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: Very pleased getting the feedback I did for the last chapter so I want to get to my thank yous for them! TORONTOSUN (I'm not surprised you're wondering what the kids will have for the pumpkins. And it was nice to see you liked how Alexis and Martha were joining in, lol. Really happy you liked that Castle and Beckett were intense in the love scenes at the end of the chapter, was trying for that. I'm glad you could tell that Castle, Beckett, Rebecca and David enjoyed the haunted house, wanted to convey that they did!), MichelleBell16 (It was great to read your reaction at the start of your review to this story. And I'm so happy that you enjoyed them going to the pumpkin patch and also Castle and Beckett's night out with David and Rebecca. Really happy that you liked them talking about how Julia's impacted their lives; since of course she did. And I'm with you, lol, I've never gone to those haunted houses as they scare me too, lol, I just watch shows that have them on. Really pleased you can't wait to read more and now you don't need to anymore!), 32 (I was glad to see your list of all the stuff I'd put in the chapter and yeah, those are amazing and definitely why I wanted to put them into the story. Also I liked that you love that Castle and David got more scared then their wives, I could see it happening too, lol, definitely. And I'm with you I wouldn't have survived that haunted house myself. I've never gone to one as I hate being scared and scary stuff like that, but seeing shows about it I wanted to try my hand at writing it, lol. So happy that you think Castle and Beckett are hot today; I did want to make the love scenes like that; and that you think their challenge to each other is amazing. Not surprised you were wondering about Beckett's nightmare being something foreshadowing will have to see of course. But pleased that you thought it was a great chapter, both halves!) and vetgirlmx (It was nice to see first off in your review that you thought the last chapter was a very good one. I'm glad to see you enjoyed that haunted house they went to and reading about their time in there. And it was great that you mentioned the nursery part; I've seen something similar to what I wrote on the shows about the different haunted houses there are and wanted to include that; it definitely was disturbing to write. But I thought it would do that, cause some flashbacks but glad you like the fact that Castle was there for her to comfort her, as you put it. And you're right, has been a while since that happened and I did want to show how far things have come for them since then. Happy that you think the story's off to a good start and you're right; with Halloween things can definitely be creepy, lol. But so pleased you can't wait to see what happens next and now you can!). Thanks so much to everyone for their reviews, I loved getting them and reading every last one, very grateful you all took the time to write them and send them my way!
A/N #2: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song My Dear Country by Norah Jones, from her album Not Too Late.
Darker And Darker It Goes
"Julia, Eliza I'm going to count to five and if you two aren't out in the hall, coming to the kitchen then I'm going to let you have only one of your candies you get on Halloween a night," Beckett called.
When he heard the pounding of small feet Castle glanced over with his wife and said, "Wow, that works."
"I figured," Beckett said in amusement. "Thank you for not running once you got out here," she told their daughters.
"We didn't want you to get mad," Julia replied. "Breakfast is ready?"
"I hope it is," Martha said, coming up behind them. "I'm starving." She smiled when the girls turned and hugged her saying, "Good morning," in response to them. "What were you doing that your mother nearly took away your Halloween candy?"
"Not take away," Eliza said.
"We were playing with Macca over there," Julia said as she and her sister took Martha's hands before they walked over to the kitchen. "After we set the table."
"At least they did that," Castle told his wife.
Glancing at him before she rolled her eyes Beckett said, "At least you two didn't get your clothes full of hairs."
"What are we having?" Julia asked as she watched Castle helping Eliza up onto her booster seat.
"Some pumpkin pancakes and eggs," Castle told them. "I wanted to make this a special breakfast since your mom and I are leaving."
"You can make it next weekend," Julia pointed out.
"The breakfast has been made," Beckett said as she and Castle served the pancakes and eggs. "So unless you want him to take it back-"
"No!" Julia and Eliza cried at the same time.
Laughing under his breath Castle said, "I'll get your coffee right now love."
"Are you going to make something Daddy?" Julia asked hopefully.
"You'll see," Castle replied, taking the finished mug and working on the foam for a moment. After he took his own cup he went over to the table and set down the mug in front of his wife.
Glancing at the design Beckett laughed softly and said, "Cute," as she then pushed the mug over to the girls as they were trying to see. While they were busy doing so she pulled Castle over to her, kissing him on the lips briefly before they pulled apart.
"It looks great Daddy," Julia told him seriously, her sister nodding in agreement next to her.
"Pretty jack…" Eliza started to say before trailing off.
"O," Castle said, looking over at her.
"O," Eliza replied.
"Lantern," Castle pronounced slowly.
"Lan… tern," Eliza then said, smiling at him. "It is pretty Daddy, I like it."
"I'm glad to hear that," Castle said. "But eat; you don't want to be late for school."
Beckett smiled when the girls groaned slightly at that but started to eat and she took a sip from her mug after taking a picture of the foam on top.
