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 songs Doing All Right written by Brian May and Tim Staffell, from Queen's self titled album, Lady Gaye written by Richard Starkey, Vini Poncia and Clifford T. Ward, from Ringo Starr's album Ringo's Rotogravure and Rocking Chair in Hawaii written by George Harrison, from his album Brainwashed.
A/N #2: There's a love scene between two women in the second half of this chapter, if you'd like to skip go to where Castle and Beckett are mentioned after it.
A/N #3: It was great receiving the feedback for the last chapter so I'll start my thank you for it! Mb (I wasn't surprised you thought it was nice they had a successful camera shoot. Or that you mentioned the GAC crew surprising them, lol, I had to have them get some activities of course. You're welcome for the first half of the chapter! Great you thought the second half was another nice update. And I wasn't surprised you thought it was interesting they want Eliza to join them for a lockdown. You're right, I figured Eliza would be stronger in her abilities since she's seen Julia with hers while Julia didn't have anything. Also because Skye is there when she wasn't around when Julia was younger for that. I had to laugh at you mentioning Castle and Beckett together in the present and from flashbacks too. Glad to see you thought it was nicely done. I had a great Thanksgiving, thanks, hope you and yours did too! You're welcome for sharing the second half of the chapter!).
Thanks for the review, loved reading it and I appreciate the time taken to write it out and send it my way!
A/N #4: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Einstein on the Beach (For an Eggman) written by Adam Duritz and David Bryson, released as a single by the Counting Crows.
Standing In The Sand
"Is everything open?" Eliza asked her parents while they walked onto the pier.
"That's what Skye told us," Castle said. "And I don't think we would have come over here first if that were the case."
"Oh," Eliza said. She then turned to her mother and said, "Are you going on the rides Mommy?"
"Of course," Beckett replied. "Did you think I wasn't?" she asked in amusement.
"I was checking," Eliza replied, looking up at her when she ran her hand over her hair.
"I'll go on some rides with you," Beckett told her.
"Really?" Eliza asked happily. At her mother's nod she hugged her tightly and said, "Thanks!"
"You're welcome," Beckett said in amusement, watching her hurrying away. She felt a hand on her back and looked at her husband, seeing he appeared thoughtful. "What is it?" she asked him with a smile.
"I have it on good authority we're going to the Ferris wheel first," Castle said.
"Good authority?" Beckett echoed in amusement.
"You know what I mean," Castle said in mock annoyance. He was startled when she hugged him suddenly and he said, "I'm so glad Josie is in her stroller right now."
"You're aware we're taking her with us," Beckett said.
"I had a feeling," Castle said swiftly.
"And you don't mind?" Beckett asked him. When he shook his head firmly she leaned over to kiss his cheek as they were reaching the ride and Skye was calling to them before they were getting into the line. "You'll behave?" she asked Julia and Eliza, the pair with Paul and Nancy.
"Yep," Eliza said swiftly before her sister was speaking after her.
"Of course, don't worry about us," Julia said. "But you better watch Aaron."
"Hey!" the paranormal investigator said in mock protest. He laughed with the others before he said, "Why aren't I going with you?"
"We'll go on the roller coaster together, remember?" Julia asked him.
"Oh, right," Aaron said, pretending to have forgotten that before he fist bumped with her.
After they were in their car, Castle looked at his wife and said, "So."
"We're finally alone and all you can say is so?" Beckett teased him. She couldn't help laughing when he nodded slowly, and she leaned over to him and brushed her lips to his.
"We're starting?" Castle asked, exaggerating his eager tone of voice.
"No," Beckett said firmly. "We're enjoying this ride with Josie."
"Me Mama?" the baby asked, sitting on her father's lap.
"Mind if I kiss your mom really quick?" Castle said to her. When she smiled he told Beckett, "That's a yes," before he leaned over and kissed his wife.
Beckett was startled when her husband made that deep and she told him when they'd parted, "You're going to have to be careful."
"Yes but… I don't want to be," Castle said, gently rubbing Josie's back.
"Wa'er," the baby said, pointing to the ocean.
"Water," Castle said, turning to his wife when she put her hand on his arm.
"Don't teach her a lesson now," Beckett said, smiling. She then leaned into him, kissing him tenderly before she said, "We should stop."
"I'm getting déjà vu," Castle told her.
"I'm not surprised," Beckett replied. "But I am serious."
Turning his attention to Josie, Castle saw she was watching them, and he said, "If I asked you again you'd say no I'm guessing."
