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: It was great to get the feedback for the last chapter that I got so I'll start my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (I was pleased to read you thought the chapter was a great start to the story. And really happy that you liked the songs I picked since I did as well!) and
Mb (I was pleased to see you thought the prologue was nicely done. I wasn't really surprised when you mentioned the sightseeing though it wasn't that long. And I had to laugh at you mentioning the lobster rolls, I know they're big in New England, so I thought I'd include them. I'm also not surprised you prefer summer in Boston, but I'm glad that seeing the hall and waterfront is still nice in the fall! I was happy to see you're glad that Ms. Grey is the way she is, it's exactly what I tried to convey with her and especially the caring for all her students since dance is such a big deal for Julia. Really pleased that you could picture all of Julia and Peter's costumes in the dance competition, lol, it's not something I'm an expert in so I was glad I could get that right! And I wasn't surprised you thought it was good that Julia and Peter won second with that competition since it was a bigger one. And I was glad you noticed Grey saying that she was proud of them after and showing them how good their scores were after. I figured it'd definitely be better for Peter to hear encouragement with a mistake he knew was going to happen and of course it helped them the rest of the competition. Not surprised you mentioned the families back home going to love the DVD and be proud of Julia and Peter too. You're welcome for the first half of the chapter! And it was great to read that you thought the second half was a nice update too. I wasn't surprised you thought it was nice they were happy and proud of Julia and Peter watching the DVD. I'm so, so pleased that you're loving how I have Josie's personality coming through. Oh, and I was glad to see that you were smiling and laughing with Eliza going to her parents' bed so Castle wouldn't have to be alone with Beckett gone. Really appreciate you saying that Eliza is so her parents since it's what I aim for writing her. Nice to see that you enjoyed Julia's entry in her diary about the competition and the trip too. No surprise you mention Castle and Beckett making up for their day and night apart. And I did like seeing you think they and their closest friends are great role parents for the kids since I do try writing that! You're welcome for the second half of the chapter!).
Thanks for the reviews, I loved reading them and enjoyed the time taken to write them out and send them my way!
A/N #2: The title of this chapter is part of the lyric of the song Happy Birthday written by Stevie Wonder, from his album Hotter than July.
A Day In Your Celebration
Opening her eyes, Julia blinked after realizing the sun was up and she raised her head slowly before she smiled and sat up in bed. "Good morning Macca," she said before she began to laugh and wrapped her arms around the Wolfhound's neck when he licked at her cheek. "Thank you," she said before she squealed when JoJo did the same to her other. She hugged him with her other arm before she said, "Thanks you guys." She was going to tease them about their birthday gifts when she heard footsteps coming up to her room. "Morning Mom," she said with a smile.
"Happy Birthday Julia," Beckett said, walking over to her. She waited for Julia to step out of bed before she hugged her tightly and said, "How'd you sleep?"
"I did sleep," Julia replied in amusement since she knew that was what her mother was wondering about. "So… am I going to be measured?" she asked.
"If you still want to," Beckett told her. She let her daughter go, watching her walking to her measuring chart she'd hung the day before and marveling that she was thirteen already.
"Mom?" Julia asked, turning to her.
"Hold on," Beckett replied before she walked after her. She got a pen and waited for Julia to stand straight before she marked at the top of her head.
"How tall?" Julia asked interestedly once her mother told her she could move.
"Almost five three," Beckett answered.
"Really?" Julia asked in surprise.
"Yes," Beckett replied in amusement. "It shouldn't surprise you; you've been tall for a while now."
"I wasn't expecting that much," Julia said though she was looking at the chart. She saw her mother was right and then said, "Thanks."
"You're welcome," Beckett said. "Do you want me to put it away?"
"Can I leave it? I wanted to show Mari," Julia replied.
"Go ahead," Beckett said. "And change we're making breakfast right now."
Julia nodded and waited for her mother to leave and close the door before she was hurrying to change. After she had her pajamas off she couldn't help looking down at herself and groaned under her breath. "I'm going to grow… at some point," she muttered while she put on her blouse. Once she had that she slipped on her trousers and grabbed the sweater that went with it, putting that on. She hurried to her full-length mirror and smiled seeing her outfit before she gasped.
"I almost forgot," Julia told the dogs. Once she had the scarf, she tied it under the collar of her sweater and checked herself again. Since her party that afternoon was going to be a 1930s themed one she had asked her grandmother to make her an outfit for her outing on the town she was going to take with Mari and their friends. Her trousers were black, shirt white but her grandmother had made her sweater in a deep green. There was a tiny amount of blue in her slightly off white scarf and she liked the look. She went into her bathroom and was about to pick up her brush when she paused for a moment and hesitated.
Grabbing the brush, Julia rushed out into the hall and nearly ran into her parents who were coming down the hall before her father was speaking to her with a smile.
"Happy Birthday sweetheart," Castle said.
"Thanks Dad," Julia replied, going to him. She was careful to not press her hairbrush on his back while they embraced and said once they'd parted, "I was just looking for Mom, I wanted her to get my hair set for me."
"I don't blame you," Castle said. "And you look great."
Thanking her father again, Julia turned to her mother who was holding her hand out to her, she smiled and then said, "What about breakfast."
"I need to start it," Castle said before he turned and went down the stairs.
Smiling, Julia was about to turn again to her mother when she heard Eliza squealing as she came out from Josie's room down the hall.
