if you do that."

"We're not getting a divorce," Beckett said firmly as she sat next to her. She was relieved when at that point Eliza stopped crying and she kissed the top of the toddler's head before saying, "We had a small argument-"

"That's not a small fight," Julia said, almost scathingly. "Not if you don't even talk to Daddy. Why can't you say you're sorry; or Daddy; and then make up?"

"It's a little more complicated than that," Beckett said softly.

"What did you say and what did Daddy say to you?" Julia asked.

"It doesn't matter," Beckett replied, shaking her head. "What matters is that you two stop crying okay?"

"I already did," Julia said, gritting her teeth together. "Now I'm angry."

"Sweetie," Beckett said with a sigh.

"Don't tell me I shouldn't be," Julia said defiantly.

"No, but I don't want you to worry," Beckett replied. She hesitated slightly for a moment, not sure of where Castle was at that point as she couldn't hear him downstairs. But finally she said, "I still love your daddy okay? And I do not want to get a divorce."

Sighing as she knew her mother was serious with her tone of voice, Julia said, "Then just talk to Daddy."

"I will, don't worry," Beckett replied. "But we need a little time okay?"

Studying her, Julia finally nodded and said, "Okay, but what if you don't tonight and you're still like this. Then you'll be lying to me Mommy."

"I won't," Beckett replied, though she had no idea if that was going to be the case. She wrapped her arm around Julia when the little girl looked relieved and she leaned over, kissing the top of her head as Eliza snuggled close to her. "So, you two didn't eat too much at dinner," she finally said when she was sure they were much calmer. "Are you still hungry?"

"I am Mommy," Eliza said in a tiny voice.

"Julia?" Beckett asked her. At the little girl's nod she said, "Then let's go back down and eat okay, finish dinner before we have something special for dessert."

Hearing footsteps, Castle went to the bottom of the stairs, watching as Julia came down first ahead of her mother. "Hey, are we still eating?" he asked, wondering what his wife had said and if the girls were mad at him.

"Yeah, we're still hungry," Julia said simply. She walked with him to the kitchen and watched as he grabbed their plates from the oven. When they were sitting down again she ate but kept looking at her parents, seeing that they were glancing to one another but not at the same time. "Eliza," she then said, trying to remember her mother's reassurances. "Want to tell them about what happened at recess?"

"Yeah," the toddler said, nodding her head before she picked up some sweet potatoes with her fork and tried to touch it.

"Don't-" Castle and Beckett said at the same time.

"Sorry," he said hurriedly, nodding to let her continue.

"Don't touch your food sweetie," Beckett told Eliza, smoothing her hand over her hair.

"So what happened at recess?" Castle asked as the toddler ate the potatoes, smiling at her fork after. He then wondered if he could ask Julia what Beckett had told them but guessed that what it was had reassured them enough to act normally as the little girl began to speak.

"We were in the cafeteria 'cause there was sleet," Julia began. "And we could only play races."

"Everyone or just the older grades?" Castle asked, looking out of the corner of his eye at his wife as she was wiping off Eliza's mouth.

"Everyone," Julia replied. "But the races for the young grades were just skipping or walking, those were funny."

"And did you race too?" Beckett asked Eliza.

"She skipped and she won," Julia said as her sister nodded. "I ran, but didn't win, but that's okay, I was close to third."

"Not bad," Castle said. He then urged Julia to tell them about her day; since they hadn't heard; though the little girl had her sister talk about her day first.

"So it sounds like you had a good time at dance class," Beckett commented when Julia had finished and they were nearly done eating.

"I did, it was fun getting to dance the Flamenco," Julia replied, calming down then from her exuberance talking about it. She looked at Castle and Beckett and smiled a little at them saying, "Sorry."

"You don't need to apologize, it's understandable," Castle replied.

"He's right, but remember what I told you," Beckett said, though she had to wonder if she was talking more to Julia or Castle.

Glancing at her then, Castle was about to speak before he heard his phone ringing, nearly making him groan in frustration. He quickly got up and went over to where it was on the island. "It's David," he said, frowning slightly.
"Is something wrong with Mari?" Julia asked worriedly.

"Hold on," Castle said before he answered. "David?"

"Yeah, sorry Rick, just wondering if you want to go with me to The Shale and have a beer," the man said on the other end.

"Oh, go out for a beer…" Castle started to say, looking over at his wife.

"It's fine," Beckett replied with a nod as she was taking Eliza out of the high chair. "You haven't had a night like that in a while."

