Genre: Romance, Family, Humor
Rating: M for sexual situations and language
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC, and the others who do own them.
A/N #1: Okay so this is the Epilogue which means this story is now fully complete. So you readers know I definitely have another story ready to post and if you'd like to read it look out for it in a few days!
A/N #2: The poems in this chapter are by William Blake; therefore I don't own them of course; and the names are mentioned before the poems themselves.
A/N #3: Really happy to get the feedback I did for the last chapter so I'll get straight to my thank yous for them! vetgirlmx (It really touched me to see you thought the last chapter was beautiful, I had been wondering what you'd think of it so great to read that first thing. I was very pleased that you loved the bit with Beckett and Alexis and the talk they had. Something in me was telling me they would need it since they were going to be leaving her there that day so I had to write it and I'm glad I did! I wasn't surprised to see that you found it an emotional day for them, since of course it was you're right. I have to admit I was a bit taken aback when you said you were crying reading about them saying goodbye to Alexis. Though I myself did get emotional when I was writing it myself so I can understand why you'd have that reaction and I'm kind of glad you did; just because it means I wrote it fairly well. And I have to admit I was relieved to see you liked the fact that Beckett told Alexis that she loved her, since I did want to show that it was more real as you said. I wasn't surprised you thought that the girls and Castle reacted the way you thought they would, not really sure I could write them any way else since of course they'll miss her. Glad you want to see them back at home and also to see what'll be next which you don't have to wait anymore for!), TORONTOSUN (Not surprised that you're hoping Alexis will do well at Oxford or that you found it sad. And really happy that you liked the fact that Alexis likes Louis and are hoping it works out for her!), Guest (I was really glad to see you had the reaction you did to the bit where Alexis was saying goodbye to everyone. I had definitely wanted it to be a good family moment so to see you thought it was beautiful was fantastic to read. Great you can't wait to read more and now you don't need to!) and Beckett-Castle4ever (Nice to see you thought the last chapter was a great one. And I'm glad you enjoyed their vacation, did hope readers would. And also they'd think it was fun to read as you did!). Thanks so much to all of you for the reviews, I loved reading them and am grateful for you taking the time to send them to me! And since this is the end of the story I want to say very quickly thank you to all of you who read the story, will read the story, have reviewed and who may review in the future. It's all greatly appreciated by me!
A/N #4: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Dark Sweet Lady by George Harrison, from his eponymous album.
You Gave Me Everything
Turning from the computer screen Castle saw that his wife was walking inside the office and he paused in typing on the keyboard. "What?" he asked as she seemed to be studying him.
"We're about to go out to the beach," Beckett told him. "Aren't you going to come and swim with us?"
"Maybe… later," Castle said, waving his hand. "I just have this idea in my head I wanted to get down; I'll show it to you later."
"Sure," Beckett said before she started to turn. She paused before she did so and then said, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good," Castle said as reassuringly as he could.
Leaving the room Beckett paused just outside of it before she turned to look and saw that he was looking at pictures of himself and Alexis that he had on his laptop. She was going to speak before she stepped away and then quickly returned, not surprised to see his screen on a word document as she walked inside.
"What?" Castle asked, looking up at her.
"Rick I know that-" Beckett began to say.
"Kate I don't really want to talk about this okay? I'll come down to the beach just… not right now," Castle said simply to her, turning away from her as he knew he'd hurt her with his tone as soon as he'd spoken.
Opening her mouth to reply to that Beckett understood that it would be pointless to try and talk to him so she said, "Fine we'll be outside. If you need us at all."
Though he didn't do so physically Castle winced inwardly at the tone of his wife's voice. He knew he deserved that but couldn't really find it in himself to go after her and apologize. "Not yet," he mumbled to himself as he turned his attention back to the screen to continue looking at pictures of himself and his daughter. They'd been back home for a week and he still couldn't shake the fact that he missed Alexis. He sighed but didn't stop; going through the separate folders in the one he had on his computer.
"Mommy?" Julia asked, seeing her mother walking to the white chairs in the backyard where she and her sister were trying to wait patiently for her. "Where's Daddy?"
"He's writing now," Beckett told them, trying not to grit her teeth too hard. "So he'll come out to us when he's done."
"No he isn't," Julia said quickly as her mother led them to the sand.
Pausing Beckett looked at the girls and wasn't all that surprised to see them looking at her calmly. "Girls-" she began.
"He misses 'lexis," Eliza said firmly.
"He does," Beckett agreed. "But he still loves you-"
"We know but can we please go and bring him?" Julia asked.
"I don't think that's such a good idea," Beckett said in protest.
"We'll go Mommy and tell him we want to swim with him," Julia said, looking to her little sister who started to nod in agreement.
"Well… I guess if you want to go you can. But help me with everything first okay?" Beckett asked them. When they agreed she led them down to the water, stopping at their usual spot where Macca sat and watched them setting out the blankets before she took care of the umbrella herself. "Girls I don't know if you should bother him," she said slowly to them as she knew they would want to go.
"He'll listen to us, we won't bother him," Julia said firmly.
"Alright, go ahead," Beckett said before she watched them hurry away. When they had disappeared into the house she wished them the best mentally, sitting on a blanket with Macca and the Foster's dog Lily and trying not to recall how her husband had hurt her a little with his brusque tone.
Castle was looking at the screen of his computer a little intently so when the knock came from outside he nearly jumped before turning and saying, "Kate, I said-" He cut himself off when he saw the girls running in and said, "Aren't you two supposed to be down by the water?"
"Come with us Daddy!" Eliza cried as she climbed up onto his lap with his help. "Come and swim Daddy!"
"Yeah we came to get you to come with us," Julia said, having been planning to speak first but stopping when she saw the screen of his laptop.
