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 In the Lap of the Gods… Revisited written by Freddy Mercury, from the Queen album Sheer Heart Attack.
A/N #2: The title of this story is a lyric translated into English from the song Hawaii Aloha, written by Reverend Lorenzo Lyons. The title of this chapter is part of the title of the song I'm Shipping Up to Boston written by Woody Guthrie.
Shipping Up To Boston
"Wow," Julia said, looking around.
"Are we going to be able to go around this whole thing?" Peter asked, turning to Beckett and Ms. Grey.
"I don't think so," Beckett replied first.
"You are going to practice after dinner," Grey commented in amusement when the two kids looked at her. "But we have time now of course. Though you two aren't tired? Our flight was a little early."
"Luckily not that early," Beckett said since they'd gone on a private jet. Since Skye had learned of their need to go to Boston, she had been trying to get them a flight when a friend had told her about flying to the city from New York. They'd gone on his plane at ten that morning and would be flying back to the Hamptons the next afternoon with the new jet of a friend of Castle's that had been checked on in the city and was being returned. Shaking herself she opened the pamphlet she'd gotten at the entrance of Faneuil Hall and said, "It is time for lunch. So we might want to do that first and then look at the shops."
"Where are the lobster rolls?" Peter asked eagerly.
"They wanted to get that once they found out we'd be here for sure," Beckett told the dance teacher.
"You don't mind do you? We could have that right?" Julia asked before the second question came to mind and she rushed to say that as well.
"It's fine, but tomorrow morning for breakfast we'll have to eat healthy," Grey said before she was smiling when the two were nodding at the same time.
"I think we can get some rolls this way," Beckett told them, leading them to the food hall in the middle. She double checked the map until she spotted the name and said, "What do you two want to drink?"
"Soda?" Peter asked. When his partner's mother shook her head he made a face and was about to ask her something before she was speaking first.
"Your mom warned me to make sure you take it easy with that," Beckett replied. "I'll see if they have lemonade."
"Are you okay?" Julia asked once her mom and Grey were in line and they were waiting to the side in their view.
"Yeah, just worrying about my mom," Peter commented absently. He then realized what he'd said and told her, "Not worried, just wondering how she's doing." When his partner nodded, he said, "Her stomach's getting bigger."
"Of course," Julia replied. "She's not having problems is she?"
"No, but it's hard on her back," Peter replied.
"It was like that for my mom," Julia said quickly. "Both times."
"And you?" Peter asked.
Julia was about to speak when Grey was coming over to them and she said, "I'm surprised you didn't have us practicing all day."
"And have you worn out?" the teacher asked. "You two said you weren't worried."
Sharing a look with her, Peter spoke before Julia could telling Grey, "We are, we can't help it… but we just want to make sure."
"That's what the practice after dinner is for," Grey said, watching Beckett hand over the cups with their drinks. She then smiled and said, "I'm surprised you don't want to go around more."
"We don't know what's here," Julia answered. "Well…"
"Just history stuff," Peter said. "And we're off today."
"Don't let your teachers hear you say that," Beckett said in amusement before hearing her name called. She wasn't surprised when Julia and Peter came with her and Grey to get their food and she led the way to the rotunda and the second floor. Once they were at a table looking down she said, "Enjoy," smiling when Peter was responding first.
"Thanks for lunch," he said.
"You should eat it first and see if you enjoy it," Beckett told him. She glanced at Julia and seeing her daughter had already taken a bite of her roll before she laughed briefly and then ate hers. She made sure Peter was eating his roll and they began to share the fries she'd ordered with Grey until they began to talk about when they'd be back at the hotel. After they'd finished eating she and the dance teacher were cleaning up their table, Julia and Peter looking down at the first floor.
"It's nice," the latter said first. Peter glanced at Julia and said, "Think we can look at souvenirs? I promised Clive I'd get him something and I wanted to get something else for my baby sister."
"We'll walk around right now," Beckett told them.
Julia smiled since Peter was quick to move away and then said, "Mom?"
"Yes," Beckett said as she took her daughter's hand while they made their way to the stairs.
"Could we walk around somewhere?" Julia asked.
"I think so," Beckett replied, looking at Grey who was soon nodding in agreement. "But where do you want to go."
"Is the water nearby?" Julia asked.
"We can ask," Beckett said before they reached the stalls. They were walking around, waiting for the kids to say when they wanted to stop before Peter was at one of them.
"Clive might like a shirt like that," the boy was saying because it had different clothing for kids.
"It's nice," Julia said in agreement. "Getting it?"
"I think so," Peter said. He looked at the baby items and then said slowly, "Um… Julia," before she was quickly responding to him.
"What?" Julia said.
"Think you can help me?" Peter asked.
"Well," Julia replied slowly while she started looking at the items for sale. "How about this one?" she asked, showing him a onesie with Boston on it.
"This is perfect," Peter said before he realized something. "Do you think it's weird it matches the one I'm going to get Clive?"
"It's either that or one of those shirts," Julia said, pointing out some that had phrases like wicked smaht on it.
