Genre: Romance, Family, Humor
Rating: M for sexual situations and language
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC, and the others who do own them.
A/N #1: It's been brought to my attention by reviewers through things they've pointed out that I've completely forgotten to say that I will likely have mistakes concerning babies. I did do research, but I guess I've still gotten some stuff wrong that I can't really fix because it would be a massive undertaking that I don't have time for, so I apologize for that!
A/N #2: The lyrics in this chapter are from the songs I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter written by Joe Young, the version I've taken from is sung by Paul McCartney from his album Kisses on the Bottom, and Golden Slumbers by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, from The Beatles' album Abbey Road.
A/N #3: Loved getting the positive feedback for the last chapter so will go ahead and get started on my thank yous for those! vetgirlmx (So happy to read you thought the last chapter was a great one first thing. And not surprised you agreed with Julia that there were a lot of people there, lol. But you're right that you couldn't expect them not to be there since they're close friends of the family, whether older friends or recent ones. And though they were all there I didn't think it'd be a good idea for them to stay there at the house, plus they wouldn't have fit, lol. But you're right the family did need the space and great you're glad they did that in the end since you're right it has been a long time since there were the six of them at night. And I have no idea how it happened either, as time went on I felt the friends would become friends with the other friends, if that makes sense. Since they're all good friends with Castle and Beckett I figured that would be a starting point and it would end up with them being friends, so not surprised you noticed it. I wasn't surprised to see your reaction to Alexis and Louis getting their jobs or being sure that they would. But you're right, it's not the same knowing it'll happen and actually seeing it happening. And I'm not surprised you're really glad they'll be staying close to the rest of them in the Hamptons. I'm so glad you enjoyed seeing them interacting with Josie though not all of them could od much with her lol. Not surprised that you were expecting Eliza to ask about when she was a baby. Or that you thought they would be taking turns to take care of her. I was glad that you meant she was going to be really spoiled in a good way, lol, though I figured you'd meant that. And great you can't wait to see Josie growing now she's home as well as their family dynamic shifting to accommodate her as you put it. I'm not surprised you can't wait to see her personality develop and I hope you'll enjoy that!),
MsNYC (I wasn't surprised you were laughing at Castle and Beckett sneaking away like teenagers, lol. And I'm very pleased that you think Josie sounds beautiful. No surprised you think Julia's growing up so fast. And yeah, sometimes I have a hard time recalling that she's only been with Beckett for a short time and not from the start, or day one as you put it),
Guest (I do have them using Irish around others so they can talk without others understanding when they need to if the situation arises for that. Them talking it while alone is for them to be romantic to each other),
TORONTOSUN (Great that you're liking how everyone is coming to see Josie. And nice you thought the first half was a very good chapter. Not surprised you liked that I was writing Josie as the focal point, but I did enjoying reading that. And I am writing Eliza and Julia looking out for Josie so I'm glad you caught that!),
Guest (It's great to read that you're enjoying the story. And your comments about newborns reminded me that I completely forgot to put the A/N that I did above. So I'm sorry about the mistakes I may have, and I hope you'll still like the story. But I am pleased you thought the last chapter was very enjoyable and the story is too. Thank you for the fourth wishes, though it's late I still want to say may the 4th be with you too! And I'm not sure if you sent me the review for the second half with the two large smiley faces but if it was you I'm happy to see you liked it too, lol) and
Mb (I'm happy to see you thought the first half was a very sweet, sweet update. And I'm not surprised you loved how their closest friends and family were there to welcome Josie home, I knew a lot of readers would be, lol. Also, not surprised you thought it was good to see Lanie and the boys for a short time. Great you thought it was good that Louis got the news that he got the job at the stables and Alexis was able to get a job that'll help her start on her professional life and I figured Lanie should be the one to help her with that. I wasn't surprised you mentioned the added bonus of them being close to them with those jobs and the fact they'll be staying with Alexis' family for the time being. I thought it was funny that you noticed the friends have become each other's friends too, but I'm not surprised. I am really happy you love the fact that they have become so close too! Since you still had the second half to read I wasn't surprised you were wondering about Josie sleeping in her crib, but you too made me realize what I put in the first A/N above, so I hope you won't mind my mistakes I'll have in the future. Though if there are other babies in the future- not for Castle and Beckett though, lol, just want to be sure about that- I'll definitely try my best to write things the right way! And I laughed at you mentioning Castle and Beckett being caught by Julia was so them, since you're right. And you're right that it'll be a long 6 to 7 weeks for the two of them, lol. You're very welcome for sharing! Happy to see you thought the second half was beautifully written. And I am glad you love seeing the loving family moments, I was a bit confused of what you meant about them boxing with Josie… talking? But nice to see you loved that. And I'm so pleased you loved how I showed the dogs being calm and protective since I do know it can be iffy with some dogs at the start when the baby comes home. But I figure that if they're well trained they'd be okay around the babies as long as you're there as well… if that makes sense, lol. So I'm glad what you said about dogs because I agree about that myself! And yep, lol, I already knew about the baby needing to be with the parents so that's where the bassinet is. And not surprised you remember sleep deprivation, I've never had a kid, but I've heard of it myself and remember my sister when she was a newborn waking even me up, lol. I wanted to have a repeat of the first night when Eliza was home though I added Alexis this time since I am showing them all getting much closer. But I am happy that you mentioned that moment! I'm not surprised you're happy that Julia loves the house full with Alexis and her grandparents there. Or that you mentioned her wishing that Martha would stay longer and you suspecting that she'll move in like Jim. Very happy that you thought this second half was beautifully written!).
