The rest of dinner passed quickly, the group soon getting up to leave after their separate bills were paid. When they were in the store next door Jim was going to his daughter, seeing she was standing by the candy and talking to Eliza and Josie at the same time.
"You can get one, but just one Eliza," Beckett was saying. "And you Josie, we'll get one to share, okay?"
"We have to say okay," Eliza told her baby sister.
"Eh," Josie said, nodding.
"Say it," Eliza said. She was startled when her sister shook her head and she said, "What's wrong?"
"I think she might be starting to get tired," Jim said, smiling when the three looked at him. "I was going to ask if you wanted me to handle that for you," he directed to his daughter.
"She'll be alright, but I would appreciate if you could take her," Beckett replied before she picked Josie up. "Want to go with your grandpapa?" she asked the toddler.
At the shake of her sister's head Eliza asked, "Could I go with the others?"
"Go straight to them," Beckett said firmly. She turned to her father and said, "I'll keep her with me."
"Of course," Jim said. "I'll wait outside if she wants to go in the stroller."
"You don't want to look around at all?" Beckett asked in surprise. When her father shook his head and left them, she turned her attention to Josie saying, "I hope you'll like the candy I pick out sweetie."
"I think she will," Castle said, walking up to them.
"Do you need help with the girls?" Beckett asked.
Shaking his head firmly Castle told her, "I was just seeing if you wanted me to get your candy bar."
"Yes, grab the Flake one for me," Beckett said.
"She's going to make a mess," Castle said before they were both looking at Josie to see her reaction.
When the toddler was leaning her head against hers, Beckett said with a smile, "I'll deal with that once I get to that point." She was gently rocking Josie before she realized her husband was with her and she said, "You don't want to keep looking around?"
"I think I'm good," Castle said though he was heading to the candy bars and picking one out. "Now I am."
Laughing softly, Beckett told him, "I'm not surprised. But I think you're going to need to pay."
Turning and seeing the others were walking up to them Castle said, "I'll be first."
"After you see what our daughters got," Beckett commented, watching him going to Julia and Eliza.
"Mama," Josie said then.
"You're not tired now sweetie?" Beckett asked in amusement.
Shaking her head Josie then said, "Going to walk."
"We will as soon as we finish here," Beckett said before she turned her attention to Skye since the investigator was walking up to them. "Okay?" she asked, seeing her friend fighting her smile before she responded.
"Yeah, I was talking with Mary, and she suggested we might want to grab dessert now," Skye said with a smile.
"Sweet?" Josie asked.
"I should have seen if I could talk about this in front of her," Skye told the toddler's mother.
"It's okay," Beckett said. "And you're right, though I would suggest walking a little." She was a bit taken aback when her friend shifted suddenly and she asked, "You said the same thing?"
"I did, but… do you mind stopping in one store," Skye said.
"The bookstore?" Beckett asked.
"No," Skye said slowly.
"You want to go to a boutique to get a dress?" Beckett then inquired though she was smiling a little at the same time.
"You're gonna get a dress Mummy?" Iris asked, hurrying up to her.
"Yes," Skye said before she smiled when her youngest giggled while she hugged her.
"I want sweet… dress," Josie said slowly.
"We're not getting a dress," Beckett said quickly. "But why aren't you telling me what store you want to go to."
"It's not Mum," Kathleen said since they were all gathering together.
"It's us," Marie continued. "Bath and Body Works, we love going there."
"They have soaps?" Eliza guessed.
"And really cute candle holders," Ivy said eagerly. "Are we going to go?"
"They might have their Halloween collection," Mary said slowly. "But likely just the start of it."
"But the bigger question is do the rest of you want to join in?" Skye said, turning to the others.
"I'm game," Lily said. When the others all turned to her, she said, "I used to shop there in Albany."
After the others had agreed, they began walking together out of the store and back to 3rd Street where Beckett set Josie down.
"You need to stay with us sweetie," she told the toddler.
"Want 'lexis," Josie replied.
"I'll take her," the young woman said, stopping ahead of their parents and turning around when she heard her name.
