"Well we can only hope nothing will happen to the car," Castle said as they got out of it on the side of the road.
"I'm sure if someone comes they'll be going slowly," Beckett said before she reached for Julia and Mari's hands.
"Why did we park across the street?" Julia asked as they rushed across it though it was largely empty.
"It's a little safer," Beckett said. "So we're going to walk a little down the road and you three are going to be next to the wall but please, please-"
"We won't go over," Eliza said quickly. "It's scary," she added as she looked over the edge and down the incline though they had a beautiful view of the ocean.
"She's saying that because those rocks look like great balancing rocks," Castle told them.
"Would you?" Julia asked her father.
"No," Castle said, glancing at his wife for a moment before he turned to the girls. "Ready?"
"Yeah," the three said together.
"When we hear a car," Castle said as they very shortly after could. "Stop and sit on the rocks," he said. When they had he and Beckett stood in front of them until the car had gone by. "Okay we're ready to continue."
"You know," Julia said, walking with Mari next to her mother. "With those breaks we could walk forever."
"We'd miss going to Clifden again," Beckett said back slightly wryly as she knew what her daughter was doing.
"I had to try," Julia said with a smile.
"I know, that was a good one," Beckett said, hugging her gently. "Rick," she called ahead. "Stop."
At that Castle turned around with Eliza and then helped her take pictures before he held her back from looking straight down at the road. "Easy," he told her. "We're not at that hill anymore."
"I know but I wanna know who lives down there," Eliza said, pointing down at the homes that they could see below them.
"People," Beckett said since they weren't standing too far apart. She smiled when Eliza looked at her and was going to speak when she heard another car. After it'd gone by she said to her husband, "How far are we going to go?"
"We should go by time," Castle said. "Another ten minutes?"
"I'll trust you with that," Beckett said with a smile. "Just don't forget to let us know."
"I won't, keep going?" Castle asked.
"Keep going," Beckett said as the girls were all looking at her to answer. They walked on again and she would take pictures with the girls when they stopped until she was aware they were nearly at the westernmost point. "I think we can stop here love," she said to her husband.
"Looks good," Castle told her with a nod.
"Is it time?" Eliza asked.
"When we get back to the car it will be," Beckett said. "But this is as far west as we can get."
"Oh," Eliza said in response. "Cool," she added, smiling up at her parents.
Julia smiled and said, "It is, which way is home?"
"That way," Castle said, pointing to the southwest. "But there's a lot of ocean between us and it so…"
"I'm not going to swim," Julia said in mock annoyance. She smiled when her father laughed and she said, "I wonder what we're gonna do in Clifden this time."
"We'll find out," Beckett said. She then glanced down at her daughter and said, "Does that mean you want to go?"
"Yes but we don't have to run back to the car do we?" Julia asked.
"No," Beckett said. "We just talked to you about the side of the road remember."
"I think they still want to roll down the hill love," Castle commented with a smile. "After Skye's song and everything."
"Not going to happen," Beckett said.
"It sounds like you want to," Mari said a little shyly.
"No, imagine the grass stains on my clothes if I did…" Castle said, shaking his hand up and down as the three laughed at him.
"Let's go," Beckett said. "I think we got all the pictures we wanted."
The walk back to the car was a little slower as all three girls were lingering; though they'd seen the road two days before returning from Clifden they still loved the view. But eventually they made it back and as Castle made a u-turn the best he could to go back they were all peering out to the water for as long as they could until it was out of sight. But since they were driving down the coast they were soon back at the water again and at Clifden as well.
"Hullo there," Skye said as she was the first to see the five as they got out of the car together. "Enjoy your trip?"
"It was great," Eliza said first and very exuberantly.
"I know how much you liked it," Skye told her with a smile, playfully tapping the tip of her nose to her giggle. "Did your parents like it?"
Slightly surprised when Eliza turned to them Castle said first, "Don't worry we really enjoyed it, I'm glad you knew about it."
"I'm glad we found it," Mary said then as the others were joining them in front of the car parked by the restaurant they'd decided on.
"It's in the travel book," Alexis said then as she embraced her sisters when they'd run to her.
"It is?" Castle asked.
"It's mentioned in bold text," Alexis explained. "Skye and Mary pointed it out to me."