"I think so," Beckett said before the baby could. She moved slightly so her husband could wrap his arm around her waist and leaning against him told him, "Don't think about this morning."
"I can't help it, but it was nice," Castle said.
"It was," Beckett responded. She smiled when he leaned down into her and kissed her gently before they were watching the view while they continued around the wheel.
Feeling something pressing to her shoulder, Beckett turned to lay on her back at the same time she opened her eyes. Smiling at her husband she said, "Good morning?"
"It is," Castle replied before he was brushing his lips to hers. "Good morning."
"What were you dreaming about?" Beckett asked him.
"You," Castle said swiftly before he kissed her a little harder.
Stopping him the best she could, Beckett said with a smile, "I dreamt about you. What was yours about?"
Explaining it to his wife, Castle was a little startled at his wife's smile growing wider before he said, "You too?"
"Of course, it was what we were talking about before we went to sleep," Beckett replied. She cupped his cheek and then said, "And everything worked out in the end though you nearly started a fire."
"No I didn't," Castle said. When she was smiling he leaned down to her and kissed her deeply before he shifted slightly when she grasped his ass. "Kate," he breathed.
"Please," Beckett replied simply before her husband was moving and together they worked to help his length slide in her. She bit her lower lip and grasped his shoulders at how rigid he was before his hips were pressing to hers and she breathed out to him, "We… I don't think we have much time."
"We don't, but I'm going to make love to you," Castle said firmly though his voice was a little distorted by his pleasure in how she desired him already. He kissed her then before he moved gently at first, knowing he needed to make sure she was fully aroused. When he pulled away from their kiss he moved to her breasts, brushing his lips to them before he suckled at her nipples, hearing her crying out in joy before he moved to press his forehead against hers.
"You can… I'm ready… for you to… fuck me love," Beckett managed to say before he was taking her lips. She responded to him eagerly before he was moving to her neck, sucking at it a little hard before he was thrusting harder. While she began to cry out, she was startled when he stopped and pulled away to speak against her lips.
"When we get home," Castle began. "I'm making love to you for hours."
"I hope you do," Beckett replied before they were kissing passionately. While he was taking her hard she kept her arms and legs around him though it was harder for her to move with him. But he was still getting a satisfying smack on her hips when they met, and she was greatly pleased before she realized she was getting close to the edge. Warning her husband about that, she wasn't surprised when he was movingly seemingly faster, and she cried out to him a few moments before her orgasm struck her. Calling her husband's name, she was squeezing at his shoulders tightly when he joined her, and she tried to continue to move until she was completely spent.
Doing his best not to collapse on his wife, Castle was doing his best to kiss at her neck though he was just barely moving. When he felt a little stronger he pulled back and moved to kiss her on the lips though she'd been about to speak. After pulling away he was asking her, "You were saying?"
Laughing softly Beckett brushed her lips to his and said, "That we should stop."
"I was aware, I don't want to though," Castle said.
"Neither do I," Beckett said shortly. "But we need to." She couldn't help smiling at her husband's grumbling once he'd withdrawn from her and was getting off the bed. "Sorry about tonight," she said while she followed him.
"Oh don't worry," Castle said, starting to walk to the bathroom. "You're right, we have an early flight and I'd like to be back to our bed." He turned, expecting her right behind him when he saw she was standing by the bed. "Kate?" he asked in slight concern.
Shaking her head Beckett said, "I need to go in on my own."
"Oh… do you want to go first?" Castle asked in concern when he realized what she needed to do.
Shaking her head Beckett said, "I think I'll wait for you."
"I'm going to insist," Castle said, going back to her and making her walk ahead of him. "Though I hate you having to take out my come."
"It's necessary," Beckett replied, smiling at him. "And believe me I hate doing it too. So tomorrow night you'll indulge me?"
"As long as you want," Castle said firmly before they were sharing a kiss. He let her go, looking at the closed door for a moment before he hurried to get ready so they could leave for the pier.
"I hope you guys know where to go," Aaron said once they were off the ride and gathered together, looking at Skye when the investigator began to speak.
"Of course we do, and it'll be the roller coaster," Skye said. "After that the little kid rides since of course we have Josie here."
"How many can she go on?" Billy asked.
"A few," Mary answered. "I mean that literally, just three though I think she meets the height requirement for others."
"Should we go to those first?" Zak asked. "I'm guessing you guys are going to go back to them."
"We're not staying all day," Skye said. "But if no one minds then we'll head to the one nearest us right now."
"Furthest," Beckett said.
