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: The lyric in this chapter is from the song Cage written by Paul McCartney, the song lyrics are from the song Scandal written by Brian May, from the Queen album The Miracle.
A/N #2: Really glad to get the feedback I did for the last chapter so I'll go ahead and start my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (It was great to see you thought it was very good writing. And I'm pleased to read you like how I'm writing Julia too!) and
Mb (Great to see you thought the first half of the chapter was nicely done. And I'm not surprised you mentioned needing to get stuff to do for everyone, I can imagine that might be difficult. Lol, and actually even with cellphones, me and mine still do our best not getting lost from each other so I wanted to include that. Not surprised you weren't expecting Freddie, but I wanted it to be for something positive. I had to laugh at your saying everyone was going to be overprotective of Alexis as so goes through her pregnancy, but as you said it is what her family is. Again, great you thought the first half was nicely done! And you're welcome for sharing the first half of the chapter! I was pleased to see you thought the second half of the chapter was nicely done. And it was really nice seeing that you appreciate the research I put into these vacation stories. I want it to be realistic so I do look into things as much as I can when I can. Not surprised you were waiting for Castle and Beckett to have adult time as you put it, lol. And I'm really happy you love how the kids are romantics and set up their parents for alone time. But yeah since they've been around their parents with healthy and loving relationships it's an important lesson for them. You're welcome for sharing the second half of the chapter. And have a great Memorial Day yourself!).
Thanks for the reviews, I loved reading them and I appreciated the time taken to write them out and send them my way!
A/N #3: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song The Vancouver Song written by Grant Mckinnon, Matt Kelly, Matt Lockhart and Steve Lockhart, from the Treelines' album Courage.
Meets The Georgia Straight
"We're all set," Castle said, walking back to the group where they were waiting at the entrance to the Butchart Gardens in Victoria. They'd taken the ferry to Vancouver Island that morning and were planning on going through the gardens until after lunch before they would go through the city. He heard a whimper and glanced at Josie, seeing she was trying to get out of her stroller. "You're not going to let her out?" he asked once he'd passed out the tickets and was with his wife.
"I didn't really want to," Beckett said.
"Let her out," Jim told his daughter.
"He's right," Martha said. "I'll look out for her." She noticed the way her daughter in law's father was looking at her and said, "I know you want to take pictures."
Unbuckling Josie, Castle picked her up and setting her on his hip said, "Do you know what you need to do since you're walking?" He couldn't help laughing briefly when the toddler's response was to shake her head no and then said, "Well you need to stay with your gram on the path. No walking on the grass, no picking flowers-"
"We can't pick a flower?" Iris said in disappointment.
"Not even a little one?" Eliza asked.
"And have us arrested?" Castle replied teasingly.
"Provisional license, I'm under arrest, but if you could get me out, I'd like to take another test," Skye sang. She stopped and realized the others were looking at her and said, "No?"
"I don't know if you should have," Alexis commented.
"I'm not singing that one out here," Skye said firmly. She noticed the way the others were looking at her and said, "I'm not, plus we're going to run out of time to go through everything."
"She's right," Beckett said. "And you do want to have lunch here."
"I do," Julia said firmly, smiling when her friend nodded in agreement. They started to walk down the path they were on before she took some pictures of foliage they were passing. She thought of something and said, "Who has the map?"
"I do," Skye said in annoyance before her wife was scoffing and speaking quickly.
"Don't start complaining," Mary told her. She smiled and then said, "You've been here before."
"Nearly came with you," Skye said with a smile.
"What garden is first Mum?" Marie asked.
"The Sunken Garden," Skye replied as they reached the beginning of it. Walking down the path she wasn't surprised to see the kids looking in awe at the beds of flowers, trees and the fact the garden was sunken.
"Impressive," Joseph was saying eventually.
"Do you want to sit for a little?" Nkosi asked his parents with a smile since they'd reached a short path that ended in a wooden chair and bench.
"A little," Bethany said.
"I'll come back to get you," Nkosi said.
"Did you want to stay with them Mother?" Castle asked when they continued down the path without the two.
"And I forgot to ask you two," Skye said in a rush, looking at her dad and stepfather.
"No, no," Pablo said. "I'm enjoying walking through here."
"So am I," Liam said. "Lass," he said warningly when she continued to stare at him though he was smiling shortly after.
"I can't help but worry," Skye told him with a smile. "Though you realize we don't have that much left," she commented.
"Really?" David said in surprise, looking at his watch. He paused when his wife made him stop and said, "Am I going too fast?"
"No, the kids all stopped behind us," Rebecca said, nodding to the others.
"What did you see?" Beckett asked, walking to her daughters since they seemed to be in the middle of the group of kids.
