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 lyrics in this chapter are from the song Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy written by Freddie Mercury, from the Queen album A Day at the Races.
A/N #2: It was great getting the feedback for the last chapter so I'll go into my thank you for that! Mb (I had to laugh at you saying you want the kids' lives, lol. But it does make sense since it's a solid foundation to have growing up as you again, along with it being a rich life too so that made total sense. I was glad you thought the first half of the chapter was nicely done! You're welcome for the first half too! It was great you thought the second half started sweet with Julia and the kids along with Julia recapping the day in her diary. Also nice to see you enjoyed the adults talking about that day and the next day. I had to laugh at you say it went bam to Skye and Mary showing each other how they weren't tired, lol. The same with you saying boom about Castle and Beckett after them. But you're right, they were definitely exercising their pent-up energy and I was really glad that you mentioned how they did that in their exquisite way with one another in their passion and love. You're welcome for the second half of the chapter!).
Thank you for the review, I loved reading it and am really grateful for the time taken to write it out and send it my way!
A/N #3: The title of this chapter is part of the title of the song I'm Happy Just to Dance with You written by George Harrison, from The Beatles album A Hard Day's Night.
Happy Just To Dance
"And five, and six and seven… great," Derek said, moving with the pair. "I think you two have it."
"I hope so," Peter said, not surprised when his partner nodded rapidly in agreement.
"Are you two ready to head to the studio?" Derek asked them.
"I am," Julia said. "Since we need to rehearse on that stage."
"What do you mean?" Derek said in confusion.
"We both had the nightmare where we end up falling off the dance floor into the audience," Peter explained.
"Oh, I had the same one too," Skye said, with the others at the side of the room. "When I was competing."
"You'll be fine," Derek said. "You didn't the last time you were here."
"We know," Julia said first. "But we have to see where we're going to move exactly."
"Which is why we're going," Derek replied before they were going to where they'd put their things down by the others.
"How're you doing Josa?" Julia asked her baby sister, holding her hand while they walked out of the room.
"She's good," Eliza said. They looked at their little sister at the same time and she said, "She was watching you and everything."
"I noticed," Julia said with a smile. She then asked carefully, "Our parents?"
"No, she's having fun," Eliza said.
"And I think she's been distracted too," Marie quipped before they were laughing together.
Going with Josie in the car that Skye was driving, Julia said, "You didn't see my parents at all did you?"
"No, but I'm sure they're awake now if you wanted to talk to them," the investigator said.
"Not really, just hoping they got rest," Julia replied. She smiled back at Josie and then turned back to the investigator telling her, "Thanks by the way," not surprised she was responding swiftly.
"Thank Adam," Skye said. "And after that Brian and Rodger since they agreed to the appearance."
"Are they judging?" Julia asked.
"They are, but just the team dances," Skye replied.
"Why are they doing them so early?" Julia asked.
"Derek mentioned they wanted to do something different," Skye said.
"Mom and Dad told me, but I wasn't sure if that was really the reason," Julia replied.
"Mama?" Josie asked.
"She's at home," Julia, looking back again. "With Dad and they're just doing laundry. Having lunch too."
Laughing as she had just seen the teen looking at her from the corner of her eye Skye said, "I don't know what we'll do for lunch but before we can eat we have to all do camera blocking and a rehearsal; nearly a full one."
"Nearly?" Julia asked in surprise.
"Nearly because I think they're going to allow us to do our work first before everyone else takes their turn," Skye explained, parking at the TV studio for the show.
"Are we staying to watch?" Julia asked.
"Your parents told me to ask you," Skye began, opening the door. She stopped there to hurry out of the front to go to Josie telling the baby, "Are you ready to get out of there Josie?"
"Want go," the baby replied firmly.
"I don't blame you," Skye replied. She then looked at Josie's sister and said, "They wanted me to ask if you'd rather watch the rehearsals after we practice or stay for the show."
"It'll finish at seven?" Julia asked.
"It will," Skye replied. "I'd tell Peter and your other sister," she added before she got out of the car and picked up Josie. She walked around, seeing Julia was talking to her partner and Eliza before she turned.
"Did you tell your kids about it?" Julia asked.
"We did," Mary said. She smiled, with hers and Skye's daughters, and said, "I guessed. But we told them, and they voted to watch the rehearsals."
"We were thinking of going to Disneyland already," Fleur commented.
"But it's just the Downtown Disney part right?" Eliza asked.
"Checking into the hotel, dinner which we'll talk about when we're finished unpacking and then walking around a tiny bit," Skye answered.
"She's right," Mary said since their youngest three turned to the investigator. "We'll have a ton of walking tomorrow."
"And the next two days after that," Skye added. "Now we better get moving because the others are heading inside already." She let Mary take Josie before they were walking together to greet the rest of their band inside, walking together to the ballroom. She and her wife made sure the kids; except for Julia and Peter; were set with Josie on Eliza's lap in the audience before telling them, "Everyone's here, so if you need anything you ask Constance or Joy, they work here and they'll get you what you need," smiling as hers and Mary's second oldest was speaking quickly.