Watching their youngest toddle to their oldest, Castle took his wife's hand gently before they were continuing and he asked, "You've never been in the store?"
"I have… only twice though," Beckett said, trying to recall.
"Once with me," Darnley reminded her.
"That's true," Beckett said. "Before it moved from that place by your apartment."
Nodding Darnley said, "I did enjoy the candles, luckily she indulged me wanting to look."
"It wasn't that difficult," Beckett said with a smile.
Studying the pair Castle asked, "How many people thought you were married?"
"Not married," Beckett said, still smiling since Darnley had laughed at the question. "Dating which wasn't a surprise."
"It meant we were doing our job," Darnley commented. He then spotted the store and told the couple, "At least we don't have to pretend."
"I can't tell you how glad I am to hear that," Castle said, not surprised when his wife nudged him before Julia was hurrying back to them and speaking in a rush to their surprise.
"If we see something we like, could we get it?" Julia asked.
"As long as you let us see it first," Castle replied. "Though you do have Antonetta's remember."
"I know, but they keep talking about candles," Julia replied.
"We'll see," Beckett said before they entered the store. She glanced around and said, "It hasn't changed too much."
"I was just going to say," Darnley told her when he walked over to her. "Though I'm not seeing too many of the scents that the one in New York had."
"I haven't either," Beckett replied before she looked down at Josie.
"Do you want me to take her?" Castle asked.
"I wasn't intending to get anything," Beckett replied. "Just look."
"What if the girls do find something?" Castle asked as they began to walk further in the store.
"It depends," Beckett said simply before they were turning their attention to the items on the shelves. As they were walking through everything she wasn't surprised at Josie's reactions to the bright colors of the soaps and designs on the labels and the candles. When they were finished looking through everything, she saw Julia was making her way over to them and she asked, "You found something?"
"A candle," Julia replied. "It's the fall ones… Marie and Kath said."
"Pumpkin Apple? It looks like it," Castle replied, seeing the label.
"I want," Josie said, reaching for it.
"Here," Castle said, opening it and lowering it to the toddler. "Smell it, don't eat the wicks."
Julia couldn't help laughing briefly but she wasn't surprised when her little sister was swiftly sniffing and she said, "Nice huh?"
"Yeah," Josie said, nodding. "Is… eating?" she asked.
"I'll burn it in my room," Julia said, looking at their mother.
"As long as you burn it in the holder you have while you're there," Beckett said firmly.
"Holder?" Julia asked.
"I saw you eyeing the leaf one," Castle told her.
"Could I get it?" Julia said.
"I think so," Beckett said, not surprised when the teen left them in a rush.
"She'll come back," Castle told Josie when she was making a sound of protest. "We have her candle." He then turned to his wife and said, "That we're going to buy for her?"
"Mmm-hmm," Beckett replied while Julia was returning to them. "Let me see," she told her.
"I really like the ombre effect," Julia was saying as her mother was turning the holder with different shaped leaves that went from red at the top to a golden yellow color at the bottom.
"Me too," Mari said, stepping up to them.
"You're getting it?" Julia asked with a smile.
"Yeah, I love the effect… but if I used this, I would so use a different color than the gold," Mari replied.
"What candle did you pick?" Beckett asked her.
"Sweater Weather," Mari answered, letting her friend and then her friend's family smell it. She sniffed at her friend's candle and said, "You're getting this one."
"Well… I did kind of like the Leaves one," Julia admitted.
"Then get that one instead," Beckett said.
Watching the two girls leave them, Castle said to his wife, "That was weird," not surprised when she was responding with a smile.
"Not really, she must have thought one of us wouldn't like it," Beckett replied.
"Me," Eliza said, walking up to them. She smiled noticing her parents were looking at her in surprise and said, "I smelled the one she got and said it was perfect."
"Then why don't you get it?" Castle asked her.
Blushing a little Eliza said, "I don't have a candle holder."
"Grab one," Beckett said.
"Thank you," Eliza said happily.
"I wasn't expecting that," Castle said.
