Julia's eyes opened as she heard a familiar voice approaching outside the room and she tried not to become too hopeful. She knew her father was on the way but wasn't sure if he'd have reached her that soon after he'd left Mill Valley.
"I know but she needs to come home with us so we can help her to recover," the voice was saying as it approached the room. "I have it full of blankets and pillows and treat her like she's an egg about to hatch."
"Da!" Julia cried when he walked into the doorway.
"Hello honey," Rick said, hurrying over to her. He kissed her cheek and then ran his hand over her hair. "How're you feeling?"
"Okay," Julia said, looking at her wrist and legs. "I made it out alive."
"You did, are you ready to head home?" Rick asked her. "I want to go back now, your ma's all at sixes and sevens to get you well."
Nodding her head Julia replied, "I am, but what about the factory?"
"She was able to leave, more women are coming in," Rick replied. "So don't worry." He then made a slight face and told her, "She's set on sewing all the socks the Army will ever need so I hope you're ready to knit."
"I can Da and I don't mind. I just want to go home," Julia replied.
Leaning over and kissing the top of her head Rick told her, "I'll be right back." He spoke with her doctor and nurses and once his daughter was about to be taken to a stretcher he was racing to get the backseat of the car prepared with the blankets and pillows that he and his wife had stuffed into the trunk. "Here is your carriage," he said once his daughter was out. He picked her up off the stretcher before the hospital workers could and got her settled before he said, "Hopefully it's fit for a princess."
"Da," Julia said in slight embarrassment though she was smiling. She hugged him before he stood and she waved to the nurses she'd become friends with before he closed the doors. As they were driving away from the hospital she told her father, "Remember Mari?"
"Of course, your good friend," Rick replied, smiling at her in the rearview mirror.
Nodding Julia told him, "Her mama and papa are moving to Mill Valley. So when the war is finally over she'll be there too; you can meet her."
"You said her parents are friendly?" Rick asked.
"And they love playing cards," Julia added.
"I love them already," Rick said, smiling as his daughter was laughing while he drove them to the highway to take them back home.
"It took us a while," Castle said.
Nodding Julia replied, "It felt like it took forever, you were going as slowly as you could for me."
"I had to get her back home," Castle said as he looked at his wife.
"I know," Beckett replied. She dipped a cherry tomato in the ranch before telling him, "Keep going."
Smiling at her knowing he had more, Castle kissed the back of her hand before he said, "It's when we arrived home of course, about six days later."
"Ma's on the porch," Julia said with a smile seeing her mother.
"Oh honey," Kate said as she raced over to the car once her husband had gone around to the back.
"I missed you too Ma," Julia said with a smile as her mother was embracing her tightly. She was doing the same as best she could and said, "I'm okay, Da was a careful driver."
"He should have been," Kate said, wiping away the tears on her cheeks.
"She's fine, she's been getting a lot of rest and I did the best I could to drive smoothly," Rick said. "Is the room ready?"
"It is, I'll hold the doors open for you," Kate replied.
"Thank goodness it isn't raining," Rick said, speaking to both his wife and eldest daughter.
"I know, I don't want to get the casts again either," Julia said with a smile before she let him pick her up. She looked around the house as they were walking to her grandmother's room and asked, "What if Grandma comes over?"
Setting her down on the bed Rick said, "She'll stay in the guest house in the back. But they're only planning to pay a visit."
"This coming weekend," Kate said when he looked at her. She went up to the bed then and made sure Julia was warm with a blanket before asking, "Would you like to sleep."
"That would be nice," Julia said, very tired with the last of the journey.
"We'll let you sleep once you eat something," Kate told her. "I'll be back," she said, hurrying out of the room.
"Has she been worried?" Julia asked her father.
"I would assume," Rick replied, sitting on the bed next to her. "But she was when I told her what had happened to you. And she wanted to make certain that I would be able to make you comfortable."
Nodding with a smile, Julia turned her attention to her mother as she came back in. She took the plate with a bologna sandwich, the crusts cut off as she'd used to like as a child. "Thank you, Ma," she said, cursing the fact that her eyes were filling with tears.
"It's alright," Kate said gently, taking her daughter's hands and holding them tightly. "You're safe home now and you won't need to tow anymore targets for some…"
"The pilot came to see me," Julia told then, drying her tears. "He apologized and said he hadn't known there were anyone in the plane, he thought he needed to shoot it down." She saw the way her father's jaw was clenching and told him gently, "He was a swell pilot Da, he was nearly in tears himself."