"I… don't really think I should go," Castle said slowly.

"Maybe you should," Julia said suddenly before Beckett could reply to that. When her parents looked at her in surprise, she shrugged and told them, "You always kiss after you come back." When they looked away from each other, she suddenly felt as if she'd been plunged in cold water, realizing that her mother was likely wrong and their argument wasn't going to be resolved. She was about to take back what she said when her father began to speak on the phone again.

"Yeah, I think I'll go out with you but only for one beer okay? I don't really want to stay away for that long," Castle said, looking at Beckett as he spoke.

"Thank you," she said simply to him as she turned her gaze to him.

When David on the other end groaned suddenly, Castle was startled and wondered if the man had been hoping he'd say no. But after agreeing to text each other when they'd be able to leave their families he helped Beckett clear the table as the girls went to the family room together. "Is it too soon still," he asked her in a low voice though Julia and Eliza wouldn't be able to hear him.

"Yeah… just… I can't," Beckett replied, looking at him.

"Look, I don't need to go-" Castle started to say.

"No, you should, it would probably be better if we had some time apart," Beckett said. When she looked at him she said, "Some time," as he seemed to be startled at that.

"You're right," Castle said in a matter of fact tone, though he was trying to figure out if he should be hurt at her desire for space or take it as a positive that they were speaking. "David's doing his dishes," he then told her as there'd been a pause between them. "So I can take care of this."

"You cooked though," Beckett said.

"I've got this," Castle said, smiling briefly at her. When she touched his arm he nearly jumped but let his smile stay in place a little longer before she went over to the fridge.

"I told them we'd have a special dessert," Beckett told him, looking through what was inside.

"Do we have anything?" Castle asked, watching her as he was rolling up his sleeves.

"We do, the petite fours," Beckett replied. "That's enough for tonight. Do you want one?" she asked him.

Though she was looking at him again, Castle shook his head and told her, "I'm good, but thanks for offering?"

With a slight nod, which her husband didn't see as he was turned to the sink, Beckett left, trying not to walk too quickly away from the awkwardness between them though it had eased when they were talking about their daughters. When she reached the family room she saw that the two were looking at their hobby horses, petting them gently on the noses. "Sorry I took so long," she said when they rushed to her once they saw her. She held them close to her as they hugged her tightly around the waist and said, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Julia said, resisting the urge to say that she had been talking to Castle as she and her sister had been able to hear them. She wanted to ask if they'd made up before that but looking up into her mother's eyes she was able to tell that they hadn't as there was something there that made her realize she was a little sad. She hugged her again and then said, "What do we do tonight?" in an effort to hopefully distract her for a little.

"That depends on you two," Beckett said with a smile before she took their hands and led them over to the couch where she sat. "Did you think about what you want to do yet?"

"I think we should play some games," Julia said firmly.

"Then go ahead and pick them out," Beckett said. She watched her oldest start to turn but was surprised when Eliza stayed in place. "What's wrong?"

"Sweets?" the toddler asked hopefully.

Laughing softly, Beckett shook her head and said, "Not yet, after we play the first game okay?"

"How many games can we play?" Julia asked.

Beckett paused then, realizing she wanted Castle to be there to say goodnight to the girls, when she heard him entering the room. "Are you-" she started to say.

"I'll be back in time," he replied quickly before she could finish. "And I'm going to head out now so I will be. So want to tell me goodbye?" When the girls hurried to him he hugged them tightly and said, "Make sure you two listen to your mom, don't make too much trouble for her okay?"

"We won't," Julia said quickly. "But you'll come back here right?"

"Yeah, you're here," Castle said before sharing a kiss with her. He did the same with Eliza and ruffled her hair saying, "Tomorrow at breakfast you have to tell me all about what you do with your mom."

"I will," the toddler promised. She hugged him one last time before her sister took her hand and they turned to the games.

"I'll be back," Castle said to his wife, feeling a little stupid for saying that.

"We'll wait for you," Beckett said softly, smiling for a moment. She watched him go and she sighed under her breath when she heard the front door open and shut. "Okay, what do you have?" she asked as she quickly turned her attention to Julia and Eliza who were coming over to her with two games, each holding one.

"She wants to be the green piece," Julia said as her sister set down Candyland.

"Julia," Beckett said, unable to help smiling at that. "You mean Greenpeace don't you?"

"I like the name," the little girl said, giggling. She watched her sister hug their mother around the neck and kiss her cheek and said, "I think she's hoping you let her still be green."

