"You two are in the dark you know," Beckett said, walking to them.

"We were just going to be here for a little," Julia explained. "Are you finished?"

"No, everyone kicked me out," Beckett said in amusement. "Did you pick your game?" she asked, ushering them over to the hall so they could go down to the family room.

"Yeah, Michigan rummy," Julia replied, her mother reacting immediately after.

"I'm not surprised," Beckett said.

"Change of plans," Castle said. He smiled when his wife and the others looked at him and said, "Skye and Mary will sing for us."

"What?" Julia asked as they went back into the parlor since the piano was there.

"That I'm hoping you'll tell me," Skye said while she and Mary were walking to the room with the others.

"I'll get the girls," Jim said, continuing down the hall to the family room.

"Um…" Julia said, thinking for a moment. She hurried over to the investigator and doctor and spoke quickly to them, her voice low, before she said, "Do you know that one?"

"We do," Mary said. "But why?"

"Matthias," Skye said before the girl could.

"Yeah, he loved that song," Julia replied. "He's not here but I thought he'd still be able to hear you."

"He would," Skye said. She then held Julia by the shoulders and said, "Are you good with what I told you?"

"I'm good," Julia said, smiling while she recalled the investigator telling her different methods to control her abilities. "Thanks for that."

"I should have taught you sooner," Skye said, shaking her head.

"You didn't know what was going to happen today," Julia told her hurriedly. She then said, "And I'll do everything."

"Including the yoga," Beckett said, walking up to them before Mary was talking with a smile.

"I make sure she does that too," the doctor said, indicating her wife. "But for now we should play," Mary told Skye before they turned their attention to the piano.

"What're you going to sing?" Castle asked.

"You'll find out," Skye said, sitting down and playing a few keys. "Ready?" she asked the others. She laughed when they all said yes and she looked at her wife, beginning to play once Mary had nodded. The intro was a bit long, but it allowed her to get ready before she was finally singing the first two verses on her own before Mary joined her for the chorus.

I'm countin' on a memory to get me outta here
I'm waitin' for the fog around this spooky little town to clear
All this time I've spent bein' someone else's friend
Just one more time, for old time's sake, I'd like to go back home again

The world had seven wonders once upon a time
It's sure enough the favored nations aided their decline
And all around me I've seen times like it was back when
But like back then I'd say amen if I could get back home again

If I could go back home if I could go back home
If I'd never left, I'd never have known
We all dream of leavin', but wind up in the end
Spendin' all our time tryin' to get back home again

Beckett could feel chills going down her spine at the way Skye sang, distracted while the investigator was playing the instrumental when her husband took her hand. She glanced at him and was startled when he leaned over to murmur into her ear.

"We need to ask Julia about this one," Castle told her.

Nodding, Beckett didn't say anything in response since Skye and Mary were continuing with the song though she did wonder why their second youngest had chosen it since it was a solemn one.

Could've been a jailbreak and the spotlight hittin' me
Or was I just some nightclub singer, back in 1963
In the old part of Valencia on the coast of Spain
Never tirin' once of hearin' songs about goin' home again

If I could go back home if I could go back home
If I'd never left, I'd never have known
We all dream of leavin', but wind up in the end
Spendin' all our time tryin' to get back home again

If I could go back home if I could go back home
If I'd never left, I'd never have known
We all dream of leavin', but wind up in the end
Spendin' all our time tryin' to get back home again

"Thank you," Skye said with a smile once she'd played out the song. "Okay, we're going to play-" she started to say before the kids were protesting.

"I think they want another," Martha said in amusement as Josie on her mother's lap was clamoring too though she was just mimicking the other kids.

"Anyone else have a request?" Skye asked as she knew she wouldn't be able to get out of singing. She laughed with Mary when everyone looked at Julia as soon as she'd spoken and she said, "Whenever you're ready." She was startled when the girl jumped up and hurried over to her. She was surprised at her song and said, "Is this from you?"

"We've danced to it," Julia answered, smiling since she wasn't surprised at the investigator's reaction. "For fun," she added in a hurry.

