Genre: Drama, Crime, 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: I was interested to read the feedback I got for the last chapter so will get to my thank yous for those! TORONTOSUN (I'm not surprised that you liked that Castle and Beckett were getting back to normal in the chapter; I figured they'd want to do that quickly after what happened. And I'm glad you thought the second half was good writing. Also I'm so, so pleased that you can't wait to read the name for their baby girl; I have that already as I'm pretty far ahead in my writing so I'm hoping you'll like it once you read it!),
Frenchy (Nice to know that you're always looking for updates. And I'm glad you think I'm keeping the story of Caskett alive; feel like I should since the show kind of went meh on that towards the end of course. And sorry about their baby girl but it's what my thought process imagined for this series),
MsNYC (I was really pleased to read that you're glad that the baby is a girl. Also feel the same that you can't picture a boy in this series either, as I said in my A/N, it didn't really work out with how things have gone. So you're welcome for that at the end of my chapter. I'm not surprised you're glad that everyone's back to normal especially Castle and Beckett, but like I said in the first reply it's hard not to see them trying to do that after everything they went through. And of course, happy to read that you thought it was great writing as usual!),
Guest (Sorry about the disappointment after the last chapter),
Guest (It was nice to see that you enjoyed this story quite a bit as you said. And I'm so glad that you though I was very successful in switching between the new time frames. I figured making new storylines was the better route to go since I didn't want everyone exactly the same as it's a past life. Oh, lol, so happy to read that you thought Lanie as a villain was lots of fun as I wasn't sure how people would take that. And you may in fact see the past life again because I had a lot of fun writing it and having full control for how Rick and Kate were in here; meaning I didn't have the backstory from the show to start out with if that makes sense. I'm really glad that you thought the moment where Julia acknowledged her fear while Castle was in the coma was touching because I was aiming for it to be that for her),
Mb (I was very, very pleased to see that you thought it was a sweet update with them finding out the baby is a girl. And yeah, I figure the most important thing that should be thought of first is a healthy baby, so I put that in the story. So of course, I'm glad you loved that bit. I was horrified by that story when I first saw the show, so I've always hated the idea of so much focus put on the gender of a baby since I saw with that episode how that can turn horrendous. I wasn't surprised that you found the story sad and it is heartbreaking whenever that happens to a baby or child since they're innocent as you said. You're welcome too for the author's note, I felt I needed to explain things way better this time around so hopefully that clears things up for readers! I'm glad that you love that their third dog is a greyhound and rescued. I love greyhounds though I've never had one, something about them is so majestic and beautiful, oh and sweet as you said. And I had looked into the breed and figured that would be best for the kids, and goofy does work too, lol. Great you thought that half of the chapter was sweet. You're very welcome for it! And I am glad to see you thought the second half was wonderfully written. And I'm glad that you love about my story/series that I have it a multi-generational story as well as joy, love and wonder they share as you said. And I wanted to include Martha and Jim since they are important as well; especially Jim since we saw so little of him on the show in the end. But also, I figured they would be there a lot for both their children and grandchildren. And I'm glad that you think they want them there with them in all they do as I figured they'd do that. So great to see that the love of family is what comes through as that's what I'm aiming for of course! I was so happy that you thought the end scene with Castle and Beckett reconnecting intimately; as you said; was beautifully written, sexy and hot too, was trying to do that though they weren't making love fully, lol. You're very welcome for sharing my words and stories with you!) and
vetgirlmx (I'm not surprised that you weren't surprised they were having another girl. Great that since you said you were looking forward to the reveal and reactions that you thought they were all perfect. And I'm so happy that you included Castle's half angry at people who wondered if he'd be disappointed. I've seen that too actually and yeah, it would get annoying if the father did love his daughters and didn't really care. And in Castle's case he is really okay with it. Glad I could surprise you with the dog getting there. Nice that you could tell they were very happy about it. And I think that yes, they have a thing for hounds, lol. And yeah, all those dogs running would definitely be remarkable to see running free, especially on the beach. I'm not surprised you mentioned Eliza being exhausted after her very big and exciting day. And I'm really happy that you mentioned her curling up with Rita as I thought that was a cute moment to have, lol. So pleased that you can't wait for everyone else to get there and see their Christmas too and now you don't need to anymore!).
Thanks so much for the reviews, I loved reading them and appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them to me!
A/N #2: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane.
Gather Near To Us Once More
"Shh," Eliza said to her sister. "What if you wake up Mommy?"
"'lexis said we can it's time," Julia explained.
"Are they kissing?" Eliza whispered as they got nearer to the door.
At first Julia thought she meant their parents but then realized she meant Alexis and Louis who they'd left downstairs in the family room by the Christmas tree. "I don't know, it doesn't matter we need to wake up Mommy and Daddy."
"Kay," Eliza said before they stopped in front of the door. She let her sister push it open a little more so they and the dogs could slip inside, and she tried her best to walk as quietly as possible. She and Julia exchanged a look as their parents were still asleep, and she was about to climb up on the bed when her big sister grabbed her arm.
Julia motioned to their dogs and when Eliza nodded and then covered her mouth to keep from laughing she looked at the three and then pointed to the bed. She was pleased when they jumped up immediately and she and her sister rushed to get up after.
"Ah! Macca!" Castle said when he woke up to the Wolfhound licking his face. "Oh, looks like they're excited to go," he commented with a laugh. "I'm guessing it's time," he said to Beckett as they sat up at the same time.
