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'd been wondering what the feedback would be for the last chapter, so I was very pleased to get what I did in the end and I'll get right to my thank yous for that! MaineZoe (I wasn't surprised to see that you were so glad that Castle was awake; figured there would be a lot of readers commenting on that and I was right, lol),
MsNYC (I wasn't surprised to see you mentioning that Kate was as happy and content as Beckett is in modern day. But I'm so happy that you think that makes for a great read! Also, not surprised that you mentioned Rick and Castle in modern day being not too different from each other. I figured that might stay the same so great you enjoyed all that enough to mention it! Wasn't surprised that you were so happy that Castle woke up too. And pleased to see you thought it was great writing as usual again! Oh, and so happy that you enjoyed the time jumps in the '20's timeline since I had a lot of fun writing those and wanted my readers to like them too so was nice to see that!),
TORONTOSUN (Great that you liked the birthday moment for Julia; I enjoyed writing that being in the '20s so I wanted readers to enjoy it too. And not surprised at all you're glad that Castle is awake too. Or that you mentioned the fact that Beckett was right there when that happened as I did want her to be there, couldn't imagine her not being there for that so it was nice to see you mentioning that!),
vetgirlmx (So happy that you absolutely loved the chapter since it was a different kind of chapter, lol. And yep, a lot of info but as you said it had to be to be a satisfactory conclusion for both Castle and all of you readers. And I'm not surprised that you too were so glad to see that he was finally awake. I had to laugh a bit at your comment about 3 kids in about 3 years, but you made a good point that that's like gotta be rough. But you're completely right, that's the way it was back then. And I wasn't surprised that seeing Alexis younger than Julia and Elia there. I'm not surprised it's giving you a little trouble to process but you got what I did with that; since she wasn't Rick's before he and Kate got married that was the order she was born in in that life. But I am glad that you liked it better this way since it didn't work out the other way. And I'm not surprised at your guess since it makes sense considering you said that since he's awake and the family is going to see him those reactions will likely be mostly relief. But I'm so glad you can't wait to see the reactions of course though you guessed them, lol. Great you still want to see it since of course it means you want to read more and now you can!),
Mb (I was pleased to see that you thought the chapter was a great update. And nice you thought how I did it was a fantastic way to wrap up the case as well as find Junior's killers. I wasn't surprised to see that you thought it was an of course for Kate's family to be happy and accepting of her and Rick courting. But you were right, they were waiting for the two to finally admit what they knew was the truth, what that all saw and how they knew they should be together. Glad you thought it was fantastic and you're welcome! I was pleased to read that you thought the second half was fantastic and amazing. And great that you loved how I had Castle needing to see 1926 Rick and Kate at the courthouse for their wedding before he could return to his family. I'm glad too you enjoyed the voice/Beckett guiding Castle and how the visions are controlled by him. You're also right, Castle is seeing what's most important to him. And it was great that you liked seeing the proposal with Julia so happy for her ma. As well as Rick asking Julia if he could be her da with Julia's happy answer of yes. Also, that you liked their wedding as well as their dreams of a future, plus the fact that you thought it perfect was great! You're right that Castle was getting closer to regaining consciousness with the voice telling him but also that it was getting brighter before the visions. Again, liked that phrase of him emerging from the darkness but loved too how you said he was getting back into the world of light and love that he's seeing in his and Beckett's past as well as in those flashbacks of him and Beckett and their family in the present. Great to see you thought it was fantastic too. You're welcome again for sharing!) and
Mb (I'm so glad to see you thought the new chapter was again a fantastic and so loving look into how Castle and Beckett's life in 1926 progressed. Also, that you mentioned they continued to prosper and saw their family grow and their love grow stronger too. And you got what I was doing, that either their past selves or current selves would have as you said a true and everlasting love for each other and their family as well as an eternal love that can never be extinguished. And I'm so happy that that stood out for you! You're very welcome for sharing! And glad the second half made you think it was once again a truly amazing update/story. So pleased to read that you can feel the power of love that Rick and Kate in 1926 have and how it extends too to their children they created out of their love and their extended family as you said. I have to admit I've never heard that saying about Irish twins, but I wasn't surprised that you mentioned that I got the time frame accurately in them having children on right after another; that definitely did happen in the past. I was so happy to see you mentioning Castle emerging from unconsciousness and how of course his first words to Beckett were I love you of course, lol, hard to see that going another way. So glad you thought it was fantastic! And of course, Caskett and family always! You're very welcome for the chapter!).
Thanks so much for the reviews, loved reading them and I appreciate 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 Mystical One by George Harrison, from his album Gone Troppo.
Whatever We May Have Been
Looking out the window she was standing in front of Beckett bit her lower lip, trying to hold onto her patience though it was hard to do as she wanted to see her husband again desperately. She reached up and held her aquamarine pendant between her fingers, trying to distract herself with what she saw outside. She eventually thought of if her family would get there before she could see him when she heard a familiar voice calling her name.
"Ms. Beckett," Liam said with a smile. "Dr. Bell would like to see you in your husband's room."
Beckett walked as rapidly as she could to the room where she saw the doctor was standing outside. "He's alright," she stated.
"He is," Bell said with a smile at her. "I've tested his reflexes and sight and he's doing well there."