Looking at her friend, Skye was about to speak before she paused and thought that over. Nodding she then told her, "You make a good point; so I guess we're going to the other end."
"What is there?" Paul asked.
"I forgot to ask the two of you," Skye said, looking at the singer and his wife. "What exactly are you going to do here?"
"You mentioned something about a rollercoaster," Nancy said with a smile.
"Oh sure, but if there's anything else you want to go to just let us know," Skye said before they had reached the ride. "Someone's going to need to go with her," she told Castle and Beckett though she soon after looked at Jim and Martha.
"You should love," Castle told his wife immediately, not surprised when she focused on him before she was turning her attention to Josie in her arms and directing her question to the baby.
"Who would you like to go with on this ride sweetie?" Beckett asked.
"Mama," Josie said quickly.
"I told you," Castle said teasingly to his wife. He smiled when she gave him a look and then turned to Josie, kissing her temple. "Have fun."
"You're not going on this?" Paul asked him jokingly.
"Would you fit?" Jay asked.
"And you?" Castle said swiftly. He wasn't surprised when the paranormal investigator laughed before they were turning their attention to the kids and Beckett on the ride.
"I'm surprised Julia went," Martha murmured to her son.
"Me too, but I think she went for Josie," Castle replied. He waved to the baby when he saw Beckett was pointing him out to her and the boats began to revolve. He took a few pictures with his wife's camera that she'd handed to him, before watching and waving whenever they were passing. After they were off the ride and outside he said to the baby, "Have fun with that sweetheart?"
"I go," Josie said.
"On a boat," Eliza murmured to her.
"Boats!" Josie exclaimed, jumping up. She squealed when her father picked her up, setting her on his shoulders before they were walking again. "Boats Dada?" she asked.
"Not this time," Castle said, glancing at his wife when she was speaking to Skye.
"So what exactly is next?" Beckett was asking.
"My kind of ride," Skye said with a smile.
"They're planes!" Eliza said when she spotted the ride first. "I saw it before though."
"Still, you think Josie will like it?" Iris asked her.
"She will," Beckett said. She smiled when Eliza immediately turned to her and told her, "Are you going to go?"
"Yeah," Eliza said eagerly. She took her mother's hand and said, "Is Jules going to go?"
"No, Marie and Kath are staying off it," Beckett answered.
"Oh… then… who else is going?" Eliza asked.
"Skye and Mary are taking their youngest, Paul and Nancy said they'd go too," Beckett told her.
"Cool," Eliza said. She looked over at her big sister, wanting to see if she was still there or going on another ride.
"What exactly are we supposed to take you three kids to?" Zak asked jokingly.
"I have no idea," Marie said before she and her twin laughed.
"Not the arcade," Julia said. She smiled when Aaron looked at her, since he'd been glancing at it. "At least not yet; I know my dad will want to go."
"Then…" the paranormal investigator started to say.
"Want to go look at the arcade?" Kathleen asked.
"I think I'll wait," Zak said. "We probably should anyway since you mentioned your dad."
"He wouldn't be mad," Julia said in amusement since he'd been talking to her. She was about to mention walking around the rides they'd passed already when she heard her little sister calling to her.
"Jules!" Josie cried. "Jules here!"
"I'm here," Julia replied with a smile. "Don't worry." She waved to the baby before she looked at Aaron and Billy who were flanking her. "You don't have to stay."
"We know but we remembered how short this'll probably be," the latter said.
"You should have gone on this ride," Kathleen said, standing on the other side of Aaron with her twin and the rest of the GAC men.
"Yeah, all four of us on the plane," Zak said with a laugh.
"My daughter would never have allowed it," Liam commented, standing with them.
"No, but we would have had a great time teasing her about it," Jay said.
"We can do that right now," Aaron said. "Ride's over."
"There is one more ride, what will you four do?" Pablo asked them.
"No clue," Zak said firmly before they were turning to the exit while the rest of their group was walking out to them.
"I'll go on the ride," Julia said to her parents when they walked up to her with her little sisters. She couldn't help smiling at their shock before her mother was speaking first and in amusement.
"You knew we were going to ask," Beckett stated instead of asking.
"Of course but… why did we pass it?" Julia asked, gesturing over her shoulder at the ride with balloons.
"Ask Skye," Castle said, the investigator walking past them.
"Hey, it's one of my favorites," Skye said in mock protest. "Do you guys mind?" she asked the others.
"No way, could we go on it too?" Aaron asked.
"Of course," Skye said. "Though I wonder at you all sharing one," she added as they approached the ride.
