Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC and the others who do own them.
A/N #1: The title of this story is a lyric from the song I'm in Love with My Car written by Roger Taylor, from the Queen album A Night at the Opera (and the title of this story in no way means my series is done since I know some readers might think that seeing it). The title of this chapter part of the title of the song All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) written by Donald Yetter Gardner, the version I've taken from is sung by Nat King Cole.
All I Want For Christmas
"Good morning," Isaac Lennox said when he and his family had walked from the basement stairs to the kitchen.
Smiling at the choruses of good mornings from the Castles, Genevieve couldn't help saying, "Are you sure-"
"We're very sure," Beckett interrupted her. "And my husband is making a lot of oatmeal so hopefully you'll stay and eat with us."
"We will," Isaac said while he squeezed Clive's shoulder firmly.
"Could I still have sugar on mine?" the boy asked his parents.
"As long as you have a fruit with that," Genevieve said, seeing her husband nodding in agreement out of the corner of her eye.
"We have strawberries and blueberries," Castle said.
"Is oatmeal all we're having?" Peter couldn't help asking.
"It is, though if you get hungry before lunch…" Castle began before he looked at his wife.
"We'll have to see," Beckett told her husband in amusement.
"Are Alexis and Louis coming today?" Genevieve asked.
"They're staying home this weekend," Castle said first.
"They have to go back to work on Monday so they're going to spend as much time as possible with the twins," Beckett said.
"And each other," Eliza said with a wide smile.
"That too but mainly for the twins," Beckett said, looking at her daughter briefly. "What kind of juice do you guys want?"
After Castle had finished with the oatmeal and Julia had made the orange juice, the two families gathered around the table before they were discussing that day's plans.
"You're sure your parents will be okay there all day?" Isaac asked Castle and Beckett towards the end of the meal.
"They were invited," Castle said. "And Alexis and Louis are going to spend tomorrow completely alone with the twins."
"Though I wish they could stay with Emily," Beckett said apologetically to Genevieve.
"No, I don't mind staying out," she said quickly, about to say more when her husband was speaking first.
"I'll do the same for you," Isaac told his wife. "Just let me know whenever you want me to take your place."
"You can't take Emily still?" Clive asked, since it wasn't the first time they were going swimming at the house since they'd moved in.
"Not yet," Isaac said. "But when we do take her swimming for the first time in a pool it'll definitely be our own."
"You know you could… you know what," Castle started to say before he realized why the man had said that. "You're right, better to give her a little longer."
"Can you?" Eliza asked, looking at her father in confusion. She glanced at her mother when she placed her hand on her arm and stopped, though she still wasn't sure what the conversation had been about.
"Okay," Castle said to change the subject. "You're all ready to go now right?"
"After we clean up," Beckett said with a smile while she stood up. She took Josie out of her highchair and said, "Then can you take her to the game room? It's almost time for the others to get here."
"Who's coming again? Everyone?" Isaac asked while he was helping Castle wash the bowls and spoons.
"Yeah," he replied. "Our usual group which is going to include you now since you're on the street already."
"What about the Carters? How're they doing?" Genevieve asked, gently rocking the nearly seven month old Emily.
"Good, the last I heard from Autumn they were sailing up the Nile to Athribis," Beckett told them since she e-mailed the woman. "They should get there in two more days and after they'll sail the rest of the way to Cairo since they want to be in a city for Christmas."
"They just want to go see the museum," Castle commented in amusement.
"And that," Beckett said firmly, glancing at her husband. She then turned to the Lennoxes and said, "So it'll be the rest of us in this area."
"Would the Davises ever move if one of the houses on this beach came up for sale?" Isaac asked.
"Maybe," Castle answered after thinking about that for a moment. He then paused and said, "You sound like you think they should," not too surprised at the tech's answer shortly after he'd finished speaking.
"Our neighbor two doors down… neighbors," Isaac said before he corrected himself. "The Madisons, they got a job offer in L.A. with an old friend who has a real estate company, so they need to put their house for sale."
"The Queen Anne," Beckett said.
"Do you think they wouldn't take it because of the design?" Genevieve asked her.
"Actually they would," Beckett replied. "Lily loves the design, and she told me she was always disappointed they weren't able to get one since there are a number of them in town."
"Should I tell them? Jonas said he was going to put the listing for sale on Monday though he really doesn't want to," Isaac said.
"Definitely a bad time to list a house," Castle agreed. "But if Brad and Lily contacted them directly they might be able to get a good deal on that house. I would talk to them."
"I will," Isaac said. "Though his daughter's boyfriend would end up being two doors down."
"And Lily would be quick to correct him on that one," Genevieve said with a smile.
"And likely remind him the location of the house outweighs him protesting our son," Isaac said. "I'm just kidding," he said in a rush when he saw Castle and Beckett were looking at him. "I know it's him protesting his daughter growing up. I'll probably be the same way for Emily."
