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: It was great getting the feedback for the last two chapters, so I'll go ahead and get to my thank yous for that! Mb (Great that you though the first half of the chapter was fantastic. And I looked into it and there's an idea for a Harry Potter hotel, but I doubt it would get built because there's no space by the theme parks to build it. But yeah, Universal Orlando looks like a great resort so not surprised you'd like to visit it if you go back. It was nice that you loved how Julia was excited with being the expert there, lol. Also, that she was helping Eliza and then being encouraged by the rest of the family to take the lead. Really happy you thought the chapter was fun, I definitely tried! And I'm really pleased at your reaction to my imagination for the rooms, lol, and great you'd stay at the hotel I invented, I would too. I was happy to see you thought the first half was awesome and you're welcome for it too! It was nice to see you thought the second half was fantastic too. I'm glad you think they're having a fantastic time all together as I wanted it to read that way, lol. Great you thought the food sounded amazing since it took me a bit to get the right dishes, lol. And I had to laugh at you saying you were impressed they waited until the end to ask about dessert, but I figured they knew from their past buffets by now, lol. So happy you think Stella wanting Beckett and Skye to do print modeling for her was fantastic, I'd been wondering at reactions to that. I wasn't surprised that you could fell that Castle and Beckett wanted to be together. And I'm pleased that you thought though it was quick, hot and fast it was and will always be loving between them as you put it. You're welcome for the second half!) and
TORONTOSUN (I was really happy that you liked how everyone was experiencing different foods and drinks at the park, I had fun doing that. Oh, and great you thought it added to the story!).
Thanks so much for the reviews, loved reading them and I appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!
A/N #2: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song I'm Partial to Your Abracadabra written by Ian Drury and Chaz Jenkel, the version I've taken from is sung by Paul McCartney from the tribute album called Brand New Boots & Panties.
Partial To Your Abracadabra
"What's on your mind love?" Castle asked his wife.
Glancing at him Beckett said with a slight smile, "I'm not surprised you noticed. Why did you hyphenate her last name?"
"Because though you didn't have that official when I adopted her… or when Eliza and Josie were born that is their last name," Castle told her as they'd been watching their two older daughters walking together, able to see their last names above the numbers on their Quidditch robes. It was the day after their first one at Universal Studios and they were walking through Islands of Adventure to make their way to Hogsmeade first thing in the morning. He looked at her and said, "Is it weird if I say I wanted to make sure your last name was passed down too?"
"No," Beckett said, speaking in Irish as well. She became thoughtful for a moment before she said, "You've been thinking of asking me about changing their last names so they are hyphenated, aren't you?"
"Yes," Castle said slowly as he looked at her. "But we should talk about that later I think."
"We can if that's alright with you," Beckett told her husband. When he opened his mouth to speak she squeezed his hand and told him, "We'll talk about it later, when we're back at home and can do it."
"Perfect," Castle told her seriously. He then thought of something and said, "I know you're thinking of Mother; she won't mind, she'll be surprised we haven't done this already."
"Thank you," Beckett said softly as she smiled. She brushed her lips against his cheek quickly before they needed to turn their attention to their daughters who were hurrying back to them and talking at the same time excitedly and rapidly.
"We're still working on the spells, right?" Julia asked the once they were close enough.
"Yeah," Castle said when he saw David waving to them as they'd spread out suddenly.
"Skye and Mary suggested we spend this last day at amusement parks separate," the mayor said.
"Sounds good to me," Castle commented before he looked down at Julia.
"What?" the girl asked in surprise.
"Would you mind if we did that?" Beckett asked, not surprised when her daughter swiftly nodded her head before she'd even finished speaking. "Then we're splitting up; you're not going over to Hogsmeade first?"
"Also, are we meeting for meals?" Castle added swiftly before his friend could speak.
"Yes and no," David said, giving him a brief puzzled look. He then said, "We'll spend tomorrow at Volcano Bay. Have fun."
"Tell Mari to have fun too," Julia said quickly.
"And Dani!" Eliza said as David was walking away from them.
"I thought they were all going to Hogsmeade," Jim commented while they watched the others splitting up as they were at the end of the lake in the middle of the park.
"So did I," Beckett said since the Davises and McCulloughs were heading to the left away from that area. She shook her head and said, "We better go, that way we can…" before trailing off as she looked at her stepdaughter.
"Do you not want me to go with you?" Alexis asked in amusement.
"I think it's more we're surprised you're sticking with us kiddo," Martha said.
"Believe me, I want to spend time with you," Alexis said firmly. "What're we going to do first?"
Julia laughed with her little sister; as they knew their big sister was aware of where they were going already; and she went to her with Eliza, taking her hands. "You'll still see us, right?" she asked as they were continuing to Hogsmeade.
"You mean when I move in with Louis?" Alexis asked. Seeing both her sisters were nodding she said, "Of course, I'm basically down the street you know. We'll walk or ride our bikes."
"No surprise there," Castle commented from behind. He smiled when his oldest turned to him and said, "I'm glad you'll do that."
Looking back ahead at the arch they were approaching Julia suddenly said, "Wait! The map!"
"I have it," Beckett said quickly while she was handing it over to her oldest. "Don't forget I have pockets."
