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 great getting the feedback for the last chapter so I'll go ahead and get my thank yous started for that! TORONTOSUN (Thanks for the 4th of July wishes. Hopefully you and yours had a great Canada Day yourselves!) and
Mb (I was really glad that you thought the chapter was a nice look at Castle and Beckett enjoying themselves. And I was glad you like the museums since I do enjoy writing those and going to them, lol, and I did want to show they were still thinking of their family of course! And I wasn't surprised what I put about the museums made you want to go to them. They're really awesome ones to get to see and definitely interesting. And I figured with the Mob Museum parents would really vet that one for kids, so I'm not surprised you noticed me having Castle and Beckett doing that. Great to see you thought the first half was nicely done! You're welcome for sharing the first half of the chapter! It was great to read that you were smiling and laughing with the second half of the chapter. And I wasn't surprised to see it was with Castle and Beckett still having one more day before they got to Valentine's Day and their lack of intimacy being over. I'm glad you find them cute with all of that and not surprised either to see you mention that at least they were rethinking the torture strategy for the future. Nice to see you thought it was a nice filler update. You're welcome for sharing the second half of the chapter!).
Thanks for the reviews, loved reading them as usually and I'm grateful for the time taken to write them out and send them my way!
A/N #2: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas by Brandon Flowers.
Palm Tree Can Provide
"Do you have the umbrella?" Beckett asked her husband once he turned to her. When he raised it, she said, "Just making sure."
"The weather says all day tomorrow," Castle said before they were taking each other's hand to walk to the casino from the villa.
"That's not what it looks like outside," Beckett replied.
"Did you change your mind about going out?" Castle asked in surprise.
"No," Beckett said. "But I'm just glad we're not leaving the Strip," she added, smiling when her husband started to nod in agreement. She squeezed his hand and said, "Where are we getting breakfast?"
"Hungry?" Castle replied.
"Starving," Beckett said firmly.
"Don't worry, I thought of something," Castle commented. "But the next two meals are your choice." He was startled at her look before he said, "No?"
"Both of us love," Beckett said. "Though I have an idea for what we could get for lunch."
"Tell me," Castle said in a rush.
Smiling Beckett said, "Wasn't there an Irish pub in between Mandalay Bay and the Luxor?"
"Oh yeah, of course," Castle replied with a nod. "That's fine with me."
"Going to have a pint?" Beckett asked.
Castle started to reply when he hesitated for a moment and told her, "Actually I'll wait."
"Then that means you thought of something for dinner," Beckett said. She was a little surprised when he smiled and was soon replying since she'd thought he'd demur on that.
"I really wanted to go to the burger place here," Castle replied.
"Okay," Beckett said. She smiled when her husband looked surprised and explained, "Julia asked if we'd go."
"She wanted us to?" Castle asked before they were glancing at the restaurant while they passed it.
"She did, I asked why and she said it would be romantic," Beckett replied as they were heading out. She breathed out hard as a gust of wind hit them and seemed to go right through her. "I keep forgetting it's this cold," she told her husband while they walked hurriedly to Caesars.
"Me too," Castle replied.
"I could have used some coffee," Beckett commented.
"Why exactly did she think the burger place would be romantic?" Castle asked.
Giving him a look at so obviously changing the subject, Beckett looked ahead while they went up to the pedestrian bridge over Flamingo and said, "She made me promise we'd sit on one side of the booth together."
Squeezing his wife's hand gently to get her attention, Castle told her, "Sorry love, I want to surprise you."
Sighing and then nodding, Beckett said, "Alright, but I hope we get there soon."
"We will," Castle said since the street was essentially empty. They hurried as fast as they could to stay warm and were soon passing the Bellagio, Cosmopolitan and Aria before he was pulling her to their right.
"Here?" Beckett asked with a smile. When her husband nodded, she made him stop and got her camera ready to take a picture of the entrance to the building that said Park MGM and underneath it Eataly. "At least now I know we're getting coffee," she told him with a smile. "And before you ask yes, I approve. But I'd like some biscotti," she added, not surprised when her husband was speaking rapidly before they reached the doors inside.
"I think we can get some of that," Castle replied before he led her to a map of the place.
"We never stopped in here last time," Beckett said as she looked around.
"No, but it's another place to bring the girls," Castle said. "This way." He led her to the left, and they were soon spotting the coffee stall before they got into line. While they were waiting and walking, more people were coming up behind them and he was relieved they'd made it in time. He let Beckett order first before giving his, asking for two anellini cookies before they were waiting. "I can't wait," he told his wife when they were standing at the counter.
"Neither can I," Beckett said. "I'm suddenly craving espresso."
"Me too," Castle replied with a smile since they could smell it because they were standing near the machine. It didn't take much longer before they were given their small cups and once they had tapped them together they sipped. He picked up his cookie and dipped before he said, "I hope this meets your approval."