"I will come down girls, don't worry," Castle said. "I just want-"
"No Daddy, now," Eliza said sternly, furrowing her brow a little.
Castle tried not to laugh at how adorable she looked doing that and he said, "I will, just give me a little longer-"
"Daddy," Julia said then as she understood then why their mother had tried to dissuade her and Eliza from going into the house. "I miss Alexis too."
"Me too," the toddler added.
"But she's gotta go to school, you and Mommy said," Julia said. "And you said there's stuff you have to do even if you don't like it."
A little startled at the fact that his daughter was lecturing him about sulking Castle opened his mouth to speak when he found he didn't have anything to say in reply to that. Julia was right, he might not like Alexis being gone still but she had the chance for an education. And thinking of that he remembered how he'd always promised himself when she'd been born that he would give her the best that he could. And with her enrollment at Oxford she'd have the chance for the best education for her future career. "You're right sweetie," Castle said. "Both of you. But I don't know if I'm up to swimming and playing yet."
"Yes you are," Eliza said. She looked at her sister and their father who had turned to her in surprise and then said, "You are Daddy, we can make pictures for 'lexis. And then… send shells."
"Well I think instead we could make a sandcastle and then take pictures for her… maybe I could film a little bit so she can see," Castle said before looking at his watch.
"Good but Daddy," Julia said, waiting until she had his attention. "I think you should talk to Mommy first."
"Why?" Castle asked.
"I think you hurt her feelings," Julia said.
Wincing visibly that time Castle said, "I did, you're right. So why don't you go ahead of me and then I'll come out; I promise."
"Promise?" Julia and Eliza asked at the same time.
"I promise," Castle said firmly. He helped his youngest down and watched the girls rush out calling, "Don't tell her I'm coming down to join you." When they were gone he hurried to the front of the house before going in through the side gate as quietly as he could. He then headed down to the blankets where his wife was and held something in front of her.
"Rick," Beckett said, startled when a small bouquet appeared directly in front of her. She took the flowers and said, "And this?"
"An apology," Castle replied, sitting next to her as the girls were taking the dogs ahead of them to the breaking waves. "I am sorry Kate, about how I was earlier. I was just missing Alexis a little more today and I took that out on you."
"You did," Beckett said simply. She sighed when he flinched and then looked around before she said, "I know you were missing her but I didn't think you'd want to hide yourself."
"It wasn't really hiding," Castle corrected. "Just… wanting to remember when she was younger than eighteen and at home. The fact I can't just say to her, want to play some laser tag anymore hurt today; a little more than it has. I don't know why."
"You started to brood on it I think," Beckett told him. "And didn't stop."
"That could be it," Castle replied, nodding his head. "When the girls came in though I realized that I was thinking so much about missing Alexis I was forgetting you guys. I told myself I wouldn't do that so I'm here to spend time with you. I really want to," he said, adding the last in a rush in case she was going to speak. "I'm not here just because I should be."
Smiling slightly at that Beckett said, "I believe you. But talk to me if you feel that way again Rick. Or better yet, talk to Alexis if you can."
"I will," Castle replied.
They were quiet for a while, watching the girls running around with the dogs in front of them before Beckett said, "Do you know what these mean?" holding up her flowers.
"Well the yellow rose of course apology," Castle said. "But the honeysuckle I took a chance on; that one I'm not aware of."
"Devoted affection," Beckett said.
"Then I'm glad something in me said you needed bright yellow flowers," Castle said. He smiled when his wife laughed and then said, "But it's true."
"I know," Beckett said, watching him lean over to her. She moved her head enough so she met him and they began to gently kiss. Though their daughters were with them and could see them she felt him deepen it and she responded in turn, unable to help doing so as she was relieved that he seemed to be better than he'd been since that morning. When they had parted she told him, "I promised Alexis I wouldn't let you do that you know."
"Oh, she knows me too well," Castle said, thinking about that for a moment. He then breathed in deeply and said, "Want to swim?"
"I would," Beckett said, standing up. Since she was wearing only a wrap in a dark blue paisley print over her bikini all she needed to do was untie it before she took his outstretched hand.
"Hey can we go in now?" Julia asked, raising her voice to speak above her sister's groan of displeasure at the sight of her vest in their father's hand.
"As soon as I get this… get this…" Castle said, going towards Eliza who backed up a few steps every time he got close. "Eliza," he told her warningly though not too sternly. He wasn't surprised when she narrowed her eyes at him, pursing her lips and he then said, "No vest, no swim."
"No swim?" Beckett asked, watching them and trying not to laugh. She wasn't surprised when a moment later Eliza was walking up to her father, letting him put the vest on her.
"It works," Castle commented. "Now we can go," he told the toddler, taking her hand.
Walking together into the waves Julia looked back and saw Macca and Lily were sitting on the sand, watching them. "I don't think they want to go in," she told her mother.
"It doesn't look like it," Beckett said. She heard Eliza squealing and the sound took her back to when they'd returned home the week before and had been able to see their dog again, smiling as she recalled the reaction Macca had had to them.
"We're back," Castle said, looking back quickly into the backseat. "Are we all awake?"
"Yeah I want to get out," Julia said as they were going down the driveway at that moment.
"You can get out when we stop," Beckett told her simply. "But wait for us."
As soon as the car had ceased to move Julia jumped out of the back, hearing her sister calling for her. "Sorry Lizzy, I want to see Macca," she said as she went back and unbuckled her car seat.
"Always amazing she can get out of that so quickly," Castle told his wife as they watched the girls stand together next to the car, waiting for them.