"I was, remember Antonetta's?" Beckett asked him.
"That's true," Castle said swiftly. "But they could have tried something here."
"We don't want to," Julia said, walking back with Mari.
"Okay," Castle said, taking the candle she had. "Did Alexis find anything?"
"You can ask me Dad," the young woman said firmly. "And I didn't," she added before they were walking to the front of the store since some others were getting in line to pay for their choices as well.
"I'm surprised," Louis said to his wife while they were watching the others.
"About what?" Alexis replied in amusement.
"That they're so eager to stay when there's a game room back at the house," Louis answered.
"Oh, I'm sure they're thinking about it," Alexis answered, still smiling. "Give it some time."
"After dessert?" Louis asked her.
"Most likely," Alexis said, nodding before they were turning to the line.
"Do you like the pool table?" Mary was asking Darnley.
"I do, surprised that you got one to be honest," the carpenter said.
"That was my insistence," Skye said. "Didn't we tell you we had one in Cork?"
"I forgot," Darnley said slowly before he laughed. "I should have realized," he then said before the investigator was responding.
"Yes," Skye said. "But really, the one in Cork was getting old so I really wanted to get a newer one." She realized the others with them were looking at her in obvious confusion and asked her wife, "Did I not explain that right?"
"You did, but you're leaving out some information," Mary explained.
"Ah, we had debated sending it here," Skye said. "But since we went for more modern decor, we decided to just leave it at the house."
"Which is good," Darnley said.
"Go ahead and play," Skye said laughingly. When the carpenter was frowning, she said, "Seriously, we don't have to play this first."
"We're not as dedicated as you are," Mary said.
"What're you going to play?" Nkosi asked them when his husband was rushing to get a cue.
"I think the pinball machine," Mary replied.
"Any reason why you chose the one you have?" Beckett asked. She was surprised when Skye smirked and looked pointedly at her wife before she asked, "You wanted it?"
"I loved the movie when it came out," Mary said, the machine being themed to the movie Jurassic Park. She then smirked a little and said, "You didn't mind."
"Oh no, I don't mind the movie either," Skye said with a smile. She reached over to Mary and lightly pinched her hip before she said, "The two of you?"
"I'm not sure," Castle said, looking at his wife who was smiling at him.
"I know already what you want to do," Beckett said. "And you're lucky no one's playing there."
"I thought the same," Castle said before they were leaving the pool table while Darnley and Nkosi were beginning their game. When they'd reached the game she told her husband, "You're lucky we didn't have to put this kind in our basement," not surprised when he was responding swiftly.
"Yeah, I was afraid I was going to have to settle for this," Castle replied. "Not that this is bad," he said in a rush.
"It fits," Beckett responded. She smiled when her husband nodded and then told him, "You're lucky they don't mind."
Turning to see the McDouglas women were at the pinball machine with Ivy, Castle asked, "When did that happen?"
"Just now," Beckett replied with a smile. She picked up one of the smaller bowling balls and stepped up onto the lane before she rolled it.
"Yeah, glad we have a regular lane," Castle said, watching the pins flying on strings at the end.
"Are we going to be able to play that bowling alley at your house?" Skye called since the pinball machine was near the bowling lane.
"It's just two lanes," Castle said while his wife was rolling for her second turn.
"I still think it's an alley," Skye said as Beckett walked back to them. "You're not jealous? Mad?"
"No," she replied, rolling her eyes though she was smiling after since her husband and friend were laughing. Beckett then got her husband's attention and said, "Your turn," not surprised when he was speaking quickly.
"You don't want to have Josie come over here?" Castle asked.
Looking over at their youngest who was with Eliza and the younger kids at the air cannon game Beckett said, "I think she's fine there. Since you found the same kind of game for our room it's better she gets used to that sound."
"You have the same game?" Mary asked in surprise.
Shaking his head Castle explained the airplane propellor game when he saw the way Skye straightened up from her game. "I should have mentioned that to you before," he said.
"We should have," Beckett told her husband.
"Where did you get it?" Skye asked.
"Are we getting another game?" Ivy asked, walking up to her mothers.
