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: The brief lyrics in this chapter are from the song I Want to Hold Your Hand by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
A/N #2: I was pleased to receive the feedback for the last chapter I did so I'll go ahead and get started with my thank you for that! Mb (It was great that you thought their last full day was fantastic for everyone. And I actually haven't seen a kid Josie's age playing bocce so that was a complete guess, lol, really glad that I did perfectly with that! And it was nice to see you thought the spa and golf mornings were nice. The same with how they met up on the golf course and then Josie getting to help putt and Eliza and Julia practicing too. Wasn't surprised you mentioned them swimming and the other water activities together at the villa, lol, definitely had to include that for the last day! Really nice you thought it was nicely done. And you're welcome for the second half of the chapter! Great you thought the second half was a wonderful look into them being a loving family in a fun vacation. And I wasn't surprised you thought I captured the last day of vacation with heading back home to work and school, I've gone through that a lot myself, lol. With some of the Castles going to California I wasn't surprised you were jealous again of them. Glad that you thought the second half was nicely done again. And you're welcome for sharing the second half too!).
Thanks for the review, I loved reading it and appreciate the time taken to write it out and send it my way!
A/N #3: The title of this chapter is a mix of a Hawaiian lyric and English lyric from the song Aloha 'Oe, written by then Princess and future Queen of Hawaii Lili'uokalani.
Aloha 'Oe, Until We Meet Again
"Hullo everyone," Skye said with a smile when the family walked to where she was standing. "You're right on time."
"Is that a shock?" Beckett asked with a smile before she was hugging her friend tightly.
"Is that a coat?" Skye replied jokingly.
"Yes, leaving from JFK," Beckett said simply, watching the investigator greet the rest of her family. "What about Peter's flight?"
"A few minutes late," Skye said. "Are you all alright?"
"Yeah," Eliza said.
"I think she's asking if we're tired," Julia said to her sister.
"I am," Skye said to the little girl in amusement. "Now where's the baby?"
"Baby?" Josie asked.
"She's grown," Skye commented, taking the baby when she leaned over to her. "Quite a bit," she added with a smile before she started leading them to the gate Peter's flight was just arriving at. "Oh good," she said when she noticed it. "The delay helped us out."
"What about our suitcases?" Eliza asked.
"They'll be there," Skye assured her before they waited for the passengers to start disembarking.
Julia, wanting to ask about the party, tried to focus on the people walking into the terminal before she called, "Peter!" seeing her partner.
"Hey," the teen said before he hurried to them. A little taken aback for a moment by the greetings, Peter finally smiled and said, "Thanks for picking me up."
"Not a problem," Castle said. "Speaking of picking up…" he started to say pointedly before the investigator was speaking in mock annoyance.
"Yes, we'll go get your luggage right now," Skye replied. She smiled when Eliza giggled at her tone and then said, "Since we need to run to the Promenade."
"Where are your daughters?" Jim asked.
"Back at home," Skye said. "They were going to be with Mary and Dad at the Promenade to meet us," she added. "Pablo too but we got up a bit early so the girls are still tired."
"What time is the party?" Julia asked.
"Everyone'll come over in a couple hours," Skye replied. "And it's nothing fancy, just a dinner and so you can start practicing with Derek here."
"Who exactly is coming besides him and his fiancée?" Beckett asked.
Skye had to wait to reply to that as they were heading down an escalator and once they'd found the luggage carousels she said, "You'll see."
"Skye," Castle said.
Smiling at the writer the investigator said, "Your suitcases are there." Skye couldn't help laughing briefly at the mock grumbling Castle was doing before she was helping Peter find his suitcase. "There's a car for you next to mine," she told them. She smiled when they looked startled and said, "Brooks helped, he caught a flight to meet his wife for a trip this week in Montana."
"How's he doing?" Beckett asked.
"Good, their kids are good too and he told me to tell you guys to have a great stay," Skye replied, leading them outside. When they were across the street in the parking garage she then said, "So we'll split up. Who's coming with me."
"What kind of car do we have?" Castle asked.
"SUV," Skye replied. "I thought it'd be handy to have of course. Here we go," she said, adding the last when they were at the two cars. "Again, who'll come with me?"
"I will," Julia said quickly.
"Me too," Peter said.
"We'll see you at the Promenade," Skye said when Beckett nodded to her look. She helped the two with their suitcases in the back of her car and said, "You're not about to fight for the front seat are you?"
"No, I'll sit on the way and she'll go when we go to your house," Peter replied.
