"About time," Nkosi said.
Turning around, Skye spotted the woman he had and said, "Everett you old…"
"Nice greeting," she replied before they were embracing tightly.
"It has been a while," Skye said after they'd let one another go and she was greeting Nkosi.
"Way too long," Everett replied. "But I am glad you came. Both of you."
"This isn't official?" Nkosi asked.
Shaking her head, Everett assured them saying, "Merely to see the plane."
"And?" Skye and Nkosi said at the same time.
Unable to help laughing Everett said, "Okay, okay, there is something." She grew serious before she then said, "But I'll tell you after."
"As long as you tell us," Skye told her. After her friend nodded, she said to Nkosi, "Introductions again."
"I know," he replied with a laugh. He then explained to Everett, "We just came from Vancouver, and we met Claudia there."
"Parsons from the TSB?" Everett asked. When the pair nodded, she smiled and asked, "How is she doing?"
"Good, she and her wife adopted a son," Skye said.
"And they inherited the house," Nkosi added.
"Lucky them," Everett replied with another smile before she turned her attention to the others there. "I didn't think you were serious," she said to Skye when she had ended with the members of Queen, Paul and his family.
"Surprise," Skye said with a smile.
"You're sure it's okay we're all here?" Darnley asked.
"Of course, but please be careful on the plane," Everett said. "We're having media here tomorrow."
"Not at the plant?" Skye asked in surprise.
"I decided to include the public a little; we had a special lottery for people to come to the unveiling," Everett said. "It's in the hangar now," she said in amusement since the kids were glancing at the planes they were near.
"What about all of these here?" Louis asked.
"For tomorrow. Now I hope Skye and Trevor told you about the no picture policy right now," Everett answered before she continued. She was about to say more then Eliza was interrupting her and talking in a rush.
"Please can we take pictures of these?" the little girl said.
"Of course, I was just about to say," Everett replied with a smile. "And as many as you'd like." Seeing that no one in the group had their phones or cameras out she said, "Alright, we can head in." She led them to the hangar and once they were all inside, she watched Skye and Nkosi, hearing their appreciation.
"She is beautiful," Skye said first.
"It is your best work," Nkosi added.
"I wish I could take the credit for that," Everett responded after scoffing. "But at least she's here."
"And she can fly," Skye said pointedly. She wasn't surprised when her friend hesitated for a moment before she nodded and she then said, "Mind if I do a walk around?"
"I thought you were all going to," Everett replied. "It's fine, go," she urged them, following the group when they started to walk.
When they made their way to the engines, Castle said, "Are these the same engines as the MAX?"
"No, we went with GE," Everett replied. "They've developed a more efficient engine, though we had been hoping they would have their hybrid engine ready."
"They're making one that's hybrid?" Beckett asked in surprise.
"Trying to," Skye said with a nod. "They have to start small though, which is why we're still on fuel."
"Someday," Nkosi said, not surprised when Everett and Skye were nodding in agreement.
"Are you ready to head upstairs now?" Everett asked.
"You're completely sure about that?" Skye said swiftly before anyone could respond to that.
"Yes," Everett replied firmly. "Come on."
After they were upstairs in the fuselage Skye nodded and said, "Okay, I see what you did."
Laughing Everett told her, "Even though it's not as long haul as the Dreamliner…"
"I think this will do well," Skye said, looking pointedly at her friend.
"Would your family mind if I take you up to the flight deck? I wanted to get your opinion of the layout," Everett then told her and Nkosi.
"Not at all," Martha said first. She wasn't surprised when the other adults were agreeing with her and the three walked to the front of the plane. "They're going to talk about the issue," she murmured to Mary.
"They'll need to," the doctor said with a nod, watching her wife before the three disappeared into the cockpit, the door closing behind them.
"Don't sugar coat it," Skye said as soon as they were closed off from the others. "What is it and we'll let you know if we can help," she added, not surprised when Everett sighed before she spoke.
"It's the autopilot," she answered. "We have it connecting, but on the display, it registers as a go around and will start to bank to the left."
"The left," Nkosi echoed before he turned to Skye who was turned to the display. "Can you tell?"
"I think I know," Skye said. "Can I access the avionics bay?"
"Yes, I was hoping you'd know," Everett said in relief, hurrying to the door.
"I don't know for sure," Skye warned her, walking after her with Nkosi following. "But I have a suspicion. And if it's right who wired it?"
"Lobos," Everett said.
Swearing in Irish under her breath, Skye saw that her wife was standing near the door. "We just need a second," she assured her.
