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 songs I Love This House by Paul McCartney, New by Paul; from his album of the same name; Unconsciousness Rules by George Harrison; from his album Somewhere in England and I'm Partial to Your Abracadabra by Ian Drury and Chaz Jankel; the version I've taken from is sung by Paul McCartney on the album Brand New Boots and Panties.
A/N #2: I loved getting the feedback for the last chapter so I'll go ahead and get to my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (It was great reading that you thought the last chapter had great writing. And I'm so happy you like how much love is in their family as I enjoy writing that between them),
MsNYC (I had to laugh when you mentioned Eliza sounding like an adult, I'm glad you thought she was cute doing that and with that I was trying to show her learning that from her mother, lol. Really pleased to see that you enjoyed the small flashback I had. And great you could tell Beckett and the others were enjoying her birthday, Disneyland helps, lol. I'm not surprised at your comment about Josie getting big. And yeah, babies starting to talk is cute hearing how their vocabulary develops. I had to laugh at you saying Castle was an ass but funny, lol, I wasn't expecting anyone to mention that exchange between him and Beckett, lol, but glad you thought that was funny. And I'm not surprised Martha reminds you of your mother with her unsolicited advice, I've gotten that before and it just seemed to fit her, lol. And great that you thought Beckett's birthday sounded like a success. I was really happy too that you thought the chapter had great writing as usual!) and
Mb (Glad to see you thought it was a great start to Beckett's birthday. I wasn't surprised that you loved how it was her birthday but that everyone was enjoying being there with friends and family along with having fun at Disneyland. It also wasn't a surprise that you loved Eliza saying she would eat healthy at dinner. Or that you thought it was something Castle would think and say. You're welcome for the first half! Great that you thought the chapter was fun with them going on the rides both thrilling and mellow as you said. It was nice to see that you could see where Eliza was coming from with that drop of Splash Mountain; it used to be a little more intense at Disneyland but they recently fixed the steepness so it's like the other parks. But it can be intimidating and then exhilarating once you ride it. I was so glad to see you mentioning Eliza's reaction with Space Mountain, lol, and that you thought it was so much fun! And I'm jealous too, it's been too long since I've been able to go to those parks, so I know how you feel. Really happy to see that you thought it was a fun update and I had to laugh at you saying it was a fun first half of Beckett's birthday with everyone. And I'm not surprised at your mention of suspecting Castle and Beckett will have a private celebration, lol, as they will but not exactly with the gift, lol, but there will be a private celebration. You're welcome for sharing the second half too!).
Thanks for the reviews, I loved reading them all and I 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 New, the information about which is in the A/N above.
Got Nothing To Lose
"Alright," Beckett said, finishing with her daughter's hair. "You're all done." She saw that Julia was still looking down at her lap and she said, "Sweetie?" Startled when she raised her head she asked, "Are you crying?"
"Sorry," Julia whispered.
"Don't be sorry," Beckett said reassuringly as she put down the girl's brush to hug her tightly from behind. She kissed her temple and said, "I don't blame you; we've been here for a long time."
"Yeah," Julia said, turning around to her. She smiled and then said as her mother gently thumbed her tears away, "I've loved this so much… and being here. It hasn't been that cold at all."
"No," Beckett said with a smile. "But home is in the Hamptons. And you need to go to school back there too."
"Yeah," Julia said, sighing before she stood. "Like my dress?" she asked, shaking back and forth.
"I do, I wasn't expecting you to have sequins… or fringe," Beckett replied, since her daughter's dress looked like the one Jennifer Grey had worn for her Jive, though it was far more modest in design and sky blue in color. "But it looks great for your Cha-Cha," she said while watching Julia go over to the mirror.
"Yeah… Dad won't mind this dress, will he?" the girl asked, looking back at her mother in the mirror.
"No, I'll make sure he doesn't," Beckett said firmly. "Now come on, we need to go."
Nodding, Julia reached out to her and took her hand before they were walking together into the hall. She looked around for Mari but didn't see her before Skye was calling to them. She smiled and said to the investigator, "You're ready?"
"Just need to get my hair and makeup done," Skye said. "You look great. You and Mari."
Julia whirled around as soon as the woman said that and gasped when she saw her best friend. She took off for her and they met, hugging each other tightly before they were laughing at the sound of their beaded fringe hitting together. "I guess we'll hear that when we dance," she said when they let go of each other.
"Maybe," Mari said. "We might be hearing the music though."
Nodding, Julia turned to her mother and said, "I think it's time for you to go."
Smiling, since she could hear the music playing out on the dance floor, Beckett said, "I think it is." She shared a quick kiss with her daughter and when they parted said, "Break a leg sweetie."
"Thanks Mom," Julia said, smiling at her. She hugged her tightly saying, "Have fun with the dancing right now."