"Not if I can help it," Genevieve said pointedly to her husband.
"Are you sure you're not going to take in Emily at all?" Beckett asked the architect.
"The smaller pool we will," Genevieve said. "But just to let her put her feet in."
"Are we finished?" Isaac asked.
Castle was about to answer when he heard the chime for the gate before he smiled and said, "We need to be," before they were heading to the foyer.
After opening the gate to all their guests, the families were greeting the others before they were making their way to the pool room. Everyone was getting their things ready on the lounge chairs before Castle was pulling Isaac over to Brad and Lily to the tech's surprise.
"What's wrong? Do I need to arrest him?" Brad asked in confusion watching the two.
"No," Isaac said, giving the writer a look. "But there is the house two doors down from us."
"Here or-" Lily started to say.
"Here," Genevieve interrupted, having walked up to the couple.
"The Madisons? Have they done anything to… wait are you talking to just me or the both of us?" Brad started to say before he stopped himself.
"Both of you," Isaac said before he explained what the couple at the Queen Anne style house were planning to do.
"You should buy it."
Jumping with her husband, Lily turned with him to look at their son behind them before she said, "They do have a pool."
"And beach access," Eve commented.
"And you'd be two doors away from Peter," Jacob told his sister.
Giving him a look, Eve turned to their parents and said, "That'll be nice, but it's a nice house too…"
Laughing, since their daughter was speaking slowly at the end, Brad said, "I don't know much about the house either. And it is tempting."
"It's not contemporary," Lily said.
"I thought of that too," Brad replied. He then realized his whole family was looking at him; except for Sophie who in his arms was leaning her cheek against his. "You know, it's not my money-"
"Bradley," Lily interrupted him firmly.
"Okay, then we'll get in touch with them tomorrow," Brad said, looking at his watch.
"I would do it now, they're motivated," Isaac said.
"That motivated?" Darnley asked since they'd all been listening to the conversation.
"I think so, they want to move before New Year's Day," Isaac replied. "They're packing as we speak since they work from home."
"Let's call them now," Lily told her husband. "And see what they say before we plan anything else."
"What about seeing the house?" Jacob asked.
"Oh, now you want to see the house," Brad told his son teasingly. "Hopefully we might have the chance tomorrow."
"That soon?" Eve asked in surprise.
"We both have to go to work on Monday," Lily commented.
"Could we go with you? Whenever you do?" Jacob asked.
"Sure," Brad said. He looked at his wife and said, "Will you commandeer the phone?"
"Of course," Lily replied. She turned to the others and said, "We'll be right back."
"Good luck," Peter couldn't help saying. When Eve walked up to him he said, "You'll have that strange Florida cage at least."
"We're going to convince them to make that a room," Eve said with a smile.
"Think they would?" Peter asked. When his girlfriend shrugged he couldn't help laughing before they were moving to go into the pool.
"That would be cool," Mari said.
"All of us living on this street?" Julia asked her friend. When she nodded she couldn't help laughing and said, "I know, but I wonder if 'lexis and Louis mind."
"They don't," Beckett said, walking by her daughter at that moment.
"Are you sure?" Julia asked.
"They are, they want to come over still," Beckett replied. "And you're aware your sister loves Victorian houses. There's only one on our side and people are still living there."
"The Prestons," Mari said. "They're nice but I wish they had kids our age."
"Their oldest is heading to NYU next year," Rebecca said, sitting on the edge of the kids' pool while she was watching Dani with the other little kids.
"Scary," Julia said, Mari nodding in agreement with her. They were about to head into the water fully, Clive following, when they saw Brad and Lily walking inside with Sophie.
"How'd it go?" Castle asked.
"Good… though did I intimidate them? They know I'm the Chief of Police," Brad told his wife.
Rolling her eyes, Lily said, "They'll let us come over to see the house tomorrow and we'll go from there."
"Yes you three are coming with us," Brad said. "And please don't claim a room yet, if we buy it then you can."
"But you two know the drill," Lily said firmly.
"The oldest gets the biggest or the best room," Eve and Jacob said at the same time, the latter sounding annoyed. He then smiled and said, "Hopefully the rooms will both be nice."
"Has anyone been in the Madison house?" Brad asked them. When all he and Lily got were shakes of their heads he said, "Okay, then it'll be a surprise for everyone involved."
"But for now," Lily said, sitting on the edge of the kids' pool and letting Sophie walk through the water. "We can swim."
"It'll be nice to have you so close," Beckett said, sitting next to her friend.
"Definitely," Lily said before they were sharing a look and then laughing. "I hate the design of our house so much," she said once she'd calmed down before she stopped abruptly, and she was looking at Genevieve before the architect was responding laughingly to her slightly panicked expression.
"Don't worry, I design all sorts of houses and we get a lot of them here," Genevieve explained. "Though we haven't gotten a sort of California Spanish one. I haven't designed that."
