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: The lyrics in this chapter are from the songs Silly Love Songs and Beautiful Night, the first written by Paul and Linda McCartney and the second just by Paul. The first song is from the Wings album Wings at the Speed of Sound and the second from Paul's album Flaming Pie.
A/N #2: I was very happy to get the feedback I got for the last chapter so I'll go ahead and get to my thank yous for them! MsNYC (Thanks so much for catching up with things, I do appreciate that. And I'm so happy that you love that Darnley's in the chapters thought in this case just calling, lol, until he gets there for the wedding. Really pleased that you're happy seeing the families together as I thought the same you did, with a group that close to each other it's a nice feeling I've gone through that myself so I took from that experience. So of course it was great to see that you were glad I was able to capture that every time since it can be hard to get it into words. And it's nice to see you can't wait for Darnley there with them actually and I can't wait for readers to either, lol since I love writing him as well as Skye a lot. I did like reading that you love that I have the kids seeing their parents having a healthy romantic relationship, as you put it. I didn't want the couples to have problems; especially before I made two of the couples that are there, lol, and of course I can't see Castle and Beckett not being romantic with their history of course. Well I don't want them not being I should just say, lol. Anyways it meant a lot to see you thought it was great writing as usual. And I was happy to see that until next time you put since you'd like to read more and now you can!),
TORONTOSUN (It was great to see that you like how expressive Eliza and Julia were, I figure with them getting older and also them seeing new things and everything they'd get like that. And I was happy to read you liked that Castle and Beckett were feeling stronger about each other in the chapter, it seemed to just call to me to do that so glad you caught it!) and
vetgirlmx (I was pleased of course to see that you thought it was a very good chapter! And I wasn't surprised to see you thought the day in the chapter was relaxing this time, lol. You're right, after spending that much time together it'll be hard for the girls to go back to being apart, even Julia and Mari though they can easily spend the night with each other next door I agree with you about it not being the same. It's why I have them writing letters to each other, to keep them close. Yeah, I've heard of a larger age difference between siblings and I've actually seen it in the movies… well actually just one You've Got Mail but it didn't figure too largely into the plot, lol, just a mention. But I know it does happen in real life. I also figured Alexis wouldn't be the type to be too concerned with age difference since she was nineteen to Julia's four when she came to Beckett. And you're right, lol, Alexis would love another sibling; I see her as the kind who'd be happy for one; and like you said she can handle five girls so another sibling wouldn't be too difficult for her. So happy you too like Darnley coming into the story still though he's not with them, lol, I guess because I wrote in Skye I wanted to put in my other original character. Plus I do love writing about him as much as Skye so had to include him where I could! It was very nice to see you're so excited about them going to Brennan's home, you using the word finally helped clue me in, lol. And of course happy that you can't wait to read the next chapter which you don't need to do anymore!).
Thanks so much for the reviews, loved reading them as usual and am grateful too for the time taken write them and send them to me!
A/N #3: The title of this chapter is part of the title of the song I'm Happy Just to Dance with You by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, from The Beatles' album A Hard Day's Night.
Just To Dance With You
"Rick," Beckett said, looking down at her husband as she watched him tighten her stirrup.
"Have fun on your last ride," Castle said, looking up at her.
Making a face briefly Beckett told him, "When we get back we're riding together."
Castle wanted to protest that when his wife took off with Brennan. Shaking his head as he watched the two go he couldn't help smile and then turned to Clara who was with him.
"I'm about to check on the horses," the woman said. "Care to join me?"
"Sure, you're not getting your daughter up yet?" Castle asked after he'd nodded and they walked back into the stable where the horses their spouses were riding were kept.
Letting her cousin lead the way over his and Clara's lands Beckett tried not to let her thoughts stray from focusing on the ride to what she would do with the girls once they were up. She managed to get a distraction when her cousin let out a yell of joy next to her and she started to laugh before they were reaching the fence at the end of the property. She had to turn her Lipizzaner to the side before she could slow down and then turned to Brennan. "I forgot how big your property is," she told him with a smile.
"Not quite mine; it's my wife's," Brennan replied with a smile. "I just have the name down because of marriage."
"If it's on the deed I'm sure that means it's yours too," Beckett told him.
"Your home?" Brennan asked.
"It was Rick's first," Beckett said with a nod. "And he put my name on the deed with his."
"Then I guess it's yours," Brennan said. He then shrugged and told her, "I suppose it's mine as well but I don't care; I fell in love with my wife before I saw this place." He then looked at her and said, "So what's all this about a last ride? Here at the manor? You can go riding tomorrow if you'd like."
Smiling slightly as she wasn't surprised he'd caught what her husband had said, Beckett took a moment to answer before saying, "It's nothing really, I probably won't ride again until later."
"Ah, so you're going to have another baby," Brennan stated. When his cousin's head turned to him rapidly he smiled and told her, "I could figure. Plus when Clara and I were trying she stopped as well since we didn't want to risk anything."
Sighing Beckett said, "Rick and I were going to keep this quiet since we don't know if we're going have any luck. But we're going to try."