"I will," Beckett said. She waved to the boys who were walking over to them and then went out to the ballroom. As she made her way over to where they would be sitting that night she looked for her husband, spotting him quickly after she'd made her way around some people. She smiled seeing he was dancing with Eliza and she hurried over to them, tapping his shoulder quickly before he turned to her and was suddenly embracing her.
"Sorry," Castle said, holding her but letting her step back enough so he could look at her. "She's ready?" he asked.
"She is," Beckett said. She then looked over at Eliza and saw that she had left them, with Fleur and Ivy, dancing with them. Smiling, she turned to her husband before they let go of each other and then began to dance to the faster music until it stopped and went to a slower song.
Though he felt bad for the kids, as they went to the chairs they would be sitting in for the show, Castle took his wife into his arms again and held her closely. As they swayed he murmured to her, "Only one more night for this."
"That's alright," Beckett said, smiling at him when he pulled away to look at her. "We can easily do this at home."
Nodding, Castle held her closer and gently rubbed her back for a little until they let go of each other at the end of the song. Once they were sitting in their chairs; since the show was about to start; he looked up at the Sky Box and said, "Are my glasses messed up or is she wearing fringe?"
"It's fringe," Beckett said, smiling at him. "It's alright though, it's a normal dress and very modest."
"After you've seen it I'm not surprised it is," Castle said. "I'm sure she would have changed if it wasn't." He smiled back at her when his wife squeezed his hand before they were looking at the dance floor as the countdown for the episode had begun.
"Second to last episode," Peter commented under his breath where they were standing at the railing.
"At least there's one more," Mari said.
"And tomorrow night?" Clive said.
"We still have the class back at school," Julia pointed out to them. She wasn't surprised when her friends nodded before they looked down to the screen as it was showing footage of the stars in past dances while Tom was talking about the finales and Freestyles. She shared a smile with her friends at that, since they were excited though nervous about the Freestyle they would be in at the halfway point of the hour long episode. Turning back to the screen she was startled to find the footage was over and she wondered what she'd missed when the two hosts were talking.
"Starting out tonight," Tom said after he and Erin had said that introductions. "We have a special music video, the world premiere of Paul McCartney and The Rambling O'Dells performing I Love This House. With a little help from Derek and the other couples."
"And be sure to watch out for the Hamptons troupe, joining in on the fun," Erin finished with before Tom was sweeping his arm towards the screen that was behind him before the camera moved over to it.
The music video started with the screen black as the intro began before it became Paul in a black jacket walking away from the camera. He was in front of his home on Forthlin Road in Liverpool and he went to the front door, opening it before a bright light flashed to change the footage. When things appeared again the singer was looking at a model of the house with the front ripped off; that having been filmed in a warehouse in LA; and there was at least one person in the rooms there were, dancing as Paul turned to the camera and started to sing the first two lyrics, walking backwards. He reached the entry, where Skye was, and she took his jacket while nodding to the lyrics he sang.
Cracks in the pavement, cracks in the road
Cracks in the ceiling where the bathtub overflows, overflows
Holes in the carpet, holes in the slate
Holes in the carpet, but I won't evacuate
When the chorus began immediately after, Paul gestured to the camera and he and Skye sang it before they walked over to the next room which was a family room where Jonathon and Whitney were looking over the couch there at the pair.
I love this house, it's where I'll stay
Eat and sleep the night and day
I love this house, it's where I'll be
For you to spend some time with me
I love this house
At the end Mary appeared in the doorway on the other side of the room with Raj, holding a guitar and melodica respectively before they waved to everyone. Since there was a short instrumental they danced into the kitchen, finding Derek there with a guitar before he looked up at them with wide eyes. He sang the next verse and chorus with Paul and Skye, smiling at his partner while Jonathon and Whitney were dancing together.
Damp in the basement, damp in the hall
Damp in the living room that's climbing up the wall, up the wall
Rust in the drainpipe, rust in the spout
Rust in the radiators, still won't get me out
I love this house, it's where I'll stay
Eat and sleep the night and day
I love this house, it's where I'll be
For you to spend some time with me
I love this house
Julia smiled at the way Paul's voice lingered on the word be, as it did in his original recording. She looked at Mari and saw the girl was bouncing up and down slightly since in the video the group all in the kitchen was dancing out into entry and up the stairs. They went to the first bedroom, where she and her friends were and she and Mari on the screen were jumping on the bed there and dancing what they could too.
Hot in the summer, rattling window teeth and knees
Perfect place for cat and mouse
But never mind I love this house
When the verse was over the group was moving again and since there was an instrumental, they picked up Eddie and Emma in another bedroom before grabbing Jackie and Barry in the last.
"One more room left," Julia whispered with a smile, remembering the filming. She felt Mari touching her elbow and leaned over to her, knowing already her friend had something to tell her before she whispered into her ear.
"That was so much fun," Mari told her.
Nodding Julia looked back at the screen where they had all started dancing together through a hallway, though it had only been made to look like one since it was so long. When they reached the next verse, she smiled as just Paul and Skye were singing but it allowed Derek to dance with both her and Mari; all of them dancing behind the pair until they reached a large room.
