Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC and the others who do own them.
A/N #1: Loved getting the feedback I did for the last chapter, so I'll start on my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (I was really happy to see you thought the story was good still!) and
Mb (Glad to see you thought the chapter was a nice update. And not surprised you mentioned they have a few people crossed off their list of suspects. I was really pleased to see that you were laughing at their reactions to having to go to that strip club restaurant place, lol, for the case. And I'm really relieved that Castle and Darnley's conversation had you laughing too since I wasn't sure how that would be taken, lol, since laughing was my aim for a reaction. I wasn't surprised either that you think the case is splintered so far with it going in too many directions, so they don't have a theory. Which is true, lol, that was my aim on this one. And so, so happy that you're looking forward to more already! I'm not surprised you like one chapter at a time since it is easier to read (when I edit a chapter before posting it's easier to read, lol). But I am glad you do like the longer chapters I have to split into two! Happy Fourth of July to you and yours too! You're welcome for sharing!).
Thanks for the reviews, loved reading them and I of course appreciate the time taken to write them and send them my way!
A/N #2: The title of this chapter is part of the title of the song The Nearness of You written by Ned Washington, the version I've taken from is sung by Norah Jones from her album Come Away with Me.
To Enchant Me
Letting Peter flip her over his arm, Julia moved into the next steps of one of the dances she and her partner were practicing for the concert. They finished shortly after, and she turned when she heard the door opening to find her parents were walking into the studio.
"Alright," the dance teacher said to the pair with a smile as Eliza was starting to stand up. "We'll take a quick break and come back to practice your Foxtrot."
Julia grabbed her towel and wiped her face before she walked over to where her family was by then all sitting together. "Hi Mom, Dad," she said.
"Hey, how's it going?" Beckett asked.
"Not bad, we can't practice the Jive since Derek's supposed to be here too, but I don't mind," Julia said, smiling as Josie was laughing and holding onto their mother.
"Were you just practicing the Quickstep?" Castle asked.
"Yeah, what we could without Derek and Skye," Julia replied as she nodded.
"And she's still dancing with you guys?" Castle asked.
"So far," Julia said with a smile as they had been asked to dance yet another song though Brian and Roger had asked Skye to sing it and dance a little. They were dancing a quasi-Quickstep to the song Seaside Rendezvous and she said, "Skye doesn't have that much, Derek told her."
"Well, luckily Mary's there to give her support," Beckett commented.
"Are you finished with your case for the day?" Julia asked her.
"For the day," Beckett said with a nod. "We'll talk to you later," she then told her daughter as she knew she was wondering.
"Thanks!" Julia said before she hurried to the dance floor since Ms. Grey was calling them back over. After they were, she and Peter were set in the middle of the dance floor she smiled at her partner and said, "Are you ready?"
"Yeah," Peter replied with a nod before they got into hold as their teacher was instructing them.
Beckett held Josie close the rest of the class, noticing the baby was watching them before Grey was sending the kids; who'd also practiced after Julia and Peter had; to change. "How was she?" she asked her father and mother in law.
"Good, she slept well," Jim said.
"And she ate well at lunch," Martha said.
"So she calmed down after we left," Castle stated.
"She did," Jim said, Martha nodding in agreement. "How's the case going?"
"We hit a wall," Castle said. "A wall of names and alibis and phone calls," he added.
"He's right," Beckett said, smiling slightly as the two looked from her husband to her. "We're off until tomorrow morning."
"How was it with Patrick?" Martha asked them.
"Good, since it's not the first case we've done with him; or here; we were comfortable," Beckett said.
"Brad didn't mind him?" Martha then said with a smile.
"No," Beckett replied, smiling herself at her mother in law's tone.
"Okay, we can go home now!" Eliza said eagerly, coming from the girls' changing room and hurrying over to them.
"Let's wait for your sister," Castle said, glancing over at the door. "And Mari too," he added when shortly after they walked out from the changing room.
"Can we go?" Julia asked.
"Do you have homework?" Beckett said.
"Almost from every class," Julia replied as she was nodding.
"Then we better go," Castle said. "That way you can finish before we go to your sister's."
As they were walking ahead of her family, Julia said to Mari, "Did you have a lot to do?"
"A little," the girl replied. "But I don't have anywhere to go."
"I wish you could," Julia said.
Mari pursed her lips and said, "Will you come over for dinner tomorrow?"
"Okay," Julia said immediately with a smile. "But we have to ask our parents." She wasn't surprised when her friend nodded before she was speaking quickly as they were nearing their homes.
"I hope they let us do that at least," Mari said. "Especially your parents."
"I'll let you know tomorrow," Julia said.
Hugging her friend tightly, Mari told her, "You looked great."
"Thanks," Julia said, embracing her back. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you," Mari said before she said goodbye to the rest of her friend's family.
"I heard," Beckett said as her daughter turned to her.
"Could I?" Julia asked.
