A/N: Thanks for your reviews, sorry for the delay and that this is a smaller chapter than usual.; Merry Christmas!

Chapter 12

"Rick; I'll help you carry things in so Katie doesn't have to keep going out in the cold," Jim stated as his son-in-law made another trip for the door; Kate following behind him.

"She's fine," Castle said firmly; "Besides, I've had enough help from the two of you."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Jim asked.

"Just ignore him," Dad," Kate remarked; "He's just being an ass."

Johanna shifted McKenzie to her hip as she caught her husband's eye. "I believe it means we're being accused of something again."

"What did we do now?" he asked; "We haven't even been in the same city with them."

"When it comes to us, it doesn't seem to be a requirement," Johanna replied.

"You've got a point there," Jim murmured as he heard the bickering duo as they neared the porch.

McKenzie squirmed in Johanna's arms, a small whine crossing her lips. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" she asked her.

McKenzie whimpered and stuck her thumb in her mouth. "Are you hungry?" she asked her granddaughter. "You probably are; you've been in the car for awhile. Did Katie bring in the diaper bag?"

"I don't see it sitting down here; I only see the carseat down here."

"What are you looking for?" Kate asked as she came through the door.

"The diaper bag," Johanna replied. "McKenzie's fussing; has she ate?"

"I fed her before we left but Castle insisted on stopping at a restaurant an hour into the trip…the service was very slow there…we were there for an hour and a half and then a little over an hour more in the car because he wouldn't listen to me about what road to take…so yeah; she's probably getting hungry," she said as she dropped her load on the floor and began digging through diaper bags.

"We stopped to eat because we needed to have dinner," Castle said as he continued through the room.

"I would've made you dinner," Johanna replied.

"I preferred to eat out," her son-in-law stated. "I hope there's somewhere decent to eat out here in the wilderness."

"Yeah; it's called my kitchen," Johanna said; "It's fully stocked with groceries but if you want to eat out for every meal; you'll find some very nice options in town."

"Good to know; and about the road; I took the one the GPS suggested as a quicker route."

"You don't want to do that up here, Rick," Jim told him. "Katie knows the way; you're better off getting the directions from her."

"Because Becketts are greater than GPS too, also good to know," he said sarcastically.

"It's not like that," Jim replied; "It's just that we've all found that in this area, the GPS suggestions aren't all that great. You should stick to the roads you know and you're used to when you're up here; it's safer that way."

"Here's the formula and a bottle, Mom; and a diaper; she might be wet," Kate said, handing the items over. "I better finish helping with this stuff if you can tend to her."

"Of course," Johanna said as she took the diaper while Jim took the bottle and formula. She carried McKenzie to the couch and quickly unzipped her warm fleece sleeper, freeing her legs so that she could check her diaper. She sighed a little, seeing that the baby was indeed wet and by the weight of the diaper, had been for quiet sometime. "No wonder you're miserable, Kitten; you've got a wet diaper against, you're hungry and you've had to listen to them the whole way here."

McKenzie fussed a bit as a fresh diaper was slipped under her bottom. "I'm hurrying," she told her as she quickly fastened the diaper and then finagled her squirming limbs back into her sleeper. She rolled picked up the baby and the diaper that needed to be discarded and headed to the kitchen where Jim had taken the formula and the bottle. She tossed the diaper in the trash and took the can from her husband's hands as he read the directions. "I'll do it, honey; I'm used to it," she told him. "Go to Grandpa, McKenzie, and I'll get your bottle for you."

"Come here, sweet pea," Jim said as he took the baby into his arms and cuddled her close. "I bet you've had a long day."

"I can just imagine the trip she's had," Johanna murmured as they heard the sound of bickering floating through the living room as they made another trip upstairs.

McKenzie snuggled against Jim, whimpering as she tucked her head in the crook of his neck. "It's alright," he told her as he patted her back; "Grandma's getting your bottle, honey. We'll get you fed."

Scarlett slunk into the kitchen as Johanna finished warming the bottle; meowing as if she too were distressed by the bickering couple who had found their way into their hideaway. "It's alright, Scarlett," Johanna said as she made her to the table where Jim had sat down with the baby.

"What do you think has her upset; the bickersons or the baby crying?" Jim whispered lightly. "I know she does get a bit distressed if McKenzie isn't happy."

