Dinner With an Old Friend

A couple of nights later; Maddie was standing at the door of Castle and Beckett's loft. She had a bottle of wine from Rocco DiSpirito's restaurant. A few minutes after arriving at the loft; Maddie rang the doorbell.

Beckett answered the door.

"You made it." Beckett said.

"I did."

At that point Castle came up behind Beckett.

"It's nice to see you again; Maddie."

"It's a pleasure to see you again; Rick."

Martha was keeping an eye on the food which was cooking. Alexis and Jake were playing with the kids. Beckett noticed the wine in her friend's hand.

"Let's open that."

With that Maddie headed over to the island counter with Beckett and Castle.

"Martha Rodgers; it's nice to finally meet you, Maddie."

"It's nice to meet you too."

Shortly after the wine was opened; Alexis and Jake came over to introduce themselves while they got their glasses of wine.

"Hi; I'm Alexis and this is my husband, Jake. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Jake and Alexis shook hands with Maddie.

"Mommy; can we have something to drink too?" Kat asked when she came over with her sister and brothers.

"Sure. How does lemonade sound?"

"Great!" the kids cheered.

JJ and James Royce were introduced to Maddie.

Shortly after the kids had their drinks in hand; dinner was ready. As the kids washed up; the adults put the food on the dining room table. Dinner that was being put on the table was just as extravagant as the meal that Martha had prepared after she and Castle were held hostage in the bank or the breakfast Martha had prepared the morning that Castle returned with Alexis after rescuing her from Volkov.

Something that Martha had said during the Halloween party, Castle had hosted during the early days of shadowing Beckett; replayed in Castle's mind as he brought one of the dishes to the table. The kids were washing their hands.

"I've always told him, if you are going to do something, do it big or don't do it at all."

Hours later after dinner and dessert; Beckett walked her friend to the door.

"You have it pretty good here; Becks. A loving husband, five perfect kids and being a captain at the 54th."

"I guess I do. Thanks for coming tonight; Maddie."

"I had a great time. We should do this again soon."

"We should."

With that Maddie left and the family was left to enjoy the rest of their evening together.