"I will," Beckett replied after sharing a kiss with Eliza. "You'll be blue I'm sure."

"Of course," Julia said as she sat on her knees and watched her mother set up the board before they started to play. She smiled when Eliza cheered each time she moved her piece ahead until she ended up winning.

"Can I tell Daddy I win?" Eliza asked eagerly.

"You can but you need to say you won," Julia replied, watching their mother as she was putting away the board. "That's the right way."

"I won," Eliza said simply. "Now sweets?"

"You have too good of a memory," Beckett replied.

"I can get the Clue game for you," Julia said. "Or… get it ready I mean," she said with a smile.

"I can take a hint," Beckett said. "But make sure she stays unless she comes… with me," she trailed off when the toddler rushed around the table to her. She picked Eliza up and carried her to the kitchen, kissing her cheek as they went while listening to her chattering eagerly about the game though she'd just been playing with her.

While her mother was grabbing a plate, Eliza tangled her fingers through her hair slightly saying, "Happy?"

Looking at her before she started to walk back, Beckett smiled at her and then gave her a kiss on the cheek as her response before she shut the fridge door with her hip. "So you get one each," she said when she'd entered the family room to see that the board game had in fact been set up. "But eat slowly please."

"I remember getting these," Julia said with a smile. "But I wish we had cupcakes."

"You got those last week for your birthday," Beckett reminded her as she and Castle had ordered some custom cupcakes for their daughter with fondant horses and dance shoes on them, as well as a few St. Patrick's Day decorated ones since Julia had asked for that.

"Still," the little girl said simply. She then started to say something but hesitated before finally saying, "What about one for Daddy?"

"He ate it already," Beckett said, since the fourth one was gone. "Should we roll first to see who's going to go?"

"Don't you need three people?" Julia asked as she picked up the dice.

"You do, but remember we divided all the cards between us," Beckett replied.

Nodding, Julia shook the dice in her hands and then let them go, smiling as they rolled out and gave her a nine. When her mother rolled a ten she said, "You just got it."

"I did," Beckett replied before she started to move. She and Julia played, but they ended up finishing quicker than if there had been more players. "I think we should wait to play that one again," she told her daughter.

"Yeah, well… now what?" Julia asked.

"I can read to you two after I give you your bath," Beckett said, smiling at them. She couldn't help laugh softly as Eliza scrunched up her nose and told her, "I'm sorry sweetie, but I need to."

"Kay," the toddler sighed.

"And you know, since we're a little early, I can let you play together a tiny, little bit longer," Beckett said as she and Julia got the game put away. She picked up Eliza as the toddler clapped her hands together at that and she kissed her cheek before she held her hand out to Julia.

Squeezing it, the little girl said, "I forgot to ask Mommy, are you gonna have to work tomorrow?"

"We are," Beckett replied. "But we will take you to school; together," she added as she knew her daughter was going to ask that. "This time we'll definitely try and get to your dance class; we had to stay longer today since we had a few things to look at." She took the girls into Eliza's bathroom and quickly grabbed Julia's pajamas before getting the tub filled with water as the little girl helped her sister get undressed and then did so herself. "Alright, into the water before you two freeze," she said, tickling Eliza to her shriek of laughter before she put her in and helped Julia step after her little sister.

Trying to get out of her sister's way as the toddler immediately started to slap her hands on the water's surface; splashing herself and her mother, Julia said, "Don't you want to play?" her tone of voice slightly protesting.

"She's right," Beckett said, quickly taking the chance Eliza gave her when she stopped to start rinsing her hair. "The quicker I finish with you two the sooner you can play."

"Play right now?" Eliza said in a slightly suggesting manner.

Sighing, Beckett began to rub the toddler's shampoo into her hair, refraining from telling her how much she sounded like her father speaking that way. She looked at Julia then, seeing the little girl was straightening Julia's toys on the other edge of the tub. "I thought you would have wanted to play with your bath crayons," she said, seizing on the opportunity for a change in subject.

"We could," Julia said hesitantly.

"What's wrong?" Beckett asked.

"Could we play hangman maybe?" Julia asked.

"I'm not sure," Beckett said thoughtfully. "You'd have to make some words easy, for your sister."

"That's okay," Julia said quickly. "And it would help her learn her letters better."

"Then yes, we'll play, but after," Beckett said. She paused in rinsing off the conditioner she'd put into Eliza's hair and said, "You might want to ask her though if she's okay with playing that."

"Play what?" the toddler asked, having been listening to them.

