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. And for this story the same goes for Dancing With the Stars.

A/N #1: The lyrics in this chapter are from the song Dead Man's Party written by Danny Elfman, from the Oingo Boingo from the album titled the same as the song.

A/N #2: I was happy getting the feedback for the last chapter I did so I'll go to my thank yous for that. TORONTOSUN (Really nice seeing you thought the chapter was great and I'm glad you think it's a great and good story too still),

Mb (Great to see that you thought the first half of the chapter was nicely done. And I'm glad that you thought it was a nice look into them spending some time in Vegas since I'd written it already, lol. And I laughed myself to see you laughing at of course Josie loves tigers, I had put that in partially since I've always loved tigers myself and as you said since it would remind them about their experience with a tiger, lol. I wasn't surprised you were expecting someone to recognize Martha, lol, I suppose that might happen. And with the jail at the museum I was referencing their first visit it since I had something happen that time. I had to laugh again at you saying you were waiting for Eliza to ask Castle and Beckett about going to a chapel after he'd mentioned a lot of weddings, lol, I figured one of the girls would. Great you thought the first half was nicely done. And you're welcome for sharing the first half too! It was nice to see you thought the second half was another really nice update. And great to read you loved Julia calling Alexis, I wanted to include her there somehow and that was the best way. No surprise that you're happy that Lanie is pregnant, that I had expected. Lol, I agree, when I've gone to Vegas I have gambled even if only a little bit since it is fun to get to do that even if I don't like it that much, lol. Really happy you loved the flashback and hearing how Skye, Mary and Patrick adopted the girls there too. I was so, so pleased that you can feel how much Castle and Beckett are in love when they're just cuddling and hugging, also that their love and family are right too. You're welcome for the second half of the chapter!) and

Natasha (It was great to see that you're enjoying my series and how Castle and Beckett are together along with their family and friends here. And it was touching to see you think this one is one of the best AUs in the category. I'm not surprised you've read my series to see an alternate for the show and to see what could have been of course. It's why I wrote it though I started writing these stories around the beginning of season 5 since I wanted to do things slightly differently than I figured the show would do, lol. Thank you so much for letting me know what you thought, I appreciate that of course, and I'm glad you think I keep the show alive, it's why I keep writing the series! Don't worry, I know people have stuff keeping them busy so it's okay if you can't review, but you did this time and I am so grateful you took the time to! You're very welcome for the series!).

Thank you for the reviews, I loved reading all of them and appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!

A/N #3: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Thriller by Rod Temperton, from the Michael Jackson album the same name as the song.

As Horror Looks You

Her nails raking down her husband's back, Beckett's final cry of ecstasy seemed to reverberate against the walls of the guest house and she slumped to the bed. She was limp underneath Castle as he was thrusting into her a few more times and nearly collapsing on her with a groan of her name. She reached up to him immediately and started to caress the back of his head, feeling him shudder for a moment before he relaxed. "Good?" she asked when she felt she could speak.

"In both instances, yes," Castle said while he was raising his head to look down at her. He kissed her deeply and said, "You're fucking amazing Kate."

"You're the same love," Beckett said with a smile that was brief as he was carefully withdrawing from her. She sighed and moved with him to lay against his side but paused before her body could rest fully on the bed.

"We have time," Castle said as he reached for his phone where his alarm was going off. He turned it off and then wrapped his arm around his wife to hold her tightly to his side. "Always have time for this," he commented. He felt her pressing her face to his shoulder and thought nothing of it, but suddenly realized that she was shaking or shuddering against him. "Kate?" he asked her in surprise.

"You know not a lot of straight men would worry about cuddling," Beckett said a bit after that. She'd had to control her laughter but just managed it before speaking and she continued with, "Though I suppose when you're concerned about the emotional aspect of what we just did…"

"As you are," Castle said. He and his wife looked at each other for a moment before they were breaking up into laughter. When they'd calmed down he said, "I do enjoy it."

Beckett nodded, not really wanting to speak to interrupt the way the word now was reverberating unspoken between them. But she did have to talk, and she said, "We do need to take a shower."

