Genre: Drama, Crime, Romance, Family, Humor
Rating: M for sexual situations and language
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC, and the others who do own them.
A/N #1: I was happy to see the feedback for the last chapter so will of course go straight into my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (I was pleased to see that you were happy for Skye and Mary with them finding out they could adopt the twins. And that you thought it was a great moment too!),
Guest (It was nice to see the smile you had for the last chapter. And the thank you for the chapter was great to read too!),
MsNYC (Happy to see you thought they had a beautiful day at the zoo. And I had to laugh too as you mentioned Eliza and her desserts. Great too to see you can't wait for the wedding! As for your question about the Irish, if I'm understanding correctly you're asking why I write it in English in italics and then other times in straight Irish. If that's what your question was the reason is I don't like to write in straight Irish too much since it takes time to translate it and then type it out and slows me down. Not surprised you pointed out that Beckett always gets to pet the horses, lol, but since she's so good with them it would show and that's why she gets sent first, lol. Not surprised at all that you enjoyed the flashbacks there were in this one. And glad I could write Coney Island that well since I've never been! But you missing it; after not being for that long; reminds me of me right now about Disneyland, lol, I want to go back badly. And really pleased to see that you thought the family time was beautiful! And of course, I was glad that you thought it was great writing as usual!) and
Mb (It was nice to read first thing that you were smiling all the way through the chapters. And great you enjoyed where Eliza was waking up Beckett, her wondering why she needed to wake up and Eliza just pointing at Castle a hungry Josie coming in, lol. I'm glad you like them being at the loft in the city for Lanie and Dylan's wedding and then them making plans for the day. Great you loved how excited they were being together and going out. I'm not surprised you were laughing at Eliza asking Alexis about not being there at the loft with them and Alexis trying to distract them, lol, I thought that would happen when it was read. And I had expected readers to mention Skye and Mary trying to hurry the adoption. Not surprised you mentioned Eliza and desserts, lol, but I'm glad you think she's a perfect combination of Castle and Beckett. I wasn't surprised either that you see Josie as being the same and Julia being more like Beckett though she has taken more and more of Rick's personality since I could see that happening, lol. But great you thought it was a testament to the love they all share. Really happy you love their outings and that they're fun, sweet and happy. Not surprised you laughed at the amusement park since it reminded you of doing that too and going on all the rides. Nice to see you thought the first half was a sweet update. You're welcome for it too! Happy to read you thought the second half was a sweet chapter. I'm glad that you're happy that Skye and Mary got custody of the twins and will be able to take them back to California and then being able to adopt them eventually. And yeah, the twins will be going on the Orlando/D.C. trip, lol, don't worry, though I'm not surprised you can't remember since there are so many of them going you're right. I wasn't surprised you think the spa day will be fun or that you mentioned possible stories. And yeah, with an outsider the others would be tamer with theirs. Oh, and I wasn't surprised either you mentioned they'll need a girl's night out. Great to see you mention that Castle and Beckett are really addicted to each other but in a good way since that's how I see it being for them! Happy that you loved the flashback of them at Cone Island and how much fun they had on those rides and at the arcade too. And I was really pleased that you loved Julia and Eliza thinking of Josie when they got prizes too, siblings can be like that, so I had to include it. Great you thought it was fantastic, amazing and so sweet! You're very welcome for the second half!).
Thanks so much for the reviews, I loved reading all of them and am grateful for the time taken to write them out and send them to me!
A/N #2: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Rattled by the Traveling Wilburys, from the album The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1.
Save One Night For Me
"So you have everything," Beckett said, looking inside the bag that was by the door. "Diapers, a couple extra changes of clothing and the towels of course. Don't forget bot-" she began to say.
Taking her hand with his free one Castle stopped her before he said, "You don't need to worry love, I know what Josie will need."
"I'm just double checking," Beckett confessed.
"I know, but it's set," Castle assured her. "We'll be fine."
"Alright," Beckett said, setting her purse down on the table next to Josie's bag. She took the baby from her husband and cradled her telling her, "Behave for your daddy and sisters too, they'll take care of you." She brushed her lips against her forehead and then told her, "I love you sweetie and I'll see you after lunch." She hugged Josie gently and then handed her to Castle saying, "I might call you when I'm on my way over."
"Don't rush over," he told his wife with a smile.
"I'm just having lunch with Skye," Beckett reminded him. "I'm sure she'll head back to her wife and kids too."
Castle nodded; as Lanie was having a lunch with her parents and fiancé after their time at the spa; but said, "Still, have fun with Skye."
