Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance, Family, Humor
Rating: M for sexual situations and language
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC and the others who do own them.
A/N #1: Beckett's dress is an actual one I found at Neiman Marcus and if you'd like to see it, search the phrase 'Jenny Packham Tahoe wrapped silk-chiffon v-neck gown' on a search engine in the images and it should be first but it's a dress with a type of belt around the waist.
A/N #2: The lyrics in this chapter are from the song My Valentine by Paul McCartney, from his album Kisses on the Bottom.
A/N #3: It was great to receive what I did for the last chapter, so I'll go ahead and start on my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (Very happy to read you thought it was always great writing. And of course, I'm pleased that you always like the flashbacks I write since I love having them in the stories!),
Guest (It was nice seeing you're loving this story still and you're very welcome!)
Mb (I was happy seeing that you thought it was a fantastic update again! I'm glad you thought the beginning with the love scene was hot and sexy since I was of course aiming for that. And then it was nice to read you thought it was sweet with them taking pictures for the photoshoot along with Skye and Mary. It was great that you thought the interactions they had with all four of their daughters was sweet as well. And I'm not surprised you were glad Martha and Jim where there too, lol, I had to include them. I was very pleased to read that you loved the flashback that Julia had. And I did want to convey how good a pilot she was back then to be able to survive in the end and I can't recall exactly but something like that may have actually happened to a WASP in real life but if it did I can't remember either of they survived or not. You're welcome for sharing! And it was nice reading you thought the second half was wonderfully written to and leading up to the ball. I was happy to see you loved the family moments and flashbacks there. No surprise you're looking forward to the ball, lol, hopefully you'll enjoy it when you read it! You're very welcome for sharing the second half as well!)
Thanks so much for the reviews, I enjoyed reading them all and am grateful for the time taken to write them out and send them my way!
A/N #4: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song I Dig Love by George Harrison, from his album All Things Must Pass.
There's A Rare Love
"Are you ready?" Beckett said to her daughters as they entered hers and Castle's bedroom.
"I am," Alexis said with a smile.
"I'll get your hair done first," Beckett told her with a nod.
"What about you Mommy?" Eliza asked. "Who's gonna do your hair?"
"Skye will," Beckett replied reassuringly. "Now keep Josie company while I'm getting Alexis' hair ready."
"Can we play with her on the bed?" Julia asked.
"Go ahead," Beckett said with a smile. She and Alexis watched the two with the baby on the comforter, playing with her quickly as they were dancing her stuffed Tigger and stuffed white tiger in front of her. She eventually shook herself and turned to her oldest saying, "Come on."
"I thought you'd do this out in the bedroom," Alexis said, motioning with her thumb back to it as her mother had led her into the bathroom.
"It's easier here," Beckett told her. "Now what did you want?"
Sitting on the chair in front of the vanity Alexis said, "I'm wonder if you could do a braid around the back of my head?"
"I can," Beckett said. "Anything in your hair?"
Smiling Alexis shook her head and said, "No, just the braid." She couldn't help closing her eyes as Beckett was brushing out her hair, the action soothing to her, and she nearly jumped when her mother spoke.
"I'm interested in seeing your dress," Beckett told her, setting down the brush when she had finished with it.
"Is that you really wondering or Dad asking?" Alexis said with a smile.
"Me, I get the feeling he's forgotten you're wearing a gown as well," Beckett said.
Alexis laughed and then said, "Probably, with four kids?" She felt her mother squeeze her shoulder and then said, "I'm wondering what you'll be wearing."
"So are your sisters and dad," Beckett commented with a wry smile. "And you'll see very shortly," she continued after a pause so she could start braiding her hair.
"It's a little tight," Alexis said suddenly after they'd been silent for a moment. "My dress; the design of it is form hugging."
"That's fine," Beckett said easily. She looked in the mirror and smiled at her daughter before saying, "Really, you're well over eighteen and twenty-one so if your dad says anything I'll remind him I've had form fitting dresses myself."
"Oh nice," Alexis said. She smiled at her mother in the mirror and told her, "Nice tactic."
"I do what I can," Beckett said. She then became focused on her daughter's hair until she had finished and said, "There. You look beautiful already."
Smiling Alexis got up to step closer to the mirror before she touched the braid on the back of her head and she turned to her mother, "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome," Beckett said. She was about to speak before she paused and then said, "How're you two doing? Really? We haven't had all that much time to talk."
"I know," Alexis replied with a nod. "We're doing fantastic. I love him so much…"
"He's treating you well? All around?" Beckett asked. "And that last one is from your dad; he's wondering but doesn't really want to ask."