"My mom wouldn't let them wear it," Peter replied. "So I guess that's it," he said with a smile. He was about to reach for the onesie when he paused and then looked at Beckett pleadingly.
"This one," she told the boy with a smile. She checked the sizes and made sure the one for his brother was the right size too.
After Peter had paid for his purchases, Julia couldn't help feeling impatient to head out to the water to get to see it but tried not to think about it when they found a stall with postcards. Her attention taken by the choices, she forgot about the waterfront before her mother was leading them outside. "We can go?" she asked her mother eagerly.
"Of course, you don't think I want to get shots of the water too?" Beckett said. She laughed when her daughter hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head briefly before someone was calling out to them, making them all turn around.
"Are you Kate Beckett?" the woman asked. "The writer?"
"I am," Beckett said, not surprised that someone had recognized her.
"Great, is your husband here?" the woman then said.
"He's back at home," Beckett said, realizing then where the conversation was going to go.
"Oh, well, I hope you enjoy the city, nice to meet you," the woman told them before she left.
"Did she just want to meet your dad?" Peter asked his partner once they were walking again at Beckett's urging.
"Yeah," Julia said in obvious annoyance.
"She knows your mom's the other author right?" Peter then said.
Shaking her head Julia told him, "They just want to meet my dad. Some guys just want to meet her too. Remember that competition they have at their book signings? My mom's won most."
"Huh… sad," Peter commented. He looked at his partner as they were reaching the door to leave and told her, "I mean they can't see can they?"
"Not really," Julia said, nodding in agreement since he was holding up his left hand.
"How long are we going to stay by the water?" Peter asked after they'd crossed what he'd seen was Atlantic Avenue.
"Not long," Grey said.
Smiling briefly when the woman looked at her for confirmation, Beckett added, "She's right, the wind is cold and we're lucky it's sunny. But you two don't need to get sick. So we'll go for a little, take pictures and head back," not surprised her daughter caught her wording and was commenting on that immediately.
"Head back where?" Julia asked.
"Depending on how cold it is, we can walk around the hall," Beckett said.
"Sure," Julia said, looking at Peter before he was nodding in agreement. They were walking by a hotel and then a restaurant until they reached the end of the street on the wharf. When they reached the end of the wharf itself she was smiling and said, "How cool," seeing the boats in the water of the harbor. She took some pictures before looking up at her mother and said, "Are you getting the ships?"
"I am," Beckett replied. "You know your sisters will enjoy that." She looked to their left seeing Peter was walking with Grey around the edge of it before she asked her daughter, "Having fun?"
"Yeah," Julia said with a nod. "Are you?"
"Of course," Beckett replied. "Don't think I'm missing everyone too much."
"I am too," Julia said, smiling at her mother's wording. She slipped her hand into hers before they were walking after her partner and dance teacher and she told her mother, "I'm really glad you could come though."
"So am I," Beckett said. "But there wasn't going to be a chance I wasn't here, or your dad." She then squeezed her hand gently and told her daughter, "He wants you to call him as soon as the show's over."
"Sure," Julia said. She thought of what time it was and said, "Lizzy isn't going to be back yet," looking up at her mother when she was speaking with a smile on her face.
"No, but hopefully you'll still call him so he can hear how you did," Beckett told her. "And your grandparents."
"Josa's going to be asleep?" Julia asked with a smile. When her mother nodded she said, "He can tell her after."
"Where are we going now?" Peter asked since they'd regrouped by then, starting to walk off the wharf.
"I told Julia already, would you like to go around the hall a little? Look at the buildings?" Beckett asked.
"We have time?" Peter then asked.
"Dinner isn't for another couple of hours," Beckett told him. "So we can walk but then you two should rest for a little."
"Like… a nap?" Peter asked in obvious disappointment.
"Not if you don't want to," Grey said. "Just sit and read."
"Or watch TV?" Peter asked.
"We'll see once we get to our room," Beckett said in amusement since the boy was looking at her hopefully. They were crossing the streets back to the hall then and she held her daughter's hand tightly, watching her taking pictures with one hand and smiling at the sight, glad she was enjoying their visit so far.
Swinging his legs slightly while he was waiting on the couch in the living room, Peter looked at the door to the bedroom and saw it was Julia. "Hey, I didn't think you were going to wear a dress," he told her once she closed the door behind her before she was turning to him and responding.
"It's for practice, since I'm wearing a skirt at least for all the dances," Julia said before making a face.
"Are you going to be like Skye now?" Peter asked.
"No," Julia said with a soft laugh before she walked to the nook of the suite where there was a bunk bed. She looked at her partner and said, "You're okay with this?"
"Of course," Peter said. He then smiled a little and said, "Clive and I talked about getting bunk beds, but our parents said we had separate rooms, so we didn't really need them." He was startled when his partner was hugging him lightly and said when she soon after let him go, "What was that for."
"Eve's lucky to have a boyfriend like you you know," Julia commented. She smiled when her partner started to blush and told him, "You're not like a lot of the boys, you don't think feelings are like cooties."
