"Are you sure you heard voices?" Mari whispered to her friend.
"Yes," Julia said, frowning. "But it's not our grandparents." They had reached the top of the stairs to the foyer when she gasped and cried out, "Mom! Dad!" before racing down to them as her friends and sister were following her, their parents calling out to them immediately.
"Don't fall," Castle said.
"And don't jump down the stairs," David added hurriedly.
When the kids were downstairs and in their parents' arms, Alexis, Louis and the grandparents came down with Josie and Sophie before they were greeting them.
"Are we staying here for the day?" Mari asked when they'd calmed down.
"Actually we're taking you kids back home," David said. He was surprised when there was no protest and said, "I guess they hated the sleepover."
"We didn't," Eve said in amusement. "We just don't mind going home."
"We'll have a sleepover again," Julia said when her parents looked at her.
"Why don't you guys come for dinner?" Castle told them. "We'll go into the pool room again."
"Let us get dinner," Rebecca said.
"What're we having?" Dani asked her mother.
"I think we can get something," David replied. "We'll call you later," he told Castle and Beckett who soon nodded. "Go and get your things," he then said to his daughters.
"We have to get dressed," Mari said, looking at the other kids as she could hear their parents saying the same.
"No, just wear your pajamas," Rebecca said. "But put on your coat once you get back down."
Watching her friends, Julia looked at her mother and asked, "We're having breakfast?"
"Hopefully you'll help us cook," Beckett replied. When her daughter nodded, she smiled and hugged her tightly before they heard the older kids coming down with their things.
"We'll be here at five," Brad told Castle and Beckett.
"And bring dessert," Lily added. She smiled when the kids were turning to her almost as one and then said, "You'll see later." She said goodbye with her family before they were hurrying to their car in the driveway and let Jacob take Sophie to set her in her car seat. The drive back to their house was quiet, but once they were getting out in the garage, she wasn't surprised when her son was asking about the dessert swiftly.
"What're you making?" Jacob said. "And can we help?"
"Just cookies," Lily replied.
"What about cookie sandwiches?" Jacob suggested as they were entering the house.
"Alright," Lily said. "But you realize that means you volunteered to help."
"I knew already," Jacob said.
"You don't want to help?" Lily asked.
"No thanks, I'll watch Sophie for you," Eve replied before she looked at her father. "You don't have to go do you?"
"No, I'm off for today," Brad replied reassuringly. "So I'll join you if you don't mind."
"But for now we need to get breakfast ready," Lily told them. "Though I'd ask you to start it Evie."
"How come?" the young woman asked in confusion as they were making their way to the kitchen.
"We're going to change into our pajamas," Brad answered before his wife could.
"Sure," Jacob said, reaching for Sophie before he had her on his hip. As they were watching their parents go up the stairs he asked his older sister, "How come?"
"I think they just want to relax," Eve said with a shrug before she headed to the kitchen to finally reach it.
"Do you wonder why they didn't stay in the city?" Jacob asked.
"It doesn't matter," Eve replied, looking in the fridge.
"Wait, Mom didn't say what breakfast was," Jacob said as the realization came to him.
"Down Jake," Sophie said then.
"Oh, sorry sis," Jacob replied, kissing her cheek before he put her on the floor. He held her hand and said, "Is she letting us choose?"
"She is," Eve said, taking out the cocoa they had and then bread.
"French toast?" Jacob guessed.
"Yep," Eve said before they were laughing together, their baby sister joining them. They almost didn't hear their father coming down the stairs before he was calling to them in amusement.
"What's the joke?" Brad asked.
"No joke, just talking about what we picked for breakfast," Eve said.
"French toast?" Lily asked.
"You can make eggs and sausage too," Jacob said quickly, letting Sophie's hand go as she ran to their mother.
"Alright, come help," Lily said, picking Sophie up before she handed her to Brad. She wasn't surprised when her husband was walking after them and said, "Grab the eggs for me Jake, I'll let you make them scrambled." She helped her son get everything from the fridge they needed before they began to cook, Eve taking care of the French toast though she was keeping an eye on her while she did that. Once they had everything ready, she had her husband set the table for them though the plates were stacked next to the food.
"Take one slice of bread," Brad told his son when Jacob was getting his French toast.
"But I'm hungry," the young man said in mock complaint.
"I know, but I think one is enough," Brad said firmly.
Sighing, Jacob took a slice before he got some eggs and went to the table, his parents telling him not to eat yet. He couldn't help sighing again though he waited for his family to join him before he asked, "Can I eat now?"
"Yes," Lily said. "But not that fast," she added before he could bring the eggs he'd gotten up to his mouth. She smiled at him when her son turned his gaze up to her in exasperation and she said, "Go ahead Jake."
"Thanks," Jacob replied before he was eating his eggs. They were eating in silence for a while before his father was getting his and Eve's attention to ask about the night before.
"How was it last night?" Brad asked.
