"Are you wet?" Beckett asked once they were inside and he was closing the umbrella.
"Not too bad, why?" Castle said.
Smiling, since she wasn't surprised her husband had guessed there was something to that, Beckett told him, "I wanted to change into my pajamas before we get ready for dinner," watching him to see his reaction which he was soon giving.
"Nice, but what will the girls say?" Castle asked jokingly.
"We're just lounging in our pajamas," Beckett answered, aware he'd thought of that already. She let him open the door and walked inside first before they were taking off their coats. "So you agree," she told him once they had everything set aside.
"Yes," Castle said simply before he leaned over and kissed his wife lovingly. After they'd parted, he said, "Share a bathroom?"
"No," Beckett said.
"You were supposed to repeat what I said," Castle said in mock annoyance when he followed her to their bedroom.
"It's not that long love," Beckett told him. She wasn't surprised when he kissed her cheek and they parted before she went into her bathroom. She closed the door behind her and made quick work of everything she needed to do before she was ready to step back out. "Have you texted them?" she asked her husband, finding him sitting on his side of the bed with his phone in hand.
"I did, Mother said they're ready whenever we are," Castle replied, standing up. "But warned me the girls knew I texted her."
Beckett smiled and said, "Then let's go talk to them." She let her husband take her hand and lead her to the TV room where she sat at the couch while he got the TV ready. "It's still pouring," she said, glancing out the window at the end of the room.
"I know," Castle said since it was hitting the window. "Do you want to go out at all the rest of today?"
"We were talking about Excalibur," Beckett reminded him. She saw he'd finished setting everything up and said, "We'll discuss that after."
"Sure," Castle said hurriedly, moving to sit next to her as they were connected with their family.
"Hi Mommy, Daddy!" Eliza said eagerly.
"Mama, Dada!" Josie said, jumping up and down.
"Hello girls," Beckett said first, smiling at Julia covering her mouth to keep from laughing out loud.
"Hey, Julia how are you?" Castle asked.
"Dad," the girl said in mock annoyance. "I'm glad to see you and Mom."
"We are too," Beckett said. "And the same for you Dad, Martha."
"We thought you were including us," Castle's mother said with a smile.
"Even though it's a Sunday," Castle said. "We really want to know what you all got up to."
"Mari went back home?" Beckett asked first.
"Yeah, actually she just left," Julia replied. "I wanted to ask her to stay to dinner, but her parents said they wanted her home."
"Too bad," Castle told her. "But while she was there what did you do?"
Beckett took her husband's hand and leaned against him with a smile while the girls talked about swimming that day. She was pleased to hear they'd had a great day together and told them once they'd gotten to the point where Mari had to go home, surprised when Eliza was talking a little shyly to them.
"Are you mad we went swimming?" the little girl asked.
"No, remember sweetheart it's why we have the pool room," Castle reminded her.
"Okay," Eliza replied.
"What did you guys do?" Julia then asked their parents.
Sharing a smile, Castle and Beckett related what they'd done the day before after the call and then up to that point.
"So we can go see the Titanic ship right?" Eliza asked.
"Maybe when you're a little older," Beckett said, noticing Julia watching her. She gestured with her first two fingers quickly before her second oldest was looking at Josie and Eliza was getting her attention again.
"Is it still raining?" the little girl said.
"It is, you're wondering why we're in our pajamas?" Castle asked her. When she nodded he smiled and said, "We're going out to dinner; the burger place we went to before we saw Love."
"Cool," Julia said. "I hope you like it. Are you going to get a milkshake?"
"We haven't decided yet," Beckett replied. "We might."
"I hope so!" Eliza said.
"Are you going to call us tomorrow?" Julia then asked while her sister was tugging on her sleeve.
"We're planning on it," Beckett said. "Did you not want us too?" She couldn't help laughing with Castle as their middle daughters shook their heads and she then said, "You know I just said we would."
"Still, it's a holiday for you," Eliza said firmly.
"If you're sure," Castle said. When the two girls nodded their heads, he glanced at his wife and said, "Okay, luckily we're coming home the next day."
"That's why we said," Eliza told them.
"Is it time for dinner?" Beckett asked when she saw her father's gesture.
"Oh, is it?" Julia asked, looking back at her grandfather. When he nodded, she looked back at the TV and said, "Lizzy and I are going to help Grandpapa with dinner."
"Great, what're you making?" Castle said.
"Pita sandwiches," Julia said eagerly.
"Falafel?" Beckett asked with a smile since her father knew how to make it.
"That and just deli meats," Jim replied.
