Once she was sure her friend was set holding Josie, Beckett turned down to the sand and went to her husband saying, "Are you busy?"
"Josie?" Castle asked her. When she nodded he said to Ryan, "Let them know we're putting the baby to bed."
"We'll probably do the same with Danny soon," the detective replied with a nod. "Should we just get everyone inside?"
"Sure, but you don't need to do it right this second," Beckett said before she spotted Jenny taking Danny from Kathleen. "Or maybe you will. Come on Rick," she then said to her husband.
"Do we really have to go in?" Julia asked her big sister when she touched her shoulder and she could see a lot of the group were leaving.
"You do," Alexis replied. "But hey Skye and Paul are going to play remember?"
"Oh! I didn't tell them the songs," Julia said with a gasp before she took her sister's hand and walked with her up to the house. She said goodnight to Danny with everyone else and then hurried to do the same to Josie, saying she loved her too before the two babies were taken upstairs. She rushed with Mari over to the singer and said, "Paul."
"Yes commandant," the singer replied as he saluted.
Julia tried to be serious and started to speak before she laughed with Mari and then the other kids. When she calmed down she then said, "I know what songs you should play."
"And what are those?" Paul asked. He leaned over as Julia motioned to him and when she whispered the two titles into his ear he pulled back and said, "So secretive."
"You can't play them?" the girl asked in slight disappointment as she thought his response meant that.
"I think we can, tell Skye," Paul told her.
Nodding Julia went over to the investigator quickly and told her the titles before she said, "Can you play them?"
"I think we can, we'll have to wait for everyone else to get back though," Skye said, nodding her head.
Julia rushed over to the stairs then, to see if her parents were going to come down when she saw it was Ryan and Jenny instead.
"They're coming right now," the former said when he saw the girl.
"Is there going to be a performance?" Jenny asked.
"Yeah, I forgot about Danny," Julia said. When she saw the two looked confused she smiled and said, "You put him in Josa's room and you're at the hotel."
"We don't want him to wake up with the music," Jenny replied.
"That's why we closed the door and had Max and Molly stay outside," Beckett said as she and Castle had reached the top of the stairs and began going down them. Reaching her oldest she took her hand and they walked over to the living room where she'd been able to see everyone walking to. "Did she tell you what you're going to play?" she asked the singer and Skye.
"I didn't tell them Mom, I asked," Julia said, having let go of her mother's hand to walk over to the piano where Paul was sitting while Skye was putting on her acoustic guitar.
"What's the song?" Castle asked.
"Seems Like Old Times," Paul said. "Ready?" he directed to Skye. When she nodded he played them in before singing with the investigator very quickly after the first chord, Mary joining them on the chorus.
The other day I met someone I had known in another lifetime
Oh, puzzle pieces lost without a trace fell into place in my mind
But both knew what we were getting into
And we didn't want to stop
No, we wouldn't want to miss it
Cause it seems like old times
So like long ago that I hardly even know
Who's who anymore
What's new anymore
So like long ago that it seems like told times
Familiar music man singing me a song from another lifetime
And urgent letters waiting for the post were uppermost in my mind
But he got through and then before we knew it
We didn't want to stop
No, we wouldn't want to miss it
Didn't want to stop
No, we wouldn't want to miss it
Cause it seems like old times
So like long ago that I hardly even know
Who's who anymore
What's new anymore
So like long ago that it seems like old times
At the slight instrumental there, Beckett looked at her husband and smiled as they'd both been watching their oldest as she was watching Skye and Paul when they sang. She laughed shortly when Paul leaned playfully towards her and then seemed to speak to her. She wondered what he'd said, since it was low enough for her not to hear but for Julia to, but before she could think about that for long the two were starting to sing again.
When you reappeared and the moment I had always feared
Is upon me I felt slightly weird that's for sure
Now life is good to me though I don't see who I used to see
No, it's not quite what it used to be anymore
The other day I met someone I had known in another lifetime
Oh, puzzle pieces lost without a trace fell into place in my mind
But we both knew what we were getting into
And we didn't want to stop
No, we wouldn't want to miss it
I don't want to stop
No, I wouldn't want to miss it
Because it feels, yes 'cause it seems like old times
So like long ago that I hardly even know
Who's who anymore
What's new anymore
So like long ago that it seems like old times
Seems like old times
So like long ago that I hardly even know
Who's who anymore
What's new anymore
What's true anymore
So like long ago that it seems like old times
Paul, Skye and Mary all sang together, trailing off a little bit before they laughed and the singer shook the women's hands.