"Fun, we played outside before lunch," Eve said first. "The younger kids stayed inside."
"Make a snowman?" Brad said.
"Sort of," Jacob said, sharing a smile with his sister. "We didn't have that much snow, so we just made mounds and put faces on them."
"So… did you not play for that long?" Lily asked.
"We had a snowball fight afterwards," Eve said with a laugh. "Small ones but we got buckets of snow."
"Who won?" Brad asked.
Shaking his head Jacob said, "There weren't sides, we just threw at everyone."
"And then we had to stop, but we were so hot we sat in the family room with the babies," Eve said. "I think to calm us down."
"They did," Lily said with a nod. "And the rest of the day."
"After lunch we played the driving video game Julia and Eliza have," Jacob said first. "In pairs and we had a tournament."
"He won," Eve said wryly.
Sighing, Lily said, "At least you didn't do just that."
"No," Jacob said with a smile. He then said, "We played with the babies once they were up from their naps, just toys."
"You didn't swim?" Brad asked in surprise.
"No, we thought we might convince you and the other parents to let us stay over there for the rest of the day," Jacob replied. "And swim with you guys there."
"And you will, later," Lily said with a smile. "Are you finished?" she asked them
"Yeah, seconds?" Jacob said.
"Get half a slice," Brad told him. "And bring the other half for me," he added before he glanced at his wife who was rolling her eyes before he spoke.
"You're lucky Eve made enough," Lily told him.
"Thank you," Brad said to their oldest.
"You're welcome," Eve said laughingly. She then turned her attention to finishing her food and when she had she jumped up to take her plate to the sink.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?" Brad asked her with a smile.
"Um… just cleaning up," Eve said.
"Leave her alone," Lily said, holding up her finger before Jacob could say anything. "Go ahead honey."
Hurrying to rinse off her plate, Eve went to her mother and hugged her tightly before she said, "Would you ask?"
"I will, is your homework done?" Lily asked.
"Yes," Eve said firmly.
"Alright, I'll call Kate and Rick," Lily said. "You call Peter and tell him."
"Thanks," Eve said in a squeal before she let her go and hurried over to the stairs.
"What's she talking about?" Jacob asked his parents.
"She wants to ask the Lennoxes over tonight," Lily said, getting her phone as her husband was taking her plate. "Thank you," she told him with a smile before they shared a brief kiss.
In her room, Eve was waiting for Peter to answer his phone before she said, "Peter?"
"Hey Eve," the boy said. "I thought you'd be playing at Julia's?"
"Our parents came back early and took us home," Eve explained. "But we're heading back later for dinner and to swim too. My mom's asking Rick and Kate right now about you guys going but you have to ask your parents first."
"Sure, wait for me?" Peter asked.
"Of course," Eve replied before she heard him set his phone down. As she was waiting she heard footsteps coming to her room and she looked to see it was her mother. "What'd they say?" she asked.
"If they want to come, they're welcome to," Lily said.
"Eve?" Peter asked on the other end.
"I'm here," she said as her mother leaned against her doorway.
"They said if Rick and Kate are okay with it they'll go," Peter replied.
Eve beamed at her mother while she took the phone, watching her talk with her boyfriend's parents shortly after. She couldn't wait to see him later and was glancing at the clock on her nightstand before she waited to get her phone back to talk to him before they would see each other later.
"Are you ready?" Darnley asked his husband.
"I am, don't worry," Nkosi replied. He smiled and then said, "Mother said it's ready?"
"It is, I don't know how she made it that fast but…" Darnley said.
Laughing softly, Nkosi said, "She can cook quickly." They left their room where they'd changed into their pajamas to join the others and he said, "She said we should have changed."
"We're not going over there until three," Darnley said. "So I don't think it really matters if we just stay in this until later." They had reached the top of the stairs and he kept his husband from starting down before they shared a gentle kiss. Once they'd parted, he told him, "I'm hoping we won't be there too late."
"We won't," Nkosi said before they kissed again. "There's school tomorrow."
"Of course," Darnley said.
"Boys," Joseph said, looking up the stairs at them. "Breakfast will be very cold unless you come now."
"We are," Darnley replied in a rush before they headed down quickly.
"There you are," Bethany said in relief. "The children have been running around, they will not calm down."
"Here," Darnley said, going to the table the two were going about.
"Daddy!" Maddy cried out in laughter when her father picked her up.
"Have you two been running around and making problems for your grandparents?" Darnley asked them.
"No, we were exercising," Maddy told him.
"They've learned back talk," Nkosi said with a smile as he picked Keo up.
"But we were," Maddy said earnestly.
"Easy," Nkosi told her. "We're only kidding. But eat, your grandmother made a delicious breakfast pan for us."
"A huge one," Darnley said, going to the stove when his mother-in-law motioned to him. He took it to the table and let her start serving them before he sat with the others, and they began eating.
"Tata?" Maddy asked.
"Yes empress?" Nkosi replied.