Cracks in the pavement, cracks in the road
Cracks in the ceiling where the bathtub overflows, overflows
Holes in the carpet, holes in the slate
Holes in the carpet, but I won't evacuate
As Paul and Skye were singing the final instance of the chorus, Beckett smiled at the investigator drawing out the word be with the singer before they finished the song.
I love this house, it's where I'll stay
Eat and sleep the night and day
I love this house, it's where I'll be
For you to spend some time with me
I love this house
Since the end of the song was instrumental, the group was jumping up and down before the four couples left for the show stepped up together to the screen and there was another flash of light and fog on the stage.
Julia was cheering as Tom was introducing the couples, smiling as her friends were doing the same next to her. "Are you guys ready?" she asked the two boys; since they were going to be with them for Skye and Derek's first dance.
"Yeah," Peter said, waving the towel he'd been given. When Julia playfully pushed at him he put it over his shoulder and then looked with the others as a crew member was calling to him and Clive. "Sorry," he said to the two girls.
"No way," Julia said first.
"Yeah, you're not even dancing," Mari said jokingly. "Make sure you keep the towels with you."
Saying bye to the two, Julia asked her friend as they turned to the dance floor again as Tom was introducing Skye and Derek.
"We're doing the Foxtrot again," the investigator was saying as the footage started out on her and Derek in the studio. "I really want the chance to do better on this dance. Hopefully whoever comes in to help us out will give me some tips."
The scene changed to Bruno walking into the room and Skye hurrying over to him, hugging him before they parted and were talking in Italian to each other.
"I hope," Derek said after the judge had embraced him quickly. "You're not going to be doing this whole session in Italian."
"No," Bruno said with a laugh. "But if it helps me to explain it to her better…"
"I'll translate," Skye assured her partner with a smile.
"I think Skye can improve on this dance," Bruno was saying, standing in the room by himself then. "She just needs to forget about her previous mistakes which hopefully I can help her to do."
"Just keep your shoulders up," the judge was saying as the footage went to him watching her and Derek dancing. "I think you go into your turns too fast, so your balance is getting off. Try this," he said, moving himself to show her. When the pair tried it again he nodded and said, "Wonderful, much more improvement. Again."
After she and Derek did that same move again and continued as Bruno was motioning to them, Skye said with a smile when they stopped, "Lui sa di cosa sta parlando."
"What does that mean?" Derek asked his partner as the judge started laughing immediately.
"He knows what he's talking about," Skye said with a smile at Bruno.
"Alright, let's get back to work," the Italian judge said in a mock stern tone of voice. He then watched the pair trying the same step again and said, "Much better," as he was nodding.
"With Bruno's help," Skye was saying in a voice over while the footage switched to her and Derek practicing alone. "And a lot of practice; even at Disneyland this week; we should be able to do this dance the justice it deserves."
The music played as the logo was going across the screen and Derek was sitting on a bench behind a newspaper in his hands. Clive was brushing off a derby hat; meant to be the dancer's; with the towel that he'd had over his shoulder to the pro's left. Skye walked over and sat down, handing Peter who'd been behind the bench her derby hat so he could do the same with his towel. The investigator held a newspaper in front of her as the announcer was saying, "Dancing the Foxtrot, Skye McDouglas and her partner Derek Hough."
As the music began, Derek and then Skye lowered their newspapers, looking over at the other. Finally, as the first lyric of the first verse began the investigator stood up and started to walk away, the paper tucked under her arm. Derek followed her on the second lyric and at the third tapped her shoulder. Skye turned and she dropped her newspaper before getting into hold with her partner and they started their basic Foxtrot steps on the very last lyric. At the fifth lyric the pair was spinning together before they stopped and for the sixth and seventh lyrics they were dancing forward, kicking up their knees in unison. On the last lyric Derek spun Skye out before she spun back to him.
Don't look at me
It's way too soon to see
What's gonna be
Don't look at me
All my life
I never knew
What I could be, what I could do
Then we were new
In the first lyric of the next verse, after some vocalization by Paul, Skye and Derek had let go of each other and they walked together down the dance floor before they stopped and went back into hold on the second lyric. At the third they were spinning around together and then dancing forward. With the next lyric Skye and Derek danced side by side, moving together forward as they'd done their first Foxtrot. But the investigator didn't slip and they were only doing that until the fifth lyric was over and the pro was pulling her back into hold after spinning her. They then danced some Foxtrot steps and continued that until the verse was over.
You came along
And made my life a song
One lucky day you came along
Just in time
While I was searching for a rhyme
You came along
Then we were new
When the chorus began, Derek and Skye were letting go of one another again and they started to clap their hands together to the rhythm of the first and second lyrics. On the third they were back in hold and danced their steps until the last lyric when Skye slid her foot forward and then kicked her leg up.