Alexis laughed softly and nodded rapidly saying, "He definitely is, if he was harming me in any way then we'd have broken up by now. He's like Brennan is with Clara; very loving." She couldn't help saying softly again, "Very," as she thought of her boyfriend. When her mother squeezed her arm, she looked at her and smiled at her saying, "Thank you again."
"You're welcome, get Julia for me and I hope you'll stay with Josie for a little," Beckett started to tell her as she watched her oldest going to the door. "It shouldn't take me long to get her hair ready."
With a quick nod, Alexis opened the door and spotted her dad on the bed before she stepped into the room. Making sure the door was closed behind her she went over to him and said, "How come you're here?"
"You were going to get ready, weren't you?" Castle asked his daughter.
"I was," Alexis replied with a smile. "So you'll stay?"
"I definitely will," Castle said, kissing Josie's cheek tenderly as she had patted his cheek.
"I'll see you guys," Alexis replied with a smile, leaning over to kiss the top of her sister's head. "Ma wants you to go in next Jules," she told her other sister.
"Oh, okay," Julia said, getting up and hurrying over to the bathroom door. "Hi Mom," she said with a wide smile as she walked inside.
"Hey sweetie," Beckett said with a smile.
"Alexis' hair looks really pretty," Julia told her.
"Thank you, are you ready to do yours?" Beckett asked her daughter.
"I don't know what I want to do though Mom," Julia admitted.
"Let me brush your hair first and see what we can do," Beckett told her.
While her mother was doing that Julia said, "When are you gonna get ready Mom?"
"As soon as Skye does my hair," Beckett replied, gently brushing out the chestnut locks. Once she had finished she set the brush down and said, "What if I just put a French braid in it?"
"Okay," Julia said after thinking for a moment. When her mother didn't start she turned to her and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, but would you want your dad to do it?" Beckett asked.
Julia smiled at her and shook her head before she told her, "No, you can do it really nice too."
"Nicely," Beckett said.
"Nicely," Julia echoed, smiling up at her before her mother straightened her head. After her mother had braided her hair she stood up and said, "Get Lizzy?"
"Please," Beckett said. "And stay with Josie on the bed," she called to her.
"I will," Julia replied, already in the bedroom. "Your turn," she told her sister.
Walking inside Eliza said, "I don't want my hair the same Mommy."
"Okay," Beckett told her with a laugh, wrapping her arms around her tightly once she was with her. She leaned down and kissed the top of her head before she asked, "What would you like me to do?"
"My ribbon," Eliza said firmly.
"Good idea," Beckett said, though the little girl had mentioned wanting to do it before. She picked up Eliza's brush and started to brush her hair out before putting the ribbon around her head and tying it firmly. "That doesn't hurt does it?" she asked her when she'd finished.
"No," Eliza said, shaking her head and touching the ribbon that was the same color as her dress. She then looked up at her mother and asked, "Are you gonna do anything for Josa's hair?"
"Just her little bow clip," Beckett replied before she was starting to leave the bathroom. She paused when she saw her husband was standing at a window with Josie in his arms and she smiled. "Is everyone else getting ready?" she asked him to get his attention.
"They're getting their kids ready," Castle replied. "Josie?" he asked.
"Yeah, Skye will come to the room and help me before she tells you when she's done," Beckett said with a nod.
"Then where are we going now?" Castle asked.
"Nowhere, her dress is here," Beckett replied.
"What about when she needs to eat?" Julia asked.
"She'll have an over dress; as Clara calls it," Beckett said. "She used the same thing for Erin when she was younger."
"Oh, I hope that works," Julia commented after thinking about that.
"It will," Beckett said, taking Josie from her husband and quickly checking on her diaper. Seeing she was fine she set her on the bed and took off her leggings and sweater before she slipped on her stockings. Sitting her up she put her dress on her, a light blue dress with cap sleeves, before she let her husband comb her hair.
"Did you want to put on her bow?" Castle asked her.
Shaking her head Beckett said, "Go ahead," smiling as he was putting the bow where their baby girl's hair was thickest.
"You look so pretty Josa!" Eliza told her happily.
When the baby squealed at her sister's tone, Castle shared a smile with his wife before he heard a knock on the bedroom door. "Hello Mother," he told her as he opened it for her. "Here to get Josie?"
"I am, if she's ready," Martha replied, stepping inside.
"She is," Beckett said, having put on the shoes on the girl quickly. "And Julia-"
"We can get dressed on our own Mom," the girl interrupted her.
Looking at both girls; as Eliza was nodding; Beckett said, "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, Jules says she's gonna let me get dressed and help me," the little girl said.
"I'll go with them," Martha said reassuringly to the two as her son looked uncertain as well. "Since I'm ready."
