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 Home Again written by Bernie Taupin from Elton John's album The Diving Board, Pinball Wizard written by Pete Townsend, the version I've taken from is sung by Elton John from the Tommy movie soundtrack album and Skyline Pigeon written by Bernie Taupin from the Elton John album Empty Sky.
A/N #2: I was really happy to see the feedback I got for the last chapter so I'll go, ahead and get to my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (I was pleased you always like the talk between Beckett and Julia, those moments are great to write!) and
Mb (It was really nice to read you thought the last chapter was a great update! And I'm not surprised you were laughing at Julia saying that she would stay in the car and didn't. I actually pulled Castle from the first episode of the series for that, lol, sort of a hint that though she isn't his biological daughter she is like him. Though I wasn't surprised that you have heard and said those words yourself, lol. I also wasn't surprised that you were glad that Skye had a method for Julia to keep spirits jumping her body without her permission, definitely had to put that in. I was glad seeing you though them being surprised at seeing who killed Leo. And you're welcome for sharing the first half of the chapter!
A/N #3: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Pisces Fish written by George Harrison, from his album Brainwashed.
Sort All Of These Things Out
"Alright, Mary and I have our tickets; we'll be out of your hair soon."
Turning to look at Skye, Castle said, "You realize you could stay until after the ball." When he saw the smile on her face he said, "Unless you did that already."
"I asked Kate before Mary and I went to our room," Skye explained. She wasn't surprised when Castle was looking at his watch and reminded her, "The girls have a minimum day today; all of them; so we asked and they said it's fine as long as we come back Sunday; which we will. I hope you won't mind us staying at the loft."
"We won't," Castle assured her. He set the plate he'd been cleaning into the dishwasher and said, "I think Kate was going to mention it to you if you hadn't gotten the tickets already. One thing…"
Sighing Skye said, "I tried but I can't get a hotel."
"You can stay at the loft, I just said," Castle replied, closing the dishwasher. He suddenly realized what the investigator had meant and said, "It's not Valentine's Day."
"Vegas?" Skye asked.
"Yes, but don't tell Kate," Castle replied. He saw the expression on her face and said, "She mentioned it."
"I told her Mary and I were going to wait for Valentine's Day ourselves," Skye said. "She said you two were intending to do the same. Which I don't blame you for; that villa of course." She smiled when the writer was laughing and then said after a moment, "I'm surprised she's staying up there?"
"Why wouldn't she?" Castle asked, drying his hands. "Josie's taking her nap with them too." When the investigator nodded, he told her, "I'm heading into the office."
"I'm going to find my wife," Skye replied easily.
Castle watched her heading down the hall to the family room and went into the office, thinking of his wife upstairs with their daughters for the baby's nap.
"Mom," Julia said.
"Yes?" Beckett asked, walking over to Josie's bed where the girl was sitting. She wasn't surprised when Julia frowned for a moment before she then spoke.
"Do I really have to take a nap?" she said.
"I told you sweetie, just lay down," Beckett replied. "If you can't sleep then don't worry."
"Will Josa be okay with us?" Julia said since she couldn't really argue with that.
"She will, I'm not sleeping," Beckett replied. "Go on, lay down," she told her second oldest.
Climbing onto the bed after slipping out of her slippers, Julia lay with her back close to the wall, watching as her mother set her baby sister down. "Hey, you have to take a nap," she said when Josie immediately tried to push herself up. She helped her lay down on her back before they watched together while their mother was laying on her side next to them.
"Are you going to relax?" Beckett asked her daughter with a smile.
"Yeah, don't worry," Julia replied. "But I do feel better."
"I can tell," Beckett said. "I was watching you while we had lunch," she told her firmly.
"Of course you were, you're my mom," Julia said jokingly. She smiled when her mother cupped her cheek before she said, "Night."