We can do what we want
We can live as we choose
You see there's no guarantee
We've got nothing to lose
With the next verse Skye and Derek were spinning together on the first lyric before they were going back into their steps together though the investigator was looking away on the second. Derek was lowering their arms; though they were doing it together; and they danced with their hands holding each other and their foreheads pressed together until the fifth lyric. Their arms came back up and they held onto each other as they danced their way from the end of the floor where they'd ended up to the judge's table. The chorus happened right after that and they repeated their steps they'd done before for that.
Don't look at me
I can't deny the truth
It's plain to see, don't look at me
All my life
I never knew what I could be
What I could do
Then we were new
We can do what we want
We can live as we choose
You see there's no guarantee
We've got nothing to lose
At the next verse Skye and Derek danced the same as they did at the beginning of the song since the lyrics were the same; letting go of each other and the investigator pretending to walk away before the dancer was again tapping her shoulder. But that time at the end they were letting go of each other and hurrying back to the bench. The very last lyric of the song they sat together and Derek picked up the newspaper, using it to block their heads as they pretended to be kissing each other though their heads were just very close until the music ended.
Don't look at me
It's way too soon to see
What's gonna be
Don't look at me
All my life
I never knew
What I could be, what I could do
Then we were new
Then we were new
Oo-oo-oo-oo
Now we are new
Oo-oo-oo-oo
Applauding with the others as they were all standing, Beckett playfully nudged Mary next to her saying, "That's supposed to be you with her," in Irish.
Smirking the doctor asked, "You don't think we practiced that at home?" in the same language.
Laughing, Beckett turned back to the judge's table they were across from that night as Skye and Derek were walking over to Tom. She smiled when Isaac and Genevieve waved to their sons as they passed on the way to the Sky Box and then looked back as Carrie-Ann was called on for her reaction first.
"Now that's the meaning of redemption," the judge said with a smile. "And I could tell you meant it too, your lines were very much improved over the last time you danced the Foxtrot. And Bruno really helped you out with your shoulders."
"And Derek," Skye was quick to say.
"And Derek," Carrie-Ann said with a laugh. "So straight lines, good footwork and your shoulders straight… excellent work."
"Alright, Len," Tom said.
"I agree with Carrie-Ann," the British judge started out with. "I was a little unsure about your beginning but I know that the singer himself is here so that was for him."
Skye was applauding with the audience and the others as the camera was showing Paul and Nancy across the dance floor next to her wife; Ringo and Barbara on the other side of them. She turned back, seeing that Len was waiting, and she glanced at her partner before he was speaking again.
"I was pleased to see you did end up having good Foxtrot content with this," Len said. "Good job with that Derek. And to you Skye for dancing it as well as you did."
"Bruno, what do you have to say about this dance you helped coach Skye on?" Tom directed to the last judge.
"Darling," the Italian judge began, studying the investigator with a smile.
"Uh-oh," Skye said jokingly, smiling herself.
"That was magnificent!" Bruno continued, standing up at the same time as his voice became more exuberant. "You listened to me all the way through to tonight and I appreciated it greatly. You kept your shoulders where they need to be, calmed down on your spins and it was fantastic!"
Jumping up and down slightly Skye said in joy, "I learned from the best," as she motioned to her partner as well.
"Is that it?" Tom asked with a smile.
"Wonderful choreography and I loved your foot placement too Skye," Bruno said as he sat down. "I loved it."
Julia looked at her friends as Tom was sending the show to commercial; talking about the next dances; before Skye and Derek were heading up to the Sky Box. "I think they'll get a good score," she told them.
"Of course."
"Definitely," Mari and then Clive said.
"What's wrong?" a voice said behind them.
Whirling with the others, Julia smiled seeing it was Maria and she hurried to her, hugging her briefly. "You look so cool," she said since she was wearing the green outfit John Lennon had for the cover of the Sgt. Pepper's album.
"Thanks, I forgot you guys were dancing," the star said with a smile. "But what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Peter replied as he knew she'd heard his sigh. "Just ready to dance."
"Or you're bored," Clive said. When his friend looked at him he said, "What? You could be."
"Guys," Skye said with a smile. She went to Maria when they looked at her and she hugged her carefully saying, "You're early."
"You said get dressed now," Maria said in mock annoyance. She then said, "Your outfit is… interesting."
"Oh," Skye said, pretending to be annoyed. She smiled and then said, "It's the early 1900s, this is what I'd wear if I could dress like a man," since she'd worn a suit with a morning coat. "But I'm changing right after." They had to stop talking then as the show was about to come back from commercial and she hurried over to her partner before the countdown began and Tom spoke until he handed it over to Erin in the Sky Box with them.
"Congratulations on a dance that got some very positive feedback," the co-host was saying. "How do you feel now that it's over?"
"Happy," Skye said with a smile. "Very happy that I was able to dance without messing up like I did the last time. So I want to say a very sincere thank you to Derek and Bruno both for your help on this one."
"Let's get your scores," Erin then said with a nod.