"You look very nice Martha," Beckett told her mother in law. After Martha had thanked her and left she turned then to her husband, about to ask him to find Skye when he was interrupting her.
"I need to leave don't I?" Castle asked her.
Beckett smiled and said, "You do, and I was just going to ask you to see where she is."
"He doesn't need to," Skye herself said as she walked inside the room. "I saw your daughters in the nursery so I figured you'd want to start on your hair."
"I'll be back," Castle told his wife.
"I'll let you know when I'm finished," Skye said while he was leaving. "I'll find him," she said.
"I'm sure he'll be in the nursery," Beckett said with a smile. They went over to the bathroom and she sat where her daughters had before her friend was brushing her hair. "You don't want to know what I'd like?" she eventually asked.
"I was letting you think it over," Skye told her with a smile.
"Okay," Beckett said. She then told her what she wanted and once Skye had it set she told her, "No questions about my dress?"
"Not really," Skye said, handing her her brush when Beckett stood. "And you'll dress soon won't you?"
"As soon as you leave," Beckett replied with a nod as they left the room. She then smiled and said, "Are you still going to look for Rick?"
"I will," Skye replied. "See you in a bit."
Beckett thanked the woman as she was leaving and then went over to the closet, slipping inside to change.
At the same time Castle was in the nursery holding Josie and telling her, "You look so pretty sweetheart."
"Amamma," the baby vocalized.
"Rick," a voice said as he was kissing his daughter's cheek.
"Yeah, oh you're finished?" Castle asked in surprise when he saw it was Skye.
"I am, Kate's changing so I think it's your turn next," the investigator replied.
"Okay, Mother?" Castle asked, going to where she was sitting on the couch in the room.
"Come here Josie," Martha said, taking her youngest grandchild and setting her on her lap.
"We'll come back to get you guys when we're ready," Castle told the girls and his mother. "Don't play too roughly."
"We won't, we don't wanna rip our dresses Daddy," Eliza told him.
Castle smiled and kissed the top of Josie's head before he went to his and Beckett's room, finding the door to the closet closed. The sight of his tuxedo on their bed made him go over to the door calling, "Thanks for my tux love."
"You're welcome," Beckett replied.
Nodding; though she wouldn't see it; Castle went over to the bed and started to change, doing so swiftly. He went into the bathroom and tied his bow tie before he was combing his hair. After he was set he went back out and picked up his jacket, slipping it on and calling to his wife that he was finished. He turned to the closet door as it opened and when his wife stepped out he found himself sitting down hard on the bed.
"I'm really hoping that's a positive reaction," Beckett commented with a smile.
"Believe me, it is," Castle nearly gasped out. He forced himself to stand and took her hands, holding them up so he could study her dress. "I mean it this time," he finally told her. "You look like a goddess."
Smiling again Beckett said, "I had a feeling you might say that." She turned at her husband's urging, not surprised he'd asked to see all of her dress. It was white and had thin straps on her shoulders, the waist marked with a belt of sorts that had diamonds in a pattern. It was floor length and trailed a bit in the back, two strips of fabric trailing on the straps. "I wanted to make sure the sapphires stood out," she told him once she was facing him again, reaching up and touching her necklace.
"They do, thank you for wearing them," Castle felt he needed to say.
Smiling Beckett reached for him and wrapped her arms around his neck before she embraced him and said, "And you look amazing."
"Thanks," Castle said earnestly. "I almost forgot; your hair looks great."
Laughing briefly Beckett said, "Tell Skye that," as she'd left her hair loose and slightly more curled, draped over her left shoulder.
"I will," Castle said briefly before he was kissing her lovingly. When they eventually parted, he was startled at the smile on her face and said, "You didn't want that."
"No, you managed to take most of my lipstick off doing that," Beckett said in obvious amusement.
"Whoops," Castle said, reaching into his pocket.
"Why do you have a handkerchief?" Beckett asked him though she was taking it and then carefully wiped his lips.
"You never know if the girls might need it for something," Castle replied. "Is it weird?" he asked her, watching his wife walking over to the dresser to set the fabric there.
"No, it's sweet," Beckett said, slipping into the bathroom to reapply her lipstick.
"Then I have another in my other pocket," Castle said once he was standing next to her at the sink.
Giving him a look Beckett finished with a quick blot and then told him, "We-"
"Mommy! Mommy are you ready!" Eliza was calling outside in the bedroom.
"They only asked about you," Castle said in mock disappointment. He laughed briefly when his wife squeezed his hand and they walked out to find all four of their daughters were there. "A-" he began.