"Do you think you would?" Nkosi asked from the main pool.
"Yeah, though it might take me a while," Genevieve said. "I'd have to refresh on floorplans and details on the house." She glanced at the others and asked, "No one wants me to do that right?"
"I think we're fine with our houses," Darnley said, also in the pool since Maddy and Keo were there instead of the kids' pool.
"Except ours and if we buy the Madison's we won't be looking to change it," Lily said.
"Why don't you guys head in?" Genevieve asked.
"I think I'll stay with Sophie," Lily said first and firmly.
"I might-" Rebecca started to say before Joseph was interrupting her.
"You three can go in the other pool," Nkosi's father said. "If you would like," he added. "Bethany and I are here to watch the youngest."
"You're not including me?" Genevieve asked with a smile.
"We thought you would want to stay with your baby," Bethany explained. "But he is right, we will stay with them until you come with them."
"Thank you," Beckett said before she was gesturing Josie to her. "I'm going to swim a little, but I'll come back and get you, okay sweetie?"
"Eh," the toddler replied, nodding her head. She shared a hug with her mother before she said, "Go swim."
"I am," Beckett said in amusement at her youngest's tone of voice. She kissed her cheek and let her go back to her friends before she stood and walked around to the entry of the main pool. She went into the water and swam to the deep end where her husband was sitting on the side.
"Hey, I forgot about Joseph and Bethany coming too," Castle said to her while she was sitting next to him.
"I'm not surprised," Beckett replied, smiling. She kissed his cheek before she said, "I wasn't going to ask them to watch Josie."
"Of course not," Castle said. He wasn't surprised when his wife was glancing at him and admitted, "I'm debating between jumping like they are or using the slide."
"I would say the slide," Beckett said.
Castle glanced over at the grotto and saw the older kids had left it and were walking over to the slide. "I agree," he told his wife with a smile before they were walking together over to it.
"Hi Mommy," Eliza called, swimming to the side of the pool.
"Hey, do you want to go on the slide too?" Beckett asked, smiling at the little girl.
"Can I?" Eliza asked hopefully.
"You can, but let me help you out," Castle told her quickly. After he'd reached down to her and pulled her up he looked at the other kids.
"I think that's all of them," Beckett said in amusement, watching him.
"Okay, then we better go," Castle said after he nodded. They followed Eliza to the steps and made their way up in time to see Clive going down first.
"Are you going in order of age?" Beckett asked Julia.
"We figured you'd want us to," the teen replied before she turned to Mari. "I think you can go now."
Nodding rapidly, Mari moved to head down, crying out in joy before she was splashing into the water. She swam away from where she had come down under the water and soon resurfaced before she waved for her friend to go next. Smiling at the way Julia was crying out in her joy, she watched her splash down before she reached her. "Go again?" she asked her since Clive had already left the pool to go back to the stairs.
"Sure," Julia replied before they were going to the entry in time to meet the other parents leaving the pool as well to take their turns on the slide.
"I forgot to ask you," Lily said while she was drying Sophie off.
"About lunch?" Beckett asked in amusement, doing the same with Josie who was complaining. "I'm done sweetie," she told her since she'd gotten her dried all the way.
"Yeah, you know I'm fine with cooking," Lily said.
"Not when you're a guest," Beckett replied simply. She smiled at her friend and said, "If you get that pool you can have a party too you know."
"I thought of that," Lily replied, nodding. She then smiled and said, "And we will if we get the house," not surprised when Rebecca on another chair, was commenting with a smile.
"I like the idea of us all living on this block," the lawyer told her friend.
"There are seven other houses," Genevieve stated. "Right?" she asked in slight confusion.
"Yeah, there were eight counting your land but now you've got a house there it's seven," Rebecca said when Beckett looked at her. She then said, "I think that means we'll have to get the kids to move into those seven once they're married."
"That's a little… weird," Beckett told her.
"You haven't thought of it?" Rebecca asked.
"I have, but just thought of it," Beckett said.
"She's right, I have too but I've never planned on it," Lily said teasingly to the lawyer.
Giving them a look, Rebecca said, "I'm not planning on it, I think about it too. I have kids under thirteen so they're not even close to home ownership," before she was laughing with them.
"Speaking of parenthood," Lily said as she stood with Sophie on her hip. "Alexis and Louis?"
"They're getting a lot more used to it," Beckett said, standing herself with Josie.
"You never told us how Wednesday went," Rebecca said.
"It was just dinner though we were celebrating them turning a month old," Beckett said while they were making their way to the kitchen. "Though we did go a little early," she said. "Since we were aware we were going to have to come back when the twins were asleep."
"They're doing well," Lily stated.
"Extremely," Beckett said. "If that's what you wanted to know you should have just asked," she told her friends teasingly.
"We didn't want to seem like we were fishing for information," Rebecca said.