"I won't," Julia said with a smile as she and her sister were wearing their Quidditch robes. She studied it and said, "We're going to Zonko's first."
"You are," Eliza said.
"I don't have to," Julia told her little sister.
"Yeah, you're the best witch," Eliza said firmly.
"Go ahead," Beckett told the girl with a smile when Julia looked back at them.
Stepping up to the marker for the spell, Julia smiled at the colorful display and took her wand from her mother; who'd held it too; and pointed it before she said, "Incendio." She smiled and watched as rockets appeared and there were small popping noises before she turned to Eliza so she would go next for sure.
"What's next?" Jim asked Julia with a smile as she came over to where he and Martha were with Josie.
"McHavelock's, we're gonna cast Arresto Momentum," the girl replied. She smiled at her grandparents and then said seriously, "Are you gonna stay with us this time?"
"Let me see the map?" Martha said, glancing over as her daughter in law was casting the spell. She studied what there was and said, "I think it's a small enough area we can stick together."
"We're gonna go on the other rides in the park," Julia said.
"How did you get that map so quickly?" Jim asked in surprise when he saw the park map in her hands.
Smiling up at him Julia said, "It was with Josa. But there are so many rides here to try out."
"I'm surprised you didn't go yesterday," Martha commented, switching maps with her.
"There are water rides, are you guys gonna go on those?" Eliza asked as Castle had gone and they were gathering around the stroller.
"I will," Jim said.
"The tamer rides I'll attempt," Martha said firmly.
"That green roller coaster is the Hulk one; you wouldn't want to go?" Alexis asked her grandmother.
"What's so funny?" Eliza asked as everyone else but Josie was laughing as Martha gave a heavy, mock suffering sigh.
"Let's head to the next spell," Beckett said, smiling at her mother in law before they started to walk.
"I was on an episode of the Incredible Hulk show," Martha told her granddaughter as they walked together.
"There was a show?" Eliza asked in surprise.
"Yes, but it was a very long time ago," Martha replied.
"But you were perfect in it Gram," Eliza said firmly.
"Why, thank you kiddo," Martha said.
"We're here," Castle said to the two as they were stopping in front of a window.
"Do you remember Gram's show Daddy?" Eliza asked him, going to him to take his hand.
"Slightly," Castle said.
"Watching it?" Beckett asked her husband as she wasn't aware he remembered watching it on TV when it had aired.
"He was with me on the set," Martha said before her son could say anything. "I had to take him, my brother and sister in law couldn't watch him. He was with me where we were filming but again he was young."
"I behaved, Hulk scared… he scared me," Castle said before he turned his attention to Julia. "Go ahead," he called to her as he knew she was waiting to cast the spell in front of her.
Though she wanted to ask her father about that Julia turned to the cauldron that was above though she wasn't pointing her wand that high. "Arresto Momentum," she said, smiling when the water that had been going into the cauldron stopped. She went to her grandparents and said, "You can use my wand this time Grandpapa."
"Of course," Jim said, taking it from her. "How do your robes feel?"
"Really nice," Julia said eagerly before they paused to watch the others go. "You can get some Hufflepuff ones."
Laughing slightly Jim shook his head and stepped up to the marker before he waved Julia's wand and the water stopped again. Handing it back to her he was surprised for a moment when she shook her head and he told her, "Remind me I have your wand."
"I will," Julia replied with a soft laugh before she took his hand and brought him with her as she led him to the next spell. She took her wand from him and once it was her turn she waved it in the R motion saying, "Revelio."
"Ooh, I want a chocolate frog," Eliza said eagerly when her sister caused the lid of the large chocolate frog box to raise, revealing one of the candies inside.
"We'll go inside later," Beckett told her gently as they were in front of Honeydukes. "And we'll be sending everything we get to the room."
"Are we taking it to DC with us?" Julia asked hopefully while her sisters were taking their turns.
"We will, but not everything," Castle said. "Plus, there isn't much that we haven't tried in Japan already."
Beckett smiled when Julia nodded before she stepped forward to perform the spell rapidly and then said, "But we should think of what we'll do after this."
"Me?" the girl asked in surprise. When her mother nodded she thought for a moment, recalling what she'd seen on the map of the park before she hurried over to look at it again. "Well," she started to say before her father was handing her the spells map. Julia smiled at her family since they were looking at her, and she said, "This way," before walking to the 'store' called Dogweed and Deathcap before she stood in front of the window filled with different plants.
Castle shared a look with his wife as Julia said, "Herbivicus," almost nonchalantly, stepping aside before she really saw the flower in front of her growing more petals. "Are you alright?" he asked their daughter as he grabbed her before she passed them.
"I'm trying to see where we should go next," Julia said hurriedly. "Look, the Dr. Seuss place is for young kids, right?" she asked her parents.
"It is, so after lunch?" Castle asked.
"Yeah," Julia said. "We talked about it and we want to go on the Hogwarts Express and then come right back. 'lexis said she'd take us if you don't want to go."
"Alright," Beckett said, smiling at how serious she was. "What can we do now?"
"The rides here?" Castle suggested. He was taken aback when she shook her head and he asked, "You're tired of Harry Potter already?" in a mock startled tone.