"It's a squirrel," Eliza said eagerly before her sister was speaking swiftly.
"It's on the tree there," Julia explained. "And everyone wanted to watch it."
"It doesn't look like ones at home," Eliza added.
"Can I keep it?" Dani asked.
"I told her no Mom," Mari said.
"I'm not surprised you asked though," Rebecca said. "Let's keep going?"
"Someone might want to get Joseph and Bethany," Skye said, looking up from the map.
"I'll go, I said I was going to," Nkosi said.
"I'll wait here for you," Darnley told his husband.
"We might all want to wait," Mary said.
"She's right, there's only one map," Brad said, glancing at the investigator.
"Great! You'll take it won't you?" Skye asked, pretending to hand it to the chief.
"Oh no," Brad told her. "You're doing a great job guiding us."
"Why are you looking at me?" Castle asked in amusement.
"No reason," Skye said while she was smiling.
"Here they come," Darnley said, seeing his husband walking back with his parents. He was holding Keo's hand but wasn't surprised when his son was getting out of his hold and rushing over to the three.
"Why are you running?" Joseph asked the boy sternly though he was smiling at him.
"I came to see you," Keo told them.
"Good, we wanted to see you as well," Bethany said, taking his hand.
While they were leaving the garden, Julia couldn't help enjoying the sight of the trees above them, the sun shining through them. "It's beautiful," she said, glancing at Mari next to her.
"I know, I wasn't sure how many flowers would be blooming," she replied. Taking a picture of the line of trees above them Mari said, "I can't wait for the barbeque tonight though."
Laughing briefly, Julia said, "We just got here."
"Not really," Mari protested.
"She's right, but that's weird you're mentioning dinner tonight," Eve said, walking near them.
"Just because it seems like it'll be fun," Mari explained. "Though I am looking forward to what's next."
Glancing at her friend in obvious confusion, Julia turned to look ahead of them before she spotted the round structure. "Is that a carousel?" she asked.
"How could you tell?" Castle asked, smiling back at her.
"I can hear the music Dad," Julia said, though she was smiling herself.
"We can go on it right?" Ivy asked.
"We will," Skye said firmly. "At least our family." She wasn't surprised when the other parents were saying they were allowing their kids to go before they were at the building. When they were getting ready to move to the line, she wasn't surprised when her father and stepfather were telling them they would sit out. "Are you going to take a break?" she said to Nkosi's parents.
"I will as well," Martha said before Jim was speaking quickly.
"I'll try and get some pictures," Beckett's father said. He then smiled and told everyone, "If they come out, I'll give you the ones from your families."
Julia smiled when the others were thanking her grandfather and she squeezed his hand since she was next t him. "Hopefully that works out," she said.
"I'll show you when you're back," Jim replied.
Nodding briefly, Julia hurried over to her friends in the line when she realized Alexis and Louis were with them. "Are you-" she started to say in surprise.
"I just rode a bike two days ago," the young woman said though she was smiling.
"You don't need to worry, we're going on one of the benches," Louis said before he glanced at the carousel that was still turning in front of them. "The bench, I don't know yet."
"You don't want to?" Eliza asked her big sister seeing Alexis rolling her eyes. "You can smooch."
Alexis couldn't help laughing with the others though she was drawing her little sister into her embrace and soon after saying, "Thank you but we might pass since we're with you all."
"Look! There's a killer whale!" Iris said eagerly as the ride was slowing down.
"Who gets that one?" Lily asked.
"Thank you for asking me and not my husband," Beckett said in amusement.
"I knew already," Lily replied.
"Roshambo?" Castle asked his friend.
"This is why the two of us were talking about it," Beckett said, squeezing her husband's arm with her free hand. "And you realize what we're going to have to do?"
"Ride twice?" Castle asked her. When his wife nodded, he smiled and ruffled Josie's hair playfully before she was reaching up to him.
"No Dada," the toddler complained.
"You don't want to go see the whale and dog?" Castle asked.
"Are we going to go twice?" Dani asked her father.
"I think we're going to try," David said, glancing at the older kids since he could hear their conversation.
"You guys mind going on this?" Kathleen asked Eve and Jacob.
"No, I'm not going on that rabbit though," the latter said first.
"He's going to go on the lion," Eve said wryly. "What about you two?"
"That horse with the fireman's hat and axe on it," Julia said. She wasn't surprised when most of her friends were looking at her in surprise and then turned their gazes to Mari as she glanced at her friend. She squeezed her friend in a quick hug and told her, "I could tell," before she was telling the others what she'd chosen.
"I wanted to go on the panda," Mari said. She wrinkled her nose and asked, "That didn't sound weird, did it?"
"Not really," Julia said, squeezing her arm before they were being let onto the ride.