"Good," Skye said with a smile before they got into the car. She pulled out first and sure that Beckett driving the car behind her was following left the airport. Once they were on the street going by the In-N-Out she pointed rapidly to the runway they were reaching and said, "A 747," before Peter was talking in slight confusion.
"Is that the kind that you flew?" the teen asked.
"No, a different model," Skye replied. "But how was the last week for you two."
"I just stayed at home," Peter said. "And was talking with my parents and brother."
"What does that mean?" Julia said with a frown.
Smiling back at her Peter said, "I was going to wait to tell you and your family but it's okay. We're not going to work on our house."
"No?" Julia asked, even more puzzled since she'd known her friend and his mother had wanted to get rid of the memories of his birth father.
"We're moving," Peter said.
"Moving?" Julia asked in complete surprise.
"Yeah, a block from you," Peter said with a nod.
"Which house," Julia said.
Peter couldn't help laughing before he said, "It's the property at the end of your street. To the west."
"Do you know where he's talking about?" Skye said.
"Yeah, I don't know if you remember, our street curves to the north at the end of our block," Julia was explaining. "I don't know why they never sold the land there, but I guess they are now."
"Mom and Dad said the family needed the money for some reason," Peter said hurriedly when Skye glanced at him. "Mom said it's a good sized lot and we can make the house ourselves; since we're going to sell our old one."
"Not a bad idea," the investigator said. "Hopefully it won't take too long to build."
"Where are you going to stay?" Julia asked them.
"It depends on our old house. We'll stay there until we have to leave and then Mom and Dad will rent a house or townhouse or whatever. They didn't really explain that one," Peter replied.
"Likely a house," Skye said. "But good luck on that."
"We're going to start soon," Peter said.
"You have the plans already?" Julia said in surprise.
Peter was about to respond when they were stopping and he looked outside to find they were parking and he said, "We're there?"
"Of course," Skye said in amusement. "But you're set with plans I'd take it," she said to him as they were unbuckling their seatbelts, not surprised when he was speaking rapidly in response.
"Yeah, Mom and I looked at the ones we had for our old house and then just changed the shape enough, so it doesn't look the same as our old place," Peter replied, opening the door.
"Old house?" Eliza asked.
"I think you're going to have to tell them," Julia said to her partner.
"Yeah…" Peter said slowly, looking around at everyone.
Beckett was about to tell the teen to tell them while they walked before he was talking rapidly about his parents' plan for their new house. "I thought they'd never sell that lot," she commented to her husband.
"Oh I know," he said in agreement. "We should start walking though," Castle added. When they'd begun he asked the teen, "What style are they going to make it?"
"You mean Mom and I?" Peter corrected him with a smile.
"Sure," Castle said easily.
Laughing with Eliza and Julia, Peter then said, "French Country."
"What's that?" the little girl asked in obvious confusion.
Peter got his phone out before Beckett was touching his shoulder and looking up at her said, "I texted them while I was on the jetway, Mom made sure I'd let them know."
"Just checking," Beckett said with a smile.
"Your dad didn't say?" Julia asked.
"Of course, after Mom said first," Peter said. He hurried to his gallery and showed them what his mother had drawn of the front and said, "Mom and Dad are having their bedroom on the first floor with the other seven upstairs."
"You're gonna have four bedrooms with no one there?" Eliza asked.
"They'll probably have guests," Beckett said gently.
"Mom joked in case you guys have a lot and need extra rooms you can use our spare ones," Peter said. He saw they were at 3rd Street and while they waited to cross said, "Mom always wanted a turret kind of feature, if you're wondering."
"It's pretty," Julia said, about to ask him what was going to be there when her partner was telling them quickly.
"It's supposed to be the entry," Peter said. "She teased Dad about putting their room at the bottom of it, but he said it'd be like a silo."
"I kind of agree with him," Castle commented. "Especially if their bedroom was going to be on the bottom floor."
Laughing Peter shook his head while they were crossing the street saying, "She said they could put stairs," before Julia was laughing herself and he turned to her as she started to speak.
"I'd like to see that," the teen said. Julia faltered and then asked, "They're not though."
"No, and Mom wouldn't have had that anyway," Peter said. "But they'll start working on it soon."
"Even with the baby?" Beckett asked.
"Yeah, Mom wants to move," Peter replied. "Me too," he added.
"I don't blame you," Castle said. "Hopefully it'll be finished soon."
"A year?" Peter said questioningly. "About that, They're going to start next week." He then looked around and asked, "Where are we going to get your jackets?"