"Fantastic job," Paul said when the applause had stopped.
"That's so cool, the way you sang 'what's true anymore'," Julia couldn't help gushing as he was looking at her.
"Say the same to these two," Paul said. "They handled that very well."
"We've listened to your recording… many times," Skye said. "So, shall we move on? And are we just having you play?"
"Do you know how to play it on guitar?" Paul asked both her and Mary. He smiled at their nods and then said, "Then Skye grab your Hofner bass and Mary your acoustic."
Beckett tried that time to ask what the singer was saying to her oldest when he'd called her over but before she could Skye was strumming her Hofner that was plugged into her amp and speaking to Paul.
"Should we have them all sing the chorus?" the investigator said with a smile.
"Yeah," Paul replied. He looked back at the others and said, "If you know this you can join in, don't hold back." He turned to Skye and Mary and when they nodded he began to play the opening on the piano, startled when the two women and then Julia on the other side of him began to clap as there was on the song. He was laughing at the way Julia was laughing herself, so much so he nearly missed where the lyrics began though Skye caught him in time with a slight mistake on her Hofner and he joined her in beginning the song.
Desmond has a barrow in the market place
Molly is the singer in a band
Desmond says to Molly 'girl I like your face'
And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand
Paul motioned with his hand as rapidly as he could before the chorus started, not surprised when he heard most of the children singing, seeing Mari go to Julia as they sang together with their arms wrapped around each other's shoulders to his amusement.
Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La la how the life goes on
Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La la how the life goes on
Desmond takes a trolley to the jewelers' store
Buys a twenty-carat golden ring (golden ring)
Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door
And as he gives it to her she begins to sing (to sing)
Julia smiled as Mary was singing after Paul and Skye on two of those lines, winking at the McDouglas kids and the other twins. She shook herself then, as she and the other kids were singing the chorus together again.
Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La la how the life goes on
Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La la how the life goes on
In a couple of years they have built
A home sweet home
With a couple of kids running in the yard
Of Desmond and Molly Jones
Paul looked at Skye with a laugh as she let out a, "Ha, ha, ha," as was in the original recording of the song and he nodded to her before they continued.
Happy ever after in the marketplace
Desmond lets the children lend a hand
Molly stays at home and does her pretty face
And in the evening she still sings it with the band
Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La la how the life goes on
Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La la how the life goes on
In a couple of years they have built
A home sweet home
With a couple of kids running in the yard
Of Desmond and Molly Jones
Happy ever after in the marketplace
Desmond lets the children lend a hand
Molly stays at home and does her pretty face
And in the evening she still sings it with the band
Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La la how the life goes on
Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra
La la how the life goes on
And if you want some fun
Sing ob-la-di-bla-da
Applauding with the others Castle waited until things had quieted down before asking, "Does anyone want something to drink?"
"I need to get Mari back home," Beckett said then.
"Mom-" Julia began.
Shaking her head Beckett told her, "You know what David and Rebecca said, you're lucky they let her come over."
Pouting Julia said, "Then can I go with you at least?"
"Of course; Eliza you'll stay with your daddy, right?" Beckett asked her. She smiled when the little girl looked hesitant at first but finally nodded before she watched Julia going to everyone from the city as they were going to head back to their hotel since Tommy was starting to grow antsy because he was tired. She went to Lanie last as she said goodnight to them as well and told her, "Will you be okay tomorrow?"
"I might rest somewhere in the house if that's okay," Lanie replied. "You were so lucky."
"I know," Beckett said with a slight smile. "But you can do that if you need to, just rest and drink ginger tea if you've got it."
"She does," Dylan said as he'd been close enough to hear that. "I've been making her drink it."
"Constantly, I'm surprised I'm not swimming in it," Lanie said with an exasperated expression though she smiled soon after at her fiancé.
"We'll see you tomorrow," Beckett said, knowing she had to get Mari home so David or Rebecca wouldn't have to walk over to the house. She called a final goodbye to everyone and went outside with Julia and Mari.
"What time are you gonna come over tomorrow?" the former asked the latter.
"I dunno, I know we're going to have breakfast at home," Mari told her. "Mommy wants us to do that," she added with a smile. "I can't wait until we go to Universal."