"How long are you going to take?" Kathleen asked.
"No idea," Skye replied, kissing her cheek. "We'll hurry since we need to let the others rehearse."
"Wait," Ivy said to Eliza. "What about your sister's first dance?"
"Oh…" the little girl said before she saw everyone was going to the stage. "Maybe they already practiced it?"
"How?" Iris said in confusion.
"Remember Derek took Julia and Peter before the rest of us left and they came after us to where the practice studio was," Eliza reminded them.
"Oh," Iris and Ivy said at the same time.
Laughing with the other kids, Eliza soon did her best to calm down since her sister was waving to them and she waved back before she settled back to watch her sister and the others beginning their dance.
"Is that it?" Castle asked his wife while he entered the guesthouse after her.
"I hope so," Beckett replied, closing the door after him. "Are you good?"
"This isn't that heavy," Castle assured her as he'd carried the laundry basket they'd used for their clothes. "But how much do we have to fold?" he asked while they headed up the stairs.
"Not a lot," Beckett replied. "At least of my things; I have no idea what you have love."
"Alright," Castle said simply. He smiled when his wife laughed, and he set the basket on the bed before they were taking turns getting out their clothes. As he was folding his shirts he couldn't help looking at his watch before he told his wife, "It's almost time for lunch."
"They're going out," Beckett reminded him.
"Kate," Castle said simply.
Smiling, Beckett said, "We'll go somewhere love, don't worry."
"Oh… I thought you weren't telling me until the last minute that I needed to cook," Castle said.
"Not for a while," Beckett replied.
"Where were you thinking of going?" Castle asked.
"I have no idea," Beckett said. When he looked at her in surprise she smiled and told him, "I was going to suggest going on a walk to that plaza we've walked around before."
"There were a few places," Castle said, aware she was talking about where a market was the McDouglas women frequented. "What about dinner though?" he asked.
"We'll have to guess," Beckett said.
"Skye didn't pick a place?" Castle asked in surprise. "Or Mary?"
"No, she talked about us choosing together," Beckett replied easily while she took her blouses to the closet. "Though I'm doubting that's really going to work," she added wryly when she went back to the bed, her husband laughing before he was commenting.
"I get the feeling the kids will be the ones to pick," Castle said.
"And if it's dessert?" Beckett asked. She smiled when he laughed and told him, "We'll guide them."
"As usual," Castle said with a nod before he turned to his wife since he'd been hanging the last of his clothes in the closet.
"What?" Beckett asked when he turned to her.
"I just realized there's something we didn't talk about," Castle said. "Josie's taller now."
"She is," Beckett replied in amusement as she immediately realized what he was thinking of. "What did you want to take her on?"
"I feel like looking at the map right now," Castle commented.
"You finished?" Beckett asked him with a smile. She couldn't help laughing as he walked over to her, nodding rapidly before she cupped his cheek while he leaned down slightly to her. After they'd shared a brief kiss she told him, "Go ahead and look, I just need to put these in the dresser," taking the last of her clothes to it.
"So… I'm guessing but she looks like she's thirty-six inches tall now," Castle commented.
"Yes, she's tall," Beckett said in amusement since she was aware her husband was staring at her. "But what does that mean for rides?"
"Well, the Fantasyland ones she can go on," Castle replied. "Not the Matterhorn of course." He looked down at his phone and then told her, "Oh, it says here she can go on the Gadget Go-Coaster."
"Which one was that?" Beckett asked in confusion.
"Toontown," Castle said quickly. "That little roller coaster that was short."
"Let's wait and look at that one," Beckett replied.
"Sure," Castle said before he was looking back at his phone. "What would you say to us taking her on Autopia? She has to go with us of course but I think she'd be alright. And then there are two rides in California Adventure, but I really don't remember them."
"We'll check on them," Beckett replied. "Okay, I'm ready so I hope you are too."
Nodding Castle hurried to turn off his phone before he said, "Why didn't we go with our parents?"
Smiling, Beckett replied, "We weren't finished, but I told you, I could have finished."
"And left you alone?" Castle asked. He studied her as he waited for her to go down the stairs and said, "You set me up for that didn't you?"
"I just wanted to see what you'd say," Beckett replied. She took the brief kiss her husband brushed to her lips before they grabbed their jackets and headed outside. Waiting for him to lock the door she said, "I tried to ask Skye what they had in the plaza, but she was in a hurry."
"Too bad, though I do remember there was Mexican, Thai and Chinese," Castle commented before they were leaving the front yard.
"Any of those you'd like?" Beckett said with a smile while he was taking her hand.
"I think I'll go for some Mexican," Castle replied. "You?"
"The same, though not tacos," Beckett answered, not surprised when he nodded. It took them around fifteen minutes to reach the plaza and she said, "They're all still here."