"Then that does mean we need to let you go," Castle said. "Have fun cooking and we'll be back on Tuesday."
Beckett wasn't surprised when Eliza was begging them to go swimming once they were home and she and Castle agreed before they said goodnight to their family. After the TV was off she said, "Josie is going to sleep so well."
"And soon too," Castle replied since he'd noticed their youngest being quiet and leaning against Julia. "I guess she did a lot of swimming."
"Or just playing," Beckett said. "You know Eliza would have done that since Julia had Mari."
"And those two would have played with her too," Castle said in agreement. He turned to his wife and said, "So that brings us to our plans for tonight," not surprised when she turned to him and put her feet up on the couch before she replied.
"Did you really want to go anywhere?" Beckett asked.
"I did want to go out for dinner," Castle said.
"I agree, we're not moving from here tomorrow," Beckett teased him.
"You changed your mind?" Castle said with a smile.
"No," Beckett replied firmly. "But would you like to go to another casino." When her husband shook his head she said, "Good, we can do some table gambling before we go."
"You want to?" Castle asked.
"I'd like to be your good luck again," Beckett said as she smiled.
"That's true, but gamble too," Castle replied.
"I will," Beckett said, nodding. She then leaned over and shared a kiss with him and said, "Are we eating later?"
"Six if you don't mind now," Castle said, looking at his watch. "Maybe we should go to the casino and walk around, gamble on the machines before dinner."
"Out of necessity?" Beckett replied, smiling again.
"Basically," Castle said truthfully.
"Okay, what time?" Beckett replied, letting go of her knees.
"Well… it's three," Castle said.
"I wanted to take a shower," Beckett said.
"Sure," Castle said. "I'll take one too but that's still a lot of time."
"Rick," Beckett said slowly when he was pulling her onto his lap.
"Just this love," Castle said before he was capturing her lips with his own. He kept it gentle at first before he slowly moved back and said, "Just a little of this," thinking she'd protest.
"I was going to insist," Beckett replied before she closed the gap between them, and they kissed again. She could feel her husband's joy in his hold, and she was embracing him back tightly before they were losing themselves in each other.
Turning to the bathroom door that was opening, Castle smiled seeing his wife step out and said, "Ready?"
"I am," Beckett said, walking to the end of the bed. As he hurried up to her, she wasn't surprised when he immediately kissed her and after they parted said, "Are you?"
"I couldn't resist," Castle told her with a smile before they were brushing their lips to each other's. "But we should go." He wasn't surprised when they looked at the bed at the same time and he exhaled a little hard saying, "I guess we have to leave."
Embracing her husband Beckett pressed her cheek to his shoulder and said, "I agree, but I hate it."
"Me too," Castle said with a smile before she pulled back as she spoke.
"I got that when you said we should go and then have to leave," Beckett told him. They kissed gently again before they were letting each other go and while they were getting their things said, "I wonder how we'll be tomorrow."
"I thought of that too," Castle said. "Do you mind constantly touching?"
"Haven't we been doing that already?" Beckett asked in amusement.
"Inappropriately?" Castle countered with immediately.
"No, I don't," Beckett told him.
"We have to leave now because you're driving me crazy Kate," Castle said.
"You asked," Beckett replied teasingly. They kissed rapidly and they stepped outside before she took his hand and they walked down the hall. "Are we playing poker first?" she asked when they were nearly to the casino.
"Up to you," Castle said. He wasn't surprised when his wife looked at him questioningly and said, "I know you're thinking I want to play that after dinner at the tables, but if you want to play the poker machine, I'm glad to."
"I might try the slot machines again," Beckett replied.
"Really?" Castle asked.
"Not that much," Beckett said. "And I would like to try and find a blackjack machine."
"Tables?" Castle asked.
Shaking her head Beckett told him, "I'll help you if you need it." She laughed when he looked at her with wide eyes and told him, "I'm kidding, I'll stand behind you and do that inappropriate touching you were talking about."
"Great," Castle said, exaggerating his tone. They were at the door to the casino, and he leaned over to brush his lips to hers before they went inside. Walking through the atrium they slowed down a little before he realized something and said, "You don't want your camera?"
"Not really, I'm taking tonight off," Beckett said. "And tomorrow too," she told him pointedly.
"It's not the right camera," Castle commented. He smiled when she nudged him, and he looked ahead of them at the waterfall. Something came to mind, and he was about to ask her about taking a selfie when she was beating him to it.
"Let me guess," Beckett told her husband. "You want to take a selfie."
"If you're game," Castle said with a smile.