"More than likely," Skye said with a smile. She leaned down to press a kiss to the top of her second youngest's head before asking, "Why are you here darling?"
"I wanted to see this game," Ivy explained.
"And would you like to play it?" Mary asked, laughing when the little girl rushed up to her. She hugged her and then said, "Well?"
Smiling as Ivy was giggling at her mother's tone, Beckett turned to her husband before she saw he'd taken his turn. "Nice," she said.
"Not a strike though," Castle said. He watched her take his place before he looked on for her two turns until he realized someone was standing next to him. "I'm guessing you're joining us?" he asked.
"If you don't mind," Skye said in amusement, turning to her wife while she was going up to the end of the lane.
"You're staring," Beckett said in Russian.
"Quiet you," Skye replied swiftly though she was smiling shortly after.
"What did you say?" Castle asked.
"She's staring at me," Mary said. She smirked at her wife when she looked at her in surprise and said, "I guessed," not surprised when she was responding swiftly.
"Well, I give you leave to watch me," Skye said, bowing exaggeratedly.
Laughing, Mary urged her wife to bowl when she said to Castle and Beckett, "Are you guys still sure about that dinner we're going to have?"
"If we weren't the kids are," Castle said.
"He's right, they asked us about it earlier on the Promenade," Beckett said.
"I almost thought they were pushing us to eat there," Castle told his wife who nodded in agreement. "But they said it was great if we were staying here."
"Especially now," Julia commented, walking by them.
"Come back here," Castle said. He was about to speak when her eyes widened at the way he'd said that and he couldn't help laughing before telling her, "I'm not kidding but you're not in trouble."
"I was going to say," Julia said, walking over. "What?"
"Would you mind us playing here and swimming that night we have the dinner all together?" Castle asked her.
"Rick," Beckett said while Julia was giggling at the same time.
"It's not your decision Dad," the teen said once she'd calmed down.
"I just wanted to make sure," Castle replied before he realized Skye was with them. "Just kidding," he said.
"Don't worry, I was aware of that already," the investigator said before she was jumping slightly when her phone rang. "Excuse me," Skye said, getting it from her pocket.
"Oh, please say that's not work," Kathleen said.
"Kath," Mary said simply before the girl was sighing and apologizing.
"Sorry Mom, but I don't want her to have to go to work," Kathleen explained.
"Neither do I, but why don't we wait and see who called exactly before we assume?" Mary said gently. When her second oldest nodded she wrapped an arm around her shoulders before they turned hearing Skye laughing as she was returning to the room.
"Same for yourself, give our love to everyone," the investigator was saying before she hung up. Realizing that everyone was looking at her, Skye smiled and said, "Great news, it's not from work."
"Good," Mary said, glancing at their daughters. "Who was it, if we can know."
"You can," Skye replied, going to the bar at the side of the room. "I think we're going to have to call this the concession stand you know."
"I don't think it matters grá," Mary replied. "Just tell the kids before they have a riot."
"Don't you mean throw?" Castle couldn't help asking.
"It doesn't matter, Skye," Mary told her wife firmly.
"It was Paul," the investigator then said. Smiling at the gasps from the kids she said, "He's playing a concert in San Diego right before we're there and he'll have a little time off."
"When we're going to be there," Beckett stated.
Nodding Skye said, "I told him our itinerary and he said they can make it for a few days."
"Which ones?" Iris asked.
"You'll find out," Skye replied. "Though nice try," she added with a laugh before Eliza was suddenly speaking.
"Where's he going to stay?" the little girl asked.
"At the hotel, the Hyatt," Skye said, correcting herself swiftly.
"And the house?" David asked.
"The owners are there at the moment," Skye said. "Though that can't surprise you."
"Not really," Darnley said in amusement. "Though we were aware that might be the case since we all have reservations already."
"We can't talk about San Diego?" Fleur asked.
"No, and you're running out of time before you lot need to go to bed you know," Skye said in amusement.
Beckett watched as the kids suddenly rushed to the games and turned to her husband asking, "When did she come over?"