"Goodnight Julia, Josie," Beckett said, smiling at her daughters. She held the baby's hand while she watched her falling asleep, soon looking at her second oldest and finding the girl was out by then as well. She let out a sigh of relief under her breath at Julia sleeping, since she had wanted her daughter to regain her energy completely before school was over. She watched her daughters, listening to their deep, even breathing before she heard someone approaching the room. She didn't move to see who it was, already aware before her husband's hand was gently squeezing her shoulder while he spoke in a whisper.
"It's two-thirty," Castle told her.
"I thought so," Beckett said, unable to check her father's watch because her wrist was under the pillow she was laying on.
"She slept," Castle commented, indicating Julia.
"I know, she was going to just lay down," Beckett said, nodding slightly. "But I thought she was probably tired still."
"And you were right," Castle said, before he realized Julia was starting to move.
Stretching her arms above her head and looking to her right seeing her father standing next to the bed, Julia said, "Are you staying here?"
"It's two-thirty," Castle said.
"Really?" Julia asked in surprise. She looked at Josie and smiled at her baby sister before she said seriously, "Mom, Dad?"
"Yeah?" "Yes," Castle and Beckett said at the same time.
"I think I want kids of my own when I grow up," Julia said shyly.
"Oh, thank you for saying when you were grown up," Castle said in mock relief.
Laughing with her mother, Julia was about to speak again when she looked at her sister and saw Josie's nose was scrunched up. "I think she's up," she said before she paused. "And needs her diaper changed."
"I'll take care of her," Castle said, moving out of the way of his wife so she could get up. "Go ahead Julia."
"I can't believe I slept," the girl said when she and her mother walked down the hall. Julia smiled at her mother while Beckett's arm was wrapped tightly around her shoulders before she started to tease her.
"I knew you might sweetie, but don't worry," Beckett began. "You'll have enough energy when Mari comes over."
Since she had slipped into her room, Julia saw what time it was and said, "Oh! She'll be here soon! I have to change."
Watching her daughter stepping in further, Beckett smiled since she hadn't changed out of her uniform. Turning down the hall, she saw Castle was leaving Josie's room and the baby was on his hip. "She's set?" she asked her husband, cupping Josie's cheek.
"She is," Castle replied before the baby was speaking.
"Jules go?" Josie asked.
"No, she's in her room," Beckett replied with a smile. She went to the door and knocked on it before telling Julia, "We'll be downstairs sweetie."
"Okay," the girl called back.
As they were heading down the stairs, Castle heard the doorbell and said, "David?"
"Probably Rebecca," Beckett corrected him. "He's in City Hall again."
"I'll get the door?" Castle asked her.
"I will," Beckett said. "But take Josie; I want to tell her about the case so she can tell David."
"Sure," Castle replied, going over to the family room.
"Hello?" Beckett said, pressing the button for the door.
"It's me," Rebecca replied. "With the girls."
"I'm here," Julia said when her mother was pressing the button to open the door outside. "They're here?"
"They are," Beckett said as she looked down the hall and saw her husband was walking to her.
"They're all coming," Castle said since he was still holding Josie and the rest were coming after him.
"That's okay," Beckett said before looking at Skye and Mary. "You're set?"
"We are," the investigator said first.
"Set for what?" Julia asked though she wasn't looking from the window next to the front door.
"We're staying until Sunday," Mary replied. "If you're okay with that."
"What about-" Julia started to say when her mother was opening the door.
"Julia!" Mari cried out when she saw her friend.
"I'm okay," she replied in a rush as her friend was hugging her tightly.
"I just wanted to make sure," Mari replied. Pulling back she said, "I can stay the night again."
"I'm really glad," Julia said with a nod. She hugged her tightly before telling her, "But everything is finished. The case is solved, and Matthias and Leo are at peace."
"Oh good," Mari said. "And I have your homework?"
Laughing at her friend's tone of voice, Julia said, "That was going to happen anyway. What is it?"
"Girls," Beckett said then. "You can head up and take Mari's things to your room so you can get started on that homework."