"Can I stay the night with Eliza again?" Maddy asked.
"Not tonight," Nkosi said. "You and your brother have school."
"Do we have to?" Keo said.
"You must," Nkosi said. "Or we'll be in trouble for not taking you."
"I wanna go," Maddy said shyly.
"Good, but why are you so eager?" Bethany asked, making sure everyone had clotted cream and jam for their scones.
"I can play with Eliza!" Maddy exclaimed before Darnley was talking laughingly.
"I hope you will," the carpenter said, leaning over and kissing the top of her head. "But we'll go over, don't worry."
"What will you do until then?" Joseph asked.
"I need to take a look at my orders," Darnley said.
"I can take the kids to paint," Nkosi told his husband.
"Will you paint Tata?" Keo said to him.
"I will," Nkosi said, since the two liked painting along with him.
"And you both?" Darnley directed to his in laws.
"I will read the paper," Joseph said. "And work on the crossword puzzles."
Smiling at his husband, since his father called all the puzzles offered in it crossword ones, Nkosi said, "And you Mother?"
"I have some mending to do," Bethany replied. "So I will finish that. Your tata wants to go to the trails tomorrow."
"Just until lunch," Joseph said when his son and son in law turned to him.
"Well, as long as you bundle up," Nkosi told his parents.
"More!" Keo said suddenly.
"Hold on," Darnley said, reaching for the scone his son held up. He put some more jam on it and said, "Take it easy with that." He started to laugh when Keo immediately bit into it, getting the blackberry jam all over his chin. "Good job listening," he said, gently cupping the back of his head. When they'd finished, he helped his husband with the dishes to clear the table before Maddy was coming over to him.
"Did you dance last night?" the little girl asked.
"I did, a lot," Darnley said. "With your dad and the others."
"Kate?" Keo asked, having walked over to them after climbing down from his chair.
"Of course," Nkosi said. "I danced with her too…"
"Skye?" Darnley asked as his husband's text alert had sounded.
"She sent it to all of us," Nkosi replied as he was nodding. "They got in alright and surprised their girls," he added, looking at Maddy when she was exclaiming suddenly.
"Like you surprised us!" the little girl said.
"Exactly," Nkosi said. "So I'm sure they were really glad to see them."
"Are we gonna paint?" Keo asked.
"As soon as everything is cleaned up," Darnley said with a nod. "Which we'll do right now."
"Will you keep your brother busy?" Nkosi asked the little girl.
Nodding seriously, Maddy turned to him and took his hand before she led him to where their toys were. She made him get his building blocks and they proceeded to make a pyramid before their fathers were walking over.
"Nice," Darnley said with a smile. "Do you want to keep playing with those?"
"No, paint!" Keo exclaimed, popping up to stand.
"Here," Bethany said, hurrying over from the storage they had in the family room. "For your pajamas," she told her grandchildren with a smile.
"Thank you," the two said at the same time as she had their fathers' old shirts to wear for cover.
"You are very welcome," Bethany told them. "And your grandfather and I will want to see what you make."
With their daughter and son nodding rapidly, Nkosi told his mother, "We'll bring their pictures out."
Nodding, Bethany watched the two taking their kids to the studio and she hurried to her sewing room so she would be ready to see the artwork they made once they had finished.
"Okay, you two are ready," Darnley said after helping Nkosi getting their children ready to paint. "And I'll be back soon."
"You aren't gonna work Daddy?" Keo asked.
"Not really, not in my pjs," Darnley answered before looking at his husband before the investigator was starting to speak in amusement.
"I'll be fine, and careful," Nkosi replied. "Will you paint with us?"
"I'll see, I may just watch," Darnley replied, reaching for his husband and hugging him tightly before he kissed him.
Smiling at her brother, Maddy squeezed his hand so he wouldn't make a sound and interrupt their fathers.
"Had to," Darnley told his husband after he'd pulled away.
"I know, and don't worry," Nkosi said, kissing him quickly. "But the kids…"
Looking down at them with his husband, Darnley laughed when they were beaming and he said, "I'm glad they're patient."
"So am I," Nkosi said.
Darnley turned his attention to helping his husband getting the kids' easels set up with paper, brushes and paints. He kissed Maddy and Keo on the cheeks and told them, "Have fun, but I'll come right back." He went to Nkosi and squeezed his husband from behind telling him, "I want to see."
"You will once I'm done," Nkosi replied before they were kissing again.
Though he'd wanted to linger, Darnley let his husband go and went to his side of the studio before looking through his papers. He did so rapidly so he could go back to his family and spend the rest of the afternoon with them before their dinner that night.
"How much longer until we go?" Mari asked her mother as they were finishing washing the dishes. She was a little startled when Rebecca made an annoyed sound in the back of her throat and she was about to apologize when her mother was speaking a little sternly.