Thanks so much for the reviews, loved reading them all and I appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!
A/N #4: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Brand New Day by Sting, from his album of the same name.
Should You Chance To Meet
"Hey love," Beckett said, glancing behind her at the footsteps she heard coming down the hall.
"Where's Julia? And Josie for that matter?" Castle asked as he walked up to her.
Beckett was about to answer when she felt her husband pressing his face against the side of her head. "Any better?" she asked him in Irish.
"Slightly, I'm sorry," Castle told her seriously, his voice muffled since his mouth was against her hair.
"I don't blame you," Beckett reminded him with a smile. "Are you calmer though?" she then said. When he groaned against her hair she smiled a little wider before telling him, switching to English, "Watch out or else I'm going to end up burning this omelet."
"How many did you get to?" Castle asked.
"This was the first," Beckett replied, setting it on a plate and putting it into their warming oven. "Going to help?"
"Tell me where the girls are," Castle replied as he was reaching for a pan in response to that.
With a smile Beckett said, "They're in the living room; is Alexis still upstairs?"
"She was just starting to change and Eliza's with her," Castle answered. He glanced at her and was about to speak when she tossed an egg to him and he had to scramble to catch it.
"Don't apologize," Beckett said, going back to Irish. "You can't help that and to be honest it was impressive."
"My age?" Castle asked as when they had woken up that morning he'd found he was heavily aroused and had taken a shower to deal with it while she'd started breakfast though he hadn't wanted her to.
Rolling her eyes Beckett said, "For the fact we were up every few hours last night."
"That too," Castle said. He smiled widely when she gave him a look and said, "Admit it."
"We were together a week ago Rick," Beckett said as he turned to begin his omelet. "I don't think your age is a factor."
Shrugging Castle said in English, "I wish I had gone over the family room first."
Beckett was going to respond to that when her phone rang, and she saw it was Lily, glancing at her husband while she showed him the screen so he could see too. "Lily?" she asked, putting the phone on speaker so he could hear too.
"Hey, we've all been talking together and we're going to come over for breakfast," the woman said on the other end.
"But-" Castle started to say as he shared a startled look with his wife. He then looked at the eggs that she had in a glass bowl before Lily was speaking again.
"We're picking it up… well, David and Rebecca are," the woman told them. "We'll be there in about an hour if you can wait."
"That's fine; do some of them need to leave early?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"Oh no, those with flights have them at the same time," Lily began. "We just want to go out sooner."
"Nine is fine," Beckett said. She said goodbye to her friend and then hung up before saying, "Want an omelet?"
"We can save it for tomorrow," Castle said with a slight smile. "So, eighteen for breakfast."
"Seventeen, I think Dani's going to have her own food," Beckett corrected him as she let him begin cleaning up. "But it's a relief not to have to cook for all of them."
"Are you okay?" Castle asked her.
"I am but do you mind if I go ahead of you to them?" Beckett replied with a question of her own. She wasn't surprised when he nodded, and she went down the hall to the family room as Eliza was just stepping off the stairs, the little girl rushing past her. Shaking her head; and with a slight smile on her face; she followed and looked to see that Julia was walking around the room with the dogs trailing her in a line. She wanted to call to her to stop but hesitated, turning and going to the kitchen so she could get her husband.
"What's wrong?" Castle asked, looking over at his wife as he turned to find her approaching him. When she shook her head, he was a little concerned but followed her over to the family room since he'd finished. When they had stepped up to the doorway he saw the girls and the dogs, and he had to try his best not to laugh before Julia turned to look at them.
"Hi," Julia said. "She looked like she was gonna cry but Josa already ate."
"Her diaper?" Castle asked his wife.
"No," Beckett said with a slight smile. "I think she was just fussing, thank you for taking her sweetie."
"Welcome," Julia said, going to her mother so she could take the baby.
Eliza watched with a smile as their parents gave Josie a kiss and then looked at Julia, seeing she was beaming at them as well. She wanted to speak but their father was looking at them and she asked, "Is breakfast ready?"
"That's what I was going to tell you just now," Castle said. "Lily called your mom and they're bringing breakfast, everyone's coming at nine."
"Oh good, at least we're all ready to see everyone," Martha said as she and Jim walked inside, Alexis a little bit after.
"So we can play then?" Eliza asked hopefully.
"After breakfast," Beckett said with a smile. She sat down on the couch and said, "For now you three can play together since they're not going to be here for almost an hour."
Julia, while Eliza hurried around the couch to get something, went to her mother and sat down next to her saying, "Can I sit with you?"
"You can," Beckett replied. "But you don't want to play?"
"Not yet," Julia said, smiling at Josie and holding her hand out to the baby. She giggled softly when her baby sister yawned and then took her finger in a tight grip before letting her go. She couldn't help it and she leaned over, brushing her lips to her sister's cheek before she felt someone grabbing her other hand. She looked at Eliza and asked, "What?"
"I wanna do that too," the little girl said. Leaning over she brushed her lips against Josie's other cheek, giggling at the sound the baby made. "Did she say something?" Eliza asked.
