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 chapter is the title of a song written by Steve Hague and Tom Seufert, the version I've taken from is sung by Ringo Starr from his album Ringo the 4th.
Tango All Night
Breathing roughly as she felt her back pushed against their locked bedroom door Beckett broke off from her husband's kiss and said, "I almost didn't think you were serious."
"You should know me better Kate," Castle replied with a slight smile as he knew she was teasing before they then moved to the bed. He wasn't sure if he was dragging her; hoping he wasn't; but once they were next to it he pulled on her shirt she'd put on that morning before they'd taken their daughters to school. He kissed her as soon as it was off of her and they exchanged a few more after that one before they were undressing each other in a rush.
Finding herself on the bed Beckett reached out for her husband as he moved to hover above her and she pulled him down for another kiss before they were kissing each other deeply. "Quick," she told him simply.
At first Castle was going to question that; to make sure; but he knew she was serious so he very quickly sank into her body. They shared a groan of delight before he began to move, delighted himself again when she moved rapidly to catch up to him. He took her roughly as she allowed him to, encouraged him to do, and they kissed passionately as well as gripped one another tightly. When they parted he mumbled to her that he loved her and slipped into a little cursing at the way she felt; telling her at that time why she felt as incredible to him as she did.
Beckett's cheeks were heated with both her husband's words and what he was making her feel. But finally she was climaxing and roughly as he'd worked so hard to make her do. She was relieved when he joined her rapidly in that and she was almost literally clawing at his back as her ecstasy was intense and she could tell Castle's was too until they finally stopped nearly at the same time breathing heavily together.
"Needed that," Castle said when he felt strong enough to speak. He couldn't help recall that morning and how he and his wife had been too exhausted from their lovemaking the night before to do anything since they'd slept until her alarm had gone off.
"What about more?" Beckett said.
"I think…" Castle said as he raised his head so he could look down at her. "You're serious," he said in amazement.
Leaning up and kissing him Beckett then told him, "I was aroused this morning too."
"But we were tired," Castle said, carefully pulling out of her and laying next to her before he gathered her in his arms. "Though if you really want to there goes our research and any planning."
"I don't get the feeling you'd mind that in the slightest," Beckett told him wryly as she moved to press her cheek to his shoulder. She sighed as he ran his fingertips along the upper part of her arm before moving down to her side. "We have time," she then told him.
"It's why I'm not rushing into it," Castle said idly as his other hand went under his head then. He thought of something then and he asked, "How do you want to…?"
Beckett smiled at that and then said, "I thought you'd never ask." She raised her head before she answered and then said to him, "Just like we did."
"You're sure?" Castle asked in surprise.
"Mmm-hmm," Beckett said before she leaned over and kissed him deeply before they relaxed again. "I feel myself in the mood for something a little more… rough." She smiled to herself at his shudder of pleasure and she decided they'd waited long enough before she moved.
Castle held onto his wife tightly as she then raised her head, peppering his bare chest with kisses. It didn't take long before they were both sitting up and they had another quickie before they collapsed down on the bed. He held her against his side once more and said, "We should probably stop."
"You're tired already?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"No but we will be if we keep going," Castle said.
"Hmm, so practical love," Beckett told him as she leaned over and kissed him on the lips.
"I know," Castle said once they'd pulled apart. "Very weird for me." They were then quiet and he was listening for a moment before he said, "Your dad's not back is he?"
"No we would have heard the dogs barking," Beckett said, moving to let him sit up. She smiled as he stretched after standing next to the bed and said, "You don't want to stop."
"I've told you before, it's not easy to control this," Castle said, motioning to his erection. "We'd better get dressed so I can calm down." When he saw the way his wife was looking at him he said, "Slightly."
"Thank you for being honest," Beckett told him with a slight smirk. She stood up and said, "One more."
"Thank you," Castle said before he gathered her in his arms, holding her close against him.
Kissing a few times the two then tore apart before they dressed again, picking out different outfits as their clothes were strewn on the floor. After they were ready they left their room, looking around to check and make sure that no one had returned while they'd been busy with their passion but found they were alone.
"I almost thought my mother was going to come back," Castle commented as he followed his wife down to the kitchen.
"Spending the morning with friends?" Beckett asked him as she got herself some water. "At the country club?"
"I know," Castle said before he smiled. "I just hope they don't think she and your dad are together."
"They always think that," Beckett said, rolling her eyes as her mother in law's friends seemed to believe there was something between Martha and Jim. "Which is sad because it means they don't know your mother that well."