"Merry Christmas!" the girls said at the same time before they hugged their parents.
"Merry Christmas girls," Beckett said, kissing Eliza's temple as she'd hugged her first. "I'm assuming you had a fun time under the tree?"
"Yeah, Erin liked her presents too," Eliza answered.
"She got Chinese checkers and then some bows for her hair for school," Julia said. "And Santa gave us some travel games for trips."
"And I got some pretty bows too," Eliza said eagerly. "Santa said they're from England."
"How cool," Castle said. "And you Julia?"
"A pretty horse calendar," the girl said. "Santa said too that one of the blue ribbons was for me."
"You had a nice start," Castle said with a smile. "Merry Christmas girls, Kate," he told them. He leaned over to share a kiss with her before kissing the girls' foreheads and then said, "Is Erin waking up her parents?"
"Yeah, can we go get Grandpapa and Gram?" Julia asked hopefully.
"Go ahead," Beckett told them. "But don't have the dogs do it."
"Okay!" the girls said with a laugh before they left their parents alone.
"Okay love?" Castle asked his wife as he got off the bed first.
"I am," Beckett said, watching him with a smile as he was able to walk easily. She felt the baby fluttering within her and her smile became a little wider as she rubbed her abdomen. "I should go wake up Patrick and Trevor."
"Sure," Castle said. "Wait… where's Maddy?"
"Obviously with Alexis and Louis if it was just Julia and Eliza who came up here," Beckett said, standing as he'd come to her with her robe after putting on his. She slipped her arms in it and once she'd tied it closed she smiled as he placed his hand on her abdomen. "You should have done that before I put it on," she told him teasingly.
"I'll do better tonight," Castle said with a shrug. He then leaned down and they very gently kissed before he said, "I'll get started on some tea and coffee for us."
"I have to wake up my cousin too," Beckett reminded him. She smiled when he leaned down and kissed her cheek and she squeezed his arm before they split up at the staircase. As she went to the room Patrick and Trevor were sharing she was still smiling since she recalled everyone coming five days before to celebrate the holiday together at the beach house.
"Are they here now?" Eliza was asking her father as he was helping her put on her coat.
"Not yet but they're close," Castle replied.
"We get to go outside," Julia told her sister. "We can play right?"
"Until they get here," Beckett replied. They stepped outside together, and she watched as the girls immediately ran with all three dogs over to the tree in the middle and began running around it.
"I'd ask if you want to sit down love, but the benches are wet," Castle said, walking over to her.
With a smile Beckett replied, "I've been sitting already. I'd like to walk around a little."
"Sure," Castle said before he took her hand and they walked over to the girls. "Having fun?" he asked them when the two stopped, laughing heavily.
"Yeah," Eliza replied. "But I don't think the doggies like their boots."
"They need them," Beckett said. "And-"
"There they are," Castle said when the sound of the chime to the gate rang. "I'll get it."
"Girls come here," Beckett told them.
"What about everyone else?" Julia asked while she and Eliza hurried over to their mother.
"They'll be back in time for dinner and they can see them then," Beckett assured them as they watched the gate open together. She told the three dogs to sit and stay as one car drove down the driveway. She was relieved she and her husband had enough space for all their guests; as she knew her cousin's car was close behind; and she felt Eliza tugging on her hand. "What is it?" she asked with a smile.
"Are you gonna show them the new car?" the little girl asked.
"I'm sure they'll see it when we go driving," Beckett said with a smile. The day before she and her husband had bought a second car to replace the one that had been in the accident. They'd taken their daughters and had allowed them to pick the color of the model, a lighter blue which she was surprised her husband agreed with as she knew he would have chosen white or silver. But she knew already she would be driving it more and she didn't mind the color herself. She quickly shook her thoughts of the car from her mind, going over rapidly to Darnley who was getting out of the car his family was in.
"I feel like I haven't seen you in years," he said jokingly as he wrapped his arms around his friend.
"I owe my husband," Beckett said jokingly as they parted a second later. "He said you'd say that."
"I thought that would be the other way around," Darnley told her laughingly. "But it's great to see you Kate, you look… great."
"Still pregnant," Beckett said wryly as she knew he was looking down at her stomach a little hidden by her coat.
"Okay," Darnley said before he quickly shook Castle's hand. "Doing well?" he asked the man.
"Very, no more cane so I can't complain," he replied.
"Trevor," Beckett said. "It's great to see you again," she told the man as they quickly embraced. "Let me help you with Keo."
"Are you sure that is a good idea," Nkosi asked. But she was already getting his and his husband's son out of his car seat and he smiled when she kissed the thirteen-month-old. "He remembers his auntie."
"I think so," Beckett said, unable to help the rush of maternal instinct that went through her. She was also remembering carrying Eliza as the baby patted her cheek and she kissed Keo's before she looked at her husband who'd walked up to her. "Maddy?" she asked with a smile, wondering if he knew that he was looking at her tenderly.
"She's being greeted by her cousins," Castle said before he took the baby from her.
"There's only you guys here?" Darnley asked, glancing to the house.
"They went out to grab dinner for us," Beckett replied as the girls were bringing Maddy over to them. "Hello Maddy," she said with a smile for the toddler. "You've gotten so big," she said as she was picking her up.
"Tee!" Maddy cried.
"We're attempting to teach her to say auntie," Darnley said. "She doesn't quite have it though."
"That's close enough for me," Beckett said quickly with a smile, kissing the toddler's cheek.
