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 let me get to my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (Really happy to see you like how I write Castle and Beckett every time!) and
Mb (I had to laugh at your opening with commenting on the fact that Castle and Beckett are certainly making up for the self imposed celibacy, but you're right about that. And I was happy to read that you thought it was nicely done with Castle and Beckett being totally devoted to each other. I figured too they'd make sure they'd both be, as you put it, reaching the height of ecstasy and love since I want to convey that between them! You're welcome for the first half of the chapter! Really great to see you thought the second half of the chapter was nicely done. I'm not surprised that you enjoy when they still get in touch with their family while they're away, I wanted to convey that way how much they love their family. And I'm glad you laughed with Darnley at the realization about the two rude men. And I'm really looking forward to the documentary, been waiting a long time to see the footage all together! You're welcome for sharing the second half of the chapter!).
Thanks for the reviews, loved reading them all and I appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!
A/N #2: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Happy With You by Paul McCartney, from his album Egypt Station.
Watch The Children Playing Games
"Here they come," Darnley said, looking down the driveway to the stables. He frowned for a moment and said, "Five cars?"
"I think they invited some more people over," Castle said, waving with them before they watched the cars that were parking.
"I think they invited everyone," Nkosi said with a smile when the others started to come out.
"It looks like it," Beckett said, smiling when Julia and Eliza were getting out of the car her father had been driving. She got off the fence she'd been sitting on and braced herself before her daughters were rushing into her arms. Laughing as she had to stagger back slightly, she said, "I guess you're happy to see us."
"We are," Julia said first.
"Hi Mommy!" Eliza said, looking up at her once she was pulling back to look up at her.
"Hello girls," Beckett said. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah!" Eliza said happily.
"We have your boots," Julia then said while her little sister was jumping into their father's arms. "And are still happy to see you."
"Come here Julia," Castle said, holding his arm out to her. He was pleased when she eagerly went into his embrace and hugging the two said, "And we're happy to be back of course. Now, about the crowd…"
"What, you want us to go home?" Brad asked jokingly.
"No, but it was kind of a surprise seeing you all here," Castle said. "Who's riding?"
Beckett didn't hear the response, reaching for Josie who was in her father's arms. She hugged the baby to her tightly and kissed her gently saying, "Hello sweetie."
"Mama," Josie said, smiling at her mother. She laughed when Beckett hugged her again and was cuddling against her.
"Did you hear love?" Castle asked his wife while he walked over to her.
"No," Beckett said before she was handing Josie to him since the baby had squealed seeing him.
Kissing the top of Josie's head once he had her against his hip Castle said, "I'm really glad seeing you again. Now what do you think about watching us practicing polo?"
"Up Dada," Josie said to him.
Smiling while she smoothed down some of the baby's hairs, Beckett said to her husband, "They're here for that?"
"They are," Castle said with a nod. "Though just David and Rebecca are here for that."
"I figured," Beckett said in amusement.
"An bhfuil tú ceart go leor?" Castle asked his wife then in some concern.
Glancing up at him, since he'd asked, 'are you okay to,' Beckett nodded and then told him, "Bhí roinnt folcadáin agam," which meant 'I've had several baths.'
"Okay," Castle said with a nod as he'd insisted she take a bath before they'd dressed and packed to return home.
"So once we get home I'm taking a shower, not a bath," Beckett said. "We'll discuss what we do for that when we go back," she told him quickly as she could see he was about to speak.
"Then does that mean we're going?" Castle asked.
"We are," Beckett said before she went to Alexis, touching the young woman's shoulder.
"Mom," she said with a smile. "Sorry, I was talking with Patrick and Trevor about the party." Alexis hugged her mother and then did the same with her father though she was careful about Josie. "Did you guys have fun?" she asked.
"It was a nice party," Beckett said.
"And really good food," Castle said, looking over at Lily.
"I heard," the chef said. "Tell me over lunch."
Beckett smiled at that and was about to speak when she turned to her father when he was walking up to them with two boxes under his arms. "Thank you, Dad," she told him as she and Castle hurried to take the boxes. She glanced at Josie to make sure she was good on Alexis' hip and then turned her attention to her boots before her father was asking her about what they were doing that day.
"Are we taking the younger kids to the ponies?" Jim asked.
"Could you wait until we're back," Beckett said, speaking to her feet as she was changing from her shoes to her boots.
"We can, but what exactly are we going to do with them until you're back?" Jim said, letting his daughter use his arm for support.
"Thanks," Beckett told her father as she'd finished.
"They're going to exercise one of the colts over there today," Louis commented.
"Will that be enough for them?" Martha asked.
"It will," Beckett said. "You've seen them doing that already."
