21
Later on in the week came the Johanna Beckett Scholarship banquet dinner. This time around Jim was going to the event as were the twin sets. Kate spent the down time she had between the fundraiser and tonight working on her speech for tonight. The twin sets were adorable in their formal wear. Liam looked like a mini version of Rick in his tuxedo. Harley, Avery and Aria all wore dresses in their favorite colors. Once again, Alexis and Phoenix were meeting everyone at the scholarship banquet dinner. Jim and Martha were also going straight to the banquet dinner from their homes.
"Are you nervous?" Castle asked.
"A bit but tonight isn't about me, babe. It's about mom and her legacy."
"And the people who wish to fight for the underdog like she did."
Kate nodded as they left their bedroom. The kids were out in the living room waiting for their parents so they could all go to the banquet dinner.
A while later; Kate, Rick and the kids were at the party. Once again the Castle family were sitting with their friends. Jenny and Kevin were there with their kids. Just as Lanie and Javi had their kids with them. Captain Montgomery and his wife were the only ones without their kids at the banquet since their kids were living outside of the state. It was a good turnout for the scholarship banquet dinner. The event organizer said a few words before he introduced Kate to everyone that was in attendance that night.
"Twenty-three years ago, nine days into 1999; my mother was killed in a New York alley. Johanna Beckett fought for the underdog, for those who were wrongfully convicted of the crimes they committed. Tonight we are here to honor her legacy and to help the next generation do what she did."
A short time later, the dinner portion of the scholarship banquet was happening at this point. The Johanna Beckett Scholarship was awarded to five high school seniors throughout the course of the night. Each of the scholarship recipients said a few things after they had received the scholarship paper work.
By the end of the banquet dinner all of the kids that were at the table had that sleepy look on their faces. Some of them had even started to fall asleep in their respective parents' arms. The group sat around the table once the event was over while the cleaning crew did what they had to. The adults all finishing up their respective glasses of champagne before they called it a night. Once the champagne was done it was time to head home for the group. Kevin, Jenny, Lanie and Javi each picked up one of their kids to carry them home. Alexis and Phoenix helped with the twin sets. Jim shared an Uber with Martha.
On the ride back to their respective homes, Martha turned to her daughter in law's father.
"I do believe that your late wife would be just as proud of Katherine as you were of her tonight, Jim."
"Yes Johanna definitely would be. She would also love your son and our grandkids, all five of them."
Martha smiled.
The Uber driver pulled up outside of Martha's apartment first. Martha said her goodbye to Jim before the Uber driver pulled away. A few minutes after dropping Martha off, Jim was dropped off at his place. Both of them checked in their respective child after getting into their homes that night.