"I appreciate that, but they're doing very well for being a little premature," Beckett replied.
"Extremely well, Louis likes to say," Castle said since the three were entering the kitchen at that point. "They'll be here for the party later this month."
"Hopefully," Darnley said. When the others were looking at him he said, "What? That way we're all together. Including the new group."
"Thank you," Isaac said laughingly. "You're sure the kids are alright with moving from the pool?"
"We told them we were going to the family fun center," Beckett said.
"Though should we be worried we're bribing them?" Nkosi asked.
"You're not," Eve said, smiling at the investigator. "We knew about it way before and we want to go… even though the outside rides and games are closed."
"Yes I agreed to it," Brad said with a sigh when his daughter was looking at him once she'd finished speaking.
"To what?" Genevieve asked.
"For me and Peter to go around the arcade on our own," Eve said with a smile before she frowned and said, "Wait-"
"I know already," Genevieve hurried to assure her. "I wasn't sure if you were talking about that or some other plan you and Peter had."
Smiling again since she was greatly relieved, Eve said, "No, just that. It's enough."
"For now?" Isaac asked. He was startled when the young woman blushed and nodded before she hurried away.
"Don't worry," Lily assured him when the tech was looking at them in obvious confusion.
"Are you sure?" Isaac asked. "That makes me think they're doing something more than holding hands," he explained before he looked at his wife.
"They aren't," Genevieve said firmly.
"She's right, Eve's enjoying the relationship," Lily said.
"So is Peter," Genevieve added before they were smiling at each other.
"Are we allowed to get ready now?" David asked.
"Go ahead, we'll meet in the entry," Beckett said since she'd seen her husband was drying his hands. She took Josie upstairs while the others were heading to rooms to change for the family fun center. It took a little time before she was with everyone else in the foyer, but she wasn't surprised when the kids weren't complaining, smiling at them talking excitedly about their plans for the rest of the day while they got their outer layers so they could go.
"Mommy," Eliza said in the car with her parents, Julia, Josie and Mari.
"Yes sweetie?" Beckett asked while Castle was leaving their garage.
"Are we still going to see the lights?" Eliza asked.
"After dinner," Castle answered before his wife could. He shared a smile with her and then said, "Or are you asking if we're going to let you go still?" He glanced at her in time to see the little girl nodding and then said, "We're letting you go, it's not supposed to be that cold."
"Is Dani going to go?" Julia asked her friend.
"So far yes," Mari said. "But she's been pushing Mom and Dad to go a lot so…"
"Well, you're coming back with us so they can take Dani back if they want to," Julia told her.
"They said they would," Mari replied with a smile.
"They didn't tell your sister that did they?" Castle asked her.
Laughing briefly, Mari said, "Of course not, but I wonder if they'll be able to do that."
"We'll see later," Julia commented before she looked out the windshield to see they weren't at the center yet. But once they reached there she was first out of the car before she told Mari, "Should we see if we can go around the arcade on our own too?"
"Are you going to spy on Eve and Peter?" Mari asked teasingly. She couldn't help giggling when her friend gave her a look and then asked, "What about Clive?"
"Oh I meant him too, and Jake," Julia said, reminding her friend about Eve's brother.
"Him too," Mari said, nodding.
"Are you two ready to go?" Beckett asked them.
"Did you hear us?" Julia responded with her own question.
"We both did," Castle said. "And we were going to let you go too, but don't bother Eve and Peter if they don't want you around."
"We won't," Julia said simply, seeing her friend frowning for a moment.
Inside the building, the family went to the indoor golf course first, surprised to find they had it to themselves since there was a group at the end of the course.
"Why is everyone outside?" Maddy asked. "It's cold."
"Definitely," Nkosi said. "But I think it's supposed to snow next week."
"I'm not the weather man," Castle said in mock annoyance.
"No, but your knee basically is," Darnley told him.
"True, but it's a little soon if it's going to get bad," Castle explained. "Though we'll get a half inch either Wednesday or Thursday."
"I wonder if it'll be a white Christmas," Rebecca commented.
"Skye and Mary have been around snow," Beckett said since she was aware of what her friend was hinting at.
"And they hate it," Nkosi said, looking at his father when he was laughing loudly.
"I am sorry," Joseph said, smiling widely once he had calmed down. "I was thinking of how Skye would complain when she was in D.C. in the winter."
"Don't they go snowboarding?" David asked.
"A lot, but that's in the mountains," Beckett said. "That's how she explained it to me," she added before Eliza was speaking a little shyly to them to get their attention.
"Can we start now?" the little girl asked.
"Go ahead," Castle said, trying not to let his urge to laugh seep into his tone. They were watching Keo going first and then said, "Do you think they realize this is going to take a while?" to the other adults.
"I don't think they care," Brad commented before they were applauding the little boy's attempt.
Since there were so many of them, they were playing in groups before moving to each hole until they were finishing the course.
