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 to get the feedback I got for the last chapter so I'll go ahead and get started on my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (I was really happy and relieved that you liked how I focused on Skye and Mary and their family for the chapter. I wanted to try something different so it was great to get your reaction. And of course I'm really happy you thought it was very good writing too!) and
Mb (It was great to see you enjoyed the look at Skye and Mary and them going back home. Not surprised you were jealous of them going to Disneyland, lol, I figured some people would be. And I was glad that you thought it was nice to see Skye and Mary relaxing at home, wanting to be with their family and having fun too. You're welcome for the first half of the chapter! Pleased seeing you thought the second half was nicely done too! And I was really glad you thought it was a great day at Disneyland they had. I haven't been there for Halloween but I've heard a lot how nice they do it so it definitely is special there too! I was so relieved that you thought it was nice how it was a change of venue and pace going with Skye and Mary and their family, lol. I wanted to try it out and I'm glad it was successful in the end! You're welcome for the second half of the chapter!).
Thanks for the reviews, I loved reading them and am grateful for the time taken to write them out and send them my way!
A/N #2: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Dead Man's Party written by Danny Elfman, from the Oingo Boingo album the same name as the band.
Room For Maybe Just One More
"Are you sure?" Alexis asked her mother as she sat up on the bed.
"Very," Beckett assured her. "We have Tahiti coming up remember." She hesitated for a moment and then said, "Though I'm not sure if we'll have the chance to go."
"I'm sure you will," Alexis said. "I want you to."
"That depends on the babies," Castle said, walking into the room.
"Are they finished?" Beckett asked.
"They still have no idea what they want to do," Castle replied, answering her unasked question.
"I'm not surprised," Beckett said with a smile. She then turned to their oldest and said, "And yes we're sure about staying here tonight."
"It is a Friday," Alexis said.
"We're aware," Castle said. "Kate's right though, we have Tahiti and we're intent on staying here with you and your sisters. And the rest of the family of course."
"Of course," Alexis replied with a smile.
"And Louis?" Castle then asked her.
"He'll be here soon," Alexis said. "He wants to finish up a few things for the weekend." She rubbed her stomach and said, "And he wants to hurry back here."
"Good to hear that," Castle said before looking over at the doorway to the game room as the girls walked in. "Plus, your grandparents aren't here either."
"You know Louis and I could watch them," Alexis said.
"Are you going to the club?" Eliza asked eagerly.
"No," Beckett said. "Another time. You two were supposed to say what you wanted to do tonight. The pool or the game room."
"I know what they really want to do," Alexis said suddenly before her sisters could say anything. She smiled when they looked at her with wide eyes and said, "It wasn't that hard to figure out. They want to go bowling," startled when the two were protesting immediately before Julia was speaking first.
"We'd like to, but we know we can't," the teen said in a rush.
"We could," Alexis said before their parents could respond. "Seriously, Dad can carry me downstairs and back up. I can sit in the love seat from the lounge… if you don't mind bringing it."
"Let's wait for Louis to get here," Castle said after he'd shared a look with his wife.
"I'm going to insist," Alexis said.
"Unless…" Beckett began before she trailed off and glanced at her husband.
"That's true," Castle commented. He turned back to their oldest and told her, "You know you and Louis can have a night on your own in here."
"No," Alexis said. When her parents looked at her in surprise, she couldn't help hugging her arms around her stomach before she said, "I want to move to another part of the house… and I want to watch you all play." She saw her sisters opening their mouths to speak before she quickly said, "I don't mind at all," before her mother was speaking first.
"Then I think we'll just wait for Louis," Beckett said.
"Are we still having pizza for dinner?" Eliza asked hopefully.
"We are," Castle said, looking at his oldest.
"I can't help my cravings," Alexis said in amusement. "You're just lucky I don't want any weird combinations for the toppings."
"Yeah, I thought about that," Castle couldn't help commenting.
"I'm not surprised," Alexis replied. She then smiled and said, "But the usual is fine."
"Are they kicking?" Julia asked, watching while Josie rushed over to the bed.