"And a café; forgot about that one," Castle said. "Still want Mexican?" He wasn't surprised she nodded, and they made their way to the restaurant. "Mind if we sit outside?" he murmured to her before the hostess walked to them.
Shaking her head rapidly, Beckett smiled at the woman before her husband was requesting a table outside. Once they reached the patio area she wasn't surprised to find there was only one person at a table before they were sitting at the opposite end and looking at the menus.
"Did Skye mention where they'd take everyone?" Castle asked his wife when they'd ordered their drinks and food at the same time.
"No idea," Beckett replied.
Looking at her when he realized she was responding swiftly, Castle asked, "You know something though."
Smiling as she wasn't surprised he figured that out, Beckett said, "She mentioned taking Julia and Peter somewhere," not surprised when he was responding quickly.
"Just them?" Castle asked.
"To be honest no, I think they're going to have some kind of surprise for everyone but it's better to let their younger daughters hear that," Beckett said with a smile. When her husband took her hand she was quick to entwine their fingers before she added, "I tried to ask her, but she said they'd let us know when they come back to the house."
"What're we going to do when we go back?" Castle asked.
"It depends on what time it is when we get back," Beckett replied easily.
Castle nodded and let go of her hand reluctantly since he could see the waiter coming. After their had their enchilada plates and iced tea he said once they were alone, "Why does this feel very Californian?"
"Take a picture Rick," Beckett said in amusement.
"Sure," Castle said quickly, smiling at his wife laughing briefly. He got his phone and did so before taking a swift one of the patio explaining to her, "So the girls can see we ate at a nice place."
"Of course," Beckett said laughingly. She picked up her knife and fork before they began.
"Not bad," Castle said after they'd been eating for a bit.
Smiling at him, Beckett set down her glass and said, "Yes I'm enjoying it love."
"Just making sure," Castle replied before she rolled her eyes, and they went back to eating.
Rick," Beckett eventually said. When he looked at her she told him, "I've been thinking about you wanting to take Josie on more rides."
"We shouldn't?" Castle asked.
"Maybe not on the roller coaster, but like I said we can look at it at least," Beckett replied. "She still isn't two yet."
"Yeah, but we're taking her around Fantasyland right?" Castle asked.
"Yes," Beckett said in amusement. "And the Dumbo ride. But I'm not sure about the others."
"We can look," Castle said quickly. He then asked her about Eliza, and they discussed if their second youngest had been on everything at the two parks before they were finishing and leaving once he had paid. Holding her hand while they went back to the sidewalk he said, "She might be tall enough for the Tower of Terror," not surprised when she was responding quickly.
"Check if you want," Beckett replied in amusement. "And isn't it Guardians of the Galaxy here?"
"But I don't want to use just one hand," Castle said in a mock whining voice. He paused with her and said, "That sounded dirty."
"It did," Beckett said, slipping her hand from his. "Check," she then urged him. "While we keep walking," she told him before they were continuing.
"We're going to have to measure her again but she's almost forty-nine inches," Castle said. "Oh, she's good," he told her. "Forty inches is the requirement so she can go on that. Incredicoaster too."
"We never took her on that one did we?" Beckett asked.
"No," Castle said. He was startled when she playfully pinched his arm and he asked, "What?" laughingly while he took her hand again.
"If you wanted to ask if she could go you should have just told me," Beckett said, pretending to scold him.
"It has a loop," Castle reminded her.
"And we can ask her if she wants to go," Beckett said.
"We already know what her answer will be," Castle pointed out.
"Still," Beckett said.
Glancing at her Castle asked, "You don't mind her going?"
"No, I just hope she'll be okay," Beckett replied. She saw they were getting closer to the house and told him, "I've thought of something to do. Well, once we take the laundry basket back to the main house."
"Okay," Castle said when she didn't continue.
"Sit in the front," Beckett replied, smiling when her husband did before he was responding to her.
"To wait for them? Good idea," Castle replied before he was opening the door in the fence around the McDouglas home. Once they were inside he told her, "I'll grab the basket."
"I have the key to the house," Beckett reminded him.
"Then we're going together," Castle said.
Smiling, Beckett asked, "Is that a problem?"
"Not really," Castle said before they were heading to the guesthouse. He went up to the second floor and took the basket before going back to his wife. "What're they doing?" he asked her.
"I think the walls?" Beckett said, not sure while they were looking at the construction workers. She turned her attention to the house and unlocked the laundry room door before her husband put the basket on the counter. Locking it again once he was back outside with her they went around the house and down the driveway before she said, "We didn't get a blanket."
"Who cares? We're changing anyway," Castle said. He glanced at her and seeing she was smiling asked, "You don't think I'd do that? We have before."
"It's still hard to believe you'd lay out in the grass," Beckett replied though they were sitting on the grass by the driveway. She laughed when he shot her a look before he was doing that then. "You like proving me wrong," she told him teasingly while she joined him. When he was quiet she was a little concerned he'd had his feelings hurt by her teasing and was about to apologize when he was beginning to talk.
