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: It was really nice to get what I did in the way of feedback for the last chapter, so I'll go ahead and get started on my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (I wasn't surprised to see you liked how Esposito was in the chapter. And I was glad that you liked how I was letting Josie start to talk, I figured it was time for that) and

Mb (I was pleased to see that you thought the first half of the chapter with them at the ball was nice, along with them seeing their precinct family. I wasn't surprised at you saying you could see Tyson getting frustrated with the deal, but it does actually help him since Castle and Beckett aren't in the city to be able to find him. And it was a while ago so to refresh your memory concerning Gates, in my series I had her work to purposely push Castle out of the 12th once a new mayor was elected. I never really saw her as being that chummy with Castle in the show, she seemed to be more inclined to be annoyed with him since he was a civilian, so I saw her as taking any opportunity to get rid of Castle as an investigator. I wasn't surprised you were laughing at Castle and Beckett coming up with what they could do the next year instead of being at the ball. I figured since Beckett on the show said she hated politics they'd be annoyed with higher up people than the mayor of the Hamptons that was their good friend. Not surprised either that you were hoping that I was hinting at Esposito finding someone since I actually had expected it. I was really glad you thought Skye and Mary surprising their family back at home, I wanted to do something different since I've written that ball a few times now, lol. Great to see you thought the first half was nicely done! And you're welcome for sharing the first half too! It was really nice to see you thought the second half was a sweet and fun look at the others getting home early to surprise their kids. Also was nice you enjoyed them getting together to have a fun day at the pool. Glad you thought it was fun and had happiness too since that's what I was aiming for! You're welcome for the second half of the chapter!).

Thanks for the reviews, I enjoyed reading them and appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!

A/N #2: The title of this chapter is the title of a song sung by Brandon Flowers; I wasn't able to get more information than that.

Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas

"Good morning," Beckett said, walking into the living room of the villa where her husband was standing at the door to the back.

"Hey, morning," Castle told her. He met her at the table that was set with their breakfast, and they kissed gently. "Sleep alright?"

"Yes," Beckett replied in amusement. She brushed her lips to his and murmured, "Why so much?"

"I remember how much walking we did," Castle replied. "And I spoke with Seth, we'll be able to order sandwiches to go."

"Great," Beckett replied. "Hungry?"

"Very," Castle said, not surprised she'd heard his stomach grumbling. He kissed her rapidly and said, "You first."

"It's not Valentine's-" Beckett started to say teasingly while she sat in the chair he'd pulled out. She laughed softly when he'd kissed her neck through her hair and told him when he pulled away, "That explains it."

"I had to take my chance," Castle replied, sitting directly next to her.

"Are you going to be able to last until Monday?" Beckett asked since it was still the eleventh and they'd arrived in Las Vegas later the afternoon before.

"I will," Castle assured her. "I don't know how but…"

"Don't worry," Beckett said, squeezing his arm while he split the omelet he'd ordered for them.

"The same?" Castle asked her with a smile. He wasn't surprised when she nodded, and he shared a kiss with her before turning his attention to their omelet and oatmeal they shared. They looked outside before she was speaking suddenly, making him smile again while she turned to him.

"Did you check on the weather?" Beckett asked.

"Of course," Castle replied. "I thought you'd never ask. But it says it's supposed to be windy; not too much; but it'll be interesting while we're outside."

Beckett smiled and said, "Good thing we're staying around the hotel once we're back."

"Would you mind doing something if we have time before dinner?" Castle asked her.

"Depends on what it is," Beckett answered easily.

"Putt for a little?" Castle said.

"If it's not too windy," Beckett said. She smiled when he leaned over to her before she focused on responding to him and they slowly parted after a while. "But for now…" she said before they went back to their food. Once they'd finished, they got up and walked down the hall to their room where they changed and finished getting ready in their separate bathrooms. "Okay," she said, coming out into the bedroom after her makeup was done.

"Why?" Castle asked before she could continue.

Smiling, since she was aware her husband was talking about the fact her hair was in a ponytail, Beckett said, "You mentioned it was supposed to be a little windy."

"Yes," Castle replied with a nod. "But still."

Laughing softly, Beckett shook her head and said, "Let's go before we waste our time out."

"Wait," Castle said when there was a knock on the door. "Our lunch." He hurried out to the entry where he'd put a bag his wife had brought to carry stuff. Taking the food from their butler, he tipped him and put everything away as Beckett walked up to him while she spoke.

"I thought you still needed to order?" she asked.

"I figured it'd be better to get to it ahead of time," Castle replied. "And we have our drinks," he added, since the bottles of water had been in the bag already.

"And I have everything," Beckett said, holding up her bag where her camera was. She set it down and reached for her coat, putting that on hurriedly before her husband was handing her scarf to her. Thanking him she waited for him to finish and they gathered their bags before leaving the villa. They'd rented a car and once they were at it, she asked, "Who's driving?"