"No," Castle said with a smile. "But I'm sure she didn't mind you guys doing that. Go play though, see if you can put something together before they all come over," he urged the two as Eliza had brought over her Lego set.
"Let's make the Eiffel Tower," Julia told her little sister.
"Yeah," Eliza said, nodding her head before they got on the floor around the coffee table.
Leaning back on the couch Beckett felt Castle's arm wrap around her and she glanced up at him, seeing he was reaching to Josie and letting the baby take his finger. She then leaned slightly against him as they both turned their attention to the girls in front of them as they began to build, enjoying the time with just their family before they were joined by everyone else.
"I wish that I didn't have to work," Darnley said as he walked up to Beckett.
"You have a family to support," she told her friend with a smile on her face. "But don't worry, we'll have the summer. Oh," Beckett said as she suddenly remembered. "I told Eliza yesterday that I would let her stay the night with Maddy at your place… if you're alright with that."
"Of course," Darnley said. "She's spent the night here already, we should return the favor."
With a brief smile Beckett then said, "Tell her."
"What, me?" Darnley asked.
"Yes, I'm going to find out where Skye went to," Beckett replied.
"Alright," Darnley said. When his friend looked at him questioningly he told her, "Just curious why you're doing that."
"I haven't been able to see her too much while she's been here," Beckett said.
"True," Darnley said. "Go find her but you tell your daughter yourself." He laughed slightly when she nearly shoved him into the wall they were near and said, "Still good at that."
"My arms are fine," Beckett said wryly before he left her to head back to the beach where everyone was as the kids were playing together there. She went over to the front door, opening it and looking at Skye who was standing under the tree in the middle of the driveway on her phone. Waiting for the conversation to finish she said once the investigator was walking to her, "How'd you get out?"
"Front door," Skye said in Russian. When her friend groaned and rolled her eyes she said in English, "You opened the door for that, also the one behind you."
"Stop talking about doors," Beckett said in mock irritation before Skye had joined her, speaking in Russian herself.
"No, I just walked out," Skye said with a shrug.
"Mary?" Beckett asked.
"It was," Skye said, nodding. "And Fleur; she missed me. Actually, they both do."
"Good to hear," Beckett said, closing the door. "Even though you're leaving in about a half hour?"
"Five hour flight," Skye replied with a smile. "But I don't want to leave either of course."
Nodding Beckett said, "Luckily you'll be back."
"I try to tell myself that," Skye replied as they were making their way to the backyard. "And you?"
"What?" Beckett said in surprise.
"No just in general," Skye said.
"I've been telling everyone I'm fine, resting a lot which you saw," Beckett told her.
With a smile Skye said, "Must be nice being a bit pampered." When she saw her friend was rolling her eyes she asked, "No?"
"Not really since they've been doing that for me for a while now," Beckett told her. She stopped at the door out to the back and said, "When you get back I won't be so much."
"For Rick I don't think he'll stop," Skye told her with a smile.
"Probably not because I'm sure he'll continue," Beckett said. "Not that he's ever stopped," she said with a slight smile.
"Good to hear," Skye said. "We should go that way you spend more time with everyone."
"The thing is I'll be seeing them again too," Beckett told her. When Skye glanced at her she smiled and said, "I'm kidding, let's go." She opened the door, stepping out before she walked down to the chairs were her father and mother in law were. "How are they doing?" she asked.
"I think they're having some slight issues keeping them from going any further," Jim told his daughter.
"It looks like it," Beckett replied with a smile.
"Sit Kate," Martha said suddenly. When her daughter in law looked at her in surprise she explained, "Richard was telling us to let you do that when you came back out."
Beckett didn't say anything as she had been spending time with everyone up on her feet and she felt she could use the rest. She took the tablet that her dad was holding and then opened the app that was connected to the web cam on Josie's crib. Seeing the baby was asleep she gave the device back to Jim and leaned back to watch the others in front of her. It was just the Darnley and McCollough family there still, the Davises and Fosters having gone home after breakfast and saying goodbye to the other guests. The kids were all playing together, and she smiled watching the fathers trying to keep them on the sand. "Alexis and Louis?" she asked then as she realized the two were missing.
"They went on a walk together," Martha said with a smile.
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said before she saw her husband walking up to her. "Tired?" she asked him.
"Exhau- you don't have to move," Castle began to say before he directed that to his father in law.
"It's alright, I could use the exercise," Jim replied, going down to the sand.
"She's alright," Beckett said with a smile at her husband.
"Good to know," Castle replied. He looked at his watch and then sighed saying, "It's almost time."
"I know," Beckett said. "But I'm sure they'll want to go home."
"Sort of," Lanie said as she and her fiancé were walking up to them. "Some of us have to."
"Patrick was saying the same thing to me," Beckett told her with a smile. "But we'll send you a lot of pictures of Josie."
"I was going to make you promise you would," Lanie said teasingly as she sat down next to her friend. She then smiled and said, "But for now just make sure you rest like she is."
"Not as much as she is," Beckett said slightly wryly. "And I don't think he's going to let me get away with ignoring that."
"Oh no, I trust him with that," Lanie said.
"What, you talked to him?" Beckett asked.
"She did, made me promise that," Castle said in amusement as he had been able to hear that though he and Dylan had been talking. "And I let her know I've been very firm about you getting rest still."
"So I was just talking to you now," Lanie told her friend.
Trying not to laugh Beckett nodded and said, "Alright, I will."