"Why did I hear the word bay?" Mary asked.
"I need to go into avionics," Skye replied, taking her hand. "And nothing's on so I'll be careful."
"Okay, but I'm going to watch you," Mary replied.
"From the ground," Everett said, standing at the top of the stairs.
"Do we need to leave?" Rebecca asked.
"Yes," Everett said swiftly before she was heading down the stairs.
"Mommy-" Eliza started to say before her mother was interrupting her.
"It's alright, it's just a little issue Skye needs to fix, and we'll watch her so we can learn about the plane," Beckett said, looking pointedly at the investigator while she was getting her daughters before she spoke.
"Of course," Skye said before she hurried out of the plane.
"What's… avionics?" Bailey asked her parents while they were walking to leave as well.
"The electronics for the plane," Marie said immediately.
"It's in the bottom of the plane, isn't it?" Ivy asked her sister.
"I don't know for this plane, but it should be," Marie replied with a nod.
When they were down on the hangar floor, Beckett watched as some airport workers were getting the bay open before Skye climbed in.
Shining the flashlight around all the electrical wires, the investigator glanced back at Everett and said, "Tools?"
"Here," she replied swiftly, handing it over.
Before she could get the wire off, Skye hesitated for a moment before she said, "I want you to have a picture of this."
"Sure," Everett replied before she got her phone.
"Would you call Kate over? I'd feel better with her skills in that," Skye said.
"Of course," Everett said before she went over to her.
"What?" Beckett said in surprise.
"Skye wants you to take a picture of the wiring," Everett replied. "It's going to need to be with my phone though, it's secure."
"Of course," Beckett said, glancing at her husband. She gave him her bag before she followed Everett to the plane and stepped up to sit with Skye.
"Don't," the investigator said before her friend was speaking quickly.
"No, I want to know you can fix this," Beckett told her.
Grimacing slightly Skye explained in Russian, "I have an idea, but I'm not the one that'll be able to say for sure if it's what's wrong. Also, I want you to take a picture for Trevor to see."
"Okay," Beckett said, holding up the phone.
"Right here," Skye told her, pointing out the wires. After her friend had taken the shot, she told her, "Okay, go ahead and show that to Trevor, I have a rewiring to do."
"Are you allowed?" Beckett asked, startled.
"It'll get this plane to fly right," Skye said simply before she turned to lay down on her stomach.
Watching her friend for a moment, Beckett climbed out and hurried down the stairs before she went to Nkosi and Everett. "She said she needs to rewire," she told the pair while they were looking at the picture.
"I'll go see," Everett said, walking away rapidly.
"Is that it?" Darnley asked, walking up to his husband.
"That might be, I'll go see," Nkosi said, walking over to the plane.
"Do I bother to ask what you saw?" Darnley told his friend.
"Wires," Beckett said simply. "A lot of them so your guess is as good as mine."
"Hopefully that works," Darnley said.
Nodding, Beckett watched the three in the bay and tried to follow their conversation though it was too fast in the end. She saw Skye was laughing once she came out of the plane enough to be seen and she called, "All set?"
"Yeah, they lucked out, it's the new holders they have," the investigator said as they left the plane. "An easy fix and you better make sure the plant gets the message."
"As soon as you're looking at the parked planes they will," Everett said.
"Which we'll do right now," Skye said. "You're not going to leave, are you?"
"No, I'll talk here, just go around the planes and if you cross to the other side watch out for vehicles," Everett replied.
"Will do," Skye said.
"Is everything okay Mommy?" Eliza asked in concern.
"Of course," Castle said while his wife was nodding. "But for now, we get to look at some planes," he told her and Josie.
"More plane?" the toddler asked.
"Of course," Castle said, scooping her up before they were leaving together and walking out to the planes.
Taking a picture of the China Eastern plane they'd reached first, Beckett glanced back since Skye hadn't joined them. Seeing the investigator with Everett, the two talking rapidly, she had no idea the rest of the group had left or that someone had stayed behind until she turned.
"Sorry," Mary told her with a slight smile. "But I had a feeling you'd wonder; she has a husband. So it's strictly business."
"I figured, I'm just wondering how she managed to figure it out," Beckett said.
"Because I know wiring," Skye said firmly, reaching them after she'd left Everett.
"Are we finished?" Mary asked her wife.
"After we look at the planes here," Skye said, nodding. She turned to Beckett while her wife walked back to the others and said, "Don't worry, they'll test the flight after they're sure of the fix."
