Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC and the others who do own them.
A/N #1: I was pleased receiving the feedback for the last chapter I did so I'll get started on my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (It was great seeing you thought the last chapter was a very good family outing in the chapter!) and
Mb (Really nice that you thought the last chapter was a nice update. And I feel the same way about zoos too so I'm glad you share the excitement the kids and adults have with the zoos. Oh and I love going to aquariums and museums too so that's why I like to put it in so much. I wasn't surprised that you think it was nice they have so many connects, lol, it does make the story more interesting so I enjoy writing that! Not surprised you laughed at the grandparents helping the parents having time to have dinners and everything, along with them getting time with their grandchildren as you said. I wanted it to be more than just the kids supporting the relationships. Great to see you thought the first half of the chapter was nicely done. And you're welcome for the first half too! I was happy to read you enjoyed the beginning of the second half of the chapter of Julia and Mari catching up after they met up again in their room. And I had wondered what readers would think of them waiting to write after their trip, lol, it was getting harder to fit that in with stuff they were doing so I needed to set that aside. I had to laugh at you saying it went to boom to Castle and Beckett together, but I do enjoy you putting that. Also that you describe them with passion and love since I do my best with that. I laughed too that you mentioned them slightly torturing themselves before Adare but I did have to include that in there. You're welcome for sharing the second half of the chapter!).
Thanks for the reviews, I loved reading them and appreciate the time take to write them out and send them my way.
A/N #2: The title of this chapter is formed from parts of two lyrics from the song Mt. St. Helens written by Mirah, from her album Advisory Committee.
Trees Lay Before You
"I can't believe this is ours," Jacob said.
"Just while we're here," Eve told her brother. "And get back here, we need to unpack so we can head out to the mountain."
"Are we seriously going snowboarding?" Marie asked.
"Your moms said we could," Julia said. "But Eve's right, we have to unpack, or we'll never have the chance to go."
"I still can't believe you," Mari said to her friend.
"Hey, when they said we could snowboard in June, I couldn't help myself," Julia said, smiling since she knew Mari was teasing her. "And at least we got to walk around Oregon City a little bit."
"That's true," the girl said. She then smiled and said, "But I'm glad we got to get some postcards."
"Definitely," Julia said before they were hurrying back into what was going to be their bedroom. They hurried to unpack before she said, "I don't like the bed, but I keep telling myself it's supposed to be a cabin in the woods."
"I thought your dad said it was a condo, all the ones we're staying in are condos?" Mari asked her, closing the closet door.
"True, but even then, it's supposed to be a cabin," Julia said, laughing when her friend rolled her eyes. "Come on, let's go see the other rooms."
"And ask why we got this bedroom," Mari added.
"Because you two aren't sisters," Kathleen said, looking up when the two came to the doorway of hers and her sister's room with the smaller bed.
"Also, your dad got these condos," Marie added.
Making a face Julia said, "I doubt he paid for them all." She then paused and said, "That reminds me, I need to write out how we all fit in the condos."
"I thought you said you'd stopped writing in your diary for now," Jacob said, he and his sister finishing their unpacking just as the other four with them had entered their room with twin beds.
"Yeah, but I'm afraid I'm going to forget since we still have a lot to see," Julia said.
"I think you have time now," Eve said, looking at the time on her phone.
"I think they had some paper by the phone," Julia said. "I'll write fast." She led the way downstairs and to the counter at the kitchen, taking a pad of paper and pen before she wrote on it swiftly.
Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood, Oregon
Queen Bedroom (views of Mt. Hood)
'lexis & Louis
Condos:
Unit 1
Me, Mari, Marie, Kathleen, Eve & Jacob
Unit 8
Gram, Josa, Joseph, Bethany, Sophie, Liam & Pablo
Unit 5
Lizzy, Fleur, Ivy, Iris, Dani, Maddy, Keo & Grandpapa
Unit 7
Mom & Dad, Skye & Mary, David & Rebecca, Brad & Lily, Patrick & Trevor
"Nice writing," Jacob commented, watching her.
"Thanks, I love making ampersands," Julia replied. "And that's everyone," she said.
