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: As it says this is the epilogue so the end of the story. But I have another one ready to go so if anyone wants to read it look out for it in a few days!
A/N #2: I was really happy to get the feedback I did for the last chapter, so will get right to my thank yous for that! MsNYC (I'm not surprised you were wondering what happened with Eliza and Alexis' horses, those'll come in later I think, lol, have to see how future stories go. And I'm really happy that you thought the gifts for the baby were cute since I have to think those up, lol. I really wasn't surprised that you loved the flashback of everyone arriving but of course I'm glad you enjoyed that so much. It was very nice reading that you think they have a beautiful family both by blood and extended. It made me laugh a bit to see you saying at the love scenes Castle and Beckett were able to find release sexually, also that you were sure they needed it. But you were definitely right about that and glad you enjoyed those. Nice to see you thought it was great writing as usual!),
TORONTOSUN (It was nice to read that you thought it was a great Christmas for Castle and Beckett since I was definitely trying to make it that way for them. And I'm glad you liked the picture book idea for Castle and Beckett from their kids and Jim too! I did have to laugh a bit at the way you said you like how they are always busy. But I was happy to see it since I'm taking it you enjoyed the love scenes at the end of the chapter, lol. If you're talking about them playing after dinner then I'm glad you enjoy that too, either one I'm happy you said that, lol),
Mb (It was very nice reading you thought the first half of the last chapter was a sweet and lovely update. And I'm happy that you thought they had a beautiful Christmas day with both their friends and family since I did want to write it as being such. I'm glad that the gifts they received and gave were perfect since those can be hard to think of sometimes. And of course, I'm happy that you thought the ones for the baby were heartwarming since of course I want them to be! I had to laugh at how you were very sure that when it was night Castle and Beckett were going to, as you said, affirm their love in an intimate dance of their bodies and hearts. Though I'm not surprised you thought that of course! And you're very welcome for sharing! I was pleased to read that you thought the second half was fantastic and amazing. Glad you thought it started out sweet, not surprised you loved the family all together to celebrate Christmas with them playing games and having dinner. I do that on Christmas with my family myself; playing games; and I'm glad that you do that yourself with family games nights so you can see how that went yourself! I'm really pleased that you love Castle trying to fill in more of their past lives in 1926. And of course, I'm really happy that you thought the love scene was intensely hot. And you described their lovemaking very well, lol, I won't quote it directly since there's a lot that makes up what you said. But I will say that 'connect fully intimately' is a great phrase and what I'm aiming for with them. Also, the bit where you said joined as one and not being able to see where one ends and the other begins is good, lol, since it describes them during that time perfectly. I'm also glad you see them during that time together in hearts, mind, soul and body since of course that goes with the full intimacy very well. Great you thought it was fantastic too. Definitely Caskett and family always! And a very Happy New Year to you and yours as well!) and
vetgirlmx (I was of course very happy to read that you thought they had an amazing Christmas. You were right that it was a first for their visitors they had that time so of course I was pleased that you enjoy when they have a full house. The same as you saying it's always more interesting that way; I do like writing an event like that, lol, if that makes sense. And glad that you thought them designing a way to open all those presents looked really fun. For some reason opening them randomly annoys me, lol. I laughed seeing that you knew that they had to go to the stables that way they could show off their horses as they did, lol. But it was interesting to see you forgot that they go ice skating; though it has been a while since I last wrote that, so it makes sense. It was nice to see you thought it was a nice reminder and that their fun was contagious. I'm not surprised that you're hoping you'll get to see a little more what they do with their visitors the rest of the vacation. But I'm also glad since it means of course you want to read more which you can do now!).
Thanks so much for the reviews, loved reading them all and I appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them to me!
A/N #3: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Ding Dong, Ding Dong by George Harrison, from his album Dark Horse and this intended to be a New Year's Eve singalong song.
Today Was Tomorrow
"Oh god Rick," Beckett was panting heavily when she felt she could speak again. "Thank you," she managed to say as she leaned back against him before he was suddenly making her move away from him. "What?" she asked, trying to look at him but stopped as he held her firmly.
"I got it on you, didn't I?" Castle asked, looking down at her. He swore heavily and said, "In your hair too."
"You enjoyed that though," Beckett said with a smile as he had her turn around to face him.
"Yes, but you know I don't like to do that," Castle replied.
"I know," Beckett assured him before she squeezed his hands gently. "But that wasn't enough," she told him.
"Trust me when I say I knew that already," Castle said with a smile as he stepped close to her. He moved her hands away from her hair and gently rubbed the shampoo she'd gotten on it into it. Once he had done that enough he watched her rinse before he said, "I really want to do better now but…"
"I'm aware," Beckett said with a smile as she took care of her conditioner herself. "And we have a long day today too."
"I have to wonder about Eliza," Castle said.
"She'll still fall asleep," Beckett said, smiling as she thought of their youngest. She began washing herself with her soap and told her husband as he started to do the same, "I hope that Patrick and Trevor will enjoy our plans today."
"Why not?" Castle asked her.
