"It's what I told Eliza we'd get," Castle commented before he called over their waiter and ordered for them. "Hopefully you don't mind me ordering your drink as well," he told his father in law as they hadn't gone yet to that restaurant with him.
"I've heard of lassi," Jim said before he paused and then frowned. "Are you ordering anything spicy?"
"Just the tikka masala," Beckett replied. "We're careful," she added. "Since we eat with the girls of course."
"Alexis is more daring," Castel commented. "When we go to India she'll be trying everything… well, I should take that back."
"She'll be eating spicier than we will," Beckett told her father.
"When do we go?" Eliza asked, looking up from Josie as she was sitting on the other side of the carrier.
"We need to wait a little," Beckett explained.
"For Josa?" Eliza asked. When her mother nodded she told the baby, "You get to go with us all around the world."
"For now we'll stick to the states," Castle commented before their drinks were served. He saw Jim looking at Eliza's and was about to explain what it was when his wife was doing so before he could begin to.
"It's chaas," Beckett explained. "With fresh yogurt though or else she wouldn't be drinking it."
"They make it with older yogurt too," Castle added. "But we didn't really enjoy it."
"It was sour," Eliza said as she set down her glass at her mother's direction. She tried to get out of the way of her mother trying to wipe the foam above her lips, but Beckett took her chin with her hand and held her steady. "Mommy," she groaned.
"Easy sweetie, it'll just happen again," she told her daughter with a smile.
Looking for her glass when her mother had finished Eliza pouted as she spotted that her father had placed it in front of his place setting. "I'm still thirsty," she told her parents.
"You'll be thirstier when we eat," Castle told her. He was relieved when Josie made a noise then as it drew Eliza's attention away from her drink. "I'll have to thank her later," he murmured to Beckett in Irish.
"Just be glad she didn't start crying," she replied. She tried not to laugh at how he quickly started to nod his head in agreement with her, but she couldn't help doing so softly. Shaking herself she checked quickly on Josie, seeing the baby was smiling up at her sister a little, before she felt her husband touch her arm.
"Are you alright?" Castle asked her, still speaking in Irish.
"Yes… why?" Beckett said in confusion.
"After what happened earlier," Castle explained.
Beckett nodded and then said, "I am, I told you she was just surprised by something. Too quickly to keep me from realizing that."
Castle smiled somewhat before he then frowned slightly and said, "You don't think a boy kissed her do you."
Squeezing his hand tightly Beckett said firmly, "No, she would have likely been furious."
Though he wanted to ask if she was so sure Castle knew the answer already himself, so he nodded and watched with her as their food was being served. He felt a little bad he hadn't sat close to Eliza, as his wife was helping her getting her food, but since he was aware Beckett would tell him he was being ridiculous he turned his attention to his own plate before they all started to eat.
"It's not too much Dad?" Beckett eventually asked as she saw he'd paused for a third time.
"No, no," Jim said quickly. "I'm just wondering how she can be okay with her food."
"It's not spicy," Castle said. "They do have items for kids here," he added. "The only things relatively spicy are the samosas and those aren't too much. Just ask her."
When Eliza shook her head, she smiled and then finished her bite of skewer asking, "Do you want to have some of my chicken Grandpapa?"
"That's alright honey," Jim told her reassuringly. "I have my own food."
"Is it hot?" Eliza asked.
"Not as much as I thought it would be," Jim replied.
"She told me about the place you went to in the city," Castle commented. "You really haven't been to an Indian place since?"
"I guess I was concerned," Jim said.
"I looked on the internet I told you," Beckett said with a slight smile as her father had glanced to her. "But you're enjoying it."
"Especially the tikka masala," Jim said with a nod. He watched in surprise as Eliza reached over to his daughter and she gave the little girl a small piece of the chicken in the thick orange sauce. "She likes that?"
"Notice how much rice I gave her too," Beckett said with a smile as Eliza pursed her lips. "They're clean. And at some point you need to learn how to do that yourself."
"Póg?" Eliza asked then.
Beckett leaned over Josie enough to share a quick kiss with her middle daughter before she sat up straight again. She dipped a little of the naan bread she had on her plate in the paneer butter masala and gave it to Eliza.
"Do you think she'll mind I won't be here when she comes back?" Jim asked suddenly after they were quiet again.
"She won't," Beckett said, glancing at Castle from the corner of her eye as he was looking at her to answer she knew. "She knows about Gary and his pride in that yacht, so she'll understand why you want to take the chance to go with him." She wasn't surprised when her father didn't look too sure and she said, "You'll be with us when we talk to her tonight."
"I will," Jim said slowly before he looked at Eliza as she got off the large pillow that she'd been sitting on.
"Do you want to go?" Beckett asked her daughter as she'd come around to her, getting onto her lap.
"Dessert," Eliza whispered into her ear though loud enough for the others to hear.