"I'll see you tomorrow morning honey," Rebecca said while her daughter walked over to her. She hugged her briefly and said, "Be good and please sleep."
"I will," Mari reassured her. "Have fun all by yourself with Mom and Dad," she told her little sister.
"Yep," Dani said, popping her p deliberately. She giggled when her sister laughed, and they hugged tightly before she watched Mari going upstairs with Julia.
"So what happened?" Mari asked Julia once they were in their room.
"It was Matthias' mother," she replied immediately. Julia wasn't surprised when her friend's mouth dropped open in surprise and nodded saying, "I know, but it was for the dumbest reason too," expecting her friend to speak which she shortly after did.
"Why?" Mari asked.
"Because he was performing…" Julia began before she trailed off. "Uh… never mind."
"Was he doing adult stuff?" Mari asked.
Sighing, Julia nodded and said, "I know," to her friend because she was frowning.
"So he did that in front of people?" Mari said.
"Yeah, but the thing is the lady he was with was his girlfriend," Julia explained. "So I guess it was just he was performing that in front of people."
"Why did they do that?" Mari asked.
"Matthias told me he and Sonia; that was his girlfriend; were paid really good money because they were performing the adult stuff," Julia began. "And they wanted to get a better house and he wanted to propose to her, and they would do something else once that happened."
"He didn't tell his mom," Mari said softly. When her friend shook her head; a saddened expression on her face; she sighed and said, "I hope his girlfriend will be okay."
"Me too, she does have a new house and she said she was going to quit… I think she probably has already," Julia replied.
"New house?" Mari asked in confusion.
Julia hurriedly explained what had happened after she'd left the school while her friend was changing and said when she finished, "It was a weird day."
"You're sure you feel strong again… I mean all the way better?" Mari asked.
Giggling Julia said, "I am, I've been resting. Though should I try and get out of doing homework with that?"
"That might make your parents mad," Mari said, going through her backpack.
"I know," Julia said. "I don't have that much though."
"No?" Mari asked, watching her.
"Nope, just some math and reading for history," Julia replied. "You?"
"Same thing," Mari said with a smile. "Really," she said as her friend was looking at her in surprise. "I did some of my English and science in Study Hall." She then became a little serious and asked, "You are coming back tomorrow, right?"
"Of course," Julia replied in the same tone. She then smiled a little and said, "I still wanted to get a baked potato for lunch." She smiled when Mari giggled and then hugged her tightly making her embrace her back before she heard her father calling up from the hall downstairs.
"Girls, we have a snack if you want to eat something while you do your homework," Castle was saying.
"I'm surprised he didn't mention homework first," Julia told her friend.
"Me too," Mari said, going to her backpack to get what she needed. When they went to the hallway she said, "Think we're going swimming again?"
"I forgot to tell you," Julia said, stopping at the top of the stairs. "Mom and Dad don't really want me to swim today… they want me to rest but we can still play."
Nodding Mari then asked, "Could we go to the daybeds at least? For a little."
"I'll ask them," Julia said. "But after homework."
"Of course," Mari said before they were laughing together and went down to the kitchen table where everyone else was.
Seeing her big sister, Eliza hurried to her and hugged her as tightly as she could before she said, "Are you okay?"
"How did you know?" Julia asked in surprise.
"I told her," Mari said apologetically. "I should have asked first, sorry."
"I would have known," Eliza said.
"How," Julia asked in surprise.
"Grandmama and Mamó, I saw you weren't there at lunch," Eliza said simply.
"Do you two want a snack at all?" Beckett said quickly before Julia could respond. She got the girls some juice as her husband got the veggies and ranch telling them, "Make sure you share, okay?"
"We will," Julia said before she turned her attention to her math book.
"What're you doing?" Beckett asked while Skye and Mary were walking down the hall.
"I was talking with Dad and Pablo," the investigator said.
"They asked us about taking the girls to the pier and we urged them to," Mary said.
"Are you sure you guys want to stay?" Castle asked them quickly.