"Are we heading in now?" Beckett asked once they'd stopped talking.
"We likely should," Skye said.
"Our girls are hungry," Mary added.
"So is Mari," Rebecca said as her daughter had been embracing her.
"Then we should go inside," Beckett said. She took Castle's hand as the girls went together hand in hand as well to the blue building that was near the water.
Inside the group was led up to the second floor and seated at tables next to windows before they were left with their menus.
"This is nice," Beckett commented as she and her husband were sitting with the girls.
"It is," Castle said slowly as he was looking out the window at the view. He managed to somehow tear his gaze away and said, "I hope they eat."
"We will," Julia said, looking over at her parents from the window. "Can we know now what we're gonna do tomorrow?"
Pretending to think for a moment Beckett then smiled and said, "Alright, we're going down further this time to Galway."
"Are we gonna do new stuff?" Eliza asked though she didn't turn her gaze from outside.
"A few things but wouldn't you like to head back to the islands?" Castle asked. When the little girl looked at him in surprise as her sister was doing he couldn't help laugh and said, "That did it," to his wife.
"I guess," Beckett said, slightly amused herself. "And we're going to visit all three this time."
"I guess they want to go," Castle said in amusement at their gasps of joy.
"I'm surprised, we went to Inishmore already," Beckett told them.
"I told Mari about it," Julia said quickly. "And when she heard that I got to ride a pony there she wanted to go see it too."
All of a sudden there was a squeal coming from the table where the Fosters were and everyone looked over in time to see Mari jumping out of her chair and rushing to Julia.
"I get to ride a pony too!" the little girl cried out as she threw her arms around Julia who'd turned around in her chair to watch her.
"Really?" Julia asked, trying not to laugh too hard as her friend had almost pushed her chair and her off it with the force of her hug.
"Yeah, 'cause they're gonna ride too and so is your mom," Mari explained.
"And my dad," Julia said, looking at him across the table.
"So she said I could," Mari said with a smile. "And Dani's gonna go in the…"
"Jaunting car," Castle supplied.
"That, with everyone else," Mari said. "I'm excited."
"Me too now," Julia said, nodding her head in agreement. At that point her friend went back to her table with her family and she looked at her parents saying, "I hope the other islands are as fun."
"They should be," Beckett said, seeing that their waiter was walking over to them. "Do you know what you want?" she asked both girls. When they nodded she ordered with them before they were left alone to look out the window again.
"I wanna go swimming," Eliza said suddenly.
"I don't know if we can sweetie," Beckett said.
"Your mom is right," Castle said, not surprised when the little girl looked at him hurriedly. "It's starting to get colder."
Sighing Eliza asked, "Can we go another day?"
"When we get to the hotel tomorrow," Beckett said simply.
"Are we staying at the same one like last time?" Julia asked interestedly. When her parents both nodded she smiled and said, "Cool."
"Now that we have our drinks," Castle said after they'd been given them. "To Galway."
Trying not to laugh too loudly Beckett said, "And our day through the country."
"That too," Castle said before they tapped each other's glasses together though he had to watch and make sure that Eliza wasn't being too exuberant with her glass. When they'd calmed down he glanced behind Beckett and Julia to the table their parents were sharing with Alexis and Louis.
"You got all quiet," Alexis said, turning around to face them.
"I was wondering what you were talking about," Castle said as Beckett and Julia looked behind them.
"The park," Martha said simply. She glanced around and then said, "I believe that's what they're talking about too."
"Most likely," Beckett said with a smile. "I'm glad you two liked it," she said to her father and mother in law.
"I will go back to nature," Martha said. "If I feel it's worth it."
"And this was?" Castle asked in amusement.
"Yes," Martha said simply, not surprised when her two youngest granddaughters giggled.
"And I don't really mind going through the country myself," Jim said, glancing at his daughter.
"That's why you have the cabin," Julia commented.
"Exactly," Jim replied with a smile. He then said, "You two liked it."
"It was fun," Julia said simply. "But the best part was the pony. You liked that too."
"That was great but… I loved the top of the hill just as much," Beckett said since her oldest was looking up at her with a smile on her face. "Don't quote Fool on the Hill," she then said to her husband.
"You're no fun," Castle said to his wife teasingly. When Eliza giggled next to him he said, "What did you like sweetheart?"