"I know," Castle said with a sigh. "Quick?"

"Very, we are leaving remember," Beckett replied as they reluctantly got up. "And it's Halloween so…"

Not surprised when she trailed off before she could mention the kids, Castle nodded in response and they went into the bathroom to take a very quick shower. As soon as they finished; with only a few kisses exchanged between them since they couldn't stop themselves; they dressed and finished getting ready before heading out to the main house. He looked up at the sky as they were walking and said, "I wonder if those Santa Annas are here."

"I hope not," Beckett said though she couldn't really feel any wind. "The way they were all talking about them makes me worried."

"Good morning," Skye said, looking to the sliding door as the couple walked in. "Wonderful Halloween morning we're having."

"The wind changed direction," Mary said in amusement. "If you couldn't tell by her tone of voice."

"It'll be cool but still a bit warm," Skye said. "Seventies today, near sixty-two tonight. Perfect trick or treating weather."

"Are we still-" Beckett started to say.

"Yeah, well," Skye began, looking at her wife. "Mary and I are, it's up to you if you'd like to join in. Though I wonder why you didn't just bring your costumes."

"They're a little warm," Castle commented since the investigator and doctor had warned them about the weather as they'd started packing for their stay.

"Very thick fabric, I needed to make sure they stayed warm out in the neighborhood," Martha said as she was coming down the stairs.

Seeing the baby in her arms, Beckett smiled and went to Josie saying, "Good morning sweetie," taking her in her arms. She kissed the six and a half month old's temple and smiled again when the baby gurgled. "And the kids?" she asked as her father, mother in law and the baby were the only ones downstairs with them.

"They're getting everything ready," Mary said with a smile. "Cameras… costumes."

"Will they be warm in their robes?" Beckett asked, recalling where they were going was further inland.

"We're going to tell the girls to leave those for tonight," Skye said. She turned with the others, as they could hear the kids coming down the stairs, and she then added, "But they're wearing their uniforms with the ties; no vests since those would be too much."

"Skirts or trousers?" Beckett asked, indicating the woman's five daughters.

"Zavisit ot devushki," Skye said simply, nodding to her girls.

Surprised that she'd said the words depends on the girl in Russian, Beckett turned and quickly saw what she meant as out of the five, Marie and Ivy were wearing trousers. "Eto imeyet smysl," she told her friend, meaning it makes sense.

"I know," Skye said, speaking in English. She laughed when she was pushed away playfully, and she called to her daughters to help set the table.

Once everyone was sitting at the two tables in the house they started on their breakfast, the parents and grandparents needing to keep an eye on the kids since they were eating a little fast at first. But they managed to calm down and they finished the meal in a reasonable amount of time though the kids were very soon after rushing out to the patio.

"I'm wondering if it's a good idea to go," Castle said.

"They'll have the energy for trick or treating," Beckett said wryly.

"He uses them as his candy beard?" Mary said.

"No, they just give him some of their candy," Beckett replied, smiling at her husband.

"I think they pity me," Castle said before they were leaving the house.

"Calm down," Skye was saying to the kids as they were clamoring. "Everyone have cameras?"

"Yes!" Julia said first.

"Costumes but no wands?" Mary asked.

"Duh," Marie said.

"Watch it lass," Skye said warningly though there wasn't much threat in her voice. "Then let's go!"

Dividing in the different cars, the two families were on their way inland and once they were in Griffith Park they went to a large parking lot and were walking together once they'd met outside them.

"Say it Mum," Kathleen said with a smile at the investigator.

"Welcome to the Los Angeles Zoo," Skye commented with a wide smile on her face. "Alright, now that that's out of the way let's go or else we'll have time for aught else," she continued before they were heading to the turnstiles since she already had bought their tickets.

"I think they'll be the tour guides," Liam commented to Jim and Martha as his two oldest granddaughters were rushing to a display window with their sisters and the other children.

"Most likely," Martha said before they started to laugh.

After they had reached the others, Beckett looked into the water and spotted something on the bottom of the tank before she noticed a sign. She heard Eliza gasp and was about to speak when Marie was doing so first.

