"A Story of Wonder"

from the Castle Children

Chapter 2

May 2024

This is a fluffy Emma and Eli Universe standalone story centered around the Castle children's Mother's Day celebration for Kate.


Wonder - verb - to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe

Wonder - noun - something strange and surprising; a cause of surprise, astonishment, or admiration


It's a whirlwind week for the Castles and Beckett's. Work schedules, college schedules, school activities, and day-to-day life keep everyone busy.

Alexis was able to reach her Grams, and as subtly as she could, she invited her Grandmother to join them for Sunday breakfast. She had also finalized the grocery and menu list with her Grandfather and tried to update Emma as much as she could without giving away their plans.

Jim's plan to have a guys' night out with Eli went off without a hitch. Kate told him it was excellent timing as she learned something had happened at Emma's school, and she needed to work out a time when she could privately talk with her daughter.

Tuesday night came, and Jim was at the Loft at 4:30 to pick up his excited grandson. Eli had packed his toy bag and had grand plans about things he wanted to do with his Gpa on a 'guyz nites outz,' as he called it. Alexis didn't have any evening classes, so she planned to join her Grandpa Jim and little brother at her Grandfather's home at around 5:30 pm.


Once Jim had Eli safely strapped into the booster seat he always keeps in his sedan, he turned to his youngest grandchild and asked, "Well, Eli. What should us guys have for our night out?"

Eli thought for all of ten seconds and happily said, "Remy's. I'z would lubs a burger and maltz and couldz we getz fries too?"

Jim just laughed and said, "That sounds great, Eli. I love Remy's too. How about if we get our order to go and go to my place to eat and have some special time together?" Eli was all in as Jim pulled away from the Loft and headed toward the family's favorite hamburger joint.

Jim and Eli had just arrived at Jim's house when the front doorbell rang. Eli looked at his GPa and asked, "Whoz herez GPa?

Jim smiled down at his grandson and said, "Well, Eli, I have a little surprise for you. Do you want to go and help me welcome our guest?" Eli takes his GPa's hand as they walk through the kitchen into Jim's living room to open his front door. As soon as the door opens, Eli jumps up and down,

"Lexi, youz be hertz too!" He then throws himself at his oldest sister, wrapping his arms around her legs as he continues to jump and clap his hands. "Diz is soz neats!"

Jim is able to help Eli settle down and then the three of them move into the kitchen where Jim pulls out plates as Alexis helps set out the burgers, shakes, and fries. As the threesome enjoy another wonderful Remy's meal, Jim explains to Eli, that Alexis is here and if it's okay with him, she will help him write his letter to his Mommy for Mother's Day.

Eli hesitates for a few seconds, thinking he really wanted to play with his GPa, but he was also excited about getting to write his letter, "K, GPa. Willz youz helps me too? I wantz this to be the bestest letter for Mommy."

Jim smiles at his grandson, assuring him he will help, but he knows that Eli will have many very special words that he wants to tell his mommy.


After finishing their dinner and cleaning up the few dishes, the three sit back down at the table. Eli has climbed up on his GPa's lap and Alexis has a notepad and pencil out ready to write down the ideas that Eli wants to have in his letter to Kate.

All of a sudden, Eli seems shy and looks up at his GPa saying in a quiet voice, "GPa, Iz notz surz how to writs a letter. How doez I do it?"

Jim feels Eli tense up, so he wraps his arms around Eli's small body and pulls him in close as he says, "Okay, let's try this. How about you lean back, take a couple of deep breaths, then close your eyes." Eli does as Jim suggested and then Jim continues, "Okay, Eli, when I ask you what you love most about your Mommy, what would you tell me?"

Eli pauses for just a split second and says, "My mommy is the bestest. She lubs me so much and tellz me evbr day, how much. Shez makes me happy, shez makes me laughs. Shez holdz me whenz I feelz bad. She makes the bestest eggs, and she and mez makes my favrite Mac and Cheese lotz of timez. Shez likez to goez to the park with us, and she ebin will playz catch wit me."

Eli then turns to look at his GPa and with a bit of awe in his voice says, "And GPa, mommy is so purty. And whenz she and Daddy goez on a date, shez really purty. Daddy callz her bu-te-ful," as he tries to sound out the word he hears his dad use all the time to describe his Mommy.