"Here," Beckett said as they'd reached one store. Going inside she started to peruse the choices for Josie since it was for toddlers. Spotting a thinner jacket in green she glanced at her husband who'd brought their youngest with him. "What do you think sweetie?" she asked, holding it up to her. She laughed briefly when Castle was looking away and Josie was shaking her head saying, "Not everything she wears needs to be blue."
"No, but she doesn't seem to like it," Castle said. "What about that one?"
Taking out the same jacket in grey with piping in blue, Beckett was surprised when Josie cried out and reached for the jacket. "Okay, set her down because you need to try this on," she said.
"Impressive, you talked to both her and me," Castle commented.
"Yes I did," Beckett said in amusement before she watched him setting the baby down. She helped Josie into it and said, "It does compliment her eyes. What do you think sweetie," smiling when Josie laughed before speaking.
"Mine," Josie said. "Mine Mama?"
"It will be," Beckett said before she let her husband get the jacket to take to the back of the store to pay.
"Think you'll need anything else for them this week… or yourselves?" Skye asked, walking up to her friend.
"No, I think we're good," Beckett replied. She smiled when the investigator looked confused before she said, "Rick looked at the weather."
"Oh, yeah, you got here at a good time," Skye said. She then smiled and said, "Though we might be getting spring for sure."
"Rain?" Beckett asked.
"Hopefully after this week," Skye said seriously. She then smiled when Josie was grabbing a top near them and said, "She might not agree with you Kate."
"No, she's getting bored," Beckett said, taking the baby's hand before she thought of something.
"I wonder about Peter," Skye said. Seeing the surprised expression on her friend's face she smiled and said, "You were thinking about that too?"
"I was," Beckett said. "Though the girls are with him."
Looking to the front of the store, Skye saw the three with Jim and Martha before she turned back and asked in a murmur, "How're Alexis and Louis."
"Good," Beckett replied simply.
"Any signs?" Skye asked.
Beckett was surprised at how rapidly the investigator spoke before she looked behind her and saw her husband was walking over before she shook her head looking back at Skye. Turning back to Castle she smiled and said, "I hope you're ready," not surprised when he responded to that easily.
"I saw them, and yes I am," Castle replied. "Though is Peter really going to have fun right now?"
"We're not going to take that long," Beckett replied.
"Okay," Castle said, reassured by her tone which was firm. He then followed her and Skye to the front of the store before they left with the others. After they were walking down the street he took Josie from his wife, putting her on his shoulders while they headed to the next store for Eliza.
"Alright, finally here," Skye said to Julia and Peter while she pulled into the garage.
"Good thing," Peter said. He smiled when his partner looked back to him and said, "I'm ready to unpack."
"Oh, I thought you'd want to get to the party," Julia said with a smile. When he shrugged she couldn't help laughing and she got out of the car before they were going around to the back. "How much longer do we have?" she asked her father while Castle was walking up to her.
"I think just enough time to unpack," he replied while he was helping Peter with his suitcase. "So do that and we'll meet you inside the house."
"Sure," Julia said with a nod.
After he was sure the two were set with their things, Castle went back to the other car before he heard a sliding door opening. "Hello," he said with a smile, seeing the five McDouglas girls were rushing out before Mary followed with Skye's dad and stepfather and she called to him.
"Hey yourself, welcome back to LA," the doctor replied. "How was your flight?" Mary asked, hugging him since she'd reached him first.
"We slept during most of it, so it was fine," Castle said as he watched her hugging his wife. "The party?"
"No one's here yet," Mary answered. "You've got time."
After they'd greeted all the McDouglases, Beckett followed Castle to the guesthouse, carrying Josie with her. Inside she glanced around and said, "Still the same."
"That's my line," he told his wife.
Smiling, Beckett said, "Are you okay taking both of those up?"
"I am," Castle said quickly. "But you should go first."
"Just in case?" Beckett said in amusement. She couldn't help laughing softly when her husband nodded seriously, and she was turning to start heading up to the bedroom. At the top of the stairs she set Josie down and led her by her shoulder gently to the bed before getting her onto it. "Don't start jumping sweetie," she told her sternly.
"No Mama," Josie said seriously.
"Okay," Castle said, setting Beckett's suitcase in front of her. "Are you going to help her?" he said to the baby.
"Eh," Josie replied with a wide smile.
"You can play sweetie," Beckett said, glancing at her husband. "I can handle it," not surprised when he was speaking jokingly to their baby.
"And that's why I didn't expect you to do anything," Castle said. He smiled when Josie did and then asked his wife, "What do you think?"
"About what?" Beckett asked in confusion.
"The guest list for tonight," Castle replied. He expected her to respond to that but was startled when she was picking up her phone.
