Genre: 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: After not being sure I'd have internet in time to post the last chapter before the day was over, I was very glad I got the feedback I did for the last chapter, so I'll get to my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (Great that you like how everyone's taking care of Beckett, this far into her pregnancy I figured they'd be doing that. And I'm really happy you like how they are together with the back stories there are!),
MsNYC (You've gotten all caught up now so thanks for reviewing this past chapter! And I had to laugh when you said you got a picture of Darnley pregnant with Nkosi telling him he needs rest. But I wasn't surprised you did and I'm very glad you thought it was a cute image. I laughed again when you said smart asses is definitely both. Happy reading that you thought it was cute how both girls smirk at them. And glad you thought what Castle did was really sweet. I'm not surprised you think that Julia is a little Beckett before Beckett's mother was murdered, I think the same myself. Not surprised you enjoyed that first flashback, but of course I'm happy you did! I'm glad you love that Jim recognizes Castle and Beckett's love for each other. And not surprised you laughed at Castle knowing how to ask for something so Beckett won't get mad, and mentioning loopholes, lol. It was interesting to see you thought it was a tiny bit freaky as you said that Beckett and Skye's birthdays might have been the same day. And I've heard the saying everyone has a twin somewhere so I figured she and Skye are close in appearance; not exactly but close. Not surprised you hate when Beckett has to say goodbye to her extended family. Though I did know what you meant that it's good to get a break. And not surprised that you had a feeling Martha would want to move in with them or the Hamptons at least, since Jim's been talking about it for a while. Great that you think Alexis and Louis are a mini-Caskett. Not surprised you thought that flashback was a plus. Oh, and I'm very pleased you enjoy Julia's journal entries since I love writing them. I laughed at you saying Julia can be a mini Castle too with her interrupting Beckett. And yep, you are lucky with two flashbacks the last chapter, so I'm not surprised you enjoyed them! It was nice that you're glad that Castle is the kind of guy that understands her wanting to be intimate with him but being too tired at this point in her pregnancy. And yeah I agree, it's a plus he cares about her too much for Beckett to let her feel guilty about that. Glad that you thought it was great writing as usual! And I'm glad that you're up to date on the chapters too!) and
Mb (Happy to read you thought it was a sweet update. And I'm glad you loved the way I had everyone on the train ride back trying to spend more time together before they had to leave to go to their homes. And I agree with you about how with a good vacation you don't want it to end, especially in this case since there were people they don't see every day with them. And I definitely know the feeling of wanting to get home to your own bed in the end. Great you love the special connection that Beckett and Darnley have. And nice reading you see them all having a deep, special connection. No surprise you're wondering now about when Louis will propose to Alexis, I figured what I wrote in the chapter would have readers thinking that. I'm glad you like that Jim's thinking about retiring so he can move to the Hamptons and be with his family sooner. I wasn't surprised either that you're expecting Martha to think of doing that to be near her family more too as you said. Happy you thought it was a sweet update. And you're welcome for posting the first half. It was nice reading you thought the second half was beautiful. I wasn't surprised you love them just being a family together and that you can feel their happiness and love; but of course I was glad you did. Not surprised you picked up that Julia doesn't ask about herself as a baby as Beckett and Castle did. And not surprised you're wondering what will happen if she has flashes of her birth mother and what might happen, or trigger in her as you said. Great you love how I have the stories they tell Julia and Eliza filling in the backstory. And so happy you think it makes the story richer and fuller since there'll be a lot of flashbacks. So happy you thought the second half was fantastic and a sweet update. And you're very welcome for the second half!).
Thanks so much for the reviews, I loved reading them and am grateful for 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 A Marshmallow World written by Carl Sigman, the version I've taken from is sung by Dean Martin from his album The Dean Martin Christmas Album.
If Spring Is Late
"Kate?"
Groaning slightly Beckett turned around onto her other side before her eyes flew open as she realized the voice wasn't her husband's or daughters'. Turning back over she saw she hadn't been mistaken and it was her stepdaughter. "Alexis," she said with a smile, sitting up. She then froze and said, "How late am I?"
"Not that late but Dad's making breakfast and he wanted me to check on you," the young woman told her with a smile.
"Check or wake up?" Beckett said, taking the covers off her and standing up carefully. She paused and then glanced out the windows saying, "Since it's nearly eight I'm going to imagine school is canceled."
"Dad said the storm is lessening but it's not supposed to stop until about noon," Alexis said. "So you're stuck with us," she said, feeling slightly awkward as her stepmother put her robe on.
"It's not stuck, I would prefer you here," Beckett said. "Remember we're checking the baby's room."
"Do you really want me there though?" Alexis asked slowly.
Beckett didn't answer that verbally, instead just stared at her stepdaughter before she smiled and told her, "Of course, we could use your help."
"You don't think the girls would be too much help?" Alexis asked, becoming concerned as Beckett began to stretch and then put her hands on her back.