"Get your phone," Beckett told him. She watched him doing so before they stood together, and she smiled before he got the shot. They remained there a little longer so he could send the picture to their family and she told him, "It's going to seem weird there won't be any pictures tomorrow."
Castle was about to respond when his text alert sounded, and he was quick to check it. "Julia," he said. He glanced at his wife when he saw her move out of the corner of his eye and saw she was checking her father's watch. "She said they loved the picture, and they want to see us at dinner tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Beckett asked with a smile. When her husband nodded, she couldn't help laughing and said, "Okay, we can do that. But if Eliza asks…"
"Julia told her already," Castle said.
Breathing out in her frustration, Beckett said, "I know, it's just lucky she bought we're going to kiss all day and watch movies."
"Why not?" Castle asked.
"Okay, okay," Beckett said with a smile. "I'll stop worrying but if she asks… no, not you, I'll answer her."
Castle couldn't help laughing and said, "I'm fine with that." When his wife looked at him pointedly, he explained, "I wouldn't be able to come up with anything."
"Why do I doubt that," Beckett commented while he was taking her hand. She smiled while he raised it and kissed the back before they walked to the slot machine games. She was already aware she needed to pick what they would play on, and she said to her husband, "You can always let me know if you want to play something."
"I'm leaving it to you," Castle told his wife with a smile. He thought she'd protest, so he was a little taken aback when she pulled him over to the Beatles store before he saw the slot machines there. "Those are definitely new," he said as they were themed to the band.
"They are," Beckett said. "But I saw them yesterday."
"At least we can sit together," Castle replied while they were doing so at two machines. He put some money in and started to press the button telling his wife, "I can see why you asked for the blackjack machine."
"If they have it," Beckett pointed out to him.
"I'll ask if I have to," Castle said. He looked at his machine then when it played the instrumental of the song Here Comes the Sun and saw that he'd gotten some money. He then said, "Again, good luck."
Giving him a look, Beckett said, "It doesn't seem to be working for me."
"Want to correct that?" Castle asked her with a slight smirk when she won on her next spin.
"No," Beckett said firmly. She smiled at her husband glancing sideways at her and they played for a little longer before she said, "Okay, I think I'm ready to move on."
"Me too," Castle agreed before they were cashing out. "I think we better go around the poker machines; they should have some there." He wasn't surprised when she nodded, and they walked towards the buffet where he remembered they were. It took them a while to find them, but they were the last three machines and they sat together again before she was speaking with a smile.
"Are you going for that whole good luck thing here too?" Beckett asked him in amusement.
"Yes," Castle told her. He then leaned over to her and was relieved she was responding by leaning into him. They kissed briefly and started to play before his wife was winning first. "Now I've proven it works for you too," he said teasingly.
"For myself," Beckett stated. She couldn't help laughing when her husband raised and lowered his eyebrows before she said, "Keep playing."
"I'll win now," Castle said easily before he did win the hand. He smiled at his wife, watching her roll her eyes though he knew she was joking, and he turned to the machine before losing himself in playing. They were doing that for some time before he glanced at his watch and said, "It's almost six Kate," to get her attention.
Startled, Beckett looked at her watch and then asked him, "Are you a little ahead?"
"Slightly," Castle replied with a nod. "So I'm cashing out right now."
"We have to," Beckett said teasingly while she did the same. They put away the papers and stopped at a restroom briefly to wash their hands before walking to the restaurant. She let her husband speak to the hostess and they were led to a booth before he sat with her on the same side. They were left with their menus after asking for water, and she was smiling when her husband asked about their options.
"What do you think about getting a milkshake?" Castle asked.
"I think we should," Beckett said with a smile. "But that I'm counting as dessert."
"Me too," Castle said, setting down his menu. "Spiked?"
"Strawberry Cheesecake," Beckett said simply.
"Not a surprise," Castle said. "What about your sandwich?"
Smiling at him saying that and not a burger, Beckett said, "Their chicken club." When he merely nodded at her she smiled and said, "You're not telling me?"
"I didn't know you wanted to know," Castle said. "So…" he laughed when his wife nudged his side and said, "The Mushroom Swiss Burger and I'm thinking of trying the Stay Puft milkshake. You can try it."
"Thank you," Beckett replied.
When his wife didn't say anything else he then asked, "I don't get to try yours."
"I didn't know you wanted to," Beckett said. She smiled at her husband's mock pout and hugged him with one arm before their waiter was walking over to them. After they'd ordered they watched the people walking by and he said, "I'm surprised for a Sunday there are so many people."