"Good point," Castle said, watching her as she started to drink. He couldn't help himself then and he went around the island to her, kissing at her neck as she'd placed it up into a ponytail after they'd gotten redressed. He wasn't surprised when she soon stopped drinking and he heard the glass in her hand slam a little down on the counter before he was carefully unbuttoning the denim blue blouse she had on. He only allowed himself to open it halfway before he then kissed at her breasts on the sides that her bra didn't cover. He heard her soft moan and he moved away slightly to look up at her and said, "Please."
His desperate tone and use of Irish; plus her own arousal at the warmth of his lips on her skin; were enough to push Beckett to take his hand. She led him at first to the door near them that led out to the patio but soon he was taking over, nearly running down to the pool before they ducked into the room they had kept for the moments when they didn't want to head up to their room.
Kissing each other roughly and carefully undressing; after one of them had set their clock's alarm; Castle and Beckett made love roughly and quickly. They couldn't explain why they'd suddenly needed to do that but as they lay together on the bed they'd bought specially for the room they kissed lovingly, putting an end to their need for each other for the time being.
"You're enticing," Beckett told her husband with a smile as she was slightly above him, her cheek on her palm.
"So are you," Castle replied, rubbing his hand up and down her side before he let it run across the contour of her right hip. "But we better go I'm assuming?"
Smiling Beckett shared a deep, passionate kiss with him and while their tongues tangled together she caressed his cheek tenderly before moving away. She dressed with his help before assisting him and with a final kiss they were leaving for their daughters' school just before their alarm went off.
Standing outside the elementary school Castle took his wife's hand as they waited for the preschool classes and he said, "Same as always?"
"I'm thinking a little less worksheets," Beckett told him.
"Really," Castle said, looking at her in slight surprise.
"Mmm-hmm," Beckett replied. "We're going to be going out tonight, with Julia, so…"
"Good idea," Castle said, speaking quickly as he could see the first class was being led out.
When Eliza spotted her parents she waved wildly before she was allowed to go to them and she then rushed. Hugging her mother first she said, "Hi!"
"Hey sweetie," Beckett said with a soft laugh as she then picked up the little girl. Kissing her temple she said, "You're happy to see us."
"Of course she is," Castle said as he watched the two share a kiss. "Plus school is over for the day."
"Are you done now?" Eliza asked as she then went to her father and shared a kiss with him.
"We are," Beckett said, giving her husband a look as they'd already talked about what they'd tell their family they'd done while their youngest was in school if they were asked.
"What?" Eliza asked as she was set down and she took both her parents' hands once Castle held her backpack.
"We had a guitar lesson," Castle began, smiling at his wife. "And then we talked mostly about our book; we couldn't help it. I really hope your sister won't be mad we did that."
"No Jules knows you have to talk," Eliza said in a matter of fact tone, nodding her head once.
"I hope you're right," Castle said.
"What do we do now?" Eliza asked.
"Have lunch of course," Beckett said with a smile. "And then you'll do one worksheet and then we'll play."
"Yeah?" Eliza asked eagerly.
"Yep," Beckett said, still smiling at her. "We have to go out later so we want the chance to play with you."
"What about Jules?" Eliza asked her.
"It depends on her homework," Castle said. "But we will try and play with her too since she'll be watching the dance class."
"And likely instructing us," Beckett said teasingly to him as she and Eliza waited for him to open the door at the wall around their house.
"Oh I've already seen it in my head," Castle replied. "Daddy your shoulders! Point your toes! Don't let Mommy lead!"
"Rick," Beckett said laughingly at the last one. "I doubt you'd let me lead with that dance."
"I won't," Castle said reassuringly to Eliza who was watching him while they walked up to the front door.
Inside the house the three prepared lunch; though Eliza just watched her parents; and ate together before they were going to the family room. The little girl worked on one worksheet while her parents were watching and once she'd finished they headed out together to the back and then to the box where the girls' outdoor toys were.
Seeing the hoop and stick that Eliza was grabbing Castle said, "Where are you going to do that sweetheart?"
"There," the little girl said simply, pointing to the concrete path in front of the stairs and going to the gate to the pool.
"Good idea," Castle said before he and Beckett began to turn away from the box.
"No!" Eliza protested. "You play with me too, the other one!"
"I've got it," Beckett said with a smile as her husband turned back to grab it. "Who do you want to race with first?"