"Yep, a lot of us," Kathleen said in agreement before they were jumping at Julia's phone ringing. She watched with the others as the teen answered it before her father was responding on the other end to his daughter's hello.
"Are you guys all set?" Castle was asking.
"Oh yeah, we unpacked," Mari said first.
"Great, but are you ready to leave your condo?" Castle then inquired. When he heard the kids all saying yes, he glanced at his wife and smiled with her before he said, "Okay, then step out and someone will pick you up,"
"Dad," Julia said. "We can walk over to the one you're at."
"Alright," Castle replied when his wife was nodding. "We'll be out in a second; everyone else too."
"Sure," Julia said before she hung up. "I can't wait," she told her friends eagerly. She then looked at Marie and Kathleen and said, "Are you sure you guys will be able to snowboard with us?"
"Yeah," Kathleen said before she looked at her twin who was snorting.
"Of course we will," Marie said firmly. "We've gone to Baldy, Big Bear, Mammoth…"
"Don't forget Tahoe," Kathleen reminded her twin.
"Yeah, there too," Marie said. "Not all the time but still." She looked around at their friends and said, "What about you guys?"
"We can and we've gone a few places," Eve said.
"Around northern New York State, so you know we're good," Jacob said, pretending to boast. "No, we can manage not to fall," he said with a smile after his sister had rolled her eyes.
"We better go," Mari reminded them. "Our parents aren't going to see us outside."
Hurrying to grab her bag with her camera, Julia stepped outside in front of their condo. She waved at her mother, in front of her condo, and then made sure Jacob locked the door for them before she headed over to Beckett.
"How do you like it?" she asked her daughter.
"It's great," Julia said with a smile. "I don't like all of the décor but I'm not going to live here."
"We're ready," Castle said, stepping outside. He saw Julia looking at Josie in his arms in surprise and said with a smile, "She wanted to stick with us."
"I go snow play?" Josie asked him.
"With Sophie, Maddy and Keo," Castle assured her. He kissed her temple and set her down telling her, "For now go with your sister."
"I hate to bring this up since everyone's so eager for the snow," Skye said. "Lunch?"
"It's still early," Castle reminded her.
"Then you had something in mind?" Mary asked him.
"Snowboard a little until about twelve, eat and head off to hike," Castle said.
"How long?" Alexis asked with a smile as the others spun around to face them.
"How's your room?" Castle asked his daughter.
"It has a great view," Louis said earnestly.
"He loves seeing the snow in almost July," Alexis said with a smile, squeezing her husband's hand since they were holding each other's. "So do I."
"You're going to snowboard," Castle said in concern.
Scoffing Martha said, "She knows better than that Richard. She'll join us with the youngest," not surprised when he nodded before he was speaking to everyone.
"Okay, then does anyone mind those plans?" Castle asked.
"You should let them know," Skye said in amusement. When the writer glanced at her she told him, "I know already."
"Once we hike, we can go to the swimming pool they have," Castle said.
"We can or we will?" Brad asked him.
"We will," Lily said firmly. "After telling the kids I don't think we can get out of it," she said with a smile.
"I'd like to go," Darnley said.
"Then we should go, we have to get everything we need and get the others set where they can play," Skye said before she was looking pointedly at the writer.
"Yeah, we know the way," Castle said, he and his wife leading everyone.
After they'd gotten their equipment and had gotten the youngest settled on some snow with the grandparents, Alexis and Louis, the others were heading to the slope where they could go down the snow on their snowboards.
"Rick," Beckett said, stopping him before they could go down.
"Don't ask," Castle told her with a smile.
"I won't," Beckett said, having been unsure if he'd wanted to go snowboarding.
"I'm not sure I'll be that good, so you'll have some bruises to kiss later," Castle told his wife in amusement.
"We'll see," Beckett replied. "Just don't try to go on the railings."
"I won't," Castle promised. After she'd started down the slope he turned to Julia and said, "You're ready?"
"Are you?" Julia asked. She smiled when her father gave her a mock annoyed look and told him, "I am, I'm excited."