"What about him walking?" Beckett asked.
"He'll need to stay for a bit, just so we can monitor him as he did experience a good deal of trauma from the accident," Bell said, speaking seriously then. "I'd like to keep him here for a few days more and because of that I'll have Nurse Henderson," she said as she nodded to Liam. "To help him with the therapy that he may need as I'm not sure how his knee will be. But he shouldn't have too many problems, in a couple days I may allow you to take him to the gardens to walk there."
"Thank you… is there anything else? Will he be moved?" Beckett asked, itching to get inside.
"No, no, he'll stay here," Bell said. "And we'll still be checking on him of course."
"My family is on their way," Beckett replied.
"They can see him," Bell said. "But I told your husband that if he feels overwhelmed at all then he'll need to take things easy."
"I'll watch him to make sure," Beckett said. When the doctor nodded and motioned to the room she thanked her and then went inside, closing the door after her. "Rick," she said as he was looking out the window.
Turning his head a smile spread across Castle's face before his wife was rushing over to him and he held his arms out to her. Though it was awkward being on the bed he was soon able to wrap them around her and he said, "They said I was out for almost three days."
"Almost," Beckett replied with a smile as she kissed his temple. She pulled away and felt a few tears falling down her cheeks before she said, "I'm so happy right now."
"So am I, the last I remember was being spun around," Castle replied.
"I was so worried when I first saw you Rick; even though we knew you'd wake up we just didn't know when," Beckett told him. She then sighed and told him, "I wanted to see you looking at me again."
"Now I am," Castle told her.
"I know," Beckett murmured before she leaned down and kissed him gently on the lips.
"Dr. Bell told me," Castle said when they'd parted. "That you were waiting; all of you. And she said Darnley's here?"
"She described him?" Beckett asked. When her husband nodded she said, "He came on his own; I never asked him to."
"Trust me when I say I'm really happy he did," Castle said as she sat facing him. He glanced down at her stomach and asked, "Are you alright?"
"I'm good," Beckett replied with a smile. "And so is the baby."
"Has it started to move yet?" Castle asked her.
"No," Beckett said, shaking her head. "But it's fine."
With a nod Castle leaned back against the bed and said with a smile, "You've been sleeping here."
"Did you honestly think I'd go home?" Beckett asked.
"Not really but right next to me?" Castle asked though he'd grown serious.
"Actually, a couple times I slept right here next to you," Beckett replied. "Did she tell you you needed to stay a little more?"
"Yeah, you're going to stay right?" Castle asked her.
"Unless you wanted me to leave," Beckett said simply.
"Oh no," Castle said before he studied her closely. "Kate," he said, reaching up and cupping her cheek tenderly.
Though she had to wonder if it was a good idea Beckett leaned over and allowed her husband to lead the kiss as he wanted. She didn't regret it as it was very tender yet sensuous at the same time before they slowly parted. "I did this too," she told him.
"I'm sorry love," Castle said as he knew how that must have been since he couldn't respond to her.
"It's not your fault," Beckett told him, holding his hand in both of hers and then brushing her lips against the back of it.
"Drunk driver?" Castle guessed. His wife nodded, and he sighed saying, "I don't remember much about the accident."
"Better that you don't," Beckett replied.
Running his hand up and down her back Castle asked, "What time is it?"
"Eight fifty now," Beckett said. She then thought of something and got off the bed saying, "Move your legs."
"Oh, you just want to take a look at my beautiful gams," Castle said jokingly as she had pulled down on the covers over him.
"No, I want to make sure," Beckett said though she was smiling at what he'd said.
"Ready to run a marathon," Castle said as he was moving his legs around with a wide smile. "I want to go home," he then told her.
"I know love, but you need to recoup and the doctor just wants to make sure," Beckett said tenderly to him. When he'd stopped moving she leaned over, kissing him gently on the lips saying, "You want to see the girls don't you?"
"And Alexis," Castle said seriously.
"Of course," Beckett replied. "And they'll be here soon; as soon as Dr. Bell came I went to call your mother."
Sighing Castle said, "They were worried."
"Of course," Beckett said. "We all were," she then told him before she heard a knock at the door and she got up quickly to open it as Castle watched her to see who it was exactly.
"Your family is here," Liam said with a smile once the door was open.
"Thank you, I'll be out to see them in a second," Beckett said. When she closed the door, she went to her husband and said, "I think we should bring them in groups."
"And then what take them back out?" Castle asked her.
"No," Beckett replied with a smile. "Just stagger them so you're not overwhelmed."
"Dr. Bell told me about that too," Castle replied with a smile. "But really I feel stronger."
"You're not there yet," Beckett replied, leaning over and kissing him tenderly on the lips. She wasn't surprised when he grabbed her arm and didn't let her pull away fully and told him teasingly, "Maybe you are."
Once his wife had leaned down to him Castle kissed her deeply and he let her go before they became breathless. "But I wanted to do this too," he told her, still not letting her go. He pressed his hand to her abdomen and then said to the baby, "I missed you too… a lot."
Beckett smiled and leaned down, kissing the top of his head before she said, "Should I get the girls first?"
"That would be great," Castle said, squeezing her hand firmly before he then let her go.
