Genre: Crime, Drama, 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 song lyrics that are in this chapter are from the songs Getting Closer by Paul McCartney, from the Wings album Back to the Egg; You Better You Bet written by Pete Townshend, on The Who album Face Dances; Tight A$ by John Lennon, from his album Mind Games; I'm Still Standing by Elton John, from his album Too Low for Zero; You're My Best Friend written by John Deacon, from the Queen album A Night at the Opera; Vanilla Sky by Paul McCartney, from the soundtrack to the movie of the same name; Unconciousness Rules by George Harrison, from his album Somewhere in England; Apple Scruff by George Harrison, from his album All Things Must Pass; Back Off Boogaloo by Ringo Starr and Tweeter and the Monkey Man by The Traveling Wilburys, from their album The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1.
A/N #2: I'd been wondering what reaction I would get for the last chapter so I was really happy to get the feedback I did for it, so on to my thank yous for that! vetgirlmx (I wasn't surprised to see your comments on how you believe the case is over, with what happened yeah it was the end I'll say since it's not a spoiler alert. And your reaction to the reason for the case was expected 'cause it was insane to have the motive be the club. But I've heard a lot of crazy motives myself so thought that one would work since jealousy in some form can be one. And yeah, dangerous adult throwing a toddler tantrum that describes it very well, I liked that. I was surprised you found Julia's experiences at the start of the chapter was a bit disturbing but I know with it being stronger like it was that would stand to reason. But also interesting you mentioned it was getting stronger with time. I wasn't surprised you mentioned Louis, but since that was his first time seeing that it would surprise him along with her parents and Skye too. With how personal the case was I figured it'd be emotionally drained so I wasn't surprised at all that you picked up on that. Also, not surprised you're hoping they'll feel better for the rest of the vacation and the book tour part of that as well. So great you loved that their friends were all really worried about that, and with that I did want to show that they were still really close so you caught that too. And it made me laugh a bit to see you mentioning what's coming up next, though I was very happy that you mentioned Paul with all of that. And of course, pleased to see you can't wait to read what's coming up the next day and are really eager too. And now you don't need to wait anymore for that!),
MsNYC (It was great to see that you had the reaction you did to the last chapter, was hoping for something like that! And I'm not surprised that you didn't realize you were finished in the first half I had it ending a bit abruptly but that was also nice to hear since of course you liked it that much or as you said how good it was. I wasn't surprised either to see your reaction to Julia's experience at the start. But I got what you meant by it being hard to know that something's wrong but not knowing what; it's the fear of the unknown of course which was what I had in mind with that. And as for Louis' verbal reaction I don't know if I have anything for that at least not yet. Yeah Skye and Mary are alright, just shook up as you mentioned after everything that happened. I'm glad I could surprise you with Darnley, Esposito and Lanie getting in touch with them, also that you said it was welcomed too. And of course, pleased to see you thought it was great writing as usual!),
TORONTOSUN (It's nice to read you like how concerned Julia gets when her parents are working on a case, I figure she would be of course so nice you mentioned that. And great too you also like when I bring in Esposito and Lanie, and that you think it enhances the story as well since I'm glad it does that!) and
Guest (I was glad to see the last chapter got the response that you had. And great you thought it were action packed as I wanted it to be. You're very correct, waking up from a nightmare like that to find out that it was real in the end would be scary so that's why I had her having the reaction she did. And they'll Skype with her of course, don't worry!).
Thanks so much for the reviews, loved reading all of them and am grateful for the time taken to write them out and send them to me!
A/N #3: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song The Song We Were Singing by Paul McCartney, from his album Flaming Pie.
To The Sound, Blue Guitars
"Why did I suggest this again?" Castle asked, looking over at his wife.
"I really don't know," Beckett said simply. She smiled at him and told him, "You're the one who wanted to do this."
"I just wanted to get a look at everything," Castle replied.
"And we are," Beckett said with a smile. They soon reached the street where they were going to meet the McDouglases and she looked around before saying, "It is nice."
"You have to love the palm trees," Castle said before he glanced at his wife. "Okay?" he asked her.