"I don't know, their kids are a little young…" Beckett said slowly.
"So they won't be able to play mini-golf," Castle replied after they'd rinsed off standing close together. He was going to continue that when his wife wrapped her arms around his neck and he was quick to hold onto her, leaning down to capture her lips with his own. He felt her responding eagerly to him for some time before they slowly parted and he said, "Going to be hard to forget."
"I know but you need to try," Beckett told him.
"And you?" Castle asked playfully as he turned off the water since they were done.
"I'll be fine," Beckett replied easily as she waited for him to get out first. She let him dry her off and said, "At least Maddy will be able to play some of the games."
"And we're coming back early," Castle reminded her.
"We are," Beckett said absently as she started to dry him off. She glanced at his member as it was still slightly erect and said, "I'm not surprised."
"Neither am I," Castle replied in mock seriousness.
"Come on, let's get dressed," Beckett said with a smile as she wrapped her towel around herself. "Because if Julia's not awake yet she will be very soon."
"After you," Castle said once he'd wrapped his towel around his waist. He followed her over to the closet and they began to quickly get dressed as he was aware as she was that one or both of their girls would come to see if they were up. They stepped out into their room and he said, "Eliza?"
"Go ahead," Beckett replied with a smile. At their doorway she kissed him gently on the lips before she followed him down the hall to their daughter's rooms. She went inside Julia's room and saw that her oldest was up, her arms wrapped tightly around JoJo's neck.
"Morning Mommy," Julia said with a smile.
"Hey sweetie, how long have you been up?" Beckett asked her.
"Oh… a while," Julia finally answered as she knew she couldn't really lie about that.
"Then you won't mind getting up now," Beckett told her with a smile before she helped her get off the bed once the dogs had.
"We can go straight to the family fun center, right?" Julia asked hopefully as she went with her mother to her closet.
"Oh, I think we can," Beckett replied. "But it doesn't open until ten, so we might have to wait a little."
"That shirt," Julia said after she had pointed out the one she wanted to her mother.
Smiling at her choice; a Ravenclaw shirt she'd gotten for Christmas; Beckett said, "Do you want me to stay with you?"
"Yeah," Julia said, taking her shirt over to the bed while her mother was getting her pants and socks for her. "What about Lizzy?"
"Your daddy…" Beckett began to say before there was a knock on the door. "Rick?" she called to her husband.
"It's me," Castle said. When his wife called him in he opened the door telling the two inside, "She wanted to get dressed here."
"What about Maddy?" Beckett asked, watching him.
"Patrick and Trevor are awake," Castle answered, going over to Julia. He kissed her cheek and said, "Morning sweetheart."
"Morning Daddy," Julia replied with a smile as she hugged him with one arm. "Are you excited to go?"
"Very but it's definitely not open yet," Castle told her.
Giggling softly Julia said, "Mommy said the same thing."
"Since we have the time I should go ahead and get breakfast," Castle replied before he left, waving slightly at his wife as he did so.
"Let me see what you picked out to wear sweetie," Beckett said to Eliza, having already kissed her good morning.
"I like this one," the little girl said with a wide smile.
"I know," Beckett said since it was a shirt her father had given Eliza for Christmas with two macaws on it. "Let me help you get dressed."
"Kay," Eliza replied. "I told Maddy all about the place where we're gonna go."
"Oh yeah?" Beckett asked with a smile as she took off the little girl's pajama shirt.
"Yeah," Eliza said before she frowned a little. When her mother asked her what was wrong she said, "Everyone's gonna have fun at their party right?"
"In the city?" Beckett said. When her youngest nodded she smiled and said, "Of course, it's a very big party as your gram told us so I imagine Alexis and Louis will have fun dancing."
"Who will Gram dance with?" Julia asked as she was getting herself dressed.
"She'll have some friends there I'm sure," Beckett replied. Her mother in law, stepdaughter and Louis had returned to the city three days before for a New Year's Eve party that Martha had been invited to. It was one she tried to attend as she was good friends with the hosts and that year had invited Alexis and Louis to join her.
"Can Maddy watch the Rose Parade tomorrow?" Eliza asked hopefully.
"Yes, we'll be up by the time it starts," Beckett reminded them. "So we can all watch it."
"Do you miss Brennan?" Julia asked, watching her mother as she started to brush Eliza's hair since their father had brought in her little sister's brush.
"Oh of course but he and Clara were right, Erin's school starts very soon so they need to get back and get used to the time change," Beckett said as her cousin had headed back to England three days before as well.
"Patrick and Trevor are here," Eliza told her as she got off the bed since her mother had finished brushing her hair.
"I know and I'm happy about that too," Beckett replied. She then smiled and said, "What would you like done with your hair sweetie?" she asked Julia.
"Just the sides of my hair back in a braid," the girl replied with a smile. As her mother was doing that she said, "I forgot to ask Mommy, how's the baby doing?"
"Very well, she's moving right now," Beckett replied. When Eliza rushed to her and placed her hand on her stomach she smiled and said, "Still not kicking."
"She will next month, right?" Julia said.