"In this instance," Castle said before he turned his head to smile at her. Reaching over to her he gently caressed her cheek with the backs of his fingers saying, "We did this before."
"We weren't kids," Beckett commented.
"No, but we did do that with your brother and sister," Castle said. "And I don't think we really cared about our clothing either."
"We didn't," Beckett agreed. She looked up at the sky before she said, "What time is it?"
Glancing at her, Castle then looked at his watch and said, "They should be getting back soon."
Shooting her husband a look, Beckett raised her wrist before she heard the gate opening. "Just in time," she commented as they were sitting up and getting off the grass.
"Are you showering?" Castle asked.
"Yes," Beckett said simply while the first car was coming inside. She waved to Julia and Peter she could see inside before three more cars followed. "Hey," she told them when Skye opened her door. "How was it?"
"Really good," Peter said first before Castle was laughing as he brought Josie out of the car.
"Hopefully you're talking about your dance," he said.
"That and watching the other dancers," Julia said quickly. She smiled when her parents were both studying her and said, "Really, we're as ready as we can be."
"And we're going to keep practicing until we're on," Peter added, his partner nodding rapidly.
"When are you going to be on?" Beckett asked.
"The first dance is around the middle of the first hour," Julia said before she looked at Skye.
"When we perform with them we'll be fifteen minutes or so into the second hour," the investigator replied. "And they're ready I think."
"How much time do they have?" Castle asked, hugging Eliza after he'd handed Josie to his wife.
"An hour and a half," Skye said. "We're a little later than I thought we'd be," she said as she checked her watch. "But that's because of lunch."
While they were walking with everyone into the house through the front, Castle asked, "What did you do for that?"
"A party!" Eliza cried.
"Sort of," Marie then said. "Paul and Nancy brought vegetarian food for us."
"We lied," the latter said in amusement. "We wanted to treat the kids and everyone else too."
"How was the food?" Castle asked his mother.
"Very good, it is impressive what you can do with vegetables," Martha answered with a smile.
"Can we play Mummy?" Iris asked.
"A little, and with the baby," Skye said before Beckett was speaking rapidly.
"Actually they can play on their own," she informed the investigator. "Rick and I were going to spend some time with her before we leave." Beckett was startled hearing the groans from the kids; especially the younger ones before her husband was laughing while they walked to the family room.
"Did you want to play with her?" Castle asked them.
"Please? She's going to stay with you in your room," Eliza replied.
"Peter and I wanted to practice," Julia said when her mother turned to her.
"I promised I'd sing the song for them," Skye then said. "But we need to do it in mine and Mary's room."
"Your room?" Peter asked, startled.
"Yeah," Marie said before her mothers answered. "It's the biggest room and has the most privacy."
"We're going with them, to watch and make sure they're not making mistakes," Kath then said.
"Don't you need Derek with you?" Castle asked.
"What they can practice," Mary said.
"Then I guess we're watching the younger kids," Castle told his wife.
"I think so," Beckett responded. "But we need time to get ready," she told Skye and Mary.
"We thought the same, so we'll practice and then see what time it is," the investigator said first.
"See you in a little!" Julia told the others while she and Peter headed up the family room stairs first. She smiled and laughed when she spotted the others waving and then turned her attention to the second floor while she prepared herself for their practice.
"Rick," Beckett called as she heard the bathroom door opening, smiling when he was responding shortly after.
"I'm ready, I'm ready," Castle said, pretending to complain. He smiled while he went to where his wife was looking at the dresser mirror. Wrapping his arms around her he gently pressed his lips to her shoulder and said, "You look great."
"Thank you, but I'll only be wearing this until we get to our hotel," Beckett said, looking at her husband's reflection in the mirror. As he began to embrace her, she turned and wrapped her arms around him telling him, "And we have to leave."
"I know, and because you're wearing your lip gloss this is as much as I can do right?" Castle asked. When his wife nodded he pursed his lips before he said, "I figured, but before we go to bed…"
Beckett laughed briefly before she squeezed him a little and told him, "Yes we can kiss, but not that long; we have a lot of walking tomorrow."
"Okay," Castle replied before he hugged her again. They let each other go before he took her hand and they went downstairs, stepping out to find everyone else was on the patio waiting for them.
"Hey," Julia said, smiling at her parents when they reached her first. "I'm ready," she said, showing them her dress she was carrying in the garment bag, startled when her mother was frowning before she spoke.
"You never mentioned your outfits for the second dance," Beckett told her.
"We tried those on before we showed Derek the first dance," Peter said.
"They look really nice," Julia replied with a smile.
"Okay," Skye said, getting their attention. "We really have to head out though."
Going over to the babysitter who held Josie, Castle kissed the top of the baby's head and said, "We'll see you as soon as-"
"Wait," Skye said. "I forgot to tell you guys, I asked Chandra if she'd bring Josie to the studios and she said she would."
Smiling while Castle and Beckett thanked her, the babysitter said, "It's not a problem, and to be honest it'll be really nice to see the show early. And the bands."