"I'm staying with her?" Castle asked his wife. He was startled when she smirked and he said, "No?"
"I think by default you need to be," Beckett said firmly, glancing up and down at him.
"Good point," Castle said before they were reaching the two animals. "Youngest first?" he asked Brad, finding his friend was standing next to him while their wives were going to the row ahead of them.
"If you don't mind," the chief said, though he was already moving to set Sophie on the orca.
"No, do you sweetheart?" Castle asked the toddler while he fastened the belt around her.
"Want to go," Josie told him, holding onto the pole in front of her.
"We will soon," Castle assured her before they were beginning to go around. He made sure Josie was alright staying on the seat and glanced ahead at his wife who was talking to Lily.
"I wasn't expecting this," the chef was telling her friend.
"Me neither," Beckett said in amusement. "But it keeps the younger kids happy."
"My son too," Lily commented. "This is a surprise."
"What, he didn't want to come with us?" Beckett asked.
"He would have said," Lily said. "Eve too," she said, laughing when her friend didn't say anything. "I knew you were going to mention her."
"I'm thinking of my teenager too," Beckett told her.
"Good thing Eve and Julia are a few rows ahead," Brad commented.
"I don't think they'd care," Castle said. "Now what about Jake…"
"Dada," Sophie said then.
"Yes, my little one," Brad said swiftly to her.
"I want flower," Sophie told him firmly.
"We'll see a lot more soon," Brad reassured her before the carousel was slowing down. He glanced at the line and said, "You were right."
"Thanks for talking for us," Castle said, since the chief had been first with his family in line to ask about going twice. They switched their daughters and after their second ride let his wife take Josie before he went to the bench.
"I'm fine Dad," Alexis told him firmly.
"Just making sure," Castle said. "And that's all I'm going to say," he said, holding his hands up in the air.
"Go," Beckett said, laughing after she'd approached her husband.
"What's next?" Eliza asked, walking with Skye and Mary since she'd gotten off with Mary's help.
"You'll see, your parents will like this next one," the investigator answered. Leading everyone back the way they'd come a little, Skye soon found the path she'd been looking for to bring their group into the Rose Garden.
"Ooh, you were right," Eliza breathed, seeing all the flowers. She then hurried with Fleur to the first roses close enough to take pictures of.
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said, glancing at her husband after their parents had taken Josie to walk ahead of them. "The arbor is over there," nodding to it.
"Then we better be first," Castle commented. He wasn't surprised when his wife playfully rolled her eyes and he hugged her with one arm before they walked over to it. Once they were at the start of the long path with the arches of roses growing over, he said, "Pictures?"
"I already got one," Beckett said, the camera in her hands. She was smiling at him before she said, "Let's go."
"You know what I just realized," Castle said when they'd begun walking and he was watching her take pictures.
"What?" Beckett asked.
Castle took a moment to respond to that, startled by her putting her camera away, before he quickly shook himself and told her, "We never told anyone that we were leaving."
Smiling Beckett nodded and said, "We probably should have but I think Skye will realize." She expected her husband to take her hand but was a little surprised when he wrapped his arm around her waist instead.
"Stop?" Castle asked her swiftly.
"No, that's fine," Beckett replied with a smile. They walked together a little further before she stopped him and once she turned to him said, "I know why we're here."
"You didn't stop," Castle pointed out to her.
"No, I didn't," Beckett said simply. She wasn't surprised when her husband wrapped his arms around her and was soon after leaning down into her. Taking his kiss, she was quick to respond before their tongues were tangling around each other. But he was soon after pulling back and she said, "Wait for tonight love."
"I was remembering yesterday," Castle confessed once he'd caught his breath.
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said with a smile. She brushed her lips to his and said, "But we have to stop." She was gasping suddenly when he embraced her tightly, though she soon realized that was all he wanted as he gently rubbed her back. Smiling she told him, "You're a sap."
"Does that mean I should let you go?" Castle asked her.
"Don't," Beckett said before they were kissing again. It was brief and once they were apart, they were holding hands while they walked under the roses. Coming out of the path they reached the others though she noticed quickly Skye and Mary were gone. "Their turn," she told her husband with a smile. "No," she told him hurriedly when he started to turn around. "Let them have that time; they let us." She smiled briefly when he nodded before they proceeded to catch up with their family.
"Ah, they're not here," Skye said before her wife nudged her and she laughed as she spoke.
"We wouldn't be here if they were," Mary replied. She was laughing when her wife suddenly wrapped her arms around her, and she responded before they began to kiss.
Though they were sharing quicker, shorter kisses, Skye wasn't enjoying it any less before they were forcing themselves to stop. "That's it isn't it?" she asked when Mary moved to cup her face with her hands.