"Daddy," Eliza said with a smile at him.
"I'm ready," Castle said. He took the hoop that Beckett was holding and went down the steps with Eliza before they stood together on the concrete.
"Ready?" Beckett asked them. She smiled when the girl nodded and then said, "Then… go!" to the two as they were waiting.
Rolling the hoop the best she should with the stick that went with it Eliza wasn't surprised when she wasn't able to keep it rolling for very far. She giggled when her father soon stopped and turned to her and she said, "That was fun."
"So does that mean you're finished?" Castle asked her with a smile as he walked with her back to Beckett.
"No now you have to race Mommy," Eliza replied, handing her mother her hoop.
"Why am I not surprised she said that?" Beckett asked her husband.
"There wasn't another option," Castle joked before he kissed her on the lips.
Eliza smiled at her parents when they looked to her and then said, "For the winner."
"Oh I don't even need to race you love," Castle said jokingly. "You won already."
"Come on," Beckett told him with a slight laugh. "A quick race and then we'll go down to the water."
"We can go put our feet?" Eliza asked hopefully.
"We can," Beckett replied before she and Castle got ready to race. They let their daughter call for them to begin before they rolled their hoops. She managed to; unsurprisingly; keep her hoop rolling longer than her husband but just barely. She laughed as he ran still until she stopped, grasping her and spinning around once. "You're learning from Patrick," she told him before she kissed his cheek gently. Before she could say anything else then Eliza was running up to them, hugging her tightly. "You don't want another race?" she asked her.
"You said the water Mommy," the little girl told her firmly.
"I did," Beckett said. "Then take your hoop back so we can put it away okay?"
"Kay," Eliza said seriously before she took the wood hoop. She held it up slightly though she wasn't tall enough to carry it for very long. Before she could begin to get frustrated the hoop was being picked up out of her hand. "Thank you," she said to her father.
"Not a problem," Castle replied. "Make sure you bring the stick."
"I have it," Eliza assured him. She waited for her parents to put away the hoops and put her stick inside with her mother before she was racing to the beach.
"E-" Beckett started to say. When her husband took her hand she stopped and smiled at him before saying, "At least she stopped," since their daughter had done so at the white chairs.
"Mommy I'm thirsty," Eliza said as her parents approached her.
"I'll get something," Castle said.
"Do you want us to wait for you?" Beckett asked her husband in slight surprise as he was turning to go.
"No, I'll watch you before I join you," Castle said simply.
Beckett smiled before she then turned her attention to Eliza, helping her with her sandals before she took off her own shoes and they were soon walking down to the water barefoot together. She held her hand tightly as they watched the waves running up to them and they were both quiet until her daughter wrapped her arms around her tightly, pressing her cheek to her side.
"Can I say you're a good mommy still?" Eliza asked.
"Of course," Beckett replied, reaching down to her and cupping her face. "You don't have to say it just on Mother's Day," she said, knowing the little girl was wondering since that was the day before. "Did you want to tell me that?" She smiled when Eliza nodded rapidly and she leaned down, sharing a kiss with her before she heard a bark and then the dogs suddenly ran around them in the water.
"Rita! Macca!" Eliza cried out before she started to giggle. "Ooh, thank you Daddy," she then said as she saw her father walking down to them.
"Sorry they interrupted your moment," Castle said to his wife as their daughter was drinking her cup of water that he handed to her.
"It's okay," Beckett said with a smile. She checked the time on her watch before she said, "We need to get going soon anyways."
"We took a while for lunch," Castle said.
"It was good," Eliza said then quickly.
"All done?" Castle asked. When she nodded and then handed the cup to him he went to place it on one of the arms of the white chairs. Hurrying back to his wife and their daughter he took Eliza's other hand before they went through the water. After a bit standing together he watched as the little girl slipped out of their grasp and he then said to his wife, "No swimming?"
"Not yet," Beckett said with a smile as their daughter was pretending to march in front of them. "What are you doing sweetie?"
"In a parade," Eliza said simply before she giggled and went to Castle, holding onto him as she had with her mother.
"What do you think you're going to do with your grandparents later tonight?" Castle asked her.
"Play," Eliza said. When her parents laughed she smiled and said, "What else do I do?"
"A lot of things," Beckett said. She was surprised when Eliza looked thoughtful and she said, "What is it?"
"I thought of something," the little girl said a little shyly. When her parents just looked at her she said, "Look at pictures."
"Which ones?" Castle asked as they had a number of them.