"Mom," Julia said, hurrying over to them.
"Are you tired?" Beckett asked, wrapping her arm around her daughter to hug her.
"No, just wanted to show you this shell," Julia told her, holding out the cowry shell.
"That's very nice and you want us to put this in your sister's room, don't you?" Beckett asked.
"Yep," Julia said.
"Do you have more shells?" Castle asked.
"Weren't you with them?" Lanie asked.
"He was but they're being very particular," Brennan said as they were coming up the beach with the Darnley-Nkosis.
"They didn't have much before I joined you love," Castle told his wife.
"Don't be too picky," Beckett told both her daughters as Eliza had joined them.
"We won't," the little girl said with a smile. "But do you like what we have?"
"They're very nice, you should keep looking," Beckett said before she was startled when her daughters and the other kids shook their heads though Keo was putting his fingers into his mouth.
"What do you want to do?" Nkosi asked them.
"Fly the kites," Erin said.
When the rest of the kids agreed with that the parents went to grab the ones Castle and Beckett had there at the house besides their daughters' and they stood on the grass together to begin flying them. They did that for the rest of the time the guests of the house had until they needed to leave and then reluctantly all made their way inside to gather in the entry where they began to say goodbye to each other.
"Text me when you get back to your place," Beckett told Lanie as she embraced her friend tightly first.
"I will, I might try and visit one weekend before July gets here," the doctor told her.
"That would be great," Beckett told her with a smile as they let go of each other. She shook Dylan's hand warmly and then said, "If she suddenly decides to get married…"
"I'll let you all know," the man said with a slight laugh since his fiancée was looking at him.
As the couple went over to Castle, Beckett turned her attention to the McColloughs and said, "Like I just told her text me but when you land."
"I think we should all just contact you," Darnley said as he and his husband were watching their kids saying goodbye to Alexis, Julia and Eliza. "Text you when we're home or we land."
"Thank you," Beckett said with a smile.
"We will," Louis said, shaking her hand. "Let us know how Josie does."
"I will," Beckett said before she hugged Erin quickly. She did the same to Clara and told her, "Thank you for coming for such a short time."
"It wasn't a problem," the woman said with a smile. "And we were happy to see the baby. Take care of yourself Kate."
"I will," Beckett assured her with a nod. She turned to her cousin and embraced him tightly before they let go of each other and she said, "I'm so glad you're coming with us later this summer."
"What, extra babysitters?" Brennan asked. When his cousin rolled her eyes he laughed and said, "It'll be a great vacation and we'll see you all again of course."
Beckett squeezed his arm before she turned to Darnley and Nkosi who were bringing over their kids. She cupped Keo's face in her hands and pressed a kiss to his forehead telling him, "When I see you next I'll have more time to teach you my full name."
"Kat!" Keo said happily.
"I did warn him you didn't like that nickname," Darnley said with a smile as Beckett ran her hand over the back of his son's head.
"Kate?" Maddy asked.
"Yes," Beckett said, looking down at her and then going to the bench and sitting down so she could hug the toddler. "Did you tell them?" she then asked Darnley.
"Not yet," the man said. "Go ahead."
"Eliza," Beckett told her daughter. "Come here sweetie." Once the little girl was with her she told Maddy, "When we're in DC Eliza can stay with you."
"Eeza?" Maddy asked.
"Yeah, me," Eliza replied with a wide smile. "Thank you," she said to Darnley and Nkosi.
"You are welcome," the latter said. "And you will be the first friend she will have sleeping over."
"She's not going to school yet," Darnley said when Eliza's eyes widened. "So she doesn't have friends down in DC yet."
"No one in the neighborhood?" Skye asked.
"Not yet," Nkosi replied.
Beckett hugged Maddy quickly then before telling her, "Have fun flying back home."
"Baby?" the toddler asked.
"You'll see her again I promise," Beckett assured her before she took the hug the toddler was giving her. After letting her go she stood and went to Nkosi, embracing him quickly before saying, "Again, take care of him."
Laughing slightly the man then said, "Patrick said that you would tell me that and he was right. And I will tell Rick that myself."
"And so will I," Darnley commented.
"Yeah, I figured that would happen," Castle said in slight amusement as everyone had turned to him.
"Safe flight," Beckett said once she turned her attention to Nkosi again.
"Thank you, we will let you know when we have landed," the man said before stepping aside for Skye and going over to Castle to say goodbye to him.
"Safe flight to you too," Beckett told her friend as they were hugging one another briefly.
"Thank you and I'm with the others, we'd like to keep up with Josie," Skye told her with a smile.
"We'll put out a newsletter," Beckett said jokingly before the investigator laughed and shook her head. As Skye went over to her husband she turned to Darnley and looked at him questioningly before he grabbed her and pulled her tightly to him to her laugh before he was telling her why he'd looked at her the way he had been.
"I wanted to twirl you around," Darnley said in a mock whining voice.
Shaking her head Beckett said, "I'm so glad you can't." When they didn't let go of each other she said with a smile, "I can't wait to see you again."
"Me too," Darnley said. "And you look amazing." When she pulled away enough to look at him he smiled at her and said, "I figured you should hear that from someone who isn't your husband." He then leaned over and whispered into her ear, "Also someone who doesn't want you sexually."
Beckett laughed before they squeezed each other one last time and she let go of him to watch him say goodbye to her husband. When Darnley had finished she went to her mother in law as they were heading outside and asked, "You're not leaving now?"