"I do, but we'd like all of her sisters to help," she replied with a smile, her hand on her stomach.
"Are you okay?" Alexis asked.
"I'm fine," Beckett said with a smile. "Go ahead downstairs and tell your dad I'll join you once I change." When she was alone she went to the closet to get her outfit for the day selected, trying to hurry but finding her clumsiness she'd noticed a few days before wasn't just her imagination. After dropping both of her socks she sighed and then glanced at them for a moment, debating if she should try to pick up them up before she turned to get another pair as she could hear her husband in her mind gently chiding her for attempting it. She took the pair outside to put them on and go into the bathroom to finish up and join the rest of her family downstairs.
"Okay, pancakes are nearly ready," Castle said, taking another one off the pan he was using at that moment in the kitchen. "How are you doing?"
"Good," Julia said, smiling at her dad. "How do they look?"
"Really good," Castle replied. "Just stir them around a little more and they'll be ready."
"Mommy!" Eliza cried, noticing her first as she was setting the kitchen table with her sister.
"Good morning," Beckett said, smiling at her husband before she turned her attention to their youngest who was hugging her. "I'm sorry I slept in."
"It's okay," Julia said, not moving from the stove though her father was trying to urge her to. "Dad said you were probably tired."
"I was," Beckett said with a sigh. "That'll happen more often but not when they have school."
"Kate-" Castle said, turning to her.
"No," Beckett interrupted him easily. "I can rest after they go but I'll be awake to see them off at the very least."
"I thought you were going to walk with us today," Julia said. "Well… if we had gone."
"Come here sweetie," Beckett said with a smile. Once her oldest was with her she wrapped her arm around her shoulder and said, "I would have gone with you. And did you make scrambled eggs?"
"Yeah but I didn't finish," Julia said, looking at her father who was doing that, sprinkling some cheese over the eggs.
"Still I can't wait to eat them," Beckett said, gently squeezing her shoulder.
Julia turned her attention to her mother and smiled at her saying, "Are you okay?"
"I am," Beckett said, tensing for a moment. When her daughter looked at her worriedly she said, "Your sister kicked."
"Oh… hard?" Julia asked.
"Not too much," Beckett said as she watched her husband going to the table with the eggs and blueberry pancakes. "Whose idea were those?" she asked with a smile as her daughters led her over to her chair.
"Mine, since we talked about that last night," Castle said easily as Alexis set down the pitcher of orange juice she'd made. He went to grab the sausages he'd cooked before he said, "And now it's ready," before they gathered around the table.
At first the family concentrated on eating, Castle and Beckett telling their daughters not to feed the dogs occasionally, before Eliza was speaking up.
"Why did you talk about pancakes?" the little girl said.
"I asked Mom to tell me a story," Julia explained with a smile. "About when we were in the city and she said one night when he stayed with us. I asked if he would make pancakes."
"In the story," Beckett added.
"And I did," Castle said. "Both then and now," he added in case the little girl would ask.
"Tell me a story now," Eliza said eagerly.
"When you were younger?" Castle said.
"No, about Jules," Eliza said quickly, shaking her head.
"Why?" Julia asked, startled her sister didn't want to hear a story about herself.
"Actually, I have a story about you," Beckett said, smiling at her husband before she looked back at their youngest.
"But-" Eliza said though she was very tempted to hear the story.
"I'll search my memory for one about your sister when she was little after," Beckett said. When the little girl nodded she smiled and began to tell the story as they all continued to eat, glancing over at Alexis as the story involved her as well.
"Mommy!" Julia said with a laugh. "You found us."
"I did," Beckett told the girls before she reached for Eliza who laughed as she picked her up. Kissing the ten-month old's temple, she told Julia, "Your sister is going to be here very soon."
"Do we have to stop playing?" Julia asked.
"You do," Beckett replied. "But don't worry; I'm sure your sister will play with you as soon as she gets here." Hearing Eliza on her hip babbling a little she smiled and then held her hand out to Julia. Taking the girls to the entry she set the baby on the blanket she'd put on the floor, since her oldest had asked if they could wait for Castle and Alexis there.
"I want to see Daddy too," Julia told her mother.
"And you will," Beckett said firmly. "Now what do you want to do?"
Julia was going to answer that when her sister suddenly cried out and she looked over at her with her mother before Eliza started to crawl. She dove to grab the baby, relieved when she squealed heavily in response.
"Good catch," Beckett said, watching as Julia helped Eliza stand up.
"Think she can walk?" the little girl asked.
"Not just yet," Beckett said. She was going to continue when she heard a car going down the driveway and she smiled before standing up from the bench she'd been sitting on. Reaching for the baby she settled her on her hip again and told her daughter, "Put the blanket over there for me? I don't want them to slip on it."
"Okay," Julia said quickly as she picked it up and moved it over to a shelf built into the wall across from the front door.