"Yeah?" Skye said in surprise.
"We forgot to ask, how casual is this party supposed to be?" Beckett asked.
"I talked to your parents and the girls," Skye said, obviously smiling. "And I would just wear a nice top, not sure what to tell Rick to wear."
"I can take care of that," Beckett said. "We'll see you in a little." After she hung up she told her husband, "I wasn't sure what we should wear."
"I'm glad you asked," Castle said. "But why are you telling me what to wear?" He was a little taken aback when she merely smiled at him before he breathed out a little hard before he said, "Go ahead."
Laughing softly Beckett said, "I'm not going to tell you, I'll suggest you wear a shirt and your blazer."
"That's what I was thinking," Castle replied. "Color?"
Smiling, Beckett shook her head and told him, "Your choice, hurry and finish though." She rolled her eyes, smiling again, when her husband playfully saluted her before they returned to unpacking. After they had everything sorted she told him, "I'll have to wash the clothes tomorrow."
"Did you mention that to Skye?" Castle asked.
"She did, she said we can use the laundry room and we'll essentially have the house to ourselves," Beckett replied.
"Are we keeping Eliza here?" Castle asked since he was aware already the McDouglas girls would be heading with their mothers since they needed to be at the dance studios with Julia, Peter and Derek for the second dance before heading to the show for rehearsals with their band and Queen.
"I don't think so," Beckett said. "Because she would be incredibly mad once she finds out the other girls are going," not surprised when her husband nodded in agreement before he spoke.
"Most likely, though I get the feeling she knows already," Castle commented.
Beckett smiled and said, "We better change."
"Who's going first?" Castle asked quickly.
"I will," Beckett replied since he was holding Josie by then. When her husband nodded she grabbed her clothes and went into the bathroom before she changed quickly. Braiding her hair she paused when she was nearly finished, thinking of what her husband would say about her doing that but completed the plait before she tied the end. Leaving the bathroom she saw Castle was sitting with the baby on the window seat and she asked with a smile, "Anything outside?"
"Not really, I was telling her that everyone else was getting ready too," Castle replied, smiling at her. "Okay, now I know how I'll dress," he then told her as he stood up. "Have fun," he said while he handed her the baby.
"Is that to her or me?" Beckett asked in amusement. She couldn't help laughing briefly when her husband kissed her cheek before he went to the closet. While he was going into the bathroom she took his seat at the window before she glanced outside, looking at the backyard. She'd seen where the swimming pool had been taken out and the new one had been dug. The structure was starting to be laid out around it and she could already make out the shape before she said, "They're going to enjoy that pool once it's done."
"We will too hopefully," Castle said, stepping out of the bathroom. He smiled when his wife turned to him and he told her, "What about her?"
"I'm changing her once we go inside," Beckett answered, standing up.
"Mind if I?" Castle asked.
Studying him for a moment, Beckett smiled and shook her head before she said, "No," watching him walking up to her. She was about to say his name, to warn him, before he was leaning down and capturing her lips lightly. Since she still had Josie in her arms she could only hold onto him with one arm. After they had parted she told him, "We have to go," not surprised when he nodded and took the baby from her before he spoke.
"I'll follow," Castle said. When he saw her glance he knew she wasn't confused by that, but half expected her to comment on his wording. Instead he was walking after her down the stairs and across the backyard before they were met by their middle daughters on the patio. Just as he was about to greet them he heard the text alert on his phone going off before he got it from his pocket. "That's your sister," he said to the three. "They got back and are about to get their car."
"Cool, tell her we miss them already," Eliza ordered.
Laughing Castle said, "You're lucky I was going to already." He playfully ruffled the little girl's hair as she giggled before he texted Alexis while he followed the others into the house.
"Very nice," Skye said, seeing Beckett first. "Quite snazzy."
"That's not what I was aiming for," she replied, her blouse a short-sleeved sky blue with a draped design at the bottom.
"She just likes that word," Mary commented wryly, nodding to her wife.
"It's fine," Skye said. "For both of you," she added.
"I have to go change Josie," Castle said suddenly, scooping up the baby and carrying her to the stairs.
"Everything is ready," Martha called to her son.
"Thanks," Castle called back. "Alexis and Louis are on their way back home."
"Wonderful," Martha said. "Now… about this party."
"Not you too," Skye said jokingly.
"She still won't tell us about the guests," Martha explained to her daughter in law. "But they'll be here soon so I suppose it's futile," she added, waving her hand jokingly before Eliza was calling to her mother.
"Can I go and see where they're working on the pool?" the little girl said.