"When are you leaving Mommy?" Julia asked after they'd been eating for a while.
"That depends," Castle answered for her as he and his wife exchanged a look. "Do you want us to go to your dance class?"
"That late?" Martha said in slight surprise.
"There's nothing really today," Beckett told her. "Just dinner tonight and I think Rebecca and David are leaving after they pick up Mari."
"It would be nice if you could go to my class," Julia said slowly and softly.
"Then that decides it love," Castle replied. "We'll see what she's doing today."
"Yes, we will," Beckett said with a smile as Julia was literally beaming at them. "I'm eager to go."
"What will you be dancing today kiddo?" Martha asked her.
"I'm not sure," Julia said slowly again. "Ms. Grey usually surprises us with what we dance. But I hope we go over the Jive again."
"Any competitions coming up?" Castle asked.
"I would have said already," Julia pointed out to him.
"That's true," Castle said after he pretended to look thoughtful.
"Do you want me to have another competition?" Julia asked him.
"That would be nice but I just want to see you dance, not so much compete," Castle replied. "That made sense," he then said with a slight laugh.
"It made enough sense," Beckett said, squeezing his hand momentarily. "To change the subject, since it's still raining you know we'll have to take the car right?" she directed to their daughters.
"How are we getting home after dance class?" Julia asked her parents.
"I'm going to go as well," Martha told her. "And we'll come home in my car."
"I wanna go with you," Eliza said to her parents.
"They're gonna go to their party after that," Julia told her quickly.
"Oh," Eliza said, looking at them.
"We are but we'll pick you up at lunch and play with you," Castle said.
"We will," Beckett said. "Unless you need a nap. Eliza," she had to add quickly as the toddler was wrinkling her nose. "If you need one you'll have to take it, I don't want you tired tonight," she said firmly.
"Why Mommy?" Eliza asked.
"I can answer that," Martha said. "Remember last week when we were supposed to make cookies?" She paused to smile at the nods she got from her granddaughters and said, "Well tonight we'll make them and have them for Sunday dinner when your parents come home."
"And with that," Castle commented, standing up. "I think it's time we cleaned up and go."
Letting the girls go back to the family room Beckett cleared the table with her husband, stopping for a moment to watch their daughters playing fetch with Macca in the hall. "I hope it does stop raining," she said to her mother in law who joined them. "They're going to get cabin fever if it doesn't."
"I'll be able to handle them. You've never seen Richard in an apartment after days of rain," Martha said.
"I was only six Mother," Castle replied, rolling his eyes.
"Still," Martha said. "I had to create rainy day activities with him, so I have some experience."
"Are you coming with us to the school?" Beckett asked her.
"I think I'll head out for a little shopping," Martha said. "I made plans to meet Lena and we'll have lunch together so enjoy your time with Eliza until I return home."
"I'm sure we will," Beckett said, glancing to her husband. Before she could ask him what he wanted to do, she heard a squeal from Eliza and saw that the Wolfhound was trying to lick her face. "I think you two need to wash up," she said, going over to the two. "And then we'll get ready to go."
"I wanna play Mommy," Eliza protested.
"You will when we come home," Beckett said reassuringly, leading them into the bathroom. "I'm sorry we won't be able to play with you Julia."
"I know you are already," the little girl replied. When her mother looked at her Julia smiled and said, "I could tell when we ran around yesterday and played those games. It was fun."
"Great but we're going to want to play with you both when we come back home," Castle said, standing in the doorway.
"Kay!" Eliza said exuberantly, jumping into her father's arms before he kissed her cheek and carried her to the foyer. "Jules," she said as she and her sister were putting on their rain boots. "Do we play inside?"
"Yeah we have to," Julia replied. "But remember we did that last week and we still had fun."
"Okay I'll say goodbye to you two," Martha said, coming in then. "I'm leaving in a bit. But I'll see you later of course."
"Bye Gram," Eliza said first with a smile, going over to her. She giggled as the hug was slightly impeded by her raincoat and said, "Can I see you… at lunch?"
"I'm having lunch with a friend but remember I am staying until after Halloween so we'll have the chance during that time," Martha said before the toddler nodded with a wider smile. She kissed her and said, "Have a wonderful day. And you as well Julia."
"I will Gram, you too," the little girl replied. "See you at my class."
Since they'd gotten their coats on while the girls were saying goodbye Castle and Beckett said goodbye to Martha before they took their daughters through the house to the garage after they'd hugged Macca. Driving to the school Castle parked against the curb as close as he could get and then stepped out first with the large umbrella they had.
"Hurry," Beckett said as she opened the back door once she was outside with Castle. "Don't forget your backpacks," she said as Julia and Eliza started to come over to her. She smiled when they stopped and put them on before stepping down onto the sidewalk. "No splashing," she warned them though they knew already.