"They've learned how," Beckett said simply. She was looking at her phone at that moment, texting the Fosters to meet them outside in the back. "Let's get the suitcases inside and then go greet Macca," she told them
"I wish Gram could have come with us," Julia told her sisters as they went to the front door that their mother was going to open.
"She'll come next weekend," Castle told them, coming with the first two suitcases. He followed them inside and could hear the sound of the ocean all through the house, knowing David and Rebecca had in fact opened the windows for them. "Okay only four more cases," he said as he saw the girls were running to where the door to the back was.
"I'll help you," Beckett told him, putting her hand on his back and following him to the car. They got everything else into the foyer before she could hear Eliza crying out a second before their oldest called to them.
"They're here! I see Macca!" Julia was saying.
"We're coming," Castle said, taking Beckett's hand and walking with her over to the door. He could see in the distance that Julia was right; the Fosters were there in the backyard with their dog pulling at his leash.
Opening the door with her free hand Beckett watched with her husband as David let Macca go and the puppy barked before taking off at a run for the girls. "Eliza!" she, Rebecca, David and Castle said at the same time as the Wolfhound knocked the toddler down.
"I am kay," Eliza said, laughing heavily as she wrapped her arms around Macca's neck. She kissed the top of his head and then watched as Julia hugged and kissed him too. "We miss you Macca," she told him seriously before he started to lick their faces, making them cry out in joy as they hugged him at the same time.
"It's great to see you back," Rebecca said as she had gone to Beckett after they were all sure Eliza was alright. She hugged her tightly and then said with a laugh, "Which I'm telling you before we leave ourselves."
"You're not going to be gone for that long," Beckett said simply, hugging David briefly. "How was he?"
"After he realized you weren't going to be back for a while he was calmer," he replied. "But we could tell he missed you; kept trying to go up to the house when we passed it here on the beach during our walks."
"His breed is faithful," Castle said as they watched Mari hugging Eliza.
"I missed you!" Mari said while she hugged Julia tightly.
"Me too," the little girl replied. "But I got you stuff."
"Yeah you got me postcards," Mari replied. "I loved them, thank you."
"No I got you some things too," Julia said. She then looked over at her parents who were greeting Macca as he tried to jump on them and asked, "Can I get Mari's things?"
"We need to unpack first to find them," Beckett reminded her. "But we should finish tonight and be able to take them tomorrow when we say goodbye and pick up Lily."
"Sorry," Julia said as she and Mari turned to each other.
"That's okay, so how much fun did you have?" the little girl asked Julia and Eliza.
After talking a little there David and Rebecca got their daughters; Dani being held by Beckett before Castle had done the same; and left them, promising to see them in the morning for breakfast.
"Now what do we do?" Eliza asked as they walked up to the house.
"We have to unpack of course," Beckett said. "I would like to give David and Rebecca their things before they go."
"We'll probably have to keep them until they come back," Castle said.
"You mean take them to their house for them; we'll have a key," Beckett said with a smile. She watched as Macca ran to the hall leading down to the kitchen and sat down, watching them as he panted.
"He likes to be home," Eliza said to her family, hurrying to him.
"He got bigger didn't he?" Castle commented as the dog was nearly passing Eliza's shoulder in height.
"Of course he did, he's a puppy," Julia told him. "Do we all have to unpack?"
"If you don't help us we won't be able to get everything out and where it needs to go," Beckett told them. "You'll take Eliza?" she asked her husband.
"I will," Castle said. Before she could walk ahead of him and to the foyer where the suitcases were he grabbed her hand and stopped her. Pulling her back to him a little he wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her deeply, but briefly, before they carefully parted. "Great to be home," he told her, pressing his forehead to hers.
"It is," Beckett said in response, a smile on her face. She shared a brief kiss with him before they let go of one another and she took Julia up to her room, watching her daughter delight in seeing it again before they began to unpack.
"Do you think Lily is sad?" Julia was asking her mother as they were sitting on the sand and letting the waves wash over them nearly two hours after they'd begun going into the water.
"I don't know she has Macca to keep her company," Beckett said, looking back at the dog who was laying with their Wolfhound in the shade. "And they'll come home tomorrow."
"Yeah that's true," Julia said before leaning against her mother. "I'm so happy to be home," she told her.
"Me too," Castle said, coming up to the two with Eliza whom he had swum around with. He let the toddler go to sit on her mother's lap and then sat on the other side of Beckett, putting his arm around her.
"Let's go get shells for our sandcastle Lizzy," Julia said suddenly, jumping up in the water.
"We can go with you," Beckett commented.
"No!" the girls cried out together. They laughed at the same time when their parents jumped and then went up to get a pail.
Still holding onto his wife Castle watched with her as the girls started to walk down the beach with the dogs a little ahead of them. "So, who's watching them," he commented.
"I guess I am," Beckett replied. But the second that her husband's lips descended to her neck her eyes were closing and she said, "Wait, I'm-"
"They won't go far," Castle murmured before he lightly nipped at her pulse. He went back up to her lips, taking them gently at first before they deepened their kiss together. He kept that up as much as he could before he pulled away and they turned to look for where their daughters were. "See?" he told her.
"And yet you still looked," Beckett teased him, resting her head on his shoulder. She was surprised when he stood but when he pulled her up she smiled, thinking he was going to take her after the girls. "But-" she began as he instead pulled her over to the water. "You just want to see me wet," she told him as they were soon waist deep.
"And can you really blame me?" Castle asked. When she splashed him he lunged for her and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her close and kissing at her shoulders until he heard the girls calling out to them.
"We're coming," Beckett called, starting to walk over to them. She gasped slightly when her husband didn't let her go, instead pulling her back flush against him. "Rick," she said softly.
"Tonight Kate, promise me tonight or I won't let you go," Castle told her in her ear, her damp locks brushing against his lips.