"Me too," Julia said with a nod. "But we're going to Disney first."
"We are," Beckett said with a slight laugh as the two girls looked at her. "We'll enjoy that too."
"Will Ivy and Iris come with us?" Mari asked her.
"I really don't know for sure," Beckett replied. "I'm hoping and that they'll allow the twins to stay with Skye and Mary."
"They like them already," Julia commented.
"Have they said to you?" Beckett asked.
"Yep," Julia said simply. She then smiled and said, "They liked us, me and Mari."
"Nice to hear," Beckett said.
"Why?" Mari asked when they stopped at the end of the path down to her front door. "Fleur's closer to Eliza and she's older than the two."
"I don't know," Beckett said. She thought for a moment and said, "Maybe because of your dad, he was the second one they saw. Or else they think you're really cool."
Julia laughed, as did Mari, before she said, "What-"
"Julia," Beckett said simply.
With a fake mumble of annoyance, the girl said to her best friend, "You gotta go down to your house."
"I knew," Mari said, using an annoyed tone too before she was giggling with her friend.
"You can take her down to the door sweetie," Beckett told her oldest once the two had calmed down.
"Thanks," Julia said before she took Mari's hand and they walked down the path together. "I can't wait for tomorrow too."
"Me too, the fireworks too," Mari replied. She then asked, "Think Dani will be able to stay this year?"
"Did you ask your parents?" Julia said, surprised she was saying that to her.
"No, I just thought of it," Mari said. "I guess she'll find out tomorrow."
Julia nodded and then said when they were nearer the door, "Thanks so much for coming with me to the station."
"You're welcome, I knew I wasn't gonna get in trouble," Mari said. She laughed when her friend playfully pushed her and said, "I'm glad you didn't get in trouble either, I want you to go on the trip too. I want to see the capitol with you."
Julia nodded rapidly and said, "Me too, it's so nice there. And the museums are awesome." She glanced at the window she was by on one side of the door and said, "Your dad's there."
"Yeah, I gotta go in," Mari said with a sigh. She then hugged her friend as tightly as she could saying, "You're a really interesting person; that's why Ivy and Iris want to be your friend. I did too."
Wanting to say that her best friend was too, Julia was startled when she only had a second to respond to Mari's hug before the girl was letting her go, saying goodnight and disappearing inside her home when her father opened the door. She smiled, feeling her cheeks were a little hot, before she turned and made her way back up to her mother hoping at the same she wouldn't ask what they'd talked about in front of the door.
"You had fun with their second song, didn't you?" Beckett asked her daughter; having been able to hear the girls' conversation and getting the feeling Julia didn't want to discuss it. She took her hand before they started to walk back to their house, watching her daughter at the same time.
"Yep," Julia said. She looked up at her mother and said, "What?" a little startled at the way she was smiling at her.
"You don't remember?" Beckett asked. When she saw her daughter obviously didn't she smiled and said, "A long time ago when you were just four we listened to Ob-la-di Ob-la-da for the first time. You had-"
"I remember now," Julia said with a giggle. "That was a lot of fun."
"It was," Beckett replied with a nod. "I'm glad you picked the song."
"Me too," Julia replied.
Beckett squeezed her daughter's hand firmly before they walked through the door in the wall around the house. She was still thinking about that memory; not surprised Julia had forgotten it as it had been only a few weeks after she had taken the little girl home as her daughter officially. She and Julia had been alone again and it had been a wonderful night, one of those she looked back on fondly in her early days as a new mother.
"So, what would you like to do now sweetie?" Beckett asked as she set down the picture her daughter had colored while she'd cleaned up their dinner. She smiled when Julia didn't reply, instead climbed up on the couch next to her before getting onto her lap. "Sleep?"
"No Mommy," Julia said, pouting her lips at her mother. She giggled when her mother tickled her sides gently and she then said, "Can we listen to music?"
"Of course," Beckett said as she took her phone from the table next to the couch. She opened her music playlist she had for her daughter there and let her have the phone before she waited for her to pick something. She knew it would be a random choice, since the little girl couldn't read, and she waited to hear what it would be.
Squealing as the song started, Julia clambered down from her mother's lap and went in front of the coffee table, starting to dance to The Beatles song.
Beckett was smiling widely at the way her daughter was so happy as she was moving to the upbeat tempo of the music before Julia was suddenly hurrying over to her. "What-" she began as her daughter was pulling at her arm.