"I don't think we'd get off the ground," Billy said before they were laughing.
"Great, take some of our girls," Mary said before Zak was speaking quickly to hers and Skye's five girls.
"Alright, which ones are going with your mothers?" the paranormal investigator asked.
"I guess these three," Skye said in amusement when the three youngest walked to her and her wife.
"I don't think we're all going to fit in one though," Mary said.
"Where are you going?" Castle asked Julia. He wasn't surprised when she shrugged and he looked over at Paul asking, "Are you going on the ride?"
"We can," the singer replied, looking at his wife who nodded. "Anyone else?"
"I'll go," Marie said rapidly.
With that the group went through the line and Martha and Jim leaned against the railing outside it, watching and waving to their younger granddaughters.
"Are you waiting for the shopping?" Jim asked Castle's mother.
"I am," Martha said with a laugh. "Though I wouldn't begrudge the children's fun."
"They wouldn't let you," Jim commented.
"No," Martha replied, smiling before they were waving again as the balloon with their children and younger grandchildren went by. Once the ride had stopped she went over to the exit, insisting Beckett give her Josie while they were making their way back to the end of the park to go through the other rides.
"So we've gone on everything twice," Mary was saying. "And now it's definitely lunch."
"Where are we going?" Fleur asked.
"We're well aware where you want to go," Skye said. "But we need to ask-"
"I'm okay with it," Peter said.
Looking at the teen Skye asked, "Did they tell you where it is?"
"I'm sort of guessing but I remember from last time," Peter answered before Aaron was speaking.
"Okay, does someone want to let us know?" he asked.
"Japadog," Skye replied.
"Oh… wait I didn't see a place here for that," Aaron said, starting out eagerly before he trailed off.
"You've had it?" Paul asked.
"Yeah, when we went to Vancouver for this past season," Zak said.
"And you… like it, don't like it?" Skye asked in obvious concern.
"Don't worry, we do, we're just surprised you want to pick that," Jay said.
"You saw the cart just now?" Mary asked. When the four men nodded she laughed and turned to Paul and Nancy before the latter was speaking first.
"We're assuming they have a veggie hot dog?" she asked.
"They do, you just have to let them know," Skye said. "So we're all in agreement?" she asked everyone else. When they were nodding, even Josie, she couldn't help laughing before she gestured for them to follow her.
"Hey, what about those games and the arcade?" Aaron asked while they were passing the midway games.
"After lunch," Kathleen told him. "So we can digest lunch before we go to the Promenade."
"Again, if you guys want to stay here you can," Skye told them rapidly since they were getting in line for the cart.
"We might keep following you," Billy said. "What? Some of us are riding in their cars," he said when his co-investigators were looking at him.
"The kids are going?" Zak asked.
"They are," Beckett said firmly when Julia and Eliza were looking at her. She smiled and told them, "I guessed." She saw her husband was frowning and she squeezed his arm murmuring to him, "I want them to stay with us," before he was responding to her.
"So do I, just making sure," Castle said. "If you wanted to go," he added hurriedly when she looked at him questioningly.
"I'm fine," Beckett said with a smile before she looked at the menu. She called Julia and Eliza to her eventually and asked, "Do you know what you two want?"
"What're you getting?" Eliza asked first.
"We're both getting the Kurobuta Terimayo," Castle answered before his wife could say anything. When he noticed she was looking at him he said, "I guessed."
"You're lucky," Beckett told him teasingly before she turned back to the girls.
"I can get the Terimayo one right?" Eliza asked.
"Of course," Beckett said, not surprised she was sticking with her pick the first time they'd gone there.
"I might try the same one as you," Julia said.
"I'll go ask our parents," Castle told his wife, kissing her cheek before he left them.
"What's Josa going to have?" Eliza asked her mother.
"Bites of my hot dog," Beckett answered. "And we'll get fries."
"Cool," Eliza said, laughing when her mother did the same before she hugged her. She took her kiss and then said, "Which ones?"
"The Aonori," Castle said, walking back to them. "Your dad asked me," he told his wife in explanation. He kissed her cheek again, handing her Josie while he said, "And she demanded to come over here."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said before the baby was speaking almost sternly.
"Mama beach," Josie said.
"You want to go down there?" Castle asked her.
"Eh," Josie said as he looked at him.
"We can go right?" Julia asked them.
"Yeah, after lunch," Castle said, looking at his wife.
Smiling Beckett asked, "You don't want to make sure with me about that?"
"No, I'm good," Castle said before he turned his attention to ordering. Once he'd done so he waited with some of the others for the food before he said to Skye, "Why shopping?"
