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: The lyrics in this chapter are from the songs Innuendo written by Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor, from the Queen album with the same name and Rain Must Fall written by Freddie Mercury and John Deacon, from the Queen album The Miracle.
A/N #2: It was great getting the feedback for the last chapter I did so I'll start on my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (Pleased reading you thought it was very good writing and that you think it always is too!) and
Mb (Happy to see you thought the first half was a nice update with it going to Castle and Beckett together and then everyone getting ready for their day at the resort. Wasn't surprised you said you were jealous of fictional characters, lol, I know what you mean. And it was very nice to read you thought it was nicely done showing good friends and family having fun as you put it. You're welcome for the first half of the chapter! Great to see you thought the second half of the chapter was another lovely update! And I was glad that you loved seeing the sort of alone date for dinner Peter and Eve had and that you thought it was sweet too with everyone watching them. I was relieved you enjoyed the description of Skye on the show and what was going to air on the show since I had no idea how it would go over with readers. Glad you enjoyed the adults having coffee together, talking about the dinner as well as Eve and Peter and getting their plans set for the next day. Had to laugh at you mentioning Castle and Beckett being them and exploring each other in their passion and love. You're welcome for the second half of the chapter! And Happy Easter to you and yours as well!).
Thanks for the reviews, loved reading them and I appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!
A/N #3: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Beaches in Mind written by Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Joe Thomas, from The Beach Boys album That's Why God Made the Radio.
Drive On For Miles
"Did you get it?" Julia asked Mari once she was walking out of the store.
"Yeah," the girl said with a wide smile. She tied the fabric around her head and said, "Like it?"
"It's perfect," Kathleen said with a nod.
"She's right, it is," Julia added.
"You guys don't want to get anything?" Mari asked since the two had been the only ones not to go inside the small store they'd found in Christiansted.
"Not really," Julia said, holding up the bag she'd gotten at the bookstore they'd shopped at just before the clothing boutique.
"I hope we're going to continue," Kathleen said before she saw her twin walking out with their three younger sisters.
"Hopefully," Skye said, turning from the man she was talking to in Spanish. She had heard his language and guessing he was from Puerto Rico she'd talked to the stall owner while the others had been in the store, watching the two girls at the same time. "What did you get?" she asked her oldest.
"A sundress," Mary said, walking out after them, the others trailing after her.
"Same thing grá?" Skye asked her wife though the others in their group were watching their exchange.
"Atode o mise shimasu," Mary replied, trying not to outright smirk as she was smiling at the same time telling her wife 'I'll show you later'.
"Are you two ready to go?" Castle asked them slowly.
"Yes, we're heading to a beach, right?" Skye asked, breaking off her gaze with her wife.
"The beach," Beckett said.
"Hey," Castle told her in mock protest before anyone could say anything.
"I knew already Rick," Beckett told him while they were walking back to the cars they'd used to drive there.
"I have to say I did too," Stella said, sharing a smile with the writer.
"We saw you talking to Warden," Beckett explained to her husband's obviously confused expression.
"Oh, well I didn't want to waste time driving around when we could be swimming and everything else," Castle said.
"What's the beach Dad?" Julia asked.
"Rainbow," Castle replied swiftly. "And he assured me I'd love it; especially since there isn't a cruise ship coming in."
"It wouldn't be crowded anyway?" Bobby asked.
"No," Castle said. "I asked him the same thing," he told the teen. "But we should head out now."
"Lunch?" Nancy asked.
"He has it," Lily said with a smile.
"She helped me order it," Castle commented.
"Is it special for the island?" Maddy asked.
"A little," Castle said. He saw they were at the parking lot and told them, "I'll lead since he gave me the directions."
"I think we have to either way," Brad said. When his friend gave him a look he said, "Sorry, I'm eager to see the beach now." He turned to the McCartneys and Willises and told them, "He makes sure to pick the best."
"It's Warden this time," Castle insisted. He wasn't surprised when the younger kids were begging to go, and they split up to leave. "I should have told them it'll take about a half hour," he said to his wife while he started the car they'd been sharing with their three youngest. He was then jumping when he suddenly heard a knock on the window and turned to see it was Brad. Lowering the window, he then said, "That brought back memories."