Seeing her daughter look down at the sandwich Kate asked, "What is it?"
"He asked if he could take me to dinner once my casts were off," Julia replied. When her parents looked at each other she shook her head and said wearily, "I told him that I was going home; he's from Vermont; but he asked if he could write to me while he's out fighting and I said I would." She smiled and said, "I'm not looking for a husband; just a friend."
"Good," Rick said.
Shaking her head, Kate turned her attention to their daughter and said, "Eat honey, and then sleep."
"What about the other girls?" Julia asked.
Making sure her daughter was eating, Kate said, "They're likely at lunch themselves. You'll rest and we'll take you to the living room to wait for them."
"Do you have a chair for me?" Julia asked in surprise.
Nodding Rick said, "I got one from Doc Batten, remember he had his legs broken too."
"You'll have to thank him," Julia said.
"Here," Kate said, giving the girl a small glass of milk. She smiled as she was drinking and she took it back, letting her husband get the plate and glass. She leaned over and kissed Julia's forehead before helping her lay down. "Sweet dreams honey, we're so happy you're home safe," she told her lovingly.
"Thank you, Ma, Da," Julia said sleepily.
"We love you," Rick said firmly to her, kissing her forehead. He went with his wife to the doorway and once their oldest was asleep he was taking everything to the kitchen as she closed the door.
"How was it coming back?" Kate asked her husband once she was with him.
"It was a nightmare," Rick said, turning to her from the counter. "She was in pain but she didn't want very much to dull it. She knew a few boys who were depending on morphine after their injuries. But it killed me hearing her groan at every bump or hole in the road." He shook his head and turned back again and said, "I wanted to give her the morphine; the doctor in Long Beach taught me to; but I couldn't. She wouldn't let me."
Wrapping her arms around her husband, Kate wasn't surprised when he turned to her and they embraced tightly. She pressed her cheek to his and murmured, "You did the best you could."
Nodding, Rick then turned his head and kissed her murmuring, "I wish I could stay and help you."
"There isn't much we can do," Kate told him gently. "She needs to heal and I can only do so much. You'll help the effort and come back to us so she can be with her family."
Rick sighed and then kissed her again gently before saying, "Want some coffee?"
"I'll make some tea," Kate said. When he let her go, she busied herself with the kettle before getting it ready on top of the stove. She then turned to him and said, "Will you meet the girls when they return?"
"I will," Rick said. "And I will tell them their sister is here and they'll need to-"
Squeezing her husband's hand to make him stop Kate said, "We'll tell them, you just need to bring them into the house."
"Alright," Rick replied. He gathered his wife into his arms for another hug before kissing her temple and saying, "I love you Kate; I missed you."
"I missed you as well," she replied with a smile. "And I love you Rick." Kate was about to kiss him when she heard the kettle starting to whistle and they had to part before she was getting their cups ready. After they had their drinks they went to the dining room to stay near the bedroom in case their daughter needed them.
The couple remained at the table while Julia was sleeping and drank tea until they heard her calling for her mother.
Kate jumped up and hurried over to the room before she went inside and saw that Julia was trying to push herself up with one hand. "Good morning," she said, seeing the young woman looked a little more rested.
"Morning," Julia replied, sighing as her parents were helping her sit up.
"I'll grab the bell we have for when you and your sisters are sick," Rick told her. "That way we can hear you when you'll need us."
"Thank you," Julia replied with a smile. She watched as her mother got the wheelchair and let her father pick her up before she was settled on the chair. She smiled again at her parents hurrying around her to make sure she was settled. "Could I go onto the porch?" she asked them once they'd stopped.
"We can wrap her up in blankets," Rick told his wife as she looked concerned at the request.
"Very well," Kate said with a sigh. "But tell us if you're too cold."
"I will," Julia reassured them before her father was pushing her through the house. Luckily the rooms were large enough for her to pass without any problems and she was soon on the patio looking outside. Her father covered her legs with a blanket before wrapping one around her shoulders.
"Are you warm?" Rick asked her.
"Oh yes, thank you Da," Julia said with a smile. She then looked at her mother as she brought one of the chairs over to her and asked, "Will you be able to push me while Da is in the city?"
"I'll try when we go back inside," Kate said, taking her hand and squeezing it.
Turning to look at the sidewalk a few minutes later Rick could easily discern the girls' voices and he said to the two with him, "I'll go before they start running." He headed over to the path leading down to the sidewalk and opened the gate, looking to his left and seeing the three youngest walking up to the house.