"Dance with me Mommy!" Julia said eagerly. "Please?"
For a moment Beckett hesitated before she stood, pushing aside her worry that the little girl's birth mother had done that with her. For some reason, she didn't think she had and she wanted to give Julia that memory herself. So she began to dance with her daughter, not letting herself think about how she was exactly as she knew it would embarrass her. She was able to do that in the end and when the song shortly after finished she picked Julia up, hugging her tightly as they laughed together.
"That was fun!" the little girl said happily. She then hugged her back before saying, "Now we can dance again."
"Why don't I let you dance sweetie?" Beckett asked her with a smile before she set her down. "I don't really dance that much."
"Kay," Julia said.
Beckett was startled when her daughter walked over to her and she asked, "You don't want to dance anymore?"
Shaking her head Julia then asked, "Can we still listen to music?"
"Of course," Beckett said, not touching her phone as it was still playing on her speaker system in the apartment. She took Julia back onto her lap again and let her cuddle close before she started to caress her hair. She did that for a while before she felt her daughter's arms twine around her neck. About to ask what was wrong she was startled when Julia spoke but hearing her question she started to smile instead as the inquiry was not a surprise.
"Desserts?" Julia said.
Laughing briefly Beckett kissed her daughter's forehead and said, "Yes we can have dessert. It's a special one, I made it with your grandmama and grandpapa when I was little."
"What is it?" Julia asked eagerly once she heard that.
Beckett smiled at the little girl but didn't say anything, instead she went over to the kitchen with her before taking out some popcorn kernels and cinnamon and sugar. She went to the stove by the couch and started to pop the kernels as Julia watched eagerly. "Now," she said when they had a good amount in the bowl she'd used. "We need to get the toppings on it."
"How do you make them stick?" Julia asked, going with her back to the kitchen. She watched with wide eyes as her mother put a little butter into the popcorn and then had her shake the cinnamon and sugar into a little bowl before she mixed it up.
"Okay, try it and see what you think," Beckett told her daughter with a smile.
Taking a kernel Julia popped it into her mouth and chewed it before she smiled at her mother with a nod. "It's good Mommy."
"Good, should we watch a movie or do you want to still listen to music?" Beckett asked, taking the bowl and going over to the couch with her daughter.
"Music," Julia said. She climbed up onto the couch and sat back on her mother's lap, leaning against her before she asked her about what they'd do the next day.
Leaning down slightly Beckett pressed a kiss to her forehead before she discussed with Julia what they would want to do together on Saturday as the music continued to play in the apartment.
"Hey Castle," Beckett said with a smile once he'd answered his phone.
"Hey, I thought you would text," Castle said.
"If you want me to hang up and do that I can," Beckett replied, still smiling.
"Oh… why bother, you already have me," Castle commented. "I didn't mean that in a dirty way."
"I didn't take it that way," Beckett said.
"Julia's asleep?" Castle asked.
"Yeah, she had… a lot of energy," Beckett answered.
"Kids always do," Castle said knowingly. "But at least you got her to bed."
"Because she fell asleep," Beckett explained. She smiled and then said, "But at least she did in the end."
"What did you do with her today?" Castle asked.
Beckett quickly went over what she and her daughter had done, ending with Julia's bath and her trying to get the little girl to sleep by reading to her. She left out her and Julia dancing together, slightly embarrassed by that and not knowing what his reaction would be.
"Sounds like you had fun," Castle replied. "How are you doing?"
"I'm good," Beckett said, knowing he was referencing her motherhood. "I'm getting more and more used to it. And I do love Julia," she finished with a smile.
"Is there a chance I could see you next week some time?" Castle blurted out.
"Of course, you can come with us tomorrow," Beckett said.
"With you where?" Castle asked.
"With us to the park by my place," Beckett said. "And for a picnic."
"Why don't you come over for dinner at my place later; stay the night?" Castle replied as he wasn't sure he wanted to break into the planned mother-daughter time.
"Where's Alexis?" Beckett asked him.
"She'll be here," Castle replied. "Mother's going out though, so it'll be just the four of us."
"Okay," Beckett said with a smile. "I'll bring some games for after," she added, knowing her boyfriend would want them to stay longer after the meal.
"Stay the night?" Castle asked.
Hearing the hopeful tone in his voice, Beckett wanted to say yes immediately as she felt a sudden yearning to be with him though they hadn't been intimate yet since the events in Queens. "I would love that but let me ask Julia if she would want to okay?" she asked her boyfriend.