"We can get some love," Castle commented when he saw from the expression on her face she was debating though they'd talked about it earlier. "We'll share." He then looked at his father in law and said, "Would you like some?"
"If it's not a large portion," Jim replied.
"It won't be," Castle replied before he waved over their waiter and spoke in a low voice to the man. He wasn't surprised when he was back with a plate, or the way Eliza squealed in pleasure before taking one of the small cakes on it once it was in front of them before she turned to her grandfather.
"It's pita Grandpapa," the little girl said to him.
Unable to help smiling at Eliza's excitement Beckett corrected her telling her father, "It's called pitha, made of rice flour and…"
"They're stuffed with figs or dates," Castle replied, glancing over at Eliza as the little girl was humming.
Eliza smiled when her father kissed the top of her head and she said, "Thank you Daddy."
"You're welcome, you like them?" Castle asked. When she nodded he kissed the top of her head again and said, "I couldn't help it."
"That's for Jules," Eliza said with a wide smile.
"I guess so," Castle said, surprised when the little girl turned to Josie.
"Daddy will give you a kiss after we leave," Eliza told her little sister.
Watching her Beckett eventually asked, "Sweetie do you miss Julia because she can talk to you?"
"Yeah," Eliza said though with some hesitation. "But I know Josa will talk to me when she gets bigger."
"She will but for now you're the big sister in charge," Castle commented. When the little girl looked at him with wide eyes he smiled and said, "You didn't think of that?"
"No," Eliza said in wonder. She then frowned and said, "I want Jules back though."
"It's only temporary," Beckett assured her, kissing the top of her head and watching her husband hand over his card and the bill back to the waiter. "And we're only three days away from her coming home."
"Can I see Jules' letter again?" Eliza asked as her mother had her stand up so they could be ready to go.
"You can but it didn't change at all," Beckett said with a smile as she thought of her daughter's letter. When her husband got his card back she shook herself and then took Josie's carrier as Castle was setting Eliza on his hip. She walked with her father and said, looking at her watch, "I think about now they're finishing dinner and probably getting ready to go with everyone…" She paused and then said, "I have to wonder if they'll go down to the lake."
"Maybe, I hope so," Jim said. When his daughter looked at him questioningly he smiled and waited for them to get in the car before he told her, "She does love the water."
Beckett smiled but merely nodded her head since she was driving and getting them back home as quickly as she legally could. When they were in the garage she smiled again as the dogs poured out of the dog door that went to the house and then some began to bark. "Easy," she called to them when they gathered around her. "We're staying the rest of the night." As she stepped from the garage into the house she paused as her phone shook and she said, "There she is, let's hurry," before they made their way to the family room to talk to Julia.
"That was so good," Dawn said with a smile. "Did you have those in Paris?"
"Yeah, my dad made sure we all got to," Julia said as they'd gotten s'mores macarons for dessert. "Since some of us never went before."
"I would like to see Paris," Peter said slowly.
"Just to see it?" Ava asked him.
"Yeah," Peter said.
"Talk normal," Julia said teasingly to him as he had spoken slowly again while looking at her. "And there's tons to see; we only went for one day. But I know my dad wants to take us back." When Peter crossed his eyes and stuck out his tongue she said in mock annoyance, "He's married to my mom!"
"That's gushy girls stuff," Peter snorted. He then looked at his three friends and they started to laugh heavily together before he was yelling as Julia kicked some water at him and he started to chase her.
"Is she sure they don't like each other?" Ava whispered.
"I bet you'd do that with a brother or sister," Dawn said as she'd studied her friend since earlier that day. "But they're just playing."
"Are you excited about tomorrow?" Peter asked his friend when they'd stopped chasing each other soon after.
"Sorta," Julia replied with a shrug. "I just hope we can dance a little and not just teach."
"Could dance now," Peter suggested.
"That Freestyle dance?" Julia asked with a smile.
"Nah, why don't we dance the Jive instead?" Peter asked.
Julia found herself smiling wider and she said, "Alright, what song though?"
"Maybe the Paul song we had a while back…?" Peter asked as Dawn and Ava were walking up to them.
"What're you gonna do with the song?" the latter asked.
Julia said, "Dance the Jive Thursday night."
"Oh really?" Ava asked eagerly.
"But you're gonna practice tonight right?" Dawn asked.
Wrinkling her nose at her friend Julia said, "Yeah, we are but without the music."
"Can you?" Ava said in surprise.
"We do it at recess," Peter said as they stepped onto the grass around the shore of the lake. "And it's a dance we've done already."
"That makes it easier," Julia added while they were drying their feet the best they could. "Let's start?" When her friend nodded she waited for him to count down and they were beginning to dance together as fast as they could, not noticing the other kids watching them as they went through each step they recalled from their old routine.
Glancing around at the other kids that had turned to watch the two Ava said under her breath, "They don't think it's weird?"