"But cooties don't exist," Peter said. Before his partner could respond to that he said, "Eve had a looong talk with me about that."
"Why? You've kissed each other so what's the point?" Julia commented.
"Guys?" Beckett said. She smiled when the pair whirled around to her and said, "We have to go."
"Great," Peter said, hurrying past her. He then thought of something and stopped himself before turning to Beckett and Julia as they were walking up to where he was standing. "You look really nice tonight," he said, feeling his cheeks were hot as he spoke to Beckett.
"Thank you," she said. "Your mom taught you very well."
Nodding Peter said, "She did, and told me to say thank you… Mom and Dad did."
"Don't worry," Beckett said with a smile. "I know you're thankful, so focus on tomorrow okay?"
"Sure," Peter said. "I didn't want to have to say it all the time and make you tired of me," he explained while he and Julia were waiting in the hallway.
"We can't be tired of you," Julia said teasingly. "We're partners remember?" She laughed when he was nodding seriously before laughing with her and her mother urged them to start down the hall. They were soon in the elevator and she was about to ask about dessert when Peter was talking before she could.
"Could we get dessert at all?" the boy was saying.
"Ms. Grey said it would be alright," Beckett said, unable to help smiling as she'd been wondering when they'd be asking about it. They reached the lobby by then and she let the two go ahead of her before they were calling out to Grey since she was waiting for them there. Once they'd met they headed to Parker's Restaurant where Castle had already made reservations for them.
"Mom," Julia whispered once they were looking at their menus.
"You can get a dish," Beckett said. "The portions will be smaller."
"Is that true?" Peter asked. "1906?"
"You're looking at the schrod?" Grey asked. When the boy nodded she said, "That is, there's a lot of dishes that originated here… well, a couple."
"You didn't tell me about the schrod," Peter told Julia.
"They didn't show it," she replied simply. Julia then turned to her mother and said, "Is it okay if I get that?"
"Sure," Beckett said before she looked at Peter who was to her left.
"I'd like to try it," the boy said. "I'll eat it," Peter added quickly.
"Okay," Beckett replied with a nod before she looked at Grey.
"I'll join you," the teacher replied, closing her menu with a smile.
"It's alright?" Beckett then asked.
"Oh, of course," Grey said in realization. She smiled and then said, "You two know what's best to eat."
"Still," Peter said before he and Julia were laughing softly. When they calmed down they saw their waiter walking to them, setting down a basket before they ordered their food.
Julia shared a look with her partner when her mother uncovered the basket once they were alone. She saw they were the famous Parker House rolls, and she felt a deep sense of disappointment since she knew them from the Delicious Destinations show. When her mother put one on the small plate at Peter's setting, she looked at him in shock before he turned to their dance teacher.
"Is it okay?" Peter asked.
"Of course, but I'd recommend just one," Grey replied, getting a roll herself. "Since we're getting dessert."
"Oh really?" Julia asked happily, putting a little butter on her roll. "Is it the Boston cream pie?" she asked her mother.
Nodding, Beckett said, "Just this once, and you two are practicing afterwards."
"We will," Julia and Peter said at the same time. They ate their rolls, going leisurely so the two adults wouldn't tell them to slow down, and savored them until their fish was being served and Beckett was talking to them both once they'd taken a few bites.
"How is it?" she asked.
"Good," Peter said. "I like the breading."
"It said it was crackers," Julia told her partner, not surprised when he nodded his head in agreement. They went back to eating, listening to her mother and Grey talking to each other until they were finishing, and the former had ordered the Boston crème pie for them. "I wish Dad was here," she couldn't help telling her while they were waiting.
"We'll come back," Beckett assured her daughter. "He wants to."
"When we go to all fifty states?" Julia asked.
While Beckett was nodding in agreement, Grey asked, "You're going to try that?"
"Try being the key word," Beckett said in response. She then smiled and said, "My husband is eager to try though I'm not sure how we would handle Alaska too."
"That would be cool to go to," Peter commented. He was going to say more when their waiter came back, and he couldn't help his mouth dropping open in surprise at the small cake. "I thought it was going to be a piece," he said, looking at Julia and seeing her smile.
"We said individual," she told him before she was eating hers. Julia wanted to go slowly with it, but her mother kept her from doing that for too long.
"You're not going to have any time to practice," Beckett told her daughter. When Julia was eating again, she kept an eye on her until they were finished and she and Grey were paying for their food.
"Okay," the dance teacher told the kids. "I got us use of the ballroom they have-" Grey continued to say as they were leaving the restaurant, startled when Peter interrupted her.
"A ballroom?" the boy said in surprise.
"Yes, they have weddings here," Grey said. "But we're lucky; they're not having one this weekend so they're letting us use it."
"Is this going to be a rehearsal?" Julia asked while they were following the dance teacher.
"It is, I'd call it a dress rehearsal, but we don't have the costumes with us," Grey said. She stopped at two doors and turned to the pair asking, "Will you be okay not wearing them before the competition?"
"I'm fine with that," Peter said. "We practiced the last time we wore them."