"I don't blame you," Julia said before they were all laughing together. Leaving she went with her family in their car before she said, "It's almost here."
"Are you nervous?" Beckett asked.
"Not too bad," Julia answered. "I'm just trying to remember the steps."
"How did your practice go?" Eliza asked.
"Upstairs?" Julia replied. When her sister nodded she smiled and then told them all, "Good, though you're right, it's hard without Derek."
"But you remembered what you needed to do," Beckett said. At her daughter's nod she was reaching back and gently squeezing her hand she held out to her before she said, "You'll do great," before her husband was speaking to their daughters.
"And remember we have Downtown Disney after the show," Castle said.
"Of course we remember," Eliza said.
"I think your daddy's trying to ask you two to think of a place to have dinner there," Beckett commented wryly.
"No I'm not," Castle said in mock protest. He smiled when the others laughed, though he was sure Josie didn't understand them fully.
"Josa's gonna be able to watch the show now," Eliza told her big sister.
"Oh yeah… wait, you're going to let her right?" Julia asked.
"Chandra did say she wanted to see the show," Castle said, getting off the freeway. "So Josie's going to be really lucky."
"Very, she'll get to see the first dance with your costumes," Eliza said.
"I thought of that too," Julia replied. She watched her father going to the security gate and giving their card Skye had brought back from the studio earlier. She breathed out a little hard as they drove through the gate and headed to a parking lot.
"Do you remember where your dressing room is?" Skye asked once they were all out of the cars.
"I do," Peter and Julia said at the same time.
"Okay, you guys can head out to the audience," Mary said.
"Mary and I can take the kids and Chandra to their rooms," Skye said. She scratched her cheek and then said with a smile, "Though it's our dressing room. Sorry."
"Don't worry," the young woman assured her. "I'll take Josie out while you're changing."
"Just once," Mary said before she noticed Beckett taking the baby from her husband while she was speaking to her.
"We'll come get you as soon as the show is over sweetie," Beckett said. "And I hope you'll enjoy the performances."
"Especially your sister's," Castle said.
"Jules?" Josie asked.
"Yeah, I'll be dancing with Peter and after we'll dance with Derek," Julia replied with a smile, going over to squeeze her little sister's hand. "Hopefully you'll like them."
"Eh," Josie said.
Laughing with the others, Beckett kissed the baby's temple before handing her to Castle and watching him kiss her.
"And after that we've got Disneyland," he was telling her.
"Ees," Josie said seriously.
"Exactly," Castle said before he gave her to Chandra.
"You should have everything in her bag," Beckett said. "And I'm sure if you need to ask any of the workers for something they'll help you."
"They will, I've mentioned you to them," Skye said quickly.
"Is she eating dinner?" Chandra asked.
"I put some crackers in there," Beckett said. "But she'll eat with us after."
"You get to stay up later tonight Josa," Julia told her little sister. She smiled when Eliza, their parents and grandparents hugged and kissed the baby before doing the same with her. "See you later," she said with a smile, watching them go. She hurriedly turned to Skye and said, "Josa and Chandra can go in my dressing room."
"After you change," the investigator said.
"And come to our dressing room," Mary said. "You still want me to do your hair?"
Julia nodded before they were being taken to their dressing rooms and she told the babysitter, "She can come inside with me."
"Alright," Chandra replied, setting the baby down.
"Come on Josa, I need you to help me with the zipper on my dress," Julia told her, pulling her inside.
"Mama help," Josie said.
"Not this time," Julia replied. "It's gonna be you." She smiled when her little sister giggled, and she kissed her cheek before she started to undress. Slipping on her Viennese Waltz dress she smiled again, that time in relief as she found it still fit and the length was the same as well. She went to the baby and led her to the chair in the room saying, "You can help me now." She hoped the baby would be able to do it, soon feeling her pull. "Not that hard," she said laughingly since Josie seemed to be bouncing.
"Good Jules," the baby said.
"Yeah, I think so," Julia said, though she reached back and zipped it up the rest of the way. "Let's go see Skye and Mary," she told her, taking her hand and pulling her with her to the hall before they were going to another door. She wasn't surprised when the women were calling them in at her knock before she slipped inside with her sister. She was about to speak when Mary was leading her to the chair in front of a mirror while she was talking at the same time.
"You look great, how's the dress though?" the doctor asked.
"Your mom let us know you were all concerned about you having another growth spurt," Skye commented.
"It's the same," Julia said, looking over and seeing her baby sister was on the investigator's hip. "Someone gave Chandra a chair outside," she told them before Mary was turning her head back to the mirror.
"Oh good, but we'll tell her to take this room-" Skye began, interrupted by a knock at the door. "Come in," she called.
"It's me," Peter said. "And Chandra told me to tell you as soon as I saw you they're having her go to the green room where Queen and Adam are."
"To stay there?" Skye asked, setting Josie down.
"Yeah," Peter replied. "Why didn't you ask?"