"Josa licked my hand!" the little girl cried. "Gross!"
"Mama," Josie said, running down the hall.
"Josie," Beckett said a little sternly. She was relieved when Eliza turned back to her little sister and stopped her before picking her up. "Sweetie," she said gently to the baby when she was trying to get out of her sister's hold. "What are you doing?" she asked, picking her up and placing her on her hip.
Her mother motioning to herself and Eliza, Julia motioned to her sister and they went into her room. "Are you okay?" she asked with a smile once they were at her bed. She turned to her sister at that point and breathed out in shock when Eliza was throwing her arms around her.
"Happy Birthday Jules!" the little girl cried.
"Happy Birth!" Josie squealed from their mother's arms. "Happy, happy!"
"Thanks you guys," Julia said, unable to help laughing. She then turned to her mother and said, "Could you put my hair like it was for my Viennese Waltz?"
"Of course," Beckett replied, setting Josie down. "Are you going to be okay?" she said to the baby.
"Eh," Josie replied. "I go with."
"With who?" Eliza asked.
"Jules," Josie said firmly, going quickly to the bed.
"It's okay," Julia said when Eliza moved to get her. "But I can't play," she then addressed their baby sister. She was expecting Josie to protest before their mother was speaking to her gently.
"Stay here with Eliza," Beckett said to the baby. "We'll go down to breakfast very soon."
"Mommy?" Eliza asked when Josie was calm, and their mother was gently brushing out Julia's hair.
"Yes?" Beckett replied, glancing at the little girl with a smile.
"Will you do my hair?" Eliza then asked.
"I already brushed it," Beckett reminded her.
"Again?" Eliza said.
Laughing softly, Beckett shook her head and said, "Once is enough sweetie, you don't want to pull out more of your hair. I'll brush it before you go to bed tonight."
"Thanks," Eliza replied. She leaned over and hugged her mother tightly before she turned her attention to Julia. "What're you gonna do once you go out?" she asked her sister.
"The library first," Julia said, trying not to move her head since their mother was starting to put her hair up. "After that just around downtown." She would have glanced at Beckett then but since it was impossible she said, "Is that alright?"
"Of course," she replied. Beckett took a moment to pin her daughter's hair and then told her, "You remember everything you need to do while you're out."
"Text you and call you once we stop for lunch," Julia said.
"Good," Beckett said simply as she was finishing up. It was thirties in style and she still wasn't sure how she knew how to do it when she hadn't tried it since their past lives. Shaking herself when she finished she said, "There, I hope it works."
Jumping up rapidly, Julia rushed over to her mirror and turned her head back and forth before telling her mother, "Mom, it's perfect." She hurried back to her mother and hugged her tightly saying, "Thank you so much."
"My pleasure, you look beautiful Julia," Beckett said seriously as her daughter pulled away, holding her by her shoulders. She wasn't surprised when Julia began to blush, her cheeks adorably pink and she was about to speak when her daughter was first.
"Thanks… I really do?" Julia asked.
"I wouldn't lie to you," Beckett told her firmly. "Now, are you two ready to go down for breakfast?"
"Me too Mama," Josie said in a complaining tone of voice.
Beckett laughed softly and picked the baby up once Julia had her brush back and said, "I'm sorry sweetie, I thought I knew you wanted to already."
"Yes," Josie said seriously.
Beckett laughed with Julia and Eliza before she motioned to them and they made their way down the stairs before she set Josie down on the floor and the baby nearly took off.
"Hold on!" Julia cried, grabbing her sister's arm. "We'll go see Dad together okay?"
"Eh," Josie said, giggling when her big sisters laughed. She let them take her hands though she looked behind her at their mother.
"Go," Beckett urged her with a smile, following the three down the hall to where her husband was going around the kitchen. "Do you need some help?" she asked once she'd reached him.
"No, I'm good," Castle said though he wasn't surprised when she put her hands on his shoulders to stop him. He then leaned down and kissed her firmly though he didn't let it last long telling her, "Thank you," not surprised when she responded immediately.
"What if I wanted that?" Beckett said.
"Then we both benefitted from it," Castle told her seriously. He smiled when she laughed and leaned against him before a moment and he said, "Though I do actually need your help. Eggs?"
"I had a feeling, so don't worry," Beckett told him with a smile before she kissed his cheek.
"What can we do Daddy?" Eliza asked when Castle turned to her.
"Well, you and Julia will have to set the table," he started to say. "But for now you really need to watch Josie for us."
Eliza giggled, since her baby sister was holding onto his leg and said, "She can't stay there?"
"Not really," Castle replied. "Though I don't blame you for wanting to have a laugh."
"Did you talk to Skye?" Julia said.
"Hey," Castle said. He was going to say more but had to stop when Eliza started to laugh, setting off Josie immediately. "Just because you're thirteen doesn't mean you can be a smart aleck," he continued in a feigned stern tone of voice.
"Wasn't I already?" Julia asked.
"She's got you there Richard," Martha said.
"Thank you, Mother," Castle said laughingly since her appearance had gotten Josie to let go of him. He watched the three girls while they were hugging their grandmother before his wife called to him from the stove.
"Rick, Julia won't have any time to go out," Beckett told him.
"Yeah, I'm getting the pancakes," Castle replied quickly before he turned to the batter he had ready.
"Daddy?" Eliza said, going over to him.
"Yes?" Castle said, about to pour out the first pancake.