"Yes, but only tomorrow," Beckett said. She smiled as Julia nodded rapidly and she then said, "Okay, go in the house so you can get your homework done."
Julia nodded and went with her family into the house and hurried up the stairs where she changed out of her uniform. She sat down at her desk immediately and got what she needed for her homework out before she was beginning with math. She was trying to work as fast as she could though she was trying not to mess up the problems before she moved on to French. She was able to do that quickly and going to her history textbook she heard her phone on her desk next to her vibrating and she picked it up quickly.
Mom and Dad said you can come over, the text from Mari read. If your parents say it's okay.
Smiling at the message, Julia hurried to respond and typed out, My mom said I could. I forgot to ask my dad though, so I'll do that later and then text you before we go to 'lexis'. After she'd sent it, she read her history assignment before she was finished and made sure she'd done all the homework she'd had. Satisfied, she got up and started to stretch on her bed, intending to dance a little before she needed to meet the rest of her family.
"Julia?" a voice called out.
"I'm here Mom," Julia said, standing at the barre to the right of her doorway. She had just been moving into second position when her mother walked inside, Josie in her arms. "Hey Josa," she said to her baby sister as their mother set her down.
"Jules!" Josie squealed, hugging her. "Wan."
"What do you want?" Julia asked with a wide smile.
"I think she wants to stay with you sweetie," Beckett explained. "She's been calling for you."
"I'll watch her," Julia said with a nod and a smile though she was looking at her baby sister.
"We don't have that long until we need to go," Beckett told her. "And then we'll head across the street."
"Okay," Julia said. When their mother left, she turned to Josie and asked, "What do you want to do Josa?" She wasn't surprised when her sister babbled a little and she hugged her before asking, "Want me to dance?" She couldn't help giggling when the baby just stared at her and she hugged her again before saying, "Watch me, just in case you want to go to dance classes with me and Lizzy."
Josie laughed when her sister took her hand and then began to watch as she was doing the positions for ballet. She laughed again when her sister urged her to do the same and she jumped a little in response.
"Good job, you'll be ready to dance in no time," Julia said. "Now come and sit here okay?" she told her as she led her to her armchair. She moved it against her bed as Josie watched and helped her up on it telling Macca who was in the room with them, "Don't let her move." She watched the Wolfhound sitting and she turned her attention to her tapping she was going to need for the Quickstep in the concert. She did that for a while, though she was glancing at Josie occasionally, and then turned her attention to the doorway when there was a knock. She was about to speak to her father before Josie was squealing and calling to him a second later.
"Dada!" the baby said.
"Hold on," Castle said, walking into the room quickly. He picked her off the chair and then turned to Julia, not surprised when she was talking rapidly.
"I had Macca watching her Dad," she said.
"I saw, and you were too," Castle replied, smiling at her so she wouldn't get too worried.
"You were watching me?" Julia asked, picking up on what her father had said. When he nodded, she thought about that for a moment and then said, "Okay… you were… entertained?"
Castle couldn't help laughing and said, "I was, you've gotten the hang of tapping very quickly."
"Watching all the old movies we have?" Julia asked. She was surprised when her father was laughing and she said, "What?"
"You sounded like your mom saying that," Castle replied with a smile. "Which isn't a bad thing trust me. But that reminds me too, she sent me up here to tell you we need to get ready to go."
"Should I change?" Julia asked as she'd put on an older dress and leggings for practicing.
"I think a better dress," Castle said. "But you can do that quickly right?"
"I will," Julia promised. She squeezed Josie's hand before they were leaving, and her father closed the door. She turned to Macca and said, "Which dress to you think I should wear?" She couldn't help giggling softly when the dog let out a brief whine and she went to him, hugging him tightly before she said, "Good point, I'll get my Mexico City one."
Hurrying to her closet, Julia grabbed her dress that was a light blue color and embroidered around the neckline and hem. She took off her practice dress and stood in front of the mirrors that were her closet doors. She turned to the side and sighed at seeing no difference in her chest. After she'd put on her dress, she told Macca, "I should stop doing that. Mom said I would feel the change first." She smiled when the Wolfhound barked briefly and she said, "I'm almost ready," as if he was scolding her. "I'll brush my hair now."
"Julia," Beckett called as she knocked on the closed door.
"I'm ready mom," the girl said as she opened to door. "This dress is okay right?" Julia asked as her mother was studying her.
"Yes, but you need to wear your coat once we go," Beckett said.
"I will, when is that?" Julia said.
"Now," Beckett replied.
"You look nice Mom," Julia said as she followed her down the hall to Eliza's room.
"Thank you," Beckett said, having changed from her dark blue blouse into a sweater that was blue-grey and black trousers.
"This dinner isn't super fancy is it?" Julia asked.
"No," Beckett said before they went into Eliza's room after she knocked on her door. "Eliza," she couldn't help saying laughingly as the little girl was wearing her Christmas dress from the year before.