"They're selling it, so yes it does," Beckett replied with a smile. They were quiet while they had their breakfast and she glanced around them before she told her husband once they were giving their cups back, "We're coming back."
"This time or the next?" Castle asked, holding her camera while she put on her gloves.
"The next," Beckett replied with a smile. They were walking together out to the Strip and went past the next few casinos before they'd made it to Mandalay Bay. Walking inside she was taking several pictures of the décor though she had last time they'd been there, and she told her husband, "Eliza told me."
"Take pictures?" Castle asked with a smile. When his wife nodded, he said, "That doesn't surprise me. But why?"
"She just told me she wanted to see where we go," Beckett said. She was startled to see her husband was trying not to laugh and she was about to ask why he was doing that when he was speaking shortly after.
"The girls asked me to take selfies where we go," Castle said. "The museums and here."
Beckett smiled and said, "I'm not really that surprised."
"No," Castle said with a slight laugh before he saw they were nearing the ticket booth for the aquarium. They already had their admission so they went to the entrance and headed inside before she stopped him so they could get their outer layers off. Once they'd finished, he said, "We were going slowly around, right?"
"Yes," Beckett said, studying him. "Why?"
Smiling at her guessing that, Castle explained, "When you mentioned going to the mall in between this and Luxor I remembered the Titanic thing they have there."
"We could," Beckett said immediately. "Check it for the girls."
"That… kind of seems like an excuse," Castle said slowly. "Or what we're going to tell them." He couldn't help laughing, getting the attention of a family going by them, and he stopped himself quickly before he said, "Okay, luckily we have the Mob Museum scoping out to use with that." When his wife gave him a confused look, he was about to defend his wording before she smiled and spoke wryly.
"I'm glad you're quick on your feet," Beckett said. She checked on her camera and then said, "If you're ready I am."
"Yeah, this time I'll follow you," Castle said. He was surprised when she frowned and he said, "There's only one way to go."
"Why don't we just walk together?" Beckett suggested. She laughed softly and briefly when her husband pursed his lips to pretend to think that over and she told him, "That difficult?"
"No, let's go," Castle said before they began to walk. Going into the large room that was first he stepped up next to her at the alligator and put his hand on the small of her back once she'd taken a picture. When she glanced at him, he said quickly, "Bhí a fhios agat go dtarlódh sé seo."
Since her husband had said, 'you had to know this was going to happen,' Beckett smiled for a moment and then told him, "B'fhéidir gur theastaigh uaim é a dhéanamh," which had meant 'maybe I wanted it to.'
"Seriously?" Castle asked.
"Yes," Beckett said, cupping his cheek before she walked away from him.
Castle scrambled to follow her before they were at the Komodo dragon and he murmured in Irish, "Ba mhaith liom tú a phógadh."
Biting her lower lip, because her husband had said 'I want to kiss you' Beckett brought her camera up to take a picture of the reptile. She then told him as they turned to leave, "Bain triail as."
Breathing out hard since she'd said the word try Castle nodded and they walked together to a tank with piranhas. He watched her taking pictures before he was startled by her squatting to get a shot at eye level with the fish. "Good?" he asked her once she was standing straight, taken aback by her reply.
"Not really," Beckett said frankly. She looked at her husband pointedly before she saw the realization appear on his face and said, "That's not your fault though."
"I was hoping it wasn't," Castle commented. While they were continuing, he reached for his wife's hand and brought it up to his lips to kiss the back of it.
"Easy," Beckett told him gently when he turned it.
Glancing around them, Castle could tell they were alone at that moment and he made her stop before he leaned into her and brushed his lips to hers. "I love you," he murmured.
"I love you too," Beckett said with a smile before they continued.
"Should I ask what you're thinking?" Castle said as his wife's smile continued once they'd stopped in front of the large aquarium with statues along the back.
"We never really were this expressive," Beckett said.
"Not before our marriage," Castle replied, watching the fish in front of them. He glanced at her and said, "I'm putting that down to the fact we kept us secret for so long."
"It's more than that," Beckett said slowly.
"I'm aware," Castle said. He wasn't surprised when his wife looked startled and he smiled slightly saying, "You spent a long time trying to make sure everyone at the station knew you were… well, you tried your best to be perfect."
Sighing Beckett said, "My second failing after my intensity with Mom's case."
"I wouldn't call those failings," Castle said.
"Then what would you call them?" Beckett asked pointedly as she turned to him.
"Personality traits," Castle said. He wasn't surprised when she looked uncertain and he said, "I know, some people would think that's a failing but I see it as part of you." He then looked at her in a little concern and said, "You don't like being so expressive," jumping slightly when she was speaking immediately after.
"Don't assume," Beckett said. "But I still have moments where it surprises me."
"I'm not surprised," Castle said, reaching in between them and taking her hand. He was intending to brush his lips to hers briefly, but some people were walking into the room they were at, and he gently squeezed her hand before they were turning to walk into the tunnel between that room and the next.
