Crawling across the blanket, Josie came to the coffee table before she sat on her knees and reached for the edge of the table. She pushed herself up to stand and smiled when Eliza scooted over to her on her knees and hugged her tightly.

"You did a good job, now you have to take steps," the little girl told her baby sister.

Staring at her, Josie then laughed and reached for her though that made her lose her balance before Eliza was grabbing her. "Ama!" she cried out.

"Is she okay?" Beckett asked, walking into the room.

"Yep," Eliza said. She looked at the others and then said, "Josa's a show."

Laughing, Beckett said, "I guess so. You guys could have played something while you were waiting for dinner."

"Is it ready?" Eve asked.

"You guys are hungry?" Rebecca asked, just behind Beckett in the family room doorway.

"Very," Jacob said.

"That's not a surprise," Lily said teasingly to her son.

"Dinner's ready, go ahead and get your food first," Beckett said, taking Josie from Eliza.

"Where are we going to eat?" Julia asked, walking over to her mother.

"In the parlor," Beckett said. She smiled when her daughter looked startled and said, "We did set the tables there remember."

"Yeah, but I thought that you were just putting them there for now," Julia replied as they stepped out of the room and went down the hall.

"Partially; they'll be there until tomorrow," Beckett said as she and her husband had gotten them from the garage. "But we thought it would be nice to eat together."

"It would," Julia said, nodding her head. She smiled when her mother squeezed her shoulder and then hurried ahead of her to go to the kitchen where the other kids were getting some of the pizza that were in boxes on the counter.

Beckett was going to wait; once the kids were finished and had taken their plates and drinks to the parlor; for everyone else to get their food before her husband walked to her with two plates in his hands. "You-" she started to say.

Leaning over, Castle cut her off carefully with a gentle kiss on the lips before he told her, "I can get it for you."

"Alright," Beckett said with a sigh before she went with him over to the island. She let him know which pizzas she wanted a slice from and once he was ready too, they walked together to the parlor. She got Josie into her highchair where she and Castle were going to sit and sat down while her husband was pouring out wine into glasses of the adults that wanted it. As she was reaching for her glass, she heard her phone in her pocket making its text alert message and got it out, apologizing to the others. "It's from Lanie," she said after reading the text. "They got to the city ten minutes ago and just dropped off Javi."

"Great," Castle said. "They're home now?"

Nodding Beckett quickly texted her friend back a thank you and that she would call her soon before she turned her attention to the conversation that was starting between the others while they were all eating.

"I forgot to ask you," Rebecca was saying to Beckett. "What happened to your fish tank?"

"We didn't tell them," Beckett said as her husband looked confused. "We called the company and they were backed up with orders. And by that point we were ready to approve of plans for the pool so we decided to focus on that."

"Too bad," Brad said, saying only that as Castle was motioning to them. He glanced over at the kids and then asked, "Are you sure you guys want us to stay the night?"

"It's fine if you do you know," Castle told him.

"The babies will be fine," Beckett added.

"True, good thing you got such a big crib," Lily commented.

"Isn't it as big as the one Sophie has?" Brad asked his wife. He laughed when she playfully pushed his shoulder and then said, "But yeah, they should fit," before they were looking at the two babies who were eating as well.

"When they're older and think they're having their first sleepover what're you going to tell them?" David asked.

"We'll let them know that they already did," Beckett said in amusement.

"Could I get some more pizza Mom?" Jacob said, going over to his mom.

"Let me see your plate," Lily told him.

"I think that's enough, you had three big slices Jake," Brad said.

"We're going to have slices of cake again," Beckett said. She couldn't help laughing when the boy looked at her in surprise and she said, "Since you guys were running around the rest of the day."

"Thanks," Jacob said.

When the adults were finished, they got up to start taking the plates to the kitchen, clearing the island and cleaning the dishes before they were going back into the family room.

"You guys need to decide all together what to play," Castle was telling the kids.

"What about the cake?" Eliza asked.

"Cake!" Dani said as she was starting to jump up and down.

"Not yet," Castle told his daughter, smiling at the toddler next to her. "But once you play a game we will."

"What about the indoor bowling we have?" Julia suggested.

"Sure," Castle said, glancing at his wife and seeing she was talking to Lily and Alexis. "Someone needs to watch you though."

"Could 'lexis?" Eliza asked.

"You would need to ask her," Castle said, smiling down at her as she had tugged his hand before she'd spoken. He watched her hurrying over to her big sister and then turned to Julia saying, "Want to set things up?"