"The pony," Eliza said in a tone that seemed to wonder why he even asked that.
"I should have known," Castle said wryly to his wife. Since the four at the next table were talking together again he quickly said, "If you guys are wondering my favorite part was the top of the hill too though I loved the way your mother handled that pony."
Sighing Beckett said, "I was waiting for that."
"Then you shouldn't be surprised," Castle shot back to her. He smiled when she rolled her eyes and looked down at their daughters who were looking outside the window again. "Well love, since we have the chance are we ready?" he asked.
"For what?" Beckett said in surprise.
"The dinner once we're… further south," Castle commented.
"Where is further south?" Julia asked interestedly.
Smiling Beckett said, "You'll find out soon enough. And I'm ready. You?"
"Ready too, I would ask if everyone else is but…" Castle said as he looked over at the Fosters and McDouglases who were apart from them since their table was in the corner. "It feels weird not having Brad and Lily with us."
"They will be," Beckett said, glancing at the girls and noticing that the two were watching them then. "Really? I thought you'd be watching the view still."
"Where are you gonna be for that grownup dinner?" Julia asked as her sister looked at her, knowing she wanted her to ask.
"You'll see," Beckett said. "Well," she then said, looking at her husband. "One thing we can tell you is that we're going to be on the east coast."
"There's a lot of space there Mommy," Eliza said, sounding frustrated.
"You've been working with your gram too long," Castle said with a smile as he knew that she was joking. "You'll find out we promise."
"But first is the wedding," Julia commented.
"I was waiting for that," Beckett said with a smile. "Oh, here's dinner."
"I'm hungry," Eliza said, more to say it than to be difficult. She watched the plates being set down in front of them and said, "What did you get Daddy?"
"The steak," Castle said as he was making sure her plate would be ready for her. "I almost got the venison love," he said to Beckett, looking across at her. "But they would have been furious after we saw the deer… and I lost my appetite remembering that."
"Why did we learn that word? And you're a sweet father Rick," Beckett replied to him with a slight smile.
"Thank you and I have no idea why," Castle replied simply. "Eliza make sure you eat your salad," he said as he noticed she seemed to be focusing on the chips in her fish and chips.
"I know Daddy," Eliza said, slightly exasperated.
"You too Julia," Beckett said as she watched her daughter next to her.
"I am," the girl said simply as she got some salad and ate it. She listened to her parents talking then, looking out the window again with her sister as they tried to remember to eat.
Having seeing the girls eating so slowly and then speeding up when they remembered Beckett tried not to smile too widely before she then said as they were finishing, "So you two look like you're full."
"Really?" Castle asked in surprise.
"It's a special occasion," Beckett said with a shrug. "Also I think Skye and Mary are doing the same thing."
Glancing over at their table Castle saw that his wife was right and he said, "We'll share?"
"I might be letting them have dessert," Beckett said before she paused momentarily at the excited gasps of the girls. "But not all on their own."
"But we need to decide together, the pairs of us," Castle said, looking at Eliza.
"What is there?" the little girl asked eagerly.
As she was looking through the desserts with Julia, Beckett saw the slightly confused expression on her face and asked, "What is it?"
"Well…" Julia said slowly. "Are you sure we can have dessert?"
"I wouldn't joke about this sweetie," Beckett assured her. "What do you think about the parfait?"
"Okay," Julia said with a nod. She looked behind them and asked her big sister, "What did you get?"
"We're going to share the pear dessert," Alexis said with a smile. "What I can't share with him?" she asked teasingly as her sister looked a little surprised.
"Yeah but I didn't think you would," Julia said before shrugging and turning back to the others as her parents had ordered. "What'd you get?" she asked her father.
"Rick it's not a secret," Beckett said as her husband put his finger to his lips.
"Oh… I guess I need to tell you," Castle said to Julia. When she didn't really react to that he laughed and said, "We decided on the apple crumble."
"Didn't we have that before?" Julia asked, looking at her sister.
"Daddy says it's different," Eliza said, shrugging her shoulders.
"Okay… what're we gonna do after?" Julia asked.
"The bookstore, one more time," Castle said. "And after that…"
"We might want to head back to the hotel," Beckett suggested as suddenly clouds slid over the sun. She looked out with the others, seeing that the storm they'd heard about seemed to be arriving.