"Okay," Skye said before she whispered into her wife's ear. She wasn't surprised when Mary was nodding rapidly and she then said, "Then we'll start since this one is very peppy."

Castle was about to comment about that when Skye started playing the piano and he immediately recognized the song. Exchanging a look with his wife, he was turning back when he noticed some movement out of the corner of his eye. He smiled when he saw it was Julia with her sister and Mari before Josie was wriggling and Beckett set her down. He couldn't help murmuring, "Just like her sisters," as the baby was bouncing.

"Shh," Beckett said before Skye was beginning to sing, Mary her backup when she needed.

Ever since I was a young boy, I've played the silver ball
From Soho down to Brighton, I must've played 'em all
But I ain't seen nothin' like him in any amusement hall
That deaf, dumb, and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball

He stands like a statue, becomes part of the machine
Feelin' all the bumpers, always playin' clean
Plays by intuition, the digit counters fall
That dead, dumb, and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball

He's a pinball wizard, there had to be a twist
A pinball wizard's got such a supple wrist

How do you think he does it? I don't know
What makes him so good

Ain't got no distractions, can't hear no buzzes and bells
Don't see no lights a-flashin', plays by sense of smell
Always gets the replay, never seen him fall
That dead, dumb, and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball

I thought I was the Bally table king
But I just handed my pinball crown to him

Even on my favorite table, he can beat my best
His disciples lead him in, and he just does the rest
He's got crazy flipper fingers, never seen him fall
That deaf, dumb, and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball

Laughing and wrapping her arms around Mari when they stopped dancing, Julia said, "I'm so glad you could play that."

"Me too, not often I get to play rock operas," Skye said, covering the keys. "Good exercise for my fingers," she added. "So now we're going to play right?"

"Yes, since you seem to need a break," Castle said. He laughed when the investigator stuck her tongue out and they got up to head to the family room while the kids were heading down the hall laughing and teasing each other about the game.


February 2nd, 2022

Hello Evangeline! There was so much today so I better start before Mom and Dad come in to tell me to go to bed (and tuck me in since they don't just say of course!).

First was when I was in math, I got called up to the board to do a problem and just as I was starting to write the answer, I heard Matthias and another man arguing. I tried to keep going but something shot through me, and I felt the worst pain in my head and the next thing I knew I was waking up to Mrs. Everett telling me to stay laying down on the floor. Mom and Dad came in a little after that, which was such a surprise, but Skye had warned them, oh and she was there too.

I was able to get up and walk so we went down to the office though before we got outside of the building Mari ran over to me and all my friends were there too since the bell had rung. I had to make sure they knew I was okay- though to be honest I was weak still- and then I left to head to the office building where a paramedic lady checked me out. I was honest with her about being a little weak but said it was because I was hungry and she said I should be fine with rest.

After Mom and Dad got me, we left for a house, Leo's house. He's the man Matthias was arguing with and the one I saw the picture of. They were looking for a security camera, and of course he led me away from Patrick's car I was supposed to stay at.

Julia paused there and sighed before she said, "I feel so weird."

"Tired?" Mari asked in concern.

Shaking her head, Julia said, "Writing about everything that happened earlier today," not surprised her friend understood quickly when she was responding.

"It seems like a long time ago," Mari said. When her friend nodded, she said, "I know, but I didn't go through what you did."

"After you heard what happened?" Julia asked. Her friend's nod made her smile and she said, "I'm sorry I worried you." She laughed, unable to help it, when Mari made a face and said, "I know, I didn't do it intentionally, but still."

"It doesn't matter," Mari said firmly. "At least you're okay!"

Taking her friend's hug, Julia felt better and said, "That's two days you weren't able to write in your diary."

"It's okay, I'll write tomorrow," Mari said.

"And miss Friday," Julia reminded her.

"I'll bring it," Mari replied easily.

"And if you can't write in it?" Julia asked with a smile.

"It doesn't matter!" Mari said in mock exasperation. She laughed with her friend and told her, "You better finish up or we'll have to go straight to bed."