Eli then leans back against his GPa's chest, sighs, and says with all of the love he has in his heart, "GPa, I just lubs her so much, so berry much." Eli then closes his eyes and quietly sits on Jim's lap. Alexis and Jim look at one another, wondering what he is thinking and then he opens his eyes, looks at Alexis, and asks,

"Lexi, willz that be a goodz letter?"

Alexis, takes a deep breath herself before responding, and answers her little brother, "Eli, that will make a wonderful letter for Mommy and I know she will absolutely love it."

Eli adds, "Lexi, beforz I writz my namez, will you writs dat 'I lubs youz to da moonz and backs?' Datz what we sayz too. It means I lubz mommy lotz."

"Of course Eli. That will make an excellent closing for your letter before you sign your name," Alexis assured her brother.

While Jim and Eli go into the living room to play with some of the toys Eli brought over in his bag, Alexis read through the letter that Eli had dictated to her, with tears in her eyes, thinking of the old adage of 'Out of the mouths of babes.' She knows this letter is going to move Kate to tears, but she also knows that she is going to treasure all three letters that are going to be presented to her on Sunday.

After Alexis had rewritten Eli's letter using his exact words, she went in to check and see what her Grandfather and little brother were playing. It appeared that they had built a Lego race car and were now playing Eli's favorite card game of 'Go Fish'. As soon as Eli saw Alexis standing in the doorway, he stood up and reached for his Grandfather's hand saying, "Comz on GPa, I gotz to go signz my letr for mommy."

Jim and Alexis stood back as Eli looked to be reviewing his letter, just like he has seen his parents do when they get mail. He then looked up to Alexis and asked, "Lexi wherz doz I putz my namez?"

Alexis smiled as she picked up one of her colored markers and pointed to the open white space at the bottom of Eli's letter, indicating he could put his name here. Both Jim and Alexis observe Eli as he intently and carefully wrote the three letters that he knows are his name. After finishing his name, Eli gently laid down the marker, looking back at Alexis, and simply said, "Yay!" and did his trademark fist bump.

Both Jim and Alexis chuckle as they watch Eli's reaction, thinking that Jim's idea was excellent. All three of them had a very enjoyable evening together, not only getting Eli's letter written, but hearing first hand the heart felt words that he wanted to be sure were included in a love letter he did for his mommy.

After Alexis carefully slips Eli's letter into a special envelope and then addresses the letter, 'To Mommy', it's time for Jim to take Eli home and for Alexis to head back to her home. Jim insists on taking Alexis home and safely seeing her into her dorm, before taking Eli back to the Loft. Both Jim and Alexis stress to Eli that he needs to keep his letter a secret until Sunday when he can give it to his mommy. Eli quickly agrees, and both Jim and Alexis had looked at one another, knowing they can only hope for the best.


The rest of the week flies by for the Castle kids and their grandfather as they put the finishing touches on their Mother's Day plans. The kids were unaware that their grandfather had called their dad and suggested that, no matter what Rick may hear or sense on Sunday morning, he needs to stay in their bedroom. Of course, this conversation answered a lot of Rick's earlier questions as to what his children had been plotting. But his father-in-law, just short of threatening him with physical pain, told Rick in no uncertain terms that neither he nor Kate was to come out of their bedroom until they were summoned by their children.

Jim didn't want to make this call, but he knows his daughter and son-in-law well enough, that if they hear any sound, or smell anything, they would be out of bed and heading into the kitchen to check things out. Jim will never let on to the kids, that he made this call and he knows that Kate and Rick are going to play their roles and be very surprised at everything they experience on Sunday.

Jim also received a surprise call from Martha midweek inquiring if he had any ideas about what their grandchildren were up to after witnessing their Monday night activities. Jim denies any knowledge of their plans, which Martha knows is an outright lie. But she doesn't call him out on it. If Jim won't share anything with her, she knows her grandchildren have been doing some very serious planning and she vows that she will use her many acting abilities to truly be surprised at whatever happens on Sunday. She too smiles after her call with Jim thinking that she is blessed in so many ways by her family.