"That's it," the doctor told her. "For now," she added reassuringly when her wife looked disappointed.
"Then tonight…" Skye said.
"Of course, one more time in Vancouver," Mary told her before they were laughing together.
"The funny thing is," Skye said once they'd calmed down and were walking hand in hand down the path. "We're not going to be able to say that for LA."
"That… sounded a little grim," Mary started to say slowly.
"I know, sorry," Skye replied with a laugh. Continuing down the path she couldn't help laughing briefly when she saw Darnley and Nkosi were gone. "Hopefully we'll be able to continue to the next garden."
"I think we will," Mary assured her wife before they hurried to rejoin everyone else.
Tapping Julia shoulder, Mari laughed when her friend was laughing and she told her, "Sorry, I wanted to surprise you."
"You definitely did," Julia replied. "I wanted to stay here a little by myself." She suddenly realized what she'd said and told her friend, "You can stay though."
"I had a feeling," Mari replied, squeezing her arm gently. She leaned against the railing of the bridge in the Japanese Garden with Julia and said, "This has been so much fun."
"We're not even finished yet," the teen said with a smile.
"I know, and it's been great," Mari said. "Did you use up the card you have now?"
"No," Julia said, playfully nudging her. She then said when Mari had stopped laughing, "Though I've taken a ton of pictures already."
"Me too," Mari said before they were looking at the water passing by below them.
"Girls," Beckett said, standing at the end of the bridge. When they turned to her at the same time she smiled and said, "We're going."
Sighing Julia said, "I wanted a little more time."
"We have a lot more to see," Beckett replied. "And to do remember." She wasn't surprised when the girls nodded and passed her before she heard Julia talking to her baby sister.
"Are you having fun Josa?" the teen asked her with a smile.
"Eh," Josie replied, reaching for her.
"Wait, I have my camera," Julia said laughingly. She hugged her tightly when it was out of the way and then said, "Ready to go to the next garden?"
"I want up," Josie told her.
"Here," Castle said, reaching for the toddler. Once he had her on his hip he said, "You know you might want to stay down, you'll be closer to the flowers." He studied her and then said, "What is it?"
"Down," Josie said firmly. She giggled when her father kissed her and she said, "Please."
"Oh, well since you said please," Castle said. He pressed a swift kiss on the top of her head and set her down before they were making their way out of the garden to the Star Pond.
"There's one thing I'll tell you lot," Skye said, stopping everyone at the beginning of the Italian Garden that was next. "This used to be the tennis court and that home there is where we're having lunch."
"Was it someone's 'ome?" Fleur asked.
"It was, the Butcharts, remember I told you about them at the start," Skye said.
"And we're going to have lunch," Jacob said.
"Jake," Brad said simply.
"Don't worry, I'm feeling peckish myself," Skye assured the young man. She smiled and said, "But one more garden before we head over there."
While they were walking through the garden Julia said to Mari, "This is a little disappointing."
"Slightly, the flowers are so pretty still," the girl said with a smile at her friend. When Julia nodded in agreement Mari said, "And you're still taking pictures." She laughed when her friend stuck her tongue out at her playfully and then said, "And we can see where we're going for lunch."
"I could see the house before," Julia said, nodding rapidly. She took a picture of one more bed of flowers before they were leaving and heading to the home. Taking pictures of the outside she realized something and hurried to her parents saying, "Can we sit on the porch?"
"We were planning on it," Castle assured her. "But we'll have to see what they say about all of us here."
Julia nodded, sticking with her parents since her father was talking to the hostess about their reservation. She was relieved to hear they were allowed to pick where they would sit, and she watched the adults talking. "I'm fine with that," she said when her mother turned to her after everyone had decided where they would sit. "Mari's going to be right behind me," looking at her friend when she laughed in response before she spoke.
"I have to ask my parents," Mari said.
"Wait," David said, putting his hand on her shoulder. "What if we let the kids eat at the table next to ours?"
"Except for Josie?" Rebecca asked her husband.
"Right," David replied before looking at the toddler's parents.
"Alright," Beckett said in amusement when her husband looked to her.
Sitting with her sister, Mari and Dani, Julia watched as Rebecca spoke firmly to the little girl before she moved to sit with the other parents. "This is fun," she said before her friend was speaking in slight surprise.
"Are you being sarcastic?" Mari asked.
"Kind of, hopefully you won't have any trouble," Julia said, glancing at her friend's little sister.
"Not with Mom and Dad behind you," Mari said before they were laughing together.
Waiting until the two had stopped, Eliza tapped her sister's arm lightly and said, "We don't have a menu."
"I don't think there's one," Julia replied. She watched as a waiter spoke with the adults at the table next to them before she said, "It should be good."
"I hope," Eliza said before she was looking out at the Rose Garden.
