Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance, Family, Humor
Rating: M for violence, language and sexual situations
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: Was definitely grateful for the reviews I got last chapter, so have to say thank you to them all since I loved getting each and every one! vetgirlmx (Really liked reading your reaction to them finding out who the killer is. And I'm glad that you enjoyed how they found out, wanted to put that in, 'cause I love when they do that, lol, in that way, fun to watch. But happy you liked how I wrote it in the last chapter! And had to smile when you said you'd wait to find out who it was exactly. And interesting you mentioning Julia's reaction, I won't say why though, lol, just find it interesting. Was glad to see you liked Julia in this chapter too, thought you might! And glad that you caught that it was the first time she asked to speak with Castle. Same with you seeing that as a sign their relationship is growing, always happy when you manage to see when I write things like that! But not surprised that you wished he could have talked to her on the phone though, I thought you would have!), pcol22 (Was very glad, as I always say, lol, to see you liked the chapter again! And hoping this chapter will enlighten you now! Was happy to see that you too enjoyed Julia wanting to talk to Castle, was glad to see the reactions to that moment, lol, wasn't expecting them! And of course, am really happy to see that you want to read more of the story!), life's a mystery (Was glad to see that you liked the last chapter too, also that you want to read more. And you'll see if you'll get to read any family time in this chapter here!), sammysgirl78 (Had to smile at your first comments at the beginning of your review, 'cause I remember you mentioning that back when it was first in the story. And had to laugh, but wasn't all that surprised by the fact that you too want to see some more family time, you'll see as well if it's in this chapter. And really glad you liked how Julia was asking to speak to Castle too, was happy to see that so many people liked that, lol, so had a feeling you'd mention it. And as I always say when I see it in reviews I get, loved seeing that you want to read more too!) and TORONTOSUN (Was happy to see that you liked how Castle and Beckett realized who the killer was at the same time too. And had to smile seeing your reaction to them running into each other, was hoping readers would have that reaction reading that so was great to see in your review!). Again, thanks so much to all of you for reading and sending me the feedback that you did. I appreciate the time taken to write them, and am definitely grateful as well!
A/N #2: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Home (When Shadows Fall) by Harry Clarkson, Geoffrey Clarkson and Peter van Steeden, but the version I took from was sung by Paul McCartney from his album Kisses On the Bottom.
Ever Wending Home
"Great rehearsal," the director said. "We had a few incidents but that'll make for a great opening. Relax for an hour, and then come back ready to go."
Opening the door to the dressing room after leaving the director's post dress-rehearsal meeting, the dancer turned, and gasped when they saw there was someone in their chair.
"That was impressive," Beckett said, standing up as Castle leaned back against the vanity next to her.
"You were watching?" the dancer asked.
"Of course," Castle said. "We wanted to see you perform, because you've done an amazing job of it; outside the theater too."
"What are you talking about?" the dancer said, looking confused.
"Again," Beckett said, looking at Castle, who nodded in response. "You're a liar Ms. Holsten, and I hope you enjoyed your time on the stage, because that'll be your last performance."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Amy repeated.
Beckett didn't say anything in response, only took a picture from the vanity, handing it to the dancer.
"That's me," Amy said, barely looking at the picture.
"That's what we thought at first," Castle said. "But when you zoom in," he said as Beckett put another picture on top of the first one. "Things become a lot clearer."
"That's Melody Griffin, your understudy," Beckett said as Amy visibly grit her teeth. "There's no point in denying that," she said before the woman could protest. "We just spoke to her and she said you had pretty much forced her to practice your role. Just in case she said you told her."
"But it was Neil," Amy said.
"Mr. Skipton passed away this morning, as you know already from Officer Adams, and yet, you seem to be doing pretty well," Castle said. "So was he just a pawn?"
"You murdered your mother," Beckett said as Amy didn't respond to him. "And Lorenzo Martine who was your former lover."
Amy just stared at the two before she lunged for her purse on the couch, picking it up and opening it hurriedly.
When the dancer looked back at them Castle said, "I hope you don't mind, I borrowed your gun. I'll give it back though… when that purse goes into evidence of course."
"Put your hands behind your back," Beckett said before she cuffed the woman. "You are under arrest for the murders of Claude Démodé and Lorenzo Martine, as well as the twins your mother was carrying. Sit down," she said, making her sit on the couch.
As she was calling Ryan over a walkie-talkie, Castle asked Amy, "Why kill your own mother?"
"You didn't know her," the woman shot back to him angrily. "She put out this stupid façade of loving these girls, but she hated my sister and I."
"I have my doubts on that," Beckett said simply, putting the walkie-talkie away. "She left her inheritance to you and your sister; well, to your sister now since there was a clause that if you caused her death or participated in any way you'd be left with nothing."
"But we were partially our father too," Amy sneered, not seeming to care about that. "She just wanted to control us, dance, all the time, dance."
"You wanted to be a painter," Castle said.
"There were a lot of things I wanted to be, but no, ballet it was and ballet it had to be," Amy said before she muttered in French as she bowed her head. She suddenly laughed and said, "There wasn't going to be much dancing for her, not when she was carrying Neil's brats."
"Is that why you killed her?" Beckett asked.
"No, I could have cared less because we weren't together when he was screwing my mother. What I hated was the idea that she was coming back to the troupe; after the two were born, and I was going to have to work for her, be fucking controlled by her," Amy said, her teeth clenched so tightly together she almost didn't get the words out.
"She was going to be the choreographer," Castle stated.
"The permanent choreographer, and Lorenzo was going to assist her. I would have had to spend the rest of my life under her thumb, watching her and my ex married and having a family together that I never did," Amy said bitterly. "I hated her."
"You tried to set up your father though," Beckett said simply.
"Because he left!" Amy yelled. "He didn't bother to try and fight to stay with us, just let my mother kick his ass out the door without looking back. He deserved to go to jail; I just wished it'd worked." She shook her head and muttered, "They're all the same, mothers, pushing kids. You, the ones at the school who say all that annoying stuff about how cute their daughters are in ballet slippers. Living their lives through them."
Shaking her head when Castle looked at her when the dancer had said that, Beckett said, "That's a great thought, luckily you will never teach a child again. Come in," she called as there was a knock on the door. "Take her in please," she told Esposito and Ryan who'd come in.
"She confess?" Esposito asked, helping her up.
"One thing," Castle said, stopping him. "Why did you implicate Skipton?"
"Neil? Because there was no one else left since you didn't believe it was my sister or father. And because he never stopped saying my mother's name in bed," Amy answered simply. "How did you find out it was me?" she then asked.
"Maison. Your own boyfriend implicated you whether he meant to or not and your sister let us know you hated the song Home," Beckett answered. "So even though you tried to implicate them, they returned the favor."
"Karma works in mysterious ways I guess," Castle said as Esposito led the woman out. "Are you mad right now?"
"Slightly, but she obviously doesn't know how I am as a mother, so I'll let her think whatever she wants," Beckett answered. She went to the vanity and picked up the gun that Amy had had in her purse and put it back inside; handing the purse to the officer that was outside the door. She and Castle left backstage, seeing the understudy for Amy's part talking with the director.
"Is it true?" the man asked, walking over to them once he saw them.