"Of course," Castle said, hoping the little girl would want to spend the night with Alexis. He was going to speak when he heard his girlfriend yawning and he said with a smile, "Tired?"
"Very, I need to get some sleep," Beckett said with a sigh. "We'll talk longer tomorrow."
"Sure, you're going to need some energy," Castle told her reassuringly. "Let me know when you're on your way over to the park."
"I will," Beckett said.
"Night Beckett, I love you," Castle told her gently.
"I love you too Castle, night," Beckett replied quickly before they hung up. With her phone on her nightstand she turned and then laid on her back, looking up at the ceiling as she thought of the next day. Deciding very shortly after that thinking about it wasn't really going to do anything she pulled her bedsheet over herself and then closed her eyes to sleep. She couldn't help the slight smile on her face as she found herself eager to see Castle as much as she was at spending more time with her daughter while she fell asleep with the plans for the next day running through her mind.
"Sweet dreams Josie," Beckett told the baby as she pressed her lips to the top of her head. It was later that night and she and Castle were nearly ready for bed though they'd had to pause because the baby had started to cry. She'd nursed Josie and was just kissing her goodnight as she'd handed the baby to her husband before then.
"She'll be fine now right?" Castle asked her.
"She will," Beckett said. "Put her into bed," she said, nodding to their baby.
Nodding Castle turned his attention to Josie and pressed his lips to her forehead gently since she was already asleep. He murmured that he loved her; as Beckett had before; and then placed her carefully in the crib before he and his wife leaned against the side, watching Josie for a little longer until she touched his arm.
Beckett took her husband's hand once he moved away from the crib and they walked together to Eliza and after Julia, checking on the girls and everyone else in the rooms. When they were inside their room she went straight to the bathroom to brush her teeth which she'd been about to do when Josie had started to cry.
Castle, as he'd been about to do the same himself, followed her and finished first, leaning against the counter as she brushed her hair. When she glanced at him he smiled and then said, "What're you thinking?"
Smiling, as she wasn't surprised he'd been able to figure that out, Beckett told him about the memory she'd been thinking of when she and Julia had walked home.
"Why did you never tell me that?" Castle asked in surprise.
"I was embarrassed, like I just told you," Beckett reminded him. She then went to him and kissed his cheek saying, "We've danced before too remember."
"True…" Castle said before he watched her walk past him to the bedroom. He was quick to follow her before he said, "Crazy day."
"It was," Beckett said with a sigh. "And we have a busy one tomorrow."
"We do," Castle commented as he climbed onto the bed at the same time as her. "What about Josie?"
"She'll be alright," Beckett said as she looked at him. She was surprised when her husband put on his glasses and she asked, "Going to read?"
"No, just…" Castle started to say before he hesitated.
"Rick," Beckett said slightly uncomfortably. "Did you want to make love? I'm kind of tired."
"No, no," Castle said quickly. "I am too, I'd like to just do this."
Beckett wasn't really surprised when her husband leaned over to her and then kissed her, she knew he'd warmed up to the idea of keeping his glasses on for some form of their intimacy. She was pleased, as she found it either enjoyable or arousing depending on what they were doing, so she kissed him back even harder. When they finally calmed down they slowly parted and she said, "When did you pull me onto your lap?" as she realized that was where she was.
"I don't know," Castle said slightly laughingly. He then watched her lean against him, her knees bending so she was literally curled up in his arms. "We did this before," he said suddenly as he felt an intense sense of déjà vu.
"Oh?" Beckett asked with a smile, glancing up at him.
"Yeah and we were almost exactly the same too," Castle said, rubbing his hand up and down her arm.
"What was different?" Beckett said.
"You had a nightgown on," Castle told her simply.
With another smile Beckett kept that brief before she was kissing her husband tenderly saying, "Tell me."
Pressing his lips to her forehead Castle then told Beckett what he had seen, knowing instinctively she was recalling it as well.
"Are you tired love?" Rick asked his wife as she walked around their bed to her side.
"Extremely, Josephine was a problem if you weren't there with me," Kate said wryly.
Reaching for his wife's hand, Rick held it as she climbed on the bed and told her, "Then we'll sleep."
"Right away?" Kate asked him.
"You don't want to?" Rick asked.