"Alexis you look great," Beckett told their oldest before her husband could say anything. She went over to her and hugged her briefly whispering, "You didn't mention the neckline."
"Do I have to change?" Alexis replied. Her gown was a dark blue one that had cap sleeves and a v-neck. It was a mermaid silhouette which she wasn't fully sure about but her sisters had already assured her that she looked beautiful. She had on a pearl necklace and earrings her grandmother had given her years ago and she couldn't help wondering what Louis would think when he saw her.
"No," Beckett said in amusement before letting her go.
"Mommy you look so pretty," Eliza said, touching the diamonds at her waist.
"Thank you, sweetie," Beckett said. "You do too."
Eliza giggled happily and she couldn't help turning her hips back and forth to watch her skirt. Her parents had allowed her to choose her dress that night and she'd picked one that had a handkerchief hem, sleeveless and a teal color that she loved. "We have belts Mommy," she said, touching the crystal one around her waist.
"I noticed," Beckett replied, hugging her momentarily. "Julia?" she asked.
"I wanted to wait to say anything," the girl replied, smiling at her mother. "But Lizzy's right, you look very pretty."
"I told her," Castle said when he realized the three oldest were looking at him.
"No, I didn't get everything off you," Beckett said, going over to the dresser to get the handkerchief again.
"Sorry," Castle said before his wife was wiping the last of her lipstick off the side of his lips.
"It's alright," Beckett said simply before he was taking the handkerchief back. She turned to Julia and taking Josie from her said, "You look pretty too sweetie."
"Thanks," the girl replied with a smile. Her dress she'd picked was in a similar shape to Eliza's though hers was a regular skirt, pleated. It was emerald green with a white sash tied into a bow on her left hip. "What do we do now?" Julia asked.
"Now we go downstairs before the guests start coming," Beckett replied.
"Let me take her," Castle told his wife.
Though she didn't want to let Josie go, Beckett let him take the baby and walked with him out to the stairs. Their daughters were ahead of them and since the McCulloughs were at the bottom of the stairs she spotted Louis' reaction to hers and Castle's oldest before he was nearly hurrying to her.
"Alexis," Louis breathed as he took his girlfriend's hand and helped her down the last step though she didn't need it. "You look beautiful," he added before he kissed the back of her hand.
"Thank you," Alexis said, feeling her cheeks heating up in response. "And you look handsome."
"Oh, thank you," Louis said, looking at their families who were talking. "Josie looks adorable."
"I know, Jules and Lizzy too. And Arthur and Ella," Alexis said, smiling when her boyfriend nodded.
"We need to have that receiving line we had before," Brennan was saying to Castle and Beckett.
"I still don't know if it works," she told her cousin with a slight frown. "We're distantly related to you."
"It's alright," Clara said reassuringly. "We're still related after all."
"Are we just to going into the ballroom as we did the last time?" Skye said as she walked down the stairs with her family.
"That will be fine," Brennan said, smiling at the rest of the band that was behind the McDouglases.
"Mr. Brennan, Mrs. Clara," the butler said. "The first car has arrived."
Standing with the McCulloughs, Beckett still wasn't sure about greeting the guests though after a while she let that slide. Once the last person was in the ballroom they were following and Brennan and Clara went up to where there was a DJ but only an acoustic guitar next to the grand piano.
"I thought they were performing," Castle murmured to his wife.
Beckett only had a chance to shrug her shoulders as her cousin's wife was speaking in the mic by the piano.
"Welcome to White Mount's Valentine's Day Ball," Clara was saying. "We're very pleased to have you here and hope you will enjoy tonight."
After the applause from their guests Brennan took the mic his wife had handed him and said, "To begin the dancing tonight we have a special performance from Skye and Mary McDouglas."
Beckett glanced around with her family as there were immediate murmurs around them, sharing a look with her husband before they turned their attention back to her cousin.
"Singing the song My Valentine by Paul McCartney," Brennan finished.
"You're not singing?" Julia said, going over to the singer hurriedly as Skye and Mary were going up to the guitar and piano.
"She did me a favor on this one," Paul said quickly while those not planning to dance were moving to the edge of the room. "Said I could dance with Nancy."
"Oh," Julia said with a smile. "That's really nice of her to do."
"Especially since I'm sure the two want to dance with each other," Nancy told them.
Nodding Paul said, "Next dance, next dance," before he turned to his wife to take her into his arms.
Julia hurried to where the kids were all standing together and she went next to Mari murmuring, "I feel bad for Skye and Mary." She wasn't surprised when her friend nodded and then told her, "But they like the song for each other."
"Of course!" Mari said quietly, she and Julia smiling at one another while the two women were beginning the music until Skye began to sing the first verse.