Beckett couldn't help running her hand over his hair before she kissed the top of it and then left the room to go out to the waiting room where she saw nearly everyone was.
"Mommy," Julia and Eliza said eagerly when they saw her, rushing over to her.
"Daddy's up?" the latter asked.
"He is," Beckett said as she embraced the two. She leaned down so she could kiss them both and said, "He's asking for you three." She stood back up and said to the others, "I'd like to take you in groups though he's alright."
"Of course," Martha told her daughter in law. "We thought you might do that and really it's better for him."
"Come on," Beckett said, smiling at the girls. She saw Alexis was remaining with Louis and told her stepdaughter, "You too." Once all three were with her she led the way over to the room and allowed them to go inside first, smiling as the girls cried out in joy at seeing their father looking over at them.
"Girls," Castle said, smiling. He squeezed Alexis' arm as she was helping both her sisters up on the bed and then hugged the two to him as tightly as he could, reaching for his daughter. He couldn't help laughing as they were all talking at the same time and he kissed Julia and Eliza's foreheads before he reached up to Alexis' cheek to cup it. "I missed you all too," he said when that had calmed them down.
"Did you know that we were here?" Julia asked softly.
"I did," Castle said, looking around at all of them before his gaze settled on his wife who was on the chair next to the bed; knowing that was where she'd likely stayed while he'd been out. "Don't ask how but I just… knew you were here." He then motioned to the pictures on the wall under the TV and said, "Did you make those for me?"
"Yeah," Eliza said eagerly. "I made the picture there and mine is-"
"Our footprints on the beach with the dogs there in brown," Castle interrupted. "And Julia yours is of the Cliffs of Moher."
"You could hear," Beckett stated as all three girls looked back at her.
"Like I said," Castle said simply. "But really, I have no idea how I was able to hear. And so you know I love those pictures, they brighten up the room." He looked down at Eliza as she pressed close to him and he caressed her hair telling her, "You missed this?"
"Yeah," the little girl said. "I didn't like you didn't hug me back."
"Me neither," Julia said in agreement as she cuddled closer to him on the other side of him.
Beckett let them sit for a little longer before she said, "Girls, why don't you let Alexis hug him so we can let your gram come in to see him?"
After her sister had helped her down Julia rushed to where her mother was still sitting, and she wrapped her arms around her tightly saying, "When can he come home?"
"The doctor wants to keep him for just a little bit longer," Beckett told her, embracing her back. "So it might not be until next week."
"Hopefully sooner than that," Castle said before he'd let Alexis go. "Get your gram for Kate okay?"
"I will, welcome back Dad," the young woman said, kissing his cheek before she left the room.
"Mommy was here all the nights you were Daddy," Eliza said when the four of them were alone.
"She was here almost all the time," Julia added.
"I made sure you weren't alone," Beckett told her husband before he could comment about that.
"I appreciate that," Castle replied. "And thank you for staying with me… have you been at home at all?"
"Not since I went to get clothes," Beckett replied. When he reached out to her she stood up and went to him, letting him take her hand before she leaned down and they kissed tenderly.
"Did you really kiss Mommy?" Eliza asked her father was Beckett was sitting down on the chair again.
"I did, but not as deeply as I usually do," Castle responded. "I have to be careful of course…"
"What?" Beckett asked at her husband's trailing off.
"No, nothing," Castle said quickly, something jarring his memory at his words. "Now I know it's a Wednesday, what about school?"
"I'm getting my homework from Peter," Julia said.
"And their teachers let us know what they'll miss this week," Beckett replied.
"Can we stay the rest of the week here?" Julia asked in surprise.
"You can, I don't think you'd be able to concentrate too much in class anyways," Beckett said. "But just this week, next week you'll go back."
Sighing Julia said to her little sister, "I think that means we won't get to go with Mommy and Daddy to their appointment."
"The baby?" Eliza asked.
"We will tell you what we find out," Beckett promised them, smiling as she wasn't surprised at the girls' disappointment.
"But 'lexis will know first," Eliza said.
"We'll wait until everyone's home," Castle said, as he and Beckett had talked about when they would do that. Hearing the knock on the door he then said quickly, "Which will be once we get home after your class Julia."
"Oh Richard," Martha said tearfully, rushing into the room and wrapping her arms around her son tightly.
"I'm alright now Mother," Castle said, embracing her back. "As you can tell since I'm awake; I know all of you were waiting for that." He reached around his mother to shake his father in law's hand and said, "Thank you for being here for Kate."
"Of course," Jim said. "And I'm glad to see you're awake as well; we all are."
"He's right," Louis said as he'd joined the two and his girlfriend in the room. "I texted my family, as they've been worried, and they answered to let you know they're relieved."
"Nice of them to say," Castle said, shaking the young man's hand firmly. "Now Patrick and Skye can come in."
"I'll get them," Louis said.
"Mother," Castle said, trying to sound annoyed at her fussing over him but smiling as he spoke. "I hope you guys won't do this up until I'm released."
"When will that be?" Jim asked.
The door was knocked on then and everyone looked at it as Beckett called them inside and Louis entered with Darnley and Skye behind her.
"Hey, our guests," Castle said with a smile, reaching out and shaking Darnley's hand first. "Thank you, I know you were helping out with Kate and everyone."