"Me today, you tomorrow?" Castle asked. "Flip a coin going to the airport?"

Laughing softly Beckett said, "Alright," before they were getting into the car. She watched him make his way to the Strip before they were turning right on Flamingo and heading to the 15 freeway. "What did you order?" she asked her husband, watching him trying to drive since he'd started to laugh at the same time.

"Sorry, I was expecting you to ask sooner," Castle said. "I ordered us both the turkey club."

"Good," Beckett replied.

"That's it?" Castle asked in slight surprise.

"I remember the menu from last night," Beckett told him in amusement. "And that's fine with me. I'm surprised you didn't order a burger."

"I thought about it but it's messier to eat," Castle replied.

"Where are we going to eat," Beckett said.

Before Castle could answer, the GPS was telling him where to go and he hurried to get off the freeway. "I think it's going to have to be here in the car, in the back," he told her. When she didn't say anything, he looked at her and saw the look on her face before she was talking quickly.

"You realize I might think you have something in mind when you mention the back of the car," Beckett told him teasingly.

"I know, but I figured there wouldn't be a place there," Castle said. "And it's windy," he added since he was having to control the car. "Do you want to go still?"

"I do," Beckett assured him before she saw the tall sign for the museum. When her husband turned into the street for it, she glanced around the parking lot and said, "Not many people."

"In February?" Castle asked.

"True," Beckett said with a nod. She then smiled and said, "And it'll be nice walking around the houses."

"I can't wait," Castle said before he turned off the car. He'd parked nearest the garden on the northeast side and said, "And we'll have a view."

"I noticed, thank you," Beckett told him, squeezing his arm before she got out. She had to hold onto her coat and button it quickly as the wind pushed it open. Once she was settled, she waited for her husband to come around the car to her and slipped her arm through his before they went to the entrance. She greeted the woman at the desk in the front, watching her husband paying for their admission before he slipped a twenty into the donation box. She smiled when the worker thanked him profusely and they went back into the lobby where she started to get her camera ready. "That was nice of you," she said.

"I had this feeling you wanted me to," Castle commented. "And I want this to stay open."

"Me too," Beckett replied before she took pictures of items in the display cases in the room. Her husband trailed her and when she finished, she walked to him at the display with the items from the Carole Lombard plane crash before he turned to her while he was speaking.

"Would you mind me following you?" Castle asked. He was startled when his wife obviously studied him and was about to ask what was wrong when she took his hand.

"Come on," Beckett said, pulling him to the first display about the desert having been ocean. While they were looking at the display of rocks and fossils she murmured to him, "I would."

"Really?" Castle asked, almost exclaiming before he was quick to get control of the volume of his voice.

"Yes," Beckett said, taking a few pictures. "Having you walking behind me… your eyes trailing my body?"

Castle was expecting her to continue after that rhetorical question but was soon watching her walk away from him. He scrambled to meet her at the next display; which wasn't too far from him; and he breathed, "Vixen, now I'm going to think of that."

"Good," Beckett replied easily. She wasn't surprised when he gently squeezed her back before they moved from the ancient southern Nevada displays to the Native Tribes. She took pictures and then said, "We're not going to last."

"We have to tease each other though," Castle commented though he was looking at the display.

"I know," Beckett replied. "I just wonder if you're going to be okay though love."

Reaching to her, Castle took her hand and brushed a gentle kiss to the back of it before he said, "I'll be alright."

"I hope so," Beckett said before she took her husband's brief kiss. "You couldn't resist."

"Not that," Castle said, smiling when his wife had. He took her hand and they walked along the casino machines before he said, "That token is still there."

"I saw," Beckett replied in amusement. She took a picture of a roulette machine and said, "Did you want to play tonight?"

"I did," Castle said. "Not all night but a little would be fun."

"I was going to agree," Beckett said. "But where?" She watched as her husband looked at the tables in front of them and she said, "Rick," not surprised when he was responding to her immediately.

"We never discussed getting them Beatles shirts," Castle said with a smile because her tone had had no warning at all.

"No, but it should have been a given," Beckett said, taking a picture of the old casinos on the wall. "Just one though," she then said after thinking of her husband loving seeing the girls getting their gifts.

"Julia won't be happy," Castle commented while they moved to the TV that showed the demolition of some of the old casinos.

Watching the movie with her husband, Beckett sighed when it started up again and told him, "There's something really sad in that."

"Are you thinking of Ghost Adventures?" Castle asked her. When she nodded, he then said, "I can see what you mean." They came to the next exhibit and seeing it was different paintings he said, "They changed it."

"I'm not surprised," Beckett said in amusement. She took pictures here and there and seeing they were back at the lobby told him, "Ready to go back out?"

"Yeah," Castle said. "It'll be interesting to see if we can actually make it to the houses."

"I can't use you for a shield?" Beckett told him teasingly.