"No," Beckett replied firmly.
"Girls," Skye then said to her three youngest. "You know you can't go around the construction site."
"Still, we could just look," Fleur replied.
"No," Mary then said. She watched the three go with Eliza to the family room before she returned to getting drinks ready in the kitchen.
"I did want to ask you something," Skye said, speaking to Beckett.
"Oh?" she asked.
"You don't mind not taking pictures tomorrow," Skye stated.
"No," Beckett replied in slight amusement. "I wasn't expecting to take pictures anyway and I kind of get the feeling Julia wouldn't want me to be there while she's practicing."
"Not that," the teen herself said as she went to her mother. "I just want you to be surprised."
"We will be," Beckett said. "Your dad and I have to do laundry anyway."
"Laundry?" Julia asked in disappointment. "That's not fun."
"No, but we'd like to relax too," Beckett said.
"What about Josa?" Julia said immediately.
"We're keeping her here," Castle said, having come down by then with the baby. He put her down on the floor and told his wife, "Though I know what she's going to ask."
"Oh really?" Martha asked.
"If she could go, of course I'm going to ask," Julia said before her father could respond to that. She then smiled and said, "But someone would have to watch her."
"Speaking of that," Jim said.
"She'll have a babysitter," Skye said. "Same girl that came last time actually. Though you wouldn't want her to go with while they practice?"
Sharing a startled look with his wife, Castle said, "You want her to go?"
"Yeah, why not?" Skye said.
Beckett was about to speak when she paused and looked at Julia who was smiling before she glanced at her husband, not surprised he was talking to her while he was obviously startled.
"You want to do that?" Castle asked.
"Julia's right," Beckett said. She had to pause then since her husband was looking at their second oldest in confusion before she fought her amusement and said, "She won't get a chance to watch."
Turning to Josie, Castle picked her up and put her on his hip before he asked, "Want to go watch your sister practice?"
"Eh," the baby said immediately.
"I can watch her," Eliza called from the family room. She smiled when everyone looked at her and said, "I can, I'll hold her and everything."
"Who's going to watch the kids while you're at the show?" Beckett asked.
"We'll have someone from the show sit with them," Skye said. "Though to be honest Derek said the cast will be there and they'll watch them too."
"Could she?" Julia asked.
"Please?" Eliza added.
"We'll think about it," Beckett said after sharing a look with her husband.
"Is Derek going to come soon?" Peter said then.
"He figured you two would be ready to start practicing," Skye said. Before she could continue, there was a chime and she smiled when Julia was speaking in obvious relief.
"Great, now we can get an idea of the dance," the teen said, looking at her partner who nodded in agreement.
"Aren't we going to the front door?" Marie asked her mother as Skye had left.
"Yes, I don't know why she did that," Mary said before they could hear her wife calling to them.
"I know you think it's Derek," Skye said as the others were walking into the entry. "But not yet."
"Then who is it?" Julia asked in confusion. She watched Skye opening the door and cried out briefly seeing the limo that had pulled up in front of the house. "Paul!" she then cried, heading outside. Hugging the singer tightly she said, "I almost forgot you and Nancy were coming, hi."
Laughing, since the teen had spoken to them both the singer's wife said, "Hello yourself. You've grown."
Blushing Julia said, "I get that a lot."
"Let them in," Beckett told her daughter in amusement. She wasn't surprised when Julia stepped up to the porch before there was another chime.
"Looks like that's Derek," Skye commented as she opened the gate. "Oh, and some of the others," she added, spotting the car behind the one beginning to pull in. "Should I leave it open?" she asked her wife teasingly.
"No," Mary said firmly. "And I'll take them up to their room," she added since the McCartneys had their suitcases.
"Where's Stella?" Castle asked.
"A hotel downtown, she needs to finish up her clothing for Friday and she's meeting some friends tonight," Paul answered.
"No, you let me know she might not be here," Skye said swiftly since the singer was looking at her.
"Hey Derek!" Julia called, waving her hand as she spotted him before he parked in the driveway.
"Who's that?" Eliza asked, trying to discern who was in the car behind before her sister was crying out again.
"It's Ringo!" Julia said eagerly. She then turned to Skye and said, "You didn't mention he was going to come over."
"There are a few people I didn't mention," the investigator replied.
Noticing that Skye was looking past her, Julia turned back to the gate and saw that more cars were driving through. As the other guests were starting to exit the car she smiled seeing Brian May and Rodger Taylor with their wives before Adam Lambert was in the next car with his boyfriend. "Anyone else?" she asked.
"A few more cars I think," Skye replied before she pressed the button for the gate again.
