"Welcome back," Martha said, standing with Josie in the breaking waves.
"Thanks," Julia said with a smile.
"How's your sister doing?" Jim asked, walking from the lanai where he'd gotten a bottle of water.
"Good, she's still mad she couldn't stand and row," Julia replied. "But she doesn't mind getting to sit."
"I go swim?" Josie asked her sister.
"Well… Mom and Dad said we were going to start getting ready for dinner," Julia said slowly, looking out at the water. "But I think we can go a little bit in."
"Not too far," Martha said as the teen was picking up her baby sister.
"Just to my knees," Julia replied. When her grandparents nodded she smiled and took Josie to the water before they were going in. As she'd told them she went in only to her knees and told her sister, "Don't worry, you'll get the chance to go on paddle boards soon. Here comes Dad."
"Hey," Castle said, stopping his board so he could get off in front of the pair. He then felt himself wobble and let out a yell as he fell off.
"Dada!" Josie cried.
"He's okay," Julia said quickly to her sister. "Here he is," she added when he stood up while she'd spoken.
"I hope your mom didn't see that," Castle said, going to the two and taking Josie. He jumped when he was suddenly splashed, the baby squealing with laughter, before he turned and saw his wife with Eliza on the front of her board. "Hello love," he said with a smile.
"I did see that Rick," Beckett told him wryly and in amusement, watching him helping their second youngest down and putting Josie on the front of her board. "And it doesn't matter."
"Oh good," Castle replied. He then looked at Eliza and said, "Why did I help you down?"
"Don't I have to get into the water? For Josa?" the little girl asked in confusion.
Turning to the board once she was in the water Beckett said, "Not really, you three can go together."
"Do I have to?" Julia asked.
"Not if you don't want to," Castle said. When the teen shook her head he smiled and said, "Then here we go," moving to the end of the board to push it since he'd helped Eliza back up.
Watching Josie and Eliza crying out while her husband moved them parallel to the beach, Beckett turned her attention to Julia and said, "How are you sweetie?"
"Good, I don't want to practice yet though," the teen replied.
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said as they'd gotten a video from Derek after they'd gone snorkeling. The dancer had shown her daughter the first part of the second dance for Monday, and she knew Julia was thinking of practicing it. "But you're going to before we leave aren't you?"
"I need to but…" the teen started to say hesitantly before her mother was speaking to her in slight concern.
"Do you want your dad to help you?" Beckett said.
"Don't worry Mom," Julia said, squeezing her hand warmly. "I need to practice with Peter, I might try some steps, but I don't think I'll be able to do that much until I see him tomorrow."
"At least you have Sunday," Castle commented, walking up with the board. "Special delivery?" he asked his wife before Julia and Eliza were laughing while Josie called to him.
"Come here sweetie," Beckett said with a smile, going to the baby. She took her off the board and nuzzled her nose with hers asking, "Did you have fun?"
"Eh," Josie said, smiling herself at her mother. She then said, "Food Mama."
"Don't worry," Castle said after they had all stopped laughing; Alexis and Louis joining them and doing the same. "I'm hungry too so we'll order dinner soon."
"Do we really have to stop?" Eliza asked.
"We do, but once we're home we can swim in our pool," Beckett reminded her, watching Castle helping the little girl down. They walked up to the shore then and her husband was getting Louis and Alexis to help him take the boards back when an employee was calling to them.
"Are you Castle?" the man asked, two other men with him.
"Yeah, are you from the rentals?" he asked. At the Hawaiian's nod Castle said, "You're picking them up."
"Yeah, we're going to close pretty soon," the worker said. "So better we pick them up and take them back."
"Thank you so much," Castle said as the three men were picking up the boards and paddles. "Mahalo," he hurried to say. After they'd left the beach he walked up to the lanai and asked his daughter, "Did your mom take your sisters around?"
"She did," Alexis replied. "And we're going in right now."
"I'll help your mom," Castle said hurriedly, walking to the side of the villa. He paused when he heard the girls laughing and paused with his hand on the gate. "Kate," he called.
"Yes?" Beckett said, walking up.
"Can I come in?" Castle asked.
"You can, we're staying in our bathing suits," Beckett replied, opening the door and letting her husband in.
"You know if you just want to treat this as a shower…" Castle commented.
"Mom said we're rinsing off," Julia said before her mother was motioning to her. After she'd turned off the water she said, "We're going to take baths and showers."
"Since we're not swimming again," Eliza said in obvious disappointment.
"We'll have the pool back at home," Castle said, going to the doorway to the bathroom to help Beckett get towels for the girls. He dried off Josie and then said, "How're we doing this?"
"Eliza will take a shower in the bathroom she's sharing with our parents," Beckett said with a smile as all three girls were looking at her. "Julia you'll be in the shower in the bathroom at the entry of course."
"And Josie?" Castle asked, playfully bouncing the baby.
"My dad wants to give her a bath," Beckett said.