"You don't think you'd be able to conceive?" Brennan asked in surprise. "You're still young and you've had a baby already."
"You never know and I don't want to be presumptuous," Beckett said. "I don't want to risk it."
"I suppose you'd want to be careful," Brennan said. "But I'm sure you two will have a good deal of luck. When do you plan to try? Or is that none of my bloody business?"
Sighing as her cousin was smiling at her Beckett said, "You already figured it out."
"We decided to try after a ball ourselves; before we conceived Erin another day after it," Brennan told her honestly. "But not this one, it was a different ball." He stopped his horse and waited for his cousin to do the same before telling her, "It has to be the dancing. We were together the entire night and very happy."
Beckett laughed softly and said, "Something about that makes it conducive to happiness."
"So I don't have to ask if you and Rick are doing well," Brennan told her.
"I don't think so," Beckett replied with another laugh.
"Kate," Brennan said as they were riding again though merely walking their horses.
"Yes?" Beckett asked, glancing at her cousin.
"Would you let me know whenever we can expect another cousin?" Brennan asked slowly.
"You don't have to ask," Beckett said as she began to smile at him. "I was going to do so already, you are family."
"Thank you," Brennan said with a smile. "Can I tell Clara?"
"Yes but we're not telling the kids; including Alexis," Beckett said. "I don't want to get their hopes up until Rick and I are sure."
"What about the rest of your family?" Brennan asked. When she didn't answer at first he asked, "Your parents?"
"We… I suppose we're using the same mentality as we are about the kids," Beckett said with a sigh.
"They might figure out things when you stop riding," Brennan said. "Also if you don't drink and such."
"Then we'll tell them," Beckett said. "We've only told people that have so far."
"Keeping it a secret?" Brennan asked her.
"We'd like to," Beckett said with a smile.
"Clara would have the same smile that's on your face," Brennan said. "When she first realized she was with child." He looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, "I may have too."
"You were eager to be a father again?" Beckett asked him.
"Oh, of course," Brennan said seriously. "Plus something in me wanted to see her pregnant… I suppose it's a bit-"
"Not if you didn't worry for her while she was pregnant," Beckett replied.
"I worried," Brennan said immediately. "Couldn't help it since it was our first."
"Did you ever…" Beckett began to say before she trailed off.
"Clara can't," Brennan said, becoming serious. He sighed when Beckett looked at him and said, "There were some complications when Erin was born."
"I'm so sorry," Beckett whispered softly, putting her hand on his arm.
"Don't be we managed to have a beautiful little girl and we do have Louis," Brennan said, smiling a little sadly at first. "Clara loves them both."
"I can tell," Beckett said, nodding her head slightly.
"I wish you hadn't asked," Brennan said as they were nearing the stables. "Not because it was insensitive or anything but more that I don't want you thinking of that yourself."
"I didn't have any troubles," Beckett said softly.
"I'm glad to hear that," Brennan said seriously. He squeezed her hand and said, "I want to see my wife."
"Go," Beckett replied. She watched him gallop to the building and then dismount before he strode inside. She had to laugh when a second later her husband was striding out rapidly from the inside and called, "He was kissing her?"
"Really hard," Castle said as he smiled at her. "So I decided to make my exit. What brought that on?" he asked as he leading a horse behind him.
"Let's ride a little and I'll tell you," Beckett said. She was pleased when her husband didn't say anything to that and instead they began to ride together in almost the same direction as hers and Brennan's ride. When they were enough away from the home she told her husband what she and her cousin had talked about until she finished with where he'd left her.
"I had no idea," Castle said, glancing back to the house. "But I wonder if they mind too much."
"I think they've found their joy in their family," Beckett said. "And they don't speak in what ifs."
"No," Castle said in agreement.
"Rick-" Beckett started to say as she turned to her husband.
"We'll be fine Kate but if we have three daughters then that's what we have," Castle said. "Wait, stop for a second," he told her. Once she had done so he turned his Lipizzaner around until he was facing her and he said, "Don't deal in what ifs my love," staring into her eyes.
"I know," Beckett said, smiling a bit. She leaned in towards him before they began to kiss sensuously and when they parted she whispered as their foreheads leaned together, "We have each other."
"Always, whatever happens love," Castle replied seriously.
"Always," Beckett said.
Pulling away from her Castle said, "You're not… sad are you?"
"No, hopeful and very excited for tonight," Beckett reassured him. She tried not to laugh when he coughed slightly and said, "We better get going, the girls are going to be up soon."
"By the way," Castle said, holding out his hand before his wife could start galloping. "What are we doing today with them?"
Beckett merely looked at her husband but when he just raised his eyebrow slightly she sighed and said, "I'm going to ride with Julia for a little and then we'll come back and swim. We'll let Eliza have a turn tomorrow."
"Mare or pony?" Castle asked as he watched her.
Smiling Beckett said, "Pony since she can handle those more now."
"Yep," Castle said. When his wife rolled her eyes he leaned over and kissed her once more before telling her, "Race?"