"Don't," Kate said quickly, reaching for her husband's hand that was about to take off his spectacles. She wasn't surprised when he looked at her with a startled expression on his face and she smiled before leaning over. A second later he was pulling her onto his lap and she let out a soft cry of surprise before their arms were around each other and they were kissing passionately.
"That's about it," Castle replied.
"We didn't make love then," Beckett stated instead of asking.
"No, we were tired and more so by the time we made ourselves stop," Castle said. He then smiled and said, "I aroused you easily."
"You were good looking then," Beckett replied.
"Not handsome?" Castle asked.
Beckett smirked and leaned over to brush her lips against his before telling him, "Oh you were. And now before you ask."
"Don't sound so certain of yourself," Castle told her teasingly as she had exaggerated her voice. He smiled when she laughed and said, "You didn't ask when that was."
"I already knew; November of 1935," Beckett said simply. "We still wanted each other."
"Needed each other," Castle said, nodding his head rapidly.
Beckett laughed and then said, "Fine. But it's nice to know we managed not to paw at each other every night."
"We weren't doing that then?" Castle pointed out to her. When she gave him a look he couldn't help himself, leaning over and kissing her tenderly. After he made himself stop he didn't pull away fully, instead brushing his lips against hers as he said, "We never see ourselves in the fifties."
"Do you want to?" Beckett asked him.
"I would," Castle replied. "But I can't really…"
"I can," Beckett replied, brushing her lips across his. With him rubbing her arm she then started her story saying, "It was 1952 and we were out in the garden… it was spring; April; we were planting."
"I think that's enough," Rick said to his wife as they stopped and looked at the boxes where their vegetable seeds were planted. "Should be a nice harvest this year."
"It should," Kate said. "Hopefully Josephine will eat them."
"Hopefully," Rick said with a nod.
"Wait, Josie there was twenty-two," Castle said abruptly.
"She had a job in town and lived with us," Beckett said as that came to her suddenly.
"Did she have any boyfriends?" Castle asked.
"I… don't think so," Beckett said slowly. She shook her head and said, "I have no clue who any of our kids end up with there."
Thinking himself Castle said, "Yeah, I don't see it either. But go ahead and keep going."
Beckett smiled but before she continued the memory she leaned over and kissed him, not surprised when he was responding rapidly. She moaned gently at the way he held her, even that pleasuring her, before she felt his tongue slipping into her mouth. She welcomed it and they started to playfully fight together before they slowed down and then eventually parted. "Hmm, we needed to clean up, so we did."
"We made love there?" Castle asked her.
"In the tub," Beckett said with a smile. "And after that we were… sitting on the sun porch when we saw our youngest come home."
"Hey there kiddo," Rick called to the young woman.
"Hello Ma, Da," Josephine said with a smile.
"You have a spring to your step," Kate said, standing up so they could greet her.
"I have some new fabric, I want to make myself a new skirt and blouse," Josephine replied.
"For work?" Rick asked
"You know I have to wear something more somber Da," Josephine replied. "Look," she told her parents before showing them the fabric she'd gotten which was a blue and white plaid. "I bought some piping Ma, in black, just for above the hem of the skirt a bit."
"It sounds wonderful," Kate said. "But that's an awfully big bag."
"This was Da's idea," Josephine said with a smile as she pulled out another bit of fabric.
"I saw it before and had to get it for you," Rick replied.
"Really? Just the fabric? Show me the picture you mug," Kate said teasingly.
"Let's go inside," Rick told her.
"Right, you probably need something to drink," Kate said suddenly to their daughter, pulling her after them both.
"I could use some tea Ma," Josephine admitted. "But it's alright." She wasn't surprised when her mother went straight to the kitchen. While Kate was getting the tea, she went to the door out to the back and looking at the garden saw that the earth in the garden boxes was turned. "You planted?" she asked.
"We did, a lot of fun after the rain," Rick said. "Of course, I'm sure it'll rain again soon."
"Of course," Josephine echoed.
"Here," Kate said, pouring out a cup of tea for Josephine. "Now show me Rick."
Nodding he went over to a drawer where their new telephone was, pulling out a magazine their daughters had shown him earlier that week at their usual Sunday dinner together.
"How old were they then?" Beckett asked her husband.
Smiling, as he knew his wife was aware of that, Castle said, "Well, Julia was thirty which was… amazing." He trailed off and then said in an annoyed tone, "Why can't we see who they're with?"