"Okay, we're giving her the next one," Castle said easily. He was a little surprised when his wife laughed before she leaned over to him and they gently kissed before she was speaking.
"That's what I told Dad," Beckett said. "And we'll get ready ourselves."
"Okay," Castle said, nodding his head before he looked at their middle daughters. "All dry?" he asked them.
"I am," Julia said.
"Okay, walk around," Beckett said. She wasn't surprised when her husband looked at her and she explained, "So they're drier before they go in."
"Sure," Castle said quickly before they were leaving the shower and walking back to the lanai. "You're ready for them?" he asked seeing his mother and father-in-law in the living room.
"We are," Jim said, going straight to him to get Josie. He kissed the side of her head gently before he told his daughter and son in law, "Can she go down to the beach once she's ready?"
"Go ahead," Beckett said after Castle had turned to her. "But don't look for shells without Julia and Eliza."
After Jim had agreed, Castle watched them head to the two bedrooms before he looked at his wife questioningly.
"Yes?" Beckett said. She tried her best not to laugh when her husband put his hand on her back and led her into their room. "I want to but it's probably better if we do this separately," she said as soon as he'd closed and locked the doors. She watched him in slight surprise when he paused before he turned to her and began to talk teasingly to her while he wrapped his arms around her.
"What makes you think I wanted to do that," Castle said. When his wife just looked at him he said, "Okay, so I may have wanted to, but still."
Beckett laughed and shook her head before she was wrapping her arms around him tightly. "When we're in Santa Monica," she told him.
"Is that a promise?" Castle asked half-jokingly. When his wife was smiling at him in response he was leaning down to her and kissing her deeply. He told himself not to make it that rough but couldn't resist, slipping his tongue into her mouth before he was slowly pulling away. "I hope it is," he murmured against her lips.
"It is," Beckett said. She then moved slightly so she could kiss him, and they were doing so gently. After they were parting she smiled and said, "Do you want to go first?"
"Yeah," Castle replied, shaking himself. He let her go reluctantly and said, "I should. I won't take that long."
"I know," Beckett said. "And it doesn't matter," she was quick to add. At his startled expression she told him, "I know what you're doing love, go."
Castle brushed his lips to his wife's before he headed to the closet to grab what he needed, glancing back at his wife. He saw she had stepped outside on the lanai before he was closing the bathroom door behind him.
Watching the waves in front of her, Beckett smiled since she could hear her father in the living room with Josie. She slipped back inside the room before they could step outside and see her, going to get her clothing for dinner. Since her husband still wasn't finished she went to her phone to check on her texts and e-mails before she discovered her phone was still on her gallery. Seeing it was the drawing for Julia's gown she smiled and then closed the folder though she couldn't help recalling that morning when she and Castle had told their daughter about the new request from Stella.
Hearing footsteps coming up to the doorway, Julia turned her head with wide eyes and hurried to spit the toothpaste out of her mouth. "What?" she asked before getting water to rinse.
"Are you ready to go?" Beckett asked her daughter.
"Now yeah," Julia said, wiping her mouth with her towel. "Why?" she said. "I'm not the last one out am I?"
"No," Beckett said quickly, calming her. "Your dad and I wanted to talk to you before we were leaving."
"What did I do?" Julia asked, going to her before they were heading outside to the lanai.
"Nothing," Castle said in amusement. "Why, do you think you did?" He smiled when she gave him a look before she sat in between him and Beckett, and he waited for his wife to tell her why they'd brought her outside which she was shortly after doing.
Explaining what she'd talked to Skye about, Beckett showed Julia the drawing and said, "What do you think?"
"I… I'd like to," Julia said after hesitating for a moment. "What about you?" she then asked both her parents.
"You can do it if you want to," Beckett replied.
"We were going to agree to it," Castle added. "But in the end it is up to you."
"Thanks," Julia said with a smile. "And I'd like to." She then paused before she said, "Just me though? Out of all the kids?"
"I told you, she said she wanted to see how you looked in it since you're taller," Beckett replied.
Nodding Julia said, "I am looking forward to it."
"Me too," Beckett replied, smiling. She hugged her daughter briefly before she said, "And now that's set I can text Skye."
Watching her mother do so, Julia said to Castle, "Are you excited?"
"Not excited exactly," he said. "But eager to see how your mother's gown will look on her."
Julia smiled and said, "I'm not surprised." Looking at her mother as she was putting her phone down she said, "All set?"
"She's going to get in touch with Stella," Beckett replied. "And now we need to go," she added as she looked into the villa. She smiled when Julia jumped up from her chair and they were entering the building while their family was gathering at the entry.
"They look so cute," Eliza said eagerly while she stared down at the bento boxes they were uncovering.
"Cute?" Julia said in obvious confusion. "Do you have something that looks like a cartoon?"
"No," Eliza said firmly. "I just like all the different things."
"Oh good," Castle said, smiling. "That means you don't mind having stuff in boxes again."