"Don't worry, they'll go back up," the girl was saying hurriedly as the seal inside wasn't moving. "They can stay for fifteen minutes before they need to go up."

"Wow!" Eliza exclaimed.

"I 'ope 'e remembers to wake up," Fleur said seriously before she and the little girl smiled at each other.

"Come, up the stairs you lot," Liam said jokingly.

"Grandda-" Ivy started to say.

"We'll go with him," Jim said, knowing what the McDouglas girls were worried about. "We have to take the stroller after all."

"Do you want us to go?" Castle asked his father in law.

"We're fine," Martha said. "Just make sure you're careful Richard."

"I will be," Castle said with a slight smile as he was carrying Josie.

"We'll see you up top," Skye said, and they started up the stairs while the three went to the ramp nearby.

"Oh! Like in San Francisco," Eliza said eagerly when at the top of the tank there was a sea lion.

"Yeah, but not a ton," Kathleen corrected her.

"That's really cool to see," Julia said to her partner, friend and Clive. "Hopefully you guys go there one day."

"Me too," Mari said, smiling back at her.

Once the parents could get the kids away, they were walking up the main path and heading past some trees before they passed a kind of garden with different palm trees in it.

Watching the kids taking pictures, Mary told them, "This is the Baja garden."

"Like Mexico?" Iris asked.

"Exactly," Skye replied. "Let's head over there though."

"What is it?" Fleur asked, her voice so excited her accent slipped into the word is.

"Mum doesn't want us to say," Marie said wryly.

"Or Mom," Mary told them with a smile

"You'll find out soon enough," Skye commented as they were reaching a habitat.

"Kitties!" Eliza gasped, setting off the others laughing before she did herself since she knew what they were. She started taking pictures of the meerkats before her grandfather was stopping her carefully. "Did I do it wrong Grandpapa?" she asked him.

"Try it this way, since he's standing up and looking out," Jim told her gently, having her turn her camera. "If you want to."

"No, I like that better," Eliza said quickly, keeping her hands that way.

"What're you looking at?" Beckett said to her husband as she noticed that he kept glancing behind them. "And telling her?" she added before he could respond since she'd noticed he was talking to the baby as well.

"There are swans," Castle said simply. He wasn't surprised when his wife just stared at him and he said, "They're birds."

"Rick-" Beckett began.

"I told her they mate for life and we'll be doing the same," Castle replied. "Well, I said we'd be married for life."

"Should me or Lizzy say that?" Julia asked with a smile as she looked up at them.

"You'll say it enough," Beckett said, shaking her head though she was smiling. She touched her husband's arm and they shared a brief kiss before continuing.

"Do you mind?" Castle asked her in Irish as he let Julia take the baby so Josie could get a closer look at the birds in the water.

"No," Beckett said. "I think I told you I was a one and done type of girl."

Hearing the latter, and how firm her tone of voice was, Castle leaned down and kissed her again. He pressed his lips a little harder that time to hers and when they parted he whispered, "I don't mind, believe me."

"I know," Beckett replied, taking his hand and entwining their fingers tightly. They left the swans and went across to the flamingoes, sharing a smile as they could hear their baby laughing when one of the birds raised its head.

"She remembers these from Vegas," Julia said happily, looking at her parents.

"Most likely," Beckett said as the baby was almost chortling when a flamingo walked away from the group in front of them.

"Can we-" Eliza started to say.

"We'll wait and see what there is at the gift shop," Beckett interrupted her as she knew what she was going to ask.

"Maybe a shirt or something," Castle said. "But she'll be laying on a mattress of stuffed animals if we keep getting those for her."

"Keep walking sweetie," Beckett said with a smile as the girl pouted. She pinched her cheek gently, having let go of Castle as they were walking down the path again. They were going into a building shortly after that and she asked, "The LAIR?"

"Yeah, LAIR," Mary said wryly.

"Alright grá, come on," Skye said in mock exaggeration. When her wife nearly ran to her she smiled before they went inside.