Shaking her head, Skye said, "It wouldn't make that much sense to leave tomorrow and come back Saturday. But again we did check with the girls."
"They're gonna miss you, aren't they?" Eliza asked, giving her math worksheet to her grandfather.
"They will, but we're not intending to leave on our own trip for a while," Skye said.
"And the girls made sure to remind us that we have all summer with them," Mary added with a smile. "Along with the rest of you."
"And Marie and Kath reminded us they do have school," Skye said.
"Eliza's finished," Jim told his daughter as she walked over to the little girl.
"Go ahead and put this away sweetie," Beckett replied. She watched in amusement when the little girl called Rita and Rose after her though all the dogs went. "We should get started love," she said as she went to her husband in the kitchen. She watched him closing his phone and was about to ask if there would be more of them at the house when he was speaking quickly.
"Alexis is going to come over as soon as she's finished," Castle told her. "And Louis."
"They're gonna come for dinner?" Eliza asked eagerly while she walked over to her parents.
"They are, and to check on your sister," Castle said.
"You told her?" Julia asked, setting aside her math homework once her grandfather had checked it.
"I think she would have found out," Castle said. "So yes, I told her but repeated a few times you were okay now."
"She'll want to make sure you're okay kiddo," Martha told her.
Nodding Julia said, "I'm not surprised, I just wish everyone wouldn't make a fuss or anything."
"It's because we love you," Jim couldn't help saying, reaching over and squeezing her shoulder.
Julia hurriedly reached up and grabbed his hand before he could move away and got up to hug him. When they let each other go, she said, "I love you too Grandpapa, all of you." She then glanced at Skye and Mary and told them, "Don't worry."
"Well, there was a point when you said the same to us," the former said. Skye smiled as Eliza jogged to her and hugged her and said, "Thank you. But are you going to help your parents?"
"They don't need to today," Castle said before Julia was speaking rapidly.
"Are you sure?" the girl said. She was about to say she wouldn't mind helping when she recalled Mari and glanced at her friend before asking, "Tomorrow?"
"We'll see," Beckett said in amusement. "Finish your homework."
Nodding, Julia turned her attention back to her history book and started to read though she realized she was having a hard time concentrating. She thought of something and hurried to finish what she needed to read before she started putting her things away.
"You're finished," Castle said, walking over to the table to get the plate the veggies had been on.
"Yeah," Julia said quickly. "I'll take my stuff."
"Wait," Mari said quickly. "I'm finished too, I'll go with you."
"Bring your backpacks down girls," Beckett told them.
"We will," the two said at the same time.
Heading up to her room, Julia said, "I was thinking about the Jacuzzi."
"I know, we never went in," Mari said in agreement. "But what if Mom didn't pack my bathing suit?"
"Or my parents won't let us go," Julia commented.
Nodding, Mari said, "Let me get my stuff ready." She started to unzip her backpack before she started to laugh and told her friend, "She packed it, I thought your parents might tell her not to."
"Maybe she did it just in case," Julia said, watching her friend while she took her clothes out and put them away. "Could you wait for a second?" she suddenly said.
"You're going to go ask?" Mari said. She smiled when Julia nodded rapidly and said, "Go ahead," following her to the top of the stairs as she rushed out of her room and watched for her to come back. Seeing her returning a little later she said, "It's okay," hoping that was the case when her friend was responding while she made her way up.
"They said as long as I don't run, we can swim again," Julia replied. "And use the Jacuzzi."
"Now?" Mari asked.
"Yeah," Julia said before she turned to see Eliza was coming up the stairs. They got out of her little sister's way, and she said to her, "Is someone going to help you?"
"Yeah," Eliza replied. When she reached the top, she quickly shook her head and said, "I mean no, I can do it by myself."
"Oh, sorry," Julia said with a smile, watching her sister going to her room. She and Mari hurried to slip inside her room, and she said, "I wonder if Mom or Dad are going to watch us."
"Probably your grandparents," Mari pointed out while they started to change.