"Where did you want to take the selfie?" Beckett said her husband after she'd taken some pictures.
"I don't know, think here is good?" Castle asked in amusement.
"I think so," Beckett replied with a smile before she stepped closer to her husband, and he wrapped his arm around her. She smiled at his phone and once the shot was taken, she waited for him to set up the text to send once the girls were back at home and she leaned against him.
"Keep going?" Castle asked, watching the people that had been behind them pass them.
"Actually…" Beckett started to say. "Let's stay here a little longer."
"Sure," Castle said before he was sitting down on the slide ledge with her. They were watching the fish swimming around and he said, "Shark."
"No panic?" Beckett asked him with a smile.
"I was trying to think of how to work in a line from Jaws," Castle replied. "I can't."
"Good, you don't need to," Beckett said, leaning against him before he wrapped his arm around her. She waited a little and when they were still alone she was making her husband turn to her before she murmured, "Rick." She was pleased that was all she needed to say before he closed the small gap between them, and he took her lips. They were a little rough, but they didn't linger for very long since they didn't want anyone to see them and when they parted she breathed, "You're not surprised."
"I don't think I could be really," Castle said before he brushed his lips to hers. He was brief and then said, "Let's go."
Beckett nodded while she was standing up at the same time and they walked together down the rest of the tunnel before they reached the touch pool in the next room. "Are you going to?" she asked her husband.
"I'd love to," Castle said. He smiled when his wife laughed and he was saying, "Do you?"
"Let me see once I finish getting some pictures," Beckett replied before her husband was asking about the rest of the room.
"What about the others?" Castle asked.
"Others?" Beckett said.
"Other tanks," Castle said swiftly.
"After," Beckett replied before they were sitting on the edge of the pool. While her husband was reaching into the water and lightly running his fingers over the rays, she was taking pictures.
"Are you?" Castle asked.
"I'm fine," Beckett said, shaking her head. She smiled when her husband went back to the water and she took a picture of him after she'd watched him for a while. She then studied him and slid a little closer to him while he was looking up at her in surprise.
"What?" Castle said. But it came to him before his wife could speak and he smiled before he pushed himself closer to her too. "While I'm glad we're taking our time we should rest a little more," he told her.
"Good point," Beckett said with a smile.
Glancing around the room, Castle breathed out and said, "But maybe there's something to be said about walking."
"A little longer," Beckett said. "There's only the aquarium out there."
"And the gift shop," Castle reminded her.
"I remember," Beckett said. They looked into the water before her husband was suddenly standing and she turned to him saying, "What happened?"
"I was going to take your hand," Castle said. "With my wet hand."
Beckett smiled and followed him to the sink before she said, "I wouldn't have minded."
"For your camera's sake," Castle told her. He smiled when she laughed but turned his attention to the water running so he could finish. He urged his wife to start walking while he was drying his hands and told her, "I can follow you this time."
Though she nodded, Beckett waited for him to finish and throw the paper towel he'd used away before they made their way around. Starting at the lionfish she told her husband, "Do you think we could walk around a little after lunch?"
"Before we head into the Titanic?" Castle asked. When his wife nodded he said, "That wouldn't be a bad idea."
"I'm surprised," Beckett said.
"Well, I was thinking of having a six o'clock dinner again," Castle replied, going with her to the next aquarium. "Since we don't have any plans for after."
Beckett smiled and said, "Isn't there an arcade at Excalibur?"
"You want to go there?" Castle asked in surprise. When his wife nodded he then said, "Maybe we should change the restaurant."
"No, it's not that hard to walk," Beckett said.
"Exercise?" Castle asked her. When his wife nodded, he smiled at her before they turned their attention to the aquarium they were at with large starfish. Once they had finished he said, "I guess we'll have to admit we can't make this last anymore."
"No," Beckett replied, amusement tinging her voice. "But we expected that."
"And the girls will be happy we went through the whole thing," Castle said.
Laughing briefly, Beckett said, "And we have the pictures to prove it."
Nodding, Castle said, "Keep going."
Rolling her eyes, Beckett looked head of them while they walked into the next room with floor to ceiling acrylic viewing panels before she looked down at the one on the floor. Just as they were stepping up to it she saw one of the sharks in that tank was swimming by and she hurriedly took a picture before her husband was speaking in a rush.
"Please tell me you got that," Castle said.
"I think so," Beckett said, looking at the screen of her camera. "I did," she told her husband while he leaned over to look.
"Nice," Castle said with a nod before they stepped closer to the window in front of them.
While she had taken several pictures, Beckett could sense her husband was walking around her back and forth. Eventually she looked at him and said, "Do you want to leave?"
"No, just trying not to bother you," Castle replied before they were walking to the room just off it where the acrylic was above them. He looked up at the sharks swimming by and hearing the shutter of his wife's camera smiled before he told her, "Do you have another card with you?"
"In my purse," Beckett replied, smiling back. She then said, "We should go."