"I think at this point it's more they're just shifting," Alexis replied, taking her littlest sister's hand and placing it where one of the babies was moving. "Turning?" she then said in concern, looking at her mother.
"I don't think so, but you have an appointment on Tuesday and I'm sure they'll tell you then," Beckett said quickly. She was startled when Alexis suddenly burst into tears and Josie was quick to follow before she and Castle were hurrying over to their daughters. Since she had reached Alexis first, she was wrapping her arms around their oldest, soothing her while Castle picked Josie up.
"I'm so sorry," Alexis said when she felt she could speak.
"You don't need to apologize," Beckett assured her, pulling back and reaching for the handkerchief Castle held out to her. She handed it to their oldest and told her, "Believe me, I know how this is and it isn't easy to handle your emotions. Actually, you've been doing well considering."
Alexis couldn't help laughing before she said, "Sometimes it's been hard." She turned to her mother and said, "Thank you."
"You're very welcome," Beckett said easily before letting her go. She brushed her hair away from her face and asked her, "Feeling better?"
"A lot," Alexis said with a quick nod. She smiled and said, "You can relate?"
"Of course," Beckett said firmly.
"So now we need to go bowling," Alexis said. "To make me feel better."
Laughing as Julia and Eliza were giggling, Castle said in mock annoyance, "Okay, okay, we'll go." When they stopped, he said to them, "Don't worry, I was serious about agreeing with it."
"What about dinner?" Eliza asked.
"What about it?" Beckett asked in confusion.
"Could we eat it in the basement?" Eliza explained and questioned at the same time.
"No," Beckett replied. "We'll eat here at the table." She wasn't surprised when Eliza pursed her lips before she shrugged and turned to Julia.
About to ask about playing in the game room after they had bowled, Julia had to watch with the others as the dogs started to hurry to the doorway when the chime for the gate sounded.
"Guys," Beckett said sternly. When the dogs stopped and came back to them, she said, "Do you want to go over to meet him?"
"I'll wait," Alexis said slowly since her mother was looking at her as she spoke. After her mother nodded, she watched the doorway before her husband was walking inside.
"Hullo everyone," Louis said, setting his bag down next to the bed. He'd walked directly to his wife and kissed her cheek before he asked, "Everyone alright?"
"Stop saying everyone," Alexis said teasingly. They shared a brief kiss before parting and she then said, "We're just waiting for you so we can eat and you can go bowling while I watch," not surprised when her husband was responding immediately.
"Bowling? But that's-" Louis started to say with a frown.
"It's alright," Alexis interrupted him. "Dad will carry me down."
"Unless you want to take her," Castle said quickly when his son in law looked at him.
"That's alright, you can carry her," Louis replied after hesitating for a moment. "But I'll be watching closely."
"I hope you will," Castle said with a brief nod. He then said, "The pizza will be here soon."
"I'm later in the winter because-" Louis started to say with a slight frown.
"Don't worry," Beckett told him. "We're aware of how much needs to be done with the horses right now."
Nodding Louis said, "I'll wash up quickly if you don't mind."
"Go," Alexis said with a smile before her husband was leaving for the bathroom down the hall. "How much longer?" she asked her father.
Looking at his watch, Castle looked up in surprise at the chime for the front gate and smiled when Julia and Eliza were laughing. "Come on you two, help me grab dinner," he told them.
Beckett nodded when the two looked at her and watched them leaving with Castle before she turned to Josie whom her husband had handed to her. "How are you feeling sweetie?" she asked the toddler.
"I was sad?" Josie asked her.
"No, I think your sister crying scared you a little," Beckett replied. She smiled when the toddler nodded firmly and kissed the side of her head before she said, "Can I put you down now?" When Josie was shortly after responding she was a little surprised at what the toddler was saying seriously.
"I can get… piece," the toddler replied.
"You will, but we need to go to the kitchen first," Beckett said. She was relieved when Josie nodded, and she squeezed her in a hug for a moment before setting her down. "Are you okay with us getting what you need?" she then directed to her oldest.
"I am," Alexis said. "But I'm sitting while you guys are playing."
"Do you want to walk?" Beckett asked her. At the young woman's nod she said, "Alright, but they're already going down the hall," since she could see the three with the dogs through the doorway.