"I think everyone saw them doing some kind of dance already," Dawn replied. When the two finished she started to applaud them, glad when most of the others were doing the same as well before they went back to what they were doing. When she and Ava walked up to the pair she saw the expressions on their faces and asked, "What's wrong?"
"We should have done that in the woods," Peter said.
"I know," Julia replied with a sigh. "Now everyone saw it."
"Another dance?" Peter asked.
"Um… which one? Jive or another kind?" Julia asked after thinking about that for a moment.
"Probably another kind," Peter said.
"Do you really have that many dances?" Ava asked them.
"Yeah," Peter said with a nod. "Something fast?"
"I was gonna say but… which one of those?" Julia said.
"Samba?" Peter asked.
"Not yet, not until we can really do Samba rolls," Julia told him.
"You can," Ava told them.
"Not yet, I need to get a little taller for that," Peter said. "What about that Sam Cooke song?"
"Perfect," Julia said. She opened her mouth to speak when they were being called to go back to their cabins before she rolled her eyes and she said, "Well I guess that's it for today."
"See you guys for breakfast!" Peter called before he ran over to where his cabin mates were gathering with their cabin counselor.
Julia, turning with Dawn and Ava, was startled when her dance partner was suddenly yelling her name and she turned around to see him running to her. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"No, I forgot to give you this back," Peter replied, slightly out of breath as he handed her the flat stone she'd found earlier. "Night!"
"Night," Dawn and Ava said to the boy before he ran back to the other boys in their class. The former went over to Julia and said as she pocketed the stone, "What is it?"
"I'll tell you after our showers," the girl said quickly before they were heading to the cabin. She grabbed what she needed and went back out with everyone to the showers across the path. "What're you gonna do now?" she whispered to Ava before they went into stalls to change.
"Just wrap a towel around me and then I'll go in the stall with Dawn," the girl said. She suddenly blanched and said, "I mean the one next to hers."
"I knew," Julia said with a smile. "Who'll I go with?"
"Me," April said with a smile as she came over to them. "Are you gonna go in the outside one?"
"Sure," Julia replied. "Hurry so you can go first." When the girl had left she went into the stall she'd been standing in front of and changed into her other bathing suit before she went to the shower stalls that April was heading towards, a little relieved the girl was wearing a bathing suit too. Though she didn't have to worry about seeing anyone naked; since they'd been one of the first into the stalls; she still hurried through her shower until she was changed. When she was finished Evelyn walked with her back to the cabin to give her her phone, but she was relieved when the counselor left her to call her family on her own. As soon as they appeared on the screen she said with a wide smile, "Hey everyone!"
"Hello sweetie," Beckett said, looking at her husband who was getting Josie to bring to the couch where she was sitting.
"Hi Jules, Josa is here too," Eliza said, pointing the baby out to her.
"I see, she's awake?" Julia asked.
"We're a little late," Beckett explained. "We just got back from having dinner at the Indian restaurant."
"Cool, did you get pitha?" Julia asked.
"Yeah," Eliza said. "What did you have?"
"Some pasta, it was good but not like yours Dad," Julia told him. "Or the pancakes for breakfast."
"That's usually how camp food is," Castle said with a smile. "Tell us how your day went though."
A little surprised her mother hadn't asked that Julia then smiled and related to them everything she'd done up to that point. She only left out finding the stones and river rocks before saying, "So now we're gonna do the Jive to the song Sam Cooke sang, since we didn't really practice that outside the studio."
"Good choice then honey," Jim said.
"Hey Grandpapa, now you have to tell me about what you did," Julia told them. "I really want to know."
Eliza told her sister about her day at school, letting her know that she had played again with Mari. "Mari got your letter at recess and she was really happy," she told her when she had finished. "But she wouldn't let me read it."
"That's because it was for her," Julia replied with a giggle. "But the letter for you guys was for all of you. What about you Mom, Dad?"
"We worked on the book again but mostly we spent time making sure your sister would be ready to go into your room tonight," Castle said.
"My room?" Julia asked in surprise as she knew he was talking about Josie.
"I'm kidding," Castle said as his wife rolled her eyes. "Her room of course but there wasn't much to do."
"And that's it?" Julia asked in surprise.
"We went quickly after to get your sister from school and that's it," Castle finished with.
"He's right," Beckett said. "Our walk was during most of the morning."
"What about you Grandpapa?" Julia asked, turning her attention to him next.
"I stayed with your sister mostly to keep an eye on her," Jim replied. "Josie, I mean." He then said, "There is something I have to tell you honey. I'm going to be leaving tomorrow to go on my friend Gary's yacht. I won't be here to talk to you and I actually won't come back until Saturday."
"That's okay," Julia replied as soon as he'd finished talking. "Dad told me Mr. Forrest doesn't like to have people on his boat so you're lucky you get to go."