"She will," Beckett answered. "But don't ask me when exactly because I have no idea, it depends on your sister."
"I can't wait for next year," Eliza said eagerly as she leaned against her mother, a smile on her face.
"We still have to wait until May before the baby's born Lizzy," Julia pointed out to her sister.
"Nah-uh," Eliza protested. "She can be born early, I was."
"Come in," Beckett said then to the knock on the door. When her father stepped in she smiled and said, "Morning Dad."
"Good morning," Jim said. "What were they arguing about?"
"We weren't Grandpapa," Eliza said, hurrying over to him and embracing him tightly. "We were just saying when the baby is gonna be born."
"'Cause it's New Year's Eve," Julia said.
"I was thinking the same myself," Jim said as he watched his daughter get up.
"I'm not surprised, since of course tomorrow I'm five months," Beckett replied with a smile. "We should go, I don't want Rick making the whole breakfast on his own."
As they left the room Darnley and Nkosi walked out into the hall with their children and they made their way downstairs together before they went to the kitchen.
After he'd said good morning to his father in law and the Darnley-Nkosi family Castle said to his wife, "I'm fine on my own love."
Giving him a look Beckett said, "The least I can do is get the milk ready."
"True," Castle said with a smile. He then said, "You can tell their excitement."
"I know," Beckett said in amusement before they looked over at their daughters. They were setting the table as Maddy followed them around, telling her about the family fun center again obviously.
"Do you need any help?" Darnley asked, walking over to them.
"No, we're just about ready," Castle said, finishing the last omelet. "We can go ahead and sit down." He helped his wife and Darnley in getting the plates of omelets over to the table before they gathered around together with their children and Jim before they began to eat. They were all quiet for a while; even Keo; before Eliza was speaking and very quietly so he, and everyone else, had to pay attention to make sure that they could hear what she was saying.
"Can we play in the snow?" the little girl asked.
"If it's not too cold," Beckett said first.
"And it doesn't start snowing," Castle said. When his wife looked at him he quickly told her, "I don't think it will, I'm just saying."
Nodding Beckett said, "Would you let her join in?" to Darnley and Nkosi.
"Perhaps," the former replied. "Likely not for too long. If that's the case, she has a lot of toys from Christmas still to play with."
Nkosi shared a smile with his husband as Julia and Eliza looked uncertain and he said, "Do not worry; you can play outside all you wish. Maddy will have to take a nap anyways."
"After her nap can we play with her?" Eliza asked.
"Of course," Castle said. "We need you two to babysit them both while we're making dinner."
"All by ourselves?" Julia asked a little suspiciously.
"Your mom-" Castle started to say.
"Your grandpapa," Beckett told him firmly.
"Will be there to watch," Castle finished slowly, looking at her. "And likely their dads too."
"We can help out," Darnley said.
"Depends on what we're going to make," Castle replied. "But sure, why not."
Shaking her head Beckett asked, "Are we all set?"
"We are," Castle said first as he'd finished by then.
"Now what?" Julia asked, getting off her chair and grabbing her plate.
"Now you guys can start watching Keo and Maddy," Beckett told them as she let her husband take her plate. "You can play until we need to go."
"How much longer Mommy?" Eliza asked.
"Two hours," Darnley said. When the two girls looked at him in dismay he laughed and said, "I'm kidding. A half hour?"
"A half hour," Beckett said with a nod and a smile, shaking her head. "So you can play but not for long."
"Come on Maddy we can play with our dolls," Eliza told her.
Hearing that Julia hesitated before she felt her mother's hand on her shoulder and she looked up at her saying, "I don't really want to play with dolls."
"I know, let me go with you and we'll find something else to do while they're busy," Beckett explained. When her daughter looked at her in surprise she said with a smile, "Your daddy insists that I go with you."
"Oh, good," Julia said.
Beckett walked with her oldest; her father behind them; to the family room where Eliza was leading Maddy. She squeezed Julia's hand in her own, knowing already what her daughter would want to do and bracing herself for it as she sat on the couch. As the girl brought over the kit to weave Martha had bought for her she couldn't help hoping the half hour would go fast so they could make their way over to the family fun center since she'd wanted to go back with Darnley after so many years since they'd last been to one together.
"This place is nice," Darnley commented as he walked over to where Beckett was standing.
"I know, I kind of wish they'd opened it sooner," she replied. "But at least now Eliza can play."
Looking ahead of them at their daughters Darnley smiled and said, "I never expected this to happen."
"Neither did I," Beckett said with a smile. "You know the first time I told Rick about you we were playing mini-golf."
"Oh yeah?" Darnley asked with a smile.
"Yeah," Beckett said, trying not to laugh. She then explained her and her husband's time at Michipicoten and the mini-golf course that was there. "I didn't even think I could ask my husband to look for you," she said. "But he told me later that the detective he contacted had originally been in Chicago and only moved to DC six months before he went."
"Then I guess there was a reason why we didn't see each other again until we did," Darnley replied. "Maybe so I could see the baby as soon as it's born."
"You're sounding like Rick now," Beckett said in amusement.