"I wasn't sure they'd want a baby around," Skye said. She looked at Josie as she was holding onto the arm of the chair her sister was sitting on and said, "But she's a good girl."
"Definitely," Julia commented.
"Okay, you're set," Mary said. "And boy do I hope those gems stay in place."
"They feel sturdy," Julia replied, touching the left side of her head. She had been given strands of small fake diamonds to put in her hair and she saw Mary had put them around the bun she'd put her hair in. "Thanks, it looks great," she told the doctor.
"You're welcome," Mary replied.
"You guys do too," Peter said, letting out a huff as his voice cracked.
Smiling at her partner, since it hadn't been hard to tell his voice was beginning to change, Julia said, "I know, those outfits are great."
"Tell Mary that," Skye commented, looking down at her blazer. It was a light blue jacquard with a design of phoenixes on it and she had it buttoned up though her short sleeved white shirt was visible. "She picked this," she commented. "But we better go," checking the time and realizing the show was going to start shortly. She scooped up Josie and was out in the hall first before she told Chandra, "We're heading to the room, I'm glad someone told you about it since you'll have more space for this one to run around in."
"Yeah, I appreciate it," the babysitter said. "You two look great."
"Thank you," Mary said with a smile.
"Does she like them?" Peter whispered to Julia since he was aware of the babysitter talking to the two women.
"I think so," Julia said with a nod. "But it doesn't matter," she added hurriedly before they were entering the room to the three men singing together while Brian was playing his guitar.
"How dare you?" Skye said in mock outrage while she set Josie down, smiling when Rodger responded first.
"Oh I didn't know we were to dress up yet," the drummer replied. He laughed when the investigator stuck her tongue out at him playfully and went to her to shake her hand. "But you two look very…" Rodger then said as he looked at Julia and Peter.
"Grown up," Adam finished for him. When the drummer nodded to him he turned back to the kids and said, "Ready?"
"Yeah, but we get to rest for now," Julia said first.
"We're ready for you guys," a worker said, coming up to the doorway.
"We'll be back," Mary told Julia and Peter.
"If you see my parents tell them I'm fine," the former said swiftly.
"We will," Skye said before they were leaving with the rest of their band and the three men. She had her bass she'd picked up in the green room and was checking it while they walked before they were out on the stage in the ballroom.
"Think I have a chance to ask them how they're doing?" Castle asked his wife. She had just begun to shake her head when there was an announcement that the show was about to begin, and they began to applaud at the indication. "This brings back memories," he told his wife.
Nodding swiftly, Beckett glanced at Eliza to see if she was okay, not surprised she was smiling as Queen and The Rambling O'Dells began performing Bohemian Rhapsody.
"Jules!" Josie cried backstage at the start of the music.
"What is it?" Julia asked with a smile.
"Dance?" Josie replied.
"I can't, I might get too tired to dance later," Julia said. She couldn't help laughing softly when her baby sister pouted and told her, "Come here," before she put her on her lap. "Let's watch the show and see them dance," she told Josie while the troupe dancers were going out to the stage. She was surprised when the song felt like it had finished quickly before her partner was getting her attention.
"He didn't tell us he was dancing," Peter said since Derek had been with the troupe.
"I know, maybe he forgot? He had a lot to work on," Julia replied though she was shrugging in the end. She smiled when her partner started to open his mouth to respond just as the others were walking back inside.
"Are you two ready to practice?" Derek asked.
"The waltz?" Peter immediately said.
"No, the second one," Derek answered with a smile. "They wanted to do some harmonies so that might help you."
"He's right," Brian said, glancing at his two bandmates and seeing they were nodding.
"Sure," Julia said when Peter was looking at her. "Hopefully you don't mind," she told him teasingly.
"No way," Peter said, groaning when his voice cracked. "What if Tom or Tyra want to talk to us and that happens?" he asked Derek.
"I wouldn't worry," the dancer told the pair, leading them to the clear area that was in the room where they could practice. "Everyone knows you two are growing up and that happens of course," Derek added. "Let's focus on the dance, and we'll go from there."
"Dances," Julia commented.
"Exactly," Derek replied with a laugh. He then turned to the men and told them, "Whenever you're ready."
Julia couldn't help becoming excited as the two bands were singing together, the O'Dells taking the backing vocals and Brian playing his guitar. She was dancing with Peter and Derek until they got to the instrumental and she went over to Brian, startled when Josie toddled to her and hugged her tightly, making them all laugh before the guitarist teased her baby sister.
"You know your sister needs to practice," Brian told her. He laughed briefly when Josie looked at him with wide eyes and said, "She knows I'm joking."
"It's alright Josa," Julia reassured her. "Just a little more and I'll sit with you, okay?" After her sister had nodded, she urged her to return to Chandra before she turned her attention back to Derek to continue their practice.
"Are they going to dance next?" Eliza whispered to her mother.
"They are," Beckett said, smiling since Tom was welcoming the audience back.