Rolling her eyes; though she smiled at her father soon after; Julia told him, "I'd like to try the other rides first. If we have time it'd be cool to go on those later."
"We'll have the chance," Beckett assured her.
"Okay, then there's The Lost Continent down from us but it doesn't sound like there's rides," Julia said.
"Poseidon's Fury looks interesting," Castle said.
Studying the map that Julia had handed over for them to see, Beckett said, "For after dinner I think."
Nodding the girl then said, "So I think we should go around past the castle and try the Jurassic Park part," watching her parents closely to see what their reactions would be.
"Is she tall enough for that ride?" Castle asked his wife since she was looking at the map.
"By one inch," Beckett said. "But I'd like her to be a little older before she tries that one," she added with a smile as Eliza came over to them. "Our turn?" she asked the little girl. When their daughter nodded rapidly she smiled and went with Castle to take their turns before Martha was going last, using Eliza's wand.
"Great job," Julia told her little sister. They slung their arms around each other and walked to the next spell which she'd seen already. "Why don't you go first?" she asked her, standing in front of the window for Gladrags Wizardwear.
"You're the Seeker," Eliza said with a wide smile. "And I get to go right after."
Since her sister wasn't complaining, Julia nodded and stepped up to the first spell saying, "Descendo," to make a measuring tape lower in the window. She stepped to the side and waved her wand yet again saying, "Ascendio," to make the tape rise again. While the rest of her family was taking their turns, she hurried to her littlest sister and kissed her forehead saying, "Want to hold my wand?" Hearing Josie gurgling, she took that as a yes and carefully wrapped her sister's tiny hand around the handle of her wand, making sure it was well away from any other part of her body as she helped her make the sign for Descendo. "Good job," she said, taking the wand away and brushing her lips to her forehead.
Watching Josie as the baby smiled and moved her legs a little hard, Beckett smiled and said, "I know what you're going to say next."
Looking up at her Julia said, knowing her eyes were wide, "Sorry?"
"No, it's alright," Beckett said. "You knew to keep the wand away from her eyes and mouth."
"Well… yeah," Julia said. She then giggled and said, "She liked it," as the baby was smiling again.
"I think she did, now we need to know what's the next spell," Beckett told her.
"Oh! This way!" Julia said happily, going over to Madam Puddifoot's. "Here's where Harry had his date with Cho Chang," she said to the others. "But it wasn't very good 'cause she was always thinking of Cedric who Wormtail killed. And then he told her he had to go see Hermione and she got jealous."
"Hmm, I can see what you might not like her kiddo," Martha said, keeping her tone serious though she wanted to smile at how somber her granddaughter was. "But does the spell have to do with that?"
"Nope," Julia said before she twirled around; so her Quidditch robes would swirl around her; and raised her wand. "Locomotor Snowman," she intoned before she watched as the snowman topper to the cake in front of her skated around the top, smiling as Eliza squealed in joy at the sight of it.
When they had finished with that spell Alexis said, "Are we going to that King Kong land?"
"Oh, yeah but Jurassic Park's first," Julia said. "Funny they don't have the ride's name the same as in Japan. And Hollywood."
Castle was about to speak when the girl was turning to the window and incanting, "Locomotor," which set off the music box there. Once she'd said, "Arresto Momentum," to stop it he said, "Sometimes they like to make things different."
"I thought so," Julia said, leaning against him.
Pretending to jump Castle said, "So you're the reverse pickpocket," in amusement since she'd slipped her wand into his pocket.
"Thanks Dad!" Julia cried out before she went to Josie to play with her until they were going to the bookstore. In the window of Tomes and Scrolls she said firmly and swiftly, "Alohomora," to open the book of Tales of Beedle the Bard.
"Is this the last spell?" Beckett asked, looking at the map once they were on the move again.
"Yeah," Julia said. "Am I first again?" When the others just looked at her, smiling, she laughed and then stood in front of the window there saying, "Wingardium Leviosa," setting the quaffle and bludgers raising and lowering in the box they were in.
Going last, as the girls had insisted he and Martha take part in the last spell, Jim then asked, "Are we ready for Jurassic Park?"
"I am!" Eliza said. "What's the ride?"
"Jurassic Park River Adventure," Beckett said. She squeezed her shoulder and said, "But sweetie it's the same ride in Japan; just a different name."
"Kay, but I wanna go on a ride here too Mommy," Eliza said. She giggled when her family laughed, and she let her father pick her up before they were walking again and leaving Hogsmeade.
"It's so cool," Julia said as they passed obviously between the Harry Potter section and the Jurassic Park one.
"It is," Alexis said, holding her hand. "Do you mind we have to take off our robes?"
"Nope, I don't want to get it wet or anything," Julia said. "Should we do the water rides now?"
"She has a point," Castle said as they went over to some benches by the exit to the ride. "Get soaked now and let them wear their special robes the rest of the day."
"Unless they want to go on them later," Beckett pointed out to him.
"Sure," Castle said. He laughed when she pushed him and he took her by the arms once he'd gone back to her, brushing his lips against hers gently.