"And they fit well?" Grey asked since Julia's grandmother had made them, and they'd tried on the final products at the Castle home. At the nod from the two she said, "Alright," opening the doors. She let the kids go inside first, smiling at them looking around in awe and glanced at Beckett before saying, "I think this will do."
"I hope so," she commented. She found there was a line of chairs along the wall next to the doors and she went to one of them, sitting before Julia was walking up to her. "Do you want me to leave?"
"No," Julia replied. "You've seen the dances; just not all together."
"And that's why I asked," Beckett replied easily.
"I'm sure," Julia said. "But I hope you like it."
"I will," Beckett said with a smile. "Go," she told her daughter after they'd hugged each other tightly and Grey had called to her. She looked on while Julia walked swiftly to her dance teacher and partner, watching them dancing to the songs they would have in the order they'd be the next day. She couldn't help smiling at how serious her daughter was, reminding herself to try and get some pictures as well as video the next day when Grey was bringing the rehearsal to a close, talking to Julia and Peter with a smile.
"I think you two will do an amazing job," the teacher said with a smile. "Just remember your timing on the Cha-cha."
"That's for me," Peter said with a sigh.
"Don't worry," Julia told her partner immediately. "You'll remember with the lyrics."
"That's true," Peter said with a slight nod.
"Okay, Ms. Beckett?" Grey said.
"Kate is fine," Beckett wasn't surprised she had to remind the teacher.
"They should head back to the room," Grey said. "And get some sleep."
"They will," Beckett said while she checked on her watch. "And I'll eat with them in the room."
"I'll see you at nine in the lobby then," Grey said. "Goodnight you two."
"Night," Julia and Peter said at the same time before they were walking to the elevator.
"How come she's not going with us to the elevator?" the latter asked.
"I think she's going to get a drink at the bar," Beckett replied.
"A drink?" Julia asked.
Shaking her head Beckett told them, "Probably some tea or coffee."
"Oh… okay," Julia replied before they were stopping at the elevator.
"Are you ready to talk to your family?" Beckett asked Peter when they stepped into an empty car.
"Definitely," the boy said immediately.
Smiling, Beckett turned to Julia and at her nod she laughed outright before they were stopping at their floor and walking to their suite. She tried her best to focus on the pair to get them ready for bed, though already her mind was on seeing her husband and their two youngest.
"How's your mom doing?" Beckett asked Peter.
"Really good," the boy said. "But she said she misses me like crazy." Peter frowned and then said, "That's… the pregnancy," before his partner's mother was speaking reassuringly.
"It is, I'm not surprised she wants you and your brother around," Beckett replied. "I was the same with Julia and Eliza. She's okay."
Nodding, Peter then turned to her and said, "Thanks."
"You're welcome, but you need to get some sleep," Beckett replied.
Groaning jokingly Peter said, "I thought I could distract you."
"Not really," Beckett said. "I have three kids I need to put to bed."
"You're an expert?" Peter asked.
"If you want to call it that," Beckett said. "Want me to help you?" she asked when he climbed up the short ladder to the top bed of the two.
"Nah, I'm fine," Peter replied. Once he was laying down, he looked at his partner's mother and said, "I do miss Mom saying goodnight."
"That makes you a good son," Beckett told him. She smiled at his murmured, slightly obvious embarrassed thanks to her comment and said goodnight before he replied. She turned off the light in the nook where the bunkbeds were and made sure he was settling down to sleep before she walked to the bedroom.
"Is Peter okay?" Julia said once her mother had closed the door.
"Of course," Beckett said, taking off her robe. She set it on the dresser the room had and told her daughter, "But he's missing his family."
"That makes sense," Julia said. "Me too, especially after seeing them. But we remember it's just for one day." She watched her mother getting on the bed with her and she said, "And… I kinda like having a sleepover with you."
"Me too," Beckett told her with a smile. She hugged her daughter tightly and said, "It's like old times."
Smiling herself, Julia said, "Definitely, I was remembering while I was waiting for you. I wish we could have done that more often." She squeezed her mother's hands and then told her, "But I know I had to sleep in my own bed." She watched her mother turning off the light on her nightstand before she said, "We have to go to sleep?"
"We do," Beckett replied. "You need to get rest for tomorrow."
Settling next to her mother Julia asked, "Did you… did you like the dances?"
"I did," Beckett said, reaching over and gently caressing the side of her daughter's head. "And I'm glad you're enjoying it as much as you are."
"I am," Julia said. She and her mother were quiet for a while before she said, "Are you okay?"
"I am," Beckett said. She could see her daughter raising her head to look at her and told her, "Sweetie-"
"Are you sure? It's been a long time since you and Dad weren't in the same bed," Julia said.
"I'm fine," Beckett told her firmly. "And you said it just now, it's only one night."
"But you still miss him," Julia said in slight concern. She was startled at first when her mother began to laugh but soon realized why and she was doing the same with her. Once they'd calmed down she told her, "Sorry."
"I know you remember when he went on that book tour," Beckett said. "But we'll see them tomorrow and be home too."
