"I know," the girl said. And that was all she and her mother said as she got dressed into her costume for the Freestyle. Her hair was put up into a bun and as soon as it was ready she was hugging her mother tightly. "Thank you so much," Julia said.
"You're welcome," Beckett told her. When they let go of each other she told her, "Have fun and break a leg."
"Thanks," Julia said again before she was rushing out of the room and to where she needed to go on the stage with everyone else.
"Oh! It's so cool!" Mari said when she turned from the stage where she'd just reached Skye and Maria.
"We'll have to take a picture," the investigator commented. They were wearing Sgt. Pepper-esque costumes, the tops and pants the same as on the album covers but the decorations on the coats was minimal. She herself was wearing the light blue outfit that Paul had worn, silver lining the collar of the coat down the middle and to the bottom of it. Maria was wearing the green and her coat had orange around the collar and edges. Julia had on the red outfit that George had worn, silver on her collar and down the middle as Skye's had but also along the scalloped edges of the bottom of it. Mari was wearing Ringo's pink outfit, gold on her coat but there were three lines on the collar and the bottom of it as well. "Several," she said with a smile.
"Guys," Derek said, walking up to them. "They're going to film you all first here."
"Not you?" Maria asked in surprise.
"No, I asked them to just have you guys so we don't ruin the effect," Derek answered.
"Are the boys okay with that?" Skye said.
"They are, we'll be on the dance floor until they go to the rehearsal footage," Derek said.
Julia was tempted to ask if they were going to show when Skye first met Maria, but she didn't have a chance as the countdown was beginning and the investigator pulled herself and Mari to stand with them; in the order the colors were on the album cover. She and Mari already knew that they were supposed to stand in place for that, but she hoped she'd be able to turn and see the footage. Luckily they were able to turn to the screen which she and her friend were doing in time to see it was starting out with Skye and Derek in a studio.
"I'd like us to dance to the song Partial to Your Abracadabra," Skye was saying.
"Whose is it?" Derek asked.
"Paul's; it's a cover song but it's always spoken to me," Skye said. "And one last request; we're The Beatles. Early sixties and later sixties."
"I can't help but be slightly unnerved about the idea of doing something with The Beatles, but luckily it's just costumes," Derek said, the footage going to him in a dance studio by himself. "And we're going to have some help with this dance as well."
Julia smiled when it showed Maria and Keo going into that same room and the other pair greeting them before she and her friends entered the room a second later.
"So we're two bands," Skye was saying in a voice over as Derek was choreographing with Keo's help. "But we'll come together; essentially the same band. There is one other thing with this Freestyle that I'm wondering about though."
"Of course we'll have to do something big," Derek said in another voice over as it showed him and Skye attempting to do different lifts. "I haven't gotten it just yet, but I'm letting the music speak to me."
"And with that I know we'll have everything down that we need to make this a Freestyle to remember," Skye was saying as it showed her being held up on either side by Mari and Keo before they set her down and she stumbled a little to their laughter.
Julia was standing with Skye, Maria and Mari at the base of the steps as they had been on the stage while the music played, and she assumed the logo went across the screen. She was trying not to breathe too hard, watching as Derek, Keo and the boys walked towards them while the announcer was saying, "Dancing Freestyle, Skye McDouglas and her partner Derek Hough."
The four boys and men stopped just in front of the tableau that the women and girls made, the two groups staring at each other before Derek took one step forward and the music began with Paul's yell and Skye moved away from the group. That started the dance and while the music was playing before the first lyric the girls and Maria were going to their partners and being spun around until they were stopping. At that lyric Derek let go of Skye to follow her as she was walking away from him until the second lyric. He was grabbing her and they pressed up together, stepping backwards before he pushed her but it was only until the fourth lyric had finished. On the very last one, Derek picked up Skye and spun her around so her legs flew out before he set her down while the other six were coming up behind the investigator.
I'm partial to your abracadabra
I'm raptured by the joy of it all
So stop me where you start
The cockles of his heart
The panties sends it right up the wall
The four pairs were dancing together after that in a diamond formation, the men and boys spinning the women and girls before they got into hold. They moved forward in various steps until they were meeting in the middle and the women and girls broke off. At the second lyric, Maria grabbed Skye in her arms as she fell back and then pushed her as she got up. The investigator then began walking towards Derek as Keo and the boys had run out of view. That took up the third lyric and when they got to the fourth, Derek was grabbing the investigator and he helped her bend backwards into a flip. On the fifth and last one Skye threw her arms around her partner's neck and he dragged her backwards until they'd reached the steps at the stage where everyone else was gathered.