"Could you maybe make something special for Jules?" Eliza asked.
"He doesn't have to," Julia said quickly from where she was still standing by their grandmother since she was checking the fit of her outfit.
"I'd like to; now that Eliza's mentioned it," Castle commented.
"Alright," Julia said after thinking for a moment. She smiled when her father nodded and then turned to her grandmother saying, "It's a great outfit."
"And it suits you very well," Martha said. "You're comfortable?"
"Yep," Julia replied with a wide smile since she knew her grandmother wasn't sure about her wearing it riding her bike.
"Eliza," Beckett called. "Can you get some plates and forks?"
"Sure," the little girl said though she wondered about her big sister. Just as Eliza was getting the first plate she gasped when the chime for the gate opening sounded. She pressed back against the cabinets when JoJo and Max ran by her before she was laughing heavily while her mother was checking on her. "I'm okay Mommy," she said as fast as she could when she'd calmed down. "It's 'lexis right?"
"And Louis," Beckett said. "Rick?"
"It's okay," Castle said, unable to go since he was still working on the pancakes. "You're done?"
"I am," Beckett said quickly since she was walking after the others to the foyer where her father was opening the front door. "You're late Dad," she said with a smile since he was telling Julia Happy Birthday.
"You guys don't have to say," Julia commented. "You did tell me two days ago when it actually was my birthday."
"Believe me, we want to," Beckett said before her father could respond.
"There's the birthday girl," Louis said when he and Alexis were on the porch.
Julia pretended to groan before she went to her big sister, hugging her tightly before they were parting. "Thank you," she said to them both after she'd shared a brief embrace with her brother-in-law. "Are you ready for breakfast?"
"How do you feel?" Louis asked then.
"Fine, after two days," Julia said in mock annoyance. She smiled as the others were laughing and then told them, "And I'm glad."
"Guys," Castle called down the hall. "Breakfast is ready."
"How did Daddy finish so fast?" Eliza asked her grandfather after she'd gone over to him, taking his hand.
"He has the griddle," Jim reminded her. "What kind are we having?" he asked his second youngest granddaughter before she was laughing and shaking her head before she spoke.
"You'll see now," Eliza said before her mother was getting her attention.
"Help me set the table sweetie," Beckett told her.
"But…" Eliza started to say in confusion before her mother was nodding to Julia. She then realized why her sister was being excused and then said, "Okay," rapidly.
After they had finished, Beckett was going to help her husband in getting the food to the table when he was doing so with Alexis. Once they were ready she said, "Were you okay?"
"I was," Castle replied. "Don't worry, it was just me with the pancakes left." He reached over to her, since Josie was to her left, and gently squeezed her hand before they turned to Julia who was telling her sister and brother-in-law about her plans with her friends.
"Wait," Louis said when she had finished. "You said friends, I thought you'd be going with Mari."
"I am, but we talked about it and decided to invite Peter, Clive, Eve and Jake with us," Julia said. "I did try to get Natalie, Tristan, Dawn and Ava to come with us but… their parents said no."
"Too bad," Alexis said with a smile. "But that's a lot of you."
"It'll be fun," Julia said.
"Are you going to be the only one dressed up?" Louis asked.
"I am but…" Julia started to say in realization. She looked back at the table and said, "I'm going to look silly."
"You won't," Beckett said firmly in response to her daughter's suddenly dejected tone. She wasn't surprised when the teen was looking at her in confusion and said, "Believe me, your outfit is fine."
"Okay," Julia said with a sigh. She then turned to her father and said, "What're you going to do when I leave?"
"You'll find out once you come back," Castle said in amusement, not surprised she was asking him. "But hurry, you're going to have less time."
Looking at her plate, Julia was relieved to see she didn't have much left. As soon as she finished, she jumped up and took her plate to the sink before her mother was walking up to her. "Am I off from rinsing?" she asked.
"No, but you only need to rinse," Beckett replied. She watched her daughter doing so carefully but as swiftly as she could before she was setting her plate and fork down. "Go ahead," she said when Julia turned to her. She laughed when she walked away as fast as she could before she went to the table herself.
Going up to her bedroom, Julia grabbed one of her Beatles shopping bags before she got her wallet and made sure all her money was there. Looking around, she hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should grab her beret before she decided against it since she would have to wear her helmet most of that morning. Set, she went down the stairs to the hall and said, "I'm ready to go."
"We're here," Castle told his daughter when she went to the doorway of the family room.
"You finished?" Julia asked.
"We wanted to hurry," Alexis said, the rest of them stepping out into the hall with him.
"And we wanted to see you off," Martha said.
Julia couldn't help laughing softly but she thanked them before they went into the entry. "I'll be back at one," she said. "With the rest of them."
"Have a good time Jules," Eliza said to her sister.
"Thanks, I hope you do too," the girl said. Julia smiled and told her, "We'll have a great time on your birthday."
"I know, in Hawaii," Eliza said eagerly.
"Mom-" Julia started to say in complaint when she turned to her and saw her holding her jacket.
"You know you need to wear it," Beckett said.
"She's right," Castle said, not surprised when Julia had turned to him. "But just while you're out riding okay?"
"Alright," Julia said. She took the jacket and then turned to the others saying, "See you." She smiled when they all told her to have a good time before she went into the garage with her parents.
"Here," Castle said, handing her some money.
"Dad-" Julia began to say in surprise because her father had twenties.