"I'm afraid so," Beckett said. "You'll need to have her understudy dance."
"I hope she's up to it," Castle said.
"She's far better than Amy really," the director said with a shrug. "Always had an I'm better than you attitude, made it hard to work with her. Alright everyone," he then called to the cast and crew that were gathered near him. "Showtime is fast approaching and the show must go on!"
"I'm glad to hear this case was settled as well as it was," Gates was saying as Castle and Beckett were in her office. "And that you allowed Esposito and Ryan to take care of Ms. Holsten."
"I thought it would be better once her trial rolls around," Beckett said simply.
"And there were no accomplices? What about your second vic?" Gates asked.
"It turns out that while Holsten is a ballerina, she's a very fit ballerina, she managed to drag Martine to the apartment, claiming he was drunk," Castle said.
"And a neighbor helped her open the door before the shots were fired," Beckett said. "But since he never saw Holsten's face, he couldn't really ID her. And she was the one who had gone with our second vic to get the succinylcholine from our dealer. Who is still at large. We found the vial in her apartment," she continued. "Bundled with some clothes that had gunshot residue on them. We're thinking she wanted to find a building with an incinerator and destroy the evidence that way. She just didn't have a chance to do it before we got on to her."
"Alright, I'm sure your daughter will be happy to hear you've solved the case," Gates said. "How is she?"
"She's doing well," Beckett said simply. When Gates nodded and asked her to have Ryan and Esposito finish up things with the killer, she left the office, pausing when she saw LT escorting someone to them. "Amber," she said in slight surprise. "How can I help you?"
"I just got your message, my sister killed her?" Amber asked, tears in her eyes. When Castle and Beckett nodded slightly she sucked in a deep breath and said, "That… actually doesn't surprise me. She and my mother never really got along that well; I just never thought she'd go through it." She then said, "I do have some good news… I was at Mt. Surrey today, and they called me in to let me know they were upholding my mother's request about the classes so I am now the teacher for the school. And I talked to them about starting Ballroom and Latin dancing lessons on Saturday mornings."
"Did they agree to it?" Beckett asked.
"They did," Amber said with a smile. "And they liked the idea so much they're starting this Saturday, even though I tried to tell them it's a little short notice. But they're contacting the parents of the students that were in my mother's class. I wanted to tell you in person, as well as thank you for finding my mother's killer."
"It wasn't a problem," Beckett replied. "And Julia will be there at…?"
"Ten, the class will be an hour long, in the studio," Amber replied. "She'll need some shoes and something to wear too, to let you know. I'll probably have to explain that to the others in the first class, but that's alright."
"Thank you for letting me know," Beckett said, having to stop herself from saying us. She then went over to her desk and took a piece of paper off the top, handing it to Amber. "Your mother's will was read earlier today, I'm sorry we didn't inform you in time, but we had a warrant to open it."
"I don't mind, I know you did it for your case," Amber said. "Oh, Amy and I… wait… this was in my mother's will?" she asked, her head shooting up.
"If we'd seen that before we would have suspected your sister a lot sooner," Castle said. "But we didn't have a reason to look at it. So you're going to be pretty rich, you could even open your own studio if you wanted to."
"I have another idea," Amber said. She then looked at Beckett and asked, "You suspected my father Amy told me. You… did you meet him?"
"We needed to speak with him, so yes. I don't know if your sister told you, but he's deaf and mute," Beckett said.
"Yes, I… think he's been so since birth," Amber said. "He worked at a firm with a partner who would speak in court, but they were both very successful until the economy went bad and they went bankrupt. How I don't know because I only heard about this from Amy."
"So she kept tabs on your dad?" Beckett asked.
"From a distance, she never forgave him for leaving after I was born though our mom gave him no choice," Amber said. She then took in a deep breath and asked, "Is there any way I can get in contact with him?"
Sharing a look with his fiancée, Castle said, "I think so."
"Excuse me," Beckett said before leaving the two. She went over to LT, and spoke to him before he left and she waited at the elevator as she watched Castle leading Amber to the back room where there would be more privacy. Around ten minutes later, the officer returned, leading a cleaned and better dressed Costa with him, and she took out her pad of paper, writing down on it before showing it to him.
His eyes widening, Costa nodded fervently at Beckett, who led him to the back room before making him stop.
"Amber," Beckett said, to get the woman's attention as she looked out a window.
Turning, Amber saw the man standing just past the doorway and she whispered, "Papa?"
Nodding, Costa entered the room, starting to sign something, but he stopped and then turned to Beckett who handed him the pad of paper.
Going to stand with his fiancée in the doorway, Castle and she watched as Amber read the note on the paper, and then hugged her father tightly. He found himself suddenly missing Alexis; and made a mental note to call her later as the young woman looked at them.
"He says he's been waiting to see me," Amber said, tears in her eyes again.
"He's been asking since we brought him in," Beckett said.
"Thank you so much Ms. Beckett, Mr. Castle," Amber said as she and her father parted. "I guess we should give this back," she said, taking the notebook from her father.
"That you can keep," Beckett said, taking the pencil but not the pad of paper.
"Thank you," Amber said again, smiling widely as she fished for a pen in her purse. "Come on, I'll take you home to meet Yvette," she wrote on the paper and spoke at the same time. "My wife."
"Congratulations," Castle said, a little startled hearing that; and looking at Beckett he could see she was too.
"We didn't want to wait another second," Amber said as she smiled slightly at her father's shocked expression before it dissolved into a smile. "We wanted more. Thank you again."
"You're welcome, and congratulations," Beckett said before she and Castle left the room to let the two pass. "We'll see you Saturday."
"Think they'll be alright?" Castle asked after Amber had said goodbye to them.
"I think she's planning on splitting that inheritance with her father," Beckett commented as they went to her desk to watch Amber and Costa leave. "And helping him get his medication again so he'll be in her life a lot more."
"I thought that too," Castle said. "Julia's so lucky."
"And she helped us with the case too, even though she didn't know she did either," Beckett pointed out as she sat down.
"That's true, listen; do you have much left to do?" Castle asked, sitting down and leaning over slightly so he wouldn't have to whisper to her.
"I was thinking about leaving as soon as Ryan and Espo came back," Beckett replied. "Why?"
"I think we should stop one place before we head home," Castle said, not surprised when his fiancée's eyebrow raised questioningly in response.
"This better be good Castle, usually we decide together," Beckett said as she let him into her apartment an hour later.
"I promise you it will be," he said, setting the bag he held down in the kitchen. "First thing I need to take care of though…" And with that he gathered Beckett in his arms, and kissed her hard.
Not really surprised at that; since it wasn't the first time he'd done that seeing her again after work; Beckett was able to quickly recover and respond to the kiss. She could feel the slight desperation in his grasp, and got an idea, though as they parted to breathe she set it aside for the moment. "Okay, so more or did you get it out of your system?" she asked though he was brushing his lips across hers as she was speaking, lightly pecking at her lips from time to time.
Before Castle could answer, Beckett was kissing him, though not as roughly as he'd done before. He didn't mind though, as he'd been expecting her to do that the way she'd responded to him before. They finally parted, and he pressed his forehead to hers for a moment before letting her go.