"Mari, Eve and Jake will help me," the girl replied. "How long can we stay up?"

"I have to talk to your Mom about that," Castle replied. "But probably your usual time."

"But Eve?" Julia asked.

"You're too smart," Castle said in amusement, pinching her cheek lightly. He then hugged her to him and said, "Go and get the game started," as he could see Alexis was walking over to them.

"Let us know when we're going to have the cake," Julia said as she left the room and went to the garage. When she had the bowling set, she went back to the hallway and said, "Which way should we go?"

"Towards the entry?" Mari suggested. "That way our parents see us."

"True," Julia said.

"Did you forget about them?" Eve asked in amusement.

"No, just thinking about more space for the pins," Julia said before Mari was nudging her. She laughed and then said, "I sort of did. You and Louis are with us," she told her big sister who started to laugh, making them all laugh before they were starting to get the pins ready down the hall from the doorway to the family room.

"Do we have to do it in the youngest to oldest order?" Jacob asked when they'd walked back down and saw their parents were standing in the doorway to watch them.

"You realize that if you do it the other way I'm first," Louis told him.

"I wouldn't mind," Jacob said before his sister was pinching his arm.

"Do it youngest to oldest Jake," Lily told her son.

Taking the ball that Alexis handed her, Dani held it up to her face before Eliza was touching her shoulder. She let her friend lead her away from the others and she said, "I throw it?"

"No, you should do this," Eliza said, taking the ball and pretending to roll it between her legs.

"Kay," Dani said with a smile. She rolled the ball once she had it and put her hands up to her face as it rolled down the hall. When she knocked four of the pins over, she squealed and then hugged Eliza saying, "Thank you!"

"You're welcome," the little girl replied, smiling.

"Your turn?" Dani asked.

"Yep, I hope I do as good as you did!" Eliza told her as she smiled. She looked back at the doorway and was surprised to see the parents were gone. "They stopped watching?" she asked Louis as he was walking up to her and Dani.

"I think they want to chat a bit themselves," the young man said with a smile. When he saw the way the toddler was looking up at him, Louis couldn't help laughing and said, "She always seems quite fascinated by me."

"It's your accent," Mari told him. "Since we don't hear people with Irish accents. She has heard Skye a lot, so I think she's used to her."

"Is it that thick?" Louis asked his fiancée.

"It is," Alexis said, taking his hand and squeezing it gently. She then turned her attention to Eliza as the little girl was rolling the ball and she laughed as she was squealing when she managed to knock the pins all down. "Great job," she told her little sister as she was rushing to her and hugging her.

"Thanks, I stood back further," Eliza told her sister.

"I noticed," Alexis replied, hugging her to him gently before they were looking over as Mari began.

After the kids had been playing with Alexis and Louis for a while, Beckett went to the hallway and then said, "Having fun?"

"We are," Julia said.

"Is it time for cake?" Eliza asked hopefully.

"Cake! Cake, cake!" Dani exclaimed, jumping up and down again.

"If you'd like some more then yes it is," Beckett told them before she led the way over to the kitchen.

"What about Josa?" Julia was asking her parents as Castle was slicing the cake. "And Sophie," she added quickly.

"It's a little too late," Lily said first.

"She's right, they'll be going to bed very soon," Beckett told her daughter. "But eat your slices so you'll have more time to play."

Julia nodded but waited to go to the family room with the others as she wanted to talk to her parents. "Could I write in my diary later?" she asked.

"I think so, but you need to ask Mari and Eve if it's okay," Beckett told her.

"It's fine," Mari said, smiling when her friend looked at her. "I saw you weren't coming with us."

"Hey Mom," Julia then said as something had come to her. "What about Jake?"

"He's staying on an air mattress in the library," Castle answered before his wife could.

"Does he need to?" Julia asked.

"Would you want him to stay in your room?" Beckett asked, a little startled.

Julia was about to speak before she stopped herself and said, "No, I just felt kind of bad for him."

"He'll be fine," Beckett said. "His parents told him where he'll need to stay and he doesn't mind."

"We made sure when we told Lily and Brad," Castle added as Julia looked doubtful.

"Alright, are you going to eat over there too?" the girl asked her parents.

"Yes, let's go," Castle said first as they were walking over to the family room. Once they had joined the others, he wasn't surprised the kids were talking about what they wanted to do before he looked at his wife.

"There's one more thing we need to do," Beckett said, smiling for a moment at her husband.

"What?" Eve asked in surprise.