"The girls all convinced me; I'll stay until the morning," Martha said with a smile.
"And Josa," Eliza said, coming over to them. "Thank you, Gram."
"You're very welcome," Martha said. "And that's also what convinced me as my son let me know that he's planning to make a roast."
Beckett smiled and said, "That's news to me." When her mother in law nodded she looked over at the others and seeing they were finished loading their cars she stood with her husband before they said goodbye. Once the gate was closed behind them she sighed and then said, "So that's it."
"We-" Castle started to say.
"She's fussing Katie," Jim said suddenly.
"You saw?" Beckett asked as she hurried up to the house with her father.
"I did," Jim replied, moving out of the way as she passed him.
Trying not to run Beckett made her way up to the top of the stairs and went down the hall to the sound of Josie's crying. She scooped her up carefully out of the crib and went to the rocking chair, sitting as her husband walked in with their daughters and the dogs. "Took you a while," she commented as the baby began to nurse.
"They wanted the dogs back inside," Castle explained as their daughters were standing next to the chair. He sat with Alexis on the bed before he said, "So Mother told you about the roast?"
"She did but it wasn't a surprise since you mentioned wanting to make Irish roast," Beckett said.
"Irish?" Alexis asked her father.
"Yes, with the sausages they use in breakfast rolls and side dishes that will make it all Irish," Castle replied. He saw they were all looking at him, so he said, "It was going to be a surprise. But since you seem to want to know I'll be making colcannon instead of roast potatoes, boxty with vegetables in it for the vegetables and farl for the Yorkshire pudding."
"That sounds good," Julia said. "But when will you need to start?"
"Soon," Castle said. "Luckily your grandpapa is going help me with that."
"And me," Beckett said pointedly to her husband.
"Sure," Castle said. When his wife gave him a look he said, "The three of us."
Switching Josie to her other breast; after making a gesture to Alexis; Beckett then said, "But we have some time to play with you guys again."
"Cool," Julia said, looking at Eliza who was watching Josie. She watched their baby sister as well before Beckett was finishing and she went to their father to watch him burping the baby. She wanted to ask if she could rock Josie to sleep again but the baby was falling asleep shortly after they saw as Castle was walking around the room. Since there wasn't much they could do she waited outside with her sisters for their parents to put Josie into her crib before they were joining them. Opening her mouth to ask if they could start a new puzzle together she didn't get the chance to speak as the chime for the gate out front rang, and she went with her family down to the entry where she and her sisters got the dogs to stop them from barking while their parents saw who it was.
"Hello?" Castle asked after he'd pressed the button for the intercom.
"Yes, is this the Castle home?" a man said on the other end.
"It is," Castle said cautiously, looking at his wife who shrugged her shoulders.
"I have Mr. McCartney here if you'd like to let him in," the man continued.
"Rick," Beckett said, nudging him when her husband seemed to freeze. When he stabbed the button for the gate she smiled slightly before she said, "He's here."
"He's here," Castle said in as much shock as he opened the front door so they could step out onto the porch. He'd expected a limo but wasn't really surprised when he found a town car with darkened windows. "Just him," he said. He then asked his wife, "Josie?"
"Maybe," Beckett said slowly before the chauffer was opening the back door.
"Hullo there," Paul said with a smile as he stepped out. He waved at the two before he turned back to the car and helped his wife before a young woman followed them.
"It's great to see you again," Beckett said, unable to help pausing slightly at the sight of the young woman. She shook Paul's hand warmly before doing the same with Nancy, watching her husband shake their hands as well.
"I hope you don't mind," Paul said after they had greeted them. "We'd like to beg you to stay for a couple days; until Tuesday morning."
"That's fine," Beckett said, not surprised when her husband turned to her for her to reply to that.
"Are you sure, I remember very well how it was with a new baby," Nancy said.
"The question is will you mind that?" Castle asked.
"I suppose we're fine then," Paul said with a smile. "Thank you."
"Thank you for visiting us," Beckett said.
"Alright then, this is Beatrice," Paul said, motioning to the young woman. "My daughter."
Beckett smiled at her before saying, "We should get you inside, I'm sure you'll want to drop off your luggage in your rooms."
Castle watched as the singer paid the chauffer a tip before the town car was leaving the driveway and he and Beckett took their guests inside, seeing the girls running over to the entry. He saw Beckett was about to tell them not to run when Julia skidded to a stop, her eyes growing wide in obvious shock at the sight of the three at the front door.
"Hi," Eliza said, stopping with her sister and then waving at them. She looked at Julia and then went all the way into the room saying, "You look like Paul from The Beatles."
"Well…" the singer began, fighting a smile. "That would be because I am."
Eliza, looking at her parents, saw they were smiling and she looked back to Paul before she gasped and then ducked behind her mother, holding onto the back of her shirt as she did so.
"Hi," Julia then said, losing some of her shock and walking inside more. "Did you come to see my- our baby sister?" she was able to ask.
"And you as well," Paul said. "Skye told me I'd met you before, but you haven't met my wife Nancy or my daughter. This is Beatrice," he said, motioning to the two with him.
"Hi," Julia said, smiling shyly at the young woman.
"Oh my," Martha said as she, Jim and Alexis had come over to see who was in the house.