She smiled as she handed him the bottle. "It's probably a little of both. You feed McKenzie and I'll go upstairs and do some quick dusting while they're bringing things in. Stay in here with the baby so the cold air from the door isn't hitting her; keep Scarlett in here too; I don't want to risk her getting out. You stay here with McKenzie, Scarlett," Johanna said, moving back to the counter to grab the soft pouch of cat treats and offering one to her pet.

Scarlett took her treat and obediently laid down beside Jim's feet. "Are you sure you want to go into the lion's den?" Jim whispered as his wife collected her cleaning supplies.

"I think it's going to unavoidable no matter where I am," she whispered back. "I just want to clean up a little; like I would've done if we had been warned. If it appears to be too much of a problem; I'll be back down."

"Yell if you need me," he told her.

She brushed a kiss against his temple as she paused beside him. "I will; you just take care of McKenzie for now; she needs loved up while she has her bottle."

"Don't worry; I'm on the job," he quipped; "And so is Scarlett."

Johanna gave him a small smile as she pushed through the kitchen door with the furniture polish and a dust cloth. She wasn't exactly sure how to feel about this sudden change of plans…after all, she had been quite cozy with her husband…and her exact words to Katie was that they could come for Christmas Day if their plans fell through. She sighed a little as she climbed the stairs, listening to the sounds of the continuing arguments. She was happy to see her daughter and granddaughter…happy for the chance to have Christmas with them…but she had a feeling it wasn't going to be the way she had imagined it.

The arguing was louder as Johanna reached the top of the stairs and made her way to Katie's old room. She knocked on the open door, making her daughter and son-in-law fall silent as they turned toward her. "Is it okay if I do a quick dusting while you're getting brought in?" she asked.

"Sure, Mom," Kate replied; "But the rooms are fine; you don't need to worry."

"They haven't been used in awhile," she remarked as she slipped across the threshold of the room. "After I dust I'll get you some fresh sheets for on the bed."

"I'm sure the ones that are on there are clean," Kate said; "I don't want to make more work for you."

"You're not," Johanna told her. "I would've had all of this done before you got here if you had let me know you were coming. Did you try to call and the phone wasn't working? I know sometimes our cell service is spotty."

Kate shook her head. "No, I wanted to surprise you."

Castle scoffed but Johanna ignored it as she set about quickly dusting the top of the dresser. "Where are Martha and Alexis?" she asked. "They could've came; we have plenty of room for everybody."

"Martha went to Phoenix with Ben," Kate answered as she unzipped her suitcase. "He wanted her to meet his family and spend Christmas with them."

"Which we're sure will make you very happy," Castle commented.

Johanna's brow furrowed as she glanced at him. "Why do you say that?"

"Well with Mother out of the picture you can be Grandma Number One for Christmas…just like you like it."

She shook her head. " Rick; I never said anything like that. I don't try to overtake Martha's place in McKenzie's life and she doesn't try to take mine. We agreed to co-grandparent peacefully in the best interest of our granddaughter. I'm sure Martha didn't make her decision lightly."

"Seemed like it to me," he said tartly.

"Surely you don't think that Martha having other plans means that she loves you and McKenzie any less," Johanna said as she looked at him; "Because that couldn't be further from the truth. You and her grandchildren mean the world to her."

"Yes; that's why she chooses men over us time and time again."

"Don't bother to try and reason with him, Mom," Kate stated. "He's in a jackass mood and refuses to see that Martha didn't do this to hurt him. Ben has asked her to join him several times before and she's put it off; she didn't want to this time so she went…and I think she's earned the right to make that choice and it's time she met his family."

"She could've picked a different holiday," Castle stated as he jerked clothing out of his own suitcase.

Johanna suppressed an internal groan; this was going to be a fun visit. "Where is Alexis? Surely she didn't choose to stay in a hotel instead of here."

"No; she's off following in her grandmother's footsteps by choosing a man over family," her son-in-law retorted.

She shifted her gaze to her daughter; her gaze questioning. "Alexis had already informed Rick that she was invited to spend Christmas with Max and his parents…at a ski resort…in Vermont…and Alexis was not pleased to learn that her father went behind her back and made plans to join her there. So she read him the riot act and he's now suffering from the knowledge that his daughter is an adult with her own mind."

Johanna nodded. "I knew there had to be a reason for this sudden need for a ski trip," she muttered. "I knew it.'

"Yeah; I just wish I had known it," Kate remarked; "It might've spared him that riot act from his daughter."

Johanna quickly dusted the nightstands as her son-in-law brooded. "Well, I know it's not the holiday you wanted, Rick; but we're happy to have the three of you here," she began to say.