"No, just ride!" Beckett said simply before she turned her horse to the side and began to gallop. She wasn't surprised when it didn't take her husband long to catch up with her and they rode along the fence that surrounded the acres of the estate. They didn't stop until they had reached the stables again and there she had to really push herself to slow down before they came to her cousin who was standing with his wife outside the one where their horses were kept.
"Good ride?" Clara asked them first with a smile.
"Of course," Beckett said first.
"You have extensive lands so that was an awesome ride," Castle then added.
"We'll take your horses for you," Brennan said.
"I need another horse," Beckett said before she looked at her husband.
"Me too," Castle said. When his wife smiled at him he then said, "And a mare for Julia."
"Of course," Brennan replied. "Speaking of your old… middle child?"
"Either," Beckett said, not surprised when her husband was glancing to her to answer that. She then turned her attention to Julia who'd come out from the stable then and said, "Good morning sweetie."
"Morning," the girl said with a smile, hugging her mother as tightly as she could. "How was it?" she asked as she could smell the odor of horse on her mother's clothes.
"Good but that was only my second ride," Beckett replied.
Castle chuckled slightly at Julia's confused expression and then said, "She rode with Brennan first."
"And then you?" Julia asked him.
"Of course," Beckett said with a smile at her. She waited for Castle to hug their daughter before she then said, "And I'll be riding for a third time with you."
Julia smiled at her mother before she said, "Thank you."
"You can show more excitement," Castle said, playfully nudging the girl gently.
"I'll scare the horses," Julia said. "Wait, are you gonna come with us?"
"He is," Beckett said before her husband could reply. "Unless you don't want him to."
"No I do," Julia said quickly before she watched her parents go to their horses. She followed but a little more slowly before she was holding her hand out to the nose of the mare she was being shown.
"Is she fast?" Castle asked the two.
"Fast enough to keep up," Brennan said.
"Really?" Julia asked eagerly.
"Really," Beckett replied as her cousin and Clara glanced to her to answer. "We should get going."
"Okay," Julia said excitedly before she mounted her mare with her father's help. She smiled when her mother then checked on her stirrups and said, "Did Daddy do this for you?"
"You were awake?" Beckett asked, smiling.
"Yeah but no one else was," Julia said, watching her parents mount their horses. "Thank you," she called to Brennan and Clara, waving while her horse was following the others.
"How is it in the nursery?" Castle asked.
"I didn't think they would have that," Julia admitted as she was riding in between them once they were out in grass and could do that. "But it's okay, I like that we all have a bed to ourselves."
"Thank your Cousin Clara," Beckett said. "She thought of when Erin was old enough to have sleepovers."
"But so many beds?" Julia asked as she and the other girls were all sleeping in the old nursery of the home; even Dani had a bed there with them.
"Just in case?" Castle asked his wife.
"Yes," Beckett said. "Now are we ready to keep going?"
"I am," Julia said happily before she followed her mother's lead and then began to spur her horse to ride faster with her parents.
Going for a while Castle and Beckett didn't stop until they were at the western most side of the property before they motioned for their daughter to slow down as they were doing so. They began to walk then and they watched their daughter as she was looking around eagerly though it wasn't their first time riding around the grounds with her.
"I wish we could stay longer," Julia said after a while, breaking the silence.
"I know but we have one more day," Castle pointed out to her.
"But we're gonna be resting aren't we?" Julia protested. "After the ball."
"But we'll have likely the rest of the afternoon," Beckett said. "And we'll spend time with your cousin."
"How come they're not coming with us back to Ireland," Julia said. When her parents shared a look and smiled she said, "They are?" with an excited gasp.
"We were going to tell you later but yes, they're planning on joining us the rest of the trip," Beckett said.
"Why didn't you say sooner?" Julia asked in protest.
"Because they just told us last night," Beckett replied. "When you were all in bed and everyone else was in their rooms."
"Just me and your mom," Castle clarified as Julia appeared to be confused.
"Oh… well at least they're coming and Louis has family now with him too," the girl said. She looked around them again and sighed saying, "Thank you for letting me come."
"I had a feeling you might wake up first," Beckett said teasingly since she'd done so the day before when she and Castle had gone riding in the morning.
"I was so excited," Julia confessed. "Especially 'cause I knew the horses were right here," she said as they were approaching the stables.
"Are you hungry?" Castle asked.
"Yeah, I didn't eat," Julia replied.
"I am," Beckett said, slightly startled as her husband was looking to her next. "I only had a scone on the way out. You too."
"And yes I am hungry," Castle commented with a laugh before they were stopping their horses and dismounting. He and Beckett led the horses to their stalls and took care of the two they'd ridden before Brennan was taking care of the mare Julia had ridden. "Is anyone up?" he asked the man once they were all in the aisle.
"No idea, Clara headed up to the house so if anyone's up she's with them," Brennan replied.
They walked together up to the house where they heard a large amount of talking coming from the smaller room that Brennan and Clara called the breakfast room. When they came to the doorway they saw that everyone was there, getting food from the side of the room before gathering at the large table in the middle.
"So what do you think," Brennan was saying to the adults near him that were close enough to hear him. "About just staying in the pool room?"