Beckett had planned to walk with her daughters into the garage before Castle and Alexis could get into the house but as Julia reached her the door to it was opening.
"'lexis!" the little girl cried out, rushing to her big sister.
"Lasas!" Eliza squealed when she spotted her sister as well.
"Did I really say your name like that?" Eliza said shyly to Alexis as she walked up to her and held onto the pocket of her jeans.
"Oh, you did," the young woman said, smiling widely down at her. "But don't worry, you couldn't say it right just yet."
"Now tell me about Jules!" Eliza cried to her mother.
"I wasn't finished with the story yet," Beckett replied easily, walking over to them in the kitchen. "Don't," she said to her husband as she spotted he was about to open his mouth to speak.
"Just… go ahead and continue," Castle replied easily, not surprised when she gave him a brief look before she began to do just that.
"Hey Jules, Lizzy," Alexis said with a smile at her sisters. Since Julia had launched herself at her first she was hugging her before she went to her stepmother. "And you too Kate."
"Don't worry," Beckett said as she handed the baby over to her. "I know you want to see them."
"She's grown," Alexis said, running her hand over the back of the baby's head. "So, has her hair."
"A little," Castle said, setting his daughter's small suitcase to the side. He saw that she was talking to Julia, so he looked at his wife who had walked up to him. "Missed me?" he asked her with a smile.
"I may have, you weren't gone for very long," Beckett said.
"Then why wait here?" Castle asked.
"So we could see Alexis of course," Beckett replied.
"I should have saved that for when I was coming back on my own," Castle said before she rolled her eyes. He leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips before saying, "I missed you too."
"Presumptuous," Beckett told him. She fought a laugh when he merely nodded his head to her and she took his hand so they could go over to their daughters. She wasn't surprised when Alexis went upstairs with her suitcase, Julia following behind. When they were alone she waited for her husband to hang up his coat before she handed Eliza to him, watching with a smile as he held their youngest close to him with his cheek pressed to hers.
"I missed her too," Castle said, looking at his wife and smiling at her since she was doing so to him.
"I'm glad to hear that," Beckett said. "Come on," she told him, taking his arm and walking with him to the family room where they would meet Alexis and Julia once the former was finished.
Sitting down with his wife Castle took her hand in his and said, "Jay has everything he needs."
"He'll leave you alone?" Beckett asked him with a smile.
"Basically," Castle said, smiling as she laughed softly. He grew serious when she calmed down and then looked at him and he couldn't stop himself, leaning over and kissing her gently on the lips.
Though she wasn't too surprised her husband did that Beckett took a moment to respond, reaching up and cupping his cheek with her hand. She felt his tongue against her lower lip and was just about to part them for him when she felt her husband pulling away abruptly as their youngest cried out softly.
"Sorry?" Eliza asked shyly as she was standing with her mother; who was sitting on the couch in the family room after everything from breakfast had been cleaned up.
"It's alright," Beckett told her reassuringly.
"That wasn't the first time you did that," Castle said with a smile. "And we didn't mind just…"
Since her husband was looking at her Beckett playfully rolled her eyes before she continued the story.
"I guess she really missed you," Beckett commented with a smile. She took Eliza's tiny hand and brought it to her lips, kissing it before playfully blowing on it to her heavy giggle. She smiled when her husband reached over to brush some of her hair off her cheek and looked at him before they leaned against each other once more.
After they had parted Castle gestured her close with his finger, murmuring in her ear in Irish before she nodded rapidly as they could both hear their daughters coming down the stairs together. "Are they going to play now?" he asked quickly so their faces wouldn't reflect what he'd said to his wife.
"Wait, what did you say Daddy?" Eliza asked.
"I told her I wanted to kiss her again, later though," Castle said.
"He did," Beckett said with a smile. She glanced at her husband; still smiling; as it had been more if they could make love that night. Shaking herself she then said, "A little bit more and then we'll let you guys play. So you two came back from upstairs and we watched you to see what you would want to do."
"Should we play something with Lizzy?" Alexis asked her sister as they were standing together trying to think of something.
"Well…" Julia started to say slowly, wanting to protest and instead ask to play something just the two of them could do. But she knew she would have the chance to do that later so instead she said, "Okay, but what?"
"What about her blocks?" Alexis suggested as the set was on the cabinet under the TV.
As Julia went to go get them Alexis took the baby from her father and sat down on the edge of what was Eliza's blanket where they would play.
Since his hands were free Castle wrapped one arm around Beckett and they watched their three daughters playing with the blocks, Alexis and Julia guiding Eliza in building, laughing together when the baby would squeal as something collapsed. She leaned her head on his shoulder and he kissed her temple while they looked on while their daughters continued to build again and again together.
"Did I always make everything fall?" Eliza asked, climbing onto the couch next to her mother and wrapping her arms around her.
"At that time, yes," Beckett replied with a smile. She kissed her temple and told her, "You weren't an expert builder then."