Please, please stop it, it likes it
Tickles it to death either way
These lovely boots exist
To drive it 'round the twist
The call of nature must be obeyed
There was a short chorus and on that the pairs danced together, going in a line in unison down to the other end of the dance floor.
Glad it's over, but this is worse
Could hardly say it had been coerced
Stop it 'cause it like it, it's worse
At the instrumental, the lights went out except for on Skye and Derek and they danced together until the next verse they would dance to. On the first lyric, Derek helped the investigator do the splits and once she was standing up he helped her up on the second. With the third Skye was playfully pushing away her partner before he fell onto the floor. At the fourth Maria and Keo were grabbing her arms, picking her up as she was moving her legs and pretending to walk over Derek while he pushed himself back. He grabbed her ankles and then pushed her legs up so he could stand. Grabbing them he then spun her around, the others standing in a half circle around just in case.
There's been a manifestation
Nature made it answer the call
It simply can't resist
Boots and pants like this
Abracadabra for all
With the next verse, Derek was letting Skye do a handstand before he threw her legs over so she could stand. The rest of the first lyric she was walking backwards into the others as her partner was following her. He grabbed her and then pulled her to him and spun her around while her legs were parted. On the last lyric he set her down and they parted so they were standing across from each other again.
Glad that's over, but this is worse
Roll it over, too perverse
Stop it 'cause it likes it, it's worse
The end of the song; a repetition of one lyric; had the pairs stepping determinedly towards one another. They got into hold and were dancing almost aggressively together until they were parting at the second to last lyric and the women and girls were going back to their tableau while the men and boys were watching. At the last lyric; which Paul sang slowly; Keo and the boys moved to stand grouped together just to the right of the women and girls. Derek walked up to Skye, and the investigator made him turn and kneel in front of her as she crossed her arms over his shoulders, cheek pressing against his head while she stared at the camera in front of them.
I'm partial to your abracadabra
I'm partial to your abracadabra
I'm partial to your abracadabra
I'm partial to your abracadabra
I'm partial to your abracadabra
I'm partial to your abracadabra
I'm partial to your abracadabra
I'm partial to your abracadabra
Letting Derek go, Skye hugged her partner as tightly as she could with her relief at getting the dance done without incident. She then turned to Maria and Keo, hugging them both before she squeezed the kids' shoulders. While they were walking to the judge's table she waved at her family and friends before turning back.
"Before I go to the judges," Tom said. "Your costumes are amazing."
"Thanks," Skye said. "And thank Stella McCartney since she designed these."
"Let's go to you Len," Tom said once the audience had stopped applauding.
"I really enjoyed this dance," the judge said. "I had wondered what you would do for any tricks and I wasn't expecting what you did. And now I see why you had extras with you. That could have backfired on you, especially when you were in unison, but you managed to stay together well," Len finished with. "And it was very well done."
"Bruno," Tom said to the next judge.
"Oh, I have to say though you were honoring the band, you still managed to convey that you were intent on being together," the judge said. Bruno smiled when the group in front of the table was laughing and he waited for them to stop before he continued with, "But Len is right, you risked being in unison and you were perfect with each step. I enjoyed it and I love your costumes. Oh, and what I loved was you all working together when you had to as well. It's wonderful to see you again Maria."
Skye was relieved so far, but she knew they needed to hear from Carrie-Ann. For some reason she was concerned about what the last judge might say, and she turned her attention to the woman before she started to speak.
"I was afraid for you when Derek was spinning you around again," Carrie-Ann said laughingly. "You took a lot of risks this season. But besides that I enjoyed the dance. And the fact you didn't shy away from having others with you though this was basically your dance. I agree too that it was a big risk to have them with you… except for you Keo."
Skye turned to the dancer and squeezed his arm as he was laughing before the judge was continuing again.
"But luckily they all did well," Carrie-Ann said. "And very quickly, I was delighted by your steps Derek and how you executed them Skye. Great dance."
"Alright, you'll get your scores here," Tom was telling the pair so they wouldn't leave. "But first this song doesn't seem very much about you. Or is it and I'm getting it all wrong?"