"With letters, you guess a word and if you get it wrong we start to draw a horse," Julia explained quickly. "It's fun."

Looking up at her mother as Beckett carefully wiped the water away from her face; Eliza smiled and said, "Kay."

"See, I knew she would," Julia said, beaming at her mother who had begun to wash Eliza off. "I can do that for myself Mommy," she then said.

"I know and I hope you will," Beckett replied. "For now, tilt your head back please." It took a little more time to wash Julia's hair since it was longer but once she'd finished and the little girl had washed her body herself she let her oldest start marking on the wall. "Who's going first?" she asked, watching.

"You," Julia said quickly.

"Hmm," Beckett said once the little girl was finished and there were three spaces first, followed by five. "Do I get a hint what this is? No? Okay, then is there an s?"

Eliza watched as her sister wrote the letter and she said, "S for sun!"

"That's right," Beckett said, smiling at that and leaning over to kiss her temple.

"See? I told you she'd learn her letters with this," Julia replied.

"You were right," Beckett said in amusement. "Now, what about a t?" She was surprised when her daughter drew the first leg of the horse, and she studied the spaces again before asking, "An e?"

Julia wrote down one in the second group of letters and said to Eliza, "What's that?"

"E for eggs," the toddler said, trying to put her fingers in her mouth before her mother stopped her.

"An a?" Beckett then asked. When her daughter had written one down in the first group she asked, "San Diego?"

"Yeah," Julia giggled. "I just thought of it. I was almost gonna put San Francisco, but that would be too easy."

"Just a little," Beckett replied. "Mind letting your sister going now?"

"No, I know what to put," Julia said quickly before marking three letters.

"My turn?" Eliza asked eagerly.

"It is," Beckett replied. "You know the letters already but it's better you try to guess s or t first since those get used the most. Which do you want to try first?"

"S," Eliza said proudly.

"It's okay," Julia said quickly as she drew half of the first leg and her sister looked disappointed. "It happens, even to Mommy it did."

"T?" Eliza said. When her big sister wrote that at the end of the word she clapped her hands saying, "T for toy!"

"Good guess, now you should try and see if there's a vowel, which are the letters a, e, i, o and u, since this word needs one of those," Beckett said, kissing her cheek.

Appearing to think very hard, Eliza then said, "A for apple, put a Jules!"

"You're pretty close," Beckett said. "And I don't know if I could help you now since there are so many letters left."

"It's an animal Lizzy," Julia said then suddenly.

Pursing her lips, Eliza gigged and said, "Not a puppy, a kitty?"

"That's not the right word," Julia said, smiling at her.

"What's a grown up kitty?" Beckett whispered to her youngest.

"Cat! C for cat," Eliza cried, nearly crowing in her realization. When her sister wrote that down she said, "Now you Jules, you play."

"Put down eight spaces," Beckett instructed Julia once she had finished cleaning the previous game off.

"S?" Julia asked, starting off as soon as the last space was marked. She frowned when her mother shook her head and then guessed the letter t, but that wasn't there either. "E?" she asked hopefully.

"The fifth letter," Beckett replied. She couldn't help reaching over and running her hand over the back of Julia's head when the little girl studied her word so seriously and she was pleased when her daughters both turned to her to hug her tightly.

"Okay, um… m?" Julia then asked.

"The fourth one," Beckett said with a nod.

"Flamenco!" Julia instantly said. She laughed when her mother looked slightly startled and said, "I know that one by heart."

"I was hoping it'd be harder to guess," Beckett replied. "Okay you both need to come out now and get dressed."

"Can we still read?" Julia asked, standing up with her sister before she stepped out, being immediately wrapped up in a towel by her mother.

"We can, I don't know how long we have but we'll read a little," Beckett said, drying her off as quickly as she could. "Okay, can you get dressed?"

"You know I know how now Mommy," Julia said, smiling as her mother asked her that once in a while to tease her. She then watched Beckett as she got Eliza out of the tub and sighed a little under her breath as the night wasn't exactly normal, though she knew her mother was trying to make it feel that way.

"Alright, you have your teeth brushed and you're warm now," Beckett said once she'd helped Eliza brush her teeth; Julia doing it as soon as she was in her pajamas. "So go ahead and pick a book for me to read and I'll be right out."

Taking her sister's hand, Eliza looked back as Julia led her out into her room and whispered, "Daddy?"