Beckett, having a feeling as to what the building would have in it after she'd spied the gecko statue outside, glanced at her husband and her eyes widened when he pulled her to his side. She was about to ask him why he'd done that; though she was appreciative he'd been careful since she had Josie on her hip; when they heard the sound of disgust from Mary and a second later Iris was questioning her almost frantically.

"What's wrong?" the little girl said.

"Don't worry," Skye assured her. "Your mom doesn't enjoy these reptiles remember," she said, nodding to the large snake in the habitat that was slowly dropping off a tree branch.

"I hate to say this Mary," Martha was telling the doctor as the kids; Iris assured her mother was alright; were crowded together in front of the window looking in on the snake. "But I believe all your children are like your wife."

"It figures," Mary said wryly before she was laughing softly and then pressing a kiss to Skye's shoulder.

"Keep moving," the investigator then said. "We have a lot more to see."

Beckett, watching the way Mary was holding onto her wife, eventually glanced at her husband and said, "Do you want me to do the same?"

"No," Castle replied. He looked to see where the other couple was and assured they were far enough ahead said, "I was jealous of Skye," in Irish.

"Of course you were," Beckett replied easily as he let her go so she could take pictures. When she turned from her shot of a tiny frog, she had to smile at the expression on his face as he was staring at her intently. "Rick," she said simply.

"Yeah," Castle said. "I'll go with the girls-" he began before she was reaching out and stopping him.

"Let them spend the time right now with their friends," Beckett said simply. "But get Josie."

"Sure," Castle said, hurrying to Jim.

Beckett bit at the inside of her mouth at her father reluctantly giving her husband the baby, knowing he wanted more time with Josie. She knew already that Castle had promised him that and she said to him, "When is he taking her again?"

"Whenever she wakes up from her nap," Castle replied, not surprised she had figured that out.

"Ah-ba," Josie vocalized.

"I agree, the perfect time for you to spend with your grandpapa," Castle said, nodding seriously.

"Let's keep going," Beckett said with a smile and a soft laugh. They shared a kiss before they went though, as she'd grabbed his hand tightly since she'd been touched at the way he'd spoken to their youngest. When she saw where they'd come to she said, "Oh… I'm so sorry Mary," as the room widened from the smaller exhibits into floor to nearly ceiling acrylic set of habitats.

"We've been here," the doctor said with a sigh. "Luckily I don't mind fish and turtles."

"Those are the best," Fleur said with a smile.

"It's cool," Clive commented with a grin as a turtle was going up against the acrylic.

"Mary," Skye told her wife after they'd been watching the animals there for a while. "Grá, we need to move along."

"You move along," Mary said though she allowed her wife to take her to the next habitat which were some rattlesnakes before she felt a hand touching her arm.

"Zak's afraid of snakes too," Julia told her.

"I know, why he picked them up while they were in Idaho," Mary replied, shaking her head before they continued to the next habitat.

"He was trying to overcome his fear," Castle pointed out.

"Come here grá," Skye said, taking her wife's hand. She wasn't surprised when her wife wrapped her arm around her left one and she glanced at Beckett who they were next to. When her friend raised her eyebrow she shrugged, not surprised when Castle furrowed his brow as he was watching them. She didn't say anything, continuing past the lizards and snakes until they'd seen everything in that room.

When they left Mary seemed to relax and she went to their daughters, taking the slight teasing from Marie and Kathleen before they hugged her briefly.

"You enjoy doing that," Beckett said to Skye in Russian once she walked up to her.

Shaking her head, the investigator then told her, "I do," in Irish. "But really I see it as a way of thanking her for what she does for me when I need it."

Beckett nodded, as she could understand where Skye was coming from since she and Castle did that for one another as well. She heard Josie cooing and looked over to her husband to see that he was approaching her with the baby in his arms.

"She wants to pet," Castle told his wife.

Smiling Beckett reached over and let Josie grab her index finger telling her husband, "Could you hear us?"

