Genre: Drama, Crime, Romance, Humor
Rating: M for language, sexual situations and violence
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: Alright, this is the Epilogue of this story so it is finally complete, lol. I do indeed have another story to come after this one if anyone was wondering, and I should have it up in a few days if anyone wants to take a look at it.
A/N #2: This is a longer chapter… Epilogue, so I had to split it up, that way it makes for easier reading. And I have so much here, because the flashback I have never really worked in my head as a separate chapter.
A/N #3: Just wanted to make a note that I wrote the flashback way before the '13-'14 season of La Liga began, so there are some things that don't apply to how it is in real life, but of course, this is an AU storyline, lol.
A/N #4: I've only ridden a horse once before, so I might have things wrong about that. If I do, I apologize for it, but I tried my best writing it.
A/N #5: Have never done dressage before, but I researched it a bit, and while I got the names of the steps, I have no idea if they'd be done in the order I have here; artistic license once again!
A/N #6: Cinquillo is an actual game from Spain my grandfather picked up at the bars there, it's pretty easy, and I love playing it, which is saying a lot since I don't like playing cards, lol, but it's a fun game.
A/N #7: And thank you, yet again vetgirlmx for reviewing the last chapter! And it was nice to hear you wanted the investigation to go on longer, quite a nice compliment. I was very relieved that you liked the story I had with Beckett and horses. Wasn't sure how that was going to be taken. But I thought it would make sense that would have something to do with her mother. And also glad you liked how I had her sharing that with Castle, and that you thought it was a sweet moment, which is what I was going for. Especially putting it after the case had ended. So thank you for letting me know what you thought, I appreciate it. And I also want to say thank you so much for all the reviews this story that you have sent me, it's definitely meant a lot to me to read them!
A/N #8: Want to say thanks so much to all the readers and reviewers of this story; I am grateful for all of you believe me! And since this is the Epilogue, I want to say a thank you in advance for anyone who might read or review this in the future.
A/N #9: The title of this chapter is, of course, the title of the story, and I chose that not because I was lazy, but because I honestly could not get a title for this chapter, so it was more out of desperation that it was chosen. Of course, it's a song by Paul McCartney from his remastered album McCartney II.
All You Horse Riders
Opening the door, Castle knelt down slightly to catch Julia as she jumped into his arms crying, "Happy Thanksgiving!" He picked her up as he laughed at her exuberance, "Happy Thanksgiving to you too. Come on inside," he said to her and directed the latter to Beckett and her father who had been behind Julia. He set the little girl down once he had closed the door, and turned to Beckett who was unbuttoning her coat.
"We're not too late are we?" Beckett asked as Castle helped her take off her grey jacket as she shrugged it off her shoulders. "Julia was a little too excited and I had to run after her before I could get her changed."
"No, you're right on time," Castle said, placing Beckett's coat inside the closet next to the door. "Cold out there?"
"Very," Beckett said. "They might be right about that snow."
"Let's hope it waits until tonight," Castle said as he watched her grab her daughter and take off her coat.
"I know, I want to be sure my dad can get home safely," Beckett replied to that, missing the slight smile that was on his face at her comment.
"So are you really excited for dinner tonight Julia?" Castle asked the little girl as she grabbed his hand while Beckett took their overnight bags to put in his room for the time being.
Julia nodded, but then she hesitated and said, "I don't remember Thanksgiving before."
"Well, you were young before this year," Castle said. "So I'm not surprised you don't remember. But hopefully," he said as Beckett came out of his room. "You'll remember this one."
"She needs to," Jim Beckett said as he was listening to their conversation. "Apparently she has a homework assignment for today."
"Really, what is it?" Castle asked, looking down at the little girl who giggled shyly.
"She has to make a picture of her favorite part of today," Beckett said.
"Sounds like fun," Alexis said, coming down the stairs then. She smiled as Julia ran over to her and she picked up the little girl saying, "I'm so happy to see you again."
"Me too, do you rem'ber my grandpapa?" Julia asked.
As his daughter greeted Beckett's father, Castle turned to his girlfriend and kissed her quickly saying, "You look great."
"Thank you, but you said simple," Beckett said in slight surprise as he led her to the kitchen. "I'm still not sure why you decreed a dress code for tonight."
"I have my reasons," Castle said. When Beckett just gave him a look in response he quickly said, "No, I do, I'll tell you later I promise, just for right now, set it on the back burner."
"How long have you been in the kitchen?" Beckett asked. "Because from the looks of the appetizers, a while," she said as she picked up a slice of cheese topped with half a fig. "But it was worth it," she said to his expectant look.
"Thanks, just wanted to make sure I made stuff your daughter would like," Castle said as he quickly looked into the oven. "Which was hard since we only briefly talked about the menu."
"No, it worked," Beckett said. "Julia, sweetie, come here," she called to her daughter who was sitting on the couch with her father and Alexis, talking to them both. "You said you were hungry right?"
Running over to her mother, Julia threw her arms around her and pressed her cheek to her side asking, "When do I help you Mommy?"
"Here," Beckett said, giving her the rest of the cheese and fig. "And we can get started right now. Do you have an apron she can wear?"
"Of course, you don't want to ruin her adorable outfit," Martha said, making the three in the kitchen turn to her. She smiled as Julia hurried over to her and she hugged the little girl before saying, "What are you going to do that you need an apron?"
"Mommy said I can help with making potatoes," Julia said happily.
"Mashed sweet potatoes," Beckett said as Castle tied the apron she'd put on for her. "Come here sweetie."
After she had been given an apron; which her mother had tied on her after she'd stood on a stool so she could see the counter; Julia looked around and asked, "These are the potatoes?" poking the yams.