Before the girls could protest their mother's idea they were given their dessert and they soon became involved with sharing it with their parents and trading bites with each other, talking eagerly about what they could do back at the hotel until they would have to go to bed as their parents listened in to them.
"Alright," Skye said, opening the umbrella she'd been shaking out. "I was hoping we could beat this rain."
"We took a while inside," David said, indicating the bookstore they were outside of. "So I'm guessing it's back to the hotel?"
"It is," Mary said. "We'll lead and be careful of course," she added before they separated and went back to their cars.
"Are we gonna get back to the hotel alright Mommy?" Julia asked.
"Of course," Beckett said, looking in the mirror at her. "Why so worried?"
"Nothing," Julia replied.
"You're going to ask Skye to sing again aren't you?" Castle asked in amusement.
"How could you tell?" Julia asked, unable to lie to her father.
"Your tone," Castle said simply. "But are the twins going to ask?"
"Yeah, she is their mom," Julia said.
When the two fell silent behind them Beckett looked at her husband and smiled as they made the twenty minute trip back to Renvyle. As soon as Castle had parked the car she waited for him to come out and around to her side to hold the umbrella for her and she got the girls out before they ran under the cover of the entrance and stepped inside.
"So I gather I'm singing," Skye said as soon as they were all gathered together in the lobby.
"How're you going to do that?" Louis asked.
"In the kids' room; they are soundproof we-" Skye started to say before she cut herself off and then led everyone to the stairs.
When Castle glanced at his wife he wasn't surprised when she just looked at him and he then helped Eliza up the last step. As they made their way down the hall he could feel the little girl squeezing his hand tightly. "What're you excited for?" he asked in slight amusement since the little girl and her sister hadn't really decided what they wanted to do.
"I dunno," Eliza said honestly, looking up at her father. She smiled when he laughed slightly but they were going into the room she was sharing with the other girls and she waited eagerly to see what was going to happen as the twins went over to their mother.
"I heard you," Skye said before her daughters could say anything. "And I'll sing in a moment, we should order some tea or coffee…"
"I'll call," Mary said. "Should we get some milk?" she directed to the other parents.
"Go ahead," Beckett said.
"I agree, but just for Mari," Rebecca then said.
After Mary had called down to room service Skye said, "We'll wait for the drinks." She wasn't surprised when all the girls groaned before she said, "I'll need the tea."
"Are you sick?" Julia asked in slight concern.
"No," Skye assured her. "Just to prepare my throat for the singing I'm about to do. Do you know what song you'd like me to sing? Kath and Marie didn't mention one."
"Why are you looking at me?" Julia asked, pretending to put her voice higher pitched before the others laughed. She sighed and thought for a moment before she opened her eyes and said, "What about two songs?"
"You sneaks," Skye said jokingly to her daughters. "You told them my guitar finally made it didn't you?"
"Why do you have your guitar?" David asked.
"For some reason," Skye said.
"Rick's asked her to play something for me at the wedding," Beckett said wryly.
"Oh, so close," Castle said jokingly. When his wife looked at him in surprise he said, "Your cousin asked her to play at the ball."
"I don't mind," Skye said quickly when Beckett looked at her. "Since I decided that your husband's original request to play a song at your wedding wasn't going to work."
"So you're playing that song at the ball instead," Beckett stated as she then looked at her husband.
"I… didn't want to seem stupid," Castle said slowly to her.
"I think that's very…" Jim started to say.
"It's romantic Dad," Beckett said to him with a smile as she looked over at him where he was sitting in one of the armchairs. "And I don't mind you playing that there… it works right?"
"It's not an original song," Castle said quickly. "Paul," he then added very simply.
"Not a surprise," Beckett said. "Though it would be if it were more up tempo," she said as Skye was getting up then.
At the same time there was a knock on the door and some time was spent helping the kids get their drinks and the adults fixing the coffee or tea they had to their liking.
"I'm ready," Skye said with an acoustic guitar in hand. "Julia?"
Castle was slightly surprised when the girl hurried to the investigator and whispered in her ear before Skye was laughing.
"Bit of a departure for you," the woman said teasingly.
"Just one song," Julia said, pretending to be angry though she was joking.
"We're kidding by the way," Skye said to the others. "It's not a departure, it's a George song."