"I wanted to honor Paul and-" Skye started to say before she was jumping as someone was wrapping their arm around her. She looked and saw that it was Paul and Ringo on the other side of him. She squeezed Derek's arm when he let her go and then moved to stand in between the guitarist and drummer and said, "And The Beatles. Without that music I wouldn't have found the joy I have in singing and playing and… that's been the best part of dancing to all these songs I've had."
"Alright, let's get your scores," Tom said.
Julia was surprised when Paul motioned to her as the dramatic music started to play. She then noticed; as the announcer was starting to speak; that Ringo had motioned to Mari who went to him. They were stopping just in time to the announcer saying, "Carrie-Ann Inaba."
"Ten," the judge said with a smile, waving her paddle.
Skye hugged Paul and then Derek before she had to look back at the table as the announcer said Len's name next.
"Ten," the judge said.
"Bruno Tonioli," the announcer said last.
"Ten!" the judge said exuberantly.
Skye immediately hugged her partner before she went to Paul, laughing as Ringo joined them and she hugged him too.
"Great job," Maria told the investigator when they had embraced, and the show was on commercial.
"You too," Skye told her. "And thanks for joining up."
"Not a problem," Maria replied before she let her go.
"What do we do now?" Clive asked.
"Do you want to change?" Julia asked him.
"Not really," Clive said, looking down at his coat. "We really get to keep them?"
"Yeah, Halloween costumes," Peter commented.
"Guys," Skye called to them. "We need to go up to the Sky box, wait out the rest of the show."
"Can we go see our parents really fast?" Mari asked her.
"Yeah, but it needs to be fast," Skye said, not surprised when the four were racing across the floor.
"You shouldn't run sweetie," Beckett said teasingly as her daughter came to her hurriedly.
"I know, but there's not enough time," Julia said. She felt her little sister hugging her too and she looked at her saying, "Like my costume?"
"Yeah, it's pretty," Eliza said. "You too."
"Thanks," Julia said with a smile. They hugged that time and she then went to their father, doing the same with him before she went to Alexis and their grandparents. She was just letting go of her grandfather when a crew member told her she needed to go. "See you later!" she called to her family before she ran up the stairs to join her friends at the railing. While she caught her breath, she looked over at Skye, seeing the investigator seemed to be fine though there was still the elimination. She wasn't sure how the woman was able to keep calm but before she could go and ask Mari was touching her arm. Smiling at her friend she looked down at the dance floor trying to forget the elimination again as the others in the box joined them as the next Freestyle was beginning.
"Why can't I go up there too?" Eliza was asking her father.
"Shh," Castle said gently to her. "There's not that much left of the show."
Eliza wrinkled her nose but turned to look at the stage as the four pairs that were standing there. She then realized something and turned to her mother whispering, "Skye will stay, won't she?"
Quieting her gently, Beckett looked over at the stage as Tom and Erin were talking, about to announce the first person that was safe before the dramatic music then played.
"Skye and Derek," Tom said.
Breathing out heavily, Skye was tempted to sit on the stage in her relief, but her partner was turning to her. "I almost collapsed," she said with a slight laugh.
"I noticed," Derek said before the spotlight that was above them went out.
Looking on as the remaining three pairs went down the stairs, Skye glanced at her partner as she couldn't remember them doing that before. But as the two hosts began to talk she quickly turned her attention back to her friends since the music was beginning again.
"Eddie and Emma," Tom said, naming the first couple that was safe.
"Oh good," Skye murmured under her breath as she watched the pair hugging each other. But she couldn't forget that one of the two couples that was left wouldn't be joining them the next week. She had no idea why the idea that she had came to her then and she was going to mention it to Derek when the music was playing as the lights went down except for on the four in front of them.
"Daisy and Sasha," Tom said finally.
Skye sighed as the two hugged each other and she turned to her partner, whispering into his ear before she studied him.
"It depends on what we get," Derek said after he thought over the request. "We'll see shortly."
Nodding, Skye then hurried to go down to them and she wrapped her arms around Daisy first. "I'm so sorry," she said.
"Don't be," the photojournalist said with a smile as they parted. She then became startled as the investigator leaned over to her.
"We're going to ask everyone to be in our last dance… in some way," Skye began. "Are you in."
"Definitely," Daisy said before she was turning to Emma to hug her.
"Wow… Skye could really-" Clive started to say before the girls were shushing him. "What?"
"Don't," Julia said. "Anyways we need to change and get ready to get our last dance."
"I can't wait to see that," Mari said exuberantly.