"I don't want you to spend all of this at once," Castle interrupted her. "Just to make sure you have enough for lunch and maybe a few books."
Julia laughed and then looked at her mother before she was nodding, leading her to put the eighty dollars away in her wallet. "I do have money already," she said.
"It's not every day you turn thirteen," Beckett commented, hugging her daughter tightly when she hurried over to her. "But next time you're getting your regular allowance," she added before she let her go.
"Good," Julia replied before she hugged her father. "Thanks so much Dad, Mom." She let go of him and put on her jacket before getting her helmet, putting it on quickly. "You don't have to decorate too much," she told them while getting her bike.
"No, but try and stop your dad," Beckett said as he was opening the garage door.
"Hey," Castle said before he wrapped his arm around Beckett's shoulders when she walked over to him. "Be careful but have fun."
"He's right, and we'll hear from you soon," Beckett said, not surprised when Julia was responding to that rapidly with a smile.
"I have my phone and helmet," she was saying. "Anything else?"
"No, you're good," Beckett said with a responding smile. "Have a good time."
"I will, thanks so much for letting me go!" Julia said as she'd been getting on her bike and was riding away from them. She went down the driveway and through the gate her father had opened for her as well. She had to stop as soon as she was outside and said, "Hey, we were going to get you guys," she said with a smile seeing the Davis and Lennox kids were there.
"You took too long," Peter told his partner teasingly.
"Well, I'm glad you're here now," Julia said with a smile, looking behind her and seeing the gate was closing. "Mari?" she then asked the four.
Shaking their heads, Eve was the first to speak saying, "We thought about going to get her, but figured you would want to do that."
"I do," Julia replied, smiling still. They began riding down the street though they were both soon stopping, and she went to the gate in the wall the Fosters had made around their house. She pressed the intercom and said, "It's Julia, I'm here to get Mari if she's ready."
"I'm coming right now," Mari herself said back.
Going back to her bike Julia said, "She's coming right now."
"So is your mom," Clive said.
Julia looked at him in confusion before she turned to find her mother was walking down the street holding something. "My books!" she cried when she saw them.
"You're lucky your dad noticed them," Beckett said in amusement. She greeted the kids before handing over the books and said to them all, "Have fun, we'll see you after lunch."
Smiling at her friends thanking her mother, Julia then said goodbye to her when she walked back home and went to the gate at the Foster's driveway sliding open. "Hey," she said with a smile when she saw Mari. She was suddenly jumping, her five friends all starting to sing Happy Birthday to her. "Thanks," she told them after they'd calmed down from laughing when the five were finished. "But you guys are going to have to do that again at the party."
"We don't mind," Mari said, not surprised the others were agreeing with her. She was about to apologize for being late when her best friend was gasping and pulling the sides of her jacket apart while she spoke.
"Why didn't you tell me you were going to wear an outfit too?" Julia said.
"Because I wasn't sure I would," Mari replied. She wasn't surprised when her friend looked at her in confusion and said, "I made most of it."
"Wow, it looks good," Eve said.
"I thought Gram did when I first saw it," Julia confessed before she smiled. "You did amazing with it."
Mari couldn't help blushing while Eve was looking at her outfit as well, though she was relieved it turned out as well as it had. She was wearing 30s style pants, like Julia, but hers were a darker grey. She had on a blouse and a blue-grey jacket over it to reveal the silk scarf she had tied around her neck going down over the white blouse. "I had a lot of trouble with the jacket," she said.
"It looks nice though," Eve said.
"And it matches your eyes," Julia commented.
"Mom thought I should use the color," Mari replied. "Um… should we go?"
Turning to her brother, boyfriend and Clive, Eve said, "Are you guys bored?"
Laughing with her friends when the three were saying no rapidly, Julia said, "Mari's right, we really need to go."
"Library first?" Clive asked while they were all getting on their bike seats.
"Yeah, I can just return what I have if you guys don't want to go," Julia said, starting to ride as her friends were doing the same.
"No, Mom and Dad told us to get a book," Peter said.
"They want to make you?" Eve asked her boyfriend.
"Yeah, Mom thinks we've been playing too many video games," Peter said, making a face. "I guess we kind of are, but it's just because we're playing for the last time in the game room."
"You're packing already?" Mari asked.
"No, just… we know we'll be busy when our sister's born," Clive told his dance partner. "So we want the chance to play in the room a little longer."
"Mom wants me to design something special for the room we'll have when we redo the house," Peter said.
"Awesome," Jacob said. "What?"
The group laughed together though Peter couldn't respond to the question since they were reaching the library.
As soon as they got off their bikes Julia was getting her phone and quickly texted her mother about reaching the building. When she looked up at her friends she burst out laughing at the way they were all looking at their phones. "Why did you guys have to text too," she said in amusement to Clive and Jacob when they turned to look at her.
"I'm checking for a text," Jacob commented.
"I was just checking the time," Clive replied.
"Who're you getting one from?" Mari asked.
"He might have a girlfriend," Eve said.
"Eh… I don't know," Jacob said. "There's a girl in my English class that asked me out, she had to ask her parents about it before we could really do anything."
"You don't sound like you want to," Julia commented.
"I'm not sure," Jacob admitted. "She's nice but I don't know her that well, we haven't spoken that much."
"You know you don't have to date her," Julia said.