"They are," Beckett said. "Be careful, I don't want you to get cut," she said, starting to slice the first one.
"They are a funny color," Julia said, being careful to stay well out of her mother's way.
"I know, but you've had them before," Beckett said. As she went through the steps then to make mashed sweet potatoes, she felt a sense of nostalgia as Julia peppered her with questions every time she did something new; since she had been the same at her daughter's age making the dish with her mother. She managed to get through the rest of the preparation, having her daughter help her from time to time, without tearing up. When she had finished and Castle took the pot to put away until dinner, she smiled at him as he squeezed her arm. "I'm fine," she said reassuringly.
Castle smiled slightly and nodded before he watched her take Julia off the stool and got the apron off her. "You-" he started to say when the little girl suddenly started to run around. "Hyper?"
"Yes," Beckett said in exasperation though she was smiling a little. "Julia," she called as she walked over to her daughter. When the little girl only ran away from her she nearly started to run after her if Alexis hadn't caught her then. "Thank you," she said. "Sweetie," she then said to Julia, grabbing her. "Remember what I told you about running around like that?"
"But I'm happy Mommy," Julia said, her green eyes wide as she looked a little scared. "Aren't you?"
"Yes, but you can't run around like that, you might get hurt," Beckett said. "Why don't you color, or play a game with Alexis if she wants to."
"Actually," the young woman said. "My dad recorded the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving show, want to watch it?"
"Snoopy?" Julia asked interestedly. When Alexis nodded she turned to her mother and begged, "Can I Mommy?"
"Yes, go and watch but do you want any more food…" Beckett began to say when Castle handed a plate to his daughter.
"For you to share," Castle said.
"No popcorn?" Julia said as she looked at the plate that had two of each appetizer on it.
"No, that's for later maybe, if your mom says it's okay," Castle said. "But I got some tortilla; I remembered you liked it so much when we had it Sunday."
"Thank you," Julia said.
Watching the two walk into Castle's office, Beckett turned to him and said, "Do you need any more help?"
"That would be nice," Castle said. "Since Alexis was helping me before she went to change."
Beckett smiled and followed him back to the kitchen after they had watched their daughters for a while. She couldn't help but be reminded of Sunday, when they had come over to watch the Clásico, things being very similar to that day she had noticed.
"I tried to get Ryan and Espo over," Castle was saying to Beckett as he took her coat once she'd gotten Julia's off. "Again. But they were pretty adamant and to tell you that Barça will win."
"We'll see," Beckett said as he looked at her.
"Nice," Castle said. "What do you want to bet Javi's got some sort of Barça jersey or shirt on right now at whatever bar they're at?"
"Enough betting for now," Beckett said, starting to walk towards the couch. She felt his hand on her wrist, turning her around and asked, "What?"
"How did you get Casillas' autograph?" Castle asked, having noticed the marking under the Real Madrid crest on her white polo shirt.
"I was waiting for you to notice that," Beckett said with a smile.
"I got that for her," Jim Beckett said, coming up behind them with Julia. "Last time I went to Spain an old friend took me to a game at the Bernabéu and we managed to catch Casillas after."
"Nice guy?" Castle asked.
"Very, Ramos was with him, I got him to sign my program," Jim said.
"Do you know how to speak Spanish?" Castle asked as he let go of Beckett's wrist.
"Some," Jim replied. "I've picked it up each time I've gone to Spain, but I don't use it over here that much."
"That's pretty amazing," Castle said. "Anyways, help yourself to the tapas I ordered."
"Actual tapas?" Beckett asked in surprise as he led her after her father and daughter to the table where there were different plates set out.
"Thought it would be interesting," Castle said. "You know; all the restaurants here in the city and I think this is the first time I've had Spanish food."
"You'll like it," Jim said, getting something on a toothpick which he gave to Julia.
"What is it?" the little girl asked in confusion.
"Tortilla," Jim replied. "Just potatoes and eggs made together, like an omelet."
"You went all out on this," Beckett said, picking up some jamón. "Where are Alexis and your mom?"
"They're upstairs," Castle said. "I'm sure they'll be down, especially Alexis," he said as he grabbed some cheese.
"Is she nervous?" Beckett asked with a smile, watching Julia. "Easy sweetie," she said when her daughter tried to reach for another piece of the tortilla. "Save some for the game okay?"
"Have some cheese," Castle said, getting her a piece before Julia and Jim went over to the couch. "And to answer your question, she is nervous, and has been watching me like a hawk up until the point she went upstairs."
"You put away all your props right?" Beckett said.
"Sure, but you know, I have that Boba Fett helmet-" Castle mused.
"No," Beckett said.
"It would be funny though, and if he's a Star Wars fan, then he'd appreciate the blast-" Castle began.
"Castle!" "Dad!" Beckett and then Alexis said at the same time, making him jump and look back and forth to them both as his daughter was coming down the stairs.
"Honestly Richard," Martha said, behind Alexis. "You can't hold off on the dramatics for once?"
"Well, I did see a lot of that- ow," Castle said as Beckett quickly pinched him to stop him from speaking. He looked at his girlfriend who shook her head slightly and said, "Right… right, I'll… act normal."
Beckett grabbed his arm and pulled him over by the fridge before she asked, "How is Alexis going to introduce me? Just that you work with me at the Precinct?"
"We talked about that earlier, and I thought it would be best," Castle said. He then shrugged and continued with, "I don't see a reason why he'd tell anyone about us, but I thought you might panic a little if we didn't play it safe."
"Panic, please," Beckett scoffed, shaking her head. "Do you have any Spanish wine since that seems to be a theme?"