"You keep asking that Mari, I told you when it's almost time to go we'll let you know," the lawyer said. She saw how her daughter was quailing and looking away and Rebecca sighed saying, "I'm sorry, come here."
"No, I am," Mari replied, stepping up to her mother for a hug. "I just… want to go back and play."
"And swim," Rebecca commented. She smiled when her daughter laughed, glad to hear it, before she pulled back.
"What?" Mari asked in surprise at the look on her mother's face.
"Would you like to go back over?" Rebecca said.
"I…" Mari started to say before she slowly shook her head.
"Marianne Foster," Rebecca said teasingly before her daughter began to nod. She kissed the top of her head and said, "Then you can."
"Are you sure?" Mari asked in surprise.
"Yes, but after today you're staying home for a while," Rebecca said.
"Sure," Mari replied, unable to contain her eagerness.
"She's leaving already?" David asked, walking into the kitchen with Dani.
"She's antsy," Rebecca replied, seeing her daughter's frown. "But we'll be going over very soon anyway so I decided she should go."
"I'll go change," Mari said, running over to the stairs.
"Don't run," David and Rebecca said to their daughter together. They laughed with Dani when their oldest slowed down a little before continuing and he turned to his wife.
"I know Dave, we came home to be with them, but she wants to keep playing with Julia," Rebecca said, aware of what her husband was going to ask already.
"I can see what you meant by her staying," David replied. "But her parents are going to be in Las Vegas this weekend."
"I was going to tell her they can have a sleepover," Rebecca said. She became thoughtful for a moment before she said, "I was going to say it should be here but I'm sure her grandparents and sister are going to watch the youngest two."
"When will you tell her?" David asked. His wife opened her mouth to reply when they turned together to the stairs as their daughter was coming down with her bag while she called to them at the same time.
"Tell me what?" Mari asked.
"We're going to let you have a sleepover," Rebecca said. "But not until this weekend," she said quickly since Mari was beaming at her. "And we'll ask Rick and Kate if they'll want her to stay home to help with her sisters."
"Why- oh yeah, I forgot they were going to Vegas," Mari said. "Okay," she said. "Is it okay though really that I go again?"
"Yes, but after that we're going to wait before you have another one," David told her firmly.
"Okay," Mari said.
"And you need your coat," Rebecca said.
"Am I walking on the beach?" Mari asked. When both her parents nodded, she smiled widely and hurried to grab her boots and coat before saying, "You'll come at three right?"
"Yes," David told his daughter with a smile as he'd followed her. "Until then the usual."
"I know," Mari replied, smiling at him. She then said, "Why don't you go to Vegas with Rick and Kate?"
Shaking his head David put his hand on his daughter's shoulder and steered her to the sliding door in the back telling her, "It's just for the two of them. Plus they're staying for a while and I have to be here for the city; your mom has a case next Monday."
"Too bad you couldn't take a trip somewhere," Mari said.
"Another time," Rebecca said. She smiled when Dani hugged her sister and said, "You'll see her soon honey."
"I will?" the little girl asked.
"Yeah, you're coming over at three," Mari said though she'd embraced her sister back rapidly. She let her go and said, "I'll see you."
"Bye," Dani said, taking her parents' hands.
"Wait," Rebecca said. When her daughters looked at her in surprise she said, "We didn't tell them you were going."
Shaking her head Mari said, "I texted Julia upstairs."
"And she asked her parents?" David asked.
"Yeah, they're expecting me," Mari replied.
"Okay, then go ahead and we'll see you soon," David told her. He and his wife watched with their youngest as their oldest hurried down to the sand before she made her way east. "At least it doesn't take too much to make her happy," he commented, his wife laughing before responding.
"I know, but we have two daughters, and the other is here still," Rebecca said. She gave a faked cry as her husband was kissing at her neck before they were kissing tenderly while Dani held onto them. "Sorry honey," she said to the little girl. "What would you like to do now?"
"Play!" Dani cried eagerly.
"I'm following her lead," David said before his wife rolled her eyes and they headed to the family room so they could give their attention to their youngest.
"They're here," Julia said, looking out the window of the library.
"Let me see," Mari said, touching her arm. After her friend moved from the window seat she peered out and saw there were two cars there and said, "So he came?"
"With his family," Julia replied.
"Julia! Mari!" Castle called up the stairs.
"Oh, that's us," Julia said. She giggled when Mari pretended to shove her, and they hurried out of the library and down the foyer staircase. "We're here," she said.
"So is everyone else," Castle commented before he was pressing the button for the gate. "Including your family."
"They said they'd be here," Mari said before she looked at her friend and saw her looking out the window next to the front door. "Who're you looking for?" she asked.
"Make sure Peter's coming over," Julia said. She smiled when she looked back and saw her friend's surprise telling her, "I told you I heard Lily talking to my mom. Eve would be disappointed if he weren't."
"He is," Beckett said in amusement since they'd been listening to the conversation. "And so is Eve, step back sweetie or they won't be able to come inside."