Beckett couldn't help laughing briefly since the girls were doing so outright and she told him, "It's dim sum love, I don't think they'd really care how it was served."
"She's right," Alexis said. "But did we all get the same thing again?"
"It seemed the best way to go," Castle said. "Do I need to tell you what everything is?"
"I know!" Eliza said.
"Then why don't you tell us kiddo?" Martha asked, unable to help saying that since her granddaughter was so obviously eager.
"That's bao," Eliza started with, pointing to the bun. "Next to it is shrimp dumplings, in this one there's sesame seed balls…"
"Yes you can eat those," Beckett said as she was aware already why the little girl had trailed off. "Though we'll have cake since we need to finish it."
"Keep going," Julia whispered to her little sister.
"And next to that are spring rolls?" Eliza asked since she wasn't sure just by looking.
"They are," Castle said. "Partially why I picked this one; that compartment."
"Thanks!" Eliza said happily.
"Dada food!" Josie said.
"I think you might need to hurry," Jim commented.
Nodding eagerly Eliza went to the next compartment and said, "Those are all dumplings," since there were three together.
"Pork, chicken and beef," Castle said since Eliza was looking at him questioningly. "The last ones you're not going to know sweetheart. I hope you guys like these, it's some steamed meatballs and deep-fried squid on Chinese broccoli."
"I think we will," Louis said. "We all eat calamari don't we."
"Then enjoy," Castle said, raising his glass of pineapple juice to the others. He smiled when they laughed and then picked up his chopsticks before he checked on Josie who was between himself and Beckett with a smaller version of their boxes. She was picking up the spring roll first and he turned to his bao, taking a bite before he looked at his wife.
"Sweetie, you have to take turns with everything," Beckett said with a smile. She was about to pick up one of her dumplings when Eliza was suddenly getting her attention and whispering to her.
"Where's Josa's sesame ball?" the little girl asked.
"I have it," Beckett said, nodding to her box. "I'll cut it for her when we're done."
"Is she getting the whole thing?" Julia asked, having been listening to the two.
"She is, it's not that big," Beckett replied in amusement.
"Mom?" Julia then said.
"Yeah?" Beckett said, looking over at her.
"You and Dad never got to see the other pools since we wanted to swim here," Julia said. "We couldn't walk around them?"
"We could," Castle told his wife.
"I was going to say," Beckett said with a soft laugh since she'd been eating one of her spring rolls. "Before we come back and have cake, we should all go," she added.
"I'll go," Martha said, smiling because the girls had hurriedly turned to her. "Though there is something I can ask you two about now."
"What?" Castle asked in surprise.
"We're going from tropical to California," Martha responded. "How are we supposed to dress?"
"I texted Skye about the weather, she said it's in the sixties," Beckett said. "And sunny so we might need to buy some jackets."
"When?" Castle asked.
"She mentioned taking us to the Promenade when we arrived," Beckett said.
"Really?" Eliza said eagerly.
"Really, we'll meet the other McDouglases there and get what we'll need. And you needed a new jacket anyway sweetie," Beckett told the little girl.
Giggling briefly, since her jacket at home was strained against her elbows and the ends of the sleeves were starting to move up on her arms, Eliza said, "Oh good." She then looked at Julia and said, "You?"
"Me what?" the teen asked in surprise.
"Is your jacket too small?" Eliza replied.
"Oh… a little," Julia said, glancing at her parents.
"I noticed your arms sticking out more too," Castle commented. "Stop growing."
Laughing with the others, Alexis then said, "You don't want Peter to bring anything else?"
"No, he'll have enough with Julia's things," Beckett said.
"And he's going to be in the same terminal we will be?" Jim asked.
"He will," Castle answered. "Skye set everything up for us so once we get off the plane we'll head to his gate and… well she said he'd arrive ten minutes after us, but it depends on our flights."
"I'm confused," Louis said then. "When are you arriving?"
"Two in the afternoon," Beckett said first. "Their time though."
"Does that mean we have to sleep on the plane?" Eliza asked.
"Of course," Beckett said with a smile. "But we should be rested for the Promenade."
"And after," Castle said. He wasn't surprised when his wife glanced at him and he took a bite of the sesame seed ball he had; having finished his other food by then; before Julia was speaking.
"What do you mean after? Are we going somewhere for dinner?" the teen asked.
"No, Skye said we're going to have a party," Beckett said, glaring at her husband when she saw he was still chewing deliberately. "But that's all she told us."
"Are you sure?" Eliza asked.
Laughing, because the little girl had narrowed her eyes, Castle said, "Don't worry, we are. Your mom has the texts to prove it." He looked at Josie then while Beckett was handing her half of her sesame seed ball and watched the baby happily chewing on it before his wife was speaking teasingly, getting his attention.
"Didn't you eat yours?" Beckett asked.
"I did, I'm just seeing how much she's enjoying it," Castle replied easily. When his wife gave him a look he asked her, "Are you going to take your camera?"