"Just like your mom," Castle said, smiling himself at his words. He'd been watching his wife the entire time and when she'd stopped at the end, kicking up snow, he told their second oldest, "I think it's your turn."
"Yep, see you at the bottom," Julia said, putting the goggles she had on her face. She jumped a little and then proceeded to slide down the slope, whooping in joy as she was speeding up. Directing herself back and forth, she couldn't help heading for a railing and slid over it to the halfway point before she needed to force herself off. She just managed to keep herself standing before her mother was walking up to her and she said, "Sorry! I couldn't help it."
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said in amusement. She reached for her and hugged her saying, "You enjoyed it."
"Yeah," Julia replied before they were watching her father coming down.
"Hey! I made it," Castle said when he came to a stop.
"And covered us in snow," Beckett said, she and Julia brushing it off themselves.
"Couldn't help it," Castle said, bending down to take off his board.
"What about Lizzy now?" Julia asked once she had hers off her feet too.
"We'll go pick her up," Beckett said, the little girl being taught with the youngest McDouglases by Skye and Mary since they were the most experienced in their group.
"Great, she's been waving to us," Julia said in amusement before her parents were leading her over to them.
While the others were repeatedly making their way up and down the slope, Alexis was watching the younger kids making a snowman and she said, "You know you could have gone with them," not surprised at her husband's response.
"I wouldn't have had much fun," Louis said.
"More than just sitting with me," Alexis told him.
Shaking his head, Louis said, "Okay, okay, you've made your point. But they seem to be set in their snowman."
"You can make another one," Martha said, walking by them.
"Did you want to sit Gram?" Alexis asked her.
"Yes," Martha said firmly.
"You're warm enough?" Louis inquired. "I could get you something."
"It would take you too long," Martha said with a smile at his solicitousness. "Stay with your wife," she told him firmly.
"I will," Louis said with a laugh before they went to the younger kids. Helping them make another snowman he said to Josie who was looking towards the slope, "You wouldn't want to make a snow angel would you?"
"Angel?" the toddler asked.
Smiling Alexis said, "You know how to, but I don't think Mom and Dad would want you laying down in the snow."
"No, I want dessert," Josie said. She smiled when her big sister started to laugh and then joined her before she cried out and started to try and run the best she could to their parents and sisters.
"Josa!" Alexis cried out in surprise, moving to go after her. Before she could grab her, the toddler slipped and fell onto her hands and knees.
"Josie," Castle said, first to reach her. He picked her up after he'd tossed aside his snowboard and picked her up, doing his best to calm her down while she began to cry.
"You're alright sweetie," Beckett said while she was checking on the toddler's hands. "You know you're not supposed to run in the snow."
"Wanna see Mama," Josie sobbed.
Kissing her cheek, Castle told her, "But you still had fun, right? I see some snowmen are here."
"Did you make them?" Julia asked while the toddler was calming down.
"Eh," Josie said. "That is mine," she then added, pointing to the shorter one.
"We took care of the other one though all the kids helped," Louis explained.
"She's alright?" Jim asked his daughter and son-in-law.
"She is," Beckett assured him. "And we'll have to leave her with you while we return everything."
"You can head to the lodge I told you about," Skye said. "There's a café there we can grab lunch at."
While the others were leaving for the building Rebecca went to the investigator and asked her, "Are you deciding dinner?"
"No, though I would ask Rick about it," Skye said with a smile as she looked over at the writer.
"To be honest I was going to ask you all what you thought of the different choices here," Castle said, giving Skye a mock look before Rebecca was clearing her throat and talking to them all while they turned to her.
"I was going to remind everyone that we have a barbeque on our balcony," the lawyer began.
"Us too," Julia couldn't help saying.
"And I planned to suggest that we go to the little market they have that just opened, get some food to barbeque and eat at our condo," Rebecca said.
"It'll be nice to get something fresh," Mary said. She glanced at the others and told them, "We're so getting corn and veggies."
"It's a good idea," Castle said. "And Mary's right, we've been having a lot of restaurant food."
"Then we're agreed?" David asked.
"Definitely," Darnley said before they were laughing together and leaving to transition from the snow to their hike.