"Don't forget," Beckett then told him, giving him her ring. When he'd slipped it on her finger she asked, "What did you get?"
"Julia gave me the idea; I went to your favorite deli down the street," Castle said in response as he turned to the bag with their dinner in it, pulling out two sandwiches. "Turkey for you, and pastrami for me."
"Thank you," Beckett said before he pulled out some fries. They got plates and she poured their wine before she followed him to the couch. As they were eating she noticed him glancing at his watch a couple times, and finally asked him, "What is it?"
"Shouldn't Julia be here?" Castle asked.
"They went out for dessert," Beckett said simply. "They'll be here soon I'm sure, my dad knows she has school tomorrow."
"Oh, okay," Castle said, relaxing then, though he still wanted to see Julia. "Are you going to tell her?"
"I've been debating that since we left the station," Beckett said. "And you mean we."
"We, sorry," Castle quickly corrected himself. "I think you should tell her, but don't mention that Miss Amy was kind of crazy."
"Of course," Beckett said sarcastically. "I just hope this doesn't scare her."
"She'd never think of doing that," Castle said. "But you might be right, I doubt any five year old would realize she could do that to her mother."
"We'll see when we talk to her. Speaking of daughters, did you talk to Alexis?" Beckett asked, wanting to change the subject.
"Yeah, she was going out the door to a movie with Diana and their friend Dawn," Castle said. "So we talked really quickly, but I remembered to tell her what we were going to do for Easter, so she wants to talk to Julia on Skype that night."
"I'm sure she'll love that," Beckett said, finishing her meal.
"Who? Julia or Alexis?" Castle asked, pretending to be serious. When Beckett merely glanced at him he said, "Are you looking forward to it?"
"Sunday?" Beckett asked. At his nod she took a deep breath and then said, "A little, I didn't do the Easter egg hunts for too long as a child."
"You found them too easily?" Castle asked.
"My dad was always despairing since he was the one who hid them," Beckett said. "So he stopped and they instead gave me a basket with different things, candy, coloring books, the normal stuff you get."
"That reminds me, what are we getting for her?" Castle asked.
"I think you should send something to Alexis first off," Beckett said.
"I was planning on that," he told her as he cleared the coffee table of their plates.
"Well, for Julia I think some candy," Beckett continued.
"Definitely have to get her a Cadbury crème egg, I bet you she hasn't had that before," Castle said as he walked back to her with the bottle of wine they were drinking.
"No, but don't be too disappointed if she doesn't like it," Beckett said. "That can go in an egg… so are we taking her to the hunt and then bringing her back to your place?"
"Of course, hunt the eggs at the park and then back home for the eggs we'll dye with her and the prize ones too," Castle said. "That's how it's done. And we're dying them Saturday right?"
"Yes, and speaking of Saturday, I feel like calling my dad now, see where they are," Beckett said, getting her phone out and starting to dial when there was a knock on the door. "Come in Dad," she called, knowing it was him.
"Mommy!" Julia cried, running through the door as soon as Jim had opened it for her. She rushed into her mother's arms, throwing hers around her as they hugged tightly. She snuggled close to her and said, "I made a picture for you when we were painting colors."
"Thank you sweetie," Beckett said, kissing her forehead before they shared a kiss. "Say hi to Castle," she said, turning her to him.
Castle took Julia into his arms and shared a kiss with her before he sat her on his lap. "How was school? Besides the painting?" he asked her.
"It was good. Mommy, are you finished?" Julia asked then.
"We are sweetie," Beckett said, looking up at her dad as he sat in the armchair closest to her.
"Oh, who… who did it?" Julia whispered.
"You don't have to know," Castle said, kissing the side of her head.
"No, I want to know," Julia said, her voice still in a whisper. "Please Mommy."
"It was Miss Amy," Beckett said, not surprised when her daughter seemed to go limp in Castle's hold. "Did you think it was Miss Amber?"
"I was afraid it was Mommy, she's the best teacher," Julia said, biting her lower lip. "But it wasn't her was it?"
"No, she didn't do anything," Beckett assured her.
"Does Miss Amy go to jail now?" Julia asked.
"She will," Castle answered.
Julia shuddered and went over to her mother, sitting on her lap and hugging her tightly. "I don't like she hurt her mommy," she whispered.
"I know sweetie, but-" Beckett started to say, kissing her forehead.
"I won't do that to you Mommy, I love you," Julia said, looking up at her mother as she spoke earnestly.
"Oh don't worry, I knew you wouldn't already, but I'm glad to hear you won't," Beckett said before she kissed her.
"But speaking of Miss Amber," Castle said, looking at his fiancée to see if she was okay with the subject change. When Beckett nodded to him, he went to the table where she'd placed a shopping bag, and he took it back to the others.
"She came to the station today, before we came home," Beckett told Julia. "And said that she's going to be the new ballet teacher at the school."
"She is?" Julia asked excitedly.
"She is, and she told us something else too," Beckett replied. "They're going to let her teach Ballroom and Latin on Saturday mornings. Do you want to go?"
"Yes!" Julia nearly shrieked, barely letting her mother finish her question. She covered her mouth and said in a whisper, "Yes please Mommy."
"Good, because she told her we'll be there," Castle said. "And after we left work, your mom and I went somewhere."
"Is it what's in the bag?" Julia asked excitedly.
"It is," Beckett said. "We picked these out together and we're hoping you'll like them," she said as Castle took out two children's sized workout shirts and then two pairs of black workout pants that ended above the ankles.
"Ooh, these are like Jennifer was wearing?" Julia asked, looking pleased. When her mother and Castle nodded she then picked up the light blue workout shirt and looked at the other, which was grey, and giggled, hugging the clothes to her. "I can't wait to wear them, can I try them on?"
"That wasn't all we got," Castle said, reaching into the bag for the last item.
Taking the shoebox, Julia gasped in amazement when Castle took the cover off for her. "They're mine?" she whispered, looking at everyone.
"What are they?" Jim asked, having watched the three talk.
"Ballroom shoes, the kind I like," Julia said, taking out a black shoe with a strap across the middle and slight heels. "Can I try these on now?" she asked her mother.
"Come on," Beckett said, setting her down and taking the shoes and clothes. "We'll be right back," she told her fiancé and dad. "I'll have her try on the clothes first before she comes out to show you the shoes."
When the two had left Jim asked Castle, "How is she doing? Katie," he corrected himself in case he was confused as to who he was referring to.
"Better now the case is closed," Castle said. "I'm pretty relieved too; we didn't want to come home yet again without having done that and have to explain it to Julia. She helped us actually, with the case."
"Julia? How?" Jim asked.
Castle quickly explained how Julia had reacted that morning to the song Home, and the fact that he and Beckett had remembered it was the song playing when the vic had been found. "She called Miss Amber and when she told Kate her sister had always hated the song with a vengeance, we had our motive."
"Terrible to think about," Jim said. "Has that part of it bothered her?"
"Slightly, but I assured her since she's never forced Julia into hobbies or activities she doesn't like I don't think she needs to worry," Castle said.
"She'll still be careful though," Jim pointed out.
"Which makes her a great mother," Castle said before they heard footsteps in the hall. "Can we see the shoes now?" he called out.