"Of course you are," Castle interrupted. "Being here shows you that your guilt trips work."

Confusion flicked across her features. "What are you talking about?"

Castle laughed but it lacked humor. "You know what I'm talking about; you cry and whine and Kate crumbles like a cookie and does what you want."

Johanna scoffed. "Since when? She's had selective hearing since she was fourteen."

"That may be but now you get to use McKenzie as part of your guilt trips," he retorted.

"What guilt trip?" she asked. "I've been up here for days; with the exception of a few brief text messages, I haven't even talked to Katie since I left."

"Oh come on, Johanna," he said sharply. "You know how you acted when Kate told you we were leaving town for Christmas. You know how you acted when you stopped to drop off gifts…with your poor me attitude. Your woe is me bullshit gets old; especially when it ruins my plans for my family."

"Castle," Kate said sharply. "No one ruined anything but you; you're the one who snuck around, trying to piggyback Alexis's plans with Max."

"We still could've gone to Vermont like I wanted," he retorted. "Alexis doesn't own the world and get to tell people where to go."

"You don't own it either," Kate told him. "And you had no right to do what you tried to do to Alexis."

"She's my daughter; she belongs with her family."

"And yet you don't think my daughter should want to be with her family for the holidays," Johanna said; her tone void of emotion.

"Your daughter didn't want to be with you for the holiday until you started your crying," he said sharply. "She's never had a problem not being with you for Christmas…for obvious reasons."

"That's enough," Kate exclaimed. "You don't talk to her like that; especially in her own home."

"It's alright, Katie," Johanna replied; "He's angry at the world…and I'm always his favorite punching bag. If you don't want to be here, Rick; there's a very nice hotel in town…Katie and McKenzie could come over as much as they want and you could stay there; far away from anyone's woe is me bullshit but your own."

"At least I have legitimate reasons to be unhappy right now," Castle retorted. "I'm not stuck in the past like some people."

"On the contrary; I've been quite happy here," Johanna remarked; "I don't feel I guilted Katie in any way. I didn't coerce her to change her plans. I said that if your plans fell through you were all welcome to come here Christmas Day. I never expected that you'd actually show up…because I know how it is…but despite it all; I am happy to have family here for Christmas and I'm sure we can make it a happy occasion for McKenzie despite missing loved ones."

"You're not worried about McKenzie's happiness; you're worried about your own," Castle stated. "Just like my wife seems to be more worried about her mother's happiness than mine which is why we're here."

"No," Kate shot back; "We're here because I wasn't going to let McKenzie have Christmas without any family around to enjoy it with. We're here because I thought it would be nice to do what I wanted for the holidays for a change. You need to get over this and quit blaming it on my mother who had no idea we were even coming."

"Katie," Johanna said; breaking into the argument. "I'm going to get you those sheets and then I'll go clean McKenzie's room."

"Alright," her daughter replied; following her to the door. "I'm sorry, Mom."

"For what?" Johanna asked as she stepped into the hallway.

"For bringing a brooding bear into your house who clearly wants to pick a fight with you for reasons that are beyond me."

She pasted a smile on her face. "It's alright, sweetheart; I'm used to his unhappiness with me. Perhaps after a good night's sleep and a nice breakfast, he'll feel better. I am happy to see you and the baby. Your father's feeding McKenzie so I can clean up for you and Scarlett's standing guard as well."

Kate managed a wobbly smile; thinking to herself that her mother had every right to throw them out in the snow with the way she had just been treated. "I'm glad to see you too…and I know McKenzie's going to be so excited to spend Christmas with you."

"We're looking forward to it too," Johanna replied as she turned away and headed for the linen closet to get the clean sheets. She just hoped her son-in-law would lose some of his attitude so that they could make a good effort at enjoying the holiday together.

Johanna was just about finished straightening up things in McKenzie's room when Kate crossed the threshold, carrying more of the baby's belongings with her. She gave her a small smile; hoping to put her daughter at ease. "Are you all settled into your room?"

"Yeah," she answered. "I just need to unpack the baby's things now. Dad probably thinks you've abandoned him to baby duty."

"He doesn't mind having some one on one time with his granddaughter," she remarked as she moved to the playpen to help Katie tuck a soft blanket around the mat so that it would be more comfortable for McKenzie to sleep on.

"I'm sorry that I didn't call first," Kate murmured; "I did want to surprise you…and maybe a little part of me was afraid you'd say no."