Since they were passing by the worker, who said goodbye and thanked them again, Castle couldn't respond so he waited until they were outside to say, "If you want to go ahead."

"Are you serious?" Beckett asked with a smile. When he nodded, she laughed and hugged him briefly before telling him, "I'll pass," wrapping her hand around his upper arm. "I just hope we can make it."

"Help me," Castle told her jokingly, smiling when she laughed. They walked in the direction of the houses and once they'd reached the first, he was opening the door for her and trying not to lose his grip on it before he closed it behind them firmly. "Okay," he said as he recovered from the noise. "Wow."

"I know," Beckett said laughingly, turning to him. "My ears are still ringing."

"Should we go to the gardens still?" Castle asked.

"Maybe try the one by the parking lot," Beckett replied, taking a picture. She then realized what she'd said and clarified, "The one by the entrance."

"I figured," Castle said. He frowned and said, "Still creepy," indicating the mannequins in the room off the living room they were in.

"I know," Beckett said. "But it's still interesting."

"I'm dreading the chapel," Castle commented, following her as they went to the other side of the house.

"You want to skip it?" Beckett asked in amusement.

"Let me get back to you once we get there," Castle replied.

Beckett nodded, taking pictures while they were going through each house until they were by the chapel. She looked at him questioningly before she said, "No?"

"I think we can skip it this time," Castle replied slowly.

"I agree," Beckett said before they took each other's hands. Since that had been the last building on that side she said, "I just thought of something; about lunch," not surprised when he was picking up on what she was thinking when he responded shortly after.

"We should just go back," Castle said.

"I think so," Beckett replied, nodding her head. She paused at a white house and said, "Did we go in this before?"

"I think it was closed off," Castle replied while he studied it. "Hopefully you want to check it out," he told her.

"I would," Beckett said in amusement.

"You don't think the girls would mind it?" Castle asked her while they were heading up to the front door.

"No," Beckett replied. "But they'll want to come back."

"That I was expecting," Castle said with a nod. He opened the door for her and was startled when they couldn't really go that far into the house. He read the plaque that was on the railing and said, "These were homes for miners."

"I figured, as small as it is," Beckett said, glancing at the African American mannequins there.

"I would hope they didn't have that many kids but I'm sure some did," Castle said. He was startled when his wife touched his arm and looking at him asked, "What's wrong?"

"No, you," Beckett said with a smile. "You're thinking of the girls."

"It's hard not to," Castle replied before they were leaving. He had to grab the door since it nearly shoved into him from the wind and said, "I think you're right."

"About lunch?" Beckett asked, stepping onto the porch before waiting for him to get the door closed.

"Yeah, it'll be better in the villa," Castle said. "But where?"

"Where we'll eat?" Beckett asked with a smile. When her husband nodded, she said, "Let's wait to figure that out okay?" She wasn't surprised when he nodded again and reached for his hand before they huddled close together to make their way to the train depot building.


"I think they'll like these," Castle said, holding up the shirt.

"They will," Beckett said, coming into the living room. "Put it away Rick, lunch is set up."

"Are you sure you're okay sitting at the bar?" Castle asked. When she frowned a little, he said, "Sorry," as he held up his hands. "I just want to make sure," he added before she took his hand. Letting her lead him into the TV room where there was a small bar, he was about to tell her that he was looking forward to the lunch when she preceded him to his slight surprise.

"Even though we have the table, I'm glad they had the bar," Beckett said. "To eat somewhere different."

"I was thinking the same," Castle said as he waited for her to get up on one of the barstools. He joined her and said, "Are you sure you want to watch TV?"

"It's just while we're eating," Beckett replied. "Do you still want to go to the Venetian?"

"I would," Castle said, having to finish his bite of sandwich first.

"I know what you're planning love," Beckett told him in amusement. When he looked at her with wide eyes, she cupped his cheek before saying, "The gondolas?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Castle said quickly.

Laughing softly Beckett said, "Your tell Rick."

"I did not," Castle said.

"You did, you just protested vociferously," Beckett teased him. She was startled when he moved suddenly to kiss at her neck and did her best to stop him though she'd enjoyed his lips. "We'll have a problem if you keep doing that," she explained while he pulled away to look at her in obvious annoyance.

"Do you notice something?" Castle asked her to change the subject.

"The TV?" Beckett replied with her own question. When he nodded, she smiled and said, "I don't think we need it."

"Not really," Castle said before they were continuing to eat and talking idly before he remembered their walk to the Venetian when he took the trash to throw away. He turned to his wife while she was looking at her phone before she glanced up at him and spoke with a smile on her face.

"What is it?" Beckett said.

"Would you mind?" Castle asked.

"No," Beckett replied, aware already he was talking about the gondolas. "But we can stay inside, right?"

"I'm guessing we will," Castle replied with a nod since it hadn't warmed up at all that day.

"Then we can go," Beckett said, getting off the chair. She then kissed his cheek and said, "Hurry."