Before anyone could say anything to that the girls were all squealing; Dani reacting to the others and squealing too; and the adults laughed together.
"I think," David said. "That's a yes. What made you think of putting all that stuff into the room?"
"I suggested it," Louis said, smiling at the others. "I suppose I was thinking of that thwarted man cave Da."
"We wanted to build one but more of a… rec room I believe you call it," Brennan answered.
When she saw the other adults nodding Clara said, "It was either that or extend our library." She smiled when the men sucked in breaths of air and she said, "Though I wasn't averse to the games and such we had more books than we could fit."
"At least you kind of have a rec room," Castle said.
"It's close to what we would have done in the addition room," Brennan said with a shrug. "So Erin?"
"I'm finished Da," the little girl said immediately.
"So am I," Julia, Mari and the twins said at the same time.
"Me too!" Eliza cried out though her mouth was slightly full.
"Eliza," Beckett said a little sternly.
"Sorry," the little girl said after she'd finished eating.
"Then I think we're all ready to go," Clara said.
After everyone had finished they got up and went upstairs to their rooms where they then began to prepare for the rest of the day.
"So… I'm waiting outside?" Castle asked as he stepped out to the bedroom to find Beckett taking off her shirt. Their daughters were with them; Julia and Eliza begging to join them; and he wondered if she was going to change in front of them fully.
"We're not looking Daddy," Julia said to the window which she and her sister were looking out of.
"We promised Mommy," Eliza added.
"Go with them Rick," Beckett said, getting the top of her bikini set. She rushed to finish changing and then said, "Okay, all we need to do is rinse off down at the pool."
With the girls cheering together they took their parents' hands and they headed down the stairs, joining the McDouglases until they were reaching the room made around the pool on the side of the house. Everyone else was there already and after they had all rinsed off quickly they then began to go into the heated pool though some of the adults stayed behind talking before they began to join their children; Jim joining them as well; so they could start to swim with them.
"Are we going to do this all day?" Julia asked as she swam over to where her parents were once they were in the water.
"Not all day," Beckett told her with a smile as she was holding Eliza in her arms.
"You guys need to get ready," Castle said before he submerged into the water.
"Does he do that too?" Eliza asked.
"He does," Skye said as she swam up to them then. When she saw that the man in question was looking at her she said, "Don't think you don't prepare yourself in some way."
"She's right, I do," Castle said. "Who wants to get to the slide?" he asked them.
"Yes, we're going," Beckett said. "After I get my hair wet too," she said before ducking underneath the water.
"How come we don't have a slide Daddy?" Eliza asked her father since she'd swum over to him.
"It wouldn't fit," Castle said.
"What?" Beckett asked when her husband looked at her as she stood up.
"Couldn't we get one?" Castle asked.
"One… a slide?" Beckett said in surprise.
With a nod Castle wasn't surprised when his wife then went over to the steps and he followed her telling Eliza as he held her hand, "I don't think so."
"We can look into it," Beckett said, looking down at their youngest when she heard her make a groan of disappointment.
"Hi," Erin said as the family met her at the bottom of the steps to the slide. "This is my favorite part."
"Mine too," Julia and Eliza said at the same time.
"Take turns," Castle said to the three.
"Go ahead Eliza," Beckett told the little girl then after she'd made sure Alexis was at the bottom waiting for her.
Since she'd already been on the slide before Eliza had no trouble with the ladder up to the top and once she was there she waved to everyone else who was watching her and sat down. "Now Mommy?" she asked, looking over the side at her mother.
"Is your vest on tight?" Beckett asked her. When the little girl nodded she tried not to laugh before telling her, "Then go ahead." She watched her go down with Castle and laughed with him as she was screaming the entire way.
"I hope that's out of joy," Brennan said, walking up to the two then.
"It is," Castle said, watching as Erin went next as Julia was going over to the side of the pool.
Beckett was looking over to where he was as well and smiled when their daughter got into the water from the side where Mari already was. "We don't have a slide at home."
"Too bad, Erin insisted…" Brennan began to say before he trailed off as his daughter was going down the slide. "That we get it."
"The girls might do that now too," Castle said, looking at his wife.
"I told you we can look into it," Beckett said in a mock annoyed tone. "Go on the slide Rick," she then told him, pushing him playfully.
Watching him go Brennan then said to her, "How are you for the wedding?"
"We're ready," Beckett said. "We need to be or else we won't have one."
"Listen," Brennan then said as he put his hand on her arm. "It's likely presumptuous of me but could I ask for two dances?"
"Tonight?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"One for the wedding and one for the ball tonight," Brennan said.
"We can dance more than once," Beckett said as she was watching her husband going down the slide. "For both."
"He won't mind?" Brennan asked, going to her as she was climbing up the ladder.
"No," Beckett said firmly. "You're family remember."
"I know but I just wondered if he was that jealous," Brennan replied. When his cousin just looked at him he said, "At the wedding."