"Red or white, I leave the choice to you," Castle said as he opened the door to his wine cooler. When she told him red, he looked through the bottles before finding the one he'd bought the day before. "Compostela wine," he said, pouring out a bottle as Beckett's father walked over to them. "Supposed to be very nice, and I picked up a bottle of their 2000 vintage. Would you like something to drink Jim? I have some sodas from Spain; the place that catered had some."
"I've had this in Spain," Jim said, taking the glass that Castle handed him of an orange soda. "They had it mostly in the bars, next to impossible to find here in the city."
Beckett smiled at that and took the glass Castle gave her next. "What?" she asked, seeing he looked like he was trying to think of how to ask a question.
"Have you ever been to Spain?" Castle asked.
"No, besides Kiev and London; my stop on the way there; I've never really been anywhere else in Europe," Beckett said as she and Castle went to the couch where the others were sitting. "I've always wanted to go back there; it would be good to take Julia to Liverpool actually, London too."
"You went to London Mommy? When?" Julia asked eagerly, sitting up on the couch to look over the back of it at them. "Did you see Paul?"
"No sweetie," Beckett said with a smile as Castle playfully tugged on one of Julia's braids. "But London is beautiful, I'll take you one day, I promise, and we'll go up to Liverpool."
"Up the 'pool?" Julia said happily. When her mother nodded she clapped her hands when the bell for the door rang.
Alexis jumped up from next to Beckett's daughter, and hurried over to the door. Castle started to follow her, but his girlfriend grabbed the back of his shirt to stop him.
"Let her introduce him to you," Beckett said softly as Alexis opened the door and hugged the young man on the other side. "Don't seem so eager."
"Sure," Castle said before he heard running behind Beckett and turned with her to see Julia behind her, grabbing her free hand and hiding her face against her side.
"Dad?" Alexis said, walking up to them. "This is Max Schroeder, Max; this is my dad, Richard Castle."
"It's nice to meet you," Castle said, shaking the young man's hand. "And great to hear you're a fan of Madrid."
"Yeah, I'm glad that you are too," Max said, sounding nervous. "Are you all?"
"Some of us are just here for the good food and wine," Martha said, shaking his hand next.
"This is Martha Rodgers, my grandmother," Alexis said, smiling as Max laughed slightly at what she'd said. "And this is Kate Beckett, my dad helps her at the NYPD, her father Jim Beckett," she told him as first Beckett and then Jim shook his hand. "And this is Julia," she said, smiling at the little girl who had ducked back behind her mother, peering at them with one eye.
"Hey Julia, Alexis has told me a lot about you," Max said, kneeling down slightly. "I feel like I know you already."
"Hi," Julia whispered, curling her fingers up and down in a greeting.
"She can be pretty shy," Beckett said as a way of apology. "She'll warm up to you though."
"It's okay, Alexis told me about her," Max said, nodding before he looked at his girlfriend.
"Feel free to try the food," Castle said as an awkward silence descended. "The game is starting soon, I'll go ahead and get things set up so we can see the teams coming out on the field, hear some commentary before we sit down." He went into his office then; Beckett and Julia following him; and turned on the TV saying, "Turn on the projector for me?"
"Sure," Beckett said. She looked at the projection screen he'd bought and when the channel showed up through the projector she said, "This was a good investment."
"It was, and the shower curtain can stay where it belongs," Castle said as Julia ran around the screen to her grandfather who was talking with Martha. "You know, now that we have the chance, there was something I wanted to ask you."
"Ask away," Beckett said, turning back to him once she was sure her daughter was alright.
"You're a fan of Casillas," Castle stated. When she nodded slowly, looking at him in slight confusion, he then said, "You find him attractive?"
"I was waiting for that," Beckett said, a smile turning up the corner of her mouth. "And he's handsome, a great soccer player, but I'm not about to go to Spain to become his groupie… or whatever you call those women who are fans of the players. Besides, I'm pretty happy with what I've got."
Castle watched her walk to the door, opening his mouth though he didn't have anything to say. He quickly shook himself when she turned to him and as they walked around the screen asked, "Who else do you like besides Casillas?"
"Ramos, Özil definitely," Beckett said, thinking as they sat down together.
"My favorites too," Jim said, helping Julia down from the couch.
"And Ronaldo?" Castle asked. He was a little startled when Beckett; picking Julia up to sit on her lap; smiled and he quickly said, "No way."
"No, I'm kidding," Beckett said with a slight laugh. "I like him, he's a great player, but I do like both Higuían and Ronaldo for the forwards."
"They're great," Max said then. "What about Benzema?" When Jim made a slight sound he looked at the man and saw that he looked a little irritated and said, "Oh, he's one of my favorites."
"No, it's alright, you're entitled to your opinion," Jim said. "But I just prefer Ronaldo. What about midfielders? I personally think Xabi Alonso is a very strong player."
Beckett smiled at Alexis; who looked relieved; as Jim and Max talked about the team; she and Castle joining in from time to time; until the game started. Just before the kickoff she leaned over to Castle and whispered in his ear, "Was almost like a repeat of that dinner we had with your mom and my dad."
"I know," Castle said, laughing slightly under his breath. "But let's just hope they don't disagree on the other players. Though I have to say I do like Marcelo."
"Me too, I was just teasing my father about him," Beckett said back. "He tends to be a little hard on the defenders than the other positions."
"They have to do the hardest work," Castle snorted. He smiled when Julia giggled and asked her, "Are you excited to see the game?"
"Yeah," Julia replied, nodding quickly. "Mommy and Grandpapa told me about Madrid and Grandpapa says he'll try and get me a shirt with my favorite number."
"Player," Beckett said with a smile. "Which I think you were going to tell me sweetie?"