Moving away from the door, Julia watched with a smile as her friends were soon coming in and they were laughingly greeting each other though it hadn't been that long since they'd said goodbye in the same spot. "I'm glad you guys were able to come back," she said when they'd finished.
"Since we're swimming?" Jacob asked.
"Yeah," Julia said before they laughed again.
"Can we go to the pool now?" Clive asked.
"Clive," Isaac said a little sternly.
"Sorry," the boy said. "I was just wondering what else we were going to do."
"It's okay," Beckett said gently. "We were going to head straight to the pool anyway."
"Did she nap?" Darnley asked his friend when he went over to her while they were heading down the hall.
Nodding Beckett said, "She did, though she was a little fussy today."
"Go swim Mama," Josie said, on her mother's hip.
"We are right now sweetie," Beckett said in amusement. "Don't worry."
"No," Josie said, shaking her head. She then laughed as her mother kissed her cheek and said, "Mama."
"Here we are," Beckett said, trying not to laugh since her youngest had become serious so quickly. She kissed her again before she set her down at one of the lounge chairs and said, "Stay with me sweetie."
"Eh," Josie replied.
Beckett smiled at her and took off her robe that was covering her bathing suit and she leaned down, kissing her cheek. She was about to move to remove her own robe when the baby walked away and she said, "Josie-"
"I have her," Castle told his wife hurriedly, coming over and scooping up the baby. "Where are you going sweetheart?" he asked her, kissing her cheek.
"Wa-wa," Josie said firmly.
"Not just yet," Castle said, looking at his wife. Seeing she had her robe on the lounge chair he said, "Okay, now we can." He walked over to the small pool where Keo and Maddy were already and said, "Mind if we join you?"
"No, Daddy and Tata said we have to swim here first," Maddy replied.
"Josie too?" Keo asked.
"For a little," Beckett said with a smile at how earnest he was. She sat on the edge while her husband was in it with the kids, smiling still while she watched him.
"You know," Castle eventually said after the two were splashing with Josie for a while. "If you two want to go down the slide you can."
Trying her best not to laugh when the pair looked at her husband in confusion, Beckett said, "Your dads are waiting for you."
Whirling around, Keo said, "Tata!" since Nkosi was at the bottom of the slide.
"Come on," the investigator said with a smile. He laughed as his son hurried to the top of the slide and soon pushed himself down. He was ready and waited for Keo to go underneath before throwing him above him. "Good job," Nkosi told him. He kissed his cheek and said, "Again?"
"Yes!" Keo exclaimed. He looked around while the others were laughing and then said, "Please?"
"Here," Nkosi said before he looked at Maddy while she went down to his husband.
"You're letting her go?" Darnley asked while he took Maddy back to the entry.
"We have already," Castle explained. He went to the bottom of the slide and said, "Ready Josie?"
"Go Dada!" the baby said happily.
"Her favorite word?" Darnley asked Beckett in amusement.
"That and wa-wa right now," she answered. Beckett watched her husband gently dunking the baby up to her chin and she moved to go into the main pool when Castle was calling to her.
"She's calling for you," he said, watching her walk through the entry before she reached him.
"What is it sweetie?" Beckett asked with a smile kissing her forehead gently.
"Swim?" Josie asked.
"Right now," Beckett said, glancing at her husband before he nodded. She let him count them off before they were ducking underneath the water with the baby. When they came back up she was reaching for Josie, wiping the water away from her eyes while the baby was laughing.
"I think she enjoyed it," Castle commented.
"More!" Josie said.
"Another one? Why don't you swim a little?" Castle said. He laughed when the baby just stared and him and kissed her cheek before he said, "What should she do?"
"What she asked for?" Beckett said questioningly.
"Okay," Castle said while they looked at their youngest at the same time. He kissed her cheek and said, "Here we go," to warn her before he started to count. He wasn't surprised when Josie was laughing when they popped back up and looked at Eliza since she was swimming up to them.
"Is Josa having fun?" the little girl asked.
"I think so," Castle replied. "Want to help her swim?" He wasn't surprised when the little girl nodded rapidly and said, "Help me."
Watching Eliza enticing the baby, Beckett touched the back of her husband's shoulder before she went under the water and swam to the deep end. Resurfacing and climbing on the zero entry, she smiled seeing Darnley was there and asked, "Why aren't you with your kids?"
"They let me swim for a little," the carpenter replied with a smile. "You?"
"I wanted to take the chance before dinner got here," Beckett replied.
"Okay, but what exactly are we having?" Darnley asked.
"I can answer that," David said. "Korean."
"From that new place that opened?" Darnley asked in surprise.
"Yeah, I've been wanting to try it," David said. "And if it's good I'm thinking about going to the restaurant."
"Give it the mayor's seal of approval?" Darnley asked.
Nodding quickly, David looked at Beckett and was surprised to see her looking at him a little questioningly and he was about to ask if she didn't like the sound of that before the writer was speaking quickly.