"What?" she asked. Eliza playfully pouted when her mother shook her head and she said, "I wanted to look pretty."
"You already do," Beckett told her firmly, going over to help her. "But you shouldn't worry about that okay?"
"I know, but it's a special dinner; the first one that 'lexis and Louis are having at their home!" Eliza said while she went to her closet to get another dress.
"How come it is?" Julia asked after their mother made a sound in agreement to what her little sister had said.
"Because they've been busy with their work and getting their house settled," Beckett said, taking the white and green dress her daughter brought out to her. "So please don't run around and make a mess."
"We won't," Julia said quickly. She smiled when her sister was saying the same, though it was muffled as her red day dress was going over her head.
"Okay," Beckett said when she zipped the dress and went to get Eliza's brush. "We're ready and your dad is going to be waiting with everyone else."
"Did he get Josa dressed?" Julia asked.
"He did," Beckett replied as they were leaving the room. "But he went to feed the dogs, so I think Martha has Josie." As they went down the foyer stairs, she saw her guess had been correct, and she was smiling as the baby cried out to her. Taking her once they were in the foyer, she kissed her cheek and said, "I'm happy to see you too sweetie."
"Mama!" Josie said before cuddling close to her mother.
Beckett smiled and kissed the top of the baby's head before she turned to her husband and was about to ask him if the dogs were set when Eliza grabbed his hand and spoke to him eagerly.
"Did the doggies eat their dinner?" the little girl asked.
"They are right now," Castle reassured her. "So we can go."
"Did you hear from Alexis at all?" Martha asked when they were finishing putting on their coats.
"No, I just know what time it is," Castle replied with a slight shrug. He then smiled and said, "We might be late."
"We're going right now Rick," Beckett said as she'd been making sure Josie was set in her stroller. She let her husband take it and got Eliza's hand before they were leaving the house and the front yard. She wasn't surprised when the little girl next to her was looking back and forth so they could cross the street. When they were walking across, she said to her daughter, "You're excited?"
"Yeah, did they finish their house?" Eliza asked.
"I think so," Beckett replied as they reached the end of the path up to the front door. "At least they were able to fix up the fence."
"I'm not surprised they did that first," Castle commented as Alexis and Louis had trimmed the hedges in front of their house slightly and changed the picket fence for a darker wood lattice fence. He opened the gate to let the others in, telling his wife as she waited to walk with him, "I'm glad they kept the arched arbor though."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said, since the gate was in the arbor. They walked in and up to the front door after the rest of their family and as they went up the steps to the porch Alexis was opening the door.
"Hello!" the young woman said with a smile when her sisters were crying out to her and wrapping their arms around her. "I'm glad you made it."
"Did you think we wouldn't?" Castle said.
"You couldn't help yourself, could you?" Beckett asked her husband.
"Mom's right Dad," Alexis said in amusement, letting her sisters go and ushering them inside. Once she had said hello to her grandparents, she was embracing her parents and then moving to greet Josie as Castle was helping the baby out of her stroller.
"We're very happy to have you here," Louis said when everyone had greeted him after doing so to his wife. "And dinner is almost ready so please come in and we'll get you all a drink before we sit down."
Walking down the hall past the stairs to the family room and kitchen, Beckett said, "Eliza was asking if you've finished up the house?"
"We did," Alexis replied with a smile. "The house is painted inside and outside; thank you; we unpacked everything and we have the furniture and appliances we want. It's why we're having you over."
"Are you planning on having a housewarming party?" Castle asked his daughter after Louis went into the kitchen to get their drink orders.
"I don't know," Alexis said honestly. "I think we're more focused on working right now."
"You know you wouldn't have to necessarily," Martha commented.
"It's not about money," Alexis said with a smile because she knew what her grandmother meant. "More that we don't have the time to plan a party." She glanced at her husband and said, "I don't really think he wants to hold one either. Sorry Gram."
"No, I expected it," Martha said, holding her hands up. She turned to her grandson in law and took the glass of wine he held out to her before saying, "Rick and Kate didn't have a housewarming party either."
"We didn't see the need," Beckett said first.
"She's right," Castle said in agreement. "Plus, Kate was pregnant and we had to adjust to living in the suburbs."
"Was it that difficult?" Louis asked, finished getting the adults drinks.
"No, we knew the house," Beckett said with a smile, speaking for herself and Julia. "But we needed to get used to living together permanently."
"Luckily that worked," Castle said, smiling at his wife when she rolled her eyes. He squeezed her hand quickly before they turned together to watch the girls playing. "Thank you for setting those out," he told his daughter and her husband as they'd left a soft ball for the three girls to roll around together.
"I had a feeling they'd need something to play with if we started talking together," Alexis replied with a smile, sipping at her wine for a moment. She then said, "Do you want to look around?"
"We'll wait for that," Beckett said as the oven timer was going off. She said to Alexis as Louis was hurrying over to the top one, "Do you need us to get the table set?"