"I know, I'm going," Julia said though she was smiling and starting to write though she was continuing her paragraph.

He wanted to show me where the camera was, just me of course since I really could have gotten into trouble. Luckily, though Mom and Dad got worried, I didn't get in trouble, and they took me to the station though of course they made me stay in the breakroom. I read for a little, but then felt like Matthias and Leo were mad so I ran to Brad's office and that's when they discovered who the murderer was.

It's going to sound really weird, but we went after that to a church, and everyone went inside while Officer Hutchinson stayed outside to watch me and in case Brad needed backup. I behaved all the way, though I was annoyed at how long it took before they arrested her. That's right, her because it was Matthias' mother! I couldn't believe it and I was super angry seeing her because what he was doing was his choice. He was a grownup. And Leo was just her lawyer who lost a stupid case; Mom told me; that wouldn't have gone that far if the judge hadn't thrown it out in the first place. So she was trying to blame Leo for killing Matthias but luckily it didn't work, and she'll hopefully spend the rest of her life in jail!

After that we came home and then Sonia came over; Matthias' girlfriend; and I helped the two leave since the three of them had been friends. It was a little difficult, but I know Skye was helping me since I didn't pass out. I don't know how she didn't herself, but she's older and she has more experience. But I told her thank you a bunch of times today until she told me to stop. I sat for a while, then we went into the house- I forgot to say we helped them in the pool room- for lunch and after I took a nap with Mom and Josa, just me and Josa slept though.

By then Mari came with her mom, Dani and Lizzy and luckily Mom and Dad asked if Mari could spend the night and her parents said okay! After Rebecca and Dani left, we then had a snack and after swam for a little, nothing too much for me since Mom and Dad are still worried, but at least we got to do that! And then we went to the Jacuzzi and tried that out and it's really nice, relaxing and luckily a big one for us to all fit.

Stopping for a moment, Julia turned to her doorway at the same time Mari was looking up from the travel book she'd taken from her bookshelf. "Still writing," she said when her mother walked in.

"I know, if it was time I'd tell you," Beckett said in amusement. She went to her daughter and kissed the top of her head before she said, "Keep going though," surprised when her daughter seemed to hesitate before she was speaking carefully.

"Would-" Julia started to say before she heard music. "Is that Skye?" she asked her mother.

"I think it is," Beckett said.

"Could we go listen?" Mari asked eagerly.

"Yes, come on," Beckett replied, waiting for the girls to go over to her before they were hurrying to head out and down the stairs. She had Julia's hand as they reached the living room and smiled seeing her husband was there.

"Should I stop?" Skye asked.

"No, I want to hear this one," Julia said eagerly.

"You should start," Beckett suggested to her.

"Got it," Skye said before she played and then started to sing on her own.

Turn me loose from your hands
Let me fly to distant lands
Over green fields, trees and mountains
Flowers and forest fountains
Home along the lanes of the skyway

For this dark and lonely room
Projects a shadow cast in gloom
And my eyes are mirrors of the world outside
Thinking of the way that the wind can turn the tide
And these shadows turn from purple into grey

For just a Skyline Pigeon
Dreaming of the open
Waiting for the day
He can spread his wings
Fly away again

Fly away, skyline pigeon, fly
Towards the dreams you've left so very far behind
Fly away, skyline pigeon, fly
Towards the dreams you've left so very far behind

Just let me wake up in the morning to the smell of new mown hay
To laugh and cry, to live and die in the brightness of my day
I wanna hear the pealing bells of distant churches sing
But most of all, please free me from this aching metal ring
And open out this cage towards the sun

For just a Skyline Pigeon
Dreaming of the open
Waiting for the day
He can spread his wings
And fly away again

Fly away, skyline pigeon, fly
Towards the things you've left so very far behind
Fly away, skyline pigeon, fly
Towards the things you've left so very, so very far behind

Smiling while the others were applauding, Skye said, "I'm glad I didn't wake anyone up."

"You're good, is it because of the other two songs?" Castle asked.