"You never learn," the chief said teasingly as he smiled.
"Did you want to know how far away it is?" Castle asked. When Brad nodded, he explained, "It's about a half hour, on the west coast."
"I don't mind if you're worried," Brad replied. "I'll tell the others."
Beckett watched her husband nodding before they were observing the chief going around to the other cars. After he waved to them, she smiled while Castle started the car and left the parking lot. "That was a nice trip," she said.
"Are you happy the men were okay with it?" Castle asked.
"No, just you," Beckett said teasingly.
"Yeah Daddy, you're Mommy's husband," Eliza said from the back.
Laughing together; though Josie had been looking through the windshield and hadn't heard the conversation; the family watched their view while they were making their way across the island.
"Okay," Castle said once he'd found the parking lot Warden had told him about.
"This is it?" Julia asked eagerly.
"Yeah, I hope you have your camera," Castle said before they got out of the car. He saw the others were pulling up next to them and he went around to the back to get their things. "Warden told me the best way to go to be more on our own," he said once they were ready.
"We're still following you Richard," Martha told her son.
With a quick nod, Castle made his way to the sand and trees before they were stepping out onto the beach, and he heard some gasps from the kids. "Okay… never doubt Warden's word. That's the lesson for today," he told them at the sight of the very blue water.
"You're right," Alasdhair said with a nod. "This is stunning."
"Can we take pictures?" Reiley asked.
"After we get everything set up," Paul said. "We're still holding all our things."
With that the group worked together to get everything set up, laying out blankets and towels, setting up umbrellas and making sure the equipment and toys they wanted were in easy reach.
"We can't go in, can we?" Julia asked her mother in disappointment.
"You're not hungry?" Castle said in return before his wife could respond.
"Noooo… yes, yeah I'm hungry," Julia said, drawing out the o before she changed her answer. "I really want to go swimming and snorkeling."
"We will once we finish eating," Beckett assured her. "And I know we wait but we'll walk around and take pictures," she added quickly, not surprised Julia responded quickly.
"Great, I really want pictures," she told them.
"Help me pass out our food," Beckett said with a smile before they turned to sit on the two blankets they had for their family and the Lennox boys.
"How're you feeling?" Clive suddenly asked Alexis while they were getting their sandwiches.
"Are you thinking of your mom?" she asked with a smile.
"Yeah," Clive admitted.
"I'm fine, it's still very early for me," Alexis said. "So you don't need to worry."
"Do you want to talk to your parents now?" Beckett asked the boy when he was sitting down.
"No, that's okay," Clive said in a rush. Seeing the startled expression on her face he explained, "I don't want her to get worried."
"We'll talk to them tonight," Peter said.
"Good idea," Castle said before they started to eat.
Looking at the water in front of her, Julia glanced down the sand they were sitting on and watching the others. She then realized Mari was waving at her and she did the same back before nearly jumping when a hand tapped her arm. "What?" she asked her little sister.
"Why don't you ask Mari to sit over here?" Eliza asked.
"She's eating with her family," Julia replied. "And I am too."
"We were thinking of letting you kids sit together at dinner," Castle commented. When Eliza looked at him eagerly with her sister he said, "The older kids."
"That sounds great," Julia said, squeezing Eliza's hand gently. "What about you guys?" she said, directing that to Peter.
"I'll have to talk to Eve," he said.
"We'll have another night's dinner," Castle reminded him.
"Two nights," Beckett told her husband.
"True," Castle said. "But we were going to have you guys eat together since it's a buffet."
"What about the little kids?" Eliza asked. When her parents looked at her, she said, "I know, but I want to sit with the big kids too… what about the twins and Fleur?"
"I don't think their mothers want them to sit somewhere else," Beckett told her.
"But they can sit by themselves," Eliza said. She was about to tell her parents they could sit together when she glanced at her grandparents and baby sister. She stopped and then said with a sigh, "Okay."
"Maybe while we're on vacation we can have you kids all sit all together," Castle said, hugging her briefly. "For now, eat," he said, smiling at her laughter before she responded.