"At least they're getting along," Castle said.
"Strangely not asking what we're eating," David told them.
Laughing Beckett said, "They'll see soon."
Castle glanced at her in surprise before he turned and then saw two waiters were walking to them with pots of tea. He shared a smile with his wife when they could hear Eliza squealing in joy, Dani doing the same shortly after.
"I think they approve," Rebecca said in a low tone of voice.
"Quiet," Julia said to her sister, trying to calm her down.
"Sorry, I know what we're going to have now," Eliza said eagerly, unable to help wriggling for a moment.
"It should be here soon," Mari was telling her little sister. She squeezed her hand and said, "Don't worry Dani."
"You heard my tummy?" the toddler asked shyly.
"Yeah," Mari said, smiling across the table at their friends.
"Oh good," Rebecca said at the table behind them.
Turning slightly, Beckett saw waiters and waitresses were walking out to the porch with several servings of the afternoon tea. She was relieved one waitress took two to the kids' table and she turned her attention to their servings. "Hold on sweetie," she told Josie when the toddler tried to grab the pinwheel sandwich on the bottom tier. "We need to split everything up."
"I am hungry," Josie said firmly. She smiled when her parents laughed and said, "Cookies?"
"Not this time," Castle said while he and his wife were dividing the sandwiches.
"Rick-" Beckett started to say when she noticed how many there were.
"Special request," Castle interrupted her, smiling as she gave Josie one of the three pinwheels, sausage rolls and egg sandwiches. "Good?" he asked her.
"Yes," Beckett said laughingly. She then realized the mayor and his wife were quiet across from them and realized they were listening to their kids behind them.
"Is it all… the same?" Dani asked her sister.
"Yeah, even," Mari said while she nodded. "Eat them, okay?"
"She won't?" Eliza asked in surprise.
"It's the salmon one, she likes fish but who knows," Mari replied.
"She just did," Julia said with a smile.
"Do you like it?" Mari asked her sister in surprise.
"It takes like oranges and candy," Dani answered, nodding her head.
Before her sister could respond to that, Julia told Eliza, "I think they're pecans… probably candied with sugar," smiling when her sister spoke in confusion.
"But what about the oranges?" Eliza asked her.
"Marmalade," Mari said. When the sisters across the table she smiled and told them, "I tried to taste just that, it's marmalade."
"It's really good," Dani said. She smiled when the others agreed with her, and they were turning their attention to their sandwiches.
"I wonder if you could spend a whole summer here," David was saying eventually at their table once they finished with sandwiches and scones.
"Probably," Castle replied. "There is outside the city."
"I know that tone love," Beckett said with a smile while she watched him wiping Josie's mouth of the strawberry preserves.
"No, you don't," Castle said, glancing at her. He couldn't help laughing briefly when his wife gave him a look and said, "I have thought of a Canada vacation."
"So have I," Skye said, sitting at the table with Mary, Darnley and Nkosi since their five kids were at their own table. "But we're not planning for next summer, are we?"
"No," Castle said. "But if you heard that you heard what David said."
"Keep eating, we've got more to see," Skye said, poking him.
"If you do the same," Castle replied, laughing.
Turning around, Julia shared a smile with Mari and said, "That would be awesome."
"I'm not surprised," the girl said. Mari then told her, "But I'd love to see some places from the books."
"Aren't we now?" Eliza asked in confusion though her eyes were on her sister splitting the desserts from the middle tier and letting her have her trifle.
"In our Dear Canada books," Julia corrected her. When her little sister merely nodded, she glanced at Mari, and they laughed briefly together. She started eating her trifle as well, her eyes on the garden outside and eager for the rest of them along with the city and barbeque that night.
"Those came out so well," Lily was saying to Jim with a smile.
"I'm lucky you went twice," Beckett's father replied. "Since the kids remembered I had my camera."
"I think we'll want a copy of that one," Brad said.
"I'll get it to you as soon as I can," Jim promised. He wrote the number of the picture and then turned off his camera before he went to the table by the door out.
"Dad," Beckett said, walking out of the bedroom. "You're finished?"
"Everyone's seen the pictures," Jim explained. "And the food?" he asked.
"It's on its way," Beckett replied, glancing to the terrace where everyone else was at that point.
"Do you need someone to stay in here?" Jim asked his daughter while they were walking to the door out.
"Rick arranged to get a text once they're outside the door," Beckett said. "What did you think?"
"Of the island?" Jim asked.
"And the gardens," Beckett said.
Sighing Jim said, "I'm alright," not surprised when his daughter hugged him while she spoke.
"I was thinking of Mom too," Beckett said. "But Julia told me she was there."