Nodding Beckett said, "I want to get a few shots of the scenery."
"Are we going to the keiki pool?" Julia asked.
"We are," Castle said firmly. "And wading too, but we should hurry since we have that last time looking for seashells."
"And cake!" Eliza said eagerly.
Laughing together, the family started to get up then since they had all finished and they were clearing the table before going to the path in front of the lanai to make their way around the resort one more time.
"Why are you making a pyramid?" Castle asked as he sat on the lounge chair next to Eliza.
"For fun," the little girl replied with a smile. Eliza looked up at her father before they shared a kiss and she told him, "Love you Daddy."
"I love you too sweetheart," Castle replied. "But I wanted to do something else with you."
"How come?" Eliza asked.
Startled, since he'd been expecting her to ask what, Castle took a moment before he laughed and quickly said, "Because I think your mom and Julia are going to take a little longer."
"Rick," Beckett called from the lanai.
"Oh, never mind," Castle said before they were getting up hurriedly, Eliza sweeping her shells into her pail. "What's up?" he asked when they were close to his wife.
Giving him a look, Beckett shook her head and said, "I was just letting you know Peter called, he's at the house," before Eliza was speaking eagerly.
"Will he check on Carlow for me?" the little girl asked.
"I can tell him to," Beckett replied. "But we're going to be a little bit, you two can walk around if you want."
"In the water?" Eliza asked hopefully.
"Not that far," Beckett said simply before her husband nodded. She went back into the villa before she said, "Did he go in?"
"He's still waiting- there's Mari," Julia said quickly, looking at the screen of the TV. "And her dad," she added when she saw David with her best friend.
"Hey, you guys," the mayor said, spotting the two on the phone. "Have fun?"
"Did you guys?" Beckett said.
"A lot of fun," Mari answered. "We'll tell you when I see you again."
"Alright," David said, getting Peter and Isaac's attention. "I'll wait here in the hall."
"Do you know what Julia wants?" Peter asked.
"Yeah, and I know where she keeps everything," Mari replied swiftly while they headed up the stairs. Once she was inside Julia's room she turned to Peter and said, "Julia?"
"I'm here," she replied. "I need my practice skirt with my shirt and pants."
"Are those all together still?" Mari asked, going to her dresser.
"Yep, third drawer," Julia said. "Peter?" she called.
"Yeah, do I need to close my eyes?" the boy asked.
"No, it's just my dance practice stuff," Julia replied. "But can you go to my closet?"
"Alright," Peter said, walking with the phone to the left door before his partner was speaking hurriedly.
"The other side," Julia told him. She saw him opening that door and couldn't help laughing as the phone in his hand shook before she looked at her mother. "Did you jump?"
"I wasn't expecting your dresses," Peter said. "You know," he then said to Mari who'd walked over to where he was standing. "Besides my mom's closet I've never seen a girl's one."
"Nothing special," Julia said, trying not to laugh since she could hear Mari making an exasperated noise. "You need to grab my dress for me; the Viennese Waltz."
"I've got it," Mari said as she reached for it.
"How… yeah, she does," Peter said when Mari unzipped the garment bag she'd pulled to the side.
"Anything else?" Mari asked.
"Let me see what you got from the drawer," Julia replied.
Taking the phone from Peter, Mari went to the dresser where she'd put everything on top before saying, "I just grabbed what was on top."
"That's fine, all that works," Julia said immediately.
"Don't forget to grab her shoes," Beckett added.
"Oh, I'll get that now," Mari said.
Taking his phone back as the girl had hurriedly pressed it to him, Peter watched him go to the other side of the closet before he said, "Your shoes are here?"
"You didn't see them?" Julia asked with a smile.
"Oh, no I didn't," Peter replied as Mari brought out a box from the bottom of the closet. "Cool," he said when she opened the box to check on the shoes there. He was about to ask if they'd gotten everything when Julia was answering before he could utter a word.
"Okay, that's everything I'll need," Julia said.
"Do you want me to bring anything else?" Peter asked.
"No, I have what I need," Julia said, glancing at her mother who shook her head quickly. She turned back to the TV and then said, "Thanks so much for going over there, both of you."
"You're welcome," Mari said, looking at Peter as he was saying the same. "I hope you have fun Monday."
"Thanks, I'm sure we will," Julia said. "But I miss you!"
"Miss you too!" Mari said. "Oh, Dad's calling me I better go," she then told the others.
Julia watched the screen as it was bouncing around, sharing a smile with her mother since she knew her friends were going downstairs. She said goodbye to Mari and David while they were leaving once the house was locked and she then said to Peter, "Are you all set?"
"Yeah, Mom made sure I was packed ages ago," the teen replied.
"How is Genevieve?" Beckett asked since Isaac was there too.
"Good, she's tired but of course there's a reason for that," he replied.
"And the baby's kicking like crazy," Peter said. "Clive said she'll dance with us."