"I am Daddy," Eliza said in mock annoyance. She was eating her sandwich and she got some chips before she asked, "How long until we swim?"
"I don't blame you," Jim said before her parents could answer that. "It's beautiful water."
"We're going to come back h- I mean the Caribbean again, right? At some point?" Julia asked.
"Definitely," Castle answered immediately.
"What aren't you saying Daddy?" Eliza asked him, studying him.
Smiling at her Castle said, "Nothing, just thinking of what we can do coming back here."
"Wait until we have a chance to plan that love," Beckett told her husband in amusement. She rolled her eyes playfully when he winked at her while drinking from the soda can he had and then helped Josie get another chip.
"I go swim Mama," the toddler told her.
"You don't want to walk with us?" Beckett asked. "We're going to take pictures."
"Grandpapa!" Josie cried.
"I'll be there too," Jim said though he was glancing at his daughter.
Motioning with her hand quickly Beckett then looked around and said to the boys, "Are you two done?"
"We were hungry," Peter and Clive said in unison before they looked at each other and were laughing, the others joining them shortly after. When they calmed down, Peter was about to speak again when Paul was calling to them down the blankets.
"Is everyone done? I hope everyone's done since I'm ready for the waters," the singer said.
"Calm down there," Skye said jokingly before they were all getting up and cleaning up. Once they'd finished, she said to everyone, "There are shells, but you know already not to take them with you."
"Are you saying we can't use them for decorating?" Jacob asked.
"Unfortunately, no," Skye said. "Though hopefully you'll find some rocks; but you'll have to put them back after."
"That's fine," some of the kids said at the same time.
"I hate to ask, what about naps?" Stella asked.
"Just these two," Beckett said, glancing at Josie who was with Sophie, Jacob and Eliza watching them. "That's what the walk is for."
"At the beginning," Lily said, standing with them. "Hopefully she goes to sleep," she said under her breath.
"She should," Beckett commented.
"How late do they sleep?" Stella asked.
"Until about two," Beckett said while she was turning to her husband and taking her camera he handed her. "They'll have time in the water."
"I think we have to let them," Castle said. "You're seeing what I'm seeing."
"Yes," Beckett said with a laugh. She squeezed his shoulder before they were splitting up to get sunscreen on again and then setting out on their walk, Eliza asking about the building they were walking up to.
"Is this a restaurant?" the little girl said.
"It is, but it's a bar too so I think we we're fine with our little patch of sand," Castle commented. He saw the way Julia was looking at him and said, "Come on."
Laughing the teen said, "The wording was weird."
"It's good enough," Castle said jokingly before he felt Josie pulling at his hand. He turned to her and able to tell she was tired he picked her up before putting her on his hip.
"Richard," Martha said, stepping up next to him. When he looked at her, she said, "Let me take her once she's asleep."
"Kate told me you would," Castle said, inclining his head. "Is anyone taking Sophie?"
"They are," Martha said, nodding back where Bethany and Joseph were walking with Keo.
"Okay," Castle said. "Hopefully you'll enjoy the view while you wait for her to get up."
"I think so," Martha said firmly before they were continuing. She was a little startled when her son shortly after touched her arm and turning to him saw Josie was fast asleep.
Hurrying back to her husband and mother-in-law, Beckett brushed a gentle kiss to Josie's temple before they watched Martha carrying her back. She wasn't surprised to see Bethany and Joseph were ahead of her mother-in-law before she turned her attention to Brad and Lily while they approached them before her husband was speaking first.
"Are you guys set?" Castle asked.
"What kind of question is that?" Brad said with a frown.
"Walking," Castle replied.
"We're going to go ahead of you guys," Brad said in mock trepidation.
"Sorry," Lily said laughingly when they were walking past them.
"I just wanted to tease him," Castle said once he and his wife were alone.
"I got that," Beckett replied. "I'm guessing you did that often?"
"Very," Castle said before he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and they walked after their family. He kept his hold on her loose since she was beginning to raise her camera to take pictures.
After she'd taken one of the curve of the beach Beckett said, "Did I thank you for the beach."
"No, you don't have to since I didn't find it," Castle said. "But no, I don't want you to do that to Warden."