Nodding Julia then said, "I'm kinda jealous of you and Dad."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett told her gently. "But you have a lot of time to go to be married."
"And happy," Julia commented.
"Very happy," Beckett said with a smile. "You didn't let me finish."
Laughing, Julia said, "At least I was right."
Hugging her, Beckett brushed her lips to her forehead and said, "I love you, Julia."
"Love you Mom," she responded immediately. "Night," Julia told her before they shared a kiss.
"Night sweetie," Beckett said, making sure her daughter was settling down. Hearing the girl's deep, even breathing in a short amount of time she was relieved she'd managed to fall asleep. Allowing herself to try to fall asleep she couldn't help thinking of her husband then, hoping he was alright alone that night.
Stepping out of the bathroom, Castle looked at his phone and quickly turned it off, knowing his wife was likely asleep by then. He walked down to the bed and was next to it on his side when he froze before there was a giggle and hurried speech.
"Hi Daddy, I'm gonna stay here tonight 'cause you miss Mommy," Eliza said, smiling up at him.
"Really?" Castle asked after he'd been able to take in what she'd said.
"Yeah, you don't want me to?" Eliza said.
"Don't worry," Castle said, taking off his robe and setting it aside. He took off his glasses and said, "I know you miss her too. You can't sleep?" When she shook her head, he got under the covers with her and said, "Then you can stay."
"Thanks," Eliza replied with a wide smile. She waited for her father to lay down once the lights were off and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You really miss Mommy?" she asked.
"Of course," Castle said, gently rubbing her back. "But she'll be back tomorrow, and you'll be back in your own bed."
"I don't care," Eliza said in a matter of fact tone of voice. "Mommy will be here. But she's not here tonight so I gotta spend the night." She felt her father shaking and was worried for a second he was crying before she heard his laughter. Raising her head she placed her chin on his shoulder and asked him, "What's so funny Daddy?"
"You," Castle said. "But don't worry, I appreciate you looking out for me."
"I hafta! Mommy's not here! Jules isn't either so… it's me," Eliza told her father firmly.
Since he didn't want to laugh again, Castle hugged her tightly and pressed his lips to her temple before he heard her talking again.
"Daddy?" Eliza said softly.
"Yes sweetheart?" Castle asked.
"Could we get Josa?" Eliza said.
"Did you go check her before you came here?" Castle asked. When she nodded he said, "And she was asleep?" Another nod and he smiled a little telling her, "Then she needs to stay in her bed. And you need to go to sleep."
Sighing Eliza said, "I know, but promise you won't take me back to my room."
"I promise, I'll see you in the morning Eliza," Castle told her. He smiled when he saw her nodding again before she snuggled against his side and he kissed the top of her head, murmuring he loved her. With no response he was relieved she was asleep already and he relaxed, thinking of his wife. He couldn't help seeing her behind his closed eyes and wasn't surprised when he found his dreams were of them together with their daughters, making him satisfied until she and Julia were back home the next day.
"Hey."
Looking up in surprise, Julia saw a boy was standing in front of her and said, "Hi…" warily.
"My name's Graham," the boy told her, holding out his hand. "You're Julia Castle, aren't you?"
"I am," she replied. "You're from New Mexico?"
"Yeah," Graham replied. "I wanted to meet you, it's been going around that you and your partner from the show and concert are here."
"Yo," Peter said, walking over to them. "It's almost time for our Tap," he told his partner.
"Oh, I thought it was," Julia said, jumping up from her chair. "Nice to meet you," she said to the boy before leaving with Peter.
"You didn't see his hand?" he was asking her.
"Of course I did," Julia replied in a whisper. "I didn't want to shake it," smiling when he snorted in his suppressed laughter before he spoke.
"That's what… almost everyone now?" Peter asked her.
"They've been talking to you too," Julia reminded him.
"Think they'll talk to your mom?" Peter said. "Anyone in the audience."
"I don't know," Julia said before they were turning to Ms. Grey while she called to them.
At the same time outside in the ballroom, Beckett was applauding the pair that had just finished their Tap routine and turned to the woman who'd walked up to her.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "You're Kate Beckett aren't you?"
"I am," Beckett replied with a nod, bracing herself for the question about where Castle was.
"I thought I recognized you from your book picture, I'm such a huge fan," the woman replied with a genuine smile. "Would you mind signing my book?"
"Not at all," Beckett said, startled the woman wasn't asking about Castle. She took the pen and book she was handed, seeing it was their last book from their 1920s series. She signed the inside quickly; as the next pair of kids was about to start dancing; and she nodded to the woman's thank you.
"Your husband isn't here is he?" she asked as she put her stuff back into her purse.
"No, he's back at home," Beckett replied, trying to keep her smile.
"Oh too bad, I was hoping to get both of your autographs," the woman replied. "Well I wasn't expecting even one so thanks again. A lot."
"It wasn't a problem," Beckett said, appreciating the woman being serious about that.
"Is your daughter competing?" the woman then said. When Beckett nodded she said, "My nephew is, but I hope she breaks a leg."