Laughing with her friends, Julia went with them all backstage so they could get into their practice clothes for their last practice on the night of the episode.
"Oh wow," Skye said as they were entering the studio where they would be practicing. "Those are so cool…"
"You can pick out one if you'd like it," Derek told his partner.
"Look! There's a picture of us too!" Mari said eagerly, going to the wall where there was one of the four of them for their Jive.
"You'll all have copies that you can take," Derek assured them.
"What do you think grá?" Skye was saying to her wife then.
"I agree," Mary said, since she was pointing to a picture of them with Derek during their Flamenco.
"I guess we better get started," Skye said then, turning to all the kids that were there. The parents were there but the four dancers had asked them to go to another while they practiced since they wanted to surprise them with their Freestyle. "I have to point out," she commented. "They know one part of the Freestyle now."
"That's okay," Peter said. "The other stuff will be. Though I guess we'll have to tell them about the pictures."
"We'll call them in to get you," Skye said with a smile. "Derek?" she then said to her partner.
"Our Fusion dance is…" the pro said, as he picked up the envelope. "The Salsa and Tango."
"And the song?" Julia asked when that was all he said.
"Atlantic Ocean," Derek replied, looking at his partner. "You have an idea, don't you?"
"I think," Skye began, putting her hand on Julia's shoulder. "We all know what we're going to do."
"Pirates!" all the kids, the investigator and Derek said at the same time.
"Great, I'm glad we agree," Skye said in amusement. "So obviously we're with different ships and we meet to parley."
"And all the other couples are with us?" Derek asked.
"Yeah," Skye said before she hesitated.
"It's just going to be those four with you too right Mum?" Marie asked.
"Sorry kids," Skye said apologetically to them. "It's better there aren't so many since the other pairs will be joining us."
"That's okay," Ivy said.
"Yeah, we're gonna be in the other dance," Eliza said.
"Speaking of that," Derek said. "We need to start now, that way we can have everything ready for tomorrow."
"Kids first?" Skye asked.
"Kids first," Derek echoed. "And guys," he directed to the four. "You can definitely help me."
Julia smiled, having been ready for that, and she went with her friends to the middle of the dance floor. She hoped her parents wouldn't mind missing out on watching them but shook herself quickly as she needed to dance with Peter to show Derek what they'd thought of so far since they'd learned they would be having their own Freestyle.
November 23rd, 2020
Hello again Diary!
I know you're surprised to see me here again before going back home but I have the chance. And I'm not even sneaking this time either which is nice!
Anyways, I've been doing the usual stuff practice, school and playing. But on Tuesday last week I got to go to Disneyland with everyone for Mom's birthday and it was sooo fun! Oh, we went to California Adventure too but when I say Disneyland I mean there too. But it wasn't just us and the McDouglases, but Derek went, the boy's parents went and Mari's family. And we met Paul and Nancy there too! I got to go on rides with Paul which was amazing to get to do. He liked the rides so that made it even better.
And Mom said she was having a great birthday too so that made it great. Plus she loved our gifts even though we didn't have anything for her to unwrap. I guess that's what being older means. We stayed right until Disneyland closed and we were able to stay at the hotel another night too.
Tonight was the second to last episode; Finals Week! And Skye and Derek made it too! Their Redemption Foxtrot they were able to get a perfect score on. We did our Cha-Cha-Cha after and the judges really liked it. We then did the Freestyle with Skye and Derek and that got a perfect score too. So cool to do that since we were wearing Sgt. Pepper's outfits and those we get to keep!
We already know we have our Freestyle tomorrow, but we did practice after the show and Derek says all the other kids can dance with us. And he liked our steps too and the idea! We asked Paul about him joining to perform and he will so that will be really fun. But Skye and Derek got their very last dance and since it's a Fusion one it's a Salsa-Tango one. It'll be interesting to see it all finished since it's the song Atlantic Ocean by Paul. Skye already has a story, pirates, and everyone that was on the show and is on now will be on the 'ships' that she and Derek will be captains of. And the four of us kid dancers will be divided between them too. I asked Skye and it's by pairs, me and Peter chose to go with Skye and Mari and Clive wanted to go with Derek.
I'm so sad though, I missed home (I still do of course) but it's been so nice being here in Santa Monica and getting to do the show. But I wish that it wouldn't end, I loved getting to meet Derek and getting to know him. And dancing! Oh, it was so amazing getting to dance. I guess I should say I liked dancing on TV, but I would forget about it (honestly diary). But luckily I don't have to stop dancing!