"I think I'm still tired," Beckett said with a sigh. "I should get some tea."
"Speaking of breakfast," Castle said as they saw Skye's car pulling up. "Hey, good morning you two," he said when he saw the twins in the back seat.
"Hi, you're gonna sit with us," Marie said first.
"Sure," Castle replied before he got into the back.
"I'm up front with you guys?" Beckett said to Skye and Mary.
"Hop on in," the latter said, stepping out to get out of the way of her before she was stopped. "What?" Mary asked in surprise.
"I think you should scoot over to your wife," Beckett said with a smile. She waited for Mary to do so before she got in and as they were driving to the Promenade she said, "Though that was a walk it was nice."
"The scenery is nice here," Skye said in agreement.
"Why didn't we just walk from here Mummy?" Kathleen asked from the back.
"It's a bit of a walk still," Skye answered. "But we're on our way so don't worry."
"Are you two going to be here for the rehearsal?" Castle asked the twins.
"Yep, Mummy and Mommy said we could go somewhere else if we wanted with friends but we want to see them playing," Marie answered.
"Yeah Mummy said you saw them the other night," Kathleen added.
"We did," Beckett said, looking back at them. "And we enjoyed it very much."
"Good 'cause they're very… good," Kathleen said before she giggled with Marie.
"And we'll be doing that at eleven," Mary said.
"Lunch?" Beckett asked.
"At twelve thirty since the party starts at seven tonight," Skye answered. She'd reached the parking structure at the middle of the Promenade on 4th Street and went inside, stopping at the spot that faced the sidewalk. "We got lucky for a Sunday," she commented while they were all getting out of the car.
"It's fall though," Mary pointed out to her wife before they went down some steps they were near to the sidewalk.
"Did Julia see our mothers playing?" Marie asked Beckett as she walked with her, slipping her hand in hers.
"She did, I sent her the video," she replied with a smile. "And she loved it."
"I think she's jealous of how good your moms can play," Castle said to Kathleen who he was walking with.
"Did you tell her to practice?" the little girl asked.
"Well we don't know for sure if she is," Castle said when they reached the street and went down to the restaurant. "But if she ever says that we'll tell her."
They had reached the place by then and were able to sit at the same table the four had eaten at before. Once they'd ordered Beckett spoke saying, "Are you going shopping at all?"
"No by the time we finish here and make it back home the others will be arriving," Skye said when her wife looked at her. "Did you want to?"
"Not really, we need to get everything set up," Mary began. "Get lunch set up," she added. She smiled and then said, "Plus I'm still wondering how you're going to set up practice. You still want to play his favorites?"
"Okay," Skye said after thinking. "Why don't we do a few random ones again?"
"That's fine with me," Mary replied.
"How long is the rehearsal going to be?" Castle asked.
"For about an hour before and an hour after lunch," Skye answered. When she saw the startled expressions on their faces she told Castle and Beckett, "It's like we're at a concert with a very long intermission."
"It helps us perform more songs in a row," Mary added. "But don't worry in between we'll take a sort of break to get the next song and switch instruments if we need to."
"Why didn't you do it in the morning Mummy?" Marie then said.
With a smile Skye said, "We needed some rest and breakfast." She then looked at Castle and Beckett and told them, "They know."
Though she wondered at her telling the two about the case Beckett then realized something, "Mari."
"What?" Castle asked.
"She was there last night; she heard," Beckett replied.
Sucking in a breath of air Castle then said, "I don't know if it'll be a problem but believe me if it was David and Rebecca would let us know."
"Okay," Beckett said, turning her attention to the McDouglases who were all looking at her. "Sorry," she said with a smile. "We were just discussing something," she said as she was adding that for the girls' sake since Skye and Mary could understand their conversation. "What were we talking about?"
"I think the best thing to talk about is eating; our food is here," Mary commented as she nodded to the waiters who were bringing over their plates.
While they were eating Castle and Beckett were both suddenly missing their daughters, watching the twins laughing and talking with their mothers. They could see how much Skye and Mary had missed their daughters themselves and they glanced at one another every so often, knowing the other was remembering something. It wasn't until they were walking to the car that they spoke about that, the McDouglases ahead of them.