Beckett looked on as the music played and the announcer said, "Will the judges please reveal their scores?" She smiled at her husband before the man was speaking again saying, "Carrie-Ann Inaba."
"Ten," the judge said.
Skye was hugging Derek tightly but quickly as she turned back to see what Len would give them.
"Ten," the British judge said with a smile.
"Bruno Tonioli," the announcer said last.
"Ten!" the judge said holding up the paddle and waving it.
"That gives you a perfect score to start out the night," Erin said as Skye was hugging Derek. "How are you feeling?"
"Really great," the investigator said after she and Derek had calmed down.
"Yeah, that's how we want to start out," the pro said.
"You've got the Freestyle next," Erin then continue with. "One of the most anticipated dances of the season, are you ready for that?"
"Definitely," Skye said. "We have something special planned and I'm eager to get to dance again."
Julia, as Erin was talking about voting, was startled at the realization that that night would be the last time the co-host would tell the viewers about it. She shook off the sudden rush of disappointment that came over her at the thought and looked over the railing, waving at her family as they were looking up at her. She then went with her friend as the other three were talking about practicing one more time before they needed to dance themselves.
"'lexis?" Julia asked her sister in surprise though she was quickly smiling after. "Hey Lizzy, how come you're here? And where are Mom and Dad?"
"They're coming behind us," Eliza told her, squeezing her sister's hand.
Nodding, Julia went to them from where she'd been dancing a few steps with Peter and hugged her big sister. "I'm sooo glad you came," she said, looking up at her.
"Me too," Alexis said. "What's wrong?" she then asked, noticing the look on the girl's face.
"I used to have to look way up at you," Julia said with a smile. "Not so much now."
"You might have to look down at me eventually," Alexis said, smiling herself. "Especially Christmas mornings when we're in our pajamas." When her sisters looked at her in confusion and said, "You'll definitely be taller than me."
"Oh… that's not for a while though," Julia said rapidly. "What do you think though? Of the show?"
Smiling again, as she wasn't surprised her sister was changing the subject, Alexis said, "It's amazing and I'm so jealous of you both."
"Don't be 'lexis," Eliza said quickly. "Jules had to do a lot of work."
"I think she means schoolwork," Beckett said as she and Castle were walking up to them. "But you're here now; backstage."
"I was going to say," Alexis said to her mother, nodding. "I'm incredibly lucky. But we have to go back soon."
"Very soon," Castle said. "But first… time for a picture."
"Did you know Daddy was going to do that?" Eliza asked, looking up at her big sister.
"I had a feeling, 'cause of my dress," Julia replied, smiling widely.
"Hey, that thing is fabulous," Castle said, smiling when his wife and their daughters laughed at that. "Go ahead and pose." He waited for the girls to do so and he pushed his wife gently saying, "You too Kate."
Giving him a look, Beckett knew she didn't have a chance of protesting and she hurried over to the girls, standing next to Alexis while Julia and Eliza stood on either side of them. After her husband had taken the picture she told him, "Your turn," making him take her place as she took his phone.
Castle didn't say a word in complaint, merely standing with their daughters before his wife was taking a picture of them. "One of the three of you together," he told them, speaking swiftly before they could move. He watched his wife take a couple pictures and he smiled saying, "Good."
"You need to go back don't you?" Julia asked. When her mother looked behind her she turned around and then saw Derek was there. "I guess I need to practice one more time," she told her family with a smile, looking back at them. She hugged her sisters in turn, smiling as they both told her to break a leg. She then went to their father, embracing him tightly before he ran his hand over the back of her head.
"Like they said break a leg sweetheart," Castle told her, almost calling her ceann beag though her sisters were with them.
"Thanks Dad," Julia said, smiling up at him. She hugged him again before they parted and turned to her mother.
"Break a leg Julia," Beckett said firmly before her daughter stepped forward into her arms.
"Thanks," Julia said. When they'd been hugging for a while she pulled away and peered up at her before saying, "I hope you like the dance."
"We will," Beckett said. She wanted to give her a kiss but figured her daughter wouldn't really want her to do that so she instead gave her a final squeeze.
Watching her family walking away, Julia breathed in for a moment, remembering two days before when Alexis had flown into the city and they'd gone to pick her up. She then turned to practice one last time with her partner, but she couldn't get the memory out of her head while she was moving in their steps.
"Take it easy you guys," Castle told the girls, watching the two shift back and forth on their feet. "She needs to get off the plane first."
"I hate waiting," Julia commented.
"So do I," Castle said. "But it needs to be done. We can't make her walk faster unless we went over there and they'd arrest us for going past that door."
"And you'd all be grounded," Beckett said. "And don't forget Louis' here too."
"When we talk about 'lexis we mean him too," Eliza said firmly to her mother.
"Oh, okay," Beckett said with a laugh. She saw the way her husband was looking at her and she asked, "What?"
"Are you sure it's okay that they'll be in the guest house with us?" Castle asked her.