"Nicely said," Skye told him teasingly, shaking his hand before she squeezed it between both of hers. "You don't know how happy we all are."
"I think I have an idea," Castle replied. "So… did I miss anything?"
"I don't think so," Darnley said.
"We were all focused on you love," Beckett told him.
"Very true," Castle said. "To be honest I was just saying that to make sure Kate and the baby have been okay."
"They have," Martha said. "But out of all of us I think your wife was the most concerned."
Beckett knew her cheeks were likely a little flushed, but she stood up to go to her husband when he held his hand out to her again and she said, "I had to be of course."
"I'm glad you were, means you're not heartless," Castle joked.
"I've missed you love," Beckett told him seriously.
Castle pulled her fully onto the bed and said to the others, "I hope you won't mind this."
"I don't think we can Dad," Alexis said, smiling at how pink her stepmother's cheeks had gotten. "At least now you can relax Kate."
"I am… I think I'm doing that right now," Beckett said, still a little embarrassed since her husband had his hand on her abdomen.
"Can we go on the bed too?" Eliza asked eagerly.
Before Castle or Beckett could say anything, there was a knock on the door and they all looked to see it was Liam who glanced around at everyone and then said, "I'm sorry but there are two couples here."
"The Fosters and Davises," Skye guessed.
"Most likely," Beckett said. "Please, let them in."
Seeing the nurse hesitate Martha said, "Why don't we let the adults say hello and we'll get breakfast."
After the girls had agreed and had left with their grandparents, sister and Louis, the nurse told the two on the bed, "You'll be brought some food soon Mr. Castle."
"Thank you," he told Liam before the man left. He then said to his wife, "I am hungry."
"Good to hear," Beckett said with a smile, kissing his temple gently before she had him let her go so she could get out of the way of their friends.
"We'll get you some breakfast Kate," Darnley said then.
"You guys are hungry too?" Castle asked in amusement.
"We were racing out of the house," Skye said. "But we'll eat here if you don't mind."
"That's fine," Beckett said. When they left she looked at her husband and said, "I'll eat with you from now on."
"You didn't before?" Castle asked, reaching for her hand.
"I was here just for lunch the first day," Beckett replied. "The other meals I had with them in the cafeteria."
"What the hell is that?" Castle said then, hearing a distant thudding noise as the door to the room was open.
"Brad," Beckett said, seeing it was his friend as he burst inside.
"Calm down, they're going to kick you out," Castle said jokingly.
"Oh god Rick do you know how worried we all were about you?" Brad asked him.
"I had a feeling," Castle replied with a smile as he shook his friend's hand before the man embraced him tightly the best he could. He wasn't surprised when he clasped his shoulder when he pulled away and then said, "What happened to the other driver?"
A little startled Brad then said, "He's in jail, he wasn't as injured."
"Of course not," Castle said. "Hello Lily," he said. "Wait the restaurant-"
"Is not open yet," she replied, interrupting him. Lily smiled after pulling away from their brief hug and she said, "Even if it was I can take a moment."
"I feel special," Castle said jokingly.
"That's how you know he's back," Lily told her friend.
"I noticed," Beckett said wryly as she embraced her.
"He's not tired?" Lily asked since her husband was talking to Castle at that moment.
"I think a little, but he can still talk," Beckett said, smiling at David and Rebecca who were standing behind them. "I'm surprised you all just came… what about Mari?"
"We already got her to school," Rebecca answered as she let her husband go to Castle first. "You do know it's past eight."
"I'm going to be here for a little longer," Castle said to his friend after they'd shared a quick hug. "But I feel alright… a little weak which is-"
"You do remember you've been unconscious for about two days right?" David told him as he moved out of the way of his wife for her to embrace Castle next.
"Yeah but it's frustrating," he replied. "How're Mari and Dani?
"They're fine," Rebecca said in amusement.
"All our kids are fine, it's yours you should worry about more," Lily told him jokingly.
"And I know how they all are," Castle replied. "Now if you're going to ask me anything I don't know what I can tell you about these past days to be honest."
"I think we already thought of that," Brad said. He sighed and said, "I need to go into the station though."
"We're going to leave too," David said for himself and his wife, adjusting Dani on his hip. "But we weren't going to leave it until after we were finished to see you."
"I appreciate that," Castle told them seriously.
"I hope it's okay we didn't come after the first time," Rebecca said. "We thought it would be best for your family to stick with you."
"Oh, don't worry," Castle replied. "You wouldn't really have been able to talk to me anyways so…" he said, finishing with a shrug.
That reminded Beckett of the journal she had been keeping and she reminded herself to tell her husband about it later as their friends were saying goodbye to them. She hugged Lily and Rebecca and then said goodbye to the four before they left and she said, "You know you won't be able to have coffee."
Laughing as he pulled her over to him Castle said, "Then we're in the same boat."
"I think we are," Beckett said. "Oh, not again," she said with a soft laugh as he didn't stop pulling on her arm. She got up on the bed and lay against his side murmuring, "I spoke to you, while you were away."
With a brief smile at how she had worded that Castle then said, "I'm not surprised."
"How did you know?" Beckett asked him.
"I really don't know," Castle told her, knowing that she was referencing how he'd known what the girls' pictures were. "I just knew… I could hear you."