"There's a trail right here?" Eliza asked her mother while they were walking through the parking lot of their lodge.
"There is," Beckett replied. "And I hope you'll be okay."
"Yeah, I've gone on a lot of hikes now Mommy," Eliza replied with a wide smile.
"That's true," Beckett replied.
"Can I go with my friends?" Eliza asked.
"Go ahead," Beckett told her. She made sure the little girl was going with Fleur and Iris before she turned her attention to Castle, waiting for him to catch up with her.
"I'm coming," he told his wife with a smile.
"I'm not complaining," Beckett said firmly. "I don't have anyone to walk with."
"Oh well then allow me to invite you to join me," Castle replied.
"Thank you," Beckett said laughingly. They started up the trail and she called to Julia; trying to answer Mari's question about what the trail was called, "It's the Zig Zag Canyon Overlook."
"Thanks," Julia replied.
"Where are we going to eat?" Eliza then said to their parents.
"Once we find the right spot," Skye said before the writers could.
"Are we going to debate who's had the most experience hiking?" Castle asked a little laughingly.
"No, because that would be me," Skye replied.
"She's not kidding," Mary said. "Ask Liam when we go back to the others. She hiked with him and her dad."
"And we've gone too," Ivy said happily.
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said. "Pick the spot."
"Though I will ask your opinions on it of course," Skye added. She wasn't surprised when the other adults agreed and she looked down at Iris who'd moved to walk with her and said, "I know you're hungry, but we'll stop soon."
"I hope so," Iris replied. "But… what about Grandda and Pablo?"
"They're fine," Mary assured her. "It's a little too much for your grandda to hike this trail and he wanted to rest."
"We can show him the pictures we take right?" Iris asked.
"Of course, he already said he wanted to see them," Skye assured her. "But we might have to wait until we're back home." That made her think of something, and she glanced back to the parents before Nkosi was talking to her first.
"You're thinking about the time we're going to be at your place," the other investigator said. "While Kate and Rick are in Ireland."
"I couldn't help thinking of that," Skye said. "And I'm not saying let's plan this second," she added in a rush. "More all of you think of a place that you would like to go. We'll put together a list and decide from that."
"Don't worry," Castle said swiftly when some of the kids were looking at him and Beckett. "If we haven't been we'll go another time."
"I think they want to get to Ireland," Darnley said jokingly.
"Very," Beckett said. She couldn't help laughing when her friend made a face at her, and she looked back at Josie in the carrier on her husband's back.
"Mama I go walk," the toddler told her.
"I don't know if you can here sweetie," Beckett said gently.
"I wonder if we should let her," Castle told his wife.
"Well… we can let her try," Beckett told him firmly. When he nodded in agreement she called to the others before they were stopping.
"I wonder if we should just eat here," Skye said, looking around off the trail. "Nice flat area and some shade if the sun comes out in the end."
"And the kids are hungry," Nkosi said.
"Alright, who licked their lips?" Darnley asked jokingly since he was looking at his son.
"I'm hungry Daddy," Keo said, smiling at him.
"Me too," Darnley replied, picking him up.
"Help me out Lils," Brad said with a smile when Sophie immediately began calling for him to put her down.
Once the toddlers were out, the group headed to the safest place to lay out their blankets and they passed out the food before they began to eat.
"Are you guys enjoying the hike so far?" Lily asked the kids.
"Yeah, I like the view of the mountain," Eliza said, pointing up to it.
"Me too," Julia said, nodding in agreement. She glanced up and then looked at her sister before she was laughing and answering her unasked question.
"I'm fine, we're only walking," Alexis told her.
With a quick nod Julia said, "Are you coming swimming with us?"
"Probably," Alexis replied.
"Are we walking on the whole trail?" Ivy asked her mothers.
"We can't, it'll be nearly five miles in both directions," Skye replied. "I saw," she told Castle.
"Did you see the map?" he replied.
"Pictures too," Skye said. She smiled and said, "There's a point where we can stop, rest for a moment and then go back for the pool."
"I expected some kind of protest," David said.
"Not from me," Mari said. "I like hiking, but I want to go swimming too."