"Presents?" Mari guessed. When the other kids except for Julia and Eliza looked at her she told them, "Josie didn't get them from her family yet."

"Did you forget about them?" Rebecca asked in surprise.

"No, it's just two presents," Julia said before her parents could respond to that.

"Then we should open them now," Lily said as she was looking over at Sophie in her father's arms.

"I'll get them," Castle said as he'd finished his slice of cake. He went to his and Beckett's office and grabbed the boxes, one far smaller than the other. When he walked back into the room, he saw that Josie had her fingers were in her mouth which led him to say, "Icing?"

"Good guess," Beckett replied with a smile, gently taking it from her mouth.

"The big one first, right?" Eliza asked eagerly as she went over with her sister.

"Yes," Beckett said as Castle was holding it on his lap. She watched with her husband as Julia and Eliza were helping Josie with the large bow on the top of the larger box. Once they had it off, she watched Eliza taking the lid off the box before they were taking out the items inside.

"These are from us all," Castle said to the others as there were some clothes first, from his mother and father in law.

"Those are from us," Jim commented as Eliza was showing everyone the clothing items.

"That's from us," Alexis said. "Her sisters."

"How cute," Eve said with a smile as it was a dinosaur game. "What is it for?"

"It says Fine Motor Skills?" Julia read as she was holding the box of the toy.

"I think in the game's case for Josie it's to pick up those coins and then feed them to the dinosaur," Castle said as the three had shown them the game after they'd gone on their own to buy it downtown.

"Oh… well it says too counting, healthy eating and shapes," Julia finished reading. "That'll be really cool Josa."

"Will you play with her?" Martha asked them.

"Definitely," Julia said as her little sister was nodding her head rapidly.

"Those are nice gifts," Rebecca said with a smile. "And her last one?"

"Here," Beckett said, giving it to Julia.

"It's kind of small," the girl said to her little sister.

"Open it," Eliza urged her.

Though she wasn't sure, Julia turned to the gift before she read the tag saying, "To Josie, From Mommy and Daddy." She took the lid off the tiny box, tilting it so her baby sister could see it and gasped saying, "Oh Josa; you got one too!"

"Is it a bracelet?" Eliza asked eagerly. She looked into the box and said, "It's so cute."

"Does that have her name on it?" David asked as Castle was taking the bracelet out of the box.

"Her full name," he said, showing it to the others though he wasn't sure if they'd be able to see it that well. "And her birthdate inside."

"It's a little big isn't it?" Lily commented.

"For her to grow into," Beckett said with a smile. "She did get one that fits her now at Christmas, but we wanted her to have one when she's older like Julia and Eliza have."

"That was a really great birthday!" Eliza said happily to the baby, smiling at the way Josie was squealing.

"And that's it for tonight," Beckett said, noticing the baby was yawning. "She's had a big day." She stood up and after her father, Martha and Louis had said goodnight to the baby and then went upstairs to the baby's room with the girls and Castle.

"How come the others aren't coming with us?" Julia asked as they headed up the stairs.

"Because we're going to give her the very last gift we have for her birthday," Castle replied as they headed down the hall.

Looking at the room as soon as they were inside, Eliza cried out and hurried over to the dresser in the room. "You got a Lladro Josa! And you get to have a tiger!" she said excitedly.

"It's really pretty," Julia said as the figurine was a white tiger.

"We thought she would like it," Beckett said.

"Even though it's a tiger?" Alexis asked.

"Even though," Castle echoed. He laughed when his wife nudged him in the side and then said, "We know she does love them."

"That's why you're the best mommy and daddy," Eliza told them.

"Thank you, sweetie," Beckett said before giving Josie to Alexis. "Say goodnight to your sister; she and Sophie need to go to bed."

After the three had done so, Castle took the baby and he and Beckett were watching them leave before Brad and Lily were coming in with Sophie. Since the babies were already falling asleep, they were hurrying to get them changed and kissed their respective daughters goodnight before they were leaving.

Lingering in the doorway for a moment, Beckett felt her husband touch the small of her back. Turning to him, she smiled and they went together down the hallway before she told him, "It's been a great day."

"I'm glad we could get everything set up for it," Castle replied. "But I have two words for next April," watching her as she looked confused and soon questioned him.

"Let me guess, pool party?" Beckett asked. She did her best not to laugh as her husband pretended to be upset by that guess and she held out her hand to him saying, "Come here," before they were kissing just before wrapping their arms around each other. They parted soon after and once they had she smiled at him saying, "Sounds like it'll be another great party."