"Again, the girls," the investigator said firmly.
Chuckling Liam said to the others, "She's not a fan of it."
"Just the bookstore," Skye replied, pointing to her father.
"And a few others," Liam reminded her.
"True," Skye said with a nod before her name was called first.
"I'm still wondering what you guys are going to do exactly," Castle said to Jay while they were waiting with Paul.
"Just us?" the AV tech asked with a smile.
"Basically," Castle replied, nodding rapidly.
"They mentioned a bookstore," Jay commented.
"There is, large one with three stories," Paul commented. "We've gone in it and the collection is massive."
"It's not just books," Castle said. "But you've been in a Barnes and Noble before."
"A few," Jay said before they were turning their attention to the cart when his name was called.
"You're going to be by yourself," Castle told the singer in amusement when they were alone.
"Unless you stay," Paul said.
"I don't know if I can," Castle said, glancing towards the tables the others in their group were sitting at. Looking back at him he said, "Though I can always send Nancy back-" before he was interrupted by both their names being called.
"At least you don't have to worry about that now," Paul said teasingly to him while they walked up to get their food.
"Oh I know, thought Julia would have come over here if not your wife," Castle said. They walked together to the tables and he went to the one his wife and daughters were sitting at. "You don't want me to take her?" he asked.
"She's fine," Beckett said firmly, holding Josie on her lap. "Hold on sweetie," she told the baby firmly since she was trying to reach for the French fries.
"Here," Castle said, handing one to her before he sat. After they had their food he watched Julia and Eliza to make sure they were alright with their hot dogs before he focused on his. He wasn't surprised the girls were eating quietly since they'd done a lot of walking already and when they were finishing he told them, "Are you sure you guys want to go to the beach? You're not tired?"
"No way," Julia said first.
"Yeah," Eliza said, turning to their father after she'd been looking at her big sister. "We're not tired and we just ate."
"Don't," Beckett said in amusement when her husband pretended to have trouble with what the little girl had said.
"Right, help me you two," Castle said before they were clearing their trash. Once they'd finished Skye was calling to them to head to the stairs on the side of the pier. Down on the sand he asked his wife, "Are you going to let her go?"
"I will, but closer to the water," Beckett replied. She nearly stumbled and thanked her husband when he was helping her before they were reaching the firmer sand.
"Now don't run away, your mom almost fell," Castle said in a mock serious tone of voice to the baby.
"Mama fall?" Josie asked, looking up at her.
"I'm fine," Beckett said before she and Castle were turning their attention to Eliza when she rushed up to them while she was speaking rapidly.
"Can we take off our shoes?" the little girl asked hopefully.
"No," Beckett said. "We're not going to be here for that long."
"And I don't think you want sand in your socks or shoes," Castle said quickly when Eliza's hopeful look dropped off her face. "Right?"
"That's true," the little girl said slowly. "But we can go without socks at home right?"
"As long as it's warm enough," Beckett agreed. She watched Eliza hurrying over to the other kids and turned to her husband.
"What?" Castle asked in surprise at her look.
"Nothing," Beckett said with a smile.
"Are you sure? Because that look…" Castle started to say before he trailed off.
"That look what?" Beckett responded, still smiling.
"You're scaring me," Castle teased her. When she cupped his cheek he leaned over to her, kissing her before she was pulling back with a brief gasp and he looked to see Josie was walking quickly down the sand.
"I have her," Julia told her parents swiftly. She had her baby sister's hand and told her, "You can't go in the water Josa."
"I go," Josie said, pointing to the waves.
"Not this time," Beckett said, walking up to them.
"Mama?" Josie asked.
"I think she's asking if she's in trouble," Julia told their mother.
"You're not," Beckett assured the baby. "But stay with us," she added.
"Too bad there aren't any shells," Eliza commented.
"I know," Aaron agreed. "I'd take a bunch of them back home."
"Because you can?" Ivy asked.
"Exactly," Aaron said. "Nothing attached to them or anything."
"Maybe some seaweed," Skye commented.
"Grá, put that down," Mary said in a mock scolding tone.
"And what am I supposed to do what that?" Aaron said as the investigator was holding some seaweed in her hand.
"Nothing, just pointing out we ate this at lunch," Skye replied before she smiled at Fleur when she hurried up to her and spoke eagerly.
"Mummy could we go back to the pier?" the little girl was asking.
"Why? And why are you only asking me?" Skye said in amusement.
"Because," Fleur replied.