"There is," Peter told his partner since he recalled the rest of the Rambling O'Dells would be there too.
"Oh yeah it's…" Julia said before she trailed off and was smiling widely. "Hi," she told the others who were walking up to the house first.
"Glad to see you all," Skye said, embracing Brian's wife first quickly. "And that you made it alright."
"Traffic is still horrendous," Brian said before he hugged the investigator. "But again, lovely house."
"Of course," Skye said with a smile. "Just like home," before she turned her attention to Rodger and his wife.
"Hello again," RuPaul said, walking up onto the porch with his husband. He hugged Skye tightly and turned to Julia and Peter saying, "I remember you two, don't tell me," he said. "Julia and Peter."
"Yeah, good memory," Peter said before he looked at Julia while she began to laugh before she was speaking to the two men.
"Definitely, it's been a while since you've seen us," Julia said.
"Come inside you guys," Mary called as she was walking down the stairs with Paul and Nancy following her. "We have to greet each other and it's going to take a while."
"Plus it's cold," Paul said before he and his wife were stepping off the stairs to the entry and moving to greet Ringo and Barbara first.
Castle wasn't surprised when Josie was holding onto him tightly at everyone that was gathered there but he did his best to greet the others, shaking their hands. When he had finished he said to the baby, "Want to go?"
"No Dada," Josie said, grabbing onto his neck.
"But you're getting a little heavy sweetie," Castle said before he noticed Beckett was walking over to him.
"Want me to take her?" she asked.
"You don't think she should walk?" Castle commented.
"She will," Beckett replied as she took the baby from him. Kissing her cheek she said, "You need to go with your sisters sweetie."
"Stay Mama," Josie said.
"It's okay," Beckett said soothingly. "We know everyone here."
"She's shy?" Brian's wife, Anita Dobson asked since she was standing near them.
"And there's a lot of us here," Castle added.
"It's a shame, she is adorable," Adam said as he went over to Beckett. "Mind if I hold you?" He smiled when the baby cuddled closer to her mother and then said, "How about if I hold your hand?" before he was turning to look at Skye, Paul and Ringo as they suddenly began singing.
"I want to hold your hand, I want to hold your hand," the three sang before Rodger was making a scoffing sound.
"That's too easy," the drummer said.
"Of course it was," Paul said. "But we'll have to stop."
"Here," Beckett said, having been watching Josie and seeing she was smiling since they'd laughed at Rodger's tone. She set the baby down after kissing her cheek and sure she was alright she let her go. Half expecting to need to pick her up again she kept close to her, watching while Josie was looking up at everyone.
"She's not that shy anymore," Adam said, since the baby had taken his hand he'd offered her.
"You can say that if she walks away from us," Castle commented though Josie was soon doing that.
"Where are you going Josie?" Derek said, picking her up. "I don't think you remember me… or do you?" he started to say before pausing when the baby grabbed his nose before squeezing his chin.
"I think she does," Julia said with a smile as the others were laughing.
"Is she okay here?" Derek asked the baby's parents.
"She is," Castle answered first.
"Okay," Derek replied before he turned back to Julia and Peter. "Now you've heard the dance, what do you think?"
"Sounds like it'll be fun," Julia said first.
Nodding rapidly in agreement, Peter said, "And we'll have enough time to learn and rehearse?"
"I think so," Derek said firmly. "And I did want to check your Viennese Waltz before we start on the second dance." When the pair nodded he was about to ask them if they felt sure about dancing that one again when Skye was getting everyone's attention from the stairs.
"I just wanted to point out," the investigator was saying. "Besides what an interesting gathering this became, we're still in the ruddy entry. Get into the family room and kitchen please."
With some laughter the kids were leading everyone to the rooms and the group began to spread out, Beckett finding herself with Skye and RuPaul.
"Skye told me you're going to be modeling with her and Mary," he said while they were waiting for the investigator to pour them some wine.
"My husband too," Beckett answered with a smile.
"Really? Was that Stella's decision?" RuPaul asked Skye.
"He's done it before," the investigator replied. "So it was but not without knowing it would work," Skye added, handing them their wine glasses. "Hey there sirs of the band," she then told Adam, Brian and Rodger. "Come for drinks?"
"I know what she's thinking," the first said to the older men. "It's right on the tip of her tongue." Looking at Skye, Adam was soon laughing when he saw she'd stuck her tongue out at him before he said, "We're sure."
"No, I'm not asking," Skye replied. "What I'm wondering is if you absolutely have to leave Tuesday?" She looked at Beckett and then said, "I invited them all to Disneyland with us."