Beckett and Castle needed to introduce the family to the three and once they had done so they had to get the dogs out of the way. But finally they had finished, and the former said, "We should show you your rooms."
"Do you want to see all our house too?" Julia asked, smiling at Nancy who she was standing next to by then.
"That would be nice," the woman said. "You do have a very nice home."
"Come upstairs," Beckett said. "We'll let you get your suitcases set and then take you to see Josie."
"We call her Josa," Eliza said as she went with her father up the stairs.
"The girls are calling their sister that," Castle explained. When they reached the top of the stairs he said, "I just realized… you're here for dinner but I was going to make an Irish Sunday roast." When the McCartneys looked confused he explained what he was making before he said, "I can… try to get something else to replace…"
"That's alright," Paul said, waving his hand to stop him. "Your boxty and colcannon sound quite nice."
"Will that be enough for you?" Beckett asked.
"It will be," Paul assured them. "So… this is our room."
"Yours and Nancy's," Castle said, watching the pair go in. "Beatrice you're here across the hall."
Julia went to the doorway of the young woman's room and asked, "Do you need to unpack?"
"Just a bit," Beatrice replied with a smile.
Nodding, Julia went over to the other bedroom and watched as Paul was talking to her parents before she heard a sound coming from Josie's room. She went down the hall and inside her baby sister's room, seeing that the sound was coming from Max in front of the crib. "What's wrong boy?" she asked, looking through the railings at her sister. "Hi Josa," she whispered, seeing the baby looked to be okay. She pet Max to calm him down before she heard footsteps coming down to the room quickly.
"Is she okay?" Beckett asked, coming inside.
"Yeah, Max was whining but she's just lying down here," Julia answered, seeing that everyone else was appearing at the doorway. "Are you gonna show her to them?"
"I will," Beckett said, reaching down for the baby. Holding Josie to her shoulder she murmured gently to her before making her way over to where the others were standing, going to Nancy first since she'd asked as she'd left for the three to wash their hands.
"You trust me?" the woman asked with a smile.
"I do" Beckett replied, smiling back at her. "And I know you have had a baby yourself." She handed Josie over to her and watched as the baby slightly waved her arms before settling, staring straight above her.
"She's adorable; Skye said the same thing when we were talking to her," Nancy said.
"When were you talking to her?" Castle said, wincing inwardly at the echo of what the woman had said.
"Not too long ago," Paul commented absently as he was standing next to his wife and looking at the baby as well.
"I thought she was talking to her wife," Beckett commented.
"Oh no," Paul said. "Well… before that she was but when you saw her she was talking to all of us in the car. But she's very cute and I find her names interesting."
"What did you expect?" Jim asked interestedly.
"Full Irish," Paul said, looking at Beckett.
"How much did Skye tell you?" she asked with a slight laugh. Calming down when the singer simply smiled at her Beckett said, "I've always loved the name Josephine and the nickname Josie. Actually, I liked the nickname because of the comedian Josie Lawrence."
"From Whose Line?" Paul asked.
"You know that show?" Julia asked in surprise.
"Oh of course, I've always loved comedy," Paul replied.
"Would you like to hold her?" Castle said then as Josie was taking his index finger.
When Paul nodded Beckett watched as his wife handed the baby over to him and she bit her lower lip for a moment before looking at her husband.
"I gather you'd like a picture right now?" Paul asked.
"If you don't mind," Castle said. He thanked the singer when he nodded and quickly took a few shots of the two before he put his phone away and watched Beckett taking her as she began to fuss.
"I'll have to get her to sleep," she explained to them. "It won't take me very long," Beckett added. "Show them the library," she then said to the others.
"We can wait," Nancy said before they were stepping out into the hall.
"Now that we are waiting," Paul said to Julia and Eliza. "Why don't you tell me about your dogs?"
"Oh…" Julia said first, looking around to make sure all six of them were there. "This one is Macca," she said, blushing a little.
"Jules named all of them," Alexis said. When Paul looked at her interestedly she smiled and said, "I started calling her Jules."
"I'm Lizzy," Eliza said, touching Paul's hand quickly.
"That's a very nice name," the singer said with a smile down at her. "But that's an appropriate name for that dog of course. And it's not my particular nickname."
"Our dad told us that you call someone that if they have a Mc in their last name," Julia said. When Paul nodded she then said, "That's Rita…"
"I'm flattered," the singer said with a smile. "But I get the feeling there's more to the names than these two, please continue."
"This is JoJo, that's Rose, then Max and last is Molly," Julia said, looking up at him and wondering what he'd say.
With a short laugh Paul said, "Didn't realize I'd provided so many names, thank you for that honor. And they're good names."
"Alright," Beckett said, slightly closing the door behind her as she stepped out to them. "We can get to the rest of the tour now since you've seen Josie's room at least." She went over to her husband and they walked together down to the library where she stood aside with him to let the others in.
"Impressive," Paul said as he looked at the titles. "Especially these."
"I wondered if you'd see those," Castle said with a slight smile, walking over to the singer. "They're from a shop in Ireland, first and second editions."
"You can tell," Paul said. "It's a nice house… well situated."
"That's the best part," Julia said as she followed him to the window seat that looked out onto the beach. "We used to live in the city."
"I had heard," Paul said, sitting down. "So Skye tells me you're quite the dancer."
Blushing deeply Julia asked, "Did she tell you I dance to your songs?"
"And George's and Ringo's as well," Paul said.