Julia nodded, not expressing her desire to have her mother there with them since she had wanted to stay close to her. She hurried to finish by putting on her swimming robe and said, "I'm going to run out of dresses," while Mari was looking at her questioningly.
"Oh, at least Mom gave me one of mine," she said, holding out the hem of her dress. "Ready?" Mari asked.
"More than ready," Julia said before they were leaving. "I'm so glad I didn't have too much homework," she said as they were making their way down the stairs.
"Hopefully there isn't too much tomorrow," Mari said.
"You'll see then," Beckett said, coming up to the bottom of the stairs.
"Are you going swimming Mom?" Julia asked.
"Yes, your dad is insisting I help your grandparents watch you three," Beckett said with a smile before she heard footsteps behind her. Turning to see that it was her husband she was about to ask him if he'd changed his mind when he was speaking a little wryly.
"I got kicked out of my own kitchen," Castle said.
"Skye and Mary?" Beckett asked, thinking for a moment it was her father. When he nodded, she was about to head to the kitchen when he gently took her by the arm.
"I tried to convince them, but they wouldn't listen since they're staying for longer," Castle said. "Again," he continued. "I tried to convince them, but they want to make dinner."
"What're they going to make?" Julia couldn't help asking though she didn't know if her father did.
"Ask them," Castle said.
"Go ahead to the pool," Beckett told the girls hurriedly. "But don't-"
"Go in, we weren't going to," Julia promised. She smiled and then said, "I knew. But could we head up to the second floor?"
"Of course," Beckett replied, aware she was thinking about going to the daybeds. "We'll change and come down."
"Thanks," Julia said, Mari echoing her after. She turned to her friend as her parents went up the stairs and said, "Should we ask."
"Yeah, I want to know," Mari replied before they headed down the hall, soon seeing Skye at the island before she spoke to them while she smiled.
"You two are going in?" the investigator said.
"Yeah, but we were wondering what you're going to make for dinner," Julia said, leaning against the side of the island.
"We were almost going to make spaghetti and meatballs," Mary said first, turning from the sink.
"But we had pizza, so we decided to go away from Italian," Skye said.
"Where are we going with dinner?" Mari asked.
"Mexican," Skye replied. "Your dad has some carne asada and chicken so we're making burritos."
"California burritos?" Mari said.
Laughing Skye said, "We never should have showed you those. And no, your parents wouldn't want fries in yours. But we'll make them really good; don't worry."
"Are you making guac?" Julia asked.
"We are we saw you had avocadoes which was a surprise," Mary said. "Why?" she asked when the girls were sharing a look.
"Dad said he didn't know what you were going to make," Julia said.
"He didn't," Skye said. "I asked him if we could use those if we needed them. We weren't sure yet." She studied Julia and said, "You thought your dad had lied?"
"Not lied," the girl said. "You surprised us but that makes sense. Do you know where everything is?"
"We're good, thanks for asking," Mary said before they turned when Castle and Beckett were coming down the hall with Eliza and Josie while he called out to her and her wife.
"Did you guys decide?" Castle asked.
"We did, burritos," Skye replied. "Plus some guac, rice and beans."
"Did you pick that with home in mind?" Beckett said.
Skye was about to immediately say no but hesitated before she said, "Okay, maybe a little bit but we did feel like Mexican."
"I do too, now you're mentioning it," Castle commented.
"Great, we'll satisfy everyone," Mary said laughingly.
"You're not putting fries in there are you?" Beckett asked before she looked at Julia and Mari when they started to laugh loudly. She was a little confused, before the investigator and doctor explained what they'd talked about. "Thank you for not," she said when they'd finished.
"You're welcome, we wouldn't really do that for our girls either," Skye said. "Unless they asked for their birthday."
"Cool, what's in these burritos?" Eliza asked.
"Carne asada or chicken, cheese, rice, beans, lettuce and sour cream," Mary said.
"You found the tortillas?" Castle asked.