"Yeah," Castle said as seriously as she'd spoken. He felt the desire to kiss her again and he tried to ignore it before they were walking to the gift shop. "What're you going to get Josie?" he asked.
"I'm not sure yet," Beckett said, looking at some of the options. She wasn't that eager for some of them as they were too glittery and sparkly for her taste. "Did you want one of these?" she asked her husband when she swiftly recalled he needed to have some say in the choice as well.
"No… don't tell me you do," Castle said in obvious concern. He was a little surprised when she laughed and quickly covered her mouth before he then said, "So… no?"
"They're too girly to me," Beckett replied. "Though remember what we said about the girls."
"Yes, if they want it then we won't stop them," Castle said. "Though Julia and Eliza haven't gotten into that."
"You think Josie won't," Beckett stated instead of asking.
"No," Castle said. "Since I get the feeling her sisters' influence will do that." He smiled briefly while they were walking around and said, "It's funny to remember Alexis."
"Don't love," Beckett said.
Castle looked at her in surprise before he recalled the reason why she'd liked girlier things and tried not to sigh at the reminder of his first ex. "What about you?"
"Mom did dress me in purples and pinks; you've seen the pictures," Beckett answered, looking at a white shirt with sea turtles on them. She put it back and then picked out another white one with blue starfish on it as she said, "And I grew out of it fast," looking at him when her husband laughed softly before he responded.
"It doesn't surprise me," Castle said. "But what about that shirt?"
"I'm a little worried about it being white but I was thinking of getting a bigger size," Beckett said. "What do you think?"
"It's cute," Castle told her with a smile. "And she'll love it."
"Most likely," Beckett replied while she looked at the size before getting another that would fit the baby the next summer.
"Isn't-" Castle started to say.
Shaking her head, Beckett explained, "I think next spring and summer will be better."
"Good point," Castle said with a nod. "Eliza?"
"You can look too," Beckett said. She was about to say more when he was suddenly going to another set of shirts and she followed him before he got a teal shirt.
"She does love dolphins," Castle said, since it was of three jumping out of the water.
"She does," Beckett replied, turning to get another shirt.
"She'll love that one," Castle said, knowing it was for Julia. It had a humpback whale on it, leaping out of the water, and he said, "I'm glad they're pictures."
Smiling, Beckett walked with her husband around the rest of the store before she spotted a book for Louis. "Alexis did say he liked sharks," she said when she showed it to Castle.
"Right, coffee table book?" he asked.
"Whatever they want to do with it," Beckett said in amusement. "But I would guess it'll end up in their library."
"More than likely," Castle said, taking it from her before he went to the register.
Looking around the shelves while she waited, Beckett was leafing through a book about the Great Barrier Reef before she looked up at her husband stepping up to her. "What's wrong?" she asked in surprise when she saw the expression on his face.
"Nothing, I'm ready," Castle told her before taking her free hand. He watched her smile before she set down the book and they walked back out into the casino before she was speaking to him teasingly.
"Do you want to find a little alcove or something?" Beckett asked.
"I would love to," Castle said seriously. "But I'm starving." When she looked at him in surprise he said, "You didn't hear my stomach in there?"
"No," Beckett said. She couldn't help laughing when he gave a mock sigh of relief and told him, "I've heard it before Rick."
"But this time we're in public," Castle commented.
"We were basically alone in there," Beckett said, talking slowly at the end since her husband was stopping her. "Yes?" she asked.
"Here?" Castle said simply. When his wife shook her head, he was startled when she suddenly started to pull him, and he couldn't help laughing. "I should have known," he told her before he was walking with her.
"Of course," Beckett replied. "Though did you want to eat there?" she asked as the restaurant they'd stopped in front of had looked nice.
"I want burgers for dinner, I think I'm fine with Irish," Castle said. He was a little taken aback when she moved to wrap her arm around him, and he responded swiftly by putting his about her waist. "No pictures?" he asked.
"Do you really want me to right now?" Beckett asked. She smiled when her husband slowly shook his head and they walked to the escalators to the shops between the casinos. After they were at the top it took little time for them to reach the restaurant and she stopped her husband so she could take a picture. When she turned to him, she saw his face and said, "Why are you pouting?" trying not to smile since he was obviously feigning that mien.
"I didn't want to let you go," Castle said in a mock whine.
"Come on Rick," Beckett told him, smiling that time though he was putting his hand on her back so they could go up to the host.
"Good afternoon sir, ma'am," the man said, nodding his head. "Would you be havin' a drink or lunch?"
"Lunch," Beckett said, not surprised at his thick Irish accent.
"I'll take you to the seating in the back," the host said, getting two menus and leading the way.
Thanking the man since they were sitting at a table alone in a large room, Castle said once they were alone, "I think he recognized us."
"I noticed," Beckett replied, smiling. She then said, "I wonder, should we try Irish with him?"
"Should we try the slogan?" Castle asked.