When they'd gone into the elementary school building Castle shook out the umbrella and followed his wife with their daughters to Eliza's classroom where he helped Julia take off her boots. "Who's taking her in?" he asked Beckett.
"You Daddy," Eliza said before her mother could answer.
"Julia," Beckett said to her daughter.
"I'll see you at recess," the little girl promised her sister. She hugged her tightly and said, "Have fun."
"You too, I wanna play later," Eliza said. She squeezed Julia tightly and then turned to their mother who placed her hand on her shoulder. She launched herself at Beckett and said, "Wanna play too Mommy, with you."
"Don't worry, we will," Beckett said reassuringly. She kissed her the top of her head before they shared a kiss and then said, "Have a great day."
"Yeah," Eliza said, nodding.
Beckett couldn't help laughing softly and kissing her again before she led her by the hand to Castle who was waiting for them. "We'll wait here," she said.
"Hi Mari!" Julia said after the two had gone into the classroom.
"Hey, are you two ready to go?" Rebecca asked.
"We are, just a few last minute things," Beckett answered. "We'll leave after her dance class."
"Great, we'll see you there," David said. "Tell Rick we said hi."
"I will," Beckett replied. She watched the three go to the stairs to take Mari to the fourth grade classrooms before she realized Julia was tugging on her hand.
"Where's Dani?" the little girl asked.
"Rebecca's parents are probably at their house watching her," Beckett said.
"Can Mari still spend the night tomorrow?" Julia said.
"She can," Beckett assured her, hugging her to her side as they waited for Castle to come out of the classroom.
"Okay," he was saying after he had gone inside with Eliza. "Your coat is here but you shouldn't be going outside until we get back," he told her in a mock stern tone of voice.
"No puddles?" Eliza asked him with a smile as he put her backpack away in her cubbyhole.
"Not today… unless it stops raining and you get permission," Castle told her. When she nodded he knelt in front of her and said, "We'll see you soon so until then have fun."
"I will, you too Daddy… do you write?" Eliza asked.
"I think you can read your mother's mind," Castle told her in amusement. "We might. But now time to learn okay?"
"Yeah," Eliza replied, nodding her head eagerly before she giggled softly. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "See you later Daddy," she told him.
"See you at lunch," Castle said. When he pulled away from her slightly he kissed her and said, "Learn a lot."
"Write lots," Eliza said back. She giggled when he chuckled slightly before kissing the top of her head. She heard her name being called and rushed back to her teacher as her father left.
Going up the stairs after he was outside with Beckett and Julia, Castle paused to speak with David and Rebecca before they left and the three continued upstairs. "You want to guess again what they might dress up as tomorrow?" he asked his wife as they walked down the hall.
"Do they know what you're going to be?" Julia asked.
"All they know is that your gram made my costume," Beckett said. They soon reached Julia's classroom and she turned to her, hugging her the same time the little girl did to her. "Have fun sweetie and we will go to your dance class I promise," she told her.
"I didn't think you were going to leave," Julia said though she was pleased to hear that. "And I can't wait to see you again."
"Have fun and pay attention," Beckett said, adding the last on teasingly. She then kissed her on the cheek as Julia did the same to her before she embraced her one last time. She watched as Castle kissed their oldest on her cheek too, wishing Julia hadn't become embarrassed by their kissing her as they'd used to. But she could understand why she was; she'd done the same herself with her own parents at the same age.
"You heard your mom, fun and attention," Castle said, not surprised when Julia laughed. "But she's right, we'll see you."
"Thank you Daddy, have fun with Eliza after lunch," Julia said.
"We will," Castle said as he straightened up and he and his wife watched their daughter head into her classroom. When the door was closed he felt Beckett's hand slip through his arm and he walked back to the stairs to they could leave.
Looking out at the storm as they drove back home Beckett said, "I have my doubts this will stop."
"We told the girls it might not," Castle told her. "But still, you never know."
"How's your knee?" Beckett asked as they waited for the gate to open to the driveway.
"It's fine it can't predict the rain stopping, just that the storm is coming," Castle replied. "Which you believe right."
"My mom's father had that with his left arm," Beckett said. "Your mom left."
"She did," Castle said, seeing the third car was gone. He wanted to say more then but decided to hold back until they were both inside the house and after greeting Macca who'd run up to them. "So, we're alone… relatively speaking," he said, his hand on top of the dog's head.
"No," Beckett said simply.
"No? Come on love, we have-" Castle started to say.
"I want to wait," Beckett said as she covered his mouth with her hand. "Until tonight."
Castle considered that and then said with a nod, "Do you want to work on our challenge still?"
"We have two nights left," Beckett told him with a slight smirk. "In the meantime, I think we should head back to Belladonna Park."
"Yeah, lead the way," Castle said eagerly.
Beckett couldn't help smiling at his enthusiasm and together they headed to their office as Macca followed, appearing to be smiling as he panted. "Where's your rawhide boy?" she asked the dog.