"I think people took tomorrow off," Beckett said. "I'm surprised you managed to get the villa," she then told him.
"Me too," Castle said with a nod. When she looked at him he said, "I didn't bribe or anything, if you're wondering."
"You didn't ask how you were able to reserve it?" Beckett asked.
"I was so glad I got it I just let that go and finished getting everything ready before I hung up," Castle replied. He took her hand before he said, "Do you want to head back to the villa after this?"
"You don't want to play at least a little?" Beckett said swiftly, a little startled at how serious he was.
"Just a short time," Castle said. He smiled briefly when her brows narrowed with her frown and he said, "To be honest I'm looking forward to just changing into our pajamas again and sitting in front of a fire."
Beckett was smiling herself and said, "I'm again surprised."
"You changed me love," Castle said honestly. He wanted to kiss her, but she was squeezing his hand a little tightly and he refrained since he knew that was her signal to him to stop. "I mean gambling is fun, but we've done that and I'm still thinking about tomorrow."
"Pervert," Beckett whispered to him when she spotted their waiter coming to them. "But I agree, though I'm worried about what you want to do in front of that fire."
"I'll let you know," Castle said in a rush before their plates were being set up in front of them. After they mixed their fries and waffle fries, he picked up his large milkshake cup and told her, "To our informal dinner," not surprised when she laughed and was responding to him after calming down.
"You're a sappy, sappy man love," Beckett said though she was holding up her glass as well. They tapped them together and she got a spoon before dipping it in his milkshake, trying to get some of it underneath the whipped cream that was piled on top. She smiled watching him do the same with hers and drank it from the spoon before she said, "I'm glad we didn't get the spiked ones."
"So am I," Castle replied. "For later," he said at her look. "And tomorrow," he added rapidly.
Beckett muttered pervert under her breath but when her husband merely smiled at her she turned her attention to her sandwich and cut it in half while they proceeded to eat. As they were doing so she brought up Hawaii and they talked about their plans for each day again until they had finished their meal. "Rick?" she said.
"Yes," Castle said.
"Could we walk around a little before we play?" Beckett asked.
Smiling Castle asked, "Stuffed again?" At her nod he said, "Me too, and I don't mind." He paid for dinner and asked, "Do you want coffee or anything?"
"I'll pass, maybe some tea in our villa but I don't want to consider it right now," Beckett said.
Castle smiled and nodded, taking his card back before he signed for the bill. He got out first and his wife was following him before they left and walked by the Love theater where people were lining up for the show. He squeezed his wife's hand in reaction to that, her squeeze back letting him know she was thinking of their second oldest as well. "She'll love the resort right?" he asked when they were walking around to the shops.
"She will," Beckett replied, not surprised at the distraction from the show. "I think as long as she can see the sea and swim she won't care. And she'll love the resort's pool."
"Last chance to get something here for them," Castle said when they were walking by the shop that had items for the Mirage.
"Not here," Beckett said.
"Oh," Castle said suddenly, stopping her. "I was thinking of going in to get something for breakfast."
"Don't," Beckett said firmly. She smiled when her husband looked startled and explained, "I don't mind ordering in for all three meals."
"Well… if you're sure," Castle replied. "I just hope they'll be quick." He expected her to respond to that but when she was quiet, he looked at her in surprise to see she was looking at the display of the music memorabilia store they'd stopped next to.
"Okay," Beckett told her husband when they were turning around and going back to the casino. "Now we can gamble," she said.
"But not for that long," Castle said quickly.
"No," Beckett said, laughing softly before they were reaching the cashier. Once they'd gotten chips, she let her husband choose and they were sitting shortly after with another couple before they started to play. She was a little startled that couple was so intense about playing but decided she didn't mind the quiet. Smiling when her husband kept winning, she was relieved she did a few times too before the other couple was leaving.
"I think that's it," Castle while he and Beckett stood and grabbed their chips.
"If you say it is," Beckett reminded him with a smile. She wasn't surprised when he nodded, and they went to the cashier to exchange their chips for money before they headed back to the villas. She was going to ask him how he'd done when he was asking her that to her slight surprise.
"How much did you have in winnings?" Castle asked her.
Shaking her head Beckett said, "I'll tell you back at the villa," as some people were coming out from them when they reached the door. They continued to theirs and once they were inside with the door locked behind them she said, "You know I didn't win as much as you."
"I realized, but you were doing really well at blackjack," Castle said.
Smiling, Beckett said, "I got forty. You?"
"Fifty-six," Castle said. "I'll buy you dinner back at home?"