"You don't want to stay for it?" Beckett asked.
"I can't, it's Boeing personnel only," Skye answered while they started to walk together after the others. "But she'll let me know." Glancing sideways at her friend she smiled and said, "I'll let you know too."
"I think everyone wants to," Beckett commented.
"I'll ring them all," Skye said, looking at Paul who was watching them. She smiled when the singer laughed and they sang together, "Ring them all, ring them all, the long and the short and the tall."
Turning back, Julia laughed with the others at the sight of Skye and Paul with their arms around each other's shoulders, pretending to dance. She went over to them as they playfully shook hands and said, "Would you tell us about the airlines there are?"
"Of course," the investigator replied with a nod. "Though does anyone mind?"
Castle smiled when Josie said no, after the others had, and he kissed her cheek before he said, "You're ready for more?" At her nod he turned to Beckett next to him and saw she was taking a picture of Josie before he asked, "What about me."
"Another time," Beckett teased him. She wasn't surprised when her husband leaned down to her and kissed her lightly before they hurried to continue to the next plane where Skye began to explain where the Lucky Air was from.
"Mari?"
"Yeah?" the girl asked in surprise.
"I hope your birthday wasn't that bad," Skye told her. "Up until this point," she added swiftly.
"Oh no," Mari said quickly. "I like planes too."
"Good thing," Julia told her teasingly. She wasn't surprised when her friend rolled her eyes and then asked Skye, "Did you hear about the new plane?"
"I did," Skye said before she was getting the others' attention. "Just so you know, Everett called me and confirmed I was right about the wiring."
"The plane flew?" Nkosi asked.
"It did, beautifully," Skye said. She felt her wife squeezing her arm and glanced at her telling her, "I'm fine."
"I hope so," Mary replied.
"It was a good birthday," Paul said laughingly when the investigator turned to him.
"Great, so we can continue now," Stella said.
"The tables are ready?" Lily asked.
"Table, they still pushed all of them together," Castle said, having looked over at the side of the restaurant.
"Come here," Beckett told Josie when the toddler was going past her and Castle.
"Mama, I go down," Josie protested.
"You're not hungry?" Castle asked her. He wasn't surprised when the toddler hesitated, and he helped his wife getting Josie into her highchair before they were sitting across from Skye and Mary before the former was speaking in amusement.
"I'm still thinking I could have gotten something set up for us better than this," Skye said.
"How?" Castle asked.
Smiling Skye said, "The museum."
"I forgot some offer that," Castle said before he realized she wasn't kidding.
"You were just asking Mari about minding going to the museum today," Mary reminded her wife.
"Still," Skye said.
"Why are you being so unsure today?" Beckett asked with a slight smile. She abruptly grew serious then, realizing what was likely bothering the investigator before she said, "You fixed-"
"No, I realize that," Skye said. "It's just an… annoying reminder," she then added. She sighed and said, "It can be difficult not to think of that."
Squeezing her wife's hand Mary said, "I think you and I need to talk after we're in our room."
Beckett wasn't surprised when Skye breathed out before she nodded reluctantly and turned her attention to the menus they'd been given. "I just remembered something," she then told her husband after they had ordered.
"What'd we forget?" Castle asked in surprise.
"Not we, you," Beckett reminded him.
"Tell us about tomorrow!" Eliza cried from down the table. She smiled when everyone laughed at her tone before she looked expectantly at her father.
"You already know where we're going for most of the day," Castle reminded them. "The aquarium."
"We're going," Rodger said first.
"And us," Brian added, his wife nodding in agreement next to him.
"Yeah, we'll all go," Paul said. "Another round?" he told Skye.
"I'm all for it but they might get tired," Skye said in amusement. "We don't have anything for after the Space Needle, but we might be set until the later afternoon."
"You have something in mind," Darnley said, watching her.
"Splitting up," Skye replied simply.
Hearing the others agreeing to that, Beckett shook her head at Eliza and said, "We'll talk about that later sweetie."
"You know they will, right?" Julia asked her sister when Eliza slumped back in her seat, frowning.
"Yeah, but I wanted to say maybe we could go to the market," Eliza replied.
"I think we will," Julia said with a smile.
"We might too," Mari said. She couldn't help giggling when her friend looked at her, startled, and she said, "I'm going to suggest it to my parents."
"And that you'll go together with her family," Kathleen said in amusement.
"Do you know what you're going to do?" Reiley asked.
"You do," Marie said in feigned annoyance. She smiled seeing the surprise on Julia and Mari's faces and told them, "Our families will be together; along with Paul and Nancy."