"I am," Castle said, doing his best not to outright race in finishing cleaning up. But he soon had it done and he joined his wife in the entry where she was looking at her camera. "All charged?" he asked with a smile.

"Yeah, it's ready," Beckett said. "And we're coming right back."

"We are," Castle said. "We need to head to the buffet early," he told her. "And talk to the girls; not in that order."

"I figured," Beckett said, trying not to smirk though it was difficult. She watched him putting on his scarf and coat, fixing the former before she buttoned the latter. Feeling his arms wrap around her she murmured his name before he leaned down slightly to capture her lips with his. It was a gentle kiss, but she could literally taste his desire in the press of his lips to hers. Trembling a little once he pulled away, she whispered his name again and they were coming together in a rougher kiss. She clutched at the front of his coat to stay standing though they were parting shortly after. "We have to go out," she said, not surprised when he was nodding and speaking shortly after.

"Thank you for reminding us," Castle said. When she smirked at him, he said, "I do mean us."

"Believe me, I know," Beckett replied. "Have the key?"

"I do," Castle said with a nod. Once they were out of their villa he was quick to take her hand and they made their way to the Strip before they were walking down the street. "Would you want to stop anywhere else?" he asked suddenly.

Glancing at him Beckett said, "I thought we were coming back to our villa?"

"Yes, but I'm just checking," Castle said.

"Did you want to play now?" Beckett asked.

"No, I can wait for tonight like we were talking about," Castle replied swiftly. "I'm just making sure." He stopped with her while she was taking pictures of the waterfall and large pool after the hotel's casino, watching her closely before she turned to him. "I'm annoying you?" he asked.

"No, just confusing me to be honest," Beckett replied.

"Oh… well now I know," Castle told her. He smiled as she laughed and they continued walking again, though he was a little frustrated since he'd wanted to take her hand. He held back though because she was taking pictures and he was surprised when she was pressing against his side.

"Now I am," Beckett said. She smiled when her husband looked at her with wide eyes and reached down to take his hand. She wasn't surprised when he was squeezing back, and they continued until they were across the street from the Venetian. She took several shots outside before she let her husband lead her in though she had to stop him since she took several pictures.

When they'd reached where they would purchase their gondola ride, Castle wasn't surprised they were told it was only inside that day. "That's fine," he said to the woman. "My wife and I are looking forward to the buildings."

Beckett was surprised to hear the vehemence of the word wife and walked up to him wrapping her arm around his shoulder so her left hand was visible with its wedding band and engagement ring. "Everything okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, we have our ride," Castle said.

"Good," Beckett replied, smiling at him before they left the window. "What happened?"

"She was coming on way too strong," Castle said in obvious annoyance. When his wife gently tugged on his hand, he leaned down to her and let her kiss his cheek. "So I had to make sure," he added when he was standing straight again.

"So did I," Beckett said, watching him kissing the back of her left hand. She wanted to run her fingers through his hair but had to hold back as they were stepping up to the front of the line for the gondolas. She wasn't surprised when he insisted on stepping into the boat first and reaching back for her to help her in. Settled on the seat she was shortly after taking pictures before she leaned against him.

"Enjoying it?" Castle asked in Irish.

Smiling, Beckett nodded and said, "We'll have to do this with the girls," speaking in English since she didn't mind the gondola driver hearing that.

"Especially since we'll tell them," Castle said. He wasn't surprised when she nodded, and he moved to wrap his arm around her waist. Holding her closer he pressed his lips gently to the side of her head and said, "I can't resist."

Smiling at his Irish, Beckett said, "I'm glad." She wasn't surprised when his hand gently squeezed her side and she said, "Anywhere you want to stop?"

"Wherever you want to go," Castle said. When his wife appeared startled he said, "Seriously."

Frowning, Beckett shook her head and said, "I don't want to buy anything."

"I'd like to," Castle replied easily. "For you."

Beckett wanted to protest but knew her husband would insist so she smiled and said, "Then you must not have a gift," not surprised when he was responding rapidly.

"Oh no, I do," Castle said.

Since her husband's tone of voice was so serious, Beckett sighed and said, "Alright, but I want you to buy something too."

"Are you buying for me?" Castle asked her with a smile.

"Yes," Beckett told him firmly. She wasn't surprised when her husband was laughing shortly, and she hugged him before he did the same to her. They were quiet the rest of the ride, watching the stores and people walking by and waving to some kids who were doing so to them. When they were disembarking, she thanked the gondolier and said, "That was a great trip."

"You're welcome," the man said with a smile. "Glad you enjoyed it."

"We did," Castle said, giving him a tip. He wasn't surprised the man was thanking him profusely and as they got out of the way for the next rides he said, "What?"

"That was nice of you," Beckett said, taking his hand.

"I had to, it was a great ride," Castle commented. "So," he then told her, squeezing her hand to keep her from talking. "What store?"