Sitting Macca raised his paw and started to reach for Beckett before he turned when Castle came back after ducking out. When he saw his bed in his arms he barked and stood up, wagging his tail eagerly before it was put down and he got onto it, chewing at the hide bone that was also on it.
"Okay so he's set," Castle said to his wife. "Where were we?"
"They were in their room," Beckett said, sitting at her computer and reading what they had at the end of the document that was their next book. "Changing into their costumes."
"Just a thought," Castle said as he went over to her then and kissed the side of her neck through her hair. "Did you have problems with your costume?"
"Why?" Beckett asked, enjoying the kiss but wondering what her husband was talking about.
"Because I think we should have them discussing hers," Castle replied before he sat down. He read the last sentence and then said as he typed, "Moor looked at his partner before he said appreciatively, 'You put all former flappers to shame you know.'"
Beckett then took over typing, "'There's no need to kiss my ass Moor,' Green replied. She glanced at herself in the mirror and shook her head. 'I'm only doing this because Captain was adamant that we should act accordingly.'"
"'So if I kiss you down on the dance floor, you'd be fine with it right?' Moor asked," Castle said.
Looking at her husband Beckett smiled and then typed, "Green looked at the reflection of her boyfriend in the mirror and said, 'You're taking it a little too far with that; it'll be enough to not be disgusted by each other. We need to pay attention so we can find our suspect.' She then turned around and before Moor could say anything to her she cupped his face with her hands, nearly crushing her lips against his. The kiss was a little quick and she barely let him respond before pulling away. 'Let's go,' she told him before walking to the door."
"So now we need to figure out how far into the party we'll go before the murder," Castle said, scratching the back of his head.
"You're thinking we should delay it," Beckett told him with a slight smirk.
"Give them a little relationship time between Moor and Green," Castle replied easily.
Sighing, as she knew he was right about the readers wanting that, Beckett said, "To what extent?"
"I'm wondering if we should go so far as to introduce the killer at the dinner before the dancing," Castle told her.
Thinking about that Beckett then nodded and said, "We had planned to introduce everyone. Though I don't think the blackmail route is really going to go over well."
"Come on, they did it in the movie Clue," Castle reminded her.
"And that's why we shouldn't do it," Beckett said, shaking her head. She then said, "No, just introduce them but don't hint yet that they have problems. Better that those come out later." She then paused and said, "What we could do is hint at one person."
"Our McGuffin?" Castle asked her. When she nodded he said, "Okay, let's get started on him first before we discuss again."
Beckett smiled at that, since that was how they usually wrote, talking in between stretches of writing which helped them hammer out the small details they wanted until then to work out. She looked on as he started to type and cleared her throat noisily saying, "Are you forgetting about me."
"No I want to read this to you," Castle replied. "Which I'll do now. Okay. Descending the stairs, Green was relieved she hadn't taken Moor's suggestion to use a skirt fashioned entirely from beads, feeling the gaze of some of the other guests as they passed them on the stairs. She murmured to him then before they got to the floor and when he shook his head she glanced back at a few of the men before letting him lead her over to the parlor." When he stopped he looked at his wife saying, "Setting the scene there."
"It's good though you make it sound like they're ogling her," Beckett told him.
"I want that and the idea that maybe she's checking them out as possible suspects," Castle said. "Do you want to mention now she's armed?" he asked her.
"She needs to be," Beckett said easily. "If you'll allow me," she said, smiling when he took his hands off the keyboard of his laptop, holding them up. At that she then began to type saying, "It was then Moor seemed to realize something and he asked her, 'Are you armed?' Glancing at him Green said softly, 'Of course,' moving his hand to her thigh so he would brush gently against the pistol she had there underneath her skirt."
Taking over Castle then said, "Moor wanted to comment on that but they were then approached by the owner of the manor, dressed as the Sun King. He also wanted to comment on that though he only managed to say, 'Very regal,' look-"
"Wait, we're not going to have anything with the owner remember," Beckett said, cutting him off. "Unless you want to implicate him slightly?"
"I was thinking the same costume but that might be expected," Castle said thoughtfully. "Okay so I'll go from the guy approaching them here. 'You two look great,' Peterson told them with a smile. 'You could be Bonnie and Clyde almost.' Moor wanted to say that was the wrong era but before he could speak, his girlfriend was nearly ramming her elbow into his side and he stopped. Instead he replied, 'Nice of you to say, you've done a great job yourself.'"
Since Castle looked over at her then as he had stopped Beckett smiled and then typed saying, "The owner nodded his thanks before he looked around them and said to the two, 'My wife urged me to show you the china you were speaking of buying Mrs. McCrae.' 'Of course, please lead the way,' Green replied, smiling at the man before they followed him to the dining room."
From that point they discussed and typed out the conversation between the owner and Moor and Green until they came to the start of the dinner and there they paused as Castle turned to the stack of papers on the shelf to his right.