"She said the same to me," Jim said. "When we went to the Japanese Garden." Moving out of their embrace he told her, "I was expecting it; she kept looking at me the more we went around."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett answered. She then opened the door and told her father, "Okay?"
"I will be, let me see Josie," Jim replied.
Nodding in understanding, Beckett walked outside and to her husband who was talking to Josie while they looked down at Georgia.
"Wave to everyone sweetheart," Castle told her. He kissed her cheek when the toddler immediately started to wave and said, "Good job."
"Rick," Beckett said, touching her husband's back.
"Hey love," Castle told her with a smile before he grew a little serious. "Are-"
"My dad wants to take her," Beckett interrupted.
"Of course," Castle said before he realized the toddler was wriggling in his hold.
"Let her go," Beckett told him, kissing Josie's cheek. After her husband had put the toddler down, they watched her walk to where her father was sitting on a lounge chair. While he sat back with Josie on his lap, hugging her, she looked at Castle and told him what they'd talked about inside the suite.
"But he is okay right?" Castle asked once she had finished.
"He is," Beckett said with a smile when he was wrapping his arm around her. Leaning into him she told him firmly, "So am I."
"I'm getting too predictable," Castle replied. He then turned to look at Skye when she leaned on the railing next to where they were standing and he told her, "Eavesdropper."
"Not hard to do that on this balcony," Skye said. "But I sensed the same you know."
"You didn't mention it to me," Beckett replied.
"I didn't think I should," Skye said. "Though I'm worried about the two of you."
"We're fine," Beckett said. "Just let us relax."
Turning at the sound of the kids laughing at the pool Castle said, "And Julia's alright."
"Luckily," Beckett commented before Skye was leaving them to her father's call. She watched the pair together and said, "I never understood how she could do it when we first met."
"Do what?" Darnley said as he handed Beckett a small bottle of water.
"I'm fine," she said in response with a brief smile. "And I was talking about her not having her mother at all," Beckett explained before she froze.
"It's alright," Darnley assured her. "But there's one thing that's bothering me." When the couple looked at him in obvious confusion he said, "You're being way too grim. Isn't this supposed to be a celebration?"
"More a party," Castle said, watching his wife with a smile going to the carpenter and playfully socking him on the arm.
"I'm sorry but I did wonder," Beckett said before her friend was hugging her. She embraced him back briefly before she pulled away and watched Darnley talking to her husband with a smile.
"Was that allowed?" the carpenter asked.
"Have you gotten into the suite's liquor?" Castle responded.
"Stop guys," Beckett said laughingly to them. She was going to continue before she heard her husband's text alert and said, "Now you can make dinner."
"With your help?" Castle asked, taking her hand and pulling her after him while Darnley was laughing.
"You don't need that kind of distraction," Beckett teased him before he was laughing and speaking in a hurry while they were stepping inside.
"What if I really wanted it?" Castle inquired. He wasn't surprised when she slipped her hand away from his and he went to the door, opening it to two employees who set their things for the dinner on the table.
Watching her husband tipping the two men, Beckett said when they were alone, "They can see us outside."
"You presume way too much," Castle said in mock annoyance. He was at the table and when his wife walked over to him, he was grabbing her.
Gasping for a moment, Beckett took his fervent kiss since she had expected it once she joined him. Holding onto him tightly she wasn't surprised when they weren't involved in that for long and she told him, "We have to leave a little early tomorrow," before he was murmuring into her ear.
"I had a feeling, but if we just did this it wouldn't be that bad," Castle told her. When he pulled away, he looked into her eyes and was startled to see she was giving him a look. "What?" he asked with a frown.
"That's all you'll want?" Beckett asked. Her husband didn't have a chance to answer that though, since Lily was walking inside.
"Sorry," the chef said as soon as she had the door closed behind her. "I was just checking to see if you needed any help."
"A little," Castle said, letting his wife go. "Though we weren't planning to force you to work too."
"I was recruited," Lily said, trying to fight her smile.
"I told you they'd be able to see us," Beckett told her husband teasingly. "I'll get the burgers for David to barbecue."
"What else did you get?" Lily asked, watching her taking things out.
"Corn, some dip and chips," Castle said, going over to help his wife.
"And some mac and cheese," Beckett said, looking at her husband.
"One more thing, tomato salad," Castle told her in a rush, pointing it out.
"I saw," Beckett said laughingly. "I'll be back to help you."
"Let me take those," Lily said, taking them. She headed to the door out and said, "Don't start again; we could see you."
"Like they wouldn't have been doing the same," Castle said wryly when his wife turned to him.
"I know love, and no I don't mind," Beckett told him. "But we really should hurry."
"True, the kids are going to riot," Castle said jokingly. He wasn't surprised when his wife laughed softly before they were preparing everything. "Kate," he said.
