A/N: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and alerted to this story! Sorry this chapter took so long, they were all being very stubborn.
"Castle hurry up!" Kate calls into the bathroom. "We're going to be late for dinner."
"I am hurrying up!" he insists, coming out of the bathroom and toweling his hair dry. She's setting up their room service dinner on the table and he joins her, flipping the computer on to sign in to Skype.
"Next time you tell me it'll just be a short run around the block and I should come, I respectfully decline."
"This is our honeymoon, we're supposed to do everything together."
"So when I have a heart attack from trying to keep up with you for two miles, you'll have one too?"
"We did say something about in sickness and in health so I suppose I would have to drop to the pavement as well."
"That's love, baby."
She snickers as they sit down at the table, getting in each other's way as they dish up their plates. They're both giggling and happy as they've been for the last week; no newlywed problems seem to be cropping up yet.
The computer beeps and he accepts the call, finding his daughter and mother with their own dinner in front of them. Before hellos are even completed, Castle is asking what they're eating.
"Well… it's pasta, dad."
"Cheeky."
"I don't remember what we ordered. But it's at least authentic to our current region."
"Hey, we have room service from a five-star hotel. You went to a hole in the wall restaurant in Florence?"
"Are you trying to one-up your vacation over ours?"
"Yes."
"We're ignoring you now, Richard. Katherine, you look burned."
"I fell asleep on the deck. And I woke up to my mother's voice in my head, "Katie, don't forget about the girl that tanned too much and started to smell like a side of beef." It still irks me when she's right."
"Maybe she was right but that story was an urban legend anyway," Castle supplies, surveying his gourmet cheese burger and trying to decide where to bite in.
"Very true, but outside the courtroom she only worried about being right in general."
"I don't think that's a Johanna thing, I think that's a woman thing. Ow!"
"Dad, this is the real thing now. Three against one, survival of the fittest."
"I need a dog."
"Okay, okay we'll ease up on you."
Alexis and Martha begin to chatter about their adventures in Italy, including the attractive young men they've both spotted. Castle isn't surprised at hearing this but that doesn't stop him from over dramatizing the whole thing. He does, after all, have Rodgers genes. Time passes as they all share their travels with each other, and it's almost as if they're sitting around the same table, rather than at computers thousands of miles apart. Their family dinners may be untraditional for a while as they all settle into life. Someone may be missing, things may interrupt and they may go weeks or even months before they can all really sit down together, but it's more about connection than being in the same space.
"I got an offer for an internship," Alexis announces once everyone has moved on to dessert.
"Really? With who?"
"I think you already know, Kate."
"Well yes but I'm supposed to pretend I don't know."
"You two want to clue me in?"
"Jim talked to me at the wedding," Alexis starts with a smile. "His firm offers internships every year and he wants me to apply; he says with my work on the Frank Henson case and other stuff I've done that chances are they'll offer it to me. I haven't decided yet if I should go for it."
No one says anything and she frowns.
"Isn't someone going to tell me what they think?"
"I don't want to say the wrong thing," Castle admits.
"Dad. Please?"
"I think it's a good idea but only if you can handle it."
"What do you mean by handle it?"
He sighs warily, not wanting to upset her and cause a fight because no matter how good things have been, there's no getting the memory of her walking out the door out of his head.
"I just mean if you can do it and keep up with school and whatever else you want and need to do, then go for it. If it's going to get in the way, you might want to wait until you have a little more time. They say your junior year of college is the hardest."
"I know. And I'm a little worried about that but the internship is more important than extracurriculars, plus it pays a little so I wouldn't have to keep tutoring. And the hours can be flexible."
"In that case, if you want it, I say go for it."
"Gram?"
"Darling, if we can go shopping for new clothes for this then I am all for it."
"Kate?"
"His office does have the best stuff in the vending machines," Kate answers with a shrug.
"Seriously?"
"I didn't spend school breaks filing papers just for the experience."
"Well. I guess that decides it then. I may not even get it anyway."
"But you might."
"I might. That's a little scary."
"Hey, when has scary ever stopped you before?" Castle asked, starting to clean up the dinner garbage.
"Yeah, how old was I before I could go to the dentist without giggle-juice?"
"Thirteen, but that was mortal fear!"
"When I was six you sat down in the chair to show me it wasn't a big deal and you ended up getting a cavity filled and your wisdom teeth out."
"I'm sorry I've scarred you for life. But with internships you rarely need Novocain."
"Thanks dad."
"Godspeed as you decide. There's a Magic 8 Ball in the bottom drawer of my desk."
"Outlook good," Alexis replies with a grin as Martha checks the time.
"Oh darling we're going to be late for our show."
"It doesn't start for-"
"The tickets don't have specific seats on them, my dear."
Alexis wrinkles her nose and they all say their goodbyes, promising to have a virtual family dinner again next week.
"Gram?"
"Yes dear?"
"You remember what you told me, about the most important things staying the same?"
"Vaguely. I think I was on my third glass of champagne."
"Well you were right, tipsy or not. So thank you."
"You're welcome, kiddo. Maybe I should drink more often."
"Very funny. C'mon, let's go. I'll buy you some biscotti before the show."