"I'm sure I will," Beckett replied. She then reached over to him, wrapping her arm around his neck to they could kiss. She wasn't surprised when her husband made it deep immediately and she was quick to respond. Lingering with him, she found her lips were throbbing a little when they parted and said, "Have fun with them; tell them I love them."
"Of course," Castle assured her. He kissed her again but kept that quick before he told her, "Have fun."
"Thank you," Beckett said with a smile. She brushed her lips to the top of Josie's head and then went to her husband, sharing a quick kiss on the lips before she got her purse again and walked out the door. She slung the bag over her shoulder, walking to the elevator and glancing back at the loft, wondering how her husband would do on his own with their daughters. Before she could dwell too much on that the doors were opening, and she stepped into the car as she didn't want to make Lanie wait. She checked her phone on the way down to the lobby, relieved there weren't any calls from her friend before she hurried out to the street.
Once she reached the cab that was there to pick her up Beckett hopped in the back, watching the streets they were passing until they got to the spa and she could see Lanie was standing outside the building already. With a smile she stepped out, going to her friend and embracing her before they parted, and she was just going to tease the bride about the big day the next day when they heard a voice to her left calling out to them both, making them turn around to see who it was.
"Good morning," Skye called when she was close to the two women. With a smile, she hugged Lanie first saying, "And how is the bride on the wedding's eve?"
"She's fine," the doctor said, trying not to smile too much at how the woman had worded that. She watched Beckett and Skye exchange a hug before they turned to her and she said, "Jasmine is going to be a little late, so we should go inside to wait for her."
"What about you?" Beckett asked as they went in. When her friend looked at her she smiled and said, "Morning sickness?"
"I drink a lot of ginger tea," Lanie answered as they sat in the chairs by the reception desk. "It's not stopping it but it's easing it up for me."
"You'll be alright tomorrow morning?" Skye asked.
"I will, it's not until eleven so by then I'll be better," Lanie replied. She wasn't surprised when the two suddenly spoke at the same time and she watched them look at each other, wondering who'd speak first.
"How's Dylan?" Beckett finally said.
"He's nervous," Lanie admitted. "He's never been in a relationship that went this far."
"He's younger than you, isn't he?" Skye asked. "Or is that none of my bloody business?"
"It's alright, he is, just seven months though," Lanie replied. "But our birth years are one apart."
"He adores you though," Skye commented.
"He does, it's not hard to tell," Beckett added.
"Thanks," Lanie said absently. "Jasmine's here," she told the two as she stood.
Watching Lanie greet the woman who literally blew in through the door, Beckett smiled as her friend had told her about her assistant and she'd been interested in meeting her. She was a little startled when the woman suddenly turned to her and she said, "I'm-"
"Kate Beckett, Lanie told me about you," the woman replied. "The de facto maid of honor."
"Not really," Beckett said with a smile, shaking her hand. "But I'm glad to meet you, Lanie's told me about you as well."
"This is Jasmine Arendse," Lanie said. "You didn't let me tell them," she told her. "And we have an added guest with us, this is…"
"Skye McDouglas," she said herself, shaking Jasmine's hand. "Really my name's Rose but I prefer Skye. I hope you don't mind."
"No, I've heard of you before," Jasmine told her. "You landed that plane at JFK."
"I did," Skye said with a slight smile. "I'm also Kate's friend."
The receptionist called Lanie's name then and the four women went over to check themselves in and were led back to the changing rooms.
"What exactly are we doing?" Skye asked Beckett once they'd stepped out of the changing rooms in robes.
"I'm not sure in what order but Lanie ordered a full package," she replied.
"Really?" Skye asked.
"Do you mind?" Beckett said.
"No," Skye said quickly since Lanie and Jasmine were joining them. "Just a surprise, is lunch part of the package?"
"It is but I'm heading out to lunch with my parents and Jasmine's going back to her husband and kids," Lanie replied. "So, it's just you two… unless you don't want it?"
"I'm letting Rick eat with our girls," Beckett said.
"Same for me with Mary," Skye replied. "My wife," she added quickly for Jasmine's benefit.
"We should get started," Lanie said. "I would hate to hear my mother if my fiancé was waiting there at the restaurant with them for me."
"I never asked, what's Dylan doing?" Jasmine said.
"He's going out tonight at a bar with his friends," Lanie replied.
"Strip… bar?" Skye asked.
"No, he promised he wouldn't," Lanie said with a laugh. "Although I told him if he wanted to, fine."