"Not surprising," Nkosi said with a smile when all the kids were agreeing with the girl. "Though what are they saying?" he asked, motioning to Josie and Sophie.
"Nothing, just making noises," Brad said laughingly.
"Dada," Sophie squealed, throwing herself at him.
"Do you think they'll enjoy this?" Brad asked the others.
"They seem to do well hiking," Lily reminded her husband.
"She's right, plus it sounds like they're going to be sleeping for most of the hike," Beckett added.
"That means they'll get to swim right?" Eliza asked.
"Of course," Castle replied.
"Where are you going sweetie," Beckett said with a smile, watching Josie walking off the blanket.
"I see flowers," Josie said.
"Nice, full sentence," Castle told her.
"No lessons right now Rick," Beckett said in amusement to him. "Leave the flowers where they are sweetie," she said.
"She's right, this isn't home," Julia said.
"Home?" Josie asked.
"Yeah, when we go home we'll pick some flowers for Mommy," Eliza told her.
"You wouldn't want another fry?" Castle asked, holding one out to her. He wasn't surprised when she quickly made her way over to him and he took her on his lap.
Once they'd finished eating and gathering their trash, the blankets were folded, and they were back on the trail, Josie and Sophie in the carriers on their fathers' backs.
"I think she's asleep," Castle eventually told his wife.
Letting him go ahead of her, Beckett smiled when she spotted their youngest slumped in the carrier, her cheek resting on his back. "She is," she told her husband, going back to walking next to him.
"Great," Castle said.
"She isn't extra weight?" Beckett asked him with a smile. She wasn't surprised when he shook his head slowly, a serious expression on his face, and she told him, "We were going to set her down."
"I thought of that, but I wonder if it's safe to do that the further we head up," Castle replied. He studied his wife and said with a smile, "You were thinking the same?"
"I was, but I would have taken her by the hand," Beckett said.
"I think you mean I would have, you are taking pictures," Castle told her.
Smiling at him, Beckett took another shot towards Mt. Hood they could see above them and turned her attention to the kids ahead. She saw Eliza was walking at that moment with Fleur and Iris, Julia with Mari and Eve, the three talking while they were watching the scenery and trail. She took pictures of everyone ahead of them and continued with different shots until Skye was stopping them.
"We've gone for quite a while," the investigator said. "And looking at the time I think we could head back to the lodge."
"Great," Jacob said.
"Are you getting tired?" Lily asked her son in surprise.
"You shouldn't listen to my conversations," Eliza said, sticking her tongue out at him.
"Are you tired?" Beckett inquired in surprise.
"A little," Eliza said slowly, feeling bad before her father was responding swiftly.
"We should have another water break," Castle said.
"I'm not thirsty," Eliza assured him. She smiled and then said, "But I do want to take pictures."
"Go ahead and take them," Beckett urged her.
"I'm fine," Alexis said when her father walked up to her.
"Good and hydrated?" Castle asked.
"Yes," Alexis said with a laugh. She then looked at her father's back and said, "She's out."
"She'll be tonight too," Castle commented. "After all the swimming."
"How long are we going to do that?" Julia asked, walking to them for a shot looking down the trail the way they'd come.
"Until about five-thirty," Castle said, looking at his wife questioningly.
"Well… some of us are going to need to buy supplies," Beckett said before her husband suddenly had a look of realization on his face.
"He just thought of something," Alexis told her mother.
"I noticed," Beckett said in amusement.
"Want to let us know what you just thought of?" Brad asked his friend.
"Yeah, what if Alexis and Louis take the kids and the rest of us grab dinner before we join them at the pool?" Castle asked. "It shouldn't take that long."
"I'm all for it," Darnley said. When he saw the way his husband and friend were looking at him, he told them, "Seriously, I'd like to see what they have."
"And we'll go faster," Nkosi commented with a smile. "If we all go."
"I was going to say," Beckett said.
"Then do we agree?" Skye asked the others.
Watching the parents agree Mari said, "Do we have to wait to go swimming?"
"Not you older kids," David said, glancing at the other parents. "Though I'm mainly talking about you."