Doing her best not to become a little irritated; since she'd been hoping her husband had forgotten; Beckett said, "This way," leading him to a boutique. She was startled when, as soon as they were inside, he moved to sit at a chair next to the entry. "What're you doing? I just need to grab-" she started to say.

"Waiting while you shop," Castle interrupted her. "I have my phone so take as much time as you want."

"Bíonn tú an iomarca uaireanta," Beckett told her husband which meant 'you're too much sometimes.'

"Táim sásta a bheith," Castle replied, saying he was happy to be. He had a hold of her hand by then and gently kissed the back of it before letting her go saying, "Let me see."

"Back at the villa," Beckett replied. She wasn't surprised when her husband was nodding rapidly, and she smiled before cupping his cheek.

Watching his wife walk away, Castle glanced at the clothes which he hadn't really taken in before that moment. He saw the items around him were more Beckett's style and smiled though he had to wonder what she was going to pick up. He kept his eye on her for a while before he lost sight of her and went onto his phone.

Going into the dressing room, Beckett tried on the two sundresses she'd found, imagining wearing them that summer. She wasn't sure how, but she assigned them in her mind to their road trip and the other for Adare. That made her think of her husband and she felt herself trembling for an instant when she thought of him and them being all alone. But she couldn't forget where she was and hurriedly changed before going out to where her husband was. "Love," she told him with a smile because he was so focused on his phone. She watched his head pop up and look at what she was holding before he smiled and spoke.

"You're still going to show me, right?" Castle asked.

"Pervert," Beckett said under her breath while she smiled. "I will, come on."

Standing up quickly, Castle followed her to the register and bought the dresses for her before they were stepping back out to the shops. "I know," he said when his wife turned to him expectantly. "And I'll take you there now."

Beckett bit at her lower lip while he was leading her past other stores until they reached one she wasn't surprised had caught his eye.

"Am I trying whatever I get on for you?" Castle asked.

"If you want to," Beckett replied. She wasn't surprised when her husband hesitated before she said wryly, "Let me guess, I'm trying on for you?"

"I'd appreciate it," Castle said swiftly. He expected her to call him pervert again, so when she smiled at him and walked further into the store, he couldn't help being a little shocked before he saw her sitting by the store's dressing rooms. He smiled at the sight of that, and he walked around the clothes before he saw a suit he liked.

"Not that pattern," Beckett said. When her husband looked at her, she smiled and told him, "The same color; not houndstooth," watching him consider the fabric before he was turning to her and asking about the next.

"How about this?" Castle asked.

"Are you kidding?" Beckett replied, seeing the paisley pattern in white.

"So are you," Castle said with a smile at her tone.

"The pinstripe Rick," Beckett told him firmly. She waited for him to get to the blazer and trousers in a darker grey and watched him disappear into the stall her chair was near.

"I hope you realize," Castle told his wife while he changed. "I'm wearing a black shirt."

"I think I can overlook that," Beckett replied easily.

"Unless I take off the shirt," Castle commented.

"Pass," Beckett said, unable to help the amusement in her tone. She heard the door opening and said, "See? Much better than the paisley."

"It was blue," Castle told her, watching her fixing the lapels though they were already straight.

"But this brings out your eyes more," Beckett said before looking up into them. She smiled when he was sucking in a breath of air and said nonchalantly, "You're aware I enjoy them." She was a little taken aback when her husband was taking her hands with his, brushing his lips to them before he wrenched himself away to head back into the room to change. Her heart was pounding a bit harder and she lowered herself into her seat while she breathed a little hard. But she managed to get herself under control by the time he stepped out and she told him, "I'll take that."

"Thank you," Castle said simply though his hands had been itching to take her into his arms to kiss her voraciously. He walked after her a little slowly, debating if he wanted to try to get her to pick another store. He was still thinking that when Beckett walked over to him, talking teasingly to him while she handed him the bag she'd been given.

"I hope that's enough shopping for you," Beckett said.

"I think so," Castle said, looking at his watch.

"You could tell?" Beckett asked with a smile while they were leaving the store.

"I glanced at it while you were paying," Castle said. "By the time we get back they better be home," he added, not surprised his wife was laughing softly.

"I'm glad they're not here to hear how menacing that was," Beckett told him.

"It's why I said it that way," Castle commented. He wasn't surprised when she rolled her eyes; while smiling; and he entwined their fingers as they stepped out onto the Strip.


"Hi Mommy!" Eliza cried out when she saw her parents on the TV. "Hi Daddy!"

"Hey girls," Castle said first, sitting next to his wife. "Are you all set?"

"Yeah, Grandpapa is getting some water for Josa," Julia said. "Hi," she then told her parents. "Are you finished for the day?"

"No, it's only two…" Castle started to say first. "Two," he said once he'd looked at his watch. "Sorry we took so long to call you."

"We were walking back from the Venetian and your dad wanted to stop at the Flamingo," Beckett said.