Johanna shook her head. "You know I'd never tell you no, Katie. This is your home too and you're always welcome in it; you know that. One day it'll belong to you."

"Let's not talk about that," Kate said; her stomach dipping a little at the thought of the topic…especially at this time of year."

"We're not going to discuss that," her mother assured; "But like I said; it's your home too…you're always welcome here…just like the home you grew up in…the door is always open. You can come anytime…for a visit…or if you need to stay awhile."

"I just need to leave my husband at home," she murmured.

"I didn't say that," Johanna replied.

"I know you didn't…it's my own feeling," Kate muttered. "I should've brought McKenzie and came by myself."

Her mother shook her head as they moved to the bags that Kate had sat on the bed. "McKenzie needs to be with both of her parents on Christmas."

"It's not going to be the kind of Christmas I had hoped her first one would be," her daughter replied.

"Because you came here?"

"No," she said with shake of her head. "Because of Castle and how he's acting. I know he's upset about Martha and Alexis…I know he seems to have a problem lately with me being close to you. He just seems to have a problem with everything lately…and now I feel bad for bringing him here and subjecting you and Dad to his mood."

"It'll be alright," Johanna assured; "Maybe he'll settle down in a day or two and realize it's not so bad here. You're both tired and he's upset as you mentioned. Why don't the two of you sleep in in the morning and I'll get up with McKenzie?" she suggested. "Maybe some extra rest will help you both."

Weariness washed over Kate and she offered her mother a small smile. "It would be nice to sleep in a little."

"Of course it would be," Johanna replied. "You both sleep in and I'll get the baby up and get her fed for you. You just get some rest in the morning…sometimes it can make a difference and help smooth things out."

"If you're sure you don't mind…I did barge in on your vacation."

"You know I don't mind," she remarked; "Especially if it helps you. Don't worry…I'm sure that Rick will sort himself out."

"What if he doesn't?"

Your father will take him out in the woods and straighten him out," Johanna said lightly.

Kate gave a soft laugh. "I don't doubt that he could do it."

"He'd do it in a heartbeat for you and the baby."

"I'm sorry about the things he said to you tonight."

"It's alright, Katie; I'm used to his barbs. Believe me, I never disillusion myself that the peace will last long between him and I…but I do try, sweetheart."

"I know you do…you could've fought back more than you did but you didn't…you held back."

She nodded. "Yes; I could've said more…but I don't want to fight; especially when he seems to be angry at all the women in his life. I'm the one he likes the least so I don't want to go barreling into the ugliness if I can avoid it…and I think I avoid that better than he can tonight."

Kate breathed deeply. "That's probably true."

Johanna managed a smile for her. "Don't worry, Katie; I'm fine…I'm not going to let his comments bother me. I know I didn't do the things he thinks I did. I didn't guilt you and I didn't coerce you to change your plans. All I did was express that I was sad not to see the baby for the holiday…I don't consider that a guilt trip."

"No," Kate said with a shake of her head. "It wasn't a guilt trip…just how you were feeling."

"I know you said you ate on the way up," Johanna said, changing the subject; "But if you're still hungry I can make you something to eat."

"I'm not hungry," her daughter replied. "I wasn't hungry when we stopped earlier but ate anyway."

"I'll make you a nice breakfast in the morning then," she remarked. "Is there anything in particular I should make for Rick?"

"He seems to enjoy all varieties of breakfast food so I'm sure he'll like whatever you make."

"If he wants anything this evening, tell him he's free to help himself in the kitchen."

Kate scoffed. "He's already made the comment that he'll be staying in our room all evening."

Johanna gave a nod. "He's deep into the brooding, isn't he?"

"That and the fighting."

"Well, then, maybe it's best to give him space for the rest of the evening. I'll help you get McKenzie's things put away and then you can come downstairs with us if you want…or I can bring the baby up to you."

"I'll come downstairs for awhile," Kate replied. "Maybe McKenzie will settle in a less tense environment."

"I'm sure she will," Johanna stated; "Don't worry, Katie; we'll make things work."

Kate nodded; when her mother said with quiet conviction she could almost believe it…but she had this terrible feeling that her husband wasn't going to cooperate.

Later that night, Jim and Johanna laid in bed, the flames of their small electric fireplace casting a soft glow in the darkened room. The muffled sounds of raised voices upstairs filled their ears; disturbing the peace they had found there the last few days.

"Do you think they're going to fight all night?" Jim whispered.