"She's getting better at speaking," Darnley said.
"Tell them how old you are ubusi," Nkosi told her. When the others looked at him he said, "It means honey."
"I think she's a little shy right now," Darnley said as Maddy grabbed onto Beckett's hair.
"Did you two say hello to your uncles?" Castle asked as he had already greeted Nkosi.
"No," Eliza said. And with that she launched herself at Darnley and hugged him tightly around the waist. "I'm happy you're here 'cause now it's Christmas," she told him.
"I know, much better time to visit," Darnley replied as he hugged her back. "And at least this time Maddy and Keo are with me."
"Yeah," Eliza said happily before she went to Nkosi. She embraced him tightly before she watched her sister do the same to the two men and she suddenly blurted out, "Daddy doesn't have the cane now!"
"I see that," Nkosi said as they were all laughing. "So you are walking well?"
"Definitely," Castle said with a nod. "Just a little sore but at least I'm walking on my own."
"We should go inside," Beckett said then.
"Oh, Brennan-" Darnley was about to say before there was the sound of a car horn honking.
Together the two families watched as a second car came inside; the gate still open; and after that a third.
"Oh good," Castle said as he knew Louis was in the car behind.
"I know," Beckett said. "At least he got here in time to greet his family."
"How are Alexis and Louis doing?" Darnley asked. "I never thought to ask when I was here."
"Strong," Castle said with a nod. "They'll be together for a year next month."
"You're not kidding," Darnley said before they watched as Beckett; who'd set Maddy down; rushed to her cousin.
"Ah Kate," Brennan said, jogging around the car. "Shouldn't be doing that in your condition."
"I'm not made of glass," Beckett said, laughing heavily while they embraced. "I'm so happy to see you."
"Not as happy as I am," Brennan said. "Or my wife."
"We're so happy about our next cousin," Clara said, hugging Beckett then. "So is Erin."
"Hurry, the girls have been waiting to see you too," Beckett said as she went to the little girl and hugged her tightly.
"Where's the baby Kate?" Erin asked.
"You'll see when I take off my coat," Beckett replied with a smile.
"Da, Mam," Louis said, getting their attention then.
Beckett watched the young man hug his parents, smiling at the fact he did the same to them both before he stepped aside for Alexis.
Castle, coming to stand next to his wife smiled at his daughter's embrace of both Brennan and Clara, not surprised it was very enthusiastic. "I feel bad," he said to his wife in Irish.
"Why would you?" Brennan asked as Erin then nearly ran over to the girls.
"I forgot you can speak Irish," Castle said. "More the fact you're not so close to the two of us as compared to Alexis with your parents," he then said to Louis
"We're here now Dad," the young woman said, smiling at her father.
"And since we are we should go," Beckett said. "Sorry," she directed to her father and mother in law.
"We'll greet them inside; there are too many children in the cold," Martha said. "And I'm including you there Alexis, Louis."
With some laughter the families went inside the house and in the entry they took off their coats and outer layers, finishing greeting one another, before four of them looked at Beckett at nearly the same time.
"You guys are a little creepy," she said though she was smiling. She got her coat off; not getting it until then as she'd helped Maddy and Eliza with theirs; and said, "It's not that much."
"You're nearly five months, aren't you?" Brennan asked.
"On New Year's Day," Castle answered.
"She's not kicking yet is she?" Clara said.
"Not yet," Beckett said. "Alright, we have a lot of kids and we need to keep them occupied until dinner."
"Games?" Nkosi guessed.
"Yes, but not board games," Castle told them. When the parents looked at them questioningly he said, "Party games just for right now."
"Wait," Clara said as Erin had come over to her and was tugging on her sweater. "Her cousin told her about all the trees you have."
"She wants to see them?" Beckett asked.
"So do they," Nkosi said. "We told Maddy about them and we want Keo to see them as well."
"Okay," Beckett said. "Then we'll go ahead and take a tour. Which we should have thought of first that way you guys can put away your things."
"Let's go," Brennan said. "Want to see how you Yanks decorate for Yuletide."
With some laughter they all walked over to the stores, the guests taking their luggage, so they could drop it off and look at all the small trees Castle and Beckett had put in every room. The girls were leading the tour eagerly, showing their cousins everything they used to decorate their home, their excitement infectious to the adults as they made their way through the home.
"How are we going to do this?" Darnley asked after he'd sipped at his coffee. "There are fifteen of us here."
"Opening them all together but just a gift at a time," Castle said. When the others looked at him he said, "That was the best we could come up with."
"No, I think it works," Brennan said. "Though what about our more… personal gifts for each other."
"You mean the spouses for each other?" Beckett asked. She then looked at Alexis and Louis and added, "Or the significant others."
"I think we can save those for last," Castle said, looking at his wife.
"That might work," Beckett said with a nod. "So, let's get started."
With Julia, Eliza and Erin working together to pass out the gifts they were all opening their first gifts. They paused to react to them and thank whoever was giving it to them. Since there were so many presents; spilling out from under the tree almost; it wasn't until they were on the last gifts that they took more time.
"So all that's left is your family," Darnley told Castle and Beckett.
"Yes, but there are a lot more gifts here than there should be," the latter replied, looking around at everyone. "I'll remind you all that I've learned to read people and when you don't look at me that's your tell!" Beckett smiled when the others then laughed at her mock annoyed tone and she told them, "I prepared myself for this, so I'm not surprised no one listened to me."