"I'd like to go on one date," Jacob said. He saw the way the others were sharing looks and then said, "Okay, a date, not with her really. But I kind of have to go now don't I?"
"I think you do," Eve said since her brother was looking at her. "But just go on the one, you don't have to go on more if you don't want to."
"Hopefully her parents won't let her go out," Peter commented.
Not surprised when the young man shrugged, Julia then said, "Do you guys want to go in still?"
"Yeah, I'll get a book," Jacob said rapidly. "Why don't we all get at least one?"
"We have to?" Mari asked. When the young man nodded, she smiled and said, "Okay, I was going to anyway."
"Come on," Julia said, already going up the steps to the front door. She wasn't surprised when her friends were laughing at her leaving, but she hurried inside as they were calming down behind her.
"Hello Julia," the librarian said with a smile, recognizing her quickly.
"Hi Mrs. Cody, my friends and I are going to get some books," Julia replied, taking off her jacket.
"What a lovely outfit," the woman said. "My mother had a similar one."
"Was your mother alive in the thirties?" Julia asked. When librarian nodded she said, "I'm having a thirties themed party for my birthday today."
"Oh, then Happy Birthday to you," Cody replied. "How old are you?"
"Thirteen now," Julia said. "That's why I wanted a thirties theme."
"Wonderful idea," Cody said with a nod before she saw Mari. "You too?"
"Yeah, I wanted to try and make something myself," the girl said, her cheeks a little red.
"You did a great job," Cody commented. She looked at the other three kids and said, "Do you all have your cards?" At their nods she then said, "Then have fun."
After they'd passed the desk at the entrance, Julia turned to her friends and was about to speak before Jacob was first.
"Are we going to the same places?" the young man asked.
"I don't think so," Peter said.
Looking at her phone and the time there, Julia said, "Is twenty minutes enough?"
"I think so," Clive said. "What about you two."
"We'll be back here," Mari said firmly before they were separating and going to the different sections of books. She wasn't surprised when Julia was nearly rushing to the fiction books, since she knew her friend had been given permission to look around at other books there besides the Agatha Christie ones. She couldn't help frowning for a moment, thinking of needing to still go to the Young Adult section but shook herself and hurried to her books.
Walking along the tall shelves, Julia glanced around at all the books amazing at the fact that she could pick out any one she wanted though she knew she'd have trouble with the taller shelves. Before she could get too worried about that she focused on a book before she read the title and pulled it out. She started to read the summary before shaking her head and putting it back. Looking over the books carefully, she finally picked one and went to the mystery section close by before picking out two Agatha Christie ones. She looked at her watch and saw she needed to rejoin her friends before getting back to the entrance.
"Three?" Jacob asked in a strangled whisper though he was soon smiling when his friends were trying to laugh as quietly as they could.
"Yes three," Julia said firmly. "You guys?"
"I have two," Eve said.
"One," Peter and Clive said at the same time.
"Just one," Jacob said quickly when the others were looking to him. "What about you?" he asked Mari.
"Three," she said with a smile. "They got some new books."
"Let's go check them out," Peter then said hurriedly. When the others were looking at him he said, "I'm starting to get hungry."
Looking at his watch Jacob said, "It's barely after ten."
"Still," the boy replied before they were all snorting in trying to suppress their laughter.
After calming down the group went to the machine to check out their books in turn before they were heading back outside to their bikes.
"You're not cold?" Julia asked Mari since she'd put her jacket back on.
"Not really," the girl replied. When her friend looked at her pointed she clicked her tongue and said, "Okay, okay," before Clive was commenting on her response in amusement.
"No protest?" the boy said.
"No," Mari said. "Because I can imagine what my mom will say if she finds out I didn't wear this like I said I would." She shrugged on her jacket and told the others, "Is that it? I hope so because I'm ready to go."
"We are right now," Julia said before they were all getting onto their bikes again.
"Wait," Eve said before they could ride away. "Where are we going first?"
Smiling, since the five of them had turned to her at once, Julia said, "Is anyone going to be surprised if I say the bookstore?"
"No," all five said at the same time.
Laughing with them, Julia waited until they had stopped to say, "Then the bookstore it is." And with that they all pedaled away and rode to downtown, talking and laughing together on the way.
"Hello," the waitress said, walking up to the podium at the front of the restaurant. "How many today?"
"Six," Eve said firmly.
"Okay, follow me," the woman said, getting some menus.
"Could we sit at the counter?" Julia asked then.
"Of course," the waitress said with a smile. "Now follow me."
Walking to the counter, Julia saw a few people they all knew sitting at the tables and booths and she waved at the Carters she saw at one. Turning her attention back ahead of her when Mari was touching her arm, she saw they were at the counter and she sat between her best friend and dance partner. Leaning over she saw Eve was on the other side of Peter and said, "What're you guys going to get?"
"I was thinking breakfast," Clive said.
"We just had that," Peter commented.
"Yeah, but not waffles," Clive said, trying to make his voice sound like Eddie Murphy's in Shrek on the last word. He was laughing with them before he asked his brother, "Did Mom tell you to watch what I order?"
"Her and Dad," Peter replied. "And they told me to not order anything sweet either."
"No waffles," Clive said, pouting his lips and making his face sag the best he could.
Laughing, Julia said, "No, but they have other great stuff."
"Cheeseburger and fries?" Mari asked her.
"Yeah, join me?" Julia replied before they were laughing at each other.