"Cas… Casi…" Julia tried to say before she stopped, frowning.
"Casillas?" Castle said for her. When Julia nodded, a bright smile on her face he smiled back at her and said, "You are so much like your mom. Does he really have a jersey though?"
"No, can you think of another player Julia?" Beckett asked.
"Ramos," Julia said, beginning quickly but having a little hitch with the os. "His number is the same as me."
"I'll look out for a number 4 jersey next time I go to Spain Julia," Jim said, tickling her neck and smiling as she giggled heavily.
"I don't blame you," Castle said as Julia suddenly crawled over to his lap and sat with him. "I like Ramos too." When he saw she was staring at him he asked, "What?"
"Why did you say it like that?" Julia said.
"That's how they say it in Spain, where they're playing right now," Beckett said. "They roll their r's. And they also say z as a th sound. I should take you to a Spanish bodega one day sweetie, so you can hear Spaniards talk. Or show you the TV station from Spain one day."
"Going to Spain would be a lot more fun," Castle said.
"I would join you on that trip," Martha said. "With wine like this and players like that," she motioned to the TV. "It looks like an interesting country."
"They're going to kickoff," Alexis said, smiling as Max was watching the others with slightly wide eyes.
For the first half of the game, everyone but Martha was cheering for Real Madrid while she was asking her granddaughter from time to time what was going on exactly. At the half, the score was 1-1, and Castle and Beckett went to get some food during the fifteen minute break.
"How do you think they're doing?" Castle asked as he got a plate.
"Very well, the problem is that Barça is evenly matched with them, so it's going to be close," Beckett said. "I have to wonder what Kevin and Javi are doing right now," she said.
"Too early for taunting on either side," Castle said as Beckett laughed a little at that. "Are you enjoying the game?" he then said to Max who was walking up to them.
"Yeah, they're doing really well," the young man said. "Which one is the calamari? Alexis wants more of those."
"That one," Beckett said before she glanced at Castle. When he looked at her in confusion she gave him another glance before he spoke.
"So you're studying Psychology Alexis has told me," Castle said, finally realizing what Beckett was trying to convey.
"I am, it's always been an interest for me, the human mind and how it all works exactly," Max said. "What makes people do certain things, like steal or cheat. Even what makes two people fall in love. It's something that's never really been explained, the great unanswered question and it's fascinated me for a long time."
"That is intriguing," Beckett said. "What do you plan to do, get a doctorate?"
"I hope to," Max said. "And become a psychiatrist, but I'm torn between criminal or marital, since I'm interested in both really."
"I'm sure you'll be a great doctor," Castle said. "That much dedication in your voice is definitely a clue."
"Thank you Mr. Castle," Max said before he left them alone.
"What do you think so far?" Castle whispered as he stepped closer to Beckett so they wouldn't be overheard.
"It doesn't really matter what I think," she told him. "But he seems very nice, and he does care about Alexis," she said, glancing over at Castle's daughter and Max. "You can tell."
"That's true, and he's being pretty nice to Julia," Castle commented as the young man was talking to Beckett's daughter. "Can always tell if a man is good by the way he treats animals and children. Now I wish we had a dog, its reaction would let me know."
Beckett laughed softly at that, shaking her head before she said, "I think I've got more than enough food, have fun thinking that out in your mind, I'm sure it's got to be enthralling."
"I think I'd rather see who'll end up winning," Castle said, following her back to the couch.
"Hey sweetie, are you having fun?" Beckett asked her daughter as Julia hurried over to her and tried to climb up on her lap.
"Yeah, but Mommy why does Tony play soccer?" Julia asked then.
"Tony?" Jim said in surprise.
"She's thinking of Tony Dovolani from Dancing With the Stars," Beckett explained quickly. "Actually that's a soccer player who's name his Cesc Fábregas."
"A good player," Max said. "Though he's on Barça."
"I see what you mean," Alexis said as she had looked the name up on her phone. "He looks exactly like Tony."
"But you're right, he's good," Beckett said to Max. "A lot of great players on both teams, Chelsea too," she directed to her father.
"Mata and Torres?" Castle said.
Looking at him in a little shock, Beckett asked, "How do you know about Chelsea?"
"I told you, soccer's the thinking man's sport, and I do enjoy watching good teams," Castle said with a shrug. "Going to that bar and talking to the people there, you'll hear about the Spanish players on teams outside of La Liga. Plus the British league is pretty good as well."
"I didn't figure you for a soccer fan," Jim said. "But if you know about those two then you know a lot."
"I took to it quickly," Castle said. He glanced at Beckett and asked, "Your favorite teams there?"
"Liverpool first off, and Manchester City along with Chelsea of course," Beckett said, smiling slightly as Max was looking at them in amazement. "We can talk about this later though, we need to see how this bet is going to work out," she said as the game started up again.
The second half was a close one again, first Barcelona scoring, then Madrid twenty minutes later equalizing it. Castle and Beckett held their breaths as the game went into extra time and they both started cheering when Özil scored the winning goal with only a minute left to the game.
"Congratulations on your bet," Alexis said, smiling as Max squeezed her hand once the whistle was blown.
"Thank you, I don't think I could have stood Espo chanting 'Barça' if they'd won for the next month," Beckett said, rolling her eyes. "So Castle, we have one hundred dollars. Should we split it up?"
"We can decide that later," Castle said. "Beckett and I had a bet with two of our co-workers," he explained to Max.
"Yeah, Alexis told me about that," the young man replied. "I'm glad you won."
"Me too," Beckett said as Julia tugged on her shirt. "What is it?"
"Did the game go good Mommy?" Julia asked.
"It did, did you enjoy that?" Beckett said before her daughter nodded her head. "How about a nap? No? Well, I tried," she said when Julia shook her head furiously to that.