Eliza giggled and asked, "What are we gonna do now?"
"Well for the moment you two need to do some worksheets since you didn't have school today," Beckett told them.
"Do we have to," Julia asked, sighing.
"Yes," Castle said as he handed his wife the books for their oldest.
"Do you mind if I call Louis now?" Alexis asked them.
"Go ahead," Beckett told her. "I'm sure they'll still be working on those when you finish."
"They'll want to play with you," Castle added to his daughter.
"I'll be back," Alexis said with a smile which became a little wider when her sisters both waved at her.
"What am I doing today Mom?" Julia asked turning to her mother once Alexis was gone.
"All of them," Beckett told her.
"But there are a lot of them," Julia said.
"Trust us you have a lot of time," Castle commented, watching his wife tearing out some sheets of paper from the books.
"And you need to have something educational," Beckett added.
"We can watch movies," Julia said.
"You're faking it," Castle said, studying her.
When she laughed Julia then told her mother, "Sorry but I wanted to see if you'd believe me."
"So, no complaints if I give you two history worksheets?" Beckett asked. When her daughter shook her head no furiously she laughed softly before she handed her the pages she'd picked out.
"What about me?" Eliza asked.
"Here," Beckett said, looking at the books the little girl had. She then began to tear out a few pages for her and handed them over to Eliza, the two going to the coffee table to get started on their work.
Sitting next to his wife Castle said, "I'm getting some serious déjà vu right now."
"Me too, though I wasn't pregnant then," Beckett told him with a smile. She kissed his cheek and said, "Do you want to imagine a scene right now?"
"For the twenties book?" Castle asked. When she nodded he shook his head saying, "Let's spend it with them and worry about it tomorrow."
"Don't you have to work too?" Julia asked.
"Nice," Castle told her before she smiled at them and then turned her attention back to her paper. "But no, this book we're not worrying about too much because of the baby of course."
"He's right," Beckett said when both girls looked up at them in surprise. "We're going to take it easy with it until we're a little less busy with your sister."
"Is that bad?" Eliza asked.
"We don't mind," Beckett said, knowing what the little girl meant. "And we remember with you how busy we got so it's better to wait."
Shrugging Julia said to her sister's look, "You were little and couldn't do stuff by yourself."
"Keep working you two or else we're going to be waiting to play until lunch," Castle said jokingly to them.
"Mommy?" Eliza asked.
"Yes sweetie," Beckett said with a smile.
"Can you tell us the story about Jules now?" Eliza then said.
"I can as long as you guys keep working," Beckett said. She wasn't surprised when the two nodded rapidly and she waited for them to get back to their papers before she started the story again. It had been in July after she had adopted Julia and both Castle and Alexis were going to be their guests that afternoon after lunch, she and her daughter waiting to see them in the living room a little impatiently.
"Very nice sweetie," Beckett said, watching her daughter getting out of the fifth position.
"Thank you, Mommy," Julia said with a smile as she went to her mother. "Will I be worst in my ballet class?"
"Oh no," Beckett said reassuringly. "You have wonderful form and you know the five positions really well."
Nodding, Julia was just about to ask if Alexis was there yet when she cried out at the sound of a knock on the door.
Wrapping her arm around her daughter as she tried to hide behind her Beckett told her reassuringly, "You don't need to be scared sweetie."
"But-" Julia started to say worriedly.
"First we see who it is remember?" Beckett told her. When her daughter nodded; still looking worried; she kissed her temple and then stood, taking her by the hand to go over to the door. She could feel Julia squeezing at her hand repeatedly as she looked out the peephole and then told her, "Our guests are here."
Julia waited eagerly as her mother opened the door and as soon as she called her she cried out, "Alexis!" before running to throw her arms around her.
"Funny you didn't call her her name," Eliza said to her sister.
"Eventually she did," Alexis commented, smiling at both her sisters when they looked over at her in surprise. "After your mom and Dad got married."
Eliza giggled and then stood up, so she could go to Julia and wrap her arms around her neck saying, "I'm happy they did."
"Me too," Julia replied, looking over at her father.
Castle merely smiled, relieved when Eliza went back to her worksheets and didn't try to ask anything else about Julia. His and Beckett's youngest was aware that Julia wasn't her full-blooded sister, but Eliza didn't seem to care as she didn't care that Alexis wasn't her full-blooded sister either. And because it didn't bother the little girl he and Beckett let it be since they didn't want a discussion of that to lead to Julia hearing about her past from them.
Glancing at her husband and able to tell what he was thinking Beckett placed her hand on his arm and smiled at him before she said, "Should I keep going?"
"Yeah!" both Julia and Eliza said.
"Okay," Beckett said softly as she laughed at the same time. "First though how are you doing?"
"I finished my science," Julia said, holding her worksheet up.
"Keep it, we'll check them after we finish," Beckett told her. "And once your sister and dad came into our apartment they started to play."