"We wanna give presents to our little sister Mommy," Eliza said quickly.
"Yeah, do we open those last?" Julia asked.
"Sure," Beckett said. "Get the present with the dogs on it," she told her oldest.
"Okay," Julia said, remembering seeing that gift but not knowing who it was for. "It's for the dogs!" she exclaimed. When her little sister ran to her she said, "See? It says To Macca, Rita and JoJo; From Santa."
"He remembers the doggies!" Eliza exclaimed.
"Open that together," Castle said. He looked at his wife as Maddy ran over to them and joined in before they smiled at one another.
"Toys!" Maddy cried out eagerly.
"For our doggies," Eliza told her with a smile. "Give that to JoJo."
"JoJo!" Maddy crowed as she shook the stuffed penguin in her hand.
"Those are so cute," Clara commented as Macca settled down to chew his stuffed snowman and Rita her stuffed reindeer.
"I know and they're a good size for them, so it worked out. And now get the one with dark blue snowflake paper," Beckett told Julia.
"This is for me," Eliza said, beaming at everyone once the present was on her lap. "From Mommy and Daddy." She began to tear the paper off before she revealed a light blue box which made her giggle. "We didn't get these yet," she said to her parents.
"It looks like we are now," Castle told her.
"What did you get?" Erin asked as she and the other kids were sitting with the two sisters.
Eliza nodded and then lifted the top of the box before Julia helped her take out the Lladro inside. As soon as she saw what it was she squealed in pleasure and said, "It's her!"
"She saw this on the website and she's wanted it," Beckett explained to the others. "It's called Valencian Girl," she said as Eliza rushed to her and Castle.
"It's adorable," Martha commented as she took it from Brennan as they were passing it around. "Valencia is where they have the oranges I'm guessing?" she asked Beckett's father as the figurine was holding a basket of them
"They do," Jim replied. He smiled and then said to Eliza as she was coming over to him, "She makes me think of you, very sweet and adorable."
"Thank you, Grandpapa," the little girl replied shyly before she took the figurine and hugged it the best she could. "Now it's Julia's turn."
Watching Erin bring over her box Julia said to her parents, "I wonder what you got me that will be as good as my new journal," since she'd gotten one that was blue faux leather tooled with a Celtic Knot on the front and back.
"You'll have to see," Castle told her.
Nodding Julia tore off the candy cane wrapping paper before she revealed a light blue box. She had to struggle just a little bit to take out the figurine and she gasped when she saw it was a Lladro horse. "It's beautiful," she told them.
"That's a pure Arabian, it doesn't look exactly like your horse but we thought you might still like it," Beckett said.
"I love this, I want to put it in my room," Julia told them before she set down her figurine of a horse standing. She hugged them tightly and then said, "Now 'lexis?"
"Now Alexis," Louis said as he'd stood up then and went over to the tree. He picked up his gift and went over to his girlfriend telling her, "From me."
"I guessed," Alexis replied, smiling up at him. She took the small box and began to unwrap it before she lifted the lid and held a necklace draped over her fingers. There was a pendant at the end of it, a blue topaz gem surrounded by diamonds that made her hold her breath for a moment. "It's beautiful Louis."
"It seemed to belong to you," he said.
"Was this-" Alexis began to say.
"No, I saw it in London," Louis replied before she was suddenly throwing her arms around his neck and then kissing him.
Castle looked away and looking at his wife he murmured into her ear, "I hope he's not proposing to her tonight."
"Unlikely," Beckett replied in amusement before they turned to watch the young man place the silver chain around Alexis' neck.
Julia, having been watching as well, waited until the clasp was closed before she rushed over to the tree and took out a long and flatter gift, handing it to her mother. She didn't say anything, merely watched her father as she knew he would speak which he was doing shortly after she sat down with Eliza in front of them.
Beckett; after reading the tag; leaned over and kissed her husband on the lips as she'd cupped his cheek. When she pulled away she said, "It doesn't take away the fact I know what this is already."
"Of course not," Castle replied. "And you don't know what's in it exactly."
"Open it Mommy," Julia said eagerly.
"Alright," Beckett said with a soft laugh. She then began to tear off the paper; thinking the girls knew what the gift was; before she took the lid off the paper and pulled out a book. There was nothing on the cover or on the side, just a simple sky-blue cover, before she opened it to the first pages. She immediately bit her lower lip when she saw the two pictures on either side. On the left was a picture of her and her mother when she was a year old and on the right, was one of her with Julia and Eliza when they were seven and a year old.
"They're all connected like that," Castle explained.
"Are you in them Daddy?" Eliza asked as they were watching Beckett turning the pages.
"Some," Beckett answered before her husband could, smiling at them.
"She's right, because I have some pictures with your grandpapa in them of course," Castle added. He then was distracted by his wife leaning over and kissing him and he responded before she gave the book he'd put together to her cousin.
"Here Daddy," Eliza said with a beaming smile as she was handing him a gift.
"Thank you," Castle said, smiling at her before he began to tear off the paper on his gift. He found a plain white box underneath and was surprised it wasn't light blue though he quickly pulled off the lid. "Okay," he said looking at his wife.
"I think we had similar ideas," Beckett said, shrugging as he took out a book.
"I don't mind, I'm actually interested in seeing what this will be," Castle said as he opened the book to the first page.
"Kate asked us what we thought of that idea," Alexis said as she saw her father had paused seeing the first two pictures. "And we thought it was interesting."