"Thank you for that," Beckett said with a smile. "Come on," she said, knowing their family was watching them. She separated the clasp of her robes before she handed them to Martha who was putting them in an empty bag they'd brought that day in anticipation of the water rides.
Handing his mother his after that, Castle said, "Would you want to go on this one later?"
"I'll go on another," Martha told him simply.
"There's a kid roller coaster," Julia said suddenly, hopping from foot to foot. "In this land."
"There you are," Martha told her son with a smile. "I'll join Eliza on that one and you two can take a break… or whoever will babysit."
"I will," Jim said, as he'd promised Julia he'd go on the Jurassic Park ride with her.
"Have fun," Martha said, smiling when Julia waved at her before she took her parents' hands and walked with the others to the express line. She heard Josie making some sounds before she reached for the baby while Eliza watched and cradled her saying, "They're going to have so much fun darling. Just like the three of us," pressing her lips to her forehead before she sat back to people watch with her youngest granddaughters while waiting for their family to go on their first ride in the park that day.
"Is that the ride for me?" Eliza asked, her eyes wide as she saw it above her.
"It is, did you change your mind?" Castle asked.
"No!" Eliza said eagerly. "Gram, will you go with me? I'll let you sit in the front."
"I'll sit behind you kiddo," Martha said, not surprised when the little girl squealed in joy and hugged her.
"Alexis-" Beckett began.
"Stay," the young woman replied quickly. She was about to reassure her stepmother she didn't mind going on her own when Josie started to cry. "You should stay and help her Dad," Alexis said as Beckett was quick to get the baby out of her carrier.
"Have fun," Castle replied before the five were leaving them to get in line for the Pteranodon Flyers ride. He went to the stroller and once he had a towel over his shoulder he sat next to his wife saying, "That turned out to be a big help," as he watched her nursing their baby.
"Yes, but if I was in the sun…" Beckett said with a smile as she was using her robes to block Josie and herself. She peered down at the baby and saw she was fine, so she quickly turned her attention to her husband, seeing he was looking at the map for the park. "What water ride is next?" she asked him.
"Dudley Do-Right," Castle replied. "It doesn't look like there's a height restriction."
"I'm sure there is once we get to the line," Beckett said, watching him standing in front of her and holding the map up for her. She shook her head and said laughingly, "Thank you."
"This came in handy too," Castle replied, sitting down once she'd switched the baby to her other breast.
Beckett smiled at him before she looked down at Josie as she continued to nurse and once she was done she let Castle take her before she fixed her blouse and robes. She stood up to set the map her husband had thrown under the stroller on the pocket that was under the carrier. She was about to ask him about if he'd seen anywhere they could have lunch when she heard a familiar squeal above them.
"So," Castle said when they'd looked up and had seen their middle daughter passing by with his mother in the chairs. "Screams of joy or terror?"
Laughing Beckett didn't answer as she was waving at Julia who was next with her father though she wasn't sure if the two could see them. She watched Alexis go by third and then turned to her husband saying, "Joy. I was going to say we should think about lunch. They'll be hungry."
Nodding Castle said, "I haven't looked, we're not going to the Harry Potter section?"
"No," Beckett said with a smile as she was getting the map again.
Castle was startled at her reply, but he could only watch her studying the paper before she folded it closed and put it away. "I… can I ask?" he said.
"No," Beckett replied with another smile. She reached for the baby and set her into the carrier before she heard someone calling out to them. She wasn't surprised to see that it was Eliza, hurrying with her grandfather coming after her as he was holding her hand.
"I didn't get scared Mommy! Did you see me?" the little girl said to her since she'd reached Beckett first.
"We heard you," Castle said before she was launching herself at him. He laughed and said, "So you were having fun."
"Yeah," Eliza said.
"It was fun," Martha said as she, Julia and Alexis were coming up behind the two. "And she was very brave. And you too Julia."
"Thanks," the girl said with a slight laugh as the ride before that one had had an eight-story drop. "We're going on the water rides next?"
"Yes, and it's Dudley Do-Right," Castle told them.
"The old cartoon?" Eliza asked eagerly.
"Yeah, but we're not sure if we want to let you go sweetie," Beckett told her.
Eliza was going to put before she thought of something and then asked, "What kind of ride is it?"
"Let's go see," Castle said, about to pick her up to place her on his shoulders when his wife stopped him.
"Your robe love," Beckett explained to him, not surprised that he was looking at her in confusion. She had already started to take her robes off and once they were folded with the others' she said, "Well put these on once we dry off after the last water ride," directing that more towards the girls.
"How many are there?" Eliza asked.
"Three, so there are two more," Julia answered before their parents could say anything.
"Let's go so we won't be wet for that long," Castle said as he was putting Eliza on his shoulders. "I want to get back into my robes."
"Me too," the little girl replied, wrapping her arms around his head so she could rest her chin on the top of it.
When they'd reached the ride Julia's eyes went wide at the drop and she looked at her mother who was watching it she could see. At that moment one of the logs for the rides came down and it seemed to disappear before it came back up fast and through some water.
"Eliza," Beckett said with a sigh. "I'm sorry sweetie but I think it's best if you wait until you're older to go on this one."
"Kay," the little girl said though she couldn't help being disappointed.