"Just now," Castle responded, letting her take their youngest. "Though the fact that she did so quietly makes me a little worried."
Shaking her head Beckett said, "We're finished with bowling so we might want to do something else with her."
Looking around for a moment, Castle then turned to his wife and said, "Your pick."
"Of course it is," Beckett said in amusement before she started walking over to the skeeball game, her husband following.
"What're you doing?" Beckett said.
Jumping a little, since her friend had spoken over the PA for the studio, Skye stood up and asked, "Are you there by yourself?"
"No," Mary said before her wife was responding in mock annoyance.
"Come in," Skye said simply. "The door is open."
"Just me," Liam said with a smile when he entered to studio. "Are you alright."
"Just fine," Skye replied simply. She then said. "I wanted to check the piano, before I returned to everyone."
"Well, we're about to leave," Liam said. "If we're heading out tomorrow and we'll be in the sun all day…"
"You realize we did get you and the other grandparents cabanas, right?" Mary asked.
"Oh good," Skye said before her father could reply to that. "I thought I was going to force you in here." She then turned back to the control room and asked, "You want to leave?"
"He's right," Martha said. "It's going to be a long day."
"Okay, then I'll head inside," Skye said, going to her father and putting her arm through his before they went to the foyer. "You'll be here for breakfast?" she asked.
"We'll eat at our house," Pablo said. "We'd like to have that dinner still."
"It'd have to be the day before we leave for San Diego," Skye said. "And the oldest kids leave for England," smiling when Castle responded.
"Yeah, I'd refrain from saying that in front of them," he told her.
"So you've said, but it's faster than saying both their names," Skye explained. When the others were calling for their attention, she said goodbye to her father and Pablo before saying goodnight to the six.
Once Skye had closed the front door and locked it, Rebecca said, "Did you want to go back to the studio?"
"We don't mind," Beckett said swiftly.
Looking at her Skye asked, "You want to take pictures?"
"I thought of that but then I realized you might want to relax," Beckett replied.
"I would," Skye said.
Since her wife was looking directly at her, Mary asked, "You want to run through a song?"
"I would," Skye replied, smiling.
"Oh, with that look do I want to ask what you want to sing?" Mary asked jokingly.
"Let's head to the studio," Skye said simply before they were going over to it.
After they were in the new wing, Mary asked, "Now will you tell me?"
"I think you mean us," Castle commented since they were all inside the studio.
"Alright, you want to go through Tempted?" Skye asked.
"From Squeeze," Castle said before the doctor could respond.
"Yeah, we're not singing it for ourselves," Skye said.
"Did you not want to sing it?" Lily was asking the doctor.
"I do but there's a problem," Mary answered. She paused and then said, "Really three of them."
"Just a run through with our guitars," Skye said. When her wife shook her head she said, "Okay…"
"You have a keyboard, don't you?" Mary asked, her eyebrow raised.
"Okay," Skye said again swiftly before she was rushing to the keyboard that was set up in the room. She played a few chords before she asked the others, "Ready?"
"I am," Beckett said.
"Do you all know this song?" Mary asked suddenly. When they were nodding, she said, "Is it alright we're going to sing it?"
"Despite the lyrics it's a good song," Brad said.
Laughing after the others were swiftly agreeing to that, Skye nodded and then said, "Alright, let me start," turning to the keyboard and beginning to play before they were she and her wife were singing together.
I bought a toothbrush, some toothpaste, a flannel for my face
Pajamas, a hairbrush, new shoes and a case
I said to my reflection, "Let's get out of this place"
Past the church and the steeple, the laundry on the hill
The billboards and the buildings, memories of it still
Keep calling and calling, but forget it all, I know I will
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
What's been going on
Now that you have gone
There's no other
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
I'm at the carpark, the airport, the baggage carousel
The people keep on crowding, I'm wishing I was well
I said, "It's not occasion, it's no story I can tell"
At my bedside, empty pocket, a foot without a sock
Your body gets much closer, I fumble for the clock
Alarmed by the seduction, I wish that it would stop
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
What's been going on
Now that you have gone
There's no other
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
I bought a novel, some perfume, a fortune all for you
But it's not my conscience that hates to be untrue
I asked of my reflection, "Tell me what is there to do?"