What if it rained
We didn't care
She said that someday soon the sun was gonna shine
And she was right, this love of mine
My valentine
Watching her wife as Mary was playing piano, Skye managed to smile at her for a moment before she needed to sing again. She was a little frustrated they couldn't dance but she chanced a glance at Paul and Nancy and had to focus on the lyrics so she wouldn't smile again as she sang.
As days and nights
Would pass me by
I'd tell myself that I was waiting for a sign
Then she appeared, a love so fine
My valentine
Julia smiled at the couples dancing close together before she looked up at her grandfather who had come to stand next to her. Josie was in his arms and she smiled since the baby had vocalized before reaching up and taking her tiny hand. "Did you want to dance Grandpapa?" she said to Jim.
"It's alright," he said with a smile to her. "I'm happy to stay with you and your little sisters."
Smiling back at him, Julia turned back to the dance floor and watched with a wide smile as her big sister and Louis caught her eye dancing near them.
And I will love her for life
And I will never let a day go by
Without remembering the reasons why
She makes me certain that I can fly
"She's quite a good singer," Louis said to his girlfriend.
"I know, I'm surprised she's not terrified singing this one in front of Paul," Alexis said with a nod. "He wrote it for Nancy."
"I'm not surprised," Louis said with a quick nod. He was looking around them and said, "I should bring something to your attention."
Alexis was confused before she glanced at her parents and saw they had their arms wrapped around each other. She smiled before she stopped and looked at her boyfriend saying, "You could have just asked."
Louis couldn't help grinning at that and he wrapped his arms around her waist before saying, "I didn't really want to do that without your approval."
"You still could have asked," Alexis replied before Louis was laughing softly as she pressed a little closer to him.
And so I do
Without a care
I know that someday soon the sun is gonna shine
And she'll be there, this love of mine
My valentine
As Skye and Mary were playing the instrumental together, Castle lowered his lips to his wife's ear and murmured, "Some people are looking at us," in Irish.
"I don't know if we were supposed to get into hold like this," Beckett commented in amusement.
"I'm not sure why they expected us to act like we were in a dance class," Castle said. He then smiled as she laughed softly before he squeezed her against him for a moment before they listened to Skye finish the song while they continued to sway.
What if it rained
We didn't care
She said that someday soon the sun was gonna shine
And she was right, this love of mine
My valentine
Though she didn't want to, Beckett let go of her husband once the song was finished and applauded with him and the others before the DJ was beginning to play music. She started dancing to the faster song with her husband, laughing when they finished and he wrapped his arms around her. When the others around them started to either dance again or walk away she whispered into Castle's ear before she walked with him to where Skye and Mary were standing at the edge of the dance floor. "Want to dance?" she asked her friend.
"Really?" Skye asked with a smile. Before her friend could say anything she said, "Alright, Mary-"
"I'll dance with you Rick," the doctor said with a smile.
Watching their spouses leave them Beckett said, "Luckily I know she's just going to dance with him."
Laughing Skye started to dance with Beckett; that song fast again; and they continued until the end of it and she was about to go over to her wife when her arm was grabbed. "Again?" she asked.
"No," Beckett replied. "Is this tux from your wedding?"
"You noticed," Skye said, smiling. "And yes, I've kept it since I'm very comfortable in it… and my wife happens to enjoy me in it."
Since her friend had finished in French Beckett smiled and said, "Don't finish that."
"Oh… but I want to," Skye said, pretending to stamp her foot as they stepped to the side out of the way of the others. "I'm kidding. But I'll go back to her now, excuse me…"
Turning to Brad and Lily as they'd come up to her, Beckett smiled and said, "Going to dance?"
"Yes, with you guys if you want to switch partners," the chief said.
"I'm fine with that," Castle said, squeezing his hand on his wife's back.
Going with Beckett while his friend took his wife, Brad placed his hand on the middle of her back while they held hands and her other hand was on his shoulder. "I heard that you were working on a case," he said.
"Rick told you," Beckett stated. When the chief nodded she said with a smile, "Sort of, I'm just really glad that the men weren't killed."
"Stupid though," Brad said. When she nodded he said, "How was it?
Shrugging her shoulders Beckett replied, "To be honest I missed you; Rick too I'm sure he told you; plus everyone at the station."
"They'll be glad to hear that; I know I am," Brad said with a smile.
"Any cases?" Beckett asked.
"No, it was simple police work," Brad told her. "It was nice, boring but I'm glad I didn't have a case that would have risked me having to stay behind."