While she was waiting for him to get their list of names Beckett glanced back at Macca seeing the Wolfhound was fast asleep, his head tucked onto the bone. She couldn't help it and took a quick picture of the dog before her husband touched her arm to get her attention.
"Did you get it?" Castle asked with a smile.
"Mmm-hmm," Beckett replied. Before he could go back to his laptop she squeezed his arm and gestured to him with her finger. When he had leaned in towards her she kissed him and quickly put down her phone before they grabbed one another. After a while she was pulled over onto his lap and she smiled before wrapping her arms around him and kissing him again. They were kissing deeply and fervently for a time and she knew they needed to get back to their novel but she had a hard time forcing herself to get away from him. Finally though they stopped because they were panting heavily and she whispered against his lips, "We'll have to make sure we have time tonight."
"What are we doing tomorrow until the party?" Castle asked her, trying not to allow himself to begin touching her in such a way that they'd need to part.
"I don't think we have plans… going to Shirley?" Beckett said, shrugging her shoulders. She sighed and said, "But we don't necessarily have to do that."
Castle nodded and said, "Why don't we… spend until twelve tomorrow in bed before going there for lunch and maybe go shopping?"
Beckett looked thoughtful for a moment and said, "The dinner isn't until seven thirty."
"Right," Castle said, not sure exactly what she was getting at but having an idea of her idea.
"We can eat at one," Beckett told him. "Or two."
Breathing out deeply Castle said, "Did we switch bodies?" He laughed when she pushed him and said, "Okay, maybe not but still, I did not expect you to say that."
"So no?" Beckett asked.
"I want to, badly," Castle said. He leaned up and kissed her deeply, but briefly, before they slowly parted and said, "I want you badly."
"Hmm so do I," Beckett replied, leaning against him and kissing his temple.
It was then that Castle noticed their computers and the document opened on them before he sighed and said, "We need to get back to work don't we?"
Looking at her watch Beckett said, "I did want to try and write until at least eleven." She laughed softly as he groaned and leaned his head back before she looked over at Macca. "You woke him up," she said as she saw the dog was standing and then shaking.
"Oh, hey boy," Castle said, reaching out when the dog had come over to them. He scratched behind his ear and then ruffled the reddish brown fur before he let go of his wife. "You know there's something I've wondered," he told her as he watched Beckett sit on her desk chair. "How many times have we not kissed while we write?"
"Or grope?" Beckett asked him wryly. When her husband merely raised his eyebrows in response she smiled and then said, "Probably not more than you can count on both your hands. But for now let's get back to it."
"Okay here's the list of names," Castle told her. "And I think we should start with the couple they already know."
"Sitting next to them?" Beckett asked.
Shaking his head Castle said, "Across from them. Sitting next to them should be the gay couple, Jean and Marty."
"I have to wonder if Patrick is going to read that and realize that's him," Beckett said with a smile.
"Maybe," Castle said, knowing that wasn't a question. "Alright I'll start us off. Being seated across from the couple they'd met earlier Green smiled at Emily before saying, 'You two look great.'"
While they continued to write until eleven thirty; unable to help continuing for that long; Castle and Beckett stopped a few times to brainstorm together and once for a prolonged break. When they had that Beckett sat on the couch while she watched her husband playing with Macca. At the point where they were getting a little tired writing and it was nearly time for them to stop anyways so they saved what they'd gotten and left the room to look and see what they had for lunch with their youngest.
"I feel good about this," Castle commented, looking around the fridge and its contents.
"This story?" Beckett asked him with a smile.
"I think it'll work really well," Castle said before he closed the door and turned to her.
"Well?" Beckett said. "Do we need to get anything?"
"No we're good," Castle replied. "Quesadillas?"
"Okay," Beckett asked. She laughed softly when her husband glanced at her and said, "You know Eliza will love those."
"Speaking of which, let's go," Castle said.
Beckett laughed softly again at his exuberant tone but followed him to the foyer where she saw it was still raining. "Did she ask about puddles?" she asked her husband as he helped her into her coat.
"We talked about it," Castle said with a smile as he got his own then. "But I'm sure she'll have the chance to play in those tomorrow."
"Since you'll tell your mom to let her," Beckett said, looking at him out of the corner of her eye as they were walking to the garage.
"And you wouldn't let them?" Castle asked.
"Touché," Beckett replied, shaking her head as she got into the car. She allowed him to drive back to the school and when she had to wait for him to get out before he came around she smiled and said, "I wonder if you didn't plan that."
"I'm not that devious," Castle replied as he was holding the umbrella so she could step out. "But this has a nice benefit," he then told her. He tucked her hand into his arm though they didn't have very far to go before they were inside. "Thanks for waiting for me to come inside under the umbrella," he told her.