"We talked about it already and you can ask me to dance," Beckett replied with a slight laugh. She then sat at the top of the slide and pushed herself down after checking the water. She fell into the water with a splash before she then pushed herself back up. She resurfaced to her cousin calling her to get out of the way so she moved before she watched him splash in. Before he resurfaced she then looked at her husband who came up to her and she said, "They're all going now?"
"They are," Castle told her. "So I think we're just watching."
Beckett smiled and nodded before she then told him what her cousin had asked her about. "It seems like he's scared of you."
"I doubt that," Castle said since Brennan was about as tall as him. "He just doesn't want me to be jealous. Weird that Clara's not asking me if you'll be jealous of her."
Giving him a look Beckett then said, "She knows I won't be."
"True," Castle said as they made their way to the stairs. He noticed then that his father in law was getting out of the pool and said, "Though what's weird is that we danced last year at the ball."
"He was asking about the wedding reception," Beckett reminded him.
Nodding Castle then swam away from her, going to the slide so he could give Louis and Alexis a break from getting the twins.
"Well," Rebecca said, sitting next to Beckett on the second step.
"You're ogling your husband," she told her friend quickly.
"So are you," Rebecca said, glancing at her quickly. She then smiled and said, "I've never been to a ball before."
"Yes you have," Beckett said, tearing her gaze from her husband to her friend. "Valentine's Day."
"Not a proper English ball," Rebecca said before she laughed at Beckett as she splashed her. "You're splashing Dani I hope you know."
"She doesn't mind," Beckett replied as the baby was giggling at her. She reached over for her and took her, kissing the top of her head before her mother in law took her out as she was reaching for her. "I'm sorry she can't join us."
"As late as we're starting…" Rebecca began. "Listen, I need some help with my hair. I'll trade you a hair style."
"So will I," Mary said, coming over to them. "And by that I mean my wife will do our hair." When she saw they were looking at her in surprise she said, "Don't look so startled; she's good with hair."
"Perhaps because I quite enjoy it," Skye said, walking up to stand next to her wife. When she saw the way Beckett and Rebecca were looking at her she said quickly, "My wife's, I meant Mary's."
"If you're any good," Beckett began. She saw Rebecca was looking at her in surprise and she reminded her, "Remember the competition."
"Oh… you did your own hair," Rebecca said to Skye.
"I did and if you'd like me to I can do that," the investigator replied.
"Though do you?" Beckett asked. "A little unfair to ask you to do three people's hair."
"Four; my own," Skye said.
"You're not wearing a dress are you?" Rebecca asked her.
Smiling Skye said, "You'll find out soon enough. But come to our room when you're ready for me to work."
"Your magic," Mary finished for her wife. When Skye gave her a look she just smiled before she cried out and then threw herself to the side since her wife was splashing at her.
"So they're still in love as well," Clara said, stepping down into the pool.
"You don't want to go on the slide?" Rebecca asked as she and Beckett looked at her.
"No I'm alright," Clara replied. "Do you mind?" she asked the two, motioning next to them.
"I think we should be asking you that," Beckett commented as the woman then sat.
"She's right, it is your pool," Rebecca added.
"We only have it between the four us; three since Louis' been to school," Clara commented.
"You've missed him?" Beckett asked, suddenly remembering her conversation with her cousin earlier that morning.
"Oh of course," Clara replied, smiling. "We all have been. That's why I begged Brennan to let us join you… to ask anyway."
"You could have joined us the whole trip," Rebecca told her, Beckett nodding next to her.
"We try to go to Scotland at least once a year; I've family there," Clara replied.
"Then you can join us now like you said," Beckett said with a smile before there was a sudden screech that made everyone in the room pause.
"Oh, my little one excuse me," Rebecca said with a smile as she stood up and got out since her youngest had been with Martha.
"So Brennan told me the news," Clara said softly to her cousin.
"There isn't really news yet it's just a hope," Beckett said, with a slight smile. She glanced at the woman next to her but saw that her cousin's wife didn't really appear to be upset at the idea of them trying to have another baby. "He told me as well," she whispered.
"He said," Clara said. She looked at Beckett and said, "It's why I cherish my children. We were blessed to have them." She was smiling slightly but then said, "Did you have any troubles?"
"No," Beckett said quickly to reassure her. "The pregnancy and birth were fine. We want one more."
"He's a good father," Clara said as Rebecca was sitting next to them again with Dani.
"He is," Rebecca said, a smile spreading across her face. She then realized that the two women with her were quiet and she said, "Sorry I thought you were talking about my husband."
"No, mine but it's nice to see you think that about yours," Clara said, smiling at her.
"You don't need to ask, she thinks the same about Rick," Rebecca said as Beckett was starting to open her mouth. "I knew," she then said as she looked at her.
"She's right," Beckett said, sighing slightly. "Speaking of that it's almost time for lunch so we should head out and join them."
"I don't know if we can," Clara then said. "They're still going on the slide."
"I'm amazed they're taking turns," Rebecca commented as they watched them at the end of the pool.
"Our husbands?" Beckett asked.
With some laughter the three got up and then out of the pool to join their families at the slide before they would need to stop them for a slightly early lunch.