"Everett," Julia and Mari said at the same time before they were laughing together until they calmed down and the oldest McDouglas spoke again.
"You're right, she invited our family over," Marie said. She glanced at her mothers and said, "I think they're telling all the others now."
"I'm not surprised she just invited you guys, all together there are too many of us," Bobby commented.
"Where do they live?" Jacob asked. "Also do they have kids? Or the lady?" he started to say before he paused, looking a little confused.
"She has a husband," Marie said.
"And four kids, I think two boys and two girls," Kathleen said while she looked at her twin.
"Yeah, Amelia, Neil, Jacqueline and Lawrence," Marie answered.
"What she just said," Skye said with a smile since they were all looking at hers and Mary's oldest.
"They mean something, don't they Mum?" Marie asked.
"They do, all with aviation," Skye said. "And I didn't tell you about her husband, Glenn Webber, he's an aeronautical engineer."
"That means he designs airplanes," Iris said.
"We think that's what she wants to do," Mary said with a smile as the little girl was ducking her head in obvious embarrassment.
"Though she's not saying for sure her sketches aren't that bad," Skye said. "But the names," she then continued. "Amelia for Amelia Earhart of course and Jacqueline for the founder of the WASPs, Jacqueline Cochran."
"I'm guessing Neil for Neil Armstrong?" Castle asked.
"Yeah, and Lawrence for Lawrence Sperry," Skye said. "You probably don't know that name, but he demonstrated the first autopilot in 1914."
"He held his arms above his head as the plane was flying," Marie said.
"So they know," Brad commented with a smile.
"Of course, I had to explain some of the names to them," Skye said. "But they live on Mercer Island."
"We don't mind," Beckett said.
"Neither do we," David said. "I heard Mari down there mentioning the market."
"We heard Julia," Castle commented.
"Does that mean we're going?" Mari asked hopefully.
"You are," Castle said, trying not to laugh when the mayor and his wife turned to him.
"Great," Mari said eagerly. She then paused and said, "What about the rest of you guys?"
"We'll figure it out," Brian said first before the others laughed at him pretending to slam his hand down on the table.
"You're invited too though," Skye said to Adam.
"You're just telling me this now?" the singer asked in amusement.
"Sorry, but Everett said if anyone from Queen wanted to join us, they could," Skye replied.
"I think we'll stay in town," Rodger said, looking at his bandmate and Anita.
"A rest?" Brian asked.
"No, we'll find a pub and get drunk," Rodger replied jokingly.
"Then it is a good thing we are not going with you," Joseph said jokingly.
"Yeah, since you're going to someone's home for a party," Skye said jokingly. When the two men pretended to glare at her she laughed and told the others, "One of the techs lives here… her parents do, and they invited everyone from their tour for a party."
"What about yours?" Jim asked Paul.
"I spoke with them, everyone has some kind of plans," the singer answered. "What they are I can't tell you, but quite a few people on my tour live here too, there might be more than a few parties."
"We should make the rounds," the Queen drummer said with a smirk.
"Alright, I think it's time to change the subject," Anita said with a glare at Rodger though she was smiling shortly after. "The food is here," she said before Dani down the table was talking rapidly.
"Are we going to have cake?" the little girl asked.
"Once we eat dinner," Rebecca told her youngest.
Smiling at the laughter of the others, Beckett turned her attention to Josie who'd begun hitting the bottom of her fork on the tray of the highchair. "Take it easy sweetie," she told the toddler, smoothing her hair gently. "Our food is here."
"Kiss Mama," Josie said. "First."
Beckett smiled at the demand and then leaned down to share a kiss with her before she felt her husband touching her arm. "What?" she asked him though she was smiling at the same time.
"I couldn't get in on that?" Castle asked her with one eyebrow raised.
"Quickly," Beckett replied since she saw the waiters and waitresses were making their way down the table. She and her husband were sharing a brief kiss before they turned their attention to the plates that were soon being set in front of them and their youngest.
"That was a very nice cake," Paul said while he set down his fork. "And I am quite stuffed."
"Don't say you are Mummy," Fleur immediately said.
"I am a bit," Skye said, smiling at her tone.
"But you said you would sing," Ivy told her.
"We will," Skye replied. "Which I just realized I'm starting to regret."
"Why would you?" Adam asked.
"You really need to ask?" Skye replied.
"We've heard you sing our songs before," Brian commented.
"I think they want you to sing lass," Liam told his daughter.