"They're coming out right now," Beckett told him before they went to stand amongst the others waiting to pick up the preschoolers who were beginning to be led out by their teachers. She waved as Eliza walked out and watched her closely as she could tell the toddler was about to run towards them. She smiled briefly when she didn't and at the same time smiled sheepishly at her and Castle before she could pick Eliza up. "Hello sweetie how was it today?" she asked as she embraced her tightly.
"Good, I will say later," the toddler replied with a smile before she kissed her mother's cheek.
"I think I know what we're talking about during lunch," Castle said with a smile, leaning over and kissing her cheek. They headed back to the car as he held the umbrella yet again and he waited for Beckett to put their daughter in her car seat before he took her to the passenger seat. "I kind of feel like a chauffeur doing this," he told her.
"Go," Beckett said with a slight laugh before she watched him walk around the car again. She looked back at Eliza and saw that the toddler was waving her fingers through the air and said, "What're you doing sweetie?"
"Playing races," Eliza replied when her father got into the car.
"Who's winning?" Castle asked as he started the car.
"Dunno," Eliza replied, shrugging her shoulders. She kept her eyes on the window to her right, watching the way the rain drops flew back on the window before she realized her parents were talking about their writing. "Did you write today?" she asked quickly when there was a pause.
"Yes we did, even Macca," Castle replied. He laughed when Beckett shot him a look and said, "Sorry. He didn't sweetie, I'm kidding."
"I know," Eliza said simply.
"She's around Macca a lot, I think she realizes he wouldn't be able to contribute anything," Beckett told him with a smile. She looked back at their youngest when she barked and said, "Except for that."
"She's very smart, just like her mother," Castle said as he was waiting for the gate to open.
Once the three were back inside the house they went straight back to the kitchen where Castle and Beckett made a quick lunch while Eliza was trying to play keep away with one of Macca's stuffed toys.
"I wanna play still," Eliza complained when her father carried her to the kitchen table after he had helped her wash her hands.
"I know but we need to eat if we're going to have the chance to play after lunch before going to see your sister's class," Castle told her, setting her down in her seat.
"Eat slowly or else we'll take longer ourselves," Beckett said as she watched Eliza picking up a piece of her quesadilla.
"Love," Castle said after he and Beckett had taken a few bites. "What do we do when we get to the B&B?"
"Play," Eliza interjected as her mother was opening her mouth to reply.
Laughing under her breath at that Beckett ran her hand over the toddler's hair and then said, "We'll figure something out."
"Sure," Castle said, nodding to let her know that he knew she hadn't meant that to sound sexual. He smiled and said, "Could go out."
"Rain Daddy, you don't go out," Eliza said, putting down her cup.
"I know," Castle said. "Maybe if it stops I should have said."
"Maybe," Beckett replied, smiling at him. "We'll see." She then said to their youngest, "Tell us all about your day sweetie."
Eliza finished her bite of the tortilla, cheese and chicken before beginning to tell her parents all about what she'd done during class and at recess. She looked out at the backyard when she was finished and said, "Jules plays inside now."
"Yeah she does but I'm sure she's having a great time with her friends," Beckett said.
"Jules has lots," Eliza said, nodding as she let her mother wipe the crumbs off her hands.
"Of friends?" Castle asked.
"It's more she has a few new friends," Beckett said, smiling and leaning down to kiss the toddler on her forehead. She then helped her down to the ground where she had to stop Macca from trying to lick the crumbs on Eliza's chin. "Hold on," she said, hurrying to wipe it clean before the toddler hugged the dog tightly. "Go ahead and play with him here in the hall, we'll join you once we're done," Beckett told her daughter.
"Kay," Eliza replied before going to pick up the toy she'd been playing with before.
While their daughter was running around and letting Macca try to take the toy back Castle and Beckett cleaned up from lunch. When they were finished they checked to make sure Martha had enough of the soup and sandwiches Beckett had prepared as Castle had been making lunch. With that done they went into the family room with Eliza, playing a few educational games with her. Before they had to leave for Julia's class they went upstairs and finished packing as they let their youngest play on the bed with Macca.
"I don't wanna stop," Eliza protested before she was smiling widely at her mother who carried her to the foyer.
"I think you're okay with doing that for now," Castle told her, bringing their suitcase with them. "And we know already how much you want to see your sister."
"Yeah to dance," Eliza said in agreement, nodding her head eagerly.
Laughing with her husband Beckett went out to the garage again and let him put Eliza into her car seat while she got in the driver's seat. She got them to the school at the same time as Martha, parking behind Castle's mother. "Good timing," she said, as she went around the car to open the door for her husband so he could take the umbrella she held.
"Oh I know I almost didn't think I was going to make it," Martha replied. "How was lunch?" she asked as she reached them in time to say that to Eliza who was in her mother's arms.
"Good, cheeses," the toddler explained simply.
"Quesadillas," Castle said as they walked up to the school, trying not to get in the way of parents and students who were leaving.