"You know Eliza," Jim said as he was looking at the map he'd taken from the stroller. "There's a playground on a ship nearby."
"I can go to that," the little girl said hopefully as she looked at her parents.
"You can," Beckett said. "Have fun alright?"
"Wait! Can I go on the other one?" Eliza asked as they were about to leave.
"You can if it's a ride with a round boat," Castle commented. "I think it is," he told his wife when he looked at her.
"We'll go see it," Beckett said to their daughter in amusement. She then walked with her husband and their daughters before they were going through the line. When they stopped at the end, near the loading platform she said, "We should discuss our order of seating," as the others looked at her quickly when she started to speak.
"I'm sitting in the front," Julia said immediately.
"Are you sure you want to?" Castle asked. "Maybe I should, block the water a little bit."
"I think we're going to get wet anywhere Dad," Alexis commented. "Why don't you let me sit in the front and then you right behind Jules?"
"Sure," Julia said, not caring as she just wanted to go on the ride. They were next and she got into the seat behind her sister, trying not to bounce in excitement before she realized something. "Mom," she whispered. "My butt is wet."
"That's how wet we're going to get," Beckett told her quickly. "Do you want to stop."
"We're moving!" Julia protested though she knew her mother was only teasing her. She turned to sit forward again and watched the characters they were passing before they came to a part that was dark to her surprise. She was startled when the scene to the right lit up and she smiled seeing it was the cartoon character riding backwards on his cartoon horse. When they passed the villain carrying Nell she realized she could hear rushing water and turned forward to see there was a drop.
When they came outside to a slight drop Castle wasn't surprised when Julia cried out at the water that was splashing them before they came around a turn. He had to admire the décor of the ride as it matched the cartoon and he smiled when Julia's laughter pealed back to him and Beckett at Dudley and his horse trying to row a canoe away from the waterfall they were on. "I wish Eliza could have gone on this one," he said to his wife.
"We'll come back," Beckett said as they were going inside again. She smiled seeing the flash of a scene; since they were supposed to be inside the Wontyabe Mine; of Dudley Do-Right lighting a match with a bear right behind him. She had been interested in the ride, since the cartoon was one she and her father would watch when she was a little girl. For a moment she wondered if her father would have wanted to join them but reminded herself he'd suggested going with Eliza to the playground. She had to focus on the ride as there was a drop and she put her arms up until they came to the bottom of it.
Julia screamed when all of a sudden the water spilled over the sides of their boat and she cried, "I'm soaked!"
"So am I," Alexis laughed. "Dad? Kate?"
"We're all wet too, anyone want to get off?" Castle called to them.
Julia giggled heavily when she heard her mother and sister saying a loud, "No!" before she leaned forward. "This is like Splash Mountain," she told her sister in front of her. When Alexis nodded in agreement she then asked, "Are you liking it?"
"I wasn't a fan of that water, but we have more to come," the young woman said.
"Another one!" Julia exclaimed when she heard rushing water. But they were soon going down the drop and she cried out that time when the water came over the tops of the boat. "Mom!"
"I can't tell the water to stop sweetie," Beckett told her as they were all laughing at her indignant tone of voice. "And you saw what's probably going to be the end of the ride."
"Still," Julia said before she looked at the signs they were passing by. She couldn't help it and she read, "1 for the money, 2 for the show, 3 to turn back… or lookout belooow!" gigging as the last word was shaped like a drop. "This is going to be so cool."
Though Beckett wanted to mention the water they'd be going through they were heading up an incline and she spotted the water falling at the top of it. She had to wonder if it would stop when they got there but luckily it did and they were only getting some drops. She realized something and said behind her to her husband as they continued up the incline, "How far are we going?"
"I don't know," Castle said. "Are you sure we should have allowed Julia on this?"
"Hey! I'm big enough," the girl said in front of Beckett.
"We're at the top you guys," Alexis called to them as she was smiling, listening to them.
Julia looked ahead, thinking they'd end up going down a drop, but when they went down slightly and were going fast past some fountains squirting water she sighed. But suddenly she realized where they were as she looked past her big sister and she cried, "It's the drop!"
"Hold on to the sides," Beckett told her daughter before they were stopping at the very top of the drop.
"Mom," Julia said in slight fear, unable to forget how fast the people were going on the drop when they were outside.
"Just hold on Julia," Beckett told her firmly, hoping she would be okay when they began to move.
Not sure if she would be embarrassed at the fact she'd screamed before they could even see down the drop, Julia screamed again and kept screaming as they came down and at the bottom went on a slight hill and hit some water. When they came into more water she was closing her eyes tightly before they slowed down and were floating.
"Are you okay?" Beckett asked, leaning over and touching her shoulder.
"Yeah, that was… fast," Julia said. "Good thing Lizzy didn't go on this if I was that scared."
Though they were still floating past some humorous scenes of the ride Alexis asked, "Should we go on the other water ride?"
"We might as well, we're soaked already," Beckett commented.
"That way we can get dry now," Julia said.
"We'll go," Beckett said with a smile as the girl was looking at her hopefully. "But are you going to want to go on this one again?"