"Do what?" Beckett asked teasingly. She couldn't help laughing when her husband was pretending to bite at her neck before they were sharing a brief kiss. "I'm not doing that to him," she said. "But we should thank him and let him know he made a great suggestion."
"Definitely," Castle said before they turned to their second youngest when she rushed up to them.
"What's wrong sweetie?" Beckett asked.
"Can we go swimming now?" Eliza asked.
Smiling, Castle reached for her and said, "It's a little too soon. But we just need to walk a little more before we can go back. Take pictures here, okay?"
"Okay," Eliza said happily since her father had put her on his shoulders.
Beckett, in between taking her own pictures, smiled up at the little girl before they were gathering with the others and turning back around. "I've thought about what you proposed," she said, walking with Stella.
"And?" the designer asked with a smile.
"I agree to it, but I wonder why you're asking me kind of at the last minute," Beckett said.
"Not just you," Skye said, walking up to them.
"I figured, since we'll be at the Manresa," Beckett answered. "But how many of us are going to be doing this?"
"Just the four of you," Stella said.
"Am I the one to say yes or no?" Beckett asked in amusement.
"You don't think Rick would want to be in the pictures?" Stella asked.
"Pictures?" Castle said, walking up to them quickly.
"She wants us to model a couple outfits for her fall collection," Beckett explained. "Though when she asked me, she said it was just me."
"You were waiting for her to say yes," Castle said. When the designer merely inclined her head he said quickly, "I'm not surprised, we're a packaged deal."
"Nice," Skye said.
"To be honest I agree with him," Beckett said. When the investigator glanced at her she thought she'd protest the idea, so she became a little startled when she was readily agreeing with her.
"She is right," Skye said. "I think that applies to us too."
"It does," Mary said, squeezing her wife's hand. She then said, "Are you sure about the castle?"
"I am, if not that then the outdoors," Stella replied. "Though it's too bad it won't be fall by then, but we'll make do."
Seeing they were back with the three grandparents, Castle turned to his wife and said, "Should we let them go?"
"Yes," Beckett said simply though by the time she'd finished saying that the kids were inching their way to the water. "Go," she told Julia and Eliza.
Letting out a whoop of joy, Eliza ran into the water until she could duck underneath it fully. When she popped back up, she told her sister, "I thought we were going to be the only ones here."
"We all got permission," Julia replied wryly, watching her little sister going to Fleur and Maddy. She turned and gasped briefly when she saw Mari was right in front of her.
"Hi," Mari said with a smile.
"Thanks," Julia said. "The water's nice."
"The water's amazing," Reiley said, swimming to them. "You don't have water like this back at home, do you?"
"Not really," Julia said first.
"Or this blue," Mari said.
"That's the best part," Reiley said in agreement.
"Kinda like your eyes," Julia told her friend with a smile before her friend replied with a blush.
"They're not that blue," Mari said firmly. She wasn't surprised when Julia merely shrugged and she couldn't help herself, splashing at her before they were playfully fighting. Reiley joined them and when they stopped, she floated on her back, looking up at the sky before her friend was saying her name. "Yeah?" she asked her.
"Would you want to go out further?" Julia said, startled when she was straightening herself up.
"No, what about snorkeling?" Mari asked.
"Not yet," David said, swimming by.
About to protest, Mari was slightly taken aback when her friend squeezed her arm and she looked at her before saying, "Why couldn't we?"
"Maybe they want us to swim more," Julia said.
"True," Mari commented after thinking about that. She then said, "Race you."
"Hey!" Julia said, startled when her friend took off. "No fair, you didn't say where we're going to!" she told her once they were even.
"Stop here," Mari said. She laughed when Julia hurried to do so, splashing her once they were treading before she started to speak.
"You're lucky I know you weren't serious about that race," Julia said.
Laughing Mari said, "I knew you'd win."
"But I didn't," Julia pointed out. "You stopped before I did." She smiled when her friend made a face and then said, "Let's go back. We have to be allowed to go."
"But what grownup is going to go?" Mari said.
Looking back towards shore, Julia spotted David and Rebecca near them swimming with Dani. She then searched for her parents before she found them, swimming past them. "Maybe my parents will," she said quickly.