"I think when we got married," Beckett said as Eliza just smiled up at them.
"Really?" Castle asked. "You always want to see those."
"They're pretty," Eliza said. "And you are too Mommy… and Jules and 'lexis."
"Thank you," Beckett said before she watched the little girl walk ahead of them. Looking at her husband then she said, "What're you thinking now?"
"No just wondering about our other anniversaries," Castle commented.
"In Ireland," Beckett said abruptly. She couldn't help smile at the stunned expression on her husband's face and she told him, "I knew what you were going to ask."
"I was going to suggest it," Castle said as he knew his wife would then ask if he was alright with that. "Are we going to stay at Adare?"
"I was thinking about going around the west coast," Beckett said. She smiled again when her husband nodded seriously in agreement and she reached over to him before they kissed gently.
"Shh," Eliza was saying then to Rita as the Hound barked once. She wrapped her arms around her and said, "Mommy and Daddy need attention first." She kissed the side of the dog's head before Macca started licking at her cheek.
"I think they wanted your attention sweetie," Beckett said as she and Castle had turned to watch their daughter.
Going over to her Eliza raised her hands and when her mother picked her up she asked, "Can we go with Jules?"
"I think so," Castle said. "But remember it depends on your sister's home-" he began to add before a voice called out behind them.
"Hello everyone," Martha said, Jim just stepping out of the house behind her. "We made it in time to walk with you."
"Are you sure you want to?" Beckett asked as she handed the little girl to her father as Eliza leaned over to him.
"Of course," Martha answered. "We made sure we would meet in time to come back for this."
"Alright let's wash up and then we can go," Castle said.
Once they were ready the family gathered in the entry where Castle and Beckett got on their shoes while Eliza was telling her grandparents what she'd done since she'd gotten home.
"We can also play a game," Jim said to his granddaughter as she asked him and Martha about looking at pictures.
"Depending on time," Beckett said. "Ready?" she then directed to Eliza. She smiled when the little girl nodded and then took her hand before they left the house. She smiled when she saw Rebecca coming out to them with Dani and asked, "David's busy?"
"Council meeting," she answered after she'd greeted the family. "So it's me and Ruby today."
"David's still coming to the dance class right?" Castle asked as they continued on their way to the school, passing by some kids and parents already.
"Oh he is, I told him he can't back out," Rebecca said.
"Didn't he want to go?" Martha asked.
"He did," Rebecca said with a laugh; setting off her daughter she'd given to Beckett. "We're just teasing him since he isn't here."
They'd reached the school then before anyone could reply to that and the group focused on reaching the dance class. They managed to get there and were soon sitting on the chairs at the side of the room when Julia and Mari stepped out from the girl's changing room together.
"Hi," Julia said as she and Mari went to their mothers. "We're gonna work on the Salsa today."
"You asked her to dance the Argentine Tango didn't you?" Beckett asked in amusement.
"Yeah but we already worked on it," Julia said before hugging her. "But this one you'll learn too."
"So I guess we'll need to pay attention," Castle said to his wife jokingly before he hugged their oldest.
"Yep," Julia said simply before she laughed with her father. She then hugged her little sister and their grandparents before she needed to hurry to the dance floor where the others were gathering.
The family then watched the girl as Ms. Grey began to instruct them on the steps they were learning for the dance. After the break they then moved on to the Foxtrot and after the couples had danced that one on their own she dismissed them.
"I'll see you tonight Ms. Grey," Julia said, having gone over to her teacher right away. "My parents will let me go."
"I'm glad to hear that," Grey said, smiling at her. "I'll see you at the studio."
Nodding Julia went with Mari; who'd waited for her; to the changing room before she said, "Sure you don't want to go?"
"Well," Mari began before trailing off and then smiling at her friend.
"You're going? Good!" Julia cried before hugging her friend.
"I'm glad you're so glad," Mari said before she watched Julia throw her uniform blouse on.
"So you're gonna watch your parents?" Julia asked her.
"Yep, while you watch yours," Mari said simply. "Ready?"
"Yeah let's go so we can get our homework done," Julia said as she put on her backpack. "Or else our mothers will never let us go." With a laugh; as Mari was doing the same; she took her friend's hand and then walked together quickly over to the door so they could rejoin their families and go home.
"So," Beckett said as she walked into her oldest's room. "Mind if I join you?
"No," Julia said, looking over at her then. "But why do you want to? I'm just doing homework." She then looked thoughtful and said, "What's Lizzy doing?"