"What is it?" Castle asked his wife as she squeezed his hand tightly.
With a slight smile Beckett said, "What were you thinking, watching them with the twins?"
"Just remembering when we took Eliza down to the beach for the first time," Castle responded.
With a soft laugh Beckett said, "I guess their conversation influenced you," as the McDouglas twins had been begging their mothers to go down to the beach.
"I guess so," Castle said, squeezing her hand gently before he looked ahead of them while they were pausing to cross the street. He couldn't help himself and remembered again, that June of 2015 when they'd taken their youngest; then three months old; down to the backyard of their home.
"Mommy," Julia was saying as she watched with Alexis as their parents set out the blankets.
"Yes sweetie?" Beckett asked, looking up at her. "Is Eliza okay?"
"She's fine," Alexis said quickly as she was holding her littlest sister.
"Mommy can she come swimming with us? Please?" Julia begged, hurrying to her mother and holding her hand tightly.
"We'll take her in the water," Castle said before his wife could answer. "But not actually swimming; she'll be a little too young for that."
Julia wrinkled her nose at him; making him laugh; before she said, "That's not what I meant Daddy."
"No but it sounded like it," Castle replied. He laughed when the little girl jumped at him and he said, "Okay come here and get sunscreen on okay?"
"Okay," Julia said since she knew she wouldn't be able to go into the water if she didn't listen. She let her father get her covered before she was heading down to the water with her mother. "Are you happy to get to go Mommy?" she asked.
"Of course, why?" Beckett asked, slightly confused.
"You didn't get to go before when Daddy and I went last time," Julia answered.
"That's because I needed to stay with your sister," Beckett replied as she had gone outside with Eliza after she'd nursed the baby. She glanced back at her husband and smiled seeing he was holding their youngest above him as she cooed. Turning her attention back to her oldest she said, "But we're here now."
"When can Lizzy go in the water?" Julia then asked.
"I think now," Beckett said. "Rick," she called to her husband.
"Oh, I think we get to go in Eliza," Castle said. "Are you coming with us?"
"Of course," Alexis replied since he'd asked her. She followed him down to the water and took Julia onto her hip as they watched Eliza's feet dip into the water. The baby merely moved slightly and gurgled a little, looking around them. "Did you think she was going to protest that?" she asked her father and stepmother as she saw they appeared to be relieved.
"You never know," Castle replied. "But now that I think of it you were okay."
"You were lucky," Alexis said.
"You know you can go out and swim now sweetie," Beckett said quickly before Julia could ask about what her first time swimming had been like. "With your sister if you want."
"Not yet," Julia said simply with a wide smile at Alexis.
"She's right," the young woman said. "I think we want to stay with you and Lizzy, see how things go."
"Okay, a little deeper?" Castle asked his wife.
"I think so," Beckett replied as they stepped in a little more. She watched with him to see Eliza's reaction but she seemed to be fine, soon leaning against Castle. She and her husband then stood together then, watching Julia and Alexis start to swim around them to get their sister's attention. When they'd stopped she then took the baby who'd begun to cry, going back to their blankets and towel. She sat on a low beach chair as Castle sat next to her and quickly began to nurse their youngest as he looked on. She waited and was slightly startled when her husband didn't say anything until she was switching their daughter to her other breast.
"Do you think we should take her in fully?" Castle asked after he'd cupped the back of Eliza's head very gently so he didn't disturb her.
"Did you ever do that with Alexis?" Beckett replied.
"I did but don't ask me to remember when that was exactly," Castle said. "Around her age," he added, nodding down to Eliza. He felt something fall onto him then and he laughed saying, "Hey you got tired already?"
"No, it was kinda boring," Julia replied, wrapping her arms around his neck. When he embraced her with one arm she smiled and said, "Are you gonna go swimming too?"
"I might," Castle replied as he looked at his wife.
"I have to get her down for a nap," Beckett said to his look. "And then I'll need to watch her."
"We can do that," Alexis said with a smile when her father looked so obviously disappointed.
"Yeah, go swimming with Daddy, Mommy!" Julia exclaimed.