"Do whatever you want with it," Beckett replied before she brushed her lips to his cheek. She went to their room and quickly unzipped her boots before she went into her bathroom. She'd seen her husband walk over to his before she closed the door and rushed to change and get ready. Eventually stepping back out into the bedroom she was disappointed she hadn't managed to beat her husband out though she wasn't surprised. Tying her robe closed she made her way to the living room where she saw Castle was getting the fire started.
"Hey," he told her once he'd stood up straight and noticed her. "I was trying to get out here to warm up the room before you came."
"I don't know if you could," Beckett said. "There are two of them."
"Then would you like some tea?" Castle asked.
"Sure, chamomile though," Beckett replied. As she stepped up to her husband, she wasn't surprised when he was wrapping his arms around her and kissing her lovingly before she grabbed him tightly. When they parted a short time later she said, "I should have told you I knew you had this in mind."
"You want to get dressed and go back to the casino?" Castle asked her.
"No," Beckett said resolutely. They kissed again but much faster before she said, "But we have to limit that you know."
"It's why I mentioned the tea already," Castle said. He smiled when his wife laughed softly and then embraced her tightly, enjoying the sensation while she was hugging him back. "Please don't say this is a risk," he said after a little.
"No," Beckett said as she smiled. "But you were talking about tea."
Nodding, since he knew why she was pushing him, Castle brushed his lips lightly to hers and went to the TV room. While he was getting everything ready at the brewer, he was startled to see his wife was sitting on one of the bar chairs. "It's cold in here too," he said.
"Not that bad," Beckett replied. "But I didn't want to be alone."
Smiling at her wording, Castle said, "Neither did I." Before he could get distracted; though he desperately wanted to by her; he started the first mug of tea and leaned over on the bar. "I don't know if you noticed, but I brought out the tablet."
"I saw," Beckett said with a nod. "And you moved the coffee table," she added before he was smiling and then speaking quickly.
"I did, I wanted to push the couch up closer to the fire," Castle said. "I moved the armchairs out of the way too. But I was waiting to see what you'd think."
"I'll help," Beckett said before he was hurrying to get the next mug ready. She waited for him to finish before they got their tea ready and headed to the couch which they pushed forward together.
"It's warmer already," Castle told his wife before they were sitting. He waited for her to raise her legs before he leaned over and threw the blanket he'd grabbed around the two of them. Kissing her cheek he said, "You'll read right?"
"Yes," Beckett said though they were sipping at their tea first. Once they'd had another she handed him her mug before she was opening the tablet and going to the diary entries. "Who's picking?" she asked her husband.
"You, they're your diaries," Castle replied.
"Okay," Beckett said before she opened it randomly.
"What've you got?" Castle asked interestedly.
"August 22nd," Beckett replied. "In 1925."
"Oh, before we were together," Castle commented.
Smiling, since she heard the slight disappointment in his tone, Beckett kissed his cheek and got her mug for a quick sip. When she had finished, she told him, "I know, but you should remember that date."
"Julia was three," Castle said suddenly.
With a quick nod Beckett said, "And it was summer plus a Saturday, so you were off of work."
Smiling Castle said, "I was on patrol."
"You were, and I did write about the day, but this is my point of view remember," Beckett reminded him.
"I don't mind," Castle said in a near rush.
Beckett smiled before she pulled him to her, and they were kissing tenderly for a little. When they parted, she started to read and began with the first paragraph, "It was a swell day and though I'm quite tired I must write as much as I can to remember this day…"
It began with me giving Julia her bath, she wasn't very pleased about it of course since it was after I pulled her from her sleep. But she finally allowed me to bathe her and I dressed her in the new dress I made for her since she's grown already. It makes me smile to think of my little baby becoming a little lady already, but I must continue.
Once we had breakfast Rick arrived and I answered the door for him, and I am relieved that I wasn't a fool staring into his beautiful blue eyes. He's been very busy with work, and we haven't seen him for more than two weeks. It's strange how I always seem to forget how handsome he is.
Hearing his wife faltering, Castle smiled and kissed the side of her head telling her, "If I'd had a journal at this time I would have gushed about you being stunning and gorgeous. Also about your eyes but I'd prefer to think of them right now."
Sharing a kiss with him, Beckett pressed her forehead against his before she said, "Should I keep going?" At his nod she laughed softly and brushed her lips to his before turning back to the diary and continuing.
I shouldn't keep continuing about Rick, but I will note the conversation we had once he'd come inside as I remember it easily.
"How are you Rick?" I told him once he was inside.
"Just swell, but I've missed seeing everyone," he told me which I was quick to reply to.