"Go ahead sweetie," Beckett said, since Julia had suddenly had an attack of shyness. She led her out and waited for Castle's reaction as her daughter ran over to him first.
"Oof, well, how do you like the shoes?" he asked as she leapt into his arms almost.
"They feel like dancing shoes," Julia giggled. "Do I look like a dancer?"
"Very much," Jim said. "And very grown up too."
Smiling at that, Julia leaned against Castle and said, "Do I?"
"He's right, but you look like a dancer and you look very sweet," he told her, hugging her tightly.
Kissing his cheek in response, Julia hurried over to her grandfather to hug him and show off her shoes. "What do we learn first?" she asked as she spun around once a few minutes later.
"You'll have to wait and find out," Beckett said, wrapping her arms around her daughter as she came to her. "So you like the shoes, are they comfortable?"
Nodding in response, Julia stepped back from her mother, and began to do the box step saying, "What if Miss Amber asks how I know this?"
"Just say I taught you," Jim said.
"Do you know how to do it?" Julia asked him.
"I learned when I was very young, my parents; your mom's grandparents; made me learn," Jim said.
Holding on to Julia as she leaned against her again, Beckett saw her yawning and smiled, kissing her temple saying, "I think it's time someone went to bed."
"Oh, but Mommy," Julia began. But she then remembered she had school the next day and she sighed. "I don't want to, I'm too excited."
"I noticed," Beckett said. "By the way," she then said to her dad. "Where did you take her for dessert?"
"We went out for some ice cream," Jim said. "She was hungry for some."
"You went to Serendipity didn't you?" Beckett asked. She smiled while she shook her head at the same time and said, "Dad-"
"That's what grandparents are supposed to do," Jim said as Julia started to protest. "Spoil their grandchildren, and we shared one of their frozen hot chocolate drinks."
"Grandpapa drank most of it Mommy," Julia told her.
"Okay, I'm not mad," Beckett said, mostly for Julia's sake. "Just don't take her all the time."
"Of course not," Jim said. "I'd better go though, your mom's right, you need to get some sleep," he said to Julia.
"Will you come still on Sunday?" the little girl asked, rushing over to him.
"If you'll let me I'll join you at your first class on Saturday," Jim said, picking her up as they walked to the door.
"Oh, oh, please Grandpapa, I want you to see how I dance there too," Julia said eagerly. She then hugged him tightly and said, "Thank you for the movie and dinner and dessert. I love you Grandpapa."
"I love you too Julia," Jim said, kissing her before setting her down.
"Thank you Dad, we'll try and head to the class a little early Saturday," Beckett said, hugging him quickly. "So we'll meet you there?"
"Of course," Jim said. "Night you two, Castle."
"Night Jim," Castle replied as they watched him go. When Beckett had closed and locked the door he asked, "Bath time?"
"It is," Beckett said, about to pick up her daughter. She was a little surprised when Julia turned to Castle, making him pick her up. "Do you want him to give you a bath this time sweetie?" she asked as they headed into her room.
"Can you both?" Julia asked, her fingers in her mouth.
"Yes," Beckett and Castle said at the same time to the little girl's giggle. Looking at each other, they then turned their attention to Julia, Beckett taking off her dance shoes before she went to get the little girl's pajamas while Castle prepped the tub.
Once she was in the water, Julia looked up as her mother got on her knees next to her and began to wash her body, Castle handing her her toys. "Can I play now Mommy?" she asked as soon as Beckett had finished.
"Yes, but not for too long," she replied, sitting to let Castle take her place next to the bathtub. She smiled as the two began to play with the foam shapes she had there for her daughter, stacking them on top of the water as the tub wasn't against a wall.
"That's a pretty impressive pyramid," Castle said as he was watching Julia putting all the blue shapes on top of each other. He saw her yawning again, that time for much longer than before and started to stand up before his fiancée spoke.
"I think you can handle it," Beckett said, smiling as he looked at her in surprise. "You have before."
"Okay, time to get out sweetheart, your mom said," Castle said quickly before the little girl could object. He helped her step out and into the towel Beckett handed him before drying her while Beckett emptied the tub. "Dry?" he asked after he'd been running the towel over her for a while.
"Yeah," Julia said. "I'm getting cold."
"Then into your pajamas you go," Castle said, helping her quickly get dressed.
"Here sweetie," Beckett said, helping Julia into her robe.
"Now what?" the little girl asked, looking up at them.
"To bed," Beckett said, picking her up. She had to smile as Julia didn't protest; only sighed as she wrapped her arms around her neck. She kissed her daughter's cheek and then carried her into her room where Castle pulled the covers down.
"Wait, can I see outside Mommy?" Julia asked before her mother could put her in bed.
Opening the blinds, Castle stood with Beckett at the window, and they looked out together at the view, the rain sliding down the window. "Looks pretty cold tonight," he commented as fog was around the tops of the higher buildings.
"Are you gonna be warm?" Julia asked him.
"He will," Beckett answered before he could. "But you need to get under your covers before you freeze." And with that she set Julia down to take off her robe which she gave to Castle so he could put it away, helping her daughter into her bed.
"Are you gonna come to my school with me?" Julia asked as she was sitting up, waiting for Castle to come over.
"I can't tomorrow, but the day after that is Friday, and that's when I'm taking you by myself," Castle told her, sitting on the edge next to her.
"How many days is that?" Julia asked.
"Not a lot," Castle promised. He hugged her when she held her arms out to him and shared a kiss with her saying, "I can't wait for your first class on Saturday."
"Me too, I hope I'm good," Julia said worriedly.
Castle was going to remind her that Derek Hough had said she would be good, but he held back as he wanted to try something, instead saying, "I think you will be, you look like a dancer when you're dancing to your music. You just need a teacher to learn the official steps and you'll be awesome." He smiled when Julia blushed at that and hugged him tightly, whispering a thank you to him. "But for now, I think you need to finish this week before we start getting really excited for the classes."
"Kay," Julia sighed. "Thank you for my clothes and shoes."
"You're very welcome sweetheart. I love you Julia, sweet dreams," Castle said before sharing a kiss with her. He wasn't surprised when she nodded and then hugged him, and he kissed her temple before giving his spot to Beckett, standing where she'd been; next to the nightstand; before watching them.
"Thank you too Mommy, I love my class things," Julia told her mother.
"I'm really glad you do. Now, I want you to stay here tonight okay? You have all your friends," Beckett said, motioning to the stuffed animals at the other end of the bed. "And they'll keep you company."
"I will Mommy," Julia promised. "Are you excited too?"
"For the classes? I am," Beckett assured her. "I can't wait to see what you get to learn."
"A-Are you and Castle going to come see them all?" Julia asked, not looking at her mother, instead at her lap.
Moving around Beckett to sit down where she'd been as she moved to hold her daughter in her lap, Castle ran his hand over the back of Julia's head and said, "We'll be there every week if we can, and since your mom doesn't work Saturdays, we'll make sure we're there. I'll make sure she goes."
Nudging Castle in the side as he was sitting next to her, Beckett said, "He's right sweetie. Did you ask because we don't go to watch you practice ballet?"