"What exactly did you order?" Beckett said.
"Bulgogi," David replied. "Bimbap, buchimgae and galbi. I did order noodles and rice."
"I'm asking for the kids, dessert?" Darnley said. "What?" he asked in mock annoyance as the two were turning to him. "I am."
"He is," Beckett said in amusement.
"We did," David said. "And it's a small cake with red bean paste filling; you know Mari loves that."
"So does Julia," Beckett added. "Sounds like it'll be good."
"It will… I hope," David commented before he turned his attention to Dani since she was calling to him.
"Oh, looks like Maddy heard," Darnley said when his daughter was yelling for him.
"I think so," Beckett replied, watching him go. She soon saw Julia was swimming up to her and said, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Julia replied, smiling as she sat on the edge. When her mother joined her she said, "I just wanted to see you."
"You've spent too much time with Mari," Beckett teased her.
Shrugging Julia said, "And you're going to Vegas." She then added in a hurry, "But I want you to go!"
"I figured," Beckett assured her. "But we are going to have spring break."
"I can't wait," Julia said. "But I wish I knew what's so special about the hotel we can't know about it," she added, watching her mother with a smile before she was speaking.
"You'll see," Beckett said. "Let your dad have that at least," she added when Julia pretended to pout. Laughing softly, she wrapped her arm around her and kissed the top of her head before pulling back and saying, "I think you got taller."
"Mom," Julia said in a little embarrassment.
"It's hard not to notice," Beckett replied. She hugged her as Julia was responding and said, "Love you sweetie."
"Love you Mom," Julia answered. "Swim?"
"Go with your friends," Beckett urged her. She watched her daughter go to the grotto where her friends were together and turned her attention to Rebecca who'd walked around the outside of the pool. "Having fun?" she asked.
"Yes," the lawyer said simply. Rebecca smiled and then said, "I wanted to ask how my oldest was before we got here."
"To be honest they were upstairs in Julia's room," Beckett answered. She wasn't surprised when her friend looked at her in surprise and said, "We didn't hear screaming or yelling, so they were fine."
"I wonder what they were doing exactly," Rebecca commented, looking at the grotto where the kids were swimming out.
"To be honest I think they were practicing their dance steps," Beckett said. She saw the doubt on the lawyer's face and asked, "You don't think so?"
"It was a while before we got here," Rebecca started to say. "And I know she has some supplies to draw here too."
"They could have been, or Mari I should say," Beckett replied with a smile as she knew her daughter would watch her best friend drawing. "Since music was playing."
"It's funny she enjoys that so much," Rebecca commented. When her friend looked at her she quickly said, "Watching Mari draw."
"She's in awe of her talent," Beckett explained.
Pretending to think that over for a moment, Rebecca said, "I would be too."
Beckett smiled and squeezed the lawyer's arm before she slipped into the water. When she'd come back up she laughed and said, "I was going to apologize for leaving, but you won't be alone," not surprised her friend was replying to that in obvious confusion.
"Why?" Rebecca asked before she jumped and gasped at the hand on her shoulder. "David!" she said though she was soon laughing.
Swimming down the pool to her husband, Beckett walked the rest of the way once her feet were able to touch the bottom. "Any reason?" she asked him with a smile.
"Not really," Castle replied. "I was going to go over to the grotto, but Patrick swam over there with Trevor so…"
"Not here love," Beckett said teasingly.
"Ar ndóigh ní, tá a fhios agam go gcaithfidh mé fanacht," Castle said which meant 'of course not, I know I have to wait.'
Beckett laughed softly before she squeezed his hand and then said, "Tuigeann tú go ndéanaim freisin."
Since she'd said, 'you realize I do too,' Castle breathed out and said, "Should we get some drinks for everyone?"
Shaking her head, Beckett reached out to her husband and squeezed his arm when he looked disappointed. "I'm sorry love, but we'll try later tonight."
"Sure," Castle said, nodding.
"Where's Josie?" Beckett asked him, looking around.
"Mother took her," Castle replied, looking over to where he knew she was sitting. He saw her lounge chair was empty and said, "But where I don't know. At least not now."
"I'm here," Martha said, stepping into the water. She smiled when her son and daughter in law immediately turned to her and she said, "She was a little thirsty."
"See? She needed water," Castle told his wife teasingly. He laughed when she pushed him playfully and followed her out of the pool before he said, "I think we're taking her Mother."
"That's fine, she was talking about swimming," Martha replied. "I'll watch."
"What should we do with her?" Castle asked his wife.
"Wait until she's finished her drink," Beckett said simply, kissing Josie's temple.
Pulling her bottle away, the baby said, "No Mama."
"Okay," Beckett said as she took it. She looked at her husband when he reached for the bottle and then turned her attention back to the baby when he left them. "Want to swim?" she asked with a smile.