"With your grandfather," Beckett said with a smile. "And father; they're walking down the beach with the dogs."
"And Gram?" Julia asked with a smile.
"She's sitting in one of the chairs," Beckett replied as she herself sat down on the armchair. "Watching the water."
"How come you didn't go with them?" Julia said as she turned back to her math worksheet.
"I wanted to spend some time with you," Beckett replied. "Since we won't get to really at the class."
Julia nodded and when her mother held up the book in her hand she smiled before starting her homework again. They were both quiet while she was busy and she wondered why her mother hadn't just gone to the library to read. But as she finished up her history worksheet she was glad for the company and told her that as she turned to her.
"You're welcome," Beckett replied. "And since it looks like we're still on our own want to check the mail with me?"
"Sure," Julia said as she stood up quickly and then took her mother's hand tightly while they left the room.
Before they got to the top of the stairs Beckett stopped and when her daughter looked at her in surprise she said, "A text." She got her phone out of her pocket and then said, "Oh no, an e-mail from your uncle."
"A picture of Danny?" Julia asked.
"Mmm-hmm," Beckett replied, showing it to her. "Your cousin's gotten bigger already."
"Isn't he only… eleven days old today?" Julia asked before they headed downstairs.
"He is but they grow fast," Beckett replied. She smiled as Julia did the same and she recalled going to the city with Castle two weeks before to see their new godson; Daniel; who had been born on the second of the month. He was healthy and a beautiful baby; which she'd thought holding him for the first time and had also told Jenny and Ryan; but they were going out the front door then so she shook her thoughts.
"Okay?" Julia asked her mother, hearing her breathing out a little hard.
"Oh of course, just thinking and bringing myself back from that," Beckett told her with a smile. "Since we have the time we should go down to the water."
"I forgot," Julia said. "Won't Lizzy get jealous though?"
"No she got to go earlier," Beckett replied.
Watching her mother then getting the mail out of the mail box next to the door in the wall Julia asked, "When can we go swimming?"
"Another day," Beckett said. "When you don't have too much homework and we don't have a dance class," she then added absently as she was looking at what they'd gotten. "Here's a letter from Erin," she told her daughter. "Oh and you got lucky today, one from Eva."
"Yay," Julia said with a smile, looking at the letters. "I have to start writing back tomorrow."
"You do," Beckett said. "You can leave those on the kitchen table okay?"
"Okay," Julia said with a nod before they were in the house. She hurried to set the letters down and then met her mother at the door to the back. She hugged her tightly and said, "I hope Daddy comes back soon."
"Sweetie," Beckett said in amusement.
"You're gonna look for him when we go in the water," Julia said firmly to her mother before smiling at her.
Sharing a kiss with her daughter Beckett took her hand and then said once they were going down the steps, "I know he'll be coming back already."
"Me too, he's gotta start dinner huh?" Julia asked.
"Both of us," Beckett replied.
"Oh, hello," Martha said, hearing the voices behind her. "You're going to look for my son?"
"No," Beckett said with a slight laugh. "We're going to wade while we wait for them."
Martha nodded but when she followed the two down to the breaking waves she wasn't surprised to see her daughter in law glance down the beach in both directions. She did the same herself, surprised when she couldn't see the three with the dogs and that led her to comment, "Would they go to the playground?"
"Not without Julia," Beckett said, watching her daughter ahead of them. "They must have either gone a long way or went around. Probably the latter since Eliza had her shoes on."
"Then Daddy's gonna try to scare you," Julia told her mother.
"I'd like to see him try," Martha said wryly as the girl came back to her and Beckett. "So Kate, how was it today?" When she got a blank stare from her daughter in law she smiled and then clarified saying, "What did you do before you got Eliza?"
"Mostly talked about our book," Beckett said easily. She smiled and then said, "We're a little anxious for this one."
"I don't think you need to be," Martha commented. "I think most of your fans will want to see Moor and Green engaged."
"She failed to tell you we need to get the engagement part of that right," Castle said from behind them as he was letting the dogs off their leashes.
"How was the walk?" Beckett asked with a smile as her husband walked straight to her. She kissed him tenderly on the lips and when they'd soon after parted told him, "You went on a long one."
"Eliza begged us," Castle said simply before they looked at their daughters who were together in the water in their bare feet, laughing at the dogs.
"I'm glad you did that," Beckett said. She then added, "We need to get dinner but we could stay for a little longer."