I hear Mom coming up, I gotta go so for sure I won't be able to write in here until I'm back home. So I'll see you soon in the Hamptons Diary!
"Are you girls finished?" Beckett asked, entering the room.
"I am," Mari said, smiling at her.
"Me too," Julia said, taking her diary over to her carryon which was open for her to finish packing the next day. "I can't wait until I don't need to catch up with stuff."
"I hate doing that," Mari said.
"Get into bed girls," Beckett said, not sure if they were trying to delay doing that with their conversation.
"We're going," Julia assured her. She got onto the mattress after her friend had and turned to her mother to hug her. "One more time," she said as she had already said good night to everyone before she and Mari had been allowed to update their diaries.
"Thank you," Beckett said. She let her daughter go and said, "Sleep," firmly. "It's late and you have the show tomorrow… and then the flight back to the city which is later."
"Not that late," Julia said.
"It is, by the time we get to the city it'll be Wednesday morning," Beckett reminded her.
Nodding, though she didn't really want to sleep yet, Julia said, "Night Mom."
"Night Kate," Mari was quick to say.
"Goodnight girls, we'll see you tomorrow," Beckett said before she left them.
"Are you tired?" Mari whispered once they could just hear her friend's mother going down the stairs.
"Not really, but we have to sleep," Julia said with a sigh. She then smiled and asked, "Are you jealous of Skye too?"
"Yeah, but she said they weren't going to go on any rides," Mari reminded her.
"I know, but I bet you they'll get to go on Pirates," Julia said before they were laughing together. "Shh, someone's going to come over here… Skye and Mary."
"We couldn't help it," Mari said. When they'd calmed down she sighed and said, "Night Julia."
"Goodnight Mari, see you in the morning," she replied. Julia squeezed her friend's hand firmly before she closed her eyes. It took her a while to fall asleep, but she didn't move and tried her best not to think of the next day before she eventually did so with a sigh until she was finally nodding off.
Glancing down at the first floor, Castle's hands clenched down on the railing there to keep himself from falling over it when a hand touched his back.
"What're you doing?" Beckett asked him.
"Just making sure they're alright," Castle told her, a little surprised at her slightly stern tone of voice.
"By staring down at the room?" Beckett said in disbelief.
Shaking his head Castle said, "I just started looking now." He noticed the hesitation in her and hurried to add, "Really, I couldn't spy on them like that."
Sighing Beckett said, "I saw."
"You did? Then why are you giving me a hard time?" Castle said in surprise.
Taking her husband's hand, Beckett pulled him over to the bathroom and told him, "Because I don't want you to spy on them."
"To be honest," Castle said, preparing his toothbrush. "I can't spy on them if I can't see them." He wasn't surprised at the look his wife gave him in the mirror but didn't say anything to it and turned his attention to brushing his teeth.
"Come here," Beckett said, stopping him from leaving the room.
"But I-" Castle began before his wife was pulling him close. He knew for sure then what she wanted and he went into the kiss easily with her, wrapping his arms around her tightly and holding her up against him. He wasn't surprised when she initiated another as soon as they had parted and he worked with her until he was starting the third. He lost count after that and when they finally stopped kissing he smiled at her and said, "Are you sure you don't regret them here?"
"No," Beckett said, shaking her head. She then moved to embrace him saying, "We need to sleep."
"Yeah," Castle said simply. He felt his wife's head tilting up to look at him and he smiled telling her, "Sorry, I was just enjoying this."
"I was too but I was still addressing the conversation," Beckett told him teasingly. She expected her husband to say something, but he was picking her up to her slight cry before she said, "You're just going to keep doing that unexpectedly aren't you?"
"Basically," Castle said. He smiled when he could hear her murmuring under her breath but didn't say anything until she was on the bed and he was standing next to it. "I really wish we could," he said in Irish as he took off his robe.
"We'll be home soon," Beckett reminded him.
"With a lot of guests," Castle couldn't help pointing out as he watched her stand up next to the other side to get her robe off.
"That's never stopped us before," Beckett commented. She smiled at him as she was climbing into bed and told him, "Hurry."
Hearing the seriousness in her voice, Castle was quick to take off his glasses and set them on the nightstand before he was getting under the covers with her. They kissed as soon as he was close enough to reach her and it was passionate as it had been before. But that was the only kiss they shared as his wife was placing her fingers on his lips to keep him from leaning into her again.