"It's fine," Beckett said. "But Josie will be waiting for us."
"And Sophie," Lily said firmly.
"Ours too," Nkosi said.
"But Tata-" Maddy began with a frown.
"Wait," Darnley told her, holding up his hand. "We'd like you to wait for us, but you can go on the steps while you do that if that's okay."
"All the steps," Maddy said firmly.
"Just that, no touching the bottom of the pool," Darnley said. "Though I think they might still go."
"No we won't," Keo said firmly. "We'll stay!"
"Then we'll see once we get to the pool," Darnley commented.
"Is that a subtle hint for us to start heading back?" Beckett asked him. At her friend's firm nod she laughed with the others and after making sure everyone had their fill of pictures they turned around and made their way back down the trail.
Back at the lodge they split up, the older kids getting their things for the pool, Alexis and Louis taking the youngest to get their things. The parents were changing swiftly before they headed to the building near the condos named Mt. Hood General Store.
"Nice," Castle said before his wife was laughing softly next to him. He glanced at her, feeling a thrill go through him at the sound of it and her smile before she spoke.
"I'm glad it meets with your approval," Beckett said, watching him suddenly leaving her to head to the registers.
"What do you think that's all about?" Skye asked, walking over to her friend.
"Pictures," Castle said, returning to his wife in time to hear that. "You can take some if you'd like."
"I don't think so, but thank you for asking," Beckett replied with a smile before they were walking to where the others were grouped together.
"What's going on?" Castle asked them.
"We're supposed to decide on everything and you three didn't join us," Mary said in mock annoyance.
"We had to check on something first," Castle explained rapidly.
"Are you set?" David asked.
"We are," Beckett answered. She smiled and then said, "Though what did we need to talk about."
"The Fourth of July," Darnley said. "We're doing a cookout you said."
"That's true," Castle replied. "And that gives me an idea…"
"I have no clue what he has in mind," Beckett said when the others looked at her.
"Bratwurst?" Brad said when they'd caught up to the writer.
"Too close to hot dogs," David protested.
"Why don't we just get some sort of steak," Lily said firmly.
"You don't-" Castle started to say.
"No, I don't mind," Lily replied. "I can grill them well. But the rest of you need to take care of the sides."
"Do you need help with the veggies?" Skye asked.
"I can handle them," Lily said. "Corn?" she inquired.
"Our girls will be expecting them," Skye replied. "Though I hope we don't have a mutiny, we're not making elotes."
"We'll have to back at home," Mary told her wife with a smile.
"I already knew," Skye said, smiling herself.
"And we'll grab some other veggies," Rebecca said. "But we need something else."
"We do have an oven," Brad reminded them.
"But we have veggies already," Darnley commented.
"Were you planning on using potatoes?" Nkosi said. "Fries," he said to the shakes of the others' heads.
"That's true," Darnley told them. "But what about sweet potatoes?"
"Great, I'll pick up some ranch," David said.
"It's his favorite," Rebecca said laughingly before she was following her husband.
"I guess the rest of us will pick up… the rest," Mary said before they were heading to the produce which was first.
After getting what they needed, the group paid and made their way to their condo before they unloaded everything.
"Great, they have all the spices so we don't need to go back," Lily said, smiling at her friend while she was leaning against the counter before she responded.
"I wondered why you were running," Beckett told her. "What time do we need to be back." Her friend was about to speak, and she held up her hand telling her, "Don't say we don't need to, we're not leaving you to handle all of it on your own."
"I hope not," Lily said. "About five."
"So two and a half hours, not bad," Castle said, stepping up next to his wife and wrapping his arm around her waist.
"Yeah, try telling the kids that," Darnley said jokingly. "But seriously, can we go? Our two are going to be livid."
"We're going right now," Brad said, walking to his wife and kissing the side of her neck.
"Hey-" Castle started to say.
"Don't," Beckett told him.
"Don't what?" Darnley asked.
"You tested the walls," Skye said. When her friend looked at her, obviously startled, she smiled and said, "We do that as well; have to be careful of course; but we noticed. They're paper thin and we won't be involved in any kind of intercourse here."