"No, I set it," the young woman replied. "Louis took care of dinner, so I took care of that and making sure we had the necessary drinks." Alexis then called to her sisters to come and get theirs to take to the dining room table and she smiled as Josie toddled up to her. "You're getting better at that," she said, picking the baby up. She kissed her cheek and then said, "I can't wait for you to stay the night."
"Lessa," Josie told her.
Laughing, since the baby was trying to say her name along with Eliza's, Alexis kissed her cheek and said, "You're closer. Now let me get you some juice." She watched, looking with her baby sister as their father was rushing to get her sippy cup. She poured out some of the apple juice she and Louis had and let Castle close it for them. "I'll put it at your place at the table," she said, carrying her and the cup to the dining room off the kitchen. She set Josie into the highchair she had placed to the right of her chair and told their mother, "I hope you don't mind; Jules is going to be on my other side."
"I don't," Beckett said, setting down her glass at the place setting her oldest nodded to across the table from her. "I was expecting it to be honest."
"Oh good, it's not a shock," Alexis said before they laughed together and looked at Josie when she was laughing at them. "I need to make sure Louis doesn't need my help."
"Go," Beckett said with a nod before she turned to her husband as he walked over to her. "You're not going to help?" she asked him with a smile.
"I think they all have it," Castle said, leaning down and sharing a brief kiss with her. "Since I didn't get the chance to do that all day." He wasn't surprised when his wife was smirking at him and was about to speak again when she placed her hand on his chest to stop him so she could.
"I feel the same way, but they're going to walk in here soon," Beckett said. "And we have an audience."
"That's true," Castle said, glancing at Josie who was looking up at them with wide eyes.
"Where am I sitting?" Eliza asked as she walked into the dining room with her glass in hand.
"Here," Castle said, pointing to the chair to Julia's left. He left for the kitchen then, knowing the food was about to be brought into the room for the table.
"Mommy," Eliza said, going to her.
"Yes sweetie?" Beckett asked, running her hand over the back of Josie's head.
"Are we gonna get to play any games after dinner?" Eliza asked.
"We will," Alexis said, bringing a lasagna in a pan out to set towards the head of the table. "We have a few things to play."
"Do you have Michigan Rummy?" Eliza asked.
"We do," Louis said, coming in with some corn on the cob in a bowl. "You wanted to play that?" he asked in amusement as he saw the relief on the little girl's face.
"Yeah," Eliza replied, nodding.
"Do you need any more help?" Beckett asked her son in law.
"That should be it," Louis replied before he went over to the doorway. "Lex?" he called.
"We're ready," Alexis said, walking out with a large bowl of salad. "Dad's bringing the butter for the corn," she said before her grandparents were walking in ahead of Castle.
Once the family was sitting and had gotten their food Louis asked, "Am I supposed to make a toast."
"It's up to you," Alexis said in amusement since her husband was looking at her.
"Then Lex and I hope you'll enjoy our first meal for you here at home," Louis said, holding up his glass. "Sláinte."
"Sláinte," Beckett said before tapping her glass against her husband's.
Watching the others taking their first bites, Alexis asked, "Is it good? We've never made a lasagna that big."
"It is," Castle said. "Why are you looking at me?"
"I used your recipe Dad," Alexis said before her mother could say anything.
"Oh, you did a great job," Castle said nodding his head. "But I want to hear about something else."
"About school?" Eliza asked.
"Exactly," Castle said firmly, smiling when the little girl giggled. He wasn't surprised when Eliza started and spoke about everything she had learned that day in her subjects.
"I remember word problems," Louis commented with a smile. "I think those were easiest for me compared to everything else."
"It's okay," Eliza said, shrugging.
"She doesn't like math that much still," Jim said. "Luckily she doesn't do that badly with it."
"That's because of you Dad," Beckett told her father with a smile. "What about you?" she asked Julia.
Finishing her bite of lasagna, Julia went over her classes and ended with, "I'm really lucky my homework went fast."
"What about dance class?" Alexis asked.
Julia opened her mouth before she quickly stopped herself as she recalled their parents had seen most of the class. She then began to talk about it with Eliza though she ended up speaking more since she and Peter had been practicing more than the others.
"The other kids don't mind that?" Louis asked.
"No, because we're not going to be doing that again until Friday," Julia explained. "We're only practicing two days a week which is nice."
"You feel ready?" Louis asked.
"A little more practicing," Julia answered honestly. "But I won't be ready until I'm about to dance the first one at Madison Square Garden."
"Dance," Josie said suddenly.
"That's the first time she said that word!" Eliza said eagerly.
"I'm not surprised," Martha said in amusement. "As much as we talk about dancing." She wasn't surprised when Eliza, next to her, turned to look at her and started to speak quickly.
"Is that bad?" the little girl asked.
"No," Martha said quickly as she calmed her down. "Don't worry, I love that you girls dance. Though I hope you're still doing it because you want to."