"Da!" Josephine cried seeing him first. She ran down the sidewalk as fast as she could before throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly. She gasped when she felt her sisters running into them and they all hugged their father before their mother was calling to them.
"You'll end up crushing your sister," Kate told them, standing at the railing by Julia.
"Sorry," Alexandra said first to her.
"It's alright," Josephine said with a smile. They then hurried up to the house and the porch though she slowed down once she got close.
"It's alright," Julia said as her youngest sister bit at her lower lip. She smiled and then said, "I just have some casts on my legs like my wrist."
"Does it hurt?" Alexandra asked her.
"It does but it was worse after I was out of my plane," Julia replied. "So I'm getting better luckily."
"Let's go inside," Rick said suddenly. When the others were looking at him he said, "I felt a drop."
"Oh, let's get Julia in first," Kate said, though she was the one to push the chair into the house.
"Was that difficult Ma?" Julia asked worriedly once they were all inside.
"Oh no, I'll be able to move you around," Kate said reassuringly.
"Can I take the blankets off now?" Julia asked. When her father was getting them she told her sisters, "I'll have to really stay in this chair for a while."
"How much longer?" Elizabeth asked.
"About two months," Julia replied. She smiled when her sisters gasped and said, "The bones need to get better and grow back together. So I'll rest and let that happen."
"Will you go back once you're better?" Elizabeth said.
"No, I've been discharged so I'll be able to stay," Julia said. She frowned and said, "There've been some rumors they're going to stop the program."
"What?" Rick asked in surprise. "But they're helping so much; you've helped so much. You've allowed one of the men to fight overseas and so have all the other women."
"We've all said the same," Julia said, shrugging. "But we can't do much about it, just Cochran who'll try I think."
"I'll write a letter," Rick said firmly. "And send it to Mrs. Roosevelt, she'd likely be a good champion to have for this."
"That would be swell Da," Julia told him with a smile before she saw the way Josephine was looking at her wrist.
"Is that very heavy?" the girl asked.
"A little bit but at least it's not the one I use to write with," Julia replied.
"What would you do if it had been the other one?" Alexandra asked.
Smiling, Julia told her sister, "I'm glad I'm not in school," laughing when her sisters rolled their eyes.
"Alright, you three need to help me with our dinner," Kate said.
"But-" Elizabeth started to say.
"Help your ma," Rick told her though he was speaking to all three girls. "I'll stay with your sister as I'm a bit tired."
"I was going to say," Elizabeth told them after nodding to what her father had said. "Could I give you a hug still?"
"Yes," Julia said immediately before she was hugging her three little sisters in turn. After letting them go she then said, "Thank you for wanting to do that; at least I can."
"Once your wrist is better we can put you on KP duty Pilot McDonovan," Rick said teasingly.
"Come on girls," Kate said before taking the three to the kitchen.
"What would you like to do now?" Rick asked his oldest once they were alone.
"Could we listen to the radio?" Julia replied.
"Of course," Rick said. "I'll read the paper if you don't mind."
Smiling Julia said, "You haven't had the chance to since you went to get me have you?"
"No but that was just fine, I needed to see my little girl," Rick replied as he turned on their radio and grabbed the paper Kate had set on the table next to the couch. He then went back to it as it was starting a news report before he was going through the stations until she directed him to stop. "Have you been able to keep up with the shows?" he asked, sitting in the armchair next to where her chair was.
"Not very much," Julia replied. "If we had the chance to listen to the radio we would have to all agree on what we'd listen to and it was easier to just listen to the big band shows."
"At least it's not bad listening to that," Rick said. "A lot of those are swell."
"Yes, but I missed everything," Julia replied. She then said, "I hope you and Ma will let me listen later."
"We will," Rick replied.
"How are things going?" Julia asked after they'd been quiet and listening to the music for a while.
Rick folded the newspaper and said, "I think I'll set this aside. I've had enough of the war for tonight. But I would like to see if your ma and sisters are alright."
"Go Da," Julia replied with a smile. "I'll yell if I need you." She was surprised seeing her father going to the entry closet but was soon smiling again as he was coming back with a bell. "Then I'll ring this," she said as she took it.
Kissing the top of her head, Rick hurried over to the kitchen though he paused in the doorway between the dining room and kitchen before he looked into the room finding his wife was staring at him.
"What about Julia?" Kate asked him as soon as he'd turned to her.
"She has the bell," Rick answered, smiling at the girls.