At that point Max got up to leave, and once the others had said goodbye and wished the young man a Happy Thanksgiving; Julia waving shyly as he shook her hand playfully; Alexis walked him out as Castle got up to get some more wine and a drink for Beckett's daughter.
"Are you satisfied?" Beckett asked, following him after she'd left Julia with her father.
"Actually yes, I like him," Castle said. "And I'm not saying that because he liked Madrid."
"But it helps," Beckett commented with a smile. When Castle merely shrugged she shook her head and squeezed his arm as Alexis came back inside.
"Thank you so much," Alexis said as she hugged her father tightly.
"For not scaring him?" Castle asked.
"That and throwing this little party," Alexis said. "He loved it."
"It was a lot of fun," Castle agreed.
"Oh, Beckett, I should tell you," Alexis began, turning to her. "He asked me if there was something between you two before he left."
"And I thought we were doing so well," Castle said as Beckett smiled slightly at him.
"I figured he would, what did you tell him?" Beckett said.
"I just said you worked together. But he did love Julia, understood why I like to take care of her," Alexis replied. "He was intrigued by your dad," she told Beckett. "With his vast knowledge of soccer; especially La Liga as he put it. And he thought you were pretty interesting too Gram," she told her grandmother as she walked over to the kitchen to pour herself more wine.
"Well I found him as interesting," Martha commented. "You have a very nice gentleman there Alexis."
"I'm going to go," the young woman then said. "He invited me to dinner tonight and we'll head back to Columbia from there."
Julia ran over to Alexis then and grabbed her arm before she could start up the stairs asking, "Can I go with you?"
"You can come upstairs with me; help me pack my school books, okay?" Alexis said. When the little girl happily agreed, she picked her up and carried her upstairs.
Castle took Beckett's arm and took her around the projection screen and into his office while his mother and her father talked together on the couch again.
"What?" Beckett asked as he turned to her.
"I was thinking of that money, and it reminded me I have an idea, for Christmas," Castle told her.
"Really, what exactly?" Beckett said.
"It's for your daughter," Castle said with a smile. "Let me show you," he said as he took her around his desk and pulled out a catalogue.
Beckett smiled as he flipped the book open to a page, and took it, glancing up at him saying, "I think we'll need to talk about this pretty seriously. And with a little privacy since I do not want her to hear us."
Castle smiled in reply to that, and hurried to the door, closing it as Beckett sat on an armchair and he quickly joined her, grabbing his laptop to be prepared while she flipped the catalogue a few pages forward.
"So are we ready to eat?" Beckett asked as Castle put the last dish inside the oven which was still warm. "Since you're finished cooking."
"Not yet," Castle said, untying her apron for her before he took it off her waist. "Come on," he said as he grabbed her hand.
"Mommy, where are you going?" Julia asked, coming out of the office with Alexis.
"It's a surprise for your mom," Castle said. "Mother, Jim, you're welcome to come too," he said; having told his daughter already he needed her to watch Julia while he took Beckett to see what he had set up for them.
"I think we'll join you," Jim said as Castle helped Beckett into her coat.
Once everyone was bundled up, they left the loft, and headed down to where a taxi van was waiting to take all of them. Castle spoke quietly to the driver before they drove to Central Park.
"Oh, so you're going to take me riding," Beckett said as she stepped out and saw they were at the Green Hills Stables.
Castle didn't say a word, only led them inside the compound and to the second stable from the street, where Megan de Alba was waiting. "Are they here?" he asked the woman when she greeted them.
"Yes, and it's wonderful to see you again Mr. Castle, Detective Beckett," Megan said, shaking their hands.
"It's great to see you too," Beckett said. "How are the horses doing?"
"Pretty well, they were scared by the fire, but they've recovered," Megan said, seeing Julia run from Alexis and go to the doorway of the stable where she covered her mouth with her hands and gave a muffled screech. "Your daughter?" she asked Beckett with a smile as she led them inside the stable.
"She is," Beckett said, having taken Julia's hand. She was surprised though when Castle whispered into her ear and she looked at him questioningly. But when he only nodded she said to her daughter, "Stay with Alexis okay?"
"Kay," Julia said, too busy looking at the horses that were near them.
Walking with him, Beckett asked Castle, "Where exactly are we going?"
"The office," he replied simply before they reached the building. When he opened the door for her, he was glad to see Megan had been correct and two long boxes were on the desk. "This is for you," he said, handing her the shorter of the boxes.
Beckett took the lid off, and her mouth dropped in shock as she saw a pair of glossy black equestrian boots inside. "Castle, Windsors?" she said.
"And a pair for me," Castle replied, unable to help smile at her reaction. "They're pretty nice actually, check and see if they fit," he urged her.
Shaking her head Beckett told him, "You didn't have to do that."
"No, but I wanted to, because that's not the reason we're here," Castle said.
Smiling slightly, as she knew already why, Beckett took the boots out and took off the knee high stiletto boots she had on. Slipping into the Windsor boots brought on a myriad of memories for her, and she smiled nostalgically as she could almost hear her mother, calling out instructions on how to hold the reins of her first pony when she had been eight before she started lessons with the trainer.
"Do they fit?" Castle asked, having put on his boots easily.
Not trusting her voice for a moment while she tried to regroup, Beckett nodded and then found herself able to say, "It's not exactly what I wore to competitions," trying to joke. "But my pants are tight."
"I noticed that, it was as if you knew what I had planned already," Castle said, looking at her legs, encased up to the knee in the boots covering her tight black trousers. "Ready?"
"Sure," Beckett said with a smile. "Although I miss my heels."