"Someone talking about me?" Castle asked as he and Nkosi walked over to them. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," Beckett said as she stood up from the bench she'd been sitting on while waiting for the two men to come with the golf clubs and golf balls for their game. "I know I'll be standing for a while, so I wanted to get some rest now," she told him. "Are we ready?"
"Yes, but I just hope those two will be okay with not playing," Castle told her, nodding to Maddy and Keo who were with the girls and Jim.
"They will be," Nkosi said first.
"He's right, I'm sure Keo won't mind in the slightest," Darnley said as the girls were being led over by Beckett's father.
"All the same we will show him how to play," Nkosi said.
Castle wanted to ask what he meant when the others reached them, and he helped Nkosi pass out the golf clubs and balls. "We're not keeping score as usual," he commented once they were ready. "And we'll go in order of age."
"So Maddy you get to go first," Eliza said, turning to her friend.
"Me," the toddler said with a wide smile.
"Come here honey," Darnley said before he took her hand. "I'll help you out your first time."
Eliza went over with them and watched as Darnley set down their bright pink golf ball on the ground before he helped Maddy hold the golf club. She nearly held her breath as she hit the ball with her father's help. As it neared the hole at the other end she squealed and hugged her friend saying, "Good job!" When her friend giggled and tried handing her her club she shook her head and said, "I have mine." She set down her ball; which was a blue color; and then hit it down the green before finding when she looked up that it had gotten a bit close to her joy as she looked at her parents.
"Nice," Beckett told her, reaching out to her to hold her hand. When Eliza instead hugged her side, she smiled and gently caressed her hair as Julia went next. It was her turn after, so she stepped up to set her green golf ball down before it was suddenly snatched from her hand.
"I'll get it Mommy!" Eliza said excitedly. "I can put it here for you."
"You don't mind?" Castle asked his wife when she didn't say anything to their daughter doing that.
"No, I appreciate it," Beckett said, smiling at their youngest who was watching them hopefully.
"I want to do that too for you Mommy," Julia said, coming back over to them and wincing inwardly as she realized she sounded jealous.
"I did it first Jules," Eliza said, sounding angry.
"Girls," Castle said sternly. "You can take turns doing that for your mom; we have eighteen holes to play through and that's an even amount."
"Okay," the girls said after they shared a look.
"Thank you," Beckett said to them, trying not to smile as they turned to look at her.
"What if I want to do that too?" Darnley asked as she was getting ready to take her turn.
"One thing you need to learn when you have more than one child is that you don't joke about a disagreement," Beckett told him.
"Point taken," Darnley said before he watched her tap her golf ball. "And this was why you usually beat me," he said when she got a hole in one.
"I'll remind you my dad helped me play," Beckett said as she got out of the way for him.
"Putting mostly," Jim commented.
"It still helped," Beckett said as she went to her father.
"Are you okay?" Jim asked when his daughter paused and tensed for a moment.
"Yes, the baby was moving really hard just now," Beckett said with a smile as she touched her stomach for a moment. "She's getting stronger."
"Hopefully that and not impatient," Castle said while Nkosi was going next.
"Rick?" Darnley said after his husband had gone down to where the hole was with the girls. "Your turn."
"Right," Castle said.
"You can do that again Rick," Beckett told him with a smile as he wasn't letting her go, his arm around her waist.
Reluctantly Castle moved to take his turn next and after Jim had gone they went to the next hole inside the family fun center. They went through the rest of the course together, the girls taking turns putting down their mother's golf ball when it was her turn. Eventually they finished and headed over to the arcade where they stood at the beginning, Castle checking the time while Maddy was tugging on Nkosi's hand to go over to the games.
"Is it time for lunch?" Darnley asked.
"No, we've got about a half hour," Castle said. "Took us a while with so many of us."
"We'll probably split up," Darnley then told them. "Since we need games more appropriate for her," he added, nodding to Maddy who was protesting in Nkosi's arms.
"We'll meet at the front in a half hour," Beckett said before her friend took Keo from her father and walked over to his husband. "Where do you girls want to play?" she said to the two.
"Over here," Eliza said first before looking at her sister.
"Yeah," Julia said with a nod before they led the way over to the skeeball games.
Waiting for her husband to get the coins for the game Beckett told him, "I think we should change things tonight."
"Eat out?" Castle asked as he allowed Jim to play with the girls since that coming Sunday he would be heading back to the city.
"I think so, that way we can just come home and let them play," Beckett replied.
"Where?" Castle asked.
"I was thinking The Riviera," Beckett replied, glancing at the girls since she couldn't translate the name.
"We haven't been there for a while," Castle said after thinking about that for a moment and taking his phone out of his pocket. "But you'll have to warn them they need to dress up."
"I know," Beckett replied. "And I can tell you right now they won't mind."
"Do you?" Castle asked. When she gave him a look he smiled and said, "I sure don't."
"Pervert," Beckett whispered in English under her breath.
"And yours," Castle pointed out to her. When she outright glared at him he merely smiled and then said, "It's true."