"We probably should get started," Martha said gently. She smiled, not surprised when the girls looked at her in consternation, and said simply, "You should know your parents; and the four of us," gesturing to herself, her wife, Jim, Martha Alexis and Louis. "Are keeping a good eye on the time."
Sighing Julia said, "She's right, you can start now."
"Thanks for suggesting it and not ordering it," Skye told her with a smile. "Grá?" she said to Mary.
"It's ready," the woman said. "Normally this would have electric guitars and since we can't have them…"
As the music started to play off Mary's phone Beckett glanced at Julia before she looked back at Skye. She knew the song and was wondering how her friend would be able to handle the vocals on it though she was very quickly finding out as the investigator was playing her acoustic at the same time.
You can worry your life away with
Not knowing what each new day may bring to you
Or take each day as it goes on
Wake up to the love that flows on, around you
If you believe if you believe in you
Everything you thought is possible, if you believe
If you believe in me
All your love's reflected back to you
When you believe
At that point there was an instrumental and Castle looked at Julia, not surprised to see that the girl was watching the way Skye's fingers were playing on the guitar. Glancing at Eliza he was startled to see that she was doing so too though he guessed she might have taken an interest in her mother and sister playing after watching them so many times doing so.
"I'll teach her too," Beckett managed to murmur to him before Skye started to sing again.
Too many troubles you can't control
To get you falling into the holes they dig for you
Get up- you have all your needs; pray
Give up- and it all recedes away from you
If you believe- if you believe in you
Everything you thought is possible, if you believe
If you believe in me
All your love's reflected back to you
If you believe
Finishing there Skye said, "We'd be trailing off but that can't really work out."
"That's alright, that was a wonderful playing," Martha said. "And I'm speaking after hearing the original version though Julia."
Smiling the girl said to that, "You did a good job with your voice."
"She's right," Beckett said while Skye was sipping at her tea. "You mimicked his changes well."
"She practiced a lot on that one," Mary said.
"I did, it's an interesting song," Skye commented. "Not just the lyrics. Alright I suppose we should get the second song out and then go ahead and do… something."
Watching the five girls gathering together to speak David laughed and said, "I hope they're planning on picking a game."
"We are," Kathleen said first.
"And we'd like to play our travel game of Life," Mari then said.
"After the song," Beckett said as all the adults had looked to her. "Why are you leaving that up to me?" she then asked as Skye was checking her guitar again.
"You're good at leading people," Rebecca said jokingly.
"Alright, just play the song Skye," Beckett said, trying not to laugh and failing before her friend began to strum her guitar. She was able to recognize the song quickly and looked at Julia who just smiled at her; knowing her oldest had asked for it since her daughter knew that she enjoyed it. Turning back to Skye she could remember the lyrics easily as she began to sing since she knew them well.
I have no answer for you little lamb
I can help you out
But I cannot help you in
Sometimes you think that life is hard
But this is only one of them
My heart is breaking for you little lamb
I can help you out
But we may never meet again
La La La La La La La La
Dragonfly fly by my window
You and I still have a way to go
Don't know why you hang around my door
I don't live here anymore
Since you've gone I never know
I go on, but I miss you so
Dragonfly don't keep me waiting
When we try, we'll have a way to go
Dragonfly you've been away too long
How did two rights make a wrong?
Since you've gone I never know
I go on, but I miss you so
In my heart I feel the pain
Keeps coming back again
Dragonfly fly by my window
I'm flying can't you see me I'm flying
You and I can find a way to see
Dragonfly the years ahead will show
How little we really know
Since you've gone it's never right
They go on the lonely nights
Come on home and make it right
My heart is aching for you little lamb
I can help you out
But I cannot help you in
At that point, to finish the song, Skye sang the repeating las until she trailed off and said, "So what did you think?" as the girls were all applauding.
"We'd clap but you wouldn't be able to hear," Castle commented.
"Really nice job," David said.
"A long song though," Skye said, looking at Julia.
"We have to go to bed now?" the girl asked slowly, hoping that wasn't the case.
"Dani will soon but I don't think she minds," Rebecca answered with a smile as they all looked over at the baby who was nearly slumped against her. "Come on; get the game ready so you guys won't have to stop in the middle of it."