"Though," Castle started to say as he looked at his wife. "Mother, if you wanted to sit you can go up to the house."
"He's right," Louis told her quickly. "It's open and you know the parlor is for owners."
"Wouldn't that mean Mom and Dad?" Alexis asked her husband.
"I may go inside," Martha said with a smile as Louis was slapping his hand to his forehead playfully.
"Mom?" Julia said, walking over to them.
"We're coming," Beckett said quickly. She turned to her mother in law and said, "We won't go on the longer trail, but we're only going at a trot."
"We'll be ready for you," Jim assured his daughter. He took Josie from his oldest granddaughter, smiling when Beckett came over to kiss her cheek before Castle was doing the same and they left with the other three.
"You are a very loved little girl," Martha said to Josie as they were walking to where everyone else who wasn't riding was standing.
"I think she knows," Jim said with a smile since the baby was laughing and reaching for her grandmother.
"Easy Alex," Beckett said with a smile when she could see her horse tossing its head. She hurried up to the stallion and gently patted its head before pressing a kiss above his nose.
"Hey, break it up," Castle told his wife jokingly, walking up behind her.
Raising her eyebrow at him, Beckett said, "You're that jealous? After this trip?"
"Yes," Castle said seriously. He smiled when she started to laugh before leaning against him, holding her with one arm. He glanced to his right and then sighed before telling his wife, "I hate to stop this, but Julia's right over there and staring at us."
"Not staring Dad," Julia said, rolling her eyes though she was smiling at the same time at her parents. "But do I need you to come with me into Queenie's stall?"
"No but I'd like to watch and make sure you handle everything," Beckett said. She turned to Alex as he'd whinnied and gently rubbed above his nose before she told him, "I'll be right back Alex, please try to be patient."
Julia smiled when the stallion pressed his nose up against her mother's hand and said, "Is that him saying he will?"
"I think so," Beckett replied. She walked with her husband and their daughter to the stall Queenie was sticking her head out of.
Opening the door, Julia slipped inside and closed the door behind her before hugging her horse around the neck. "I'm so glad to see you Queenie," she said, her cheek pressed against her horse. She kissed her and pulled away before her father was calling to her.
"You're just like your mom," Castle said. "I feel very unloved. Ow," he said, saying the last laughingly because his wife had punched his shoulder though it wasn't that hard.
"We'll talk about that later Rick," Beckett said firmly before she turned her attention to their daughter.
"Why later?" Julia said, watching her parents.
"Do you still need help with the saddle?" Castle asked her.
"Could you come in and spot me?" Julia said with a smile. "Just in case."
"Sure," Castle replied, stepping inside. After he'd closed the door behind him, he said to his wife, "Lonely?"
"You're within range you know," Beckett told him.
"Range for what?" Castle asked. He laughed when she tugged at his ear, though lightly, and he said, "So not lonely?"
"No, she's getting the saddle Rick," Beckett told him.
Turning carefully, so he wouldn't startle the mare, Castle saw his wife was right, and he went over to her saying, "Okay?"
"Yeah," Julia said, though she stepped back a little.
"Here," Castle said, taking it from her. He set the saddle up on Queenie's back, making sure she was okay with the weight before he said, "There you go."
"Thanks," Julia said. "I still want to try though."
"Which is what we're letting you do," Beckett said. "And thank you for lifting from your legs," she added.
Julia, tightening the girth, smiled at her mother briefly before she turned her attention back to her horse, getting the bridle ready before she was taking the reins. "I'll wait for you?" she asked as her father opened the door for her and let her out.
"Please," Beckett said. She watched the girl leaving with Queenie walking after her before turning to her husband. "Okay," she said. "I need to get to Alex."
"Wait," Castle said, taking her hand before she could walk over to the stall. He reached up and cupped her cheek with his hand before leaning over and kissing her lightly on the lips. "Just that," he said once he'd pulled away from her. He was startled when she reached for him and he was leaning down so they could share another kiss. He was about to comment on her doing that again as they were parting shortly after when she lightly pressed her fingers to his lips so she could speak first.
"As much as I want to continue that, we're in public now and we need to go," Beckett told him.
"Is this because of Alex?" Castle asked her.
"Partially," Beckett admitted, smiling when her husband started to laugh before they were walking to their horses' stalls. She got Alex ready, not surprised when she could tell the stallion was impatient. Finishing with the bridle, she scratched along his neck and told him, "Come on boy, I'll take you for a gallop after. I promise."
"Julius wants to go too," Castle said as his wife was stepping out into the stable.
Smiling Beckett said, "I'm not surprised," before they were leaving.
"Man, I don't know how you can handle that horse," Darnley said, stepping close to his friend as she stood on the mounting step.