"Why not?" Beckett said simply. "They have no problems with it."
Nodding slowly, Castle was going to say more but he decided he didn't need to after all and they turned with the girls to watch for the pair coming out from the gates. "Too bad everyone from the city couldn't come," he eventually said.
"I had thought it was odd they said that when they need the vacation for the holidays," Beckett said. "And of course conflicts with other detectives taking off."
"At least they'll watch," Julia commented.
"And vote," Beckett added.
Glancing at the door in front of them before it opened Julia saw something bright red before she cried out and called, "'LEXIS!"
"'LEXIS!" Eliza repeated when she saw what her sister had. They ran together over to their big sister and hugged her as tightly as they could as she was laughing above them.
"I'm happy seeing you guys too," Alexis said, hugging her sisters to her the best she could. She then shared kisses with them and said, "It's been too long."
"Definitely," Julia said. "Say hi to Josa."
Alexis smiled and gently squeezed her shoulder before she went to their mother. "Hey Ma," she said to her before they hugged.
"I'm so glad you made it," Beckett said to her daughter, pulling away so she could look at her.
"What?" Alexis asked in surprise.
"Just making sure you're doing alright," Beckett told her with a smile.
"I am," Alexis said, smiling herself. She squeezed her mother's hand before she went over to her father. She took Josie; that he was holding; and took her on her hip saying, "Oh my gosh, she got so big," she said to her parents.
"Didn't you see when we were talking on the TV?" Eliza asked.
Laughing softly, Alexis kissed Josie's cheek gently before she said to her parents, "I'm glad she remembers me. And it's hard to tell on the screen," before directing the last to her sister. "And she's adorable."
"Bababa," the baby suddenly babbled, waving her right arm around.
"That means she's happy to see you," Julia commented.
Nodding, Alexis gave her baby sister another kiss before handing her to their mother. With her arms free she almost threw herself at her father.
"You look happy kiddo," Castle commented.
"I am, very," Alexis replied. "But I'm glad to see you; all of you."
"We missed you too," Castle told her with a smile. After they let go of each other he then went over to shake Louis' hand saying, "We're happy to see you too."
With a slight laugh, the young man said, "Don't worry, I know how much you've missed Lex. Where are her grandparents?"
"At the house, Skye and Mary are out with their girls so we have it to ourselves," Beckett answered while they made their way over to the luggage carousel for their flight.
"Too bad it's cooler now," Julia commented. "We could have gone swimming."
"Yeah and you could try the slide!" Eliza said while the adults were watching the suitcases that were going by.
"Could have," Beckett corrected her.
"I'm sure another time we can go swimming," Alexis said as her sister was pouting. She wrapped her arm around her shoulders before she spotted her suitcase and was about to move to reach for it when her father was doing so.
"Is that it?" Castle asked as he looked over once he'd given his daughter her suitcase to see Louis had his. They then left the terminal, crossing the street to the parking structure where the two cars they'd brought were.
"How are we going?" Alexis asked.
"However you want to," Beckett said. "But the baby's car seat is in one car already."
When they reached the two cars, Julia wasn't surprised when her big sister and Louis went in the car her father was driving. When she was inside the other she said, "What are we going to do now Mom?"
"Don't worry," Beckett told her, starting the car before she pulled out of the space they were in and after the car her husband was driving. "We'll figure something out, but we need to see if your sister and Louis are too tired at all."
"I thought you would say that," Julia said, smiling at her in the rearview mirror. "But could I suggest something?"
"Alright," Beckett said.
"What about going to the Promenade?" Julia said.
"We can ask them what they think," Beckett said. "But let them unpack and rest a little bit before we start talking about traveling again." She checked on Josie and Eliza and seeing the two were okay she focused on driving to Santa Monica and the McDouglas house. Once they were there she got out with Julia and Eliza but told them, "Don't get her out." She wasn't really surprised when the two rushed over to the other car and their sister. "Don't worry," she said to Josie as she was getting the baby out from her car seat. "Your sisters didn't forget you, but they'll want to see your big sister for now." She stepped back and looked at her husband as he walked up to her and she said, "Do you have the key?"
"Yeah, I was just making sure you were coming with us," Castle replied. He then leaned over and kissed at Josie's cheek adding, "And making sure she knows we're not forgetting her." When he pulled back he saw the look on his wife's face and asked, "What?"
"I was telling her her sisters hadn't forgotten about her, since they were so eager to go to Alexis," Beckett explained. When her husband smiled she shared a kiss with him, quickly, before they made their way to the guest house which he opened.
"Your room is back here," Castle said, going over to the doorway. "The baby's crib is here but she's still sleeping with Martha."
"Did she stay here at all?" Alexis asked with a smile, guessing that her grandmother insisted on having the baby in her room.
"A few times, a few too many of course," the woman herself said, making everyone turn to the living room where Martha and Jim were. "We thought you were going to the main house," she said.