"Seriously?" Beckett asked.
"No and he read me like you just did," Lanie said, shaking her head. She then smiled and said, "But yeah, they're just going to a bar… no it's a pub. I forgot it's a British one he likes." She was speaking rapidly, as another employee was coming over to them with some papers on her arm.
"Good morning," the woman said with a smile. "We have you down for a full selection, I have our treatments here so if you'd like to pick out now you can just mark these cards with what you'd like to do."
Taking a look at what was essentially a 'menu,' Beckett murmured to Skye, "What're you going to do?"
"Massage definitely but I never liked saunas," the investigator said reading over the items. "And I suppose I should try this… floral facial?"
"We crush up flowers of your choice into a cream and it's basically a regular facial with that added," the worker said quickly.
"That, do you have freesia flowers?" Skye asked. When the woman nodded she said, "I'll take those."
"Are you guys going to get their mani-pedis too?" Lanie asked them all.
"I will," Jasmine said quickly.
"So will I," Beckett replied before she looked at Skye.
"I will," the investigator said with a smile as the other two women were looking at her as well. "Just clear coat though."
After the women had handed her their papers, the worker said, "Thank you, the hot tub and onsen is this way."
"You have an onsen?" Beckett asked in surprise.
"We do," the woman replied. "That's for any woman who wishes to bathe nude."
"I'll go in," Skye said.
"Me too," Beckett said. When her friends and Jasmine looked at her she shrugged and said, "They do that in Japan though we didn't since they were just for women."
"That's why I'm going," Skye said before they came to two doors that were closed across from each other.
"Are you coming with us?" Beckett asked Lanie and Jasmine.
"We'll be in here," the former said.
"We'll see you after the facials?" Skye asked. When Lanie nodded she frowned and said, "Aren't we supposed to be spending this time with you?"
"It's alright, I thought we might do different things," Lanie told them. "That's why I was asking about the mani-pedis."
"We'll see you then," Skye said, looking at her friend.
With a nod Beckett followed Skye inside the room on the right and she said, "Are we crazy for doing this?"
"Not really, we did this before," Skye said before she went over to one of the curtained changing stalls.
"That was a long time ago," Beckett pointed out. "And I mean that literally."
"True but still," Skye said simply. "I'm going in first."
"Alright," Beckett said, hearing water splashing and knowing her friend was cleaning off her body first. She finished with her bikini by the time Skye finished and called out to her friend, "I'm stepping out."
"My eyes are closed," Skye replied.
Walking out Beckett couldn't help smiling at the way Skye was covering her eyes as well and she said, "I trust you."
"Oh sure, but just to let you know I'm serious," the investigator said, hearing water running a second later. She waited for a little longer and then heard Beckett entering the water and when her friend told her she could open her eyes she pulled her hands away. "Ah, too bright," she said jokingly. She then laughed and said, "What do you think?"
"What, doing this naked?" Beckett asked. When her friend nodded she laughed and said, "It's interesting but don't take it personally if I say I'd rather be doing this with my husband."
"I'm not, I'd rather be doing this with Mary," Skye said before they both laughed. She ducked under the water before she popped back up, about to tell her friend about something she had thought of when Beckett was speaking first.
"Are you thinking the same I am?" she asked.
"Glad that the water's opaque? I am," Skye said with a laugh and a nod. "Though have you ever been around women… like in a gym?"
"I have but you expect it and it's usually fast," Beckett replied. "Should I tell Julia about this?"
"Not really," Skye said. When her friend looked at her in confusion she said, "It doesn't matter one way or another since we're not together."
"True," Beckett said as she realized what she meant. "And she's experienced this already."
"True though less ease in the situation than we're having," Skye replied. She glanced around and then said, "Are you going to tell your husband?"
"He wouldn't think of this in a sexual way," Beckett was swift to say as she knew what Skye meant with the question. "Well… he'd think of me I should say."
"Good to know," the investigator replied. "Don't know of any spas that allow couples to do this though."
"Have you done it with Mary?" Beckett said. She was startled at the way the woman flushed slightly before she smiled and wasn't surprised when she got a simple shake of the investigator's head. She was going to apologize when Skye held up her hand to stop her, though she'd done that before she'd had the chance to open her mouth.
"How long are we supposed to do this?" Skye asked her.
"I think it said fifteen minutes," Beckett said.
"That explains that clock," Skye pointing to it. She then realized that she could feel cool air on her chest and said, "Are you looking?"