"What time is it?" Julia asked her father as soon as they had returned their golf clubs.
"Almost three," Castle said. "Why?"
"We could hear what you were talking about," Jacob said, sharing a smile with the other older kids.
"And why were you eavesdropping?" Brad asked.
"When you were talking right by us?" Eve responded. She laughed when her dad suddenly hugged her and she responded before she said, "We're going to the arcade right?"
"We were debating that and the other golf course," Castle said, not surprised when the kids were protesting immediately.
"I guess it's the arcade," Rebecca said with a slight frown.
"You children will get tired of it," Bethany told them.
"We won't," Jacob told her. "It's a big arcade."
"And a lot to play," Julia said.
"Do you think we could play every game?" Mari asked the other older kids.
"I don't think so," Julia said slowly first. She then turned to her parents and asked, "Could we try doing that?"
"Do you really want to do the shooting games?" Beckett asked her.
Making a face Julia said, "No, but it would be cool to try."
"We wouldn't have enough money," Clive said in a rush, flushing when the other older kids were looking at him before his father was talking to them all with a smile.
"You're right so I would suggest that you two play what you can," Isaac said to his sons.
"How much do you have?" Eve asked after they and the older kids had charged their play cards once they left their parents.
"I have a little more points from last time we were here," Peter told her since she'd been talking to him. "About… a thousand."
"A thousand what?" Julia asked. When her partner looked at her she said with a smile, "Just so we know how much we all have."
"Did you want to go by yourselves?" Jacob asked quickly when he saw the look between his sister and Peter.
"Yeah, I was thinking we were going to do that after dinner but there's not going to be that much time before we leave to go see the lights," Eve explained. She smiled gratefully when their friends urged them to go and she left with Peter for the other side of the arcade, waving to her parents who were with the other adults and younger kids on the way. She looked at her boyfriend once they were on their own and said, "Don't worry."
"I'm not, just waiting to see if your dad was going to say anything," Peter explained. "Your mom too," he added in a rush.
"But mostly my dad," Eve said, laughing softly when her boyfriend was nodding his head rapidly.
"I know he's okay with me but…" Peter said before they were reaching the set of skeeball games they'd been heading to. He stopped her then and when she looked at him questioningly he said, "Do you remember when I first asked you out?"
"A year ago… well a little more than that," Eve said. "Why?" She was a little startled when her boyfriend was slipping a small box into her hand and said, "I thought our anniversary was-"
"It is, but I wanted to… celebrate us telling each other we liked each other," Peter said, trying not to become too agitated while she was unwrapping the box.
"Oh… Peter," Eve breathed in joy when she saw the bracelet inside. She pulled it out and said, "It's beautiful."
"You like it?" Peter asked. "Mom took me to buy it but I wasn't sure, I don't know that much about jewelry so-" he began saying in a rush before she was kissing him and cutting him off. "I'm glad you do," he said when she soon after pulled away from him.
Laughing Eve said, "Of course I do, put it on for me?" She smiled when he was nodding and watched him doing so, studying the delicate chain with a small sapphire which was her birthstone on it. "Thank you so much," she told her boyfriend. "I… didn't have anything for you."
"It's okay, I owe you a lot more because you said you'd go out with me," Peter said, startled when Eve began to frown.
"You don't owe me anything," the young woman said firmly. Eve then smiled and said, "Should we start playing?"
"I think so," Peter replied before he was reaching for her hand and squeezing gently at it. They turned to the skeeball games in front of them and then started to play, teasing each other at the same time though they weren't really competing until they had finished their first game and she was leaning against him while they were laughing together.
"Any objections?" Genevieve asked Brad and Lily since they'd been watching the pair.
"Not really," Brad said first since his wife had been looking at him pointedly. He then smiled and said, "I think it's a solid anniversary gift."
"Surprised?" Isaac asked.
"To be honest I am, just because I thought he would go with the fifteenth of next month… or the fourteenth since it's on Sunday next year," Brad said.
"True," Isaac said with a smile. "And he will."
"He's going to," Genevieve said with a smile after Eve's parents were looking at her. "He hasn't told us what he wants to do yet but… he'll do something."
"Are they going out that night?" Darnley said.
"Of course, chaperoned," Lily said firmly. "Though… who's going to be the one to take them?"
"We'll have to wait to figure that one out," Brad said. "And we may be almost next door neighbors at that point… though that seems a little soon."
"We have to see what the Madisons do if we're buying their house for sure," Lily said.
"We have a house?" Sophie asked then.
"I want one," Josie then said. "What?" she asked in surprise when the adults were laughing.
"Nothing sweetie," Beckett told her, kissing the side of her head. She set her down and said, "Do you want to play?"
"Eh," Josie replied since they were at the whack-a-mole games.
"I'll help her," Castle said, moving to step up to the game with the toddler.