Beckett wanted to ask what else was on his mind; as she knew from looking at him; but she didn't have the chance as his breakfast was being rolled in. "You should tell the girls," she said with a smile as she saw the bowl of oatmeal on the tray.
"I should decorate it," Castle said as there was some fruit in a small cup on it as well. "Take a picture and tell the girls it's my artwork."
Shaking her head Beckett said, "Just eat love."
"Not until you have your food," Castle replied.
Beckett wanted to protest but she could tell by the set of her husband's jaw that he wasn't going to budge. So she merely sat down on her chair again before she said with a smile, "Looks like I'll need to care for you for now."
"I'll still take care of you," Castle said with a smile.
Rolling her eyes Beckett was going to speak when Darnley came inside and she said, "We'll have to close that door."
"Especially if we're having a breakfast for two," Castle said. "You're eating down in the cafeteria?"
"They took a while deciding," Darnley replied, pushing over the other rolling table to his friend. "Your omelet with tomato and spinach madame."
"Nerd," Beckett told him as he'd spoke with a French accent. "Thank you though."
"You're welcome, bon appétit," Darnley said before he left, closing the door behind him.
"He talked like that when you guys were in the Academy?" Castle asked, preparing his oatmeal quickly. Eating the first bite he sighed and said, "The doctor also told me that nurse will help see if I need any physical therapy. For barely two days?"
"It's just a precaution Rick, I don't think you'll need that much; if any; but it would be best if you did," Beckett told him.
Nodding, as he was eating at that point, Castle then said, "He's a nice guy?"
"He is," Beckett replied with a smile. "He's gay so you know."
"Did he shave my face?" Castle asked after drinking some of the milk he'd been given.
"That was me," Beckett replied.
"You did an awesome job above my lip," Castle replied, touching his face. "Will you do it again?"
"I think I can manage it," Beckett replied with a smile. She ate a bit of her omelet before she told him, "You'll need a bath."
"There's a shower in the bathroom," Castle said.
Shaking her head Beckett said, "It'll probably be a sponge bath."
"From you?" Castle asked hopefully.
"You just woke up and you want me already?" Beckett asked teasingly. When she saw he looked a little uncertain she asked, "What's wrong?"
"No, it's just…" Castle began before he sighed. "I was… not conscious but I was aware while I was unconscious," he told her.
"And you saw something?" Beckett asked. When her husband looked at her in surprise she explained what Darnley had told her about his colleague and she said, "So I'm guessing you saw something."
"I was going to tell you later, because I need a lot of time to relate what I saw," Castle said as he nodded. "But I can start now. I saw us… most of our friends and family in 1920's San Francisco."
"Interesting," Beckett said with a smile. "So were you a PI and me a moll?"
"No," Castle said seriously. "I was a detective with the SFPD and you were the co-host of the Blue Bay Club, on Ocean Beach."
"You mean the Cliff House," Beckett said.
"It was down the beach from that," Castle replied as he shook his head.
"Who was I co-host with?" Beckett asked.
"Your brother, James O'Brien Junior," Castle answered. "But we all called him Junior."
"And you and I first met there?" Beckett said, finding the story interesting.
"No," Castle said. He then explained the back story he knew and said, "When I first saw you in the… dream or whatever you want to call it, I hadn't seen you for about six months or so."
"I'm going to assume we got together?" Beckett asked.
Castle smiled widely at the memory of the last of what he'd seen of the two in Mill Valley before he told her, "It's a long story so I'll tell you later."
"Which means we did," Beckett told him teasingly.
"We did," Castle said simply. He then told her, "Does Julia have homework? And do they have their art stuff here still?"
"I'm not sure," Beckett replied.
"Oh, what about you?" Castle then said.
"What about me?" Beckett asked
"Do you need to go home for anything?" Castle asked.
"I do, I only brought enough until tomorrow," Beckett replied, finishing her omelet. "I'll go then but really quickly."
"Have you been at home at all since you picked up your clothes?" Castle asked as he let her take his tray and push it over to the door.
"I told you no," Beckett said. She wasn't surprised when her husband groaned, and she told him, "It's not your fault Rick. And what did I have at home? You weren't there, the girls weren't there…"
"The dogs?" Castle asked.
"My dad says they seem to be fine," Beckett said. She then smiled and said, "We'll have to be careful when you get home, they'll jump all over you."
"I know but I won't mind," Castle said. He then shifted as they watched another nurse take away their trays before he said, "I might have a little trouble with my knee."
"Dr. Bell mentioned it to me," Beckett said. "But," she said as she stood up. "I'll help you should you need it," she told him before she gently kissed him on the lips. She allowed him to hold her to him before they kissed again, a little deeper. "How many times?" she asked him jokingly.
"Who knows," Castle replied. "But I'd like to do it as many times as possible."
Beckett smiled and shook her head before she heard footsteps coming down the hall and smiled before she told her husband, "They're coming back."
"I want to do some art with Eliza," Castle said quickly.
"Okay," Beckett replied. "But you need to tell me more about what you saw later."
"I will," Castle promised before he looked at the door with her to see their daughters hurrying inside first without running. "Hey, how was breakfast?" he asked them.