"What would you like to do?" Alexis asked Julia with a smile once she had calmed her down enough.
"Um…" Julia said slowly.
"Want to go to the park?" Alexis asked her.
"Which one?" Julia replied though she became obviously eager at the idea.
Laughing softly Alexis said, "Let me ask your mom first."
Talking with her boyfriend in the kitchen Beckett looked over as their daughters came over to them and she asked her, "Are you thirsty?"
Shaking her head quickly Julia burst out, "We're gonna go to the park!"
"I was about to ask if I could take her to the one here by your building," Alexis explained as Beckett then looked at her.
"You can," she replied easily. "But let me get some sunscreen on her and a hat."
"Now I need to take up the story," Castle said. He smiled when Eliza looked at him in confusion and he began telling her about what he and Alexis had talked about when Beckett and Julia had gone to her room.
"You don't want us to go with?" Castle asked his daughter.
"You can if you'd like to," Alexis replied.
"But you want us to stay," Castle said. When his daughter wouldn't look him in the eye he said, "Your gram put you up to this didn't she?"
"She suggested it and when she mentioned me playing with Julia by myself I decided it was a good idea," Alexis said, smiling at her father figuring that out.
"Why?" Castle asked. When she looked at him questioningly he told her, "She's only four years old."
Shrugging Alexis then looked over to the doorway and then said, "So have fun."
When Castle stopped there, just staring at the young woman Julia looked at her as well and asked, "Did you want me to be your sister already?"
Alexis smiled and said, "You were a sweet girl; you still are; and I didn't think about you being my sister specifically then. It was more I just wanted to make sure you'd have a friend when we all got together since Dad and your mom were still together."
"Girls," Beckett said as the two gasped in surprise. "Keep working okay?"
"No, it's okay," Julia said then. "I almost forgot but Dad had some other girlfriends before Mom."
"Yes," Castle said slowly as Eliza looked at him. "Your mom and I didn't meet for a long time, but I love her now; a lot; and I don't want another girlfriend."
"I didn't know then," Alexis said to her sisters. "But I know for sure he won't have another."
"For real?" Eliza asked. When Julia leaned over and whispered to her she corrected herself saying, "For sure?"
"Yes," Alexis said laughingly. "So now I need to say what happens after that." When both her father and Beckett nodded to her questioning glance she smiled and started from where her stepmother and Julia had come out from the rooms.
"How long can we stay?" Alexis asked Beckett once she saw her.
"You have your phone, right?" she responded. When the young woman nodded her head Beckett said, "I'll text you."
Castle glanced at his girlfriend in surprise but didn't say anything as they moved to follow their daughters over to the door. "Have fun and be careful," he said while Beckett was hugging her daughter.
"We will," Alexis assured him. As soon as Julia had turned to her she picked the little girl up and placed her on her hip before they went down the hall to the elevator.
"What is my mommy gonna do?" Julia asked, wrapping her arms tightly around the young woman.
"I think she and my dad will talk," Alexis said before she set her down in front of the elevator. "Press the button for me?"
"I do this with my mommy," Julia said happily as she went to the button to go down immediately. She then went back to Alexis and taking her hand asked, "Do you like my mommy?"
"You asked that?" Eliza asked her sister in surprise.
"Yeah, I wanted to know," Julia said simply. "You can keep going," she then told their big sister.
With a nod Alexis did so with a smile, glancing at their parents to see they were still listening.
"I do," Alexis replied. She wanted to ask if the little girl liked her father but hesitated, knowing that wouldn't be fair for the girl to have to answer. So instead she said, "What would you like to do at the park?"
"Play!" Julia said with a giggle.
"Okay," Alexis said with a soft laugh. "But before we'll stop at the bodega near here so we have some water."
"Kay," Julia said eagerly as they walked through the lobby of the building and then out to the store.
After they had a water bottle to share Alexis took the little girl over to the park and straight to the playground, letting her take off before she followed to join her as Julia was begging her to do.
"I think that's about all I can tell you," Alexis commented. "We went around on the slides, the swings, drank water in the shade and made clover chains."
"I remember," Julia said with a wide smile. "And then played a lot more before Mom and Dad had us go back 'cause they'd made dinner."
"Is that it?" Eliza asked when no one continued.
"It is," Castle told her.
"But… did Jules play with you?" Eliza asked.
"Not really," Castle said with a shrug. "But that was okay because at least she smiled at me a few times." He watched Julia get up and come to him, hugging her back as soon as her arms were around his neck. He kissed her temple and said, "I still loved it then sweetheart."
"I'm glad," Julia said. "Now what?" she asked her mother.
"Now you finish," Beckett replied simply. She smiled when her daughter playfully made a face before stepping over to her so she could hug her. After they'd done so she watched Julia go back to the coffee table to continue with her worksheets, recalling what she and her husband had done after their daughters had gone to the park and left them alone in the apartment.