"I'll take her over there," Louis said as he walked inside.
Nodding, aware the two would take a little longer before they were going to the kitchen, Beckett took Josie's hand and they walked together to the hall and down to where Castle was getting some fruit punch they had made earlier that afternoon. "How does it look?" she asked him.
"Like it needs to be stirred," Castle said before Eliza giggled and spoke quickly.
"We can have some of that, right?" the little girl asked.
"Of course, but only as much as we give you," Beckett answered before her husband could.
"That's okay, I know we're having dessert," Eliza said happily.
Castle couldn't help laughing at the little girl's tone of voice, but he quickly stopped himself saying, "And how would you know that?"
"Because I saw the box," Eliza replied. "Are we going to have patisseries?"
"You'll see later," Beckett said with a smile when her husband was looking at her. "For now, let's get everything to the table," she added, looking pointedly at her husband.
"Right," Castle said. "Or else this pizza is getting cold."
"Can I carry a box?" Eliza asked.
"She could," Castle said as he looked at his wife. "Just one and Josie can take the napkins."
"Alright," Beckett said with a nod. She watched her husband give their second youngest the top box of pizza and she asked, "Is it too hot?"
"Oh no, it's perfect," Eliza said. "I can take it now, right?"
"Go ahead, but don't start eating yet," Castle told her.
"They can't, I have the plates," Julia couldn't help quipping before they were laughing. She followed her little sister to the game room and said, "Guess who got to carry that all by herself?"
"I was going to tell them," Eliza said jokingly. She then set the box on the credenza and said, "I'll go help with the other things."
"You didn't mention your sister," Louis commented with a smile. "Well, I mean Josie."
"I got towels," the toddler said proudly, holding them up to Alexis.
"I see that," the young woman said with a smile. "And you did a great job too, you didn't drop any."
"Those go here Josa," Julia said since the toddler was trying to get their big sister to take the napkins.
"Go take them to Jules," Alexis urged her. Once Josie had gone to the table she leaned back and said, "I could have walked to the kitchen you know."
Louis was about to speak before he paused, and hearing footsteps, smiled and said, "Too late."
Giving her husband a look, Alexis had him help her up before they were moving to their seats. After they got their first slices they were beginning to eat before she said, "We'll go down once we're finished right?"
"Are you sure you want to?" Castle asked her.
"I am," Alexis replied firmly. She then smiled and said, "Don't try to stop me, Dad."
"I'd be foolish to," Castle replied. "I just want to make sure that you are." Studying the look on her face he then said, "Yeah, you're sure."
"Thank you," Alexis said. She then smiled and said, "But I'm not surprised you did that."
"What?" Louis asked since his wife had turned to him.
"I know you're wondering too," Alexis replied.
"I thought so," Beckett said, not surprised when her oldest smiled at her. "I just hope once we go down to the basement you two will stop checking on her."
"Checking on her yes," Castle said swiftly. "But not keeping an eye on her, we're not going to stop that."
"You don't think I'm going to do the same?" Beckett replied simply. "But I'll be watching you two," she said, smiling at her husband and son in law.
"I was expecting that," Louis said. "And so will she," he added, nodding to his wife before they were laughing together.
After they'd stopped, Beckett asked Eliza and Julia about their days at school, which led them through the rest of the meal.
"What about what you guys did?" Eliza asked her mother while they were standing up and clearing the table.
"We didn't do that much," Beckett answered. "We did write, but we were focusing on Josie since we were a little busy this week with the case."
"I hope you don't have another one for a long time," Eliza said seriously.
"We do too," Castle said. "And we'll see as time goes on. Come on, let's get these plates into the sink." He wasn't surprised when the little girl nodded rapidly before they were leaving the room.
Going down to the kitchen, Alexis was walking a little slower than her family and smiled when her father and husband glanced back at her. She was a little startled when Josie suddenly came almost running back to her and she asked her sister with a smile, "Do you want some help with your cup?"
Shaking her head rapidly, Josie told her, "I help you."
"Oh yeah?" Alexis asked.