"For a little," Beckett said, not surprised when her husband turned to her. Since Eliza was finished then she rested the baby against her covered shoulder and patted her back before she said, "We'll stay at least until she falls asleep."
"Sure," Castle said, knowing he was lucky she was agreeing to go with him. He took the baby from her and laid her down, kissing her temple before he sat up and watched with the others as Eliza fell asleep.
"She'll be fine," Alexis said after that point, watching her stepmother place her hand on Eliza's back.
"We won't be out that long," Castle said, taking his wife's hand once they were standing up. They then walked down to the water and he didn't let her go until they could dive underneath an incoming wave. When they resurfaced he said with a smile, "Thank you."
"You're welcome but I did want to go," Beckett replied, smiling back at him.
"What do you think about bringing Julia with us when we go back?" Castle asked after they'd ducked underneath another wave.
"If she'll come with us then okay," Beckett replied.
"Maybe now we've gone out swimming…" Castle began.
"Maybe," Beckett said easily. She leaned over and kissed him, gently slipping her tongue into his mouth, before she wrapped her arm around his neck to hold onto him.
His head tilting to the side slightly Castle found he was enjoying the taste of his wife's mouth even though he was also getting the flavor of the water as well. When they parted he glanced back with her to the beach and could just barely make out their daughters who were playing a hand game.
"I get the feeling they're doing that very quietly," Beckett said.
"Even if they didn't Alexis could still take care of Eliza," Castle replied. "Keep going?" When his wife just splashed him, he spluttered slightly and laughed before he dove under the water after her.
"I guess they're gonna play too," Julia said quietly to her sister when they heard Beckett laughing out in the water. "They should," she then added. "They have to take care of Lizzy."
"I know and it's a good thing you suggested they do this," Alexis replied. She watched her father and stepmother, seeing they had begun to kiss again before she turned back to her sister. "They still do that right?" she asked.
"Kiss? Yep, even after Lizzy was here and crying all night," Julia said as she nodded.
"That's good to hear," Alexis said with a smile. "You should go swimming with them when they come back."
"Could I?" Julia asked.
"I think so but you know your mom will probably have you wear your vest still," Alexis pointed out.
Julia nearly started to groan but stopped herself when she remembered she might wake up Eliza. "When can I stop wearing it?" she said.
"When Dad and your mom say so," Alexis said simply, trying not to smile too widely.
"Alright," Beckett said once she and Castle had finally parted from another kiss. "I think we should head back to the girls."
"I'll follow," Castle said before he ducked under the water and began to swim together with her to the beach.
"Hi!" Julia said happily when her parents walked up to her as she was waiting for them ankle deep in the water.
"Hey, we were just going to ask if you wanted to come swimming with us," Beckett said with a smile, hugging her oldest.
"Yeah," Julia said very simply. She then waved to Alexis; who waved back; and said, "'lexis can swim after. And she said that I should come and swim with you."
"We figured," Castle said, amused at her wanting to make sure that they knew Alexis didn't mind she was staying behind. They went into the water and once they could they ducked together underneath a wave before they resurfaced. "Was your sister asleep this whole time?" she then asked.
"Yeah, she was sleeping," Julia replied, looking at her mother. She went to her and wrapped her arms around her neck, kissing her cheek and saying, "And she asked if you still kiss. Did she think you stop now that Lizzy is here?"
"I think she's worried we'd have fewer chances for that," Beckett replied, kissing Julia back. "We'll tell her she doesn't need to."
"We make sure we have those chances," Castle commented. He laughed and then yelled out as first Beckett splashed him and after Julia. "Thanks," he said to the little girl as she giggled heavily at his annoyed expression though he didn't make it very serious.
"I saw Mommy do that to you," Julia explained before she hugged him tightly and squeezed him a little tightly around the neck. "Do you love me Daddy?" she then asked, slightly shyly.
"Oh of course," Castle said quickly, knowing from her tone of voice that he couldn't really joke around in his answer. He pressed his lips to her cheek and then said, "And your mom and sisters too; all of you. And you I love because you're our second daughter."
Not smiling though her husband's tone of voice slowed down a little comically at the end Beckett said, "He's right but that's just one reason why we both love you."