"But what if she wants to get something?" Josephine asked him.
"It's what the bell is for," Rick replied reassuringly. "Should I help?"
"You can help us by staying with Julia," Kate said firmly. "And bring her over to the dining room once we're ready."
Rick nodded before he turned and went back to the living room though he stopped in the doorway. "You'll hurt yourself Julia!" he said in concern as she had moved from where he'd left her. "And how on earth did you turn?"
"I played with the wheels," Julia replied simply.
"Don't tell your ma you did this," Rick said, hurrying over to her.
"Why would I?" Julia said with a shrug of her right shoulder.
"You don't need to, I know already," Kate said, walking up to them. She wasn't surprised when her husband was freezing and she said, "Bring her into the room here love, I'm sure you wanted to be close to everyone else."
"I did, but I'm alright and I should move my arms a bit," Julia said while she let her father push her over to the doorway to the kitchen. She smiled when she could see her sisters and she waved to them before her father was sitting by her. "You still can't help?" she asked him.
"Not really," Rick answered. "But I think they're nearly finished so it's alright."
Julia nodded and watched with him while the others were going around the kitchen to finish the meal. Her wheelchair had a tray and she let her father attach it before her mother was serving her first. She waited to eat until everyone else in her family was sitting and doing the same and she was telling her family about the southern part of the state though she avoided any discussion of her work. While their parents were cleaning up with Elizabeth, Alexandra and Josephine were keeping her company in the living room and she was about to ask one of them to bring her a book before her youngest sister was speaking first.
"Could I touch the plaster?" Josephine asked shyly.
"Sure," Julia replied with a smile. She watched as her youngest sister was running her finger along it and said, "It's rough isn't it?"
"Yeah… I'm glad that didn't hurt," Josephine told her.
"You can touch too," Julia then said to her other sister.
Running her finger along it Alexandra said, "At least when you're finished you won't need to wear it anymore."
"I can't wait for that," Julia replied. She looked over at the dining room and saw their parents and sister were coming out to them.
"Are you hungry at all?" Rick asked the girls.
"Are you going to make popcorn?" Julia said with a smile.
"I wanted to," Rick replied. "Would you all like some?"
"We need to say yes," Elizabeth said jokingly. "Ma already made her cinnamon and sugar."
"I'd like some," Julia said. She watched as the others were getting their dessert ready, smiling though she couldn't help feeling frustrated that she wasn't helping as well.
"Would you like tea or coffee," Kate said, going over to her when she had everything on the table ready.
"It'll have to be tea," Julia replied. "I wanted some café au lait like Aunt Rose makes but they wouldn't let me; because of my medicines."
"I don't think it would have been the best," Elizabeth told her. "Aunt Rose's are the best."
"I was craving it," Julia said with a smile. She wasn't surprised when her sister nodded and they took the apples their father was handing out for them to eat first.
While they sat together with their fruit Rick couldn't help being relieved their daughters were there and they were all safe. He squeezed his wife's hand gently before they leaned into each other and shared a quick kiss before turning their attention to their daughters as their girls were asking about going into the city and he smiled as things felt like they were back to normal.
"Can I help you?" Beckett asked her husband with a smile as she looked at him.
"No, just watching you," Castle replied.
"You don't think you should be careful with that?" Beckett said, smoothing her hair back before she got her ponytail out from her blouse.
"I'm not watching you for that reason," Castle said easily. He went over to her and he said, "I was remembering before."
"It's strange we didn't recall that until just now," Beckett told him.
"It is but I was thinking more about the fact that once we were all together it was normal," Castle told her seriously.
Smiling Beckett said, "That's how it should feel."
Nodding, Castle leaned into her and shared a kiss with her before they pulled apart and he said, "I love you."
"I love you too," Beckett said, smiling. She embraced him tightly while he was doing so to her and she then said, "We should go."
Castle's response was to let her go, reaching for her hand before they were walking out and going through their bedroom to get their kids and go down for dinner.
"The kids are downstairs already," Isaac said when the two met him and Genevieve at the top of the stairs. "Skye's dad and your parents took them down not too long ago."
With a quick nod, Beckett went over to Peter's mother and said, "How did it start?"
"You've been wanting to ask me that for a while haven't you?" Genevieve replied, smiling. After Beckett had nodded she said, "Just talking to each other on the flights to and from LA. And we… had dinner with the boys one night to see how it would go and went from there."
Waiting for them to get to the end of the stairs, Beckett then said, "How are they taking it?"