Grabbing his girlfriend the second she locked the door Castle held her close to him, kissing her deeply as her arms wrapped around him. While he was holding her, he tried not touch her too intimately before they were slowly parting from one another. "So… what should we do now?" he asked, keeping his voice as serious and as least suggestive as possible.
Beckett smiled at his tone and carefully took his hand, pulling him after her to her bedroom before she let him go. She watched him close her door before she said, "What would-"
"I'm leaving that up to you," Castle said quickly, interrupting her.
At first Beckett opened her mouth to protest before she stopped herself and closed it before turning to the bed with a sigh. "I don't know," she admitted.
"Should we go back out to the living room?" Castle asked her, watching as she sat on the end of her bed.
Beckett bit at her lower lip for a moment before she then shook her head and reached out her hand so he would walk up to her. Squeezing his hand tightly once he'd put it into hers she said, "I'm at a weird place right now."
"Okay," Castle said with a quick nod of his head. He moved to sit next to her, letting her go, before he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and told her, "What makes you happier?"
Not answering at first Beckett looked at the pictures on the wall across from her before she breathed out softly and told him, "I could be excited but…"
Watching her slightly flourish with her hand Castle turned his head and gently kissed her temple telling her, "Then I should ask you next do you want to be excited?"
"Yes," Beckett breathed out after they had looked at each other for a while.
Leaning down Castle captured her lips with his own, kissing her gently at first before he deepened it and held her to him. He was relieved when she responded to him and he didn't let them stop for some time until they needed to breathe, parting and looking into one another's eyes. He brushed his lips to hers, watching her getting up after they'd parted, and he said, "Is this why-"
"No," Beckett cut him off before he could finish. She smiled when he looked at her in surprise and said, "We were supposed to go get everything for dinner."
"I'm not apologizing," Castle said quickly.
"I don't want you to," Beckett said, reaching for him and wrapping her arms around his neck as he stood with her. They kissed again and she pressed against him close before she pulled back saying, "Do you mind if we do something else?"
"Sure," Castle said, slightly startled.
"No, not something else entirely," Beckett said, laughing softly as she realized why he looked slightly disappointed.
"Oh… then what did you have in mind?" Castle asked her.
Leaning over Beckett gently whispered into his ear before he pulled back and she said, "We haven't done that for a while."
"True," Castle said, thinking that over. "Alright," he said.
"We can start," Beckett said in slight amusement as he cut himself off with that. She took him around the bed to the side of it and let him gather her in his arms so they could start kissing once again. It took very little time before they were getting onto the mattress but once they were there she tilted her head back while he kissed at her neck, hoping she would be able to let things happen as they would since she was already feeling a great deal of anticipation for Castle.
"Kate?" Castle said, walking up to his wife.
"Yes?" Beckett replied, looking over at him.
"Having some trouble?" Castle said, watching her looking down at a fork on the floor. When she gave him a look he said, "Sorry."
"No, it's too easy," Beckett replied with a sigh as he picked up the utensil. "Since we're talking about this I dropped a pair of socks earlier."
"I'll grab them when we're up there," Castle told his wife. "Let me ask you something though."
"Alright but you did that twice already," Beckett said teasingly to him.
Castle just glanced at her while he was closing the door of the dishwasher before he said, "Then let me ask you a third question, were you remembering what we got up to while Alexis and Julia were at the playground."
Smiling at his asking that in Irish, Beckett said while he walked up to her, "Yes but it never went further than us getting on the bed."
"I did the same," Castle admitted, wrapping his arm around her waist. When he saw the doubtful look on her face he said in mock indignity, "I did."
Beckett laughed and then wrapped her arms around him saying, "I believe you," in English. But something seemed to come to mind then and she murmured into his ear, "Tonight-"
"No, no," Castle said quickly, speaking in English before he forced himself to translate in Irish in his head before he talked again. "We don't need to."
"Are-" Beckett started to say.
"I am," Castle said, knowing she was going to ask if he was sure. He then embraced her tightly to him and told her, "But for now what should we do?"
"If you want to take them outside go ahead but I really don't want to go out there," Beckett said since the storm had stopped as Julia had finished her worksheets.
"I think we'll stay in… I get the feeling the snow is going to melt," Castle said. "Though…" he said thoughtfully. "We could go to the front."
"If you do try and take the dogs," Beckett replied. She then remembered something and said, "You could shovel the driveway too."
"I probably should," Castle said. "After lunch though and since I'm fine making it on my own…"
"I can stay," Beckett protested.
"Where?" Castle asked.
"I could sit over there," Beckett replied, motioning to the kitchen table.
"Mom?" Julia asked, hurrying out into the hallway then. "Lizzy glued one of the buttons to her forehead."
Sighing Beckett said to her husband as she walked away, "I guess they decided that for me."
"I think so," Castle said, watching her go down the hall before she disappeared into the family room.