"Lucky girl," Martha said before they paused and she took Eliza who was reaching out to her.
Once they were in the dance class they sat together on the stairs, watching as slowly the students came out from the changing rooms; the girls in long skirts.
"Sure she's dancing the Jive?" Castle asked his wife.
"There might be other dances, Julia wasn't sure," Beckett said, breaking out into a smile as she watched their daughter coming out to them. "Hello sweetie," she said as Julia came straight to her hugging her. "We said," she said in mock exasperation.
"No I just wanna hug you all the times I won't get to this weekend," Julia replied, pulling away from her to look at her.
"I love you Julia," Beckett said, cupping her cheek with her hand. "Hug your daddy."
"I love you too sweetheart," Castle said as soon as he had both his daughters hugging him. He waited for her to pull back before saying, "Go on and dance your socks off… or your shoes, either way."
"Did you see Mommy's shoes yet?" Julia suddenly asked in excitement.
"Julia?" the dance teacher called as she was about to start the class but was waiting for her.
"Yes Ms. Grey," the little girl said, waving to her family and hurrying over to them.
"Today we are going to practice the Paso Doble again," the teacher began.
"She still likes this one," Castle said in a murmur to his wife.
Beckett smiled and inclined her head slightly before watching as Grey got the partners together in hold and counted out the basic steps of the song. She watched the way that Julia held herself while she had to dance with Peter until they could let go of one another. "She took your lessons to heart for this dance," she commented to her mother in law.
"Oh I know, one of my best students," Martha said. "Don't tell my students in the city."
"Then she's your best here in the Hamptons," Castle said, smiling as Eliza nodded in agreement with him.
After having a few couples dance the Paso Doble to a song, Grey said, "Julia, Peter if you please."
Pushing off the barre where she and her partner had been standing with the other students Julia walked up to the woman and looked up at her as she spoke.
"I'd like you both to dance the Flamenco for me," Grey replied. "I'll count off as I want to have you try out a few steps for me that we need to review."
"Likes this one too," Castle said in a rush before the teacher was counting out steps, clapping her hands. He was surprised when that ended up being the entirety of the lesson but knew that Julia didn't mind at all as she looked to be having a blast with the steps. He clapped with the others as she and Peter ended the class dancing the newer steps with others they already knew and watched her go back to the changing room for the girls. "She's good. Our little señorita," he said to his wife and mother.
"It looks like it," Beckett said, standing up. "So we'll say goodbye… I guess outside," she said as they turned to the windows and saw that the sun was out. She wanted to comment on that but Julia was hurrying out to them dressed in her uniform so she turned her attention to her and Eliza as the former was talking happily to them.
"When are you gonna come back?" Julia asked as they went outside.
"Sunday, probably after lunch," Beckett said, squeezing her hand gently. "So we'll be able to spend a little time with you. We'll call later, maybe at…" she began to say, looking at her husband.
"We'll let you have the day off today," Martha said before her daughter in law could continue. She smiled when Castle and Beckett looked at her in surprise and said, "Call us tomorrow before we eat lunch so you won't need to worry about it before the party."
"That sounds nice but we need to check first," Castle replied. He looked at the girls saying, "Is that okay with you or should we still call tonight?"
"No tomorrow is fine," Julia said. "You won't be gone for long before you call if you did that today. So tomorrow."
"Then we will call," Beckett said firmly. By then they'd reached their cars and she said, "Okay, once your seat is in your gram's car Eliza we need to go."
"Kay," Eliza said, smiling at her mother.
"I don't think they mind," Castle said to his wife.
"I don't think so," Beckett replied. She smiled when she felt the two hugging her, knowing they would miss them but guessed they weren't too upset since they wouldn't be that far away from home.
"Okay here we go," Castle said, coming out of the back of his mother's car. He took the girls in his arms as they ran to him, hugging them as tightly as he could before saying, "I love you Julia, Eliza. Have fun and of course be good for your gram."
"We will," the two said at the same time before they giggled together for a moment.
"I love you too Daddy," Julia said first after they'd calmed down.
"I love you Daddy," Eliza was quick to say once her sister had finished. She shared a kiss with him after Julia had and they hugged him together before he let them go. She rushed to their mother, hugging her as hard as she could against her side.
"Hold on," Beckett said, going to the car and sitting so she could embrace them a little better. "Your daddy beat me to saying it again," she told them after Julia and Eliza had pulled back a little. "But you know to behave of course already; we just want to make sure you know."
"We do Mommy, don't worry," Julia said as she watched Eliza lean against her. "And we'll have fun too."
"I know you will," Beckett said wryly though she was smiling at her. "Okay I love you Julia, Eliza so much. We'll talk to you tomorrow before lunch."
"Kay, love you Mommy," the toddler said before she shared a kiss with her mother.
"I love you too Mommy," Julia said then. After sharing a kiss with Beckett she then told her, "I hope you and Daddy have a fun time. Will you take a picture to send us?"