"I… maybe not," Julia said. "I like Jurassic Park better… but it was cute," she said as they came to the loading platform before she climbed out. She shook her hands to get the water off them and walked with her family over to where Martha was sitting with Josie at the exit.
"Where's my dad and Eliza?" Beckett asked once she was close enough to ask.
"Still at the boat, Eliza's enjoying herself," Martha said. "And so is your father."
Smiling, as she was glad to hear that, Beckett said, "We're going to go on the other water ride now and then lunch after."
"Well the boat is over by the ride," Castle said. "We should go." He took the stroller and they made their way over to the boat where they saw that Jim was holding Eliza who was crying against his shoulder.
"She's alright," Beckett's father said with a smile as his daughter and son in law rushed over to him. "I was getting her to leave so we could meet you," he said.
"I don't wanna Mommy, it's fun," Eliza said as her mother took her.
"I know but we have a lot to… do," Beckett said. "What is it?" she asked when her daughter pulled away from her in surprise.
"You're all wet!" Eliza exclaimed, her tears forgotten.
"That's how the ride was," Julia said, going over to her. "And the last drop was really scary, I was screaming like crazy."
"We all were," Castle said.
Eliza giggled softly and said, "What are we gonna do now?"
"The last water ride," Julia told her with a wide smile. "And you can go too."
"Are you gonna come Grandpapa?" Eliza asked hopefully.
"Alright," Jim said after thinking about that for a moment.
Walking to the ride, Martha looked at what she could see of it and she smiled saying, "It's like that ride at the last park we went to."
"Animal Kingdom," Julia said. "And it's Popeye," she told her little sister.
"Cool," Eliza said happily as they'd watched the cartoon with their parents before. "Oh, bye Gram."
"I'll be right here waiting," Martha said with a smile, taking Josie out of her carrier so she could hold the baby.
Walking through the line the family was able to get on the raft quickly, the girls sitting with their grandfather and big sister while Castle and Beckett were together. After they'd left the turntable they came to a rapid and some of the other six people sharing the both with them yelled when the water came into the raft.
"Ooh, I'm gonna get wet," Eliza said, giggling at her sister.
"I'm already wet so it doesn't matter," Alexis told her. "Look, it's Brutus," she said as they were passing the character with Olive Oyl in a barrel.
Eliza smiled widely at the scene but since they were going by it rapidly she couldn't really take it in. But they eventually came to rapids again and she screamed with Julia as they were sitting next to each other; though some mesh separated them; and they ended up getting soaked with water.
As the ride continued through the rapids everyone on the boat was getting wet but it wasn't until they reached a boat with a bucket at the top did anyone get soaked.
"Are you okay?" Castle asked his wife, unable to help laughing as he'd asked her since they'd both gotten hit by the water.
"Yes," Beckett said, shaking her head at the slight shock of that. But it wasn't the last time they got wet, so she was understandably relieved when they came to an incline.
"Is it a drop?" Jim asked.
"I think so but it won't be too bad," Castle told his father in law quickly when they reached the top and did go down a little drop before going quickly over the rapids. Shortly after they had reached the loading platform and he helped his wife out before they left to return to Martha, not surprised when his mother smiled while she was holding Josie against her chest to face them. And when she spoke he wasn't startled as her tone of voice took on a teasing tone though she wasn't talking to them.
"I think you and I will be eating lunch on our own Josie," Castle's mother said.
"We'll dry off enough before we go in," Beckett said in amusement.
"Where are we going though?" Castle asked.
"You didn't tell him?" Alexis asked her stepmother, doing her best not to smile at her father's obvious frustration.
"No," Beckett said with a smile. "But I know where it is, let's go." Unfortunately the restaurant she'd found wasn't that far from the ride and she said with a sigh, "We need to wait a little," as she saw there wasn't outdoor seating as she'd hoped.
"Do you like this?" Eliza asked her grandfather.
"Oh of course, I used to read the comic strips in the papers when I was young," Jim said, as the place was called the Comic Strip Café.
"We're going to have table service later tonight," Castle was saying to his father in law and mother. "I'm assuming this is quick service?"
"It is but they do have tables inside," Beckett said. After a few more minutes she saw that the girls weren't dripping water while they were playfully running around together, and she told them, "Come on, you're hungry now right?"
"Yeah," Julia said. "Starving. I'll pay you Tuesday for a cheeseburger today," she told her father as she went to him to take his hand, smiling when he immediately started to laugh in reaction to her.
"Then you'll have to pay me tomorrow," Castle said teasingly to her. "But for now, we'll pay for your cheeseburger."
"Are you gonna get one too Daddy?" Eliza asked him.
"I am," Castle said with a nod. "Kate?"
"Fish and chips," Beckett replied. "Do you guys know what you want?" When her father, mother in law and Alexis nodded she stepped forward with Castle while the others took the kids to get a table. Once they'd ordered they waited to get the food and she told her husband, "I know you're thinking why didn't I get Chinese but I didn't quite feel like it yet."
"You already know what you're getting at the restaurant tonight?" Castle asked her.
Shaking her head Beckett gently pushed his hand he'd placed on her side and said, "You're going to help us?"
"Yes, but I need to text your dad something," Alexis said as she'd come over to where they were standing. "The soda has about a hundred options."