"You don't want to add anything to me?" Mary asked her then.
"We'd like dessert," Fleur said.
"Yeah, can we get something on the pier?" Eliza asked.
"You know we're probably going to have something after dinner," Mary said.
"Where is dinner?" Castle asked the doctor and investigator.
Smiling Skye said, "Home. But your mom is right girls… and the rest of the kids," adding the last teasingly and smiling when they laughed. "We'll have dessert at home."
"Then what are we going to do now?" Ivy asked.
"Are you guys done?" Skye asked the kids. "And you adults as well," she told the GAC crew teasingly.
"Yeah, I found one shell," Aaron said, holding it up.
"This beach doesn't have a ton," Mary said.
"Still nice though," Zak said.
"He wants to go," Billy said laughingly.
"Yeah, you can tell by his tone," Jay added.
"And all the black he's wearing," Aaron added.
"Are you going to start fighting?" Martha asked.
"No," Zak said. "Though you see what I have to deal with sometimes," he added jokingly before they were making their way back to the stairs.
"Josa," Julia said when her sister broke away from her. She hurried after her before she playfully picked her up and waited for their father to catch up to them while he was speaking at the same time.
"Where do you want to go now Josie?" Castle asked. He wasn't surprised when the baby started to cry and he reached for her, picking her up and telling his wife, "I wondered if she was going to need a nap."
"Of course she was," Beckett replied with a smile. When her husband was trying to hand their baby to her she shook her head and told him, "You've got her."
"Luckily Mother's ready with the stroller," Castle said before turning his attention to the baby. "Are you alright now?" he asked since she had stopped crying. When Josie's response was to wrap her arms around his neck and press against him he kissed the top of her head before he rubbed his hand on her back to get her to sleep. He glanced at Beckett when he felt the baby soon relaxing and at her nod took Josie to the stroller. "Will you be alright with her?" he asked his mother.
"I will," Martha replied with a smile. "How was it?"
"Fun, but I didn't get to put my feet in the water," Eliza explained.
"No?" Martha asked.
"Mommy and Daddy talked about sand in my socks and shoes," Eliza replied.
"Too bad, but we'll be home soon kiddo," Martha said.
Nodding Eliza said, "I asked."
"Where are we going now?" Martha asked, turning her attention to her son and daughter in law who were straightening up at the same time from the stroller.
"The Promenade don't worry Mother," Castle said with a smile. Turning to his wife he said, "What will we do about Josie though?"
"Stay with her," Beckett said firmly, not surprised her husband immediately began to protest.
"And you're not going to shop?" Castle asked. "We've been-"
"I don't really need to Rick," Beckett interrupted him, squeezing his hand firmly. "All I wanted to do was go to the bookstore."
"You're sure," Castle said, about to say something different but stopping himself when he saw the expression on his wife's face. When she nodded he then said, "I don't blame you, I'd like to go there too."
"Nowhere else?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"Not really," Castle said. "Unless you insist."
"No way," Beckett replied immediately. "Then you're going to insist I pick another store." She smiled again when her husband frowned before pointing at him and saying, "Don't say no, I already know you're planning on it."
"Okay, okay," Castle said in mock annoyance. When she squeezed his hand again he told her, "But you want to stay with her?"
"I'd like to walk," Beckett began. "With you pushing the stroller while I take pictures."
"Sure," Castle said rapidly. When she stopped him he was ready for her and they were kissing each other gently before they hurried to catch up to everyone else.
"Are we going through the park?" Beckett asked Skye when they'd met up with her and Paul.
"Yeah, to the north end of it," the investigator replied.
"What're you two planning," Beckett said in mock suspicion when the pair shared a look.
"Something we're going to ask the others about," Paul said.
"If it's singing I don't think you need to ask them," Castle told the pair quickly.
"Her insistence," Paul replied.
"Sing Mummy!" Iris called out.
"Back at home," Skye said with a laugh before they were reaching Wilshire and she called to everyone to make sure they'd go down the street to 3rd.
"Why am I in here with you?" Beckett asked Skye.
"Not the reason you think," the investigator replied. She looked up at her friend and smiled at the expression on her face before she said, "No, I wanted you to look at this."
Watching her friend, Beckett was surprised when she pulled out a model plane before she was turning it towards her. "Your design," she said in surprise.
"Yeah, they made a few more and I snagged this one," Skye replied, letting Beckett take it.
"Why did you ask me to see this?" the writer said with a slight frown.
"Do you think Julia would like that? To keep," Skye said swiftly.