"Come on, let's go back and give your sister a chance to swim," Castle said then as Julia swam over to her mother to kiss her. He followed the two to the beach and when they were walking up to Alexis he said, "She's still asleep?"
"She is," the young woman replied with a smile, looking over at them from checking on Eliza. "And that's all you're swimming?"
"We'll take turns," Beckett replied. "Go ahead with Julia; or on your own if you'd like."
"I'll take Jules," Alexis said. "We'll walk down a little and look at shells too."
"Can we?" Julia whispered.
"Go ahead," Beckett said in amusement watching them soon leave. "Why does she feel she needs to ask for Alexis?" she asked in Irish.
"I'm not sure," Castle replied with a shrug, sitting with her next to the bassinet they'd brought out for their youngest. "But it's nice she's including her."
"Even though she's an adult Alexis is still her sister," Beckett commented before her husband nodded. She couldn't help it and she leaned over, kissing him gently on the lips. She knew they couldn't really do that for very long since they were with Eliza but she couldn't resist kissing him for a second time.
When they parted they pressed their foreheads together and murmured that they loved each other. Parting they sat pressed close to one another, watching the waves and checking on their daughters every so often at the same time.
"You two alright?" Skye asked, waiting for Castle and Beckett at the bottom of the few steps up to the parking structure.
"We're just remembering our daughters," Castle explained first. "I was recalling when we took Eliza to the beach for the first time."
"Oh, I remember taking the twins over here," Skye replied, nodding in the direction of the ocean. "It's memorable especially if you live near the water." She smiled and then said, "More so for you two since you live right on it of course."
"Of course," Castle said before he and his wife followed their friend up the steps to the car where the others were waiting. "What were you thinking about?" he asked.
"Does it matter?" Beckett replied.
"I really want to know," Castle said. "I'm going to read your mind and say I wasn't in this memory."
Sighing, though she smiled soon after, Beckett then told him, "You were, do you remember the first Friday after Julia started school?"
"Very well," Castle said. "Nice memory," he told her before they reached the car and climbed in after the McDouglases.
As they drove back to the family's home Beckett glanced back at her husband, talking to the twins seriously, before she sat forward again and tried not to lose herself in the memory as she had before.
Standing at the open gate to the schools Beckett searched the little kids coming out before she spotted her daughter. "Julia," she called, waving her hand.
"Mommy!" the little girl said eagerly, rushing over to her. She hugged her tightly and said, "Is it the weekend?"
"It is now," Beckett replied, picking her up. "You want to be finished with school that fast?" she couldn't help asking with a smile.
"Yeah," Julia said, nodding. "Do you hafta work?"
"No," Beckett said. "I managed to finish in time so we can spend the whole weekend together." Since she was at the sidewalk she then raised her hand and watched a cab stop for her before she helped her daughter into the back of it. When they were on their way she said, "Do you mind if Castle spends time with us?"
"Does he want to?" Julia asked with a slight smile on her face. When her mother nodded she giggled and said, "Kay." She watched her mother do something on her phone before turning to her. "Did you say?"
"I did, he's going to meet us at home," Beckett replied.
"Kay," Julia replied. She then smiled at her mother and opened her mouth to speak before she looked at the partition from the driver and seeing it was closed said, "Are you happy?"
"I am, I haven't seen him yet today," Beckett replied. When her daughter looked at her with wide eyes she smiled and explained, "All I had was paperwork."
"Oh," Julia said before she looked out the window. "We're home Mommy," she said eagerly when they'd reached the building.
"I can see," Beckett said, quickly paying before getting out. She held Julia by the hand and as they were walking through the lobby her grip tightened a little. She tried not to think about when they'd been separated in the same room but it was hard to forget. She didn't relax until they were in the elevator and on their way up.
"Mommy?" Julia asked. When her mother looked down at her she said, "My hand hurts."
"Oh, I'm sorry sweetie," Beckett replied, letting her go. She placed her hand on the back of her daughter's head and they walked off the car to the hall down to their home. She let Julia walk in first and smiled as the little girl squealed in her joy as she picked up her Stitch doll from the chair in the entry. "Go to your room sweetie so you can change out of your uniform," she told her as Julia was talking to the doll.