"No mommies and daddies go, but they come at the end and see a little," Julia said. But she quickly continued with, "I know you and Castle work, I just want you to see me in school, not just at home."
"We did see you," Castle said. "In the class."
A little unsure if they should tell her, Beckett quickly knew how to continue that; since her fiancé was looking at her to do so; and said, "He's right, we had to see Miss Amber at the school for something, to check on something," she had to correct herself since she was thinking as she spoke. "And we saw the class for that day. We saw you talking with Celia and then dancing your steps."
"And you're pretty great there, so I think you'll be a pro Ballroom and Latin dancer in no time," Castle said, leaning over to kiss Julia's forehead as she giggled at his words.
"You are my little dancer sweetie," Beckett then said as Julia looked up at her. "And you always will be I think; you were born to be a dancer."
Smiling at that, Julia murmured a thank you and then said, "I hope Celia's in the class too. And you don't have to see me all the classes Mommy, Castle, but some is good."
"We'll go every week," Beckett said in a slightly firm tone of voice. "Okay, back into bed." She hugged her daughter tightly before they shared a kiss and said, "I love you so much Julia, sweet dreams."
"Night Mommy, I love you, lots and lots too," Julia said as Beckett laid her down and tucked her in with her Stitch doll. "I hope you and Castle won't be cold."
"Don't worry," Castle said, leaning down to share another kiss with her before Julia demanded another from her mother.
"Get some sleep sweetie; we'll wake you up tomorrow morning okay?" Beckett said, stroking her cheek with the backs of her fingers.
"Kay, night Mommy, Castle," Julia sighed, tucking her doll under her chin and closing her eyes.
Castle waited behind Beckett as they watched the little girl soon falling asleep. He waited for her to come out of the dark room before he closed the door, and as they were walking out of the hall asked, "Wine? Coffee? Sleep?"
Smiling at that, Beckett said, "Coffee sounds good now. I don't have to go in too early since the boys offered to let me take my time tomorrow morning in taking her to school."
"Nice of them to do," Castle said, going to her coffee machine.
"And your plans?" Beckett asked, sitting on the couch after she'd taken off her heels and set them aside.
"I guess writing," Castle said. "My own version of paperwork."
"A lot more fun version of it," Beckett shot back though she was smiling. "But are you still behind?"
"Slightly," Castle said. "But just a chapter."
"Your publisher isn't going crazy? This is a new one remember," Beckett asked.
"Yeah," Castle said, remembering at the beginning of the month when his second ex-wife had suddenly left NYC with little warning to join her new husband in LA. He'd gotten a new publisher with her departure, and luckily the man was easier to work with since they didn't have any kind of past as he'd had with his ex. "No, he's understanding though I couldn't really tell him I didn't start the book during the summer because I was busy trying to be a father to Julia before you told me you wanted me to be. And also trying to help you out too." He then turned back to look at his fiancée and said, "I didn't mean that negatively by the way. I enjoyed doing that… both things actually."
"I know," Beckett said. "But how are you with the book? You haven't really talked about the plot much though I helped you out with some holes you had since you started it."
"It's turning out to be a difficult one," Castle said, going over then with two mugs of coffee. "Not because of lack of inspiration, it's just there's so much going on in real life with the woman who I based Nikki Heat on that I want to focus on more sometimes." He sat next to her and said, "And by that I mean I find myself wanting to spend more time with you than a book. Definitely want to spend more time with our daughter."
"You know, I find myself really glad to know when you say things like that it's not because you're trying to get something for yourself," Beckett said, setting down her mug. "But because you mean it."
"I manage to get that twelve year old you're fond of mentioning to leave at times like that," Castle said. "No, I really mean what I say, especially about Julia."
"I know that too, and I love you for that. I know she does. I was really touched what you told her about her dancing," Beckett told him.
"I was almost going to mention Derek, but… I wanted her to know that I thought she would be great," Castle said.
"I think she was pretty happy to hear it," Beckett replied as she made him put down his mug then. She leaned against him then as he wrapped his arm around her, and they were quiet for a while, listening to the patter of rain on the windows behind them as it intensified slightly.
Moving to be able to face her, Castle pressed his lips against Beckett's, and was pleased when they pursed slightly in response before parting to allow his tongue into her mouth as he made it more passionate than he'd started out as. He wrapped his arms around her waist as she turned towards him, and held her closely against him while they parted for a quick breath of air.
Cupping his cheeks with her hands, Beckett leaned over to kiss him, when she paused, hearing the sounds of footsteps approaching. Moving back from Castle, she turned with him to see Julia coming out from the hall, her eyes a little bleary from sleep. "What's wrong sweetie," she said as they both stood to go to the little girl.
"I'm thirsty," Julia said, rubbing her cheek with the back of her hand.
While Castle headed to the kitchen, Beckett picked her daughter up, cradling her like a baby as Julia snuggled against her, sighing deeply. She sat back down on the couch and kissed the little girl's forehead before saying, "How were you sleeping?"
"Good, I just was thirsty," Julia repeated sleepily.
"Not anymore," Castle said, handing her a glass. He sat next to Beckett, watching the little girl sip slowly at the water before taking two larger gulps and then handing the cup to her mother. He expected his fiancée to take Julia back to her room, but was quiet, watching her rocking her slowly until she had fallen back asleep. He followed Beckett to her room, and they tucked Julia in before he pressed a kiss to the top of her head and waited for Beckett to do the same before they left the room. "So, should we head to your room now?" he asked once they were in the living room.
"We didn't finish our coffee," Beckett said simply, going back to the couch. "I was going to ask you if these lessons were okay."
"What made you not ask?" Castle asked as they finished off their drinks.
"The way you were at the store," Beckett said, smiling as she remembered. After she'd left the Precinct he'd met her at a store that supplied clothing for different types of dance, and he'd dragged her though the shoes section, trying to find the perfect pair for Julia before he'd found the pair they'd eventually bought at her agreement. "So you don't mind her one day maybe doing the Rumba? Or the Salsa?"
"I would have said I only wanted her to learn the Ballroom dances," Castle said, shaking his head. "And I think she'd be pretty happy doing those dances too, she likes the faster ones. I really wonder what she'll be learning first off."
"Probably basic steps, and those extensions she's practiced so many times after watching Dancing With the Stars," Beckett said simply before standing to take his empty mug and hers to the kitchen. As she was rinsing them out she wasn't too surprised when Castle came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I'm wondering if you can do something for me," she said, turning to him.
"Of course," Castle said.
"Check on her for me?" Beckett asked.
"Okay," Castle replied easily. "And then what?"
"And then you can join me in my room if you want to," Beckett said, drying her hands and turning to him. She wasn't too surprised when he gathered her up in his arms; kissing her hard; and she responded to that as quickly as she could. When they pulled apart to breathe she stepped away from him, and turned to walk to her room.
Breathing out slightly, as he watched her go, Castle went to Julia's room, opening the door carefully to check on the little girl. He went inside instead of just checking from the door, smiling slightly as her lips were pursed and her chin was on top of her Stitch doll's head. He couldn't resist leaning down and kissing her forehead, stepping back and forcing himself to leave before he woke her up. As he walked down to Beckett's room, his mind went from Julia to his fiancée, and his stride sped up slightly as he went in.