"Of course, but that's just me," Beckett said with a smile. "Give it to her and ask her."
"Wow, so rude," Skye said jokingly.
"Sometimes I have to be," Beckett said in the same tone before they laughed together and headed out of the office and into the entry. "Though aren't they still upstairs?" she asked as she heard laughing above them before Mary was hurrying down the hall towards her wife while she spoke at the same time.
"The kids are coming downstairs now," the doctor said. "They're demanding the concert."
"Dinner?" Beckett asked, watching the investigator looking at her watch.
"We have time," Skye replied. "But I have something to talk to Julia about."
"Oh finally," Mary said in obvious relief. She smiled when her wife looked at her, Beckett shortly after, and said to the latter, "She's been wondering for a while if Julia would."
"And then the concert," Skye called to the two while she was walking away from them.
"Grá, your guitars!" Mary called back. When her wife merely waved to her she sighed and said to Beckett, "Mind helping me?"
"No, though I don't think Skye was intending to leave it to you," she replied.
"Oh I know, but we'll save time," Mary said while they went into the office and she saw the cases on her wife's desk. "And it'll make her annoyed I didn't wait for her."
Beckett couldn't help laughing, taking the top two cases, and she said, "You two are interesting."
"You mean the fact we're still married?" Mary asked. At the writer's nod she said, "We use it to our advantage; I think you and Rick do the same."
"I think so," Beckett said before they were laughing and leaving to walk to the family room where everyone was gathered.
"Mom!" Julia started to say.
"Hey! We were supposed to get those after this grá," Skye told her wife seeing the guitar cases.
"Well I saved us some time," Mary said.
"What is it sweetie?" Beckett then asked her second oldest. She smiled when Julia showed her the model plane before she watched her give it to Eliza with a smile. "Really?" she asked her daughter.
"Yep," Julia said. "I have one already," she added, looking at Skye.
"That's what you were trying to tell me?" the investigator asked. When the teen nodded she smiled and said, "I don't blame you." Turning to everyone Skye said, "By the way you're looking between us you're expecting that concert."
"You do have guitars," Liam said.
"A lot of them," Pablo added.
Laughing with her wife Mary then said, "The one thing we need to know is do we do this here or outside?"
"Outside!" Iris exclaimed. "The weather is really nice now."
"Alright," Mary said as her wife was looking to her. "The one thing we need is the amp."
"I'll get it," Skye pretended to grumble. She brushed her lips to her wife's in passing before she went back to her office and could hear the others leaving for the backyard since the dogs were barking. When she was back outside she was setting the amp at the back of the patio before her wife was stepping up to her, murmuring into her ear shortly after.
"Do you have anything in mind to sing?" Mary asked her.
"No, I thought the kids would say something," Skye replied. "Should I ask?" She then studied her wife and asked, "You have something in mind don't you?"
Watching the two women, Zak asked, "Are they going to keep talking?"
"No, we're ready," Skye said. "And we'll take requests in a second once we talk to Paul."
Watching the investigator take the singer to the guitars, Julia frowned a little when Skye was shaking her head before pointing to the house. "What's wrong?" she asked Marie and Kathleen.
"I'm not sure, though maybe it's using the phone or the guitars?" the former asked the two sitting with her.
"Maybe," Kathleen said with a nod.
"Okay, I guess I'm performing this by hand," Skye said while they walked over to the others, holding her guitar.
"You don't want to?" Ivy asked her.
Shaking her head, Skye said, "Just kidding, though this one is going to be the three of us."
Beckett set Josie down when the baby began to squirm on her lap before she said to her friend, "You're still using the phone."
"We kind of have to," Mary replied before her wife could speak. When the writer nodded, she started the song before the piano began and she smiled at her wife and Paul, the latter looking at a piece of paper her wife had given him before Skye was beginning to sing.
Yesterday, my life was in ruin
Now today, I know what I'm doin'
Got a feeling I should be doing all right
Castle, aware of the song already, shared a glance with his wife when all three were singing the refrain, Mary looking at the paper with Paul. He smiled at their harmonies and leaned back watching the three while they continued the song.
Doing all right
Where will I be this time tomorrow?
Jumped in joy or sinking in sorrow?
Anyway, I should be doing all right
Doing all right
Should be waiting for the sun
Looking 'round to find the words to say
Should be waiting for the skies to clear
Every time in all the world
Should be waiting for the sun
And anyway, I've got to hide away
Julia jumped a little when Skye suddenly began playing the guitar solo before she was cheering, watching Ivy rush to her mother until she was slowing down and singing with Paul and Mary again.