With a nod, the little girl then left and spoke to Stitch the entire way until she was at her room. Julia talked to her fish about her day until she felt her mother's hand on her shoulder. "Kauai says that he got lots of exercises," she told her with a wide smile.
"I can imagine, come on," Beckett replied with a smile of her own as she helped her off the stool so she could look up at the fish tank. She changed her into a sweater and jeans and let her daughter lead the way to her bedroom. "How did you know I was going to change too?" she asked after setting Julia on the bed.
"'Cause Castle's gonna come here," the little girl said in a matter of fact tone. She watched her mother change her blouse before she said, "No more?"
"No, that was enough for me," Beckett said. Since her boyfriend still wasn't there she led her daughter out to the coffee table where she let her begin to color as they waited.
When there was a knock on the door Julia jumped and dropped her crayon she was holding before she looked at her mother.
"Who did we say was going to be here sweetie?" Beckett asked her.
"It's Castle," Julia replied, jumping up.
Beckett wasn't surprised when her daughter waited for her to reach her so they could hold hands over to the door. She opened it after making sure it was her boyfriend and said, "You took a while," the second before she noticed the bags in his hands.
"I went to pick up what'll be dinner," Castle replied, stepping inside before she closed the door behind him. With that done he leaned over and kissed her gently, looking down at Julia who was standing next to her when they'd parted. "So, your first week of school over," he said with a smile.
"Yeah, did you stop to work?" Julia asked.
"You mean am I done working for the weekend? I am," Castle replied, smiling still. "Though I didn't have as much as you and your mom."
Beckett helped him with the groceries until everything was put away and she said, "Tomorrow we should take her out."
"I think Alexis was talking about doing that with my mother," Castle replied.
"Really?" Beckett replied.
"Really," Castle said easily with a slight smile. "And I'm inclined to let them do that."
"So am I," Beckett said. She looked down at her daughter and asked, "Do you want to go with Alexis and Martha to dinner?"
"Kay," Julia said excitedly. "What about you?" she asked the two.
"We'll have dinner at the loft," Castle replied. "Stay over?" he asked his girlfriend.
"Okay," Beckett said with a smile since Julia had turned to her in anticipation of her answer. "But my dad wants us to go to brunch with him… let me text him."
"You don't need to cancel your plans," Castle said in confusion watching her.
"I'm not," Beckett replied easily. "I'm telling him to expand our reservation by three."
"Can he do that?" Castle asked.
"He will," Beckett replied with a smile, knowing he had asked that in case he would need to use his name. "Okay," she said when shortly after she'd sent the text her father answered her. "He'll try the best he can."
"Then we should go ahead and get started on dinner," Castle replied. "Unless you two aren't hungry."
"I am," Julia replied, raising her hand in the air. "Can I help?"
"I think you can," Castle replied. He was pleased when she held her hand out to him and then said, "Your mom told me that she was teaching you how to cook."
"Little bit," Julia said a little shyly.
"Then I'll teach you a little more," Castle said, picking Julia up to set her on the counter.
"Like what?" Beckett asked, standing next to him.
"You'll see," Castle replied. He then realized she was staring at him so he said, "I was going to make some Alfredo; she can help me with the sauce."
"Then she can wait until that point," Beckett replied, taking her daughter off the counter.
"But I want to watch Mommy," Julia said in protest.
"Hold on," Beckett said, going around the island to get one of the chairs there. She set it at the counter where Castle was going to be working and placed her daughter there before telling her seriously, "Stay here and don't move okay?"
"I won't," Julia replied, using the same tone her mother was as she nodded. She then looked on while Beckett and Castle made some chicken and vegetables before he was working on pasta. "Is it mac'oni?" she asked.
"No," Beckett told her with a smile. "It's Alfredo but you like that too."
Julia nodded and watched as Castle drained the long pasta in the sink before she smiled and said, "Now I get to help?"
"You do, hold on," Castle said, getting the pasta into a pot before he set it in front of Julia. He poured the Alfredo sauce Beckett had made and helped her mixing it all up before he said, "And now dinner is ready."