"We were gonna dance to one of John's," Julia said in a rush. "But they didn't think it was right… the lyrics. Tight As."
"That would explain it," Paul replied. "But keep looking; he had some fantastic songs besides that one."
"Did you know that Skye's gonna be on Dancing With the Stars; here?" Julia asked then.
"I did, she told me because she needed permission for my songs Mary wants to use," Paul replied.
"Can we hear them?" Eliza asked.
"Oh no, no, I was told not to tell anyone," Paul said. "But they are interesting choices."
"Let's keep going," Beckett said with a slight smile on her face.
"One thing I did want to ask you Julia," Paul told the girl as he held his hand up. "Will you be dancing on the telly too?"
Smiling at the British word Julia nodded saying, "Yeah I mean I think so, she wants me to dance with her but I don't know if I will yet. Would you go see her?"
"I made her a promise that if she gets to the finale," Paul began as he stood up since the others were gathering by the door. "I'll be there right in the front, so I'll see you all there Skye told me."
"We'll be there," Castle said with a nod. "Jim do you mind showing them your room at all?"
"No," Beckett's father replied. "Though there isn't that much to see since I'm not living here yet."
After they'd looked at Martha's, Alexis' and Eliza's rooms Julia knew they were coming to hers and she went to her mother, holding her hand tightly in her slight embarrassment and nervousness. When she felt Beckett squeeze it back she looked up at her and could tell that her mother knew what she was worried about and smiled at her before they were going inside.
"I imagine you already knew who I was," Paul said jokingly with a smile at the girl.
"Sorry…" Julia said which was a quasi question.
"Don't worry," Paul assured her. "It's nice to know I have young fans," he continued, smiling at her. "You have a record player?"
"Yeah, I listen to that with my friend," Julia said. "I have different albums."
"It's a lovely room," Nancy said, standing at the second bookcase in the room. "These are all for dancing?" she asked, indicating the trophies.
"They are," Julia said, unable to help blushing.
"Congratulations," the woman said with a smile. "So you are a dancer."
"Yes, but I would need my partner to show you… or Mari who's my friend," Julia said slowly.
"If you're on the show we'll see then," Paul said. "These horses?" he asked, indicating a picture on the dresser.
"Those are ours," Julia said quickly as she was relieved the subject had turned from her.
"They look very nice," Paul said slowly. "But you haven't been able to ride have you?"
"Not yet," Beckett said as the singer had been talking to her. "Let's finish looking through the house so you can rest if you'd like."
After they'd gone through his and Beckett's bedroom Castle watched his wife as they went downstairs and made their way through it. Stepping outside into the backyard he said, "Need to rest?" in Irish.
"Not yet," Beckett replied. She watched the girls leading everyone else down to the beach, the dogs racing around them before she turned to him as they'd remained where they were standing. "Does this feel surreal to you?"
"Just a bit," Castle said. "But we met him already. Imagine how this is for the girls."
"I thought of that," Beckett said. "And I can't really do it." She then looked at him and asked, "How is she?"
Bringing up his tablet so they could see the screen Castle said when their daughter appeared on it, "She's fine, still out…"
"What?" Beckett asked, watching him as he looked thoughtful.
"No, I just have to wonder what we'll do with them," Castle commented.
"They're only here for one full day; tomorrow," Beckett began. "And I can't imagine us walking around downtown like I know the girls will want to do already."
"We can do one thing," Castle told her.
"I know, the stables," Beckett said.
"Will you mind?" Castle asked, studying her.
"Yes, but like I said I'm not riding yet," Beckett replied. "Which implies I will soon."
"Hopefully not too soon," Castle said.
"You know I heard all of you telling me to take care of myself," Beckett commented with a smile.
With a slight laugh Castle said, "I'm overprotective remember?"
"Hard to forget," Beckett commented. When he kissed her cheek she squeezed his hand though they could do more than that but everyone on the beach was turning back to them.
"You do have a really nice house," Nancy said once they had reached them. "I say that not just because of the beach."
"That does help," Castle said with a smile. "But I need to start dinner so-"
"Will you have enough with three extra?" Paul asked.
"We will," Beckett said. "I'll be helping him too."
"Can we walk down the beach Mom?" Julia asked.
"You can," Beckett said as Alexis was holding the girl's hand. "But not too far and you have your phone?"
"I do," Alexis replied. "We'll just head to the path to the street and come around this way."
"We'll open the door for you," Castle said. When he and his wife were left with their parents and the McCartneys he said, "Would any of you like something to drink?"
Beckett smiled as they went the rest of the way up to the house with the dogs, going to the kitchen where she began to grab what they would need to make their dinner. Her mother in law got some wine for the McCartneys before Martha led them to the family room so they could begin to cook. She turned to her husband and was about to speak about something she'd thought of thinking of the food when he beat her to it.
"We should cook the sausages first," Castle said. When his wife nodded he then added, "And put them under a cloche."
"I had thought of that too," Beckett said with a smile. She then said, "Though I'm not surprised you mentioned that since you love the chance to use them."
"How many do you have?" Jim asked as he's been listening to them.
"A few," Castle said. He then looked at his wife and said, "Lily has more than me."
Rolling her eyes Beckett then smiled and told him, "Go ahead and start, I'll start on the kale." She then turned to her father and said, "Do you mind washing the potatoes?"
"I'll start peeling them," Jim replied. "Hopefully you'll help me with them."