Hearing the sound of the door locking outside the bathroom, Beckett smiled at her reflection in the mirror, but didn't turn around as she went over to the shower. Before she could reach it though, she felt Castle's hands on her, a little rough. "She's alright?" she asked, trying to keep her smirk out of her voice.
"She's fine, fast asleep," Castle said simply, hesitating. Finally he couldn't take it anymore, and he reached down, opening her robe before he slid his hands down the front of her body. "Was I invited to join, or are you just going to tease me?" he asked when she turned around before his hands could get close to the junction of her legs.
"You're coming in with me, but you're severely overdressed," Beckett said simply, starting to unbutton his shirt. She didn't try to fight the smile on her face as he leaned over and kissed at her neck, pushing him back so they could take off his clothes.
The second he was naked, Castle was pulling the robe off Beckett's shoulders and then arms before it sank to the floor to join his clothing. He pulled her to the shower, turning on the water and closing the door behind them. There he allowed himself to kiss her, and did it feverishly, feeling the pressure between their lips as she flicked the tip of her tongue against his lips. He could feel his idea slipping away that he'd come up with watching her in her robe, and he pulled back.
"What?" Beckett asked, a little surprised at the look on his face. She let out a startled cry when he made her turn around, pulling her back against his chest. She sucked in a deep breath of air as she could feel his arousal against her, and it distracted her for a moment from what he was doing. But when his hands suddenly cupped her breasts, she forgot about his predicament, instead feeling his fingers lightly rolling her nipples around a few times.
"What did you plan on doing?" Castle suddenly asked her as he covered her mounds with both hands, squeezing gently as he felt his fiancée was almost rigid in front of him.
"I don't remember now," Beckett gasped as he bent down to her neck and sucked a little hard at the junction between it and her shoulder. "You… I think you have the better idea."
"This wasn't my full idea," Castle said before he reached down, sliding his hands over the front of her body. "I wish you had a mirror right here, so you can watch what I'm doing to you," he whispered in her ear, his voice a little husky in his desire though he didn't realize it.
Beckett could hear his tone easily since he was right behind her, but she couldn't really reply to it, as his hands had found their destination. Parting her legs for his unasked question with his touch, she jerked back against him slightly as he began to finger her at the junction of her legs, and she only hoped she could support her weight the entire time; knowing from experience that he could easily make her lose the function of her legs if he was going to make her climax as he usually did. "You…" she started to say when one of his hands went down to her thigh, spreading that leg a little further from the other. Her heart was pounding as his hand stayed on her thigh, using it to hold her back against him, and she knew she was safe where she was.
When he felt sure that Beckett was alright against him, Castle reached up, moving from her thigh to her abdomen. He carefully raked his nails over her skin, feeling her shivering at his touch, and her muscles were almost dancing under him. He nudged her hair out of the way with his nose, enough to expose her shoulder, and he bit on the middle of it, not enough to hurt, but enough to make her tense up, her moan faltering for a brief second. All while he was doing that, his fingers were still rubbing at her swollen nub, the digits rolling it around once before he flattened them on her and made a circular motion. He moved his lips from his bite up to her neck, but instead of staying there he got a sudden idea and detoured to below her ear.
Beckett's mouth was open, but she couldn't make a sound suddenly, instead she was sucking in the moist air around them from the hot water while he pressed his lips hotly around the skin below her lobe. The moisture on her lips matched the slickness of her folds as he was moving his fingers there at the same time. "Oh… god, Castle," she moaned, not even trying to hold back her desperation as he teased her, fingertips barely ghosting over her entrance.
"Tell me," was all that Castle would say in response to that, knowing what he would hear from her.
"You know already, just… touch me!" Beckett said, starting to feel slight irritation, though she could understand why he liked to do that with her. She had a large part of the control when they were working together; when it was just them, he had more opportunity to lead her, and she never really had much of a problem in allowing that, as long as he knew they were never really fighting for dominance. When it came to their love making they were more even than anything else. But her train of thought was lost to her as he started to run just one single finger through her folds, nearly making her collapse. He had to grab her tightly to keep her from falling, but she didn't care as he brought the other hand down to join his right as soon as he'd steadied her.
Castle remembered then why he preferred to actually make love to her slightly more than pleasuring her with his hands. He was fighting with his arousal, luckily he had her to focus all his attention on, and as he used both hands to touch as much of her as he could, he felt her starting to rock her hips against him; making him forget all about himself as he latched onto a sudden idea and immediately ran with it. "Move with me Kate," he whispered into her ear, nipping at the shell of it lightly, loving the moan he got out of her for that.
Trying to follow his semi-command, Beckett looked down her body, though all she could see were his hands. It was enough though, as feeling them was more important. She leaned back against him as he slowed down his movements, and she didn't bother to follow him. Instead she reached back behind her; that whole time having been grabbing onto the sides of his legs; and wrapped her arms around neck. She then spoke, saying, though it was filled with pauses and groans of pleasure, "If you want to join me at all after this, you need to stop delaying."
Though her voice wasn't exactly steady, Castle easily heard the demand in her tone, and he nodded against the side of her neck before he moved his fingers harder than he'd been before slowing down. He knew, feeling the way she was moving and tensing against him, that she was close already, so he brought her easily over the edge. He envied her a little her climax, watching as her back arched and she jerked against his chest, but he pushed that aside as he helped her until she was slowing down, breathing harshly as she slumped back against him. "Good?" he whispered to her, his arms around her waist.
"I think you saw and heard for yourself," Beckett breathed in deeply. When she felt slightly stronger she turned to him and wrapped her arms around him tightly, kissing him deeply. She wasn't really surprised to get a reminder that he'd been left hanging pleasuring her, but she already had plans for that and instead put her effort in their tongues fighting for a moment before they slowly parted, panting heavily as the water behind him suddenly became cold.
"Was the point to take a shower?" Castle asked, turning the water off at his fiancée's direction. He wasn't too surprised when she didn't say a word to that, merely stepped outside to grab a towel. "Am I paying for doing what I wanted?" he asked as he followed her.
"Oh no, just thinking," Beckett said simply. She discarded the towel to the floor and could feel his eyes on her as she walked to the bed. She nearly got to it went she was suddenly lifted up to her gasp. "Oh god, Castle, I didn't-" she said as he nearly threw her on the bed. But before she could finish he was kissing her, hard, and she had to actually fight a little with him to stop him. "You-"
"I know, sorry, but… I can't wait for this," Castle said, shaking his head though he wasn't usually that rough with her. He made himself stop by grabbing pillows and tucking them behind her before he moved to lie between her legs. "I still can't wait," he warned her.
Cupping his cheeks with her hands in response, Beckett led him to her lips, and kissed him gently that time. She was relieved when he responded in turn, and they were very slow and deliberate before they parted. They didn't stop even though they needed to breathe, instead they brushed their lips across each others and kissed briefly before they made themselves pull enough apart to speak at her direction. "Go ahead," she said. She had to smile at Castle's flabbergasted look and said, "What?"
"You knew I had something in mind?" he asked her.
"To be honest, I had an idea, but we have time," Beckett said with a shrug. "And I owe you after what you did to me in the shower."
"So you did enjoy that," Castle said, smirking.