"You went to see them?" Eliza asked eagerly.

"We did, it was a little out of the way but definitely worth it," Castle said, glancing at his wife.

"It was and I've been taking a lot of pictures today," Beckett took up, not surprised when Julia was commenting on that immediately.

"You took other cards right?" the girl asked.

"Of course," Castle said before his wife could answer. "Five of them."

"He's right," Beckett said, not surprised when their middle daughters weren't. "But we missed you two today."

"And before you ask us what exactly we did," Castle said hurriedly when both their girls were opening their mouths. "We want to hear all about school." He laughed with his wife when they were both groaning and then told them, "We have to hear; have to make sure you went and didn't escape once your grandparents and little sister left."

"We didn't," Eliza said with a giggle. She told her parents about her lessons and ended by saying, "And I had the spelldown today."

"We remember," Beckett replied with a smile. "And we're waiting to hear how you did."

"I won!" Eliza said. "I spelled the most words!"

"Great job sweetheart," Castle said enthusiastically. "I told you, all you had to do was study and then you'd be able to spell."

"Yeah, thanks Daddy," Eliza said. "You too Mommy."

"You're welcome," Beckett said, though her husband had helped their second youngest more. "Did you get a ribbon?"

"Yeah, here," Eliza said, reaching next to her to grab it on the coffee table. She held it up and said, "See?"

"We do," Castle said, smiling at the blue ribbon. "And it'll look great in your room."

"Can I put it on the wall?" Eliza asked.

"Why not your corkboard?" Beckett suggested. She smiled when the little girl nodded rapidly and turned her attention to Julia saying, "What about you sweetie?"

Smiling, as she had expected that, Julia told them about her classes before she and Eliza talked about their dance class which had been tap dancing that day.

"That's the second day in a row," Beckett told them. "What is Ms. Grey planning?"

"She said there's a competition," Julia said.

"For sure?" Castle asked.

"Yeah…" Julia said slowly.

"Julia," Beckett told her firmly.

"It's in Boston," Julia said. "And… Peter's not sure he can go; his mom is going to be pregnant more so…" not surprised when her mother was responding to her gently.

"I think we can arrange something," Beckett said. "But we need to know when it is."

"A month from today," Julia said. "Well… Friday, the eleventh."

"We can arrange something," Castle said. "What're you performing?"

"Tap," Julia said, unable to help her excitement knowing they could go. "Cha-Cha, Viennese Waltz, Jive and Foxtrot. The tap is going to be like a freestyle."

"I'm not surprised," Castle said. "And we'll talk with Peter's parents once we're back home," he added.

"Thanks," Julia said gratefully. "So what about you guys?" she asked.

When Castle looked at her, Beckett quickly started with them heading to the museum and how they'd looked around as much as they could before leaving because of the wind. "But we did see a lot," she said with a smile. "And we had lunch here at the villa."

"Remember the bar where the TV is?" Castle asked the girls.

"Yeah," Eliza said with a nod.

"You ate there?" Julia asked. "Watching TV?"

"We were going to," Beckett replied. "But we ended up talking."

"I hope the food was good," Eliza said.

Smiling Beckett answered saying, "It was. After that we walked down to the Venetian and your dad bought us a ride on one of the gondolas." She wasn't surprised when the girls were exclaiming over that and she said, "It was a lot of fun, but we thought of you two. We want to take you when we come back."

"Cool," Eliza said happily. "I can't wait to go."

"We will at some point," Castle said. "But before your mom stops there, we stopped in a couple stores and bought a few things."

"Really? What'd you get Mom?" Julia asked immediately.

"I'll show you when we get back home," Beckett promised. "Your dad bought a suit blazer and trousers."

"Could we see them too?" Eliza asked.

"Of course," Castle said. "So now we're all caught up and the rest of the day is just resting until five when we'll head next door for the buffet," he added.

"Good, take pictures?" Eliza asked.

Beckett was about to tell them she was saving her camera for after if they walked on the Strip a little, but her husband was speaking first as he held her hand.

"I'll do it, it's a little awkward for your mom to haul out her camera," Castle said. "And I'll look like an annoying tourist doing that with my phone, so I'll blend in."

"You're not annoying Daddy," Eliza said immediately.

"Thank you, sweetheart," Castle said. "But I'll get pictures of our plates."

"Make sure Mom puts a lot of food on hers," Julia quipped.

"And desserts!" Eliza said happily.

Groaning, Beckett wasn't surprised when the girls immediately told them they were kidding and she said, "Thank you. And don't worry, I will eat."

"And we'll have proof," Eliza said, beaming at her mother.

"Sorry," Castle said after he and his wife started to laugh at their second youngest's earnest tone.

"Don't worry," Beckett said in amusement. She turned her attention to their parents who were sitting on the couch behind the girls and asked, "How has Josie been doing?"

"Very well," Martha replied. "She has been asking about you two."