"How's Julia?" Darnley asked, standing with his friend once the game was starting and the younger kids were playing.
"Fine… why would you ask?" Beckett said with a slight frown, looking at her friend.
"I can't ask them about Jake," Darnley said, nodding to Brad and Lily who were with their youngest.
Smiling, Beckett said, "He went on a date."
"I remember," Darnley said.
"How did it go?" Nkosi asked. When his husband and Beckett were looking at him he said, "We didn't hear that."
"Okay," Brad said, smiling when the three were jumping suddenly. "We can hear you."
"Or you can," Darnley said. "You and your superhuman hearing," he said in amusement.
"Not really," Brad said. "And I won't go into detail because Jake wouldn't want me to, but the girl was a little intimidated by me."
"And she wasn't happy the date was being chaperoned," Lily added. "She was a brat."
"Really?" Rebecca asked.
"Lils really wasn't happy with her," Brad said. "And Jake wasn't either remember," he told his wife.
"Right he told us after we dropped her off at home and he told us there weren't going to be anymore dates," Lily said with a nod. "Apparently she flirted with him hard and he felt like he had to date her."
"Hopefully that won't affect him," David said.
"We talked to him and he said he won't ask a girl if she does that again," Brad commented. "Not because he doesn't want to date but because he doesn't want to be pressured that much."
"It's interesting he doesn't seem to be… well, interested in dating that much," Darnley said while they were watching the younger kids playing at the coin drop games they were around.
"He's not gay," Lily said immediately. "We told him if he was, or bisexual, we wouldn't care and he said he definitely wasn't and showed us the picture he had." She glanced at the others and smiled before she said, "It was of an athlete running at the Tokyo Olympics, I can't remember her name. But it was just of her after she'd won a medal race and he said he…"
"Was attracted to her," Brad said. "He let us take it since he said he always felt weird having it just in his desk drawer but he liked to look at it."
"I did that," Castle commented, glancing at his wife before she was smiling and then speaking in amusement.
"I'm not surprised, but was it an athlete too?" Beckett inquired.
"Too bad Mother isn't here," Castle muttered. "It wasn't, it was Carrie Fisher."
"Return of the Jedi?" Rebecca asked after they'd glanced at Brad who was snorting in laughter.
"No, just a magazine picture," Castle said, frowning at his friend. "You remember?"
"Yeah, we were in our dorm room at the school, remember?" the chief asked his friend.
Smiling, Lily said, "Does that mean you had that picture too?"
"Yes," Brad said simply. He wasn't surprised when his wife and Castle's were sharing a smile and then said, "But it was just to look at to be honest. We were sharing a room."
"What're you talking about?" Eliza asked, walking up to the adults.
"Just some pranks Brad and I played on each other when we were at boarding school," Castle said before they were heading to the next game.
"Hey, we're not following you," Jacob told his sister when they were meeting the two at the clown game.
"We know," Eve said in mock annoyance. She then smiled and said, "How's it going?"
"Got tickets," Jacob replied. He realized how the others were looking at him and said, "What?"
"You said that really weirdly," Mari said. She paused and then asked Julia, "That was right?"
"It sounded fine," the teen said with a nod. Julia then smiled and said, "What're you guys going to play now?"
"This," Peter commented. "We wanted to get more tickets too."
"Wait, where did you get that bracelet?" Mari asked after she had gasped noticing Eve's wrist.
"Peter gave it to me," the young woman replied. "For our telling each other we liked each other anniversary."
"Nice," Jacob said.
"You don't mind?" Peter asked.
"He better not," Clive said jokingly.
"I don't, it's just a bracelet," Jacob said.
Snorting Eve said, "He's not proposing."
"Yeah, that would be… weird," Peter commented. "Why don't we just play, we're running out of time before dinner."
"Are you looking forward to the lights?" Julia asked Eve.
"I am," she replied. Pausing, Eve then said, "Are you trying to get me to say we're going to get all…"
"No, just seeing if you're going to walk together later," Julia said laughingly.
"Of course we are," Peter said. "I mean we'll walk around each other at the very least," looking at his girlfriend in surprise when she was laughing before squeezing his arm and speaking to him with her laughter still in her voice.
"You can hold my hand," Eve told him. "Actually I'm going to insist we do that."
"Okay," Peter said, seeing the other four turning away from them.
"Stop laughing," Eve said to them jokingly.
"We're done," Clive said, shaking himself. "So… keep playing?"
"We'll keep going, see you guys for dinner," Julia said, walking away while she took the boys' arms.
"Hey, let go, I wanted to play the fish reel game," Clive said in protest.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't want to crowd them," Julia replied, letting him and Jacob go before they were turning their attention to the game. "Did you want to do something else?" she directed to Mari who had walked after them.
"What happened to playing every game?" the girl said teasingly. Mari couldn't help laughing when her friend shrugged and then said, "What about that one?"
"The skeeball?" Julia asked, looking at the wall of them.