"No way," Beckett said before she heard the slight splash of water. Looking at her friend she smiled seeing that Skye was up to her chin in the water. "You know if you come with us to Europe we should go to a nudist beach," she said teasingly.
"Sure, why not," the investigator said as she stood up a little more. "A bit odd since we're both women but my body belongs to my wife."
"I'm getting the feeling we shouldn't have come out here," Beckett said. "If we're this shy."
"Alright, then tell you what. We're adults and married to other people and not attracted to each other," Skye said. "So with that, twenty bucks you won't step out of the pool at the same time as me. Sister."
Beckett narrowed her eyes playfully at her before saying, "Then if we do step out at the same time you guys come back and stay at our home until we leave for Florida."
"I was planning on… I mean we were hoping you'd let us do that already," Skye said laughingly. "You've got a deal but no staring or hugging."
"Why the hell would we do that?" Beckett asked. She studied her friend and said, "You're thinking of Mary, aren't you?"
"Tell me you're not thinking of Rick," Skye shot back before they smiled at each other. She glanced at the clock again and said, "Alright then, twenty bucks or longer stay for the McDouglas clan in the Hamptons."
"Longer stay," Beckett said firmly before she climbed out of the pool first.
"I think you're right," Skye said before she got out as well. "I'm not staring but I'll say this; we seem to have similar body shapes."
Nodding, as she'd noticed it too, Beckett took her towel from one of the chairs by the pool and wrapped it around herself tightly. "I'm sure you're trying to say we're still sisters; twins."
Shaking her head, wrapped up in her towel, Skye told her, "No but it's odd that there are similarities between us as they are. But we should get going, shouldn't make the bride wait."
"Good point," Beckett said with a smile before they ducked into the changing stalls again. She threw on her robe and said, "I feel like my bikini was pointless."
"Well… you're not planning to be naked during the facial or mani-pedis and everything else, are you?" Skye asked as they met outside again.
"Another good point," Beckett told her before they laughed together. "Oh… the massages."
"You're going with Lanie?" Skye asked.
Shaking her head Beckett said, "I talked to Lanie and she wants to catch up with Jasmine; she went out of town with her family for the 4th and she hasn't seen her for a while."
"How many kids does she have?" Skye asked.
"Two sets of twins," Beckett replied with a smile. "A boy and a girl twice."
"Ah, I've two as well… will have to let her know," Skye said before they stepped out to find the worker from before standing there.
Led to another room on the second floor, Beckett looked around once they were inside and she saw two tables there. "Are the other two we were with in their massage room?"
"They are, they said they'll see you after because they're across the hall," the worker said.
With the door closed Beckett and Skye turned their attention to the two women who were waiting for them and they took off their towels before getting onto the tables. They were both quiet during their massages, taking the time to get some rest before they were getting off the tables again.
In a separate room for her facial, Beckett couldn't help thinking of her family, hoping they were having fun without her. She also thought of her husband, hoping he wouldn't be too stressed out as she was fully relaxed herself by then smelling the rose crème that was being rubbed across her face. She was a little loathe to get up when the woman that had been working on her was finished. But she thanked the employee before she got up and put her robe on over her bikini and stepped outside to find that the other women were there already. "You look relaxed," she said to her friend.
"Which is why I suggested this," Lanie said with a smile. "But are you missing your guys' families?" she asked all three women.
"Definitely," Jasmine said, the other two nodding their heads in agreement to her.
"Okay, let's get to the mani-pedis," Lanie said before the worker was leading them through the building again.
After they were on the top floor, which looked a lot like a nail salon, Beckett sat to Lanie's left while Skye sat to her own left. With their feet soaking in hot water she said, "You don't want to go to a club yourself?"
"No, I'm surprised you asked," Lanie said. She looked at Jasmine and said, "If you see Castle and Kate together tomorrow you'll see why it's weird she said that."
"I'm just seeing if you wanted to go to that," Beckett said.
"I'm going to be a mother," Lanie said in mock indignation before she was laughing with the others. "And you're all mothers."
"I wouldn't be going with you," Skye said quickly. "I'd be heading back home."
"Not to that strip club with the men?" Jasmine asked.
Shaking her head Skye said, "I prefer my own wife."
"Stripping?" Lanie said.
"No," Skye said firmly. They laughed again and before she turned her attention to the woman in front of her who was having her take her feet out of the water. The other women were doing the same and she said, "Even though we haven't been together the whole time this has been fun."