"Eliza what did you do?" Beckett asked as she came into the room to find the little girl covering her forehead with both her hands.
"It was an accident Mommy!" Eliza said immediately and tearfully.
"Come here," Beckett said, motioning her over as she sat on the couch.
"I didn't see what happened," Alexis said as she walked into the room then with a washcloth. "I told her it wasn't a problem, but she didn't want us to look at the button."
"She was right sweetie," Beckett said. "It's not very strong glue so it'll come off you," she told her firmly. "Now uncover your forehead please." As soon as her daughter had done that she said, "It'll come off," as one of the larger blue buttons was there on her skin. She carefully got some hot water under the button and when it came off she studied Eliza's skin. "You'll be alright just don't scratch where it was," she told her seriously.
"I won't," the little girl said with a sigh. "Sorry."
"It's okay," Beckett said with a soft laugh. "That'll happen when you're a kid."
"I think I got one stuck in my ear," Alexis commented.
Smiling as Eliza nearly shrieked in laughter Julia said, "Did anything happen to me Mom?"
"You tried to eat a blue crayon," Beckett answered, gently running her hand over her daughter's hair. "You thought it would taste like blueberries."
Stepping up to the doorway Castle said, "Is everything okay now?"
"Yeah Mommy helped me," Eliza said, going over to him. "Is it ready?"
"No, I'm making Cuban sandwiches so I wanted to make sure everyone was alright with everything on them," Castle said.
"We are," Alexis said, the others nodding in agreement with her. When her father had left them, she said to her stepmother, "He wants us to join him."
"We need to anyways," Beckett said though she was smiling as she knew her stepdaughter was right. She stood up and was about to tell the girls to start putting away their buttons when she nearly fell back on the couch.
"Mom!" Julia gasped, nearly jumping to her.
"Are you okay?" Alexis asked, reaching out.
"Fine, my balance went off," Beckett was quick to say as she let her stepdaughter hold her arm. "I'm fine Rick," she called when she heard him running down the hall.
"Are-" Castle started to say.
"I am," Beckett said a little more forcefully as he walked quickly over to her. "It's just my balance. I probably stood too fast which makes no sense since I can't really do that right now."
"Still you should sit," Castle said worriedly.
About to tell him she was fine, Beckett glanced at their daughters and then said; when she saw the expressions on their faces; "Alright but in the kitchen."
Wanting to protest Castle knew by the determined expression on her face she wasn't going to let him do that, so he nodded and then said, "Keep her company."
"They need to anyway," Beckett told him as she knew why he'd said that.
"She'll be okay," Julia said to Eliza who she had seen was starting to cry.
"Mommy," the little girl said as soon as her mother was sitting down.
"I'm alright sweetie," Beckett said quickly as Eliza continued to cry as she hugged her. She embraced her daughter tightly and said, "The same thing happened to me when I was pregnant with you."
Sniffing a little hard Eliza asked, "Yeah?"
"She's right," Alexis said then. "I almost forgot about that."
"At least I didn't fall forward into the table," Beckett said. She could see the confusion on Eliza's face and she gently brushed away her tears before telling her, "Just before you were born and when I was very round with you we had dinner with everyone here. Your grandparents and Alexis had made dinner-"
"I should correct you there love," Castle interrupted her. "It was just your dad and Alexis."
"Your gram helped your sister set the table," Beckett said with a smile for Eliza. She was relieved when the little girl smiled slightly back at her before she then said, "And after we ate I stood up and almost toppled forward onto the table."
"'Cause you were like that?" Eliza asked, leaning forward.
"No, no," Beckett said quickly. "Like what happened now I was off balance since that's what happens to me at the end of my pregnancy apparently. So I am okay," she finished firmly. "Go help your sisters."
"You can stay," Julia said though she wanted to hug their mother herself.
Eliza smiled and then went after Alexis saying, "I can help Jules!"
"Come here," Beckett said, watching her daughter. She wrapped her arms around Julia tightly and kissed her temple telling her, "Were you scared?"
"A little but I remembered you did that a couple times before," Julia explained, kissing her mother's cheek. "Is she moving?"
"Mmm-hmm," Beckett replied with a smile. "Not kicking just moving around a little."
Julia placed her hand on her mother's stomach before her father called for her to get her glass as the food was ready.
Beckett, watching her family with her hand on her abdomen, smiled as they were hurrying and she called to them, "Calm down I see a collision happening way too easily right now."
Going to his wife Castle shared a quick kiss with her before saying, "You're hungry."
"I think we all are, but you don't need to end up getting an injury before we can start," Beckett said. She laughed when he saluted her, and she pushed him away playfully before she said, "What are we doing for dinner tonight? The leftovers?"
"I figured that would be better, so we're not having the same two times in a row," Castle said, nodding as he was going over to the kitchen.
"You know you might be able to go out," Alexis commented.
"No, we're set," Castle said to her. "And I don't want to risk heading out yet."