Making a face briefly Skye said, "Don't worry, I agreed to this already. Though I will have to sing with the music."
"We expected it," Paul said. "Are we giving requests?"
"Yes, mind if I ask the youngest first?" Skye asked in response. She wasn't surprised when the singer shook his head no before she turned to Mari who jumped a little in surprise.
"Me?" she asked.
"Please," Mary told her.
Glancing over at Paul, Mari said, "Do you mind if I pick one of yours?"
"No, I'm still not singing though, not on my birthday," Paul said swiftly.
Mari giggled with the others before she told Skye and Mary, "Lavatory Lil?"
"That's alright with you parents?" Paul asked them, looking up and down the table.
"I think so," Nancy said with a smile when no one responded.
"We better start," Skye said though she was looking around the restaurant.
"I think we're okay," Rodger said. "They've seen us, haven't they?" the drummer asked the others when they turned to him.
"Bit of ego there," Brian said jokingly.
"Okay, we're going now," Skye said laughingly when everyone at the table was looking at her. She glanced at her wife and said, "You're helping me."
"I am," Mary replied a little absently before she was starting the song. She turned to her wife then when Skye started to sing, joining her though she wasn't surprised when Paul did as well.
Look out for Lavatory Lil
(Look out for Lavatory Lil)
You think that she's a winner when she's cookin' you your dinner
But she's really moving in for the kill
Lavatory Lil
Watch out for Lavatory Lil
(Watch out for Lavatory Lil)
She says it's hunky dory when she's tellin' you a story
But she really thinks you're makin' her ill
Lavatory Lil
If you saw her coming at you
You could look the other way
But it isn't easy
When she rollin' in the hay
At the guitar solo Paul said, "You're sure again," laughing when Castle was the first to respond to him.
"They'd never let you stop," the writer said, glancing at his wife when she squeezed his arm before they were holding each other's hands when they began to sing again.
So much for Lavatory Lil
(So much for Lavatory Lil)
You think she's being friendly but she lookin' for a Bentley
And she'd rather go and swallow a pill
Lavatory Lil
If you saw that she was comin'
You could get up off the track
But it isn't easy
When she hits you in the back
That's it for Lavatory Lil
(That's it for Lavatory Lil)
She's acting like a starlet but she lookin' like a harlot
As she's slowly headin' over the hill
Lavatory Lil
Lavatory Lil
"Thank you, thank you," Skye said when she had finished along with the music.
"Why are you looking at me?" Paul asked laughingly.
"Since you let us sing it," Skye replied. "And because it's your turn for the request, isn't it?"
"Now he's looking at us," Rodger told Brian.
"Is it one of ours?" the guitarist asked.
"It is, remember you let me see you rehearsing," Paul said.
"Then you'll take it?" Skye asked Adam.
"Oh no, it's not my birthday but it is my vacation for now," Adam said before they were looking to Paul who laughed and spoke quickly.
"Let Me Entertain You," the singer said before he saw the investigator's eyes widen.
"You can't sing it?" Beckett asked in surprise.
"I… can," Skye replied, looking at the two older members of Queen before they were speaking firmly.
"Yes, you can," Rodger said first.
"Freddie would want you to," Brian added. He was a little taken aback when the investigator suddenly smiled and looked towards the side of the restaurant.
"He's here now," Julia commented with a smile. "He told her she better."
"Then get to it," Adam said.
Skye stuck her tongue out at him playfully before they were laughing, and she turned her attention to her wife who was soon after starting the music. They sang together, watching the kids soon move to start dancing to the rock song.
Let me welcome you
Ladies and gentlemen
I would like to say hello
Are you ready for some entertainment?
Are you ready for a show?
Gonna rock you, gonna roll you
Get you dancing in the aisles
Jazz you, razzamatazz you
With a little bit of style
C'mon, let me entertain you
Let me entertain you
Let me entertain you
Let me entertain you
I've come here to sell you my body
I can show you some good merchandise
I'll pull you and I'll pill you
I'll Cruella DeVille you
And to thrill you, I'll use any device
Ah, ha ha ha ha
We'll give you crazy performance
We'll give you grounds for divorce
We'll give you piece de resistance
And a tour de force, of course!