"My dad said that when my mom was carrying Josa," Julia replied with a smile.
"Eliza too," Beckett said. "Alright, we'll let you guys go since it's late. We'll be at the gate Peter, but someone from the airline will stay with you until we get there."
"Okay," the teen replied. "Thanks for picking me up."
"It's not a problem," Julia said. She couldn't help laughing when her mother looked at her and said, "I figured Dad would say that."
"Thank you for that," Isaac commented. "Say goodbye Peter, we need to head back so you can get some sleep."
Saying goodbye to her partner and his father, Julia said, "I hope he'll sleep on the plane."
"He will," Beckett replied. "And now you're sure you have everything."
"Yep, everything's packed here too," Julia answered. "Are we going out to Dad and Lizzy?" At her mother's nod she jumped up before she said, "I wonder what they did," her mother responding shortly after they'd stepped out onto the lanai.
"I would say walk along the beach," Beckett replied.
"They did," Julia said, looking down and seeing two figures walking to them.
Okay," Castle said to Eliza once Beckett had gone into the villa. "Ready to start walking?"
"Yep," the little girl said eagerly. Taking her father's hand Eliza said, "How far are we going to walk?"
"Not too far," Castle replied. "I don't think it'll take that long for your sister and mom to finish."
"Could we go to the Ocean Pool?" Eliza suggested.
"I think we can make it," Castle said, nodding. "As long as we start walking now."
"Then let's go!" Eliza cried, tugging at his hand.
Castle started to laugh and let her pull him though he was walking with her. He was quiet as she kept marching before she was stopping. He was about to ask her what was wrong when she looked at him with a troubled expression on her face before she was talking with a slight pout on her lips.
"Why do I have to pull you with me Daddy?" Eliza asked him.
"I don't know," Castle said with a smile before they were walking side by side. "Sweetheart?" he eventually asked when they were walking towards the Ocea Pool.
"Yeah?" Eliza asked, looking up at him.
"You're not jealous of your sister are you?" Castle asked.
"No way!" Eliza said immediately. "I'm not gonna dance as much as Jules is. And I get to go to Disneyland too!"
Castle couldn't help laughing at her tone and said, "Yeah, we're lucky. What about the gown?"
"What about it?" Eliza asked in confusion.
"You're not jealous about that," Castle stated.
"No, I can't wear it, it's too big," Eliza said, smiling when her father was laughing again. "I'm just kidding Daddy and I get to wear something else."
"That's true," Castle said with a nod.
"You don't want to be in that picture with Mommy and Jules though," Eliza said.
"I would but I think Stella wants it to be just the gowns," Castle said.
"Oh, so not even Skye's going to be there," Eliza said. "Too bad."
"Wait," Castle said, seeing where they were. "I think we better turn back."
"Do we have to?" Eliza asked in obvious disappointment.
"I do, I'm sure your mom and sister will want to do something before you need to go to bed," Castle told her before he had her turn around so they could start walking back. He saw the frown on the little girl's face and said with a laugh, "I know you don't like the idea, but we have to sleep tonight. Especially because of tomorrow."
"I know, but I want to stay a little longer on the beach," Eliza said. She hesitated for a moment and then told her father, "Is it bad that I like it here a lot?"
"No, it's tropical weather," Castle said.
"Yeah," Eliza said, nodding her head a few times as she thought that over. She then looked up at her father and said, "But we'll come back right?"
"We will, we told you we'd go to all the islands we can," Castle told her.
Smiling in joy at that reminder, Eliza looked ahead of them and when she could see the lanai of the villa said, "I think Mommy and Jules are there already."
Looking ahead of them, Castle nodded and then said, "You might be right," before they started to walk a little faster. "Got everything?" he said once he and Eliza were close enough to the two.
"They did," Julia replied.
"Both?" Castle asked.
"Yeah, Peter helped too," Julia began. She then hesitated and said, "Well, it was mostly Mari, but he opened the closet doors for her."
Laughing briefly Castle said, "Then that's enough. Okay, what do you two want to do before we head inside?"
"Could we walk the other way?" Julia asked her parents.
"Sure, we kept walking that way," Castle said, nodding back in the direction he and Eliza had gone. "I'm used to the same views."
"And that's a problem?" Beckett asked in amusement.
"No, just something different," Castle replied before the girls were going ahead of them. He reached out to his wife, pleased when she immediately took his hand and they walked after them. "How'd the house look?" he eventually asked her.
Glancing at her husband Beckett said wryly, "Like a tornado had gone inside."
"Hey," Castle said in mock annoyance.
Squeezing her husband's hand after they'd entwined their fingers Beckett said, "It was fine. Everything was fine. Though I just remembered I didn't tell Peter to look in on Carlow."
"I'm sure he's fine," Castle said. "And I think she forgot about him too."
"Good thing," Beckett said in amusement. They stopped when their daughters were doing so, and she smiled seeing they were stooping to pick up what she assumed were seashells. She turned to her husband and said, "But at least we're ready now for LA."