Sighing Beckett glanced over at the girls before she looked back at him as he was calling the restaurant. She wasn't surprised when he mentioned his name and the time and when he hung up she asked, "They have a table?"
"That early? Of course, everyone's going later since they're having a countdown there," Castle replied. "We need to be there at six."
"We'll tell them when we see them," Beckett replied. "For now…" she said as the girls and her father were coming back to them.
"What do you want to play Mommy?" Julia asked her.
"I don't care," Beckett said. When her daughters both just looked at her she smiled a little and said, "We can play one of the coin slider games but before that we want to tell you we changed our plans for dinner."
"Are we gonna go out somewhere?" Julia asked hopefully, Eliza gasping next to her.
"Yeah, we're heading out to The Riviera," Castle answered.
"Ooh… with them right?" Eliza asked.
"With them," Castle said slightly laughingly. "And we'll tell them when we meet up again. For now, let's go ahead and finish playing before we have lunch first."
The girls went to Beckett and took her hands before they walked together over to the coin slider game she let them choose. She played with them both, putting in the coins when they were ready for her to do so, until she stopped so they could pick another game to play.
"Mommy?" Julia asked as her sister had chosen one that involved shooting a ball into a holder for a score.
"Yes? You don't want to play?" Beckett asked her with a smile.
"No," Julia said, looking a little troubled. "Could we invite everyone else to come with us?"
"You mean the Fosters?" Castle asked as he and Eliza had finished their game.
"And Eve and Jake," Julia said.
"They might have plans," Castle said as she glanced at his wife and saw that she was looking at him. "But I'll give them a call."
"You can play now Jules," Eliza said to her big sister.
"Sure," Julia said with a smile.
"Will you watch them?" Beckett asked her father. When he nodded she went over to where her husband was standing, and she waited for him to finish speaking to who she guessed was Brad before she asked, "David and Rebecca?"
"Oh, they're on board," Castle said. "I just barely said hello when he said that if we were making plans to go out they were both in." He then said, "I offered to take their kids for them."
"Jake?" Beckett asked, not surprised he'd suggested that.
"He's already at a friend's house," Castle said. "He's spending the night there. "And so is Eve so it'll just be Mari and Dani. The one problem is where Dani will sleep."
"They'll fit in Eliza's bed," Beckett said. Looking at her watch then said, "We need to go meet them. But good, I'm glad we'll see them even though Eve and Jake won't be there."
"I'm surprised Brad and Lily want to come with us," Castle confessed.
"I know," Beckett said with a soft laugh. "But it's a chance for them to dress up. You did mention the kids were coming right?"
"Oh, they know," Castle said reassuringly but that was all he could say as they were reaching their kids and her father.
Walking together over to the front of the family fun center they met the Darnley-Nkosis who were holding their children before they left to have lunch after discussing where they would be going together.
"I'm stuffed," Darnley said as he was putting on his coat.
"That's why we're going outside now," Beckett replied.
"You'll be careful right?" Darnley asked her in obvious concern.
With a slight smile Beckett said, "Rick's asked me the same and yes, I'll be fine. I don't want to… hurt the baby."
"What?" Darnley asked, watching her closely.
Taking a deep breath Beckett then told him about the case her husband had related to her after they'd found out they were having another daughter. "I was… horrified," she told him.
"I am too," Darnley said, shaking his head. "You know we didn't pick our kids' genders, right?"
"I know," Beckett reassured him. "And we're not picking ours either."
"I have to admit," Darnley whispered to her as he leaned over to her so he wouldn't risk anyone hearing him. "The fact that he's ecstatic at having a fourth daughter means he's definitely a keeper."
"Going into six years of marriage I believe I agree with you; but for way more than just that," Beckett said with a smile. She saw he was looking down at her stomach and she said, "I've told you already how this feels."
"I know but it's still a shock to see this," Darnley said, touching her stomach briefly. "It has to be weird… a curve…"
"You're lucky I know your fascination is non-sexual," Castle said as he walked over to them.
"Oh, that language," Darnley said teasingly to him. "And I never saw this before in person, so I'm fascinated."
"I don't blame you, I am too," Castle said before he turned to see Nkosi and Jim leading Julia and Eliza over to where they were at the door to the backyard and they were all quiet while waiting for the four to reach them.
"They're ready," Jim told his daughter and son in law. "And Maddy and Keo are still asleep."
"Just text us if one of them or both wake-" Darnley began to say.
"I can handle them," Jim interrupted. "But if they can't seem to calm down I'll text you of course."
"Thank you," Darnley said before he followed the others outside.
"Mommy, it's Mari!" Julia said eagerly as she saw her best friend with her parents and sister.
"I guess they're joining us early," Castle said.
"Hello," David called as they met in the middle of the yard. "We were a little bored so decided to see if you were here to join you."
"She's not taking a nap?" Beckett asked Rebecca as she was holding Dani.
"She probably should," she replied with a smile. Rebecca looked at her daughter and smiled before saying, "We should probably just leave Mari and head back home."
"You can bring her into the house," Beckett said. "My dad is keeping an ear out for Maddy and Keo and he can watch her."