"Wait, we want to play that one," Jacob told them quickly.
"Then hurry up," Mari told them jokingly.
"Okay, done," Clive said since he was taking his turn then. "I never get that high."
"Neither do I, but at least it's tickets," Jacob told him.
"True," Clive replied before they were bumping fists.
"So are these," Julia told them.
"We're following you," Jacob said swiftly before they were all laughing together.
Once they were at the games Julia wasn't surprised when the two boys hurried over to the fire themed one she smiled and then asked Mari, "Regular?"
"You don't want to play another one? You have this one at home," the girl replied.
"Well… alright," Julia said slowly, studying the game before she was walking with her to the ocean themed one. While they were playing she was startled seeing her parents were on their own walking up to her and she asked, "What happened to Lizzy and Josa?"
"They're with Bethany and Joseph," Castle said first. "And your sister promised to help watch the other kids."
"What about Maddy and Dani?" Julia asked with a smile.
"They said they'd help too but I think Eliza will be the one to remember," Castle commented. Seeing the way his wife was looking at him he told her, "It's true you know?"
"I'm aware," Beckett said before she was looking at their daughter.
"Are you going to join us?" Julia asked.
"No, we're just wondering if you're finished with these games," Castle said.
"Is it because we have the regular ones at home?" Julia asked. When her father nodded she looked at Mari and they couldn't help bursting out into heavy laughter together before her mother was holding onto their shoulders.
"Is this about a joke?" Beckett asked, relieved when they calmed down.
"Yeah, sorry," Julia said, trying not to snort in her laughter. She spoke again and then said, "Mari asked if I wanted to play those for the same reason," looking at her father when he was laughing before he stopped and was speaking to her friend.
"I'm not surprised you did, though you're not bored with what we have are you?" Castle asked her.
"Oh no, we're going to have the same thing at our game room," Mari said rapidly, smiling at the Castles. She then said, "I just wanted to try the ocean one; I've never seen that theme before."
"I think it's new," Jacob said, joining the four with Clive since they'd finished their turns.
"It is, out of my way," Castle said, exaggerating his tone before the kids were laughing. "Are you done though?" he asked them.
"Yeah, we'll probably go to the coin drop games," Julia said, looking at her friends and seeing them nodding.
"Have fun," Beckett said with a smile, watching them walking away. She felt her husband's hand on her back and turned to him asking, "You did want to play this right?"
"I did," Castle said. "But did you?" He was a little startled when she suddenly smirked at him before she was leaning into him and they were kissing each other lightly. "Should we compete?" he asked.
"I don't think so," Beckett said, sliding her card into the console she was in front of. "But when we get to the air hockey…"
Castle turned to her in surprise but when she merely glanced at him he shook himself and turned his attention to his console before he risked the chance of becoming aroused by her.
"I feel bad for Josa," Eliza said to her sister after they were out of the cars.
"She is still little," Julia told her.
"And we waited to bring you," Beckett said, walking up to the two. "We'll let her come but once she's older."
"And she's probably having fun in the game room," Julia reminded her. "Gram and Grandpapa are back home now."
"I guess…" Eliza replied slowly. "Are we going to show the pictures we take still?"
"We have to, she'll remember we went to see the lights," Castle commented, joining them.
"Is everyone ready?" Beckett asked him.
"They are, they're just waiting for Julia and Eliza to join the kids at the front," Castle said before they watched their middle daughters hurrying to their friends. While the others began walking he reached over and took his wife's hand saying, "Do you want to discuss the games earlier?"
"Not yet," Beckett said in amusement since she and Castle had played two games of air hockey and had each won. "Though I'm still more than a little suspicious of you taking so long the second time." She smiled when he did so first and then said, "That we have to discuss later."
"Great," Castle replied, not surprised when she rolled her eyes before she was focusing on her camera since they'd reached the first house. Walking along the first street he was quiet to allow her the chance to take photographs, not minding watching her.
Stopping at the first intersection, still behind the others, Beckett turned to her husband and said, "Are you ready for dessert?"
"Why… oh, I am but we're not there yet," Castle said swiftly.
"No, but I've noticed Eliza's been looking back at us," Beckett commented before they were crossing the street after the others.
Castle glanced at the kids, noticing it wasn't just Eliza glancing back every so often. "I guess everyone needs to be ready," he told his wife.
Smiling Beckett said, "I had just seen Eliza."
"I'm not surprised, we were expecting that," Castle said before he took her hand gently. "Is that okay?"
"You ask me now?" Beckett replied laughingly.
"I was afraid you were going to say no," Castle said before he was jumping at the sound of Darnley snorting near him, he and his wife turning to the carpenter though Nkosi was speaking first.
"Be nice Patrick," the investigator said. "He can't help listening."
"It's alright," Castle said before his wife could say anything. "I know he's still looking out for Kate."