"We have everything so enjoy swimming," Skye said.
"Are you going to join us?" Beckett inquired.
"Yes, but don't worry we're experts so it'll be fast," Skye answered, smiling when the three girls giggled before Josie was crying out.
"Mama swim!" the baby said.
"Hold on sweetie," Beckett said. "You guys can go ahead," she said to her husband and the girls.
"We'll wait for you," Castle replied with a quick nod before he ushered the girls to go.
"What's on your mind?" Skye asked as Beckett turned to her.
"How is Julia doing," Beckett said plainly. "To you?"
"Good," Skye said honestly.
"I agree," Mary said since her wife had looked at her. "Taking that nap probably helped."
"I agree to that," Skye said, smiling when her wife rolled her eyes. "But I'm glad you stayed with her."
"And Mari's here," Mary pointed out.
"Of course, she's a big help," Skye said. "Friends help of course," she directed to Beckett.
"Best friends?" she said in response.
"Even better," Skye said with a smile. "Any type of caring will help."
"I'm glad to hear that," Beckett said. "And I'm hoping she won't be doing this again for a while. I really mean it this time."
"That case had the mother being the murderer as well, didn't it?" Skye asked.
"Unfortunately," Beckett said with a sigh. "Which really scares me since I don't need her to be questioning mothers."
"I wouldn't worry about it," Mary said reassuringly. "She has you, so you're proof there are good mothers around."
"A lot of them," Skye said with a smile. "Martha, Rebecca, Lily…"
"You two," Beckett said. She smiled when they looked at each other and said, "She does look up to you guys, the same in our past life."
"Luckily she doesn't mind her aunts," Skye said, cutting the chicken.
"Of course I don't," Julia said. When the three women looked at her, she smiled and said, "I was coming to see if you were going to come into the room."
"I was in a second sweetie," Beckett replied.
"And don't worry, I know you guys are great moms, just some of them are really… crazy," Julia said.
"That's a good way to put it," Skye said. "Now though you better go and swim before dinner's all ready."
"We're going too," Beckett said when Julia turned to her. "Come and swim when you're done."
Julia smiled when the two women waved to them, and she walked with her mother into the pool room. "Mom?" she asked.
"Yes sweetie?" Beckett asked.
"I'm okay," Julia said. "So thanks for letting us swim," she said, speaking rapidly so her mother wouldn't think she was annoyed at her wondering.
"You're welcome sweetie," Beckett said, hugging her with one arm tightly.
Julia embraced her back firmly before they hurried into the pool room further with the others to finish getting ready to swim. She went to the chair she and Mari had claimed as theirs to share before talking eagerly about what they wanted to do before they went to the small pool with Josie and began to play with her sisters.
"Jules," Alexis said, going to her little sister. She shared a hug with her, lingering for a while before she said, "I'm not going to ask," not surprised she was responding shortly after.
"You just did," Julia said. "Sorta. But I'm good. And I feel tons better." She and her sister let go of each other before she said with a smile, "Especially now we got to swim."
Laughing, Alexis gave her sister a brief hug and told her, "I'm not surprised."
"Did Mom and Dad tell you everything?" Julia asked in slight confusion.
"They did," Louis said, sharing a quick embrace with his sister-in-law. "And we can tell you're far better."
"You didn't see me before though," Julia pointed out.
"What does your mum say? Smart aleck?" Louis said teasingly.
Laughing, Julia nodded rapidly before she said, "Come on, they're waiting for you to start dinner."
"Hello," Alexis said with a smile as they went down the hall. "I'm sorry we're so late but I had an emergency call."
"And one of the horses broke free of its stall, didn't want to go back," Louis added.
"Is it okay?" Eliza asked worriedly.
"She is, a bit chilled but we warmed her right up," Louis said.
"You're just in time for dinner," Castle said, hugging his daughter and shaking his son in law's hand. "We're eating in the pool room; are you two swimming?"