Watching him turning his attention to Lily, Beckett was glad when the song stopped and let him walk her to their spouses. She took Castle's hand and went back to the dance floor to start dancing again where they continued to do so, dancing with their family and friends as well. Just before dinner was meant to be served they were dancing with their three youngest daughters to a faster song. When they stopped she hugged Eliza as she was doing so to her and then turned to her husband since he had Josie in his arms.
"Does she need to go to bed?" Julia asked as she and Eliza were watching their parents kiss their baby sister.
"She does," Beckett replied with a nod. "Say goodnight."
Castle let Julia take Josie from him and he watched with his wife as they kissed the baby at the same time, making her smile. "Don't worry," he said as Eliza was telling her that she wished Josie could stay. "She wouldn't really be able to do much so she's better going up for dinner and then bed," he told her.
"Okay, I love you Josa, night," Eliza said, kissing her on the lips to the baby's laugh.
"I love you too Josa," Julia told her next, sharing a kiss with her in turn. "And we'll tell you what happened tomorrow. Even if you can't understand us," she said quickly, smiling at her mother.
"You can," Beckett said in amusement as she watched her husband getting Josie back.
"I love you too sweetheart. Tomorrow we'll be home and spend time with you again," Castle told her. He kissed her and then handed her to his wife, kissing the top of her head before he stood up straight.
"I love you too Josie," Beckett told the baby as she was trying to grab her hair over her shoulder. She took her hand and kissed it before telling her, "And like your daddy said we'll be home tomorrow." She then kissed Josie on the lips before she went with her husband over to the doorway leading out where the nanny was with another housemaid. "Thank you so much," she told the two women.
"You're welcome ma'am," the nanny replied with a nod.
"Kate," Castle said to his wife as he reached for her hand while she was watching the two women leaving with Josie, Arthur and Ella.
Shaking herself Beckett turned to her husband and they walked together to the formal dining room where they were going to pick up their drinks for the meal. "Hey," she said to her father who was with Julia and Eliza in line. "I didn't get a chance to dance with you," she told him as she squeezed his arm.
"That's alright," Jim told her quickly. "I've been having fun dancing with Eliza and some of the other girls."
"Are you having fun?" Beckett asked the little girl.
Eliza only had a quick moment to nod before she was getting her cup of juice and when they were walking to the ballroom she asked, "Will they have the tables ready?"
"I think so, Brennan said they're fast," Castle told her.
When they entered the room, Eliza gasped in awe at the tables that were set up in a ring around the dance floor before she was looking at her sister as she spoke.
"Why didn't they just have these in the first place?" Julia asked her parents.
Shaking her head Beckett said, "Clara said they did this when her father threw balls. She's not sure why exactly but it's the way he preferred."
Nodding Julia then said, "Cool, I'm starving."
Laughing briefly Beckett squeezed her shoulder with her free hand and said, "We need to find our table first, okay?"
"I know, I just hope it doesn't take that long," Julia replied with a smile.
"Help us look… oh wait," Castle said as he soon spotted Brennan who was waving to them.
"That was really easy Daddy," Eliza told him.
"I know, good thing since I'm starving too," Castle replied as they were starting to walk over to the table where the McCulloughs, McDouglases, Paul, Ringo and their wives were sitting.
"Me too," Eliza said seriously.
"Okay you guys," Beckett told them wryly and with a smile. "We're nearly there and they'll serve dinner very soon." Luckily they reached the table by then and she made sure the girls were set before her husband was helping her to her seat.
"Have you guys been enjoying tonight?" Alexis asked her little sisters.
"A lot," Eliza said first with a nod. "Are you?"
"I am, it's been fun," Alexis replied.
"Have you been dancing this whole time with Louis?" Castle asked his oldest.
"I have," Alexis said, feeling her cheeks heating up slightly as she was blushing. "It's been a lot of fun."
"I hope you'll dance with me at least once tonight," Castle told her in a mock serious tone of voice.
"I will Dad," Alexis replied laughingly. She then looked at her sisters and told them, "I hope we get to dance too."
"Me too," Julia said, their little sister nodding rapidly.
"Okay, after dinner some time," Alexis said with a laugh.
Their plates being set in front of them made them pause but they were soon talking again, all together across the table before Julia was asking Paul and Skye a question.
"Are you guys going to perform again?" the girl asked.
Shaking her head first Skye told her, "We kind of want to enjoy tonight; it is a holiday."
"Too bad, but at least we got to see you before," Julia told them.
"Your daughter seems to be growing up," Skye said jokingly to Beckett in Irish. "I would have thrown a tantrum."
Shaking her head Beckett then said, "I don't doubt that, but I think she knows I'm listening to her."
"Ah, more than likely," Skye said jokingly. She then turned her attention to Fleur, helping her cutting her broccoli she had left on her plate by then.