"Let's not, you don't know where he's from exactly," Beckett answered after thinking that over for a moment.
"That's true, but at least I can bring us up," Castle said.
Beckett rolled her eyes and asked him, "What're you getting?"
"The bangers and mash," Castle said. "You?"
"Fish and chips," Beckett replied since she'd made her selection as fast as he had. She closed her menu and handed it to him telling him, "Order for us."
"Sure," Castle said, trying not to look around for the waiter since he knew what she was going to do.
"Sir," Beckett said, spotting the host who had their waiter first. "Is it alright to take pictures inside?"
"Of course ma'am," the host said with a smile before he looked past her while her husband started to speak.
"Is it alright if I order now for us?" Castle said.
"Sure," the host replied.
Watching her husband relaying their orders before the man was heading to the kitchen, Beckett turned to him once they were alone and said, "What're you doing?"
"You can't guess?" Castle said, asking a question in response. He then became a little concerned and said, "If you want to go on your own I can wait."
"Don't worry, I'm just surprised," Beckett told him before she took a picture of the room behind them. "You could have spent it on your phone."
"Another time," Castle said quickly. He wasn't surprised when his wife smiled at him and he walked after her to the bar in that room before they went to the rooms leading back outside since they were part of a pub that had been brought over from Ireland. When they were going back to their table he said, "Good timing," as the host was setting down their plates.
"Thank you," Beckett told him with smile.
"You're welcome, hope you enjoy," the man said while he nodded his head.
Sitting again Beckett said, "Are we tasting each other's?"
"I was hoping you'd say that," Castle told her. He smiled when his wife laughed briefly at his tone and said, "How much would you like?"
"A piece," Beckett said.
"I'll take the same from you," Castle said while he was cutting one of the sausages he had. "And some fries?"
"I'll take some of the potatoes," Beckett said.
"And sauce," Castle replied, getting all that for her and putting it on the side of the plate she'd prepared a spot for. He watched her putting a little vinegar on his piece she'd cut and took it before dipping it into the tartar sauce. "I'm glad you thought of this place," he told her once they'd tasted each other's dishes. Since she was still eating, he smiled at her and took a sip of water before she was lightly nudging him and speaking.
"Are you trying to suck up?" Beckett asked, keeping her voice low while another worker was bringing a group in. She watched with her husband as the woman led them to another table and said, "At least we can still talk."
"Are we going to?" Castle replied. When his wife looked up at him with her eyebrow slightly raised he said, "Yes we are."
"Keep eating, if you want to go to that museum," Beckett told him.
"You don't now?" Castle asked. He wasn't surprised when she shrugged before she turned back to her dish and they ate. He was surprised when they ended up not talking at all, but it was because the group that had been brought into the room they were at was very loud. When they'd finished, he couldn't help muttering, "Now I'm regretting this big of a room," the voices echoing off the walls.
"At least we're done," Beckett replied, agreeing with him. She watched him putting his card for their bill before the man was leaving quickly.
"I guess we won't be able to talk to him," Castle said. When his wife shook her head, he took her hand and once they saw the host coming back he was about to ask the man if he knew them when someone at the other table dropped a pint of beer. They watched him rush over and then got up as he'd signed the bill before he said, "He-"
"He's walking back," Beckett interrupted him.
"I'm sorry about that," the host said. "I hope you had a good meal."
"It was great," Beckett said first.
"She's right," Castle said before he and his wife exchanged a look. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but do you know who we are?"
"Yes," the man said hesitantly before Beckett was speaking reassuringly.
"It's alright," she said. Beckett had been about to continue when the host was speaking quickly.
"I've heard of you through the group back in Ireland," the man began with. "And I read your books, I'm a fan." He then said sheepishly, "My wife is as well."
"Would you like an autograph for you both?" Castle asked.
"That would be great," the host said. "I would ask but… I don't want to be annoyin', I guessed you're here on vacation."
"We are," Beckett said, taking the piece of paper the host had gotten from a notebook he had in his apron. She took the pen he handed to her and signed her name before letting her husband do the same.
"Thank you so much," the man said.
"What're your names?" Castle asked.
"Dermot and Shannon," the host said. Taking the paper, Dermot thanked them both and added, "Shannon will be happy to see this."
"We were glad to do it," Castle said.
Freezing for a moment, Dermot smiled and said, "I'll let you go to enjoy the rest of the day."
"Thank you," Beckett said. She looked at her husband when the host rushed away and told her, "Don't say anything," not surprised when he was hurriedly responding.
"I wasn't planning on it," Castle replied. "Just letting you know I'm ready when you are." He smiled briefly when she was studying him, and he helped her with her things before they were leaving. "Though I have to say," he told her. "He really was a good waiter, so it needed to be said again."
"Thank you for not planning on saying anything," Beckett replied wryly. She laughed and shook her head, unable to roll her eyes even jokingly when he gave her a thumbs up with his hand that wasn't holding hers. "Are we going to be able to go through this seriously?" she asked him when she noticed they were nearing the Luxor.