"Yes?" Beckett asked, glancing at him with a slight smile since he'd taken a while before he'd spoken.
"We never decided where exactly we were going to eat," Castle reminded her before she was speaking while they got the plates and utensils set.
"No, but I think you're aware it needs to be inside," Beckett said.
"I figured," Castle said. He looked at her when she laughed and grabbed his arm and said, "What?" in mock annoyance.
"I know what you're worried about," Beckett said. "And we'll do the best we can to cover everything."
"I don't think we can," Castle said. "Though we're going to put the youngest at the table."
"Yes," Beckett said laughingly. She checked on everything they'd taken out before she watched her husband getting the corn. They went back outside then, and she squeezed his back lightly while he went through the door first.
"Oh good, I love corn on the cob," Eve said while she was watching Julia's parents with her friends.
"I suggested it," the teen said.
"Thank you," Eve, Jacob and Mari said at the same time.
"What's so funny?" Kathleen asked while she walked up to the group her twin was in as they were laughing together.
"They're all eager for the corn on the cob," Marie said, making a face.
"You don't like it?" Julia asked her.
"She likes it loose," Kathleen told them. "I like it on the cob. Especially on the barbecue, Mum does it the best." She then turned to her twin and said, "Mum's going to make it you know."
"How do you?" Marie asked in surprise.
"I heard them while I was coming over here," Kathleen explained.
"Good thing that barbecue is so big," Julia commented, seeing the investigator was making the corn at one end.
"And hopefully it'll be ready soon," Jacob said. "Is that all we're having?"
"I doubt it," Julia said though she hadn't heard what her parents were getting exactly. "I mean Dad probably wouldn't just have corn since there are so many of us."
"So… what do we do now?" Eve asked them.
"I'm going to get my camera," Julia said, going to where her grandfather was sitting. "Hi Grandpapa," she said once she'd reached him.
"Hello, are you having fun?" Jim asked.
"Yeah, though I think everyone's hungry again," Julia answered, picking up her camera and turning it on before her baby sister was exclaiming.
"Jules go play!" Josie told her.
"Play where?" Julia asked.
"I think your sister wanted to take pictures," Jim told the toddler.
"I help," Josie said firmly. "I help you," she said again.
"You can, come on," Julia said, holding her hand out to her. After their grandfather had put Josie down, she took her sister to the railing and said, "Now you can't see."
"I can help you," Mari said, walking up to them.
"How?" Julia asked, watching her.
"I can hold her," Mari replied. "If you let me," she then directed to the toddler.
"You…" Josie started to say before looking at her sister.
"Pick me up," Julia said, speaking slowly.
"P-ick… me… up," Josie said slowly.
"Good job," Julia said, hugging her gently before she watched her going to Mari. "Okay?" she asked once her friend was holding Josie.
"Yeah, she's not that heavy," Mari assured her with a smile. "You're going to take pictures?"
"A panoramic," Julia said. "My last pictures here."
"Are you sad?" Mari asked.
"Yes… and no," Julia said, pausing in taking her pictures and glancing at her friend in the hopes she understood what she'd meant.
"Me too," Mari said with a nod. She glanced at Josie and said to her friend, "What do you think she's thinking right now?"
"The people, she's watching the people," Julia said with a smile at the obvious wonder on her sister's face.
"Jules," Josie said then.
"Yeah?" she replied, smiling a little wider.
"Go down cars?" Josie asked.
"Not yet, tomorrow we'll do that when we leave," Julia told her.
"Bye-bye?" Josie said in response.
"Not yet," Eliza said, walking over.
"What's wrong?" Julia asked her sister.
"I think dinner's almost ready," Eliza said. "I wanted to see what you were taking a picture of," she added swiftly when her sister looked at her doubtfully.
"A panoramic," Julia explained before she and Eliza were looking at Mari when she made a brief sound of distress.
"I started talking with you," the girl explained. "Did I mess you up?"
"No," Julia said, checking the last picture she'd taken. She took a few more to finish the view before she looked at her friend and saw her arms were empty.
"She went with Eliza," Mari said with a smile. "And I think they went to your mom."
"I heard her," Julia said, starting to smile herself. "And I'm not surprised."
"Maybe she's hungry," Mari commented.
"Maybe," Julia said before they watched the older McDouglas twins walking up to them.
"Mommy," Eliza said, carrying her baby sister.
"Mama!" Josie cried, holding her arms out to her.
"Here," Beckett said, picking her up. She was about to thank Eliza for bringing her over when the little girl was hurrying to the younger McDouglases and Darnley kids. She had planned to comment on that to her husband when Josie was holding onto her necklace and speaking to Castle.
"Dada want food," Josie told him.
"I'm not surprised, but we'll have dinner very soon," Castle said. He looked at his wife and said, "Surprised?"