It's 6:15 am Sunday, and Alexis and Eduardo are standing at the lobby doors of the Loft, waiting for Jim's car to pull up. As soon as they see Jim drive into the open space in front of the building, they hurry out with the trolly cart to help Jim unload all the groceries he had purchased for their Mother's Day Brunch. Once the groceries are safely lined up on the cart, Jim hops back into his car and moves it into the guest parking slot in the underground garage. He then comes back through the underground guest entrance and meets Alexis and Eduardo at the elevator.

Along with the loaded cart, the three arrive at the Loft's floor and exit the elevator. Alexis quietly unlocks the front door, then Jim and Eduardo pass grocery bags from the cart sitting in the hallway into the Loft's kitchen area. Once the cart is empty, Jim attempts to give Eduardo a tip for all of his help, but the concierge politely refuses and says it was an honor to be able to help in the special surprise for Mrs. Castle. He then shared that one of the other concierges was coming in at 8:00 am to relieve him so he could go home and surprise his wife and family on Mother's Day. Jim and Alexis wish Eduardo well in his surprise for his wife and again thank this gentle and caring man for all of his assistance.


Jim had brought a sports coat and slacks that he will change into after the meal prep is complete, but for now, he accepts one of Rick's aprons from Alexis as the two begin preparing their Mother's Day feast. Jim has helped the Castle family prepare enough meals that he's very comfortable moving around in their kitchen. He and Alexis make an excellent team as they prepare batter for waffles, get bacon and sausage ready to cook on the large flattop grill, and take two dozen eggs and fresh fruit, and whipped cream out of the refrigerator. Alexis takes charge of the waffles while Jim begins cracking eggs, knowing the special touch he needs to add to make the 'fluffy" eggs that Rick and the kids love. It's a trick that Johanna had taught him and Kate many, many years ago.

By 7:30, all of the food prep is complete, so now it's time to start cooking. Jim and Alexis had earlier agreed that they would handle all of the food prep and then wake Emma and Eli to join them as they did the actual cooking and setting of the table.

Both Jim and Alexis went upstairs to wake up the younger Castle children, with Alexis lightly knocking on Emma's door as Jim went down to wake up Eli. The Castle children wanted the brunch to be a formal affair, so it was decided that the kids would stay in their PJs for the cooking, and once all of the food was prepared and ready to serve and the table was set, everyone would quickly return upstairs to change into their dress clothes.

Emma took over cooking the waffles, as she has done several times with her dad. Alexis began frying the bacon and sausage and placing slices of fresh sourdough bread in the toaster. Jim had sat Eli up on the counter next to him and let him assist in stirring and gently pouring the scrambled eggs into the hot skillet. With Eli's earlier cooking class and the Sous Chef tasks that he had learned from his parents, Eli was cautious in everything he was doing as he helped his GPa create his mommy's special fluffy eggs.

All of the food was prepared and in warming dishes by 8:10 am. Alexis and Emma went into Emma's room to change, and Jim followed Eli into his room, where he helped Eli get dressed into his little docker slacks and a red button-down shirt. Jim slipped into Eli's restroom, changed his clothes then met his grandson in front of his mirror, where both men made sure their hair was all combed and laying flat like mommy liked when they dressed up.

The four chefs then met in the hallway and went downstairs together. They put the finishing touches on the table with Grandpa Jim promising that he would light the taper candles, just as their Daddy and Mommy came out of their bedroom. Jim had secretly texted Rick earlier, alerting him that the morning affair would be formal, and he and Kate would need to dress accordingly. He left it up to them to figure out how to be dressed and yet, pretend to be surprised when their youngest children did the honors of waking them in a few minutes.


A little before 8:30 am, there was a light knock on the Loft's front door. Alexis greeted her Grandmother, wishing her a very happy Mother's Day. Alexis could tell that her Gram had a good idea about what was happening, but she was delighted to see the surprised look on Gram's face when she saw the table set so elegantly with the fine china, cloth napkins, and candles. Martha slipped her arm around Alexis' shoulders and kissed her cheek, saying, "Oh, Kiddo. Thank you so much for inviting me. This table is wonderful."

Martha was just about to ask about Rick and Kate when she heard a pounding on a door and the word 'surprise' yelled out by her two youngest grandchildren." Alexis laughed at the boisterous greeting Emma and Eli had delivered to her parents. So much for a formal invitation to join them for brunch. But she had to agree that after all of the planning and work that had taken place all week, she, too, was excited to get their Mother's Day surprise rolling.