"It's not that hard," Beckett said in amusement. She looked down at him once she was ready and said, "See? I didn't make you ride."
"And believe me, I'm grateful for that," Darnley said. "Have a fun ride," he told her.
"I will," Beckett said, tugging on the reins and turning Alex. She headed over to Julia and asked, "Ready sweetie?"
"Yep," the girl replied. "I can't wait. Are you going to gallop at all?"
"In the field before we practice with David and Rebecca," Castle said. "What about her?"
"She can go," Beckett replied, smiling at Julia since she was looking at her hopefully.
"Thanks," Julia said before she hurried to spur Queenie to go with her mother as they were starting to ride. She glanced behind her, seeing Mari was with her dad and said, "Could we ride together."
"Alright," Beckett said, seeing Rebecca nodding a little further back. She waited for her husband to come up to her while they let the girls ride behind them and said, "I was planning on spending time with the kids," speaking teasingly.
"That was my fault Mom," Julia said.
Laughing softly, Beckett said, "Oh, my mistake love," directing that to her husband. "How was it last night?"
"Fine, we made pizza together and then had a picnic in the dining room," Julia replied. "Oh, Mom, Dad remember Mari is-" she then started to say hurriedly.
"We remember," Castle said quickly. "And that's fine, we were expecting this. You two did give permission, right?"
"You know already," David said in a mock annoyed voice. "How was the party?"
"Good," Beckett said with a smile. "No murder mystery this time."
"You're sure it was good?" David asked. "After what we went through with ours it sounds like it would have been boring."
"That was fine with us," Castle said.
"After the last case," Beckett added.
"I hope you won't get a case before you go to Tahiti," Julia said.
"Hopefully," Beckett said. "And don't mention Tahiti, we have more to go through before that."
"Like what?" David asked.
"She means writing," Castle said in amusement.
"And you don't want to?" Rebecca asked in a similar tone.
"No, I do, I just like giving her a hard time," Castle replied, smiling at his wife when she rolled her eyes at him. They were crossing the stream at that point and once they were all there, he said, "What about watering them?"
"The trough by the field," Beckett reminded him. "It's been a while."
"Hopefully it's filled," Castle commented.
"It is," Louis called to them.
Laughing, the group continued down the trail until they could see the stables in the distance and Julia said to her friend, "Are you going to gallop?"
"Sure… but my mom and dad need to say it's okay first," Mari replied.
"Think your mom would say?" Julia asked her.
"I don't think so," Mari said. "Not today with everyone going galloping."
"But your horse won't get nervous," Julia said, though she wasn't surprised at her friend's thoughts. Though Rebecca did want Mari to ride, she was nervous about her galloping still. But she had the hope that her friend's mother would allow her to do so that day.
Once they were back at the stables, Beckett led Alex to the nearest trough before her horse started to drink and she looked at Rebecca who was near her. "Well?" she asked the woman.
"I know," she replied with a sigh. "And I guess I'll let Dave take her."
"If you don't want her to go…" David said in slight concern looking at his wife.
"No, I want her to," Rebecca said. "She'd be upset the rest of the day if I don't."
Julia smiled a little at Mari when she made a face but said, "At least you get to go."
"Do you mind if David takes her in first?" Rebecca asked.
"We don't," Beckett replied. She watched as the two went into the field and nudged Alex to head over to Julia.
"I know," the girl said to her mother quickly and with a smile. "You're going with me and that's fine. Thanks for letting me do that though."
"You're welcome. Though you'd be upset too," Beckett replied. She looked at the field as David and Mari were starting to ride and she smiled since she could tell the girl was enjoying it. When they had taken a few laps she told her daughter, "Let's go."
"Already?" Julia asked in surprise. When her mother nodded, she smiled and followed her into the field. "Had fun?" she asked her friend in passing.
"A ton," Mari said, nodding rapidly. "Hope you do too."
Julia waved to her before they were inside the field fully and she and her mother started to speed up their horses. When they were in a full gallop eventually, she was crying out in joy before she focused on riding around, unaware her friend was speaking to her father at that moment about her.
"She's gotten really good at that," Mari said shyly to Castle.
"I know," he said with a nod. "She's always asking to do that," Castle added. He then looked around at everyone else before asking his father in law, "Where's Josie?"
"Your mother took her to the house," Jim replied. "She was fussing and we couldn't settle her down."
"Did you show her the horses?" Castle asked with a slight frown.
"We did, she still wouldn't calm down," Jim replied.
"I'll be right back," Castle said. Once everyone was out of his way, he turned Julius and rode down to the house before he called, "Mother." When she appeared in the window of the parlor, he waved to her and let Julius turn in slightly before pulling him gently back.