"Not really," Beckett replied in amusement before she was looking with him to David at the other end of the barbecue.
"Okay, everyone head inside dinner is ready," the mayor called to everyone on the terrace.
The kids were hurrying into the suite, washing their hands in the guest bathroom before they were gathering around the dining room table.
"Okay, here are the toppings for your burgers," Castle said once they were all ready to start getting their plates. "And the sides," he said, explaining them quickly.
"If anyone wants butter for their corn it's here too," Beckett said swiftly.
"What about elotes?" Marie asked her mothers.
"I don't think we can this time," Mary said apologetically. "When we're back home we'll try and get some."
"I hope," Ivy said before she smiled at the others laughing at her firm tone.
"Where exactly are we sitting?" Martha asked her son and daughter-in-law.
"Around this room," Castle said before he was racing to the closet by the guest bathroom.
"He's getting some towels and sheets," Beckett explained when her mother-in-law looked at her questioningly.
"I see," Martha said, speaking in amusement then while they watched her son draping towels over the older kids' laps.
"I know you're not that messy," Castle told Eve and Jacob while he did the same to them. "But the furniture is verrry white so please humor me."
"We will," Eve said laughingly.
"Sorry," Julia said in obvious embarrassment once they were left alone. She wasn't surprised when her friend reassured her before her father was returning and she groaned, "Dad."
"Just you two and that's it," Castle said since he'd already draped a towel over the oldest McDouglas twins' laps. "You don't mind sharing, do you?"
"No," Mari said, doing her best not to laugh.
"Alright, be careful but enjoy," Castle said before he left them.
"Don't be too embarrassed," Eve said while Mari was squeezing Julia's shoulder.
"Yeah, he could have tucked them into our shirts," Jacob commented. He laughed when the girls with him all groaned and he said, "It's true if you think about it."
"I'm just going to eat," Julia muttered, pretending to be annoyed. She picked up her burger and took a bite before she glanced at the others, seeing mostly everyone was starting to eat.
"Huh, I thought this would be different," Kathleen said, looking at her burger.
"Same ingredients," Marie told her twin before they laughed with the others.
After they'd been eating for a while, Eliza looked around before she said, "Daddy, what're we doing tomorrow?"
Castle couldn't help laughing before he said, "You already know."
"Just going to Seattle," Alexis stated before her mother was putting her hand on Castle's arm while she responded.
"We'll explore around the hotel," Beckett said simply.
"That's it?" Jacob asked doubtfully.
"What is the hotel?" Maddy suddenly asked before anyone could respond.
"That's a surprise," Brad said. When the other adults looked at him, he scoffed and said, "We all agreed on that."
"We did," Lily said, smiling and squeezing her husband's hand quickly. "But we'll get there soon."
"How late can we stay up?" Kathleen asked.
"Not too late, we have the ferries," Skye said, not surprised when she had to stop talking at the clamor of the younger kids.
"So we're going on those for sure?" Fleur asked eagerly.
"We are," Mary answered. "But it's like the ferry today, you need to behave while we're on the ships."
"I forgot to ask about the cars," Darnley said.
"Vans, they're hybrids and ready for us all," Skye replied. "Though I was serious about getting the bus RVs."
"Too much," Castle said in amusement. "And we're going to be in hotels and sightseeing."
"Still," Skye replied with a laugh.
Though the kids started to try and get Castle to tell them what they would be doing in Seattle, they continued eating until they had finished and were cleaning up.
"Josie," Martha said when the toddler was turning her head to the side. "You're not going to get dessert," she told her since she was attempting to clean her face.
"Sweet?" Josie asked, stopping her struggling. She groaned when her grandmother quickly wiped at her mouth and chin before she said, "No Gram."
"Sorry kiddo, I needed to," Martha said, kissing her cheek. She looked at Maddy who was standing with her and said, "Would you watch her."
"I can," the little girl said, nodding her head rapidly. When Josie had been set down Maddy took her hand and said, "Want to go walk?"
"Eh," Josie replied, nodding her head. She followed Maddy into her parents' bedroom and she broke away from her to go up against the window next to the bed. "Look, cars!" she said eagerly.
"Yeah, a lot of them," Maddy said with a nod. She then looked around before she froze and said, "This is your mommy and daddy's bed."
"It is," Beckett said, smiling when the little girl gasped as she whirled around to her. "It's alright, you haven't seen the bedrooms yet."
"Mama I see cars," Josie said eagerly, toddling quickly over to her.
"I'm not surprised, we're on a busy street," Beckett said, picking her up. She kissed her cheek and told Maddy, "Skye's going to play you-" before she was cut off by the little girl crying out in joy before she was rushing back out into the living room.