"I'd like to do that," Castle replied. "Especially because we need to stop them from going deeper. Girls," he said warningly when the two started to do that.
When the two looked back at them and then started to laugh Beckett smiled at her husband and said, "I think you fell for it."
"I did," Castle said with a serious nod though he then laughed after. "Alright, I'll be right back."
Watching as her husband took off his shoes and socks Beckett walked up to him and smiled telling him, "You're too eager."
"I have to be," Castle said. "I can't suppress that twelve year old for the life of me." With his feet bare he then took off after the girls, growling as he said, "The dog is loose!"
Beckett was laughing as Julia and Eliza cried out and the dogs began to bark before she realized her father was next to her. "Do you still wonder why I married him?" she asked him.
"Sometimes but in the end I remember when he looks at you…" Jim began to say before his son in law turned his attention to Beckett then. He smiled as his daughter left him then and raced to 'help' Eliza who Castle was holding then.
"Thank you Mommy!" the little girl said, giggling heavily. "The doggie got me."
"I can see that," Beckett said, pressing her lips to her temple. "Oh I think you're okay now, it looks like the dog is tame again."
"Want to play tag?" Castle said. He wasn't surprised when both girls raised their hands and said, "Alright, let's find out who's it and get started."
With that Castle and Beckett played the game with their daughters until they left them with their grandparents so they could begin dinner in the kitchen.
"I don't know," Castle was saying to his wife as he was getting the carne asada they had cooking on the barbeque by the pool. "It's not taco Tuesday."
Rolling her eyes Beckett sat on the chair that was at the counter next to the barbeque and said, "Are you ready?"
"Of course," Castle said simply. "No, not really," he then said when his wife looked at him questioningly. "I mean that's why we're going, to learn what we don't know so far." He closed the cover over the meat and then went to her as she turned her chair so she was facing him. As she slid her arms over his shoulders to hold him he smiled saying, "The room's right here."
"No," Beckett said firmly. But there was no more protest from her when her husband was then kissing her and she moaned softly into his mouth as she responded. She felt her husband's hand running over her hair before she recalled they couldn't really stay like that. "You need to-" she started to say.
"Got it," Castle said as he was checking on the meat. Their kiss had been long enough for it to finish cooking and he got it on a plate before he took Beckett's hand with his other. "We can use it again right?" he commented, looking longingly at the door to what he would still call their love nest though with Beckett he called it their sanctuary.
"Yes but when that is I don't know," she was saying then. "Oh, I just remembered," she said when they were walking up to the door to the kitchen and she saw their daughters getting ready to come back up to the house. "Did you get the picture that Ryan sent?"
"Oh yeah, I did," Castle replied. "Danny's doing well."
"He is," Beckett said before they were inside the house and then beginning to get the dinner prepared. She made the beans they were having with rice before she then watched her husband while he was making the quesadillas. "What do you think about eating outside?" she asked him.
"You read my mind love," Castle said, smiling as she wrapped her arms around him from behind. He finished the quesadilla that he was working on before he then turned around. "Why aren't they back inside yet?" he asked as they were alone in the house still.
"They're playing," Beckett replied. She then kissed him deeply, but briefly, before she was pulling away from him with a smile. "You know I love you right?"
"I love you too," Castle said seriously. He smiled back at her and then said with a sigh, "Better go, we're finished aren't we?"
"And they're rejoining us," Beckett pointed out to him. They shared another swift kiss before their family came into the hallway. "Change of plans," she said to them. "Since it's such a nice day we're going out to the pool to eat." She wasn't surprised when the two girls cheered and she then said, "We're going to help you with setting the table but we need to hurry."
"The class is at six you said?" Jim said.
"Until eight," Castle said with a nod.
"Two hours?" Martha asked since they'd never heard how long it was.
"There's a break for tea an hour in," Beckett said as she watched her husband getting the plates to take outside.
"Could I have some too?" Julia asked hopefully.
"As long as they have chamomile," Beckett answered. "Here take the forks and napkins."
After they had everything they needed the family went out to set the table at the pool before Castle and Beckett brought the food and Jim helped them by bringing the drinks.
"So," Castle began as they proceeded to eat. "I think someone needs to tell us about their day at school."
Julia smiled and told her family what she'd learned that day before she then talked about what her cousin and pen pal had said in her letters. "So she asked what it was like to live in the apartment," she finished with, talking about Eva's letter, her pen pal's family moving into an apartment in Madrid.