"Yeah, I'm going to need to double the portions," Castle said. "And cut the vegetables…"
"It's why we're starting early love," Beckett said. When he nodded she went to where his tablet was and turned the screen on, opening the app for the camera in Josie's room. Propping the device on the holder they had for it next to the sink she washed her hands after her husband and father and began to work with them. She could distantly hear Martha speaking with the McCartneys and she was just mixing in kale with the potatoes her father had prepped for her when she realized their voices were getting louder.
"It got just a bit dull on our own, we wanted to see what was going on here," Paul said. "And there's something I wanted to ask."
"We both wanted to know," Nancy added.
Nodding to his wife the singer then said, "Does Julia know who Skye's partner will be?"
"Not yet," Beckett answered.
"She wants to surprise her," Castle commented. "You've watched the show?"
"I do," Paul said. "My daughter Stella told me about it and I thought why not see what they do with the music they use."
"Julia loves doing that," Jim said with a smile as he set aside the potato he'd finished peeling. "Making up a story though they don't give them much time for that."
"Skye said she's counting on her to do that for her dances on the show," Nancy said with a smile. "Though she hasn't told her."
"I'm relieved," Beckett said. "She doesn't need that kind of pressure."
"I don't think you should worry," Martha commented. She took a sip of her wine and then told the others who'd looked to her, "With her imagination…"
Laughing a little Paul said, "I imagine she's learned from her parents."
Beckett nodded before she realized it had gone quiet and something came to her before she asked the couple, "Did Skye tell you about her?"
"We guessed she wasn't your biological child," Nancy said first.
"We asked Skye and she said you would explain but only if your daughters weren't around," Paul added.
Pausing for a moment Beckett then went back to stirring before she gave them a brief explanation about Julia. "We don't really like to talk about it since it's been seven years since she lost her memory," she finished with.
"You don't think she knows at all?" Paul asked.
"She would have said," Beckett said, turning off the burner on the stove and setting the colcannon aside for her husband to cover.
"We were curious," Nancy said.
"If I didn't trust you with this either I wouldn't have told you," Beckett said.
"We don't like talking about this with too many people," Castle commented. "Just those close to us… know."
"We're staying over in your home," Paul said in slight amusement. "Would imagine we'd be at least friends if that's the case."
"It is," Martha said. "The girls are here," she added as she'd been looking out to the backyard while they'd been talking.
"It's a fantastic beach Dad," Beatrice said once she was inside the house. She smiled and then said, "It's all private?"
"There are some rocks to the east that divide the beach between the public one," Castle said, pointing in that direction. "And then to the west the land tucks in slightly to cut off that beach enough to end the private beach on that side."
"So you have it to yourselves in the summer," Nancy stated.
"Essentially," Beckett said. She wasn't surprised when the woman looked at her questioningly and with a smile told her, "We haven't been here the past two summers."
"You go out on tour?" Paul asked the girls.
With a giggle Julia shook her head and said, "No, we go on summer vacation. We're gonna do that this year too but later on… Do you know about Harry Potter?"
"Of course I do, my grandchildren love the books," Paul said. "My two youngest especially. I would imagine you do."
"Were you ever sorted?" Julia asked eagerly, not having expected the singer to show an interest in it. She waited to hear what he would say and was surprised when he looked over at his daughter instead of answering.
"I made everyone in the family get sorted," Beatrice said.
"Even your brother and sisters?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"After a lot of grumbling," Nancy said. "But since the grandchildren were doing that too we all joined in."
"I got into Hufflepuff," Beatrice said with a smile. "Dad?"
"Gryffindor?" Julia blurted out. When Paul looked at her she blushed and said, "I thought you would."
"You're right," he said. "And since all the grandkids got into the same house I was quite pleased since they were of course."
"Where did you get to go?" Eliza asked Nancy a little shyly.
"Ravenclaw," the woman said with a smile. "Which amused my son greatly but then he got put into the same house."
"He did that too?" Julia asked.
"We were all together," Nancy said.
"Did you ever see the stuff they have in London?" Julia said to the McCartneys.
"We have, with the grandkids of course," Paul said. "What about you all?"
"Everyone except for me is in Ravenclaw," Martha said. "Well, except for me and the baby."
"Speaking of which," Beckett said as she heard whimpering from the tablet. She washed her hands and hurried up the stairs, not missing the look her husband had given her as she'd gone. She had waved at him in passing and then focused on getting to Josie who was crying fully by the time she got to her. Murmuring soothingly to the baby she changed her diaper as quickly as she could before setting her back into the crib. Once she'd cleaned up she went back out to Josie and seeing the baby was staring up at the ocean life mobile above her she said, "Want to join everyone sweetie?" When the baby made a slight noise she smiled and picked her up, holding her to her shoulder before she went down to the kitchen.
"She's awake?" Castle asked, spotting his wife first.
"She is," Beckett replied as she went to where the baby's carrier was on a chair at the kitchen table, setting her in it before Julia and Eliza were coming over. "Watch her and let me know if she's going to start crying."
"Okay," Julia said with a nod before she turned her attention to the baby and gave Josie her index finger.
Castle and Beckett turned their attention with her father to finishing the meal and once everything was ready the girls set the dining room table since there were too many of them for the one in the kitchen. After everything was ready they gathered around the table and began to eat, talking together about the approaching summer.