"What are you shouting about Richard?" Martha asked as she stepped onto the porch.
"Dada, sa!" Josie said.
"Hey sweetheart," Castle said with a smile. "I heard she wasn't settling down."
"She still isn't," Martha said.
"She wants her mother, come over to the field," Castle told her.
"It's not too cold?" Martha asked.
"Not for her," Castle said as he was smiling at the baby. When his mother nodded, he walked Julius alongside her, not surprised Josie was watching his horse the entire time.
"Well," Martha said when they were nearing the field. "I suppose she's her mother's daughter."
"I think that means she's a McCollough," Alexis said to her grandmother with a smile.
"Les!" Josie cried.
"I see you Josa," Alexis replied. "I'd hug you, but I can't really make it down to you," she told her.
"You know I think that can apply to you too," Jim said. When his oldest granddaughter looked at him in surprise he said, "Really, though I think it's a little less than your sisters and mother."
Alexis nodded before she looked at the field where her husband was coming back from galloping himself and asked, "Are you playing polo now?"
"Not yet," Beckett said before the others could say anything. "Rick."
Heading over to her, Castle said, "Josie wants you."
"And I'll see her once we switch horses to practice," Beckett said with a smile. "Come on love."
"Don't say a word," Lily said to Darnley.
"What? I'm just happy right now," the carpenter said with a smile. He couldn't help laughing and said, "But it doesn't surprise me, she was always able to do that with men…" He shook himself as he glanced over at his friend's daughters, looking back at the chef saying, "But she's only enjoying it with him."
"Of course," Lily replied.
"What about you?" Darnley then asked.
"Me?" Lily asked in surprise.
"Riding?" Darnley asked.
"I've done it a few times," Lily said. "But it's not really to my taste. For them it is," she said, looking over at the field.
"Definitely," Darnley said in agreement before looking back to the pair riding.
Slowing down at that point, Beckett glanced at her husband to see if he was doing the same before they were walking their horses. "Are you ready?" she asked him.
"Yes, it hasn't been that long since I've practiced," Castle said. He looked at the group waiting for them and asked her, "Why the heck did they come if they're going to just stand there?"
"To be out," Beckett replied. "But I'm assuming it's more they want us to have lunch together."
"Speaking of which…" Castle told her, not surprised when she answered his unspoken question quickly.
"The Studebaker," Beckett said. When she saw her husband was going to speak, she held up her hand to stop him and told him, "I don't mind. But I would like to stay in for dinner."
"I'll have to see what we have," Castle said before they were going out of the field. He and Beckett were walking their horses back to the stables to get them all brushed down, watered and fed in their stalls. When they had finished, he went over to his wife and said, "Ready?"
"I am," Beckett said, picking up her helmet. She put it on while her husband was holding their mallets and she said, "Are you?"
"Yes, but again, I hope the others will be entertained enough by the practice," Castle said.
"Dad," Julia said, walking over to them. "I can hold those," she said, holding her arms out.
"Be careful," Castle said. When he was sure she was set he put on his helmet and asked her, "Mind holding them for us while we're getting on our horses?"
"Nope," Julia replied. She followed them over to the polo ponies Louis was holding for them and asked the young man, "You're not going to join them?"
"I'll pass," Louis answered, smiling as he wasn't surprised she was asking him that. "I'd like to check on a few horses while I'm here."
"Does 'lexis know?" Julia asked him.
"She does," Louis answered. He then turned his attention to her parents and said, "I hope you don't mind."
"We don't," Beckett said first.
"But you are coming to lunch, right?" Castle asked.
"Of course, Lex would have me head if I wasn't going along," Louis said. "Just let me know when you'll be on your way."
"We will," Beckett said, getting on her pony and taking her mallet from Julia. "Thank you, sweetie."
"Welcome," she replied, giving the other to her father once he was on his pony. Julia watched them ride to the field where David and Rebecca were waiting and she said, "See you?"
"Very shortly," Louis said with a nod and a smile.
Waving to him, Julia rushed over to the fence around the field, climbing up to the first rung and leaning over as her sister and Mari were doing.
"How are we splitting up into teams?" Castle asked.
"By gender or spouses," Rebecca said.
"Do we really want to do it by gender?" Beckett asked.
"I don't think so," David said. He and Castle were going to the middle of the field, their wives behind them, and he threw down the ball before he and his friend were trying to get it. After his friend had managed to get the ball, he was going after him, reaching with his mallet to get it away. He didn't have the chance to though, as Castle was passing it to his wife.
"Go Mommy!" Eliza cried, jumping up and down and clapping her hands. She had gotten down from the fence and was glad she could still see, as her mother was 'scoring' at the end of the field.