"Do you have a memory for me?" Beckett asked him.
Breathing out for a moment, Castle lay on his back and then said, "Yeah. It's in 1932, September twenty-fourth. So the girls were ten, five, almost four and two."
"Very young," Beckett commented. "Luckily Julia helped me out."
"Us," Castle commented.
"What were we doing that warrants a memory?" Beckett said with a smile.
"We went way out of town, upstate, and to an apple orchard," Castle replied. "And we picked apples." When he felt his wife settling down for it he started the memory, telling her how Julia was running ahead with her next littlest sister.
"Girls!" Kate called as she hurried down the path after them.
"But Ma-" Julia started to say.
"You can't run, what if you fell?" Kate asked her once she'd reached the two.
"Ma," Elizabeth started to say, sniffing.
"Don't cry honey," Kate told her soothingly as she caressed her hair. "I only ask that you don't run again."
"We won't Ma," Julia said earnestly.
"Promise?" Kate asked them both.
"Promise," the girls said together.
"Swell, now we get our apples," Kate said before she took them by their hands and they turned around to face Rick as he was coming over with Josephine in his arms and Alexandra walking with him, holding onto his coat.
"Are we all spiffy now love?" Rick asked his wife.
"Spiffy?" Beckett asked her husband, interrupting him.
"I… think that's what I said," Castle said slowly.
"Maybe," Beckett replied. "So we were all together…"
"Give me a chance," Castle said in mock annoyance before he was laughing as quietly as he could while she pinched his side lightly. "Okay, so we got our baskets and a lesson and we started."
"Wait," Beckett said. "The owner was letting us pick and take the apples home?"
"Yeah, I think the next year he had to stop doing that," Castle began after thinking over that for a moment. "And I don't think we did it again until… after the war," he continued. He was looking down at his wife so he was able to see her nod and he then continued, picking up where they were standing at their first tree.
"Are you sure we can't climb up there Ma?" Julia asked as they were studying the apples.
I'm sure," Kate said. "We'll rely on your da to get the taller apples." She smiled when the girls; except for Josephine; nodded and said, "Now we'll let your sister pick."
Rick waited for their three oldest to protest, but when the girls merely turned to look at their littlest sister he glanced at his wife. When she just smiled at him he then said, "Alright, what do you think about picking the very first apple?"
"Dada," Josephine said simply.
"Good, watch me," Rick said, reaching up to the apple. He had expected the toddler to follow his example and as she was holding out her arm to he raised her up so she could reach the ripe apple hanging closest to them.
"Mama! Apple!" Josephine said happily.
"Pull it off the tree honey," Kate told her, smiling at the look on her face as she was so obviously pleased.
Rick helped the toddler in pulling the apple off and he gently got it away from her before she could squeeze it too much. He instructed her to put the fruit in the basket, relieved when Josephine managed to understand him, and then said, "Who's next?"
"Me!" Alexandra said happily, raising her hand.
"Here," Kate said, looking around the tree before she spotted an apple. She then picked up the four-year-old and let her pick the apple herself before she was getting it in the basket Julia held for them.
"Now it's my turn," Elizabeth said eagerly.
"Hold on," Rick said as he needed to hand Josephine to his wife so he could hold their second oldest. Once he had her he led her to the next apple and watched her put it happily into their basket. He was about to tell Julia she was next when the girl was speaking herself.
"Will I be using a ladder?" she asked.
"You'll have to," Rick said. "But I'll help you."
Nodding, Julia hurried over to the one that her father eventually set up under the apples and she climbed up. Rick was holding the ladder for her and she was steady as she reached up and picked an apple before she grabbed a second one. "It was right next to it," she said quickly in case her parents might say anything about her doing that.
"Swell, we'll be able to finish that much faster," Rick commented as he was picking some then.
"Pick another and then take your sister for me," Kate said to their daughter.
Grabbing one more apple, Julia came down once Rick was holding the ladder again and then took Josephine while they were watching their parents.
"They just watched us?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"Well… three of them were young and the oldest was watching her sisters," Castle replied. "And after that we took the apples to the owner and then headed back to the house." He knew, since his wife was watching him, that he should continue but he couldn't resist, leaning down and then kissing her. He wasn't planning on using his tongue but when his wife's slipped into his mouth he was responding immediately. They tangled together for a time and he breathed out saying, "That was all I had for that one but there is another that just came to mind."