"Alright," Rebecca said after thinking about that. "He won't mind, will he?"
"No, take her inside," Beckett urged.
"Sure," Rebecca replied before she called to her husband.
Looking over at her husband when he walked up to her Beckett asked, "You're just letting them play with the girls?"
"Well they're running around," Castle commented. "And I decided since they're younger and so are their knees…"
Beckett smiled and said, "Not because you want to stop me from following?"
"I know you love, you wouldn't do that," Castle replied. "Not on the ice anyways."
"Oh," Beckett said, slightly laughingly. She then turned to him and held onto his arm telling him, "We should have taken a second alone."
"We need to change," Castle said, smiling at her as he quickly turned his attention to her that.
"Too long," Beckett replied.
Castle was heavily tempted to kiss his wife then but couldn't do so as Rebecca and David were coming outside and over to them. "If you're going to ask she's fine," he told them quickly.
"I can tell," Rebecca said first with a smile as Beckett let go of her husband. "You guys do something else today?"
"We went out to the family fun center," Castle answered.
"With the younger two?" David asked.
"Yeah, Keo was just happy to be there," Darnley said, stopping with the three girls and his husband in front of them. "And Maddy was taught how to putt so they enjoyed it."
"How will they be at the restaurant?" Rebecca asked as the girls left them quickly after to run around with the dogs.
"We have experience taking them to those kinds of places," Nkosi replied. "We will be able to keep them calm."
"I thought you might know what to do," Rebecca replied. They turned to their children and she smiled saying, "We're leaving you with two more kids."
"We don't mind," Castle said.
"He's right, at least Julia will have Mari to spend the night," Beckett added, taking her husband's hand. "Since Erin left she's been on her own with the dogs."
"I think that means don't feel guilty," Darnley said with a smile.
Hearing her daughters calling her Beckett walked over to them and she asked, "What is it?"
"Can we make a hill and sled?" Eliza asked first, her voice heavily tinged with excitement.
"We can, if you guys will help me…" Castle replied.
"Come on Kate," Rebecca said, taking her friend's arm and pulling her over to the steps up to the patio carefully. Once there she took her down to the gazebo, not surprised when Beckett didn't say a word until they were both sitting down and watched their families and friends all working together to make their hill.
"I'm a little jealous of them," Beckett said absently.
"Have Rick pull you along in the sled," Rebecca replied. "I bet you anything he would do it."
"I know," Beckett said, turning back to her. "So why did you drag me over here? And don't say it's to ask how I'm doing because I know it's not that."
"No, just wondering how you two are doing with your house almost full," Rebecca said.
"You know our room is on the other side of the house from everyone else," Beckett stated.
Smiling Rebecca said, "When we first met him Rick said that's why he had liked it. It made him feel like it was a manor in Europe."
"He told me that too," Beckett said. "But it's beneficial when you have kids."
"I know, I wish there was more space between our room and the kids' but what can you do?" Rebecca said. She and Beckett laughed together before she said, "Are you eager for the New Year?"
"Of course," Beckett told her quickly. She smiled and then said, "Hard to believe I'll be in the middle of this tomorrow."
"I know," Rebecca said. "Have you two thought of names yet?"
"We've thrown them around," Beckett said with a nod. "But really to be fair to our baby we'll wait to see her before we decide for sure."
"It's for sure it's a girl, right?" Rebecca asked.
Nodding Beckett said, "I wanted to be, so we had the doctor check and she's definitely a girl."
"Did you talk about the looks yet?" Rebecca then said. "You said you did that with Eliza."
"Way earlier," Beckett answered. She smiled and said, "We haven't but I think we know what we would like and what might actually happen." When her friend looked at her questioningly she confessed, "I feel… ridiculous about this but I want her to have Rick's eyes. Almost desperately but I know she'll likely have my eyes," leaning back against the seat before she saw her husband was at the entrance to the gazebo and realized he had heard her clearly.
"I had a feeling," Castle said, smiling gently at his wife as Rebecca excused herself quickly and left them alone. "You said the same thing when we were talking about Eliza."
"Well I didn't want it so badly," Beckett said, standing up and going to him. "I don't know why it's happening this time." She thought of something and asked, "You never saw the baby in your dream, did you?"
"She's indistinct," Castle said. "All I know is that she's a girl; sorry."
"It's alright," Beckett said. "I don't need her to have your eyes, I'd like her to."
"A lot," Castle added for her. When she gave him a look he smiled at her and said, "That's how I was when I said I wanted Eliza to look like you."
"Okay," Beckett said with a soft laugh. She stepped up to him and hugged him tightly before they shared a brief kiss. When they'd parted she looked over at the yard and saw Julia was climbing to the top of the hill with her sled. "When they're done," she said slowly as they were walking down the patio to the steps. "Will you pull me around on it?"
"Sure," Castle said quickly. When she started to laugh he asked, "What?"
"Rebecca suggested that, I mentioned I was jealous of the girls," Beckett replied.
"I don't blame you," Castle said reassuringly. "And I'll take you; take the girls with you you'll all fit."