Beckett laughed and waved her mallet at her daughters while they cheered before she turned her attention to the ball that had rolled past the fence. "Thank you, Patrick," she said when her friend had come around the edge of the fence.
"You're welcome," Darnley replied. "Should I toss it over to you?" he asked.
"Take it to the middle," Beckett directed. "You can throw it in."
"Why didn't we just do that for you before?" Darnley asked as she was walking her pony along the fence while he was walking.
"I don't know, I think Rick and David like the challenge doing that," Beckett said.
"More like nearly knocking each other out," Darnley commented.
"Oh, you noticed that," Castle said jokingly.
"It wasn't hard to," Darnley said wryly. "So just throw this?"
"Go ahead," David called to him.
After her friend had thrown the ball in to her husband and David, Beckett was riding around as the mayor managed to get it that time. She was fighting Rebecca for the ball though she soon had it before riding down the field with the others going after her while the others were cheering them outside the fence.
Walking to the corral, Castle smiled seeing Eliza was riding her pony with Louis inside with her. "She's gotten a lot better," he told his wife.
"I see," Beckett said, keeping her eyes on their daughter. She leaned against the fence and was smiling at Eliza as she was coming near them and said, "You look great sweetie."
"Thank you, Mommy," the little girl said quickly, waving at her parents before she was going around again.
Beckett glanced at her husband, as he was filming Eliza with his phone, before something came to mind and she glanced around. She was about to ask where Julia was when Alexis was walking over to her and murmuring near her ear.
"She ran back to see Queenie, Mari's with her," the young woman said.
Nodding, as she and Castle had been in another stable getting everything put away after their practice, Beckett turned her attention to Eliza while Louis was telling her to bring her pony to a stop. She went quickly to Darnley and told him, "I need to go get Julia."
"Go ahead, you've seen her riding before," the carpenter said with a nod.
Squeezing her friend's arm, Beckett walked to the stable where their horses were and tried to get her eyes used to the darkness inside. She couldn't find the two girls but soon heard them, smiling as she knew they were in Queenie's stall.
"She's so pretty," Mari was telling her friend while they were gently brushing the mare.
"I know," Julia said, wrapping her arms around her horse. She pressed her cheek to her neck before she smiled at her friend as she was walking around to her. "What?" she asked with a smile.
"No, I don't blame you for doing that. But what about your parents? You didn't tell them where you were going," Mari said. "Or anyone else."
"Don't worry," Beckett said, stepping up to the stall door. "Your sister saw you Julia."
"Am I in trouble?" the girl asked.
"No, but you know better than to do that," Beckett said.
Sighing, Julia confessed, "I've seen Lizzy riding before. And I wanted to spend a little more time with Queenie before we had to go. Sorry."
"Come here," Beckett told her daughter as the girl was looking away from her.
Julia was a little unsure about doing that, thinking her mother would make her leave, before Mari was gently nudging her. Looking back at her, she gave her the currycomb she was using before she walked up to the door. "Mom-" she started to say.
"You're a little too much like me at your age," Beckett said, cupping her face with her hands and smiling at her daughter. "Promise me one thing."
"I'll say where I go," Julia said hurriedly before she was startled when her mother was shaking her head. "Then… what?" she asked her mother slowly.
"That you won't threaten to get a tattoo, actually buy a motorcycle or cut your hair to try and style it into a mohawk," Beckett told her.
"You did all that?" Mari asked in obvious shock.
"Not the tattoo," Julia said rapidly, looking behind her at her friend. "Mom doesn't have one," she added before turning back to her mother. She smiled a little and said, "That's it?"
"It's a lot, I never should have done that, and I regret the last two… though I appreciated the motorcycle once I was in my twenties," Beckett said. "And of course my hair grew back."
Julia couldn't help laughing softly and said, "I won't any of those. I don't want a tattoo; I like a horse way better and I like my hair longer. And I won't rebel, promise." She stepped out of the stall after her mother opened the door and wrapped her arms around her tightly before she said, "But I might get frustrated."
"Of course you will," Beckett said, gesturing to Mari so she'd step outside as well. "I told you, you would. But I'll take that in stride since I went through the same. But luckily you two are not teens just yet so we have a little time."
"Could I say bye to Queenie?" Julia asked after sharing another hug with her mother.
"Go ahead, but stay out here," Beckett replied before watching her daughter turn back to the stall.
"We'll come back soon," Julia was saying to the mare. "And hopefully we can go galloping again." She hugged her horse's neck and then told her, "And I'll give you another apple once we come back." She pressed a kiss just above Queenie's nose before she turned to her mother and friend. "Are we going to lunch now?" she asked as they were walking to the entrance.