Castle nodded and then said, "Except for jackets." He smiled when she was laughing, and he moved to wrap his arm around her to hold her to his side while they watched their daughters throwing shells back to the breaking waves.
April 2nd, 2022
Aloha Evangeline (the last time for this trip) and since we have to get up super early I'm going to really need to hurry!
First off this morning was breakfast as usual on the lanai, and actually our last one because we're going to be that early we can't eat here tomorrow morning. But even though that's kind of sad to think about it was still fun and still really good. Once we were done Mom talked to me, that was a surprise since she was a little serious, but she eventually said that Skye texted her last night and they talked and it turns out Stella had one more outfit for her and Mary, gowns that are for the summer and in floral print. Then she told me that Stella wants me to wear a gown too! I was really surprised, but Mom said she wants to try gowns for young adults and wants me to model it since I'm tall. I said I'd love to, she had the drawing of it and it's really pretty, it'll be interesting to wear! And Mom and Dad both agree to it, so it looks like I'll be modeling it!
After that was the bocce courts and we played for a while and that was fun, though we didn't really compete. And before we finished we let Josa try out rolling a ball and she seemed to really enjoy it. After that was a second one and she seemed to like that too. But no crying when we left so I guess that means she didn't absolutely love it? Sorry, Mom just came out from hers and Dad's room.
"What's wrong?" Julia asked as soon as she finished her sentence. "I don't have to go to bed do I?"
"No," Beckett said with a smile. "Your dad and I were going to pack after you went to bed, but we decided to go to sleep as soon as we get you to bed," she then explained, not surprised her daughter was responding to that immediately.
"Oh… Dad agreed to that?" Julia said.
"You know me too well," Castle commented wryly, walking into the living room.
"But did you?" Julia insisted.
"Yes, I did," Castle replied in mock annoyance.
"It was his suggestion Julia," Beckett said. When her daughter made a face at Castle she then said, "So you'll have slightly more time but-"
"I'm not going to go over my bedtime; since it's early now," Julia replied.
"Exactly, I figured it would help you," Castle said. "Where are you?"
Smiling Julia said, "I just finished talking about the bocce court," not surprised when he was responding to that immediately.
"Do you have enough time?" Castle asked.
"I will if I can write," Julia replied.
"I think that's a hint love," Beckett said in amusement.
"That was too," Castle told their daughter in an exaggerated whisper.
"I think so," Julia said with a laugh.
"If you finish and we're still in our room you can join us," Beckett told her.
"I can?" Julia asked in surprise. When both her parents nodded she then said, "Okay," before they were heading back to their room. She picked up her pen and then started to write again, going underneath the paragraph she'd ended on.
After we finished there we split up, like I told you before Dad, Grandpapa and Louis went to the golf course to start playing. The rest of us went to the spa and started our manis and pedis. It was really pretty because the room we were in opened in front of us to the garden that's outside. It was so green with beautiful flowers and there was even a waterfall we could just see! It was so relaxing and the ladies that worked on our hands and feet were really nice. Josa, since she can't wear nail polish yet because Mom said she'd try to eat it when it chips off, had special lotion that smelled like really sweet pineapples. The rest of us had our own lotion, but it smelled like plumerias and was really nice. When we finished Mom bought us all bottles of the lotion, Mom, Gram and 'lexis all got the plumeria one while I picked the pineapple one and she got the same for EJ (Mom did). Oh and I forgot that before she bought the lotion we had lunch, like I mentioned yesterday it was just chicken or fish, but it was really good and had rice and veggies, so it was tasty in the end.
From the spa we went to the golf course and Mom got a golf cart for all of us and we headed to the twelfth hole where they were playing (I say they since it's easier) and we surprised them. And then we got to stay with them while Mom and Gram came back here to the villa. It was fun because they had extra golf clubs and while they were taking turns hitting it into the hole on the green Lizzy and I were practicing putting. She wanted to really hit it, but Dad managed to convince Lizzy she probably needed to wait. Josa, who fell asleep after lunch, woke up when we were in the cart and then fell asleep in the cart on the way to the thirteenth. While the others were playing she slept where there was shade in the cart and actually had a nap in the end.
Going back to the villa we changed and were swimming, at first just swimming in the water before we went snorkeling in the ocean this time. It was really fun because there was a reef and we got to look at different fish. When we finished that we went out on the paddle boards Mom and Dad rented. It was nice because when we went out as far as we could we looked back at the island and could see the green and the mountains… volcanoes or whatever it is. It was just beautiful, and I will miss it!
From swimming we got ready for dinner and dinner was different from what Dad had said in the first place. While we were on the paddle boards we heard people surfing talking about the dim sum bento boxes they'd had, and we decided to try it. And of course it was delicious since it had my favorite ones! We went to look for shells after we had some mango again before we finished up the birthday cake.