"Thank you," Beckett said before they made their way down to the snow. She held his hand as the girls were going down the hill and she said, "You don't want to join in?" since Darnley and Nkosi were going with Eliza and Julia when they asked.
"They commanded me to stay with you," Castle told her with a smile.
"I'm not surprised," Beckett replied. She leaned against him slightly, watching the girls going together all at once down the hill before she gasped as the sled hit something and they fell off together in a heap. She nearly started running to them to check and make sure when Castle held her by her elbow and they walked quickly over to them.
"Any bumps or bruises?" Castle asked when they reached them, and he checked on his daughters while David was doing the same with Mari.
"No, but how did that happen?" Julia asked, standing up as her father helped Eliza.
"You must have hit a slippery patch," Darnley commented, looking at the path the sled at taken.
"Did you pull to the left?" Beckett asked, watching where her friend was walking.
"A little, I didn't want to hit you and Daddy," Julia replied as her mother was brushing off snow on her sleeve.
"Well next time tell us to get out of the way," Beckett said. "Even if we're not," she added quickly as her daughter was opening her mouth to speak.
"For now," Castle said. "Why don't we stop and get the yard flat again? Your mom wants to go sledding with you."
"How?" Eliza asked as her mother was checking her arms and face.
"I think Daddy's going to pull us around," Julia said, joining her sister in hugging their mother.
"She's right, Mari-" Castle began to say.
"I got to go on the sled," the little girl replied, smiling widely.
"Come and sit with me," Beckett said, going over to the sled that Nkosi had brought over. "You in front of me Eliza."
"But what about the baby?" the little girl asked worriedly.
"Don't press back against me," Beckett said before they were sitting and Julia was soon behind her, her arms wrapped around her. She watched Castle pick up the rope in the front and she smiled when they started to move.
"Here's where I'm really glad for my arms," Castle couldn't help saying as he walked backwards around the snow.
"Us too," Beckett said with a soft laugh. She watched him closely as they went in a circle around the yard before he nearly slipped, "Careful love."
"I'll be-" Castle startled to say before he slipped a second time and fell to the snow. "Ow," he said with a laugh.
"Are you okay?" Beckett asked, the girls leaving the sled to go to their father.
"Yeah, there's a hollow here luckily," Castle said. "Or my bum would hurt… a lot."
Beckett got off the sled herself then and waited for her husband to stand before she began to brush off the snow that was on his back. "I think that's about it for the yard now," she told him.
"I guess so, I'm afraid of you being next," Castle said seriously. He then looked at the others and said to Rebecca and David, "You're staying right?"
"If we're allowed to, why?" the latter asked.
"I'll make some cider, I'm sure the kids inside are awake," Castle replied. "Let's head in."
"We can play now right Mommy?" Eliza asked.
"Yes, and now you have three friends to play with," Beckett said, taking her hand and holding it tightly.
"Ooh… what do I do?" Eliza asked after thinking about that.
"Whatever they can play with," Beckett said. When they were all inside and had their coats and outer layers off they went over to the family room where Jim had brought down Keo and Maddy and was trying to hold the toddler and Dani there as they were trying to leave and find their parents.
"I'll hurry with that cider," Castle said as he watched the parents reuniting with their kids.
Beckett watched for a moment before Rebecca came over to her and murmured to her before she said, "I know," to the woman's statement that they could handle the kids. "I'm just making sure my daughters are okay with me going." She looked with her friend at Julia and Eliza; both playing with their friends by then; and she said, "I'll come back with him." As Rebecca laughed at her she turned and left the room going down the hall to join her husband. "You're sure you're okay?" she asked when he turned to look at her.
"You're just asking that to get back at me," Castle said jokingly. "And I'm fine love, just a little bit of a shock."
Nodding Beckett leaned against the island and said, "Should we invite Brad and Lily here too?"
"We could but they'll need to bring their clothes probably and change here," Castle commented absently as he was preparing the mugs for the hot water.
"They don't live too far away Rick," Beckett told him. "I'm sure if they came over they'd just go back."
"True but there's also a part of me wondering if we should bother," Castle told her.
"I had the same thought," Beckett admitted. "We'll just keep this to the kids and their parents."
"Great and I texted them and they're staying in," Castle replied before he turned to his wife and wrapped his arms around her tightly as she rolled her eyes though she was still smiling. As soon as he could he leaned down and nearly crushed her lips with his own, clutching at her as tightly as possible until finally they slowly parted. He was going to speak but she made the decision he didn't need to as they were kissing again. He would have been happy to continue for a long time, but they were interrupted by the sound of the kettle whistling and he groaned as he pulled away from her and went to take it off the stove. As he did that his wife began to laugh and before he could ask what was so funny she was speaking and answering his unasked question.
"Sorry I looked down the hall and Julia was peeking her head out," Beckett explained to him.
"Do you think she saw us?" Castle asked her.
"I think so," Beckett replied. She shrugged and said, "I'm sure she's happy we were doing that." She watched him pour the water into the mugs and said, "We don't have all that much time for them to play."