"Oh yeah! I was going to ask that," Mari said. "I'm starving."
"We are," Beckett said laughingly. "But we have to get everyone first before we can leave." She watched the two hurry out of the building, spotting her husband looking for her with Josie on his hip. She walked up to them, kissing the baby first before she shared a quick kiss with her husband, and they turned to the others to gather and leave for the meal.
"I wish I could have worn my dress," Julia was saying.
"What dress?" Jacob asked in confusion.
"Her fifties one," Mari said. She then realized something and turned to her friend, about to speak before she was first.
"It doesn't fit anymore, I know," Julia said. "But still."
Shaking her head, Mari said, "It would look really weird."
"No, it wouldn't," Julia said. "I'd have to make it into a… crop top? And then a skirt."
"And your dad would probably kill you for that," Jacob said.
"Probably," Julia and Eve said at the same time. They looked at each other and laughed before the former said, "But I won't, I don't really want to take off my boots yet."
"They're not uncomfortable?" Eve asked her.
Shaking her head Julia said, "Nope, they're just shoes." She looked between the young woman and her brother and asked, "Ever going to go riding again?"
"Eh," Jacob said, shrugging. He laughed when his sister gave him a look and said, "I don't what I'd be able to ride. I'm too tall for a pony."
"A mare," Julia and Mari said at the same time.
"A… really?" Jacob asked.
"An older one," Julia said, nodding her head. "And one that's calm enough for you." She studied him and asked, "Did you want to learn?"
"I kind of do," Jacob replied.
"Then ask your parents about the classes," Julia said. "They'll take you and teach you… actually, Charlie might just have Louis teach you since you know him already."
"That would be cool," Jacob said. "I'll talk to them at home."
Finishing her milkshake, Julia looked down the tables that were pressed together and said, "I guess we're almost finished."
"We'll see you tomorrow," Eve said. "For the party."
"I can't wait for that," Mari said.
"Neither can I," Julia agreed. She then turned to her friend and said, "But at least you're coming over now."
"I know, I can't wait!" Mari said. "But… how am I going?"
"With us," David said, walking over to them. "But we'll drop you off in front of their house."
"We're going?" Mari asked her father.
"We are, let's get going," David told her.
Getting up, Julia went over to her parents and said, "Are we doing anything at home?"
"Not really," Castle answered. "Why?"
Julia debated asking her mother about going on a walk on the beach with Mari, but decided her parents would say no. Instead she said, "I wanted to spend some time with Mari, just playing in my room," surprised when her mother was smiling as they stopped at their car before she asked her a question about her plans.
"Are you going to dance?" Beckett asked her.
"No," Julia said. "I need to practice with Peter, so I'll stick with that."
After they were in the car Beckett asked her daughter, "What are you going to do then?"
"I think play on my computer," Julia replied.
"Did you get a new game?" Castle asked.
"I didn't get it yet," Julia replied.
"I'll check it, but can you wait until after we unpack?" Beckett asked her.
"Sure," Julia said quickly and with a nod. "But Mom?"
"Yes?" Beckett asked, looking back at her.
"We have a surprise for you and Dad," Julia replied before glancing at Eliza who quickly nodded to her in return.
"What is it?" Castle asked.
"We're gonna make dinner for you!" Eliza said happily.
Smiling back at the girls, since Josie had squealed at her sister's tone, Beckett said, "Really?"
"Yeah, I was practicing yesterday, and I can make dinner tonight for us," Julia said.
"I forgot to ask Alexis and Louis what they were going to do," Castle said to his wife.
"They're staying home," Julia said. "I asked them, since I have to know how much to make, and they're going to stay home since they're coming over tomorrow for the party and staying the night."
"Oh really? They didn't tell us," Castle said. He smiled quickly at his wife as she put her hand on his arm, the girls laughing at what he'd said before he told them, "I'm kidding, I'm glad they'd like to stay though they're probably going to have to get up early on Monday."
"Good thing Monday is a while still," Eliza said.
Julia laughed with her family before they were nearing the house and she asked as her father was pulling into the driveway, "Can I go back?"
"Wait until we stop," Castle said firmly.
Though she had wanted to get out already, Julia nodded before she rushed out of the car and went to the door in the wall around the house. "Hey," she said as Mari was on the other side. "Ready?"
"Yep," the girl said, showing her friend her overnight bag.
Taking it from her, Julia said, "I told my mom and dad about the game. It's like I told you, Mom just needs to check it and I should be able to get it."
"Will you be able to?" Mari asked.
"I hope so," Julia replied as they were walking up to the porch where her father had opened the door. "Hey Dad," she said with a smile.
"Welcome back," Castle said.