"Yep," Eliza replied, nodding her head.
Martha laughed and hugged the girl with one arm before saying, "Keep eating kiddo."
"But I finished," Eliza said.
"Can you take your plate?" Beckett asked her.
"I'll go with her," Julia said, standing up herself. She carried her plate into the kitchen, walking behind her little sister and then said, "How come you wanted to play Michigan Rummy?"
"Because we didn't play it for a long time," Eliza said in a matter of fact tone of voice. She then studied her big sister and asked, "You don't want to?"
"I do, I was just surprised since it's been so long," Julia said with a smile. She turned her attention to their big sister as she was walking inside and said, "We put the plates."
"We're all finished now," Alexis said, shifting Josie who was on her hip.
"Where's your plate?" Eliza asked.
"You want me to bring both?" Alexis asked in response, her voice tinged with amusement.
"No," Eliza giggled. "But you're gonna wash Josa's face?"
"I'll try to," Alexis said. "I'll be back," she said.
"Mom?" Julia asked as Beckett was walking inside with the others.
"Yes?" she asked while she let Castle take her plate.
"Am I going to be able to write in my diary?" Julia said.
"You will, Josie needs to go back to her room to sleep," Beckett said easily as her husband and Louis were starting to do the dishes together.
"She can't spend the night?" Eliza asked.
"Not tonight," Beckett said.
"Are you going to have to work tomorrow Mommy?" Eliza said, going over to her and taking her hand.
Wrapping her arm around her, Beckett was about to speak when Alexis walked in with Josie talking a few words and babbling the rest. She let go of Eliza and took the baby since she was calling for her and reaching for her, taking her onto her hip. She kissed the side of her head and then said, "Are you all set?"
"No," Josie said seriously. She smiled when the rest of her family started to laugh in response, and she wrapped her arms around her mother's neck.
"Is Josa going to play?" Julia asked.
"She will," Beckett replied. "With me."
"We're finished," Louis said then.
"Does anyone want a refill?" Alexis asked, picking up the bottle of wine they'd been drinking from.
"If you get a tea kettle, I'd like to make some tea," Beckett told her.
"That's alright," Alexis said with a smile. "I was going to make some. Anyone else? The girls?"
"If you have chamomile then yes," Beckett replied, not surprised her middle daughters were looking at her. She watched her oldest beginning to get what she needed to make tea and eventually asked, "Where are we playing?"
"The dining room," Louis said, rolling down his sleeves. "I'll grab the game."
Once the tea and game were ready, the family was gathering around the table, Castle dealt the first game before Eliza was asking them all a question.
"What if we run out of chips?" the little girl said.
"I think we'll have to stop and head home," Castle commented.
"No!" Eliza cried out before she started to laugh with the rest of her family.
"We'll see what happens sweetie," Beckett told her daughter.
Eliza nodded and then turned her attention back to the game, groaning good naturedly when her mother won. "I'm gonna win next time."
"Hopefully," Alexis told her sister.
"Yeah," Eliza said eagerly as their mother was beginning to shuffle so she could deal.
Beckett smiled at her second youngest and then turned to the cards she was holding, and she began them pass out so they could continue their night.
"I think these colors work," Castle was telling Alexis as they were standing in the foyer.
"Good," the young woman replied in amusement. "But you haven't looked upstairs yet."
"Are you sure you want us to go?" Beckett asked.
"Are you okay holding Josa?" Alexis replied.
Looking down at the baby; who was asleep in her arms; Beckett nodded and said, "I think so." She followed the couple with her husband, the others going up the stairs after them until they walked into the first guest bedroom. When she saw the colors Alexis and Louis had chosen, she asked, "Did you decide on a palette?"
"We thought mainly blues," the latter replied. "Though we went different here and there with other shades."
Walking through the guest bedrooms, Beckett could see they were right though she wasn't surprised two rooms nearest to the master were painted a pale grey. She had a feeling those were meant to be their kids' rooms whenever they had them but didn't say anything. They walked into the master bedroom, and she said, "I had a feeling you were going to go for this."
"We decided a light blue, very light, would go well with everything we have," Louis commented, watching with a smile as the girls went over to the turret. He shared a glance with his wife before he said, "I'm assuming they enjoy it."
"I do," Julia said immediately. She then smiled and said, "I like that you put the bed here."
"It works?" Martha asked.
"It does," Alexis answered, nodding. "Very well, luckily the space was big enough for our bed."
"Can I go on it?" Eliza asked.
"You're lucky I know you're kidding," Alexis told her. "Do you two like your room color?" she asked since she and Louis had gotten a bunk bed and day bed for her three sisters to share when they spent the night. Her husband had urged her to pick the color and she had gone with a bright blue for them.
"Yeah, I'd pick that for a kids' room," Julia said quickly.
"Me too," Eliza said before she hurried to go over to the windows in the turret.
"Okay," Castle said. "We need to go; Josie needs to get some sleep."