"Gram," Alexis said, hugging her as tightly as she could once she reached her.
"Oh darling," Martha said with a smile. "I feel like it's been ages since we've seen you. Let me look at you," she then told her oldest grandchild, gently pushing her back. "Look at you," she said after a moment. "Working girl."
"Thanks Gram," Alexis said, hugging her one more time. "I'm glad to see you too Grandpapa," she said as she turned to Jim before she hugged him.
"We're all very happy you could make it out here," Jim said. "And I'm glad that you're obviously happy with your job." He looked at Louis and said, "And you as well."
"Thank you," the young man said, shaking his hand after he'd hugged Martha at her insistence. "What are we doing now we're here?"
"First look at your room for the next few days," Beckett said. "And then unpack; we'll stay out here to wait for you." When the couple went into the bedroom she handed Josie to her father and went to the kitchen with her husband to get some glasses of water. She wasn't surprised when Julia followed them and she looked at their second oldest, waiting for her to tell them what was on her mind as she was expecting her to do.
"This shouldn't take too long," Julia began.
"Yes, but they need to rest," Beckett said.
"No we don't," Alexis called from the room. "If they want to go to the Promenade we can."
Julia covered her mouth as she was laughing but seeing that her mother was smiling as well she said, "Sorry."
"No, at least your sister doesn't mind," Beckett said. "Or Louis."
"I don't," the young man then called. "Lex has been telling me about this street; sounds nice."
"Mommy, Daddy," Eliza said, hurrying over to them. "We can have dinner at the restaurant!"
"Which restaurant?" Louis asked.
"You'll see, we were planning on going there already," Beckett said, directing the last to Eliza.
Nodding, the little girl went over to the couch and started to play with Josie and her Tigger doll while they were waiting.
Alexis and Louis tried to go as quickly as they could and since they didn't have that much in the suitcases they were finishing unpacking and walking out to the others.
"What exactly is on this street?" Louis asked as they were heading for the cars.
"I didn't go into specifics," Alexis said with a smile as her sisters looked at her.
"You'll get to see soon," Julia told him. Though she wanted to go in the car with her grandparents, sister and Louis, she followed Eliza over to the other car since she wanted to sit with Josie. Settled in the back seat once the baby was in her car seat, she started to tickle her, listening to her laughing before she gurgled.
"Oh, you made her drool!" Eliza said though she began to giggle.
"Sorry Josa," Julia told the baby, wiping her face. She then looked up out the windshield and the view as they were making their way through the city to the Promenade. She couldn't wait to go again and smiled at Eliza over the carrier as they waited to reach the parking structure near the street.
Breathing heavily, Julia looked at Mari and said, "What do you think?"
"It's almost time," the girl said with a smile. "What were you thinking about?"
"When I went with my family and Louis to the Promenade," Julia said with a smile. "It was so much fun showing him the stores, the ocean and looking at the Pier too."
"Oh, I remember you telling me about that," Mari said. "I'm going to miss that street; it was a lot of fun."
"Well… downtown at home is kind of like that," Julia said.
"Yeah," Mari said, smiling at her. She thought of something, "What did he think of the restaurant?"
"He loved it," Julia said with a wide smile again. "He said it was like being at home in England."
"Girls?" Derek said, coming up to the two from the stage.
"Is it time?" Julia asked. When the pro nodded, she squeezed her friend's hand and they hurried out after him to the dance floor and she said to Mari, "Break a leg."
"Break a leg," the girl replied.
"You'll be fine," Derek said. "And you remember that I'll be with Whitney, right?"
"We'll get out of your way," Julia said with a nod before she reached Peter. When the dancer left them, she said to her partner, "I can't wait to see the rehearsal footage."
"I'm going to want to go to Disneyland now," Peter said jokingly. He laughed when his partner playfully pushed him before they turned at their parents calling them and he waved at his mother while she was waving to her parents. He was going to speak when he heard the countdown begin and he said, "Here we go."
Nodding, Julia watched as Tom greeted the viewers before he introduced them, and she was twisting her body back and forth while Mari was doing the same on the stage behind them. As soon as she heard the footage starting behind her she turned with her friends so they could watch and see what they were going to show.
"You guys are dancing the Cha-Cha this time," Derek was saying to the four. "And we had a request from Olivia and Dhani Harrison too, they want you to dance to Unconsciousness Rules instead of me and Skye."
"Even though we've danced to it before?" Julia was asking, motioning to herself and Peter.
"Don't worry," Derek said. "I'll make sure the steps are different."
It went to a voiceover and the dancer was saying as it showed him choreographing with the kids, "This dance I'm actually having a lot of fun with, since the kids all love the dance steps. And the best part was this week we had the chance to practice while we were at Disneyland."
The footage was at the park, showing the Matterhorn before it went to the two pairs of kids dancing together. Derek was standing with them, talking to them and motioning while people were walking by.
"While we were having fun going around," the dancer was saying as the footage then showed them back at a studio. "They were serious about their choreography and I know they'll be dancing this one well."