"But the table," Julia said as he set her down.
"That's what we're going to do now," Beckett said as she was grabbing the plates. "But just the napkins and forks."
After the table was ready Castle and Beckett sat down with Julia, letting her eat a little before she told them about how her day at school went.
"I am sorry my mother couldn't go to watch her," Castle said later when they'd finished eating and he and his girlfriend were cleaning up the dishes.
"It's alright, I realize Martha can't always go," Beckett replied. "Plus, I was there to pick her up."
Castle nodded before he then looked over at Julia who was playing with her Stitch doll on the coffee table and said, "She seems happy."
"She does," Beckett replied. "Which is a relief." She tried not to jump when his arm wrapped around her and said, "For us both."
Speechless for a moment Castle finally could say, "How would you like to celebrate her first week of school?"
Giving him a look Beckett then said, "We can make the milkshakes later."
"Oh, so you saw that," Castle replied in amusement.
"I don't know how I could have missed the carton of ice cream," Beckett replied. "But really Rick; later."
"Okay," Castle said simply before he followed her over to the coffee table where they sat to begin playing with Julia.
"Alright," Skye said, checking the guitars out on the patio. "I think we're ready."
"It looks like it," Beckett said with a smile.
"What can I help you with?" Skye then asked.
"I'm just amazed at how at ease you are with this," Beckett replied.
"It took time," Skye said in amusement. "Believe me I didn't just jump into this and perform flawlessly."
"She's right," Raj said, walking over to them to get to his keyboards. "Those first practices we were in the house and we were quite awful."
"Doors locked and everything," Jackie said as she walked over to them.
"They're right," Skye said with a smile. "We weren't too good at first but we improved."
"We should get started," Mary said as she walked up to them with Barry. "The girls would like to go swimming again."
"This rehearsal is kind of pared down," Castle commented as he sat with Beckett under the shade of the patio.
"Well the De Graves are doing… whatever they want to," Skye answered.
"My husband is resting for the party tonight; he'll be working on our sound there," Jackie replied. "So, what's first?"
"I got it," Raj replied before he looked at his phone. "Ah, Getting Closer."
"Okay, good to start out with," Skye replied, nodding her head. "Ready?" she asked the others since they were all either at their instruments or had them on. When she got nods she counted in and Mary began the opening riff before she sang.
Say you don't love him, my salamander
Why do you need him?
Oh no, don't answer
I'm getting closer
I'm getting closer to your heart
Hearing the way Barry was playing Castle wanted to murmur to his wife that he was an incredibly good drummer but she was filming with her phone. So he kept quiet, especially since Skye was singing the next verse.
Keeping ahead of the rain on the road
Watching my windscreen wipers
Radio play me a danceable ode
Cattle beware of snipers
After some guitar licks Beckett glanced at her husband since it had been Mary that had played them. She mouthed, 'She's good,' before she smiled as her husband nodded with his eyes wide. She did her best not to laugh looking over at the band as Skye sang yet again.
When will you see me, my salamander?
Now don't try to tell me
Oh no don't answer, oh no
Hitting the chisel and making a joint
Gluing my fingers together
Radio play me a song with a point
Sailor beware of weather
I'm getting closer, my salamander
Well when will we be there?
Oh no don't answer, oh no
When the song had finished Skye went back to Barry and spoke with him quickly before she nodded over to Raj. As she drank her water she said to her daughters, "What do you think?"
"That was the best Mummy," Kathleen said first.
"Better than best," Marie added, nodding her head rapidly.
"You better, you better, you bet…" Skye sang.
"That's what I wanted to ask you," Castle said, throwing his hands up in the air. "You can sing songs from other artists."
"Well of course, I'm not exclusive to The Beatles," Skye replied. "Just my favorite."
"One of the songs we're going to sing tonight," Raj said to everyone looking over at him. "Tight A$."
"Alright," Skye said. "You want to take this one?"
"We tried that already," Raj said in slight complaint. "You can sing it far better."
"Fine, I don't always take the lead on these," Skye said, looking back at Castle and Beckett. "We split especially on The Traveling Wilburys songs. Should do one of those next."