"Do we really have to?" Eliza asked in disappointment.
"Yes, come on," Beckett replied.
Going down to the foyer the family said goodnight to Alexis and Louis before they were leaving and walking back across the street.
"We can be happy their first dinner in their new home was a success," Martha told the others when they were in the foyer and taking off their coats.
"It was, but I didn't really doubt it," Castle commented.
"Of course not, she is your daughter," Beckett said teasingly. She took Josie back from Eliza and then said, "We'll get Josie ready before we come to tuck you in Eliza," not surprised when her second youngest groaned and pretended to complain as they were heading up the foyer stairs.
"But I don't want to go to bed yet," the little girl said.
"You kind of need to," Castle told her.
"I know, but I still don't wanna," Eliza said, pouting playfully at him.
"Do you need help getting ready?" Castle asked laughingly when they were at the top of the stairs.
"No," Eliza replied firmly, smiling. "I can do it by myself," she told him before going further to her room.
Going into Josie's room after Beckett, Castle said, "Are you alright love?"
"I am," she replied. "But if you could get her pajamas for me I'd be grateful."
Nodding, Castle hurried to the closet and grabbed the first pajama set for the baby before going back to where his wife was at the changing table. He took the baby's sweater and pants to toss into the hamper and said, "Got everything for her diaper change?"
"I do," Beckett said absently as she was working on changing Josie. Once she had her dressed, she took her out to the hall with Castle so the baby's grandparents could say goodnight to her first.
"I'll be heading to bed," Martha commented after she and Jim had finished, and Josie was back in Castle's arms.
"So will I," Jim said.
"Are either of you heading out tomorrow?" Beckett asked them. When the two shook their heads she said, "Okay, that'll help us since we're probably going to be called to the case early."
"Whenever you need us to watch her we'll be ready," Jim told his daughter.
"Okay," Castle said as Julia and Eliza had walked down to them from their rooms. "We should take Josie in or she's going to be cranky tomorrow."
Watching the girls saying goodnight to Martha and Jim, Beckett looked at Josie to make sure she was alright and finding her asleep she said, "Girls, let's go."
Turning, Julia saw her baby sister was fast asleep and she hurried with Eliza after saying another goodnight to their grandparents. Once they were inside Josie's room she said, "Can we still say goodnight to her?"
"You can, but hurry," Beckett urged them.
"Night Josa," Eliza said as their father sat in the rocking chair. She kissed the top of Josie's head and said, "Love you."
"I love you too Josa," Julia said. "Night and we'll see you tomorrow," she added, kissing the top of the baby's head as well before she went over to the crib with the others, standing with Eliza before their father was kissing the top of their baby sister's head and murmuring to her.
"I love you sweetheart," Castle told her. "We'll spend time with you in the morning." He handed her to Beckett, pressing a kiss to the top of Josie's forehead.
"Good night Josie," Beckett told the baby. She kissed her forehead tenderly and then said, "I love you sweetie." She rocked the baby for a moment and then moved to set Josie into the crib, covering her with a blanket. She stood with Castle and the girls looking down at the baby sleeping before she motioned to her husband, and they took the girls out and down the hall.
"Night Jules," Eliza told her big sister.
"Night Lizzy," Julia said before they hugged. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yep, see you for breakfast," Julia replied. "Love you."
"Love you too," Eliza replied.
"We're going to tuck her in and then get stuff ready to make some coffee," Castle told Julia before she could leave them.
"Okay, more time for my diary," Julia said with a smile before she hurried over to her bedroom after waving to her little sister.
"Come on," Beckett told Eliza with a smile, putting her hand on her back. They went into her room, Castle following with Rita and Rose before the dogs were jumping up onto the bed. She watched the little girl hugging the two before turning to them and she was about to tell her she did need to go to bed before Eliza was speaking first.
"How long do you think you have to work tomorrow?" the little girl asked.
"I'm not sure," Beckett said.
"We won't know until tomorrow," Castle added as Eliza was climbing onto her bed. "Why do you ask?" he said as he sat on the edge of the bed while she slipped her feet underneath the covers.
"I'm just wondering," Eliza replied. "Do I need to go to bed?" she then asked him.
Unable to help laughing, Castle said, "Yes," before he was pulling her to him. He shared a kiss with her and hugged her tightly before saying, "I love you sweetie."
"Love you Daddy," Eliza said. "That was fun tonight," she said as she watched her parents changing places. "Can we do it again?"
"We'll see," Beckett said. "You know your sister and Louis have jobs they need to go to too."
"Still," Eliza said before smiling at her mother before she hugged her tightly. "Night Mommy."
"Goodnight sweetie," Beckett told her, gently smoothing her hair back. "I love you."
"I love you too," Eliza said with a smile before they shared a kiss. "Mommy?" she asked as she laid down and her mother tucked her in.
"Yes sweetie?" Beckett asked her.
"You'll be there for breakfast, right?" Eliza asked softly.