Turning to Peter as the music played and the logo went across the screen, Julia smiled when he widened his eyes at her. A second later he was just smiling, and she was doing the same as the music was playing and they all started to dance together though Mari and Clive were still on the stage. There were some vocals from George until the first verse was starting and the lights on the stage went dark while a spotlight focused on her and Peter.
Dancing alone together, Julia and Peter started out the first two lyrics dancing their basic steps before they sped up danced away from the steps a little until they reached the end of the third lyric. There the lights came up on the dance floor fully and Clive was spinning Mari while Julia was being spun by Peter. They went back into hold by the time the fifth one started and they danced side by side as the girls were moving their legs while the boys were stepping with them. At the second to last lyric the girls were kicking their legs up and they spun around to face the boys before they danced the at the last lyric away from each other.
You dance at the discotheque
That's why you look such a wreck
Your face is pale you look drawn
Your clothes are dirty and torn
You've got that look in your eyes that says
You're half alive and you're lost inside
Meanwhile you're back in your cage
Ego'd out on the stage
Where the unconsciousness rules
At the instrumental there, the pairs stopped and extended their free arms as their other hands were holding onto each other. They then spun around together before the boys were helping the girls into splits and they helped them up so they could slide their legs closed just as the next verse began.
The two pairs were standing still and the boys wrapped their arms around the girls, lifting them up just enough so they could keep their right feet on the floor still. The second lyric had the girls being spun away from the boys and they continued to turn until they ran into Derek and Sasha who were going to dance as well. The boys were with Whitney and Emma and they were dancing together for the third and fourth lyrics, moving to the middle of the dance floor. When they'd met up in the middle Julia and Mari wrapped their arms around their partners and for the fifth lyric they danced side by side, doing their steps that way until the seventh lyric. The last two lyrics the boys were helping the girls doing splits and they were going to the corners on either side of the stage.
You've got yourself in a bind
You don't know how to unwind
Your senses unsatisfied
Take you along on a ride
You've got a way and stance that says
You'll dance the pants off of everyone
Then you go back on the floor
You got to get through the door
Where the unconsciousness rules
Beckett was relieved seeing the two pairs of pro dancers were dancing during the instrumental then since it allowed the kids to rest. She could just make out Julia, standing on the opposite corner of the dance floor, and once she was sure she was alright she turned back to the dancers.
Castle was going to lean over to his wife when he watched with some surprise as Mari and Clive were dancing forward. He glanced at the Fosters and the boys' parents, seeing the smiles on all their faces since the two were dancing their steps well. He knew where Julia and Peter were going to come over and he waited for it, smiling as the two were obviously preparing themselves as they moved towards the other pair.
Julia and Peter danced over to the other pair on the first lyric of the last verse before they were dancing forward slowly on the second lyric. When they got to the third lyric the girls were being spun and they were stopping with the music. They did their arm extensions again before dancing through the next two lyrics. On the very last lyric they were joined by the two pro pairs and they were dancing all together.
You've lost a screw in your head
It shows the way you're led
Blind leading the blind
Nothing can stand in your way
You're living day after day
Where the unconsciousness rules
Dancing out the rest of the song; which was George vocalizing; the eight pairs came to a stop as the music did and the girls and two women were holding onto their partners, holding their right legs up. When the pros started moving the kids did too and Derek went over to the four, taking them to the judge's table.
"Again, are you guys alright?" Carrie-Ann asked the kids when Tom told her to start. When all four nodded she smiled and said, "First, you know I watch for lifts." At them nodding again, seriously, she laughed and said, "I saw you two girls making sure your feet were down on the ground; good job. And you had some amazing lines girls, with your legs. Boys you've been doing well too, I'm glad to see you've been careful with your partners."
"Our teacher told us to be," Peter said.
"I'm glad they did," Carrie-Ann continued. "And it was well danced, all of you."
Smiling back at the pro dancers who had come over with them, Julia turned when Tom went to Len.
"I thought you had a fantastic dance," the British judge began with. "And I was watching you closely while the professional pairs were with you and you were doing very well with them, staying in unison." Len waited for the audience's applause to die down a bit before he continued saying, "And you made the dance enjoyable to watch as well, so kudos to all of you."
"I'll agree with Len," Bruno said, nodding to the judge next to him. "That was very well danced, and I can imagine you four were nervous with the pros." He smiled at the kids nodding and then told them, "But you didn't show it. And I enjoy how you four are able to keep your shoulders so straight and your extensions as well. I think I speak for us all when I say we'll miss you when the season is over tomorrow."
Castle couldn't help laughing slightly as the kids rushed to Bruno to hug him while Tom then sent the show to commercial. "Have fun rushing," he said to his wife jokingly.
Rolling her eyes at him, Beckett hurried out of her seat and then went backstage so she could meet their daughter at the dressing room. "I hope we can make it," she said once she and Julia were together in the room.