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
What's been going on
Now that you have gone
There's no other
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
Laughing at the applause they'd received, Skye said, "Thanks so much. I have been thinking of adding that to our album."
"How's that going?" David asked her.
"Alright, just wondering if we'll be able to record it here," Skye said.
"I really hope so," Mary said firmly, taking off her guitar.
"Great, another song," Darnley said, clapping his hands.
"Who said?" Mary replied with a smiled before they were laughing together.
"Actually, I think what we'd like to do is just take a moment to relax," Skye said.
"No, Free Bird!" Darnley said, exaggerating his voice before he laughed with the others.
"Not one of the ones we do," Skye told him.
"Exactly," Mary said. "But… what do you think?"
"About what?" Skye said in surprise.
"The one I want you to sing on the album," Mary told her pointedly.
Breathing out deeply, Skye then said, "You know I think we should but it's depressing to sing after the last one."
"What's the song?" Beckett asked.
Smiling, Mary said, "Leaving Home Ain't Easy."
"Why don't we try the other one?" Skye asked.
"Decide on something," Castle said in mock annoyance.
"Hey, hey, whose studio is this," Skye said in mock annoyance.
"Have they called you back to Whose Line?" Beckett asked.
"They have, and yes I'll do it but they're not planning to film again until next year; early next year," Skye said. She then studied the others and asked, "You're enjoying yourselves just sitting here?"
"Yeah," Castle said quickly, the others saying basically the same. He then asked them, "How many songs do you have for this album."
"To be honest we're not sure about the Queen songs," Skye said.
"True," Mary replied. "But we can play them for practice," she said, glancing at her wife before she was crying out when Skye kissed her rapidly before she spoke.
"I hate to break it to you grá," the investigator said then. "But we're not really going to be able to play that one."
"I just realized too," Mary said with a smile. "But you could play us something on the piano."
"Quick question about that," Nkosi said before the investigator could respond.
"This is the one that was in the living room," Skye answered quickly.
"And the one that's in the room now is Liam's," Mary added. "He gave it to us."
"Why?" David asked in surprise.
"He and Pablo had no room for a grand piano in their living room," Skye answered, lifting the cover on the keys. She played a few notes and then said, "You'll see it when we have that dinner of course, but it was just too much."
"I'm assuming that's where the kids are going to sleep the night the ten of us are eating here?" Lily asked.
"Yeah, I just hope they do sleep," Beckett said, reaching for her camera.
"You need to take this," Skye said to her wife then.
"And you?" Mary replied though she was moving to sit where her wife had been.
"Right here," Skye said while she was grabbing one of her guitars. It was her Rickenbacker bass and she tuned it quickly before she said to Beckett, "Are you going to photograph it?"
"If that's alright," she replied.
"Take the rest of the day off," Mary said then with a smile.
"Thank you," Beckett said while she was setting aside her camera. "But what's the song."
"I was just about to ask," Castle told his wife.
"You and I," Skye said. She glanced at her wife and told her, "I knew already."
"How?" Mary asked laughingly.
"To be honest it was just a guess," Skye explained.
"You know you need to play us in," Mary commented. When her wife did so but then stopped, she was laughing briefly and they began to play together.
While the pair were singing, Castle took his wife's hand and gently entwined their fingers as they listened to the lyrics the couple had so much obvious enjoyment singing.
Music is playing in the darkness
And a lantern goes swinging by
Shadow flickering, my heart jittering
Just you and I
Not tonight, come tomorrow
When everything's sunny
And bright (sunny and bright)
No, no, no, Come tomorrow
Cause then we'll be
Waiting for the moonlight
We'll go walking in the moonlight
Walking in the moonlight
Laughter ringing in the darkness
People drinking for days gone by
Time don't mean a thing
When you're by my side
Please stay a while
Ooh, you know I never could
Foresee the future years
You know I never could see
Where life was leading me
But will we be together forever?