When the meal was finished most guests went back to dancing and Alexis thought her boyfriend was going to ask her back to the dance floor when he was leaning over to murmur into her ear. "Oh, sure," she said when he asked if he could help her watch the kids as some of them were getting coats on to go outside. "Is that okay Ma, Dad?" she said as they hadn't left the table yet.
"Yes, they need to stretch their legs," Beckett said first. "Are you okay watching them?"
"We will be, I could use some fresh air," Alexis said as she stood when Louis came back with their coats. "Hopefully this doesn't ruin the effect of the gown," she said jokingly to her boyfriend.
"No," Louis replied as they started to walk to the French doors opened to the back of the house. He went with her to the monopteros that was near where the kids were running around together and said, "It's been a great Valentine's Day."
"Oh I know, I'm glad we had the chance to ride in the end today," Alexis replied. She then turned to watch the kids pairing off and dancing as they could still hear the music from the ballroom behind them and said, "I'm glad they're dancing like that to this song," as the music was much slower than they were moving.
"I don't think they'd want to dance like this," Louis said. He smiled when she turned to him and he stepped to her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"We're supposed to watch the kids," Alexis told him though she was wrapping her arms around his neck. They stopped dancing when the music ended, and she was about to turn back to the kids when her boyfriend was suddenly getting onto one knee. She started to speak, watching him in shock, before she gasped as he pulled out a small box and then started to speak, making her bite her lip in anticipation.
"Alexis I'm getting down on my knee because I've realized; I've known for some time that my life is never going to be the same without you in it," Louis started to say earnestly. "I'm more in love with you each day I wake up with you in my arms and each second we spend together I want even more. I never want to be without you, loving you and making you as happy as I possibly can. Will you marry me Alexis, and make me happier than I've ever been in my life?"
"Yes!" Alexis said, unable to help the sob that left her mouth as her boyfriend was pushing the lid open with his thumb. As he was putting the ring on her finger, she was reaching with her other hand to wipe away her tears of joy before he was standing. She didn't give him much time to straighten up, throwing her arms around him tightly before they were kissing.
Since he was that much taller than Alexis even with her wearing heels, Louis was able to lift her slightly and he would have been happy to keep her there had they not needed to breathe. He quickly took her hands so they could look at her ring and he said, "I'm quite chuffed my suspicion was right."
"Suspicion?" Alexis asked in slight confusion.
"That this would look gorgeous once it was on your hand," Louis said. He smiled when his fiancée cupped his face with her hands and they kissed again before he embraced her. "I can't believe it," he told her tenderly.
"Neither can I, I thought we would be talking about it," Alexis said as they pulled away slightly to look at one another. "And if you'd waited at least six months I was going to ask you."
"Six is a bit much isn't it?" Louis asked though he was jokingly.
"Maybe just a month… or a week," Alexis said teasingly. She smiled as he laughed and they shared a tender kiss before they parted at Erin crying out to them.
"Did you ask!" the girl asked her brother as she hurried over with the other kids. "Did she say yes!"
Alexis put her hand on Louis' chest before he could speak and then held her left hand out to the girl who was letting out a short scream and running up to them. She was startled when Erin ran to her and she said, "I guess you were hoping I'd say yes."
"I was," the girl replied, going to her brother to embrace him tightly.
"Are you gonna move here now?" Eliza asked after she and her sister had hugged Alexis.
"We'll be staying in the Hamptons; don't worry," Alexis told both her sisters. "And I hope you two will be the bridal party with Erin for us; whenever we're married."
"Are you sure?" Julia asked in surprise.
"Of course," Alexis reassured them. "Though I think I should have asked you first Louis."
"Oh no, that's up to you," he replied quickly.
"I would love to," Erin said as her brother and Alexis were looking at her. "Are you going to tell Mum and Da now?"
"Yes," Louis said, reaching out for his fiancée's hand.
Alexis laughed softly as the other kids were congratulating them and she and her fiancé were quieting them quickly so they wouldn't let the people in the ballroom know. "We're going to tell our parents first so don't say anything okay?" she told them.
"We'll keep the secret," Iris said first.
"Thank you," Louis said before the kids were walking inside. He turned to Alexis and said, "Together or separate?"
"It depends on if our parents are near each other," Alexis said. When her fiancé nodded she smiled and hugged him before kissing him deeply as he pulled her close. She wasn't sure when they parted but once they had she couldn't help taking his hand and pulling him after her inside the home. She quickly saw her parents were closer and she let go of Louis' hand before rushing to them.