Jim heard Rick answer the loud knock on their door, responding, "Hold on, guys. We'll be out in just a minute." Jim also laughed that the greeting worked out better for Rick and Kate; they didn't have to hide that they were already up and dressed.

A few minutes later, Rick opened the bedroom door with Kate coming out first and then taking his hand as their three children greeted them. All cheering and greeting Kate with excited and happy Mother's Day wishes. Kate hugged and kissed all three of her children, then looked up to see her Dad and Martha standing off to the side by the bookcases.

Once the morning greetings were complete, Eli and Emma took one of their mommy's hands, led her through the living room, and headed toward the kitchen. Kate abruptly stopped in her tracks when she saw that their traditional dining table had been transformed into something that could easily be found in one of the high-end restaurants in New York City.

Rick was walking beside Kate and their children, and he, too, was speechless when he saw the lit candles and elegant place settings that greeted them on this special day. "Wow," was the only word that came from their Daddy's mouth.

Kate stood silent, fighting back the tears as she looked not only at the elegant table but all of their best warming dishes that were displayed proudly on the table, along with crystal goblets and their other favorite pieces holding what she could only assume to be warmed maple syrup, soft butter along with sugar and cream for those drinking coffee. She quickly pulled her two youngest children to her sides, then reached out and motioned for Alexis to come over so she could include her in the family hug, saying,

"Oh, you guys, this is absolutely stunning. I have never seen such a beautifully displayed brunch in my life. It's amazing,"

With that, she again received a chorus of Happy Mother's Day wishes. She then looked over at her husband, who shrugged his shoulders and pointed to the kids that she still held in her arms, saying,

"This was all their idea. I didn't have anything to do with it," he didn't add that he knew there was at least one adult in the room who did play a role, but he kept that comment to himself and simply looked over and smiled at his father-in-law.


At that moment, Martha spoke up and added her wishes for a Happy Mother's Day to Kate, and suggested that the family all come to the table so they could enjoy the incredible-looking food while it was still warm. As Kate walked past her Dad, she lean over to kiss him on the cheek and quietly whispered in his ear, smiling and saying, "Thanks, Dad."

Jim returned her kiss, wishing his only daughter a very Happy Mother's Day, and and answered her comment with a typical lawyer answer of, "I can neither confirm, nor deny…", leaving his sentence open-ended as he followed his daughter and grandchildren to the table.

Eli was fulfilling his role and the only male sibling in on the plan by assisting his mommy to her chair, and then standing behind her chair like he's seen his daddy do and with the some help from his GPa, helped slide Kate's chair up to the table. He then moved over to his grandmother, where he did the same thing, except this time his daddy helped to slide Martha's chair in place. Then Rick, Jim, and the kids all took up their regular seats.

Alexis took the lead in passing each of the specially made food dishes and also assisted Eli with his plate. Once everyone had their desired food choices on their plates, the family enjoyed one of the best brunches any of them had had in a long time. Memories of Johanna Beckett were forefront in the minds of Jim and Kate, but those memories are now shared with the sweet and precious people who were sitting and enjoying this special Mother's Day meal.

Following the incredible brunch, each of the Castle children stood and went into their father's office and returned with special gifts for Kate and Martha.


Emma first presented her Mama with a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers, then handed both her Mama and Grams a sealed envelope. She then stepped to the side as Eli came up carefully handing his Mommy a box embossed with the decal of one of the city's renowned chocolatiers and wrapped with a gold ribbon. Eli then joined Emma as Alexis came to Kate's side, leaning down to kiss her on the cheek and then handed her three brightly colored envelopes separately addressed to her saying, Mommy, Mama and Mom.

Each of the kids then moved back to their chairs, watching and waiting for their mommy, mama, and mom to open her gifts.

Kate first looked at Emma thanking her for the beautiful flowers. Then she gently set her bouquet to the right side of her plate, then looked at Martha; the two women nodded to one another and then opened their sealed envelopes. 'Ohs and awws' quickly followed by big smiles as the two ladies looked around the table thanking their children/grandchildren for such a thoughtful gift.

Kate looked back at Martha, laughingly saying, "Well, when do we go?