"Thank you," Jim said with a smile. "So you'll have to let me know about everything when I see you."
"I will, and I hope you have a lot of fun," Julia replied. She then remembered something and said, "Dad, the counselor who was helping us with the horses is someone you know."
"Who?" Castle asked in surprise.
"Harvey," Julia answered. When her father looked confused she said, "He said he was from Saratoga Springs."
"Oh Harvey," Castle said, realizing who she was talking about. "Did he mention that he played against me?"
"Yeah, he was nice," Julia said. "He let me gallop."
"Great… I wonder how he knew," Castle said slowly.
Julia let out a short laugh and said, "Lake was getting restless and I guess I was too."
"Not a surprise," Beckett commented. "Did you thank him?" she then said.
"After we got back to the stables," Julia replied, nodding her head rapidly.
"Good, so anything else from today?" Beckett asked.
Shaking her head; though she wanted to tell her mother about what she'd seen on the hike; Julia decided she needed to wait until she was back home. She did her best to ignore the slight pang in her chest of homesickness and she tried to think of something to say to distract herself from her sudden desire to be with them in the family room. She then looked at her parents and found her distraction as she asked, "How's Josa?"
"She's fine, nearly asleep," Castle replied, looking down at the baby he was holding cradled in his arms. "And what about you?"
"I'm going to write some letters," Julia replied. "But the other girls aren't back yet."
Beckett; itching to ask her oldest what she'd been surprised by earlier; instead asked, "Did you go back to the horses at all?"
"How did you- I mean no," Julia said. She wasn't surprised when her mother just looked at her and she laughed softly before she told them about how she'd snuck off to the stables to pet Lake and had tried to ride her bareback when Harvey had stopped her. "I guess she likes having a saddle if she's gonna go riding with a person," she said.
"I think so," Beckett said. "But I don't blame you for sneaking off to see her. If you're going to do that again, please don't try to ride her."
"I won't," Julia said. She looked over her right shoulder and said, "Everyone's coming back so I better go. I love you everybody."
"Love you Julia," Castle said. "Have a great day tomorrow."
"Thanks," Julia said before she laughed softly as Eliza had taken the phone from their mother and kissed it though she knew it was above the screen. "Thanks Lizzy, love you," she told her, still laughing.
"Love you Jules! Say hi to the horsies for me," Eliza replied.
"And say hi to Mari for me," Julia said with a slight smile.
"I will," Eliza said, nodding her head.
"Josie loves you too sweetheart," Castle said then.
"Give her a kiss for me," Julia said. She smiled widely when her father kissed the top of the baby's head and then told him, "And when you put her to bed, I hope she's okay in her bed."
"She will be," Beckett reassured her. "I love you sweetie."
"Love you, night everyone," Julia told them with a smile. After they'd said goodnight to her the connection turned off and she sighed, glad they hadn't said they missed each other since she didn't want them getting sad about that. She turned her attention to her diary, hurrying to give her phone to the counselor before she went back to her bed.
"Why are you so fast?" April said from under Dawn's bed.
"'Cause I have a lot to do," Julia replied with a smile. When the girl then shrugged at her she smiled again and hurried to get a piece of paper for her next diary entry, writing hurriedly at the top of the page.
May 19th, 2020
It's the next day diary and a busy one so I might go quick about what I did 'cause there are two BIG things to talk about. (Sorry about the big letters but it was BIG… or they were, Dad would make me correct that if he knew 'cause there was more than one)
We got to go horseback riding first thing after breakfast and it was so much fun! Lake is such a sweet horse and she rides really well. We were just walking the horses but when we stopped we were at a big field and then I got to gallop with the counselor that rode with us, he's in charge of the horses. I loved it, but I forgot we had to use Western saddles. Ugh, I hate the pommel it's too big. Like Mom says I don't have a rope to lasoo any animals (I spelled that like it sounds when she says it). So that was the bad part, but at least I still got to go riding! And Peter was okay with his mare, good thing 'cause I was so scared he was gonna make the mare ride off with him on it.
After that was our hike and that was nice because the trees are so cool, tall ones and short ones and even some that still have some flowers. Some with fruit too but those weren't ready. And neither were the berry bushes we saw, too bad 'cause there were blackberry ones and it would have been just like Spain. After that was swimming in the lake which of course was fun. And when we got back to the camp after that we could have free time (I forgot, lunch was during the hike and just sandwiches, but it was still good). I snuck back to the stables (that's not a surprise) and I pet Lake and was almost gonna ride her though she had no saddle when the counselor from earlier came out and stopped me. So I just pet Lake and then went back to Peter, Dawn and Ava. We played some outside games like horseshoes and bocce ball that they had, and it was fun 'cause this time we did compete. I won the bocce ball, Ava won the horseshoes and then Peter and Dawn tied the shuffle board we got to do. So fun, fun, fun.