About to respond, Beckett looked down as her daughter was pushing up to the end of the island between them and she was about to tell her to excuse herself before Eliza was speaking to the four men.
"You should go, Disneyland is the best place ever," the little girl was telling them seriously. "With the one in Florida and Japan."
"I've been," Adam commented. "A few times."
"He grew up here too Eliza," Skye said with a smile for the little girl.
"Cool," Eliza said before she looked back at the investigator. "Can I have something to drink?"
"When are we eating?" Beckett asked when Skye turned to her.
"Soon," the investigator said. Looking down at the little girl Skye said, "I hate to tell you, you're going to have to wait for dinner."
"I figured," Eliza said with a sigh before she was going back to the family room.
"Amusing girl," Rodger said with a smile.
Laughing briefly Beckett said, "She gets that from her father."
"Now you're just assuming," Castle said jokingly while he walked over with RuPaul's husband. "And we're thirsty too; could we have something to drink?"
"That's not my decision," Beckett pointed out to him.
"Still," Castle said jokingly before he squeezed his wife's hand. "I'll wait," he then directed to Skye before he watched the others leaving them with the investigator. "Nice party," he told her when he and Beckett had turned back to Skye. He was a little startled when she was looking at him suspiciously and was going to ask what was wrong when she was speaking, and he realized she was joking at her tone.
"Don't tell me you don't like it," the investigator said.
"I do," Castle replied. "What are we eating by the way?"
"Mary and I had it catered from the pub near the Promenade," Skye answered.
"What exactly?" Beckett asked.
"You'll see," Skye replied before she was walking over to the dining room.
"Everyone's walking away," Castle told his wife.
"I noticed," Beckett replied in amusement. "Though do you care?"
"Not really," Castle said. He watched her take a sip of wine before he said, "Josie got used to everyone really quickly."
"I noticed," Beckett replied with a smile. "And good thing, I wasn't sure how the party would go if she didn't." She glanced at the family room and saw Julia was talking earnestly to Derek before she said, "At least she's relieved."
"I noticed," Castle said with a nod. "Hey," he said in slight surprise when their second oldest was walking over to them.
"Hi, I was talking to Derek about something, but I need to ask Skye and Mary first," Julia replied before her father was responding with a smile.
"Are you going to dance?" Castle asked. "Or ask to I should say."
"We'd like to, just the Argentine Tango we have for the next time we perform," Julia explained as she nodded.
"What song?" Beckett inquired.
"I have to ask first," Julia replied simply before she saw the investigator and her wife. She rushed to them and said, "Would you mind singing at all for me and Peter?"
"Not at all, but should you dance?" Skye asked.
"I think that's a yes," Mary said in amusement when the teen was giving them a look.
"It is, tell us the song after dinner," Skye said.
"Don't you need to know now?" Julia asked in surprise.
"We have to eat, or else dinner won't be that good," Skye replied easily before she and Mary were going to the fridge.
"Is that everything?" the doctor asked her wife.
"It is," Skye said since by then they'd taken what they needed from the ovens on the island. "Okay," she then said. "Everyone," she called to the others. "Dinner is ready, we have a number of tables and seating is your choice of course."
After everyone had walked over to the island Castle said, "Now are you going to tell us what there is?"
"Yes, since you can see now," Skye told him pointedly before she turned her attention to the food. "There's chicken and vegetable tikka masala and bangers and mash."
"You got food from home," Rodger said in amusement.
"Well, I had to make you comfortable," Skye said laughingly before they were beginning to get food.
Sitting with Castle and their parents at the kitchen table, Beckett said, "Does this feel weird?"
"Slightly, but with this many of us," Castle said as he was making sure Josie could pick up some peas with her mashed potatoes. "Or were you talking about her?" he asked with a smile, nodding to the baby.
"Never mind," Beckett said in amusement before she turned her attention to her food. After she'd eaten for a bit she then said, "Though I was hoping Julia would sit here."
"You want to call to her?" Jim asked his daughter.
"I probably shouldn't," Beckett said.
"What did you want to talk to her about?" Castle asked in confusion. It came to him suddenly and said, "Are you worried about the dance? It's not a Rumba so-" he started to say rapidly before his wife was putting her hand on his arm.
"I'm well aware it's not a Rumba, I'm wondering about them doing lifts," Beckett said.
"Oh… true," Castle said after thinking about that for a moment. "Are you afraid of them doing that?"
"Slightly, for both their sakes," Beckett said. "That's all we need, to tell Genevieve and Isaac once they're back home he broke his back since he isn't ready yet."