"We've had a couple dinners all together besides dates on our own," Genevieve replied. "And they seem to be alright with it right now. We're very early in this so…"
"I hope it works out for you," Beckett told her seriously.
"Me too," Genevieve said with a smile as they were entering the dining room and turning their attention to their families.
After they had gathered they were served their dinner and they ate, talking about the ball the next night and what they would do once they returned to America.
"It'll feel very empty here," Clara said to Beckett with a smile as they were getting their baby daughters.
"I'm not surprised," she replied, knowing her cousin's wife was talking about it being just the family after they left. "But we'll hopefully see you soon."
"If you're serious about the kids coming here, we'll see them," Clara replied as they were going to the ballroom.
Beckett nodded quickly before she turned her attention to Josie, making sure the baby was happy after being fed. She kissed her temple and then took the headphones that Castle had brought. "I hope she'll appreciate music still when she's older," she told her husband with a smile before they sat down.
"With her sisters?" Castle asked her before he smiled as she laughed. He kissed the top of Josie's head as the baby was smiling at them and he looked in front of them where the band was preparing with Paul.
"What're you playing?" Brad asked Skye as Paul had the investigator's bass.
"Rhythm," Skye said simply as she had a Rickenbacker. She quickly tuned it and said to the singer, "Are you sure? It was merely a suggestion."
"I would like to see how you take this one," Paul replied.
Breathing out in mock annoyance, Skye said, "Alright but you introduce it."
Laughing, Paul went to the spare mic the band had gotten for him and then told the others, "Just a quick little song, called Who Cares."
Beckett smiled as Julia cried out before the music was beginning, starting with Raj before Paul counted them in as in the recording. The rest of the band joined in and soon the singer was going back to his mic and singing with Skye.
Did you ever get hurt
By the words people say
And the things that they do
When they're picking on you
At the music in between that verse and the next Julia couldn't help going to the space that was in front of the band, dancing on her own. She wasn't sure when the other kids; except the babies; came over to join her but she was soon dancing with Mari as Paul and Skye were singing again.
Did you ever get sad
By the games that they play
When they're making you feel
Like a rusty old wheel
That's been left in the rain
As the pair were singing the chorus Paul was pointing his finger at their audience with each sung 'Who cares,' before he realized the kids were singing it as well to his laughter.
Who cares what the idiots say
Who cares what the idiots do
Who cares about the pain in your heart
Who cares about you, I do
During that verse Julia could feel a shiver go down her spine at the way Paul's and Skye's voices changed a bit in their singing. She felt Mari squeezing her hands and realized she had stopped before she turned her attention back to their dancing though she was still listening to the two.
'Cos you're worth much more
Of that you can be sure
No need to hide
The love you've got inside
While Paul was vocalizing in between the two verses Castle got his wife's attention and they looked at their baby girl. She was staring at the singer with wide eyes and while he knew she couldn't quite hear him with the headphones she was watching him before the next verse started.
Did you ever get lost
In the heart of a crowd
And the people around
Keep on pushing you down
Is it driving you mad
And you're screaming out loud
Are you wondering who's
Going to recognize you
With the lyric right before the chorus again, Julia sensed something behind her and she glanced past the others sitting. She could see who was there and smiled before she turned back to the band and Paul with the others before they sang the words 'who cares' with the others as he was smiling at them. Since that was nearly the rest of the song they stopped dancing and at the very last lyric of the song they danced together again.
You're a ghost in the dark
Who cares what the idiots say
Who cares what the idiots do
Who cares about the pain in your heart
Who cares about you
Who cares what the idiots say
Who cares what the idiots do
Who cares about the pain in your heart
Who cares about you, I do
You've been left in the rain
February 13th, 2021
Hello again Diary!
I have the chance to write again so I'm definitely going to do that now! I really don't have a ton of stuff to write about though. Mostly we went swimming since we couldn't ride horses, but there's something before that that was way more important (to Mom and Dad).
They had their photoshoot today and we got to go in to see it, though after the first outfits (I saw Mom and Dad's, they're getting to keep them and that's good since they're really nice). I already said it but they were all nice; Skye and Mary's too; and it was so cool to watch them posing for the pictures. I was sort of glad and sort of disappointed that we weren't going to get to take pictures with them but I think it was better that we just watched them. I guess I should write more here about that but there wasn't a lot but them changing and then taking the pictures.
Julia frowned at her paragraph though she knew she really didn't have much to write about the photoshoot that she had already. She finally sighed and started a new paragraph, once she was sure she had ink in her pen.