"Who has it?" Mary asked.
"I do," Mari said.
"I'll go with you," Julia said, jumping up then.
"I'll be back," Skye said as she was getting up.
Watching as the two girls went into the room they were sharing and Skye left with Mary, Castle looked at his wife and said, "That was nice."
Smiling at him Beckett said, "Up tempo?"
Breathing out Castle said, "We already have our song, I wanted another choice. But you'll like it, promise to dance with me during it."
"If I can," Beckett replied. She wasn't surprised when her husband looked at her in surprise before she said, "I'll be in a gown so I need to wait and see."
"Okay," Castle said easily before Skye and Mary were back and Julia and Mari went to the coffee table with the game in hand which the girls soon started to play as the adults all watched.
"Thanks for letting me come out here Mommy," Julia said, holding her mother's hand as they made their way down the beach. "Why did you?"
Beckett laughed softly and said, "If you want to go back to your room then we should go back."
"No," Julia said with a frown though she knew her mother was joking. She then smiled at her and said, "But why?"
"You seem to be a little unsettled," Beckett replied easily. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah I was just thinking about the park," Julia said.
"Did-" Beckett started to say before she heard her husband calling to them. She waited for him to reach them and asked, "Is everyone still asleep?"
"Mother said," Castle replied. "Though I really quickly asked her. How're you doing Julia?" he said, turning to their daughter.
"I'm good, you?" Julia asked.
"Good," Castle said before he looked at his wife questioningly.
"Sweetie," Beckett said then, getting Julia's attention. "Were you scared at the top of the hill?"
At first Julia was going to deny it but when she saw how lovingly her mother was looking at her, and then seeing the same expression on her father's face, she broke down and told them, "I tried not to be 'cause it was just a hill."
"It was still fairly tall," Castle protested as he could tell she was slightly ashamed of herself. "So I'm not surprised you got a little unsettled."
"How was it at the top?" Julia asked them then, turning from where she had been looking at the water since they were on the beach outside the hotel during a lull in the storm.
"View wise very pretty," Castle said first.
"But precarious with the top being mostly boulders, we probably shouldn't have taken that selfie Rick," Beckett said to her husband.
"I had a good hold of you," Castle replied, as if he was impatient.
Beckett rolled her eyes and said, "It's better you stayed where you were sweetie."
"I had a feeling," Julia said, smiling at her parents' exchange. "But it was still fun, we've never really gone anywhere like that."
"We've gone through the country back at home," Beckett said. "Though not that much, not while your sister was little."
"The Delaware was fun," Julia pointed out.
"It was," Castle said, remembering their trip to the river though they had mostly walked along it and watched people in canoes and kayaks in it. "But we should go to a park or something love; explore home."
Smiling Beckett said, "I should remind you we are in a completely different country still."
"When we get back," Castle told her simply, not surprised when Julia laughed softly.
"We'll see," Beckett replied simply. She squeezed Julia's hand that was within her own and told her, "Think we should go back in?"
"I'm not tired either," Julia told her mother, looking up at her.
Beckett smiled, not surprised, and said, "We'll give it a little more time."
"Really?" Castle asked with surprise.
"If she isn't tired then she isn't," Beckett said. "But we're not going to walk too far."
Julia was relieved when her father didn't say anything in protest to that so she reached over to him and took his hand. When she noticed that he was looking at her she asked, "What is it?"
"You're not cold?" Castle asked as she was wearing her robe over her pajamas.
"No," Julia said, shaking her head. "You just want me to go back inside."
"Eventually," Castle said. "But if your mom says not yet then I'll trust her on that."
Beckett tried not to smile at her husband before she then said, "I'm glad you do."
"What if it was just you and me?" Julia asked her father.
Castle pretended to think that over before he said, "Probably better she's with us."
As Julia laughed again Beckett stopped them and said, "This is far enough."
"But we didn't really walk that far Mommy," the girl said in protest.
"It was," Castle said as he knew already that his wife would want him to agree with her. "Come on, you're so lucky we got outside and-" he started to say before he suddenly felt a drop on his face. "Oh… run," he said to Beckett before he was picking up their oldest.
Though she didn't want to Julia cried out in surprise as her father carried her up to the hotel and once they were under cover she said as she was put down, "Thanks Daddy. Did you guys get wet?"