"It's brief," Beckett said with a smile as the picture on the left was of her husband and Martha when he was fourteen and the one of the right was of her with her parents at the same age. "You said that was your favorite picture of you and your mother, right?" she asked him.
"It is, what about the one of you?" Castle said.
"That was ours," Jim answered. "All three of us."
"It's a coincidence," Beckett said quickly to her husband as he opened his mouth to speak.
"I guess so," Castle replied before he turned the page to the next pictures. He smiled at the sight of the one on the left as it was of him and his wife when they'd been dating for a year. The one on the right didn't surprise him, of him and Beckett dancing for the first time at their first wedding reception, and he leaned over to her to kiss her. "Thank you," he told her seriously.
"You might want to keep going," Beckett said, nodding down to the book.
Flipping to the next page Castle saw there were three pictures; of Alexis, Julia and Eliza; and he said, "We're going to be exchanging books again next Christmas, aren't we?"
"I think so," Beckett said slightly laughingly as she knew he was thinking about the baby.
"Great," Darnley said as Castle and Beckett shared another kiss. "You'll open the gifts for the baby now right?"
"Yes," Beckett said as everyone was looking at her. "Luckily it looks like your family just gave her one gift and Martha, Dad, only one gift too."
"Mommy there are five there," Eliza told her.
"It's from the four of us," Castle said as his wife immediately looked at him.
"Alright but I'm not opening all of them," Beckett replied.
"You should," Clara said with a smile.
"You are carrying the baby after all," Martha added.
Laughing softly Beckett said, "Fine. What order are we going in?"
"Ours is last," Alexis commented.
"Of course," Castle said, smiling at his wife. "Julia grab the one from Patrick and Trevor."
"And our kids," Nkosi quickly told them.
"Thank you," Beckett said with a smile before taking the gift that Julia was handing to her. She ripped it open and lifting the lid of the box she began to laugh when she saw the books. "Thank you," she told the family as she picked up one. "From Dublin," she told her husband, showing it to him.
"I see," Castle said with a smile.
"We got those earlier in the summer," Darnley said as Beckett stood up. He did so too quickly and embraced her saying, "That's not it though."
A little startled Beckett turned around and saw her husband pulling out a smaller box. "Patrick," she said simply.
"How are you?" Darnley said jokingly. "Go open it."
Rolling her eyes Beckett went back to her husband and sat with him before pulling off the lid and she said, "I'm going to have to let this go."
"Especially since you're holding it now," Darnley said. "My mother in law helped us with this since in the summer the baby will only be… two or three months," he said as his friend was looking at the deep blue sundress they'd given to the baby.
"It's very sweet," Beckett said, handing it to her husband and getting back up to hug her friend tightly again. "Thank you and your parents too," she said as she hugged Nkosi next.
"I will," he said with a smile before he turned to Castle who'd come over to thank them as well.
"Now us I believe," Brennan said once Castle and Beckett were sitting down and Eliza had brought the gift over to them.
Unwrapping the small box Beckett pulled out a wool blanket and looked over at her cousin questioningly.
"From Ireland," Brennan explained. "Friends of ours own sheep and they make these blankets to add to their income."
"We requested this be special made for you," Clara said. "Luckily the blue still works."
"It does," Beckett said, running her hand over the impossibly soft wool blanket that was a kind of a distressed blue-grey.
"And we never dressed Eliza in just pink," Castle added.
"We were hoping," Brennan said with a slight laugh. "And this is from Louis too," he said as the two were standing up to thank them.
Once they were sitting down again Beckett took the next gift that Julia handed her and said, "Did you read the tag?"
"Yeah, Gram," Julia said, smiling over at her.
Beckett unwrapped and then opened the box underneath the paper before she pulled out a light blue dress inside. It was a little big, but she wasn't surprised it was meant for the baby at about seven or eight months; her mother in law had done the same for Eliza almost right after she'd been born. "It's beautiful Martha," she told her mother in law.
"It's meant for next Christmas," Castle's mother said with a smile.
"I thought so," Castle commented. "But she's right it's a beautiful dress, thank you."
"And the baby will wear it," Beckett assured her before they got up to hug her as another way of saying thank you which she told her at the same time.
"I hope you'll like this," Jim said when his daughter was beginning to unwrap his gift for the baby. "It was almost going to be for you but…"
"You thought we'd have a girl?" Castle asked.
"I did, you're carrying this baby very close to how you carried Eliza at this same time," Jim replied.
"He's right," Beckett said to her husband.
"Why didn't we notice?" Castle said as his wife began to tear off the wrapping paper.
"I don't know," Beckett said slightly laughingly, shaking her head. She wasn't surprised by the light blue box and then took out the figurine inside before she laughed softly and said to her father, "I almost forgot about that picture."
"I have it here," Jim said to everyone, pulling a photograph from his pocket. But he stood up instead of handing it over to Clara who he was sitting next to and gave it to his daughter.
"When was this? Where was this?" Castle said as he studied the picture of his wife at what he guessed was eight years old on a pony. What startled him was that she was wearing overalls and had her hair in pigtails too; he thought she looked adorable; but the overalls had thrown him.
"That was during the summer before I turned eight," Beckett explained with a smile as she handed the photo to Julia who was watching her anxiously along with her little sister.
"A friend of mine and her mother's had a farm upstate and we went for the summer," Jim said. "At first she didn't want to go," he said, smiling widely as his daughter groaned and tilted her head back. "But when we got there and discovered he had horses…"
"I rode all the time," Beckett said with a soft laugh. "We stayed for… a month and a half, didn't we?"