"You're very abrupt," Darnley said, the others in their group looking startled.
"I would have to be," Skye replied. "Though I just thought of the bathrooms… you could there."
"Please stop," Mary told her wife.
"Yeah, that's all I have to say," Skye replied, nodding.
"We weren't planning on it," Castle said, looking at his wife when she put her hand to her face. "I'm being honest."
"I think we should end that conversation there," Rebecca said. "We're embarrassed enough and how're we going to explain it to the kids?"
"We can't, we're leaving now," Lily said firmly, turning to leave the kitchen.
Smiling at her friend taking Brad's hand on the way to drag him with her, Beckett walked with her husband to the front door and after they'd made their way outside, they headed to the pool.
"Mommy! What do you think of this pool?" Eliza asked her, waving to her.
"It's great," Beckett said.
"Yeah, we could play baseball in here," Castle said before he saw his wife was rolling her eyes. He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss before they were heading to their chairs by their parents and he asked, "Any problems?"
"Oh no," Martha said, sounding pleased. "They brought us some iced tea and the sun is warm here…"
"You're sure that was iced tea Mother?" Castle asked her.
"Yes," Martha replied firmly.
"Josie has been asking about you," Jim said when his daughter walked over to where he sat with the toddler.
"What? After we just saw you?" Castle said exaggeratedly, not surprised when Josie was laughing at his tone. Since he'd gotten his shirt off, he made his way to his wife and kissed their youngest's cheek before she was grabbing his and speaking almost sternly to them both.
"Go swim Mama, Dada," Josie said.
"Was that an order?" Castle asked, trying not to break down in laughter though it was difficult.
"It was," Beckett said.
"I took care of her sunscreen as soon as we got here," Jim told his daughter.
"Thank you," Beckett said before she and Castle were heading to the pool.
"Don't splash too much," Castle told Julia and Eliza while they were swimming up to the steps.
"We wanted to be with Josa when she first came in," the former said with a smile.
"You don't have to," Castle told the pair.
"We don't mind," Julia and Eliza said at the same time before they were laughing.
When they'd calmed down Eliza asked, "Did you get all the food?"
"We did," Castle replied. "And I already know; you'll have dessert."
"Awesome," Eliza said before she held her arms out to Josie who was standing on the top step with their mother.
"Let her go on her own," Beckett told her. She smiled when Josie laughed at her sister pursing her lips and told her, "Do you want to keep going?"
"Eh!" the toddler said eagerly.
"Then jump," Eliza said eagerly.
"Yeah, Dad will catch you," Julia urged her.
Seeing the toddler nodding her head, Castle encouraged her as well and was soon catching her as she did her best to fly off the steps. He let her go under the water briefly and wasn't surprised when Josie's sisters were applauding them. "I'm surprised," he said.
"Don't start," Alexis said.
"When she's further-" Castle started to say to his wife.
"Yes, I talked to her about swimming towards the end of her pregnancy," Beckett interrupted him.
"And I took her up on it," Alexis replied. "Though it won't be at the end of it for sure," she added.
"Huh?" Eliza asked, looking over at them from Josie.
"I might be on bedrest," Alexis said. "Remember I told you."
Nodding Eliza said, "But you can still swim right?"
"I might be floating, not swimming that much," Alexis replied, rubbing her stomach lightly. "But that's in the future."
"Where are you going to pick when we're in LA?" Eliza suddenly asked.
"You two can go swim with your friends," Beckett told them with a smile. She wasn't surprised when Eliza immediately left but was seeing Julia stayed with them. "What is it?" she asked her.
"There's a Jacuzzi over there," the teen replied.
"We'll go," Beckett said.
"What about Josa?" Julia then asked.
"For a little," Beckett said.
"Maybe your gram will come with us and then take her," Castle commented.
"Or my dad," Beckett said.
"Martha will," Jim said with a smile, stepping into the pool, startled when his son in law was laughing before he was quickly explaining why.
"I'm assuming she could hear us," Castle said.
"I'm right behind you Richard," Martha called.
Julia laughed when her baby sister was waving to their grandmother and she said, "Okay, I'll see you."