"It has," Beckett said, hearing Lanie and Jasmine agreeing too. "We should try to do this again, maybe just mani-pedis though so we can talk."
"And have that lunch," Jasmine said.
The women agreed, and they promised to meet the next time they were in the city; though Skye would likely not be there. When their feet and hands were finished they went back to the first changing rooms before meeting together outside of them before Beckett and Skye were saying goodbye to Lanie and Jasmine.
"That went so fast," Beckett was telling Lanie as they embraced, having said goodbye first to Jasmine as she'd hurried to her apartment. "You didn't want to do this after lunch?"
"It would have been the same amount of time," the doctor said in amusement. "And I'm spending time with Dylan after lunch."
"And your parents?" Beckett asked in surprise.
"They want to rest in their hotel room," Lanie replied easily. "But we'll do this again."
"I hope," Beckett replied. She hugged her tightly a second time and said, "We'll see you at dinner?"
"You will," Lanie said. She waved at Skye; who she'd already said goodbye to; and walked out, not realizing the two women were watching her go as she got into a cab shortly after.
"She'll be quite tired," Skye commented.
Beckett smiled and said, "Try telling her that."
"So, all that's true then?" Skye asked in Irish as they went over to the café that was park of the spa.
"For me it was," Beckett replied with a nod. After giving Lanie's name they were led to a table and they ordered quickly before she said, "You want to get back too?"
"Of course, I have two new kids," Skye said.
"How're they doing?" Beckett asked.
"Before I answer," Skye said, pausing right after as their drinks were served to them. "Lanie at least didn't ask me about them?" she finally said.
"I don't think she really wanted to with Jasmine here," Beckett replied. She took a sip of her cucumber and melon drink and said, "She's not part of our group; at least she wasn't at my house last week."
"True," Skye said thoughtfully. "Well Ivy and Iris are fine, they're having nightmares still but they haven't woken up screaming from them as they were that first time and having less of them."
"Are they still staying with you?" Beckett asked.
Shaking her head Skye said, "They're with their sisters. Marie, Kath and Fleur are fantastic with them as they've all had something traumatic happen to them."
"Marie and Kath?" Beckett said in surprise.
"Aye, they saw me bringing the plane into JFK too remember," Skye said. "They know I can fly planes, so it scares them."
Beckett nodded and then said, "I know what you mean." She thought for a moment about the question she'd wanted to initially ask her friend but had hesitated on before she finally said, "Have they asked you about calling them mom or mum?"
"No, I don't think they want to consider it yet," Skye said. She smiled slightly when her friend nodded in agreement and knew she was serious in her understanding. They were quiet for a time before she sighed, jumping a little when Beckett spoke to her surprise.
"You- sorry," she said with a slight smile on her face. "You don't mind that?"
"It's understandable," Skye replied firmly. "I didn't start out calling my dad that," she added. "It took me a year before I felt like he was actually my dad."
"But you want them to call you that," Beckett stated.
"Yes, but that's their own decision," Skye replied. She watched their waitress come over with their food and after they were alone again she said, "And your girls?"
"They're good, I'm sure they're having a blast with their dad," Beckett said. She paused with her fork a little off the plate before she said, "Not so much Josie but you get the idea."
"I did," Skye replied with a slight laugh. "Do you think," she said slowly. "That Patrick, Mary and I had five kids back then?"
"You did," Beckett said almost before her friend could finish speaking.
"All adopted…" Skye mused.
"You think someone said something about that?" Beckett asked.
Shaking her head Skye said, "No, I think the idea was that I couldn't have children. And in those days you didn't talk about that in polite society."
"Good thing," Beckett commented.
"I know," Skye said. "So, we're talking about the kids?"
"I think we are," Beckett replied, smiling, before they turned their attention back to their food. They discussed all of their children while they were eating before they touched on their vacation. "You know, you don't have to stay with us again if you want to go home," she said, studying her friend to see her reaction.
"We were talking about that," Skye breathed out. "I made a call and I can get us tickets for tomorrow evening. You're heading over to the Hamptons after the lunch, aren't you?"
"Technically it's a reception," Beckett said with a slight smile.
"Well, Mary and I continued to talk and we then said that we should stay here since it's the same time zone and we want the two to slowly move over to California," Skye explained. "Go down to the amusement parks and then up to DC and the museums and fun stuff to do there before heading out to their new home. Plus, we want them to stay with all the kids in the Hamptons, they're looking at your girls and the others as friends already. So, you don't mind us staying for another week?"
"No," Beckett said swiftly.
"That quick?" Skye asked with a smile.