"Of course," Castle replied, speaking Irish as she was. "And I'm glad we've done the same. Though I don't like the idea of you needing my comfort because of-"

"I know," Beckett interrupted him. "I don't either but…"

Julia, as they were leaving the outdoor exhibits, glanced behind her for their parents before she saw they were embracing with Josie between them. She was going to call to them, but they began walking so she turned back to Mari as they were walking together. "Are there more snakes and stuff?" she asked Marie and Kathleen.

"You'll see," the latter said with a wide smile as they entered the building.

"Why is it so hot?" Peter asked as soon as they stepped inside.

"Will she be alright?" Skye asked, looking back at Castle and Beckett and indicating Josie.

"She will," Castle said, looking down at the baby.

"We might rush through," Beckett warned the others.

"You mean I will," Castle said.

"We," Beckett told her husband firmly.

Though he wanted to speak, Castle nodded quickly and they walked around the building which had desert species like Gila monsters, California kingsnakes and a Sonoran toad. He kept a close watch on Josie, but the baby seemed alright until they reached the door and he was quick to take her outside first when she whimpered. "Close," he said to his mother.

"I noticed," Martha replied as she fixed the hat on the baby. "She's like her sisters."

"Yeah," Eliza said, coming over to them. "She loves aminals." When her grandmother had Josie, she took her father's hand and squeezed it once before he looked down at her. "I love you Daddy," she told him.

"I love you too sweetheart," Castle said with a laugh, picking her up. He threw her up above him carefully and said, "You're hungry," before she was giggling and pressing her face against his cheek.

"We'll go to lunch soon," Beckett said. "But we have time before that."

"How long are we staying?" Julia suddenly asked as they looked at an alligator type animal.

"As long as it takes to look through, or to closing," Castle said before his wife could.

"We'll get back in time for trick or treating," Beckett said while they continued to the path they'd been on leading to the LAIR buildings.

"I hope so," Julia said, walking with her mother. She smiled at Mari; as the little girl joined them and when they came to a habitat with small animals below them. "Look," she told her little sister who was still with their father.

"I see," Eliza replied, smiling widely down at the Tasmanian Devil that was running around below them. She took some pictures before she asked, "Can we go to Australia?"

"These are from Tasmania Lizzy," Julia pointed out to her.

"That's a place?" Eliza asked, her eyes wide.

"It is," Castle said since she was looking at him. "South of Australia."

"Oh," Eliza said, furrowing her brow.

"We'll see about Australia sweetie," Beckett told her before they went to the habitat across the path with kangaroos.

"I'm thinking," Skye said as she and Mary walked over to Castle and Beckett once they were walking again. "Of going to the restaurant that's by the gorillas."

Looking at the map, showing his wife where the investigator was talking about, Castle said, "Sounds good to me, if it were any further…"

"We'd never hear the end of it," Mary commented.

"What's here?" Clive asked after they'd passed the koalas and wallabies.

"You're tired of the kookaburras?" Marie asked him.

"You just like saying that word," Clive said before they looked at the girl's mother as she was talking to Beckett.

"Go ahead," she replied to what Mary had told her about the building.

"We're going to see some wombats next," the doctor was saying to everyone who hadn't been there before. "And it's very dark inside for them."

"You might not see them," Kathleen commented.

"Yeah, it's hard to," Marie added.

Since no one protested, Skye and Mary led the way, taking their three youngest by the hands and going inside. There was a whimper from Eliza at how dark it was, but the group went to the railing inside at the edge of the habitat. They didn't end up staying for that long as it was next to impossible to make out where the animals were. Though as they rounded the corner of the habitat to go to the exit, Julia and Mari spotted one against the wall before Castle was calling to them to hurry.

"You saw one?" Peter asked the two girls while they made their way back up to the churro place he'd seen on the way over there.

"Yeah," Mari said slowly.

"We saw the shape," Julia took up before she heard Clive let out a whoop. "Is he always hungry?" she asked her partner, since she saw a place with tables and guessed it was where they would be eating lunch.

"I am too," Peter replied with a shrug, smiling at the two before he hurried up to the others so they could eat and continue through the zoo.

"There are giraffes!" Iris said eagerly.

"Yes, but don't run," Mary told her quickly as she was holding the girl's hand.