"Hopefully," Mari said. "Should we wait for them?"
"Back at the beach," Julia said swiftly when it came to her. "Since they keep going." When her friend nodded, they swam swiftly to the sand so they could see when her parents would reach them.
"They were watching us," Castle told his wife as they stopped eventually.
"I noticed," Beckett said with a smile. "And I'm sure they want to go snorkeling."
"Should we grab Eliza?" Castle asked her.
"We should go with her after," Beckett said after thinking that over. She half expected her husband to say they should take their second youngest as well, but when he merely nodded, she smiled before they turned back around and swam to the beach. "Hold on," she told Julia and Mari when the girls rushed up to them. "We're going snorkeling now but let me go see how Josie's doing," taken aback when Julia was talking swiftly.
"She's still sleeping," the teen said. "I checked on her."
"I still want to," Beckett said firmly though she was gently cupping Julia's cheek.
"It's a mother thing," Castle said when the teen turned to him. "You'll be the same when you have your kids."
"Kids?" Julia asked with a wide smile. "I can have more than one?"
"Not yet," Castle said, playfully pressing on the tip of her nose.
Laughing, Julia pushed his hand away before she said, "Thanks."
"Here," Beckett said, walking to them and handing her husband the bag with their snorkel items.
"My stuff!" Mari exclaimed before she suddenly left them.
Smiling, Julia said, "I forgot about her stuff."
"It's important," Castle said, speaking absently while he was getting some of it out. When neither of them said anything, he looked up and saw his wife and their daughter looking at him. "Sorry to be so obvious but I'm trying to work out what belongs to who," he said, handing Julia her mask and one fin since he was sure those were hers while she was talking to him teasingly.
"You're sure those are mine?" the teen asked. When her father gave her a look she laughed and said, "I'll see you in the water."
"No calling her back?" Castle asked.
"She knows to wait for us," Beckett replied easily before she took her things.
"We're going far, aren't we?" Castle then said, having his things.
"Of course; we'll take Eliza after," Beckett said with a smile before they were walking into the water to rejoin their daughter.
"Are you going to keep doing that?" Martha asked her son
"They told me to," Castle said. "Though I'm wondering if it's going to work."
"It may," Martha said with a smile. She noticed movement out of the corner of her eye and turned before she called softly to her son.
Setting down the pail for the sandcastle the kids were intending to make before they left, Castle turned and went to the blanket before he picked Josie up. "Good morning sweetie," he said, kissing her temple.
"Mama?" the toddler asked.
"She went snorkeling with your sisters," Castle said, sitting down with her on his lap. He kissed the side of her head and asked, "Did you sleep good?"
"Eh," Josie said, snuggling against his chest.
"Well… I see they're starting to come back now," Castle said, looking out to the water. "Want to head in?" He laughed when she nodded, and he kissed her cheek before he jumped at her vest suddenly appearing in front of him. "Thank you," he said to his father-in-law.
"You're welcome," Jim said, letting Josie squeeze his hand.
"Alright, let's get this on before they get back so we can go swimming," Castle said, helping her stand up and then put on her vest. After he had it closed, he got up and they walked together into the water before he waved to Beckett when he saw her resurfacing with their middle daughters. "Whoa, wait a second," he told Josie when she tried to go into the water.
"I want Mama," the toddler protested.
"She'll be here soon," Castle said, watching her trying to swim again. He was still standing on the sand and let her continue to do that before she started to cry.
"Why are you crying Josa?" Julia said, the first to reach the pair.
"Mama," Josie cried.
"Hold on," Beckett said, taking off her mask and removing her fins before they were walking up to the beach. "Now what's wrong sweetie," she said while her husband took her things and she got Josie. She kissed the toddler's cheek before she was talking tearfully.
"Stay Mama," Josie said.
"I will," Beckett replied.
"Do we need to go?" Eliza asked.
"Actually, now it's time for a snack," Castle commented while he was looking at his watch.
"What're we having?" Eliza said.
"Not a sweet," Beckett replied with a smile. When they were on the beach, she wasn't surprised they were the last ones back and she told them, "Did you tell them?"