Ah-ah-ah-ah, ooh
Yesterday, my life was in ruin
Now today, God knows what I'm doin'
Anyway, I should be doing all right
Doing all right
Skye played the other solo until she, her wife and Paul were singing together, "Doing all right," before the song was finishing. "Thank you," she told them with a smile since they were applauding. "I'm glad you enjoyed that one."
"And I absolutely had to sing," Paul stated instead of asking before Julia was speaking laughingly.
"I think that was really nice," the teen said.
"She's right," Nancy said, smiling when her husband turned to her. "Good vocals."
"Thank you," Paul said, sitting next to her and kissing her. "Next song please," he told the two women before Mary was responding.
"Really demanding," the doctor said jokingly. "But I had something in mind."
"You do?" Skye asked her wife.
"I do," Mary replied.
Watching the doctor whisper into Skye's ear, Beckett said, "It's not playable?" as Mary was then getting her phone.
"Not exactly," Skye replied. She waited for her wife to start the song before she listened to the music at the beginning until she began to sing with Mary's help.
Lady Gaye
I know you'll never, ever change your way
There is no one who's been through more than you
And still come through with love to spare
You really care
You lovely lady, you
Lady Gaye
You're really not the woman you portray
Well, I don't mean that disrespectfully
For you have always shared your home
With all who've come to love you like I do
To love you like I do
Julia watched in surprise when Skye began to play the electric guitar after that, glancing at Peter. She had to smother her laughter at the expression on her partner's face but couldn't talk to him since the couple were singing again.
It's time that all you people turned to look
And take a leaf out of this lady's book
Lady Gaye
When morning comes there's nothing left to say
But you have shown me what life's all about
It's time to shout your praises 'round
They'll never knock you down
We love you, Lady Gaye
Well, it's time to shout your praises 'round
They'll never knock you down
We love you, Lady Gaye
We love you, Lady Gaye
We love you, Lady Gaye (love you)
We love you, Lady Gaye (love you)
We love you, Lady Gaye (love you)
We love you, Lady Gaye (love you)
"Aren't there a ton of I love yous there?" Castle asked when the two stopped singing.
"Yeah, but we don't have all night you know," Skye commented. She looked to Paul and asked, "Not bad?"
"It's not my song," the singer said with a smile. "But it was good. I liked your playing though you mentioned something about not being able to play?"
"She tries not to since it's short," Mary commented, smiling herself at her wife. She watched Ivy hug her tightly before pulling away just as the chime for the gate in front sounded inside the house.
"Easy you guys," Skye told the dogs sternly. "Got to grab that," she said to the others, leaving and just barely hearing her daughter talking to Mary.
"But I wanted to hear you sing again," Ivy said.
Holding her hands out to the girls, Mary stopped them and said, "Don't worry, we will after dinner, but we need to eat first, okay?" She couldn't help smiling at the tones of their voices before they were going inside, and she went to the entry to help her wife.
"Do we still not know what we're having?" Eliza asked her parents, hurrying over to them.
"We'll find out right now," Beckett assured her.
"Hmm, it smells… familiar," Paul said as Skye and Mary were walking in with the bags.
"Extremely," Liam said, tapping the singer's arm and nodding.
"We have veggie options," Skye said in a rush.
"We trust you," Nancy said with a smile at the investigator's tone of voice. "British?"
"Is it the restaurant you took us to before?" Jay asked. "By the beach?"
"Ye Olde King's Head, I've taken all of you there," Skye commented. "I'd have had us eat there in a room on our own but since you four got recognized as much as you did at the Promenade…"
"This isn't bad," Zak said. "And you are right."
"Too bad," Marie said suddenly. She smiled when the others were looking at her and told them, "I wanted to go to the store."
"Oh no," Mary said firmly while she and her wife were taking out the containers. "We have dessert here," she added before her wife was speaking rapidly.
"But you're not finding out about it yet," Skye said. "But you will know." She then went to the dining room though Castle stopped her before she could walk fully into the next room.
"How did you order for us?" the writer asked.
"I did mention something about taking all of you there," Skye answered. She smiled when he nodded rapidly, and she hurried over to the table to set down her father and stepfather's dishes of Shepard's Pie. She and Mary were going back and forth, putting down everyone's food until the places were set and the girls had set down the napkins and utensils. "Okay, does everyone have their drinks?" she asked, back in the kitchen.
"We do," Iris said rapidly.
"Then we can go and sit before everything gets cold," Mary said, and she and her wife led them to the table.