"And staying the night," Alexis said with a smile. She laughed when her sisters cheered and said, "I guess that's our answer," before her mother was responding.
"We're glad you are can you wait to take your things upstairs?" Beckett asked them.
"It's fine," Louis said quickly. He then smiled and said, "We are peckish."
"More than that," Mari said as she nodded to the burritos on the counter.
Whistling playfully, Louis said, "These are our dinners?"
"They are," Skye said. "Lunches too. But everything's ready so please eat."
While they were getting their food, Julia watched as Castle cut a chicken burrito in half when Eliza was telling Alexis about how she and Josie were sharing it. She turned to Mari and said, "We should share a plate," when her mother was speaking before her friend could.
"They're little plates so you'll be fine with your own," Beckett said. "Let me get the guacamole for you," she then said. She smiled as they were holding their plates out to her and said, "And don't take too many chips." That time she couldn't help laughing softly at the girls shaking their heads and she hurried to dole out the guacamole before she was giving some to Eliza. She watched all three girls to make sure they didn't cover their plates in the tortilla chips they had before they were finished. "You can go," she told them.
"Can we use the dumbwaiter?" Julia asked.
"Go ahead," Castle said. "But Julia you close the door and press the button."
"Okay," the girl said, glancing at her sister in case she would be angry. Julia was relieved when Eliza didn't say anything, and they walked together into the pool room before going to the dumbwaiter. She let Mari take her plate before she opened the door and took the plates to put them inside.
As her big sister was closing the door Eliza asked, "Why didn't you put your plate in?"
"Just in case," Mari replied, since the little girl had asked the question of her.
"Oh, now we go up," Eliza said. She started to walk to the elevator when her sister grabbed her hand and she looked at her in surprise. "Mommy and Daddy didn't say," she said hurriedly since she realized what Julia wanted to do before she was speaking with a smile.
"I asked already," Julia said. "We can go up the stairs but be really careful."
"Okay," Eliza said eagerly.
"Go first," Julia said.
After her friend had urged her to go ahead, Mari asked, "They told you to go last?"
"Just in case," Julia replied, nodding her head. She followed her little sister and friend up the stairs before they were hurrying to the dumbwaiter and getting their plates out. After they were sitting at the table she said, "I hope they come upstairs soon."
"What about our drinks?" Eliza asked.
"Mom said they'll send them up," Julia said.
"I am right now girls," Beckett called.
Heading to the dumbwaiter with the others, Julia opened the door and said, "Here's your juice," to Eliza said since she recognized her glass immediately.
"Thanks," the little girl said. As she turned away, she was about to drink before Eliza was freezing when she heard her mother calling out to her.
"Don't drink your juice before dinner," Beckett said.
Startled, Eliza looked at the stairs and saw her mother was coming up empty handed. "Where's your plate?" she asked.
"Your daddy is bringing it," Beckett said simply. "Give me your glass."
"I'm thirsty," Eliza stated though she handed it over.
"We'll eat soon," Beckett told her with a smile, squeezing her shoulder. She made sure Julia and Mari were okay with their drinks before the others were starting to come up.
"I'll get it love," Castle said, coming up the stairs with Skye and Mary to find that she was going to the dumbwaiter.
"It?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"He's not getting all four plates," Skye said teasingly.
"Four?" Beckett said in surprise.
"All of them are there," Castle said. "But the others-"
Beckett looked at the elevator as the doors opened to reveal her daughter and son in law with their parents. Smiling she said, "You're just getting your plate."
"Fine," Castle said in mock annoyance before they headed to the dumbwaiter. After they'd gathered around the table, he was about to pick up his burrito when his mother was stopping all of them and speaking quickly.
"I think we should have a toast that everything worked out and Julia is doing well," Martha said.
Unable to help blushing, Julia felt Mari squeeze her arm and she smiled at her before she was hurrying to tap her glass against her friend's and sisters'. After they'd started to eat, she quickly said, "This is really good."