"Julia's missed you as well," though really in my head I was calling myself a fool because it was me I meant.
"I can't wait to see my niece," Rick said.
Oh, oh how I wish it were daughter and not niece!
"Are you okay?" Castle asked his wife when she trailed off.
"Yeah, I was just remembering when I wrote this I almost tossed my pen out the window," Beckett said. "I wanted you badly."
Gently running his hand over the back of her head Castle said, "I did too… I was an idiot."
"And me?" Beckett replied swiftly. "I could have talked to you."
"I don't know," Castle said slowly. "The way you were raised?" he asked her when she frowned.
"That's true, my dad did court my mom and everything came from him," Beckett said slowly.
"Luckily we changed that this time around," Castle said.
Beckett couldn't help laughing softly and told him, "I know. But there's more if you want to keep going."
"Tea?" Castle asked her. He smiled watching her take the mug before she was sipping at it and he joined her before they were finishing, and he hurried to take them to rinse out and dry. "Okay," he said once he was settled back on the couch in the blanket with her. "I'm ready for more," he added before they were kissing gently. Once they'd let each other go, he was holding her tightly and listening to her continue the entry.
Once the others had joined us, Julia wouldn't let her uncle go and we took her outside while Rosie and Mary were helping Ma with the rest of lunch before they came out to play with her as well. It was swell to watch Julia with her uncles and they played hopscotch with her, teaching her patiently as she might be growing but isn't quite ready yet for hopping in time.
I suppose I could go on and on about the day, but I've explained it well enough here. What I would like to talk about is after we had dinner and we were gathered with Julia. She had gotten Rick to play with her and her dollies and it was very beautiful watching him with her. He will be such a perfect father and I told him, though I was lucky Junior and Patrick were teasing him about that and trying to see if he had a sweetheart. Julia paid us no mind and made sure Rick played the daddy dolly so they could play house.
I worried he might be a bit… well, not sore but that he would be upset having to play with dolls. But he seemed to be pleased when he left after we had some coffee and told me that he would do his best to be back next week as he was eager to see Julia and all of us again.
"Is that it?" Castle asked her in surprise.
Nodding Beckett said, "I couldn't take it anymore and I was hurrying to take a bath."
"You pleasured yourself," Castle stated instead of asking before his wife was responding to that.
"I did," Beckett replied. "But I should move to another entry."
"Are you worried we're going to do something?" Castle asked.
"To be honest, yes," Beckett said before they were smiling at each other. They shared a kiss and she told him, "I'll pick randomly."
"Please tell me later on," Castle said.
"The thirties," Beckett assured him. She went to the list of the ones in the thirties and selecting randomly she read to her husband, "March 9th, 1939. It was a Thursday."
"Okay… ages?" Castle asked her. When she laughed softly and nodded to him he quickly said, "We were thirty-nine and forty of course… well, almost. Julia was almost seventeen, Eliza almost twelve, Alexis almost eleven and Josie was already nine."
"And they were all at school," Beckett told him.
"But you were writing at night, weren't you?" Castle asked. He then realized the answer himself and said, "Wait, there isn't anything sexual is there?"
"No," Beckett said in amusement. "I'll let you know since I'm going to read."
"Sure," Castle replied before she began.
I'm nearly exhausted today, Rick and I aren't as young as we used to be, but we managed to prepare the gardens for our vegetables this year. And though he is by no means a spring chicken, he did get the raspberries and blueberries prepared as well. So we will eat well this summer and the girls can't wait.
Oh! Those girls of ours, Julia wasn't too sore since she's nearly a woman, but our youngest three were nearly fit to be tied. They had wanted to help but the weather was perfect, and Rick feels there will be some storm soon enough. But we ate our dessert outside tonight and Rick left his paper inside which was quite nice as there was no thought to what's happening in Europe.
Though they were so sore, the girls were happy to play with us once we were back inside. There was of course the usual argument about what they would be playing with us until they agreed to play charades. We were in teams and it was quite a swell time since the girls are older and they're better acting everything out. Rick though was a sap, teasing them all though I do think they didn't mind since he will always do that. The team he had won the game and they were quite pleased with themselves until Josephine and Alexandra needed to go to bed.
"I thought you said there wasn't anything sexual," Castle said when his wife stopped there and knew it was because he'd gone into their room.
"You assume too much," Beckett replied before he was snorting and speaking swiftly.
"I already know," Castle told her. "And yes it was sexual." He hesitated for a moment and then said, "Sorry about interrupting you."