"Yeah, don't worry," Castle assured her. He squeezed her hand firmly and then said, "Sorry I just… wanted to see you laugh."
Beckett suddenly realized her husband's frustration so far that trip in the number of times they couldn't share a kiss and she looked around them for a moment.
"I know," Castle said. When his wife looked at him he smiled and said, "I can tell. And I feel the same." He raised her hand to his lips, gently kissing it before he said, "I'm hoping suddenly we might stay around the casino and then villa after this."
"We will," Beckett said so firmly she wasn't surprised when her husband eyes widened slightly. "We should go," she then said.
"Yes, this way," Castle said. "Though you can go ahead and take some pictures around here while I get our tickets."
Kissing his cheek as a way of thanks, Beckett turned her attention to doing that and she started with the large Sphinx. Taking a picture of an obelisk eventually, she glanced over at her husband and saw he was sitting and watching her. She walked over to him and sat next to him saying, "You're tired already."
"No," Castle said. "Just watching you love."
"And you had to sit?" Beckett asked teasingly. She became startled when her husband tensed up and looked worried and she hurriedly touched his arm to keep him from talking. "I'm kidding love," she said. "I know it wasn't for that reason, but-"
Leaning over to his wife Castle murmured into her ear, "I should confess I was staring at your legs too."
"So partially?" Beckett asked with a smile when he leaned back to look at her. She laughed briefly when he nodded, and she leaned into him at the same time before they shared a brief kiss. She squeezed his hand and said, "We should go."
"Of course," Castle said as they stood together. Going to the entrance he let his wife opt out of a picture a worker asked them about taking on the 'bow' of the Titanic and said, "I'm glad we had the option to say no."
"Too cheesy," Beckett murmured back after she'd taken a picture of the replica of the submarine used to go down to the sunken ship. Going inside the exhibit she paused with her husband, and they looked at the walls of photos of passengers before she took a picture when he got her attention by handing her a paper. She took it but looked at him questioningly before he quickly explained what it was.
"They said it was a passenger card," Castle said. "And there'll be a list of them at the end of the museum and we can see if they survived or not."
"Who did you get?" Beckett asked.
"We got a married couple Edward and Ethel Beane," Castle replied. "Newlyweds," he added.
Reading the paper, Beckett said, "I hope they survived."
"Me too," Castle said with a nod before they continued to the next room. He saw it was about building the ship and they looked at the different displays before he stopped at one and told his wife, "Kate, look."
Seeing there were some rivets, Beckett took a picture before she said, "She was Irish."
"I know, Mother told me that all the time," Castle said. He smiled when his wife looked at him; obviously startled; and then explained, "Her mother's father's family was from Ireland remember I told you?"
"But they were from England," Beckett said, recalling. "Did they work on ship building?"
"One of her great-uncles did," Castle said. "She's not sure if he worked on the Titanic but there was a chance since he didn't go back to England until two years later."
"That would be interesting," Beckett said. "But either way…" she then told him before trailing off and taking a shot of a large photo of workers walking on the street. She let her husband lead her to the next room though they paused to look at the blueprint of the levels of the ship to the right of the doorway. Going through it she smiled since that room was staged to look like a pier along the side of the ship.
Looking at the items in some of the displays Castle said, "You know… if I could relive the boarding I so would."
Taking a picture at the other end of the room that had crates and mail bags on them along with whistles from the ship Beckett asked, "I'm disappointed in you," not surprised when he was responding to that rapidly.
"I wouldn't want to be there at the sinking-" Castle started to say.
"I meant that you didn't want to be there for the first two days too," Beckett interrupted him.
"Oh," Castle said. He made a quick face before he said hurriedly, "Yeah, I'd want to do that too."
Beckett laughed softly and hugged her husband before they turned to the left and came to a hallway. "Third class," she said at the same time as Castle. She took a quick picture of the hall before she said, "I don't know how they handled the ship's engines."
"Some might have found it soothing," Castle told her while they walked down.
Beckett didn't respond as they were reading some information on the left before she finally told him, "I might not have."
"You never know," Castle replied. He wasn't surprised when she shrugged before they continued, and she stopped at the recreation of a third class room. He stood with her and said, "Okay, there I wouldn't enjoy," since she was glancing at him.
"I had a feeling," Beckett said, taking a picture before they went to the next room which had a variety of items including a serving dish from second class. Before they were leaving the room she said, "They had it nice still."
Nodding, knowing she was referring to the couple whose cards they'd gotten, Castle said, "Sure, they could afford that at least." They left the room and came to a hallway that was carpeted. While they were reading the information on passengers there he reached for his wife's hand at one.
Smiling at her husband Beckett said, "Are you comparing them to us?" since the couple that had been on the Titanic in the plaque had been called lovebirds.
"Not sure about lovebirds but the obviously in love is good," Castle said.