Turning with her husband at Alexis calling out, "Ma, Dad!" Beckett was concerned for a moment before she saw the absolute joy on their oldest's face and was about to ask her what was wrong when she was hugging her tightly.
"Louis asked me to marry him," Alexis told them happily. "And I said yes!"
"Oh Alexis," Beckett said with a smile as she was embracing her back. She gently moved her back so she could look into her face and said, "I'm so happy for you."
"We both are," Castle said, relieved his daughter had gone to her mother first since he'd needed that time to recover from the shock of the news.
"Really?" Alexis asked him.
"Since you're this thrilled," Castle started. He smiled when she nodded before he could continue and then told her, "We're happy." He embraced her tightly when she came to him and hugged him hard and said, "Though you are still my little girl."
"I am Dad, don't worry," Alexis replied. When she let go of him she took off her coat as Louis was coming over to them with his parents, looking at the pair to see their reaction.
Clara walked straight to her son's fiancée and enveloped her into her arms and said, "We're so pleased; Louis has been crazy about you since you've first met." When they let go of each other she took the young woman's hands and said, "I couldn't have asked for a better daughter in law."
Alexis' cheeks flushed slightly before she said, "Thank you, and I'm really happy you'll be my in-laws."
"Could we see the ring?" Beckett asked her with a smile. She took her oldest daughter's hand and studied the ring before she said with a surprise to Louis, "Tiffany's?"
The young man nodded and ran his fingers through his hair briefly before saying, "I know she's always loved your ring."
"And I love this one," Alexis was quick to tell her fiancé as she was looking at it again. He'd chosen an oval shaped diamond for her, surrounded by tiny diamonds and the thin band was small diamonds as well. She went to him and gave him a quick peck on the lips before asking, "You didn't ask my parents for permission, did you?"
"No, I needed to ask you first," Louis said seriously, smiling when she hugged him.
"Would you two mind if I announced this?" Brennan asked the couple after he'd shared a swift embrace with Alexis. At the shakes of their heads he turned to find one of his employees before he spoke quickly with her. He had to wait until he was sure they were ready before he brought the others with him to the DJ and the microphone that he had. "So sorry to pause our dancing this evening," he began with. "But Lady Cotswold and I, along with Richard Castle and Katherine Beckett, are very pleased to announce the engagement of our son Louis to their daughter Alexis."
Smiling at the formality of the announcement Beckett squeezed her husband's hand as the others were applauding. She had been slightly afraid of the guests being a little unsure since she was known to be Brennan's cousin, but guessed they were aware Alexis had been adopted by her. She shook herself of her thoughts as her cousin was talking again once the applause had died down.
"So let us have a toast to the happy couple," Brennan said as the workers were bringing out glasses of champagne and sparkling apple cider. Once he saw that everyone had one he said, "Congratulations to you Louis, Alexis."
After tapping her glass against her fiancé's Alexis sipped at her champagne before she turned to him saying, "Dance?"
"That would be great," Louis said with a nod, taking her hand once they'd finished their drink.
"Louis is gonna be our brother in law?" Eliza asked her sister as they were watching the tow dancing.
"Yep," Julia said simply.
Giggling softly Eliza then said, "Good thing he's really nice."
"And that he likes horses," Julia added, unable to help laughing when her sister was nodding her head rapidly. She then turned to find Mari, wanting to dance with her after her grandfather took Eliza to dance with him.
"Rick," Brennan said, going to where his cousin and her husband were standing. "I'm not sure why I feel like shaking your hand right now," he said in amusement as they were doing so.
"I guess because they're our oldest," Castle said with a nod.
"There's something Clare and I would like to talk to you about," Brennan started to say. "But it's going to need to wait until we've finished."
"That's fine," Beckett said first. "Nothing wrong is there?"
"Oh no," Clara said as she was with her husband. "Just something he has on his mind for them."
"Wedding gift?" Castle asked his wife once the two had left them.
"Most likely," Beckett said in amusement.
"I'd really love to dance with you right now," Castle said seriously.
Smiling Beckett took his hand and pulled him over to the dance floor before she was wrapping her arms around him tightly. She pressed her cheek against his as it was a slower dance and once they were swaying, she said, "Okay?"
"Yeah, it was a shock though," Castle said. He tensed for a moment as something came to him and said, "You knew?"
"Not knew, I had a feeling," Beckett replied easily. "And I'm glad they're going to get married."
Nodding his head, as he could tell she was serious, Castle said, "I am too, I was serious. I just want her to be happy and of course Louis is a great guy."
Smiling Beckett kissed his cheek and said, "I'm glad we agree." She laughed softly when her husband nodded before they were continuing to dance, pressed close until the song was over and they went to find their middle daughters to have the chance to dance again.