Castle brought his wife's hand up to his lips to kiss the back before they were heading downstairs to return to their family and guests to finish the party before the rest of the kids would need to go to bed.

April 17th, 2021

Happy First Birthday Josa!

I know I usually start out saying hello to you Evangeline (Hi Evangeline!), but today was Josa's birthday so I really wanted to get the chance to say that first. She's sleeping right now but still; it was such a great day that we'll tell her about when she's older.

It started with Mom and Dad going to her room to wake her up, though they said she was already standing up in her crib. After they got her out Mom finally said they could measure her and she's so tiny, only twenty-nine inches while I'm sixty-one when I measured last month. But Mom said that she needs to have time to grow first and that she's average. Still she's so small! Anyways they got her ready and she got to wear the tunic top… or dress I'm not sure which is it, they bought her in Mexico since it's not too big on her now.

They came downstairs with her and we had breakfast before everyone from the city came. The Ryans couldn't come 'cause Tommy's still sick but it was nice to see Aunt Lanie with her family and Tio Javi too! Miles is barely two months and he's gotten big already. Mom had a lot of fun holding him I could tell and I held him too, he's so sweet even though he's mostly sleeping right now.

After they were here me and Lizzy flew our kites but not for that long since everyone else was getting here. But that was okay since we could play our games. And even though they're so small still Josa and Sophie got to join us since I held Josa and Eve held her little sister. We had a relay race and we walked with the babies first, their team won but Eve and Jacob have longer legs than I do so it's okay (also they're both gonna be tall, Brad and Lily are pretty tall; he's almost as tall as Dad and she's as almost as tall as Mom). But after that we got to play all the games we had for the outdoors which were a lot.

The first one was this really cool kicking darts game. You kicked a ball at an inflatable board that the ball stuck to and I loved that since I could reach the board! All the adults except for Lanie kicked too, even Grandpapa and he's good since he used to play soccer when he was younger. We played that for a while, and then other games that I would have to list for the whole night, but I have guests staying the night in my room! But we stopped to eat lunch, which was sandwiches Mom and Dad made, but they were like little tea sandwiches so they were very good.

After we finished eating, we gave Josa some of her presents, they were from the Aunt Lanie and her family, Tio Javi, the Fosters and the Davises. In the order I put their names before they got her shoes (Aunt Lanie said she got them 'cause they look like mine and Lizzy's dance shoes and they really do, just tinier), books in Spanish for little kids (Tio Javi was hoping we would teach Josa Spanish too and Mom and Dad told him they will; French too 'cause they want her to know what AJ and Lizzy know already), a bar with stuff to play with while she's in her stroller or car seat and also a set of five super cute t-shirts for when she's a little bigger. Those I have to mention 'cause they had designs with Beatles lyrics on them! Mari picked it out and I'm not surprised, she loves the Beatles as much as me, but my favorite was one that had a walrus with a Derby hat on it and says I am the walrus above it and on the side down it says Goo Goo G' Joob, it's a peachy, pink color. The others are We all live in a Yellow Submarine (with the submarine from the movie) in a light blue, Hey Jude (with the UK flag) in a dark blue, A Hard Day's Night (with the moon and sun and different style letters) in white and Let It Be (those words in three different colors with peace signs and the lyrics for the song itself) in gray. The perfect gift, I just hope she'll like the Beatles too! And from the Davises she got clothes too, some pretty sundresses that'll look cute for Spain.

When that was over we had the cake, a really cute one-layer cake that had her name on the front, a number one and then for the top a cute baby tiger. And even though it was just chocolate it was super good. I know Josa liked it since she had to be cleaned up after we ate. Once Josa and Sophie had been cleaned up, we played again and a lot of different games.

Going into the house in the afternoon we had to say goodbye to everyone from the city, Aunt Lanie's parents are coming to stay with her and Uncle Dylan for the week. They'll have a lot of fun with Miles, he's so cute. But then again so is Sophie. And I have to say that the cutest baby ever right now is Josa, even though she's standing up more and more and I swear she's getting ready to talk. When they left we played a little more outside; just badminton on the beach between us kids before we used the rackets as… I think the word is sieves. We were looking at the shells though Dad came out and got us to stop since it might ruin the rackets; oops (but I'll tell you a secret diary, they got some really nice sized shells).