Julia paused for a moment before she frowned and tried to write again. When there was no ink she turned to the bottle and checked it before getting more ink into her pen. Seeing what was left she couldn't help getting up and hurrying over to her parents' room, hearing them talking.
"Are you okay with this party?" Castle was saying.
"You mean if I need to dress up?" Beckett replied. When her husband nodded she smiled and told him, "I'll wear the one I did on your birthday." She was setting one of her blouses into the suitcase before she paused and called, "Come in Julia," before their daughter was appearing in the doorway and speaking rapidly to her surprise.
"I'm almost out of ink so I can get some at the Promenade right?" Julia said.
"We said you could," Castle replied.
"But you're going to have to take it with you," Beckett reminded her. "I'm not letting you put it in your suitcase."
"That's fine, I'll get one that's smaller," Julia said before she left them. She went back to her diary as fast as she could and began to write again, faster since she had been able to tell her parents were nearly finished packing.
After Josa was in bed I was waiting for Mom while Dad and Lizzy were waiting for us outside. When she came outside Peter called us, he and his dad were at our house and once Mom told Dad and Lizzy about us talking to them. Once David and Mari were there (he has an extra key to the house), and they could get in the house Mari and Peter were going up to my room. Though Peter's bringing everything in his suitcase, Mari's the one who got everything for me. It was so nice to see her again and Peter too, but it wasn't for that long.
Mom and I went outside when we were finished and told Dad about it before we were walking down the beach towards the south. By the time we were back to the villa it was Lizzy's bedtime and when Mom and Dad put her to bed I got ready before I came here to you.
So that's it really for our last full day, but tomorrow we'll barely be here, and we have to get up super early for our flights. When we get to LA I know we're heading to the Promenade to do some quick shopping and then to the McDouglas house. Skye also texted Mom that there'll be a little party at their house… what that'll be like I don't know but I'm eager to see it!
Tomorrow I should have some time to write to you, not sure how much but I'll get something down. See you in LA Evangeline!
Finishing her entry, Julia tried to empty her pen before she saw there was no ink at all and sighed. She cleaned her pen quickly before getting it, the bottle and diary into her backpack. After checking to make sure everything was in there she zipped up the pouches and went to her parents' room, startled to find it was empty before her father was calling to her.
"Hey, all finished?" Castle asked with a smile as the teen came to the closet.
"Yeah, you aren't?" Julia said.
"Not yet," Beckett replied. "We're putting what we need for the week on top."
"No sundresses?" Julia asked.
"Not yet," Beckett replied, taking a top she hadn't worn down.
"Is that a sweater?" Julia asked.
"Thinner," Beckett answered with a nod before she folded it and set it aside. "And did you get everything for your backpack?" she asked, getting a second sweater she'd brought for a 'just in case' situation. Seeing her daughter; who didn't answer her; was looking at the sweaters in obvious puzzlement, she explained her reasoning for it and said, "I guess that idea helped me out in this case. There's a reason you and your sisters have slightly warmer clothes too."
"I know, thank goodness," Julia replied before her parents were laughing. She turned her attention to her father's clothes he was folding and said, "You're okay dressing up for the party tomorrow Dad? If you need to?" not surprised he was laughing briefly before he was responding.
"So you were eavesdropping," Castle said.
"When I came to tell you about my ink," Julia said. "I couldn't help hearing you."
"Of course not," Beckett said, picking up what she had taken from the hangers except for the shirt she had for the next day. She walked to the bedroom and set everything in her suitcase before Julia was moving around to stand next to her. "Are you tired?" she asked.
"A little," Julia replied. "Thanks for letting me get my nails painted."
"I wasn't going to stop you," Beckett said.
"You couldn't have a color on your fingernails?" Castle asked, getting his shirts set in his suitcase on the other side of the bed.
"I wanted to, but if my other outfit isn't going to be blue?" Julia asked.
"Stella's making it?" Castle asked as he paused in realization he wasn't sure how she was getting her outfit for her second dance.
Smiling, Julia said, "Derek's taking care of that, but I'm not worried."
"Who said you should be worried?" Castle asked her swiftly.
"I knew you were going to ask," Julia said firmly. "But I know he'll think of something and it'll probably be a certain time period. Hopefully the fifties or something like that."
"Hopefully," Castle said. He looked up from his suitcase and saw the way his wife and daughter were looking at him and said, "What?" in mock complaint.
Smiling Julia said, "I know why you said that Dad and I'm not going to wear a bikini top and short skirt. I don't want to."
Since his wife was looking at him pointedly, Castle didn't say the words good thing, though they were on the tip of his tongue. Instead he nodded and told her, "Of course."
"Are you done?" Beckett asked her husband.
"I am," Castle said before he was turning to their second youngest and she was talking rapidly.
"I don't want to go to bed but I know I need to," Julia replied.
"So you're not going to stop us from putting you to bed?" Beckett asked.
"No," Julia said firmly. "Do we really have to wake up that early?" she asked.