"Same for your nephew," Beckett replied, nodding her thanks. She turned back to the ballroom as the next couple was walking out to their introduction. Though she was watching each pair going, she couldn't help feeling her impatience rise before she finally realized who was next.
"From the Hamptons, New York," the woman was saying. "Julia Castle and Peter Lennox dancing Tap."
Beckett looked at the camera a man was using to film, relieved she wasn't going to need to do it herself in the end since each dancer was going to get a DVD of their dances. Turning back to her daughter and Peter, she tried not to hold her breath as they were standing together to wait for the song to begin. They were both wearing tuxedoes, but her daughter's was a tuxedo dress she knew Julia had taken inspiration from one Billy Porter had worn years before. When the music started finally, she smiled watching how happy her daughter immediately was, especially when she got to her solo since she and Peter were required to do one each. She was watching their steps closely, not relaxing until it was over, and Julia and Peter were bowing.
Clapping as hard as she could, Beckett waved to her daughter when she did so to her and leaned back in the chair to wait for the next dance though she still had some time to go.
"I can't believe we did it," Julia was saying to Peter once she was dressed for their Cha-Cha.
"I can't believe you're going to wear that," he teased her back.
"Oh, stop it," Julia replied, rolling her eyes. For that dance she and her grandmother had designed a dress that was a bright blue on the bodice with green sequins, the skirt blue and green beads with a blue underskirt matching the bodice. "My dad saw it already if you're wondering about that," she told him, not surprised when he laughed when their teacher was walking to them.
"Are you set Julia?" Grey asked her.
"I am… I just hope the knots on the beads are strong enough," she replied, looking down at the skirt.
"Some fall off sometimes," Grey said. "Peter?"
"Yeah, costume's fine," the boy said hurriedly.
Laughing with Julia, since his outfit was his shirt from the tuxedo the dance before and the same black trousers, Grey said, "You're good with your timing?"
"I'll do my best," Peter said, nodding. Since their teacher told them to practice the part he had a little trouble with, he turned to his partner and said, "I hope I do."
"We will, come on," Julia told him firmly, reaching for his hand so they could get into hold.
Beckett was doing her best not to look at her watch waiting for Julia and Peter to come back out again. But they were finally stepping out and she let out a breath slightly since she remembered their troubles with the Cha-Cha. As they began their routine she was smiling, the beads of her daughter's dress swirling around her. They were nearing the transition steps after Peter spun her daughter, and she winced when she saw the boy nearly missing the step there and racing to catch up. But that was all he was messing up on and Julia was with him until he half bowed her. She applauded with the others, not surprised when her daughter wasn't looking over to where she sat and instead talking to her partner hurriedly.
"It's okay, I only remembered the step because the music changed," Julia was saying before they were backstage.
"I barely remembered," Peter said. "So I'm lucky I didn't miss it all the way." He took to their teacher who was walking over to them and said, "I'm-"
Stopping the boy by touching his shoulders briefly, Grey said, "It's fine, you're not the first dancer to have missed a step and what you had was great."
"At least we're finished with it now," Peter said.
"And we have to change for the next one," Julia added.
"Please remember it's the Foxtrot," Grey said. She smiled when the kids said in unison that they would, and she watched them head to the dressing rooms.
"Nice," Peter said once he and Julia were outside the two big rooms for the boys and girls to change in.
"Thanks," Julia replied, spinning. She was wearing a deep green fifties style dress with a full skirt and a large while fabric white flower on her hip and she said, "You look nice."
"I look like a nerd," Peter commented in amusement since he had a sweater and trousers. He then said, "Practice?"
"A little," Julia said before they were hurrying to the space by the entrance to the ballroom. They were dancing their steps and once they finished the dance said, "I hate doing that."
"You heard Ms. Grey," Peter teased her. "We have to dance with and without music." He laughed when she rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue just as Grey was calling to them before they were heading out to the ballroom.
Beckett smiled, seeing her daughter's dress for that dance and watching the pair spinning between their steps. She knew Julia was enjoying the skirt and tried not to think of their past life as the song was ending. She applauded, feeling slightly alone in the fact she didn't have her husband to hold hands with or whisper to in between each dance. But eventually the pair were coming out for their Jive and she waved to Julia when she looked at her, startled when she went to her first row seat before she was speaking first.
"There's something wrong with the sound," Julia explained. She hugged her mother tightly and told her, "I wanted to say hi."
"And Peter?" Beckett asked.
Turning to her partner since she realized her mother was right, Julia saw he and Ms. Grey were talking so she turned back to her mother. "Has anyone asked you for an autograph?" she then asked.
"Have they asked you," Beckett responded with her own question.
"Yeah, a lot of them," Julia said.
"Your books are popular," Beckett told her. "And I'm guessing they know you from the show." She couldn't help laughing softly when her daughter made a face and told her, "You're famous."
"I'm yours and dad's daughter," Julia said firmly. She embraced her mother a second time before she pulled back to look at her as she asked, "Now did anyone ask you."