We found the right location
Got a lot of pretty lights
The sound and amplification, listen
Hey if you need a fix, if you want a high
Stickell's see to that
With Elektra and EMI
We'll show you where it's at
So c'mon, let me entertain you
Let me entertain you
Let me entertain you
Let me entertain you
Just take a look at the menu
We give you rock a la carte
We'll breakfast at Tiffany's
We'll sing to you in Japanese
We're only here to entertain you
If you wanna see some action
You get nothing but the best
The S and M attraction
We've got the pleasure chest
Chicago down to New Orleans
We get you on the line
If you dig the New York scene
We'll have a son-of-a-bitch-of-a-time
Come on, let me entertain
Let me entertain
Let me entertain you
Through the night
June 18th, 2022
Hello Evangeline and Happy Birthday to Mari and Paul! She's twelve now and he's eighty, I asked both how they felt, and they said fine, which is good of course!
So I have a lot of time before bed, but kind of a lot to write though so I'm going to hurry as fast as I can.
"What's wrong?" Mari asked her friend.
"What?" Julia replied instead of answering.
"You're hesitating," Mari explained. "Usually when you do that something's wrong with your entry."
"No, I'm just wondering about how much into detail I should go," Julia explained.
"Why?" Mari asked.
"Because I want to go out onto the balcony," Julia replied.
"Me too," Mari said. "Do you need help?"
"No, let me just go right to the museum or else I'll be here for way too long," Julia answered. She smiled when Mari nodded and returned to her diary before she did the same with her own before her friend was talking quickly to her surprise.
"You can mention the cake Paul and I had," Mari told her.
Laughing briefly Julia said, "I was planning to." Waiting for her friend to start writing again before she hurried to do the same before they lost any more time.
I'm going straight to what we did today, for most of today, though having breakfast in our suite was great! Anyways, we went south a little and went to the Museum of Flight, just about aviation. This place was so cool. I mean it did have a lot of military planes but some of their paint colors were nice. But the best part were the planes you could go inside of. The first was actually outside the museum and we went on it (I thought it was free, but it turns out the man who guided us gave Skye permission to take us first thing), well, I mean through it, and it was the coolest thing. I don't remember the full name of it now, but I do remember the company name, Lockheed. The tail was really cool since it had… oh boy, it's going to be hard to describe it with writing so let me draw it.
After she had drawn what she remembered of that tail, Julia frowned for a moment before shaking her head and continuing in a new paragraph.
That's not the greatest picture, but it's basically what it was. Oh! I almost forgot that the museum also had a section that was about space aviation stuff, and it had something they used to train the astronauts who went on the space shuttle. I think Brian enjoyed that part, but really we all did. Anyways, we got to go on a 787 plane, one of the newer types and man was it pretty! Mom took a picture there for the museum of Skye and Trevor for their website (the museum's) on that plane. There's a Concorde plane and it was amazing to see since that was the plane that flew supersonic, faster than the speed of sound. Brian and Rodger said they'd flown on that type of plane once and it was amazing, it sounds like it would have to be, lol. And then the best one was the very first 747 that was ever made, yeah, we got to go on that!
The inside looks like it did when they were testing it but that's okay, the top level of it looked like the lounge they had at the start. And we all agreed about one thing, the fabrics for the chairs and couches they had were ugly, but it flew in the 1970s so that's what it was like then. And we got to go to the flight deck and sat on the jump seat there! We stayed on there for a while and after we left had lunch which was at the best place, you could see Boeing Field there where there were some planes taking off. It wasn't a normal airport so there weren't that many different airlines but what we saw was great!
After we went to the gift shop, of course, and I got a t-shirt that says Boeing on it with a design. And the second thing I was allowed to get was a model of an airplane, I picked out an Alaska Airlines plane since Skye said it's based here… though it's Alaska.
From there we went to the field where we had a huge surprise, I mean not then but we found out before. We got to meet Skye's friend who works for Boeing, and she let us see the brand new 737 plane they have. We got to walk on it and everything, though it was a little scary since they had something wrong with it. But Skye was able to figure it out and fixed it, they tried the plane after we left, and it flew like it was supposed to.
After that we came back to the city and stayed at the hotel the rest of the day because we had a big dinner together at the restaurant the hotel had. I think it was called Six Seven, which is interesting, but it had really good food which was nice. After we'd eaten, we talked a little and us kids were able to walk around since we basically had the restaurant to ourselves. Finally, we got to the part we were all waiting for, the cake for Mari and Paul! I had no idea they had one since I had thought us meeting everyone here was a surprise, but they had one. It was two tiered and the top level was for Mari and was in lighter blue with some buttons and needles and pieces of fabric that were of fondant. It was pretty and it fit her perfectly. The second one was navy blue and for Paul with guitars and notes around it. It was kind of simple on there but still, he liked it so that's great! And it tasted great, cookies and cream flavored so I enjoyed it a lot, everyone else did too! Once we'd eaten our slices, Skye and Mary sang two songs for us, one for Mari and one for Paul. Hers was Paul's song Lavatory Lil and his was one from Queen, Let Me Entertain You, which was a surprise, but they were both great performances and we got to dance with the second song!