Beckett was a little breathless, though her husband was doing nothing but holding her at that moment. Finally she felt she could reply to him and said easily, "Yes, I need you," not really ashamed so little had brought about that response. When he let her go she took his hand and pulled him up to their daughters, wondering how he'd seemed to recover from his earlier mood. But she decided not to worry about that and they went to the girls who were ready to make their sandcastle.
"Okay," Castle told them seriously. "Who is going to get the water?"
"I have to," Julia laughed at his tone. She picked up a pail and went into the water; looking back at her parents to see her mother watching her while Castle was working with Eliza to start shoveling the sand. She hurriedly picked up the water and went back to them saying, "We're gonna swim more after this and then we eat lunch."
"Oh we are?" Castle said, looking up at her.
"Yeah," Julia said. She then glanced at her mother, not surprised to see a slight smile on her lips and her eyebrow raised slightly. "Or what you say we can do," she finally told them.
"We'll have lunch and then maybe go to the pool," Beckett said. "Or stay here. It's up to you two what we do then."
Sharing a look with her big sister Eliza looked thoughtful for a moment before saying, "Wanna play."
"Where?" Castle asked as he, Beckett and Julia looked at each other in slight confusion as she simply stopped there.
"The pool," Eliza replied.
"Okay," Beckett said. "But we can take one more dip in the water here before we go inside."
"Great idea," Castle said, finishing the base of the sandcastle. He then helped Eliza with the towers they made and once he and Julia were building up the middle he said, "A pyramid?" when she asked him if they could shape it like that.
"Why not? It's different," Julia told him simply.
"I'll see if I can," Castle replied, taking over. He had to work a little slowly but finally he had the middle looking like a pyramid before saying, "That's our sandcastle Alexis," since Beckett had been filming that entire time.
"Yay!" Eliza said, waving to her mother after they had decorated the structure carefully with shells and sea grass.
"Okay," Beckett said, sending the clip after she had zoomed into the sandcastle. "We might have to call her after lunch."
"I think we should," Castle replied. Since Alexis hadn't started classes yet they were able to talk to her earlier but he thought how they would do that when she did have school. "You think she'll be okay talking at nine or ten?" he asked his wife as he carried Eliza into the water while she took Julia by the hand.
"We'll try," Beckett reminded him. She then went under an incoming wave with her family and when she resurfaced she saw that Julia was starting to drift away on purpose. "Get over here sweetie," she said, grabbing her daughter and pulling her over.
"Sorry Mommy," Julia was laughing as she swam back to them. She ducked under another wave, letting that one push her to the shore as her parents were doing the same. "How many days do we have left before school?" she then asked as they were all walking on the sand and went out of the water.
"Four days," Castle told her. "Remember Monday is a holiday."
"Grandpapa and Gram come home!" Eliza cried as her mother wrapped her in a towel.
"They are," Beckett said, drying her off. "Tomorrow morning they'll be here and you'll have to ask them to take you in the water when we go to the beach."
"Yeah," Eliza said with a nod. When her mother stopped drying her and let her hold her towel she said, "I am hungry."
"We know," Castle replied. "How does grilled cheese sound?"
"With tomatoes?" Julia asked hopefully.
"You'll have to pick me one," Castle said thought fully, watching his wife.
"Yes?" Beckett asked, tucking her towel around her waist to secure it.
"Green?" Castle asked instead of answered.
"Green tomatoes?" Julia asked. "You mean we can have those in our sandwiches?"
"If you get one now," Castle said. "But don't run and remember how I told you to choose a ripe one."
When they were alone; the dogs following the girls; Beckett said to her husband softly, "You're okay for tonight?"
"I wasn't kidding," Castle told her. "I know you wouldn't think that after this morning but I'm better now. And I do miss you."
"We've been busy," Beckett said teasingly, as they'd taken an impromptu trip back to the city even with the dogs for a few days starting that Sunday. They had arrived home the night before and had been keeping so active for those four days they'd only made love one night during the trip. "But I'm with you, I really need… I told you already," she said, glancing behind him.
"Right," Castle said, knowing the girls were coming back to them. He saw that Eliza was carrying a green tomato streaked with darker green and said, "It looks good."
"Eliza saw it," Julia told them, taking the bag of tools for the sandcastle from her mother. After they had gotten everything and headed back inside she sat at the island with her little sister and watched as her parents together made the meal. She smiled as their father would run his hand over their mother's back a few times and said, "You didn't get to kiss a lot?"
"When?" Castle asked, realizing why she had said that; murmuring an apology to his wife.
"Don't say sorry Daddy," Eliza said.
"You don't need to, just focus on the lunch Rick," Beckett told him, kissing his cheek. "Eliza? I'm going to give you some of the salad I'm making, will you eat it?"
Seeing the strawberries, blueberries and apples in it the toddler nodded and said, "It is yummy."
"I hope you'll think that once you start eating it," Beckett said in amusement.
"Do I need to set the table?" Julia asked her mother.
"We have the plates here," Castle told her, nodding to the ones to the side of the stove where he was cooking. He set the last sandwich down on a plate before he handed one to Julia whom Beckett had helped down along with Eliza. With them taking care of those he went to the fridge and got out some lemonade they had made that morning in anticipation for their lunch. "Looks like some great raspberry lemonade," he told the others as he set it and some glasses on the table.
"That'll be cool if it works," Julia said, since her parents had found the recipe for that online.
"I don't think it's if it works," Beckett said as they gathered around the table. "More if it tastes good."'
"We'll find out now," Castle said, pouring the liquid out into everyone's glasses before he took a sip. He wasn't surprised when he heard a loud smacking sound and turned to Eliza who hiccupped once and then giggled. "So I think it's good," he said to his wife.