After that Stella went back to London, she needed to work so she won't be able to stay which was a shame but I don't know if I would talk to her that much. After that we went swimming, Mari stayed with us and that was a lot of fun. Mom and Dad are thinking of making the pool at our house a room like it is here and that would be so, so cool. I hope they can do it!
Then afterwards while we were having a snack I told everyone about a memory of our past life that I had, when I crashed during a training run. I broke my wrist and then legs too, so that was it for me during the war. Dad said that they stopped the WASPs program not that long after I was in my crash, so I just helped with the war effort with everyone at home. But I was really glad to be back with my family then and I still am now!
After dinner we went to the ballroom again and that time Paul was singing with the band and they sang Who Cares, it was so cool. And while they were singing that I sensed Freddie was watching, I know he wants to see Skye performing, since they have that concert of course. After that the band played the song Bicycle Race; Skye doesn't know if she'll sing that one but she wanted to practice. It was so much fun and so was getting to play with everyone again!
I don't think I'll be able to write tomorrow; I get to stay up a little later for the ball so I might just wait until I'm home. If I do that I promise I'll write then!
"All set?" Beckett said, she and Castle sitting on the couch.
"Yeah," Julia replied. "I hope I don't forget this on Monday," she added.
"We'll make sure you remember," Beckett told her reassuringly. "Come here sweetie."
Getting up from the desk once her things were in the drawer, Julia sat in between her parents and said, "I can't wait for the ball tomorrow."
"Neither can I," Castle said.
"Is it to see Mom's dress?" Julia asked, smiling up at him.
"Not just that," Castle said in self-defense. "To get to dance with her; and hopefully you and Eliza won't mind dancing with me too."
"We won't," Julia replied. "But I hope you dance more with Mom."
"I'll make sure that he will," Beckett said in amusement as she'd been watching them while they'd spoken. "But for now you need to go to bed."
Sighing Julia said, "I know, could we swim at all before the ball?"
"We're planning on it," Beckett replied.
"What about the room?" Julia asked.
"What your mom said," Castle told her with a smile. "We'll see what the architects say… whoever we talk to about it."
Nodding Julia said, "Okay, I just hope it works. Imagine getting to swim in the winter like they do here."
"That's what I was thinking," Castle said, nodding at her. He smiled when she hugged him and then said to his wife, "Should we say goodnight here?"
"Sure," Beckett replied, watching as he sat on the couch again with a smile.
Hugging her father tightly Julia told him, "I love you Dad; I can't wait to see you too dressed for the ball."
"In a tuxedo?" Castle asked.
"Is he wearing his glasses?" Julia said to her mother instead of answering her father.
"Of course," Beckett said.
"Do I get a say in that?" Castle asked, raising his hand slightly.
"No," Beckett and Julia said firmly at the same time, smiling at each other when he pretended to jump in his surprise.
"I'm kidding Rick," Beckett then told her husband. "You-"
"I'm still wearing them," Castle interrupted her. "I'm hoping it'll keep other women from becoming… interested in me," he told Julia. He was startled by the frown on her face and asked, "What?"
"I don't think that would stop them Rick," Beckett said.
"She's right, but you're going to dance really closely with Mom," Julia said.
"Definitely," Castle said, hugging her as his wife made a gesture. He kissed her cheek and told her, "I love you too sweetheart. I can't wait to see you and your sisters in your dresses; you'll look beautiful."
"Thanks Dad," Julia said before they shared a kiss. She hugged him tightly and then said, "Will you dance with Josa?"
"Before she needs to go to bed," Castle promised. He hugged her one more time and let her go, watching her go to her mother.
"I love you Mom; I can't wait to see your dress too," Julia said, growing more excited as she was speaking. "You are gonna wear the sapphires that Dad gave you."
"I will," Beckett said with a nod, embracing her. "It was the only jewelry that I brought with me other than what I'm wearing."
"I can't wait," Julia repeated, hugging her again.
"I love you too Julia," Beckett said before her daughter pulled away to look at her. "And I'm still helping you girls get ready."
Julia pursed her lips slightly and when her mother asked her what was wrong she said, "'Lexis wants you to do her hair for her."
"I will," Beckett said, knowing her oldest hadn't had a chance to ask yet. She shared a kiss with Julia then before she and Castle stood and she told her, "We can't wait to see you with your jewelry."
Blushing, as it was a set her parents had given her for Christmas, Julia said, "I can't wait to wear it." She hugged her mother and feeling her embracing her back she said, "But it's not until later tomorrow."