"That sounds good," Peter said. "But I want to get the BBQ one they have."
"Does it have onions?" Eve asked.
"It… yes…," Peter started to say before he hesitated. "They are onion rings though."
"Yeah, what're you going to do Eve? Make out?" Jacob teased his sister.
Making a face at him Eve then told her boyfriend, "I was just wondering, I was thinking of getting that one too."
"Oh… I kinda thought what your brother was," Peter confessed.
"Maybe we should all say no onions unless they're rings," Clive suggested.
"I agree," Julia said.
"That's just because you're getting the regular one," Mari said teasingly, not surprised when her friend was responding to that immediately.
"And so are you," Julia said back before they were laughing and leaning against each other.
"Hello kids," another waitress said from behind the counter, smiling at the laughter. "What can I get you to drink."
After they'd ordered Eve looked at the others and said, "I think we're ready to order too."
"Okay, then just let me know," the waitress replied. She smiled when the six were doing so seriously and carefully, and she said, "I'll get these all ready right now. And by the way, your outfits are fantastic."
"A little too soon for here," Julia couldn't help saying in amusement because the woman was talking to herself and Mari. "But we're having a thirties party," she said with a smile.
"Great outfits for that," the waitress said before leaving them.
After thanking the waitress, Julia turned to Mari and started talking with her and the others before she noticed a young woman walking up to them and stopped before her friends were following her gaze.
"I'm sorry," the woman told them with a smile. "I recognized you and was wondering if I could talk to you. I'm sure your parents told you about stranger danger, so here's my press badge. My name is Cynthia Peel and I'm with the Report, I was wondering if I could interview you about the New England Ballroom Invitational?"
"We'd have to talk to our parents," Peter said after he and Julia exchanged a look.
"I did when I saw you guys but go ahead and call them, so you know I really am a reporter," Peel said.
"Did you ask their permission when you talked to them?" Eve asked.
"I did, they gave it but said it was up to the two of them," the reporter replied.
"They told me," Julia said, hanging up her phone.
"And me," Peter said. "I don't really mind," he said before looking at Julia.
"You're just going to ask about the competition right?" the girl asked.
"That was the plan," Peel said. "Though I asked your parents if asking about your next book was possible and they left that up to you as well," she added before the girl was smiling and then speaking.
"That's fine, but I'm not really finished with it yet," Julia said.
"That would be enough," Peel replied with a nod. "I'd like to talk to you two after lunch, if that works out for you."
"That would be fine," Julia said, looked at Peter who nodded.
"I'll be at a booth, just come over once you're ready," Peel commented.
"Our friends," Peter then said as the reporter stood up. "Is it okay if they come over too? We're supposed to stick together."
"It is," Peel told them with a smile. "Enjoy your lunch."
After they'd thanked the woman, Julia turned back in her chair and said, "Sorry about that."
"Why sorry?" Clive said. "It sounds like you're going to be in the paper."
"He's right, it's cool," Mari added. She then squeezed her friend's hand and said, "And online too so your fans will really be excited."
"Hopefully," Julia said, looking at her dance partner.
"What?" Peter asked in amusement. "I agreed to it… oh, if you think I care about your book then no."
"Just making sure," Julia replied.
"Here you go kids," the waitress said, coming over with three plates. "There's the BBQ cheeseburgers, I'll be back with the rest."
Once the six had their food they began to eat, talking about their purchases while they'd been going around downtown before they'd arrived at the Studebaker. When they had finished and paid for their meal, Julia and Peter got up and headed to the booth where Peel was writing on a pad of paper.
"Hello again," the reporter said with a smile. "Good lunch?"
"Yeah, tasty," Jacob said.
"I'm glad to hear that," Peel said. "Go ahead and sit together, I'll sit at the end here. Just let me get a chair."
"Sit next to me," Julia whispered to Mari.
"Okay," Peel said, smiling when she saw Julia and Peter were sitting at the ends of the booth across the table from each other. "I like to record my conversations; if that makes you uncomfortable then just let me know." When the two shook their heads she said, "I did warn your parents and they said it was fine. Now my first question is how long have you both been dancers?"
"I started when I was four," Peter said first when his partner was looking at him. "With ballet and then went to ballroom after Ms. Grey started teaching at the Academy."
"I did the same," Julia said once the reporter turned to her. "I was four and then started ballroom, but I was back in the city still when I did that."
Asking the pair about their dances, Peel eventually inquired, "I've already talked with Ms. Grey and she said you're instrumental in choosing the songs you'll dance to. How do you know what will work best?"
"I don't think I'm instrumental," Julia said, her cheeks on fire hearing that. "I just listen to music here and there and some of them really call to me, the rhythm and beats."
"She's amazing at that," Peter said earnestly.
Smiling when the other kids were quick to agree with him, Peel glanced at Julia and saw she was blushing even more. "You're a big fan of music, I saw you at the Queen tribute concert. You danced to one of their songs at the competition," she then said to bring the conversation back to the interview. "What made you choose that one of theirs for a Viennese Waltz?"
Aware that Peter was looking at her without glancing in his direction, Julia then said, "It's the music, I just thought it would work. I didn't know for sure so that's why I asked Ms. Grey."
Nodding, Peel asked them both about how much they enjoyed their dancing and what they hoped to do for their futures. "I wonder about yours," she said after Peter had told her he wanted to be an architect but hopefully still dance. She then looked at Julia from her pad of paper and was a little surprised the girl was looking at her friend sitting next to her before she was talking, and she had to hurry to write.