"We did," Jim said with a nod. "We took trips around the farm but mainly stayed there as both her and her mother preferred to ride. She moved from that pony there to a gentler mare and it reminded me about what my mother in law had told me about the McCollough blood."
"We have that," Eliza said seriously to Darnley and Nkosi.
"Your mom told me about it too," the former said with a smile. "And seeing this picture I believe it. Funny the Lladro matches it so well."
"I know," Beckett replied.
"And knowing that our daughter is partly hers already," Castle said with a smile as he handed her the figurine of a girl on a pony; complete with overalls and pigtails. "It's apropos," he finished as his wife got up after putting the Lladro away.
"Thank you, Dad," Beckett told him with a smile. "It'll be perfect."
"You're welcome," Jim replied.
"Okay, almost the last gift," Beckett said as Eliza was handing it to her.
"We hope you like it Mommy," the little girl said a bit nervously.
"I'm sure I will," Beckett assured her. "And the baby too." She tore off the paper and then opened the box, revealing a few books before she said, "You spoke with Patrick I'm guessing?" as there was a smaller box inside.
"We did, but we didn't copy him," Castle said.
"Did you see the books?" Julia asked eagerly.
"I did," Beckett said, looking at them. There were three of them; the first of Irish fairy tales illustrated by an Irish illustrator; and she said, "Did you pick this sweetie?"
"Yeah," Eliza said with a smile as her mother was looking at her.
"I chose this one," Julia said, pointing to the book with a four-leaf clover on it. "Daddy said it was Irish stories 'cause the author is Irish."
"I can tell; you made a great choice," Beckett assured her.
"I had to pick that one because it's by Oscar Wilde," Alexis said with a smile as her stepmother looked over at her. "They're for kids."
"Don't worry I trust you," Beckett said as she could tell from the cover that it was for children. "Thank you, all three of you."
"You have one more Mommy," Eliza said eagerly.
"I know, I'll open it right now," Beckett assured her before she took out the small box. After she'd taken off the lid she smiled and said, "I was thinking about this not too long ago," looking at her husband.
"What is it?" Darnley asked, seeing her holding what looked like a small stone.
"A piece of the Blarney Stone," Julia said first.
"I got that in my crib," Eliza said. "Now the baby does," she said as her parents were kissing one another and couldn't answer the question further. She smiled when they parted and was about to ask about putting in the baby's crib right that second when her father was speaking.
"So now that we're all set," Castle began. "I hope you guys don't mind if I take Kate up to the baby's room to put the stone, just so it's ready."
Beckett glanced at her husband but wasn't surprised when no one protested the idea and she let him help her stand up before following him out of the room. "I hope you realize I know what you're doing," she told him as they went up the stairs.
"Of course, but I still have to," Castle replied.
"Of course," Beckett echoed in amusement. They walked down the hall together and at the doorway past Eliza's room she waited for her husband to open the door before she went inside first. "Eliza didn't mind?" she asked, going to her mother's rocking chair that up until then had been in their youngest's room.
"No, she wants to get an armchair like her sister has," Castle replied. "And she was very adamant about the baby getting the chance to spend time with you in it."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said as she sat down. She began to rock gently before placing her hand on her abdomen and looking around the room they'd finally finished that past weekend. The furniture was in place and the pictures they had for decoration had been hung as well. As she was looking around her eye went to the dresser against the wall and she looked at her husband with a smile.
"I was wondering if I'd have to point it out to you," Castle said, smiling himself as she then went over to the Lladros he'd bought for the baby.
Picking up the blue koi fish Beckett glanced at the orange one that obviously went with it and she said, "They're beautiful; perfect too."
"I thought so too… there are a lot of ocean themed ones, but these seemed to be the best ones," Castle replied.
"They are," Beckett said, setting down the figurine before she stepped up to him. As she wrapped her arms around him tightly she felt his rest on her back before they kissed deeply. She arched her back a little against him as he slipped his hand under her pajama shirt and after a moment they slowly parted as they had kissed until they needed to breathe. "Hmm, thank you," she said.
"For the kiss or gifts?" Castle asked her, pressing his forehead against hers.
"Both," Beckett said. She then whispered to him, "Tonight I… I need you. Desperately."
"I'm thinking the same and we will, whatever you want because I know you can't control yourself now," Castle said.
Beckett rolled her eyes though she knew her husband was right about that as the past few nights she'd been unable to control herself and they'd gone a little crazy with their manual and oral lovemaking. It had been nice, but she needed more urgently and hoped they wouldn't be too tired that night for it. She was going to speak when she heard a giggle and they looked at the doorway together to find their three daughters there. She was going to tell them to come in when Alexis spoke first while Julia held up the light blue box in her hands.
"We brought the Lladro your dad gave the baby," the young woman said. She then realized that her littlest sister was looking at her, so she said, "What?"
"Why don't you ever call him Grandpapa? He's your grandpapa too," Eliza said.
Alexis was shocked before she said, "I… don't know."
"You can talk to him about that," Beckett said softly. When her stepdaughter's head whipped around to her she smiled and said, "He wouldn't mind if you're wondering."
"I might do that later," Alexis said with a brief smile. "But for now, I think Brennan really wants to go."
"I'm sure he does," Castle said with a laugh as he took the Lladro box from Julia. "So where should this go love?"