"Shh, he'll be here to say goodnight," the little girl replied, hoping their mother hadn't heard that. "Let's get your book." She led Eliza to her desk and they looked through the pile of books there; though she was mostly thinking about their father. She hoped that would keep his word at least about coming home before they went to sleep, wondering what he was doing, hoping he was thinking about Beckett and fixing their argument before her sister got her attention and she had to look at her choice.


Taking a drink from his bottle, Castle made a slight face and said, "This beer is absolute shit."

Looking over at him at that, David swallowed his mouthful and said, "I think it's your day that's been shit Rick that is your favorite beer." He wasn't surprised when his friend groaned and put his forehead on the palm of his hand. "Have you thought about just talking to her?"

Laughing mirthlessly, Castle replied, "I've tried, all through today but she won't let me. Said everything's been said that needs to be. And I'm afraid to, she has to hate me now."

"I doubt it. Why don't you try to talk to her when Eliza and Julia go to bed?" David asked him.

"I might, but… we'll see how that goes," Castle replied, taking another sip. He sighed and said, "Yeah, not the beer."

Nodding to that David said, "At least she was talking to you though, you said she did before you left."

"Mostly in the context of the girls though," Castle corrected him. "Did you ever have a fight like this with Rebecca?"

"Once and that was because of our job," David said. "I'm not kidding."

"So you did make up," Castle said, sounding slightly hopeful.

"Yeah, Dani wouldn't be here if we hadn't," David replied. "But we made up because I apologized for being a douche."

Wincing at that, Castle asked, "What exactly did you fight about?"

"One of our cases, it was a high profile one, a lot of money on the line," David replied. "This was just after we were married, remember she and I started working together right before our engagement." At his friend's nod he continued saying, "There was evidence that would have lost us the case, turns out I had misplaced a number for a witness, and I was so panicked…"

Surprised at his friend's grimace, Castle was able to quickly guess saying, "You blamed her?"

"Yeah, which didn't help when the number was in the papers on another witness, which I had been in charge of compiling, so… I think she was as close to thinking of a divorce as she'd ever been," David said. "So after our argument and my sleeping on the tiny couch in the living room of the house we had then I apologized but because I was wrong of course."

"How did she forgive you?" Castle inquired.

"I told her that since I'd nearly compromised the case she needed to take over and she did and in fact she won it," David said. "Now don't think that's going to work for you and Kate but you might want to tell her that you're incredibly sorry for what you said."

"Yeah, I don't think she'd want to write the book on her own," Castle said honestly. He then looked thoughtful before saying, "I'll try but I need to be ready for it; especially after she's been rebuffing me all day." He became thoughtful and then said, "Maybe she's afraid I might do that to her…"

"Well, I hope you can talk, I need you two to not have to worry about everything in your personal lives if you're staying with the case," David said.

"Don't worry, we'll investigate just fine," Castle said, drinking again from his bottle. "Is this why you asked me to meet you here?"

"Yeah," David replied. "And Rebecca said I should."

"You're completely whipped you know that right?" Castle joked.

"And you're not?" David shot back quickly. He was surprised when his friend merely looked at the label on the bottle he held before saying, "Sorry?"

"No, I'm just thinking," Castle hurriedly told him to reassure him. "You know she and I are even. With our writing anyways."

Since he hadn't talked about that with his friend yet, David replied, "You're sure?" a little hesitantly.

"I know what I said but I told you it wasn't serious, I just…" Castle replied.

"Whatever you've got going on in your head Rick you have got to get that worked out," David said. "And tell your wife why you were a douche."

Looking at him, Castle saw that he was being completely serious and he sighed before taking another drink. "She's been pretty amazing," he muttered.

"I'm well aware, I have read your books," David replied, having still heard him. "You both write pretty evenly with each other, I have no clue who's written what." He then shook his head and said, "But what the hell possessed you to go back and change what she'd contributed?"

Castle shook his own head in response to that before he said, "Complicated," taking another swig of beer.

"Yeah, so you want to talk about that to her obviously," David said, watching him and shaking his head. "Again, when your girls are in bed, take her to your room and tell her what that complicated reason is. Now are you finished?"

Moving his bottle, Castle saw that he was so he nodded before he and David left the bar. Outside in the snow he looked up at the sky before his friend clapped his hand on his shoulder.

"Don't tell me you're going to get drunk off that one bottle," David said, leading him to his car. When Castle just looked at him he said, "Then come on, let's get back to our wives and daughters; been away from them long enough."

Unable to help smile at that; since they'd only been away for an hour at the most; Castle got into the passenger seat and looked out the window while David drove them back.