Smiling Beckett said, "One did, and they were happy to get it."
"Oh good, they should be," Julia replied. "What book was it?"
"Anything But Love," Beckett replied, her husband having taken the title from the song I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby. It fit the murder they had in the book and since it was from the year 1928, the same as when that book was set, she had agreed to it. Shaking herself she then said, "I think they're almost ready."
Glancing back again, Julia saw her mother was right and asked, "How do I look."
"Beautiful," Beckett replied, smiling at her daughter's costume. "Your dad would be happy with it."
"I know," Julia said in amusement since she was wearing a neon blue t-shirt under a neon green shirt that was bigger and fell off one shoulder. Her skirt was a checkered pattern with the neon blue and white and she had leggings that went down just below her knees that were the same color as her green shirt. "Is it eighties enough?" she asked.
"Very," Beckett assured her.
"Thanks Mom," Julia said, squeezing her tightly before she rushed back to her partner.
"She liked the costume?" Peter asked.
"Yeah, she did see it already," Julia replied.
"Not your hair," Peter commented.
"I hate it," Julia said, shaking her head, her hair in a ponytail on the side of her head. She and her partner had decided on an eighties theme for their Jive since it was different, and she reached out to playfully move the collar of his polo shirt.
"Alright you two," Grey told the kids as she turned to them. "You're ready…" she said before they were nodding. "And the sound is so break a leg."
Thanking their teacher, Julia and Peter waited to be announced before they got into hold. The Jive was fun for them both since it was their favorite Latin dance, and they were a little shocked when it was suddenly over, the former speaking to her partner while they walked backstage once they bowed to the audience.
"That was so much fun," Julia said.
"I know, but now it's the waltz," Peter said. He smiled when his partner was sucking in a deep breath of air before he took hold of her shoulders. "They'll love it," he told her seriously since they were going to send the recording of their dance to Queen through Skye.
"Boy I hope you're right," Julia commented.
"He's right, they will Julia," Grey said, walking up to her dancers. "And I need to help you."
Nodding, Julia walked with the teacher into the dressing room, changing into her gown for it. Her grandmother had made one that was similar to a gown her mother had worn, with cap sleeves but it was an ice blue color and the wrapped sheer material bodice had clear sequins in it that reflected the light off it. She couldn't help spinning once she was dressed, loving the way the skirt belled out. She felt grown up but did her best not to look at her chest since her grandmother had to structure it so it wouldn't lean away from her still flat bosom.
"You'll grow soon enough Julia," she recalled her grandmother had said, unable to help smiling before Grey was calling to her outside.
"You look beautiful Julia," the teacher said. "Now your hair…"
"Yeah, that's the problem," Julia replied before they went to the chairs in front of mirrors. Once she was sitting she watched gratefully as Grey was taking the ponytail out and putting her hair down into a bun at the base of her neck. She was pleased with the result before her teacher was speaking to her with a smile as they were looking at each other's reflections in the mirror.
"How do you feel?" Grey asked.
"Good, ready," Julia said, not mentioning she really felt grown up at that moment. She tried not to tear up at the realization she looked a lot like her mother, and she got up saying, "We better go see Peter, he's going to get bored." She led the way out and smiled at her partner when he looked at her with wide eyes. "Don't say anything," she said.
"No, just that if you were my sister I'd be worried about ev…" Peter started to say before he trailed off.
Julia was a little startled and turned before she realized a few of their fellow competitors were glancing at her. She blushed and said, "Oh great," in annoyance.
"Let's just finish and then you can change," Peter said. When his partner nodded he touched her arm and said, "You look just like your mom."
"Thanks, I thought so too," Julia replied. "I did want her to see me when we're finished… the competition."
"Come on," Peter said, taking her hand as Ms. Grey was calling to the two of them.
Waiting impatiently, Beckett soon saw her daughter and Peter coming out into the light on the ballroom and she was smiling widely while she took in how Julia looked. As her daughter had thought; though she didn't know it; she saw a great resemblance to her and was relieved that was the case. Since the song was about to start she swiftly shook that thought from her mind before the announcer finished speaking.
"The sound," Peter groaned under his breath while they were in their hold before the song would start. Julia was standing in front of him, her right foot stretched to the side, her arms were crossed over her chest and he was holding them, waiting for the first lyrics before his partner was whispering back.
"Hope- I think they got it," Julia started to say before she saw the announcer was putting the mic to her lips again. She breathed out as their names were announced; after an apology about the sound; and the music began before Freddie was singing the first verse. With it Peter was spinning her, and they soon got into hold, dancing together around the edges of the ballroom until the song went into the chorus.
It's so easy, but I can't do it
So risky, but I gotta chance it
It's so funny, there's nothing
To laugh about
My money, that's all
You wanna talk about
I can see what you want me to be
But I'm no fool
As Peter dipped Julia on the first lyric, he helped her up before he spun her in time to the pace the words were sung. At the third they were turning as they were passing back and forth under each other's arms before the chorus was over.