"You won't need them," Castle said. He took her hand and led her out of the office to where Megan had two horses saddled and ready to go.
"You were serious about me riding him?" Beckett asked in surprise as Megan handed her the reins to Asturias.
"Of course, Mr. Castle assured me you know how to ride," Megan replied, handing the reins of the other stallion; also an Andalusian with a dark brown coat; to him.
"You can just call me Castle," he said, letting the horse smell his hand as he watched Beckett run her hand down Asturias' muzzle. "I'm hoping we'll come back."
"If I can keep taking Asturias out for rides I will," Beckett said, as she led the horse over to a low wall. She settled her left foot in the stirrup and easily pushed herself up, swinging her leg over the other side to get her right foot in the stirrup before leaning down to slip it on the rest of the way. "Thought I would forget that," she commented as she watched Castle, a little surprised when he easily got on his stallion without using the wall as she had. "Not bad," she told him.
"You do it enough times it gets to be second nature," Castle said. "I'm going to take her riding through the park for a while," he then told Martha, Alexis and Jim. "We won't be too long, just to try and see if we want to do this again."
"I can show you all around," Megan said to the others.
"That would be great," Beckett said. "We'll be back sweetie, okay?" she told her daughter.
"Can I go too Mommy?" Julia pleaded.
"Maybe after I'll do something with you," Beckett said. "Listen to your grandpapa, Martha and Alexis," she told her before she followed Castle to the street where they waited for the light to change. She glanced back as they walked their horses and waved at the others before turning back when she heard the hooves of Castle's horse on the sidewalk. "So where are we riding exactly?" she asked as they went up the path they'd ridden on together on Asturias the week before.
"I think once we get further in, just let them go," Castle said, waving his hand. "You're set with the saddle right?"
"I learned on the English saddle," Beckett said easily. "But you?"
"So did I," Castle said. "Bet you I've got better control over Liffey here than you do over Asturias," he told her, patting the neck of his stallion.
"We'll see," Beckett said. And with that she dug her heels into Asturias' flanks before the horse took off. Instinct and years of riding quickly took over, and she stood up in her saddle, holding the reins just loose enough to give the horse the power and control it needed, but not letting it forget it needed to pay attention to her commands. She soon was distracted by something out of the corner of her eye, and looked to her left to see Castle had caught up to her; and quickly. She was a little startled to see his form was perfect, and she remembered again her curiosity of where he'd learned to ride. She focused then on where they were going, off the path by then and riding past the trees that were in a blur, the cold wind soon making her cheeks and nose frozen. But she didn't slow down, merely urging Asturias on faster; the feeling of the wind tangling the strands of her hair a familiar comfort she did not want to waste a minute of as Castle again easily matched her pace.
Riding for at least ten minutes together further into the park, Castle and Beckett seemed to finally agree to slow down their horses before getting them to a walk without ever exchanging a word. As soon as they had caught their breath he said, "I know what you mean now."
"No, you knew what I meant before," Beckett said with a wry smile. "Where did you learn?" she then asked seriously.
"In Ireland," Castle said.
"Ireland? When did you go there? Why?" Beckett said in surprise.
"It was about six months before you and I met," Castle said as they stopped for a moment and he turned his horse around to face the other way so he could talk to her face to face. "And as for why, I was at a rough place in writing, I had finished up Storm Fall, but I honestly had no idea where I was going to go from Derek Storm. I thought a trip would clear my head if I went on my own. Kind of a retreat."
"Why did you pick Ireland?" Beckett said as she rubbed Asturias' neck.
"I was thinking of different places to go, decided not to go south of the equator since it was getting into their winter," Castle began shifting slightly on his saddle. "And I was looking at a map of Europe, and Ireland just stood out at me. Probably helped that the map I was looking at was a color map and not a topography one. Ireland was a very bright green, and it just seemed to work. Also because there are some really good Irish writers I thought I could get some sort of inspiration from there."
"You're lucky," Beckett said in slight envy.
"You want to go to Ireland?" Castle said with a small smile.
"I've always wanted to visit Ireland and the UK," Beckett replied. "Especially Ireland because it always seemed very… romantic, but I say that in the sense of its history, the ruins and castles, that kind of thing."
"Does Spain hold the same allure for you for that reason?" Castle asked interestedly.
"A little, but really, my father's told me about it so many times, I couldn't help but be interested in it," Beckett said. "Doesn't hurt my favorite breed of horse comes from there," she said, smiling as he did so as well. She then grew a little serious and looked up at him from her pommel saying sincerely, "Thank you for this Castle. It was incredibly sweet of you to set this up. I never thought I'd ride a horse again."
"I never really thought I would either," Castle said. "But you're welcome. I actually wasn't sure you'd want me to join you."
"You're pretty adept at it," Beckett said, as she turned Asturias around and she and Castle set their horses at a walk back towards the stables. "We should try and come back in the spring, when we can ride longer."
"Should be fun," Castle nodded in agreement.
"How long were you riding when you were in Ireland?" Beckett suddenly asked after they'd been riding in silence for a few minutes.
"I found a place near Cork, a horse farm," Castle said. "In the middle of nowhere, and my rental car had broken down so I stayed with the family there overnight, and their three kids they had showed me their horses. They were pretty proud of them, which they should be, they were beautiful horses. But when they offered to let me ride I declined at first since the last time I was on a horse… I got into some trouble."
"I'm aware of that," Beckett said, nodding. "But you ride a lot better than just one time on a horse."
"I ended up staying for a week in Cork, and would drive out every day, taking lessons from the kids and parents, they seemed eager to help. Turns out the parents were fans of mine; I signed all my books they had to thank them since they wouldn't let me pay for the lessons. I found riding pretty therapeutic; like it helped you with your homesickness; but it didn't really help me with where I was going to go with writing. I think it just kept me from becoming a serious alcoholic, which is a bonus of course," Castle said.