"We will," Beckett reassured her. She kissed her forehead and said, "Brad won't call us that early unless he finds the person who did it."
"What if he does?" Eliza asked.
"I doubt it," Castle said quickly. "We didn't have that much when we came home," he added.
"Oh… okay," Eliza replied.
"Did you think we wouldn't be here for that?" Beckett asked her. When the little girl nodded, she said, "We will, but now you really need to sleep."
"I will," Eliza replied before she closed her eyes.
Beckett smiled and stood up before she and Castle walked to the doorway, pausing there to make sure Eliza had stayed laying down. Just before her husband turned off the lights, she saw their second youngest was still and her eyes were closed. After her husband had closed the door a little behind them, she asked, "Coffee?"
"You don't want any?" Castle asked, unable to help feeling a little disappointed she wanted to just sleep.
"I don't think we need any," Beckett said, squeezing his hand. "Let's get changed for bed."
"Sure," Castle replied. They walked by Julia's room but didn't say anything to their daughter, as by then she was writing in her diary. "I'm glad she changed first."
"She knew I wanted her to," Beckett replied with a soft laugh before they continued down the stairs.
After she had spit out the water she had rinsed her mouth with, Julia dried her lips before she went out to her bedroom. She checked on Macca and JoJo, seeing the dogs were laying at the end of her bed. She smiled as they were both asleep by then, and she hurried to her desk before she got her diary. Filling her pen shortly after with ink, she turned to her diary and started with the date.
October 25th, 2021
Hello again Evangeline! Only six days to Halloween now so I'm even more excited though I need to write about my day and not Halloween yet.
This morning Gram and Grandpapa weren't back from the city yet so it was me, Lizzy and Josa with Mom and Dad for breakfast which is nice, but the table felt super empty. They still didn't come back before we left so we walked to school on our own… well, with Mom and Dad of course and Patrick was there with Maddy and of course Mari went with me. So we went to school and Mari and I were very lucky we had Study Hall first since yesterday we didn't have to work on our homework either… I guess I should just say we didn't work on it this weekend.
We talked a little about Marie, the e-mail I wrote to you about yesterday. We're both in agreement that we're not ready to date ourselves but it might be nice to do. But only if you like the person you're with, Mari agreed with me. We didn't talk that much, we didn't have the time, but we managed just before the bell rang to end first period. Tomorrow we'll have it last which is nice too, so I should be able to focus on my dancing.
Julia looked up at her father who walked into her room then, surprised to see he was staring at his phone. She was about to ask if he'd finished with his coffee already when he put his phone into his robe pocket and spoke to her.
"Finished?" Castle asked.
"No… did you finish with your coffee?" Julia took the chance to ask.
"We're not having any," Castle said, being careful so his disappointment didn't show.
"Oh… well I kind of just barely started," Julia said.
"That's okay, I was just checking to see," Castle told her. "I have a crossword puzzle on my phone."
Julia nodded and was about to get more ink into her pen before she paused and looked with her father as her mother came into her room.
"What?" Beckett asked, slightly laughingly since the two were staring at her.
"Sorry, I didn't expect you to come in that soon behind me," Castle replied.
"I was waiting to see if you were going to be on your phone like Dad was," Julia then said.
"Keep writing in your diary sweetie," Beckett told her with a smile.
Nodding her head, Julia quickly got more ink and proceeded to write a new paragraph, trying to go as quickly as she could with the rest of her entry.
That brings me to my dance class of course, though classes were fine, it was basically the same stuff as usual. Most of the class was for Peter and me to practice together since it was Monday again and I'm feeling more comfortable. The one thing I'm really worried about Evangeline, is knowing I'll be dancing this stuff in front of so many people. I don't want to freeze up, but luckily Peter knows how I feel about that since he's worried about the same thing too! While we were practicing Mom and Dad came in, so yep, they have a case. I don't know about it yet, but I really want to ask them after and see what they say. Anyways the rest of the class was fun, I love the Quickstep we have though it's lucky we're not being judged on it since it isn't an exact Quickstep!
So the best part of today, not doing homework after school which I'll be so happy to not have to do tomorrow, was that for dinner we all went across the street to 'lexis and Louis' house for dinner. It was fun because their house is basically finished (I know some day they'll have kids so they're waiting for that I bet) and all the rooms are painted which was so neat to see since the colors are lighter. But before we went upstairs, we had dinner which they made, and was really good and fun to get to eat at the dining room. We also got to play Michigan Rummy together; what Lizzy wanted to play; and Josa got to walk around to play with me and Lizzy before she started to get tired. We had to come home so Josa could sleep in her room, and while I didn't like having to say goodnight to 'lexis and Louis, at least they're only across the street!
We came home only a little bit ago, and after I changed and brushed my teeth, and I came here to write to you. But now I'm done so I'll end here and talk with Mom and Dad. Night Evangeline and write to you tomorrow!