"Because it hasn't happened now yet?" Beckett suggested. "We couldn't see Josie in that until after we knew she was a girl and then didn't know her name until after she was born. Even then we can't see her unless it's the age she is right now."
With a quick nod Castle then said, "So Eliza was twenty-five and Alexis twenty-four."
"They were all grown… up," Beckett said slowly. "Why don't we move on now?"
"Well, is there anything left of that memory?" Castle asked interestedly.
With a smile Beckett said, "The dress was two different colors with a floral pattern in one color, a border design. The fabrics you got for me for that were white and cerulean blue; it was for summer."
"You looked stunning," Castle said quickly. "And Josie too in her outfit; I keep forgetting there weren't just poodle skirts."
"No there weren't," Beckett said with a smile. "So, I've said something, now your turn."
"Does it need to be earlier?" Castle asked.
"That would be nice but why don't we try something better," Beckett started to say. She let out a short cry in surprise when her husband suddenly kissed her, crushing her lips beneath his. She held onto him tightly before he was pulling away from her slowly. "A happier day and the girls were twenty-three, eighteen, seventeen and fifteen."
"1945," Castle said before he paused. "Wasn't I supposed to say it?"
"I can," Beckett told him simply.
"Is it V-J Day?" Castle asked her.
"It is," Beckett replied with a smile. "Since it was in August everyone was home."
"What about Julia? Wasn't she still with WASPs?" Castle asked.
"She was honorably discharged a week before," Beckett said when that came to her. "She was home too."
"I know it already," Castle commented.
"Do you still want me to tell you?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"Of course," Castle said.
Beckett wasn't surprised when they came together in a kiss but was a bit when they were ending it shortly after. She smiled again and brushed her lips against his before saying, "We had eaten lunch around the radio as we knew that things were wrapping up with Japan and we were hoping the war would be over completely soon. All of us but Josie were in the kitchen though when it happened," her smile returning as her husband nodded in complete understanding before she continued.
"Ma! Ma!" Josephine cried out, running to the doorway between the kitchen and dining room.
"What is it?" Kate asked, tossing the towel she'd used to dry off her hands to the counter.
"They said there's a bulletin," Josephine said before running back to the living room.
"This might be it," Rick said as he, his wife and their three oldest daughters rushed after the youngest girl. He wrapped his arm around Kate as they watched the radio, waiting for the announcer to speak again.
"We have from Army officials that Japanese Emperor Hirohito has announced to the people of Japan that the Potsdam Declaration will be accepted soon. The war in the Pacific is over, repeat, the war is over," the man announced.
The family cried out together before Rick grabbed his wife and embraced her tightly as he kissed her deeply while their daughters were hugging each other in their joy. As soon as Rick and Kate had pulled away from one another they turned their attention to their daughters, embracing them warmly.
"Does this mean we won't have to ration anymore?" Josephine asked once they'd calmed down.
Laughing with the others Kate said, "We still need to I think. But give it time and we'll have rubber for our cars and petroleum too."
"And food!" Josephine exclaimed.
"What's that?" Julia asked them as a noise suddenly reached them.
"I think everyone's going out to the street," Rick said as he went over to the window, looking outside.
"Let's go too," Alexandra said eagerly.
Heading out after their daughters, Kate held her husband's hand as they walked down to the street and watched Alexandra and Josephine run down to see their friends. "Look," she said in surprise, seeing a familiar car approaching.
"It's Brad with Lily and their kids," Rick said.
"They have Mari!" Julia exclaimed.
When the Dunhams got out of the car, with Julia's WASPs friend Mari, the group joined in the celebration on their street that turned into an impromptu barbeque. There were many toasts made to the sailors, soldiers and pilots that had fought through the entire war and a deep sense of relief was felt by everyone since they knew peace had returned again.
"Nice," Castle said when his wife stopped. He then thought of something and said, "What about the riots in the city that happened after that?"
"We heard about it on the radio and stayed well away from the city," Beckett replied as she thought for a moment. "But you only heard about the details from Brad when he and Lily went back to the city."
"That makes sense, there wasn't much attention given to what was done," Castle said. He sighed and shook his head saying, "But that's a horrible end to that memory." He took off his glasses and leaned over to set them onto his nightstand before he said, "Should we sleep?"
"You're done?" Beckett asked him in amusement.
"No but I'm thinking of tomorrow," Castle replied.