"You can't crack a bat," Brennan was calling.
"Give over," Skye said back to him with a laugh. "And why would I want to do that anyway? Would defeat the purpose of the game."
"That's your American side," Alexis was telling the investigator.
"Thank you," Skye said as she took the bat she was handing her. She flipped it around and then tested the weight saying with a nod, "Not bad."
"Just get ready," Brennan replied in a mock impatient tone of voice.
"So… this is good natured ribbing right?" Castle asked his wife as they were standing with the others on the side to watch them.
"It is," Beckett said. "She and Louis were doing this in Dublin," she reminded him.
"I miss Ireland," Julia suddenly said as she and Eliza were in front of their family; Alexis with Louis on the side. She then looked up at them said, "Sorry?"
"No, no need to apologize," Castle told her reassuringly. "But I wonder why we didn't play something the kids could do."
"Easier to do this," Brennan called.
"Throw the ball already!" Skye said to him.
With a nod Brennan took his stance and once the investigator was read he tossed the ball to her quickly and they watched her strike it well into the air and past him. "Maybe you can," he then told the investigator.
"I told you Da," Louis said as he climbed up onto a horse he had ready for that purpose. "'Lex," he called to his girlfriend.
"I… I haven't ridden bareback yet," Alexis said a little hesitantly. She was startled when her stepmother put her hand on her back and led her over to another horse that was next to Louis. She smiled as Beckett was whispering what she needed to do and then said, "You'll help me?" When her boyfriend nodded she hugged her stepmother quickly before she joined him on the other horse.
"We'll ride slowly; I'll watch her," Louis said to Castle and Beckett before they headed into the grass.
"Thought he was going to get the ball for us," Brennan said with a smile. "So I suppose a bit more in the pool until we need to go."
"How much time is that?" Kathleen asked as they were going together inside.
"I would say a half hour," Clara said as her husband held out the watch on his wrist to her. "You all need baths and showers as do we."
"That's why it'll take longer to get ready," Jim said then to Eliza as she was pouting.
"You're going Dad?" Beckett asked her father as he was staying at the top of the steps.
"A little rest," Jim said with a smile. "I'll see you before we head downstairs."
"Can we just go on the slide?" Julia was asking her mother as she grabbed her arm.
"Yes, go," Beckett said. She was startled when both her daughters pulled her after them and she smiled at her husband before they made their way to the ladder.
In the rest of the time that they had left the kids went on the slide as much as they could. Though that time they also began to beg their fathers to throw them into the water which they soon did. Finally the parents ushered their kids out and they were just about to leave when a knock on the window made them turn around to look at them.
"Hi!" Eliza said, rushing to the window at her sister and Louis.
"Open the door for them if you can Eliza," Castle said, watching her with the others.
With a nod the little girl hurried over to the door in the wall of windows and opened it saying, "Did you… you smell like horsies!"
"Take a shower Louis; don't go near the pool," Brennan called playfully to his son.
"We're following you Da," the young man said with a smile.
Together the families went back inside the manor and once upstairs they split up from one another to their rooms; the parents taking their kids to their own since they all couldn't use the bathroom attached to the nursery.
"We can't play?" Julia was asking Beckett as they were in the tub in the nursery.
"We-" she started to say before someone came up to the doorway.
"Gram!" the girls said together.
"And Grandpapa," Jim said with a smile to them.
"We're getting them out right now," Castle said as he took Eliza and Beckett got Julia. "And Mother you look great. Jim you look very nice," he told the two since they were ready for the ball.
"We're going to help them get ready," Beckett said, slightly apologetically to the two as she knew that was why they'd come to the room.
"We don't mind," Jim said quickly first. "Just let us do that for you before the wedding."
"I'd appreciate that but I'll see," Beckett said with a smile and a slight nod. She then turned her attention to Eliza and carried her out to her bed in the nursery before finishing drying her off. "Good?" she asked her daughter.
"Yeah, lemme see my dress please?" Eliza asked excitedly.
Beckett kissed her cheek and then moved to do as she'd asked, taking it out of one of the armoires in the room. She helped Eliza dress before she realized she'd forgotten about Julia and looked for her husband.
"Mother's helping her," Castle said, standing near the door to the bathroom. "I'm horrible with dresses."
While Eliza giggled Jim glanced at his daughter; not surprised to see that she was giving her husband a look. He smiled himself and then said, "Who'll be doing their hair."
"I will," Beckett said quickly, seeing the bathroom door opening as she set Eliza down on the floor since she was ready. When Julia stepped out she said to the two, "Come and stand in front of us."
"For pictures?" Eliza asked.
"Not yet; your hair isn't done yet," Castle said, smiling at the two as they peered up at them questioningly.
"How do we look?" Julia then said with a smile as she saw the looks everyone was giving them; as if they were proud of them. But when she thought about it more she thought it was probably because they looked more grown up in their dresses for the ball. She had on a light blue dress that had a sheer over dress that was embroidered with white flowers and bronze colored leaves. Her sleeves were sheer as well and she couldn't help turn back and forth to watch the skirt bell out slightly as she glanced at her sister.