"Eh," Josie said, holding her hand out to her sister. After they were holding onto each other's they continued down to the kitchen where the others were and she said proudly, "I can help," before their mother was walking over to them while Castle and Louis were beginning to clean the dishes.
"You did a great job sweetie," Beckett told the toddler, picking her up. She took her cup before the toddler was speaking sternly to her, to both her surprise and amusement.
"I can carry it," Josie said. She then pursed her lips before her mother leaned into her and they shared a kiss. "Thank you, Mama."
"You're welcome," Beckett replied with a smile. She then looked at Alexis and said, "Should we sit?"
"I'm fine," the young woman said firmly. Alexis then smiled and said, "But I hope we go soon."
"But you're not going to get to play," Eliza said.
"I don't think she minds," Julia told her. When her little sister looked at her with a slight frown she said, "She wants to see the new basement."
"Exactly," Alexis said. She then told their parents, "I almost thought you'd put games down there."
Castle replied after turning to her, "We talked about it, and we have that table with multiple games." Seeing the look on his oldest's face he asked, "Now what?"
"He couldn't think of anymore games," Alexis told her mother, smiling when she nodded before she was replying.
"No, but I agreed to that table too," Beckett said. "Just for the lounge."
"And a really nice lounge," Castle added, not surprised when his wife rolled her eyes. He then looked at the counter and said, "I think we're done."
"Are you sure?" Beckett asked him in amusement.
"Yes," Castle replied before they were looking at their middle daughters.
"What?" Julia asked. She was about to speak before she paused and then said, "Did you want us to start running to the basement?"
"No, we're just making sure you're not going down there. Eliza," Castle said, calling to the little girl when he spotted her obviously trying to sneak over to the pantry. When she turned to him with wide eyes, he couldn't help laughing briefly before he stopped himself and told her, "We'll have dessert later."
"But not that late," Eliza said. When her parents both shook their heads, she nodded before she went back to them and asked, "Can we go play now?"
"You can," Beckett replied, smiling at her. "But no running."
"We know," Julia said, already leaving the kitchen. She stopped when her parents said her name at the same time and smiled at them saying, "Just kidding."
"I hope so," Beckett said, walking up to her. They headed to the basement stairs and went down, waiting for Castle to bring Alexis before they headed to the bowling lanes. She stood with Alexis while he and Louis brought over the couch and said, "I'm surprised you just want to watch."
"I know how much they want to play," Alexis said, smiling at her little sisters who were standing at the rack they had for the bowling balls.
"Are you sure it's okay?" Julia asked, turning to them since she had heard her sister.
"I'm very sure," Alexis told her reassuringly. She then looked at her husband and dad and said, "I'm supposed to sit?"
"If you want to," Castle replied, looking at Louis.
"He's right," the young man said in a rush.
Alexis laughed and shook her head before she said, "My ankles are starting to bother me, so I think I better."
"Do we have to put on shoes?" Eliza asked.
"No, remember we told you we don't have to on this floor," Castle answered. "Now get your bowling ball and we'll start."
"Am I first?" Eliza asked with a wide smile.
"Your sister is," Castle said.
"Rick," Beckett told him, seeing her husband was at the scoring console.
"Just our initials," Castle assured his wife.
"Could I put mine in?" Eliza asked. When her father nodded, she pressed the E before she paused and asked, "I can't put my name?"
"You can," Beckett answered before her husband could say anything. When he looked at her, she said, "Our names are short."
"True," Castle said. "But I just remembered your sister-"
"I think you need to let her just play with me," Beckett interrupted him.
"I could play with her," Castle replied.
"Why don't you let her pick?" Julia suggested.
"It wouldn't hurt," Castle said when he and his wife looked at each other.
"Who do you want to play with Josa?" Eliza asked after she had seen her mother nod.
"Dada," Josie said, giggling and looking at the two.
"Okay, go ahead Eliza," Castle told her.
Once their names were all on the screen, Eliza stepped up to the end of the right lane and she then said, "Are we going to use both of them?"
"I'm going as soon as you bowl," Julia said before she was looking at their parents in confusion.
"When there are more of us here playing it'll make sense," Castle explained.