"Eh," Josie said, laughing when her mother did. She sighed when her mother kissed her before she looked at the water while they were going in. "Wa-wa," she squealed before she was up to her chin. "Ahhh," she sighed in joy.
"She's a water baby," Castle said, joining his wife then.
"I think so," Beckett replied before she raised the baby above her. She laughed when Josie cooed before squealing when she swung her legs out slightly and let her kick them while she walked over to Castle.
"Nice swimming," he told the baby with a smile. Castle kissed her and was about to tell her to try again when Julia was swimming over and crying out as she launched herself at him.
"Spiderman!" the girl said, laughing when her father did. Julia hugged him tightly and said, "Sorry, I just wanted to do that."
"That's fine," Castle said, helping her off him. "That's the second time you left your friends."
"They went back to their families," Julia said.
Looking at Isaac and Genevieve who were near them with their sons, Castle turned back to his wife when he saw she was swimming to the deep end.
"She's with Grandpapa," Julia said with a smile as her father was looking around him.
"Oh, I didn't see you Jim," Castle told his father-in-law.
"You had to contend with Spiderman," Jim said, smiling at his granddaughter.
"Thanks," Julia said with a laugh. When he left the pool she said to her father, "I spent time with Mom already."
"How did you know I was going to say?" Castle asked with a smile.
Shrugging Julia said, "I just knew." She wrapped her arm around her father while he hugged her gently and then said, "But we can go swimming too."
"Do you want to?" Castle asked.
"Sure," Julia replied.
Laughing softly, Castle squeezed her to him briefly before saying, "You know, I think you grew a little. You're definitely taller." He was surprised when his second oldest started to laugh and asked, "What?" as he was smiling in response.
"Mom said the same thing," Julia replied once she'd calmed down.
"Well, it's true," Castle said with a nod. "Should we swim?"
"Race you!" Julia cried before she jumped into the water.
"Hey!" Castle said, going after her.
Glancing over when she heard her father, Eliza giggled and said, "You were right Mommy," not surprised when she laughed briefly before she replied.
"I know," Beckett replied. She was going to say more but was surprised when her daughter jumped into the water, and she went after her before the little girl was swimming to the side.
"Why did you leave?" Julia said, stopping at the zero entry.
"To leave," Eliza said. She squealed when her sister splashed her, and they began doing that playfully while their parents were sitting and watching them.
"Should we stop them?" Castle asked his wife.
"They'll stop," Beckett replied easily before they were swimming over to them. "Finished?" she asked them with a smile.
"Yeah," Eliza said as she climbed up next to them. She hugged her mother tightly before she said, "You didn't splash with us."
"Not right now," Castle said, reaching over to her and gently tugging on her hair. "Maybe later but we have to see if your mom would want to join in."
Julia did her best not to giggle when her mother rolled her eyes and then said, "Are you going to go on the slide at all?"
"Maybe," Beckett said.
"Where's Josa?" Eliza asked then.
"With your grandpapa," Beckett said absently as she looked over towards the side where he was sitting on the edge of a lounge chair. She watched Josie start walking away from him before she called, "I think you need to bring her here Dad."
Picking up his granddaughter, Jim was quick to soothe her when she protested and he said, "I'm taking you to the others right now."
"What was she doing until now?" Julia asked when her baby sister was set on the platform.
"Watching," Jim replied. "I was surprised she didn't want to go sooner."
"Now she does," Castle said, watching Julia getting up and going over to the baby.
Beckett shared a look with her husband as their second oldest was whispering to Josie, Eliza standing with them to hear as well, before Alexis was swimming up to them and asking about the girls.
"What're they doing?" the young woman asked.
"I have no idea," Castle said, shaking his head. He looked across the pool at Sophie when she was squealing before he jumped and then laughed as something hit his back.
"Spa Dada," Josie said.
"That was supposed to be Spiderman Daddy," Eliza said in obvious disappointment.
"You're the one who taught them that," Beckett said when her husband looked at her. She couldn't help the brief laugh that left her lips and took Josie saying, "I'm surprised you learned that quickly."
"Yes Mama," Josie replied, trying to reach for the water.
"Wait," Beckett told her. She moved the baby to stand in between her and Castle and told him, "Do you want to slide in?"
"I'll pass," Castle said, knowing she was teasing him. He kissed her temple and told her, "I love you sweetheart."
"Love," Josie replied, turning to him and hugging him. She laughed as her father was picking her up and squealing when he swung her legs out.
"Mommy, Daddy," Eliza said then. "Can Jules and I go jumping?"
"Go ahead," Beckett said with a nod. She watched them go before she noticed Josie's leg sticking out and turned quickly to her husband before he was speaking with a slight smile on his face.
"I wasn't swinging her," Castle said.
"I noticed," Beckett replied. She then said with a smile, "But at least she's enjoying that."
Looking down at their youngest babbling a little, Castle couldn't help kissing her temple and told her, "What're you saying ceann beag?"
"Mama," Josie replied immediately.