Laughing, Julia let him take Mari's bag and said, "Are you going upstairs now?"
"I am…" Castle said. "And I should have let you take this; I need to take our suitcases."
"It's okay Dad," Julia said before she looked at Mari when she'd taken her bag before she could grab it.
"I can carry it," the girl said in mock exasperation. "Let's go?" Mari asked.
"We're going up Dad," Julia said before they headed up the foyer staircase.
"They left?" Beckett asked, having walked back to her husband.
"They did," Castle said. "Really quickly too." He then turned his attention to her and asked, "We're unpacking?"
"We are, I'll check on that game for the two and then we'll spend some time with Josie," Beckett answered.
"Do you want to ask her about dinner?" Castle asked.
"No, she obviously didn't want to tell us," Beckett said while they walked down the hall to go to the staircase there.
"Then can you ask her if we can watch her?" Castle said.
"I can," Beckett said. They had reached the bottom of the stairs and she said to her father, "We're heading up, but we'll be back."
"We'll be in the family room with Josie and Eliza," Jim said with a nod.
Taking her suitcase before her husband could, Beckett gave him a look before she started up. She smiled as she could hear her husband was following her but didn't say anything before they were in their room. She wasn't surprised when her husband was closing the door behind them and turned to the bed to set her suitcase there. Since their costumes in their garment bags were on their luggage, she was getting her costume to the closet first, checking everything out before she turned her attention to her husband walking in. "Rick?" she asked him.
"Yeah?" Castle said in surprise, looking up at her. He was a little startled when he found she'd walked up to him but very quickly realized what she wanted as he leaned down to her and kissed her deeply. He didn't let that linger for very long, slowly pulling away to add a little more time before he said, "Was that it?"
"That was it," Beckett said.
"I wanted to ask you something," Castle told her.
"Alright," Beckett replied, a little surprised he was saying that.
"Have you been thinking of asking me to be celibate from now until Tahiti?" Castle said seriously, looking into her eyes.
"I have," Beckett admitted, not hesitating. "But it's a long time."
"It might be," Castle said. "But after these last two days it might help us out."
"Or make us a little crazy when we start up again," Beckett replied.
"And that might be awesome," Castle said quickly.
Beckett couldn't help laughing and leaning against her husband for a moment before she pulled away and said, "Okay, then I guess we're attempting that. It wasn't just because of how it'll be, but the girls."
"I had an idea," Castle replied. "And don't worry, I'm with you on that." He was surprised when she laughed briefly before she was kissing his cheek and then explained why she'd done that.
"We're going to be celibate but I'm hoping you'll still want to do that," Beckett told him.
"You're kidding me," Castle said.
"I am," Beckett said. "But please don't go crazy with that."
"Or you," Castle said.
"Or me," Beckett said in amusement since she wasn't surprised he'd said that. They kissed again but were gentle that time before they slowly parted and she said, "We need to go."
"Yeah," Castle said, shaking himself. They finished with putting away their toiletries before they left the room and stopped at the door. "I'll head down to the girls," he told her.
"Tell Eliza I'll be down there once I get Julia set," Beckett said. They shared a quick kiss before they parted and she stepped outside first, walking down the hall to Julia's room.
"I don't know, maybe I should change it so it looks like teleportation," Julia was saying to her friend.
"Teleportation?" Beckett asked as she stepped into the doorway.
Smiling at her mother, Julia said, "Hey Mom, I was showing Mari what I wrote for my Harry Potter story. She said the way they go up to their rooms won't really work."
"If there's an emergency? Like if Julia writes the battle at the very end," Mari said.
"I wasn't going to," Julia said quickly when her mother looked at her. "I was going to have Voldemort be taken care of before then."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said with a smile as her daughter hadn't enjoyed the sixth and seventh books of the series. "But did you still want to get the game?"
"I do," Julia said, going over to her computer. She shook her mouse to get rid of her screensaver of her pictures and said, "It's hidden object and you fix up a manor house. And the character in it is a novelist."
"I see why that caught your eye," Beckett said in amusement, sitting on her daughter's desk chair. She studied the pictures and said, "Alright, you can get it but we're looking at the opening together."
"Sure," Julia said, though her mother was the one to get the game onto her account before opening it. She watched her closely to see if her mother would protest at the game before Beckett was turning to her.
"Alright, have fun with it, and when I call you down please come," Beckett said.
Looking at the time, Julia nodded and said, "I have to make dinner, don't I?"
"Your sister isn't helping?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"She is, but just prepping really," Julia said. "Oh, and setting the table."
"I can help her with that," Mari said.
"You don't have to," Julia said with a slight frown.