"Basically," Skye replied. "Do you guys want coffee?"

"We're good," Beckett said when her husband was looking at her to answer. "The girls have a little more time-"

"My diary!" Julia cried out before she and Mari were running to the stairs. When they reached her room she laughed and said, "I hope they're not mad," as her friend nodded and replied.

"I doubt it, we have to go to bed, don't we?" Mari asked.

"Good point," Julia said. She checked on her pen and then filled it with ink before reading her last paragraph to see where she'd left off before she started to write again.

Dinner was burritos that Skye and Mary made and were delicious, along with the homemade guac they made too! After dinner (since we showered and changed when we finished swimming) we were going to play but we ended up getting Skye to sing a couple songs. Home Again and Pinball Wizard which I picked 'cause I had been listening to Elton John on Sunday while I did my homework. Matthias liked the first song and I wanted to dance which is why I picked the second one. After that we did play, Michigan Rummy and UNO before Lizzy needed to go to bed. I started to write here to you Evangeline, but before this paragraph Mom came in the room and was talking to us when we heard Skye playing the piano again. We went downstairs and listened to her singing Skyline Pigeon, by Elton John again so I think she was feeling like it was a good song to play. Especially for her of course since she loves flying.

I'm all caught up now and Mari's here like I mentioned so I need to wrap everything up. I'm relieved Matthias and Leo are okay and Grandmama and Mamó are feeling better; they were guilty about what happened, but I told them they couldn't stop something that was going to happen suddenly. But they said they're going to stick close to me for a bit but that's okay! I'll write tomorrow, hopefully about school being normal, and will see you then Evangeline!

Putting everything away, Julia said, "All set."

"Good, I think it's almost time for bed," Mari replied, closing her book and getting up to put it away.

Hurrying to her bed, Julia said, "I think we have a little, I don't hear my parents."

"What do you want to talk about?" Mari asked.

"I think you have the question," Julia replied with a smile. She couldn't help laughing when her friend frowned but waited for her to respond to that when she was doing so shortly after.

"Okay, just wondering if you're back to normal," Mari replied.

Nodding rapidly, Julia said, "Definitely which is nice because I don't want to have to go through that again."

"You're going to keep doing the stuff Skye told you to right?" Mari asked.

"Of course," Julia said. "I think I'm going to have to." She laughed softly when her friend nodded her head in agreement, and she squeezed her arm before hearing footsteps coming from the stairs. "Time for bed," she told her.

"I figured," Mari replied before they turned to look at the doorway to the room since Julia's parents were walking inside.

"Oh good," Castle said, seeing the pair on the mattress.

"Do we need to go to bed right now?" Julia asked.

"That would be nice," Beckett replied with a smile because her daughter had put as much whining as she could into that. She knew it was feigned and then said, "But you did have enough time for your diary, didn't you?"

"I did," Julia replied. "But I wish we could stay up later."

"You'll have the chance this weekend," Beckett reminded her daughter.

"I know," Julia said, sharing a smile with her friend. When they turned their attention back to her parents she said, "I guess we better lay down." She and Mari got off the bed and she waited for her friend to slide under the covers before she did the same and turned to her parents.

"If you have any problems," Castle said seriously as he sat next to her and gently smoothed down her hair. "Come and wake us up, okay? Even if we're asleep we want you to tell us."

"I will," Julia promised though she had told her parents that already. "You'll sleep right? You won't worry about me?"

"We will," Beckett assured her. She then smiled and said, "Though we'll make sure you're okay."

"I thought that's what you did anyway," Julia replied quickly.

"We do," Castle said with a nod. "But that's a parent thing so you know," not surprised the girls were nodding seriously. "Still want to be parents?" he asked with a smile, a little taken aback they were speaking at the same time immediately.

"Yep," Julia and Mari said. They looked at each other and started to laugh before they calmed down and the former said, "But not for a long time."

"Good, I'll tell David," Castle said jokingly while his daughter's best friend was nodding in agreement.
"Dad," Julia said with a smile.