"That quick; I did say that as my wager remember," Beckett replied before they were laughing together again. "Should I tell my husband about after the bath?"
"I'll be telling Mary," Skye said.
"You're sure she wouldn't mind?" Beckett asked.
"No," Skye said. "Especially since we just jumped right into our towels."
"Okay," Beckett said as she finished the last of her drink. "Talking about our kids and spouses is driving me insane."
"I agree, let's go," Skye said before they left a tip and then got up. They walked out to the street and she said, "Thank you for letting us stay."
"It's not a problem; we're staying with you after all," Beckett replied. "Have you told Ivy and Iris about the show?"
"We did, so they're happy you guys will join us soon," Skye said. "But they've never seen the show so Mary and I are slowly going through it."
"Have you showed them Derek?" Beckett asked.
"We started with the seasons he's won but I never told him that he's my partner," Skye replied. "They just think we're watching because we love him, and Julia does too."
"Good thing there are other dancers in the seasons," Beckett said jokingly.
"I know, so we'll see you at the wedding and we'll have our things in the cars," Skye told her.
"You should return a car," Beckett said.
Shaking her head Skye said, "We want to be with them as much as possible."
"Alright, have a nice time with them now," Beckett told her friend with a smile.
"And you with your family," Skye said.
With a final goodbye Beckett called a cab while her friend did so a little down the street from her. She was relieved when a taxi stopped quickly for her and she waved at Skye before getting in. When the car was pulling away from the curb once she'd given her father's old apartment building address to the driver, she closed the partition and leaned back against the seat. She tried to imagine what her husband and their daughters were doing at that moment but since it wasn't that easy she focused her attention on where they were, waiting to see they were getting close so she could finally get back to her family.
"What are we gonna do for dinner?" Eliza asked her father.
"We just finished lunch and you want to know about dinner?" Castle asked her jokingly. He smiled when she wrinkled her nose and said, "You and your sister can go in the water, walk around for a little."
"Are you gonna burp Josa too?" Eliza asked.
"I am," Castle replied. "Go," he told his daughters.
Julia, having been standing with her little sister to watch their father feed Josie with a bottle, asked, "We will but is she okay doing that too? She doesn't miss Mom?"
"I think she's fine with it," Castle said. He saw the uncertain look on his daughter's face and said, "This isn't formula."
"Oh, okay," Julia said. "Will you come in?"
"I will but I'm going to have to stay on the stairs, your sister will be taking her nap after this I think," Castle replied.
"I can hold her," Eliza said eagerly.
"I don't think we can do that," Castle replied, smiling at her enthusiasm. "If we move her around too much she'll wake up."
"Come on," Julia said to her sister, reaching for her hand so they could go over to the pool. They stepped down into the water together and they walked straight to the side where their father was at. "Is Mom coming soon?" she asked, spotting him turning towards the door to the pool and knowing he was looking for Beckett.
"I'm not sure," Castle said quickly. "She said it wasn't going to take that long but remember she's having lunch with Skye."
"What about Ivy and Iris?" Julia asked. "When will we see them?"
As he was taking the bottle and setting it on the table he was sitting next to Castle couldn't answer that right away. He waited until he had Josie against his shoulder telling Julia, "You probably won't until tomorrow at the wedding." He smiled at her and then asked, "You liked playing with them?"
"Yeah," Julia said with a nod. "Are we still going home after?"
"After the reception, yes," Castle told her. "You miss Mari?"
"I'm gonna miss her more, they're going sailing remember?" Julia asked.
"I know, but not until Monday," Castle replied as the Fosters were taking their ship up the coast of the state for three days before they left for the trip.
"Only one day," Julia replied.
"Go ahead and swim now," Castle said while standing as he felt Josie was finished and he could walk around until she fell asleep. He did so, glancing every so often at the door, before he could tell the baby was sleeping. Sitting on the outside of the pool he placed his feet on the top step and watched the girls as they began to swim around in front of him. "Where are you going?" he asked Julia with a smile as she got out next to him eventually.
"Gonna get the noodles," the girl replied.
"Cool, a lightsaber fight," Castle said exaggeratedly.
"No Daddy," Eliza said, coming up the steps to stand next to him. "We're gonna go around."
"Oh, well that's cool too," Castle replied. "But don't go past the 5s on the sides okay?"
"We won't," Julia said, throwing the two pool noodles they'd brought from home into the water. She kissed the top of her father's head in passing before she saw her sister was doing the same.