Dinner was pizza, Josa had a little bit and she was very happy about that since she was smiling a lot. After we played and almost forgot the last gifts for Josa! We opened them in the family room and it was just two boxes. First was the big one and it was from her family except for Mom and Dad. Grandpapa and Gram got her different clothes, Gram got her a sundress (for Spain, I think everyone was thinking of Spain) and Grandpapa got her a couple of cute tops and leggings since Mom likes to dress her in that since it's more comfortable for spring and fall. And then came the gift that AJ and Lizzy bought for Josa and it was a game. It's a dinosaur and you 'feed' it different coins which are the food. It's also a learning game so Mom and Dad said that it was okay, and I think Josa will like it too. We had to say goodnight to Josa then and I think she had a pretty good first birthday. I hope Mom and Dad will want to have a pool party for her next year since the pool will be ready just in time. I kinda have a feeling they will so that'll be the first time we use it.

There isn't that much to say after that, we just played some board games together until Dani went to bed, then Lizzy and after we older kids came up along with the adults. The parents are staying the night too so breakfast tomorrow is going to be really interesting (we might go somewhere since there are so many of us, I heard Mom and Dad talking about it, they said either donuts or a restaurant, I'll suggest the Studebaker! They have a really good brunch Natalie and Dawn have said). I'm going to stop here now Evangeline; Mari and Eve are here (Jake is staying in the library on an air mattress) and we'll talk before we have to go to bed. Night and I'll see you tomorrow!

Putting her diary away, Julia got up and went to her bed saying, "Sorry, I had more to write than I thought I did."

"That's okay," Eve said first. "You would since you had the party and everything we did to write about."

"It was a lot," Mari added with a smile.

After she had climbed onto the bed Julia asked Mari, "Did you get those shirts for Josa just because of me?"

"No," the girl said with a laugh. "I know you like them, but I knew a long time ago Josie would like them too."

"She's right, you've been playing their music for her already," Eve commented.

Laughing Julia said, "That's true but you never know…"

"I highly doubt it," Eve said.

Julia wrinkled her nose before she said, "Alright, I'm saying that just in case."

Laughing with the two Mari said when she'd calmed down, "Have you gone on any dates lately?"

"One," Eve replied, smiling as she wasn't surprised the girls were curious. "He was in my Math class."

"Was?" Julia asked, catching the tense immediately.

Nodding, Eve said, "We just went on one date. That was more than enough."

"He was…" Mari said slowly as she and Julia shared a look.

"Yeah, he was full of himself," Eve said with a sigh as she leaned back against the wall that she'd been sitting against. "He's Mark Robson."

"Oh, the basketball player," Julia said. "I've seen him. Was he talking about their last game?"

"Yeah, though he didn't really score that many times, it was Quentin's brother Quincy," Eve said, nodding her head. "But we went to dinner with Mom and Dad and that was it."

"How'd your dad take how he was acting?" Julia asked.

"Not good, I could tell Mom was really holding onto his arm to keep him from saying anything," Eve said. A smile quirked the sides of her mouth and she said, "He was so dumb, he forgot Dad's the chief."

"Then good thing you only went on that one date," Mari said.

"Could I ask something?" Julia asked her, wrapping her arms around her knees.

"I haven't kissed a boy yet," Eve said, smiling at her.

"You knew I was going to ask?" Julia said. When the young woman nodded, she smiled and said, "Just wondering, since you're older than us."

"I figured," Eve replied with a laugh. She then said, "No, I've been kissed on the cheek but that doesn't count; I need to be responding to them too."

"So on the lips?" Mari asked.

"Yeah," Eve said before they heard footsteps coming down the hallway. "I guess we better get ready."

Julia, though she was tempted to ask for a little more time, got off the bed with her two friends before their parents were walking in and they were saying goodnight to them. "What're we doing tomorrow?" she asked her parents as she waited for Mari to get under the covers.

"Go to brunch at the Studebaker; we decided on that," Castle said first. Seeing how widely Julia was smiling he did so as well and then said, "You thought of that too?"

Nodding Julia then said, "We never had it before so…"

"We will tomorrow," Beckett said, helping her onto the bed. After she made sure the girls were okay, she and the rest of the parents were saying goodnight to the three and then leaving, turning the light off as she was last.

"I can't wait for tomorrow," Julia said. She heard Mari taking a breath to speak before she suddenly heard rain on the window above and to her right. "Hmm, I guess we're not going to play outside tomorrow," she said. She and her friends laughed before her father was sticking his head into the room.

"Girls get to sleep, or you'll be tired tomorrow," Castle said with a smile. "Whatever we end up doing."