"Don't get cocky," Beckett said, that phrase ending in a heavy hiss as he suddenly slid into her. "I didn't mean it literally," she groaned; though it was one of ecstasy.
"Do you want me to stop?" Castle suddenly asked, his voice serious as he was waiting, watching her closely.
"Why do you ask me when we're like this," Beckett said, not caring if he heard the strain in her voice as she was struggling not to move until they'd settled their discussion.
"Because," and that was all Castle said, hesitating to say anything else.
"There are a lot of different things you can say to go after that word," Beckett said before biting her lower lip.
"I know, I-" Castle started to say before she kissed him. He then realized that she had guessed with that, and he let out a very loud, long groan in response, beginning to move. When she had stopped him to calm him down a little, he'd had a horrible flashback to Queens and finding out what had happened to her in the house. He'd hesitated because of that, but in that moment she was moving with him, their hips brushing together since he'd set a very slow pace. So he recovered a little from his memory and pulled back, staring at her.
Shivering at the intensity in his blue eyes, Beckett reached up to wrap her arms around Castle's neck tightly as she pulled him down a little more onto her body. Her breasts just barely brushed against his chest, and she was shaking harder at the sensation. She wasn't really surprised as he brushed his lips against hers before he ducked down, brushing them over each mound before he suddenly detoured. Her breath caught in her throat as he pressed a kiss firmly on her scar, and her entire body seemed to be burning in response.
Moving his head back quickly as Beckett's body arched at the touch of his lips, Castle moved up to her lips but he only hovered over them, wanting to feel her breath. He could sense it, panting over his lower lip and he flicked his tongue out to taste it before he was closing the gap in between them and plunging his tongue into her mouth. When she quickly responded to him; knowing she had been waiting for that; he brought one of his hands in between them, and proceeded to caress her. He had to put a little distance between their bodies, but found the feel of her skin under his hand more than worthwhile. She was just barely beginning to sweat from her exertions, matching each of his thrusts easily as they were still moving slowly, and his skin glided over hers as if over silk. He shuddered and pulled away, looking into her eyes again as she opened them to look at him.
For a long time the two only stared at one another, never stopping their dance together, never saying a word. Nothing needed to change in that moment, and they didn't need to utter anything to convey that. Looking into one another's eyes, they knew it already.
When their gaze broke, Beckett slid her hands up from his back to the back of his neck where she pushed down on his head and led him down to her neck. She bit her lower lip once as he nipped at the side of it, right above her racing pulse. She couldn't help it and her hips jerked up once in response to him before she made herself calm down as he drifted back down to her chest. A throaty, "Castle," escaped her lips, and she held him tightly to her as he suckled at both breasts, feeling his responding groan of pleasure before he moved back, his breath coming out short and quick. "Here," she said, wanting to give him something since it seemed he was intent on focusing on her that night, taking his hand with her own.
Before she could move him, Castle turned his hand to take hers, bringing it up to his lips. But he went to her wrist first, nipping slightly at the underside, and taking in her gasp before he moved his lips over the tips of each finger. He then let her take his hand, not surprised she hurriedly pressed a kiss to his palm before lowering it in between their bodies. As his fingers got closer to her the junction of her legs, he stopped moving, making her do the same. He was a little surprised when there were no protests to that, but understood she was allowing him because she wanted him to touch her. He looked down where his hand was, but even with the lights on in the room, he couldn't see much more than that. But he didn't need to see to touch her, as aroused as she was; he was feeling where she needed him to be easily.
As he started to concentrate on the apex of her legs, Beckett began to move, not realizing what she was doing until Castle stopped her. She quickly did so, but it took little time for her to move her hips towards him again. She was a little relieved when he began to move again, but made a slight sound in response to him pulling his hand away. But a second later he was tucking a pillow under her hips, in the right spot to get him to move deeper inside her, and helped with her wrapping her right leg around his waist. She circled the other around his legs, knowing he enjoyed that position, and she threw her arms around him, suddenly wanting to feel him as close to her as possible; though she wasn't sure how much closer they could possibly be than they already were.
"Let me…" Castle startled to say, his lips near her ear. "Let me switch," he finally was able to finish.
"No," Beckett said simply, but in a very firm tone of voice. She felt him shuddering against her in reaction to that, and moved over to take the lobe of his ear with her teeth. Nibbling slightly on it, she pulled back and looked into his eyes, reaching up with her hand.
Castle turned his head to press his cheek firmly into the palm of her hand, kissing Beckett's thumb as it passed over his lower lip. He moved down to her lips then, kissing her carefully for a moment before his thought to have that kiss be simpler changed in that second. He made it deeper, but also sensuous as he was moving slower than he had before. They were kissing rougher and more passionately the second time; after a quick breath of air; and as they were pulling away he stopped completely.
Instead of objecting that time, Beckett began to slightly shift, not enough for him to notice outright, but eventually to realize what she was doing where they were coupled together. She would have smirked when he suddenly started to thrust again, but that didn't happen as the rush of pleasure going through her as he did that took over quickly. She met his pace fairly easily, reaching down to his hip, sliding her fingers over his skin deliberately until she felt herself. She shook for a moment at the difference in texture, and at the almost imperceptible gap that was between them. Hurrying, she reached up, and grabbed his hand, making him reach down to where she'd been feeling. She bit her lower lip as he jolted hard against her once, her moan escaping around her teeth, before he was taking her lips.
Having felt the same thing she had, Castle kissed her hard again, but eventually lessened it until they were pulling apart slowly. Their breath mingled and became one in between their parted lips, and he moved his lips in the words, 'I love you,' before feeling the heat of her breath as her lips brushed the same words back to him. He finally couldn't stop himself, and he concentrated everything he had left on her, wanting to make her react as she had in the shower. To make her lose control because of him; to know she was allowing that to happen because he was the one doing things to her that she enjoyed so deeply it became too much. And he wasn't unaffected by that, feeling himself swiftly starting to skirt closer and closer to the edge, much faster than he had so far in the time they'd been together.
Feeling Castle going to her neck, Beckett jerked against him as he began to suck on the skin on the left that was right above her pulse. For a second she was a little concerned about him leaving a mark, but then decided that she had enough high collared shirts to toss her concern out of her mind. She shuddered at the thought of someone from work or a friend spotting any hickey Castle might create, but then was distracted as he moved over her chest. His lips were kissing randomly, gliding over her breasts, touching the hollow of her throat, and yet again her scar. She closed her eyes tightly at that, and after he had gone back up to be face to face with her his hips pressed down firmly against hers his next thrust into her body. He hit the apex of her legs, and there was enough of a rubbing motion between them that she was struck almost violently with her climax. She was holding onto Castle, but her grip became desperate, and her nails raked over his skin as she was crying out, almost screaming his name as the unending wave of ecstasy that tinged her voice seemed to grow more and more intense.
Breathing roughly as he could feel her, Castle tried to keep his rhythm, but it became nearly impossible as he fell over the edge shortly after she had. He sped up only slightly luckily, but it was enough to set them both off again because of the angle of his hips and how deep the position they were in got him inside of her. He kissed her while they were still in the throes of their nearly simultaneous peak, but had to stop as he was breathing harder than before. He tried not to collapse onto her body once they had finally come back to themselves, but was finding it hard, especially when she moved his hands from where they were supporting his weight on the bed. He finally acquiesced and lay on top of her, telling himself it was only going to be briefly. Shuddering in pleasure as he could feel her breasts against his chest more fully then, he lifted his head and kissed her, almost chastely at first before she swiftly deepened the kiss.