"He'll be happy hearing that," Castle said with a shrug. He smiled and then said, "Goodnight Mari."

"Night," she replied with a smile. "Thanks again for asking me to come over."

"We're glad you wanted to," Castle said before he turned his attention to his daughter. "Goodnight sweetheart, I love you."

"Love you too," Julia said. She hugged him tightly and said, "Please don't worry too much."

"We'll do our best not to," Castle assured her. "Sweet dreams."

"You too," Julia said, smiling before they shared a quick kiss.

Sitting where her husband had been, Beckett said to Mari, "If she has a nightmare but doesn't want to wake us up, please bring her to our room."

"I will," Mari said seriously and with a nod.

"I'll go," Julia said quickly when her mother looked at her. "But I should be okay."

"Hopefully," Beckett said, gently caressing her daughter's hair. When Julia suddenly hugged her, she reciprocated before she told her, "I love you sweetie, and I'm so glad you're okay after everything."

"Me too," Julia said. "I love you too Mom. Thank you for letting me help a little bit. And not getting mad."

Pulling away with a slight laugh, Beckett leaned down and shared a kiss with her daughter before saying, "I couldn't, since I knew you meant well, but you're not going to be doing that again."

"I don't want Brad to get into trouble," Julia said quickly as her father nodded before he was speaking.

"He texted me after we had dinner," Castle said. "With the security camera evidence and her confession the DA is going to press charges for sure."

Seeing the smile on Julia's face Beckett said, "You're happy?"

"Very, she deserves to be in jail," the girl replied with a nod. "I just hope she'll go!"

"She will," Beckett reassured her. They embraced tightly one more time before she let her go and had the girls lay down. Once they were tucked in, she told them, "Sweet dreams you two."

"Night Mom, Dad," Julia said, Mari saying goodnight to them as well. She watched them leave and turn off the light on the way before she turned to her friend. "We're talking on Saturday."

"I hope so," Mari said. She hugged Julia tightly and said, "Night."

"Night, thanks again," she replied. Julia smiled when her friend hugged her again and then told her, "But they're going to come back."

"Yeah, I'm definitely going to sleep," Mari said.

Laughing softly with her friend, Julia settled under the covers and once she was, she closed her eyes to try and fall asleep though she was shortly after doing so as her exhaustion from everything that day caught up to her. She slept peacefully and was relieved waking up the next morning that her sleepover hadn't turned into a restless night for her friend's sake.


"Are you tempted to go upstairs?" Skye said. When her friend looked at her, she smiled and was about to continue when Beckett was responding before she could speak.

"Of course but I know she's asleep," she said. Beckett then looked at her father's watch and said, "And she'll find us if she needs us."

"She is doing a lot better," Skye commented.

"And she told me something interesting," Beckett said. She wasn't surprised when the other three were looking at her and she said, "Julia mentioned you helped her while she was helping Matthias and Leo."

"I did, I had to," Skye replied, not surprised when her wife took her hand. "Twelve years old? She wouldn't have been able to handle it and it wasn't a problem for me to help her."

"But were you okay?" Castle asked.

"It's why I needed to sit down," Skye said. "Really," she said quickly when the couple looked at her in concern still. "I just needed a bit of a rest and then I was ready to go. But make sure Julia isn't doing that again for a while."

"Believe me, we will," Castle said. He finished his tea and said, "And I'm hoping we won't have a case with the mother as our murderer again."

"I'm hoping too," Mary said. "It's a horrible thought mothers who birthed their children would kill them."

"In the first case the mother hated her son," Beckett said. "And in this one she was religiously fanatic, never mind her son was an adult and she had no say in what he did."

"Luckily we're not going to have to explain that to her," Castle said, taking his wife's hand before they were entwining their fingers. "And you guys will be in another state," he told the two women.

Smiling Mary said, "I'm glad we are I don't know how I feel about her investigating murders."

"I guess planes are safer," Beckett commented.

"It is," Skye said. "To a point. But never mind about investigations we have a party in a couple days," not surprised when Beckett was replying to her as soon as she'd finished speaking.