"That should be very interesting," Martha said. "Is it safe?" she then directed to Jim.
"Xavi and Beatriz live there and I know Xavi," Beckett's father replied. "He would keep his wife safe as much as he can. So Eva will be fine there."
"She's going to a private school like me," Julia then said with a smile. "She doesn't want to wear a uniform but I have to tell her that it's okay."
"When are you gonna write back?" Eliza asked her.
"Another day," Julia said. "But now you know that 'lexis is doing good."
"Back when she wrote the letter," Castle said with a smile as she had been talking to him. "But it was nice of Erin to tell us."
"Eat sweetie," Beckett said, having to stop her from dipping the piece of quesadilla she held into the sour cream on her plate repeatedly. "You don't like it?" she asked.
"I do," Eliza said with a smile. "I want more."
"I think that's enough sweetheart," Castle said as he was sitting on her other side.
"When are you gonna get dressed Mommy?" Julia asked after they ate in silence for a little longer.
"You can come with me," Beckett said with a smile, looking at her watch. "Are you going to wear anything special?"
"No, I don't need to," Julia replied. "Maybe my dance shoes… since I'm not supposed to have my street ones there."
"Then you should wear those," Beckett told her. "And we need to go soon."
"We'll clean up," Martha said. She heard her son coughing and said, "Richard," sternly though it wasn't as forceful as it could be.
"Yes, I'm fine," Castle said easily. "Then let us at least help clear the table."
When their parents allowed them that Beckett took the plate that Eliza had used and carried it back up to the house as the little girl was taking their glasses. "You're sure you're okay with this?" she asked them.
"We're alright Katie," Jim told his daughter with a smile. "Go ahead and get ready."
"Then the girls are coming with us," Castle told them after his mother playfully pushed him away from the sink.
"And the dogs," Julia said with a smile as they followed her and her sister as they walked after their parents.
"I will be changing in the bathroom," Castle said when they were up in the bedroom. "Let me know when I can join you again. Kate, keep your hair up."
Rolling her eyes in mock annoyance Beckett said, "You go back and forth with that."
"This time I'm serious," Castle said before he ducked into the closet to grab his clothes he'd gotten for the practice. "Girls, make sure."
"I wasn't going to put my hair down," Beckett said with a sigh as her daughters looked to her. "And I really don't know Julia…"
"Please just try it on Mommy," the girl replied, begging her.
Beckett pretended to sigh and she said, "Alright but I just hope you were right." And with that she began to undress before throwing on the black shorter leggings, below the knee skirt and a light blue shirt with three quarters sleeves. "So-" she started to say.
"The shoes now," Eliza said, rushing over to where they were at one of the armchairs.
"Hold on, we're coming over now," Beckett said, unable to help smiling at how eager the little girl was. She sat down then and said, "Do you think your daddy will like this?'
"Of course," Julia said in a matter of fact tone. "He loves when you wear blue and he likes to see your legs… I don't know why though Mommy. Why?"
"I don't know," Beckett said, outright laughing at how serious her oldest had been before her confusion. "Some men like legs."
"Does Skye like Mary's legs?" Julia asked a little shyly while her mother was putting on her other shoe.
"I think so," Beckett said, watching her then.
"Does it work for two boys?" Julia then asked, feeling shy again with that question.
Smiling Beckett said, "I would imagine Patrick does like Trevor's legs even though I've never asked him that." She then stood and said, "Okay now I'm ready."
"And you look pretty Mommy," Eliza said. "I'll get Daddy!"
Hearing the frantic knocking Castle knew who it was and he opened the door while he was ducking out of the way. But there was no surprise when the little girl found him immediately and pouted at him. "Hi," he said with a smile.
Slipping into a giggle Eliza said, "Daddy," in slight exasperation though she couldn't carry that all the way. "Mommy's ready and pretty, come and see her."
"Sure," Castle replied, reaching over and taking the hand she held out to him. When he saw his wife he breathed out heavily and said, "Yeah, you're gorgeous love."
Smiling Beckett said, "I'm glad you think so, I feel… strange."
"Once we're dancing I'm sure you'll feel more comfortable," Castle told her as he went straight to her. He gathered her in his arms before he kissed her, not giving her a chance to say anything to that. He tried to remember that their daughters were with them but he couldn't stop himself from lingering a little longer until finally they parted. "I'm-" he began to say.
"Don't say you're sorry!" Julia exclaimed. "You said you thought she was beautiful so…"
"She's right Rick," Beckett said in amusement as he turned to her.