"It was good," Eliza said, going to the bed. "Did you eat?"
"I did, and it was very yummy," Castle replied. "So, did you bring your stuff to make some art?" he directed to both girls.
"It's here," Julia said, going over to the closet where her mother's things were. "See?" she said as she picked up the bag.
"Then bring that here," Castle said. "I want to make some pictures with both of you, but you should do your homework first Julia."
"I will," the girl said with a smile. "Are you going to hang our pictures here?"
"Of course, if I have to stay in here longer then I want to hang… them up," Castle said before he looked around. "Where's Alexis? And Louis?" he said.
"They went to walk down the street," Jim said.
"Now that the media's lessened," Martha said.
"They've been here?" Castle asked.
"They have," Skye said. "Vultures, they were asking if you were devastated Kate and how you were since you're expecting."
Rolling her eyes Beckett said, "Then they were disappointed, we're all fine."
"They might try to take pictures of us when we leave," Castle told his wife as his father in law helped Eliza up on the bed next to him.
"We'll deal with that when we get there," Beckett said simply. "What do you want to play with sweetie?"
"Um… the stones?" Eliza replied.
"Oh… Mommy we brought our travel games," Julia told her mother.
"Good idea," Beckett said. "Since we're going to be staying around here with your daddy."
"You think Dr. Bell would let me go out to the garden?" Castle asked as he took the box of smooth stones their daughters had to use for art.
"Today?" Beckett asked, sitting down in her chair as Julia sat in the one her father had brought next to it. When he nodded she sighed and said, "I don't know Rick, maybe tomorrow."
"You need to rest Daddy," Eliza told him seriously as she picked out a white stone.
"I guess that's true," Castle said with a sigh. "But I should be able to try to get up right now."
Beckett was surprised when she turned and saw Dr. Bell was there with Alexis and Louis behind her. "Is he right?" she asked the woman.
"Oh no, you only just woke up Mr. Castle," Bell replied with a smile. "I'm here to check on you."
"Reflexes?" Castle asked when he saw the instrument with the rubber triangle on the end in her pocket.
"Yes," Bell replied. "You can stay there Eliza."
"You guys got to know her," Castle commented as he pushed down the covers over him before the doctor was taking them for him.
"Yeah, 'cause we were here all the time," Julia said trying to speak in a matter of fact tone though it came out absently as she was watching the doctor tap her father's knee.
"That's good Daddy," Eliza said as his leg was bouncing quickly.
"I know, are you going to try the other one?" Castle asked.
"I have to see how it is first," Bell replied, touching his knee. She looked up at him and asked, "No pain?"
"Not really," Castle replied.
"Okay then I wonder if you might have some issues with your tendons and muscles," Bell said, taking another instrument out of her pocket.
"You could test that if you let me out," Castle said.
"Rick leave her alone," Beckett said, shaking her head as she smiled.
"This is how he usually is?" Bell asked her.
"He is," Beckett replied. "So you should know he's doing well."
"I can tell, and we'll see about the standing," Bell said.
Looking over at Julia as she sucked in a breath of air Castle groaned when he felt the roller on the bottom of his foot. "You tricked me," he said jokingly to the girl.
"No I didn't," Julia replied, pretending to be annoyed though she was smiling at him.
"Ah," Castle hissed when the doctor repeated the same action with his other foot and he felt some strain in his knee. "I think it was the muscle, it feels sore."
"How would you rate the pain on that?" Bell asked.
"From one to ten?" Castle asked her. When she nodded he told her, "I'd say a four or five."
"Alright, then I'll let Nurse Liam know that when he comes in," Bell replied.
"When will that be?" Castle asked.
"After you eat lunch," Bell said. "Now I'm going to hold my hand up, place your fist on my palm and push," she continued as she took off her gloves.
Nodding, Castle did that and was able to push though at first he was a little weak. When he did the same with his left hand he said, "That's good."
"It is," Bell replied. "I'm surprised you're doing so well so quickly though… when we performed the EKG yesterday your results were very good, so I get the feeling you went into a relaxed state which was a help."
"So… what does that mean?" Beckett asked, seeing the confusion on her husband's face as well.
"That you may be able to leave this room tomorrow morning, after breakfast," Bell said.
"Great," Castle said. "I'm ready."
"I'll send Liam in as soon as your lunch trays are taken away," Bell said as she started to pull the covers over his legs when Beckett was soon standing there. She got out of the way and said, "And I'll check on you this evening; enjoy your day."
After thanking the woman Castle said to Eliza; who was still with him; "Not often I get your mom to cover me."
Giggling the little girl asked, "Are you happy?"
"About this? Oh sure," Castle said. "Now we need to get back to our artwork."
"Kay," Eliza said eagerly.
With that they returned to their pictures and Beckett watched as Julia returned to her homework, writing quickly. She leaned back and put her arm around her daughter before she looked on as the math problems on her oldest's worksheet were filled in. She glanced back up at her husband, smiling at him so serious as he was making the picture with Eliza, and kissed the side of Julia's head as she couldn't help thinking of how happy she was yet again.
"Ooh that's not fair," Eliza pretended to complain.
"Well it is, you couldn't quite get it sweetheart," Castle said, kissing the side of her head. "But hey at least you're not at the bottom of the board like I am."