"True," Beckett said. She reluctantly got off her husband's lap and told him, "We made love that night."
"Of course we did," Castle said. "Had to celebrate on our own too."
Beckett smiled as she waited for him to lay down before she moved to lay on her side, pressing against him before she said, "I can see it."
"See what?" Castle replied, looking down at her.
"You have another question," Beckett said.
"No, not a question," Castle told her quickly. "I just wanted to tell you I heard what Espo asked you while the kids were playing."
"Yeah, I was kind of waiting for that," Beckett said. She then smiled and told him, "I was serious, I do prefer to be here now. Not just because it's easier to keep the girls safe but because it's…"
Castle gently ran his fingers through her hair, watching her trying to figure out what word she wanted to use. "More peaceful?" he suggested.
Beckett glanced at him and then said, "No, not that. I guess it makes me feel closer to what I felt like when I was a kid. Which is weird, I know, since we grew up in apartments. Also, I'm sure we would have had that at the loft, so I don't know why I said that."
"Did your parents ever think of getting a house when you were a kid?" Castle asked.
"We nearly moved into a brownstone, but the rent went up just before my parents put a down payment on it so…" Beckett said with a shrug. "Really though you know it doesn't matter where we are."
"I agree," Castle said. "I just hope he'll understand why we're likely not going to go back permanently."
"He does," Beckett said quickly. "But I get the feeling he's still hoping."
Castle merely nodded and gently pulled his wife to him so he could press his lips to her forehead before he said, "Are we ready for the new guests?"
"We are," Beckett said, smiling as she recalled the message Skye had given her. The rest of the O'Dells band were going to be arriving the next day and Paul had let them know as well that Ringo and Barbara were going to join them for sure. "They're going to freak out."
"Freak out?" Castle said with a slight laugh.
Beckett moved to lay on her stomach and she propped her head on her palm before saying, "You know what I mean."
"I do… think we can get some drums out there?" Castle asked.
"Of course, you heard Brad when we told him," Beckett said in amusement. They knew the chief played the drums but only causally; her husband had known since they had met as kids; and as he had a set they had asked if he would lend it to Ringo. She smiled as she thought of Brad's reaction and said, "We might get the attention of the others."
"Noise complaint?" Castle replied, trying to fight his smile as he'd been watching her.
"Noise- no, not that," Beckett said with a slight frown, pinching the end of his shoulder lightly. "Not when we have the chief of police there."
"Abuse of power again love," Castle told her before he smiled as she rolled her eyes. He gently rubbed her back and told her, "Should we spend time with the girls once everyone's gone?"
"Skye might be here still," Beckett reminded him. "Though she was talking about getting a hotel for them to stay in."
"They don't need to," Castle said quickly. "Tell them."
"You can too," Beckett said with a smile. She then leaned down and kissed him tenderly before she started to move away. When he held onto her she wasn't surprised and took his kiss to her, very shortly after fighting with her husband's tongue as it slipped into her mouth. She didn't know how long they spent kissing one another but as before it delved into many and lasted for a time. She stopped them and said apologetically, "I'm getting uncomfortable," in explanation.
With a nod Castle helped his wife lay down and then told her, "I love you Kate."
"I love you too Rick," Beckett replied, smiling as she pressed her cheek to his shoulder. "Promise me something?"
"Of course," Castle said, looking down at her.
"That we'll try not to run to bed after our girls are in bed," Beckett said. She couldn't help smiling when her husband's eyes widened, and she said, "I'm serious, I get the feeling we'd end up doing that."
Trying to open his mouth, Castle stopped himself before he did that fully and looked thoughtful as he said, "What gave me away?"
"The way you were holding me," Beckett with a smile.
"You know you were squeezing my arms, right?" Castle asked.
"At some point we need to rest," Beckett said with a slight laugh as she had felt some stirrings of arousal while they'd been kissing. "And that will be now."
"Alright," Castle said before he moved so he could brush his lips to hers. "Night love," he said.
"Night Rick," Beckett said, brushing her lips against his jaw. Once she was settled back down against his side she closed her eyes and smiled as he began to stroke her hair. Before that moment she had been thinking of their celebration the next day; since they'd been talking about it. But with his touch her last thoughts before she fell asleep completely were of her husband and what they could do with nothing but their summer coming up for them and their family, looking forward to that as considerably as she knew Castle was too.