"Of course," Beckett commented with a slight nod.
"You think you'll let Julia learn to ride?" Castle asked after another pause in their conversation.
"I will, she loves horses so much I don't think I could stop her," Beckett said.
"There's one thing I was wondering," Castle said. "You said you competed in all three categories of eventing right?" When she nodded he continued with, "Think you can show me a little of the horse ballet part of that?"
"I'm sorry, what?" Beckett asked in confusion.
"The fancy steps you make the horse do," Castle said, waving his hand in front of him. When she still looked at him in puzzlement he sighed and said, "Dressage."
"Bless you," Beckett said. When Castle looked at her she said simply, a slow smile appearing on her face, "I thought you were sneezing in Italian," as she rode ahead of him before he caught up to her easily.
"My pronunciation's not that bad," Castle said. "But seriously, I would love to see you do some of the steps."
"Okay, but for my daughter first, to see if she would want to learn that when she's older," Beckett said.
"What about jumping?" Castle asked.
"Don't push it," Beckett said in a mock warning tone of voice.
"Right," Castle said. "What if I told you I learned to jump too?"
"In only a week?" Beckett scoffed. "I doubt it."
"That wasn't the only place I rode, whenever I could after going to that farm, I rode when I could," Castle said. "Picked up a few tricks here and there, jumping mostly, but not dressage." He waited for a comment on that from her, but when Beckett only looked at him he said, "I'll show you."
"Then I take it we're heading back?" Beckett asked.
"After you," Castle said.
Laughing, Beckett said easily, "Thanks, but I get the feeling we'll be evenly matched before we get too far." And with that she dug her heels into Asturias' flanks, and took off at a gallop. As she had surmised, Castle quickly caught up with her, and they were soon even, riding back to the path. Slowing down together once they reached it, she said, "I'll show you if you show me."
"Great, let's hope they have some fences there," Castle commented.
"Maybe you were right," Beckett said in slight surprise. "Not many people know the terms."
"Not many people also watched the Equestrian events at the Olympics," Castle reminded her. "Too bad, it's interesting."
Beckett nodded in agreement as they went across the street then, and when they got into the compound for the stables she asked a stable hand walking by where their families were. Directed to the back of the compound, she soon saw her daughter, standing on the rail of a fence looking into a corral with her father and Martha and Alexis. "I'm guessing she's having fun?" she called to get their attention.
"Mommy," Julia said, turning in her grandfather's arms and waving carefully. "Is it fun?"
"Very," Beckett replied with a smile. She then turned her attention to Megan who was inside the corral with another rider and called, "Okay to try the fences?"
"Go ahead," Megan said as the rider she had been working with rode out of the corral as she held the gate open. Once Beckett and then Castle were inside she started to say, "I would try the one with-"
"I know already," Beckett said. "I was on an equestrian team for about six months."
"Then have fun," Megan said with a smile.
"He does know dressage right?" Beckett asked, indicating Asturias.
"Pat taught him once he got him from our grandfather," Megan said, looking a little saddened then.
Beckett nodded, and then turned Asturias' reins to the right, picking up a little speed before she came to the first jump, one bar in place. She was a little surprised when the jump came to her naturally, and as she had done so many times before, she rose up and forward in the saddle before Asturias landed on the other side of the bar. She then rode around to the next one, with two bars, and jumped smoothly over that one as well. She did one last one, a Liverpool with a pool of water on the other side of the bar; and turned back to see Castle riding around to the first bar. She was impressed when he easily cleared it, his form very clean to her observant eye. She almost started to congratulate him when he went to the second and then third rails. "Okay, now I believe you, that was pretty impressive," she told him when he rode up to her.
"I'm surprised at myself," Castle said as they walked their stallions over to the fence where their families were. "Never could get over a Liverpool without getting in the water."
"Mommy, that was…" Julia started to say enthusiastically before she paused and looked a little confused.
"Cool," Alexis whispered.
"Yeah, what she said," Julia said happily.
"Dad," Beckett said, getting Asturias to press his side against the fence. "Mind giving her to me?"
"Are you sure?" Jim asked in surprise. When his daughter nodded firmly, he smiled briefly before he handed Julia to her.
"I get to ride?" Julia whispered in total amazement.
"For a little," Beckett said, leaning down and kissing the top of her head.
"Are you sure she's safe?" Martha asked as Beckett wrapped her left arm securely around her daughter.
"She will be with Katie, she's an accomplished rider," Jim said.
"We're just going to go around the fence sweetie," Beckett said, nudging lightly against Asturias' flanks to get him walking. "But I'll teach you a little about how you need to seat your horse."
"Tell me," Julia said, trying not to get too excited.
"First never scare the horse, which I can tell you're trying not to," Beckett said with a smile, not seeing Castle behind her lean in towards his daughter.
"Take some pictures with your phone when they come around," Castle was telling Alexis. "And send them to me okay?"
"Sure," the young woman said, sounding a little taken aback at her father's quick request before he hurried to catch up to Beckett and Julia.
"Keep your back straight," Beckett was telling her daughter. "And hold the reins tight, but not too much or else he'll think you're telling him to stop," she instructed Julia. She was letting her daughter hold onto the reins, but had her right hand on them further down to make sure she was still in control.
"What about my legs Mommy? I don't have shoes like you," Julia said.
"That's okay, we're just practicing," Beckett said, smiling at Castle who she noticed then. "But when you're older, if you still want to learn how to ride, I'll buy you some boots like I have."
"Can I please learn Mommy?" Julia whispered.