"If they're doing that with Ms. Grey's instruction…" Castle started to say before he trailed off.
"Which I also was going to ask her about," Beckett replied.
"Okay," Castle said simply before his wife was rolling his eyes. They then turned their attention to their parents, talking with them and Josie until they were finishing. Taking his plate and Beckett's to the sink he saw Mary was walking from the dining room and asked, "How was it?"
"I think you can hear us," the doctor replied teasingly.
"I can, now another question," Castle said.
Mary was startled when the writer suddenly paused and then looked over to the family room. She followed his gaze and finding Beckett talking to Julia said, "Are you letting her dance?"
"She just wants to make sure about any lifts they're going to do," Castle explained.
"They'll be fine," Derek said, smiling at the pair when they turned to him. "Skye told me they were going to dance the Argentine Tango; to show me."
"Do you mind?" Castle asked.
"Oh no," Derek replied. "She assured me I didn't have to do anything so…"
"Just comments?" Castle asked. When the dancer nodded he said, "Thank you." Watching him go he was turning his head rapidly again and said, "Ow," before his wife, who was walking up to him and Mary getting his attention for, spoke teasingly to him.
"What are you doing love?" Beckett asked him.
"Apparently some self-inflicted whiplash," Castle said easily. When his wife took his hand he said, "I was going to help…"
"You don't need to," Mary said. "We're letting everything soak since the containers are recyclable. We'll move to the living room right now."
"Wait," Skye said, walking over to them. When she saw the way her wife was looking at her she said, "What?"
"I just told them to move over to the living room," Mary said. "And I was about to ask you to get the kids over there too."
"I was just going to tell them we probably needed to go," Adam said, walking over with his plate and glass.
"You're sure about sitting with them?" Skye asked since he'd chosen to sit with the kids along with his boyfriend.
"It's a little late now isn't it?" Adam replied.
"Well, at least we can ask you about dessert," Mary said.
"You're thinking about that already?" Adam asked.
"Yeah! What's dessert!" Eliza said eagerly, having bounded over with Iris.
"Eliza," Castle said laughingly. "You just ate."
"But I want to know, can I?" the little girl asked, turning to the McDouglas women.
"Eton mess," Skye said, glancing at Castle.
"Don't," Beckett said, reaching out to her husband as he opened his mouth to speak.
"But it sounds good," Castle said in a mock whining tone.
Shaking her head, Beckett squeezed at him since she was holding his arm by then before she turned to look around the two rooms. "Where's Josie?" she asked.
"She went to the living room already," Julia said, bringing her plate.
"Can you follow her?" Castle asked.
"Sure," Julia said easily though she waited for a second to go with Marie and Kath. Once they were walking to the other room she saw her baby sister standing at the threshold between the entry and the living room. "What're you doing Josa?" she asked the baby before she was turning and toddling to her eagerly as she was speaking.
"Jules go in," Josie said, holding onto her sister's waist once she'd reached her.
"Go ahead," Julia replied with a smile before she took her hand. She was surprised when the baby shook her head and squeezed her tiny hand before she said, "Want me to take you?" Laughing softly at the baby shaking her head, she led her over to the living room and then said, "What do you want to do now?"
"Mama?" Josie asked.
"I'm here," Beckett said, walking in with her husband and the McDouglas women. She went to the baby and scooped her up before she said to Julia, "What do you want to do?"
"Are we dancing?" Peter asked, seeing the expression on his partner's face.
"We should," Julia replied.
"I'd like to see it," RuPaul said.
"So would I, we haven't seen you two perform since November," Ringo commented.
"Go ahead," Derek said in amusement when the kids looked at him.
"What's the song?" Brian asked.
"It's one of Paul's," Julia said apologetically.
"Don't worry," Rodger told her swiftly. "Can't dance to all of ours. But what is your dance?"
"Argentine Tango," Peter said as Julia was going over to Paul.
"Would you mind performing; I was going to ask Skye," Julia was saying to the singer.
"Not at all, but have her play the piano," Paul replied, smiling while Julia hurried to the investigator.
"This should be interesting," Castle said to his wife. "Though should we be worried?"
Beckett was about to respond when Eliza was snorting before they turned to their second youngest as she was answering his question.
"I already saw the dance they're gonna do Daddy," the little girl said. "And it's just a tango dance, nothing like the Rumba."
"You knew I was wondering?" Castle asked her in amusement.
"I don't think it was that much of a surprise," Beckett said wryly. She smiled when her husband turned to her and shook her head before they turned their attention to Julia and Peter while they were getting into hold to dance.