"Thank you, girls," Castle said with a smile before they were jumping into the water carefully together. He looked down at Josie then, seeing her moving before her mouth was opening a bit. He rocked her carefully and couldn't stop himself, leaning over and pressing his lips to her forehead.
"What if you wake her up?" Eliza asked, she and her sister swimming close to the steps on the noodles.
"I just put her back to sleep," Castle replied easily. He saw the look on Julia's face and said, "What're you thinking sweetheart?"
"How come you didn't call us ceann beag before?" Julia asked.
"Because I didn't know Irish well enough until after Eliza was born," Castle said. "Do you want me to call you that instead of sweetheart?"
"What is that in Irish?" Eliza said.
"Báire," Castle said quickly.
"I like sweetheart better," Julia said, she and her sister looking at each other.
Nodding Eliza said, "So ceann beag can be for special oc…oc…"
"Occasions," Castle said. "And that's fine with me." He was startled when the girls looked at him, then gasped and were pushing their noodles away before hurrying past him on the steps. He got up but had to go slowly before he could finally turn around and see what they'd seen. He started to speak when his wife was quick to do so, cutting him off on his first syllable which he didn't mind in the slightest as he was happy to hear her as well as see her.
"I'm not too late, am I?" Beckett asked as she picked Eliza up.
"No, we still have two hours until their grandparents want them to get back to the apartment to meet them," Castle said, looking at his watch. He stepped out of the pool and went over to his wife, watching her lean over Josie to check on her. "She hasn't been asleep for too long."
"I figured," Beckett said with a smile. She straightened up and looked at her husband before she cupped his cheek with her hand and leaned into him. Since Josie was in between and she was carrying Eliza they couldn't really kiss for that long but she didn't mind, murmuring to him in Irish, "Níos déanaí."
Nodding rapidly at her saying later Castle said, "Geallaim," which meant he promised.
Beckett smiled again before she set Eliza down and said, "I need to start swimming."
"Did you get to do that at the spa?" Julia asked.
Seeing his wife pause Castle said, "What is it?"
"I wasn't going to tell all of you this," Beckett said, speaking to her husband though she was looking at Julia. "But they had an onsen where we went; a hot tub where you can go into the water naked if you want," she explained, waiting for their reactions and startled when Eliza spoke first.
"Was that fun?" the little girl asked. "That's like the baths we got to go in, in Japan," she told her sister.
"It is, that's the name of the public ones, right?" Julia asked her mother.
Beckett nodded, looking at her husband as he was carefully setting Josie into her carrier before turning to her.
"You all went?" Castle asked.
"Just me and Skye," Beckett said.
"That's fine," Castle said as he'd noticed the girls were watching him in obvious concern. He smiled and told them, "Since they're sisters and everything."
"Oh yeah," Julia said.
"Rick," Beckett said quickly. "We-"
"Not now obviously but you're as close as you were back then," Castle said.
"Yeah and…" Julia said before she abruptly trailed off and started to blush deeply.
"You're not attracted to each other," Castle commented as he and Beckett were studying their oldest.
"No," Beckett said, wrapping her arm around Julia's shoulders and hugging her close. "And we weren't there for long either. So, what about that pool?"
"What about Josa?" Eliza asked, not sure what they'd been talking about but ready to go swimming again.
"I'll stay with her," Castle said.
"At some point I'll take her so you can swim with them," Beckett told him.
"And we can watch her too," Eliza said eagerly.
"Come on," Beckett told the two, taking them over to the pool. She was about to go into the water when she saw the girls were looking behind them with smiles on their faces before she turned around herself to see what had gotten their attention.
"I'll sit with her," Castle said as he'd brought Josie's carrier with him.
"I know, but I was serious about watching her for you," Beckett said.
"Us too," Julia said with a smile.
"Come on," Beckett said, tugging gently on Eliza's hand so they could step down into the water. When she was in she raised her feet off the bottom and watched the little girl coming after her. "Want to swim to the deep end?"
"Yeah!" both girls said enthusiastically.
"I didn't let them do that," Castle said.
"Thank you," Beckett replied. "Alright we can go, just swim on either side of me." She waited for Julia to go to her left and they made their way together to the other side of the pool until they came to the edge and held onto it together. "Has anyone been in here?"
"Not really, there was a lady but I think she was hoping Dad was alone," Julia said. She smiled when her mother looked at her in confusion and then explained, "He needed to feed Josa."
"Oh," Beckett replied. She glanced over her shoulder at her husband and then told her daughters, "Let me duck underneath for a minute."