"Want to swim to her?" Castle asked.
Beckett was about to protest but held back as he moved to sit on his knees and was gliding the baby securely around to her which didn't take very long. "Hello sweetie," she said when she got a hold of her. She kissed her cheek and said, "How was that."
"No," Josie said.
"Say good," Castle said. He smiled when Josie looked at him with wide eyes and leaned over to kiss her before he brushed his lips to his wife's.
"Rick-" Beckett started to say.
"Just that," Castle murmured.
"Mom, Dad," Julia was calling. She smiled when they turned to her and she waved before she said, "Lizzy's going now."
"Go ahead," Castle told the little girl who waved herself. He watched her jumping in; Darnley and Brad nearby watching for him; and he said when she resurfaced, "Great job Eliza," clapping.
Swimming to them, Eliza giggled since her baby sister was clapping too and she hung onto the side of the platform saying, "You liked that."
"Me go Lizzy," Josie said.
"You will once you're big like me," Eliza said.
Trying her best not to laugh, Beckett said, "She's right, but for now stay with us, okay?"
"Eh," Josie replied before she smiled and wrapped her arms around her mother.
"Maybe we should push Vegas back a little," Castle said while Eliza climbed up onto the platform and hugged him once Julia had jumped in the water.
"Don't," the girl said, making her way to them. "You haven't taken a trip alone like that for a while."
"Three months?" Beckett asked.
"Yeah," Eliza said, nodding her head rapidly.
Shaking her head as she laughed, Beckett said, "We'll still go. But we'll miss you like crazy."
"We know," Julia and Eliza said at the same time, making their baby sister laugh.
"But will you bring us a postcard?" the latter asked.
"Of course," Castle said, though he and Beckett had agreed to bring them a t-shirt from the museum they'd added to their trip. "What're you going to do with it?"
"She just wants a postcard," Julia said quickly. "I'm okay though."
"Then what do you want it to be of?" Beckett asked her.
Smiling Eliza said, "The Mirage."
"Let me guess," Castle said in amusement. "You want us to bring a postcard for Josie from the cats? A tiger?" He laughed with Beckett and Julia when the little girl nodded rapidly and then told her, "We'll see," as they'd decided on a bigger shirt for their baby girl there. They were also going to get shirts from the Mob Museum and Clark County Museum if they could find them since it was a gift that was a little more practical as his wife had said. Remembering their conversation about that, Castle leaned over to Beckett, kissing her on the lips and lingering slightly longer than he had before.
"Ba mhaith liom a rá liom cén fáth?" Beckett said, saying 'want to tell me why.'
"Dúirt mé leat go bhfuil grá agam duit," Castle replied, which meant 'I have told you I love you.' When she merely smirked at him he then said, "Mar bhí orm."
Smiling, as that had meant 'because I needed to,' Beckett kissed him lightly before telling him, "I love you," speaking in a whisper.
"I love you too," Castle said. He pulled away and looked over at Eliza who was sitting to his right and said, "Anything else you girls want?"
"Desserts!" the little girl exclaimed.
"We were going to tell you to go to the buffet again," Julia said.
"You are aren't you?" Alexis asked them.
"He convinced me," Beckett said in amusement since Julia and Eliza were looking at her and Castle.
"So you can bring them," Eliza said before she started to giggle heavily.
"I wish, at least the macarons," Castle replied.
"What's wrong?" Beckett asked Julia, seeing the look on her face.
"I wish I knew how to make those," the girl said.
"Me too," Eliza said.
"We'll see if we can learn," Beckett said. Seeing the excited expressions on the girls' faces she said, "I'm not sure if we'll be able to do that but we'll try."
"As long as we can try," Julia said, not surprised when her sister nodded eagerly in agreement.
"What else will you do?" Eliza asked.
"Oh no," Castle said quickly when she smiled and hugged him tightly. "If we tell you now we won't have anything to say when we call you."
"But you are gonna go to museums?" Eliza then inquired.
"Definitely," Castle said firmly, smiling at her kissing his cheek loudly. He did the same to her before he said, "And we'll take pictures."
"Selfies?" Alexis asked him.
"Of course, I can never get away from those," Beckett commented.
"But you love taking them," Julia said teasingly. She giggled when her mother playfully pinched her cheek and hugged her briefly before she pulled away.
"I think it's almost time to get out," Castle said, watching the end of the pool where David and Rebecca were talking. He wasn't surprised when the girls groaned and told them, "Then go with your friends before we get ready for dinner." He watched them go; Alexis slipping into the water to join her husband; and turned to Josie to kiss her cheek. "And until then…" he started to say to his wife.
"Oh fine," Beckett said in mock annoyance before she was getting up with him. As they took Josie to the grotto to let the baby play there for a little she watched their girls, relishing their time with their family and friends. Sitting with Josie on her lap in the water, she was pleased they'd returned earlier than they'd planned before hers and Castle's Valentine's trip out west.