"We'll play this again," Beckett said, packing up the travel version of Candyland. "But for now, you guys need to get lunch."
"Good, I'm hungry," Julia said. "We can play after, right?"
"I think so," Beckett said. "We'll see how your daddy feels."
"I'm not taking a nap love," Castle told her.
"If you need to-" Martha began to say as she picked up Eliza who'd hugged and kissed her father.
"I will but I don't feel too tired," Castle replied. He then looked over at Julia who was climbing up on the bed and kissed her cheek before she did the same to him. He waved to his mother, father in law, the girls and Louis as they left to meet Darnley and Skye at the cafeteria, just as his lunch was being brought in. "I'm going to gain weight," he commented.
"I think you need food right now," Beckett said before she sat down at her chair where her lunch was already, brought by her father from the cafeteria. "So don't worry." She saw that he was already beginning to eat his meatloaf and she smiled before she turned her attention to her pasta. They were quiet for a while; though they hadn't moved around all that much playing with the girls had taken their energy; and once she didn't feel as hungry as before she thought of how she was going to say what she wanted to inquire of him. She was planning to ask him about his dream when he began to speak just a second before she could.
"You want to know more don't you?" Castle asked her.
With a smile Beckett said, "I did actually."
"I can read your mind now," Castle replied. When his wife just gave him a look he smiled and said, "I forgot to tell you that you had more than just a brother."
"A sister?" Beckett guessed. "Well… since people we know were in there, who was she?" When her husband didn't say anything, just looked at her, she said, "Skye?"
"We all called her Rose," Castle said. He then recalled something else he hadn't told her and then said, "Your mother was there."
"My dad?" Beckett asked, pausing for a moment.
"He passed away before everything started apparently," Castle said. "But the thing is she was Irish… like she came over when she was young and had her accent."
"That's likely because you've never heard her voice," Beckett said.
"I'd like to," Castle told her seriously.
Sighing, since there were home movies of her and her parents during Christmas of 1989, Beckett said, "I don't really want you to see them, but it might be nice to dig those back up."
"You were nine then Kate," Castle said as he smiled at her. "It's going to be embarrassing."
"Do you have any?" Beckett asked.
"No, my mother was more of the kind to be in front of the camera not behind it," Castle. "She made an exception with a photography camera as you know but we never had a camcorder."
"That doesn't surprise me," Beckett said.
"But hey, I still have embarrassing stuff with the pictures," Castle reminded her.
"I know," Beckett said. "But we're a little away from what we were originally talking about."
"Yes, and I forgot to mention that Skye was your twin," Castle said.
"Well I guess since she was my sister, why not go all out and make her my twin," Beckett said in amusement. When she saw the hesitation on her husband's face she asked, "What?"
"I would… pause or draw back from that dream and talk to a voice that sounded like you," Castle explained. "And eventually I began to question if it could have been a past life." He held up his hand when he saw his wife was beginning to open her mouth to speak and said, "I know you probably don't believe that, but I eventually realized it was. And the life we had before this one."
Beckett fought back anything she could say to protest that and finally said, "You're right, I can't really believe it but I still want to know more about your dream."
"Okay so you, your mother, brother and sister had been living in a house in Alamo Square," Castle said as he didn't want to start arguing about the concept of reincarnation with her when he had just woken up. He saw her eyebrow raise slightly and told her, "I think the club was very successful."
"It looks like it," Beckett said with a smile. "But please keep going."
"Skye was married to Patrick," Castle told her. He smiled when she looked startled and he explained saying, "They did that to keep anyone from knowing they were gay, which they were there. And Patrick was your brother's lover while Skye had Mary."
"The story gets more and more interesting," Beckett said with a smile.
"You had Julia too," Castle said, smiling himself at what she'd said. "But you had her since she was born as her parents died in a car accident."
"She wasn't afraid of you," Beckett stated.
Shaking his head, Castle finished his bite of food and then said, "I was her Uncle Rick; by the way you and I called each other by our first names from the start."
"We knew each other since you were almost seven and I was almost six," Beckett said with a soft laugh. "So what about the case?"
Castle began with him talking to her there before they went to the home on Alamo Square and he managed to keep going until he went to the night of the first day. "Oh… I should have mentioned that I kept seeing flashbacks of us. And at first I was collapsing but eventually it was just a pressure on my forehead before I saw the flashback."
"And did you come out of them someplace else or later on in time?" Beckett asked him.
"Not every time. Sometimes it was like a pause and I'd come back right where I left or else have that jump," Castle said. "And then that night…" He hesitated a moment before he then asked, "I never had an… erection, did I?"
"No," Beckett said. "Did we make love?"
"I saw a flashback of us doing that, and there time passed," Castle explained. "I woke up after that with my trousers and boxers in a very messy state."
"That good," Beckett said, unable to help smiling at him.
"Yeah, so the next day," Castle replied. And he went through the day until he got to them leaving May and being run off the road. "Luckily we weren't hurt but I got a cut on the same arm which I realize now couldn't have happened, nothing broke in the car."
"Did either of us comment about that?" Beckett asked. When he shook his head she said, "Maybe that was you being aware of it; Liam did change the bandaging on it that same night."