"Is my dress good Mommy?" Eliza asked.
"Yes," Beckett said simply as she straightened the bodice of the slightly pinkish tinged dress. She smoothed down the front where there were was some heavy embroidery of flowers on it. "Let me do your hair and then I'll take a picture," she said to the two. She took the brush that Castle handed her; Eliza's; and very quickly began to brush out her hair before she braided it into two French braids.
"Thank you Mommy," Eliza said, kissing her cheek when she reached back and touched the plaits.
"You're welcome, try not to undo them," Beckett said before she took Julia's brush from her oldest. She brushed out the girl's longer chestnut colored hair before she braided it in a single French braid. "And now you're ready," she told her.
"Thanks," Julia said, feeling the way her hair was tight in its plait. "So now what?"
"The picture," Castle told them as he watched his wife going to her phone. He stayed close behind her while she took the picture and then watched her sending it. "To everyone?" he asked.
"Everyone," Beckett said. She was about to tell him that they needed to get ready themselves before her mother in law spoke.
"You should take a picture together with them when you're ready," Martha told her.
With a quick glance at her husband Beckett smiled and then said, "We can do that. But that depends on us getting ready," she said simply. "Try not to mess up your dresses girls and we'll be back."
"We want to see you," Eliza said quickly.
"You will, don't worry," Castle told them before he and Beckett left together hand in hand. They went straight to their room and he let her go first into the bathroom to shower. Since he needed to wait for her; though he'd wanted to go inside; he went then to the closet where he grabbed his tuxedo for that night. Changing quickly he then went over to the window, looking out on the grounds and waiting until his wife was finished.
"Good thing you're blinking," Beckett commented to her husband as she stepped out.
"I thought you'd be dressed," Castle commented as she was in her robe.
"I'm doing my hair, I'll dress after," Beckett said easily as he walked up to her. She brushed her lips to his and said, "Be ready by the time I get back."
"Can I watch you get dressed?" Castle called to her.
Beckett didn't answer that, merely walked out the door of the room as she closed it behind her on her husband grumbling. She was smiling as she walked two doors down to Skye and Mary's room before it was opened. "We're all here?" she asked as she saw Rebecca and Clara were there too.
"And I'm nearly finished," Skye said as she was braiding her hair in a fishtail plait.
"You look nice," Beckett said with a smile as she looked at her.
"Thank my lovely wife," Skye said, holding her hand out to her. She took the brush she had and then waited for her to sit on the bench in front of the bed. "Anything special?"
"I'll leave it up to you," Beckett said. "And just so you know," she told her friend as she felt her start to pick up her locks. "This is weird to me."
"No one's done your hair for a while?" Skye asked.
"Not since Lily did it at sleepovers," Beckett said, smiling at Rebecca and Mary who were standing in front of her. "You're done?" she directed to her friend's wife.
"Mmm-hmm," Mary replied. "I wanted things simple."
"And since I'm helping you all…" Skye said with a smile as she'd just braided her wife's bangs and pulled them back together.
"So we're none of us dressed," Clara said. "Are we all surprising our husbands?"
"I think Kate is more than anyone," Rebecca said. "What?" she asked when her friend nearly glared at her. "We're all aware here."
Sighing Beckett said, "I am but not for that reason."
"He'll give you a good screw," Skye said then when the room was silent. She could feel everyone's gaze on her though she kept her eyes on Beckett's locks and she suddenly snorted before she leaned over against her friend as her laughter then ripped out of her throat. "I have no idea what that even means," she finally said when she'd calmed down. "Oh boy… I'm sorry Kate."
"No it's alright," Beckett said, unable to help smile at her friend's laughter.
"And so you know," Rebecca said. "That refers to the motions, though shouldn't you two know that already?"
"We've played with that," Skye said simply.
"Meaning yes we've both been a 'man' to the other," Mary said exaggeratedly. "But still women so that helps."
"How did we get to talking about this?" Skye said before she let go of Beckett's hair as she'd finished.
Beckett was about to ask about what her friend had done when she was handed a mirror. She held it above her shoulder as Skye had another in her hand and she saw the bun the investigator had put it into had a few braids in it and a plait wrapped around it. "It's beautiful," she told her. "Thank you," she said, turning her head.
"You're welcome, you've got good hair to work with," Skye said with a smile. "Almost as good as my grá's. Rebecca?"
Beckett remained in the room as Skye was fixing up the hair of the other two women, watching them until the investigator had finished. "What lets you know what to do?" she asked as the investigator had done their hair in different styles.
"The fact I know you all," Skye said with a smile. "Should we get dressed?"
"We will," Rebecca said. "See you at the ball," she told the others before she left with Beckett and Clara. "Good luck with your husband," she murmured to the former.
"You too," Beckett said, glancing at Clara. She smiled when the women looked at her in slight surprise and she shrugged saying, "It's inevitable."
"And wanted as well," Clara said. "Ta."
"I like her," Rebecca said after the woman had walked around towards the front of the house to the master suite.