"They asked," David said.
"All that water," Darnley added before they were laughing.
"Wait," Julia said when she felt Eliza squeezing at her arm.
"I'll get it," Castle told his wife.
Nodding, Beckett got some water and had the girls hold out their hands before she was reaching for Josie and said, "Don't put them in your mouth," when the toddler tried to do so.
"Is she thirsty?" Castle asked, walking back to them.
"What is it?" Julia asked, looking at the box he held.
"Here," Castle said, handing it to her.
Opening the lid Julia asked, "Awesome."
"What is it?" Eliza asked, walking over to her. She squealed when she saw the slices of mango inside and said, "I can take one."
"Yes, just one though," Beckett said, closing the bottle Josie had drunk from.
"Thank you," Castle said, he fished out a slice and handed it to the toddler who was quick to bite it. "And she was hungry."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett commented with a smile before getting some of the fruit herself. She went to sit with them on their blankets and saw Peter and Clive walking over to them. "Where were you two?"
"In the water," Peter said simply.
"With-" Eliza started to say before her sister was squeezing her shoulder. She looked at her and then frowned before she said, "We have mangoes for a snack."
"Great, I'm hungry," Clive said.
While they were eating Peter said to Julia, "You saw us?"
"It wasn't hard to," she replied simply. "Though what were you doing?" since she'd spotted the boy looking at the beach while he was in the water.
"Keeping guard," Clive said proudly.
"I didn't ask him to do that," Peter said, shaking his head. "But thanks."
"Welcome," Clive replied before they were laughing.
"What're we doing now?" Eliza asked.
"Sandcastle," Peter said before anyone else could speak.
"And after that?" Eliza inquired though she was looking at her parents.
"Swim one more time," Castle said.
"Do we have to go back right now?" Eliza asked.
"He didn't say how long we were going to go swimming," Beckett said wryly. "And it'll be until around four thirty."
"Remember it'll be a half hour to get back to the resort," Castle said.
"What about swimming tonight?" Eliza then said.
"Hey, I was going to ask about that," Clive said. "We can't go swimming in the pool?"
"You can," Beckett said. "Though you might want to tell the other kids to get permission from their parents."
"We will," Julia said firmly before they were finishing the last slices. As soon as their hands were rinsed, she went with her sister and friends to the other kids and once they were gathered together, she said, "We have time to make something pretty big."
"Yeah, we just can't decorate it," Jacob commented.
"And we have the babies," Bobby added.
"Toddlers," Julia, Jacob and Eve said at the same time.
"Toddlers, sorry," Bobby said before he watched Sophie walking up to him. "You won't forgive me?" he asked her while she studied him. When the toddler started to pat at his cheek he started to laugh before Sophie's sister was taking her.
"Sorry about that, she likes to do that with our dad and Jake, it makes them laugh," Eve said, kissing Sophie when her baby sister protested.
"And she enjoys doing that," Jacob said.
"Then I'm touched she'd do that with a stranger," Bobby said.
"We have been around each other for a couple days," Julia pointed out.
"Are we making a castle or what?" Keo asked suddenly. When he saw the other kids were looking at him, he did his best to frown before putting his fists on his hips.
"I guess we're starting," Bailey said with a laugh.
"I think they're set," Castle commented, glancing at his wife.
"Yes, we can go," Beckett told him in amusement before they went down the sand and into the water. She glanced to her left quickly but not seeing anyone there she focused on going through the water before they were swimming under a wave. Swimming side by side with her husband she said when they finally stopped, "I was almost going to suggest we snorkel."
"Me too," Castle said. "Great minds think alike," he told her. "Hey!" he said when she splashed at him. "No clichés?" he asked her.
"I'd prefer it," Beckett said teasingly. She was surprised when he looked away from her and she said, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Castle said. "Just checking to see if anyone was swimming out here," he added before he turned to his wife. He was grunting in surprise when she was suddenly kissing him and doing so hard before he was responding. They didn't linger before he said, "I should have realized."
"Oh?" Beckett asked.
"It's better to kiss you back on shore," Castle said.