Beckett laughed softly at his tone and said, "Come on you sap," teasingly before she tugged him after her. She paused before they went into the next room, seeing it was a replica of the Grand Staircase and she hurriedly took a picture of it before they walked through and the worker standing to the side was calling to her.
"Ma'am, no pictures in this room please," the woman called to her.
"Right," Beckett said hurriedly.
Watching her, Castle did his best not to smile since he knew she was mimicking turning her camera off. He was aware already she merely turned off the screen though that would make it hard for her to get the shot exactly. He blocked her the best he could from the worker to help her with each shot she made at the displays across from the staircase, and they walked through to the next room about First Class and with more items from the wreck. "How'd it go?" he asked while she was looking at what she'd taken.
"Good," Beckett said. She was a little startled when her husband kissed her cheek and she smiled at him asking, "What was that for?"
"I had a feeling you'd be able to pull it off," Castle replied. "Keep going?"
"Yes," Beckett replied before they started to walk together around the room. She took as many pictures as she could before they went through a door and found it was a mockup of the deck of the ship. "Pretty," she said as to their left were lights on black mimicking the stars.
"A little eerie," Castle said.
"Slightly," Beckett said, turning to the right and taking a picture of what was supposed to be the windows of the ship. "If we bring the girls we'll have to be careful Eliza and Josie won't be scared," she told him while they went into the next room.
"Here too," Castle said since it was darker there. There were more items, from the crew and bridge of the ship, and a large 'iceberg' that he and Beckett touched. "Crazy," he said, shaking his head while he shook the water off his hand.
"I know," Beckett said with a sigh. She went to her husband and took his hand before they went into the next room and found a model of the wreck on the ocean floor. She took some pictures before her husband was talking to her rapidly about something she had forgotten about.
"We're not taking a selfie here are we?" Castle asked.
"We should have in front of those crates and mail bags," Beckett said.
"Do you want to go back?" Castle asked.
Turning back the way they'd come Beckett said, "Alright." She walked with her husband to nearly the start of the museum and she was pleased when they found they were alone and stood with her husband in front of the items while he took the picture. While he was getting it ready to send she looked at her watch and said, "We better go."
"Leave this?" Castle asked in surprise.
"No," Beckett said swiftly. "Hurry through the rest and get back to the villa. It's almost two."
Checking his watch, Castle nodded and then took her hand so they could walk swiftly back through the rooms until they'd reached the one they were in. They went quickly through it and he said, "That model was impressive."
"It was, but you don't think Eliza will be scared will she?" Beckett asked him.
"I'm not sure, we can talk to her of course," Castle said as they'd paused before going into the next room. His wife was first and he was started to hear her brief exhale of air since it was loud, and he hurried to step inside the room after her before he was breathing out as well. A section of the side of the ship was in front of them and he said, "Wow."
"I know," Beckett said before she took a picture of the huge piece.
"Got it?" Castle asked her. When she nodded, they walked together up to it and he studied the rivets on the side and the pieces of metal while Beckett was taking pictures. After they stood watching it for a while they walked around and found they could look at what was the inside of the ship. He watched his wife taking pictures, feeling like something was off about her before she lowered her camera. He couldn't explain it, but he felt something pushing him to move and he took his wife's arm gently. "Come on love," he told her.
Nodding rapidly, Beckett allowed him to take her into the next room before he wrapped his arms around her. "I'm fine," she said swiftly.
"Then why are you shaking?" Castle asked her, rubbing her back firmly.
"Not now," Beckett said, not surprised when he was hurriedly making her pull back so he could look at her. "I'm fine," she said. "But yes, something…" She looked back to the other room, not surprised when her husband tried to stop her before she said, "It's alright. No, I just got really unsettled."
"I don't blame you," Castle said. "Should we continue?"
"We need to," Beckett said, looking at her watch. She then said to him, "Sorry."
"Don't worry, I'm not surprised you don't really want to discuss it," Castle said. "What?" he asked in surprise as his wife was frowning before she spoke.
"It's not that I don't to," Beckett replied. "I don't have that ease discussing it yet."
"Oh, that makes sense," Castle said with a nod. "And really you don't have to if you don't want to."
"I felt cold," Beckett said firmly as soon as her husband had stopped speaking.
"I thought you did," Castle said, putting his hand on her back. "And not a surprise considering what we were standing at right now," he added. He embraced her tightly and told her, "But you're okay now?"
"I am, I'm just hoping Julia doesn't sense anything," Beckett replied before they let go of each other. They turned to the room they were in and she said, "Though I might have to tell her."
"Anyway?" Castle asked.
Nodding Beckett said, "She'll be able to tell."
"Good point," Castle said, speaking a little absently as he'd noticed the plaque next to the first display. "Kate, I think these are items from specific people," he told her.
Reading herself, Beckett saw the man in the picture, a William Edward Hine, had been a victim and looked down at the items in the display. She sighed at the chef's toque since it was the man's and said, "I see why I had that reaction."