"When?" Beckett asked, pressing a little closer to him.
"It was the Monday after we picked the apples so we were alone with Josephine while the others were at school," Castle began. "And apparently that day was applesauce day."
Beckett laughed, since she was recalling herself, but she let her husband tell her as she held onto him.
"Is she asleep?" Kate asked, looking at her husband as he walked into the kitchen.
Not answering at first, Rick rushed over to his wife and took the towel she was using to dry her face while she worked. "I'll get you another one love," he said as he felt how hot her skin was.
Kate smiled but didn't turn her attention away from the stove and the pot she was stirring with the apples in them. She stopped for a moment when her husband was wiping her face with a cool towel and said, "Thank you love."
"Now let me take over," Rick said before he was taking the spoon she was holding.
Though she wanted to protest, Kate found that she couldn't as her husband was insistent on standing in her place. "I don't have very much left Rick," she told him, keeping an eye on the applesauce which was nearly ready.
"That's alright," he said firmly. Rick then glanced at his wife and smiled saying, "And Josephine is fine, safe and warm close to the stove."
With a quick nod, as they'd left their youngest on some blankets on the floor for her nap in the living room, Kate tasted the apples to see where they were, and she said, "A little more love."
Rick continued to stir and after he had the consistency his wife wanted he got the pot and poured it into the jars she had ready with her help. "Looks like we have enough well into the next year," he commented as they were washing everything.
"I know, which will be good," Kate said.
"What is it?" Rick asked as she was holding one jar in her hand carefully.
"I need one for Josephine," Kate said with a slight frown. "I suppose I'll just get some into a bowl for her later."
"When will we start canning?" Rick asked.
"We?" Kate asked, drying her hands before she was reaching behind her to untie her apron.
"You don't expect to do it all on your own do you?" Rick asked as his wife paused in what she was doing. "I won't need to write until we're finished. And even then I'm set on episodes for now."
"Alright," Kate said with a sigh before she turned her attention back to her apron. She was startled when her husband pulled her off the counter; where she'd been leaning; and turned her around. "I'm perfectly capable of doing that myself you sap," she told him, though teasingly.
Rick focused his attention on the tie instead of thinking of a reply, and once he had it off her waist he tossed it onto the counter.
"What-" was all Kate had time to say when her husband had her turn back around. He was pushing her against the counter and crushing her lips with his, making her groan for a moment in her surprise before she was responding. Wrapping her arms around him as tightly as she could, she parted her lips to his seeking tongue and then realized that his hands were roaming over her back. "Rick," she breathed, trying to warn him but failing in her tone as his hands were moving.
Lifting his wife up onto the counter, Rick didn't allow her to go back too far as he was sliding his hands under her skirt, trying his best to push it up past her knees. They were kissing a second time then and he used that time to slide both his hands up on her thighs, grasping her ass. As soon as he had a hold on it, he was pulling her flush to him and they were parting for a gasp of air before meeting a third time.
Kate was enjoying her husband's touch immensely and they were literally fighting with their tongues inside her mouth. With all of that she was more than ready to allow things to become more intimate when she suddenly heard someone saying, "Mama?"
Freezing at the same time as his wife, Rick pulled away from her and he turned to see that Josephine was toddling through the dining room towards them. He hurriedly helped his wife down, checking her skirt before he felt her hands on his hair. "Go my love," he said quickly, straightening it himself.
Unable to help herself, Kate kissed him briefly and then turned her attention to their youngest. "What's wrong Josephine?" she asked, picking her up.
"Stocks Mama?" the toddler asked.
Looking at his wife with wide eyes, Rick wasn't sure what they could say to that; as Josephine had obviously seen them; but his wife was luckily speaking first.
"Yes honey," Kate said, smiling at both her husband and their daughter. "Your da was making sure they were straight and neat. We must make sure to be neat."
"Neat," Josephine said slowly with a smile. "Mama go gagee!"
"What?" Rick asked.
"Yes, but honey look," Kate said quickly, as she knew they wouldn't be able to figure out the word. "Your da helped me with the applesauce. Would you like some." She smiled as the toddler nodded rapidly and she looked to her husband.
"I'll get it love," Rick said quickly.
"Thank you," Kate replied before she took the toddler to the living room so they could wait there for him and spend the rest of the afternoon left before school was over for Josephine's sisters.
"How did we not have more than four kids?" Castle asked.