"Alright, we really should do this when neither of us has had a fight with our spouse," David said as he stopped where Castle told him to; at the end of his driveway.

"Yeah, sorry I wasn't that great company," he said. "But thanks for the beer," Castle told him, shaking his hand.

"Not a problem, get inside man," David told him. "And talk to her."

"I will, night," Castle replied before he got out. He watched David go in reverse until he could drive next door and he finally started to walk up to the house. He huddled in his coat, looking up at the house and the lights on. He hurried his stride, wanting to make it in time to help Beckett put the girls to bed before they finally talked; finding that his mind was suddenly set on that.

"You're falling asleep already Eliza," Beckett was saying as she closed the book to her daughter's protest. "And you need to go to bed."

"But-" the toddler started to say.

"Hey, did I make it in time?" Castle asked. He smiled slightly at his wife before he looked at their girls, seeing they were both smiling back at him.

"You did, Eliza needs to go to bed," Beckett said simply.

"Night Lizzy," Julia said as she knew their mother wasn't kidding about her needing to go to bed. She hugged her sister tightly before she kissed her cheek to return the one that Eliza planted on hers. She then slid off the bed and watched as Beckett followed her to allow Castle to sit on the edge.

"Goodnight sweetheart, I love you," he was saying to the toddler before sharing a kiss with her.

"Love you Daddy," Eliza replied, smiling at him. She let her mother lay her back before she shared a kiss with her and said happily, "Night Mommy, love you too."

"I love you sweetie," Beckett said, tucking her in. "Warm?" When the toddler nodded, she leaned over and kissed her on the forehead before leaving with Castle and Julia.

"Could I go to bed?" Julia asked after they were walking down the hall and were in front of the doorway to her room.

"You still have a half hour to go," Beckett replied, surprised at that.

"I know, but I'm kinda tired," Julia replied.

"You're sure?" Castle asked. When the little girl nodded he looked at his wife who shrugged at him and then followed their oldest into her room.

"Want me to read to you at least?" Beckett asked as Julia got onto her bed, scratching behind Macca's ear as he jumped onto it with the little girl.

"Okay," Julia said softly.

"Are you okay sweetheart?" Castle asked while Beckett was going over to the desk to get the book they were currently reading.

"Yeah I'm just a little tired, like I said," Julia replied with a small smile. She looked over and said, "We're still on that book?"

"We are, and we're close to finishing… about ten pages," Beckett said, looking at where the ribbon bookmark was.

"So we can finish it right?" Julia asked eagerly.

Relieved to see some emotion from her since Castle had gotten home, Beckett nodded and sat down with Julia, leaning against the headboard. She watched her husband sit down across from them on the edge and then turned her attention to the book. "Okay, want to read at all or just me?" she asked as she opened the tome to the page where the ribbon was.

"You can read," Julia said, glancing at her father briefly.

Looking on while Beckett began with the date of the entry on the page, Castle wondered if it was better if he left the two to themselves. But remembering his determination he stayed where he was until the book was finished.

"That was a good story," Julia said, touching the cover of the Dear America book.

"It was, I'll put it on the desk-" Beckett started to say as she slid off the bed. Before she could go to it Castle was taking the book from her and she said, "Thanks."

"Mommy?" Julia asked, sounding a little hinting in her tone.

Walking over to the bed as she'd been talking, Castle hugged her, sharing a kiss with the little girl before he murmured in her ear, "I love you sweetheart."

"Love you Daddy, please… talk to Mommy," Julia replied, trying not to burst into tears.

Slightly startled at that, Castle pressed a kiss to her forehead before he stepped back to let Beckett say goodnight to her. He was tempted to touch the small of her back but hesitated and finally put his hand down, just watching them.

"Sweet dreams Julia," Beckett said once Julia had lain back on the bed. She shared a kiss with her and then said, "Get some sleep okay? I love you."

"Love you too Mommy," the little girl said softly, studying her mom. "Will you…" she started to say before trailing off.

"Don't worry," Beckett whispered to her as she tucked the little girl in. "Goodnight."

Going to the door when his wife had stood up, Castle looked over at their daughter as she stared at them and reached for the lights before stepping out of Beckett's way.

Closing the door slightly behind her, Beckett looked up at Castle, unsure of herself before she stepped around him before walking down the hall to their room. She didn't look back and once she got inside she closed the door behind her, leaning against it and closing her eyes as she covered her face with her hands, berating herself and trying to convince herself to go back.