"I know," Castle said, nodding his head. He smiled when the girls then rushed to them both and he held them tightly as Beckett was doing the same. "Okay we should get going."
"Get your shoes sweetie," Beckett directed to Julia.
"I'll go with you," Castle told her.
Hearing heels on the floor of the hall Martha looked up and said, "Oh I'm pleasantly surprised," to her daughter in law.
"Did you think I'd wear my running clothes?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"Or something like that," Martha replied. "And my son?"
"I'm here," Castle said. "I have my basic workout clothes but it was either that or cut the sleeves off my t-shirts like Derek wears."
"You look better like this Richard," Martha said with a sigh.
"I hope you'll have fun," Jim said then as they all walked together to the door.
"We will," Beckett assured her father, knowing he was hoping that she in particular would. "Sweetie by the time we get back," she then said to Eliza who was still in her arms. "You'll be in bed so we'll come in to see you but you'll likely be asleep."
"That's kay," Eliza said. "Night Mommy, I love you."
"I love you too Eliza," Beckett told her with a smile. She shared a kiss with her before she then handed the little girl over to her husband.
"Love you Daddy," Eliza told him.
"I love you sweetheart, have fun with your grandparents," Castle told her. He shared a kiss with her before setting her down so she could say goodnight to her sister.
"Will you say what Mommy and Daddy do?" Eliza asked.
"Of course, at breakfast I'll tell you and Grandpapa and Gram what they learned," Julia said with a smile and then a nod.
"And will we ever see these moves?" Martha asked.
Smiling Beckett said, "When we learn enough." She wasn't surprised at her father's startled expression and said, "I know you're all going to want to see."
"Me too," Eliza said firmly.
"Speaking of those moves you should go," Jim said, knowing if they talked any longer the three would be late.
"You're right," Castle said. "Eliza, listen to your grandparents but have fun too."
"I will," the little girl said with a wide smile at them.
"And go to bed when they say," Beckett told her youngest. She cupped Eliza's cheek when she wrinkled her nose at her and kissed her forehead before telling her, "But have fun remember."
"I know Mommy, thanks," Eliza said.
After saying a final goodbye to the three Julia went with her parents to the garage and into the car, listening to them talk together. She wasn't surprised when Castle was doing his best to calm her mother down and she finally couldn't help giggle.
"What's so funny sweetie?" Beckett asked, looking back at the girl.
"Daddy you don't need to worry," Julia told her father seriously. "I know that Mommy is uncomfortable but she's not scared."
Castle was going to protest that but quickly realized she was right; he had been talking to Beckett as if she was scared. "Sorry about that," he told his wife quickly.
"No it's alright," Beckett said, reaching over and taking her husband's hand, squeezing it gently. She saw they were approaching the studio and she sighed saying, "I just hope I don't embarrass you sweetie."
"Oh Mommy…" Julia started to say. She had to trail off then as they had stopped and needed to get out. But as soon as she was with her mother she told her, "I told you I didn't think you were gonna dance like a pro when you got here. You're gonna learn. I'm just happy you are learning and I hope you have fun with Daddy, dancing with him."
Hugging her daughter tightly as she was doing the same to her Beckett told her, "I will, believe me if I wasn't dancing with him I don't think I'd be taking the class."
"Thank you love," Castle said, standing with them. He reached over to her hand and took it, kissing the back before he asked, "Should we go in?" When he got two nods he smiled and tucked his wife's arm in his and Julia took Beckett's other hand. He led them over to the door of the studio, opening it for them before he followed them in to see who was had already arrived for the class.
"Hey, I almost thought you were going to bail out," Lily said as she went to Beckett, hugging her tightly.
"I almost thought you weren't going to be able to come because he has to go back to work tomorrow," she replied.
"Hi," Julia said with a smile as Lily looked at her.
"Hey, Mari's here," the woman replied, nodding over to the Fosters who were nearby.
"So we're really doing this," Brad said to Castle and Beckett.
Sighing Lily said, "You'll have to excuse my husband, he's still unsure about this."
"I am too but you do want to dance with your wife right?" Beckett asked him with a smile.
"I keep telling myself that," the chief said. He then looked at his friend and said, "I'm sure you're ready to go."
"Sure I just don't know how exactly we'll do," Castle said with a shrug.
The Fosters walked over to them then with Julia and they greeted each other in the time they had left for the class before Ms. Grey was coming out from the back of the studio with a man following her.