"Let Julia take her," Beckett said. Watching with her husband as her father set the baby down, she smiled when Josie toddled to her sisters before they turned her attention to the TV screen. "Hey little one," she said with a smile while the baby cried out seeing them.

"Mama, Dada," Josie said, reaching out to them.

"Hi Josie," Castle said. "How was your day today?"

"Go Mama," the baby said.

"We did, we're in Vegas but we'll be home soon," Beckett assured her.

"We need to go," Jim said to his daughter.

"You guys are okay?" Castle asked his mother and father-in-law.

"We are," Jim said with a smile. "We spent the time with Josie, and I developed some pictures while she was napping."

"I stayed near her," Martha said. "And made some adjustments to Eliza's dress up clothes."

"Gram says I got taller," Eliza commented herself.

"You did," Beckett said since they'd seen that already. "Do you need to start dinner?" she then asked her father since she was aware of why he'd tried to end the conversation.

"I'm helping Gram," Julia said.

"Did you guys do your homework?" Castle asked. "Before we say goodnight."

"We did," Julia and Eliza said at the same time.

"Good," Castle said laughing. He and Beckett were then saying goodnight to their family and once they had hung up he took everything off the TV and set it into a cabinet next to it. "We forgot to mention the wind," he commented as he closed the door.

"I just thought of that too," Beckett said with a smile. "But we can tell them tomorrow."

"So you still want to putt?" Castle asked in surprise while she stood from the couch.

"I do," Beckett said with a nod. "Are we betting anything? For Monday?"

"I would say yes but I don't know if we'll really want to play with anything," Castle replied.

"I'm surprised at you," Beckett said. "We don't have to do anything silly."

"What do you have in mind?" Castle asked, stepping up to his wife.

"I'd have to wait to see if I won to tell you," Beckett replied simply.

"Goddess," Castle breathed to her. Though he knew he shouldn't risk it, he couldn't help leaning down to her and kissed her deeply before they were grabbing one another. Holding his wife tightly, he kept that up for as long as he could until the need to breathe became overwhelming. "We're betting, aren't we?" he asked.

"Seeing who wins," Beckett corrected him with a smile before she kissed his cheek. "Come on," she told him.

"How will we figure this out?" Castle asked while he grabbed the putters before they went outside.

"Let's practice," Beckett began, taking the one he handed her. "And then we'll compete just once."

"Okay," Castle replied, handing her a golf ball. He let her go first, watching her putting before he said, "Not bad."

"Are you going to comment the whole time?" Beckett said.

"No," Castle said easily. He let her do that a few more times and then said, "I wonder if I could give you some pointers?"

"Alright," Beckett said, watching him walking up to her. She wasn't surprised when he stood behind her and reached around her before he held her hands.

"You have a good swing," Castle murmured into her ear. "But I think you should just relax your elbow."

"And you had to hold me to do that?" Beckett teased him.

"I did," Castle replied, loosening his hold of her but not letting go fully as they stood straight. "Kate…" he said while they gazed into each other's eyes.

"We can both play," Beckett told him before he leaned down to her, kissing her lightly. She responded to him eagerly but wasn't surprised when he was shortly after pulling away.

"I think I'll just sit," Castle said, going to the table by the putting green.

"Are you okay?" Beckett asked, following him.

"Yeah, I just need a second," Castle replied.

Placing her hand on his shoulder gently Beckett asked, "Is this from our celibacy or…"

"Normal," Castle said. "But go ahead and play, I'll be fine." He was startled when she sat next to him and was about to ask if she didn't want to play when she set her putter on the table behind them.

"Not really, not by myself," Beckett said. She smiled at him and said, "We came here to be together remember?"

"Hard not to," Castle said. He looked at the putting green in front of them before he said, "I love you, but you drive me crazy." When she gently cupped his cheek he looked at her and said, "I hope it's vice versa."

"It is," Beckett replied before they leaned into each other. Their kiss was gentle and continued for some time until they slowly parted, smiling when her husband nuzzled his lips to hers for a moment. "This is nice too," she said.

"Oh… not anymore," Castle said, tilting his head back as he felt rain. He got up with his wife and they hurried together inside the villa. "Did you get that wet?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine," Beckett replied. "You?"

"The same," Castle said. "What'll we do now? We have a while still."

"We could go to the gift shop," Beckett said.

"And gambling?" Castle replied.

"Maybe stay at Caesar's?" Beckett suggested. She smiled when he nodded and said, "Let's go now," not surprised when he started to speak as soon as she'd finished.

"We forgot something," Castle said. At her questioning look he smiled and said, "Your dresses."

"Right," Beckett said, cupping his cheek. "Go back in there and I'll come over once I reach you." She was about to walk to the room when her husband was gently taking her hand.

"I can wait in the room," Castle said. "At the desk."