"Why are you asking me?" Beckett replied with a smile as she looked up at him.
Castle shrugged and then said, "That night is coming to mind but…"
"I know," Beckett said, smiling again. She leaned up and allowed herself to kiss his jaw a few times before she lay normally. "Better we get some sleep."
"I love you Kate," Castle said.
"I love you too Rick," Beckett said swiftly. She shared a kiss with him and murmured, "Tomorrow we'll be on our way home."
"I was thinking of that too," Castle said as he knew his wife wanted the distraction. "We are going back after GMA, right?"
"Yes," Beckett said with a smile. "I don't think I could wait anymore. Plus, the McDouglases don't have a hotel for that night in the city."
"Good," Castle said.
Beckett couldn't help laughing and said, "Goodnight love."
"Night," Castle said. "I promise I'll sleep."
"I will too," Beckett said, fighting her smile as her husband was studying her. They shared a kiss and she murmured she loved him again before she settled against his side once he turned off the light on the nightstand to her husband telling her he loved her. She did her best to not dwell on their night in their past life but found herself dreaming of it as they got some rest in preparation for their very eventful next few days.
Laughing in pure delight as she fell back on the bed with her husband on top of her, Kate said, "You're too rough, you big six," though she spoke teasingly.
"Then I should sleep on the couch?" Rick asked her. When his wife pulled him back to her as he was starting to pull away, he allowed her to and they were kissing passionately. "Kate," he said when they had finally parted.
"Here," she said, getting up so he would get out of her way. Kate began unbuttoning her blouse before her husband stopped her and she watched him, running her fingers through his hair.
Rick didn't speak until he had gotten every last stitch of clothing off Kate and he told her, "You should rest."
Kate didn't say anything, as her husband would tell her that every so often when he undressed her first, and merely lay back to watch him. She bit at her lower lip as he undressed and once he was naked she reached for him. Making sure he grabbed protection for them first she then took his hand when he was close enough. She pulled him onto her again and they were immediately kissing, touching each other intimately until they had to breathe. "Oh my love," she moaned when he started suck at her neck.
Pulling away from his wife, Rick studied her for a moment and then moved to slide down her body. He suckled at her breasts then, staying there for some time until Kate was begging him to stop. He knew that request for what it was, and he slid down again before he pleasured her eagerly with his mouth.
Her orgasm striking her soon after, Kate was lost in the pleasure her husband was causing her and she wanted to do the same to him when she heard something familiar. "Oh… Rick…" she breathed, opening her eyes and seeing he had his condom in hand.
"Help me," he begged her. He was pleased when she did and as soon as he could, Rick sank into her body to their exclamations of joy at the sensation. "I love you Kate," he breathed as he was still, letting them feel each other.
"Oh Rick… I-I love you… so much," Kate said.
With the tone of her voice being thick with desire, Rick found he couldn't delay anymore and he proceeded to thrust. He was immensely pleased when she started to move with him as much as she could and they kissed passionately while his right hand was touching her anywhere he could reach.
Kate found herself nearly screaming as things were getting intense some time later and she wanted to feel all of her husband. She just realized what she was thinking before she was struck by a second orgasm. She didn't try to stop it, letting it take over until she realized he had joined her by the way he said her name a few times. Not sure then how long they were so closely involved with one another, she only was aware everything had stopped when she was still, and Rick was breathing heavily. She was about to ask him if he was alright when he was suddenly raising his head.
"My Sheba…" Rick began, kissing around her face, focusing on her lips. "Goddess… Kate…" he groaned. He was trying to continue to do that on her neck when she stopped him. "What is it?" he asked in surprise, thinking she would want him to linger.
"I didn't have my turn," Kate said, pouting a little at him which she knew would drive him wild.
"Then I must let you," Rick said seriously though his desire was raging. He carefully pulled away from her and once he was bare to her he looked on while she was pleasuring him. He thought it was brief before he was climaxing, but Kate assured him she'd been working for some time. "I have to say you're incredible," he told her seriously as they were sitting up and staring at one another. "And I adore you."
"Hmm, I adore you Rick," Kate said before they leaned into one another and kissed hungrily. When they managed to stop she let him lay her down, his hands running all around the front of her body to feel her until he moved. She urged him to hurry until he had protection on once more and with that she grabbed him to get him back onto her. Their bodies coupled once more joyfully, and she and her husband wasted little time in indulging their need for each other for the first of many times the rest of their night together.