"Don't sweetie," Beckett told Eliza since she was tugging on her hand a bit.

"I know but is Josa up now?" the little girl asked.

Turning back for a moment, Beckett saw her father was holding the baby and she said, "She is, but let him bring her over."

"Kay," Eliza replied before they got closer to the railing. "Ooh Mommy, they're right here," she said eagerly since there were some near them.

"I see," Beckett replied with a smile. She was taking pictures of the animals but managed to get a few of her daughter as well.

"Kate?" Castle said to his wife.

Turning again Beckett saw he had the baby and said, "My dad?"

"He let me take her," Castle replied. "But I have to take her back to him after."

Laughing softly, Beckett shook her head and said, "He'll let you keep her." She then checked the baby, studying her closely to make sure that she was alright. She wasn't sure Josie would manage to see the giraffes even though they were near them and she tried to follow her line of sight.

"It's coming closer!" Fleur whispered as one of the group came their way.

Hearing the baby vocalizing, Castle worried she might get too loud but the giraffe walked right by them before he felt Josie leaning against him. "Is she okay?" he asked his wife as she was checking her, not wanting to move the baby.

"She is," Beckett said. "She's just looking."

"I hope she saw that," Castle replied.

"I was thinking the same," Beckett said with a smile. "Should we go to what's next?" she asked, directing that to their daughters.

"Yeah, I'm ready," Julia said eagerly before they were all walking together. She went to her grandmother while they were doing that and she asked her, "Are you liking it here?"

"I am, but must there be so many hills?" Martha said jokingly.

"Thank the plates for that," Skye commented.

"The tectonic plates we're on," Mary said quickly as she saw the younger twins were looking confused. "We told you about earthquakes."

"I hope there isn't one for a long time," Iris said, her twin nodding in agreement with her.

"Look at these!" Eliza said eagerly when they reached the next habitat. "It's an okapi. Right Daddy?" she asked him since he was standing next to her.

"Right," Castle replied, shifting the baby as she was moving a little in his arms. "I need some help," he then said jokingly, looking around. "She wants to go somewhere else."

"Here," Beckett said. When her husband hesitated she told him, "I want to take her love."

Though he wanted to remind her she was taking pictures, Castle nodded and handed Josie to her. He shared a smile with his wife when the baby laughed suddenly, and he had to stop himself from leaning over to kiss Beckett. Once she had Josie settled on her hip they moved on to the next animals which were in different habitats that formed an arc. He walked a little bit behind the girls, watching them and then his wife before they were in another collection of habitats. His knee; which he'd been attempting to ignore; was screaming at him to rest so he sat down, thinking his mother had heard him since he'd been close to her when he'd spoken.

Giving Josie to her mother in law when they reached the chimpanzee habitat, Beckett glanced around and said, "Where's Rick?"

"I… oh, he said he was going to sit," Martha said. She was going to add he'd mentioned he was fine, but her daughter in law was almost taking off back the way they'd come. She smiled and then stopped Julia said, "Leave them be kiddo."

"Oh, I know," the girl said hurriedly. She smiled at her grandmother's surprised look and she told her, "I was just going to see if you were bringing Josa over here."

"I'll follow you," Martha said, smiling herself and taking the baby after Julia.

Glancing at one of the animals near him; what he thought looked like a baboon; Castle turned to the entrance to the habitats then as there was a person walking towards him. "Kate-" he began to say.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Beckett interrupted him as soon as she was close.

"I told Mother; you were talking with Mary," Castle said in defense as she sat next to him. "At least she heard me."

"Why would you murmur-" Beckett began before she nearly glared at her husband. "Rick."

Not surprised his wife was giving him a look Castle said, "I didn't want to worry you."

"I realize that," Beckett said, taking a moment to calm herself. "But it's something I want you to tell me."

"Yeah," Castle said absently. When she took his hand he immediately entwined their fingers saying, "I feel better now."

"Good, but if this happens again…" Beckett said, staring at him so he wouldn't break their stare as he spoke.

"I'll tell you," Castle replied with a brief nod. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it before he leaned over to her so they could kiss. It was brief, and he said in frustration, "This is annoying."