"Maybe," Castle said. "We were lucky to have a hotel near there and we pushed the car off since my engine was in no fit state to drive. We posed as husband and wife and ended up in essentially the honeymoon suite at the full hotel."
"I think I can see where this is going," Beckett told him as she was smiling.
"At first we treated our wounds, you had some too but around your head," Castle said. "Again without any glass being broken."
"It might have been your wounds," Beckett told him.
"Most likely," Castle replied. "And after that we played cards before you went to the bed; I was staying out in the living room to keep watch. After a while you came back out and demanded that I tell you why I didn't come see you all for so long."
"And you told me?" Beckett asked.
"I did and told you that it was because I loved you," Castle replied. "And that I didn't think you'd feel the same either, but you assured me you did. And we kissed."
"And then we made love?" Beckett asked. She smiled when he looked startled at her guess and she told him, "It seemed to follow."
"We did and… you were a virgin in this," Castle said slowly. "Really Kate, I didn't care you weren't-"
"It's alright," Beckett interrupted him. "You never mentioned it to me so I knew already. Plus, it helped our first time go smoothly, but there?"
"It went smoothly," Castle said. "It wasn't really mentioned I think but you rode horses there too…"
"Then that's where that idea is coming from," Beckett said with a smile. "Since you know I likely lost my hymen doing that when I was younger."
Nodding, since they'd talked about that early on in their relationship, Castle then said, "It was a little uncomfortable… no I have that wrong. I pleasured you first and then we made love."
"But eventually I enjoyed it?" Beckett asked. When he nodded she smiled and said, "You'll have to keep telling me the rest, for now I'll call in Liam."
Castle nodded and then watched her go before he lay back and then wriggled his toes for a moment before she was coming back into the room. "So what exactly am I going to be doing?" he asked. "Didn't Dr. Bell test my reflexes?"
"Yes, but I'm sure she just wanted to make sure you'll be alright when you walk," Beckett said. "And he's coming right now."
"Mr. Castle," the nurse said as he closed the door behind him. "How are you doing?"
"Alright," Castle said. "Just a second. What about the kids?" he then asked his wife.
"They're going out to the garden for now," Beckett said.
With a nod Castle then said, "Okay, what am I going to be doing?"
"First, I'll have you move your legs," Liam replied. "Just raise them up and down."
As he did so Castle watched while the man looked at first his right leg and then his left before nodding. When the nurse instructed him to push his foot against his gloved hand he did so relieved that he could push it away from him with both feet. "So… am I good?" he asked.
"Well I would say you are, I'm just wondering about your knee as is Dr. Bell," Liam replied, throwing away his gloves. "It depends on when you can stand of course."
"Do I need any physical therapy?" Castle asked.
"Hold on just a second," Liam said with a smile.
"Think he'll get Dr. Bell to let me stand?" Castle said to his wife.
"I don't know," Beckett replied as she was standing next to him, holding his hand.
"Alright," Liam said as he came inside. "I spoke with Dr. Bell and… here she comes," he said, looking back.
"I think you might get your wish to stand Mr. Castle," Bell said. "If you're still responding like this later this evening then I think you can make the attempt to stand and walk."
"Thank you," Castle said gratefully. When the two had left; Bell promising to have the nurse come in that evening as she'd said; he told his wife, "They can come back now."
"I'll text them right now," Beckett said with a smile before she was doing so to his mother. Shortly after the rest of their family was joining them and she helped the girls up onto the bed as they were eagerly telling their father about the garden and showing him the pictures they'd taken on their cameras.
"How is he?" Martha asked her daughter in law.
"He may be able to walk tonight," Beckett said. "Well… attempt to."
"I'm not surprised, he seems to be doing very well," Martha commented. "And you?"
"Me?" Beckett asked in surprise.
"Now that he's awake," Martha said.
Understanding what her mother in law meant Beckett said, "I'm still alright. I just want to get him out of here to take him home."
"I'm in complete agreement," Martha said.
Beckett smiled in response as her husband was calling to her and then went over to the bed saying, "What is it?"
"We want to play Mommy," Julia said with a wide smile.
"What?" Beckett asked.
"Cards," Eliza replied.
"They told me you did that," Castle told his wife.
"You can get the deck Julia," Beckett said as she helped their oldest off.
"We can't all play though," Alexis said.
"Some of us need to not play," Castle commented. "And of course, we can always take turns."
"You play first Daddy," Eliza said as Julia came back to them with the deck of cards in her hand.
"And you Mommy," Julia said with a smile.
"And you two," Beckett said, smiling at her daughters. "Anyone else?" she asked, looking around the room. When everyone else shook their heads, she sighed and told them, "There are games for more than four."
"Maybe the next one," Jim told his daughter.
"What game do you two want to play?" Castle asked the girls once Beckett was back with them.
"Cinquillo," Julia said, looking at her sister who soon nodded. "Yeah, that."
"Alright," Beckett said, having been shuffling the deck.
"Question," Darnley said before his friend could say anything. "How are you going to play like that?"
"Not look at their cards," Castle replied since the girls were sitting next to him. When Darnley glanced at him he said, "We'll see as we go." He smiled when the girls laughed at him and kissed him on his cheeks before they then began to play as Beckett was dealing their cards out to them.