Beckett was about to respond but hesitated as she realized he wanted to be closer to her while she changed for some reason. "Alright," she said with a nod. She cupped his cheek and went into her bathroom before closing the door to the sight of her husband sitting down on one of the chairs at the desk. She changed quickly into the first sundress and zipped it before she looked at her shoes on the closet floor. She hesitated a little and recalled they wanted to go so she went to the door and opened it slightly.

"Are you giving me a big surprise?" Castle called, seeing that.

"No, just making sure you're ready," Beckett said while she was stepping out.

"Wow," Castle said.

Shaking her head Beckett said, "That's it?"

"I thought my tone would convey it," Castle told her teasingly before he motioned her over to him. He stood while she was walking over to him, and he made her turn around while he studied it.

"Rick," Beckett told him once she was facing him again.

"I can't do that?" Castle asked. He was surprised when she appeared to think that over and was wrapping his arms around her when she did so to him. "You look beautiful," he said.

"Though I have no shoes?" Beckett asked in amusement.

"Definitely," Castle said before he closed the gap between them to kiss her. He lingered, though he knew it was a risk with their bed next to them, for as long as he dared and once they parted said, "You're keeping it?"

"I tried them both on remember?" Beckett asked in amusement, watching him frowning before he spoke.

"I forgot," Castle said honestly. He then said with a smile, "But I'm glad that means you're keeping them."

"You don't know what the other one looks like on me yet," Beckett teased him.

"I don't need to," Castle replied, kissing her again. He let her go reluctantly and watching her going back into her bathroom couldn't help telling her, "You look adorable without heels." He smiled when she glanced at him over her shoulder and sat back down as the door closed. He breathed out slightly thinking of how that sundress had clung to her body and did his best not to look at the bed.

Stepping back out into the room a short time later, Beckett cleared her throat since her husband was looking at a pamphlet that had been on the table. "Okay," she told him. "This is the last one."

"And it's as stunning as the first," Castle said in a rush.

Beckett was startled at her husband's words before he was grabbing her, and she had to recover quickly when he leaned down to kiss her. He was ravenous and she was clutching at him tightly before they were pulling away from one another at the same time. She was panting almost desperately, and she squeezed him saying, "You're not going to last."

"I will," Castle said, breathing hard himself. "But it's so hard to resist you."

"I feel the same about you," Beckett replied. She pressed her cheek to his and said, "I need to change for dinner."

"I do too," Castle said though they weren't letting one another go. He pulled back to look at her and said, "We're walking around after right?"

"Yes," Beckett replied with a smile because she knew that for a distraction from the fact they were finally alone. She brushed her lips to his and that seemed to do it for them, making them release one another and go to the closets in the separate bathrooms. She and Castle had talked about what they'd do for dinners and left lunches to be decided while actually in the city. Since the buffet was a little fancier, she put on a deep blue sweater and light grey trousers before stepping into the Windsor boots she had for everyday wear. She finished by fixing her hair, putting it in a braid and then some makeup before checking to make sure her aquamarine pendant was set.

"Hey, I was just going to check on you," Castle said, stepping back since he was walking up to the door.

"I'm ready," Beckett said, smiling at him.

"No good?" Castle asked since she was smoothing her hands over the shoulders of his blazer. He was wearing a dark grey suit without a tie and said, "If I could have washed it I'd be wearing my new one."

"This is good too," Beckett replied. When she felt her husband's hands on her back she said gently, "We better go."

"Yeah, you're right," Castle said as he'd been intending to kiss her and not stop. He let her go and said, "So first we're heading to the store; do you want to gamble at all around there?"

Smiling at him; since she knew it was a diversion; Beckett said, "Let's see what time it is and when we finish." She watched him nod when they reached the entry and was going to ask him if he'd be alright when he spoke in slight concern.

"We're going to need an umbrella," Castle said. "Are you okay walking outside?"

"I am," Beckett said. "It's why I wore a sweater."

"And pants," Castle commented, unable to help looking down at her legs. He wasn't surprised when his wife pushed on his chin, so he raised his head and told her, "I was doing that while you were showing me your dresses."

"I noticed," Beckett said, sliding her arms into her coat he held for her. As she watched him put on his she said, "And you know I was never afraid of rain."

Breathing out a little hard, Castle nodded and said, "I was aware… Kate I'm trying not to take you back to the room."

Since he sounded a little desperate, Beckett went to him and hugged him tightly saying, "I feel the temptation too. But don't worry. We'll be fine okay?"

"Is that for sure or hopeful?" Castle replied, holding onto her closely but not too hard.

"Hopeful," Beckett said at the same time with her husband since they'd been gazing at one another. They were laughing softly, and she said, "Okay, we're going to lose all our time getting something for the girls." When he nodded, she let him go, unsurprised he was doing so to her a little after, and she said, "I'd love to watch a movie tonight."

"Me too," Castle said. "I can get popcorn for us if you'd like," he added, slightly startled when his wife squeezed his arm before she spoke.