"What exactly were you planning on talking about?" she asked.

"Dress?" Skye asked.

"I've been wondering that too," Mary added.

"The same one I wore to Brennan and Clara's ball last year," Beckett said.

"Really?" Mary said in obvious surprise.

"You were expecting me to get another one?" Beckett asked, a slight smile on her face.

"Kind of," Mary replied as she was sharing a look with her wife.

"You have the past few years," Skye said with a smile.

"Not this time, I love that dress," Beckett said.

"It's a beautiful one on you," Mary said. "And the cut works for you too."

"You think I'm going to say how much I love my wife in that dress?" Castle asked in mock annoyance when the doctor and investigator were giving him sideways glances.

"Just as long as you don't tell us how much you love her out of that," Skye said. She smiled when her wife groaned, Castle laughed and Beckett shook her head with a smile. "But I would think that was evident."

"The kids?" Mary asked.

"Guys," Beckett said simply.

"Mad?" Castle said while he pulled his wife's hand to his mouth where he pressed a gentle kiss.

"No," Beckett replied. "You didn't start it."

"Okay," Skye said quickly. "I am sorry, but the opportunity was there," she added before her wife was speaking quickly.

"It was, luckily we're good friends with them," Mary said laughingly.

"And with that I think we're going to head to our room," Skye said when her wife had calmed down.

"So will we," Castle said.

"Now we're going to check on them," Beckett told the two.

"I don't blame you," Skye said. "If we were at home, we'd be checking on the girls."

"Are you going to call them?" Castle asked.

"Yes," Mary said firmly.

After laughing together, the four went into the house and split up in the hall to go up the staircases. As soon as they were upstairs, Castle and Beckett went to Josie's room first before they headed to Eliza's. Seeing their two youngest were asleep, they headed to Julia's, peering inside and seeing the girls were fast asleep on the bed he squeezed his wife's hand.

Leading his wife down the hall, Castle said, "Now we have confirmation."

"We do," Beckett replied with a quick nod. When they were inside their room she turned back, watching her husband closing the door slightly which made her smile. "Thank you love."

With a brief nod, Castle told her, "I'll change in the closet," a little startled when she stopped him.

"I was going to," Beckett said. "But why do we need to change separately?"

"Not that," Castle said in a rush as she was studying him. "Though… I'm not surprised you thought that. I just thought you'd want to be here in case she needs you."

"Us and we'll hear her," Beckett said, leading him to the closet. When they were inside and changing, she was surprised to hear his phone ring as they were finishing. "I'll be in the bathroom," she told him before he rushed out. Walking to the room, she watched him while he was sitting on the edge of the bed before she headed inside. Quickly brushing her teeth, she was removing her makeup before her husband walked up to her while she was watching his reflection in the mirror. "Is everything okay?" she asked him while he leaned against the counter next to her.

"Yes, I'm just not sure how you'll react," Castle said.

"Then you should tell me," Beckett replied as she brushed her hair quickly.

"That was the Mirage," Castle said. "And they let me know the villa is open the eleventh if we'd like to check in that day, I think they want us to take it."

"You did, didn't you?" Beckett said with a smile.

"Yes," Castle said simply before she was setting down her brush and turning to him.

"I'm fine with that, but there's a couple of other people we need to ask," Beckett told him, walking up to him and cupping his face with her hands before he was wrapping his arms around her tightly.

"The girls," Castle said at the same time as her. "I get the feeling I know their answer already though."

"So do I," Beckett said, leaning into him so they could share a kiss. "Finish and we'll talk when we're in bed," she told him when they'd soon after parted, not surprised when he was making a request as soon as she'd stopped speaking.

"Could we stay up a little more?" Castle asked.

Smiling, Beckett raised herself on tiptoe to brush her lips against his and told him, "I wasn't planning on going to bed just yet."

"Oh good," Castle said, leaning down to her and kissing her a little harder. When they parted, he reluctantly let her go, watching her leave before he rushed to finish getting ready for bed himself.