"I think so," Beckett replied. "Don't forget your sandwiches girls."
"And the yummy salad," Julia told her sister with a smile.
"Yeah," Eliza said, about to reach for a raspberry in the salad on her plate.
"The whole salad sweetheart," Castle told her, taking her fork and getting the berry along with lettuce and a blueberry. He then heard a noise on the porch, watching with the others as the dogs ran to the front door barking. "Mail," he said.
"Macca, Lily," Julia called to them.
"Let them go sweetie, the mailman already left I'm sure," Beckett said. "We can get it after we finish eating."
"I wanna go too!" Eliza protested.
"You can," Castle said. "But after you need to give me your glass from the table."
"Kay," Eliza said. "My plate too?" she then asked as it had become her chore to clear her things from the table.
"I'll grab it this time," Castle said simply. He then brought up the rest of the day, suggesting that they indulge in a cupcake and telling his wife, "One last summer cupcake."
Smiling at that Beckett said, "Alright but I think we'll have to stop and buy some things for them."
"What Mommy?" Eliza asked in confusion.
"School things, you really should have gotten your lists by now," Castle replied.
"If they came by owl we would have gotten them," Julia joked as they were finishing up.
"That would be awesome," Castle replied, standing up as he took Beckett's plate and his own. "Though I don't think the dogs would like it," he commented as they saw they were returning to them.
"We'll get basic items," Beckett said since Julia was turning to her as she stood, knowing the little girl was going to ask what they'd get.
"Go ahead and get the mail love," Castle told his wife as he took the girls' plates from her. Though their daughters were watching him he couldn't resist and kissed her cheek, smiling with her when the two giggled softly at them. "Love you," he murmured.
"I love you too," Beckett said before they brushed their lips together. "Why?"
"Just because I do," Castle commented, knowing that was rhetorical. He kissed her gently again and then let her go with Julia and Eliza to the mailbox in the wall around their house.
"Mommy?" Julia asked as they were out on the porch.
"Yes," Beckett said, looking at her.
"Is the gate finished?" Julia said.
"It is, so remember to keep the code for it secret," Beckett said.
"So are you gonna start writing now?" Julia asked then as they went back inside after Beckett had called the dogs in.
"We plan to, we have everything all set to go for the plot which will help of course," Beckett said a little absently as she was looking at what they'd gotten. "Your school lists are here," she said with a smile.
"I knew those would come today," Castle called from the sink.
Eliza rushed down the hall until she went to the table, pausing when she saw it was clear. "Daddy where is my cup?" she asked.
"I got it today but tonight after dinner you need to give me your plate and cup," Castle said, drying off his hands. "Alexis texted me," he told them as he then looked at his phone.
"She's okay with talking now?" Beckett asked.
"She's at White Mount," Castle replied, walking with them then to the family room where he got the TV ready for them to talk to his daughter.
"Hey, so you had enough of the beach I guess," Alexis said as she smiled at them once she could see them on her laptop screen.
"No way," Julia said before she and her sister laughed. "Hi 'lexis."
"Hi, I saw the video your mom sent me and wow, that was a great sandcastle," Alexis replied.
"We were thinking of you while we made it," Julia said.
"Yeah, a tower for you 'lexis," Eliza said.
"Oh thank you, that's nice of you to do," Alexis said. "So is that all you did, swimming?"
While the girls were talking about getting their lists for school Beckett squeezed her husband's arm so he would look at her and he shook his head quickly. She wasn't surprised that he didn't want his daughter to know about how he had been acting that morning. So she turned to the screen as Alexis was talking about what she'd done since arriving at White Mount earlier that day.
"So Louis is getting a bike too," the young woman was telling them. "After going through the campus he decided that he needs one since there's a lot to walk through between some of his classes."
"Is he getting the same as you?" Julia asked then.
"No, a mountain bike," Alexis answered. "So they're calling me, they're serving dinner."
"We had lunch," Eliza said, sounding a little confused.
"It's almost night here Lizzy," Alexis explained. She then smiled and said, "But I'm hungry, I went swimming with Erin. It wasn't as fun as it is with you though."
"No we miss you too," Eliza said solemnly.
"All of us do," Beckett said, feeling Castle's hand on her back for a moment.
"I know and miss all of you," Alexis answered. "I guess I should say goodnight; so they're not waiting for me to eat. Lizzy, Jules I love you both. Sweet dreams tonight and we will definitely talk tomorrow."
"Night 'lexis, love you!" Eliza cried, her excitement at them talking the next day seeping into her voice.
"And I love you too," Julia said. "Have fun at the house."
"I'll send pictures, I promise," Alexis said. "Are you going to swim more after this?"
"After we get their things for school," Beckett explained.
"At the pool, we'll take pictures too…" Julia said, turning to her mother then for confirmation of that. When she nodded, she turned back to her sister and said, "Yeah, we will."
"Okay I look forward to seeing them, night you two," Alexis said, blowing them a kiss. "Dad, Kate goodnight and love you."
"Night sweetheart, love you too," Castle replied.
"Goodnight Alexis," Beckett said with a nod to the young woman. When the screen went dark she ushered the girls upstairs to change, promising them the entire time that they would in fact swim when they got back home before she let them go with Castle while she changed.
"Are we going to swim still Daddy?" Julia and Eliza asked as soon as their mother was gone.
"Yes, wow, you followed your sister saying that one," Castle said to the toddler, smiling at her. "I wonder what teacher you have this year," he said.
"Oh I hope it's Mrs. Garrett," Julia replied. "She's nice."
"My teacher?" Eliza asked.
"You have the same teachers sweetheart," Castle said, picking her up and putting her on his lap, kissing her temple.
"Daddy," Eliza teased him, giggling heavily.