"When you're older," Beckett repeated. "Okay, we're almost done," she said as they went around the edge of the corral and back to the others. "Do you want to stop him?"
"Yes, please," Julia said simply, the tremor in her voice betraying her excitement.
"Pull on the reins now, a quick pull," Beckett told her, ready to take over if she needed to. But her daughter was a quick study, and she easily stopped the stallion where the others were watching them still.
"That was so great," Alexis said as Jim pulled Julia off the horse with Beckett's help. "You looked like you've been riding for a long time, not just once."
"Did I?" Julia asked shyly.
"Yeah, that was amazing," Alexis said, hugging her. "Look, I took some pictures."
"You know," Castle said to Beckett then to distract her. "You still have to show me those dressage steps."
"Dressage?" Martha asked.
"You'll see in a second," Beckett said before she turned Asturias towards the clear part of the corral with Castle watching her. "I'm only going to do a couple things," she warned him.
"Whatever you want to show me," Castle said, nodding as he stopped his horse in front of her.
Taking a deep breath, Beckett then pulled the reins, and started Asturias with a piaffe; a trot in place; before going into a passage; a collected trot. She then went into an extended gait in a trot that put her at the other end of the corral. She then did a half-pass, a diagonal and forward movement towards Castle and said, "Satisfied?"
"You're sure you didn't do that well with dressage?" Castle asked as they went out of the corral and to the stables that Megan led them to. "Because I think that was pretty amazing."
"He's right," Megan said as Castle got off his stallion. "That was great."
"Thanks," Beckett said as she slid down off Asturias into Castle's arms. "So dinner?" she asked him.
"Mommy, can I see your horsie a little more? Please?" Julia begged, running up to her and grabbing her hand tightly.
"You can head back home," Castle said to his mother. "You and Jim. We shouldn't be that much longer."
"We'll check on the food, and I promise we'll save some of those sweet potatoes for you Julia," Martha said.
"Thank you," Julia said with a smile as Jim and Martha walked out towards the sidewalk.
"You want to stay?" Beckett asked Alexis.
"Of course, I love horses too, but I was more into a unicorn phase before it became horses for a little," Alexis said.
"The unicorn phase was short," Castle said as they went into the barn their horses had been taken into. He suddenly stopped and grabbed Beckett's hand before she could follow Julia and Alexis.
"What?" Beckett asked in surprise.
"Do you remember when I told you I'd buy you a pony?" Castle asked. "After I looked into your mother's case?"
"I also remember my telling you you didn't need to do that," Beckett said.
"Then what if I bought you a horse, an Andalusian, for Christmas and got the pony for Julia?" Castle asked.
"Castle," Beckett said with a sigh though she was smiling. "It's nice of you to think of that, but honestly I don't really need to own a horse right now. Coming here to ride will be enough. As for Julia, I would rather just have her use the horses here for lessons."
"I thought you would react that way," Castle said. "But I wanted to give it a shot."
"I was waiting for the subject to come up actually," Beckett said as they turned and walked into the stables.
"Mommy, you can feed your horsie after it gets his hair brushed," Julia said, running to her mother and taking her hand. "You can too Castle."
"Can you see?" Beckett asked as Julia pulled her to the stall Asturias was being stabled in temporarily.
"No," Julia said, trying to jump up to see inside the stall. She gave a little squeal when she was suddenly picked up and she grabbed Castle around the neck as he settled her on his hip. "Thank you," she told him, though she was watching inside as Megan brushed Asturias thoroughly.
Once she was finished, the stable owner grabbed an apple and cut it in half before giving one half to Beckett and the other to Castle. "Happy Thanksgiving," she told them then. "I need to review a few things in the office, but Wendy here will close up the stables once you're done."
"Thank you," Beckett called, smiling as Julia added a Happy Thanksgiving as well. She reached out and took her daughter, kissing her cheek saying, "Want to feed Asturias?"
"Yeah," Julia said with a nod as the stallion stuck its head out of the stall and whickered slightly.
"Hold your hand out flat," Beckett said, reminding her daughter. "And don't curl your fingers so he won't bite them."
Julia, a little nervous but still excited, held her hand out with the apple half on it as her mother had instructed. She giggled when the horse's lips tickled her palm and she reached up carefully running her hand up the stallion's muzzle as she'd seen her mother do before.
"Good girl," Beckett said, rubbing Asturias' muzzle with her daughter. "Very gently because you don't want to scare him."
"I might have to get back into my horse craze," Alexis commented, petting the horse Castle had ridden; having fed it at her father's insistence. "They are so cute."
"They are," Beckett said, watching as Julia kissed Asturias' muzzle.
"Thank you," the little girl said seriously to the horse. "Thank you for not biting my fingers and for letting me and my mommy go on your back."
"I'm sure he appreciates that," Castle said, smiling as Beckett closed her eyes and kissed Julia's temple. "We should get going though Kate."
Beckett nodded, and set Julia down before she walked with Castle out of the stable. "I said something like that the first time I rode a horse; with my mom," she said softly as she watched her daughter skipping next to Alexis. "According to my dad."
"I thought that might be the case," Castle said. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Beckett said, shaking herself. "I would like my shoes back though."
"Here they are," Castle said, looking over her shoulder and seeing a stable hand was walking up to them with white boxes.
"Now what do we do Mommy?" Julia asked as she and Alexis walked back to them since they had stopped to change out of their boots.
"We go back and eat," Beckett said. "Are you hungry again?"
"Yes Mommy," Julia said seriously.
"Good," Beckett said as she set her boots back in their box. "So am I," she said before tucking the covered box under her arm and taking Julia's hand with her free one as they walked with Castle and Alexis to get a cab.