Martha returned Kate's smile, saying, "Very, very soon, my dear Katherine."

Kate then looked at Eli, smiling as she picked up the rather heavy white box. "I wonder what this is," she teasingly said to her youngest child.

After carefully removing the gold ribbon, Kate slid the top off of the box and looked back at Eli, saying, "Oh, Tiger, these look delicious," and quickly took a bite off of the end of one of the largest strawberries she has ever seen. She also looked at her husband, trying to sneak in a private wink for only him, but Alexis' impromptu cough let her know she hadn't been as subtle as she had hoped. Kate, too remembered the encounter she and Rick had many years ago with chocolate cover strawberries and the unfortunate timing of Alexis' early return after an evening date.


After a somewhat awkward moment, all eyes focused back on Kate and the three brightly colored envelopes sitting near her empty plate. When Kate saw the way the envelopes were addressed, she was tempted to tell the kids that she would read them later in the privacy of her bedroom. But looking into each of her children's eyes, she saw their excitement and expectations and knew she would need to read them now, with the family.

Knowing who each envelope was from, Kate took a few seconds to decide which to open first. She looked at Alexis and asked her to come up beside her as she picked up the envelope addressed to 'Mom". Once the envelope was open and Kate had removed the letter, she wrapped her arm around Alexis' waist as she began to read the letter. Alexis had very eloquently restated comments she had made to Kate many years prior, telling her that she had always felt that Kate was her 'mom'. That she was so happy that Kate loved her and was always there for her, and never hesitated to talk with her about any topic that was on her mind. The letter continued with several personal moments that the young woman recalled from her childhood and several from the past few years while Alexis was in college. Once Kate had finished reading the letter, she stood, and the two women clung to each other for several minutes as tears freely fell from both of their eyes. After another hug, Alexis moved back to her chair.

Kate sat back down and picked up the next envelope addressed to 'Mama'. Kate repeated her request that Emma now comes up and be with her mom. Emma immediately moved to her Mama's side and wrapped her arms around her neck as Kate read the touching letter from her youngest daughter. Emma was her middle child who often wore her feelings on her sleeve, but then at other times, she held those feelings inside until either Rick or Kate sat down and encouraged her to let them know what was happening that was causing her quietness. But the loving letter she wrote her Mama was an open book. She poured her heart out to Kate, letting her know how much she loved her and how much she meant to Emma. And Emma thanked her many times throughout her letter for being the best Mama in the world. Again, tears flowed as Mama and daughter hugged and kissed each other.

Then came the letter to "Mommy'. Eli didn't even wait to be asked to come to be with his Mommy. He immediately slid out of his booster seat and rushed to his mommy's side, crawling up into her lap and wrapping his small arms around her neck, saying, "I lubz youz so much mommy. Dis is mez leter," reaching and handing the bright blue envelope to Kate.

Kate opened the envelope and then wrapped one arm tightly around Eli as she read the block printing on the letter. She knew Eli hadn't actually written his letter, but every word had come from her little Tiger. Eli had turned slightly and was watching Kate as she read his letter. When he thought she was done, he said,

"Mommy, I cantz writs, so I tellz Lexi my wordz, and she putz dem on da leter, and I putz my namez on it," he said pointing to where he had printed his name. Then he said, "Andz I tellz Lexi to also puts. I lubs youz to da moonz and backs," again Eli pointed to the last sentence on his letter.

"Oh, Eli, I love you to the moon and back too." With a big lump in her throat, Kate, continued, thanking Eli for such a sweet letter, saying, "It means so much to me." Kate then looked up to all of her children, with happy tears in her eyes, she said, "I love you kids more than words and ever express. You are my world. You make my life whole and I am so proud and thankful to be your mom."

With those words all three of her kids came to her side, wrapping their arms around her neck, kissing her and again, wishing her "Happy Mother's Day". At this point Rick, followed by Jim also came up to Kate, kissing her on her head and also wishing her Happy Mother's Day, with Martha who was sitting to her left side, taking her hand and saying,

"Katherine, I am so very thrilled and proud to share this day with you. There is no mother in the world that I love and respect more than you. Happy Mother's Day, dear.


A/N - #2 - A special thank you to each of you who took the time to read this very long fanfiction story. I sincerely appreciate your support.