After we had dinner we went back to the lake again and Peter and I practiced the Jive we did to Paul's song Save Us. But we forgot everyone could see us, so we gave them a preview. Since they saw us we're gonna dance that song Sam Cooke sings about twisting, love that song but why are we doing that? We compete already maybe we should just let other kids do stuff… I'll talk to Peter tomorrow. And that was it 'cause after that we headed back to the cabins and showers.
I talked to everyone and they were happy, it was just a normal day and I was super happy 'cause at least they weren't moping around the house. I just wish Josa knew me enough to be like Lizzy! Oh well, at least I got to see her first smile. After talking to them now I'm here.
And now I can finally talk about the big news. First is later in the afternoon when we were swimming in the lake I talked about really quick above. After playing with the others for a while I then swam to the other end of the lake and looked around in the woods before I stopped at a spot and dug into the dirt. Peter came and scared me so bad, I hate when shadows fall over me, it's like when I was at that stupid house that was all white when I was a little girl, in Queens. But anyway, he helped me and we found what I felt I could take home to Dad. It's a flat stone that I think is limestone (Mom says that's really soft) and it looks like there's a mark of a hoof print on it. I really think that was from when the tribes were stopping by on their way south. They let me take it and I thanked them after I put the dirt back in place. But I did that super-fast 'cause Ms. Cookston was calling us, trying to find us. Luckily, I didn't get in trouble or get Peter into trouble too! And once we were back on the other side I looked for river rocks and found some really smooth and shiny ones for everyone, even 'lexis and Josa. So hopefully they like those rocks too. Oh, and Dad 'cause I got him one of those rocks too!
The second thing was during the hike, we could go around a clearing where we ate lunch and there was a path around it in the trees. Dawn and Ava went on it first while Peter and I stayed behind until we went. I took tons of pictures (the same for the rest of the walk) before we were being called back and we didn't know where those two were. I went to look for them while Peter tried to go back and be a distraction that three of us were missing. It took me a little bit to find them when I did and… they were kissing. Just a quick kiss on the lips but I was shocked and when I backed away I stepped on a stick or something and they heard that and looked to me. And then I cursed really loud but luckily Mom and Dad weren't there to hear that! I just didn't want them to know I was there or think I was spying on them. Good thing they're such good friends they believed me, and I talked to them so now they're sweethearts.
They can't date; their dads don't want them to yet; and when I talked to them later they just want to like each other and hold hands. I guess the kiss was just to see if they really liked each other 'cause they didn't answer when I asked them. They smile at each other a lot now and it's sweet they do that. I told Peter; 'cause he saw them holding hands; but he and Dawn stopped liking each other so he was okay with it which is good 'cause I love the four of us being friends. I wonder what Mari will say about this. But watching them
"Ah! Julia what's wrong?" Ava asked then the bed above hers suddenly squeaked with movement and her friend was climbing down.
"Nothing," Julia said, trying not to look at the end of her entry that wasn't complete. She packed the pages of it away and then grabbed stationery for letters before she climbed back up on top of the bed. "I have a lot of letters, so I need to start that," she finally said as she could see all the girls were looking at her. "Sorry," she told them, feeling her cheeks were on fire.
When they eventually turned their attention back to whatever they were doing Julia was relieved and she turned to her letter, forcing herself to write her family's names and focusing on what she wanted to tell them. She made sure to make it sound happy, not wanting any of them to realize what had gone through her mind just before that moment as she had more letters yet to write to her loved ones and friends. Eventually she began to relax and when she fully had she went back to the letter that would go to her parents and sisters, rewriting it and feeling more herself to her relief as it got nearer to lights out.
Walking out of the bathroom Castle stepped around the bed and was about to ask his wife if Josie was alright when he froze in mid-step as he found she was fast asleep. He smiled and then continued until he was next to her, studying her for a moment. Beckett was curled up on her side and he couldn't resist leaning down, pressing his lips gently to her temple. Once he was standing again he watched her closely to make sure he hadn't awakened her. Luckily she was still fast asleep, and he was able to reach for the tablet under her hand, trying to go as slowly as he could but managing to jostle her in the meantime. "Hey, sorry," he whispered as she opened her eyes.
"No, I didn't want to sleep yet," Beckett said sleepily as she moved his arm away from her carefully so she could sit up. When her eyes had adjusted to the light she glanced at him and said, "She's fine; I've been watching her for a while now."
Nodding, as he was looking down at Josie in her bed against theirs, Castle was about to say something when he paused and then asked, "Were you talking to someone?"
"Lily," Beckett said with a smile as she took the tablet he handed to her. "She wanted to see how we were doing; and Julia of course."
"Of course… shouldn't she be asleep?" Castle asked, recalling Sophie was still only nine days old.
"She was going to after we hung up," Beckett said. "And she's doing well; we went to Skype for a bit."