"Next we have a very special performance from two dancers who were here in season 30," the host was saying. "Dancing to the song In the Lap of the Gods… Revisited, Julia Castle and Peter Lennox."
Applauding as loudly as he could with the rest of his family, Castle watched his daughter and her partner appear in the spotlight before the audience was calming down and the music began. Holding his wife's hand tightly when the music began, he didn't look away from the pair until they had reached the end of the song and he was clapping again, whistling the best he could.
Turning to the audience, Julia did her best to wave to her family and could just see her father appearing to be emotional. "Your mom's going to cry," she murmured to Peter, surprised when he snorted before he spoke in a rush.
"She warned me she was," the teen said as they walked over to Tom since he was calling them over.
"Welcome back you two," the host said once the two had reached him. "That was fantastic, and the judges wanted to talk to you a little before we go to our next commercial break." When the teens nodded he turned to the table and said, "Carrie-Ann you can start."
"First it's so great seeing you two again," the judge said with a smile. "And we heard how you did at the competition this dance was in, great job," Carrie-Ann added. After the two thanked her she said, "And I see why you got a perfect score for that one. You learned from me about no lifts." She paused while the audience was laughing and she then continued with, "And your form was amazing, I can see you two continuing to do very well."
"Len," Tom said quickly.
"I was very happy to know you listened to what I was saying on the show," the British judge began. "And you did a very proper Viennese Waltz. I would have scored it extremely well myself and welcome back."
Beckett smiled before she looked at her husband when Tom was calling on Bruno, squeezing his hand and murmuring, "Okay?" When he nodded she turned to the judge to see what he would say.
"I am in complete agreement, you two have learned a lot since you've come here," Bruno started to say. "And I must say I loved your musicality. You enjoyed the song?"
"A lot," Julia said first, Peter nodding next to her.
"Then I think I can say for us all we're looking forward to the next song," Bruno added.
Smiling when the kids were thanking the judges before Tom had the show go to commercial, Castle leaned over to his wife and said softly, "I really want to go see her," not surprised when she shook her head and responded after.
"She's going to need to practice," Beckett said. She squeezed his hand gently and then turned to their second youngest before she said, "Did you like it?"
"It's better in person!" Eliza exclaimed happily.
Beckett couldn't help laughing softly and said, "I agree."
"So do I," Martha said, leaning over slightly sitting to the little girl's right.
"Do you think Josa watched it?" Eliza asked her parents after her grandfather had said he'd enjoyed it too.
"More than likely," Castle said. He was going to say more when the show was returning from commercial, and he turned to his wife before she squeezed his hand one more time.
"Come on you two," Derek was telling Julia and Peter. "It's time to go."
Breathing out hard, the former turned to her baby sister and kissed her temple before saying, "Okay Josa, we need to go dance again, but you'll watch right?"
"Eh," Josie said before hugging her sister.
"Oh, she got crumbs on your shoulder," Adam said.
"Huh?" Julia said before she saw what he was talking about.
"Hold on," Mary said, walking over hurriedly with a tissue. She brushed off her shoulder and said, "There, got everything."
"Thanks," Julia said in relief. "Better wipe your mouth Josa but watch the TV!" she then cried as Peter was taking her hand and pulling her out of the room. Once they were on the stage she said to him and Derek, "Are you guys ready at all?"
"I think I should be asking that," the dancer said to the pair.
"I am ready," Peter said. "And we can't practice anymore."
"There's a little time before the commercials are over," Julia said, looking at the dancer.
"Not enough," Derek replied in amusement when a worker called they were about to return.
Julia tried not to laugh though the audience applauding would have covered it, instead she tried to turn her attention on the dance. She couldn't help turning back and forth slightly while they were waiting, smiling at the sight of her skirt moving with her. Skye had suggested the setting of the song to be during the thirties and they were all dressed accordingly. The two bands were wearing suits in some form, though Adam and Skye weren't wearing blazers and instead were in suspenders that were a bright pattern and a deep blue color respectively. It was then, glancing around at the others again, she noticed no one was wearing a tie with their suits. She couldn't help smiling at that thought before she glanced down at the shoulder of her sweater. She was wearing a long skirt, nearly to her ankles, that was a green plaid, her thin sweater cream colored. She had a beret on her head, the same green as the skirt, and her hair was still in a bun.
Feeling Peter gently nudging her arm with her elbow, Julia realized Tom was beginning to introduce the song. She was breathing a little harder before she turned to Peter who nodded to her.
"We have a special performance tonight," the host said. "Queen, Adam Lambert and The Rambling O'Dells singing Old-Fashioned Lover Boy, with a few special guests."
Beckett smiled when she saw the light shining on the stage revealing it'd been set up to look like an old jazz club. Skye was sitting on a piano bench with Raj at a grand piano before she heard it beginning to be played.