"For now, on the desk," Beckett replied. "Just on the very top. If she wants to move it, I'm sure she will when she's older."
Castle set down the figurine and he said, "I wish you could ride now love."
"As soon as the baby's born I will," Beckett said. She saw Julia and Alexis share a look and she sighed saying, "The second the doctor says I can. Now we should go we have more to do today."
"Yay Christmas isn't over!" Eliza exclaimed. She smiled as the others all began to laugh, and they left the room, making her hop excitedly every other step as they walked down the hall to the other bedrooms.
"I'm quite eager to see him in person," Brennan said to his cousin.
"I know, that's why we're pulling ahead of everyone else," Beckett said with a smile.
"Pity you can't go riding," Brennan replied. "What are you doing to exercise him?"
"Rick has been riding him," Beckett replied before they walked into the stable where hers and Castle's horses were. "There he is," she said with a wide smile as she saw that Alex's head was sticking out from his stall.
"Ah he is," Brennan said with a smile. "He's a gorgeous horse; you're lucky."
Beckett nodded to her cousin, but she had reached Alex and was speaking to him in Irish as she cupped the side of his head. "He's ready to go," she said then as her horse whickered.
"I can tell," Brennan replied, having smiled at how she was acting with her horse. "Do you need help?"
"No," Beckett said simply before she stepped inside the stall. She quickly put on Alex's bridle and harness and led him out before they walked with her horse to the indoor corral where they found everyone waiting outside of it.
"You're going to put on a show," Brennan said in amusement.
"I expected it," Beckett replied. She then said to Erin and Maddy; in her husband's arms; "Would you two like to pet him?"
"Sure," Erin said quickly, going over to her. Since she was used to horses she had no problems reaching up to Alex with her hand. After he'd sniffed at it she smiled and then scratched at his forehead before saying, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Beckett said before smiling at her husband as he walked up to them.
"You're itching to ride, aren't you?" Castle asked his wife with a smile, keeping his voice low though Brennan and Clara were out of earshot of them.
"A little," Beckett said. "But I'm not going to," she assured him. "We'll be back," she then told him before she walked into the corral with Alex. She heard footsteps behind her and saw that it was Castle. "Why?" she said simply.
"I'm not here to make sure you don't do too much," Castle quickly told her. "I just wanted to walk with you."
"Alright," Beckett said. "But when I start to put him through his exercises you'll need to step away."
"Sure," Castle replied with a nod. "How long are you going to walk?"
"Not for long, they want to go ice skating," Beckett said as they reached the end of their first lap.
"And you," Castle said.
"And me," Beckett said with a soft laugh. They were quiet during their second lap and she then said, "I don't need to skate for too, too long."
"It's up to you," Castle said quickly.
"Thank you," Beckett said. She waited until they'd gone around for a third time and then said, "I'll start having him go through his paces."
"Sure," Castle said before he went over to the fence and turned back to watch her.
"Is it a good idea for you to stay in there while she's doing that?" Brennan commented to Castle.
"He's used to me, she told you I ride him right now," he replied.
"True," Brennan said. "He just looks like he needs a steadier hand."
"Her hand," Castle said while they were watching Beckett having Alex trot around her before he galloped.
"Stunning horse," Brennan said in obvious admiration.
"He is," Castle said. "Luckily she can handle him."
"Come on," Beckett was saying to Alex as she slowed him down eventually. When he stopped she let him walk up to her before she gently scratched his neck and she said to her cousin and husband who were walking up to her, "Luckily he's not getting too lazy."
"We come here occasionally for her to do that," Castle said. "Though we had to wait to do that after last week."
"I'm wondering," Brennan said as they were walking together out of the corral. "What about this dream you had?"
"How much did you tell him?" Castle asked his wife.
"Basically what you told me," Beckett replied.
"You didn't let me finish," Brennan said with a smile. He was going to do so when they reached the others and he had to stop as they were talking together about how to get to the skating rink since some of them had never been there.
"Sorry about the interruption earlier," Beckett said when they had finally left the stables and were walking to their car.
"It's alright, what I'm wondering is if you saw anything after that last… vision you had of you and Kate?" Brennan asked.
"Not really," Castle said as he was walking with them. "But I do know for sure that our fourth child there was a girl."
"Maybe one day you'll know," Brennan said.
"Maybe," Castle echoed before he then turned to his wife as they reached their car.
"I'm still interested in knowing," Beckett said with a smile, squeezing his hand. They turned their attention to the girls then; both exclaiming about going skating; before she and her husband got them into the car and she let him drive them over to the skating rink before she got out first and turned as the back door opened behind her.
"Sorry Mommy, I really wanna go," Julia said slightly sheepishly.
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said with a soft laugh. "But stay here until we can go."
"Daddy will you skate with me and Jules?" Eliza was asking her father as he took her out of the backseat.
"Sure," Castle said. "Mind if I do that first?" When the little girl shook her head, he kissed her cheek and set her down before he walked over to the two on the other side of the car. "They want me to go with them first love," he said.
"I thought so," Beckett replied, looking at Darnley who was walking over to them. "It was nice of you to come with."
Shrugging Darnley said, "I remember us skating in Central Park."
"You did that with her?" Castle asked with a smile on his face.
"Just once," Darnley replied. "But it was fun because I wasn't too steady those days."
"Did you ever learn how to?" Beckett asked.
"I'm here aren't I?" Darnley asked in amusement.