"I'll remind you about that in Tahiti," Beckett said teasingly.
"Please," Castle said seriously.
"Pervert," Beckett replied with a smile before she brushed her lips to his. After she pulled away, she dove under the water, swimming down to the fish near them. She was pleased to soon discern her husband was next to her and they arced back up together to resurface and continue through the sea.
"Remember," Castle said to Julia. "You-"
"Behave and don't go to the buffet on my own," the teen interrupted. "Don't worry Dad, I know already."
"Just making sure," Castle said.
"I figured," Julia told him. Seeing the surprise on her father's face she said, "I saw where they set it up and it's inside while we're outside."
"Good, you can go," Castle said. He laughed when Julia rolled her eyes and playfully pinched him before she hurried away. Looking at his wife he was about to tell her not to scold him when she spoke first.
"I was going to remind her," Beckett said with a smile.
"Oh good," Castle said.
"Are you sure I can't sit with them?" Eliza asked.
"Very," Beckett told her. They had reached the restaurant and after her husband had given their names, they were led outside to the patio seating. She glanced at the table the older kids were sitting on that was fully outside and then made sure Eliza and Josie were alright at their chairs.
"So… when can we go?" Mari said slowly after they had ordered guava juice.
"I think now," Jacob said, looking inside at the other tables where their families were. They got up and when no one at the other tables said anything he told the other kids, "I guess we can go."
When they reached the buffet, Julia grabbed a plate at the same time Mari had and said, "Are you going to try everything?"
"Everything?" Mari echoed in amazement, looking at the different choices.
"Okay, not everything," Julia said before they were laughing.
"Go you two," Eve said with a smile. "I get the feeling our families are waiting for us to go first."
"Oh right," Mari said. She got some shrimp and then led their group through the different entrees and sides before she and Julia were back first at their table.
"I can't wait for dessert," the teen confessed to her friend.
"Me too," Mari said with a smile.
"The little kids are going to love that," Bobby said, he and the others sitting down by then.
"I know," Reiley said. "And neither can I," she added before they were laughing together and began to eat.
"So, tomorrow is the island right?" Bailey asked after they'd eaten for a while.
"Buck Island, and diving, finally," Julia said.
Looking around the table Marie asked, "Are any of you guys going diving?" When the Hamptons kids raised their hands she said, "Hopefully it's nice."
"We can snorkel there, right?" Kathleen then asked.
"I'm sure that's what everyone else will do," Julia answered before Bobby was speaking quickly.
"Your school really had you learn?" he asked.
"Yeah, they have the ability to do it," Eve explained. "And we all took the chance."
"I wanted to," Clive said. "It was the coolest thing."
"Weird in a pool," Julia said.
"Have any of you gone in the ocean yet?" Reiley asked them.
"Not even you two?" Bailey said in surprise to Eve and Jacob.
"We haven't had the chance," Eve said. "We had to go back to the school pool to make sure we knew what we were doing still but our parents will help us."
"We should learn," Bobby told his sisters.
"And have our license by tomorrow?" Bailey asked him.
"Sure," Bobby said.
"You should try and learn when you're at home," Mari suggested.
"I want to see what you guys have to put on," Bobby said.
"We'll be going out in a boat," Peter reminded him slowly.
"Maybe we can swim off the boat," Bobby said swiftly.
"I'd like to do that," Reiley said. "Mum might let us since she did that with Grandude."
"We'll ask our parents too," Julia said. "Hey, maybe we can do that off the boat first before we get to the island."
"But what about the smallest kids," Jacob said. He wasn't surprised when Julia made a face and told her, "I thought the same, but I don't think our moms would like them just waiting on the boat."
"I'm sure the parents have plans already anyway," Clive said, wincing when he heard his tone. "Sorry," he told them before his brother was talking to him understandingly.
"I almost thought Mom and Dad were trying to do that too," Peter said with a nod.
"Force you guys to go?" Eve asked her boyfriend.
"Basically," Peter replied with a brief nod. "I mean I know they wouldn't but with our sister so close to being born…"
After her partner had shrugged Julia said, "You two have been worrying."
"She's right, you still are," Bobby said.