When they pulled apart when breathing became a much needed necessity, Beckett felt him pressing his face to her neck, his breath starting to moisten her skin. She didn't say anything, only stroked the back of his head until he spoke.
"I'm not crushing you?" Castle asked as he pulled back to look at her.
"I would have let you know," Beckett told him simply. "You remembered Queens didn't you?"
"You could tell?" Castle said in reply instead. When she nodded he sighed slightly and moved so he could push himself off of her. But instead she tightened the grip of her legs around him, and held him in place. "Yeah, don't ask me why, I just did."
"Because you were going too quickly when we got into bed," Beckett said. "You have a hard time saying what you're thinking," she told him.
"I know, but I didn't want to risk waking up to you having a nightmare tonight," Castle said. She loosened her grip on him then, and he got off of her carefully before he went to the edge of the bed, sitting there for a moment before turning back to her and lying down with her. "I'm alright, if you're wondering, just wanted to keep you from having a flashback or something like I did."
"They're not contagious, but apparently arousal is," Beckett said teasingly, hoping to get a smile from him. She got a lot more than that, suddenly finding herself wrapped in his arms tightly as he kissed her deeply. She was startled at first, but when she got a hold of herself she responded, and couldn't really help feeling aroused as he sank his tongue into her mouth, curling it around hers before he pulled away slowly, dragging both their tongues out into the air. "I don't think you need to worry about me, I can very easily remember how you were in the shower if I find myself thinking about Queens."
"Great," Castle said, when she suddenly ran her fingers over his arm. "Oh, forgot about that," he said, seeing the bandage that was still there, though looking slightly worn from the shower earlier.
"Get dressed," Beckett said, pushing gently on his chest. "And I'll take care of that."
"Why get dressed?" Castle asked. "We don't… oh, work, right," he said, slumping visibly as he said that since she was looking at him. "And Julia tomorrow morning?"
"I don't think so, that sugar high and then waking up for water like she did tonight, she'll be out for a while tomorrow morning," Beckett said, taking her nightgown from her closet and slipping it over her bare skin as she knew he was watching her. "So I'm hoping tomorrow you'll be feeling up to… whatever we can come up with until we need to get ready."
"I think I will," Castle said, taking the pajamas she handed him. He grabbed her hand then, pulling her towards him and kissing her deeply. He was hoping to tempt her, wanting the chance to maybe make love at least one more time, but she only slid her hand from his grasp and headed to the bathroom. He threw on his pajama pants, not bothering with anything else, as he wanted to be ready for her the next morning on the off chance she woke up before he did. "So," he said, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her onto his lap once she had rejoined him. "Are you ready for Sunday? Will your dad be ready for Sunday?"
"It wasn't really that big a deal as I got older Castle, so he'll be fine," Beckett said as she cleaned the cut, making him hiss in response. "And so will I. I'm actually looking forward to it; it's been a very long time since I was last at an egg hunt." She smiled when she saw Castle's confused expression and said, "I'm eager for our daughter's sake."
"Right, did you ever have a chance to get her Easter dress? Because if you didn't, I could take you to the place I went to get Alexis' dresses," Castle said.
"Yeah, I've seen the pictures of her on Easter, they were a little frilly," Beckett said.
"That's what Easter is for, huge skirts for the girls, and for the boys really uncomfortable suits," Castle said, groaning at the end.
"I take it that's from experience?" Beckett laughed softly as she covered his cut then in a bandage.
"Yes and a lot of bad, bad memories of other girls at hunts laughing at the bow ties my mom made me wear," Castle said, shaking his head.
"I'll have to ask your mom to show me a picture," Beckett teased him, setting the things she'd used on the nightstand.
"No, no you're not, because then I'll have to ask your dad to see your pictures when you were a girl," Castle said warningly; though he was joking.
"I don't care about my pictures," Beckett said, standing in front of him. "So ask away."
"Man, I hate when you do that," Castle said, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close against him, pressing his cheek to her stomach.
"Because it works?" Beckett asked, a wide smile on her face at that.
"It does," Castle sighed. He ran his hands over her body then, shaking once in pleasure as he could feel the heat of her skin through the silk. He then moved his head, tilting it to look up at her as she started to run her fingers through his hair. They stared at each other for a while before he suddenly stood, and gathered her up in his arms, kissing her deeply.
Beckett wasn't too surprised when Castle's kiss was abrupt, a little touched since he'd gotten her hint she needed some sleep for work. She kissed him on the lips before he took her hand and pulled her onto the bed where they sat together on their knees in front of each other. "Any reason?" she asked.
"Not really, just wanted a little more time, even if it's not repeating our performance earlier," Castle said simply. His eyes went down her body slowly, and as they were coming back up to her face he jumped as she grabbed his hands. "Wait, wait," he said, realizing she intended to have him cup her breasts when she brought them up. "Do you still want to sleep?" he asked her seriously.
"I need to," Beckett said with a slight sigh.
"Then let's just do this," Castle said. And with that he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him as they together pulled her nightgown up her legs.
Straddling his lap, though not sitting directly on it, Beckett wrapped her arms around Castle's neck saying, "It's hard."
"What?" Castle asked, tensing up suddenly.
"Not that," Beckett said, rolling her eyes. "Well, that is, but what I was going to say it's hard to see you as wanting more than just sex."
"You're pretty amazing, and if you ever thought that was all I wanted then I'd be in trouble," Castle told her seriously.
"So it's not the only thing you want?" Beckett asked, leaning down to press her forehead against his.
"One of many things about you I need," Castle said as he ran his hands over her back before they kissed. He started it out passionate, and it stayed that way until they were finally pulling apart several kisses later, panting a little as they got their breath back. "Come on," he said, and he helped her under the covers before pulling them up over them both. "We promised Julia we'd be warm," he explained as his fiancée was looking at him with an amused expression.
"Of course," Beckett said simply. She turned onto her side as Castle lay behind her, and she pressed back against him saying, "You know the same goes for me right?"
"It better," Castle said in a mock stern tone of voice. He gave an exaggerated huff of air when she nudged him with her elbow, but laughed and leaned over as she turned her head to him. "I love you Kate," he murmured against her lips when they parted from their brief kiss.
"Hmm, love you Castle," Beckett replied before they settled back down under the covers. She waited until he had his arm wrapped around her front before she allowed herself to sleep, wavering shadows on the window from the rain almost hypnotizing her, lulling her into rest her body needed after being so intimate with her fiancé.
Staying awake a while longer, Castle finally slept himself, his thoughts somewhere between how he and Beckett had been together that night, and the shadowy moment just before he surrendered to his exhaustion. He slept deeply, keeping close to her through the night though he would never know that he had.
The sound of the silvery rain that was striking the windows joined the deep and even breathing of the two on the bed. The darkness enveloped them, who were oblivious to it, their minds already turning towards the morning, and each other.