"Before we change," Beckett said, glancing at Martha. "Your gram wants you to see it in person, not in a picture."
Laughing as her granddaughters turned their heads to look at her Martha said simply, "You can take a selfie if you'd like."
"So they don't see the full dress?" Beckett replied. When her mother in law nodded once she smiled and then turned to her daughters saying, "We'll do that." She kissed them a final time and embraced them tightly after before standing back up and going to her mother in law. "I hope you'll be okay with them tomorrow night," she said as they quickly hugged.
"I've handled four children before," Martha said, reminding her about the weekend before. "Enjoy yourselves and we'll want to hear all about the party Saturday night."
"We'll tell you," Castle promised, his wife nodding next to him. He then waited for his mother to get Eliza in the car and once they had left, he turned and said, "So, should we go?"
"You want to head back home already?" Beckett asked with a slightly raised eyebrow.
"Sure, why not," Castle said sarcastically. He smiled when she sighed and then went to their car with her, opening the passenger door for her before saying, "We'll get there just when it's getting dark."
Beckett had to wait for him to get in the car but once he had and had started it she said, "You want to go outside and play?"
"Not really, I'm just saying," Castle replied. When his wife looked at him at that he laughed and though he was driving away from the school he glanced to her and said, "I'm just wondering if you didn't want to leave this late."
"I wanted to see Julia," Beckett said firmly.
"Me too," Castle said with a nod. He reached over and squeezed her hand firmly in his own and they headed to the B&B talking about their party the next week.
When he had pulled off the road and was pulling up to the building Beckett said, "I'm surprised they're all coming."
"Me too," Castle replied. "If Tommy was in preschool yet I'm sure Ryan and Jenny would have stayed in the city."
"More than likely," Beckett said. "It's been a while since we've had them all over."
"A long time," Castle said as he parked then in the driveway. He looked at her and said, "You did tell Espo that this is going to be a kid's party right?"
Beckett laughed and said, "He asked before I could finish the invitation." She then looked thoughtful for a moment and told him, "I almost thought he was going to decline but he said he'd come."
"Luckily we have space for everyone," Castle said. "To stay the night and speaking of that."
"Nice segue," Beckett said wryly, looking at him as they were at the B&B. She got out of the car and waited for him to get their suitcase before she grabbed her dress that was in the back. Hand in hand with him they walked up to the front door where she allowed him to ring the doorbell as she didn't want to let go of his hand.
"Hello again," John Kemp said as he opened the door, his wife next to him. "Welcome and Happy Halloween."
"An early Halloween," Beatrice Kemp said as they stepped aside to let Castle and Beckett in. "Hopefully your drive was nice?"
"It was, the foliage is beautiful," Castle said as they took off their coats. "You must be surrounded by reds and golds out back."
"I forgot you were here in late fall," John said with a smile. "You'll have the chance to see the backyard tomorrow."
"I'll take you up to your room," Beatrice said. "You're in the same one of course, as you requested Mr. Castle."
"Rick is fine," he told her as he followed Beckett over to the stairs behind the woman.
"And you can call me Kate," Beckett told her quickly. "And the same room is fine of course."
"Okay," Beatrice said with a smile. "Well we're full for the party so you'll have neighbors this time."
"Everyone staying is here for the party?" Beckett asked.
"Oh yes, it's a popular event," the co-owner said with a smile. She led them to the door of their room and turning to them said, "Dinner will be at seven if you're going to join us."
"We will," Beckett said, reaching out to take the key from the woman after she had handed it to her. She and Castle watched Beatrice go back over to the stairs before a couple passed her at the top. "Rowena?" she asked, recognizing the woman quickly.
"Hello," she said, walking over to them and hugging Beckett briefly. "Great to see you again."
"Great to see you," Castle said shaking her husband, Dale Reid's, hand. They had kept in touch with the two after meeting them the year before, though hadn't seen them since November as the couple had been busy with their new baby.
"How's Amelia?" Becket asked, having been thinking along the same line as her husband.
"She's doing great," Rowena replied as she saw her husband was taking his phone from his pocket. "And he loves her if you can't tell."
"I can," Beckett said, knowing that the woman loved her daughter as well. After she and Castle had looked at a few pictures of their five month old she said, "What room are you in?"
"We're down the hall," Dale replied. "We should let you unpack though," he said as he saw the garment bag still in Beckett's hands and the suitcase next to Castle. "We'll see you at dinner?"
"Oh of course," Castle said with a nod. When the two had left he said, "Should we add friends?"
"To the book?" Beckett asked.
"We're going to be in the book?" an excited voice said behind them.
Turning Castle and Beckett exchanged a smile when they saw David and Rebecca in the room next to them and greeted them, promising they would be at dinner. When they got into their own room they closed the door behind them and looked around briefly, seeing everything was still the same before they began to unpack.