"No I think we just managed to make it," Beckett said, looking outside. "You?"
"No," Julia said, shaking her head as she checked herself quickly. She then looked up at her mother and asked, "Do I still have to go?"
"Yes," Castle said simply. He wasn't surprised when Julia's shoulders slumped and he took her hand before they made their way to the stairs. On the second floor he said, "Try not to wake up Mari when you go to bed."
"I know Daddy," Julia told him quickly. She glanced up at him and with a slight smile said, "I already thought about that."
At the door to the room Beckett opened it with the key after knocking softly, wondering where her mother in law would be. Luckily Martha was standing up from the couch in the living room and she smiled saying, "We didn't get wet," as the rain was falling loudly onto the windows by then.
"I'm surprised, as hard as it's raining," Martha commented in amusement. She watched her son take Julia's robe and said, "I'm going in to bed, I was just waiting for you to bring her back."
"Wait, I'd like to check on Eliza," Beckett said quickly.
"So would I," Castle told her before they went together into the bedroom his mother and Eliza were in.
Martha put her arm around Julia's shoulders as they looked through the doorway at Castle and Beckett leaning over to Eliza, kissing her forehead and both making sure her sheets were alright. When they were back outside, the door closed so they wouldn't wake up the little girl, she said, "Very sweet of you."
"Don't think we're forcing ourselves to do that," Beckett commented with a smile.
"Give me your robe back Julia," Castle told her.
Pretending to grumble under her breath Julia handed it to her father saying, "Night Gram."
"Night darling," Martha replied since they'd already said their goodnights before they'd left to go outside.
"I'll tuck you in," Beckett said when she then gestured her daughter to Castle.
"Oh, okay," Julia said, slightly surprised as she'd been about to hug her mother. She went to her father and hugged him saying, "Night Daddy, thanks for the walk," before she turned back to Beckett, having said goodnight to them as well.
"Night sweetie," Beckett said as she hugged her oldest.
Julia waved to her father and grandmother before they walked together over into the room she was sharing with Mari. She slipped off her shoes and then got on the empty side of the bed before letting her mother cover her. She shared a kiss with her and then watched Beckett leave before she realized that Mari's head was raised. "Did I wake you up?" she asked her.
"No, I wasn't asleep," the little girl replied. "How was it?"
"We just walked and then had to run in because it started to rain," Julia answered. "Well my mom and dad ran he was carrying me up to the hotel." She smiled when her friend laughed softly and then said, "Are you excited for tomorrow?"
"Yeah, aren't you?" Mari asked her.
"A lot, I only went to one of the islands before," Julia replied. "But you're gonna love riding around them on the ponies."
"You didn't get the gallop huh?" Mari asked her.
"No," Julia said, shaking her friend as well. "But they were so pretty it didn't matter."
"I guess not," Mari said slowly before she then smiled. "That was so cool what your mom did. And you too."
"I didn't think I could do that," Julia said in wonder. "But I'm glad I got to try that."
"Think Eliza will be able to do the same thing when she's bigger?" Mari asked her then.
"I don't know, she hopes she can," Julia replied. "But 'cause we're mom's daughters maybe we could."
"What are you more excited for, riding horses again or the wedding?" Mari asked her.
Giggling softly Julia said, "I don't know, I think I'm excited for them both. Do you care about the wedding?"
"Yeah, I remember their first one," Mari said quickly. "It was fun getting to see all the others kids and we got to walk on the beach."
"Yeah," Julia said with a smile. She sighed and then said, "Night Mari."
"Night Julia," the little girl replied.
Laying down then Julia closed her eyes, trying not to think about what they'd get to do the next day so she could sleep.
After they had said goodnight in the living room to his mother, Castle took Beckett's hand as they went out to the hallway. "Tired?" he asked her as they looked at one another while walking down to their room.
"A little, we could use a break," Beckett said, unable to help recalling the night before and their moments of lovemaking in between brief periods of dozing.
"I agree but you owe me tomorrow," Castle replied. He wasn't surprised when his wife rolled her eyes and he leaned over as they stopped, kissing her gently on the lips.
While they were walking again Beckett slipped her arm through her husband's and leaned against him before they reached their room. Going inside she pulled him after her, wanting one more kiss as soon as the door was closed.