"Good to hear," Castle said, climbing over her to get onto the bed. Once he was sitting he looked at her, waiting for her to turn to him after setting the tablet on her nightstand. As soon as she was looking back to him he took her by the arms before her hands were pressing against his chest to stop him. He was startled but when she told him why she'd done that he understood fully and eventually let her go though he didn't want to.
"I managed to dream about something," Beckett said slowly.
"Sexual or- wait, our past life?" Castle asked before he could finish what he'd been planning to say.
"Past life," Beckett sighed. "And it wasn't much but I'm seeing more now."
"Tell me," Castle told her eagerly. When she groaned and covered her face he said, "Now I must ask, sexual?"
"No," Beckett said, rolling her eyes. "And stop or else I won't say."
"Is Josie there?" Castle asked.
"She is," Beckett said. "Which is a surprise, I thought you wouldn't be able to stop with stories."
"I've thought about that," Castle commented, looking thoughtful. "And I think it was our focus on Josie now that delayed that. Is it when she was born?"
"No," Beckett said simply. "She's about two years old."
"Really? You can't see her though can you?" Castle asked. When she nodded he said, "So it was the thirties then."
"'32," Beckett said. "But we were doing well…"
"Radio," Castle breathed out. "My writing then I told you about, it became a radio show and I needed to write the episodes for them. You bought me a typewriter before the market crashed."
"And a second when the money started to come in…" Beckett said slowly. She shook her head and then said, "Okay, okay, let me just tell you so we can get some sleep."
"Go ahead," Castle replied easily.
Breathing in Beckett took a moment before she spoke starting with, "It was September that year and you pulled into the driveway while I was with Josie in the backyard."
"Stay here Josephine," Kate said, watching her youngest who was watching the Model A Tudor go down the driveway. She wasn't surprised when her daughter didn't really bother to listen and she walked after her, hearing the car shut off. "So how goes The Night?" she asked at the entrance to the garage when she saw her husband step out of the automobile.
"The Night is fine for more shows," Rick replied, picking up Josie.
Watching him toss up their youngest to her cry of joy Kate said, "They enjoyed my idea?"
"Oh sure," Rick replied, going over to where she'd remained in the sun. He kissed her deeply before wrapping his arm around her and said when they'd parted, "You'll have to work with me again."
"Which is really weird," Beckett commented, looking at her husband.
"From what I knew it looked like I was on my own," Castle replied. "And remember I didn't know about that radio show."
With a nod Beckett then said, "I had to take Josie after that, she needed a nap, but you stayed outside."
"You'll be late with harvest love," Rick said when his wife came out of the house. As she glared at him he smiled and said, "I'll help."
"Thank you, I'm nearly finished with the corn," Kate said. "But she may not sleep."
"Why not?" Rick asked.
"She wanted to come back out to see you," Kate replied as they began to pick the vegetable off the remaining stalks they had. "So I'll-"
"I'll take care of her," Rick replied.
"How? If she doesn't want to sleep she won't sleep," Kate replied from experience.
"Out here," Rick said simply, nodding over to the grass. "Though the dogs are with her right?"
"They are," Kate said. "The girls will be home soon anyway."
Rick nodded simply as they picked up the basket they'd brought out to hold what they had in their garden.
"I know that look on that mug of yours love," Kate told him as she pointed him to the tomatoes. "What's on your mind?"
"I've been busy with the last show," Rick replied after a moment to pick one of the fruits. "What about heading out to the soda fountain?"
"And their dinner?" Kate asked with her eyebrow raised.
"We'll stop by the café for dinner before that," Rick said.
"Your treat?" Kate said.
"My treat," Rick replied. He was about to turn his attention back to the tomatoes when his wife's hand appeared on his arm, making him look at her questioningly.
"Alright," Kate said with a sigh. She was about to turn to the pumpkins she'd been standing at when she heard a horn. "They're back," she said with a smile, turning with him to see another Model A coming down the driveway.
"Good afternoon sister," Rose said, stepping out of the car before she reached back in for Alexandra.
"How were they?" Kate said, going to take the nearly four-year-old girl from her.
"Good as gold," Rose said. "Better than that lousy banker friend of yours."
"He's not our friend," Rick said quickly as he was holding Elizabeth on his hip.
"He's not nice Da," the five-year-old said.
"No, but he'll be in trouble soon enough," Rose said in agreement. She saw the look her twin was giving her and said in Irish, "He was yelling at a man that had seen him on the beach, trying to get his money back. But I suppose it's too grim to relive."
"They know what's happening," Kate said before she heard a faint cry coming from inside the house. "Take her, it's Josie."
"That's it?" Castle asked, startled when she stopped there.
"No, we didn't really do much after that except get ready for dinner," Beckett said. She was startled when her husband placed his hand on her arm and she frowned slightly at him in response.