Johanna breathed deeply. "Seems that way…I mean they haven't stopped since they got here. I wish they would stop though…it's midnight…and I'm sure McKenzie isn't going to keep sleeping through it; eventually they're going to wake her and she'll be up all night."

"And then we'll have three cranky people in the house," he quipped quietly.

"Four," Johanna stated; "Because if they wake that baby up after she had to put up with their bickering the whole way up here, I'm going to be pissed and I'm going to start yelling."

"That won't be pretty," he replied.

"No, it won't; she needs her rest…and so does Katie. I can tell she's tired."

I wouldn't mind going to sleep myself," Jim remarked. "But I can't with that going on upstairs. I know it's none of my business but the father side of me wants to go up there and tell him to quit yelling at my daughter or I'm going to punch him in the mouth."

"Nothing says happy holidays like being punched in the mouth," Johanna said lightly.

"He's lucky I didn't go up and punch him for the things you told me he said to you while you were upstairs."

Johanna found his hand and curled her fingers around it. "It's okay…I could've fought back more; I just chose not to…I didn't want to play into it."

"I don't blame you," he murmured, brushing a kiss against her hair. "This isn't the night we had in mind."

"No, it's definitely not what we had in mind when we were cozy on the couch," she whispered. "It's a good thing they didn't show up ten minutes later…we might've been caught in a compromising situation."

Her husband grinned in the dim glow of the room. "It's okay; I would've taken you to church and renewed our vows to save your reputation."

She laughed softly. "I don't think we would've need to take that drastic of a measure but I appreciate it just the same."

He shifted a little; making himself more comfortable as she tucked herself into his side. "I do wish they'd stop arguing for the night," she whispered. "I think it's even making Scarlett restless; she's been up out of her bed a few times."

"I know," Jim said as the voices upstairs rose another octave. "At the risk of making myself public enemy number one; I'm going up and tell them to stop it," he stated as he threw back the covers.

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Johanna asked.

"I don't care if it is or not; this is our house and we have a right to a decent night's sleep," he replied as he headed for the door. "I'll be back."

Jim moved through the darkened house and up the stairs, rubbing the back of his neck as he did so. As happy as he was to see his daughter and granddaughter, he couldn't help wishing that they had shown up in better spirits. He didn't want to spend Christmas listening to Katie and Rick fight…having McKenzie upset from the tension and Johanna on edge after he had gotten her nice and relaxed and in the holiday spirit. He blew out a quiet breath as he reached the top of the stairs; why didn't things always have to take a bad turn just when he thought he had a handle on things?

He slipped into McKenzie's room quietly, making sure his granddaughter was sleeping and that all was well. He peeked into the playpen, seeing that she was fine and sound asleep for the time being. He smiled at the sight of her and then slipped out of the room, making his way to the closed door that was doing little to prevent the voices inside from escaping. He knocked on the door quietly; not wanting to disturb the baby but when his knock went unnoticed, he knocked louder, hoping McKenzie would sleep through it.

The bedroom door jerked open and Jim found himself looking into his daughter's face, seeing the angry tears that laid in her green eyes. "Dad?" she said, questions in her gaze and her voice.

He did his best to keep his tone gentle, not wanting to hurt his girl when he had a feeling she was already hurting. "Don't you two think it's time that you call a time out for the night?" he asked. "We can hear you all the way downstairs…and we'd like to get some sleep…and before long you're probably going to wake McKenzie and she doesn't deserve that."

"I'm sorry, Dad," Kate whispered. "I didn't realize we were that loud."

He gave her a small smile. "It's okay; I'm married…I know how fights can get loud without notice but you both need to do yourselves a favor and just stop for the night…it's clearly not getting you anywhere; it's just making you both feel worse. Just call a time out…go to bed…get some sleep, it's after midnight. Things might look better in the morning if you just let it lie for awhile, okay?"

His daughter nodded. "You're right; it's time to stop…I'm sorry we've kept you and Mom up and I certainly don't want to wake McKenzie. We'll be quiet now…I'm sorry."

Jim pulled her into a quick hug, feeling like she needed it. "It's alright, Katie; we've had these moments ourselves. Get some sleep; I'll see you in the morning."

Kate hugged him tightly for a moment and then released him. "I'll see you in the morning. I better check on McKenzie before I go to bed."

"I just looked in on her before I knocked; she's fine," Jim assured. "Go to bed."

His daughter gave him another nod as she whispered goodnight and softly closed the door. Jim blew out another breath, heading for the stairs as silence finally filled the air. He suddenly had the feeling that it was going to be a long, difficult holiday.