"What about what she did?" Eliza asked her sister.
Julia smiled and shook her head saying, "She doesn't care," before they looked down to watch their mother coming back up towards them.
Castle, watching the three at the other end, breathed out a little hard as he looked on while Beckett came out of the water. He glanced over at Josie for a distraction and was startled to see that the baby was awake, looking at him. "You probably should have slept longer Josie," he said, reaching into the carrier and picking her up.
"She's awake?" Beckett asked as she and the girls had swum over to him while he'd been looking at the baby.
"Yeah, should I get her back to sleep?" Castle asked, standing up on the top step.
"No," Beckett replied, stepping up to him. She took the baby; since Josie was wearing her bathing suit; and hugged her gently before she said, "She doesn't want to anymore. You said you fed her before she went to sleep?"
"She didn't take too long to fall asleep," Castle replied as he nodded at the same time.
"Then she just wanted a cat nap," Beckett replied, smiling at Josie who was smiling at her.
"Mommy can we play?" Eliza asked after watching her parents for a moment.
"Yes, but your daddy is going to play with you," Beckett replied.
"What will we play?" Castle asked as Eliza climbed up the stairs.
"With the ball," Julia said as she watched her sister with their parents.
"Don't throw that in Eliza," Beckett called to her.
"I won't," the little girl said, carrying it under her arm. She went to the baby and said, "We're gonna throw the ball to each other but we won't splash you." Eliza smiled as Josie tried to put her hand into her mouth and she then said, "I won't."
"Go and play," Beckett said. She glanced at her husband as he followed her in sitting on the top step and said, "You don't want to play with them?"
"You can stay there Dad," Julia said after she had come to the top of the steps. She threw the bouncy ball into the water; away from her little sister; and then hugged her mother carefully saying, "He missed you too."
After Julia had gone into the water Beckett studied her husband and said, "I don't even need to ask do I?" in Irish.
"Not really," Castle replied. "They did too."
"Why are you deflecting?" Beckett asked though they were watching the girls by then.
"I'm not really," Castle said. "It just makes me sound hopeless."
"You've been for a while," Beckett said in amusement. "And do you really mind that much?"
Pretending to think that over Castle said, "I guess I shouldn't." He laughed when his wife pushed him slightly and he looked down at Josie once he'd straightened up. "Do you want to hold her against you?" he asked in English.
"Yes," Beckett said. She moved the baby so her back was against her chest, Castle watching to help her if she needed it. "You should go in with them after they finish."
"They did," Castle said in amusement since their oldest daughters were dancing around in a circle together before ducking under the water, their bouncy ball long since forgotten. "I'm going in," he said, leaning over. He pressed a kiss to Josie's forehead and then sat up so he could kiss his wife, doing so deeply though he knew Julia and Eliza would see that. "Chaill mé leat i ndáiríe," he murmured into her ear after they'd parted, telling her he really did miss her.
"Rinne mé freisin," Beckett answered swiftly, saying she did too. She shared a last kiss with him and watched him go to the girls, not too surprised when Julia swam back over to her. "Tired sweetie?" she asked her.
"Not really, I wanted to spend time with you too," Julia explained as she sat next to her mother on the step. She smiled and said, "Are you excited for the dinner?"
"I am, we've never really spent time alone with your aunt and Dylan for so long yet," Beckett answered. "But what about you guys?"
"I asked Grandpapa and Gram if we could go to Dave and Busters," Julia said. "Last night. And they said you need to say if it's okay." She paused and looking thoughtful then asked, "It won't be too loud for Josa will it?"
"I don't think so," Beckett said after thinking herself. "But you need to go early before people start going to the bar out in the arcade."
"They will," Julia said.
Beckett tried not to laugh at how her oldest was looking so hopeful and she finally said, "I'm alright with it, just ask your dad when he's finished with your sister."
"Thanks Mom," Julia said quickly, wrapping her arms around her carefully and then going hurriedly to her father who was throwing Eliza out into the middle of the pool.
With a smile as she watched Castle dealing with both girls clamoring for him to throw them Beckett couldn't help wishing they could go to the restaurant with their family. But she remembered Lanie and the wedding the next day and she reminded herself they could go with the girls the next time they were in the city. But she wanted to see her friend on her last day as a single woman, and to spend time with the couple on the cusp of becoming husband and wife. She smiled as her family came over to her and she turned her attention back to them to spend the rest of their time left together to focus on her daughters before they needed to leave the pool for their evenings out.