"Sorry," Castle said though he wasn't letting her go. "Have to get my thrills where I can."
Giving him a look Beckett said simply, "Pervert."
"What were you wearing?" Castle asked.
Sighing a little deeply Beckett closed her eyes before something seemed to strike her and she said, "It was a white blouse with a dark blue and light blue skirt… when I moved you'd see the light blue in the pleats. And… a light blue tweed jacket with that."
"Slim cut?" Castle asked.
Shaking her head Beckett smiled and said, "It was and of course the skirt was nearly down to my ankles."
"D'fhéach siad fós mór," Castle commented, saying they still looked great in a confident tone of voice.
Giving him a look Beckett said, "Yours was a darker grey tweed suit."
"Fedora too," Castle said, raising his eyebrows a few times.
Rolling her eyes quickly Beckett then said, "Ní raibh sé olc," murmuring the words it wasn't bad under her breath.
Glancing at her Castle resisted the urge to give her a look as she was using a tone that made it sound like she was just barely admitting that and then said, "So dinner?"
"A place in town called the River Café," Beckett said. "It was near the soda fountain."
"Keep going," Castle told her when she looked at him.
"We walked there and ate with Skye… Rose," Beckett began. "But you took the girls with you ahead of us when we left."
"Was it really that bad?" Kate asked her twin as they walked arm in arm down the sidewalk.
"Of course, the man was cornered, and you remember what da told us," Rose replied. "He was scared, I was afraid Kingston would rough the other man up, but he ran off before that happened."
"Did the girls understand what was happening?" Kate asked her.
"I don't think Alexandra does," Rose assured her. "But it scared Elizabeth and you know Julia knows what's happening now. Thank god you have the show."
"I think the same thing myself too," Kate said. "Wait," she said, stopping her sister when they were at the drugstore and soda fountain. "How's Mary?"
"Grand, she's gone to San Jose," Rose said. "Whether her mother will let her return… who knows? You know she and Ma are great friends now."
"You're lucky," Kate told her.
"Aye," Rose said with a smile. "And Patrick as well… he has a new sweetheart and
"What?" Castle said, startled when his wife cut herself off at that point.
"No, it's… that word sweetheart," Beckett said absently. "It wasn't Patrick it's something with Julia."
"She was only nine-" Castle started to say.
"No, no," Beckett interrupted him. "Now, at the camp."
"I thought you said she wasn't kissed by a boy," Castle replied in surprise.
"Not that," Beckett snapped. "Something she saw, I think she saw two people kissing."
"And that would have affected her?" Castle asked, trying not to be too hurt at her anger at him.
"I guess but not so badly that we need to be worried," Beckett said. "It's just something I need to talk to her about and I can't."
"Not that much longer," Castle said.
Beckett noticed that her husband seemed a little subdued and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Castle said.
About to call him on that Beckett stopped and she recalled how she had responded to his statement about Julia being kissed by a boy. "Rick I'm sorry," she said as she touched his arm. "I didn't mean to snap at you like that I just…"
"Miss her still?" Castle suggested. When she nodded he sighed and said, "I tried not to take it personal but couldn't help it."
Beckett wrapped her arms around him tightly and said, "Tá mí i ngrá leat fós," as she pressed her face against his cheek.
With a smile at her sincere I still love you Castle told her, "Mé grá tú," saying that he loved her. "It's alright though; I can understand your frustration."
"Now you're wondering?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"I am," Castle said, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. "She'll tell you though… I would say as soon as she's back but not that soon."
"No," Beckett said in amusement. She reached over to him and gently cupped his cheek with her hand before drawing him to her so they could kiss. As they were busy doing that she ran her hands down his chest before she paused and they parted.
"I would stay away from that area," Castle said with a slight smile.
"I was going to try to start something," Beckett said. When he looked a little unsure she quickly told him, "Not to apologize to you, I just wanted to."
"Now you're a pervert," Castle said jokingly. When she gave him a look he said, "Maybe not."
Beckett wrapped her arms around his neck tightly before they began to kiss, and she pressed herself against him as they fought together with their tongues. They kept that up for some time until finally they were pulling apart and she wasn't taken aback when he murmured to her but was at what he said exactly.
"Tell me more," Castle told her.
"Did he have a car?" Beckett asked. She wasn't surprised when he pulled away at that and they began to laugh together before she said, "Sorry."
"Don't worry," Castle said once he'd calmed down enough to speak. "I set that up for you. And at least I wasn't singing."
"That would have been interesting," Beckett said with a smile. When he shook his head and mouthed the word no she kissed his cheek and moved to climb onto his lap.
"Are you sure you should?" Castle said though he wasn't trying to stop her.
"I won't stay too, too long," Beckett replied as she wrapped her arms around him. She nuzzled his temple with her lips and said, "There wasn't much to the soda fountain. The girls got lime rickies except for Josie and Alexandra and we got a banana split."