"Be careful," Castle and Beckett said at the same time. They watched her, Jim and Alexis swim away before he turned to his wife.
"Are we staying with her? I get the feeling your dad came in to take her," Castle said, letting their youngest swim across to her though he was staying with her the entire way.
"Most likely," Beckett replied. "But we have plenty of time."
"True," Castle said, looking at Josie when she was grabbing the water and splashing slightly. "What do we do with her for now?"
Laughing Beckett said, "You know already," watching him moving across from her again.
"As long as that's what she wants," Castle told her though Josie was already trying to swim. He waited for Beckett to bring her over before he was kissing his wife lightly on the lips.
"Why don't you swim yourself," Beckett told him with a smile.
Shaking his head Castle said, "Start over?"
"Of course," Beckett replied before they started over with Josie swimming between them. After they'd done that for a while, she picked up the toddler and told her husband, "Ready?"
"I can take her," Castle said, reaching over and getting her.
Shaking her head Beckett said, "You don't need to, Dad's swimming up to us right now."
Turning, Castle saw he was right, and he said to his father-in-law, "I'm going to assume you're available to take her now," not surprised when he was swiftly responding while he walked up to them.
"I wanted to," Jim said. He took Josie and explained to his daughter and son in law, "I promised her I would swim with her."
"We're going to take her into the Jacuzzi eventually," Beckett told her father.
"Just let me know," Jim said.
Turning with his wife, Castle said, "Are we going on our own?"
"For now," Beckett replied with a brief nod. They began swimming, ducking under the water and heading to the deeper end before they resurfaced near Julia who was with the older girls.
"Hi," Julia told her parents with a smile. "How was Josa?"
"She loves it, don't worry," Beckett told her wryly. "But how're you enjoying it?"
"A lot," Julia replied. "Andra over there… oh, she must have gone to her room with her parents. She said they keep the pool warm all year, so even in the snow she's been swimming here."
"You were talking to a stranger?" Castle asked, giving her a mock strangled tone of voice.
"She was their age," Eve said. "And her parents were sitting on one of the chairs."
"She was nice," Marie said.
"Does that mean she's from here?" Beckett asked.
"Portland," the five girls said at the same time.
"Though she said she lived almost in the suburbs," Kathleen added. "She was asking us about being twins."
"She was an only child?" Castle guessed.
"She said," Julia replied with a nod.
"I feel like there's more," Castle said, sharing a look with his wife.
"There is," Marie said before they were giggling.
"She said she'll text me her address," Julia replied.
"You gave her your number," Castle stated.
"No, she said she'd write it down and send it to the condo we're at," Julia said, with a smile.
"You learned that from your sister," Castle said, shaking his head. "She joked way too much like that."
"It's because you're a good dad," Beckett said, squeezing his shoulder. She then said, "And I'd like to meet her."
"Me too," Castle said.
"Oh, she's there," Mari said, spotting the girl walking outside with her family. "And you forgot to say," she whispered in a hiss almost to her friend.
"She knows me… plus Skye, Mary and you guys," Julia said in a rush before she was going to a ladder out.
Following their daughter, Castle and Beckett watched her talking to the girl before two women walked out from the lodge and joined them. They weren't surprised to find out the two were the girl's mothers and they spoke, finding them friendly along with their daughter.
"So, I have permission?" Julia asked after the three said goodbye and went back inside the hotel.
"Yeah," Beckett said. She studied her daughter and said, "You were thinking of inviting her to dinner," not surprised the teen responded immediately.
"Sort of, but then I realized we didn't know her that well yet," Julia said. "And we probably wouldn't be able to fit three more people in your condo."
"I think we could have," Castle said. "Though I bet you they have plans already," he added. "Go back to swimming before we head back to our condos."
"Oh, we don't need to dress up right?" Julia asked while they walked back the few steps to the pool.
"No," Beckett replied. "Just make sure to bring a light sweater since it'll be cool tonight."
"I will," Julia said, nodding her head rapidly. She dove back into the water before she swam from the side, turning back and waiting for Mari and her friends to join her while the afternoon was going by.