"Have you been having problems with the items?" Castle asked in surprise.
Shaking her head quickly Beckett said, "Sensing, which still sounds crazy, but I can't shake it."
"You're sure you're okay?" Castle asked her before they moved to the next displays from victims and a survivor.
"I am, it's… hard to describe," Beckett replied, hesitating for a moment. "But Julia described it as… different energies," she reminded him.
"Right, when we saw that exhibit at the Natural History Museum," Castle replied. "Of personal… artifacts," he added. "That makes sense. Especially in this case." He frowned and said, "Should we bring her here though? And Eliza… Josie too if they're right about her abilities."
"I'll talk with her," Beckett replied. "To be honest it's not affecting me that bad-"
"Your mom," Castle interrupted her. When his wife looked at him in surprise he explained saying, "It was her in that room, she told me to get you out of there… well, not told me but I just sensed it."
"Julia will be happy," Beckett commented with a smile.
"Of course, and that I listened to that instinct," Castle said, watching her take a picture before she looked at him. He was going to suggest they continue when she was smiling and cupping his cheek before she spoke.
"I'm grateful you did," Beckett said. "But we should go." She was smiling again when he nodded rapidly in agreement, and they went turned to the panels with names on them of the survivors and victims from the crew and all three classes. He recalled the names they'd gotten on the cards and reached for the one he had before asking his wife, "Should we look?"
"Sure," Beckett said though she was a little hesitant. She stood with her husband in front of the second class panel before he was pointing up.
"There, they both survived," Castle said hurriedly.
"I'm glad to hear that," Beckett said. "I almost thought it was just going to be her."
"Me too," Castle admitted. He couldn't help hugging her to his side with one arm and said, "I think that's all that's left."
Turning to the doorway behind them, Beckett saw her husband was right and said, "Okay, just let me get some pictures of these."
Castle stepped back behind her, watching her with a smile before she turned to him and he held out his hand to her. "The villa?" he asked.
Smirking, Beckett teased him saying, "You know better than that; the gift shop."
"Oh right," Castle said, exaggerating his voice and pushing himself off the wall he was leaning against. He felt a thrill at her soft laughter but tried to set that aside while they were walking into the shop. "A lot of shirts," he said. "Should we get one for Josie?"
"Unless I see one, I wasn't planning on it," Beckett replied before they looked around together since he kept her close to him. She would have teased him about that, but she was taking a shirt off a hanger before he was talking quickly to her with a smile.
"Perfect shirt for Julia, she'll love that one," Castle said.
Smiling at him Beckett said, "I thought the same. She'll love the blueprints," as the shirt was white with the blueprint of the ship, the levels separated slightly. "That's one… Eliza?"
"That one with the White Star logo too?" Castle suggested, pointing to the dark blue one in the kids section. When his wife nodded he hurried to grab their second youngest's size before he said, "And the others?"
"I don't really see anything for my dad," Beckett replied after she'd looked around the entire store. "And your mom?"
"No," Castle said, shaking his head. "And Alexis… not really."
"I almost thought that shirt over there, the distressed one but I realized she'd just like the fabric, not the design on the front," Beckett said. "Louis?" She wasn't surprised when her husband looked at her pointedly and she smiled before she said, "Then we're in agreement there's nothing really for him either. Now for Josie…"
Looking around again while his wife was doing the same, Castle shook his head and said, "I'm going to agree love, I think we're good with those for Julia and Eliza."
"I'll go pay," Beckett said before he stopped her.
"You don't see anything for yourself?" Castle asked.
Shaking her head Beckett said, "If you do tell me now." She was a little surprised when he shook his head too, thinking he'd found something, but could tell he was serious, so she walked to the register.
While his wife was paying, Castle looked at the books and started flipping through one before she stepped up to him. "Ready?" he asked, setting it aside.
"Are you sure you don't want anything?" Beckett asked.
"I am, and I'd like to talk to the girls," Castle said, taking her hand and the bag with the shirts inside.
"Me too," Beckett said before they were walking out and heading for Mandalay Bay since they knew the way to the Strip better from there. As they were getting close to the doors leading out, she grabbed her husband's arm and said, "Rick look at the rain."
His gaze going ahead of them, Castle was easily able to spot what she'd seen and said, "Crap… it wasn't supposed to rain until later tonight. The storm must be in a hurry."
"Are we taking a cab back?" Beckett asked him.
"Attempt to," Castle said since there was a line at the taxi stand already. They had to wait another ten minutes before they were in the back of a cab, and he instructed the driver to go to the villa entrance at the Mirage before they were heading onto the Strip. He held his wife's hand while they watched the pouring rain outside, quiet until they were soon pulling up to the gate. He gave his name at the intercom and was relieved they were shortly after allowed inside. He paid once the cab had stopped and was quick to open the umbrella after getting the door open. He stepped out first, holding the umbrella for his wife and they rushed up to the door.