Opening his mouth as she left him, Castle wanted to stop her but as she was walking resolutely he closed it again. The sound of their bedroom door closing made him wince and the last bit of his resolution inside him died away, making him head down the stairs and to the family room. Looking at the couch once he was there he sighed and muttered, "At least it's not tiny," before sitting down.

Tiptoeing out of her room once she heard the sound of a door opening Julia looked down the hall, wondering if she should check on her parents. She went to the doorway to their room that was open and peered around the side, her mouth dropping open when she saw that her mother was there; but there was no sign of her father at all. And when she saw that Beckett was at the windows, her arms crossed over her chest, she bit her lower lip; her chin wobbling as she knew they hadn't made up. She turned and rushed back to her room, trying to be as quiet as possible until she was inside.

"Eliza!" Julia gasped as she saw her little sister leaning against her bed. The shock of that made her tears instantly stop and she ran the last few steps to her, hugging her as she could see the tears on the toddler's cheeks. "What's wrong, did you have a nightmare again?"

"No," Eliza sobbed softly. "Mommy and Daddy?"

Tears welling up again in her own eyes, Julia tried to fight them before she said, "It's okay, they'll talk and we'll see them in the morning. Want to sleepover with me tonight?"

"Please?" Eliza whispered.

Taking her sister over to the bed, Julia helped her up and then climbed in after her. She could tell the toddler was still crying so she wrapped her arms around her before they were suddenly squealing as Macca had walked up to them and started to lick at their damp cheeks. "Macca no, lay down," she finally said, taking a while to say that since her sister was giggling and she didn't want to stop that yet. When the dog had gone back to the other end she hugged Eliza again and said, "Let's think of what to have for breakfast tomorrow okay?"

Sighing, the toddler said, "Cakes?"

"Pancakes? Maybe, I hope we wake up tomorrow on time," Julia replied. "And…" she started to say before she stopped abruptly, not sure that their dad would be making any coffee for their mom the next day. "But we'll see," she said quickly before Eliza could try to ask what was going on. "We should go to sleep."

Nodding, Eliza yawned and kissed her sister's cheek before she pulled the covers around them. Once Julia was lying down next to her again she whispered, "Night Jules."

"Night Lizzy," Julia replied softly, wondering how the night was going to pass for their mom and dad as she closed her eyes and attempted to sleep.

Standing at the windows when her oldest had looked in, Beckett was remembering the moment when she had thought Castle had been killed when they'd been in Canada. She had regressed to that because she'd managed to see her husband being shoved under the water by their suspect. Shivering she turned around, leaning back against the window while she looked down at the floor, her arms crossed over her chest as she recalled the way he'd looked at her when their eyes had met in Julia's room. Closing her eyes tightly for a moment she pushed herself off the glass and took one more look out to the water that was black with night.

Sitting on the edge of the couch as he was nowhere near feeling tired yet, Castle rubbed his face with his hands up before he heard footsteps coming towards him. He looked up, wondering why Julia had gotten out of bed and he stood up to take her back when his wife appeared in the doorway. "Love," he said, jumping up instantly and hurrying over to her.

"I'm sorry," the two said at the same time when they'd gotten close to each other. They looked at one another in slight surprise, before they started to say, "You-" before cutting themselves off, also at the same time.

"You don't need to apologize Kate," Castle said quickly. "I should, because I was a complete ass earlier, I… I shouldn't have said what I did. There is a reason why I took my anger at myself out on you with what I told you."

"Why are you angry at yourself?" Beckett asked, surprised to hear that.

"I… come here," Castle said, reaching out with her hand. He was ready to withdraw it if she didn't move to take it but when she did he took her to their office. When he had the document with their book up he had her read the last paragraph.

"You changed it back," Beckett said. "But why do you have that first sentence in red?"

"That's the one I had at the start of mine, I'm… kind of proud of that one, so I'd like to keep it," Castle told her seriously. "But it's your paragraph so if you don't want it we can easily erase it." He couldn't help the sudden intake of breath he had then as she was leaning over and he watched her reach for the mouse before she highlighted the sentence.

"You were right, I didn't have enough of a sense of place there," Beckett told him as she changed the text to black. "And it's a good opening for a paragraph; a great one." She saved the program and said, "I'll accept your apology if you tell me what caused that, why you were changing my writing."

"I'm really sorry I did, I would go back and change back to what you had put it if I could… maybe I could-" Castle started to say in a rush.

"Rick," Beckett said, cutting him off. "Why?"