"I'd like to keep writing, since I started doing that already," Julia said. "But what I really want to do is keep dancing in competitions and teach dance too."
"I'm not too surprised," Peel said with a smile. "Hopefully you both can do what you have planned." She then turned her attention to Julia and said, "And now about your book."
Smiling, Julia said, "The only thing I want to say about it is it'll be in Los Angeles."
"Is it about Macca the Wolfhound?" Peel asked.
Julia hesitated for a moment before she then shook her head, "But that's all I'll say."
"Okay," Peel told them once she'd finished writing. "I think that's all I'll need. I might not use everything you guys told me, but you gave me some great information."
"When will you have everything ready for the paper?" Clive asked.
"A week or so," Peel replied. "Thank you so much for talking to me though, I appreciate it."
After saying you're welcome, Julia watched the reporter leave once a busboy had returned the chair to the other table and she turned to her friends. "Are we heading back?" she asked them.
"I think we're going to need to," Eve said, looking at her watch.
"Is it late?" Mari asked worriedly.
"It will be if we don't go now," Eve commented and with that she was joining the others to get out from the booth and make their way to Julia's home.
"A little to the left," Beckett said while she watched her husband place the banner.
"I hope you really mean a little," Castle said jokingly since he was hanging one with an art deco motif on it in the pool room.
"I do, that's enough," Beckett told him.
"Mama!" Josie cried, coming inside the room.
"Sweetie," Beckett told her as the little girl was walking quickly to her. "You're supposed to be with your grandparents."
"Actually she's with me," Alexis said with a smile. "And she escaped."
"Ah, so you're a fugitive," Castle told her teasingly.
"Fu," Josie said with a smile as her mother put her on her hip. She reached out to her father and asked, "Jules?"
"She'll be here," Beckett said. "The party will start soon, and she'll need to change."
"Did she text you?" Alexis asked as she walked with her parents and baby sister back into the house.
"She did, she'll be back to change," Beckett said.
"Why didn't she just wear her outfit for the party?" Alexis asked.
"I think she wanted to wear her dress for that," Beckett commented.
"She did," Martha said since the group was walking into the kitchen. "And she repeatedly made sure with me I didn't mind making two outfits. I assured her I didn't." She then smiled and said, "I wonder if Mari's outfit came out."
"Mari?" Alexis asked in surprise.
"She was going to try and make one herself," Martha said. "Her first time with an entire outfit, but I told her it wouldn't be that bad to ask her mother for help."
"She should be wearing it when she comes," Beckett told her mother-in-law. "So we'll see," she added when they were turning towards the foyer after the chime for the door in the gate sounded before her husband was commenting on it in amusement.
"I think you'll be able to see now," Castle commented before they made their way to the entry. Once they were by the front door, he asked his wife, "Are we going to meet them or wait for them?"
"Wait," Beckett said since all six kids were at that moment putting their bikes to the side in the garage. It didn't take long before the door was opening and she smiled saying, "Welcome back everyone."
"Back?" Peter said jokingly, not surprised when the adults laughed before Eliza and Josie were rushing to their big sister.
"How was it?" Eliza asked eagerly.
"Fun," Julia replied, handing her jacket to her father once her sisters had let her go.
"Did you meet the reporter?" Eliza asked.
"You knew?" Julia asked in surprise.
"She heard the conversation we had with her," Beckett said.
"We agreed," Julia said, looking at Peter for a moment. "And she just asked about the competition and our newest book."
"She didn't press you for anything you didn't want to answer?" Castle asked. "If you were dating… single…"
"Rick," Beckett said firmly.
"Sorry, I had flashbacks," Castle said, shaking his head.
"It's okay Dad," Julia said, though she had no idea what he was talking about.
"What did you get?" Eliza asked then, trying to look into her bag.
"A book, three books from the library though I didn't buy those of course," Julia started to say. "A kit at the toy store; a needlepoint one."
"Really?" Martha asked.
Smiling, Julia pulled it out of her bag and said, "It's a peacock, I couldn't help it. I should be able to do this right Mom?"
"I think so," Beckett said with a nod. "And the rest of you." She smiled when they told them in turn what they'd gotten and once they'd finished she was about to tell them to get ready for their families bringing their costumes when the intercom to the outside of the gate rang.
After he'd let in their guests in, Castle said, "Now the party will start."
"Was that really everyone?" Julia asked.
"You and Mari can go get changed," Beckett said. "But hurry."
"We will," Julia said before she and her friend were heading up the stairs.
"What about everyone else?" Mari asked while they were going down the hall.
"They'll go up to the guest bedrooms, or the rooms downstairs," Julia said. After they were in her room she said, "Did Gram notice your outfit?"
"Yeah, she said I did a good job with the pant seams," Mari said. "I didn't really want to tell her it took me three tries to get the stitches small enough."
"You can't use your mom's sewing machine yet?" Julia asked.
"I'm afraid to," Mari said as they began taking off their tops. She went to the closet and said, "Thanks for keeping my outfit."
"You're welcome," Julia said. "And before you ask, I didn't peek," she added, not surprised when her friend was laughing before she spoke teasingly to her.
"I didn't think you would but wait until I have my dress on to look," Mari said.