"You don't like me kissing you?" Castle asked, knowing she was only kidding. When she nodded he then held his other arm out to Julia saying, "Thank you for helping me this morning."
"So you feel better?" the little girl asked him.
"Yep," Castle said. "Now don't tell your mother but I really have to make it up to her for how I was."
"But aren't the flowers enough?" Julia said.
"Not exactly," Castle replied. "What do you think I should do."
Eliza and Julia shared a look, both of them startled at that before they turned back to him and the latter said, "You decide Daddy. You shouldn't have to ask us."
"You said that before didn't you?" Castle asked with a slight laugh. "I'll think of something…"
"Think of what?" Beckett asked as her husband looked up at her.
"Oh nothing," Castle said simply. He stood up and then handed her Eliza saying, "We're going?"
"We're going. Not the cupcakes first," she told the girls rapidly as she knew they were going to mention them. "That's after."
Castle couldn't help laughing slightly under his breath at the two as they pretended to look disappointed while they headed downstairs. After instructing the dogs to stay he followed his family out to their car and he drove them to the store nearly at the edge of town. "So what is on the list exactly and are we getting them anything new?" he asked his wife as they walked inside.
"No," Beckett said absently as she was looking around to see that it wasn't as crowded as she'd thought it'd be. "Take Eliza and-" she told him, about to hand him the list that their youngest had.
"Wanna stay with you Mommy," the toddler interrupted her, hugging her.
"It won't take long," Castle said, shrugging at his wife who looked to him.
"Okay," Beckett replied simply. "Let's go and get your notebooks first Julia." She led the way through the different sections of the store, stopping where they needed to until they'd gotten to the art supplies.
"I have to do a report this year," Julia told them. "About a state that I pick, so I bet I get to make drawings for it."
"Of what?" Eliza asked her.
"The flag… oh, I hope I don't need to draw the state," Julia said worriedly. "That would be too hard."
"I doubt it," Beckett said, handing Castle a set of colored pencils that were on the list for their oldest. "Now you just need one pencil sharpener and then we can go."
"Cupcakes!" Eliza squealed.
"I wonder what kind they're going to have," Julia said thoughtfully.
"We'll see when we get there, pick a sharpener," Castle urged her, since there were several to choose from.
"I think you might want this one sweetie," Beckett told her, pointing out a pencil sharpener with Stitch on it.
"Oh I do," Julia breathed in joy at the sight of it. "Thank you Mommy."
"Thank you Mommy," Eliza then said.
"Oh so you saw the colored pencils we got for you too," Castle said.
"I have to get them?" Eliza asked, looking up at him as they walked over to the registers.
"No but you need new ones," Castle replied, letting Beckett take the basket he'd been carrying to pay. He picked Eliza up and held her a little above him saying, "Are you excited to see your friends again?"
"Yeah but I wanna play with you," the toddler said seriously. "And Mommy too."
"You still will, don't worry," Castle assured her as he set her on his hip, watching Julia looking over some magazines they were standing in front of.
"Okay," Beckett said as she walked over to them, their items in the bag they'd brought. "I don't think I need to ask if we're ready."
"We all are Mommy," Julia replied, giggling because of what her mother had said.
"I know, come on," Beckett said. Once outside in the car she drove them downtown and after parking at the cupcake place she started to walk towards it when her husband called out to her. "What?" she asked as he had the girls and was going in the opposite direction.
"We're going this way, come on," Castle replied. He waited until Eliza was in her arms and then kissed her gently on the lips. "Take them to the toy store, get them a puzzle," he told her as he handed her some cash. "And I'll meet you in front of the cupcakes.
"Rick, you don't need to get me flowers," Beckett said with a smile. "You already did." When he didn't answer; instead simply picked up her hand and kissed the back of her hand gently; she sighed deeply and then said, "Alright but don't take too long." She watched him go before they went across the street to the toy store saying, "Did you two tell him anything?"
"No he asks us Mommy," Eliza commented.
"We told him he needs to think of something," Julia told her as they walked inside the store. "But are we really getting a puzzle."
"Maybe, we'll look and see what they have before we decide that," Beckett told her before she let them go ahead of her. She looked over the selection of puzzles that the place had but decided the girls had enough of them at home. Taking them back out to the cupcake store she told them, "Maybe we can save your money for something else."
"Like what?" Julia asked.
"No puzzle?" Castle said as he walked up to them. He smiled at the girls when they ran to him almost before throwing their arms around him.
"They have enough for now," Beckett answered for the girls.
"Did you want to do the puzzle later after dinner?" Julia asked him.
"No just wanted you to have one," Castle replied. "And you can save the money like your mother was talking about."
"For what?" Eliza said, echoing her sister.
"Whatever you two want," Castle said with a shrug. He then noticed that his wife was looking at him and he hurried to add, "If we say it's okay."
"Nice save," Beckett replied.
"I know what we can use it for!" Julia exclaimed. "The fair, are we still going?"
"We will this weekend," Castle said.
"Maybe we'll find something there," Julia said, looking to her sister to see what her reaction would be.
"Yeah we can get… play!" Eliza said.
"I forgot," Julia said. "But we should look first," she said in a matter of fact tone as her sister watched her with wide eyes.
"Let's go inside," Beckett said in amusement as she and Castle shared a smile at the exchange.
"Late summer," Castle said when he saw the cupcakes available.
"I don't know, picnics are all summer," Beckett said, smiling at him. "But it works for this weekend."
"It does," Castle said before he noticed that the girls were looking at them. "Did you make your decisions?" he asked. When they had nodded he let them tell the employee behind the counter which ones they wanted before he and Beckett got theirs. He paid for the sweets and then took them outside to the car, handing the box to his wife. "I'll drive home," he told her.