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la-la-la, whoa
I can see what you want me to be
But I'm no fool
At the beginning of the second verse, Julia and Peter were back in hold and she was tilting her head away from his slightly. They stayed like that until the third lyric where he was spinning her in time to the 'on and on and' part of it. They got back into hold and were soon dancing the fourth and fifth lyrics before Julia was wrapping her arms under Peter's arms and holding his shoulders while he pivoted them around in time to the last four lyrics before he spun her.
No beginning, there's no ending
There's no meaning in my pretending
Believe me, life goes on and on and
Forgive me when I ask
You where do I belong
You can say I (You can do it)
Can't (You can do it)
Set you free (You can go and set him free)
From me, but that's not true
The rest of the song they were using for the dance Julia and Peter were in hold, dancing normally before he spun her a few times until the song faded after the fifth lyric of the outro and they bowed deeply to the audience while they were applauding.
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la-la-la, whoa
I can see what you want me to be
But I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la-la-la, whoa
Whoa, whoa, la-la
Wah, wah, ooh
But that's not true
It's in the lap of the Gods…
Beckett tried to calm down as the next pair was dancing, having become emotional watching her daughter dancing so expressively with Peter. She was relieved there weren't too many dances left before the announcer was letting the audience know the judges were compiling the scores for each couple. When the dancers were brought back out she found her daughter easily in her ice blue dress before the announcer was speaking.
"We have the scores here," the woman said with a smile, holding up an envelope. "First they want to congratulate you all on some fantastic dancing, let's give them a hand," she told the audience.
"Hurry," Peter commented, not surprised when Julia squeezed his wrist briefly before the woman was saying the first names.
"And in third place we have Graham Van Der Zee and Lea Westley," the announcer was saying.
Julia applauded for the two, watching the boy smile at her before he and his partner got their trophy. When he went by her she made a face as he winked at her and said, "Stupid," though her partner couldn't respond when the announcer was speaking again.
"And in second place," the woman said before pausing momentarily. "Julia Castle and Peter Lennox."
Her hands covering her mouth, Julia turned to Peter and embraced him tightly before they walked arm in arm to get their trophies. She smiled and then walked with him in line, trying not to stare at her trophy before first place was announced. She tried to clap but had a hard time with the trophy in her arms as it was tall but did the best she could until the lights were going off in the ballroom and they were being ushered backstage. "I can't believe it," she told her friend.
"I know… I thought we'd get fifth or sixth," Peter managed to say as Ms. Grey was coming up to them and embracing them at the same time before she spoke.
"I'm so, so proud of you two," the teacher said once she'd let them go a short while later.
"We have to work on the Cha-cha now," Peter commented.
Julia was a little startled when Grey was smiling before holding out a paper saying, "What's that?"
"The scores," Grey replied. "I want you to look at the first and last." She smiled as she could tell when they saw their nearly perfect score for their Tap dance and the perfect score for their Viennese Waltz. "You'll be a great choreographer Julia," she told the girl since she'd suggested many of the steps they'd ended up doing in those two.
"Thanks," she whispered, a little embarrassed but happy to hear it. Julia then turned when she heard her name being called and cried out, "Mom!"
Gathering her daughter into her embrace as soon as she'd reached her, Beckett held her tightly and said, "I'm so proud of you sweetie, you did an amazing job," before pulling back to look her in the eye.
"Thanks, Ms. Grey said the same," Julia replied. "You liked them?"
"They were great," Beckett replied. "And I did see the mistake but that was all I saw from you two."
"Come and see the scores," Julia then said eagerly.
"See?" Beckett asked in surprise though she was following her daughter to Peter and Grey.
"They let me see their scores," the teacher said. "For future competitions, and it was up to me to show them. I thought they needed to see."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said with a smile. "But… how much did the first place pair get?"
"I was going to ask," Peter said. "I don't mind," he said quickly as Grey looked hesitant. "I know I made a mistake."
"One point more," Grey said. She smiled when the pair shared a look and she told them, "You were that good. Do you want to keep competing?" She laughed when they nodded eagerly and said, "Okay, then I'll keep an eye out for future ones." Turning her attention to Beckett she asked, "Do we need to hurry?"
Looking at her father's watch, Beckett shook her head and said, "We need to start leaving but we don't have to rush."
"Then that gives me time to get the DVDs for us," Grey replied. "You two should change."
"Want me to go with you?" Beckett said to her daughter.
"Sure," Julia said with a smile. She walked with her to the dressing rooms and said to Peter, "You'll be okay?"
"Yeah, don't worry," he replied before leaving.
Walking with her daughter into the other room, Beckett said, "Do you want me to call your dad?"
"No… I think I want to surprise him," Julia said with a smile, looking at the trophy before she gave it to her mother.
Watching her head behind the screen, Beckett looked at the trophy, smiling since she knew it was going to be the biggest one her daughter had so far. She was tempted to check her phone for a message from her husband but refrained since she reminded herself he would wait for her to text him. She had planned to do so once they'd landed back in the Hamptons and went around the screen when Julia called to help with her costumes.