"Come on grá," Mary said, smiling at her wife.
Sighing in mock annoyance Skye then smiled and went to get another guitar before she checked to see if it was in tune. She counted in once they were all prepared to start and once they'd finished the intro she began.
Well just as tight a$ you can make it
Hard and slow ain't hard enough
Just as tight a$ you can shake it girl
Git it on and do your stuff
Tight a$ you can get it
Tight a$ got it made
Uptight's alright right but if you can't stand the heat
You better get back in the shade
Well just a$ tight as an Indian rope trick
Long and tough ain't hard enough
Just as tight a$ as a dope fiend's fix my friend
Git it up and do your stuff
Tight a$ you can boogie
Tight a$ got it laid
Uptight's alright right but if you can't stand the heat
You better get back in the shade
As the band began to play the instrumental Castle leaned towards his wife and murmured, "She's not pronouncing it right."
"With her daughters here?" Beckett whispered back, looking with him at the two who were jumping up and down in their dancing to the upbeat music. She smiled, though it was a little hard to do so as she thought of Julia and Eliza doing the same. Shaking her head when Skye was starting up yet again she made sure her phone was steady on the woman as she listened to the lyrics.
Well just as tight a$ you can make it
Hard and slow ain't hard enough
Just as tight a$ you can shake it girl
Git it on and do your stuff
Tight a$ you can get it
Tight a$ got it made
Uptight's alright right but if you can't stand the heat
You better get back in the shade
Well just a$ tight as an Indian rope trick
Long and tough ain't hard enough
Just as tight a$ as a dope fiend's fix my friend
Git it up and do your stuff
Tight a$ you can boogie
Tight a$ got it laid
Uptight's alright right but if you can't stand the heat
You better get back in the shade
At the second instrumental Castle grabbed Kathleen's hand when she passed near him and he spun her around to her cry of laughter.
The noise getting her attention Skye glanced over at them and smiled when she saw the man spinning both of her daughters. She tried her best to focus on the chords she was still playing, which took a little effort but when she had to sing that helped her greatly.
Well tight a$ got me cornered
Tight a$ she got laid
Tight a$ strut your stuff so tough
Just a sitting in the midnight shade
Tight a$ she can boogie
Tight a$ she got laid
Uptight's alright right but if you can't stand the heat
You better get back in the shade
As the band played the rest of the chords and then stopped Beckett applauded with the twins and her husband. "Could I make a suggestion?" she asked them.
"Sure," Mary replied.
"What about an Elton John song?" Beckett replied.
"Why… oh you want me on the piano," Skye said as she took off her guitar. "I think we can manage."
"Not Crocodile Rock," Castle said quickly. "We'll never get the song out of our heads."
"We haven't tried that one yet," Jackie said as Skye and Raj were switching places.
"No, I have one," Skye said. "And I'll ask about the video after. Here we go."
When she heard the opening notes of the music Beckett exchanged a smile with her husband at it since it was one of their favorites of the singer's. She made sure she was recording again, waiting for Skye to begin to sing.
You could never know what it's like
Your blood's like winter freezes just like ice
And there's a cold lonely light that shines from you
You'll wind up like the wreck you hide behind the mask you use
And did you think this fool could never win
Well look at me, I'm coming back again
I got a taste of love in a simple way
And if you need to know while I'm still standing you just fade away
Don't you know I'm still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I'm still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
I'm still standing yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm still standing yeah, yeah, yeah
Smiling at the way the others sang the yeahs Castle looked over at Beckett who was handing her phone to Marie, watching as the little girl started to film. Kathleen was still next to him and he smiled as she was jumping up and down yet again.
Once I never could hope to win
You starting down the road leaving me again
The threats you made were meant to cut me down
And if our love was just a circus you'd be a clown by now
You know I'm still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I'm still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
I'm still standing yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm still standing yeah, yeah, yeah
There Jackie began to play her electric guitar, jumping around in the short time she had before she yelled, "Go on Skye!"
Don't you know I'm still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I'm still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
I'm still standing yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm still standing yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm still standing yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm still standing yeah, yeah, yeah