"One of those machines?" Beckett asked. When her stepdaughter nodded she then said, "They can have soda but only one of the Fantas and make sure there's about half a cup of ice before they get the drinks."
Alexis texted that quickly to Jim and said, "I got the same."
"Which one?" Castle asked.
"I just got one flavor," Alexis said wryly to him. She then said, "Tell her Dad," waiting for him to speak with her stepmother.
"I got three of the flavors," Castle said. "And I was… sick."
"It wasn't pleasant," Alexis said as Beckett was looking at him closely. "He turned an interesting shade of green."
Shaking her head Beckett told her husband, "I should just let you have water today."
"Níl mé ina leanbh," Castle growled gently into her ear, keeping that low so his daughter wouldn't hear them.
Squeezing his hand as he'd said he wasn't a child, Beckett managed to murmur to him, "Caithfidh tú a chruthú níos déanaí," telling him he'd have to prove that later. She wasn't surprised at his desperate squeeze to her hand, but their order was called so they went with Alexis to grab their trays. When they were eating with their family they were talking about the rides they'd go on right after lunch and she wasn't surprised when Eliza was asking if she could go on each one. When they were finished and walking out to the next land she said to the little girl she was walking with, "This next area is definitely for you."
"Yeah?" Eliza asked happily.
"It is," Castle said, picking her up to her squeal of joy. Once she was on his shoulders he then said, "And it's a good thing you love Dr. Seuss."
"Did Daddy say the surprise?" Eliza asked, looking down at her mother.
"No," Beckett said with a smile. "We walked through it when we came inside the park."
"Is that the Hulk coaster?" Julia said as they were passing a green one.
"It is, what do you think?" Castle asked.
"Um…" Julia said.
"It might be too much," Beckett said quickly. "We'll go on later and then let you know if you'll enjoy it."
"Thanks," Julia said before they were walking past the entrance and then were finally getting to the Dr. Seuss area. She was interested to ask where they would go as she could see some rides already before she saw something in the distance at the same time her little sister did.
"Does the Cat in the Hat have a ride?" Eliza exclaimed eagerly.
"He does," Beckett said. She then turned to her father and Martha and said, "It's a slow ride, we're going to take Josie so it's up to you two if you want to go with us."
"We'll go," Jim replied.
"We might have to go in separate cars," Castle pointed out.
"We can go with them!" Eliza said eagerly as her father helped her down off his shoulders.
"We'll go in the second car with Josie," Beckett said before they walked onto the ride. She and Castle went on the second car behind the others and since they were on their own she leaned against her husband.
Wrapping his arm around her Castle ran his hand over the back of Josie's head before he looked at the ride as they went through it. After a while he realized something and he looked at his wife, wondering if she had noticed what he had. But he could hear Julia and Eliza laughing ahead of them, so he was quiet until they'd made their way back to where they'd gotten on to the cars and the latter was rushing to him when he and Beckett were off the ride.
"Are there more?" the little girl was saying.
"More restaurants?" Castle asked, picking her up and placing her on his hip.
"No!" Eliza said in a complaining tone. "Rides!"
"There are plenty of them," Beckett said with a smile. "And we're going to one now."
"What about Josa?" Julia asked.
"This ride is really tall," Castle said as they'd reached it quickly since it wasn't that far from the Cat in the Hat ride.
"I see," Martha said. "You won't be scared?"
"Gram," Julia said with a smile as she'd been talking to her. "So Josa's not going to go?"
"I think it's better she stays off," Beckett said, checking on the baby.
"I'll go with you," Jim said. "So you're even."
When they'd left Martha on a bench in the shade with Josie in front of her Eliza asked the adults, "What's the ride called?"
"The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride," Castle said while they were going through the entrance.
Giggling Eliza said, "It's slow right?"
"It is," Beckett said.
"And there are two tracks for this, but we'll try the other one later," Beckett said.
"After dinner?" Julia asked.
"Yes," Castle said as they were heading up the stairs to the loading platform. They had a short wait and they were soon getting onto the train where he said to his wife, "Why are we together?"
"They were insistent," Beckett said with a smile. She wasn't surprised when he took her hand while the train started to move, and she said, "Should we get dessert after this?" She saw the way he was looking at her and she asked, "What?"
"I'm surprised you suggested it," Castle said, looking ahead at the large tent they were nearing. "We're getting something here right?"
"It'll take a while to get them away from here, so yes," Beckett said.
"Look!" Eliza said in amazement as they were going through a restaurant that looked like a circus with characters moving in the ceiling.
"Can you take pictures?" Alexis asked as she was sitting with her.
"It's too fast," Jim said from behind them. "So just enjoy the scenery."
"Crazy stuff," Julia said with a laugh as they were going through a building and were passing Seuss related items. "It's better than the last one," she murmured to her sister, leaving over a little so she could hear her.
"I know, there wasn't much there," Alexis said with a nod.
Seeing the Hulk roller coaster, Julia said, "Are you gonna go on that?"
"I think so," Alexis replied. "Maybe it won't be too bad."
"Ice cream!" Eliza squealed when they were passing a building that had it for décor on the roof.
"She guessed already," Castle told his wife.