"Night Dad," Julia said, smiling when he said that to all of them before he was leaving. She said goodnight to Eve and the same to Mari before closing her eyes so she could go sleep though she couldn't help thinking about what they might do stuck in the house the next day before nodding off.

"Boo," David was saying before he hissed and tossed a kernel of popcorn at the TV screen.

"Stop that," Rebecca said in amusement, hitting her husband's arm playfully.

"Does he do that often?" Brad asked her.

"Sometimes, it depends on what we're watching," Rebecca said, shaking her head.

"Should I turn it off?" Castle asked, picking up the remote to the Blu-ray player.

"I wouldn't mind," Lily said.

"Go ahead love," Beckett told her husband. When it was off, she said, "You wanted to talk?"

"Just for a little," Lily replied with a smile. "Though I just remembered how much you love Vertigo…"

"It's fine, we've seen it many times," Beckett replied. She then said, "Did you want to talk about Spain?"

"No, I think we have everything set," Brad said.

"I was wondering about the tank thing you mentioned," Lily said.

"I was too," Rebecca said. "What're you going to do instead?"

"They'll send us three smaller aquariums, not tiny but big enough to hold more than a few fish," Castle answered.

"For Christmas?" David asked.

Shaking her head Beckett said, "When they're ready which they said would be in September; likely after the wedding. They should be set up once we come back."

"What kind of fish will they get?" Brad said.

"All goldfish since it'll be easier for them," Castle said. "Julia loves celestial eye ones, so she'll get them. Eliza loves butterfly tail and we're picking telescope eye for Josie."

"Hopefully they'll enjoy that," Lily said.

"Are you decorating them at all?" David asked.

"The fish?" Castle said when his wife nudged his side. "Sorry, they will be, we told them themes for each girl."

"Can we know?" Rebecca asked.

"We picked a jungle and tiger theme for Josie," Beckett began, waiting for them to say something.

"You'll have orange ones?" Lily asked with a smile. When her friend nodded, she laughed and said, "You two really don't mind that she loves them so much?"

"No, it's not the tiger's fault it was going after us," Castle said. "And at this point the girls don't tease us about it."

"And I did always like tigers," Beckett said. "Ask my dad, I loved seeing them in Central Park."

"We believe you, if you were that disturbed by them, you'd never go at the zoos you've been to," Brad said. "And the other two?"

"Telling them Eliza's was interesting," Castle said. "We asked them for a reptile landscape with some bearded dragons in there."

"We were talking with Wade," Beckett said with a smile. "And he was happy to hear she had one herself."

"How is Carlow?" Rebecca asked.

"Good, Eliza's taking very good care of him," Castle said. "Great learning experience for her."

"You know Jake's been asking for one of them. Eve wants some fish herself," Lily said.

"Christmas?" Brad asked his wife.

"I think so," Lily replied with a smile. "What about Julia's?"

"That was a little harder to decide on," Beckett began.

"We debated between the Quidditch pitch from the movies, a library… Ireland…" Castle continued.

"But finally decided on a scene from Yellow Submarine," Beckett said, not surprised when some of the others were laughing.

"That makes the most sense out of anything," Lily began. "Considering it's Julia."

"What's the scene going to be?" David asked, surprised when Castle was immediately grabbing his phone.

"He designed it himself," Beckett said as her husband was showing the rendering for the tank.

"Kate did help me," Castle was quick to say.

"I did, but only to remind him to make sure Paul was first in that line," Beckett said since the scene was the band as they appeared in the animated movie. Her husband had thought of them in a line with a few of the other characters behind them walking across the length of the aquarium.

"She'll love that," Rebecca said, giving the phone back to Castle. "And I think Mari will too."

"She'll want to spend the night after she sees it," Beckett commented.

"Or Julia will ask her," Rebecca said as she was nodding her head. She and her friend were laughing together before they stopped and she said, "Sorry, they're a little predictable."

"Do you think if they were in the same year of school, they'd still want to do this?" Lily asked.

"More than likely," Castle commented.

"Well, I think I'm ready to head up to the rooms," David said, finishing his coffee before he spoke.

"You're going to check on your kids?" Brad asked him.

"We'd like to," Rebecca answered.

"Go first, I'd like us to take turns so we don't wake them up," Beckett told them. She said goodnight with her husband, Brad and Lily to the pair and then said, "You don't need to wait that long."

"We know but we should help you out," Lily said first.

"We're fine," Castle said, trying to put everything on the tray he'd used.

"Not really," Brad told his friend as he went over to stack the bowls they'd had their popcorn in.