Nodding, Eliza turned back to the lane and bowled, squealing when she got six pins down. "Was that good?" she asked.
"Very," Beckett said with a smile while they were watching Julia bowl in the other lane.
"Ooh, so close," the teen said with a smile when she nearly got a strike. Watching her sister bowl then, she cheered when Eliza managed to get two more pins before she went next. "Yes!" she exclaimed, getting a spare.
"Look at the cartoon," Eliza said, looking at the screen that was above them.
Watching the animation, Julia said, "You got that?"
"You're surprised?" Beckett asked with a smile.
"Yeah," Julia said. "I thought… never mind."
"We wanted it to feel like a real bowling alley," Castle said. When both girls looked at him, he said, "Yes I managed to convince your mom," in mock annoyance before Eliza was giggling while she spoke.
"You had to do that?" the little girl asked.
"He didn't," Beckett said, glancing at her husband. "I was fine with it," she added quickly before Alexis was clearing her throat and speaking while the others were turning to her.
"Are you going to let my husband go at all?" she asked jokingly.
"Yes, right now," Castle said, motioning the girls out of the way.
"Just so you know, I was happy to wait for you if you wanted to stay up there for longer," Louis said, stepping to the bowling balls. He picked out the one he'd chosen when his in laws were ordering them and said, "You don't want me to play for you Lex?"
"That's fine, just take your turn," Alexis replied with a smile before she watched him bowl.
"Wow, the first time we played," Eliza breathed in awe since her brother-in-law had gotten a strike.
"Strange, I haven't done this in years," Louis said, looking at his wife.
"You went?" Castle asked while his wife was going up to the rack.
"Back when we were at Oxford," Alexis explained. "And he was good then."
"Mama," Josie said, going over to her.
"Yes sweetie?" Beckett asked, taking her bowling ball.
"Can I hold?" Josie asked.
"I don't think so sweetie, it's a little too heavy," Beckett said. "But once you're older we'll let you play, okay?"
"Why can't she get a small one and play?" Eliza asked in confusion while Julia was moving to get their little sister.
"She's not going to be able to roll it," Castle said. "But don't worry, we'll teach her," he added before his wife was speaking to him in amusement.
"Speaking of her, shouldn't we be bowling together?" Beckett asked him.
"Right," Castle replied, getting up from his chair. He scooped up Josie to her squeal of laughter and said, "We get to go next too."
"Me too?" the toddler asked.
"Of course, I said I'd play with you," Castle said, getting his bowling ball while Josie held onto the side of his pant leg. After he had it, he led her to the end of the alley before his wife was bowling. "Love," he said when she was looking at him.
"I think she's going to have to watch," Beckett replied to his unasked question.
"Could you help?" Castle asked.
"Mommy was bowling, and Josa didn't do anything," Eliza told her parents.
"She's right, I think she'll stay," Alexis said.
"Why don't you come back this way sweetie," Beckett said to the toddler, guiding her gently. They watched Castle take his first turn, smiling when Josie cried out at him getting a strike. "I see why you wanted to buy this," she told her husband when he turned to her.
Shrugging Castle said, "At least I can take Josie now," picking the toddler up while he'd said that. He kissed her cheek before he then said, "Go ahead love."
"That was the plan," Beckett said teasingly, not surprised when he leaned over to her and kissed her briefly on the lips.
"You told them they should still go to Tahiti, right?" Louis murmured to his wife.
"Of course, and they're still not sure," Alexis said, rubbing her stomach gently. She then said, "Hopefully they'll wait."
"Hopefully," Louis said before they were turning their attention to her sisters when Eliza began to cheer.
"You got a spare Mommy!" the little girl said.
"Thank you, sweetie," Beckett said in amusement. "Now its your guys' turns again," she said while she and Castle left the lanes. She let her husband take Josie before she moved to sit next to her oldest as Louis went to get her some water.
"I'm fine," Alexis told her mother.
"I wasn't going to ask," Beckett replied. "I wanted to try out this couch."
"You haven't yet?" Julia asked, having bowled just then.
"No, we've been busy with other things," Beckett explained. "But it is comfortable."
"Definitely," Alexis said.