What will be my love?
Can't you see that I just don't know
Don't know
Watching Skye playing a solo at that part, Beckett was aware it wasn't what was in the song, and she leaned into her husband and said, "I see they've played this already."
"Does that surprise you?" Castle murmured back. He smiled when she shook her head no and then leaned over to her, kissing her cheek before they were leaning back to listen to the rest of the song when Skye and Mary were singing again.
No, no, not tonight, come tomorrow
When everything's gonna
Be alright (sunny and bright)
Wait and see if tomorrow
Will be as happy
As we're feeling tonight
We'll go walking
In the moonlight (Oh, we'll be happy)
Walking in the moonlight
I can hear the music in the darkness
Floating softly to where we lie
No more questions now
Let's enjoy tonight
Just you and I
Ooh, just you and I
Mmm, just you and I
Can't you see that
We gotta be together, be together
Just you and I, just you and I
No more questions, just you and I
"Is everything okay?" Beckett asked Skye while they stepped out onto the porch.
"It is, there was something I wanted to talk to you about, but I haven't had time," the investigator responded.
"What is it then?" Beckett said.
"The music video," Skye replied. "I've talked with Dhani, and he said he'd like it to start as his father's did," she added before her friend was responding quickly to her surprise.
"You told me about that already," Beckett said. She then recalled what that beginning had been, and she said, "I… forgot about that."
"It's why I wanted to talk to you," Skye added. "It's not going to work, is it?"
"It will," Beckett said though she couldn't help the hesitation in her voice since George Harrison had been led into the courthouse handcuffed to an officer.
"But we might have to change it," Skye replied.
Breathing out slowly, Beckett said, "What do you think?"
"Easy to tell?" Skye asked in amusement.
"It is," Beckett said with a nod. "But what're you thinking of?"
"That we lock the handcuffs but not over our wrists, instead hold onto those," Skye said.
"It would be awkward," Beckett replied.
"I know, but I wanted to see what you thought," Skye said.
"And you have another idea," Beckett told her, not surprised when she nodded slowly.
"Would it bother you if I was wearing the handcuff and you held onto the other one," Skye said.
Thinking about that for a moment, how that would look, Beckett then said, "I don't think it would, but it would help if we could try that out first."
"We will," Skye promised before they turned to see that their spouses were leaving the house.
"Are you finished?" Mary asked them.
"We are," Skye replied. "We took too long?" she added.
"No, but we're a little worried," Castle said.
"He is," Mary said. "Since I knew what you were talking about already."
"And does anyone want to let me know?" Castle asked, trying not to sound too annoyed before his wife was putting her hand on his arm and telling him.
"But hopefully that'll help," Beckett said when she had finished.
"Hopefully," Castle said, studying his wife.
"I think we're going to head to the guest house now," Beckett said, turning to the women. "We're going to be doing a lot tomorrow."
"You will be," Skye replied.
"But there are some slides for the youngest two," Mary said swiftly. When there was no response to that she said with a smile, "You didn't look it up?"
"We left that up to you," Castle said while his wife was hugging the two women briefly.
"And you'll enjoy it," Skye said firmly. "We'll see you in the morning."
"You will," Castle promised.
"Night," Beckett said to them, her husband echoing her. After the women had said the same, she took her husband's hand and they walked through the grass to the guesthouse. When they were inside, she said, "I'm fine," while he was locking the door behind them. She smiled when he turned to her and said seriously, "I am Rick," though she wasn't surprised when he was responding shortly after.
"Do you want to talk about this?" Castle asked, startled when she cupped his cheek. He took it quickly and said, "I feel like we should."
Though she wanted to tell him he was being a little too serious, Beckett hesitated before she could do so and then told him, "Alright, but not here." She wasn't surprised when he nodded before they made their way upstairs. She was surprised when they began to change for bed without him bringing the subject up, but because of that she wasn't when he took her hand while they left the bathroom after brushing their teeth.
"I'm know you're okay," Castle said.