"Why you don't like my driving at all?" Beckett asked him wryly as she handed him the keys.
"You'll want to look at this," Castle said, handing her a book with a sprig of flowers tucked in the top of it.
"You…" Beckett said as she realized the book was of William Blake's poems that she had been wanting from the new downtown bookstore for some time. She ran her fingers over the spine and then the light blue flowers of the delphinium before motioning him to lean down to her. "I've accepted your apology but thank you so much for this," she told him before they kissed gently.
Castle wanted to take advantage of the kiss a little but he knew they couldn't just stand there in the parking lot kissing while their daughters were waiting for them. So he helped her get them inside the car and then drove home as Beckett started to look through the book. "We can show them the pictures right?" he asked her as they neared home.
"We can't hear the poems?" Julia asked.
"I wanna hear some!" Eliza said.
"I'll read some when we put you to bed," Beckett promised. "Maybe a couple. For now I'm ready to go swimming again."
"Are you still wearing your bathing suit?" Castle asked her.
"No," Beckett said firmly, glancing at him. "So let's go," she told them before getting out of the car. As they walked back to into the house and greeted the dogs she reached over and cupped Castle's cheek before leaning over and kissing it.
Watching as his wife headed to the kitchen with the girls Castle saw she was holding the book tightly and he smiled, knowing that the first part of his apology to her was completed. He looked forward to the second but tried not to dwell on that as he saw Beckett had to assure the girls they'd see their cupcakes later. He went to the kitchen to help her, deciding that he really did want to swim with them and put his attention to that as they took their daughters upstairs to change.
"Watch me jump Mommy," Julia said as she was standing at the deep end of the pool later that afternoon.
"We're all watching you sweetie," Beckett called from the stairs with Castle and Eliza, sitting on the second step.
Holding her nose Julia cried out as she leapt out into the deep end and could hear her sister crying out in response to her. When she resurfaced she saw that her father was swimming rapidly over to her and she cried out before ducking under and getting out of his way. When she got to the point where she could stand she turned around and saw that he was just after her. "If you wanted to hug me… you should have waited… until I could stand," she said, a little breathless.
"Let her rest Rick," Beckett said as she smiled at them. She held her arm out to Julia, watching her go up the stair to sit with her. "Before you ask I think you did very well with your jump. Soon you'll be able to dive."
"I want to do that but not yet, the water gets in my nose," Julia said, wrinkling her nose at her sister.
"You have water?" Eliza asked, reaching up and tapping of it with the tip of her finger.
"No but I do if I don't pinch it," Julia said, showing her. She giggled when Eliza tried to do the same; by reaching to her nose.
"I think you need to hold your own nose Eliza," Castle told her with a smile as he went over and stood in front of them. "But that won't be for a while."
"Long while?" Eliza said, reaching up to him.
Taking her hand and kissing her small fingers Castle said, "Not too much longer I think if you keep practicing swimming."
"I did Daddy," Eliza said, pretending to whine. She then whispered to her mother, "Can I jump?"
"Yes," Beckett said, letting her stand up before she watched her jump into her father's arms.
"I'm glad we got to do this," Julia said to her mother as they watched Castle helping Eliza swim around the shallow end of the pool.
"What swim in the pool?" Beckett asked her, gently running her hand over her hair.
"Yeah," Julia said, pretending to be serious. She then laughed with her and leaned against her before she hugged her. "Want to swim now?" she asked since her mother hadn't gone swimming for a while.
"I'm fine," Beckett told her. "I'll swim in a little."
"You want to swim with Daddy," Julia said in realization.
"We can do that," Castle told her as he was coming back to them with Eliza on his hip.
"I can watch Lizzy," Julia said quickly.
"I know none of you let me answer," Beckett said with a slight laugh. "And you can do that." She waited then for her husband to set their youngest down next to her sister and she said, "Race?"
"Sure," Castle said and before she could say when they would start he was taking off. He wasn't surprised to hear the girls calling for their mother to win with his head start and they went under to use the wall on the other end to swim back to the steps.
"Do it again," Eliza cried when the two were standing in front of her and her sister. "Not fair Daddy."
"Believe me," Beckett said. "Even if I had a head start he'd still catch up to me," she said, picking up Eliza and kissing her cheek. "Want to go underneath?" she asked the toddler.
"Yeah," Eliza replied. "You too Daddy, Jules," she told the others, gesturing with her hand. She squealed when Julia jumped and splashed them before she resurfaced. "You went down Jules," she said, pouting playfully before she giggled and reached out to her.
"Let's go now," Julia replied, kissing her sister's cheek after Beckett had leaned down enough for her to do so.
Counting off for them Castle went down a little after the others and opened his eyes to see that Eliza was pinching her nose. He had a strange feeling watching her and when they resurfaced, he had to hold back a curse when he saw some blood dripping in the water on her face.
"Mommy!" Eliza said in fear as she could feel more than water going over her lips.
"It's okay sweetie hold on," Beckett told her since she was getting out of the pool in a rush.
Grabbing his towel Castle pressed it underneath her nose and carefully pinched the bridge before he realized that Julia was crying too. "It's alright, this'll stop pretty soon," he assured the girls as he could feel the little girl clutching to him tightly.
"He's right, I've had nose bleeds myself," Beckett told them gently. She watched Castle checking to see until the blood stopped and once it had she went over to a lounge chair without a word, not surprised that Castle and Julia followed her quickly. "Maybe we should take a break again," she suggested to her husband.
"Yeah lay down love, we'll join you," Castle said.
"What about your towel Daddy?" Julia said as they watched Beckett lay down with Eliza in her arms.
"I can get another," Castle told her easily. "Lay down with your mom."