Laughing briefly, Beckett kissed his cheek and stood before she helped him and told him, "I know what you mean, but we'll be back at the house later."

"Yes we will," Castle replied. "And our costumes?"

"Before," Beckett told him reassuringly. She knew they needed to start walking but she looked at their hands and then moved to embrace her husband tightly. "Tell me if you need to rest," she told him imploringly.

"I will," Castle said. "I'm sorry Kate, I don't want to bother you or worry you," he then told her honestly.

Tilting her head up to him with a smile Beckett said, "You know there is the fact I'm your wife. I worry about you either way." She felt him tense slightly and she told him, "I know you do the same for me."

"Yeah," Castle said slowly. He sighed and told her, "I would tell you the same."

"Which is why I'm telling you this," Beckett said pointedly. She smiled when he brushed his lips to hers and after they parted she said, "Let's go."

"I want to hold Josie," Castle suddenly said as they were walking.

"You can, your mother has her," Beckett replied. They had to pass the chimpanzees; though they paused for a moment to watch the animals; before they continued and caught up with the others at more groups of habitats.

"Are you alright?" Jim asked his son in law.

"Yeah, just… my knee," Castle replied. "I didn't want to admit it," he said, startled that he was telling his wife's father that, and he hadn't said it to her. While he thought that he realized she was aware of it already and shook himself saying, "But sitting for a bit helps."

"I had a feeling," Jim said, wondering if the writer knew his gaze went over to his wife. He didn't say anything else, watching his son in law go over to take Josie from Martha.

"What's next?" Ivy asked as they were walking.

"This way," Skye said, leading the way though Marie and Kathleen were jogging ahead of them a little. "Girls," she said firmly. "Thank you," she told them when they immediately stopped and turned towards them. "You two know better than that," she said slightly sternly.

"We were going to stop anyways," Kathleen said first.

"Before the surprise," Marie added.

"What surprise?" Eliza couldn't help asking immediately.

"Here," Mary said in amusement as they came up to the habitat she knew the twins were thinking of.

"Tigers!" Eliza said eagerly. "Josa, look!" she said happily as she hurried to the baby.

"She's looking," Beckett said with a smile as the baby was. But since the tiger wasn't moving, Josie was looking to her making her say, "Hey sweetie," as she cupped her cheek. She kissed the baby's cheek before smoothing her hair after moving her hat out of the way and said, "She's enjoying it."

"I think so," Castle replied, stopping her from putting the hat back on. He kissed the top of Josie's head and put the hat back before he said, "Are there any more surprises?"

"One more, the main habitat of the zoo," Skye said. When neither he or Beckett said anything she smiled as she was aware they knew what that habitat was. She then turned to take Ivy's hand and they walked again, heading through the next animals until they were walking down a path that had no animals. She knew the others were looking at her; that hadn't been there; and she said, "We're going around to more, I promise."

Julia, hearing Marie and Kathleen giggling a little, tried asking them what there would be. She wasn't surprised when the two shook their heads and frowned at Mari and her little sister before they were finally reaching some animals. Looking at an exhibit of a tapir and a few other animals until she read where they were getting to. "Rainforest of the Americas?"

"This is the best place," Marie said eagerly. "Come on," she and her sister leading the way but not running.

Beckett was relieved the battery on her camera was lasting as she took several pictures of the animals they were passing until they were leaving and walking across the path to some Asian looking structures. She shared a look with her husband and they smiled as their second youngest was squealing since there was an elephant eating hay near them. She took pictures of all the kids after getting some of the elephant, and once she had stopped she took Josie and carried her over to the railing that she could see to the left.

"I see why this is the main habitat," Castle said, walking up to them as he'd watched her go. When he saw the way his wife was looking at him he told her, "I'm fine."

"I know," Beckett said, glancing at him as he reached up to push her hair behind her ear.

"Ma-ah," Josie vocalized while her parents were gazing at each other.

"Could I translate that love?" Castle asked his wife.

"Alright," Beckett said as the others were walking around the viewing platform around them.