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said wryly. "But I'm glad you're friends, I'll see you." After Rebecca had said goodbye to her she walked over to hers and Castle's room, seeing her husband staring at his phone with his brows furrowed. "It's going well?" she asked him with a smile as his head almost instantly shot up to her.
"So far you look great," Castle said.
Beckett merely smirked at him; since she was in her robe still; and went right past him to the bathroom where she'd hid her dress from him. She found it undisturbed and then slipped it on, the same with her shoes, putting on her makeup immediately after and lastly setting her mother's comb into the bun. Sure she was ready as she looked at the mirror against the wall she then headed out to the bedroom, seeing Castle standing from the bench he'd been sitting on.
"Kate," Castle breathed out heavily as his wife walked to him.
Not saying anything until she had reached him Beckett said, "Good?"
"Good? Iontach… néal… ar dóigh," Castle told her, saying the words fantastic, stunning and amazing in Irish.
Feeling her cheeks slightly heating up Beckett let him turn her around before she ran her hands down the front of her darker blue gown. She was going to speak when her husband suddenly leaned down and kissed at her bared right shoulder, making her smile. "I thought you'd like the silhouette," she told him.
"I do," Castle said as he touched the sleeveless strap on her left shoulder. She also had some fabric around her upper arm under it and he sighed saying, "We have to go don't we?"
"Almost," Beckett told him before she pulled him to the dresser where she'd set her roll for jewelry down. She held out her pearl necklace and told him, "I should let you do that more."
"You're always wearing your aquamarine," Castle pointed out to her. "But I still appreciate it," he added very soon after as he closed the clasp on her neck. He kissed the nape of her neck and said, "We have to go don't we?"
Beckett made him turn around and fixed his bow tie before straightening his lapels. "You look great."
"Thanks," Castle said, smiling at her before he leaned down and took her lips. He hoped she had the lighter lip gloss but wasn't sure as he couldn't stop himself from kissing her as deeply as he could. When they were breathless he parted from her and said, "I adore you."
"I adore you too Rick," Beckett said with a smile. They were leaning to kiss once more when suddenly there was a knock on the door. "Wait," she called to whoever it was. She rushed to grab a tissue and handed it to her husband before telling him, "Open the door for them."
"Them?" Castle asked. But after he'd asked he had to admit that it wasn't hard to figure out who it was and he went to the door after wiping his wife's lipstick off his mouth; not regretting he had to do that.
"Hi Daddy," Julia and Eliza said together as they looked up at him. "Where's Mommy?" the former asked then.
"I'm here," Beckett said as she stepped out from the bathroom. She shared a smile at her husband when the girls gasped at her and then rushed over to her. "Thank you," she told them as they were telling her she was pretty. "Your daddy thinks the same."
"He's right," Julia said.
"Hey, you're all ready?" Alexis said, coming up to the door with Martha and Jim a few minutes later to see her father, stepmother and sisters taking a picture together.
"We are," Castle said. "You look great."
"Thanks, I think we all do," Alexis replied as she'd gone to her father and hugged him.
"We should go," Jim said. "They're already heading downstairs."
Hugging her father quickly Beckett then said, "Louis?"
"With them," Alexis said as her stepmother had asked her that.
"Then we should go," Castle said. He took Beckett's arm and tucked it into his own as the girls went with their sister and their parents followed behind them. When they'd reached the bottom of the stairs they were led by the butler to the ballroom where the others all were by then. He watched the girls go over to their friends and he said, "What would you like to do now?" to his wife.
"Come on," Beckett said, pulling him over to her cousin and his wife.
"Hello again," Brennan said with a smile. "How are you?"
"Good, why did you ask that?" Beckett asked in confusion.
"Polite conversation," Brennan said.
"He's a little edgy waiting for this to start," Clara commented. She then glanced over to Skye who was talking to the band they hired for their balls and said, "She's really singing?"
"She is," Mary said, stopping next to them and fixing the skirt of her strapless black gown. "She used it as her excuse for the fitted, female tuxedo."
"Fitted… what?" Castle asked.
"Come on Rick," Skye said, walking over to them after she'd dropped off her guitar with the band. "You've never heard of alliteration." She then playfully pretended to model her fitted men's tuxedo blazer before she said, "Dressy yet feminine enough for me. And now you know what I'm wearing tonight."
"We do," David said as he and Rebecca joined them. He looked over at Alexis and Louis and commented, "They make a nice couple… looking like a nice couple?"
"You can say both," Castle said with a mock exasperated sigh. "But Alexis does look very nice."
Beckett could hear the nostalgia in her husband's voice and murmured to him, "She's a wonderful young woman Rick."
Looking at the others as they were saying the same then Castle smiled and was about to thank them for that before the butler announced that there were guests at the door. "I guess we start now," he said to his wife with a smile.
"I guess so," Beckett told him, squeezing his hand that was holding hers by then. "Let's go." They walked together with the other three couples to the foyer of the house to begin greeting the guests. While it wasn't her favorite activity she tried to remind herself that they were shortly going to start the ball and kept that in mind as the first guests walked inside to the butler's announcement.