"It wasn't that hard to notice," Reiley added when the boys shared a look.
"And we're getting close to going home," Mari added.
"That's true," Clive said.
"Yeah, and this food is delicious," Peter said before they were all laughing together.
"Eliza," Beckett said gently to her daughter.
"Yeah," the little girl said swiftly, turning from looking at the table her big sister was at. "Why didn't you go sit at a table?"
"Because we figured you wanted to have more company," Alexis said with a smile.
"That's nice," Eliza said firmly. She then turned to their parents and said, "I wanna know something," before her father was laughing and her mother speaking a little firmly though she wasn't surprised by that.
"You already know what we're going to do," Beckett said.
"But is it for sure?" Eliza asked.
"Very," Castle said.
"But… why are we going to the island tomorrow?" Eliza asked. "And not Monday?"
"We had to get a permit," Castle said. "And that was the best day to have one."
"Are you sure I can't learn to dive yet?" Eliza asked.
"Let's wait and see when you're eight," Castle commented though he was looking at his wife.
"That's fine," Beckett replied. "But we're waiting for then."
"I thought so," Eliza said. "I'll do really good."
"I think they're going to see if you can learn then," Louis said slowly.
"I know, but if I can I will," Eliza said firmly. She then realized what she'd said and then paused before she said swiftly, "I mean do good."
"We know sweetie," Beckett said with a smile.
"Is it a good idea so young?" Martha said.
"It's why we said we'll look into it," Castle told her. "But we can swim off the boat a little before we take a zodiac up to the shore." He then said seriously, "We need to be very careful there because it's protected."
Nodding Eliza said in the same tone, "I will." She glanced towards her big sister and said, "I'll tell Jules later," before her mother was responding.
"We'll tell everyone," Beckett said.
"We have to," Martha commented. When no one responded to that she looked up and said with a smile, "I thought that needed to be said; because of the permit."
"Basically," Castle said with a quick nod, speaking absently while he was trying to wipe Josie's mouth.
"Here," Beckett told him as she took the napkin. "Stay still Josie," she told the toddler firmly.
"No Mama," she complained. When Beckett stopped, she picked up her fork before Castle was taking it and she said, "Food?"
"One more plate," he told her, kissing the side of her head.
"Fruit?" Jim asked his daughter.
"The kids saw the dessert section," Beckett said in amusement. She had to turn her attention to Josie since the toddler was pushing at the tray and said, "Will you stay here?"
"Eh," Josie replied. When her mother had taken her out, she suddenly took off, going to her big sister.
"You're not going to stop her?" Louis asked in surprise.
"No, she's fine going over there," Beckett replied before her father was questioning her.
"Did you know she was?" Jim asked.
"I figured," Beckett said with a smile.
"Josa, hey," Julia said in surprise when her baby sister tried to climb onto her lap. "Do Mom and Dad know you're here?"
"Eh," Josie replied. "Up Jules."
"Hold on," Julia said when she realized their mother was walking over to them.
"Are you guys ready to get fruit?" Beckett asked though she was talking directly to Julia, Peter and Clive.
"I am," Julia said first. "That means we can get dessert soon, right?"
"Dessert!" Josie crowed. She giggled when her sister hugged her and said to their mother, "I have Mama."
"You can but you need to sit with us again," Beckett said, leaning over and kissing the top of the toddler's head when she nodded.
"Should we go now?" Jacob asked.
"You should," Beckett said before she got Josie and headed back to her table where Eliza was waiting for her. "They're getting their fruit."
"Okay… Daddy's here," the little girl said swiftly.
"I thought they'd be getting more food," Castle told his wife.
After they'd shared a brief kiss before sitting Beckett told him, "They're ready for the desserts," not surprised Josie was reacting to that word again eagerly.
"I want!" the toddler said.
"You will, but we have to eat our fruit first," Castle said before he was getting her fork and spearing a piece of mango with it. While their youngest was eating it, he reached around the highchair to his wife to squeeze her shoulder gently.
Glancing at him briefly, Beckett wondered if he knew how firmly he'd grasped her and what that had conveyed to her. But she turned her attention to Josie before Eliza was asking them about their outing the next day.