"I didn't mind," Beckett said easily. She wasn't surprised when her husband was initiating a kiss and after they were parting she said, "Would you mind if we went to bed?"
"You're tired?" Castle asked in surprise.
"No, but I get the feeling we're going to need the sleep," Beckett replied easily.
"We couldn't stay a little longer?" Castle asked before he pressed his lips to her temple. "It's not that late."
"No," Beckett said. She turned off the tablet and set it next to her before she wrapped her arms around him before they watched the fire for a while. Eventually she shook herself and said, "Rick?"
"I can't change your mind can I?" Castle asked.
"Not really, and I'm surprised at you," Beckett told him, pulling back enough so she could look into his eyes.
"I'm enjoying it here," Castle explained.
Beckett couldn't help smiling before she brushed her lips to her husband's and said softly, "Sap."
"Definitely," Castle replied before he leaned into her and they were kissing deeply. He wanted to linger but they needed to breathe and when she stood up he knew she was thinking of not anticipating the next day. "Kate," he told her, stopping her when she was turning to leave.
Looking at him questioningly, Beckett was shortly after gasping when her husband picked her up and she told him, "Put me down Rick, I can walk."
Since her voice was so firm Castle did so, but he wasn't letting her go telling her, "I just wanted to take you into the bedroom," before she sighed and leaned against him while she responded.
"Alright," Beckett said. "But just to the room, you don't need to put me in the bed."
"Sure," Castle said swiftly while he was turning off the fireplace. When she looked at him in surprise he said, "I'm just lucky you agreed to it at all. But don't call me pervert."
"I wasn't going to," Beckett said easily. "But I'll call you a sap."
"Thank you," Castle replied, not surprised when she laughed. He picked her up while she was doing that and carried her out of the living room and down the hall. In the doorway to their room he stopped and said, "You're sure I can't go a little further?"
"No, put me down love," Beckett said. She was relieved but a little surprised when her husband did so and hugged him once her feet were on the floor. They embraced tightly when he held her to him and she said, "I'm not kidding about sleep though."
"I know, but… this is nice," Castle said, gently rubbing his hand over her back. He kissed the side of her head and said, "But it'll be better in bed?"
"Exactly," Beckett said. "Get into bed."
Castle looked over his shoulder at his wife with a puzzled expression on his face before he said, "Though I usually like you being that forceful, why now?"
Beckett couldn't help laughing softly and told him, "I'm going to get the room ready." She saw her husband was opening his mouth to speak and she said, "Uh-uh, I've got it, just keep the bed warm okay?"
"Okay," Castle said as he had an idea of what she was doing. And once he was sitting up on his side of the bed he got his answer when she was removing her robe and setting it on her nightstand. His eyes never strayed from her while she covered the windows but was startled when he realized she'd stopped before she finished. He called her name, rushing to get off the bed since the desire to hold her had gotten too strong for him to fight. He wrapped his arms around her, relieved when she spoke she wasn't talking about him leaving the bed as they looked outside.
"The rain eased up a little," Beckett said. "I forgot I wanted to check."
"It's still supposed to rain tomorrow," Castle commented, nuzzling her ear.
"Hmm, that'll be nice," Beckett said with a smile.
"We're opening the curtains?" Castle asked.
"Wide open," Beckett replied, biting her lower lip when she felt her husband hugging her to him tightly. "But… I also realized something."
"Oh?" Castle asked in surprise.
"Julia, she noticed something when we were talking about the Titanic, but I forgot about her after we hung up," Beckett explained.
"I think she forgot too; she would have called you," Castle reminded her.
"That's true," Beckett replied. She then said, "I am relieved though, she didn't sense anything happening."
"She's been doing great," Castle told her, hugging her again. He kissed her shoulder through her dark blue pajama top and said, "They all are."
"I know," Beckett said with a smile. "Rick," she said after they'd been watching outside for a while.
"Yes love?" Castle murmured, speaking into her hair while he was feeling her locks against his lips and taking in the rose scent clinging to them.
"You're out of the bed," Beckett said before she turned around to him. "What did I tell you?"
"Are you going to punish me?" Castle asked immediately.
"No, but you need to go back," Beckett said. "And take off your glasses."
"Sure," Castle replied.
Watching to make sure he would go, Beckett turned back to the doors and windows and covered them securely. She went around, turning off the lights before she was getting under the covers her husband was holding up for her. She turned off the light above her and waited for her husband to do the same before he laid down. Though she couldn't quite see him she was sliding into his arms and said, "Just a little more time."
Unable to help it, Castle laughed shortly and said, "Isn't that supposed to be my line?"