"I am," Beckett replied before she was moving away to get into bed. She watched her husband following her and once they were sitting up told him, "But I can see why you're worried for me."
"Do you think you could do it the way Skye suggested?" Castle asked her.
"I may be able to," Beckett said after thinking about it for a moment. She then smiled and said, "We're going to try."
Noticing the way she was looking at him Castle said, "I don't mind not being involved."
Smiling Beckett told him, "I'm surprised. Do you want me to demand Skye find somewhere for you to go?"
Castle shook his head and was startled when his wife leaned back suddenly before he asked, "Did she have something?"
"She's going to ask Dhani, but you might have a seat in the courtroom," Beckett replied.
"Okay," Castle said, not surprised when his wife laughed.
"That's all you can say?" Beckett asked him teasingly.
"Basically," Castle replied before he was leaning into her. They kissed each other at the same time before they were slowly parting and once they had he said, "We're going to sleep," before she was shaking her head and talking swiftly.
"We don't have to go right this second," Beckett explained. "Though you realize if you thought of something you should have just said."
"Not really," Castle replied. He then told her, "There was something." He wasn't surprised when she was looking at him in confusion and he quickly said, "When we're in London."
"I'm guessing you've made plans," Beckett commented.
"You already know I've gotten the hotel," Castle told her.
"It's not the hotel," Beckett said immediately. She was shortly after gasping when he was grabbing her and kissing her deeply, though she shook herself shortly after before she was responding to him. Their tongues were meeting soon after in her mouth and he pulled her onto his lap while they were caressing at one another. "Wait," she gasped when her husband's hands slid under her shirt.
"You could have stopped me," Castle said.
"Do you really think I wanted to?" Beckett asked him while she was gently caressing at the back of his neck.
"No," Castle said before he smiled while she leaned into him. They kissed hungrily before they were pulling away from one another and he said, "I hate to admit it-"
"We'll see how we feel tomorrow," Beckett said teasingly while she interrupted him.
"I'm too easy to read," Castle replied.
Smirking at him, Beckett pulled him down to her and they were kissing again though briefly that time. "You realize I may need tomorrow too?" she asked him.
"And I still can't call you pervert?" Castle replied.
Beckett didn't respond to that, pulling him down to her before they were kissing though they were careful before she told him, "I hate to say it."
"You don't need to worry," Castle replied. "I'm already aware." He leaned into her and brushed his lips to hers before he told her a little huskily, "I want you, Kate."
"I know," Beckett replied easily since she was aware her husband was talking about the next night. She took his kiss, tightening her arms around him; before she said, "And so do I. But for now, love…"
Pulling his wife against him for a second, Castle moved to look into her eyes, and he said, "It's almost August."
"I see why you're having a hard time," Beckett teased him. She wasn't surprised when he nodded and she caressed the back of his head telling him, "And then we stop."
"Yes," Castle replied. "But at least it's not that long."
"No," Beckett said in amusement before she took his kiss. "I love you," she told him when they'd parted.
"Love you too Kate," Castle said immediately before they were letting each other go though it took them a little to do so. He removed his glasses and turned off his light before she did the same. Pausing for a moment to adjust to the darkness, he soon felt his wife touching his arm before they were laying down. He was first before she was pressing against his side, and he hurried to wrap his arms around her tightly. "Though I am looking forward to tomorrow," he suddenly told her, startled when she began laughing.
"Sorry, that came out of the blue," Beckett told him.
"Yeah, I was thinking of the park," Castle said.
"If you're looking at me right now then I have been too," Beckett said. "Skye's been excited about it."
"Mary too," Castle replied. He paused and then said, "Though I feel weird discussing them right now."
"We better go to sleep Rick," Beckett told him laughingly. She took his kiss and told him, "Goodnight," before he was hugging her a little tighter to him.
"Night love," Castle replied before he was gently rubbing her upper arm.
Falling asleep eventually, Castle and Beckett would end up dreaming about being together in Adare. They would tease one another about it the next morning, but they would both recall how much they'd enjoyed their dreams and how eager they were for their anniversary once their trip through California was complete.