"We do," Castle said as they were heading to the hall to go out to the living room. "But we'll sleep on the plane like we said."
"I know," Julia replied. "And have breakfast?"
"We'll grab a pastry," Beckett answered before they went to the couch. It was already open, and she turned to Julia, seeing she was hugging Castle tightly.
"Night Dad," Julia said. "Love you."
"I love you too sweetheart," Castle said before he made her lean back a little so she could look at him. "Ready for the show?"
"As ready as I can be not knowing the other dance," Julia said. She then smiled and said, "But don't worry, I wasn't going to tell you I didn't want to go now." She hugged him tightly again before they shared a quick kiss and she turned to her mother. "I said thanks for letting us go right?"
"You did," Beckett said. "Just make sure you keep up with your schoolwork."
"Of course," Julia replied. "I want to go to Disneyland." She hugged her mother and said, "Thanks so much for this vacation too."
"You're welcome, but thank your dad since he thought of this," Beckett said.
"You did, don't worry," Castle said rapidly.
"I can't wait for our next spring break," Julia said. She turned back to her mother as she was laughing softly and told her, "I love you Mom."
"I love you Julia," Beckett said, sharing a kiss with her. "I think you got taller."
"Oh, don't say that!" Julia exclaimed in mock consternation. "Then my dress won't fit," she said with a smile.
"That's a good point," Castle said before he watched Julia get on the bed.
"Dad," Julia said warningly before she laughed as he smiled. "I'm not that tall."
"She isn't," Beckett said. "But you are growing still."
"I know but I hope not that much before Monday," Julia said. She laid down before her mother was making sure the sheet was okay and said, "Thanks."
"Was that the last time?" Beckett asked.
"Doing that is fine," Julia said, not surprised her mother had seen the expression on her face. "But yeah… you don't have to tuck me in," she added, looking at her father to see his expression before he was speaking reassuringly to her relief.
"We figured," Castle said. "But as long as you let us come say goodnight."
"I said I would," Julia replied, smiling. She then said, "Night."
"Good night," Castle said first.
"Night sweetheart," Beckett told her before she walked to the doorway of hers and Castle's room while he turned off the lights.
Smiling at her parents soon disappearing behind the door as it closed, Julia raised her head and looked down at the ocean one more time before she turned onto her side and closed her eyes to fall asleep.
"Anything you have left to do?" Castle asked his wife once he'd locked the door.
"I need to check my makeup bag," Beckett replied. "After that I'm going to bed."
"Me too," Castle said. He was surprised when she laughed and asked, "What?"
"I wasn't thinking you wanted to do anything," Beckett explained. "Though I'm not surprised you thought I did." She saw the way her husband was pursing his lips and told him, "What is it Rick?"
"A kiss?" Castle asked simply.
Beckett laughed again and told him, "Later." She went to the bathroom and to her bag next to her sink, making sure what she wouldn't need in the morning was there. "Ready?" she asked her husband since she'd noticed he was at his sink.
"Yes," Castle replied. He got his phone from his pajama pocket and checked his alarm before telling his wife, "We're ready."
"Good," Beckett said simply before she went to the windows next to her side of the bed. Closing the shutters she said when her husband was walking to her side after closing the shutters in front of their bed, "Goodnight love."
"I'm getting into bed," Castle said in mock annoyance since he knew his wife was joking. He then told her once they were climbing under the sheet, "I just hope we can get up. Though Josie is lucky."
Laughing, Beckett said when she'd calmed down, "Eliza too."
"Why… I have to carry her around?" Castle asked.
"If you don't want to…" Beckett said teasingly. She kissed his cheek before she said, "But we'll see how that'll go tomorrow." She'd been about to speak before he was pulling her into an embrace and was kissing her tenderly on the lips. When they parted she smiled and murmured, "That's all we can do you know," not surprised when he was responding immediately.
"I was afraid you were going to say that," Castle said.
"You knew I was going to," Beckett corrected him. She took his kiss when he leaned over and kissed her passionately and they were tangling their tongues around each other. After they had parted she murmured against his lips, "I love you."
"I love you Kate," Castle said earnestly. "Promise me we'll make love," he said.
"We will," Beckett replied before they were kissing again. That time they were a lot gentler, and she felt herself responding for a moment before they were parting slowly. She followed her husband while he was laying down then and she said, "What're you thinking," before he brushed his lips to hers and he began to speak.
"Trying not to think of making love to you," Castle said.
Smiling Beckett said, "I'm glad you're attempting too, but we better go to sleep." When her husband was pretending to cough she smiled and said, "Pervert."
"Can't help it," Castle replied before he smiled and leaned down to her. He kissed her lightly before he said, "Goodnight love."
"Night," Beckett said with a smile before they kissed once more, and she was pressing against his side before they murmured goodnight. Closing her eyes she was able to fall asleep after a short time and found Castle in her dreams since her desire for him was not far from her, aware it was the same for him while they held one another tightly through the night.