"Which is why you should go to bed," Castle said, chuckling a little when she pouted at him. He kissed her forehead and he and Beckett were going out of their room, heading down to the nursery so they could get Julia into bed.
Hearing her husband closing the last curtains Beckett looked up from her book and said, "Still snowing?"
"It is, but a lot lighter luckily," Castle replied with a nod. He climbed onto his side of the bed and told her, "It's still cold though."
Studying him Beckett said, "And what would you like to do to warm up?"
"Could we lay down?" Castle suggested. "Clothed," he then told her in a rush.
Smiling Beckett nodded and set her book aside before she waited for him to take off his glasses. She laid down with him and asked, "How long do you want to stay up?"
"I don't know," Castle replied thoughtfully.
"Do you have something to tell me?" Beckett said.
"Not really," Castle said, not amazed to see the surprise on her face. "I was wondering about something and I was hoping you might tell me."
"Okay," Beckett said slowly. "What do you want to know?"
"The night I confessed to you about Smith," Castle replied.
Smiling briefly at the way he'd worded that Beckett said, "What about it?"
"What did you do after I'd left?" Castle asked.
"I never told you?" Beckett said in surprise.
"No, to be honest I've been wary of asking about that since… I really wasn't sure if I should," Castle said. He looked down at her and said seriously, "If you don't want to tell-"
"It's alright," Beckett interrupted him. She wasn't surprised when he nodded, but at the same time held her a little closer and she smiled slightly before saying, "After you'd left it took me a little to get myself to move but once I did I went back to my murder board. I tried to work again but… I couldn't focus. Or sleep later when I gave up and went to bed."
Breathing out Castle pressed his lips to her temple and said, "I should-"
"I didn't let you," Beckett stopped him. "And I don't blame you for leaving," she said quickly as he opened his mouth to speak. "I really didn't give a reason to stay. And that was years ago now and where we are at this point it's just a memory." She leaned up to him and kissed him tenderly before she said, "Now tell me something."
"Okay," Castle said. "What though? Not that same night, right?"
"No," Beckett said. "You did tell me and we should really change the subject. When Julia got her casts taken off."
"Oh yeah," Castle said as the memory came back to him. "May thirteenth so she was more than ready to get those off."
"I think we were all ready," Beckett said with a smile. "But she had to have therapy of course."
"Of course," Castle repeated. "But could you…"
"Alright," Beckett said with a sigh, knowing what he was asking. She then smiled and leaned over and kissed him gently before she said, "It was a Saturday, so I was at home with our other girls and they were anxiously waiting for you two to come back."
"Girls," Kate said as she stepped out onto the porch.
"Ma we finished our chores," Josephine said instantly.
Smiling at that Kate told her, "I know, but I'd prefer it if you would come inside."
"It's a beautiful day Ma," Elizabeth commented. "Couldn't we ride our bicycles a bit until Da and Julia come home."
"I suppose," Kate said. "Go on," she finally told them. "But be very careful in the street."
"We will," the girls said at the same time.
Kate smiled when they raced over to the driveway to go to the backyard and the garage, turning to set the dishtowel in her hands aside. She waved to the girls as they were riding into the street and then sighed, going back inside. She hesitated before she could close the door and then went to her knitting, taking her basket out to the porch so she could knit there. She worked on socks for the soldiers fighting, smiling as she could see the girls when they were passing back and forth until they were suddenly racing back.
"Are they back?" Kate called to them. When Josephine nodded rapidly, she stood and hurried to get her basket inside before she was going to the side of the house. She waved as her husband drove the Studebaker to the garage and smiled seeing Julia in the front seat.
"Hello love," Rick said as he got out, having parked outside the garage for Julia.
"How is she?" Kate asked while she walked with him around the car.
"They did have to go through a bit of the therapy, but they showed me what to do and we only need to take her in a week," Rick replied. "But she can use crutches and is insistent to master them."
"I almost have," Julia said as she had the passenger door open.
"Let me help you out at least," Rick replied, getting the crutches from the back and giving them to his wife.
"Do they hurt? The crutches?" Alexandra asked while their parents were helping Julia to them.
"The doctor said that I'll get used to them," she told her sister once they were under her arms. "And my arms might get more powerful."
"You'll be able to lift Da?" Josephine asked.
Julia laughed with the rest of her family before they stopped and she said, "Not that powerful but stronger."