"Yeah… you figure after so many years I would have stopped," Darnley said slowly. He shook himself and then said, "I meant those years I was in D.C. before we saw each other again."
"I got what you meant," Beckett replied. "And I was going to say," she then began, looking at her husband pointedly. "That you couldn't help hearing us you're walking right in front of us."
"Oh that. Of course we could," Darnley said, nodding his head rapidly, not surprised when his friend was laughing.
Beckett told him, "I'm not surprised you're still looking out for me though. It's why I still remembered you after so many years." She wasn't surprised when Darnley moved to hug her with one arm and responded in turn before Eliza was hurrying up to them while she spoke at the same time eagerly.
"Mommy, Daddy come look and see there's a roller coaster!" the little girl told them.
"A roller coaster?" Castle asked.
"It's an amusement park," Eliza replied. "I think it's supposed to be Coney Island," she added when they approached the front of the house.
"It is," Beckett said with a smile seeing the homemade 'rides' on the front yard. She took several pictures before she lowered her camera and was watching the small car on the roller coaster going around. She then looked at her husband and seeing the way he was watching the different rides she leaned into him and told him, "Don't get any ideas."
"While it would be awesome to have our own park… we'd have to put it in the back," Castle said.
"I'm glad you agree with me," Beckett said. "And no that doesn't mean we're going to do it."
"I had a feeling," Castle said seriously. He wasn't surprised when his wife was looking at him and couldn't help laughing briefly before he said, "I wanted you to know I was serious, not about to start building it."
"I appreciate that," Beckett replied, smiling before they were heading to the next house.
"Which one is your favorite?" Mari asked Julia when they were passing by a house that wasn't decorated.
"I think the amusement park one," the teen replied. She smiled and then said, "But they're all great of course."
"Definitely," Mari replied with a nod before she looked ahead of them. "I see the stall," she told her friend with a whisper.
"Good thing, I thought we weren't going to get to it in time," Julia replied, keeping her voice low before they were turning when Brad was speaking to them all.
"We're here, everyone stop and grab a child," the chief said jokingly.
"Dad," Eve and Jacob said together before they were all laughing.
"What can we get?" Eliza asked, having gone to her parents as soon as she saw they were at the house that sold desserts.
"The usual," Beckett said with a smile. "Hot chocolate and some gingerbread."
"Thanks!" Eliza said happily before they were stepping up to the table. She waited eagerly for her cup of hot chocolate, licking at some of the whipped cream on top. She watched her father paying and said to her mother, "Can I take both?"
"Are you going to be able to without dropping it?" Beckett asked. She wasn't surprised when the little girl nodded rapidly and said, "Alright but be careful."
"I will," Eliza replied.
"Are you ready for your piece?" Beckett asked Julia since she'd been standing near them.
"Yeah, I knew how much she wanted to have some already," the teen replied. "I thought it would be better if I let her go first."
"Good idea," Castle said, walking over to them. He watched his wife giving Julia her slice of gingerbread before he asked her, "How're we doing this?"
"Give me my hot chocolate love," Beckett told him firmly before they were exchanging a cup for the other slice of gingerbread. After they were walking again she said, "Don't ask."
"Don't worry," Castle replied. "I remember how you do this."
Beckett couldn't help laughing and said, "Thank you, but we better keep going."
Castle was surprised she'd said that but then turned to look ahead of them and saw they were falling behind the others. "Are we going that slow tonight?" he asked her when they were walking a little faster.
"It is cold," Beckett told him with a smile. She wasn't surprised when he merely nodded in response since he was drinking his hot chocolate and they continued until they finished their drinks and dessert.
"Is Mommy taking pictures again?" Eliza asked, going back to her sister at one point.
"Yeah, why?" Julia asked. She was a little startled when her sister wasn't answering and she shared a look with Mari before she hurried after her.
"What's wrong?" Castle asked them after he and his wife had slowed them down though the pair hadn't run.
"Could we take a picture in front of the amusement park?" Eliza asked eagerly.
"I think we should," Castle told his wife before she could respond.
"Alright, but it'll need to be once we're on the other side of the street," Beckett replied. She wasn't surprised when Eliza had raced away and she watched Julia going after her and slowing her down.
"You can always say we don't need dessert," Castle told his wife since he'd been watching their daughters as well. He was startled when she was laughing and he turned to her before he said, "You could," insisting when she had calmed down.
Shaking her head Beckett said, "You honestly expect me to keep them from having that? That would be cruel," smiling and squeezing his arm.
Nodding, Castle said, "I just thought you should know," smiling when his wife did. Since her left hand was free, he reached down to it and took it gently before she was glancing at him and entwining their fingers. Though it was a simple gesture, he couldn't help feeling a thrill before he squeezed at her. Feeling her squeeze back he had to fight his inclination to kiss her since they still had more of the neighborhood to go though he promised himself he would do so as soon as they were alone.