After that we talked and played a little (us kids) and then came to our room. I forgot something again! Oh man, I really got out of order. After we ordered and before our food came out, we talked about tomorrow. We already knew we were going to the aquarium and the Space Needle, but afterwards we're going to sort of split up. Some people have parties to go to, others have friends to go see (Everett, Skye's friend at Boeing) and we're going to the market. Plus the Fosters, Davises and Darnleys, all of us from the Hamptons. We're going to shop and then we'll eat there too so it'll be great to explore for longer… and again, I feel like I could get more pictures and I can't wait!
We came back to our rooms after we left the restaurant and came to our suite where we gave Mari her gifts (we gave Paul his gifts after dinner I also forgot, I just got him a book and a hat from the Hamptons, I didn't think he'd like it, but he said he would read the book and wear the hat during this summer for relaxation and shade so I'm relieved!). And she got pictures mostly, since we couldn't bring her gifts of course, though I did with one of mine. Oh, and of course she got the usual clothes and books, but she did get a brand new sewing machine from her parents that made her cry from being so happy since she's been wanting one of her own. And our family got her some bolts of fabric along with a promise to buy two more of her choice and she promised to make something for everyone. But Mom told her she would accept a tunic top for Josa and if the rest of AJ and EJ wanted something we'd pay for it. They almost got into a fight (a word fight), Mom and Mari, about that but Mari said she'd make something for me for free since she'd feel bad making me pay because we're best friends.
So now about my gift, I actually got her a bolt of fabric all on my own a blue that shimmers almost and she said she has to make a dress for me for Christmas with that. She wants to make it in the style of dresses from the fifties, I asked don't make it a little girl's dress and she said she couldn't since I'm so tall already. And then the one gift I brought with me to give her was a charm for her bracelet. Just one because she has six already (a Gemini symbol for her astrological sign, a tiger for her Chinese zodiac year, a needle, a bobbin of thread, a book and a paintbrush since she has done watercolors of her sketches to see how the colors work out) and it's a pearl, a tiny little pearl but it's real and her birthstone so I had to get it for her. She loved it and I'm so relieved since I thought it was perfect for her! She loved all her gifts and she's told me she can't wait to get back home to see her sewing room her parents also gave her around that sewing machine since the bedroom next to hers is her old playroom and still her own. She wants me to help her with it and even though I don't know what we'll be doing I can at least help with organizing anything she needs… Thinking about it I can't wait now too to help her and see what we can do!
Now I see how much I just wrote, and I know I'm losing time to spend with Mari so I'm stopping here. Goodnight and I'll write about the aquarium at least tomorrow. Night Evangeline!
"Done!" Julia said, closing her book with a snap. She wasn't surprised Mari jumped but said, "Sorry, I forgot you were still writing."
"It's okay, I was finishing myself anyways," she replied with a smile.
"So how do you feel?" Julia asked her.
"Fine, the same," Mari said, smiling again. "Remember I told you already."
"I remember," Julia told her. "But I still want to know."
"And now you do, let's go outside," Mari said firmly.
"Sure," Julia replied though she was putting away her diary first. She waited for her friend to do the same and they were hurrying out onto their balcony. "The Ferris wheel," she said with a smile, seeing the lights of it while it was turning.
"It's awesome," Mari replied in agreement. She then smiled as they sat down and she said, "I wish we didn't have to keep going."
"Are we going to do this every time we go to a new place?" Julia said laughingly.
"Probably," Mari replied. She then paused and said, "You're looking forward to the Manresa."
"I am," Julia said. "I just hope nothing too negative happens."
"It won't," Mari replied. When her friend looked at her in surprise she said, "I just have a feeling."
"Really?" Julia said in surprise.
"Just a feeling, nothing like I'm a psychic or whatever," Mari told her friend in a rush. "But I'll stick with you okay, we'll be really careful," she added, not surprised the teen was nodding in agreement before she spoke.
"Mom might make sure you do," Julia said before they were laughing together. When they had calmed down, she said, "I don't think we have that much time."
"Not really," Mari replied, turning on her phone. She looked back out and said, "I'm so glad we're going with you to the market."
"Me too," Julia replied. "And that Paul and Nancy… actually all of them won't be there to see the fish."