Julia, standing with Derek and Peter at one of the tall tables placed on the stage, smiled when Raj played a longer intro, knowing the O'Dells had been asked to do that specifically for the show. She watched as some of the pro dancers in that season at the shorter tables on the dance floor in front of the stage pretended to turn from conversations to them and shared a quick look with her partner since they were going to start walking to the side of the piano to stand next to Adam who was at the side of the two O'Dells as he and Skye began to sing.
I can dim the lights and sing you songs full of sad things
We can do the tango just for two
I can serenade and gently play on your heart strings
Be your Valentino just for you
Holding his hand out to Julia, Peter led her down the steps to the dance floor where they were doing the Quickstep in between the tables during the first lyric of the chorus. On the second they were holding onto each other and spinning until they were on the open dance floor, Derek following them before Peter spun Julia and she fell back into the dancer's arms. After he'd helped her up she turned to him and they were doing the Quickstep for the rest of the chorus.
Ooh, love, ooh, loverboy
What're you doin' tonight, hey boy?
Set my alarm turn on my charm
That's because I'm a good old-fashioned loverboy
With Peter grabbing her arm in between the chorus and next verse, Julia let go of Derek and they were striding out further to dance the Quickstep in a line for the middle two lyrics. At the last Julia was spinning before heading back to the steps, the other dancers having moved the tables and chairs. During the first lyric of the next verse she jumped up the stairs and turned to face Derek and Peter before she was grabbing their hands once they'd run up to join her on the second verse.
Ooh, let me feel your heartbeat (Grow faster, faster)
Ooh, ooh, can you feel my love heat?
Come and sit on my hot-seat of love
And tell me how do you feel right after all
I'd like for you and I to go romancing
Say the word your wish is my command
Dancing a few Quickstep steps with Derek during the first lyric, Julia was spun to Peter for the second one before he spun her. During the third and fourth lyrics, she strode to the piano and let Adam take her hand while he was singing the last lyric on his own as he spun her.
Ooh, love, ooh, loverboy
What're you doin' tonight, hey, boy?
Write my letter
Feel much better
And use my fancy patter on the telephone
Raj was playing the piano between the chorus and verse and during that Peter took Julia from Adam and led her down the steps. When the verse began, Adam and Skye were singing slowly, standing together next to the piano while Julia and Peter were dancing the waltz for the entire verse.
When I'm not with you
Think of you always
(I miss those long hot summer nights) I miss you
When I'm not with you
Think of me always
Love you, love you
The music changed then, and for the first two lyrics of that verse, Julia and Peter were dancing a tango before the music changed again. Switching to the waltz for the rest of the lyrics, they pivoted around together back to the stage they'd gone away from before running up the steps.
Hey, boy, where do you get it from?
Hey, boy, where did you go?
I learned my passion
In the good old-fashioned
School of loverboys
As it was an instrumental there, Julia and Peter hurried over to Brian while he was playing it, Skye next to him with her bass. Julia clapped her hands as the two were playing together before Brian was on his own at the end and Derek and Peter were getting her attention, leading her to the top of the steps.
On the first lyric of the verse, the three were taking turns to go down the steps in time with the counting the O'Dells and Brian and Rodger were singing. Once they were on the dance floor Derek picked Julia up and spun her before setting her down during the second lyric. She took Peter's hand and they got into hold before they were dancing the Quickstep down the floor to the other end. When they were there, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he pulled her back to the steps and Derek with her toes dragging on the floor.
Dining at the Ritz we'll meet at nine precisely (One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine o'clock)
I will pay the bill you taste the wine
Driving back in style in my saloon will do quite nicely
Just take me back to yours that will be fine (Come on and get it)
After Derek took her into hold on the first lyric, they were performing a few steps of the Quickstep before she went to Peter for the second. She went back and forth between the two until on the last lyric when she was with Peter, and he was dipping her just as the music ended.
Ooh, love (There he goes again)
(He's my good old fashioned loverboy) Ooh, loverboy
What're you doin' tonight, hey, boy?
Everything's all right
Just hold on tight
That's because I'm a good old-fashioned (fashioned) loverboy
Standing back up with Peter's help, Julia said eagerly, "That was so fun!"
"Now it's done!" the teen replied to his partner before they were bowing to the audience with the bands.
"We're going to be coming back here again," Castle told his wife while they were applauding loudly, standing at the same time.
"More than likely," Beckett said before they sat back down when the show was sent back to a commercial once Tom and Tyra had spoken. As soon as they had she was sharing a tight embrace with her husband before they did the same with Eliza.
"She was so good," the little girl said happily.
"I know," Castle said in agreement. "And she looked relieved."
"She did mention being a little nervous," Paul said.
"What did you think?" Eliza asked the singer eagerly.
"I thought it was fantastic," Paul replied.
"He's right, they learned the dance well for having so little time," Nancy said in agreement.
"And had fun," Barbara said, she and Ringo on the other side of the couple.
"She always does," Eliza said firmly before she smiled at the others laughing at her tone of voice. Leaning against her mother, she wrapped her arms around her and listened to the adults' conversation while she eagerly waited for the show to return.