Sitting up on her side of the bed, Beckett was looking at her phone until her husband walked out and she hurriedly set it aside. "I know what you want to talk about," she told him in amusement while he was taking off his robe once he was next to the bed.

"Really?" Castle asked, smiling at her.

"We have to adjust our plans," Beckett commented.

"Of course, but I was waiting until I actually got into bed," Castle replied while he was doing that. Once he was sitting next to her, he said, "It's only one day and we already had that idea of going to the aquarium at the Mandalay."

"And the wild cats," Beckett reminded him.

"What?" Castle asked when she was smiling at him.

"Do you want to write it out?" Beckett replied.

"No, just discuss it," Castle replied quickly. He smiled when she laughed briefly before he told her, "If you want to."

"We do need to decide," Beckett said. "But are we getting there on the eleventh or the tenth?"

"I need to change the flight," Castle said.

"I'm okay with that, but we have to check with the girls," Beckett said firmly.

"I was planning on that," Castle said. "But we both know what they'll say."

"Stay longer?" Beckett asked him. She laughed briefly when her husband was nodding seriously and leaned against him before she wrapped her arms around him. "What do you want to do the eleventh?"

"I was thinking of going from furthest away to closest to the Strip," Castle answered.

"To lead up to Valentine's Day?" Beckett teased him.

"No," Castle said. "But I can see why you'd think that."

Beckett couldn't help laughing again but she stopped herself shortly after when her husband was leaning into her. They kissed tenderly and when they parted, she said, "We're set?"

Shaking his head, Castle told her, "I'm not sure about what we'll do when we finish those places; they won't take too long." He watched her think that over and was about to suggest they think of other places to go to before she was speaking.

"I wouldn't mind going back to the Strip and walking around," Beckett said.

"Photography?" Castle asked. When she nodded, he said, "I'll go with you. Would we get a drink?"

"I might pass," Beckett replied in amusement. "I'd wait for dinner."

"Okay," Castle said. "So the first day we'll head to the Clark County Museum," he told her.

"Would you mind walking around the grounds further?" Beckett asked him.

"Oh no," Castle said rapidly. "I wonder if you'll let me take some pictures too." When his wife looked at him suspiciously, he said, "I was going to take some of you."

"You do have your phone," Beckett said. She squeezed his hand when he was about to speak and told him, "But we'll take some selfies, I'm sure the girls will want us to send them some."

"It's what I was thinking of," Castle said.

"Did they ask?" Beckett asked.

"No, but I'm expecting Eliza to," Castle said. "I'm just waiting for tomorrow."

Beckett smiled and then said, "And Julia will want to hear our plans."

"It's why I wanted to talk about it," Castle replied in amusement. "Plus we need to be sure."

Beckett rolled her eyes before he was pulling her to him, and she responded to his kiss. It was brief and once they parted, she said, "On Valentine's Day…"

"I didn't have any plans for dinner," Castle said.

"Which is why I brought it up," Beckett replied. "I'd like to stay in the villa." She smiled a little at her husband when he looked at her with wide eyes before she said, "I'm not kidding."

"Now I can call you pervert?" Castle said.

"No," Beckett said, smiling still. She moved then so she could sit on his lap, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him deeply. They were doing so intently before she pulled away and said, "Do you really think you're going to be able to wait."

"You're not," Castle said immediately.

"I will," Beckett said firmly. "But I'm a little concerned about you."

"I can wait for a little something this Saturday," Castle replied. He leaned over and caught her lips with his own before they were rubbing their tongues against each other. When they had stopped, he let her go, watching her sit next to him again and he said, "I'm really glad the trip is soon."

"Pervert," Beckett said, her tone of voice tinged in amusement at the end since her husband was nodding in response. She kissed his cheek while she embraced him and said, "I can't wait either." They were kissing again and when they stopped, she murmured against his lips, "I love you, Rick."

"I love you too Kate," Castle said. He brought to her to him again and was kissing her far more deeply, not caring about the risk because he wanted to take that moment before they needed to sleep to feel and taste her while she was doing the same enthusiastically to him.