Beckett laughed before they met the McColloughs and Alexis at the benches with their skates to start putting them on. Her father and mother in law had taken Maddy and Keo back home with them; Nkosi going as well as he didn't know how to skate. "What about Trevor?" she asked him.
"I'll remind you he's from South Africa and he doesn't like the idea of skating on water," Darnley said. "He's afraid of falling in… especially after what happened earlier this year."
"I remember," Beckett said quickly with a sigh. "Well… wait what about the kids?"
"I'll teach them," Darnley said, tying his left skate then. "And I'm hoping that'll coax Trevor to learn too. Yes Erin?" he asked with a smile as the little girl was looking at him with a perplexed look on his face.
"Didn't he say he came here when he was a little boy?" Erin asked.
"He did but he's never gotten used to the cold," Darnley said. "Which isn't a surprise since it doesn't really get that cold in South Africa."
"Oh… have you gone there?" Erin asked.
"Once but we're going to wait for Maddy and Keo to get a little older before we take them," Darnley replied.
"Are they from there?" Erin said again, glancing at Julia and Eliza in a little embarrassment at all her questions.
"Maddy is but Keo's from Louisiana," Darnley replied. "We know his father is from Botswana though which is actually surrounded by South Africa so…" He shrugged as they were all standing and said, "It doesn't matter it's just interesting."
"Can we go?" Julia asked slightly impatiently.
"Yes, I'll join you girls in a second," Castle said before Julia and Erin took Eliza by her hands and they skated off with Alexis and Louis following.
"Is Keo bi-racial?" Clara asked.
"Yep, his mother was… I think Acadian from what we found out," Darnley replied. "We didn't ask for that, he just was."
"We can tell you love him Patrick," Beckett told him with a smile. "We should go, or dinner will be insanely late." With that she went to her friend before they stepped onto the ice. She looped her arm through Darnley's and said to her husband, "Have fun."
"I will," Castle said, staying in place. "Just need to get them to reach me."
Beckett laughed softly before she and Darnley were skating away, and she said to her friend, "He'll be watching me."
"You should have seen him watching you when you were making Alex go around," he replied, keeping his voice low. Darnley smiled when she glanced at him and said with a shrug, "I know what I see man."
"I noticed too," Beckett finally admitted. She then said, "We haven't been together fully since before the accident."
"His knee after?" Darnley asked. When she nodded he said, "That would explain the intensity in his expression." He smiled widely and said, "You'll be happy tonight."
"Yes," Beckett said, rolling her eyes.
"I'm wondering," Darnley commented. "No special gift from him?"
"There doesn't need to be," Beckett said quickly. "And the book was perfect."
"That does sound like you," Darnley replied. When he saw his friend was looking at him he laughed and shrugged telling her, "I'm just wondering about later tonight; you deserve to be happy."
"You're a pervert," Beckett said teasingly. "No," she said quickly as they stopped as Castle had called out to them. "It's likely tonight he'll give to me as a gift."
"It's a good one," Darnley said seriously. "Good for both of you."
"I guess," Beckett said with a slight laugh; knowing he was thinking more of himself and his husband's plans; before looking over at her husband. "They're done with you?"
"They want me to skate with you," Castle replied. "Will you go with them?" he asked Darnley.
"Of course, have fun," he replied with a smile before he skated to the girls and they continued.
"How's it going love?" Castle asked.
"Good, I should have skated during my last pregnancy," Beckett replied. "It's not that hard."
"I'm really glad to hear that," Castle said. When she glanced at him he told her, "Seriously I am, I know how much you enjoy doing this."
Beckett squeezed his arm before they went around together once before she told him, in Irish, about what she and Darnley had spoken about. "Alright," she said with a sigh when she had finished. "I'm a little more… needy than I'm trying to let on but I don't want to pressure you."
Though he wanted to go into detail about that Castle knew it wasn't the time or place for them to talk about that. So instead he said, "You won't," in English. He squeezed her hand gently before he told her, "Should we get the waffles now?"
"We should," Beckett said as they were coming to the small hut where they were made. She turned with him to find that the McColloughs were coming up to them before the girls, Darnley and last Alexis and Louis were there. "We're going to get the waffles and I think we need to get home."
"Right, the food," Castle said. When everyone looked at him he smiled and said, "I really forgot about dinner."
"Unusual for you Dad," Alexis teased him.
"I know, I'm disappointed in myself," Castle commented. He looked at Eliza who had come over to him carefully and hugged him before he said, "I'm just kidding, but your mom's right we need to get the waffles and then head out."
Letting Castle order the desserts Beckett said to her cousin, "Do you skate at home?"
"There's a lake nearby but we mostly go to a rink … though not quite so near," Brennan replied.
"Yeah, we don't get to go a lot," Erin piped up.
"And this isn't at the lake," Clara said as they took their waffles first.
"Do you like it?" Julia asked her cousin as the little girl was taking a bite of the one she had.
"Yeah," Erin said. "You get to have these?"
"Not all the time but this time yeah," Julia said, taking hers after her sister had gotten one as well. She took a bite and sighed saying, "I love winter."
"Me too," Eliza said firmly.
"Okay we should start making our way over to the cars," Beckett suggested.
"I hope we can play?" Julia asked her mother as they made their way over to the benches.
"Yes, dinner isn't ready just yet," Beckett replied.
"After we get dressed for dinner," Castle said. "So let's go."
Beckett shook her head as the girls reacted eagerly to that and they then sat down together, finishing their waffles before they got off their skates so they could head back home and continue their celebration.