"Is the snow gonna go away tomorrow?" Eliza asked them.
"Hopefully," Julia said. "That way we can go play outside."
"Yeah," Eliza said, nodding her head rapidly in agreement.
"Well the sun is shining nice and bright," Castle said, glancing out the nearest window. "Let's hope it starts melting now."
Julia nodded, along with her sister, and she then hurried to give her mother her glass of pineapple juice before she went back to her father who was getting the plate with sandwiches on it.
"Thank you for taking it easy," Beckett said with a smile at them. She laughed softly when her family all came over to either hug her or kiss her cheek; in the girls' cases both; before she saw everything was ready and they were gathered around together, beginning to eat shortly after. For a while they were quiet eating; which didn't surprise her as she knew she had been right about all of them being hungry; nor did it startle her when Eliza was the first to speak when they were well into their meal and was addressing her and Castle with a question.
"What can we do after?" the little girl said hopefully.
Sharing a quick glance with his wife Castle said, "We could go outside but into the front."
"Shoveling the driveway?" Alexis asked.
"I need to," Castle said.
"I can go out after you finish," Beckett told her husband after their daughters looked at her.
"Would you let me walk with you?" Castle asked, biting down his saying it was too risky for her slipping to say that instead.
"That would be nice," Beckett replied with a smile as she knew that hadn't been what had gone through his mind first. "I do need to walk," she then told the girls. "And I could use some fresh air."
"We had a lot at the lake," Julia said with a smile.
"I know," Beckett said. "But after that I think we should do something else fun."
"Not playing," Julia told her little sister quickly as she looked confused.
"Art?" Eliza asked. When her mother nodded she said seriously, "Not buttons."
Laughing a little Castle said, "No buttons but pick what you'd like."
"When can we play?" Julia asked.
"When you're outside," Beckett said as her husband was standing up to begin getting the plates as they had finished by then. "And you can play inside after your art," she then was swift to add. "Since you'll have school tomorrow."
"Wait!" Julia said. "What about the baby's room?"
Castle laughed slightly and said, "If you want to join us your mom and I were going to do that after your art."
"Can we play after dinner?" Julia asked. When her mother smiled at her she playfully made a face at her and said, "You're mean."
"I wanted to see if you'd remember," Beckett told her, reaching for her and kissing her temple. "But don't worry you'll get to play." She stood up then; carefully; and told the girls, "Help your dad and sister so you have more time outside." She smiled when the two quickly did so and she turned her attention to walking around the hall to wait for them and to get some exercise while the dogs all went with her.
"Mommy," Eliza said, hurrying over to her. She smiled when her mother turned to her; as well as the dogs; and said, "They're gonna clean up."
"Alright," Beckett said, reaching out to take her hand. They walked over to the entry and looked outside together before she said with a smile, "You have enough snow to make a nice snowman out there."
"Yeah… but I want you to be there too Mommy," Eliza said, looking up at her.
"You can make more than one," Beckett told her reassuringly, squeezing her hand before she gently pulled her to walk back to the kitchen.
"Okay, ready?" Castle asked his daughters when he saw that everything was cleaned up.
"Yeah, Mom can't go now?" Julia asked.
"Better I get the driveway cleared as much as possible," Castle replied easily. "Once it is I'll come back inside and get her. For now, help me get the dogs' boots on?"
Julia nodded eagerly as they entered the entry where her mother and sister were waiting for them. She was going to ask her mother to go out with them then; despite what her father had said about the driveway when the dogs began to bark.
Beckett watched everyone getting the dogs' boots on, wishing she could help them out. But she merely stood and looked on until they were ready, luckily able to hold the dogs' coats before handing them out for the others to put on until they could get their outer layers on. "Be very careful," she said, sitting as she was helping Eliza with her things. "The snow might be ice in some spots."
"I will," the little girl said, smiling as she was bundled up. "Come outside after Mommy."
"I will," Beckett replied, echoing her with a smile. She leaned into her and tenderly kissed her cheek before standing, going to her husband as he stood by the door. "Get me as soon as you finish," she told him.
"I will… what?" Castle asked in surprise when she laughed once before covering her mouth with her hand.
"Eliza and I said that," Beckett replied easily before he leaned over to share a swift kiss with her. "Have fun," she told them, hugging the girls who'd come to her. After they went out with their sister and father and she shivered at the cold air coming inside. She stood in the doorway long enough for them to walk out into the snow on the driveway before she told them she'd see them later and then closed the door. She made her way to the family room, her hand firmly on her stomach as the baby was lightly kicking against her side. "I'll sit down right now," she said with a smile to it. Getting on the couch she looked at her book that was on the coffee table and hesitated in grabbing it, giving up and turning to lay on one of the pillows that was always on the sofa. Lying on her side she intended to only relax before she went out to go through the snow but before she knew it her eyes were closed, and she was asleep shortly after that.