"Here," Lily told her friend as she was taking two of the mugs. They walked into the kitchen and she said, "San Francisco's coming up for you guys," to her friend.

"I know, we're eager but why did you bring it up?" Beckett asked her.

"You'll take pictures of the house, right?" Lily asked. "Houses, I almost forgot about the two in the city."

"We will, the girls want to see it too," Castle said. "I just wish we could go inside."

"At least we've found them," Beckett reminded her husband.

"I know, but I won't stop thinking that," Castle told her firmly.

"Okay, we're going to head up," Brad said. "I think it's been long enough."

"Alright, we'll see you in the morning," Lily said.

When he and his wife had said goodnight to the two Castle turned to her and said with a smile, "It was a success."

Laughing briefly Beckett said, "I had a feeling you'd say that, and yes it was. But we have plenty of time until next year."

"We do," Castle said, reaching to her and sliding his hand over her back so he could wrap his arm around her waist.

"Rick," Beckett said gently as she looked at him.

"I know, but I promise you love I'll stick with the abstinence," Castle told her. "We're really close anyways so I can wait." He then thought of something and said, "What about you?"

"I can't wait for that point," Beckett replied, turning slightly so she could kiss his cheek. She wasn't surprised when he kissed her after she pulled away and went along with it, turning fully towards him so she could wrap her arms tightly around his neck. They made it passionate swiftly but when they finally stopped, she sighed and said, "At least we're okay doing that."

"Yeah… for now," Castle said. "Wait, sorry I'm… not paying attention to what I'm doing," he said in frustration.

"Or saying," Beckett said. She smiled when her husband groaned and covered his face with his hands. "Come on, let's get everything set so we can take a bath."

"A bath?" Castle asked, his head shooting up to stare at her.

"Mmm-hmm," Beckett replied simply. She turned her attention to the bowls, setting them aside to dry while her husband was rushing to get the mugs into the dishwasher before she waited for him. After she took his hand she said, "I'd like to relax love."

"We will," Castle said, knowing already what she wasn't saying. "Check the girls first?"

Beckett nodded and they went together up the stairs to the bedrooms before they were checking in their three youngest's rooms. Once they were sure that they were all fast asleep she let her husband lead the way that time to their bedroom before they were in the bathroom. She closed the door and then said, "The bedroom door?"

"I… oh," Castle said as he realized what his wife was talking about. "Do you want to get your pajamas."

"Close the bedroom door," Beckett told him firmly. "We'll get our clothes after."

"Sure," Castle said hurriedly before he was racing to go back out.

Smiling, Beckett pulled off her blouse before she tossed it to the counter between their sinks. Her trousers followed as her husband was walking in and told him, "I'll fill the tub."

"You don't really need to," Castle said as he was staring at her under clothes.

Studying him Beckett sighed and said, "Turn around."

"No," Castle said simply. When his wife looked startled, he stepped up to her and unbuttoned his shirt at the same time before he was tossing it aside. His jeans were kicked aside once they were off and he was relieved to wrap his arms around his wife tightly. They kissed then and he was a little surprised since he thought she would be stopping him. But she responded and by the time they stopped he was groaning in pleasure as she ran her hands down his chest. "Kate," he said a little warningly to her.

"I know," Beckett replied as she'd easily been able to feel his burgeoning erection. "But you can't make me stop."

"No, but luckily you just did," Castle said. He smiled when she nodded, and he exchanged a tender kiss with her before they were going to the tub. He took off his boxers while she was starting on her bra and since she wasn't ready, he started the water.

"You're lucky I knew that was going to happen," Beckett told him teasingly after she'd taken off her panties and was naked as he was.

"What were you going to do?" Castle asked her. "Punish me?"

"More than likely," Beckett said with a smile. When the tub was full, she waited for him to get in first and climbed in after him, thanking him for holding her hand as she was doing that. "Was that to help me or to hold my hand?"

"Both," Castle said, loving the smile she gave to him as she turned to look at him over her shoulder. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the back of that same shoulder and said, "I really love you Kate… desperately."

"I love you as much too Rick," Beckett replied, hesitating for a moment to lean back against him.

"Here love, please," Castle said.

Since his voice was outright begging; and she wanted to anyway; Beckett leaned back against him, leaning her head against his shoulder and tilting her head on it so she could look up at him. "Remember when we redesigned the bathroom?" she asked him with a smile.

"I do," Castle said, wondering where she was going with that.

"I'm so glad we didn't have the faucet on the side," Beckett explained to him.