"Right," Castle said, slowing down then. He breathed out and then sat down on his chair before carefully drawing her to him. He felt a rush of relief when she sat down on his lap at his direction, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I haven't been feeling that… great writing lately. I'm a little worried about the quality of it and I've been getting angrier with myself as that keeps happening."

Studying him, Beckett could see that he was serious and concerned at the same time. She ran her hand over the back of his head, smiling slightly when he looked startled at that and then she made her decision. "I accept your apology, because I know how much that worries you. And I think I know why you've been thinking that lately; we've been working too hard haven't we?"

"I don't know," Castle said. "I don't think so; we have had some cases to break that up."

"True," Beckett said. "I'm thinking now that maybe we should take a break from it."

"A break?" Castle asked, startled since she never suggested that.

Smiling as she knew what he was thinking, Beckett nodded her head and told him, "Just until maybe the middle of next month okay? I wonder, would you like to perhaps start Julia's book during that time? We don't need to write it that quickly but it would be fun."

"Yeah, you know I'd like to do that a lot," Castle said, nodding his head. "But are we going to be able to with Julia still in school?"

"The weekends?" Beckett asked. "When she finishes her homework?"

Nodding, Castle looked at his wife before they both lost the slight smiles on their faces. "God, what did we do to them love?" he groaned, leaning against her. He looked up at her when she placed her hands on his cheeks and he pulled her closer as she leaned down. Their kiss was a little hesitant at first before they both deepened it at the same time and were clinging to one another tightly before their need to breathe made them part. "I love you Kate. I'm so sorry," he whispered to her.

"Love you too Rick, so much. And I'm sorry too," Beckett murmured. "The girls will see we're okay tomorrow but… we can't do this again. It was… hell today."

"Yeah, I'll agree with that completely," Castle told her with a nod. He then sighed and said, "I really wish we could wake them to tell them we worked everything out."

"We can't," Beckett told him with a slight smile as she could understand his sentiment in saying that. "They need their sleep… I just hope they are right now."

"You want to check on them?" Castle asked her. When she nodded he stood up after she'd gotten off him but before they could leave he said, "Are we okay?"

Studying him for a moment, Beckett looked a little serious before she told him, "Do you-"

"I think you're a great writer love and I do not want to stop, at all," Castle told her swiftly, interrupting her. "Um, writing with you."

Smiling a little at his slip up, Beckett said, "You're sure?"

"Are you sure we should take that break? It sounds like I need to prove you're more than welcome to write with me, I want it," Castle said.

Cupping his face in her hands, Beckett brushed her lips against his and murmured, "You already did, just don't forget this is what I want too."

"Yeah, I won't," Castle said, nodding his head with his eyes wide.

Laughing softly, Beckett shared a kiss with him before taking his hand and walking out of their office. As they went up the stairs she leaned against him and smiled when he wrapped his arm around her. They went over to Eliza's doorway, freezing when they saw the bed was empty. "Oh no," she said, turning and leading the way to Julia's room. She nearly skidded to a stop when she saw that the two were inside on the bed and she breathed out, looking at her husband as she saw that he could see their daughters there.

Following Beckett inside, Castle smiled slightly as he saw the two were fast asleep and pressed close together for warmth as the sheets were starting to go over the edge of the bed. He helped her get them straightened out, being very careful not to wake either of them up before they left the room as quietly as possible. "So… even Eliza knew," he commented as they walked past the stairs; feeling it was safer to talk there.

"You know she would," Beckett pointed out to him. "She pays pretty close attention to her sister." They had reached their bedroom and she turned to him after he'd closed and locked the door and said, "I can't believe ourselves… I can't believe me, why didn't I just talk to you and…" trailing off when Castle walked up to her and held her to him, pressing his lips to her forehead. She sighed then and said, "I was afraid of what you'd say; you didn't want me writing with you."

"Don't get mad at me, I heard you telling Brad you were afraid of saying something to me you couldn't take back," Castle admitted.

"That too," Beckett admitted, leaning against him. "I feel like we should do something for Brad."

"For trying to help us?" Castle asked.

"And playing marriage counselor," Beckett said.

"David did too a little, when we were at the bar," Castle said. He then looked at her seriously and asked, "You don't mind I did that do you?"

"No, probably better that you went, gave us some time to think," Beckett replied. She then said, "Are you tired?"

"No, you?" Castle asked. When she shook her head he asked, "Want me to get some wine?" He smiled when she just looked at him and he leaned over, kissing her gently on the lips before he left her. As he neared the door, he heard her say, "Hurry," and that seemed to propel him even quicker through it and down to the kitchen.