Watching Eliza getting a spare then, Beckett smiled and applauded her before she wrapped her arms around her second youngest. "I knew you could," she told her daughter.
"Thanks," Eliza said happily. "I really tried." Smiling when her mother kissed her temple, she let out a breath of surprise when something ran into her and looked down to see it was Josie.
"Easy sweetie," Beckett said, taking the toddler to put her on her lap. She kissed her temple before she then said, "You need to let your sisters have a turn."
"Okay," Josie replied. She smiled when her mother laughed and hugged her before they were turning their attention to Eliza.
"When are we going to have dessert Mommy?" the little girl asked.
Looking at her father's watch for a moment, Beckett glanced at her husband since he was walking over to her and said, "Do you think we should now?"
"Actually," Castle began as she set Josie down and stood up. "Are we playing more than one game?" They looked at the girls when they shook their heads and he said, "Really?"
"To be fair?" Eliza said, though she framed it in the form of a question.
"Yeah," Julia said to her. "But we would like to play in the game room too," she added before looking at their father.
"That's what I was thinking of," Castle said swiftly. "Having dessert and then spending the rest of the night in the game room."
"I like that idea," Eliza told him happily.
"Then we should finish," Alexis said.
"Going right now," Louis said since it was his turn next.
After they'd finished the ten frames, the family made their way back upstairs before Castle and Beckett were moving to the kitchen where they began getting everything ready.
"Do you want coffee?" Castle asked his wife.
"Yes," Beckett replied. When her husband was looking at her, she said firmly, "Yes Rick, we're still trying aren't we?"
"Yes, and there's only three days left until Halloween," Castle commented.
"Pervert," Beckett said, crying out when her husband was suddenly grabbing for her. She took his kiss he was giving her before holding onto him as tightly as she could. Once they'd finally parted, she said a little breathlessly, "We're going to have to," not surprised when he was immediately responding.
"How do I answer that positively without you calling me a pervert again?" Castle said.
Smiling, Beckett brushed her lips to her husband's before she told him, "Like you just did." She couldn't help laughing that time when he nodded rapidly, and she shared a brief kiss with him before they separated and moved to finish getting everything ready. She had the desserts her husband had bought after making a run to the market, and when she entered the game room, she wasn't surprised Eliza was first to rush over.
"Oooh, those look good," Eliza said, staring at the different pastries.
"Greek?" Alexis asked her father.
Nodding Castle said, "I know it's not baklava but we're all in agreement that we like trying new things right."
"Is it okay for you to have new things now?" Eliza asked her big sister.
"Of course," Alexis said. "Well, I can't have every last thing but most I can eat."
"Melomakarona?" Castle asked.
"Please," Alexis said, taking the one her mother had for her on a little plate. She watched the others taking the same kind of pastry before she asked, "How come three?"
"Because I can't stop myself," Castle said. "Though we will have leftovers for this weekend."
"And Gram and Grandpapa," Julia said. She was going to take the last bite of her cookie before she paused and then asked, "Is it fair we went bowling without them here?"
"They said it was fine," Castle commented.
"They told you specifically?" Alexis asked.
"Not because we said we were going to do it," Beckett explained. "They said if we ended up using it." She shared a smile with her husband and then said, "They had a feeling we would at some point."
Laughing briefly, Louis said, "I'm not surprised they thought you would. But when will we use it again?"
"Not until 'lexis can," Eliza said abruptly.
"Really?" Castle asked her in surprise. When the little girl nodded rapidly, he said, "I'm all for that."
"Wait-" Alexis said in protest with a frown.
"I don't care," Eliza interrupted her.
"Me either, we have other stuff to do here," Julia added in a rush.
"I think they're serious," Castle told his oldest.
"It sounds like it… and I know they are since there's this room and the pool," Alexis said with a smile.
"But once you have the babies you'll come over right?" Eliza asked.
"Of course," Alexis replied. "I'm not sure when that will be, but I'll do my best."
"Whenever you can," Julia said seriously.
"But you know you don't need to wait for me to go on your own," Alexis said. She was startled at the looks her sisters were giving her and she said with a frown, "You don't have to-" before their mother was interrupting her.