"Yeah, I felt so bad we were having fun watching them," Mari said with a nod. She then paused and said, "Think they'll ask one of us to help like we saw them do?"
"It can't be us," Julia swiftly said.
"I know already," Mari replied pretending to scoff in annoyance. "I was thinking it was going to be your dad."
"Of course it is," Castle said suddenly. "What are you talking about?"
"Dad!" Julia said, turning to the metal between their balcony and her parents'.
"Hey, I wasn't listening," Castle replied. "I just stepped out while your mom is brushing her teeth."
"Oh…" Julia said. "You wouldn't want to come over here, would you?" she asked, looking at her friend before she was relieved when Mari smiled.
"You two need to go to bed soon," Beckett said, stepping out herself. She looked at the corrugated metal that was between their balconies when Julia's head appeared around it and she asked, "How far are you leaning over?"
"Not that far," Julia replied, laughing when she felt Mari underneath her.
"Hi," the girl said.
"Hello twelve-year-old," Castle replied. "Unless only your dad can call you that."
"That's okay," Mari replied. "I like hearing it. Only a little less than a year from being thirteen."
"I'm so glad your dad isn't here to hear that," Castle said jokingly. When the girls were laughing, he then said, "You didn't light the fire did you?"
"No, I'm afraid of it going out of control," Julia replied. She then realized why her parents were sharing the look they did and groaned, making Mari laugh to her surprise.
"Sorry, your throat is tickling the top of my head," the girl explained.
"Oh," Julia said with a laugh. She remembered what she'd groaned about and said, "Do we need to go to bed?"
"Yes," Beckett replied easily. She smiled with her husband as the girls were groaning and said, "Though you do have a little time to talk if you go inside too."
"We are," Julia replied, Mari agreeing with her. "Night Mom, Dad."
"Night," Mari added.
After her parents had said goodnight, Julia followed Mari inside and she closed and locked the sliding door, double checking it. She smiled and then said, "I knew they were going to say that."
"Me too," Mari replied. "But there wasn't that much to see really."
"The city at least," Julia commented. She wasn't surprised when her friend nodded before she was yawning. "I guess we have to go to bed," she told her.
"Yeah, good thing I didn't do that when your parents could see us," Mari said.
Nodding, Julia walked with her to their bed where she took off her robe and got under the covers, stretching out just before Mari climbed in on the other side. "Though Mom did say we could talk," she began.
Snorting briefly Mari replied, "Do you think they would want us to really talk for that long?"
"No, I'm not surprised you got what she did," Julia replied.
"My mom does the same," Mari said swiftly before they were laughing together.
After they had calmed down Julia said, "Then it's goodnight."
"Yep, night Julia," Mari said.
"Goodnight, Mari," Julia answered with a smile. They turned off the lights and she turned onto her side, facing her friend before she closed her eyes and did her best to sleep after the excitement of the day.
Hearing the sliding door next to them locking, Castle turned to his wife and said, "I should have mentioned something to you."
"Coffee?" Beckett asked. After her husband nodded to her, she smiled and said, "Don't worry, I didn't really want any." She couldn't help laughing softly at the way her husband immediately slumped slightly and she wrapped her arms around him. "Rick," she said firmly. "I didn't say I didn't want to do anything."
"That's usually what happens," Castle pointed out to her. He wasn't surprised when his wife pulled him down to her and they were kissing gently before they slowly parted. "Then you want to," he said. He was a little startled when she hesitated and he told her in a rush, "Whatever you want to do I will."
Smiling, Beckett hugged him tightly before she told him, "I'd like to sit for a little-" she began to say before he was interrupting her and finishing as she was smiling.
"And eventually start," Castle said.
"Basically," Beckett replied with a smile. She took his kiss once he leaned into her and they were doing so deeply before she pulled away first, breathing deeply. "We should start now," she told him, smiling again.
"You're right," Castle said after he'd pretended to think that over. He captured her lips gently and they were kissing sensuously until they parted, and he pressed his forehead to hers murmuring, "I love you, Kate."
"I love you too," Beckett replied before they were kissing again, gently while she held onto him tightly.
Once they parted, he led her inside, letting her close the door behind them and he picked her up as she let out a soft laugh. "I'm not putting you down," he told her.
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said in amusement before their lips brushed together. "Sheik," she told him, cupping his cheek with her hand.
"Goddess," Castle breathed back before she was kissing at the side of his head, and he walked as fast as he could to make his way to their bed so they could finally indulge in each other.