"Yes, but I enjoyed saying it," Beckett replied, smiling. She reached up to her husband, feeling for his lips before she kissed him lightly until they slowly pulled apart.
"Kate," Castle breathed before he closed the gap between them. They were holding onto each other the best they could while they were laying on their sides. When they stopped he nuzzled his lips to hers and murmured, "Can you see me at all?"
Smiling Beckett said, "I could, I just wanted to do that."
"Which is why I had to kiss you like I just did," Castle replied before they were kissing again. She slid her fingers through his hair to hold him while he was pressing up close to her, though she was ending the kiss before she was speaking rapidly.
"Okay, I think we're good now love," Beckett told him firmly.
"Are you sure? Because I could go for a while," Castle told her.
"And how long would that be before you exploded?" Beckett commented.
Exhaling hard Castle said, "Probably not that long; not after we've been waiting." When she smirked at him he pretended to grumble, "Okay, okay. But I would have loved to have done it."
Laughing Beckett said, "I'm not surprised."
"You wouldn't?" Castle asked.
"Don't put words into my mouth," Beckett told him though she was smiling.
"I was going to put my tongue there… but you won't let me," Castle said. Since his eyes were better adjusted, he saw his wife rolling her eyes and he leaned down to brush his lips to hers.
Caressing his cheek, Beckett kissed him and said, "I want to, but I know we'll get out of control."
"Oh, thank you," Castle said.
Beckett couldn't help laughing and said, "For what?"
"For including yourself in that," Castle explained.
"I don't think you would have believed me if I had just said you," Beckett said. She laughed softly again when he was shaking his head and she brushed her lips to his cheek before saying, "We should sleep Rick."
"Wait," Castle said in a rush. When his wife looked at him questioningly he said, "I might be the first one up." He was going to continue but paused when she was looking at him pointedly and he was quick to tell her, "I don't mean that. I'm talking about breakfast. You said you wanted it first thing."
"I do," Beckett said. "I'm guessing you want to know now?"
"That would help," Castle replied. "Do you want to look at the menu?"
"No," Beckett said firmly. "I'd like the same thing we had our first day."
"Are you sure?" Castle asked.
"I am, you know what it is, it's uncomplicated and you'll be able to order it quickly," Beckett replied.
"I have to be able to call you a pervert now," Castle said.
"No, you're the one who brought this up," Beckett replied easily. She smiled when her husband pretended to pout and said, "I'm surprised you're going along with this."
"I didn't want to, but I realize we need the energy from that," Castle told her. "Do not call me a pervert," he said firmly to her.
"I'm not, because I agree with you, we need it if we're going to spend a while doing that," Beckett replied. "Do you want to set a number or anything?" she said.
"Not unless you want to," Castle said. When she shrugged he then told her, "What if we did that in Hawaii."
"Hawaii?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"Over the course of the whole vacation," Castle told her.
"And what number would you like?" Beckett said, still smiling.
"Well, we'll be there for a week… maybe… four each day?" Castle asked, having wanted to go higher but not sure what she would say. He was startled when he saw she was shaking her head and was about to say three when she was talking first and shocking him with her simple response.
"Five," Beckett told her husband.
"Are… do you think we could manage that?" Castle asked though he was feeling arousal at the thought of them trying.
"We can attempt it at least," Beckett replied with a smile. "You don't think we can?"
"Did we switch places again?" Castle asked her in amusement, caressing her lips with his fingertips.
"I think so," Beckett replied. She shared a sensuous kiss with him and when they parted she murmured, "I love you Rick."
"I love you too Kate," Castle said seriously, staring into her eyes though he couldn't see the warm brown hue of them. "And I agree to five. I just hope we have the energy for it."
"Me too," Beckett said.
"Goddess," Castle breathed to her, hugging her tightly to him. They kissed deeply and though she tempted him greatly he eventually pulled away and told her, "We'll have to be abstinent for a while before."
"Just after the Saturday before we go," Beckett told him.
"Okay," Castle said eagerly. They laughed together at his deliberate exaggeration and held one another tightly. "At least we don't need to wait now."
"Now you're telling me to go to sleep?" Beckett asked. She smiled when he nodded once and said, "I agree. Goodnight love."
"Night love see you tomorrow morning," Castle said before they shared a kiss.
Though they were anxious for the next day and the resumption of their lovemaking, Castle and Beckett were falling asleep quickly. They were wrapped up in each other's arms and dreaming of one another, eroticism filling them and preparing them while they slipped into the early morning hours of Valentine's Day.