"You too," Julia said. She laughed when her friend playfully stuck her tongue out at her before she turned her attention to her own dress. She removed her outfit carefully and set it aside for once she was dressed. It took her little time to put on the blue dress before putting on the short white jacket over it that tied in a bow at her waist. Once she had finished she was moving to the bathroom to check her hair. After she was sure it was okay, she went to get her shoes and stepped into them before she said, "Can I turn around now?"
"Yeah," Mari replied with a smile. "I'm ready."
Turning rapidly, Julia smiled seeing her friend's dress and said, "You look great."
"Really?" Mari asked. When her friend nodded rapidly in response she went over to her and hugged her saying, "You look beautiful. And so grown up again! I'm so jealous!"
"Not that grown up," Julia said as they parted. "But thanks."
"Thanks," Mari said seriously. She then said with a smile, "But I love your jacket."
"Me too," Julia replied. "But the fabric here is really nice," she told her friend, touching the floral pattern with a sky blue background that was on the waist of the white dress and collar.
"I loved it when I saw it," Mari said. "So… should we go?"
"Yeah, we might be the first," Julia replied. She took Mari's hand, and they left her room before going to the hall stairs, glancing at her parents room to find the door open. She smiled, wondering what her father would think of her mother's dress once he saw it.
While Julia and Mari were heading downstairs, Castle was finishing putting on his suit before he called to his wife, "I don't think I'll keep the blazer on for that long."
"I'm not surprised, and good because it's not authentic," Beckett told her husband.
Laughing briefly Castle said, "Do you really expect me to have Mother go to that trouble?"
"No," Beckett said. "And you can leave if you're finished."
"Great, I want to see…" Castle started to say before he trailed off since he was shortly after catching sight of his wife. "You look amazing love," he said with a smile.
"I'm glad you like it," Beckett said. "But I feel weird."
"Your bathing suit?" Castle asked her.
"Yes, but… the dress is nice," Beckett said, going to their mirror. She turned to look at the side and said, "Your mom said the jacket made this outfit."
"It does," Castle said in amusement, walking up behind her. He placed his hand on her back and said, "I was serious," he told her.
Turning to him, Beckett wrapped her arms tightly around her husband and said, "You look the same Rick," before she pulled back slightly and gently adjusted his lapels.
"Even with the non-realistic blazer?" Castle asked. When his wife nodded he laughed and gathered her in his arms before they were kissing deeply. He held her close and feeling the jacket under his hands he felt a deep sense of déjà vu before they were parting, and he leaned his forehead against hers just before she was speaking softly.
"As much as I want to stay…" Beckett began.
"Yeah," Castle said, though he couldn't resist the temptation and leaned down to his wife. He kissed her sensuously before they were slowly parting and said, "Take me because I'm having a hard time stopping."
Beckett smiled and moved out of her husband's embrace carefully before she took his hand and led him to the door. As she walked she couldn't help enjoying the satisfying light swish of her skirt around her knees. She had chosen a design she recalled having in the later thirties. It was a basic dress, the style cut as it had been then. Her jacket was a loose one that was a white fabric with a cerulean blue abstract pattern on it the same shade as her dress, a belt made of the same fabric around her waist. Walking down the hall to the top of the stairs, she saw Martha was walking to them, dressed for the party and carrying Josie who was ready.
"Hey sweetheart," Castle said, going to the baby first. "You look adorable."
"Dada dress," Josie said.
"I see it, and I love it," Castle said, taking her and kissing her cheek. He then said, "You look…" before he realized his mother wasn't in front of him. Turning to his side he couldn't help smiling as his wife was assuring his mother that she liked her outfit.
"Now, you realize since Richard's jacket isn't authentic I could have shortened your hem a bit," Martha was saying.
"It's not what I had before," Beckett said. "And Rick's not really going to wear the blazer for that long anyway."
"It's less comfortable," Castle said when his mother turned to him though he'd told her that already. "We're going to be swimming really soon so…"
"Where's Julia?" Beckett then asked.
"Here, your outfit looks great Mom!" the girl replied from the bottom floor.
"Mommy!" Eliza cried, coming out of her room.
"Everyone down here is ready," Julia said.
"We're coming," Beckett said, looking down the hall to see her father was walking down, Alexis and Louis following shortly after. She smiled to see them in their outfits, the two men very simply dressed, before she looked back to her husband when he was pretending to grumble in annoyance.
"I should have gone for the sweater," Castle said.
"You're fine Dad," Julia said. "We're going swimming anyways."
"When?" Natalie asked since she and the three other school friends of the birthday girl had joined everyone.
"After-" Julia started to say before they were jumping at the loud boom of thunder.
"We will soon," Castle said rapidly before he turned his attention to Josie to help Beckett calm her down. Once she and Sophie weren't crying anymore he said, "We have some games to play inside, and we'll do them now before getting to swimming."
"Is that what you want to do?" Mari asked her friend.
Nodding Julia said, "It's why I told you to get simple outfits, we'd be swimming more than anything." She then gasped as Dawn and Ava were hugging her and laughed before greeting them. "Sorry about not saying hi," she said after she had done the same with Natalie and waved at Tristan.
"That's okay, we had to change," Ava said. "What're we playing first?"
Laughing, Julia turned to her parents and asked, "The relay game?"
"If that's what you want to play," Beckett replied.
"It is," Julia said swiftly, not surprised when her parents laughed before they were going to the parlor since there was more room for her larger party that year to play.