"Let's get inside," Kate said. She then became worried and told her daughter, "The stairs…"
"I'll manage them Ma, I practiced with Da at the hospital," Julia promised her. When she got to the steps she managed to make her way up them with her mother standing next to her and in the lean-to, she smiled and told her, "See? I'll be fine."
"Yes, but you won't be doing that inside the house," Kate said firmly.
"I wasn't going to Ma," Julia said with another smile. "I'll stay down here in Grandma's room still. But I will be able to walk up the stairs."
"You will," Kate told her reassuringly. "Where are you going?" she asked her in surprise since her daughter was going to the kitchen.
"I don't need a nap Ma," Julia said with a smile over her shoulder. "And we ate lunch, thank you for the sandwiches."
"I'm sorry they were bologna again," Kate told her.
"It's alright, they were delicious," Julia said firmly.
"We're gonna have a surprise for dinner!" Josephine said eagerly.
"With rations?" Julia said, looking to their mother.
"You'll see soon enough," Kate said calmly.
"Can I know?" Rick asked.
"Not until we eat," Kate replied, smiling. She then went over to the door and locked it before saying, "Will anyone want tea until then?"
"I'll have some love," Rick replied. "And I'll help you," he added, walking with her over to the kitchen.
"I won't tell-" Kate began before her husband was wrapping his arms around her and kissing her deeply. Though she had a thought for their daughters she was soon responding to her husband. She held him tightly in the time they spent kissing and when they parted she asked, "Okay?"
"Yeah, it was just hard to see her having to learn to walk again," Rick replied. "But if she keeps moving she'll be without her crutches by the time she goes back to see the doctor."
Kate kissed his cheek before she told him, "She'll be fine. And we'll make sure she walks as much as she can."
"After dinner?" Rick asked.
"Yes, but you're still not finding out what we'll have yet," Kate said with a soft laugh. She stepped away from him and hurried to get a kettle ready before she was grabbing mugs while her husband was getting the sugar and milk for the tea.
"Julia's not going to enjoy no lemons," Rick commented.
"Mr. Valentin didn't have any still," Kate replied. "But she knows to make do."
"And Josephine?" Rick asked her.
"I'll be fine da," the young woman replied with a smile. "And so will Julia; we told her there still weren't any lemons."
"Maybe Mr. Meyers will give us some if we ask," the young woman herself said, coming in on her crutches.
Grabbing his wife's hand before she could say anything, Rick told her, "You should walk down to his home, all four of you."
"Another day," Kate said then as she was hurrying over to get the kettle while it was whistling. She ushered everyone back to the living room and they drank the tea before she let her husband and their middle daughters clean up. She started cooking with her three youngest after that and at six they sat down together around the dining room table.
"I'm so glad I don't need that wheelchair anymore," Julia was saying as Rick was serving the food to them all.
"Me too, it was strange seeing your legs always straight out," Alexandra said. She smiled when her sister nodded in agreement and she then said, "Where will you walk first?"
"We were thinking of having you girls join us for a walk around the neighborhood," Rick told them.
"That would be swell," Elizabeth said, her sisters nodding in agreement.
"Then we'll go," Kate replied. "First eat, please," she urged the girls. She smiled as Julia was then asking her sisters about the end of their school years, looking at her husband before they held hands for a moment and then returned to the meal with their family.
"We walked around the block and Julia was fine," Beckett told her husband. "She recovered quickly and then volunteered with the USO at the Presidio so you two were together."
"I remember," Castle said. "Though it was more me taking her when she needed to go, I was busy elsewhere. I did stop having to work the summer of the next year."
Beckett was quiet for a while before she then said, "We were close."
"We were," Castle said before he realized how she'd said that. "You don't think we are now?" He was startled when she was moving to lie on her back and he said, "Kate?"
"It's… ridiculous," Beckett said, shaking her head.
"It's not, after what we've seen I'm not surprised you're still wishing she was our daughter by birth," Castle replied. When she looked at him he leaned down and kissed her forehead before moving to kiss her on the lips. "And I love you for that," he said.
Smiling, Beckett then took his kiss and once they parted she was laying against his side again. "I know what you'll say. And you're right, we're together now." She kissed him before she said, "I love you Rick."
"I love you too Kate," Castle replied seriously, staring into her eyes. He couldn't stop himself and he continued to kiss her, only ceasing once she stopped him some time later. After he closed the light they lay wrapped up together and though he was looking forward to the ball he was enjoying falling asleep knowing she was close in his arms before he found his dreams of her for the night, knowing Beckett was doing the same about him.