Shaking her head Beckett said, "They would have seen it anyway."
Castle didn't argue that point as he knew she was right, so he merely moved his arm to wrap it around his wife as they continued down the track until they were returning to the station. When they had gotten off the train he went to Julia and said, "There's a little more left to this area."
Shrugging her shoulders, the girl said, "I don't care. But you said something about dessert?"
"Your hearing is too good," Beckett said wryly. "But yes, we're going to have that now."
"Where?" Julia asked.
"You'll find out soon but first we have to get your gram and sister," Castle said, leading the way over to Martha and Josie.
"Was that a fun ride?" Castle's mother asked with a smile as Julia and Eliza hurried to her. "She's still asleep."
"Mom," Julia gasped as she looked over at her. "Our robes."
"I know," Beckett told her. "But we should have dessert first."
"It is ice cream!" Eliza exclaimed so loudly that Josie awoke, beginning to cry. The little girl cringed as her grandmother was getting the baby out of her carrier and said, "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," Beckett told her, taking Josie from her mother in law. She gently bounced her as she knew the baby preferred and said, "You were a little too excited."
"Yeah," Eliza said, reaching up to gently touch her little sister's foot though she had to walk with her mother to do that. "Sorry Josa."
"She accepts your apology," Castle commented as the baby stopped crying a bit after Eliza had spoken.
"Okay, so we are going to get dessert," Beckett said after she spent a little more time getting Josie back to sleep. "And then finishing with this area before we let Julia pick the next rides."
"I don't have to," the girl said when they were walking again.
"No but you've done a great job so far," Castle commented.
Julia laughed softly and said, "Thanks," before she looked at the ice cream place in front of them. She hurried to grab her camera and took a picture as her little sister was reading the name of the place.
"Hop on Pop Ice Cream Shop," Eliza said. She then smiled and said to her father, "I can have this?"
"Trust me, you're not going to hop on pop," Castle told her as that had been a joke between him and the girls when Eliza had understood what the phrase hop on pop meant. "But you should pick out your ice cream you want," he told her before he walked with her and the rest of their family closer to the windows to see the choices from the menu.
"Can we get those?" Eliza eventually asked.
"The Dippin' Dots?" Castle asked as she was pointing to the item on the bottom of the display.
"Yeah," Eliza said.
"I want those too," Julia said.
"Alright," Beckett replied. "Which flavor."
"Banana split," the girls said together before they looked at each other and started to laugh.
Beckett smiled and went to the two, putting her hands on their backs while Castle was going to order with Alexis and Jim. "What do you want to go on after we can go on the faster rides again?" she said to Julia.
Going over to the stroller, the girl picked up the map before she studied it for a moment and then said, "The Spider-Man one?"
"Let me see," Beckett said as she reached for the map. She saw the height restriction and said to Eliza, "What do you think?"
"I can go?" the little girl asked in surprise.
"You can," Beckett said. "I think it's like the Men in Black ride we went on yesterday."
"Yeah, I want to go," Eliza said eagerly.
"Okay," Beckett said with a smile as Castle was coming over to them.
"Your order was first," he told the girls, handing them the cups he had in his hands. "Enjoy."
After she had eaten her first spoonful, Julia smiled at her little sister and said, "Does it taste like one."
"Yep," Eliza said, smiling widely at her.
Taking her ice cream bar from her husband, Beckett sat next to Josie's stroller, hearing the baby shortly after waking up. She checked on her and once she saw she was alright she continued with her ice cream. When she had a chance she told her husband, "Julia wants to go on the Spider-Man Ride."
"Really?" Castle asked, looking over at the girl.
Nodding Julia said, "I know you want to see that one… I do too. And Lizzy can go on it."
"Great," Castle said with a smile. "But we have a couple things here."
"I can't wait," Eliza said eagerly.
"Mom," Julia said after they'd been eating for a while. "There isn't too much left to the park after this."
"I know," Beckett replied. "But we can go on things again and you forgot something."
"We remembered our robes," Eliza commented.
"I know," Beckett said after laughing slightly. "But that's not what I meant, what I meant is you forgot about going on the Hogwarts Express."
Not surprised her sister gasped, Julia said, "Can we go on it after this area?"
"Sure," Castle said. "We want you to wait a little more before we go see Spider-Man." He wasn't surprised when the girls giggled together before they went back to their ice cream.
After they'd finished Julia took her robes from her Grandmother and said, "Hopefully you can go on the next ride."
"We'll see if it's alright for your sister to go," Martha commented.
"She can go on one of them," Beckett said, walking over to them after throwing away some of their trash.
"Are we going to that one first?" Eliza asked.
"We are," Castle said, taking the little girl and putting her on his shoulders. "For now, to the zoo!" He wasn't surprised when the girls gasped in excitement as he knew they'd quickly figured out it dealt with the Dr. Seuss book called If I Ran the Zoo. He smiled at his wife as they were suddenly naming all the 'animals' from the book, laughing together at the names. They walked over to what was going to be a maze and he was relieved they didn't seem to mind what was going to be next. And he had to admit to himself, patting Eliza's leg when she began to laugh, that he was eager to go through what they had left of the park as well to get to see the girls' obvious excitement again.