"Thank you," Skye said with a smile. "But thank Mary for the folding. She's an expert burrito folder."
"I wouldn't say expert," the doctor said after giving her wife a look. "I've just done it more than she has."
"It's still good," Louis said before he was laughing with the others.
After they'd calmed down, Castle and Beckett were urging Eliza to tell them about her day at school before Mari talked about hers.
"I feel weird doing that," she told her friend when she finished.
Shrugging Julia said, "Tomorrow I'll have the chance to say something about school."
"I won't be able to hear it," Mari teased her friend. She laughed when Julia playfully tugged the sleeve of her sweater and said, "Well."
"It'll be the same as yours I'm sure," Julia said, though it suddenly came to her mind that she might end up getting some comments about what had happened to her. She shook herself of that thought and finished her guacamole saying, "That was really good too."
"Thank you, I do enjoy making it," Skye said with a smile. "And the girls love to eat it."
Glancing at her friend because her tone of voice was thoughtful, Beckett said, "You said you were okay," before the investigator was quickly replying.
"I am, just thoughtful," Skye said.
"Do you want to sing?" Eliza asked.
Laughing softly, Skye told her, "Clever girl. But not quite; I thought it would be you three that would ask."
"Sing!" Josie said.
"Hold still," Castle told her since he was gently cleaning her mouth.
"Dada!" Josie complained. When he finished, she reached for him before he was sharing a kiss with her, and she giggled as he pulled away.
"What're we doing now?" Julia asked while they were getting up from the table.
"Take Josie," Castle said.
"And head inside," Beckett added.
"No more swimming?" Eliza asked in obvious disappointment.
"We did have you shower and change," Castle commented with a smile. "But head into the family room and pick a game to play."
"What if you don't like what we pick?" Eliza asked.
"Go," Beckett said with a smile.
Julia took her baby sister from their father and kissed her cheek before they went down in the elevator with Alexis. "Are you helping?" she asked.
"We will," the young woman replied. "But don't worry too much about the games you pick."
"I was gonna say UNO," Eliza said.
"We played that not that long ago," Julia said.
"Let her pick," Alexis told the little girl as they stepped out, startled when Julia was responding immediately in slight annoyance.
"I don't have to pick it just because of what happened today," she said, trying to control her tone.
"No, but it's only fair," Alexis replied calmly.
Sighing, Julia said to Eliza and Mari, "Do you guys mind?"
"No," the latter said first.
"No way," Eliza then said.
Laughing, Julia went over to the games and looked at the boxes before she said, "I think we should play Michigan rummy."
"Sounds fun," Mari said with a nod.
Pulling the box out, Julia set it on the coffee table and said, "Until then what do we do?"
"I'm gonna play UNO," Eliza said.
"I'll play with her," Alexis told her sister since Julia was frowning.
"Thanks," she replied. Turning to her friend Julia asked, "Think we could walk around?"
"Sure," Mari said though she was a little confused by that request. She left the family room with her friend before she followed Julia to the parlor before she said, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I just wanted to see the fish," she replied as they stood in front of the aquarium. Julia jumped a little when she felt arms wrap around her and said, "I really am."
"I just thought you needed a hug," Mari said before her friend was smiling at her and speaking.
"Thanks," Julia said. When her friend looked at her questioningly, she admitted, "I don't know if I did or not. But don't worry, I didn't mind that." They looked at the fish and she said, "It's going to be interesting writing in my diary tonight."
"Are you going to be honest?" Mari asked.
"Yeah," Julia said with a sigh. When her friend turned to her, she said, "Just thinking about how another mother did that."
"Oh yeah, that's the second time huh?" Mari asked. After Julia nodded, she said, "We're so lucky."
"Very, Matthias said," she replied, nodding again though briefly. "And Leo too actually."
"About your mom?" Mari asked with a little smile.
Julia opened her mouth to speak before she paused and recalled what they'd said, "Yeah." She smiled when her friend was laughing and turned when her mother was calling to them.