Julia was surprised at that, more so when her father helped her lay down with the two and then sat on the edge next to them. "Mommy?" she asked after they were quiet for a bit.
"Yes sweetie," Beckett responded.
"How do you get to be such a good mommy?" Julia asked, a little shyly.
Smiling at his wife Castle said, "That's a good question."
"I'm sure it is," Beckett said to him teasingly. "I had your grandmama girls," she said, wrapping her arm around Julia so she could bring her closer. "And I just let you tell me how I should be," she added. She couldn't help laugh slightly at the confused looks the girls gave her and then said, "It comes to me naturally or I try to let it, depending on what I need to do to take care of you."
"Are you thinking about being a mother already?" Castle asked teasingly.
"No I'm just wondering 'cause she's the best," Julia said.
"Don't tell your gram that," Castle said.
"Rick," Beckett said, shaking her head.
"Gram is your mommy," Eliza said softly.
"How are you doing sweetie?" Beckett asked, looking over at her and kissing her forehead.
"I am kay," Eliza replied with a small smile. "Did I pinch hard?"
"A little bit," Julia said. "I think it's 'cause we were talking about doing that before."
"Yeah," Eliza sighed.
"Do you want to keep swimming or stay here?" Beckett asked, looking at everyone else.
"I think it depends on you Eliza," Castle said first.
"I wanna go," Eliza said. "But no going down."
"I don't think we'll do that again," Beckett said with a smile, watching Julia get up. She let Castle take their youngest from her but not before she shared a kiss with Eliza. When they went into the water again she said to her husband, "What time is it?"
"Yeah we do have to go back in soon," Castle replied as he glanced at the time.
"What are we having?" Julia asked, treading the water though she was in the shallow end still.
"Cupcakes!" Eliza said eagerly.
"I think you're doing better," Castle said with a laugh before he kissed her temple gently. "Want to swim at all?"
"Little, to Mommy!" Eliza said eagerly.
"Okay here we go," Castle said as he held her by her stomach so she could kick her legs and move her arms.
Beckett smiled at seeing the two swimming towards her and she said, "Who should I catch?"
"Take Lizzy," Julia said, standing up on the bottom step first.
"Did I do good Mommy?" Eliza asked once she was on her mother's lap.
"You did great," Beckett said, wrapping her arms around her and holding her close. "You'll be a great swimmer like your sister."
"And you and Daddy?" Eliza said hopefully.
"That takes more time," Julia commented. "I'm nine and I'm not that good."
"It's practice sweetie," Beckett told her. "Which you'll have, don't worry."
"I know," Eliza said with a smile.
After that Castle and Beckett remained around the stairs with their daughters for another twenty minutes before they took them to the showers on the other side of the pool to rinse off. Heading inside they changed and then regrouped in the kitchen since Castle was the last to finish.
"Now we can decide on dinner," Beckett said, smiling at him as he approached them.
"No one has any ideas?" Castle said jokingly.
"Chinese," Julia said simply.
"Ah, so your mom has the ideas," Castle said before he kissed her cheek in passing. He was about to get the wok out from under the stove when he felt the girls grabbing him and clamoring for a kiss too. After he had done so he helped his wife get them on the chairs at the island and once they were both coloring they started to get dinner ready.
Watching her parents as they were working Julia felt Eliza poke her on her arm and she cried, "Ow! Why did you do that?"
"Eliza," Beckett said in surprise.
"Sorry," the toddler said, appearing a little surprised herself looking down at the colored pencil she'd used. "I put the…"
"The end," Castle said for her. "But still those aren't tools Eliza, they're for coloring."
"Sorry," Eliza repeated, hunching her shoulders.
"I know you are sweetie," Beckett said with a sigh. "But don't tell us."
"Sorry Jules," the toddler said before their mother had finished speaking.
"That's okay but why did you poke me?" Julia asked, smiling a little at her.
"Is it pretty?" Eliza asked a little bashfully, showing her her coloring book page.
"Looks great," Julia said, smiling at their mother who had come over to look too.
"A lot of blues," Beckett said, glancing at her husband.
"Hey I just said maybe we shouldn't make the girls constantly wear pink," Castle said, holding his hands up in mock defense.
Hearing their daughters laugh Beckett said, "If they didn't like blue they'd let us know. Believe me; I did that at their ages."
"And so did Alexis," Castle said, taking the wok off the stove. He was a little startled at how suddenly quiet it was behind him and he looked to see the three watching him. "I'm fine," he assured them. "Nothing wrong with being nostalgic, especially since it shows how much like your sister you two are."
"Come on Julia you need to set the table," Beckett said, kissing the side of her head before helping her down off the chair. She got Eliza and watched the two hurrying to get the plates and utensils to the table.
When everything was set and everyone was sitting down and eating Eliza asked, "After?"
"We'll give you two a shower," Beckett said. She couldn't help laughing slightly as the girls looked at her in almost complete shock and then told them, "And we'll watch a movie or play a game, I leave that decision up to you."
"You mean we do," Castle told her. When his wife just glanced at him he then said, "But you two have to agree on what to do, no fighting."
The girls looked at one another for a moment before they said at the same time, "Clue."
"Wait a second," Castle said after he had pretended to jump. "Clue or Clue Jr."
"I think they mean the regular Clue," Beckett said. She and Castle had tried to keep Eliza from knowing the premise to the game but since Julia had told her they'd dropped the pretense. "But sweetie you have to play with one of us."
"You Mommy," Eliza said quickly.
Beckett smiled and reached over, running her hand over the toddler's hair before they went back to eating. She wasn't surprised the girls were a little faster then, knowing from that how much they wanted to play and she couldn't help leaning over, kissing the top of her youngest's head before she went back to her food.