"She's right, you are a guest," Beckett said. "But," she added hurriedly as the girl was frowning. "Since you're here so often I don't know if that guest part works that well. And if you are family, then you can help Eliza set the table."
Though she wasn't sure if that was fair, Julia didn't say anything and instead said to her mother, "I need to start getting it ready at four forty-five, we're eating earlier?"
"A little," Beckett replied. "Since we're letting you two stay up a little later tomorrow."
"Not that much though," Julia said.
"No," Beckett replied with a smile. "But you're lucky," she added. "Now, your dad and I are wondering if you'll let us watch you cooking."
"I didn't think I was going to be able to stop you," Julia replied.
"Then it's okay," Beckett said.
"Yep, also that way you can help in case I need it," Julia said as she was nodding.
"I think you'll be fine sweetie; you've gotten a lot better at cooking," Beckett told her reassuringly. She got up and said, "I'll call for you."
"Okay, but I'll probably look out for the time," Julia said with a smile. When her mother had left, she said to her friend, "I didn't think you should but Mom's right."
"Does that mean you're gonna put me to work when I come now?" Mari asked her.
"Yep," Julia said quickly before they were laughing together. She then turned her attention to her computer, and they started the game, eager to see what they would choose to furnish the manor in the game.
"Did you get the game for her?" Castle asked his wife while he met her at the doorway to the family room holding Josie.
"I did, it was harmless," Beckett said. "And the character in it is a novelist."
"Nice," Castle said in amusement. He handed Josie to her and said, "She wanted to go up the stairs."
"Oh really?" Beckett said to the baby.
"Yes," Josie said, her face serious. She smiled when her parents laughed and then said to her mother, "Mama," before they were going into the family room together and her mother was speaking to her.
"We'll let you decide what we play with sweetie," Beckett told the baby. When they were around the couch, she set her down and said to hers and Castle's parents, "How was she playing?"
"Fine," Martha said.
"She did say your names, wondering where you were I think," Jim said.
Castle's mother nodded in agreement before she said with a smile, "We did our best to keep her attention focused on the games."
"And we're here now," Beckett said. She watched the baby going to the cabinet under the TV with Castle and said, "Did she focus on anything in particular?"
"Her stuffed animals," Jim replied.
"Though she enjoyed her elephant stacking game," Martha commented.
"I think it's going to be different this time," Castle said. "By the way-"
"Hi Mommy, Daddy!" Eliza cried as she hurried into the family room.
"Where were you?" Beckett asked though she soon saw that her daughter had a cup of water in one hand and Josie's sippy cup in the other.
"I was really thirsty," Eliza said as she went to her baby sister. "Are we gonna have a tea party?" she asked with a smile.
"I think so," Castle said, answering since Josie was drinking her water.
"Cool," Eliza said before she gave her glass of water to him. She took her baby sister's hand before they walked to the coffee table where their father had put the tea party set. She sat on her knees, smiling at her sister before saying, "What do you want to do first? Teatime or colors?"
"Just play both," Beckett said.
"Okay," Eliza said. "Ready for teatime?" she asked her sister.
"Yes," Josie said.
"Okay," Eliza said before she pressed the button on the bottom of the teapot.
Playing with the girls, Castle was pleased to see that Josie appeared to be doing well with her counting skills and speaking since she could say them up to the number three. "Hopefully we'll hear more from you sweetheart," he said.
"Dada," Josie said. "No."
"She heard you Daddy," Eliza said with a wide smile as her little sister had been saying a couple words here and there.
"Just making sure," Castle said before he leaned over and kissed the side of the baby's head. "Now say Lizzy."
"Liz," Josie said with a giggle.
"I told you," Eliza said, beaming at their parents.
"Now, why don't you try Alexis," Castle said.
"Lex," Josie pronounced firmly.
"We'll teach her the 'lexis now," Eliza said with a smile. "And Gram and Grandpapa too."
"Dada, tea," Josie said.
"Thank you, Josie," Castle said with a smile, taking the plastic teacup that went with the set.
Beckett was about to speak when she suddenly heard a roar of laughter from upstairs and smiled before saying, "I'm guessing they're having fun."
"It sounds like it," Jim said.
"Oh, I'm so glad I got enough for that couch," Julia was saying upstairs with a laugh. "The others were horrible."
"Good thing you can play this game again," Mari said teasingly. She giggled when her friend stuck her tongue out at her and looked at the screen before she said, "When do you think you'll write again?"
"I have no idea, it's hard to write that story when I have school, homework and my book itself," Julia replied. "But I want to get back to it and fix the part about getting up to their rooms in Ravenclaw."
"It was a good idea though," Mari said. She was about to ask her friend when she was going to have Harry and Hermione get together when she was asking her about it to her surprise.