"I want to keep moving, there aren't any elephants here," Castle replied.

"Wow, that's one efficient language," Mary said.

After they'd calmed down laughing, the group walked across to a stilt house, the older McDouglas twins leading the way yet again up a flight of stairs to the top floor.

"I don't- what's that?" Jim began before he heard screaming.

"Grandpapa, look!" Eliza squealed when she got to the railing.

Standing with her, Jim saw the noise was coming from some otters and he said, "They're… large."

"Giant River Otters," Mary said. "They love watching them," she said as the otters in the water went up the channel that made a river to the top of the habitat.

"But they left," Clive said with a frown.

"Wait," Kathleen said with a wide smile on her face.

Hearing the otters again, Beckett looked back in time to see them sliding down the channel at a rapid speed. She smiled when the kids laughed at the sight and cheered them as they went from one pool to another.

"You're not worried about Josie?" Martha asked her daughter in law.

"No, if she wasn't crying before she wouldn't now," Beckett said with a smile.

"At least she can see," Castle said, holding the baby while she was wriggling against him.

"Alright," Skye eventually said as it looked like the otters weren't going to repeat sliding down to the pools. "We only have a little left, so we need to go."

When they reached the bottom of the house the group looked at the piranhas before stepping out to a small pool with wide metal lily pads on it. The parents urged their kids onto them to take pictures before Liam was speaking to his daughter and daughter in law quietly so the other parents could hear while the kids were playfully jumping from pad to pad.

"What's left?" he murmured.

"Nothing really," Mary said first.

"The gift shops," Skye said.

"And they're going to be getting very tired walking about," Mary added.

"I'm surprised Eliza hasn't talked about that yet," Beckett said, looking over at the kids. "No splashing," she called, keeping her tone gentle as Peter was only pretending he was going to do that. "We should just go to the stores now and get ready to go home."

"Traffic's fine," Skye said as she was looking at her phone.

"And we won't take that long at the stores; we'll just go to one," Mary said.

"Why are you looking at me?" Skye said in mock annoyance before she smiled. "Kids," she then said.

Julia, holding Eliza's hand, was about to step off the pad they were on to the concrete when she gasped as her sister suddenly tugged on her hand. "Lizzy!" she said in surprise when she saw the little girl was on her knees.

"Rick," Beckett told him.

"Yeah," Castle replied, handing Josie to her. He went to Eliza as she was crying and scooped her up into his arms saying, "You surprised me."

Hearing that, Eliza soon managed to stop crying and she asked, "Why?"

"You walked for a lot longer than I thought you would," Castle commented. He smiled when she giggled slightly, and he said, "Now you can rest."

Eliza nodded before her father put her up on his shoulders and she leaned against his head before they began to walk. She looked around at all the plants there were, and she said, "This was a pretty zoo."

"They're also botanical gardens," Beckett commented.

"Oh good, someone else said something about the place," Skye said jokingly.

"Is that right?" Ivy asked her.

"That it is, we've seen all the gardens of course," Skye said to her, squeezing her hand firmly.

When they had reached the entrance of the zoo they went to one of the gift shops, looking around before the kids were getting different items.

"Is this good?" Eliza asked her mother.

"Is that for you or your sister?" Beckett asked with a smile.

"It's for me," Eliza said with a laugh, holding a stuffed snow leopard. "Can I pick something for Josa?"

"We already did," Castle said, showing her the shirt they'd seen for the baby.

"Oh, that's cute," Julia said as she was walking up to them.

"What'd you find?" Beckett asked her.

"These," Julia said, showing her the set of pens that had animals on them.

"Nice," Castle said.

"Let me see the shirt," Julia said as she let her father take her pens. She looked at the white shirt; with cartoonish baby animals on it; and she said, "Does she like it?"

"I think so," Beckett said.

"I made sure to show it to her," Castle assured the girls. "I knew you'd want me to."

"Yep," Julia said before she and Eliza laughed together. She handed the shirt back to Castle and she and her sister said a quick thanks to their parents before they hurried to their friends before they would leave the zoo and be able to focus on their Halloween celebration.