Putting everything she had used in the drawer above her legs Julia got up and turned to her mother first. "Mom," she stated.
"Yes," Beckett replied.
"Will you tell me about the case?" Julia asked.
Beckett glanced at her husband, not surprised he was looking at her to answer, and then said, "Alright, but we won't tell you everything," not surprised when their second oldest was beginning to speak quickly.
"I know but I don't care," Julia said.
Beckett couldn't help laughing and then said, "Okay, but if you have a nightmare…"
"I'll tell you," Julia promised.
Beckett nodded and she and Castle began telling her about their case though she didn't tell her about the bar they'd gone to before heading to the school.
"Weird, I wonder why they had to make the man into a mummy," Julia said.
"Remember Elmer McCurdy?" Castle asked her.
Nodding rapidly Julia said, "I thought of that too. But why not just throw the mummy into the ocean? It would have been hidden a lot better."
"That could almost be a motive for Cooke," Castle commented.
"If she didn't have an alibi," Beckett reminded him.
"True," Castle replied, nodding his head. He then said, "Then that means they wanted the body to be found, but… in the shape it was in."
"Were you worried when you saw the mummy?" Julia asked her father.
"A little," Castle admitted. "But your mom was quick to stop me."
"I figured it was more recent, considering where we were," Beckett said in amusement before she turned to their daughter. "Any other questions?"
"Yes, why didn't you and Patrick go into the place at the end," Julia said immediately.
"You should just tell her," Castle said.
"She doesn't need to know about places like that," Beckett said quickly and with a frown on her face.
"Is it a place just for grownups?" Julia asked them.
"Yes," Beckett said and firmly, hoping she wouldn't continue. But she wasn't really that surprised when she started talking slowly as she looked at her and Castle.
"Is it a place where… they're naked?" Julia said, feeling more than a little disgusted at the thought.
"It's where women don't wear tops," Castle said.
"Oh," Julia said, slightly frowning as she thought that meant they just didn't wear shirts. But she realized her mother wouldn't care if she knew that and she said, "Or bras?"
"Or that," Beckett said with a sigh.
"Oh, I see why you didn't go too Dad," Julia told her. "Good thing."
"Yeah, for Patrick too," Castle said, smiling when Julia giggled.
"Wait," the girl said then. "Is it any woman that goes there?"
"Just the workers," Beckett said, knowing her daughter was thinking she would have had to take her shirt and bra off.
"Oh… with food around their…" Julia started to ask before she blushed. "Were they… bigger?" she whispered.
"They were," Beckett said, glancing at her husband for a moment. She then turned back to their daughter and said, "But they were holding it away from the food the little that I saw. Now, that's all there is about this place because we walked to the office to speak to the owner and then left."
"Will Lily get mad at Brad for going there?" Julia asked.
Beckett smiled at the question and told her, "It's why I went. And since I never got a call or text from her or him, I think Lily took Brad's explanation for what happened."
"That's it for the case?" Julia asked when her parents didn't say anything else.
"That's it so far," Castle said. "But hopefully we can find something with the guest list."
Giving her husband a quick nod, Beckett looked at Julia and saw she was frowning, about to ask her what she was thinking when the girl was speaking quickly.
"Think Skye has ever gone to a place like that?" Julia said. "Or Mary?"
"No," Beckett said as Castle looked at her to answer. "We talked about that once and they said they didn't really like the premise of a place like that."
"What do you mean?" Julia asked in confusion.
"That they don't like the idea of women being paid to do what they do for anyone who walks into the building," Beckett said.
"Do other women like that though?" Julia asked.
"You mean that are gay?" Beckett asked instead of answering. When her daughter nodded, she said, "Mary said a friend of hers did enjoy going when she was in her twenties and just realizing she was gay. But she settled down with a girlfriend and stopped going."
"Did they get married?" Castle asked. He watched his wife trying to recall before she nodded and he said, "Was it Mary?"
"No," Beckett replied, giving him a look. "It was a friend."
"What about women like you Mom?" Julia asked. "That like men?"
"Ah," Castle couldn't stop himself from saying.
"There are other places with men instead of women," Beckett replied.
"Oh… I remember them talking about that on Will and Grace," Julia said. "That they went since Will liked their drinks, but he really liked the dancers… guys… Chippendales?"
"That's a place," Beckett replied with a nod. When her husband and daughter were both staring at her she sighed and said, "I've been to one, a few times but like Mary's friend it was just in my twenties."
"But… why?" Julia asked though she was still confused as to what exactly was the reason, or the appeal for that matter, of any of the places they were talking about.
"I think it's the excitement," Castle said. "But when you leave you regret it."
"Because you're alone?" Julia asked.
"I think so," Castle said. He looked at his wife and asked, "We need to change the subject?"
"We should," Beckett said.
"It's not appropriate?" Julia asked her then. When her mother nodded, she giggled and reached for her, hugging her tightly as her mother was doing to her. "How much time do I have?" she then asked.