"Now you want to be close to me," Castle pointed out.

"Hmm, I do," Beckett said, straightening her head up. She felt his hand going down to her stomach and murmured, "Easy."

"That's all I'll do," Castle replied. He then said, "I had an idea about San Francisco."

"Oh?" Beckett asked with a smile, not surprised in the slightest that he needed to change the subject since she could tell that he was still in danger of becoming fully aroused.

"Would you just want to do stuff randomly?" Castle asked her, kissing the back of her ear lobe gently.

"To be honest I was kind of looking forward to the plans we had," Beckett replied after thinking that over for a moment. She then smiled and said, "How much time were you thinking of spending in the hotel?"

"Not that, I just forgot already what we said we'd do," Castle confessed.

Beckett laughed softly and then said, "It's been awhile. You want to go over it again." She was laughing again when she felt how much he was nodding, and she squeezed his hand on her stomach before she moved away from him slightly and held onto the sides of the tub. "We said once we're at the hotel and have unpacked a little we'd go to Chinatown and walk around. And Union Square too."

Nodding his head Castle then said, "Pictures?"

"I'd really love to," Beckett said. She thought of something and then said, "What about that restaurant we'd go to near there."

"The one that's by Market? Walter's?" Castle asked her. When she nodded he said, "I really get the feeling it's not there anymore."

"I know, but at some point I'd like to get an idea of where it is," Beckett said.

"You think we could do that by just walking around?" Castle asked.

"We would," Beckett said slowly. "Isn't that supposed to be what you say?"

"Then we can," Castle said, nodding his head rapidly before he laughed as she splashed him. He then smiled at her and said, "The next day I do remember is Mill Valley. The day after that was… were we going to make that Alamo Square and the house by Mountain Lake?"

"You're forgetting the Mill Valley day, we were talking about going to Boudin and the stuff around Fisherman's Wharf," Beckett said. She studied him and then reached out to him, cupping his face before she told him, "We'll stay there for dinner," leaning over and brushing his lips with a kiss.

Castle was quick to hold his wife in place before they were kissing a second time, one that he made far more sensuous before they let go of each other quickly. "So the next day…" he began quickly so they wouldn't do more than that.

"That was supposed to be Alamo Square and Mountain Lake," Beckett replied. "It might be kind of backwards but what if we went to Alamo first, then the Mountain Lake house and stayed at Fisherman's Wharf the rest of the day?"

"Sounds great," Castle said. "But how long would we be there?"

"We could leave the hotel later," Beckett replied easily. Hearing how hard her husband was breathing out, she smiled and squeezed his hand before she moved so she could lean back against him again. "We didn't really set a plan for the last two days," she told him.

"I know, we had Golden Gate Park and the beach, that should be the day after Alamo Square," Castle told her, holding her close. "What about after that?"

"We could go to the beach first and then the park, see what we can do there," Beckett said.

"The Academy?" Castle asked her. When she shook her head he said, "Conservatory?"

"Yes, and I would like to just walk around," Beckett said.

As her voice had gotten lower at the end Castle said, "We could find where I proposed to you."

"We can try," Beckett told him with a smile as she was looking back at him again. "And dinner?"

"Well, would you ever like to eat at the hotel?" Castle asked.

"That night would be nice," Beckett said. She then said, "In our room though," as she was bracing herself for his reaction.

"Sure," Castle replied.

"Pervert," Beckett said with a smile. "Come on, I'm incredibly wrinkled and we need some rest," she said as she got up first.

"And that last day?" Castle asked her as he was toweling her body dry carefully.

"The other places we wanted to see," Beckett said. "City Hall… I'd like to go back to the bridge. Maybe we should try that out first."

"That'd be great," Castle said, speaking a little absently as he was finishing drying her off. He let his wife do the same to him and once his towel was closed around him, he pulled her to him and kissed her deeply but was careful not to let it get too out of control. When they parted he said, "Love."

"Hmm, Rick," Beckett replied before she was leaning into him so they could share a second kiss.

"Could I have another?" Castle asked his wife hopefully when they'd stopped.

"Let's go, before we lose the towels," Beckett said.

"I wouldn't mind," Castle said as she started to walk over to the doorway.

"Neither would I," Beckett commented. She smiled as she felt her her husband immediately stopping her and turning her to him. She took his kiss and was relieved when he kept it short before they were walking out into their bedroom with their arms around each other. Though she knew it was only a few more days, she couldn't help hoping the time left would go swiftly so they could have a return to their intimacy in the city by the bay.