"Apropos," Castle commented. He kissed her then but kept it short before he asked her, "How would we divide it?"
"You preferred chocolate to the other two flavors, but you'd share that with me. And I would make you eat the strawberry with me and we'd share the vanilla though it wasn't our favorite. You'd take one banana, I'd take the other and you would feed me the cherry before we got started," Beckett explained. She wasn't surprised when her husband kissed her passionately and she held onto him as tightly as possible when he began to play with her tongue, using his own to do so. After they'd parted she murmured, "You could see it?"
"Yeah, it was a nice moment," Castle replied. They kissed again, much more briefly, and he told her, "Is breá liom a bheith in éineacht leat," which meant he loved being with her. "Ar aon bhealach," telling her any way. He brushed his lips over hers gently and then breathed out, "Am ar bith."
Beckett was tempted to pinch him; as he'd said any time; but instead she leaned over, kissing him lovingly on the lips. "Dom freisin mo grá," she whispered, telling him she did too and adding the words my love. As she pressed her forehead against the side of his head she was startled when he froze and she said, "What's… get off?"
"Yeah," Castle said, not saying an apology though he was tempted to. He reluctantly let go of his wife and watched her move to sit next to him. "Was there anything else?"
"After the soda fountain it was getting three very tired girls to bed," Beckett replied. She wasn't surprised when her husband nuzzled her neck through her hair at that idea and she then continued telling him, "And once we got Julia to bed we went up to our room, Rose was in the room my- our mom would stay in." She was going to say more but stopped herself from doing so before she said, "We did some things."
"I had a feeling," Castle said, hugging her tightly before she was embracing him and reaching up to run her fingers through his hair. "We better get to bed," he said once they'd finally let go of each other.
"Let me check on Josie before that," Beckett said, letting go of him before she grabbed the tablet on her nightstand. She swiftly opened the app for the camera and seeing the baby sleeping she said, "Let's hope she'll stay asleep a little longer."
"She might," Castle said before he watched her setting the tablet back. After they had laid down he held her to his side and said, "Why are we touching so much?"
Beckett laughed softly and said, "You don't realize why?"
"I do, I just wanted you to say why," Castle replied. He laughed when she let out an exasperated sigh and then told her, "I know you feel the same way."
"You're right but it makes the waiting harder," Beckett replied. When her husband nodded she was relieved when he didn't add to that and they were quiet for a moment before she said, "Are you disappointed?"
"Slightly," Castle replied. "Though really since she put the house for sale first on the internet it makes sense someone got to it before I did. And the fact they paid full price of course… they're being ripped off to be honest."
"Obviously they really want the house," Beckett told him. "But I wonder if they'll try to fix it up."
"Who knows…" Castle replied, trailing off as he wasn't sure what else he could say to comment on the fact that someone had bought Veronica's home before he and Brennan could offer for it. He was disappointed; as he'd loved the idea of Alexis living next door; but he and Beckett's cousin had talked it over with their wives and they'd decided to find a better townhouse for the pair instead. "I was thinking of those townhouses on East Island Boulevard," he said suddenly into the silence of the room.
"I had a feeling," Beckett said. She smiled when her husband looked at her in surprise and she told him, "I thought you might want to get a townhouse closer to us."
"And they are the best in the city without being over the top," Castle told her.
"I know, but again ask Alexis what she thinks since she'll be living there," Beckett replied. She raised her head slightly so she could look at her husband and they kissed each other hungrily for some time. When they needed to breathe and had parted she said with a smile, "I love you Rick."
"I love you too Kate," Castle told her with a brief smile before he was pulling her down to him for a kiss. It was deep again, and he slipped his hand underneath her pajama top to caress her bare back a little before they stopped. "Night?" he asked her.
"Night love," Beckett told him, brushing her lips to his before she lay down against his side again and closed her eyes to sleep.
Castle joined her quickly after since they didn't know when Josie would wake up again and wondered if he'd have the chance to dream of their past life as he had before. He wasn't surprised when he didn't really and was waking up to the sound of Josie crying. "Any time at all?" he asked groggily as he sat up.
"It's almost two thirty," Beckett said, forcing herself up. She saw her husband was moving to follow her and she told him, "You don't need to."
"I want to," Castle said simply.
With a slight smile Beckett wrapped her arms around his neck tightly and kissed him. She wanted to make that linger but Josie was still crying and she needed to go. But she didn't mind the kiss they had gotten to share and leaned over to pick up the baby.
As soon as she had Josie against her breast Castle brushed her hair from her cheek and murmured that he loved her. He was going to lean back against the headboard when she brushed her lips against his and said the same back to him.
With that Beckett turned her attention to the baby and they sat in silence until Josie was asleep again. They soon went sleep, getting themselves ready to care for their daughter together again.