"No but I don't think they'll mind," Castle replied.
"True," Beckett said with a smile. "And I just realized that except with the addition of a few other guests and my father this is basically like last New Year's Eve."
"Right down to Mari and Dani here to spend the night," Castle commented in agreement.
"And if you hadn't had those guests and your dad we would have taken your girls," Rebecca said, walking over to them.
"Are they getting impatient for the cider?" Castle asked, handing his wife her mug and then Rebecca one of the others.
"A little and I'm looking at the time; I don't want Mari to be full for dinner because of that," she replied.
"We should have them play with the dogs," Beckett commented as she and her friend walked ahead of Castle who was carrying a tray with the other mugs.
"Down the hall?" Rebecca asked. When Beckett nodded she smiled and said, "Good idea but Maddy won't really be able to run after them."
"Run after who?" Darnley asked.
"The dogs," Beckett said while her husband was going around and giving everyone a mug.
"Can we play fetch?" Eliza asked interestedly.
"You can but you need to be careful," Beckett replied.
"And drink your cider first," Castle added, making the kids giggle at him. He sat down with his wife on the couch and watched with the others while the kids were playing and some of them sipping at their drinks at the same time before they were finished.
"Now can we go play?" Julia asked, getting up and putting her hand on Macca's back as he stood next to her. Since he was fully grown the top of his head was close to her shoulder though she'd grown taller herself. "I think they want to run without their boots."
"That's a given," Castle said as he tried to help his father in law gathering the mugs. When Jim brushed him aside he sighed and went after the girls who were leading the dogs to the hallway.
"JoJo looks like he settled right in," David commented as he stood with his friend in the doorway to watch the others.
"Yeah, the girls took care of that," Castle replied, knowing he was referring to Macca and Rita. "Plus, we made sure they were trained."
"JoJo too," Beckett said, walking over to them.
"Did they chase you off?" Castle asked, letting Keo who was in her arms take his index finger.
"Sort of, Patrick mentioned him and Trevor thinking of getting a dog so they're going to show ours off," Beckett answered, having to hold onto her hair as the baby was grabbing the end of a strand.
"Good way to do that," Castle said with a laugh. "Think they'll get one?"
"If we do it will be a smaller dog," Nkosi said, standing near them against the wall as they were watching the dogs running after the toys they'd gotten for Christmas. "This big is… too much."
"Understandable," Beckett said, bouncing Keo a little on her hip as he cried out when Rita ran near them.
"See? Doggies are nice," Eliza was telling Darnley after the Hound had come back to her and licked at her face.
"I can tell," he replied, watching as his daughter leaned against Macca. "He's docile," Darnley said to Beckett.
"With them yes," she replied with a smile. "He's our guard dog… well he was before we got these two."
"So your security detail is very good," Darnley told her, walking over to her as the girls were playing tug of war with all three dogs then.
"It is," Beckett said slightly laughingly. "Here," she said, handing Keo to her friend.
"Are you okay?" Jim asked his daughter as he'd been watching her.
"I need to sit," Beckett replied. She wasn't surprised when Castle rushed after her and when she was sitting on the couch squeezed his hand to reassure him as she knew he was looking at her in concern.
"You're not okay," Castle told her before she could say anything. "And this is about the time your back pains started last time."
"I was hoping," Beckett replied as he gently rubbed her back.
"There?" Castle asked when he saw that she wasn't reacting to him.
"A little lower," Beckett said. When he reached where she was feeling a slight twinge she said, "It's not that bad."
"No but I get the feeling playing mini-golf didn't help," Castle said.
Beckett was going to protest but she knew her husband was right so she hesitated and instead said, "Does it seem really quiet to you?"
"It does," Castle said, turning his head. He turned his head over to the door and said, "She's okay, it's just her back."
Following his gaze Beckett saw that Julia and Eliza were in front of everyone with Darnley directly behind them. She smiled at them, as her friend looked a little concerned, and she told them, "I'm alright, you can keep playing."
Eliza ran around to her mother, Julia close behind her, and she said, "I don't wanna now Mommy. Is the baby kay?"
"She is," Beckett reassured her. "My back is a little sore carrying her now."
When Eliza made a tiny noise of distress Castle said, "She went through the same thing when she was carrying you and she was fine. She just needs to rest."
"Which I'm doing now," Beckett said pointedly as she looked at him.
"You guys can keep playing though," Castle said, turning to look at the others.
"And that means you both," Beckett said, hugging both Julia and Eliza at the same time. "Go," she told them before they went over to where Mari was sitting in the middle of the room with Maddy.
Relieved the two began to play with the other girls Castle stopped rubbing his wife's back when she squeezed his other hand. He watched her for a moment but when she just glanced at him he turned his attention back to the girls, glancing at his watch to see how much longer they had before they needed to get ready.
Beckett smiled when hers and Castle's daughters began to laugh with their friends and then leaned against her husband as they watched them. She was soon talking to their friends and her father about plans for the rest of their kids' week off until they gathered their kids and left the room to prepare for their reservation.